Godolphin reigned supreme once again in the first major of the season at Sydney, the Golden Rose (1400m), won in brilliant fashion by Astern. So who got the pass marks? Here are out ratings from the 2016 Golden Rose.
1. Astern:
Finished: 1st
Summary: Sat worse than midfield with cover, presented with clear air and dashed right away for a dominant, maybe flattered win. To the eye it was impressive, but I wouldn’t get too carried away.
Rating: 9/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Guineas and/or Coolmore Stud
2. El Divino:
Finished: 7th
Summary: Had a nice run just off the speed. Presented at the right time but he was very disappointing in the run home.
Rating: 2/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Guineas
3. Good Standing:
Finished: 5th
Summary: Sat outside the leader most of the way, strongly challenged at the top of the straight but he just couldn’t quite finish off in a good performance.
Rating: 6/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Guineas and/or Victoria Derby
4. Divine Prophet:
Finished: 4th
Summary: Got a long way back in the run, peeled wide on the turn and lengthened very nicely late in an eye catching performance. Ticking over beautifully for the Guineas/Cox Plate
Rating: 8/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Guineas and/or Cox Plate
5. Nikitas:
Finished: 13th
Summary: Had three wide cover, presented at the right time but just lacked the class and X factor.
Rating: 3/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Guineas
6. Thronum:
Finished: 12th
Summary: Wide no cover, forgive forget.
Rating: 3/10
Spring Target: Unknown
7. Impending:
Finished: 3rd
Summary: Sat three back the fence, like the first up run, was never really clear until it was all over but he attacked the line with real purpose.
Rating: 8/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Guineas
8. Derryn:
Finished: 10th
Summary: Three wide cover throughout before peeling out on the turn. Gave a sight for about 100m before weakening out of it.
Rating: 4/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Guineas
9. Mediterranean:
Finished: 8th
Summary: Had a soft run on the fence, wanted to get clear in the straight and though he did to an extent, he looked a touch unlucky.
Rating: 6/10
Spring Target: Caulfield Guineas
10. Oink:
Finished: 11th
Summary: Was wide with cover near last throughout before peeling widest on the turn and battling away pretty well for a rank outsider.
Rating: 3/10
Spring Target: Unknown
11. Chamalu:
Finished: 9th
Summary: Had the run behind the speed, when the big effort was required she faded out of it but far from disgraced.
Rating: 3/10
Spring Target: Unknown
12. Yankee Rose:
Finished: 6th
Summary: Surprise leader, gave a kick, felt the pinch kate…it was a good run in defeat…the ride was very suspect. Inside was quicksand also, so her effort under the circumstances was okay.
Rating: 7/10
Spring Target: Cox Plate
13. Omei Sword:
Finished: 2nd
Summary: Sat with cover throughout. Looked to get a touch lost on the turn but once she balanced up, she hit the line very nicely and will be a force in the Flight Stakes.
Rating: 7/10
Spring Target: Flight Stakes and/or Thousand Guineas
14. O’Reilly Cyrus:
Finished: 14th
Summary: Missed the start and that was the end of her chances.
Rating: 1/10
Spring Target: Unknown
