3 minute read
The Randwick Wrap featuring a race by race recap of key performers and ones to watch from Randwick Guineas Day at Randwick on March 10.
Kementari stole the show with an emphatic success in the Randwick Guineas, the highest rated victory of the event’s history.
Favourite for the Doncaster Mile in four weeks time, the stage could be set for the colt to take on Winx in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) next fortnight as his final lead up run.
Another Godolphin colt worth following deeper into the autumn is Viridine who caught the eye late contesting the Challenge Stakes won by Redzel.
Race 1: Karavali - Group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m)
Karavali is a very consistent mare and was rewarded for it. She’s run to a Timeform rating of 103.
In a thrilling blanket finish, Karavali comes from back in the field with all the late speed to nail them on the post and take out the Group 3 Aspiriation Quality for @Leesracing. What a way to kick off @royalrandwick Guineas Day!! pic.twitter.com/L529p2eJSU
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 10, 2018
She’s got the black type win now and you’ve got to respect her versatility as well. She’s won over 1000m up to 2000m.
The Epona Stakes over 1900m at Rosehill will be next for her.
It also profiles as a race The Pinnacle and Nettoyer should go to as well.
Nettoyer was extremely unlucky in third. She was forced to travel wide but to her credit, kept fighting.
Race 2: I Am Excited - Listed Fireball Stakes (1100m)
I Am Excited has come back in fantastic order. She ran to a Timeform rating of 110 on Saturday.
I Am Excited sits in behind the speed and launches a challenge in the final furlong, arriving in time to beat home Acqume by a length in the second at @royalrandwick. @KPMcEvoy timing his ride to perfection! pic.twitter.com/9vcAgxY5N4
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 10, 2018
It’s her first black type win. She can chase more of it over the next month contesting races like the Darby Munro (1200m) at Rosehill on March 24 then Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) during The Championships.
Going into those races third and fourth up will be ideal.
Acqume is racing well this prep. She’s found a new level.
Houtzen was disappointing. Toby Edmonds post race said she was short of a run.
Realistically though, she was very well placed in that race. More was expected from her.Race 3: Estijaab - Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m)
Estijaab had to work harder than most of her backers would have liked but she still got it done. We gave the run a Timeform rating of 109. That’s six pounds below her Silver Slipper performance.
Too good in the end!!
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 10, 2018
Estijaab dictates proceedings out in front, holding off challenges from multiple runners in get it done in the Reisling Stakes at @royalrandwick. Some very quick sectionals from this in-form filly! pic.twitter.com/ic4dup6KkK
It’s full steam ahead to the Golden Slipper for the blueblood now. She’ll look to become the first filly since Overreach in 2013 to claim the Reisling Stakes - Golden Slipper double.
The placegetters have come from nowhere - Pure Elation and Sister Sledge.
Their chances of a Golden Slipper berth are slim however may not be out of place in a Sires’.
Race 4: Aylmerton - Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m)
Aylemerton was given a beautiful ride by Andrew Adkins. He saved every conceivable bit of ground possible and got there late.
We’ve given the win a Timeform rating of 113+. That is on the low side in terms of Todman Stakes successes.
Regardless, it’s the form line you want heading into the Golden Slipper. Five of the last ten winners of the Golden Slipper have come through the Todman Stakes.
That bodes well for Ef Troop as well.
Third placegetter Tchaikovsky probably profiles as a Sires’ type now. He is likely out of time to qualify for the Slipper however is nominated for the Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill this Saturday.
Race 5: Redzel - Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m)
Redzel has returned to the winner’s circle. Super Too threw down the gauntlet but in the end he made them look pretty second rate and broke the track record for good measure.
Redzel is back!!
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 10, 2018
The Everest winner makes his return to @royalrandwick in style, coming with that signature late speed to deliver for punters in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes. pic.twitter.com/LCIumBHGJf
We’ve given the run a Timeform rating of 124. That’s the highest ever winning figure of a Challenge Stakes. Easy Rocking in 2000 and Redzel’s Dad Snitzel in 2006 each ran to 123.
The Team Snowden-trained sprinter is off to the TJ Smith Stakes in four weeks time. He’ll be extremely hard to beat.
Jungle Edge and Super Too did well to grab the placings.
Viridine in fourth produced a strong first up performance. The Arrowfield Sprint next month at Randwick on April 14 is his race.
He’s currently $26 with William Hill. Most bookmakers have him $15 or shorter after Saturday.
Race 6: Happy Clapper - Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m)
What a return! Happy Clapper was the class horse of the race. He won with a Timeform rating of 124 and gave Pat Webster his first Canterbury Stakes win since At Sea in 1989.
What a beauty!!
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 10, 2018
Global Glamour gives a bold sight out in front, but Happy Clapper was more than game, going to her with a kick and pulling clear in the final 50m to win the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes. pic.twitter.com/TftMythkU3
It was Happy Clapper’s first win over this trip. As a rising eight-year-old, a lot of people thought that might be a bit too sharp for him.
He’ll clash with Winx in the George Ryder next start, likely run second there and pocket $190k.
Then he’ll be fighting out the finish of a Doncaster Mile two weeks after that.
The Kris Lees duo of Invincible Gem and Clearly Innocent were each finding the line nicely. Their preps have kicked off well.
Race 7: Kementari - Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m)
That was brilliant. Kementari has beaten a strong field of colts and won it eased down on the line.
This colt is the real deal!
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 10, 2018
Kementari proves too good for them in the sprint, taking out the Group 1 @royalrandwick Guineas for @JamesCummings88 & @godolphin. Always a pleasure to watch him run!! pic.twitter.com/KMrfmxcisN
We’ve got him running to 125p. That’s the highest winning figure of the race ever.
Mentality was the highest rated winner before that.
He’ll take beating in the Doncaster next month with just 51.5kg on his back.
That’s four weeks from now though so it will be interesting to see if he’ll go straight there or have another run.
The George Ryder Stakes in two week’s time would be the logical path. That would mean a clash with Winx which is a tantalising prospect.
Ace High was great from a Rosehill Guineas perspective, so were Kaonic and D’Argento.
Race 8: Sugar Bella - Group 3 Wenona Girl Quality (1200m)
Sugar Bella was stepping right up in grade for that run and she took it in her stride.
Four of the best!!
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 10, 2018
Sugar Bella gets a dream ride from Jason Collett as the favourite arrives on the scene in the final strides to land the prize in the Wenona Girl Quality. She's a quality mare with four consecutive wins!! pic.twitter.com/ye5zZmguH3
She produced a Timeform rating of 101p.
The mare is a rising five-year-old with just seven runs so the time was right to chase some black type. She’ll likely head toward the Queen Of The Turf from here.
Miss Que in second is a well bred mare so getting that black type is great for her.
Perizada in third is as honest as they come. The Canberra-trained mare looked to have the race won at the furlong however simply peaked on her run late.
Race 9: Emperor’s Way - Listed Randwick City Stakes (2000m)
Emperor’s Way is flying. That was his fourth straight win. The race unfolded beautifully for him. He was able to land second outside a slow early pace.
Emperor's Way bookends the program at @royalrandwick with a tough win, fending off multiple challenges up the straight. He's found himself four straight with this performance in the City Stakes. pic.twitter.com/drDQc5ngar
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 10, 2018
From there the Team Snowden runner could just grind it out. He’s run to a Timeform rating of 103.
The four-year-old goes out to the paddock now as a stakes winner and will come back for the spring. A race such as the Craven Plate at the same track and trip could be ideal.
Alward was unlucky but brave in defeat. The Chris Waller-trained import travelled wide early and that cost him the race.
