Paul Joice takes an in-depth look at how your money performed and pinpoints some future winners from Randwick in a race-by-race analysis of Chelmsford Stakes day.
Race 1 – ANZ Bloodstock News Benchmark 75 3YO Handicap (1300m)
1st – Super Ex ($3.40)
2nd – Merovee ($15) – sht nk
3rd – Beau Geste ($3 fav) – ¾ len
Then followed: Island Missile ($9.50), Andaz ($11), Dissolution ($8.50), Albumin ($21), Devolving ($9.50)
Super Ex dictates proceedings in front and clings on to win the first on Chelmsford Stakes Day at #Randwick.pic.twitter.com/DRFKR29oDX
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 2, 2017
Analysis: Race fitness, a smart front-running ride and an exceptionally talented three-year-old were all factors which saw Super Ex lead throughout in the opener. Hugh Bowman made use of a soft draw by bouncing this strapping son of Excites to the front and was never seriously threatened. Kicked strongly topping the rise which provided an out for favourite Beau Geste , but he didn't have the match practice to gun down Mark Newnham's colt. Chris Waller's regally-bred colt Merovee charged out of the ruck late to get within a short neck of the winner and will be a force to be reckoned with over more ground.
Money Trail: The favourite Beau Geste was easy ($2.45 out to $3) whilst the second favourite Super Ex ($4 into $3.40) was the one punters wanted. And they were right! The notable drifter in betting was runner-up Merovee . The son of Frankel opened at $8.50 before easing to start at $15.
Blackbooker: No doubt the horse to follow from this race is the Chris Waller-trained Merovee . He's crying out for a mile and beyond.
Race 2 – National Jockeys Trust Benchmark 84 Handicap (2000m)
1st – Up 'N' Rolling ($1.40 fav)
2nd – Wahng Wah ($13) – 1¼ lens
3rd – Admiral Jello ($10) – 3¼ lens
Then followed: Doukhan ($41), Plymouth Road ($26), Multifacets ($9), Roman Son ($14), Mu Guiliano ($41)
The run presents for Up' N' Rolling at the top of the straight and he puts paid to his rivals in Race 2 at #Randwick. pic.twitter.com/eiw3IMD9g3
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 2, 2017
Analysis: Everything unfolded perfectly for odds-on pop Up 'N' Rolling . Kerrin McEvoy landed in the gun trailing position off gate one with enough jostling up front to provide a genuine tempo in the early stages. Any anxious moments approaching the home turn quickly subsided when stablemate My Guiliano lugged out – providing a saloon passage for Chris Waller's heavily backed five-year-old. A sharp turn of foot put the race beyond doubt with only Wahng Wah launching any type of serious bid – safely held in second place beaten 1¼ lengths. No excuses for the beaten brigade.
Money Trail: Punters weren't put off by the skinny opening price of $1.50 about Up 'N' Rolling , taking that quote and forcing the odds into $1.40 by race-time. A slight speck for Doukhan $71 into $41.
Blackbooker: Up 'N' Rolling has group stayer written all over him and will be progressing quickly from this Benchmark 84 event. The Group I Metropolitan is a big leap but I wouldn't say he couldn't do it.
Race 3 – TAB Supports Jockeys Trust Mile 83 Handicap (1600m)
1st – Embley ($7)
2nd – More To Gain ($5.50) - nose
3rd – All But Gone ($7) – 1¼ lens
Then followed: Jaminzah ($3.90 fav), Miami Dade ($9.50), Mandalong Kiss ($16), Muraqaba ($4.60), Zin Zan Eddie ($21)
Embley fights back and gets his head down right on the line to deny More To Gain in the third event at #Randwick.pic.twitter.com/JEc1G4m7KK
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 2, 2017
Analysis: This race lacked any obvious pace and so Kerrin McEvoy made his intentions clear aboard the Bjorn Baker-trained Embley , pressing to lead in the early stages. He then managed to control the tempo, allowing Embley a strong kick topping the rise. Peter Wells aboard More To Gain and Hugh Bowman on Jaminzah saved ground after settling at the rear of the field, but it only worked out for Wells. More To Gain got the dream run through whilst Jaminzah was badly held-up from the 300m and never really got a clear shot at them at any stage.
Money Trail: Jaminzah was the horse punters wanted – backed from $4.40 into $3.90 favourite. All But Gone the other one which met with support, trimming-up from $9 into $7.
Blackbooker: Jaminzah was coming off two sharp wins at Flemington but in a messy affair had no luck when it counted and is clearly the horse to follow.
