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Rosehill- Saturday 24 September 2022
Kote (Race 2)
This was a hard one to re-watch. He was stuck on the rails behind the leader for the entire way and entering the straight, there was nowhere to go. Berry attempted to take him up the inside but it was shut down pretty quick and this horse would have won the race without a shadow of a doubt had he got clear. The question is, where to now? If they decided to accept for another midway, he may end up quite short, as he will be well found, but if they accept for something outside of a midway, there is a chance we could get a nice price for him. Regardless, he is better than midway grade.
Startantes (Race 7)
She enters the blackbook for the second time in a fortnight as she once again had the flashing light about her. She was mighty unlucky and wasn’t given any room over the concluding stages of the Golden Pendant. She is well on target for the Golden Eagle, but if she has another run prior to that, she may just go close to winning it.
Newcastle – Saturday 17 September 2022
Always On Show (Race 7)
The Showcasing mare was very brave when second up at Newcastle when traveling the majority of the 1500m event wide without cover. She had the nerve to keep kicking and make it race over the concluding stages but the tough run took its toll in the end. She should go close over a mile to 1800m next start in either a similar grade or up in grade slightly.
Randwick – Saturday 17 September 2022
Honeycreeper (Race 4)
A lot of people were looking at the race and talking about the run of Stray, and rightly so, but they weren’t paying attention to the Godolphin Blue running up the inside. She drew poorly and had to drop back before heading to the inside, which wasn’t the ideal going on the day. The daughter of Teofilo was first up for the preparation over an unsuitable distance for a mare who is more effective over 2000m+. I think we can follow her with confidence next start, especially with a nice draw over the mile.
Stockman (Race 9)
This bloke is low-flying and is well on target for his grand final, which I would assume is the Metropolitan. He was third up on Saturday over 2000m, and he was really good, making his run with the runner-up Benaud, with Stockman doing his best work through the line. He could go close next start depending on where they go.
Kembla Grange – Saturday 10 September 2022
Givara (Race 5)
This was a tremendous run by the All Too Hard gelding who unfortunately just met one too better on the day. He had to drop back from the wide draw and make a searching run to the outside after being briefly held up around the 400m mark. He will be breaking his maiden status this preparation, so keep an eye out for him.
Rosehill – Saturday 10 September 2022
It’s Me (Race 9)
This mare is simply trucking, with all roads leading to the Kosciuszko. She finished a bold 1.4 length fourth in Group 2 company, all whilst being stuck in traffic late in the race. Sectional wise was very good, and she is going to be hard to beat wherever she goes. If she doesn’t have a run before the Kosciuszko, you can back her in the big one with confidence.
Startantes (Race 9)
From the same race, this mare entered the race first-up with the view of a solid run with bigger fish to fry, and it was definitely a passable run. She dropped back from a tricky draw and hit the line with vigor, running the quickest final 200m of the race. You can confidently follow her in the spring once she is up to 1400m and beyond.
Queanbeyan – Monday 5 September 2022
King Gutho (Race 5)
The trial lived up to its hype & King Gutho looks on par for the Kosciuszko. Outstanding return and worth a speck in early markets.
Wyong – Friday 2 September 2022
Rosehill – Saturday 27 August 2022
Aleas (Race 5)
Dylan Gibbons rode this son of Archipenko on the resumption of his second preparation. He was drawn wide and went back to last before unleashing late, which is exactly what you want to see for a horse wanting further and he definitely appreciated the dry ground. He ran the quickest final 600m, 400m, and 200m of the entire meeting, as you would expect for a backmarker, but he should be in for a decent preparation. Watch for him up in distance and on a dry deck with a decent draw.
Golden Mile (Race 8)
The son of Astern resumed in the Up and Coming Stakes on the weekend and it was his first go around the Sydney way of going. He settled back from barrier 5 and gave the eventual winner Kibou a massive start, before finishing well in second, 2.2 lengths off the winner. It was a very good run considering all things and managed to beat the rest of the field by 3.5 lengths. I think he could be a nice contender for something like the Golden Rose, but something like the Caulfield Guineas does look right up his alley.
Kembla Grange – Saturday 27 August 2022
Bunker Hut (Race 5)
I think a win is around the corner for this son of Savabeel after drawing the car park and getting back on the weekend. He was given a big task third-up and finished just under a length from Perfect Thought over the 1400m. If he can get a decent draw next start over a similar distance, he will be hard to beat.
