Weekend racing reviews – Saturday 7th April

1st    Flying Snitzel    Hugh Bowman
2nd   Dear Demi         James McDonald
3rd    Strength           Michael Rodd

The first of the day saw Flying Snitzel sent out a short priced, well backed favourite and given she was stepping back in class she was entitled to have her place as in betting. She began well, but from there, Bowman had no real choice but to ride her like a “good thing”, sitting out wide all the way but she did have cover.  Bowman knew he was on the best horse and took off before the turn, quickly establishing a break early in the straight. Dear Demi probably had the second best form and tried hard but was never going to catch Flying Snitzel. Strength ran ok for third. I’d be surprised if any of the others are much good.

Follow: Dear Demi

Race 2

1st    Zaratone               Kathy O’Hara
2nd   Winter King           Nathan Berry
3rd    Master Of Design   Nash Rawiller

Leaders at Rosehill, I have said it over and over again and Zaratone was always going to lead here once the other pace in the race was scratched. This was its fourth win from seven starts over the Rosehill 1100m. Winter King chased hard all the way and managed to hold on for second. Master Of Design ran on reasonably for third whilst the runs of Mic Mac and Pinwheel deserved a pass mark and both are likely improvers. Riva De Lago did little and may prove a costly conveyance from here on as I am sure bookmakers will keep it in the market.

Follow: Winter King, Pinwheel

Race 3

1st    Mosheen            Danny Nickolic
2nd   Streama             Hugh Bowman
3rd    Aliyana Tilde      Blake Shinn

Mosheen was ridden like the good thing she was. She began quickly and established a clear lead which she maintained all the way. Before the turn she was let run about 5 lengths clear, at the 200m it was obvious the race was over and Nickolic took it very easy. This meant Streama ran her to about half a length on the line but the win was ultra impressive. Streama’s run was obviously good but in all seriousness she was no match for Mosheen, neither were any other of her rivals.

Follow: Mosheen wherever she goes

Race 4

1st    Polish Knight           Brenton Avdulla
2nd   Rekindled Alliance    Corey Brown
3rd    Isopach                   Michael Rodd

A fairly good pace early here. Compass eventually found the front from Specter. Iggy Pop which was heading forward copped some early interference and Darci Be Good didn’t settle very well. Iggy Pop did well under these circumstances. The strong pace continued to the home turn and it was obvious something would run on from the back to win this. Rekindled Alliance looked the winner at the 300m when it came with its run but Polish Knight which was last on the turn, kept plugging home and had the last shot at them, going on for a strong win. Isopach did a good job here to hold on for third after being wide all the way and should be followed.  Rekindled Alliance had every chance and goes into the sack book for mine.

Follow: Isopach, Iggy Pop

Race 5

1st    Manighar            Luke Nolen
2nd   Americain           Gerald Mosse
3rd    Drunken Sailor    Damien Oliver

Fiumicino led them up here and Manighar worked up outside of him. The ride on Americain will be much talked about as it did seem an odd move that Mosse was happy to park three wide all the way. Some will say this cost the horse the race but I truly think that takes away from what Peter Moody has achieved with Manighar. This was a very dominant win and a well deserved one. I thought the runs of Niwot and Hawk Island were top rate from a Sydney Cup point of view.  Precedence and Southern Speed were just a pass mark whilst Scarlett Lady is just not up to this standard.  Note, the trifecta was made up by all former imported gallopers.

Follow: Niwot, Hawk Island in the Sydney Cup

Race 6 

1st    More Joyous       Nash Rawiller
2nd   Miss Keepsake   Chris Reith
3rd    King’s Rose        Luke Nolen

They took a while to sort themselves out here but eventually Red Tracer ran to the lead with More Joyous outside of it and King’s Rose three wide. More Joyous then slotted back into the one out one back spot and you always knew she had this race in her keeping a long way out. She bolted in, with Miss Keepsake running well for second. I noticed Ofcourseican not getting much room at the back of the field and she can be forgiven this run, whilst Lights Of Heaven fits into the same category as Scarlett Lady – just not up to this class.

Follow: King’s Rose, Ofcourseican

Race 7

1st    Pierro             Nash Rawiller
2nd   Snitzerland      Corey Brown
3rd    Samaready      Craig Newitt

Driefontein bungled the start and Jade Marauder either had zero pace or was snagged back early. Driefontein ran well considering this. Snitzerland on the other hand began well and found the front. Faustus sat outside the lead, which put Ashokan three wide. Behind Ashokan, Raceway was also stuck three wide, whilst the eventual winner Pierro smoked his pipe on the fence behind the leader. Samaready was wide and well back and had to come 6 or 7 wide on the turn to try and make ground. In the straight, Pierro gained the run to come after and wear down Snitzerland which surprised me by kicking well. It was the easiest run in the race that told the story, with Pierro getting the money but the run of Samaready was still full of merit and she ran away from the rest of the field to finish third – behind her they finished in a bunch.

