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Saturday Post Mortem with Chris Scholtz

by By Chris Schoitz ,
7 years ago

3 minute read

Chris Scholtz reviews racing around Australia on September 16.

THE STARS

HUGH BOWMAN: We could say Winx but let’s be fair - it’s a rare partnership and there is no doubt her winning sequence would have ended a long time ago under another jockey.

HUMIDOR: Melbourne has a genuine rival for Winx.

ALMANDIN: Wow! When was the last time you saw a Melbourne Cup winner produce this type of winning form in an early spring race carrying 61kg!

REDKIRK WARRIOR: Brilliant return. Adds another dimension to The Everest picture.

ROYAL SYMPHONY: He’s good. Deserves Caulfield Guineas favouritism.

REDZEL: Into The Everest and now he’s a Randwick record holder. Keeps going from strength to strength.

GREG RYAN/JOHN LUNDHOLM: The boys from the bush landed a confident Randwick plunge with Larlabrook.

THEY SAID IT

• “I am not too worried about how she was travelling mid-race, don’t over-analyse things. Enjoy Winx for who she is,” - Chris Waller after some anxious moments at Randwick.

• “She’s done it again, she’s such a delight to be a part of. She’s such a magical horse.” – Hugh Bowman talks about his girl.

• “That was very special. I nearly did the old 'can't win' but Dwayne just peeled his way through the field and the way he picked up late was things that special horses do." – trainer Tony McEvoy after Royal Symphony’s big win at Flemington.

• “He nearly clipped heels and crashed. To his credit he put up with that. I just had to ride for a bit of luck and when the luck came I just had to hope he accelerated, which he did. Good horses get you out of trouble." - Dwayne Dunn’s views on Royal Symphony.

• “Wow! That was extraordinary. I think he's come back better than ever, without a doubt.” - Damien Oliver’s praise for Almandin.

• “He has come a long way this bloke. It has all been about what he has done himself. He has learned how to race properly, he never makes a mistake, he races on pace, on wet tracks, dry tracks, carries weight well. He's just the real deal now.”_ Peter Snowden sings the praises of Redzel.

• “For a few moments there I thought I'd definitely be missing the rest of the day. But I gave it five or 10 minutes and I felt good to go. I'm lucky to have escaped with no injury.” – Damien Lane after he bounces back from his fall at Flemington to land a double.

• “This is the first time I've seen him win, I've seen him get beaten though. He has a lot of talent but he is a different horse from Criterion - I think he might be a show-off.” Comin Through’s NZ owner Sir Owen Glen compares his Randwick winner with his former star Criterion.

• “The Caulfield Guineas is worth four times as much as the Thousand Guineas and twice as much fun." – trainer David Hayes on his plans for his top filly Catchy.

• “I thought on the line the outside horse got us. I was shaking like a leaf." – country trainer Johnt Lundholm on his first Randwick win with Larlabrook.

RIDE OF THE DAY

DWAYNE DUNN: No fault of his to be in all sorts of trouble on Royal Symphony but knew what he had under him and threaded the needle to find clear ground and drive him home for an impressive win.

TALKING POINTS

WHIP PROTEST: No doubt there were grounds for Brad Stewart to protest against Ronnie Stewart in the second race at Doomben for his use of the whip, especially as the margin was only a nose. Chief steward Allan Reardon admitted the panel had counted nine to 10 whip strikes by Stewart but stated: “’we can't measure the impact of whip strikes” when dismissing the protest. The decision underlines that stewards see whip use as too subjective to make definitive decisions in such cases, even though they were the ones who drafted the rules.

WINX: It sure is a thrill ride for those big punters taking the short odds about the great mare! The question is just how much are these Sydney races taking out of her with her grand final at Moonee Valley still six weeks away? She’s not rating up to her best and how strong are her current figures when measured against the Melbourne wfa races where we have seen some outstanding wins by the like of Vega Magic and Humidor? May the debate begin….

THE CUPS: Mark this down as the weekend that brought the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups into focus thanks to some huge performances from Almandin, Humidor and Libran.

BLACKBOOK

CHAUTAUQUA: The big boy will be bang on for The Everest.

LAND OF PLENTY: Big run against proven G1 horses.

HAPPY HANNAH: Watch out for her when she gets over some ground.

GOODFELLA: Nice first-up effort. Has talent.

CELLARGIRL: Not out of place against the best fillies.

DIA DA REYES: He will be winning races in Brisbane.

PRIMITIVO: Could be Sydney’s best 3YO maiden.

ELLE LOU: Hard to beat in a suitable mares event.

tags

HUMIDOR ALMANDIN REDKIRK WARRIOR ROYAL SYMPHONY REDZEL Winx CHAUTAUQUA LAND OF PLENTY HAPPY HANNAH GOODFELLA DIA DA REYES PRIMITIVO ELLE LOU