The thoughts of all the racing community go out to the family and friends of Darren Jones who sadly passed in horror three-horse fall at Warialda on Saturday that’s left the horse racing industry in a state of shock and disbelief. Darren Jones leaves behind his wife Sheridan and two teenage sons. Also, injured in the fall were Melanie Bolwell who is currently in a Gold Coast Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in a serious condition. The third rider involved in the fall was Leanne Henry who suffered a fractured collarbone in the fall and was transported to Tamworth Hospital. Let’s hope that there is positive news today on the state of Melanie Bolwell. It just goes to show the risks faced by jockeys each time they head to the office.
There was drama also at Randwick with the running of the Sydney Cup being declared a no race with the breakdown of Almoonqith just past the winning post the first time around who unfortunately had to be euthanised. The breakdown led to Who Shot Thebarman losing its rider Blake Shinn, so there was a prone horse near the finish line and another runner lose leaving the stewards no option but to declare a no race. The issue that seriously needs to be looked at is how they communicate this to the riders still in the race as it isn’t good enough that 6 of the riders didn’t know that the race had been called off? A few leading jockeys made some comments in the heat of the moment that I would hope they would now be regretting.
Winx once again provided the positive news story over the week end with another demolition job in the Queen Elizabeth stakes on Saturday with the official margin of 5.3 lengths back to Hartnell who is currently rated the third best horse in the world and she keeps gapping him. It will be great to see how Hartnell goes if he heads to Hong Kong in 3 weeks’ time.
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://facebook.com/mountingyardlive
| Royal Randwick: Australian Turf Club Saturday 08, April 2017 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 1 – 11:30AM ADINA APARTMENT HOTELS FERNHILL HANDICAP (1600 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| MURAAHIB | Neither | No real improvement between runs for this horse. | 8th |
| ALL TOO HUIYING | Neither | Paraded on top last start and parades in good order again here today. | 3rd |
| TOGA PICTA | 1st I’ve seen | There are others that parade like the mile will suit more than this horse. | 2nd |
| COULTHARD | 1st I’ve seen | getting quite warm in the mounting yard here. | 5th |
| MEDAL KUN | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Too big for a heavy track. | 9th |
| ACE HIGH | Missed last start | Quite plain in the coat here. Looking at others. | 6th |
| ZEPPELIN | Missed last 2 starts | Not suited on this track. Looking for firmer footing. | 10th |
| EARTH ANGEL | 1st I’ve seen | Like this horse. Probably the best walker, has a lovely long stride on her. Coat looks great. | 4th |
| WHISPERED SECRET | Ist I’ve seen this prep | Think this is a nice horse in the making. Love a High Chap as they are generally great movers and this is also. | 1st |
| YORKSHIRE ROCK (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen | is fit however not focusing at all in the yard. Outclassed also type wise. | 7th |
| Race 2 – 12:10PM TCL SOUTH PACIFIC CLASSIC (1400 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| ECHO EFFECT | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| BEZEL | Backwards 5 lengths | Looked fantastic last start in the yard. Plain today. | 11th |
| PEACOCK | 1st I’ve seen this prep | 2nd pick of the Godolphin runners however think the stablemate parades better. | 6th |
| BRYNEICH | Neither | At peak fitness now. Wet track type however I would prefer on a tighter turning track. | 4th |
| GENERALISSIMO | improved 3 lengths | This is the best this horse has looked. Would prefer on drier surface but rock hard fit today. | 1st |
| HUSSTERICAL | Backwards 2 lengths | Money coming for this horse on course but has gone backwards since I saw it two starts ago. Very plain in the coat today. | 12th |
| ALLITERATE | 1st I’ve seen some time | Not moving freely today. | 13th |
| ROSA CAROLINA (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen in two starts | Parading very well today. This wet track should really suit the horse. Looks great in the coat also. | 2nd |
| UBATUBA | 1st I’ve seen some time | At the top of its game now fitness wise. No improvement to come after today. | 9th |
