Hat’s off to Lindsay Murphy and his team for getting The Golden Slipper meeting completed safely on Saturday as by all accounts the track was as wet as you will get at Rosehill but still raced safely. A big congratulation goes to Darby racing who have for the past 2 years purchased very cheap fillies and finished 2nd in the Slipper last year and went 1 better this year landing the big prize. As a syndicator this is a huge result and something that all syndicators would dream of doing. It also shows the reason why racing horses in Australia is so good as you can have people from all walks of life that can experience the thrill of winning the big prizes on the biggest day. You don’t need to a multimillionaire of a Sheik to win on racings biggest stage.
Our regular Friday form analyst Luke Murrell hit the mark with his free preview again on Friday night with Big Duke winning the first albeit it needed to get it done in the steward’s room and his danger horse Our Century running 2nd.
The biggest news in racing on Friday was the Cobalt decision handed down on Friday with the O’Brien and Kavanagh stables having the biggest wins they will have this year and Racing Victoria a monumental loss. We will have a story in relation to this saga later in the week.
Below is Matthew Howard’s weekly just racing 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/
| Race 1 -A3:C104 12:15PM IRRESISTIBLE POOLS & SPAS N E MANION CUP (2400 METRES) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
| ALLERGIC | Improved 1 length | Horse is fit and very good in the coat. Not your classic heavy 10 horse but fit enough now to get through. 3rd selection. | 3rd |
| KINEMA (IRE) | Backwards 2 lengths | Thought the horse paraded better last start than today. Not as bright in the coat. | 4th |
| BIG DUKE (IRE) | 1st I’ve seen | Nice horse. Should get through the ground here. Relaxed and moving well in the yard. Top selection. | 1st |
| OUR CENTURY (IRE) | Ist I’ve seen | 2nd pick from the yard here. No wet weather form however I think he will get through the ground. In good order. | 2nd |
| CAFE SOCIETY (FR) | Backwards 2 lengths | Even though this horse is second up it paraded better last start than today. | 6th |
| SHALMANESER | Backwards 5 lengths | This horse needs the paddock now. | 5th |
| PARAGON | Missed last start in Canberra | Melting in the yard, expect the horse to perform poorly. | 7th |
| Race 2 – 12:55PM TAB BIRTHDAY CARD STAKES (1200 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
| NANCY | Neither | Warm in the yard today. Hasn’t shown any improvement between runs and cant stand the sire. | 3rd |
| ZESTFUL | Neither | Nice horse this and the best horse in the race in my opinion. Not your classic heavy track horse but has the class on her side. | 5th |
| HIEROGLYPHICS | Neither | Doesn’t carry a lot of excess condition so doesn’t improve a lot between runs. Is your classic wet track type and goes on top from the mounting yard. | 8th |
| TEMPT ME NOT | 1st up | Not fit and I would prefer this horse on top of the ground. | 7th |
| ALMIGHTY GIRL | Gee this horse is getting a lot of support on ground but from how it parades I give it none. Fat and warm, not for me. | 4th | |
| RAIMENT | 1st up | Horse is quite forward first up and a good wet track type however hasn’t been focused at all in the mounting yard. | 1st |
| HERMOSA BEACH | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| SAMANTHA | Neither | Fitness wise the horse is well and track conditions suit. Did display one behavioural negative. | 2nd |
| ZARA BAY | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| FIFTYSHADESOFGREY | 1st up | Horse needs a few runs to get fit but I also think the horse has lost its spark. | 6th |
| Race 3 – 1:30PM QUICKWAY CONSTRUCTIONS DARBY MUNRO STAKES (1200 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
| TACTICAL ADVANTAGE | Neither | Holding condition well. Like this horse. Has the dappled coat on today. | 3rd |
| DERRYN | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Condition wise the horse is in good order. Not the most fluent walker. | 1st |
| COGLIERE | 1st I’ve seen for some time | Horse at a big price is in very good order. I’ve got it second pick in the yard. | 10th |
| CRAFTY COP | improved 1 length | Horse I have time for, hopefully they let it go forward. Condition wise in good order. | 2nd |
| GLENALL | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| MY COUNTRY | 1st up | For a horse 1st up, cant fault on appearance. Def forward and a good moving animal. | 7th |
| GENERALISSIMO | Didn’t see last start | Giving me the crazy eyes as it walks past me. Not settled. | 5th |
| STAR OF MONSOON | 1st up | Solid money on course for a horse that’s fat. No chance. | 6th |
| DEMOLITION | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| WAR HERO | 1st I’ve seen this prep | This horse couldn’t parade worse. | 9th |
| CONCHITA | Improved 1 length | Still needs a run and getting head right up in the yard, no. | 8th |
| IMPROVEMENT (NZ) | Backwards 6 lengths | This is the worst I’ve seen this horse look and yet lots of money coming for it. Easy lay. | 4th |
| RAIMENT | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| Race 4 – 2:05PM RANVET STAKES (2000 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
| HARTNELL (GB) | 2 lengths | Good improvement between runs fitness wise. What price would it be today without that last run?? | 2nd |
