3 minute read
Mandy Cottell and Brenton Le Grand look back on the 10-race program at Rosehill Gardens and bring you the talking points of the undercard.
Confidence is key for Karakatsanis
He had experienced an unlucky run of outs, but the Con Karakatsanis-prepared Black Duke ($5) has now made it two on the bounce by taking out the Midway Handicap in the opening contest.
After settling in the back half of the field in the early stages, the son of Fiorente proved too strong for race favourite Treize ($3.70F) by three-quarters of a length on the line with Pharoah's Reign ($12) a further long head back in third place.
It was the first Saturday metropolitan winner in 18 months for Karakatsanis, and he explained the horse had endured a frustrating preparation up until his last start victory.
"We like to have a bit of fun, we don't get many opportunities to race horses in town on a Saturday," Karakatsanis said.
"This horse is really in form now, so that Wyong win was super and he's backed it up again.
"Every run I've had him this prep the confidence is building. He's been unlucky and then he got that nice peach of a ride by Zac (Wadick) last start, so he's built on that."
Winning hoop Reece Jones was grateful to jump back onto a last-start winner.
"He's been racing well, he's found a nice little pattern of form at the moment coming off a confidence boosting win at Wyong last start," Jones said.
"I kind of thought I was going to get there a little bit early, but he was good through the line today."
McDonald racing the clock for HK trip
James Mcdonald intends to fulfill his engagements in Hong Kong on Sunday, despite being stood down from his final five rides at Rosehill due to a foot injury.
Sydney's leading rider, McDonald hurt his left foot when he was dislodged from Godolphin filly Celerity behind the starting stalls prior to the Widden Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill.
He remounted and the filly was loaded into the gates, only to play up again and jam his sore foot against the side of the stall.
Celerity was a late scratching and after being examined by Racing NSW's on-course medical officer, McDonald was as well, stood down from his remaining rides.
The star hoop is due to travel to Hong Kong overnight for five rides at Sha Tin on Sunday, highlighted by Howdeepisyourlove in the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m).
A subsequent statement released by the Hong Kong Jockey Club indicated McDonald still hopes to make the trip.
"Pending any further developments, jockey McDonald intends travelling to Hong Kong tonight and will be examined by the club's chief medical officer upon his arrival at Sha Tin on Sunday (4 February) to assess his condition," the HKJC statement said.
Estadio Mestalla salutes on the quick back-up
He's made a habit of successfully backing up horses within the week and in-form trainer Joseph Pride has done it again with his five-year-old Estadio Mestalla ($2.90F).
After resuming with a respectable fourth at Rosehill on January 13, the son of Galileo Gold had two weeks in between runs before a sound second at Randwick last weekend.
No less than seven days later, he has broken through at just his third run for his new stable.
The Irish import was abe to sit on speed and proved too dour for Robusto ($3.30), scoring by a short neck with Victorian raider So Risque ($5.50) only a half-neck further back in a stirring go.
When quizzed about his success when he applied the seven-day turnaround, Pride was keeping mum.
"I can't tell you that, otherwise everyone will be doing it wouldn't they?' Pride quipped.
"It's an under-utilised tool in training. It's what you do with them in the week in between as well.
"You've got to back up the right horses and he was the right one today."
As to what's next for Estadio Mestalla, Pride was wary of what today's effort could take out of him.
"Normally when a horse is on a back-up, they give you that peak performance and then maybe run a bit flat for the next start," he said.
"So it will be a matter of assessing him over the next seven days or so."
Diamond goal for Canonbury runner-up
Fearless had to play second fiddle to speedy Tulloch Lodge colt Prost in the Canonbury Stakes on Saturday, but he will get the chance to have his moment in the sun.
After settling back in the field, Fearless finished his race off stylishly to get within a half-length of Prost on the line, with the winner running a class record time.
James Harron, managing owner of Fearless, said the colt was now likely to join trainers Peter and Paul Snowden's team for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 24.
The Canonbury was the colt's second start after he also did his best work late when fourth to the Harron-owned Espionage in the Breeders' Plate and Harron felt the youngster was looking for more ground.
"It was a lovely return," Harron said.
"We will look at the Blue Diamond with Fearless, he needs 1200 metres."
Trainer James Cummings was likewise satisfied with the performance of Canonbury Stakes third placegetter Traffic Warden , who conceded three kilos to his rivals and struggled to find clear galloping room for most of the straight.
The Godolphin youngster could also find himself on a Blue Diamond path.
"Traffic Warden ran well in restricted room," Cummings said.
"He has won at Caulfield and we might still look to take him to Melbourne for the Blue Diamond."
Quote of the Day: "Their two-year-olds are airborne at the moment. It makes our job a lot easier when you're getting legged onto these jets every week and you've just got to point them." – jockey Tim Clark after partnering the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Prost to victory in the Canonbury Stakes.
