Racing was once again at Royal Randwick on the week end with another heavy track and another big bias towards those on the fence and speed. There has been a lot of rain fall since February but there has also been a high number of days in the last fortnight with no rain and the track for whatever reason can’t get out of the heavy range. They have a 10-race card at Randwick this Saturday and then have the quick back up with the traditional Anzac Day meeting on the Tuesday. It is anyone’s guess how the track will be playing for both upcoming meetings. Anthony Cumming’s was on radio on Sunday morning and he suggested they place the rail in the true and let the jockeys find the fast lanes as they did in days gone by as in his words there will definitely be fast lanes for both meetings. Sounds like the best way to do it for me.
By far the biggest talking point to come from the Easter week end was the ride by Glyn Schofield aboard Up ‘n’ Rolling the benchmark 70 at Canterbury yesterday. The stewards have adjourned the in inquiry into the ride but if social media is to be used as a guide it will be interesting to see what punishment the stewards impose if he is found guilty. For what it is worth in my opinion he will be getting a reasonable sized holiday. For those that haven’t seen the race it is worth a look: http://bit.ly/2pvITZ3.
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. Matthew was spot on again on Saturday with 3 of his on top selections saluting on the week end:
https://facebook.com/mountingyardlive
| Royal Randwick: Australian Turf Club Saturday 15, April 2017 | |||
| Race 1 – 12:05PM TAB HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1200 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| WAR HERO | Improved 3 lengths in 2 starts | Gee they paid a lot of money for this horse ($1.6m) and its running around in a TAB Highway. Displays behavioural issues in the yard. Can’t back it. | 2nd |
| MERCURIAL LAD | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Top selection here. Looks a wet track type. Fit, relaxed and moves well. No issues. | 1st |
| FERMANAGH LAD | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Coat all patchy and to big for a Heavy track. | 6th |
| ATTAINMENT | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Good money on course coming for this horse as maps well. Wet track suits however the horse does have improvement to come in the coat. | 5th |
| TIGER BY THE TALE | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Not a horse I follow but probably presents the best I’ve seen the horse parade. | 3rd |
| SUPREME LAD | Improved 4 lengths since its last Highway race | long striding gelding that should handle wet track here. Will go back the issue. | 9th |
| ATLANTIC SENTINEL | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Really catches the eye today. 2nd selection from the yard. Really good order. | 4th |
| MR BONJOVE | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| STILL UNDAUNTED | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Wet track should be ok, however not focusing in the mounting yard and up on the toe for a lot of the time. | 7th |
| ALWAYS FLUSHED | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Looks to have a stack of improvement in the coat, not ready today. | 8th |
| BANDIT BELLE | 1st I’ve seen this prep and hopefully the last | Apologies to the owners but this is one of the ugliest horses I’ve seen. 5th start this prep and still fat? | 10th |
| Race 2 – 12:40PM IGA LIQUOR HANDICAP (1200 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| BELIEVE | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Someone has been eating all the pies. Not fit, not yet. | 9th |
| ALMIGHTY GIRL | Neither | not one I get excited about. Still improvement to come in the coat. | 10th |
| JUST A BLUR | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Cant back this horse on a heavy track. Big heavy set horse, not today. | 11th |
| CANNYESCENT | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Nice and relaxed and moving well. Concern is he gets back and that may be an issue today. | 6th |
| UNTAMED DIAMOND | Improved 3 lengths | In great order today. Has the dappled coat on. | 1st |
| BURRADOO | Neither | I would prefer this horse on a drier track. | 12th |
| NUDIERUDIE | 1st up | Has the dappled coat on today so has returned well. 90% fit. | 5th |
| LOUIE SEA KAY | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Coat really patchy and still needs this run. | 8th |
| SWEET SERENDIPITY | improved 3 lengths | This horse parades particularly well at the price of $30. Really moving well in the yard. | 2nd |
| YUMA DESERT | 1st up | Will improve with the run. Not fit yet and coat has a lot of improvement to come. | 3rd |
| QUICK FEET | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| IL MIO DESTINO | Neither | I know the horse has wet track form but these shifty surfaces and these big tracks don’t suit this horse in my opinion. | 7th |
| KNIT ‘N’ PURL | Missed last two starts | Loves the sting out this horse. Still not totally screwed down but presents very well in the coat today | 4th |
