3 minute read
Chris Scholtz reviews racing around Australia on August 26
THE STARS
PARIAH: Always good to see a high class youngster come back in top form as a 3YO. Adds to what is looking a strong crop of colts for the spring..@blake_shinn produces an absolute gem of a ride aboard Pariah to win the G3 San Domenico Stakes for @SnowdenRacing1. pic.twitter.com/v1bhdqSQUO
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 26, 2017
RAQUEL CLARK: Has really hit form in Adelaide with a fine treble at Morphettville. Doubt she will be in a rush to return to Tasmania.
MATT McGILLIVRAY: Fast emerging as a force in the Queensland riding ranks. Dominated the Gold Coast meeting with three wins.BJORN BAKER: Keeps producing talented young gallopers. A classy Rosehill double with Addictive Nature and Bonny O’Reilly.
JOHN THOMPSON: The quiet achiever knows his horses. Has done a fine job wining five straight with Special Missile due to his astute placement of the horse.He's a beauty! The @JTRacingRwik-trained Special Missile makes it five straight wins with a soft win in R8 at #Rosehill. pic.twitter.com/ULZwvCuP5s
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 26, 2017
• "In all seriousness he had 61 kilos and was thrown into this race being a quality handicap, so you like to see him running a nice race.” – Nick Williams sums up the return of Melbourne Cup winer Almandin at Moonee Valey.
• "With these older horses you keep them going most the time with little breaks along the way. They don't go to the paddock in the traditional sense." – An insight into the Team Williams methods from Nick Williams.• "If she won a nice Group race in the next few weeks she might get a spot and she does go well at Randwick." – Robbie Laing’s thoughts on The Everest for Missrock.
• "Going through the field the barometer was which one of these could run second in a Goodwood - there wasn't many of them.”- Laing’s view of Missrock’s Carlyon Stakes opponents.• “He's another colt that will go off to stud - that's what it's all about for them." - Wayne Hawkes after Overshare’s McKenize Stakes win for Spendthrift Farm.
• “She's a very special mare to me. She has won eight from 12 now." – Bjorn Baker’s admiration for his fine mare Bonny O’Reilly."She's a little darling!" Bonny O'Reilly caps off a great day for @BBakerRacing at #Rosehill. pic.twitter.com/o0EFRt2kfz
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 26, 2017
• "I was here with Lion Tamer and he went on to very good things. I'd like to think this guy is the same sort of calibre. He's still doing things a little bit upside down but he's got untapped potential" - Recollections and comparisons by Bjorn Baker after Addictive Nature’s win in the Ming Dynasty.
• “We will concentrate on the Run To The Rose and the Golden Rose. Anything else comes after that.” Peter Snowden focus for San Domenico winner Pariah.• "After sitting on the lounge watching him win four in a row I thought I better send him a message and let him know that I'm here." – how apprentice Blaike McDougall spoke up to get the ride on Special Missile from his boss John Thompson.
• “Eleven out of 10 to the kid. He didn't panic and rode with a lot of confidence. He has ridden the horse every day so he deserved the ride and it was good to see him get the job done." – John Thompson compliments McDougall’s winning ride.• "He's a real little gutsy bugger that gives his all every time he goes around. You can't install that in horses - it'll take him a long way." – More of Thompson on Special Missile’s future.
• “This is a good horse - he really likes to get out and go.” - Gold Coast trainer Toby Edmonds on his promising 3YOP WhypeeoSIN BIN
HEATHERLY: Sure she was brave but those barrier antics remain a big worry.CRAIG WILLIAMS: So hot and cold. Frigid again on Charlevoix!
SIR BACCHUS: He’s been too costly. To spell after pulling up lame.RIDE OF THE DAY
BLAKE SHINN: One out of the box on Pariah. It could have been ugly from a difficult gate but his tactical ride was a pearler."At the top of the straight I was very confident." Hear from @blake_shinn after his brilliant ride aboard Pariah in the San Domenico. pic.twitter.com/ZfRDFCIspG
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 26, 2017
TALKING POINT
The 3YOS - COLTS v THE FILLIES: Is the pendulum shifting back to the colts as we head into the spring. The 2YO fillies had a great time last season but this looks a very strong crop of colts from what we have seen in recent weeks – Menari, Pariah, Addictive Nature, Overshare, Chauffeur to name a few – with plenty more to come. The likes of She Will Reign, Houtzen, Catchy and Tulip are on notice.BLACKBOOK
AWOKE: Asked to do too much under big weight. Forgive run.MARSUPIAL: Hard to beat against his own age.
MAHALANGUR: Wil make his mark over more ground.CHAUFFEUR: Always promised to be better as a 3YO. Looks on track.
NO DOUBT: Going well. Ready to step up in distance.ALMANDIN: Big return by the Cup winner.
SUNQUEST: maiden status in quick time.BOOM TIME: Certain to benefit from good first-up effort.