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  3. Punters post-race: South Australian Derby day in review

Punters post-race: South Australian Derby day in review

by Tyler Maund, Jett Hatton and Luke Sheehan
Antino was awesome in winning the Victory Stakes Antino was awesome in winning the Victory Stakes Image: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography

We wrap up all the action from racing around Australia on Saturday, May 4 - with the running of the G1 South Australian Derby the main attraction anywhere in the land on Saturday.

Star Performer

Antino (G2 Victory Stakes - Eagle Farm)

He's now won 10 of his 15 career starts, and it was some sort of return from the Tony Gollan-trained Antino ($4.40) in the G2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Beaten for speed early on in the sprint feature, the 5YO gelding was a clear last on the corner as the pack really slapped the pace on. But his class shone through late as he swept by on the inside under an airborne jockey Vlad Duric, to run out a 1.07L winner over Wee Nessy ($8) with a further 1.67L back to Golden Mile ($10) in third. In his lone G1 start in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield - where he drew the carpark - he was arguably stiff not to win when touched off by 0.1L. Surely - surely - the G1 is around the corner for him after showing his ability yet again on return for the coming winter campaign. On Queensland soil, he's won eight-from-nine, the other was defeat by 0.34L in the $250k Gateway in December 2022.

 

Front Bar Fodder


MORPHETTVILLE

Punters on Classy Kenny pull off plunge
Punters on John Hickmott-trained gelding Classy Kenny pulled off a nice little plunge in race three. The gelding was crunched from $15 (TAB) into $5.50 and a gun steer from Blake Shinn saw the gelding settle back in the field, dart up the inside at the 300m and overrun Sunzou to score. 


EAGLE FARM

Dalrello Stakes goes to the Mishani army
Not much changed in running in the Listed sprint for 2YOs, as Mishani Lily ($2.70F) led from pillar to post under the very in-form Vlad Duric. She was blessed with barrier one but she made the most of it, turning the tables on Zouna ($5.50) from their meeting a couple of starts back, and holding out the Snowden-trained Embassy ($6) late. The quinella opened up a space on the rest.


Queensland Guineas dominated by Sydney visitors
Sydney visitor Kintyre claimed victory in the G2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) for local apprentice Cejay Graham. It was a battle a furlong out between Kintyre and Razors - also up from NSW - and they cleared out from the remainder with Press Link (3rd) the best of the locals running on. "He's got a big future - he's getting better with time. There's a Golden Eagle (on the radar) next preparation, who knows," trainer Gary Portelli told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-race.


HAWKESBURY

James McDonald rides a treble
Returned to Sydney after tackling South Australia last week and it proved a winning one as Australia's premier jockey booted home a treble, highlighted by Schwarz in the Hawkesbury Guineas.

Brisbane hopes emerge in Clarendon
The Clarendon Stakes generally produces a handy juvenile or two and that looks to be the case with the quinella, Media World and Monte Veebee. The latter took a while to wind up after chasing Media World the whole way but hit the line like a colt that will relish every bit of the mile if they head north for the JJ Atkins.

Promising filly in the Highway
It’s not often you will see James McDonald take a ride in the Highway, so plenty zoned in when he was booked to ride Gentelischi in this week’s edition. The three-year-old filly is on a path towards the Queensland Oaks and the $15 offered up for that race prior to Saturday’s win surely trims up.

Rain switches it up late in the card
For most of the day, racing went ahead on a dry track but it switched up in the opening leg of the quaddie (Race 7) when it started raining cats and dogs. 

Just Folk takes home the Cup in a nail biter
The rain late in the day played right into the hands of Just Folk as he was able to hold off Detonator Jack in the feature event of the day. Gavin Bedggood purchased the galloper last year for $199,000 online and the astute trainer got that back in Saturday's victory. J-Mac almost pulled off the ride of the year aboard Welwal, who grabbed third place.

