Yard to the Post @ Chipping Norton Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 27 February 2016
WINX is gathering a big name in Australian racing and she went off at "Black Caviar odds" in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes. On a day where the bias was ON-PACE, jockey Hugh Bowman sat midfield and had no hesitation in taking the glamour mare wide on the turn.
The big-striding star did the rest, making a sustained run to blow her rivals away yet again.
Godolphin enjoyed a great day both at Randwick and Caulfield, with GHISONI and MEURSAULT saluting in the blue colours in Sydney. GHISONI followed in her dam Portillo's footsteps to win the Surround Stakes and is now set to enjoy Autumn riches.
In other races, CHARLIE BOY took an inside run to take out the Liverpool City Cup in a sweet and sour win for team Snowden. Former glamour colt RICH ENUFF unfortunately bled in the race.
Earlier in the day, Gai Waterhouse unleashed another live Slipper chance in SCARLET RAIN, while James Cummings produced GOOD STANDING to a dominant win in the boys division.
Jockeys James McDonald and Hugh Bowman both rode doubles and the track was lightning quick.
A full yard to the post review is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | +6 metres |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | ON-PACE |
Race 1 ALL TOO HARD HANDICAP
Stamina to the fore in a testing race
strong tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lord Disick | Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson | Christian Reith | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Dee I Cee | Ciaron Maher | Thomas Huet | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Another Cocktail | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 2 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
DEFROST MY HEART fit & well. SPRINGBOK FLYER coat shining. ANOTHER COCKTAIL very alert. MR STEAL a tough type
In The Running
SPRINGBOK FLYER was ridden forward to lead MR STEAL, who then took over at the half way mark and maintained a STRONG TEMPO out in front. DEE I CEE took the sit in behind the hot speed.
The Result
MR STEAL (4th) was left a sitting duck turning for home with DEE I CEE (2nd) and LORD DISICK (1st) running over the top in the straight. ANOTHER COCKTAIL (3rd) worked home however was well beaten.
The Interest
It was daring tactics from Brenton Avdulla aboard the one-paced MR STEAL, who had to go hard to have a chance. Two divisions were set up in the race being set up with the back markers never going to be a factor, especially with the on-pace bias. Strong stayers LORD DISICK and DEE I CEE had the right spot and stuck on best to clear out. Gai now has former Kiwi DEE I CEE being prepared for the Adelaide Cup and looks a stayer in the making up to 2400m here second-up. MR STEAL showed fight up the straight and stuck on well. ARCHEAN was eased down in the straight. DEFROST MY HEART will now be spelled. Follow DEE I CEE. Forgive those that got too far back in the race.
Race 2 PRO-RIDE SKYLINE STAKES
Does the Slipper fit this Cummings youngster ?
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Good Standing | James Cummings | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Lionhearted | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Christian Reith | 7 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Souchez | Peter & Paul Snowden | William Buick | 8 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
Godolphin pair TELPERION and SOUCHEZ relaxed. GOOD STANDING coat shining. VEGA fit but a little on toes
In The Running
LIONHEARTED jumped best as SOUCHEZ strolled up outside the lead racing three-wide. GOOD STANDING raced one off the fence in behind.
The Result
LIONHEARTED (2nd) gave a kick along the rail, however GOOD STANDING (1st) was more powerful to the line in the end. They cleared away from SOUCHEZ (3rd) who stuck on after racing wide on-pace for the entire trip.
The Interest
The money was right for GOOD STANDING firming from $3.80 into $3.30 in on-track fluctuations. Although still learning, the colt quickened off the moderate tempo and now looks a real Golden Slipper prospect. LIONHEARTED gave backers a good sight at his first start in Sydney, sticking on till the end. The Godolphin pair both looked like they raced a little greenly with SOUCHEZ racing wide the trip, and TELPERION racing very green out wide, and just didn't pick up like last time after getting a long way back. MEDITERRANEAN seemed to peak on his run. VEGA pulled up coughing. Follow GOOD STANDING.
Race 3 TAB HIGHWAY PLATE
The best horse wins!
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Appoint Percy | Luke Pepper | Brenton Avdulla | 13 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Warken | Paul Smith | Mr Lester Grace | 6 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Destined to Win | John Bateman | Sam Clipperton | 3 | 57.5 |
In The Yard
Fav APPOINT PERCY coat shining. DESTINED TO WIN & SCULPTURES relaxed and fit. KING'S OFFICER holding condition well after recent racing.
