The Golden Slipper picture was meant to become much clearer after the week ends main lead up races but we had only Houtzen do what was expected winning comfortably in Brisbane with the others in the market throwing up a mixed bag. The favourite, She Will Reign was beaten by a brilliant Tommy Berry ride on Frolic by getting to the outside fence which form analyst Luke Murrell correctly predicted on Friday night would be the place to be for jockeys who were brave enough to get out there.
In the next race, we had Menari the highest in the market of the colts with a massive boom on him not figuring at all in the Todman Stakes as drifting favourite with Gunnison getting the money from the other Snowden runner Invader running second. We then headed down to Canberra yesterday for the Black Opal with Trapeze Artist blowing the more fancied Slipper rivals away. So, with the Slipper now only 12 days away I think we have the most open Slipper that we have had for a number of years.
Matthew Howard had another good day at Randwick on Saturday with 1 of his top yard selections getting home with a couple of the second selections also getting the money. Below is this week’s mounting yard live report which you can also read live Matthew’s thoughts on his Facebook page each Saturday prior to the race to assist with backing winners each Saturday.
https://www.facebook.com/MountingYardLive/
Royal Randwick: Australian Turf Club Saturday 04, March 2017
Royal Randwick: Australian Turf Club Saturday 04, March 2017 | |||
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Race 1 – 12:25PM AFFINITY SHIPPING REISLING STAKES (1200 METRES) | |||
HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
HOUTZEN | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
SHE WILL REIGN | Neither | Holding condition well, relaxed and should get through the ground. Top pick. | 2nd |
FROLIC | Improved 2 length | The only danger to the favourite for me. Looks rock hard fit and a classic wet tracker. | 1st |
FROM WITHIN | Neither | Holding condition from the Gold Coast race. Looks keen to race. | 5th |
LUCKY LOUIE | Improved 1 length | Still needs to strengthen up in the hind. Is relaxed. | 7th |
STAR SENSATION | 1st I’ve seen | Not the best moving filly. Should handle conditions. | 6th |
VILLA CARLOTTA | Neither | Tall and leggy filly, wet track type. Needs to grow inter her frame | 3rd |
SHE’S ON QUE | Improved 2 lengths | Nice horse but I think won’t like these conditions today | 4th |
PAHRULI | Neither | Needs more time to develop. No. | 8th |
Race 2 – 1:05PM UNSW TODMAN STAKES (1200 METRES) | |||
HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
CHAUFFEUR | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
VERANILLO | Backwards 1 length | Fitness wise ok, maybe slightly better last start. Not 100% focused today which is unusual for him. | 3rd |
JUKEBOX | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
INVADER | Neither | Holding condition well. Like this horse. | 2nd |
KHAN | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
MENARI | Improved 1 length | In my opinion the best looking 2yr old running around at the moment. Fell to pieces in the yard last start, better today. Tricky gate only concern. | 5th |
TREKKING | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
SHOWTIME | Improved 1 length | Rock hard fit now. No real improvement to come after this race. | 4th |
PERAST | 1st I’ve seen | Light and looks like it needs further. Wet track ok | 6th |
MURAAQEB | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
LIGHTZ | Backwards 2 lengths | Normally like this horse but not today. Also, not focusing today. | 7th |
GUNNISON | 1st I’ve seen | Paid a lot of money for this horse. Not overly big. Should get through ground but others parading better. | 1st |
CUBA | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
SNITCH | Backwards 2 lengths | No Good today | 8th |
Race 3 – 1:40PM BRADLEY AUSTRALIA FIREBALL STAKES (1100 METRES) | |||
HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
SCARLET RAIN | Improved 2 lengths | Looks the best she’s looked this preparation. | 9th |
ZELADY’S NIGHT OUT | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
HONESTY PREVAILS | Improved 2 lengths | Lovely horse this and parades better than last start. | 8th |
SUPER MAXI | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Fitness wise ok however I think he is better suited on top of the ground. | 3rd |