Dead heat in the ninth
The judge couldn't find a margin in the ninth race on the card with Fall For Cindy and Rise Of The Masses sharing the prize. You could throw a blanket over the first four as they hit the line in what was a thrilling finish.

 

Punters Pearler

Jamie Kah (Morphettville, Group 1 South Australian Derby)
It was a faultless ride by Kah in the SA Derby, as she claimed her first G1 win in SA aboard Coco Sun. The star hoop steered the filly to the rail where she found the back of leader Air Assault, before eventually settling third behind Tulsa King. A gap opened at the top of the straight and Kah edged the filly through as the pair overcame a gallant Air Assault and a charging Warmonger. A seemingly effortless performance from the superstar rider, and a nice salute to boot on the line to commemorate the achievement. 



Saturday Slaughter


Hawkesbury's standalone Saturday

Punters don't exactly swarm to the idea of heading out of town for the main meeting on a Saturday, and Hawkesbury wasn't getting rave reviews from a few on Saturday. Whether it was the state of the track, or the old favourite - the horrible camera angle - the standalone meeting wasn't everyone's cup of tea.

 

Saints  Sinners


SAINTS

 Todd Pannell (Morphettville)
It wasn't welcome for favourite backers, but gun Adelaide hoop Todd Pannell got his Derby Day off to a flyer, booting home roughies Geminga ($81) for Gary Boyce and East Indiaman ($34) for Darren McLeod. He just continues to ride at an elite level and ended up with a treble on the card after he saluted with Delightful Shecky in the last race.


Sir Kingsford (Morphettville R5)
Was again really impressive. Set a strong tempo out in front with Kayla Crowther aboard and held on late when they were still coming. Has now won six times from 16 starts after stringing back-to-back wins together today despite lumping 61kg. A welcome result for the majority of punters as the first favourite to salute on the day. 


Poifect (Morphettville R6)
The Hayes filly delivered consecutive wins for favourite backers, winning the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m). She crossed from a wide alley under Michael Dee, took up the lead and kicked away strongly at the top of the straight - holding off Sassy Boom. Really strong win and is building a good record with 3 wins from 7 starts.


The Map (Morphettville R7)
The smart staying mare seems to have returned in top form for Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray. Was handed a gun ride by Jamie Kah, settling worse than midfield with cover before jumping on the back of First Immortal into the home straight. Scooted away for an easy win as the stable continue their path to a Melbourne Cup berth.


Coco Sun (Morphettville R8, G1 South Australian Derby)
Backed up her third in last Saturday's G1 Australasian Oaks with a hugely impressive win in the SA Derby. Seems to have come back a different horse this campaign. McEvoy indicated they'll probably head to Queensland for the Oaks next too, so there might be more left in the prep yet.

Snack Bar (Caulfield R1)
Ironically enough, didn't have the blinkers on - like most of us around a snack bar - and thrived. Granted, got the breaks leading at a slow speed under Stacky, but if you get the spot, you get the spoils.

Ashford Street (Caulfield R5)
It has already been a big week for the 'Bool, and it continued on Saturday with the 'Bool-trained sprinter delivering his 10th career win at start No.35. He is so often a healthy price when he flashes up a victor, and so it was again - in what was his first start for Tom Dabernig, having long been trained by Ken Elford (and previously Simon Ryan).

Brad Rawiller (Horsham)
Not often we drop a highlight from Horsham in here, but then again, its not often a rather significant statistic rears its head there. Rawiller, 45, chalked up his 3000th career winner with the victory of Italiano for trainer Patrick Payne. His 2000th came in February 2013, and some 11 years later, he has hit another landmark figure.

For Victory (Hawkesbury)
He’s simply in red hot form this preparation and made it back-to-back wins with a dominant performance under J-Mac.

Parisal (Hawkesbury)
All the late money was for her stablemate Spacewalk, but Parisal was the one that fired first-up from a spell. She's a handy mare and could be hard to beat if James Cummings opts to send her north for the Brisbane winter carnival.

