3 minute read
Brenton Le Grand looks back on the ten-race program at Rosehill Gardens and brings you the talking points of the undercard.
Consistent mare cracks another Highway
She had hit the top five in 13 of her past 14 outings and the Wayne Wilkes-trained mare Chase My Crown ($6) produced another honest performance to take out the opening race of the card.
Given a well-rated steer by 3kg claiming apprentice Jett Stanley from gate two, the daughter of Hallowed Crown was too strong for Amarantz ($18) by one length on the line with Nickelback ($6.50) a further half-length back in third.
Wilkes was enamoured with his mare's consistency and her ability to maintain her level of form over such a long period.
"She's going great, I think that's her eleventh start this preparation and probably nine of them have been in a Highway," Wilkes said.
"She's just holding up terrific, she's loving it at the minute."
Jockey Stanley was pleased to get a win on the board and had a patient wait with his only other ride for the day coming in the last race.
"I've got two rides today, in the first and the last. Long day, but hopefully it's all worth it," Stanley said.
Stanley narrowly missed out on making it two for two on the day with his mount Kayobi just running into one better in the final event.
Felix Majestic goes back to back in the Midway
He's a galloper that showed plenty of talent early in his career and the Gary Nickson-prepared Felix Majestic ($4F) has now put two on end for the Warwick Farm-based trainer.
After lobbing into a perfect position outside the leader from gate six for rider Jason Collett, the four-year-old put them to the sword over the concluding stages to defeat Satness ($15) by 1-1/4 lengths. Miss Couver ($8.50) made up steady ground late but was a further three-quarters of a length away.
Nickson believes his charge has been underrated by some and has had plenty of excuses along the way.
"He's a lot better horse than a lot of people think," Nickson assured.
"His first preparation was enormous. His second prep, we only gave him a few runs, they were heavy tracks and he just wouldn't go an inch on them so he went straight back to the paddock.
"I brought him back for the spring and he's just gone from strength to strength."
Hoop Collett was also of the opinion that his mount had better races in store.
"That was good today to do it over 1400 metres, there's more in him. He's got a good size to him, he can carry weight and when he puts himself on speed it makes my job easy."
Pierossa gets a well-deserved win
She got up to Group 1 level at her last preparation competing in races like the Vinery Stud Stakes and ATC Oaks and Pierossa ($3 fav) showed her class and determination to take out the Acy Securities Handicap for Peter and Paul Snowden.
It took her the length of the straight to overcome a brave Mission Phoenix ($4.80) by a short half head who had attempted to lead for the entirety of the 2000m journey. The consistent Queenmaker ($6) picked up another cheque for connections finishing a length back to round out the podium.
After winning on Unspoken last weekend, another Snowden-trained galloper, jockey Tom Sherry was happy to repay their faith.
"Peter and Paul have been very good to me the last couple of weeks supporting me well, and it's always good to reward them when they've given me the opportunities," Sherry said.
Co-trainer Peter Snowden was grateful they were able to find the right race for the daughter of Pierro.
"Her style of racing, it depends a lot on how the race is run," Snowden said.
"Normally she gets that far back she can't catch them. But today with a steadier pace, she's travelled closer and she's just kept finding something."
Magic Time makes it four from six in The Nivison
Lightly-raced Hellbent mare Magic Time ($2.50F) has only been to the races six times but is already a multiple Group 3 winner taking out the $250,000 The Nivison in dominant fashion for Victorian trainer Grahame Begg.
After leaving the machine quicker than jockey Nash Rawiller expected, the seasoned hoop decided to switch tactics in the run and it proved to be the winning move. The four-year-old held off second favourite Parisal ($3.80) by 1-1/2 lengths with long shot Dalchini ($41) picking up some more black type a further 1-1/4 lengths back in third place.
"It certainly wasn't the plan to be that aggressive early but she lobbed out the gates very quick and once she did that I was able to take advantage of it and cross them," Rawiller said.
"I was actually begging Parisal to go on with it at the half mile but he wanted to slow up too much and I was forced to hold my position. She was very strong, really good effort and certainly a mare with a good future."
Being out of Group 3 winning mare Time Awaits, owner John Muir was surprised that she was still under his name.
"We took her to the Magic Millions sales, no one wanted to buy her," Muir mused.
"So I've had a wonderful arrangement with Grahame Begg over the years, gave her to Grahame and the rest is history."
Quote Of The Day: "She's been quite nicely behaved for me… if you just keep out of her way. She reminds me a little bit of my missus, just keep her happy," - A cheeky Tom Sherry after booting home Pierossa for Peter and Paul Snowden.