| SIREN’S FURY | 1st I’ve seen some time | Really patchy in the coat, prefer others. | 3rd |
| RED HEARTS | 1st I’ve seen in a few starts | Really like this horse however wont like the heavy track today. | 10th |
| APIATA (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen | Athletic type but I’ve got others parading much better. | 8th |
| SCREAMARR | 1st I’ve seen in 3 starts | Awful | 5th |
| TRAVANCORE (NZ) | Improved 1 length in 2 starts | Good in the coat and the horse is fit. Just outside my main chances. | 7th |
| Race 3 – 12:45PM IG SHARE TRADING PERCY SYKES STAKES (1200 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| FORMALITY | Backwards 4 lengths | Horse has put on a lot of condition since last start. | 2nd |
| TEASPOON | Improved 1 length | Strange to see but this horse has actually improved slightly since last start. Wearing the dappled coat today. | 6th |
| SHOALS | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Nice horse this but will show its best on a drier track. | 1st |
| SERENA BAY | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Fit, relaxed, focused. No major knocks. | 3rd |
| VILLA CARLOTTA | Improved 1 length | Horse normally plays right up in the yard. Double handlers helping to relax the horse. | 4th |
| ALMANZORA | Improved 2 lengths | Looks fitter today, and great in the coat. Top selection. | 5th |
| DIDN’T MENTION IT | 1st I’ve seen this prep | No chance. | 7th |
| Race 4 – 1:20PM THE PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS FINAL (1400 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| NOBLE JOEY | Improved 2 lengths since last city run | fitness wise ok but is displaying some behavioural issues. | 5th |
| BETTER NOT BLUE | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Up on the toe again in the yard as per usual but carrying more condition than usual. | 2nd |
| ZIGANUI | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Top selection here at $30. Coat looks fantastic and horse presents in great fashion today. | 3rd |
| BUDDEROO KNIGHT | Neither | Haas the dappled coat on today however not 100% focused. | 12th |
| CALABASAS | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Wet track should present no issue, very fit horse. | 6th |
| PACIFIC REIGN | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Nope. | 14th |
| VIRGILIO | Missed last few starts | Not walking the best and avoiding Corey brown like the plague now. | 15th |
| MARYORE | Improved 4 lengths in 2 starts | Looks great in the yard, definite winning chance. | 1st |
| POMELO | Improved 2 lengths | Horse normally falls to pieces in the yard. Much more relaxed today. Is that a positive or not? We will see. | 4th |
| DREAM LANE | Improved 1.5 lengths | Fit today however hard to see it winning based on the yard. | 11th |
| CLEVEDON BAY | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Getting warm and has improvement to come in the coat. | 13th |
| HEAVENLY ANNA | Improved 2 lengths | Classic wet track type should appreciate conditions today. | 8th |
| PRINCESS POSH | 1st I’ve seen this prep | This horse could not present better. Coat looks great but I do have a query on the form. | 10th |
| REIBY RAMPART | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Not on a wet track. | 9th |
| SHAZEE LEE | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Tall leggy animal, fit but not staying focused the whole time. | 7th |
| KNIT ‘N’ PURL | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| WHAT COULD BE | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| APPOINT PERCY (NZ) | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| HAMMOND LANE | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| Race 5 – 1:55PM ARROWFIELD 3YO SPRINT (1200 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| SARACINO (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen | Looks great in the coat here and is quite fit. Query on class against some of these. | 6th |
| IMPENDING | Improved 1 length | Getting a bit sick of this horse now. Always presents well and today is no different. I’m off though. | 3rd |
| DEFCON | 1st up | Will improve with this run. | 5th |
| DERRYN | improved 3 lengths | Top selection here. Parades best I’ve seen this preparation. | 1st |
| GLENALL | Improved 2 lengths | Like this horse. The upgrade of the track helps the horse as I do feel it will be better suited on a drier track. | 7th |
| TACTICAL ADVANTAGE | Neither | Holding condition remarkably well. Has the dappled coat on today. | 8th |