| PREFERMENT (NZ) | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| STRATUM STAR | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Very fit horse in good order. Never seen conditions like this the query. | 6th |
| OUR IVANHOWE (GER) | 1st up | Has a great overstep this horse but this is a big ask 1st up in these conditions. | 1st |
| THE UNITED STATES (IRE) | 1st I’ve seen | Top selection from the yard. He looks fit and ready to go. Track conditions should suit. | 3rd |
| HE’S OUR ROKKII (NZ) | Neither | No improvement between runs, others better today. Just plain. | 7th |
| ANTONIO GIUSEPPE (NZ) | Improved 2.5 lengths | Solid improvement (2.5 lengths) in the week. Looks trained well for this. | 4th |
| SOFIA ROSA (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Prancing around the yard, not settled or focused at all. | 5th |
| Race 5 – 2:45PM CHINA HORSE CLUB GEORGE RYDER (1500 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
| CHAUTAUQUA | Neither | No real improvement between runs and I stand by the fact I don’t think the horse is a good heavy track type. | 3rd |
| LE ROMAIN | Improved 1 length | Lovely horse here, presents in great fashion. | 2nd |
| HAURAKI | Improved 2.5 lengths | looks better today than last start. Won’t beat her but can run a good race. | 4th |
| TOSEN STARDOM (JPN) | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| LEEBAZ (NZ) | Neither | What is this horse doing here. I give it none. | 7th |
| MCCREERY (GB) | Improved 1.5 lengths | Classic wet track type. Best of the roughies. | 5th |
| ENDLESS DRAMA (IRE) | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| WINX | Improved 3 lengths | I’m yet to see this much improvement between runs for Winx. For all those haters, enjoy your losses. She wins comfortably here. | 1st |
| SYLPHEED | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Back to the sunny Gold Coast with you. | 6th |
| Race 6 – 3:25PM SKY RACING ROSEHILL GUINEAS (2000 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
| PRIZED ICON | Improved 3 lengths | This horse generally takes a few runs to get fit. Didn’t see it in Melbourne but looks fit today. Query Heavy track though. | 10th |
| GINGERNUTS (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen | Oh, I like this horse. Will def handle conditions and is very fit indeed. | 1st |
| SEABURGE | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Almost copper in colour in the coat. Horse presents in good order today. | 12th |
| INFERENCE | Improved 3 lengths | Great improvement between runs. Horse parades today without fault. | 2nd |
| COMIN’ THROUGH | Improved 1 length | Thought the horse had gone backwards in the yard last start. Marginally better today although I’m not sure real heavy tracks its go. | 8th |
| ANAHEIM | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Too big for a heavy track. | 4th |
| SO SI BON | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Looks ok in the coat. Some chance. | 3rd |
| SIZZLING BULLET | Neither | Good moving animal and wet track should be ok but think it lacks class of some of these. | 9th |
| IMPAVIDO | Backwards 1 length | 5th up first prep equals no for me. I think the horse is showing signs it needs a rest. | 6th |
| LAND OF PLENTY | 1st I’ve seen this prep | too big. | 11th |
| HARPER’S CHOICE | Neither | Fit and wet track should suit. Not the worst. | 5th |
| HOLLYWOOD MO | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Too big and average walker. | 7th |
| Race 7 – 4:10PM LONGINES GOLDEN SLIPPER (1200 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
| PARIAH | 1st I’ve seen for some time | Frothing at the mouth and not a wet track type of horse. | 11th |
| VERANILLO | Neither | Playing up in the yard today. Not for me. | 8th |
| TRAPEZE ARTIST | Improved 3 lengths | Has improved since I saw it 2 starts ago. I think wet track will be ok and rough place chance at odds. | 6th |
| SINGLE BULLET | Backwards 2 lengths | Horse is training off in my opinion. | 13th |
| DIAMOND TATHAGATA | Backwards 1 length | Plain. | 7th |
| TREKKING | Backwards 3 lengths | Gone backwards since I saw it 2 starts ago. Very dull coat today. No. | 12th |
| INVADER | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| MENARI | Improved 2 lengths | My favourite 2 year old all season but these real heavy tracks are not his go. If this was a firm surface this horse wins by 2. | 4th |
| CATCHY | 1st I’ve seen | Big girl this. More of the Fastnet Rock in here and they tend to not like the wet. Lovely style of horse though. | 16th |
| FORMALITY | 1st I’ve seen | no chance. | 14th |
| TULIP | Improved 3 lengths | looks fantastic, cannot fault. | 3rd |
| SHE WILL REIGN | Neither | Take out the loss last start and what price is she today? Wet track fine and has to be a chance. | 1st |
| FROLIC | Improved 2 lengths | Horse looks trained to the minute for this race. | 2nd |
| TEASPOON | Neither | Doesn’t carry a lot of excess condition. Horse looks fit and should get through the conditions. | 15th |
| HOUTZEN | 1st I’ve seen since the GC | If the track was dry this horse would be some chance of winning but too big on a bog track. | 5th |
| MADEENATY | 1st I’ve seen | Very fresh in the yard today. Others better. | 10th |
| CHAUFFEUR | Missed its last start | Horse looks well, no major knocks. | 9th |
