Race by race recap of key performers and ones to watch moving forward from Saturday’s Expressway Stakes meeting at Rosehill.
Autumn carnival players returned in abundance at Rosehill on Saturday where Trapeze Artist claimed the feature event, the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m).
Known for claiming the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) - Victoria Derby (2500m) double last Spring, Ace High in fifth was finding the line in a way which suggests he’ll be a factor in next month’s Randwick Guineas (1600m).
Performer maintained his unbeaten record (albeit barely) contesting the Canonbury Stakes with a slender win over Stratosphere.
History points to it being a strong form reference as both colts head deeper into the autumn.
Race 1: Charlayne - Benchmark 78 3YO Handicap (1100m)
It’s not easy jumping from a maiden win on debut to a Saturday race. Charlayne made it look that way though. She’s run to a Timeform rating of 97.
.@KPMcEvoy makes it a winning return from injury aboard the undefeated Charlayne, finding a speedy rails run to take out the first from @rosehillgardens for @cwallerracing. pic.twitter.com/UNd57eBgIR
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 3, 2018
They’re going to the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) with Charlayne in two weeks time. That’s another pretty big jump for her. It will be interesting to see how she handles it.
To her credit though, she’s beaten some nice fillies on Saturday - Problem Solver, Sheikha and Tiara Star.
The first four across the line are all open to improvement. Each of them were second up on Saturday.
Race 2: Performer - Canonbury Stakes (1100m)
Performer is a talented colt. He’s resumed with a Timeform rating of 113. That’s two pounds shy of the master Timeform figure of 115 he ran on debut.
A nail-biting two way go!!
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 3, 2018
Performer turns on the afterburners at the 200m and reels in Stratosphere, doing just enough to deny him in the shadow of the post. The favourite gets the money in the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes at @rosehillgardens!! pic.twitter.com/m9qyi14BHy
That debut was in the Breeders’ Plate. If you win the Breeders Plate, you’re generally the cream of the crop.
In the past decade, colts like Sebring and Vancouver have each won the Breeders Plate, resumed by winning the Canonbury and then gone on to claim the Golden Slipper.
History bodes well for Performer.
Stratosphere was good on debut. He admittedly carried 3kg less than Performer but was only beaten a nose.
The Snowden’s tend to send a smart one out on debut in the Canonbury. Pariah won this race on debut last year. He then ran second in the Blue Diamond Stakes. Defcon in 2016 ran second on debut in the Canonbury. He then won the Black Opal Stakes two runs later.
Race 3: Fiesta - Widden Stakes (1100m)
Fiesta had trialled well in readiness for this without Blinkers. She had Blinkers applied for this first up.
.@KPMcEvoy & @cwallerracing combine for a treble with Fiesta, who produces a gutsy performance to work her way through the field and salute in the G3 Widden Stakes at @rosehillgardens. pic.twitter.com/PmLOoWE0mA
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 3, 2018
Blinkers first time first up after good trials without them is usually an extremely positive gear change.
She would have won by more if she’d had a clear passage in the straight.
It’s netted her a Timeform rating of 105.
The Widden Stakes is often a good launch pad into the Golden Slipper. Overreach in 2013 and Mossfun in 2014 each won the Widden Stakes prior to winning the Golden Slipper later in the autumn.
They admittedly ran higher figures than Fiesta did. Regardless, she’s started her campaign well.
Race 4: Cellarman - Benchmark 90 Handicap (1500m)
Cellarman has been up for an age, since September in fact and he keeps firing. On Saturday he ran to a Timeform rating of 105.
Cellarman weaves in behind King Darci and flashes home with plenty of late speed to take out the fourth event from @rosehillgardens. @cwallerracing reigning supreme in the first four races! pic.twitter.com/lMovlnJmRS
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 3, 2018
That was his 11th run this campaign. He’s gone from a Benchmark 70 horse to Open company through his past eight runs.
There is a 1500m Open Handicap at Rosehill in three weeks time. He’ll likely go there next.
