Well-fancied flops and excuses from Saturday's racing
Horses to forgive and forget from racing at Randwick and Caulfield on Saturday, April 18.
READ: Saturday racing in review
FORGIVE
Foxie La Belle (Randwick R1 - 1200m)
The mare was heavily supported in the Highway, firming from $26 into $7. Unfortunately for her backers she didn't get the breaks in the straight after jumping from the inside barrier, getting held-up from the 400m-150m before finishing midfield behind Fender. She's due for a change of luck.
Trumbull (Randwick 2 - 1200m)FENDER takes out the first at @royalrandwick.
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 18, 2020
3 from 3 for the 3yo. pic.twitter.com/Y6KYGQMKIV
He put in an uncharacteristic performance the start prior, but his run on Saturday can certainly be forgiven. Jumping from the outside stall, James McDonald rode for a bit of luck which wasn't forthcoming. He was pushed even wider by Jen Rules near the 700m and became fired-up. Given the circumstances, his effort to finish 4L off the winner was sound. Look for him to bounce back if he can draw a gate.
Miss Invincible (Randwick R2 - 1200m)
The Bjorn Baker-trained mare began well from a wide gate, but Tim Clark elected not to contest for the lead. She was then left posted wide throughout and was inclined to over-race and hung out through the run. She did fade badly in the straight, but wouldn't be sacking her off that performance. She'd trialled well heading into her return.
Mirra Vision (Randwick R3 - 1400m)SNITZ wins in style at Randwick@nashhot | @mattydunnracing pic.twitter.com/nhlUGnjegC
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 18, 2020
Her performance in the G3 JHB Carr Stakes was disappointing on face value, but she never really got a crack at it in the straight. She had the back of Rocha Clock, who faded badly at the 200m. McEvoy had nowhere to go and in the end only beat the one runner home. Whether she was travelling strongly enough to have been a factor is debatable, but she's worth another chance.
Yulong Prince (Randwick R6 - 2000m)
The draw killed him in the JRA Plate and he ended up racing wide without cover towards the tail of the field. He found the line quite well considering his run in transit, passing a few in the straight to finish seventh, 3.4L off Life Less Ordinary.
Pippie (Caulfield R3 - 1200m)Life Less Ordinary pips Greysful Glamour in the JRA Plate.@cwallerracing pic.twitter.com/y7QcaKCxNS
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 18, 2020
The speedy mare began well to lead fairly comfortably but was under pressure from the 250m before fading out of it over the final 100m to finish sixth, 3.85L off winner Vainstream. Ben Melham reported to stewards that she had raced flat and a post-race vet examination revealed a slow recovery. She'll now head for a spell.
Vainstream!
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 18, 2020
Oh dear... Pippie. pic.twitter.com/k1ZLbHks1s
FORGET (SACK)
Pancho (Randwick R4 - 2000m)
He finished his spring campaign with a win over Russian Camelot over the Flemington carnival, but it has been a forgettable autumn for the Dissident gelding. His first-up run behind Brandenburg in the Hobartville was solid, finishing fourth, beaten less than 2L, but he hasn't got anywhere near it in his three subsequent starts.
Danceteria (Randwick R6 - 2000m)
Expectations were high with this galloper when he arrived in Australia last spring, but he hasn't fired a shot. The jury had been out on his performances this campaign prior to Saturday due to the fact he'd struck wet tracks at his past two outings, but he was entitled to do much more in the G3 JRA Plate. Yes he had to carry top weight of 59.5kg, but he was unable to make any impression in the straight, beating just the two runners home.
Kubrick (Caulfield R5 - 2000m)
Just in case anyone missed his appearance in the sack file a fortnight back. He bungled the start and missed the kick by 10L so stewards slapped him with a suspension from racing and he'll have to appease the officials at the jump-outs or trials before we see him again.
So Si Bon!!!!
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 18, 2020
Huge win after a 251 day drought. pic.twitter.com/UxKMmCYPhR
JURY'S OUT
Santa Ana Lane (Randwick R7 - 1400m)
His previous run in the TJ had been good, running second to Nature Strip, but he was flat in the All Aged, finishing sixth, 3.5L off Tofane. Perhaps he wasn't suited stepping out to 1400m, the first time he'd gone beyond 1200m since the Stradbroke in 2018. The seven-year-old is in the veteran class now with 40 career starts and performances like Saturday's invariably raise questions about the 'R' word.
Deprive (Randwick R8 - 1200m)TOFANE NUDGES OUT PIERATA TO WIN THE G1 ALL AGED STAKES pic.twitter.com/m2CCJqaeSA
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 18, 2020
He did race wide in the Hall Mark Stakes, but the stewards footage showed that he had cover from stablemate Trekking for much of the run. Trekking, meanwhile, raced without cover and still managed to sprint in the straight to finish second while Deprive failed to display his turn of foot, finishing back in sixth.
Eduardo (Caulfield R7 - 1100m)GREYWORM defeats Trekking in the Hall Mark Stakes. pic.twitter.com/oM3FzywqbY
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 18, 2020
Eduardo began well from a wide draw and was able to slot in just behind From Within and Runson. He was under pressure early in the straight and finished back 13th. Jockey Brian Park reported his mount over raced early, which was detrimental to its chances. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormality. The other two up on the speed also faded, so no doubt they over did it up on the speed, but would have liked to have seen him stick on for longer.
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