3 minute read

Chris Scholtz reviews racing around Australia on May 20.

THE STARS

SENSATIONAL SIX: The Lindsay Park team went into overdrive to win four races at Flemington and a double at Morphettville including the $1 million Goodwood. It’s a day that puts the seal on a season that has proven beyond doubt that David Hayes with his co-trainers Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes are back as a big force in Australian racing.

EXTRA ZERO/VEGA MAGIC: These were the two standouts among the six Lindsay Park winners. Producing the Perth sprinter Vega Magic to land a big betting go first-up in the G1 Goodwood was genius. Getting the 10-year-old Extra Zero to add another win to his great record at his 100th career start was all about love and caring for a special thoroughbred.

CRAIG WILLIAMS: One of his special days, dominating the Goodwood meeting by riding four winners including the big sprint on Vega Magic.

HIGH FIVE: With the Lindsay Park results grabbing the headlines it would be easy to forget that Chris Waller trained five winners with three at Rosehill and a double at Flemington – just to remind those Melbourne knockers that his southern stable is ticking over quite nicely in this quiet time of the season.

SENSE OF OCCASION: What a horse he has become for Kris Lees. Revelled in his favourite heavy conditions to claim a deserving G1 win in the Doomben Cup.

Vega Magic proves the late money right and runs them down in the G1 Darley Goodwood at #Morphettville. pic.twitter.com/hCmHCetPvU

— TAB (@tabcomau) May 20, 2017

The Goodwood – Vega Magic

THEY SAID IT!

“The track work he was doing suggested he had to be an outstanding horse. He did one gallop up our hill at Lindsay Park which had to be seen to be believed.” – David Hayes reveals why Vega Magic was the plunge horse in The Goodwood.

“He’s such a good jockey that when things don’t go to plan he seems to make the right moves at the right times. He works hard behind the scenes and he’s not a bludger, so I can’t thank him enough.” – Darren Weir sings the praises of jockey John Allen.

“He does love a dog fight. The tougher it is, the better he is.” – Darren Weir’s stable foreman Jarrod McLean about Burning Front.

“Unfortunately I lost my wife 14 weeks ago but we’re making the best of things and the horse is helping us all. It just shows you that you never know what is around the corner, it’s sometimes good and sometimes bad but life’s journey is terrific.” - Jungle Edge’s trainer Mick Bell.

"Going to all these carnivals is a new world for me and I'm a little overwhelmed”. – Mick Bell.

“We had a very good offer for him during the week but we decided not to sell. If they still want him they can come back with another offer.”- Pardoe’s trainer Tony Sears after his Doomben win.

RIDE OF THE DAY

JOHN ALLEN: Rode the off track perfectly to win the Doomben Roses on Kenedna. No wonder Darren Weir is singing his praises.

Kenedna fights off Oklahoma Girl to win G2 Magic Millions Roses at #Doomben for @DKWeirRacing! pic.twitter.com/em5Xnnz9bt

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 20, 2017

Doomben Roses - Kenedna

BLACKBOOK

INSPIRED ESTELLE: Certain to win races in Queensland.

OKLAHOMA GIRL: Has had a strong build up to the Queensland Oaks.

AMELIE’S STAR: Big show in The Brisbane Cup.

MISS SISKA: Well bred fily with ample scope for improvement.

TUCANCHOO: Should train on from sharp first-up third..

ALEGRIA: Winter staying races will be her forte.

SANTA ANA LANE: Out of luck in the Goodwood. Best up to 1600m.

Sense Of Occasion rattles home down the outside to win the G1 #DoombenCup for @Leesracing & @Coreyjockey! pic.twitter.com/wVz3d3J3M9

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 20, 2017

Doomben Cup – Sense Of Occasion

TAB BETTING REPORT

ROSEHILL

DOOMBEN CUP: Sense Of Occasion ($9.50) rounded up his rivals over the concluding stages to win and beat the well supported Star Exhibit which firmed up from $13 to $8 during the day. Rudy, which had specking at the $34, was third. Favourite backers sent out Its somewhat ($4.20) a very popular runner as it held 30 percent of the market. After racing outside the leader, Its Somewhat was a beaten force on the turn. The other favourite, Articus, was $4.20 out to $5 and was never in it.

BETS: Its Somewhat $5,000 @ $4.20; Sense Of Occasion $1,000 e/w @ $10/$3.15, $1,000 @ $9.50

THE GOODWOOD: The money was right in the Darley Goodwood with Vega Magic proving too strong for its rivals. Vega Magic was backed from $6.50 into $4.80 and held off the challengers at the finish to score. Vega Magic had been one of the best backed runners, along with Secret Agenda ($7), to beat the favourite Black Heart Bart ($3.70-$4.40) who was head and shoulders the most popular runner with TAB customers. The Darren Weir-trained runner was responsible for nearly half of all bets on the race. Missrock ($23-$26) looked a winning chance but couldn't finish off and ran second while Casino Wizard ($61-$81) winding up third just in front of Secret Agenda.