| Race 3 – 1:15PM MOSTYN COPPER GROUP FRANK PACKER PLATE (2000 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| ACATOUR | Improved 1 length | has the real sheen in his coat today. 2nd selection from the yard. | 8th |
| VELADERO | Neither | Just holding condition. Looks good in the coat but I’ve got others parading better. | 2nd |
| MONGOLIAN WOLF | 1st I’ve seen | On top selection from the yard here. Fit, will love these heavy track conditions and looks like the genuine stayer in the race. | 1st |
| CAPTAIN DUFFY | Improved 3 lengths | Sharp improvement between runs for this horse. Could run a cheeky race today. | 9th |
| ROCK AND SWING | Backward 3 lengths | Plain today and being a Fastnet wont appreciate these conditions. | 5th |
| VIOLATE | Improved 4 lengths | Very good improvement between runs for this horse. Fit and relaxed, no knocks. | 6th |
| SCREAMARR | Improved 1 length | Not getting hot and bothered today in the yard but coat still looks very plain. | 3rd |
| ROKDA KASBA | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Just a straight out no on this track today. Worst parading horse. | 10th |
| KUNMING | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Wet track type with no form but not the worst in the yard. | 7th |
| EERISED | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Stayer and wet track conditions ok but looks outclassed. | 4th |
| Race 4 – 1:50PM TAB HALL MARK STAKES (1200 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| TAKEDOWN | 1st up | Gee he is a big strong bugger of a horse. Carrying a little excess around the stomach which he can do. Think he would prefer drier track 1st up. | 8th |
| MIGHTY LUCKY | 1st up | Parades ok condition wise however not stretching out as well as I like to see. | 5th |
| REDZEL | Neither | Holding condition well. Sting out suits, does have a fitness edge on many of these runners. Can it run a strong 1200m? | 1st |
| COUNTERATTACK | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Looks great in the coat but is getting a little warm and whilst having heavy track form, I would prefer on drier. | 2nd |
| SANTA ANA LANE | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Not parading all that great today. Needs this run and would prefer on slightly firmer footing. | 9th |
| FEDERAL | 1st up | Has def had a lot of work put into this horse for its return. | 6th |
| CLEARLY INNOCENT | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| HELLBENT | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Looks spot on for this race. Clear top pick. | 3rd |
| ROYAL TUDOR | 1st I’ve seen this prep | A horse I have time for, one run short of peak fitness. | 4th |
| DENMAGIC | Backwards 2 lengths | Strange move to step back in distance. Thought the horse paraded better prior start. | 7th |
| Race 5 – 2:25PM SHARP JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION PLATE (2000 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| PREFERMENT (NZ) | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| RUDY | Neither | Doesn’t tend to improve much between runs but holds condition well. | 3rd |
| SONS OF JOHN | Improved 2 lengths | Has improved between runs but still half a run short for this. | 2nd |
| ASTRONOMOS (GB) | Improved 2.5 lengths | In great order today. Very fit and has the best coat of this lot. | 4th |
| GREEN SWEET (USA) | improved 4 lengths in 2 starts | Looks rock hard fit today and wet track should also suit. | 8th |
| NEW TIPPERARY | Backwards 1 length | Like this horse however thought it paraded slightly better. | 5th |
| BIG BLUE (GB) | 1st up | Surprised to see how forward these Godolphin stayers are. | 7th |
| HAPPY HANNAH | Improved 2 lengths | First time this preparation that I think this horse has paraded well. | 6th |
| SLOW PACE (USA) | Backwards 1 length | paraded better last start. | 8th |
| NO DOUBT | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| FLOODLIGHT (USA) | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| TOP OF MY LIST | improved 1 length | slight improvement between runs, moving well in the yard. | 1st |
| BRING LUCK | improved 1.5 lengths | Real wet track type of a horse but not sure there is enough pace in this race to suit it. | 9th |
| Race 6 – 3:05PM MOET & CHANDON CHAMPAGNE STAKES (1600 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| INVADER | Neither | Horse has been up for a while now but he continues to parade very well. Coat looks a picture today | 2nd |
| THE MISSION | Improved 2 lengths | Think this horse parades much better today than prior two starts. Normally gets hot and bothered, not today | 1st |
| ESHTIRAAK | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Doesn’t have the frame of a horse that will appreciate these track conditions | 7th |
| ACE HIGH | improved 1 length | Has actually shown slight improvement between runs but still not one that tickles my fancy | 4th |
| REFLECTIVITY | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Think this horse will struggle in these conditions. Nope | 10th |