DEMOLITION | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
GLENALL | 1st up | Well in the market but displayed one of my key negatives when it entered the mounting yard. | 2nd |
CONCHITA | 1st up | Has the walk of a wet tracker however the horse is not fit. Needs the run. | 5th |
FAITH’S ENCORE | 1st up | Really unusual colouring for a Denman. 85% fit. | 4th |
SAMANTHA | Improved 3 lengths | Parades very well today. Disappointing last start but I think she is a wet track type so gets conditions to suit today. | 1st |
GLORIETTE | Neither | Just average today. | 7th |
MA TANTE | Neither | Not focusing in the yard and up on her toes. | 6th |
Race 4 – 2:15PM SCHWEPPES WENONA GIRL QUALITY (1200 METRES) | |||
HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
NANCY | Improved 3 lengths | No oil painting this horse but gets the wet track that I think it needs. | 4th |
SAVOUREUX | 1st up | Very relaxed in the yard but still carrying a lot of condition. Needs a few runs. | 9th |
ZESTFUL | Improved 1 length | In great order today but parades as a horse better on top of the ground. | 3rd |
ROCKET COMMANDER | 1st I’ve seen in 2 starts | Light walking type that gets favourable conditions today. | 1st |
SERENE MAJESTY | 1st up | Still quite heavy and not moving well | 6th |
HIEROGLYPHICS | Neither | Cannot get any fitter. Query the distance but these wet conditions help this horse. | 2nd |
FRILL SEEKING | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
ALUCINARI | Improved 2.5 lengths | Good improvement between runs, next run will have it at peak fitness. | 7th |
QUEEN OF KARIBA | improved 3-4 lengths | Very solid improvement between runs. Looks very fit and focused. Top selection from the yard. | 5th |
MAGIC OF DREAMS | Neither | Physically in great order but won’t like the heavy conditions today. | 8th |
Race 5 – 2:50PM CANTERBURY BMW STAKES (1300 METRES) | |||
HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
CHAUTAUQUA | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Horse is physically in good order, slight query on a heavy 10 track. | 2nd |
LE ROMAIN | improved 2.5 lengths | Love this horse. Coat looks a treat and physically horse is in great order. Top selection. | 1st |
HAURAKI | 1st up | Horse looks reasonably forward however coat is still quite dull. | 3rd |
MUSIC MAGNATE (NZ) | Improved 2.5 lengths | Good condition wise and moving well in the yard. | 5th |
JAPONISME | 1st up | Looks very plain today. | 6th |
TOO GOOD TO REFUSE | 1st I’ve seen for some time | Horse actually presents well but I’m not sure it will appreciate these wet conditions. | 7th |
UGO FOSCOLO (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen | The wet track type of the race but does lack the strength of some of these. | 8th |
IMPENDING | Improved 3 lengths | Thought it parades the better of the Godolphin pair. Great walker. | 4th |
Race 6 – 3:30PM HYLAND RACE COLOURS CHALLENGE STAKES (1000 METRES) | |||
BALL OF MUSCLE | Neither | Even despite the fitness edge I think this horse will struggle to win. Doesn’t parade like the ball of muscle of old. | 9th |
REDZEL | 1st up | fitness wise quite forward, but he’s getting hotter and hotter each lap he does in the yard. | 2nd |
SUPIDO | 1st I’ve seen this prep | This horse is in very good order, great overstep on it. | 3rd |
DAL CIELO (NZ) | neither | Horse can get quite worked up in the yard but under the cooler conditions parades better today. Doesn’t carry a lot of excess, I think he will handle track conditions. | 7th |
WOULDNT IT BE NICE | Backwards 6 lengths | Yawn… | 6th |
JUNGLE EDGE | 1st up | Very forward for not having raced since nova last year. Wet no issue but think the horse looks outclassed here. | 5th |
ENGLISH | 1st up | Very fit first up. She normally really plays up in the yard. Much more relaxed today. | 1st |
HEATHERLY | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
FELINES | 1st up | think she has returned well. Having said that Kris always presents her well and today is not different. | 4th |
KENTUCKY MISS | 1st up | She’s not up to this class. | 8th |
Race 7 – 4:10PM GIRVAN WAUGH RANDWICK GUINEAS (1600 METRES) | |||
HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
PRIZED ICON | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
MAN FROM UNCLE | Improved 2 lengths | Like this horse. Great mover, very fit, coat looks a treat. Can’t fault. Top selection. | 5th |