BETS: Vega Magic $5,000 @ $4.80; Malaguerra $10,000 e/w @ $13/$4; Black Heart Bart $10,000 @ $4.20

RACE 1: Viridine ($2.80-$3.70) was easy but still held the most money and did the job for backers. Viridine wore down the leader Pendeloque ($7-$12) in the shadows of the post. The disappointment from a punting perspective was the well tried Adsum who was backed from $5 into $3.30 favouritism late after $7 was given earlier in the week.

BETS: Viridine $1,000 @ $3.10; Adsum $1,200 @ $3.60

RACE 2: Quick Feet ($8.50-$13) was relatively unwanted in betting but caused the upset. With the exception of the rank outsider Fleeting Stryke, Quick Feet was the least popular runner in the seven-horse field but finished down the outside to just hold on and beat the well tried White Moss ($3.70). Gretna ($3 to $4.40) and Passage Of Time ($2.25 to $2.70) held the most money and were responsible for 66 percent of all bets on the race. Both were unplaced as Fleeting Stryke ($31-$71) ran third.

BETS: Gretna $5,000 @ $4.80; Passage Of Time $5,000 @ $2.60

RACE 3: New Universe ($2.25-$1.80) landed some big bets here and held 72 percent of all win bets on the race. Settling near last after a good speed was set up front by Memes ($5-$5.50), New Universe overhauled the frontrunner near the line, while Vienna Romance ($21-$26) split the pair at the finish.

BETS: New Universe $7,500 @ $1.80, $6,000 @ $1.85

RACE 4: Hay Now ($3.80) went out well supported and got up right on the line much to the delight of its backers. The best supported runner to take out the race. Red Knot ($7.50-$6) had good specking and led until the concluding stages while Bolshoi Devouskha ($101-$61-$81) grabbed third. Schedule ($3.90-$4.40) was the best backed in terms of money held and was almost twice as popular as Hay Now at the jump.

BETS: Schedule $2500 @ $4; Hay Now $6400 @ $3.60, $4000 @ $3.50

RACE 5: Clear The Beach ($11-$12) had share of admirers. Although not one of the more popular runners in terms of money held, attracted some good eachway support and hit the line hard to score. Dissolute, very popular at the $8, charged home for second in front of Old Man Sam ($8) while Secret Trail ($8-$4.80) was a good go late and wound up fourth.

BETS: Clear The Beach $1,090 x $800 e/w @ $11/$3.50

RACE 6: Broadside ($6-$5) held the most money and led throughout to score. Holding roughly 20 percent of the total investment, Broadside never looked in danger of defeat as he beat Get On The Grange ($81-$35) which trailed it throughout. More Energy ($35) ran on for third just in front of Caerless Choice ($9). Nothing Box ($3.90-$3.40) had very strong backing late and went around as favourite.

BETS: Broadside $2,000 @ $5; Nothing Box $3,000 @ $3.20

RACE 7: Invinzabeel ($12-$14-$12) attracted some good each-way money in this race. Had specking right from the morning and was given a good run by jockey Tye Angland. Berry Delicious ($11-$14) flew home for second while the early leader Moher ($5.50-$7) held on for third. So Willie, which ran fourth, went around as the most popular runner with punters backing it from $9 in the morning to $6 at the finish.

RACE 8: The money for Bonny Oreilly was spot on here. Heavily supported late to firm from $3.40-$3.20, Bonny Oreilly sat fourth in the run and then was pulled out at the top of the straight to beat Wild N Famous ($10-$12). Bonny O’Reilly went out as the one of the best backed runners all day at Rosehill and commanded 60 percent of the win investment. Guard Of Honour ($7.50-$5) was the only one seriously tried to beat the favourite but after a slow start, raced near the rear and never got into the race.

BETS: Bonny O’Reilly $4,000 @ $3.20 TWICE; Guard Of Honour $5,000 @ $5

RACE 9: Dagny proved a horror result for TAB. The $3.90 favourite was very popular with punters who backed it in from $4.60 in the morning.

Four times as popular as anything else in the race, Dagny beat Labdien ($21-$16) and Wahng Wah ($9.50-$14). There was a sensation at the start with Firebird Flyer, after firming from $21 to jump t $9, threw the rider.

