Monday Musings from Saturday

Tom Baddock - Monday September 25

The Racenet team managed three winners on a tough day for punters, with just two favourites saluting across both Sydney and Melbourne on Saturday.

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There weren't many of these being enjoyed in Sydney or Melbourne on Saturday.

Weekend Winners got things off to a promising start in the opening event at Rosehill on Saturday with the James Cummings-trained Beau Geste . The team was keen to take on the favourite Paret which was coming off an impressive maiden victory where the form was yet to be tested while the Godolphin colt already had form around Saturday performed horses such as, Last Starfighter and Super Ex.

Beau Geste settled further back than expected but when presented at the top of the straight by Brenton Avdulla let down with a powerful finishing burst to edge clear in the final stages. Paret tried to match Beau Geste in the straight but his inexperience showed and he’ll be better for the experience.

Don’t Give A Damn in the Highway Handicap was the day’s ‘banker’ for both Paul Joice and Clinton Payne. The pair expected the Danny Williams-trained gelding to prove far superior to his rivals considering his form around the talented Suncraze.

Backed as if unbeatable to start $1.65 favourite, the four-year-old exploded clear for an easy 6-1/2 length victory after stalking the leaders and looks to have plenty more wins in store.

Payne’s second winner came in the Golden Pendant with Ron Quinton’s tough and consistent mare Daysee Doom at $5.50.

He was confident that with some luck in the early stages she would prove difficult to beat but she had no luck whatsoever, caught three-wide without cover, but still proved too strong in the finish to hold off her fast finishing stablemate Dixie Blossoms.

Laurie Sainsbury came close to making it four winners for the day in the Ladbrokes Supports National Jockeys Trust Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield.

Sainsbury found $21 chance Wyndspelle on top after a strong performance at his first Australian run for Michael Kent when he ran eighth, beaten 3-1/4 length by Brave Smash at $151.

The son of Iffraaj settled at the end of the field and charged late with So Si Bon down the outside to miss by a quarter-of-a-length.

Racenet bookmakers Luxbet and Betstar both also tipped followers into value selection Ace High at $9 that took out the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) for David Payne and Tye Angland.

SORTING THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF

Below are jockey comments from Rosehill which highlight some hidden runs plus those runners that have been given the biggest pushes as coming winners.

Rosehill

Race 3 – Class 2 Highway Handicap (1500m)

1st

DON'T GIVE A DAMN

Kerrin McEvoy

Progressing nicely. He was better behaved today and that race at Randwick next start is going to be perfect for him.

Race 7 – Group I Golden Rose Stakes (1400m)

4th

GOLD STANDARD

Tommy Berry

He went super. Feels like he's looking for a Caulfield Guineas trip now. He's going in the right direction.

5th

ASSIMILATE

Hugh Bowman

I was very pleased with his effort. We had no luck from the draw and that told but the horse ran very well.

Race 8 – Group II Golden Pendant (1400m)

4th

DANISH TWIST

Blake Shinn

Great run we were just relying on a bit of tempo which wasn't there today but she kept making nice ground.

5th

ZENALICIOUS

Tim Clark

Much better today, she'll be hard to beat in the Angst Stakes.

HORSES TO FOLLOW

Zenalicious – Loved the way this Les Bridge-trained mare hit the line in the Group II Golden Pendant (1400m) at odds of $101. She recorded the second fastest last 200m of the race, only narrowly bettered by Dixie Blossoms. Jockey Tim Clark was also rapped in the run and is confident she will run a big race in the Angst Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on October 7.

Ace High – It was no surprise to see this son of High Chaparral to excel stepping up to the 2000m for the first time after some excellent closing sectionals in strong lead-ups. He was attacked from quite a long way out but proved to be the superior stayer in the finish. The Spring Champion Stakes and Victorian Derby are now the targets and I’m keen to stick with him especially considering the Gloaming Stakes, Spring Champion double has been completed three times in the past five years.

Petition – Anthony Freedman has this mare primed to win after an outstanding closing performance over the 1400m behind Merriest at Caulfield on Saturday. She recorded the fastest final 200m of the race and I’m confident she’ll be extremely hard to beat when she steps out next start.

Assimilate – It was a huge effort by this Peter and Paul Snowden-trained colt to finish 5-1/2 lengths away in fifth in the Golden Rose. Hugh Bowman elected to settle at the rear of the field spotting the leaders many lengths turning into the home straight. Hooked to the extreme outside, the son Sebring charged home to record the fastest last 200m of the race. Looks a chance in the Caulfield Guineas at big odds although the only concern is that he’s been up since July and the stable may opt to save him until the autumn.

FORGIVE FILE

Amelie’s Star – This mare is absolutely flying and just needs some luck with barriers and in running to be winning. Flew home from the back in the field to record the fastest final two sectionals in a strong Foundation Cup and is sure to break through shortly given some luck.

I Did It Again – It was a horrible watch if you were on the favourite here. I Did It Again was caught four-wide the trip, jockey Nikita Beriman lost the whip with 150m to go and the horse got nailed by Bandipur on the line. To Beriman’s credit she admitted it wasn’t one of her best rides and it cost her the race. I Did It Again can return a winner in similar grade next start.

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