Well the whip rule reared its ugly head again on Saturday with the winners of two of Saturday’s Group races being fined for overuse of the whip. Firstly. Ben Melham upon his late arrival on the course was fined $1,000 for overuse of the whip for his winning ride on She Will Reign in the Golden Slipper 7 days earlier. With that fresh in his mind Melham goes out and wins aboard Assign and is fined $2,000 for using the whip 15 times prior to the 100m which is 10 more than the allowed 5. Stewards noted due to the margin they declined to exercise their power to lodge a protest due to the margin of ¾ of a length.
Then in race 8 after a brilliant ride by H Bowman he was also fined $1,000 for overuse of the whip prior to the 100m whereby he struck his horse 10 times which is 5 over the allowed limit. Once again stewards declined to exercise their power due to the margin. Now, what if the margin was a nose? Would they have still taken the same view? This was a constant issue throughout the Spring and it is now here again. I have no doubt that sometime in the future stewards will reverse the result of a big race for overuse of the whip. People will say it is subjective to how the margin was affected which is correct but what is the point of having a rule in place if it isn’t going to be used. Personally, I think they have to change the rule but until they do it is going to cause problems and I really feel sorry for the first lot of connections who bear the cost of a protest being upheld.
After The Vinery, we had a brilliant interview with Noel Callow and Bruce McAvaney where Callow showed character and was very engaging which is a great advertisement and attracts people to racing. But what happened during the race was a different story where Noel Callow showed little regard for his fellow riders which is very similar to his ride on Ducimus 5 weeks earlier where he almost put Craig Williams over the fence. He was charged with reckless riding and given a 1 month suspension which he will be appealing. Jockeys have a dangerous enough job as it is going out to ride and putting their lives on the line without another jockey having little regard for other rider’s safety. Everybody wants your jock to be doing their absolute best to win for you but it must be measured with ensuring everyone gets to go home safely.
Our Mounting Yard Man hit the mark again with his horse to follow Silent Sedition getting home in the William Reid Stakes on Friday night giving Katelyn Mallyon her first G1 win. Matt was also on the mark in the mounting yard at Rosehill again on Saturday with 2 of his on top selections getting home including Montoya’s Secret at an SP of $12. A great week end for followers.
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/
Rosehill Gardens: Australian Turf Club Saturday 25, March 2017 | |||
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Race 1 – 12:20PM THE SCHWEPPERVESCENCE (1400 METRES) | |||
HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
MURAAHIB | 1st I’ve seen | Nice horse. Condition wise looks spot on, tiny bit warm. | 3rd |
ALBUMIN | Backwards 4 lengths | Liked this horse in the yard last start. Looks like they have put zero work into the horse, fat now. | 9th |
ASTORIA | 1st I’ve seen | Nice horse. Not a fan of the 1100 to 1400 but well put together colt. | 2nd |
MARSUPIAL | 1st I’ve seen since Jan | What a weird prep for this horse. Canterbury to Melbourne to Canberra and back home. Lovely moving animal. | 6th |
ALL TOO HUIYING | Improved 3 lengths | In terrific order this horse, moving very well and fit and ready to race. | 5th |
THE MISSION | Neither | Hasn’t improved between runs but is 4th up today. Getting warm in the yard. | 1st |
BIDWEE | 1st I’ve seen | not focusing at all in the yard. Mind elsewhere. | Late Scratching |
MERCHANT NAVY | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
REFLECTIVITY | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
VILLA CARLOTTA | Backwards 2 lengths | This horse is melting in the yard. No chance. | 7th |
FAEGER | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
SHE’S ON QUE | Neither | Think this horse will be better suited on firmer footing. | 8th |
SMOOTH LANDING | Improved 2 lengths | Great moving horse this, wet track should be ok. | 4th |
WHISPERED SECRET | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
Race 2 – 1:00PM E-GROUP SECURITY STAR KINGDOM STAKES (1200 METRES) | |||
HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
ARTISTRY | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
DANISH TWIST | Improved 2.5 lengths | This is the best this horse has looked in some time. Step back in distance a query but she’s in great order. | 5th |
IMPENDING | Improved 1.5 lengths | Nice and relaxed and moving well. No knocks. | 3rd |
JUNGLE EDGE | Improved 2 length | Classic wet track horse that gets a lot of favours today on the map. Cool calm and collected today. | 1st |
SAVOUREUX | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