Race 4 – TAB Highway Handicap Class 3 (1400m)
1st – My Tagoson ($7)
2nd – Makfi Lass ($7.50) - len
3rd – Superstar Bob ($4.20 fav) - nk
Then followed: Schedule ($6.50), Count Cumani ($6), Collins Creek ($21), Mister Marmalade ($15), Last Try Wins ($18), Bonsley ($19), Critical Touch ($26), Fraternater ($20), Snowbrook ($31), Valknut ($201)
My Tagason goes back-to-back in the TAB Highway Handicap at #Randwick. Another win for @HugeBowman! pic.twitter.com/gIaCLve5WT
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 2, 2017
Analysis: The largest field of the meeting with 13 runners engaged and it was a typically run Highway Handicap – they really motored along. The field broke up into two sections and it was the chasing pack which landed the quinella. Hugh Bowman was at his brilliant best aboard the Rod Northam-trained My Tagoson . Bowman weaved a passage along the inside and burst clear to score by a length. Rachel King followed Bowman along the inside and hit the line strongly aboard Makfi Lass to claim second. Favourite Super Star Bob settled handily for Tye Angland and was produced at the top of the straight but was battling a long way from home, holding down third but giving every indication the 1400m is a touch too far. Schedule had some trouble getting clear at the top of the straight and should have finished closer.
Money Trail: The money horse was Super Star Bob which firmed from $5 into $3.90 whilst the drifter was Count Cumani – opened favourite at $3.60 before jumping at $6.
Blackbooker: My Tagoson may appear a bit too obvious but he's the horse I'll be following. Astute stable and in the quinella at his past four starts.
Race 5 – Concorde Stakes (1000m)
1st – Redzel ($2.35 fav)
2nd – Spieth ($2.70) – 2 lens
3rd – Nieta ($5) - len
Then followed: The Monstar ($8.50)
Redzel returns with a bang!
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 2, 2017
The @SnowdenRacing1-trained gelding proves too speedy for Spieth in the G3 Concorde Stakes at #Randwick.pic.twitter.com/N9AHKVP1Sk
Analysis: The smallest field of the day but it was always going to be an intriguing affair and that's exactly how it panned out. Kerrin McEvoy fired Redzel to the front whilst Spieth was a shade tardy out of the gates before settling last. Nieta box-seated and got the split turning for home as Corey Brown hooked Spieth four deep. But McEvoy was only kidding to his rivals and Redzel scooted clear for a comfortable two length win. Spieth tried hard in second whilst Nieta was a further length back in third.
Money Trail: The money was right with Redzel firming from $2.45 into $2.35. The rest of them basically held their quote in the 30 minutes leading up to the race.
Blackbooker: Redzel carried 60kg (3kg more than Spieth and 6kg more than Nieta). They couldn't get close so under weight-for-age conditions I can't see them turning the tables. Plus, Redzel performs on all types of going. He is an Everest horse for sure.
Race 6 – Furious Stakes (1200m)
1st – Formality ($2.35 fav)
2nd – Champagne Cuddles ($4.40) – ½ hd
3rd – I Am Excited ($18) - hd
Then followed: Alizee ($3.40), Seannie ($26), Joyfilly Ours ($13), Whispered Secret ($41)
Formality gives @KPMcEvoy four winners on the day at #Randwick, clinging on to take out the G2 Furious Stakes! pic.twitter.com/zhtfL3vaGs
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 2, 2017
Analysis: Four of them were spread across the track in this Group II contest but once again it was the positive early move by Kerrin McEvoy which secured victory for Formality . Drew second from the outside in the small field but was camped outside the leader within a furlong of the gates opening whereas Champagne Cuddles went back to last off the outside gate. Only a half-head separated them on the wire. Formality was left in front a long way from home when leader and former Kiwi Joyfilly Ours felt the pinch topping the rise, leaving Alizee , I Am Excited and Champagne Bubbles to do the chasing. Formality lasted, Champagne Cuddles was outstanding, I Am Excited showed what she's capable of and Alizee just struggles to see out a strong 1200m.
Money Trail: Punters wanted Formality and she was the big firmer in betting. Trimmed-up from $2.60 into $2.35 in the 30 minutes prior to jumping but had been the big mover inside the final 48 hours of betting. I Am Excited drifted from $9.50 to $18 yet almost caused an upset – beaten narrowly into third.
Blackbooker: Champagne Cuddles for me. Strongest late and would have won if she'd drawn a barrier or managed to find a spot closer than she did in the run. She's flying.
Race 7 – Chelmsford Stakes (1600m)
1st – Winx ($1.09 fav)
2nd – Red Excitement ($26) - len
3rd – Chocante ($81) – 3¾ lens
Then followed: Antonio Giuseppe ($41), Life Less Ordinary ($26), Libran ($201), Harper's Choice ($81), Sense Of Occasion ($31), Who Shot Thebarman ($101), Allergic ($201), Sarrasin ($51), Lasqueti Spirit ($101)
That was brilliant!
