3 minute read

Many a starting point for a spring 3yos campaign comes in the San Domenico Stks.

G1 winners, stallion prospects or brilliantly bred fillies have taken out this race, a speed test which has been dominated in recent seasons by the fillies. Check out other winners of a sprint which came back to Randwick after running once at Rosehill because of World Youth Day.

• 2006 – GOLD EDITION 3f (Lion Hunter x Glimmers) ($6)

Jockey: Glenn Lynch, Trainer: Ron Maund

Barrier: 6, Weight: 55.5kg

Gross Time: 59.41, 600m Sectional: 36.05

Margin: 1.0L, Track: Slow, Starters: 15

2nd: My Middi (54.0kg), 3rd: Astounded (54.0kg)

Timeform Rating: 112

Gold Edition certainly was the iron lady and in this race she was where she liked to be – back at the track and kicking the boys headlights in. Having the 13th run by the start of her 3yo year, the grey filly wasn't quite able to take up her usual dominating position at the front of proceedings but on straightening there was not a moment's concern as she exploded away at the 300m mark. The chasing pack made a little late ground but that hardly matters. At the time the field looked a substandard lot, but in hindsight, not only was Goldy there but Wonderful World (Caulfield Guineas), Casino Prince (Chipping Norton) & Court Command (Golden Rose) all won high quality races within 18 months. She would herself win the first running of the G1 Ascot Vale four runs later.

• 2007 – SLIDING CUBE 3f (Rock of Gibraltar x Shantha's Choice) ($3.75 fav)

Jockey: Blake Shinn, Trainer: Gai Waterhouse

Barrier: 2, Weight: 54.0kg

Gross Time: 58.30, 600m Sectional: 35.59

Margin: 0.2L, Track: Dead, Starters: 7

2nd: Mimi Lebrock (53.0kg), 3rd: Moonboat (52.0kg)

Timeform Rating: 114

Sliding Cube had a head start in life before putting this race on her resume. She was a three quarter sister to the champion stallion Redoute's Choice and is trained by Gai Waterhouse. Things were definitely in her favour. But her ability to race on the speed as Tulloch Lodge likes them would help her earn that important black type status for her owners as well. Blake Shinn used the inside gate to hold out other speed runners but there wasn't a lot left when other fillies in the race including Magic Millions winner Mimi Lebrock rattled home late. In fact the ladies filled the first four over the line. She would only go to the races four more times without success but she'd done what was needed given her bloodlines and can now enjoy the 'life of luxury' in the breeding barn.

• 2008 – DUPORTH 3c (Red Ransom x Staging) ($6.50)

Jockey: Hugh Bowman, Trainer: Anthony Cummings

Barrier: 1, Weight: 54.0kg

Gross Time: 1:04.29, 600m Sectional: 34.78 (Rosehill)

Margin: 0.8L, Track: Dead, Starters: 7

2nd: Whitefriars (54.0kg), 3rd: Atomic Force (54.0kg)

Timeform Rating: 115

Much like the previous winner, this bloke was regally bred. Being the half to G1 winner Excites (the Redoute's half bro Tickets was to come later), big race wins were needed. He'd definitely shown there was potential in him with two nice runs in a first prep which were in the Pago Pago and Sires Produce. From the inside gate Hugh Bowman was happy to let the speedsters go and in a race transferred to Rosehill he sat back 5th in a field of 7. As it turned out it wasn't a hot field which probably allowed him to come from behind but he got late splits and powered away. The Golden Rose win was highly profitable for the owners but the next six runs were so so, acknowledging that they were mostly at G1 level. However he got the warmth on his back in Brisbane and secured the critical status winning the BTC Cup in the last stride over Bank Robber and Apache Cat.

