Gai and Nash were at it again at Hawkesbury, combining for a double with Samui Lad and More Strawberries, who took out the $150,000 Darley Crown (1300m). The first lady of racing combined with kiwi whiz kid James McDonald to win the Provincial Stayers Final with Reuben Percival. However, Tulloch Lodge failed in the two big races, the $150,000 XXXX Gold Rowley Mile (1600m) and the $150,000 Blacktown Workers Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m).
The Rowley Mile was supposed to be another stroll in the park for Gai and Nash with Fast Clip. However, it was the Cessnock galloper Star Of Octagonal who toughed it out best to win over Western Symbol, a rising star for Waterhouse, who will just about win the Brisbane Cup. Fast Clip stopped badly and looked like a tired horse.
Landing was backed as if unbeatable in the Guineas, being crunched from $1.75 into $1.45. But the boom youngster was caught four and five with no cover and was never going to win. I don’t think the bubble has burst with him yet. Wait until the Spring. After a terrible Sydney Carnival, Peter Snowden had something to smile about when he trained the quinella of the race thanks to Free Wheeling and Pied A Terre.
Race One: Tab Number One Club Handicap 1200m
FORGIVE:
I think they all had their chance.
FORGET:
Fox did miss the start, but she was ordinary after that. Finished second in a quality Listed race last start, you would have expected her to do more.
FOLLOW:
Malavio was the hot tip on track and thanks to a Kathy O’Hara special, the gelding was too good. He is in for a fruitful preparation.
Race Two: Hawkesbury Race Club Motel Inglis Bonus 2YO Handicap 1200m
FORGIVE:
Academus got a long way back and really had no right to finish as close as he did. He will be a very good horse once he races at a mile and beyond.
FORGET:
There was strong mail everywhere for Stay Schtum, but I think he had his chance after having a good trip outside the leader.
FOLLOW:
Full credit to Sam Clipperton for a peach of a ride on Villa Splendido. Hugged the fence and never went around a horse. Brilliant stuff from the rider and horse too because she was there to be beat at the 150m but she showed some ticker.
Race Three: Blakes Marine Handicap (83) 1400m
FORGIVE:
Haut Ton…just. The early work she did took it’s toll at the 300m and she weakened out of it. A forgive run.
FORGET:
Beltane had the perfect run thanks to Parr but he didn’t do a great deal in the run home. Maybe he prefers bigger surroundings.
FOLLOW:
Gai and Nash at it yet again with Samui Lad. Led, walked in front and sprinted clear to record a soft win.
Race Four: Richmond Club Provincial Stayers Championship Final 2250m
FORGIVE:
Regallic did far too much, but he was outclassed against a few of these.
FORGET:
Adroitly. He had the pace on upfront to run on, but again could not attack the line. Sack him for good.
FOLLOW:
Dal Rommel was very unlucky. Got too far back and never got a clear crack at them. Should have finished much closer.
Race Five: The 2012 Darley Crown 1300m
FORGIVE:
Grand Impression was a bit stiff over the concluding stages. With normal luck, she perhaps challenges for fourth. Gary White has got this mare flying.
FORGET:
Screen…what happened? Flies fresh, but she did absolutely nothing here. Bugger all.
FOLLOW:
More Strawberries had to win this, and she did it with authority. Hopefully she can go on with it now.
Race Six: XXXX Gold Hawkesbury Rowley Mile 1600m
FORGIVE:
Raspberries and Mr Unforgettable were near the car park and were never going to win. Forgive and forget.
FORGET:
Fast Clip had the perfect ride by Nash but it stopped as if shot. Spelling paddock for this horse. It’s done its job.
FOLLOW:
As we head towards Scone/Brisbane, Mirrasalo caught the eye after settling near last throughout. She is ticking over beautifully.
Race Seven: Blacktown Workers Hawkesbury Guineas 1400m
FORGIVE:
Landing was wide all the way with no cover. No horse can overcome that and win. He’ll be a better horse in the Spring.
FORGET:
Sacred Pins probably didn’t appreciate the sit/sprint caper, but still, he was disappointing for a horse of his talent.
FOLLOW:
Free Wheeling powered to the line, so one would expect him to head to Brisbane and based on what we saw here, you’d have to think the stable would be confident.
Race Eight: Group GSA Handicap (85) 1200m
FORGIVE:
Turf Hero still hasn’t got out. He was going to be in the finish, but Nash gave Blake Shinn (Rider of Turf Hero) a good old shove back in the pocket.
FORGET:
Hurrara has to lead in order to win. If he can’t do that, then he struggles and struggles badly.
FOLLOW:
Mental won like a horse who is destined for blacktype. He put pay to them very easily and will win better races.
