Chris Scholtz reviews racing around Australia on May 6.
THE STARS
IT’S SOMEWHAT: Provided the fitting finale to John O’Shea’s tenure with Godolphin with his gutsy win in the Hollindale Stakes.
TRIPLE TREATS: Trebles were the order of the day – Hugh Bowman at the Gold Coast; Tim Clark at Rosehill; Beau Mertens at Flemington.DAMIEN OLIVER: Completed a double at Morphettville with a vintage Group One ride on Secret Agenda in the Ubet Classic. Not all roses though as his ride on Bassett was given the thumbs down by many punters.
JOSHUA OLIVER: No relation to the great one but made his own headlines at the Gold Coast with his boilover win on the 100/1 chance With A PromiseRON STEWART: Just keeps rolling home on winners at big prices – his rides deserve more respect in the market place.
What a win!
Egg Tart arrives just in time to nose out Kenedna right on the line in the G1 Australasian Oaks at #Morphettville! pic.twitter.com/X7WMkVKuVe— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 6, 2017
THEY SAID IT!
“Change is always tough, but the system is what makes us successful. John would acknowledge that.” - Godolphin chief Henry Plumptre breaks his silence on the departure of John O’Shea.“To have this horse win for John in his name is great.… he has taught me an unbelievable amount over the past three years. He is a close friend.” - Darren Beadman and his thoughts about John O’Shea after It’s Somewhat’s win in the Hollindale Stakes.
“She is a big mare with an efficient stride. That enables her to run good sectionals and that stamps her as a quality mare.” - Anthony Cummings about his Lord Mayor’s Cup winner Top Of My List.“I probably would have taken an easier option, but Mike wanted to have a crack and here we are,” Toowoomba trainer Ben Currie explains how owner Mike Crooks talked him into starting shock 100/1 winner With A Promise in the Silk Stocking.
“How good was that!” – With A Promise’s jockey Joshua Oliver.“She’s a bit scatty, but a lot of the good fillies are like that.” – trainer John Meagher sums up his Queensland Guineas winner Savanna Amour
“She’s worth $750,000 to $1 million and I’m not prepared to risk her unless that track improves significantly.” - Savanna Amour’s owner Grant Morgan and his concerns about the Eagle Farm track for the Stradbroke and Tatts Tiara .“If Winx went to American Pharoah you would get a foal nothing could catch.” – champion US trainer Bob Baffert on a possible stud match of the two champions after meeting Chris Waller in Kentucky.
Damien Oliver takes Secret Agenda to the front & she proves too tough to run down in the $1m Robert Sangster Stakes at #Morphettville! pic.twitter.com/nTBsImV1Yg
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 6, 2017
RIDES OF THE DAY
KERRIN McEVOY: His Oaks ride on Egg Tart is right up there with the best in a Group One race this season.HUGH BOWMAN: His ride on Dawn Wall in the Gold Coast Bracelet was the peach among his three wins.
JEFF LLOYD: Smart mid race move to go forward on Siegfried was the initiative that won him the race. You can’t beat experience.TALKING POINTS
GODOLPHIN: After consuming much of the racing headlines for more than week we finally get confirmation that Darren Beadman will step up as “interim head trainer”. But the biggest question of all remains unanswered – did John O’Shea jump or was he pushed? Expect the rumour mill to keep churning…..FLEMINGTON: One swallow does not make a spring…..and in the case of this maligned track one good day of fair racing does not make a season pass – but let’s hope it lasts until it gets its biggest test when the real winter weather arrives.
JOAO MOREIRA: We know he’s a champion, we know he’s a great drawcard at our meetings…and we know you’re only as good as the cattle you are riding….but eight rides without a placing at Morphettville is not what the promoters and many punters expected!MONEY TALKS
HUGH BOWMAN – Is there a better money rider than Mr Cool? His three Gold Coast winners Religify ($3.10-$2.70), Dawn Wall ($4.20-$3.80) and Taking Aim ($5-$3.80) were all big market movers.IT’S SOMEWHAT: Favourite backers had a few nervous moments but were cheering when It's Somewhat ($2.80-$2.25) kicked strongly to win the Hollindale Stakes. He attracted all the big money with 43 percent of all bets TAB fixed odds riding with him.
NEW UNIVERSE: Landed one of the best betting moves of the day. The former Kiwi having his first start in Australia was backed from $7 in the morning into $3.90. Held a quarter of the total investment with TAB.ROGUISH: Another smart coup for the Tim Martin. With $11 available throughout the week, he was backed on the day from $10 to $7.
BONNY O’REILLY: Delivered a big blow when backed down to start a firm $3 favourite as the Rosehill get out bet. They took $4.60 earlier in the week with the filly responsible for 65 percent of the total investment.ARTICUS: The Darren Weir punters jumped in early for a big win, taking al the $11 available on Friday. On the day he was firm around $6 with punters happy to take the price.
DE LITTLE ENGINE: Delivered a hammer blow for punters after the Danny O'Brien-trained winner opened at $3.20 on Wednesday and was backed into as low as $2.10 on race day. Held 70 percent of the total investment.DIVINE QUALITY: Punters were on the mark as she landed some nice bets after as much as $3.60 was bet in the week. Nothing better than $2.90 race day into $2.25 at the jump, holding more than half of all bets on the race.
Bonny O'Reilly sends punters home happy at #Rosehill, capping off a great day for @clarkyhk! pic.twitter.com/JBmV0HYmkI
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 6, 2017
IN THE BAG
I AM A STAR: She was the big go in the Ubet Classic as the pros backed her down from $9 to $5.50. Had every chance.DREAMFORCE: Punters smashed the John Thompson-trained runner late in betting from as much as $6 into $4 at the jump. Taken on for the lead ended his chances of getting a strong 1500m.
TORPENHOW: Heavily supported late $6-$4.40 with the Godolphin runner almost three times as popular as the other money horse Knit N Purl ($9-$6) in same race.JUST HIFALUTIN: $7-$4.80 was the money horse. Finished strongly for second. The favourite Widgee Turf ($3.50-$3.10) was also costly holding 33 percent of the market.
BLACKBOOKOUR BEATNIK: Lovely lead-up to a suitable middle distance event.
MACHINEGUN JUBS: In the right form judging by his fast closing sectional. .WILD ‘N’ FAMOUS: Certain to be fitter. Top stable will find his right race.
TESSERA: No luck. Good prospects over the Brisbane carnival.RUBY RED HEART: Progressive youngster. Bigger track and a longer trip will be ideal.
WAZZENME: Needs to get back to 1400m.ANA ROYALE: Excellent Oaks third behind two good fillies.
SMART AS YOU THINK: She was the luckless one in the Oaks.