• 2009 – SHELLSCRAPE 3c (Dane Shadow x Kisma) ($7.50)

Jockey: Hugh Bowman, Trainer: Chris Waller

Barrier: 5, Weight: 56.0kg

Gross Time: 58.13, 600m Sectional: 35.13

Margin: 1L, Track: Dead, Starters: 11

2nd: Sniplaz (55.0kg), 3rd: Kiss Me Katy (54.0kg)

Timeform Rating: 111

This was very much a race dominated by residual fitness. With Queenslanders running so well in the race over the years and a horse off a late winter preparation, it was no surprise they filled the placings. Shellscrape had won well twice in Brisbane, including beating Carrara. He had a trial off seven weeks off. They were bunched out of the gates but Bowman was happy to sit three wide all the way given hit fitness edge. He joined in at the 200m and despite carrying the top weight after penalty, and no support in the ring, he was able to hold off the fast finishing maroons. He'd keep on going to win the Roman Consul and was unluckily placed in the G1 on Derby day at Flemington. That G1 form would continue in the Autumn albeit having to take on older horses at each start.

• 2010 – OBSEQUIOUS 3f (Lonhro x Sycophant) ($9)

Jockey: Tim Clark, Trainer: Peter Snowden

Barrier: 1, Weight: 52.0kg

Gross Time: 59.31, 600m Sectional: 35.64

Margin: 1L, Track: Slow, Starters: 7

2nd: Solar Charged (52.0kg), 3rd: Decision Time (56.0kg)

Timeform Rating: 112

Peter Snowden often comes up with a decent youngster given the pool of resources at his disposal. Obsequious had run 8th in the Golden Slipper off a 2nd in the Reisling so you knew she had ability. After a winning trial she found a wet track at Randwick – what a surprise. Most thought Solar Charged would rattle along in front but she was held back to them and so contested the lead with Decision Time and the winner. When the field came wide, Tim Clark simply took inside runs and with the fillies fighting it out, she came clear. Her last three campaigns have been successful first up so maybe that is her lot in life.

RACE PROFILE

o Been a very good race to draw inside at the Randwick 1000m, especially the speed machines.

o Favourites have not had a good recent run with Sliding Cube the only one since 2002.

o Last 10 Years Winningest Barrier Range <1-4> - 6 times

o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner – $10.30

o Breakdown of winners – 2 geldings, 5 fillies & 3 colts

o Last 10 Years Magic Night Stks / San Domenico Stks double – Gold Edition ('06), Media ('05)

o Last 10 Years Breeders Plate / San Domenico Stks double – Charge Forward ('03/04), Mistegic ('00/01)

o Last 10 Years Keith Mackay Stks / San Domenico Stks double – Sliding Cube ('07)

o Last 10 Years Todman Stks / San Domenico Stks double – Charge Forward ('04)

o Last 10 Years Magic Millions / San Domenico Stks double – Regimental Gal ('03)

o Last 10 Years Aust Post Stks / San Domenico Stks double – Shellscrape ('09)

SUMMARY & SELECTIONS

Sometimes the San Domenico comes up with small fields due to the fact it is very early in the 3yo season but with the Golden Rose now run later in a month's time, it seems strange more wouldn't kick off here.

All the field comes out of Autumn or Winter group racing with a couple even getting to the Slipper.

Unless she has learned to settle a touch better during her break, Karuta Queen should be carving them along with Defiant Dame brought over and Hollyweird tagging them.

If he has developed as a 3yo, Foxwedge would only have to bring the third in the Todman Stks to this race and win. That was the definitive 2yo form and contained (or obtusely could have contained in Smart Missile's case) the Slipper winner in it.

He's won twice first up and was such a lovely type that progression is likely without being a given. Two trial wins show he's at least happy in his work.

Peter Snowden was a player in this race last year and coming off his extraordinary 2yo season, any sort of luck will see him following that up in their classic year.

It's not a certainty at all but he would have had choices for all of them and chose Anise to kick off in this. She's had the trial close up and was beaten by Foxwedge in a race at Warwick Farm back in March.

Maybe they found out how to ride her in the Kindergarten, getting back and running on.

The David Payne team are going well and off two successful hit outs prior to running, Defiant Dame certainly had the ability. A touch of rain would be better but upsets happen.

Selection: (2) FOXWEDGE

Hardest to Beat: (3) ANISE

Best Roughie: (5) DEFIANT DAME