| SHOWTIME | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| THE MISSION | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| Race 8 – 4:50PM NATHAN’S FAMOUS HOTDOGS GALAXY (1100 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
| MUSIC MAGNATE (NZ) | Backwards 1 length | Not parading as well today as last start. | 12th |
| FELL SWOOP | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Wet track ok, but right up on the toes in the yard using too much energy early. | 6th |
| ENGLISH | Improved 2 lengths | Horse can melt in the yard but for her she’s more settled today being led by the clerk of the course. | 7th |
| BIG MONEY | Backwards 3 lengths | Not parading well today. | 11th |
| FAATINAH | 1st I’ve seen | Not a wet track type. | 10th |
| REDZEL | improved 2.5 lengths | Very good improvement between runs. Genuine winning chance today. | 2nd |
| HEATHERLY | 1st I’ve seen | Needs firmer surface than today. | 8th |
| SUPIDO | Improved 1 length | Nice horse this. Struggled a little in the heavy going last start so has to be a query but trainer presents horse in the best possible condition. | 13th |
| FELINES | Improved 2 lengths | good order today, great in the coat and moving well in the yard. | 5th |
| MISS PROMISCUITY | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Needs dry track and horse parades with quite few issues. | 14th |
| JUNGLE EDGE | Improved 2 lengths | Classic wet track type, very fit. | 3rd |
| RUSSIAN REVOLUTION | 1st up | Our Early Bird Horse Resuming Here. Give it strength. For the first time this horse is very fresh in the yard, double handlers trying to calm it down and getting quite warm. | 1st |
| MISSROCK | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Good order. | 9th |
| GLENALL | Improved 2 lengths | Really like this horse, follow on firmer surface. | 4th |
| Race 9 – 5:30PM BRADFORD BLACK EPONA STAKES (1900 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
| AMBIENCE | Improved 2 lengths | Finally starting to look fit however still solid improvement to come in the coat | 2nd |
| ELLE LOU | Neither | Can’t believe that this horse has been to the Gold Coast, back and now 5th run but holding condition so well | 7th |
| GABELLA (FR) | 1st I’ve seen | Wet track type, rough outside chance | 9th |
| ALEGRIA | Improved 3 lengths | Could be the best parading horse all day but she always catches the eye. Beautiful style of horse | 4th |
| HAPPY HANNAH | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| SONG AND LAUGHTER | Neither | Really melting in the yard today. Expecting poor performance | 8th |
| VANDANCER (NZ) | Improved 2 lengths | Give this horse some chance today. Wet track should suit and horse is fit and relaxed in the yard | 6th |
| SOFIN | Neither | Still to big to run on a surface like today | 5th |
| TOP OF MY LIST | Improved 1 length | Nice horse however I think would be better suited on soft ground rather than heavy | 3rd |
| CONSOMMATEUR (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen | Classic wet track type of horse, not fully relaxed in the yard however. | 1st |
| ROSE’S SONG | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| O’REILLY’S ANGEL (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Outclassed here. | 10th |
| LAMMA HILTON | 1st I’ve seen this prep | No chance. | 11th |
| Race 10 – 6:05PM PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS QUALIFIER (1200 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
| RAIDO | Improved 2 lengths | Nice horse, must be in the mix based on how its parading today | 5th |
| OSCAR’S CHOICE | 1st up | Does look like a horse that will handle conditions here but carrying excess condition | 8th |
| TWIST TOPS | Improved 2 lengths | Can get all hot and bothered in the yard but parades more relaxed today. Very tricky gate to deal with | 10th |
| MACHINEGUN JUBS | Neither | Parades in similar fashion to when it won at Canterbury | 16th |
| LADY JIVAGO | Improved 1 length | Slight improvement since I saw it last and despite horse having won on a heavy track before, think she’s better suited on drier surface | 12th |
| ROCK ON ZARIZ | 1st up | Needs the run | 14th |
| ALASKAN WOLF | Neither | Others parading better | 7th |
| FLASH FIBIAN | 1st up | Nice horse this however not screwed down for this and would prefer on drier surface | 6th |
| WHAT COULD BE | 1st up | I give this horse none | 9th |
| APPOINT PERCY (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen this prep | At odds this horse could produce something today. Looks fit, moves well and should handle conditions | 4th |
| INVINCIBLE GEORGE | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| DREAM LANE | 1st up | If this horse was drawn better I could entertain it today. | 3rd |
| POMELO | Improved 1 length | Nice horse this. Does get quite worked up in the yard generally and toddy is no different. Tends to perform well despite that. | 1st |
| LEAMI ASTRAY | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| HEAVENLY ANNA | 1st up | Looks fit and ready to race. | 2nd |
| GIANT’S DAUGHTER | 1st up | Prefer on drier surface. | 11th |
| THE WASP | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Won’t like conditions today. | 15th |
| CALABASAS | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| GADFLY | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| FLAVIAN | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Not fit. | 13th |
| HORSE TO FOLLOW | RUSSIAN REVOLUTION |