Yard to the Post @ Randwick Guineas Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 05 March 2016
Christian Reith out-rode Hugh Bowman to take the day's big prize, the Group One Randwick Guineas over 1,600 metres.
PRESS STATEMENT had beaten LE ROMAIN (picture) in the Hobartville easily, both putting in strong runs ahead of the chasing pack. But this time Bowman didn't find the right spot on the heavily-backed favourite. Reith kept him locked up and swept to the lead when it mattered.
In other races, HOLLER led all the way to beat home FIRST SEAL in the other Group One on the card, the Canterbury Stakes. It was one of many upsets on a day that completely changed the Golden Slipper markets.
A full review from the yard to the post is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | OFF RAILS |
Race 1 REISLING STAKES
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | French Fern | David Payne | Blake Shinn | 4 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Quick Feet | Peter & Paul Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 7 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Moqueen | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 5 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
All fillies paraded ok in the heat. ZELADY’S NIGHT OUT was a little on her toes exiting the yard. SUPER TOO is a tall type. MOQUEEN has a lighter frame. All ready for Race 1 under warm, sunny skies.
In The Running
ZELADY'S NIGHT OUT led from SUPER TOO in the small field. FRENCH FERN travelled wide without cover, while HONESTY PREVAILS was slow to begin.
The Result
SUPER TOO (6th) was quickly collared by FRENCH FERN (1st) who was strongest to the line off her wide run, while QUICK FEET (2nd) and MOQUEEN (3rd) ran on from the back half.
The Interest
Some sensation to start the day with the well-backed CALLIOPE getting a leg up over the gate and stewards opted it was safer not to run the filly. It was David Payne's filly FRENCH FERN that now finds her way into the slipper if connections go that way. It was a gutsy performance racing wide the trip, and although early indications suggest she is not up to winning a Slipper, she will improve on the run. QUICK FEET and MOQUEEN both travelled into the race from the back half. Easing favourite HONESTY PREVAILS was keen early and always in a tight spot along the fence, however seemed to have her chance. Overall, not a race to get excited about with a slow time and queries around the short priced favourite not finishing off. No follows or forgives.
Race 2 UNSW TODMAN STAKES
John and Gai's priceless kiss
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kiss And Make Up | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Capitalist | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 5 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Weatherly | Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | Craig Williams | 3 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
WEATHERLY’s coat was shining in the yard. BIG STRIDE looked good. CAPITALIST looked professional. No knock others.
In The Running
KISS AND MAKE UP took up the running from CAPITALIST, who was only a touch keen. WEATHERLY didn't have much pace and got back.
The Result
KISS AND MAKE UP travelled nicely and just kept lifting to win easily from CAPITALIST, who couldn't go with him. WEATHERLY ran on ok out wider.
The Interest
A lot of people were licking their wounds after this race, Gai timing her run to perfection with this strong 2yo second-up, ready to peak for the slipper now! Gai and John Singleton were always meant to get back together! A More Than Ready colt, the same sire of More Joyous, the champion mate that caused their famous bust-up. Follow KISS AND MAKE UP.
Race 3 GIRVAN WAUGH RANDWICK CITY STAKES
Too much stamina from the two favourites
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Libran | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 1 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Allergic | James Cummings | James McDonald | 4 | 54.5 | |
| 3 | Maurus | John Thompson | Jason Collett | 11 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
Imports LIBRAN and the small AUVRAY both looked well. ALLERGIC looked good with a shine to the coat. MAURUS looked a touch hot but ok.
In The Running
MAREOSTRO led early until BEYOND THANKFUL put pressure into the race and strode clear mid-race. CAFE SOCIETY was wide early on and worked to get up to 2nd.
The Result
LIBRAN (1st) tracked up through the pack and at stuck on to win from ALLERGIC (2nd), who wound up and wasn't far away. MAURUS (3rd) just beat home AUVRAY (4th) who made their runs wider but were well beaten.
The Interest
ALLERGIC and LIBRAN brought the same form and delivered strong runs to fight it out, relishing a strong tempo. They can both perform in the Chairmans next start. As can AUVRAY and MAURUS who were only fresh into this. The solid speed made sure the staying class rose to the top. Follow the top four.
Race 4 CITY FORD GROUP ASPIRATION QUALITY
Swooping home to save the punters
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heavens Above | Tim Martin | Christian Reith | 8 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | All Cerise | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 5 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Alegria | Darren Beadman | James McDonald | 9 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
ADORABEEL, ALEGRIA, SKYLINE BLUSH, BLENDWELL and MONOGRAM are the best of the mares. HEAVENS ABOVE and MARY LOU ok, just a bit more compact. ADORABEEL third-up Blinkers on.
In The Running
ALL CERISE took up the running from MARY LOU and ADORABEEL. HEAVENS ABOVE started it’s run early out wider.
The Result
ALL CERISE (2nd) gave a kick in the straight and was run down late by HEAVENS ABOVE (1st). A blanket for 3rd, ALEGRIA just sneaking home from SKYLINE BLUSH, MARY LOU and the others.
The Interest
The top two put 1.5 lengths on the others and stamped their good recent form. ALL CERISE carried the weight so well (flying!) and HEAVENS ABOVE swept home once again. Perhaps ADORABEEL got stuck on the inside and needs a softer surface. Lots of others did ok and can perform again next time. Follow HEAVENS ABOVE.
Race 5 CANTERBURY STAKES
From go to woe for Godolphin
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Holler | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 7 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | First Seal | John Thompson | Blake Shinn | 3 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Kermadec | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 1 | 59.0 |
In The Yard
FIRST SEAL looked a treat and has the sharpest sprint over the 1,300m.
