3 minute read

Brenton Le Grand looks back on the ten-race program at Royal Randwick and brings you the talking points of the undercard.

Eye Pea Oh dives late for Midway win 

It took a well-timed ride from Jason Collett but the Richard and Will Richard and Will Freedman-trained Eye Pea Oh ($4.20) did enough to claim the Midway and her first victory for over 14 months. 

The daughter of Capitalist settled mid-field one-off the fence before being squeezed through runners late to overhaul Cecil Street Lad ($11) by a short neck. Vindication ($7.50) grinded home for third a half head back. 

After inclining to pull in the initial stages, co-trainer Richard Freedman wasn't always confident during the run. 

"Thankfully we did get a little bit (of luck)," Freedman said.

"She was fighting the rider there for a little bit. I thought he was going to run into a couple of dead ends. 

"There were a couple of moments there where I was going like this (hands covering face)." 

After riding her in a previous trial jockey Collett believes there's more in store for the five-year-old. 

"She was lovely and relaxed today. From what I can tell she can be on the higher strung side," Collett said. 

"I was pretty happy with the way she went to the start and the way she handled it. You'd like to think it's a good sign for a mare that's racing well." 

Marnix returns in good order 

He hadn't been seen at the races for 241 days and Written Tycoon gelding Marnix ($41) has bounced back from injury in impressive fashion. 

After settling second-last in the early running, the six-year-old weaved through runners down the famous Randwick straight with hoop Rachel King eventually landing on the rail and nabbing Dollar Magic ($5EF) by a long head on the line. Another equal-favourite Pioneer River ($5EF) was a further half length back in third place. 

Trainer Richard Litt was surprised with how his campaigner had returned, admitting he wasn't confident of a first-up victory. 

"I wasn't expecting that. He's been off such a long time from an injury and it's wonderful to see him back," Litt said. 

"That wasn't in the plan to win today, so I'll have to have a look around and see where we go from here. 

"It's just wonderful to get him back. Saturday winners for my stable are huge, they are like Group 1's to us small trainers." 

Rider King was aware of her mount's long lay-off and was able to look after him during the run.

"I just wanted to cuddle him a little bit in the first half. He was first-up for a little while and I let him finish off," King said. 

"They were all cluttered up at the top of the straight, there wasn't many options.

 "I went back towards the inside and saw a big opening. Once he found that fence he actually really found again and I think it helped him get home." 

Williams takes another Highway 

He only has 20 horses under his care but Goulburn-based trainer Danny Williams has won yet another Highway with his lightly-raced gelding Bandi's Boy ($9). 

The son of The Brothers War brought up his second win from five starts by three quarters of a length over Super Extreme ($21) with Sumptuary ($10) a similar margin back in third position. 

Jockey Jay Ford had been on board for all three trials leading up to the first-up run at Rosehill three weeks ago and believes he has bigger aspirations now that he has returned from a long time off with injury. 

"He's a horse that Danny has always had a lot of time for and justified in his first prep, Danny started him in some rich two-year-old races," Ford said. 

"The other day he resumed, he went really good off a year break. He began a bit better today and was able to capitalise on his draw. 

"I think he's a bit better than Highway (grade)." 

Trainer Williams was also hopeful of further improvement and will look to back him up in the Highway next weekend. 

"The penny hasn't dropped with him, that was a lot more encouraging," Williams said. 

"He is starting to put it together, he is a work in progress. 

"We thought he could run much better at Rosehill last start, obviously his mannerisms are against him. 

"Today was an encouraging run when we see him do everything right." 

Mumbai Muse salutes in the Brian Crowley

She had put the writing on the wall with placings at Group 2 and 3 level and the Michael Freedman-conditioned Mumbai Muse ($3.20F) has finally broken through for a well-deserved win in the Listed Brian Crowley. 

The only filly in the race, the Zoustar progeny was too strong for a brave General Salute ($8) by one length with early leader Keenan ($4.80) clinging on to third a half length back. 

Perfectly placed by Freedman, he was grateful to finally shed the maiden tag. 

"It was nice to make the decision to come back a grade to a race like this from she'd been racing in and get it done," Freedman said. 

"It's always good to knock your maiden off, but doing it in a Listed race is even better." 

Winning rider Tommy Berry has only been back in the saddle for a few weeks after returning from a lengthy suspension and had some work to do to get down to the filly's light weight. 

"I feel great, but I've taken a little while to get there (54.5kgs)," Berry said. 

"This is the first time I've done it since I've been back a month as of now. 

"It's something I haven't wanted to rush and I'm glad I haven't because I feel so good now."

Quote of the day: "He wasn't very happy with me afterwards, but he left a gap so I took it." - Rachel King winning on Marnix after squeezing through on the inside of Reece Jones aboard Dollar Magic.