Flow was beaten as favourite. He looked the winner a furlong from home and may not have quite ran out the 1500m. He may be better suited back to seven furlongs.
Race 5: Mate Story - Highway Plate (1500m)
Mate Story was extremely well placed. He was dropping from a midweek metropolitan race at Canterbury to a set weights country restricted event.
It was a race in two as Mate Story wears down Acquittal in the last 200m to deny the favourite in the TAB Highway Plate at @rosehillgardens. A smart and patient ride from @jeanvovermeire! pic.twitter.com/kOIOfvVDDx
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 3, 2018
It was Jean Dubois first city winner. Mate Story might get him another in two weeks time as well. There is an 1800m Class 3 Highway Handicap at Randwick where he’d be one of the classier types in the field.
The mare in fourth So It Is. She should go to the same race as she is crying out for more ground.
Acquittal was brave in defeat. He screams Country Championships. A slight drop back in trip to 1400m should suit.
Race 6: Bye See - Benchmark 82 Handicap (1500m)
Bye See is having a fantastic prep. We’ve got her improving with each run. Her latest win returned a Timeform rating of 91.
Bye See emerges from the pack with a kick and holds off late dives from Travancore & Ready For Success to take out the first leg of the quaddie at @rosehillgardens. @Costin_Winona pilots this winner for Michael Tubman! pic.twitter.com/0Lxc0lheNN
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 3, 2018
Mick Tubman post race said she’d go for a break now with a view to the winter. It’s probably a good move with the autumn types coming back.
The placegetters Travancore and Ready For Success. They were each good late.
There is a Benchmark 85 over the Randwick Mile in two weeks. They can each go there and they’d be carrying no weight.
Race 7: Trapeze Artist - Expressway Stakes (1200m)
Trapeze Artist was supported late and the money was justified. The Gerald Ryan-trained colt won with a performance assessed at 118.
A dream start to the Autumn carnival for Trapeze Artist!
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 3, 2018
The @GRyanRacing-trained 3YO proves too strong in the sprint and lands the prize in the feature of the day at @rosehillgardens. All class!! pic.twitter.com/GElH4WXtq0
His Master Rating for winning the Golden Rose is 122 so he still has about a length up his sleeve this prep based on his Golden Rose run.
The Expressway Stakes tends to be more of an old boys race. Trapeze Artist is only the third three-year-old to win it since the turn of the century. Mentality and Happy Galaxy are the others.
Trapeze Artist will now return to his own age in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m).
Outside of him, Showtime and Addictive Nature were good filling the minor placings. Ace High was strong late. That was a good return by him over an unsuitable trip.
Race 8: High Opinion - Benchmark 81 Handicap (2000m)
High Opinion was given a nice positive ride by Tim Clark and the pair were strong to the line. He produced a Timeform rating of 93.
.@Leesracing finds himself a win in town with High Opinion racing away to a convincing Race 8 victory at @rosehillgardens. Tim Clark also with a running double! pic.twitter.com/nJOSlIHF4v
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 3, 2018
It had been a long road getting back to this level for the Lord Jim gelding. He was coming back from a tendon injury this prep after a near year long hiatus.
There is a 2000m Benchmark 85 at Randwick in two weeks time. He’ll likely go there. Most of the horses he beat on Saturday will be in that race as well so the Kris Lees-trained gelding can offer up a repeat serve.
Race 9: Don’t Give A Damn - Benchmark 83 Handicap (1300m)
Don’t Give A Damn was well supported and delivered.
The heavily backed Don't Give A Damn puts a gap in them in the straight for a commanding win in the last at @rosehillgardens. Four wins on the program on @KPMcEvoy's return to racing!! pic.twitter.com/I0lLo2s16l
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 3, 2018
He’s run to a Timeform rating of 100.
Danny Williams has at least four horses capable of being set for the Country Championships. This guy is the pick of them.
Insensata has returned in good order this prep. Two placings from as many starts.
Kaonic drifted badly in betting. He was always well back and never in it.
Post race he was found to be lame so obviously the colt had excuses.