Schwarz (Hawkesbury)
He's a handy horse and grabbed a third win, this time with the Hawkesbury Guineas. Was there to be beaten but wouldn't lay down and held them all off after leading.

Just Folk (Hawkesbury)
Such an honest horse and grows a leg when there's a bit of sting out of the ground. Great buy for the stable and he'll continue to race well over the winter months.

James McDonald's ride on Welwal (Hawkesbury)
Didn't get the money but this was one of the best rides you'll see all year so it deserves a mention. Nearly produced magic in the Cup after weaving through the field in what was a thrilling finish.


SINNERS

Artzino (Morphettville R1)
Played up pre-race, settled midfield and was let loose around the outside of the field by Blake Shin at the 400m but couldn't finish it off in the sprint home. Received outside pressure from Tullaghan in the final 100m but the gelding fading on his run. Had every chance.

Miss Sunshine (Morphettville R2)
The filly jumped to the lead from barrier one, dictated the race out in front and was under pressure early on the home straight as roughie Geminga loomed up alongside looking more remeniscent of a $2.25F than Miss Sunshine herself. Finished fourth and had every chance - she was disappointing.

Spirit Of Camelot (Morphettville R6)
The favourite had a nice rails run under Jamie Kah throughout but was under pressure early in the straight. Disappointingly faded out to finish sixth and looked nowhere near the horse that jumped a $2.60F. 

First Immortal (Morphettville R7)
It was largely considered a two-horse race between The Map and First Immortal but the Kavanagh-trained gelding was no match for the mare. First Immortal had a gun run in transit, laid out at the 300m which saw Shinn alter course to the inside. Held on for third but was beaten a long way by the winner.

Fifth Position (Eagle Farm R1)
Couldn't back up the decent run last start behind Wapiti (who chalked up back-to-back wins), but managed to finish in a clear ... fifth position. Only two wins in Aus came at $15+, while he's had many, many defeats at shorter quotes - money-muncher territory.


Uncommon James (Eagle Farm R8)
Started a $3.80F, and finished like that decimal spot was in the wrong place. Beaten 14.38L. Not sure if the vet's found an issue there, but if not, that was woeful for a horse of his calibre.

Mawallock (Caulfield R2)
Look, she had won four of five coming in, but at the short quote first-up, barely fired a shot on Saturday. Despite the margin reading a mere 1.15L, she was never really in the hunt for the win.

Trafalgar Square (Hawkesbury R1)
Hard in the market following a dominant Hawkesbury win but failed to fire any bullets when unable to pick up ground behind Media World.

Kureder (Hawkesbury R4)
Had every chance. A good ride from Nash Rawiller behind a hot speed but just wasn’t good enough.

Spacewalk (Hawkesbury R5)
One of the better backed runners on the card ($6 - $3.30) and while he was slightly held up at the top of the straight, the returning galloper had his chance.

Shadows Of Love (Hawkesbury R6)
Had every chance but just couldn’t pick up Short Shorts with Coco Jamboo ($41) out sprinting her at big odds.

Butch Cassidy (Hawkesbury R7)
We all had this horse leading but he ruined any winning hope after missing the kick. It meant the favourite, Schwarz, got it all on his own and they couldn't catch him.