Rosehill – Saturday 13 August 2022
Onemore Sapphire (Race 3)
Terrific return from the seven-year-old gelding who settled in the second half of the field, before picking his way through the field. He was held up from the 200m – 100m mark before coming off heels into the middle of the track which wasn’t the place to be. Despite all the issues throughout, he ran the fastest closing sectionals from the 800m to the finish of the race. Happy to follow him into his next run.
Katalin (Race 4)
Another who was first-up on Saturday who can carry that on into the preparation. The six-year-old mare finished fast up the centre of the track, which was a clear disadvantage, and ended up finishing under a length back in third. The eye matched the clock with the mare running the quickest closing sectionals from the 800m mark of the race, ranking in the top 5 in all increments except for the final 600m, where she ranked seventh. Hopefully, she can go on with it this preparation.
Quick Tempo (Race 10)
The four-year-old gelding was on the quick back up after being found to be lame last weekend, and he backed up well. He missed the kick by around three lengths and had to settle at the rear of the field before unleashing up the centre of the track, as mentioned before, wasn’t the place to be. It was as good as it look, the quickest final 800m, 600m, 400m, and 200m of the race whilst also being the quickest final 600m and 200m of the entire meeting. Be interesting to see where they go next, but I want to follow.
Randwick – Saturday 06 August 2022
Grace and Harmony (Race 5)
It was a lovely return by the Sebring mare after 287 days on the sideline. She settled in the second half of the field before making a brilliant run up the centre of the track to finish 0.25 of a length off the winner in second. Sectional-wise, She ran the 7th quickest final 600m of the meeting (approx +9L above average), 2nd quickest final 400m of the meeting, and the quickest final 200m of the meeting. It was a nice return and another race in a similar grade will see her going close again.
Yiyi (Race 7)
This bloke was the sectional star of the meeting. Drawing barrier 12, Jay Ford took the gelding back to the rear of the field, and whilst back there, he over-raced due to being keen, which isn’t ideal, but he still finished the race off like a rocket. Despite finishing 3 lengths back in fifth, he ran the quickest final 800m (+15.1L above average), 600m (+13.5L above average), 400m (+9.8L above average), and the second quickest 200m (+6.1L above average) of the entire meeting. He was only second up, so he isn’t that far away from peak fitness and with a nice draw, he can figure in the finish once again.
Rosehill – Saturday 30 July 2022
Opal Ridge (Race 2)
There were a few questions being asked around Opal Ridge following his three-length win at Scone as to whether she could aim up against city-class opposition, and I think she answered that on Saturday. Despite Troach winning comprehensively, Opal Ridge stormed home into second, finishing 1.5 lengths off the winner. Despite being held up from the 300m mark until the 150m mark behind Hell I Am, she still managed to run the second quickest final 400m sectional of the entire meeting and the third fastest final 200m of the entire meeting. She will make an impact in plenty of three-year-old races leading into the spring, so I will be following her with interest.
Gold Trip (Race 8)
The connections of Gold Trip have waited and waited for his Australian debut and we finally got to see it on Saturday. Coming from last in the run at a very unsuitable distance, he finished 3.2 lengths off the winner in third whilst running the quickest closing sectionals of the race. On top of that, he ran the quickest final 800m of the meeting and the second quickest final 600m of the meeting, indicating that he has come back just fine. It’s onwards and upwards for this bloke as he goes up in distance, and I am willing to follow.
Taree – Tuesday 26 July 2022
Jutland (Race 7)
Enormous run from JUTLAND. It was exposed early and had to work 3 deep for a lot of the race. JUTLAND settled outside the leader and in the final few strides the horse began shifting out and drifting sideways. It only went under by a head and a straight run would have seen it win. The favourite railed and saved every inch of ground. There was a mountain of merit to the run of JUTLAND, it should prove hard to hold out next run.
Rosehill – Saturday 16 July 2022
Pizarro (Race 3)
It was a nice second-up run by this All Too Hard gelding who has now run second in both runs this preparation. But both times he has gotten closer and closer with a contest over 1300m/1400m imminent. Think we can confidently follow him into his next start, providing he doesn’t run into any better horses.
Toomuchtobear (Race 7)
This bloke had a checkered passage on Saturday but was able to finish off the race strongly, finishing two lengths back in fourth. It was a nice first-up run considering he will be looking for further in no time and had to drop back to the rear from the wide gate. His run was backed up on the clock, running the quickest final 800m, 600m, 400m, and 200m of the entire meeting. He will be one to follow as he extends out in distance.