| CRAFTY COP | Improved 3 lengths | Very good improvement between runs for the horse. Overs based on how it presents in the yard. | 11th |
| TRIBAL WISDOM | 1st I’ve seen | Needs the run. Next run should be fit. | 10th |
| INTO ORBIT | improved 2 lengths | No major knocks on this horse from a yard perspective. | 9th |
| STAR OF MONSOON | Improved 1 length | Coat looks great and horse looks healthy and happy. | 12th |
| GLOBAL GLAMOUR | Improved 1 length | Fair play to Gai for keeping this horse up so long and to be honest presents better today than prior start. | 2nd |
| SPRIGHT | Neither | Getting warm in the yard here. | 4th |
| Race 6 – 2:35PM JAMES BOAG’S PREMIUM AUSTRALIAN OAKS (2400 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| LASQUETI SPIRIT | Neither | Personally not a fan of the horse. Races better than it parades | 3rd |
| LA BELLA DIOSA (NZ) | Backwards 2 lengths | Small and not sure it will run the 2400m | 13th |
| BONNEVAL (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen | Top selection here. Parades in great order and should appreciate sting out | 1st |
| NURSE KITCHEN (NZ) | Improved 3 lengths | The biggest improver between runs coming into this race. Keen to get out and race | 6th |
| HARLOW GOLD (NZ) | Improved 2 lengths | No knocks on this horse today. Coat shows a healthy horse | 4th |
| DEVISE (NZ) | 1st Up | Condition wise ok however doing too many wrong things in the yard. Cant have it | 8th |
| LUBITON | Improved 1 length | Looks slightly better today than last start but I personably have queries it runs the distance | 12th |
| WAKING MOMENT | Improved 2 lengths | Good improvement between runs, should run well | 7th |
| PERFECT RHYME | Improved 2.5 lengths | Best of the roughies in the race. Coat looks great and horse is focused | 2nd |
| WHEAL LEISURE | 1st I’ve seen | Wet track should be ok however I think others parade better | 5th |
| CAMBAGE | Backwards 1 length | No. | 10th |
| HIGH IMPULSE | Improved 2.5 lengths | Think this could be a very nice horse in the making but needs to learn manners in the mounting yard | 9th |
| LAMMA HILTON | Backwards 3 lengths | Little thing and parading very ordinary. Zero chance | 11th |
| ZAMBESIA | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| Race 7 – 3:15PM LONGINES QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES (2000 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| HARTNELL (GB) | Improved 3 lengths | This is the best he has paraded this preparation. | 2nd |
| EXOSPHERIC (GB) | Improved 2 lengths | Cant beat here but for this horse this is the best it can parade. | 7th |
| HAPPY CLAPPER | Improved 2 lengths | Love this horse. Parades in great fashion. Should run a place. | 5th |
| THE UNITED STATES (IRE) | Backwards 1 length | Can get a little hot and bothered sometimes in the yard and looks like he is reacting to the big crowd around the yard. | 4th |
| SENSE OF OCCASION | Improved 2 lengths | My favourite wet track horse. Parades in great order today. | 3rd |
| HARLEM (GB) | 1st I’ve seen | dappled coat on however for mine needs firmer footing. | 8th |
| SINGING (FR) | Improved 1 length | Very coltish in the yard. Cant blame the bloke. He is in the mounting yard with Winx!! | 9th |
| NO DOUBT | Neither | Outclassed here. | 6th |
| WINX | Improved 2 lengths | Wins, by how far? | 1st |
| Race 8 – 3:55PM SCHWEPPES SYDNEY CUP (3200 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (NZ) | Neither | No real improvement between runs. Others preferred. | ABANDONED |
| LIBRAN (IRE) | Improved 3 lengths | Very good improvement between runs. Looks trained to the minute for this. | ABANDONED |
| ALMOONQITH (USA) | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Don’t think this horse will appreciate the wet track here today. | ABANDONED |
| TALLY | 1st I’ve seen this prep | In very good order here. Expecting a bold performance. | ABANDONED |
| ASSIGN (IRE) | Backwards 1 length | Actually thought it paraded slightly better last start than today. | ABANDONED |
| CHANCE TO DANCE (IRE) | 1st I’ve seen | In good order condition wise however I think the horse would prefer a much drier track. | ABANDONED |
| BIG DUKE (IRE) | Neither | Holding condition well. Should relish these conditions today. The one to beat. | ABANDONED |
| ANNUS MIRABILIS (IRE) | 1st I’ve seen | Looks awful. | ABANDONED |
| MISTER IMPATIENCE (GB) | 1st I’ve seen | Should get through the ground, looks ok in the coat but lacks class. | ABANDONED |
| PENGLAI PAVILION (USA) | 1st I’ve seen | Getting quite warm in the yard. | ABANDONED |