SORT AFTER | 1st up | Money coming for this horse on course however too fat to be competitive today. | 7th |
DAL CIELO (NZ) | Improved 1 length | Can get quite worked up in the yard, much better today. | 2nd |
KUDERO | Backwards 1 length | Rock hard fit now. Was slightly better in the coat last time I saw. | 4th |
WOULDNT IT BE NICE | Neither | Funny walking horse this, I give it none. | 6th |
Race 3 – 1:35PM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH NEVILLE SELLWOOD STAKES (2000 METRES) | |||
HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
ASSIGN (IRE) | 1st I’ve seen | In great order. Can win for sure. | 1st |
SINGLE GAZE | Improved 2 lengths | Horse is fit and focused. Coat still has marginal improvement. | 3rd |
ASTRONOMOS (GB) | Improved 4 lengths | Solid improvement between runs. Coat looks great. The one to beat. | 2nd |
CLASSIC UNIFORM | Backwards 3 lengths | Horse looks awful today compared to the last time I saw it 2 starts ago. | 4th |
SLOW PACE (USA) | Improved 3 lengths | Has shown considerable improvement between runs. Has the dappled coat on today. | 6th |
FLOODLIGHT (USA) | Backwards 1 length | Too heavy set this horse to be competitive in these conditions. | 7th |
LORD DE AIR | Missed last start | Pretty good order today however I do feel more of a tighten turning track type of horse. | 9th |
AMBIENCE | Neither | Again quite patchy in the coat today. | 8th |
ZASORCERESS (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen | Really nice moving Zabeel mare. Presents well today. | 5th |
Race 4 – 2:15PM RYDGES PARRAMATTA DONCASTER PRELUDE (1500 METRES) | |||
HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
PORNICHET (FR) | 1st Up | More forward than I was expecting. Best type in the race and he is def forward enough. Big effort to win 1st up here. | 7th |
LEEBAZ (NZ) | Improved 2 lengths | Has actually improved a bit between runs this start however not a we track type. | 8th |
KENJORWOOD | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Is probably the most dappled horse I’ve seen in some time. | 6th |
RUDY | 1st I’ve seen this prep | in good order but normally parades well enough. Bit of a non-winner though. | 4th |
MARENOSTRO (NZ) | 1st up | Not fit yet and coat quite dull and patchy. | 3rd |
NEW TIPPERARY | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
SPECTROSCOPE (USA) | Improved 2.5 lengths | Nice horse this who has shown solid improvement between runs. John says concerned we track, I’m not. | 1st |
ECHO EFFECT | Neither | Gets all hot and bothered in the yard and today is the same. Nice horse this if they could get it to settle. | 5th |
NO DOUBT | Improved 1 length | Still has improvement to come and would prefer on something a little firmer. | 2nd |
LANCIATO (NZ) | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
Race 5 – 2:50PM POWER DISTRIBUTION AUSTRALIA TULLOCH STAKES (2000 METRES) | |||
HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
PRIZED ICON | Improved 1 length | In good order this horse but I have my doubts on heavy tracks. | 2nd |
JON SNOW (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen | Top selection here. The horse is a tall leggy stayer who should relish conditions. Fit as a fiddle and coat looks great. | 1st |
RISING RED (NZ) | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
ACATOUR | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
CAPTAIN DUFFY | Improved 3 lengths | Hasn’t shown much this prep but horse is parading better than that. | 3rd |
HONEYWINE | Improved 3 lengths | Wet track type who has shown nothing this prep. Should handle conditions. | 11th |
WINE BUSH | Improved 1 length | Personally would prefer this horse on a drier track. | 9th |
RIGHTEOUS MATE (NZ) | Missed last start | Bred to handle conditions however on appearance would prefer on slightly firmer surface. | 8th |
ROCK AND SWING | Neither | Hasn’t really shown an improvement between runs, is in good order but not sure heavy track is its go. | 5th |
GARBHAN | 1st I’ve seen in some time | Really patchy in the coat today, nope. | 4th |
MY KIND | Missed last start | Def wet track type however I think is outclassed here. Prefer on tighter tracks too. | 7th |
HOLLYWOOD MO | Improved 2.5 lengths | Prefer on slightly firmer however the horse presents the best I’ve seen it. | 6th |
NOBLE TRUTH | 1st I’ve seen in some time | Too big. | 10th |
Race 6 – 3:30PM THE BMW (2400 METRES) | |||
HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
OUR IVANHOWE (GER) | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
EXOSPHERIC (GB) | 1st I’ve seen | fit and focused, I think we track wont be an issue. | 3rd |
WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (NZ) | Neither | Hasn’t really shown any improvement between runs. | 4th |
GRAND MARSHAL (GB) | Frothing at the mouth a no no for mine. | 7th | |
LIBRAN (IRE) | Improved 1.5 lengths | Good in the coat and is fit now. Think outclassed here though. | 6th |
HUMIDOR (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen | Nice horse but he has no manners in the mounting yard. Bundle of nerves. | 2nd |