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 2, 2017
Winx comes with a barnstorming finish to record her 19th successive win in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes!#GoWinxpic.twitter.com/eiNQ1xHrag
Analysis: Wow! Winx does all the talking and what an amazing way to bring up 19 in-a-row. She's a champion in every sense of the word. Red Excitement was set alight in the lead by Josh Parr and had a huge break turning for home whilst Hugh Bowman made a bold decision when electing to give chase three wide from the 800m mark. It proved a master stroke by Bowman, if he'd left it any later the winning streak would have come to a dramatic finale! Red Excitement brave in defeat and Chocante was the real surprise packet. The New Zealand-trained Brisbane Cup winner surprisingly sharp first-up. Antonio Giuseppe turned in a line-finding performance to suggest he's on track for the Metropolitan.
Money Trail: Punters weren't game to back anything to beat the might mare Winx . She held her mark at $1.09 throughout betting whilst almost everything else eased. The joint second favourites – Red Excitement and Life Less Ordinary started at $26.
Blackbooker: You could follow a few out of this race (Chocante and Antonio Giuseppe) but I am anchoring Winx in my Cox Plate future multis. Two tough runs this time in will have her rock-hard fit come Cox Plate time which makes it mission impossible for her rivals.
Race 8 – Tramway Stakes (1400m)
1st – Happy Clapper ($5.50)
2nd – Tom Melbourne ($6) - ¾ len
3rd – Invincible Gem ($3.90) – 2¼ lens
Then followed: Ecuador ($3.40 fav), Heavens Above ($21), Mackintosh ($14), Maurus ($151), McCreery ($13), The Virginian ($21), Zanbagh ($71)
Happy Clapper thunders home over the top of Tom Melbourne to win the G2 Tramway Stakes at #Randwick!pic.twitter.com/6mwlqP6OFq
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 2, 2017
Analysis: A popular result with Happy Clapper recording a three-quarter length win. A popular horse with a popular trainer in Pat Webster and a jockey with a comeback story which is proving popular for punters in Josh Adams. The ride was a pearler. Utilised a soft draw to settle closer to the speed than most had mapped. That proved the difference at the business end. Race favourite Ecuador had no excuses after getting his chance from the front – he just lacks the acceleration of the top-notch horses. Invincible Gem was the hard luck story of the race. Kris Lees' mare box-seated but couldn't get out of a pocket for most of the straight – she was brave to hold down third. Runner-up Tom Melbourne endured a wide trip, pounced at the right time but had no answer for the marauding local Happy Clapper. Heavens Above and Mackintosh turned in eye-catching first-up runs.
Money Trail: Not a lot of late action on the betting front. Happy Clapper did firm from $6 into $5.50 late with The Virginian the noted drifter. He went for a bath from $10 out to $21 and raced accordingly.
Blackbooker: Plenty to choose from here but I am sticking with the big unit Happy Clapper, on the proviso he strikes dry tracks – he did run sixth in last year's Cox Plate and finished runner-up in the Doncaster last campaign on a heavy track. He may be popular but he remains under-rated with bookmakers.
Race 9 – Schweppes Benchmark 95 Handicap (1400m)
1st – Washington Heights ($2.40 fav)
2nd – Dawn Wall ($4.60) - hd
3rd – Rocket Commander ($7) – 1¾ lens
Then followed: Berry Delicious ($26), My Nordic Hero ($18), Free Standing ($41), Veladero ($4), Marenostro ($101)
Washington Heights climbs off the canvas to nose out Dawn Wall in the last at #Randwick. That's five on the day for @KPMcEvoy!! 👏pic.twitter.com/Cn45EQsfXf
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 2, 2017
Analysis: Favourite punters had to hold on to their briefs but it ended well with Kerrin McEvoy bagging five winners on the program after sliding Washington Heights through an inside split and holding off a courageous Dawn Wall . Washington Heights couldn't have had a better run – a solid early tempo, a perfect trailing position from gate one and an in-form hoop with the confidence to wait for an inside gap. Dawn Wall stoked-up from last and loomed as the winner 150m from home but being first-up off a spell may have slightly peaked on her run late. European import My Nordic Hero showed more under race conditions than he did at the trials. He's looking for more ground.
Money Trail: Punters thought Chris Waller would train the winner of the last, backing Dawn Wall from $6 into $4.60 and the recently gelded Veladero from $6 into $4. But the easing favourite Washington Heights $1.75 out to $2.40 was having none of that.
Blackbooker: Dawn Wall goes straight into the blackbook after that return. Lightly raced with four wins from only eight starts and already a Group winner – Waller will have a heap of autumn options for this four-year-old mare.