Randwick – Saturday 09 July 2022
Sunrise Ruby (Race 9)
This was a terrific return by the Mitch Beer trained mare, who will no doubt have aspirations of running in the Kosciuszko once again. From the nice draw, Tim Clark let her settle comfortably a touch worse than midfield before picking his way through the field. She performed well up in grade and she definitely looks like a mare who is going to relish any wet tracks thrown at her, it is good to have that ability heading into the spring. I think we can follow her with confidence.
Randwick – Saturday 25 June 2022
Lightning Jack (Race 8)
Picked one out of the Civic Stakes who had a nice eye-catching run in a part of the track that was hard to make ground. They had difficulty obtaining clear running from the 400m-350m mark and had to come off heels at the 150m mark, but despite all this, he still managed to run home some nice sectionals. He has had three runs in now, so another race on a fair surface up to the mile looks ideal and due to his racing pattern, a wide draw would also suit.
Rosehill – Saturday 18 June 2022
Black Queen (Race 5)
On a day when it was beneficial to be on the rails in run, this daughter of Mongolian Khan settled ninth in the run, one of the rails. Jockey Tommy Berry started getting into her around 500m out and by the 300m mark, she was still eighth and at least five horses off the rail. To her credit, she kept coming, running a tight fifth despite the crazy race run by the leader Cognac. Considering she was only third-up, she will be primed to go next start over 2000m+, especially if she draws a gate.
Dr. Drill (Race 7)
Once again, a horse has run a highly credible race when travelling off the rails throughout and in the straight. Unfortunately, despite the fighting finish, Skyman had a kinder run and was able to streak away but this geldings second placing was better than it looked. A win isn’t far away as he was only three runs into his preparation on Saturday.
Scone – Tuesday 14 June 2022
Bay Of Kotor (Race 7)
Excellent run considering it was smacked twice when looking for a run along the rails and raced in restricted room for a lot of the straight. Bolted once clear and should take a power of beating next time it runs. Didn’t have a whole lot of luck today but can atone next start.
Gosford – Thursday 9 June 2022
Alicia Roma (Race 5)
Resumed today, nabbed on the line but copped heat for the entire run. Will be sure to have taken plenty from that and can improve going forward. Decent gaps to third & should be measuring up in Saturday grade soon.
Fairey Barracuda (Race 1)
Brilliant return and when the button was clicked it put the race away in a matter of seconds. Excited to see this mare take on stronger races in the future and is one to keep an eye on.
Randwick – Saturday 16 April 2022
Mr Hussill (Race 1) (Next start: Winner)
On a day where it was hard to make any serious ground, he come from ninth in the opener on an inferior part of the track. He was coming into this third-up and carrying the top weight, so I thought his effort was tremendous in his 1.6 length defeat. He will win another Highway soon, as there is a suitable race at Hawkesbury in a fortnight over 1100m or the following week at Gosford.
Art Cadeau (Race 9)
The son of Artie Schiller was massive on the weekend, finishing 1.5 lengths back in second. The thing that was so impressive about the run was not only making some serious ground from eleventh in the run, but it was the fact that he was held up from the 500m mark to the 200m mark before getting clear. He is going to be ultra-competitive wherever he heads next.
Randwick – Saturday 09 April 2022
Pantonario (Race 4)
Gee, I thought she was brave here. She was first-up on the ground she had never experienced against a lot of hardened horses. Craig Williams stated afterward that she didn’t like the ground but was brave and boy wasn’t she just that. She got cut out a touch when eventual winner Paris Dior cut to the inside, so this girl had to come off heels but despite not liking the ground, she hit the line well enough in fourth. It’s not easy to do that, especially at Group 2 level and I think she can be ultra-competitive wherever she goes next start.
Randwick – Saturday 02 April 2022
Straight Arron (Race 2) (Next start: 3rd)
I knew this bloke would run a good race, but he completely blew his opposition away. You could argue that it wasn’t much but the manner in which he did it is proven by the clock. He ran the third quickest last 400m of the entire meeting and the quickest final 200m of the meeting, that’s impressive for a bloke who has only had his third Australian start. They have been patient with this horse and I have no doubt he can run 2000m, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he had a freshen up for the winter. I would love to see him at the Frank Packer Plate in a fortnight, tick off the 2000m box in Group 3 company and then re-assess. He has talent though.
Alegron (Race 7) – (Next start: Winner)
That is twice now this bloke has gone beyond 2000m and twice he has been beaten by Hitotsu, albeit a better margin this time. He also ticked off the heavy track box, which makes him so much more versatile. He only came into this race third-up so I think he definitely has another run under his belt over 2000m or longer, but do they wait for Adelaide or head to Brisbane? The South Australian Derby is just over a month away and looks a nice target for him.
