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Saturday Post Mortem with Chris Scholtz

by Chris Scholtz , 6 years ago

3 minute read

Chris Scholtz reviews racing around Australia on January 27.

THE STARS

LANCIATO/MARK NEWNHAM: Mark Newnham’s training and placement of this horse since he joined his stable in Sydney has been superb. Rightfully has autumn aspirations after another impressive win.

DARREN KOLPIN: Former jockey turned country track manager and trainer comes up trumps with his first Melbourne winner and first Caulfield starter when Jester Halo lands the most confident betting move of the day. The ride by Christine Puls was first class.

MOST IMPORTANT: Full credit to Tony Gollan for keeping this classy performer in top form. Not easy to carry 59.5kg over the 1400m at the Sunshine Coast when conceding between 2kg and 5kg to his rivals.

MICHELLE FLEMING: Overwhelmed when The Lion roared home under Chris O’Brien at Rosehill to give the Tamworth trainer a Sydney win with her first metropolitan starter. Fleming has only seven horses in work and made it three wins in three days after a double at Tamworth last Thursday.

GLEN COLLESS: Flew under the radar to land a treble at the Gold Coast with some superbly timed rides. Some suggested he had turned back the clock.

NICK OLIVE: Déjà vu for the top Canberra trainer when Sizzling Belle had too much speed for her city rivals at Rosehill. She is a spit for stable star Single Gaze, a mare who also started her super career with a similar Rosehill win as a 2YO.

DARREN WEIR: Followed up four wins at Moonee Valley on Friday night with doubles at Caulfield and Morphettville. The juggernaut rolls on…..

BOUQUETS AND BRICKBATS

TSHAHITSI: Tough front runner gave the Tasmanian team of trainers Imogen Miler and Chris Crook and jockey Brendan McCoull a popular win at Caulfield.

SEIGE OF QUEBEC: Doubt jockey Brenton Avdulla would want this Rosehill ride over again but the class of this 3YO was evident when he got off the canvas for a gutsy win.

MORTON’S FORK: Really found his form at Caulfield with a positive change in tactics. Seems he is a better horse in Melbourne.

LONG LEAF: Best of the Blue Diamond Preview winners at Caulfield to remain unbeaten but it’s still a long way through to the big race next month. Oohood was a standout in the fillies division.

LUKE CURRIE: It was painful to watch his efforts on Oohood after getting into a hopeless position between the 600m and 300m. Copped an 11-meeting suspension as well.

TIFFANY BROOKER/DARREL HANSEN: Teamed for a double at the Sunshine Coast with Brooker stealing both races with well-judged front running rides.

BLAKE SHINN/JAY FORD: They must have thought there was a prize for leading in the Highway at Rosehill. Left their mounts out of gas after they duelled for the lead for the first 800m.

LEE MARGORIAN: Copped a heavy fine for overuse of the whip on Lofty’s Menu after he was narrowly beaten. Stewards considered lodging a whip protest – might have been different if the horse had won!

EMPEROR’S WAY: Lot to like about the way this improving stayer is going through the classes. Confident ride from Glyn Schofield.

RIDE OF THE DAY

Brenton Avdulla had it in the bag after his desperate effort to get the money on Siege Of Quebec but then along came RACHEL KING with a pearler of a ride on Lanciato, dodging and weaving the traffic for a perfectly timed win in the Carrington Stakes.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

• “That’s the best he’s ridden for two years!” – Racecaller Steve Hawkins’s passes judgement on some super riding by Glen Colless to win three races at the Gold Coast. Seems a bit harsh Hawkeye!

THEY SAID IT

• “It was a heartstopper. He always gives you heartache but when he does switch on he’s quite electrifying.’’ - Siege Of Quebec’s co-trainer Adrian Bott.

• “There were half runs appearing in front of me and I didn’t want to be poking into spaces where there wasn’t runs. I just pulled him out and let him go, and once I got him out he has a serious turn of foot.’’ – Lanciato’s rider Rachel King.

• “There’s a bit of 'wow' about his turn of foot. It took us a while to figure him out but I think we have the key to him now. He loves 1400 metres and he loves these dry tracks.” – Lanciato’s trainer Mark Newnham.

• "He never lets you down. He's one of those rare horses that just gives you his all every time." – Tshahitsi’s rider Brendan McCoull.

• "He's a ripper. He wasn't going to let that other horse get to him. He just sticks his little head out and off he goes. He's so tough." – Tshahitsi’s co-trainer Imogen Miller.

• "I've never even been to the races in Sydney before let alone had a runner. I can’t believe it, I’m very emotional and it’s very exciting.” – country trainer Michelle Fleming after her first Sydney win with The Lion.

• "When he started to sweat up we knew he was ready to go. He needs to be a bit messy to be switched on. He has been wonderful for us and a real flag bearer in Queensland.” – Most Important’s part-owner Linda Huddy.

• “I was sick of running second but it was our turn today - all we needed was a barrier draw. Christine rode her a treat - it's awesome." – Jester Halo’s trainer Darren Kolpin.

THE SACK FILE

NEW UNIVERSE: Has run out of chances.

PRIORITISE: No more excuses. Money muncher.

BLACKBOOK

OUTRAGEOUS: Smart 2YO. Definitely has a future.

LOFTY’S MENU: Hard to beat with weight relief in right class.

PRIZED ICON: New stable would be thrilled by his comeback.

ROYAL RAPTURE: Nice effort first-up. One for the Weir watchers.

PINCH PASSION: Certain to be fitter for this effort.

UMBERTO: Found the line first-up. One to follow in the Brisbane classes.


Racing and Sports

tags

NEW UNIVERSE PRIORITISE Outrageous LOFTY’S MENU PRIZED ICON ROYAL RAPTURE PINCH PASSION UMBERTO

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