3 minute read
A snapshot of the Randwick meeting.
Lazzago's win no surprise to stable
Chris Waller outlined the important role played by his track riders after Capitalist filly Lazzago made a winning debut in the opening race at Randwick.
Waller said the feedback received from those who put his team through their paces each morning was fundamental, particularly when it came to identifying which two-year-olds were ready to go to the races.
"We've got some great track riders and they've got an uncanny knack for getting a feel for a horse before they are put under any pressure," Waller said.
"We will get a comment after each gallop and it is a raw opinion they will give you.
"Each comment we were getting with her was, 'this is quite special', or 'worked really well', 'can't wait to go quicker on her because I think she's good'.
"You get that with probably ten per cent of horses early and she is an example."
Lazzago is likely to be given a short break before returning for a shot at some of the autumn two-year-old features.
She is a $26 chance for the Golden Slipper.
McDonald shrugs off shoulder issue
James Mcdonald has bounced back from an injury scare at the Canterbury night meeting to win two of the first three races at Randwick.
McDonald was tossed off Karlstad on the way to the barriers for the sixth event on Friday and was ruled out of the remainder of the night racing program after complaining of soreness to his left shoulder.
But thankfully for McDonald, the issue wasn't severe and he was passed fit to fulfil his book of rides at headquarters on Saturday.
After narrowly missing out on claiming the opener aboard runner-up Snapback, McDonald saluted in the next two races, capturing the Highway Handicap (1400m) on Super Extreme and the Midway Handicap (1200m) on With Your Blessing.
He made it a treble later in the afternoon aboard up-and-coming mare I Am Me.
Trainer Cameron Crockett was particularly delighted to see McDonald rebound so quickly.
Super Extreme downed barn mates Titration and Indicative in the Highway to give the Scone horseman a Sydney first – a trifecta in town.
"It's very rare to have three on the float to go here, let alone get a trifecta," Crockett said
Ausbred earns Summer Cup start
Brad Widdup is enjoying an overseas break with his family, but it hasn't stopped him tuning in to watch Global Ausbred score a deserved win in the NJT Supports Injured And Ill Jockeys Handicap (2000m) at Randwick.
A half-brother to former star Hong Kong galloper Able Friend, Global Ausbred had put the writing on the wall with a first-up fourth to Vilana in the Silver Eagle (1300m) and minor placings at two of his subsequent three runs.
Relishing a return to the expanses of Randwick and a rise to a middle-distance, he notched his fourth career win to earn a shot at the Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick on Boxing Day.
"I think we have to keep him up for that now," Widdup said.
"If he pulls up well, we will give him a go at that race."
Widdup also confirmed stable star and Group 1 winner Icebath was back in work and while she was entered for the All-Star Mile, he was favouring a Sydney campaign.
"I still think she gets in well in a Doncaster and there is also the Queen Of The Turf Stakes," Widdup said.
City win just the beginning for Lekvarte
It might have only been an off-season city race, but Chad Schofield was taken by the performance of Lekvarte in the Yes Yes Yes First Yearlings Handicap (1400m) at Randwick.
Trainer Joe Pride had hoped to get Lekvarte to an Oaks in the autumn before her preparation was thwarted by Sydney's wet tracks.
Enjoying the firm ground on Saturday, the mare zoomed through along the inside to post her first metropolitan win and Schofield doesn't expect it to be her last.
"I cut the corner because I was going so well. She came off the bridle really sharply and had a very good turn of foot," Schofield said.
"It's only an off-season race but she won very well and quite easily.
"She will get a bit further as well and I think she's in for a good prep."
Pride echoed similar sentiments and said he expected Lekvarte to continue through the grades.
"I think now as a four-year-old, being a reliable mare, she will really train on," Pride said.
"That's her first Saturday win but she is still only lightly raced and there is really good upside to her."
Quote of the day: "Lauren, who is a team leader (at my stable), she is actually having a baby today so she might have just had it." – Scone trainer Cameron Crockett after Super Extreme led home a trifecta for the stable in the Highway Handicap.