INFERENCE | improved 3 lengths | Fourth pick in the yard here. Step up in distance suits and I think the horse has shown good improvement between runs. | 1st |
ECHO EFFECT | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
COMIN’ THROUGH | Backwards 1 length | Think this horse has gone backwards whilst others have improved between runs. | 3rd |
ACATOUR | Improved 3 lengths | Very good improvement between runs. Not sure he will handle wet but he’s a cracking horse. | 8th |
CAPTAIN DUFFY | Neither | Plain today at best. | 11th |
LAND OF PLENTY | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
MALAISE | First I’ve seen this prep | How this horse can still be fat 4th up may talk to why this stable is struggling at present. | 10th |
MANOLO BLAHNIQ (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen | Getting late support on track and whilst looks like it would handle conditions based on breeding, not really your classic wet track type in the yard. | 9th |
HARPER’S CHOICE | Backwards 1 length | Light, needs further. | 6th |
HARDHAM | 1st I’ve seen this prep | condition wise the horse is just fair but is a good moving horse. | 7th |
IMPAVIDO | Backwards 1 length | Light wet track type but looks outclassed. | 4th |
INVINCIBLE GEM | Improved 2 lengths | From Warwick farm to a Group 1 in the same prep and she looks fantastic. 2nd pick from the yard. | 2nd |
Race 8 – 4:50PM CITY FORD GROUP ASPIRATION QUALITY (1600 METRES) | |||
HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
AMBIENCE | Neither | No improvement, this horse is not parading well at all. | 9th |
ELLE LOU | improved 2 lengths | Continues to parade well. There is a query that she runs the distance however her shape suggests she will. Loves these conditions. 2nd selection from the yard. | 1st |
ALEGRIA | improved 4 lengths | Great order today. Parades perfectly. Top selection. | 2nd |
CIRCULAR | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
TSARITSA | improved 3 lengths | She’s finally fit now however I have the stablemate parading better here. | 7th |
SONG AND LAUGHTER | improved 2 lengths | Normally melts in the yard but for the first time in a long time, actually pretty relaxed today. 4th selection. | 4th |
SEWREEL (NZ) | Neither | Needs the paddock. | 12th |
QUEEN OF WANDS | Neither | Too heavy for these track conditions. | 6th |
VANDANCER (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen this prep | think this horse will be competitive based on how it parades. Looks like it will go well in the heavy conditions. | 3rd |
CHAQUINTA (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Light thing, needs further in my opinion. | 10th |
TOP OF MY LIST | Missed its last start | Lots of money for this horse yet it parades awfully. Easiest lay of the day today. | 8th |
MOQUEEN | Improved 2 lengths | Light walking filly by uncle mo. Needs one more run. | 11th |
COUNTESS MARINOV | Improved 1 length | Horse is in good order, would prefer on slightly drier surface. | 5th |
Race 9 – 5:30PM GIRVAN WAUGH RANDWICK CITY STAKES (2000 METRES) | |||
HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
ALLERGIC | Neither | Is this stable on a holiday? How horses show zero improvement between runs from a fitness perspective is beyond me. Still not fit. | 4th |
KINEMA (IRE) | Improved 3 lengths | Looks much better today, Expecting an improved performance. | 5th |
CLASSIC UNIFORM | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
CAFE SOCIETY (FR) | 1st up | This horse actually looks ok first up. May run a cheeky race. | 2nd |
OUR CENTURY (IRE) | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
ASTRONOMOS (GB) | improved 1 length | Had this horse clearly on top from a form perspective but is getting warm in the yard despite the cooler conditions and coat is still not there. | 1st |
MONTAUK | Neither | Really holding condition well this prep. Expecting another good run today. | 3rd |
LORD DE AIR | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
SHALMANESER | Improved 1.5 lengths | Dappled coat today and walking super relaxed in the yard. Looks well. | 6th |
IMPAVIDO | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
BILLS A GOODIE | Yuck | The worst walk I’ve seen on a horse in months. Couldn’t win with a head start. | 8th |
MCNULTY | 1st I’ve seen | Is this April Fool’s Day? Why is this horse here? Zero chance. | 7th |
HORSE TO FOLLOW: | NONE |