Fastest Sectional Splits – Randwick, Saturday March 5

Race

Fastest Last 600m

Fastest Last 200m

1 – Reisling Stakes 2YO Fillies (1200m)

Quick Feet (35.24)

Moqueen (11.86)

Analysis: We learned quite a lot from this six-horse race. Honesty Prevails (35.52/12.20) was over-rated coming off her Widden Stakes debut. The form from that race has been poor. Quick Feet took forever to get going but was the quickest final 600m so perhaps looking for further. Moqueen had excuses in that she lacked galloping room for much of the straight. To clock the fastest final furlong of 11.86 suggests she is the one to follow.

2 – Todman Stakes 2YO C&G (1200m)

Weatherly (34.46)

Kiss And Make Up (11.88)

Analysis: Gai Waterhouse has a habit of winning Golden Slippers and she tends to bring her colts through this race on the way. Kiss And Make Up did the work in front yet still managed to reel off the second fastest final 600m (34.48) and quickest final 200m splits. The fact he clocked a final furlong which was 0.18 seconds faster than any of his rivals Capitalist (12.12) and Weatherly (12.06) suggest they will struggle to turn the tables.

3 –Randwick City Stakes (2000m)

Allergic (35.40)

Allergic (11.88)

Analysis: The first two across the line are the two worth following going into stronger races. Libran (35.56/12.02) enjoyed all the favours in the run and a tactically perfect ride by Brenton Avdulla whilst Allergic attacked the line breaking 12 seconds for the final furlong. Auvray (36.02/12.34) knocked-up late but was first-up for 18 months. Improver.

4 – Aspiration Quality F&M (1600m)

Heavens Above (34.56)

Alegria (11.70)

Analysis:  Heavens Above had been a sectional star for a while and punters have been rewarded at her past two starts since a senior jockey has jumped aboard. Christian Reith began a big day by making an early run on the Tim Martin-trained four-year-old so don't be put off by the fact Alegria ran a faster final furlong. There wasn't much in it (Heavens Above -11.78) and Alegria had enjoyed the softer run out the back. Stick with the winner.

5 – Canterbury Stakes WFA (1200m)

Happy Clapper (33.94)

Happy Clapper (11.70)

Analysis: There is a long way to go before they line-up in the Group I Doncaster Mile (1600m) on April 2 but if the track is good and Happy Clapper is in the field then the Pat Webster-trained five-year-old will be a major player. Closed faster than proven weight-for-age stars Kermadec (34.08/11.76) and First Seal (34.16/11.76) yet will gain massive weight relief in the Doncaster. Bigger in condition than his main rivals it was one of the best runs of the day. Holler pinged the lids then scooted home in (34.18/11.74). Hard to catch doing that.

6 – Fireball Stakes (1100m)

Egyptian Symbol (33.54)

Egyptian Symbol (11.58)

Analysis: Bjorn Baker's three-year-old filly Egyptian Symbol won her first three starts but her racing pattern has since seen her placed at her subsequent four outings. In what turned out to be a leader-dominated affair with Redzel controlling the tempo before zipping home the final 600m in (34.20) it was worth noting that Egyptian Symbol's final 600m split was 0.3 seconds faster than any of her rivals. Needs the breaks to fall her way but continues to impress every time she goes around.

7 – Randwick Guineas (1600m)

Press Statement (35.78)

Press Statement (11.98)

Analysis: It was a courageous win by the Kris Lees-trained Le Romain (35.84/12.14) so taking nothing away from the winner but sectionals tell us Press Statement should have won the race. Was locked up coming into the straight with his momentum halted for at least 200 metres whilst Le Romain was off and gone. Hugh Bowman found a split and Chris Waller's Group I-winning colt chased hard but it was too late. Luck in running will always play a crucial role in horse racing. That's the beauty of the sport. Gold Ambition (35.80/12.16) turned in a pleasing effort heading towards longer races such as the Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby.

8 – Challenge Stakes WFA (1000m)

English (32.88)

English (11.16)

Analysis:  English might not win any competition based on good looks but she earned respect the hard way producing the quickest final 600m of the day winning the Challenge Stakes. Tommy Berry had plenty of traffic to get through as well so it's safe to assume she goes even faster with clear running. Randwick specialist Boss Lane (32.90/11.30) was the only other runner of the day to break 33 seconds for the final 600m.

9 – Wenona Girl Handicap Mares (1200m)

Private Secretary (33.44)

Private Secretary (10.96)

Analysis: It's rare to see one break 11 seconds for the final furlong so the run of Private Secretary must be duly noted. The backmarker needs the breaks to fall her way at the top level but with those kind of sectionals she is capable of scoring a Group I win. Greg Hickman is eyeing off the Group I Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 7 as the long term goal. Special mention to Cradle Me (34/11.04) which never got a clear crack at them inside the final 250m. She would have broken 11 seconds and perhaps won the race with clear running.