TAVAGO (NZ) | Improved 3 lengths | Looks spot on for this. Great improvement between runs. | 8th |
JAMEKA | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Lovely horse this, fit, focused and very relaxed. No knocks. | 1st |
LASQUETI SPIRIT | Neither | I give this horse none. | 5th |
Race 7 – 4:10PM VINERY STUD STAKES (2000 METRES) | |||
HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
LA BELLA DIOSA (NZ) | Improved 2 lengths | Light little thing. These are the only conditions I could entertain backing this horse. | 9th |
FOXPLAY | Improved 1 length | Step up in distance has to be a query but the horse again parades well. | 4th |
HARLOW GOLD (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Great in the coat this horse, will be competitive if the yards right. | 3rd |
DAWN WALL | Missed its last start | Very nice horse this but not suited on this type of surface. | 6th |
NURSE KITCHEN (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Good order this horse, no major knocks. Doesn’t bring much form into the race but should get the distance. | 2nd |
SMART AS YOU THINK | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Not focusing at all in the yard. | 7th |
LUBITON | Missed its last start | Relaxed and in good order, wet track OK. | 5th |
CASSADEE | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
MOQUEEN | Neither | Light wet track type but I think the horse is outclassed here. | 11th |
MONTOYA’S SECRET | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Like this horse in the yard. To mine it’s the one that will both handle the sting out and also enjoy the distance. Top selection | 1st |
CONCESSIONS | 1st I’ve seen for some time | Not a fluent walker. Not stretching oy well in the yard. | 8th |
SHE’S MAGICAL | 1st I’ve seen in some time | Simply outclassed. | 10th |
KAMILI | 1st I’ve seen | Melting in the yard. Hopeless. | 12th |
Race 8 – 4:50PM ASCEND SALES TROPHIES EMANCIPATION STAKES (1500 METRES) | |||
HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
FIRST SEAL | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
DIXIE BLOSSOMS | Improved 1 length | Continues to parade well, hopefully they take her forward. Top selection. | 3rd |
ZANBAGH | Improved 2.5 lengths | Has carried excess condition last two starts but today finally looks fit. | 1st |
EURO ANGEL (NZ) | Improved 2 lengths | Had put on condition last start, today looks fitter. | 4th |
ROCKET COMMANDER | Neither | Classic wet track horse this one. | 8th |
DIAMOND MADE | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Still not fit and I don’t think this horse is up to this class. | 10th |
DAYSEE DOOM | Improved 1.5 lengths | Doesn’t carry a lot of excess condition but actually has shown some improvement between runs. Genuine winning chance. | 2nd |
HAPPY HANNAH | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Lots of spruiking over this horse but its not one I give much time to. Always well in the market and due to its racing action I bet against it. | 7th |
EXTENSIBLE | Improved 2 lengths | Was still quite big in the yard 1st up. Fitter today and has Spectroscope form! | 6th |
ALASKAN ROSE (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Not really what I would call a Heavy track horse. Looking to others here. | 5th |
PINDAN PEARL | Missed last start | This is too wet for this horse. Hopeless in these conditions. | 9th |
ANISHA | Missed last start | Classic wet track horse however generally gets right back which is not suited toda | 11th |
ZENALICIOUS | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
Race 9 – 5:30PM EFM LOGISTICS HANDICAP (1400 METRES) | |||
HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS | COMMENTS | FINISHING POSITION |
HANDFAST | Improved 3 lengths since 18 Feb | Big weight to carry on this track but the horse is finally fit here. | 4th |
SERENE MAJESTY | The step up in distance suits this horse, expecting better today than prior start | 7th | |
MR INDIVIDUAL | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Parading portly today, no chance | 10th |
HIMALAYA DREAM (FR) | 1st up | Wont handle these conditions. | 11th |
SPY DECODER (NZ) | 1st up | Zero chance today, dry tracker will hate these conditions | 9th |
XEBEC (USA) | 1st I’ve seen | Not fit and already looking for further. | 8th |
VOILIER | Improved 1 length | Gets favours today with track bias yet still think the horse is a myth. | 3rd |
BRING LUCK | Improved 1 length | Nice wet track horse. | 6th |
ROARING TO WIN | Improved 2.5 lengths | Good improvement since I last saw at Rosehill. Chance at odds | 2nd |
ANCIENT HISTORY (IRE) | 1st I’ve seen | Still has improvement to come in the coat and carrying excess condition. | 5th |
BE LIKE DAD | 1st I’ve seen this prep | On pace horse so gets some favours here. 90% fit. | 1st |
HORSE TO FOLLOW | DANISH TWIST | Horse paraded best I’ve seen fo some time. Step back in distance didn’t suit. Do yourself a favour and watch the replay of the race and watch her past the post. Will be very competitive stepping back up in distance. |