The Winners

Caulfield Saturday 4th May Full Results SP Margin
R1 1400m 1 Snack Bar D Stackhouse, J Cummings $3.90 1.00L
R2 1100m 5 Mrs Chrissie C Hefel, C Maher $6.00 0.80L
R3 1700m 1 Cadmus T Bull, A S Freedman $4.80 0.80L
R4 1100m 6 Title Fighter P Gatt, C Douglas $10.00 0.80L
R5 1000m 1 Ashford Street J Kennedy, T Dabernig $10.00 0.10L
R6 1400m 9 The Shaper D Moor, A S Freedman $12.00 0.30L
R7 1600m 9 Dashing C Newitt, A Purcell $4.60 0.20L
R8 2000m 2 Aztec State L Currie, B W J Hayes $2.60 0.20L
R9 2000m 5 Midnight Blue D Stackhouse, M W Walker $11.00 2.30L
R10 1400m 2 Chorlton Lane C Gaudray, C Maher $3.10 0.30L
Hawkesbury Saturday 4th May Full Results SP Margin
R1 1400m 4 Media World Z Lloyd, P P Snowden $4.60 0.30L
R2 1500m 9 Always Sure T Clark, S Ryan $8.00 0.60L
R3 1500m 9 Gentileschi J M Donald, P L M Gavranich $2.10 2.10L
R4 1800m 11 For Victory J M Donald, C Waller $7.00 1.50L
R5 1100m 4 Parisal Z Lloyd, J Cummings $2.80 0.60L
R6 1300m 9 Coco Jamboo T Sherry, P P Snowden $41.00 0.10L
R7 1400m 1 Schwarz J M Donald, J O'shea $2.40 1.80L
R8 1600m 6 Just Folk N Rawiller, G Bedggood $7.00 0.20L
R9 1400m 17 Fall For Cindy J Stanley, J O'shea $4.00 L
R9 1400m 13 Rise Of The Masses Z Lloyd, G A W Bott $9.00 L
R10 1100m 3 Contemporary N Rawiller, J Cummings $5.00 1.40L
Morphettville Saturday 4th May Full Results SP Margin
R1 2004m 11 Tullaghan J Maund, T Day $17.00 1.00L
R2 1050m 10 Geminga T Pannell, G Boyce $81.00 0.20L
R3 1050m 3 Classy Kenny B Shinn, J C H Riggs $5.50 0.30L
R4 1504m 6 East Indiaman T Pannell, D Mcleod $31.00 0.30L
R5 1800m 1 Sir Kingsford K Crowther, G N B S Callanan $3.20 0.50L
R6 1600m 7 Poifect M Dee, B W J Hayes $2.80 2.70L
R7 2500m 2 The Map J Kah, D O C Macgillivray $1.85 3.70L
R8 2500m 15 Coco Sun J Kah, T C Mcevoy $5.00 1.30L
R9 1200m 6 Delightful Shecky T Pannell, D Caboche $8.00 2.50L
Eagle Farm Saturday 4th May Full Results SP Margin
R1 1835m 3 Wapiti N Beriman, G Duncan $8.50 0.10L
R2 1600m 11 Northern Decree R Dolan, R Heathcote $4.60 0.80L
R3 1200m 3 Typhoon Taavi T Fenlon, T Gollan $1.65 2.30L
R4 1400m 3 Zoe's Promise A Mallyon, K Lees $4.20 3.90L
R5 1300m 3 Golden Decade R Maloney, M Dunn $9.50 0.80L
R6 1000m 7 Mishani Lily V Duric, L Ross $2.70 0.40L
R7 1200m 4 Immoral J Orman, T Gollan $11.00 0.10L
R8 1200m 3 Antino V Duric, T Gollan $4.40 1.10L
R9 1600m 1 Kintyre C Graham, G Portelli $9.00 0.40L

Share your thoughts

saintly5
Just the 1 double figure winner at Hawkesbury, with the best horses winning all day on a track where if they raced anywhere else in Sydney it would have been Heavy.
Yet we are giving it a 'slaughter' because of a dodgy camera angle!
Punters need to give themselves an uppercut when you start blaming camera angles for a tough day on the punt.
benq28_8c69
Weekly whinge of punters,com about something racing NSW have done no one whinges when there’s a stand-alone at Bendigo I’d rather bet at Hawkesbury every horse gets it’s chance dodgy camera angle yes better than betting on a hot rail at Caulfield or moonee valley

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