| KINEMA (IRE) | Improved 1 length | Slightly better today than last start but I still give it none. | ABANDONED |
| PENTATHLON (NZ) | Improved 3 lengths | Parades better than it has been running. Nice striding gelding. Could run a place. | ABANDONED |
| VENGEUR MASQUE (IRE) | 1st I’ve seen | No chance. | ABANDONED |
| POLARISATION (GB) | 1st I’ve seen | Overs based on how this horse parades. Has a long barrel on it, no issue running the distance first up. Looks fit. | ABANDONED |
| Race 9 – 4:35PM COOLMORE LEGACY STAKES (1600 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| SILENT SEDITION | Improved 1 length | In great order, no knocks from the mounting yard. | 4th |
| FIRST SEAL | Improved 2 lengths | Still carrying a little excess despite this being her third start this preparation. | 6th |
| HEAVENS ABOVE | improved 2.5 lengths | She has shown good improvement since her win in the Coolmore. Not sure she maps well here though. | 10th |
| REAL LOVE | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Think this horse needs a drier surface. | 11th |
| ZANBAGH | Improved 2 lengths | Fit and happy now. Took a few runs to reach peak fitness but has that today. | 2nd |
| DIXIE BLOSSOMS | Improved 1 length | Continues to parade in good order. Hope they go forward today. | 3rd |
| DANISH TWIST | Neither | She has the dappled coat on today. Known to get a little anxious in the yard sometimes, today looks focused. | 13th |
| RISING ROMANCE (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Still to big to be competitive today. | 17th |
| EURO ANGEL (NZ) | Improved 3 lengths | Walking much better today and finally taking that excess condition off. | 7th |
| ELLE LOU | Backwards 6 lengths | I usually have a great handle on this horse. Looks tired today, needs the paddock. | 16th |
| JESSY BELLE | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Still has much improvement to come in the coat. | 9th |
| ABBEY MARIE | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Wont like this shifty track. | 12th |
| EXTENSIBLE | Improved 2 lengths | Class query but at least this horse now looks spot on from a fitness perspective. | 15th |
| PURE PRIDE (NZ) | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Fit horse but another that wont like these track conditions. | 14th |
| ALASKAN ROSE (NZ) | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| DIAMOND MADE | Improved 4 lengths | Possibly the biggest improver between runs here. Query the class but expecting better run today. | 8th |
| FOXPLAY | Neither | Always parades well. I do have others that parade better today however she will love these sting out conditions. | 1st |
| OREGON’S DAY | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Horse looks good in conditioning however displays 3 key behavioural negatives. | 5th |
| Race 10 – 5:15PM TAB SAPPHIRE STAKES (1200 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| TYCOON TARA | 1st Up | Big fan of this horse but still carrying a bit of excess condition. Will improve with the run. | 12th |
| ARTISTRY | Improved 2.5 lengths | Slight lean to this horse in a competitive race. | 3rd |
| SECRET AGENDA | 1st I’ve seen this prep | in good shape for this and should appreciate conditions. | 1st |
| OCEAN EMBERS | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Parades in good order here. Coat looks a treat and nice and relaxed and focused. | 14th |
| THAMES COURT | Improved 2.5 lengths | looks much better in the yard today than prior start. Should run well. | 6th |
| ZESTFUL | Backwards 2 lengths | Thought the horse paraded better last start than today. May need a freshen up. | 10th |
| SAVOUREUX | Improved 2.5 lengths | good improvement between runs. Expecting better performance today. | 5th |
| SERENE MAJESTY | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| TEMPT ME NOT | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Not really a horse I follow but must say the horse looks pretty good today. | 9th |
| DENMAGIC | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| RAVI | 1st up | half a run short for this and also getting a little warm here. | 4th |
| HIEROGLYPHICS | backwards 1 length | Looked better last start. | 7th |
| MISSROCK | Improved 3 lengths | Solid improvement between runs, can run a cheeky race here. | 2nd |
| UNEQUIVOCAL | 1st up | 2 runs short. | 8th |
| PAINTED FIRETAIL | 1st up | Stack of improvement to come in the coat for this horse. | 11th |
| LEAMI ASTRAY | Backwards 3 lengths | No good today. | 13th |
| HORSE TO FOLLOW | WHISPERED SECRET |