Follow: Samaready, Driefontein

Race 8

1st    Metal Bender         Michael Rodd
2nd   Rekindled Interest   Dwayne Dunn
3rd    Secret Admirer       Brenton Avdulla

I have watched the replay of the George Ryder about ten times and would recommend you do the same if you are able. This was basically a dress rehersal for The Doncaster and I would think the winner of that race will come out of the first five across the line here if they choose to run. It seems a little unclear whether some will go to the Queen Elizabeth rather then the Doncaster. Back to this race, Metal Bender was well back along the fence and railed up in the straight for a narrow but impressive win. Rekindled Interest got home very well, particularly the last little bit. Secret Admirer and Sincero should now be at peak fitness following their strong closing efforts here and the old fellow, Rangirangdoo again went very well but just peaked a little on his run. King Mufhasa again showed he is up to Australian Group 1 standard with a narrow fourth here. Centennial Park ran a cracker at bolters odds and is on song for something easier and Albert The Fat may appreciate handicap conditions.

Follow: Sincero, Secret Admirer, Rekindled Interest, Centennial Park, Albert The Fat.

Race 9

1st    Western Symbol     Tom Berry
2nd   Southern Skye        Brenton Avdulla
3rd    Snow Alert              Damien Oliver

Zara Dancer led them up here from Charring Cross and Western Symbol with Maules Creek outside of it. Extra Zero was wide early before getting one off the fence. The pace was fairly strong and Zara Dancer appeared the first beaten on turning. Maules Creek came up three wide to challenge but was a weak effort and was the next one beaten. At the 200m I thought Western Symbol was struggling to get to them but kept coming and found himself in front on the line. Southern Skye and Snow Alert both went well for second and third respectively but realistically they had their chances to pick up the leader. Based on the grinding way Western Symbol won, I would say it will get over more ground.

Follow: Southern Skye, Snow Alert

Specials From The Meeting: Isopach, Iggy Pop, Rekindled Interest, Niwot, Southern Skye, Snow Alert

Most of the jockeys here were half asleep when they jumped and the start of the race was a shambles as most jumped awkwardly. Mark this race as a forgive for most of the runners as the jockeys even thought it was a false start. Alezean Thunder drifted before the jump and was disappointing. Lady Of Harrods had the sit outside the leader and was too good to the line.

Worth noting: At this stage would be happy to just watch these go around next time.

Most people probably had Avionics leading here but that wasn’t the case when Beldara jumped and worked to the front. It was a pretty good run by the SA visitor and she is close to a win. I think she is better with a sit and she needs to be followed, particularly if they head back to Adelaide with her. Spartini is flying and is a specialist 1100m horse. She was able to just camp off of the leaders throughout and was able to let down well when asked by Hall. She has a really good turn of foot and as long as there is a good tempo she will keep winning in this grade.

Worth noting: Make sure you black book Beldara. I know some punters that don’t check all fields and miss winners so an email alert black book is required.

It was another impressive victory for Sheila’s Star who made it three in a row. Much like her start before she won here with ease and is flying. Follonica is an in form mare with some black type form so it will be good to see how far this mare can go this prep. Follonica is really honest and does her best. Not sure the 1400m is her best and she has been up quite a while now. Star Of Giselle ran on well, I’m not sure if she is a 1400m horse though.

Worth noting:Follow the winner, Sheila’s Star.

A sharp drop in class and a firm track was all that Moody runner Moment Of Change needed to bounce back into winning form. He went well in Sydney in the lead ups to the Guineas. He jumped well and was given a great ride by Meech. When he loomed up in the straight he just had to overcome the 60kg. Sir Fernando fought on really well and showed he is cap[able at 1400m. Cash Bound gets back and ran well into third.

Worth noting: Happy to follow Moment of Change.

Kulgrinda started favourite here and looked to get a pretty good run throughout but she failed to finish off the race and was well beaten. Galbraith looked to have the race shot to bits but he was unable to hold off the fast finishing Second Effort. He is a very nice horse Second Effort and has promised to win a nice race. Obviously he has come back really well and he may have taken the next step.

Worth noting: Keep a serious eye on Second Effort up to 1200m.

Smokin Joey kept his hot run of form going with another excellent win here. Duric was able to settle him in a good spot off of the speed and they came with a run with Under The Eiffel from the top of the straight. It looked like there wasn’t a great deal between them but Smokin Joey was just too strong and he pulled away late. He is a pretty serious horse and on a firm track over 1400m you just have to back him. Under The Eiffel tried his best and is close to a win, he was just beaten by a better horse.

Worth noting: Follow Under The Eiffel, he was beaten by a very good horse.

Folding Gear reminded us of the talent he has with a really impressive win. He was able to camp off them in the run and came with a really big sprint to run over the top of them and pull away for a very impressive win. He was only third up and I can’t see how he won’t really come on after that performance. Viking Hero hasn’t won for a long time but he reminded us that he can pull out a big run. Like Fawkner the week prior Shewan was second up with 60kg and jumping 600m. His effort was very good and he should be winning at his next start if in suitable.

Worth noting:Follow Folding Gear and Shewan with extreme confidence in suitable.

Red Typhoon closed off the day with a win at big odds. Was able to come with a late run and finish over the top of the horses that were up on the speed. Zabeelionaire was pretty well backed and was unable to slot in from the barrier. Boss was caught three wide early and he elected to work forward and was unable to finish off as he used too much energy early. Had he slotted in midfield I’m pretty confident he would have had these covered. Secret Liaison hit the line well also, she is racing very well and I’m looking forward to her getting back against the girls.

Worth noting:Forgive Zabeelionaire he was beaten by the barrier and follow Secret Liaison she is ready.