The Randwick Wrap – Epsom Handicap Day

by Alex Steedman
7 years ago 3 minute read

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Race by race recap of key performers and ones to watch moving forward from Saturday’s Epsom Day meeting at Randwick.

Happy Clapper stole the show as he claimed what had proven to be an elusive Group 1 in the Epsom Handicap.

Happy Clapper Picture: Racing and Sports

Alizee continued the trend of Tea Rose Stakes winners taking out the Flight Stakes a fortnight later and is now Melbourne bound for the Thousand Guineas.

Race 1: Performer - Breeders’ Plate (1000m)

Performer was a convincing winner despite being slow away. Won by three quarters of a length and did it with a bit up his sleeve. We’ve awarded the run a Timeform rating of 115.

That’s one of the strongest figures we’ve given to a Breeders Plate winner in the past decade, equal to Capitalist in 2015 and just one pound shy of Sebring.

Performer Picture: Racing and Sports

We could give that rating largely because of the substantially faster time they ran compared to the girls in the Gimcrack, over a second quicker.

Knowing how much stronger the boys division was, the Top five in the Breeders are all worth keeping an eye on, particularly the runner up Bondi and fifth placegetter Osorno. He was flying late after racing greenly early.


Race 2: Satin Slipper - Gimcrack Stakes (1000m)

By a Golden Slipper winner out of a Silver Slipper winner, Satin Slipper was always going to be an early running type. She’s run a Timeform rating of 104.

That figure is on the low side for a Gimcrack Stakes. The boys ran over a second quicker in the Breeders than the girls in the Gimcrack.

Satin Slipper will no doubt improve on what she did there. She’s got the right pedigree and she’s in the right 2YO stable as well.


Race 3: Ataraxia - Dulcify Quality (1600m)

Ataraxia got a great run in transit, fourth on the fence behind the leaders. He deserved that too. The start prior at Warwick Farm was a disaster where he was caught wide.

He’s run to a Timeform rating of 98. That’s a shade low for a Dulcify.

Tangled produced the run of the race. He gave Ataraxia 7.5kg and was beaten half a length.

Watch for him next start where he probably gets out to 2000m. Out of 2003 NZ Oaks winner Bramble Rose, early signs suggest the son of Snitzel has thrown to the damside.


Race 4: Classic Uniform - Hill Stakes (1800m)

They dawdled out in front and Classic Uniform got away with murder. It meant he had plenty in the tank late and they weren’t going to get near him.

He’s run to a Timeform rating of 110. That’s a low figure for a Hill Stakes. The last two winners of the Hill Stakes have been Preferment in 2015 and Hartnell last year. Both went on to win Group 1’s that spring.

Ratings suggest history won’t repeat but at least Classic Uniform has put himself in some good company.

The runner up Embley. Trainer Bjorn Baker at one point was thinking the Port Macquarie Cup this Friday was his next stop. They’ve definitely pulled the right rein with him this week.


Race 5: Alizee - Tea Rose Stakes (1600m)

She was fantastic. She loved getting out to 1400m two back and the mile suited even more on Saturday.

The 15th filly to claim the Tea Rose Stakes - Flight Stakes double. The first since First Seal in 2014.


Alizee joins an impressive list of fillies to have claimed the double with those to have achieved the feat since the turn of the century First Seal (2014), Streama (2011), More Joyous (2009), Samantha Miss (2008), Cheeky Choice (2006), Ha Ha (2001) and Unwordly (2000).

It returned a timeform rating of 118 which represents an above average winning figure of the Flight Stakes.

118 is the highest winning figure since First Seal ran to 122 beating Winx in 2014.

The Thousand Guineas at Caulfield in a fortnight’s time is next for Alizee.

Alizee Picture: Racing and Sports

Guelph in 2013 and Global Glamour two years later in 2015 each claimed that double. On what Alizee did last Saturday, she’ll do it too.

One More Honey in fourth, perhaps a strong Oaks trial.

Champagne Cuddles an honourable mention too. She raced the past three weeks and has placed each time.

Race 6: In Her Time - Premiere Stakes (1200m)

A career best rating for In Her Time first up. She’s made the step up to open weight for age. We’ve assessed her run at 118.

In Her Time Picture: Racing and Sports

It augers well for the rest of her spring campaign and while she wasn’t able to secure a start in The Everest (1200m) at Randwick next fortnight, In Her Time could take beating in the consolation event, the revamped Listed Lightning Stakes now worth $500,000.

Things are really heating up for The Everest. English great, Clearly Innocent as well. Chautauqua gain eye catching late.


Race 7: Happy Clapper - Epsom Handicap (1600m)

Happy Clapper finally got his Group 1. The first seven-year-old to win an Epsom since Super Impose in 1991.

He’s produced a Timeform rating of 125. That’s the same figure Hauraki ran to winning last year.

Those pair are easily the best Epsom winners since Racing To Win back in 2016.

He and Hauraki did the exact same things leading into their respective Epsom’s, it was uncanny. They each won the Tramway first up by three quarters of a length and they then ran second in the George Main, beaten 1.3 lengths behind Winx.

Tom Melbourne, frustrating. Overraced and was held up badly in the straight.

The Toorak Handicap in two weeks will suit although he’ll probably run second again.

Race 8: Foundry - The Metropolitan (2400m)

The Victorian’s enjoyed the spoils with Foundry and Big Duke running the quinella. His lead up runs off a generous spell had been excellent.

Foundry was too good with no weight on his back. Ran to a Timeform rating of 109.

Foundry Picture: Racing and Sports

It was Lloyd’s second Metropolitan having won with Seville in 2013.

Foundry is on a Cups path and the last horse to claim the Metropolitan - Caulfield Cup double was Tawqeet in 2006, Railings also achieved the feat in 2005.

The last horse to claim the Metropolitan - Melbourne Cup double was Macdougal in 1959.

Big Duke carrying 55kg was strong. He gave Foundry 4.5kg and was only narrowly beaten. He’s well on track for the Cups.


Race 9: Isorich - Benchmark 90 Handicap (1200m)

Fantastic again and at 20-1. 69 starts and in career best form, Isorich has run to a Timeform rating of 106.

There is a 1200m Benchmark 90 at Randwick in three weeks time. He should go there and potentially pick off another race.


tags

Performer Capitalist Bondi Osorno Satin Slipper Ataraxia Tangled Classic Uniform Preferment Hartnell Embley First Seal Streama More Joyous Samantha Miss Cheeky Choice Ha Ha Unwordly Guelph Global Glamour One More Honey Champagne Cuddles In Her Time

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