Yard to the Post | 7 Stakes Day
Race Day: Royal Randwick on Saturday, 16 September 2023
Nash Rawiller was at his brilliant best to win the two million-dollar features at Royal Randwick today, both in driving finishes.
An inch-perfect ride on THINK IT OVER in the inaugural 7 Stakes (1,600 metres) made the difference. ZAAKI had kicked strongly into the straight, but Rawiller stalked him all the way to the furlong before asking for the maximum effort late, only edging past in the final strides.
His next ride on PRIVATE EYE was all patience and power. There was no panic early when Jo Pride’s Everest hopeful was stuck wide with no cover. Rawiller allowed him to travel sweetly into the straight before lifting him over the line to run down the brave OVERPASS, who led everywhere but the post.
In other races TIZ INVINCIBLE kept her unbeaten run as a three-year-old filly going in the Group Two Surround Stakes and JUST FINE stamped himself as a clear favourite in the Metropolitan after dominating over 2,000 metres in the Group Three Kingston Town.
A full review by Mike Wood and Adrian Sciglitano (yard) is provided below.
Track Info
| Rail | +7m 1000m-W/Post, +4m Remainder |
| Conditions | GOOD 4 |
| Weather | FINE |
| Bias | FAIR, lanes 2 to 6 off rails preferred in straight |
Race 1 MIDWAY HANDICAP
fair tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Satness | Robert & Luke Price | Brock Ryan | 4 | 54.0 | |
| 2 | Elettrica | Richard & Will Freedman | Jason Collett | 1 | 58.5 | |
| 3 | Loving Cilla | Gregory Hickman | Tyler Schiller | 12 | 53.0 |
In The Yard
The Midway horses looking fine in the yard. LOVING CILLA not warm and anxious like she can be.
In The Running
OAKFIELD REDGUM worked to get across and lead. She rolled them along with SATNESS in the box seat.
The Result
SATNESS fought on best from ELETTRICA. LOVING CILLA weaved through for 3rd and was a touch unlucky along with PHILIPSBURG, who went to the line untested back in the pack. BACKROWER tough in 4th.
The Interest
Horses settling rails in run ran well here as the tempo went on with the rail out +7 metres. BACKROWER very brave from the wide position near pace.
Race 2 TAB HIGHWAY CLASS 3 HANDICAP
fair tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Derry Grove | Matthew Dunn | Nash Rawiller | 10 | 61.0 | |
| 2 | Once Again My Girl | Brett Cavanough | Kerrin McEvoy | 9 | 55.5 | |
| 3 | Extra Flash | Brett Thompson | Jake Pracey-Holmes | 8 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
The favourites looking well, including ONCE AGAIN MY GIRL first-up down from Scone. IRON WILL calmer in the parade today. SUPER EXTREME, EXTRA FLASH and FEEL THE KNIGHT with a touch of condition first-up.
In The Running
IRON WILL got to the lead with ONCE AGAIN MY GIRL on his outside. DERRY GROVE trailed up behind them midfield (7th 3W WC).
The Result
DERRY GROVE stormed home for a big win from ONCE AGAIN MY GIRL.
The Interest
Strong runs from the top two, DERRY GROVE shining in the yard and relishing Royal Randwick his last two starts. SALIRE, DIVE SINNER (held up badly) and SUPER EXTREME (held up entire straight) found some trouble back in the pack, but doubtful they would have threatened the impressive winner who looks set to get the last Kosciusko slot.
Race 3 PEACHESTER LODGE SHOOT OUT MILE
fair tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Strait Acer | Anthony Cummings | Jason Collett | 7 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Mission Phoenix | David Noonan | Sam Clipperton | 1 | 60.5 | |
| 3 | Gan Teorainn | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 3 | 55.5 |
In The Yard
No clear knocks in the yard, PESTO with a touch of improvement to come and KISS THE BRIDE still dull in the coat. CAPRICE DES DIEUX seemed to have improved third-up.
In The Running
KISS THE BRIDE led from CAPRICE DES DIEUX working up on the outside. STRAIT ACER quietly ridden (7th 2W WC).
The Result
STRAIT ACER sprinted straight past at the 200m and started to even out late, but still held on under limited riding from Jason Collett. A pack of them keeping on late and PESTO ran on well after getting badly held up until the 150m mark.
The Interest
A group of one-paced horses on firm ground looked pretty plain here, only the in-form STRAIT ACER and fresh PESTO had the sprint needed to perform well. STRAIT ACER just evened out enough late to suggest the 1600m might be his maximum.