BETS: Dagny $6,000 @ $3.80, $5,500 @ $3.80

FLEMINGTON

RACE 1: Aloisia ($9-$16) burst through the middle of the back to register a strong win in its debut in Australia. The former Kiwi raced in the second half of the field before finishing strongly to beat the flashing Salsamor ($17-$19). The two popular elects were Grandioso ($2.40-$3.80) and Indernile ($4.20-$5-$4.40) who commanded 60 percent of the market.

BETS: Grandioso $1,000 @ $4.20, $1,500 @ $3.70

RACE 2: Favourite backers were floored when Divine Quality was a beaten $2.25 favourite. The previously unbeaten filly loomed up to win at the 300 metres after racing in the middle of the track, however, couldn't quicken sufficiently down the straight. Overstep ($10-$11) finished best to grab the win in front of Motown Lil ($7-$5.50) who rattled home late to relegate the favourite to third. Divine Quality was one of the best backed runners in Australia all day and commanded nearly 80 percent of all bets.

BETS: Divine Quality $6,000 @ $2.20; Motown Lil $5,000 @ $6

RACE 3: Northern Journey ($126) caused a huge upset. Enjoyed a good run just off the speed and finished too well for New Graduate ($7.50) who looked the winner after hitting the lead midway down the straight. Shoreham ($41-$51) flashed home for third. Most of the money was with Gallic Chieftain ($3.80-$3.20-$3.80) who was five times as popular as the next best supported Curragh ($5.50-$7). Of the others, the early leader Zahspeed ($16-$8) was specked.

BETS: Gallic Chieftain $1,000 @ $3.50

RACE 4: Guangzhou ($18-$14-$10) landed a long range move. Most punters were with Spanner Head ($3.20) which went out as one of the best backed runners all day on the card. It held more than 10 times the amount of money that the winner did. Bettyrae Ruby ($34-$26) rattled home to wind up second in front of Atlantic Express ($11-$15).

BETS: Spanner Head $3,612 @ $3.40

RACE 5: Sovereign Nation ($7.50) was kept safe in the market and saluted for its backers. Although there were others that were more popular, Sovereign Nation had consistent money come for it right throughout the day. Held off Well Sprung ($9.50) which tracked it into the race. Now Or Later ($4.80-$8), which had good backing earlier in the week but was unwanted today, ran third. The well supported Charmed Harmony ($4.40-$5.50) and Mahuta ($15) bought themselves undone by going hard early. They held 40 percent of the money in the race.

BETS: Charmed Harmony $2,000 @ $5.50

RACE 6: De Little Engine ($2.50-$3.10) defied the betting drift to win the Andrew Ramsden Stakes running away. Although blowing in the betting, De Little Engine still went out as favourite and the most popular runner in terms of money taken. Mujadale ($11-$9), which led, battled on for second while Like A Carousel ($26-$21), which looped the field approaching the turn, grabbed third. Renew was the big push throughout the day and firmed up from $4.20 into $3.80 but after enjoying a good run in the one-one, couldn't finish it off.

BETS: De Little Engine $5,000 @ $3.30, $4,000 @ $3.30; Renew $3,000 @ $3.70

RACE 7: Tashbeeh ($21) headed a rough result in the Hilton Nicholas Straight Six. Hitting the front at the 250 metre mark, Tashbeeh held off the fast-finishing Yesterday's Song ($31-$26-$21) who did have good specking. Tried And Tired ($61-$81) ran third at huge odds in front of Oak Door ($9-$7.50) which firmed up late. Most of the money was with Malibu Style ($4.40-$5.50) who was responsible for just over a quarter of all bets on the race. Ruettiger ($7-$5.50-$6.50) attracted good money throughout the day as well.

BETS: Ruettiger $6,000 x $4,000 e/w @ $7/$2.50; Thermal Current $1,000 e/w @ $21/$6

RACE 8: Extra Zero ($35) caused a huge upset. The 10-year-old who was having start number 100 and it was his seventh career win. Bursting through the leading pack over the concluding stages, Extra Zero defeated the heavily backed Haradafull ($4-$5) and Self Sense ($19-$26). Second Bullet ($4.50) and Haradafull were the two popular picks here and represented just over half of the total investment. Hursley ($5.50-$4.60) also had good support but was not in it.

BETS: Extra Zero $500 e/w @ $31/$7.10; Haradafull $5,000 @ $5

RACE 9: Zourkhan ($41-$31) had some light specking and did the job to upset favourite backers. Fastnet Latina, which raced outside the leader Brown Ben, was $4.40 into $3.40 late and looked a winning hope before Zourkhan put paid to it. Eventually ran third as Portion Control ($34) flew home to grab second. Fastnet Latina accounted for 30 percent of the total investment.

BETS: Fastnet Latina $4,000 @ $4.20, $4,500 @ $3.40