Yard to the Post @ Coolmore Classic Day
Race Day: Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 12 March 2016
Sydney's much loved ex-jockey Ron Quinton produced PEEPING to win the Group One Coolmore Classic on a hot day at Rosehill Gardens.
It was the story of perfectly prepared sprinter and a young jockey, Sam Clipperton, who has learnt his trade from Quinton and delivered the perfect ride. There were questions over her stamina, but a flat fast Rosehill presented the conditions needed for her to show a dazzling sprint.
It was too much for the favourite AZKADELLIA who chased her all the way to the line.
Earlier in the day Godolphin continued to mount a challenge to Mick Price for the Golden Slipper, winning both the Pago Pago with SOUCHEZ and Magic Night with CALLIOPE.
A full yard to the post review is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | TRUE |
| Conditions | GOOD 3 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR |
Race 1 SKY HIGH STAKES
Fresh is best for Sir John
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir John Hawkwood | John Thompson | Blake Spriggs | 1 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Messene | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Tommy Berry | 5 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Who Shot Thebarman | Chris Waller | Christian Reith | 3 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
No knocks, no standouts in the yard. Warm horses in the yard, but all OK.
In The Running
MESSENE took up the running from WHO SHOT THEBARMAN, who moved up with SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD back on the inside. There was no pressure in the race.
The Result
MESSENE gave a good kick, but SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD popped off the rails late behind him and got there. WHO SHOT THE BARMAN was out-sprinted and stuck on.
The Interest
This wasn't really a race, they ran very steady sections and sprinted home in 33.89! WHO SHOT THEBARMAN and MAGIC HURRICANE were out-sprinted, while MESSENE and SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD were in the right spot. SIR JOHN HAWKWOODis so good fresh and deserved this win, be very cautious of the form going forward though. Expect WHO SHOT THEBARMAN and MAGIC HURRICANE to improve in tougher conditions and up in distance. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 2 CAFE CULTURE + INSITU PAGO PAGO STAKES
Godolphin stack their Slipper chances
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Souchez | Peter & Paul Snowden | James McDonald | 1 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Chimboraa | David Payne | Sam Clipperton | 5 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Mount Panorama | Gary Moore | Brett Prebble | 2 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
Good powerful sprinting types include MOUNT PANORAMA, THE REVEREND DEMON, MEDITERRANEAN and BRAY, LIONHEARTED also strong too, no knock SOUCHEZ. Not too hot and bothered for 2yos.
In The Running
SOUCHEZ took up the lead from LIONHEARTED and MOUNT PANORAMA wasn't too slow this time, he slid up the inside behind them.
The Result
SOUCHEZ maintained a very strong run to win, from CHIMBORAA who ran home well from the pack. MOUNT PANORAMA switched out and looked like going close, but couldn't quite get there.
The Interest
SOUCHEZ is the type of horse you can 'use up' early and he's strong enough late. He shapes as a real 1400m and could be worth following in the right race. The time wasn't quite rapid enough for a Slipper winner. MOUNT PANORAMA had his chance. Follow SOUCHEZ.
Race 3 BEDE MURRAY MAGIC NIGHT STAKES
More Royal Blue in the winner's stall
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calliope | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | James McDonald | 2 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Omei Sword | Chris Waller | Brenton Avdulla | 4 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Twist Tops | Kris Lees | Corey Brown | 6 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
BRIDLE LANE, FABVIER and LARAPINETA are nice types down the bottom, CALLIOPE, FARAWAY TOWN, KENTUCKY MISS, OMEI SWORD and BRULEE also looked well. PROMPT RESPONSE looked ok, just very solid heavy, will need to be fit.
In The Running
SUPER TOO sped to the lead from MERIDIAN STAR, PROMPT RESPONSE and SUSPENDERS. They strung out and set a very solid gallop.
The Result
CALLIOPE came wider and swept to the lead from OMEI SWORD who put in the big bounds late down the outside. TWIST TOPS fought on honestly as always.
The Interest
Out of the two favourites, CALLIOPE was always going to relish the strong tempo more. She delivered a very professional win. Don't be too harsh on PROMPT RESPONSE (4th), who just found this too much fresh. SUSPENDERS fought on ok after a hard run. OMEI SWORD relished the tempo and TWIST TOPS was honest as always. Follow CALLIOPE and PROMPT RESPONSE.
Race 4 APN OUTDOOR HANDICAP
The Frenchman fires up the inside
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ghost Protocol | Paul Perry | Thomas Huet | 10 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Self Esteem | Peter & Paul Snowden | Ms Winona Costin | 3 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Off the Rails | Bjorn Baker | James Innes Jnr | 9 | 60.5 |
In The Yard
They don't have to come far and Waller's horses all present best in the heat; ANOTHER COCKTAIL, HURSLEY and SELF ESTEEM. No knock OFF THE RAILS and FIRA too, both strong types.
In The Running
SELF ESTEEM led and controlled the early sections. WORD OF MOUTH and ANOTHER COCKTAIL made early moves into the race wider to make it a long sprint home.
The Result
GHOST PROTOCOL stayed to the inside and surged through late from a wall of gallopers led by SELF ESTEEM and OFF THE RAILS.
The Interest
Not sure about the form of this, it was all about the Frenchman Huet's ride and a bunch of gallopers that seemed to have their chance. Perhaps give another go to the staying 3yos, they need a touch more pressure. No Follows or Forgives.
Race 5 SMOOTH FM MAURICE McCARTEN STAKES
Pure speed is all you need
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alberto Magic | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Jason Collett | 1 | 55.5 | |
| 2 | Angels Beach | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Tim Clark | 2 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Bachman | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Kerrin McEvoy | 7 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
Different moods from ALBERTO MAGIC ready to go, BARBED ears back and had enough? ANGELS BEACH looked big strong, but a bit hot and had some condition. DECISION TIME, BACHMAN, ALBERTO MAGIC looked the best in the yard.