Rosehill/Newcastle – Saturday 26 March 2022/Monday 28 March 2022
Nothing noted this weekend due to the split meeting.
Rosehill – Saturday 19 March 2022
Bacchanalia (Race 2) – (Next start: 4th)
It was a brilliant return by the son of Exceed and Excel despite not having a lot of luck. He ended up being caught three-wide in a seven-horse field but still managed to finish the race off in some decent sectionals. Although he loved the conditions at hand, I thought his run was impressive as he still finished second whilst beating the rest of the field by a length or more. I expect significant improvement next start, all he needs is to draw a gate.
In The Congo (Race 9) – (Next start: 2nd)
I have always had a soft spot for this horse and I thought he has returned in magnificent order. He led the field up in a perfect tempo and in the end, was beaten by a super fit horse who loves the wet and Group 3 winner. To add merit to the run, he not only finished within a length of the winner, but this was also his first go against horses older than him, and I thought he held himself together well. I am looking forward to his preparation and I expect him to be competitive wherever he goes.
Rosehill – Saturday 12 March 2022
Gravina (Race 5) – (Next start: 4th)
The son of Sebring was merely a product of settling too far back on the weekend, which wasn’t the thing to do at Rosehill, on a day where it was already proving that being too far away was going to be problematic. The proof is in the times, with Gravina running the quickest final 400m and 200m of the races (13th and 11th for the meeting respectively) whilst not having the shortcuts that the winner had. He was only second-up, stick with him.
Promise of Success (Race 8) – (Next start: Winner)
Another race with another runner who got too far back and it was too late and too much of a task to make the ground up. Her sectionals back up her performance, running the quickest final 800m, 600m, 400m, and 200m of the race, finishing top 20 for those sectionals for the meeting with her final 800m finishing eighth best. She has been too far off them over her last two runs and first-up the leader got a cakewalk. She will be fourth-up next time out and providing she gets the draw and luck, she will go very close.
Randwick– Saturday 5 March 2022
Luncies (Race 4) – (Next start: 9th)
This was definitely an eye-catching run by the son of Iffraaj. Now I know there was some doubt on his credentials on the heavy going, but any doubts that were made were put to bed here as he excelled through the going. He was able to run the quickest last 800m and 600m for the race (sixth and third for the meeting respectively) and the 8th quickest final 400m and 200m for the entire meeting. He came into this run on the back of a four-week freshen-up, and hypothetically if they do that again, he is spot-on for the Sydney Cup. The stable may just squeeze another race in between, but either way, he is on target for his grand final.
A Very Fine Red (Race 6)– (Next start: 8th)
I thought her return was full of merit against a couple of nice horses who had already had a start this preparation. She had a nice run in transit before making a nice run up the inside and then around the 150m mark, Tom Sherry had to stop riding her to straighten her up as she laid in. I dare say she will look to have another run before the Arrowfield 3yo Sprint in April, maybe the Birthday Card Stakes over the 1200m in a fortnight before going into the target third-up. Either way, she is one to follow this preparation.
Private Eye (Race 7) – (Next start: 5th)
Everyone would have seen this bloke finish off behind Forbidden Love in the Canterbury Stakes, and I have no doubt he is on target for the Doncaster Handicap in four weeks’ time. He flew home over the final stages, running the quickest final 800m, 600m, and 400m of the race which was the quickest (800m), second quickest (600m), and fourth quickest (400m) of the entire meeting. The son of Al Maher will likely have another run at least before heading to his grand final but based on what Joe Pride did last preparation in the lead-up to the Epsom, he may just have back-to-back runs before going to his grand final fourth-up.
Randwick– Saturday 26 February 2022
Vangelic (Race 6) – (Next start: 7th)
She won’t be at the top of many people’s lists but I thought her return was very good. She sat five wide over the first 400m albeit in the back straight, before crossing over to lead. She didn’t travel at a leisurely pace throughout, she was zooming along, posting the quickest sectionals to the 800m mark, 600m mark, and 400m mark before fading over the final 200m. She was entitled to fade after going that quick, but she kept fighting and fought on to finish 4.25 lengths back in third, only half a length off second and 1.25 lengths in front of fourth, and short-priced favourite Icebath. She isn’t a noted wet track and her best figures are definitely are on a dry track. Historically, she improves nicely second-up, so if she sticks in a similar grade at 1400m+ on a dry track, she should run a bottler next start.