| ABERRO | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Not flash at all. Think the horse needs a firmer track and also its coat is not right | 6th |
| ONE MORE HONEY | Improved 3 lengths | Has shown some solid improvement since its last run. Parades in very good order | 5th |
| WHISPERED SECRET | improved 2 lengths | Nice horse in the making this. Distance clearly wont be an issue | 3rd |
| MEMENTO | Improved 2 lengths | Have to query the form but this is the best this horse has looked | 8th |
| NASHVILLE SKYLINE | 1st I’ve seen this prep | No chance | 9th |
| Race 7 – 3:45PM SCHWEPPES ALL AGED STAKES (1400 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| LE ROMAIN | Neither | Don’t think this horse has ever paraded poorly and today again parades in great order. | 2nd |
| REDKIRK WARRIOR (GB) | Improved 1 length | Horse is looking for a firmer track. | 5th |
| JAPONISME | Backwards 1 length | Will most likely run last. Not moving well at all today. | 9th |
| VOODOO LAD | Improved 2.5 lengths | Probably the most dappled horse of the day. | 7th |
| MCCREERY (GB) | Neither | Little horse that doesn’t carry excess condition. Classic wet track horse. Lacks class of some of these but should be competitive. | 4th |
| FAMOUS SEAMUS (NZ) | 1st up | Very fat today. No chance. | 8th |
| JUNGLE EDGE | Backwards 4 lengths | Paraded much better prior start compared to today. Gets conditions to suit but not for me today. | 3rd |
| TIVACI | Improved 3 lengths | I think there’s more of the mare (Fastnet mare) in this horse which means she would be better on a firmer track but I cannot fault her appearance or manners today. | 1st |
| ENGLISH | Neither | Condition wise parades as did last start however unlike the usual English she actually did a few laps in the mounting yard today which is unusual. Getting worked up as usual but not falling to pieces. | 6th |
| DIVINE PROPHET | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Not parading like the Divine Prophet that raced in the golden Rose. | 10th |
| Race 8 – 4:25PM MCGRATH ESTATE AGENTS J H B CARR STAKES (1400 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| RAIMENT | Improved 1 length | Has paraded well all prep and again today, rock hard fit. | 1st |
| DIDDUMS | Improved 2 lengths | Much better order today than last start. | 5th |
| PROMPT RESPONSE | Improved 3 lengths | Paraded quite big first up but strips much fitter today. Should run well. | 4th |
| ZENALICIOUS | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| MY COUNTRY | Improved 1 length | Continues to parade in good order. Struggling to win though. | 10th |
| ZUMBELINA | Improved 2 lengths | This horse needs a dry track, full stop. | 6th |
| INVINCIBELLA | Improved 3 lengths | Really improved between runs, mapped to go right back wont help. | 2nd |
| GIBRALTAR GIRL | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| SMART AMELIA | Improved 1 length | Only slight improvement between runs. | 3rd |
| SIREN’S FURY | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| HECTOPASCAL (NZ) | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| FLEETING STRYKE | 1st I’ve seen this prep | looks outclassed here comparing it to this lot. | 8th |
| WHITE MOSS | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| GRUNDALINA | Neither | Looks a midweeker wet tracker. | 7th |
| LILAC LANE | 1st I’ve seen this prep | Not focusing at all in the yard. | 9th |
| Race 9 – 5:05PM THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB TROPHY (1400 METRES) | |||
| HORSE NAME | IMPROVED/BACKWARDS BETWEEN RUNS | NOTES | FINISHING POSITION |
| FABRIZIO | 1st up | Class horse here bit only about 85% fit. Will improve with the run. | 12th |
| MAURUS (GB) | 1st up | Reasonable shape first up. Loves these heavy track so should be competitive. | 3rd |
| MARENOSTRO (NZ) | Improved 2.5 lengths | Hates this track but parades in good order today. Relaxed and focused. | 11th |
| PAJARO (NZ) | 1st up | Really like this horse and he has returned in good order although probably half a run short for this. | 4th |
| MOHER | 1st up | Needs the run. | 8th |
| RULING DYNASTY | 1st up | Lovely big strong horse this but wont like these track conditions. | 5th |
| LOFTY’S MENU | Missed last start | Not parading all that flash today. Looking to others. | 9th |
| SORT AFTER | Neither | Just hasn’t come up this preparation. Needs to head back to the paddock or look for a drier track. | 10th |
| GOD’S IN HIM | 1st up | Big fan of this horse, real eye catcher in the yard. About 90% fit. | 6th |
| DUCA VALENTINOIS (IRE) | 1st up | Condition wise he is in good order but is getting a little hot and bothered in the yard. | 2nd |
| KELLYVILLE FLYER | 1st I’ve seen this prep | No major knocks on this horse today. | 1st |
| CARELESS | hasn’t raced since Jan | Will improve with this run. | 7th |
| BE LIKE DAD | Improved 1 length | Chasing 3 wins in a row this prep which is amazing. Fit, focused and relaxed. | 13th |
| LANCIATO (NZ) | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED | SCRATCHED |
| HORSE TO FOLLOW | NONE |