3 minute read

After 532 days everything fell into place for Waihaha Falls as the talented sprinter broke through for what was a highly impressive win at Randwick.

Punter's Intelligence sectional data showed his dominance in the Schweppes Handicap (1400m) clocking 34.73 for his final 600m, which was three lengths faster than anything else in the race.

He needed to be that superior given he settled last and, with a brilliant Tommy Berry ride, saved plenty of ground by weaving through the field and finishing 'over the top' of them. He dashed the 600m-400m in 11.19, the 400m-200m in 11.37 and final 200m in 12.17.

Perhaps it's a sign he's going to prove highly effective at 1400m going forward.

The meeting started on a soft track and there were reports of a headwind early in the day so that would explain why some of the sectionals were a little slower than you'd expect.

So Straight Charge's win in the Drinkwise Plate (1100m) has a bit more merit given how quickly he put the first 300m behind him and still ran the fastest last 200m.

That first 300m was 18.44 and it was over a length faster than the Benchmark 88 sprint over the same trip. He surged clear late with an 11.99 last 200m just under a length quicker than his chasers.

There's a win coming up for the consistent Chris Waller-trained gelding Buillt after his big performance to run into second behind Belleistic Kids who led all the way in the Doyle's Racing & Breeding Handicap (1600m).

He found himself a long way off the lead to the turn and had to sustain a very long run with his sections between the 1000m and 200m the fastest of the race. He's run 34.82 for his last 600m, nearly two lengths faster than any other, and was the only horse to break 12 seconds (11.98) for the last 200m.

It's worth noting Buillt ran a faster section than the previous from that 1000m point to the 200m and his last 200m wasn't significantly slower so he's gone enormous and can win a similar race.

A nice return from Godolphin mare Va Via in the Precise Air Handicap (1100m) in a race that turned into a sprint home, giving the chasers no hope of winning.

She posted 33.67 for her last 600m and a race best 11.67 for her last 200m as she finished fourth behind Noble Soldier. She's yet to win first or second-up so expect her to improve through the prep.

Sixth placed On The Lead clocked the meeting's fastest last 600m of 33.66 so his effort wasn't bad considering how the race was run. It was something of a return for him.

And it'll pay not to be too hard on Waverider Buoy, who started favourite, as she's still run some slick sectionals of 33.91 for her last 600m including the race's best 600m-400m (10.95) and 400m-200m (10.90). She drew wide and went back so forgive her.

A couple more of note:

Royal Invader ran a handy fifth behind Miss Hellfire over 1200m, coming home in 34.73. The winner ran the fastest last 200m but the Maher/Eustace mare was quickest from the 600m-400m (11.34) and 400m-200m (11.16).

Testator Silens didn't get a clear crack at them in the final 200m in the last race but still ran the fastest last 200m of 11.71 as he just missed third.

Fastest last 600m: On The Lead 33.66.

Watch Punter's Intelligence at 7pm on Tuesdays on Sky Thoroughbred Centra.