Duais (Race 7) – (Next start: Winner)
Had her black booked after her first-up run and she would have gone close here second-up with a bit more luck. Not only did she lose a fore plate approaching the 200m mark, she got stuck on the rails behind Colette, who was struggling. She was held up from the 400m – 200m mark before shifting out and running the quickest final 200m split of not only the race but of the entire day. It was confirmed by the trainer on Twitter (28/02/22) that Duais is heading to the Australian Cup at Flemington and likely heading to the Tancred Stakes at Rosehill after.
Rosehill– Saturday 19 February 2022
Never Talk (Race 2) – (Next start: 3rd)
There are a few I am going to follow from this meeting, many from the same race. Look I know this race only had five runners which ended up being complete domination by Rule of Law, but I really loved the return of Never Talk. She was first-up after 98 days and enjoyed the sting out of the ground on Saturday. She not only finished 2.3 lengths back in third (0.3 of a length off second), but she managed to run in the top 10 for the final 800m, 600m, 400m, and 200m sectionals of the entire meeting and in that final 600m, she was the third quickest on the day. I want to follow her off that run as her second-up form is magical and if she gets the sting out of the ground, she could be a big bet on the day.
Fox Fighter (Race 5) – (Next start: 11th)
This is going to be a nice form race going forward and you could probably follow Mazu and Zapateo from this race for nice success also. Fox Fighter hit the line well in his resumption from 105 days off. he didn’t do anything special on the sectional side of things but he actually ran pretty well against decent opposition, especially from a wide gate and the fact he prefers firmer footing. This is the grade for him and he will be competitive next start in a benchmark 78 quality race without these better horses running against him.
Great House (Race 7) – (Next start: 3rd)
Yes, before anyone mentions it, I saw No Compromise flying home in inferior ground and yes I will be following, but we want to try to find runners that aren’t that obvious. How about Great House? He was first-up after 109 days off from a Melbourne Cup run over 1900m and he managed to run the seventh quickest last 400m sectional of the entire day whilst carrying 59kg. The horse has come back a treat and is likely on a Sydney Cup path, but you can honestly back him with confidence in any distance over 2000m going forward as I think he will run well consistently. I think he does prefer a little bit of sting out of the tracks he runs on but proved in the Hotham that a good track can be just as good. His second-up record is fantastic, so look out for him.
Randwick– Saturday 12 February 2022
Miss Faberge (Race 1) – (Next start: 4th)
Not a lot went right for the daughter of Russian Revolution on debut. She was coming into the race nicely and went to make a move close to the 200m mark with Magic Carpet before the favourite on the day Metallicity shifted in. This caused our girl and Magic Carpet to bump twice before our girl was checked off heels and not fully tested. She is going to come on nicely for the run and I expect her to be close to winning next start.
Startantes (Race 7) – (Next start: 2nd)
The daughter of Star Turn staked her claims going forward, in what was a hot edition of the Light Fingers. The pace of the race was slow, which didn’t suit her at all, and when approaching the 150m mark, she copped some interference before racing in restricted room and shifting out at the 100m mark to get clear. Despite all of this, she ran 2.1 lengths back in sixth whilst running the quickest splits from the 800m – 600m and the 600m – 400m, on top of the second quickest last 600m of the race behind the winner Fangirl. She is in for a good preparation and will be worth following.
Icebath & Duais (Race 8)
There are two horses we can follow out of race eight- the Group 2 Apollo Stakes.
Icebath – (Next start: 4th)
It was a brilliant return for the daughter of Sacred Falls, who matched it with the very best throughout this 1400m contest. It isn’t often that she can claim to have beaten home a champion, but she did just that, beating home Verry Elleegant in the feature race of the day. It was a nice first-up return, as she was able to clock a quick 400m – 200m split whilst running the third quickest last 600m of the race. Considering she usually doesn’t race at 1400m until second-up, she will be nice and fit entering her second-up contest, wherever that may be.
Duais – (Next start: 6th)
Some might not consider a 5.7 length ninth in a Group 2 a good run, but considering this mare was first-up against some very good horses, I am willing to consider it a pass. The daughter of Shamus Award got a fair way back in the contest and followed Verry Elleegant in the run as they turned for home. Despite running ninth, she was able to clock the quickest last 600m of the race in 34.05 and the second quickest last 200m of the race, all without being fully ridden out to the line, which Josh Parr was reminded of by the stewards. They are going to be competitive wherever they go with her next.
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