3 minute read
A snapshot of the support races on the Golden Eagle program.
Weight right for Plymstock to salute
A significant weight drop and the benefit of a recent run proved the right formula for well-related Godolphin filly Plymstock to return to the winner's list at Rosehill.
A half-sister to two-time Group 1 winner Trekking, Plymstock lumped 59kg when third at Warwick Farm first-up earlier this month and appreciated dropping to 52kg for Saturday's The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1200m).
"She loomed up to win (first-up) and she had a big weight of 59 kilos. She wouldn't weigh 59 kilos herself so dropping in weight today and a nice soft barrier (suited)," said Godolphin's Darren Beadman said.
"She was promising early as a two-year-old, she was very precocious.
"She went to Queensland, had the trip away and has come back a really nice filly."
Plymstock was Listed placed during the Brisbane winter and Beadman believes she can get back to that grade.
"Definitely. She is Trekking's half-sister by Ribchester so she's got the pedigree and quality to do it," he said.
Plymstock ($6) scored by long neck over So Say You ($14) with Embeller ($18) another head away third.
Waller sets sights on autumn with Waterford
The Gong shapes as an ideal target for promising miler Waterford, but Chris Waller is likely to resist the temptation to step him up in grade this campaign and instead concentrate on the autumn.
The four-year-old import, who is still an entire, has won four of his five starts since coming to Australia and looked a class above his rivals in taking out the Furphy Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
While the horse is still a work in progress, Waller can see him developing into a high-class galloper as he learns his craft.
"He's still got a few things to work out, he lays in and mucks around a little bit," Waller said.
"But I think that's the sign of a pretty good horse, when they can get there, do those things and still pick up and win with 60 kilos.
"I think he will win a really good race if we place him right, keep our cool and not get too far ahead of ourselves."
Waller will consult Waterford's owners before making a final decision but says the horse is likely to go to the paddock with a view to a Sydney autumn carnival campaign.
"The Gong would be perfect, but the autumn comes around really quickly and we want to have a proper tilt at that," he said.
Waterford's only unplaced run came in the Silver Eagle last start when he was luckless, and while that cost him a chance of getting a start in Saturday's $10 million Golden Eagle, Waller was philosophical.
"He had no luck last start and that was a qualifying race and we missed the boat," he said.
"But he's a very exciting horse, that's the best thing about Australian racing, we have so many good prizemoney races nearly every week of the year."
Markwell's death casts pall over Eagle day
While there was a party atmosphere for many in the crowd at the Golden Eagle day meeting, the mood was more sombre among trainers and jockeys following the death of Gwenda Markwell.
The popular Kembla Grange trainer, who was only 61, lost her battle with cancer overnight on Friday.
A renowned horsewoman, Markwell trained over 1000 winners including the 2004 Group 1 The BMW with Grand Zulu and the 2019 ATC Australian Derby with Angel Of Truth.
Two horses competed in her name on Saturday, Main Stage and Burning Need and while neither managed to get the win, her stable foreman Nigil Mohanan said she would have wanted them to run.
"Horses have always come first for Gwenda, the worst thing we could do was scratch them," Mohanan told Racing NSW.
Jockeys, including Burning Need's rider Frankie Dettori, wore black armbands in the final race as a mark of respect.
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'Landys also paid tribute to Markwell, describing her as one of racing's quiet achievers.
"She won some of our biggest races, including the Australian Derby, but was the ultimate quiet achiever and a hands-on trainer who worked diligently with a minimum of fuss," V'Landys said.
"Gwenda leaves a huge void, especially at her beloved Kembla Grange, and will be sorely missed."
Team Hawkes celebrate Rosehill double
Pale King has been a source of frustration for co-trainer Michael Hawkes but he put his best foot forward at Rosehill to give the stable the first leg of a race-to-race double.
After winning his first two Australian starts at Kembla Grange and Sandown, Pale King had struggled to find his groove, his form compounded by the spate of wet tracks in Sydney this year.
But on an overdue good surface at Rosehill, the gelding got the better of Pink Ivory to land his first Sydney metropolitan win in Saturday's Precise Air Handicap (1900m).
"He's been a work in progress," Hawkes said.
"Last start at Randwick was probably just too heavy for him.
"Today I said to (jockey) Tommy (Berry) before the race, I really believe he's a genuine top three, top four (chance).
"But that was being conservative and if he did everything right, it's a race he could win."
Lightly raced four-year-old Mars Mission gave Team Hawkes a running double with a gallant performance to take out the New TAB App Handicap (1100m).
"Today was his day," Hawkes said.
"Getting back on these good tracks, it's amazing the difference in horses.
"He's still a work in progress….I think in 12 months time you will really see a proper horse."
Mars Mission ($4.20) had three-quarters of a length to spare over Classy Jaybee ($9) with Nikohli Beagle ($12) nabbing third, another half-length away.
Quote Of The Day: ""I always say it's not how you win them, it's how you celebrate them. I'm gonna be nice and bloody pissed after this one." – jockey Luke Nolen after winning the Golden Eagle on I Wish I Win.