Race 4 NICK MORAITIS TROPHY
steady tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ausbred Flirt | Brad Widdup | Tyler Schiller | 5 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Ivan's Hero | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 11 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Super Pursuit | Richard Collett | Jett Stanley | 12 | 61.0 |
In The Yard
Most fine in the yard. ALTIVO and AUSBRED FLIRT nice types with perhaps a touch of fitness improvement to come. GRINGOTTS a touch wintery up from Melbourne. MAYROSE looked to have made some improvement second-up.
In The Running
WIZARD OF OZ zipped across to lead and steadied the tempo mid-race, causing some of the backmarkers to over-race. AUSBRED FLIRT back in the pack (9th 2W WC inside). SUPER PURSUIT out 3W NC midfield.
The Result
AUSBRED FLIRT quickened nicely and ran on hard for an impressive first-up win. ALTIVO never clear on the inside.
The Interest
AUSBRED FLIRT back with a bang, a muscular mare that loves dry tracks and can be followed into the prep. ALTIVO a forgive run held up along the rails. SUPER PURSUIT very good, while Melbourne horses GRINGOTTS, HOLYMANZ and SUPERAZI were all OK without threatening for the win. HOLYMANZ perhaps too far back along with STROMBUS, both horses running on well the final 400m.
Race 5 JAMES SQUIRE KINGSTON TOWN STAKES
fair tempo
: long sprint
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Just Fine | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Regan Bayliss | 12 | 55.0 | |
| 2 | Benaud | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Zac Lloyd | 7 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Montefilia | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 3 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
Most parading well; No knocks on MONTEFILIA who has tightened up between the runs, relaxed mare in the yard. JUST FINE starting to get a touch warm but not overdoing it, much sharper in the yard this time around. No knock on BENAUD or NAVAJO PEAK who both parade very well. MANZOICE still presents half a run short.
In The Running
KNIGHTS ORDER led from JUST FINE with KING FRANKEL ridden early to get into a wide on-pace position (3rd 3W NC). KING FRANKEL then put the pressure on 800m out for a LONG SPRINT home. Most horses went from around 11.8 seconds for the 1000m-800m split to 11.1 seconds for the 800m to 600m split and only tired from there.
The Result
JUST FINE kept going to produce a brave 1.7L victory from BENAUD, who got the nice trail behind KING FRANKEL (tired for 12th 14.3L away) on the turn. MONTEFILIA had her chance with the big weight.
The Interest
JUST FINE is a serious racehorse. If he can back up this tough performance and see out the 2400m, the G1 Metropolitan looks ideal. PROTAGONIST (4th) good weaving a path from a long way back.
Race 6 DARLEY TEA ROSE STAKES
steady tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tiz Invincible | Ciaron Maher | Zac Lloyd | 2 | 56.0 | |
| 2 | Kimochi | Gary Portelli | Jason Collett | 5 | 56.0 | |
| 3 | Tropical Squall | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 12 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
Most fillies parading well for the third leg of the princess series. No change in TIZ INVINCIBLE’S parade where she has been winning, coat improvement to come but nothing to be concerned about. KIMOCHI has tightened up between her runs, a positive parade from her not getting warm. AUGUST BLOOM has developed between the preparations, but a touch warm. No knocks on TUTTA LA VITA, UNIQUE AMBITION and PRIVATE LEGACY who are mile types in the yard.
In The Running
TROPICAL SQUALL led at STEADY mid-race fractions with KIMOCHI wide near pace (3rd 3W NC) and TIZ INVINCIBLE tucked up in the 2W line (5th 2W WC). There was a chance for Jason Collett (KIMOCHI) to cross Zac Lloyd (TIZ INVINCIBLE) in the first 200m, but he let the favourite come up underneath him.
The Result
TIZ INVINCIBLE (1st) dashed through to put 1.4L on KIMOCHI (2nd) fighting on. UNQUE AMBITION blocked badly the final 300m and not ridden out.
The Interest
TIZ INVINCIBLE keeps performing and keeps improving, a filly that can get near pace and quicken on dry ground. Her stout pedigree on the dam side and the way she finished off this race make her the horse to beat in the G1 Flight Stakes in two weeks time. KIMOCHI (wide), FRENCH ENDEAVOUR, TUTTA LA VITA (fastest final 200m) and UNIQUE AMBITION (no luck) the other good runs in the race.
Race 7 7 STAKES
slow tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Think It Over | Kerry Parker | Nash Rawiller | 2 | 59.0 | |
| 2 | Zaaki | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Chad Schofield | 6 | 59.0 | |
| 3 | Fangirl | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 10 | 57.0 |
In The Yard
ZAAKI the big improver between the runs, very focused in the yard. No knocks on FANGIRL who maintains her condition from her first-up run, as does THINK IT OVER who presents at his top now third-up into the preparation. GOING GLOBAL anxious and warm in the mounting yard, while ARAPAHO and DIAMIL will both improve with the run.