In The Running
HOLLER took it up from OUR BOY MALACHI who was a touch slow. FIRST SEAL was stuck on the inside.
The Result
HOLLER (1st) quickened and held off FIRST SEAL (2nd), who had to weave to the outside. KERMADEC (3rd) stuck on ok wider.
The Interest
She was on the inside and just couldn't sprint up with him, FIRST SEAL in the wrong spot as HOLLER drove for home. They were the best two runs in the race, Godolphin's sprinter showing he's got more power than most of these WFA stars. OUR BOY MALACHI didn't stay and KERMADEC needs 1500m+ and a wet track. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 6 FIREBALL STAKES
Pure red hot speed from the leader
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redzel | Peter & Paul Snowden | Hugh Bowman | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Takedown | Darren Weir | Tim Clark | 10 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Egyptian Symbol | Bjorn Baker | Brenton Avdulla | 11 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
Fillies KANGARILLA JOY, TEMPT ME NOT and EGYPTIAN SYMBOL paraded well. KINGS TROOP is smaller and looked hot, FURNACES ok.
In The Running
REDZEL sped to the lead from FURNACES, who crossed from the outside and TAKEDOWN getting a nice trail. EGYPTIAN SYMBOL was back and wide.
The Result
REDZEL (1st) held on in rapid time from TAKEDOWN (2nd), who stuck on. They were 3 1/4 lengths clear of EGYPTIAN SYMBOL (3rd), who made good ground from the back.
The Interest
REDZEL dropped in weight and just got that little but better third-up. A rapid time 1:02.59 suggested he is going well. TAKEDOWN has returned in great order too and can figure over 1200m to 1300m next time. EGYPTIAN SYMBOL relished the big track and got way too far back after the money came in the ring. Up to 1400mish for her and she'll win! Follow REDZEL, TAKEDOWN and EGYPTIAN SYMBOL.
Race 7 GIRVAN WAUGH RANDWICK GUINEAS
Reith keeps the fav' tied up in knots
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Le Romain | Kris Lees | Christian Reith | 8 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Press Statement | Chris Waller | Hugh Bowman | 12 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Gold Ambition | Bjorn Baker | Tye Angland | 10 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
PRESS STATEMENT looked the best, but SHARDS, LE ROMAIN, MONTAIGNE, GOLD AMBITION, BALMAIN BOY, DATA POINT and STAY WITH ME all looked nice. MACKINTOSH was very hot, DAL CIELO only small.
In The Running
BALMAIN BOY went to the lead and rolled along at a good clip from DAL CIELO. PRESS STATEMENT was wide early and barged into a two wide position with LE ROMAIN moving up outside him. PRESS STATEMENT was stuck in- between horses as the pressure went on.
The Result
LE ROMAIN (1st) swept up as the leaders tired, holding on from PRESS STATEMENT (2nd) who closed late once he was out. GOLD AMBITION (3rd) ran on solidly and MONTAIGNE (5th) wound up after getting blocked.
The Interest
Bowman was in trouble early four wide and he over-compensated by barging in, a move that Reith watched before closing the door on him mid-race. That made all the difference in the finish and PRESS STATEMENT was unlucky. No knock on the very talented winner though. MONTAIGNE was also unlucky and BALMAIN BOY went way too hard. Don't be too harsh on him. Follow PRESS STATEMENT, LE ROMAIN and MONTAIGNE. Forgive BALMAIN BOY.
Race 8 HYLAND RACE COLOURS CHALLENGE STAKES
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tommy Berry | 6 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Kinglike | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Craig Williams | 9 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Boss Lane | Ron Quinton | Christian Reith | 8 | 58.5 |
In The Yard
BALL OF MUSCLE is big, strong and looked well. No knock many though, LORD OF THE SKY, FELINES, RULE THE RIVER, ENGLISH all a bit hot.
In The Running
BALL OF MUSCLE took up the running and set an honest rolling speed.
The Result
ENGLISH (1st) weaved through and flashed straight past them up the inside. KINGLIKE (2nd) ran in out wider with BOSS LANE (3rd).
The Interest
This girl could be anything! You don't often see a Waterhouse galloper with a turn-of-foot like that. After parading poorly she simply treated the rest with contempt, making her run in the lesser ground too. Some of these can improve up in distance, but it really was all about her. Follow ENGLISH.
Race 9 CHI-X AUSTRALIA WENONA GIRL HANDICAP
Mares in form are hard to go past
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Savoureux | Kris Lees | Tommy Berry | 8 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Private Secretary | Gregory Hickman | Brenton Avdulla | 12 | 54.0 | |
| 3 | Flashing Speed | Anthony Cummings | James McDonald | 1 | 54.0 |
In The Yard
PRIVATE SECRETARY is powerful, looked good. ARTISTRY classy but needs further? CRADLE ME solid as always.
In The Running
FLASHING SPEED took up the running from PRESS REPORT. ARTISTRY was suck wide with SAVOUREUX on her back. PRIVATE SECRETARY went to the rear of the field from her wide barrier. CRADLE ME was held up in behind the pack.
The Result
In a bunched finish, SAVOUREUX (1st) ran on well late to win from PRIVATE SECRETARY (2nd) who made up good ground from last. FLASHING SPEED (3rd) stuck on OK from the lead.
The Interest
Two in-form 1200m mares took the first two spots, SAVOUREUX and PRIVATE SECRETARY hitting the line best to get over the top of the very brave FLASHING SPEED. Anthony Cummings threw the third-place getter in the deep end here and the money come in the ring. She's one to follow along with the two forgive horses. ARTISTRY was wide after parading well and CRADLE ME didn't get much luck. Forgive ARTISTRY and CRADLE ME.