In The Running
COOLCAT DANCER jumped best to lead WARKEN and APPOINT PERCY who got across from an outside gate. LOYAL TOAST was slow to begin, while CHAOS raced wide throughout.
The Result
APPOINT PERCY stalked the leader and showed his class racing away from WARKEN (2nd) who stuck on well from on-pace in a tight go for the minors with DESTINED TO WIN (3rd) grabbing COOLCAT DANCER (4th) on the line.
The Interest
Brenton Avdulla knew he was on the best horse and needed to get across from gate 13, and he did that with ease to be close to the speed. The gelding relaxed well and still has a lot of scope going forward, potentially to a Brisbane winter carnival. WARKEN showed fight to the line after racing on the speed, however the mile may be enough for him. DESTINED TO WIN got home in a bunched finish, while early leader COOLCAT DANCER weakened along the rail. Follow APPOINT PERCY.
Race 4 LES JOHNSON MEMORIAL SWEET EMBRACE STAKES
Gai has another ready-made Slipper contender
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scarlet Rain | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 12 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | In the Vanguard | John Sargent | Brenton Avdulla | 9 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Tale of Choice | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Kerrin McEvoy | 10 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
GLORIETTE a lean & efficient type. OUR BELISA big & strong. TWIST TOPS holding condition well. SCARLET RAIN fit. SMART AMELIA relaxed & well.
In The Running
SCARLET RAIN crossed easily from the outside to lead TALE OF CHOICE and IN THE VANGUARD in behind.
The Result
SCARLET RAIN (1st) led them up and gave a kick to hold off IN THE VANGUARD (2nd) who popped off the fence to give chase. These two cleared out from a wall of horses including TALE OF CHOICE (3rd), TWIST TOPS (4th) and KENTUCKY MISS (5th).
The Interest
Gai has another live Slipper hope in SCARLET RAIN, a horse that jumps, runs and shows a kick. She is a winner, and that is all you can ask. IN THE VANGUARD chased hard right to the line, and these two were in a class of their own ahead of the rest. Of the closers, PALOMINOS worked home ok out wider, while KENTUCKY MISS was held up for clear running until inside the 200m. SMART AMELIA always had the job to do from the back and pulled up mildly lame in the near foreleg Follow SCARLET RAIN and IN THE VANGUARD. Forgive SMART AMELIA and KENTUCKY MISS.
Race 5 COOLMORE SURROUND STAKES
A sexy Godolphin star in for a massive autumn
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ghisoni | James Cummings | James McDonald | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Single Gaze | Chris Waller | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Stay With Me | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
Favourite GHISONI looking a picture. STAY WITH ME relaxed & well.
In The Running
GHISONI jumped to an early lead from SINGLE GAZE on her outside. CAPTURED raced wide without cover. AMBIENCE was slow to begin.
The Result
GHISONI (1st) was simply far too classy in the run to the line holding off SINGLE GAZE (2nd) who stuck on ok. STAY WITH ME (3rd) ran on after racing wide with cover.
The Interest
Godolphin have a new star! GHISONI looked a picture in the yard and didn't disappoint her backers as she was ridden a patient ride in front by James McDonald. It wasn't until the 200m that he asked for her, and she responded sprinting clear along the rails. SINGLE GAZE is a consistent type that did not shirk at her task however did get conditions to suit. STAY WITH ME raced handier than she did first-up, racing three-wide with cover and ran on out wide. HONESTA worked home ok and will be better suited as the distances increase. Follow GHISONI.
Race 6 GUY WALTER STAKES
Strong free-striding wins in track record time
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Solicit | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Zanbagh | John Thompson | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 4 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Peeping | Ron Quinton | Sam Clipperton | 5 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
Long striding SOLICIT big & strong. PEEPING to take the stalking position. All other mares relaxed
In The Running
SOLICIT did what she does best and rolled to the lead from AMICUS who sat outside the lead with VERGARA in behind. TINTO raced wide without cover.
The Result
SOLICIT (1st) was simply too strong from the front, powering away from ZANBAGH (2nd) who chased hard to the line. PEEPING (3rd) was found out over the concluding stages hanging on for a place.
The Interest
The race was set up for SOLICIT to dominate, and that she did. Straight to the front and her class at the set weights. She broke a track record and earnt her Group 2 success. ZANBAGH chased hard and impressed in unsuitable conditions. PEEPING was kept in a pocket until early in the straight and may have peaked on her run late. AMICUS was ridden upside down going forward from the wide gate and is better ridden with cover. Forgive AMICUS and those that had to close from the back in yet another race where the on-pacers dominated.