In The Running
ANGELS BEACH sped to the front from CRAFTINESS up on her outside. ALBERTO MAGIC tracked up on the inside just behind them.
The Result
ANGELS BEACH kept speeding along, but ALBERTO MAGIC popped off her back and just ran her down. BACHMAN made good ground from the back.
The Interest
The two well fancied horses did their best and it was a close duel. ANGELS BEACH finds her best ratings fresh so a hard one to follow, while ALBERTO MAGIC is a little ripper that gives his all and handles the wet. BACHMAN can perform again over 1200m+ next time. Follow ALBERTO MAGIC and BACHMAN.
Race 6 CELLARBRATIONS PHAR LAP STAKES
On-pacers dominate the sluggish fav'
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hattori Hanzo | Michael Kent | Noel Callow | 8 | 56.5 | |
| 2 | Man of Choice | Brad Widdup | Tim Clark | 1 | 56.5 | |
| 3 | Believe | Anthony Cummings | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 54.5 |
In The Yard
No knock all these horses, BELIEVE just a touch lighter, lacks a sprint? MAN OF CHOICE looked well, big and strong.
In The Running
BELIEVE took up the running from MAN OF CHOICE just in behind her and HATTORI HANZO worked forward to outside the leader. SACRED EYE had a nice spot and OLD NORTH missed the start and got back.
The Result
BELIEVE kept lifting, but both HATTORI HANZO and MAN OF CHOICE wore her down, HATTORI HANZO getting the prize just. OLD NORTH (4th) ran on well.
The Interest
SACRED EYE was only average and it was left to the on-pacers to fight it out. No doubt OLD NORTH is the one to follow, and perhaps the winner, who did push forward this time. OLD NORTH just has this habit of a slow beginning to try and get rid of. Follow OLD NORTH.
Race 7 COOLMORE CLASSIC
Quinton's girl pounces in them
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peeping | Ron Quinton | Sam Clipperton | 10 | 53.5 | |
| 2 | Azkadellia | Ciaron Maher | Brett Prebble | 4 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Solicit | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
AZKADELLIA looked fit and ready to sprint, but all looked well. SLIGHTLY SWEET and PEARLS leaner, prefer wet.
In The Running
SOLICIT took up the running and rolled along with GHISONI on her outside. PEEPING and AZKADELLIA found a nice trial just off them.
The Result
PEEPING came to the outside and sprinted best to beat AZKADELLIA, who kept chasing. They ran down a brave SOLICIT.
The Interest
A rapid time run and three very classy mares produced big performances. PEEPING loves Rosehill and Clipperton found the perfect spot from a wider draw. AZKADELLIA was very good and of course SOLICIT. That's six horses in a row SOLICIT has beaten off up in the pace, GHISONI feeling the heat this time. LUCIA VALENTINA flew home for 4th. Follow PEEPING, AZKADELLIA , SOLICIT and LUCIA VALENTINA. Forgive GHISONI.
Race 8 AJAX STAKES
Sustained strength all the way to the line
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | It's Somewhat | James Cummings | Sam Clipperton | 14 | 57.5 | |
| 2 | Excess Knowledge | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Kerrin McEvoy | 13 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Dances On Stars | Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | Christian Reith | 8 | 53.5 |
In The Yard
Impossible race? Most looked well in the yard, including DANCES ON STARS and ALPHA BEAT. EXCESS KNOWLEDGE looked fit and ready. IT’S SOMEWHAT just a bit leaner, will be sticking on but could lack sprint. PUCCINI looked good, up from Melbourne.
In The Running
GOOD PROJECT went to the lead and IT’S SOMEWHAT moved up outside him. DANCES ON STARS got well back.
The Result
IT’S SOMEWHAT sustained a strong run and just held off EXCESS KNOWLEDGE, who dashed home from midfield and DANCES ON STARS, who made lots of ground from the back.
The Interest
A perfect spot for this roller outside the leader, it's almost good he didn't jump as well as GOOD PROJECT. EXCESS KNOWLEDGE and DANCES ON STARS were very good. DANCES ON STARS advantaged by having a better sprint than most of these 1600m+ types. Don't be too harsh on GOOD PROJECT. Follow EXCESS KNOWLEDGE.
Race 9 TAB MORE THAN JUST WINNING HANDICAP
Cummings plots a cunning plan
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | High Midnight | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 15 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Lofty's Menu | John Bateman | Paul King | 4 | 58.0 | |
| 3 | Dragon Flyer | John Thompson | Tye Angland | 1 | 58.0 |
In The Yard
Many looked well in the yard, including OPEN BOOK and DRAGON FLYER, hard to split them. Well presented horses.
In The Running
HIGH MIDNIGHT strode across and took up the running, rolling along with the blinkers on. HARRY HOTSPUR wasn't far off the lead.
The Result
HIGH MIDNIGHT simply kept lifting to hold them off. LOFTY’S MENU ran on well and DRAGON FLYER fought hard after finding some traffic.
The Interest
He'd trialled well, the blinkers went on, the money came and boy was James pumped after the race! A strong galloper that could be a miler this prep. LOFTY’S MENU is flying ahead of the Provincial Champs. DRAGON FLYER is the best place bet going around. HARRY HOTSPUR (4th) is going ok too. LADY LE FAY (5th) warmed up late. Follow HIGH MIDNIGHT, LOFTY’S MENU, HARRY HOTSPUR and LADY LE FAY.