In The Running
GOING GLOBAL controlled a SLOW tempo with ZAAKI (2nd rails WC) and THINK IT OVER (4th rails WC) in strong positions near pace.
The Result
Nash kept THINK IT OVER on ZAAKI's back until the 100m mark before driving late for the win. FANGIRL (3rd) ran on well in rapid sectionals, simply too much to do from the back.
The Interest
The perfect ride from Nash on THINK IT OVER. ZAAKI brave in defeat and FANGIRL did about as much as she could do reeling off a 10.52 from the 400m to 200m. Her final 200m was a touch slower than THINK IT OVER's though so perhaps 1600m is her peak distance in this grade. HINGED completely outsprinted on the firm ground and pulled up with a cardiac arrhythmia.
Race 8 TOYOTA FORKLIFTS SHORTS
steady tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Private Eye | Joseph Pride | Nash Rawiller | 9 | 58.0 | |
| 2 | Overpass | Bjorn Baker | Joshua Parr | 1 | 57.0 | |
| 3 | Buenos Noches | Matthew Smith | Dylan Gibbons | 3 | 56.0 |
In The Yard
OVERPASS presents very well first-up into the campaign, fit and walking out well. REMARQUE and BUENOS NOCHES have both made improvement between their first-up runs and look ready. PRIVATE EYE more focused this preparation, still presents with improvement to come. LOST AND RUNNING and MAZU 90% fit in the yard, but appear well.
In The Running
OVERPASS controlled the lead at a STEADY tempo with PRIVATE EYE looming on the turn wider (5th 3W NC).
The Result
PRIVATE EYE sprinted well and just got the better of OVERPASS. BUENOS NOCHES (blocked 300m to 200m) and IN SECRET (off heels 300m) running on well late.
The Interest
Good to see PRIVATE EYE back in form. He dashed best first-up and perhaps Josh Parr was guilty of going too slow on a tough leader. BUENOS NOCHES and IN SECRET crying out for the 1200m of The Everest. Forgive MAZU (keen, bumped 800m, track too firm). He is a live Everest hope still if the rain comes.
Race 9 BILL RITCHIE HANDICAP
fair tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rediener | Chris Waller | Ms Kathy O'Hara | 2 | 53.0 | |
| 2 | Cuban Royale | Robert & Luke Price | Brock Ryan | 1 | 53.0 | |
| 3 | Wild Planet | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Andrew Adkins | 9 | 53.0 |
In The Yard
OLENTIA continues to parade well this preparation, as does REDEINER who is forward first-up into his preparation. CONVERGE a touch dull in the coat and has fitness improvement to come, TAMERLANE (first-up) and POLITCAL DEBATE both well.
In The Running
TAMERLANE got to the lead and set a FAIR to STRONG tempo. Horses trailing up on the rails and moving into the lanes just off rails in the straight looked suited.
The Result
REDIENER and CUBAN ROYALE were both strong from nice trailing positions. WILD PLANET stuck on well and CONVERAGE not far off.
The Interest
REDIENER is a progressive Waller 4YO that loves dry ground and he looked impressive here. He did only beat the well exposed CUBAN ROYALE by 1.2L from a similar position though so perhaps he was a touch flattered by the race shape. OLENTIA ridden quietly and she sprinted, but didn't hit the line hard hard. THE FORTUNE TELLER with excuses out the back.
Race 10 THE AGENCY REAL ESTATE HANDICAP
strong tempo
| Place | Silk | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Gate | Kgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kibou | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Regan Bayliss | 2 | 57.0 | |
| 2 | Garza Blanca | Ciaron Maher | Jason Collett | 10 | 55.0 | |
| 3 | Kayobi | Sam Kavanagh | Kerrin McEvoy | 9 | 56.5 |
In The Yard
Most parading fine in the yard, KIBOU forward first-up from a spell, focused in the yard. GARZA BLANCA continues to maintain his condition deeper into his preparation, BROSNAN an improver between the runs. PIZARRO, HELL I AM and PROMITTO appear to have improvement to come fitness wise.
In The Running
PIONEER RIVER rolled in the lead at a STRONG tempo with KIBOU trailing up 2L behind him. GARZA BLANCA out 5th 3W NC in the group a few lengths of them.
The Result
KIBOU moved up, rolled back to the inside (lesser ground) and fought hard to just hold off a brave GARZA BLANCA.
The Interest
The top two runs clearly the best here. KIBOU had to do work on a hot speed first-up and the rails probably wasn't the place to be over the final 200m, while GARZA BLANCA had to endure a wide trip chasing his stablemate. KIBOU one to watch up to 1300m or further next time.