Race 7 PRECISE AIR CHIPPING NORTON STAKES
The Winx show keeps rolling on
fair tempo
Bias:
on-pace
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winx | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 8 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Dibayani | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Blake Shinn | 1 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Hauraki | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Sam Clipperton | 10 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
WINX looking a treat. Stayers MONGOLIAN KHAN & HARTNELL forward in condition. STORM THE STARS a little on toes.
In The Running
MAGIC HURRICANE crossed and led DIBIYANI who lobbed outside the lead. MONGOLIAN KHAN raced more forward along the inside inside of HARTNELL.
The Result
DIBAYANI (2nd) took over at the top of the straight, only for the mighty mare WINX (1st) to amble up and power away in the run to the line. HAURAKI (3rd) ran on strongly and made ground from the back.
The Interest
She is simply brilliant! Those lucky enough to be on track witnessed a superstar work her magic as Hugh Bowman produced the mare coming wider before the turn. She was simply too good for her rivals again, and increases her winning streak to seven. DIBAYANI made use of the inside gate and lost no admirers throwing down a brief challenge to Winx. Of those from the back, HAURAKI trailed Winx into the race and made up good ground after getting a long way back, while PREFERMENT also made good ground along the rail. MONGOLIAN KHAN's run seem to end at the 200m and had a poor respiratory recovery. Follow WINX and PREFERMENT,
Race 8 LIVERPOOL CITY CUP
Team Snowden with the lesser of their chances
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlie Boy | Ciaron Maher | Blake Shinn | 1 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Rock Sturdy | Joseph Pride | Jason Collett | 7 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Good Project | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 10 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
RICH ENUFF coltish in the yard and kicked the fence. GOOD PROJECT fit & well. FAMOUS SEAMUS fit enough fresh.
In The Running
RICH ENUFF went forward to lead RIVER LAD with CHARLIE BOY in behind along the rail. IT'S SOMEWHAT and FAMOUS SEAMUS raced wide without cover. GENERALIFE was slow to begin.
The Result
RICH ENUFF (5th) led them up before easing off the rail presenting CHARLIE BOY (1st) with an inside split. ROCK STURDY(3rd) rocketed home out wider, getting past GOOD PROJECT (3rd) who weaved through the pack and dived late.
The Interest
CHARLIE BOY was the forgotten Snowden horse in the betting, and jockey Blake Shinn had to wait for the split along the inside that his stable mate presented at the 200m. ROCK STURDY was Group 1 placed and showed he has continued to improve, while GOOD PROJECT showed he has come back in great order running on from mid field. There were some hard luck stories in the race including BIG MONEY who was severely checked near the 200m from RIVER LAD, while GENERALIFE never really got a crack at them finishing hard along the inside. In disappointing news for the Snowden camp, RICH ENUFF bled in the race leaving him out for a period of three months, while SILVERBALL also bled, banning him from racing. Follow CHARLIE BOY, GOOD PROJECT and ROCK STURDY. Forgive GENERALIFE, RICH ENUFF (bled) and SILVERBALL (bled).
Race 9 SCHWEPPES HANDICAP
Godolphin cap off a great day around the country
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meursault | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 9 | 58.5 | |
| 2 | My Favorite | Joseph Pride | Hugh Bowman | 7 | 61.0 | |
| 3 | Nancy | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 8 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
MEURSAULT coat shining & fit. NANCY smaller type. MY FAVOURITE has come on in fitness.
In The Running
MY FAVOURITE kicked up along the inside to lead MEURSAULT with EL SASSO wider without cover. DANISH TWIST was slow to begin.
The Result
MY FAVOURITE (2nd) got the better of MEURSAULT (1st) deep into the straight, before a desperate lunge on the line from James McDonald proving the difference. NANCY (3rd) ran on strongly, as did UNEQUIVOCAL (4th) who made good ground from last.
The Interest
Another on-pace dominated race with James McDonald lifting MEURSAULT over the line at the finish. He had conditions to suit on top of the ground for a deserved win. MY FAVOURITE did well under the 61kgs and fought all the way up the straight. Of the closers, NANCY got a nice trail into the race and finished well, while DANISH TWIST had to push out half way up the straight before balancing up and making good ground late. UNEQUIVOCAL could well have been the run of the race, swooping the field and charging late from the back. Follow MY FAVOURITE, DANISH TWIST and UNEQUIVOCAL.