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Paul Joice analyses the entire George Main Stakes meeting

Paul Joice - Monday September 18

Paul Joice takes an in-depth look at how your money performed and pinpoints some future winners from Randwick in a race-by-race analysis of George Main Stakes day.

And that makes 20! The amazing winning streak of Winx rolled on at Randwick on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart

Race 1 – TAB Highway Class 3 Handicap (1000m)

1st – Larlabrook ($4.40)
2nd – She Knows ($6) – nose
3rd – Undaoaf ($17) – short head
Then followed: Oakfield Time ($3.10 fav), Mr Bonjove ($21), Malachi Crunch ($26), Heidsieck ($9), Surprise Party ($12), Yama Magic ($31), Classic Conquest ($14)

 

Analysis: Full credit to the winner Larlabrook which crossed from the outside gate for Greg Ryan, led them up and held on. But I'm surprised there wasn't a protest lodged by the connections of the third horse – Undaoaf . Greg Ryan was suspended for causing early interference to Undaoaf – "checked and lost its running" – was quoted in the stewards' report. The margin was a nose by a short head. She Knows tried hard but the on pacers were coming back to them late and with only 2-1/4 lengths covering the first nine across the line – this wasn't a vintage Highway field.

Money Trail: Classic Conquest was $26 into $14 but never gave a sight whilst the notable drifter was Undaoaf ($10 - $17). He would have won in another two bounds.

Blackbooker: Undaoaf arguably should have won which would have taken him to four wins from his past five starts. No superstar but looks as though he'll get out to 1200m.

Race 2 – Shoot Out Mile Benchmark 90 Handicap (1600m)

1st – Embley ($6)
2nd – Darci's Affair ($10) – 1¾ lens
3rd – Gold Horizon ($20) – 1½ lens
Then followed: Reiby The Red ($5.50), Royal Navy ($3.60 fav), Veladero ($5.50), Prada Miss ($9), Shalmaneser ($14)

 

 

Analysis: Embley was well rated in front by Jason Collett to make it back-to-back wins around the Randwick mile. Absorbed some early pressure before kicking strongly into the straight. Came home his final 600m in a moderate 35.94 secs. Darci's Affair had every possible hope whilst stablemate Gold Horizon was the best of the chasers. Royal Navy is quickly losing his fans. Needs everything possible to go right in his race and still no guarantees.

Money Trail: Royal Navy eased from $3.20 to $3.60 and disappointed. Punters specked Darci's Affair ($17 - $10) and Shalmaneser ($26 - $14).

Blackbooker: I'm sticking with the obvious and backing Embley around this track/distance. He has the early pace to lead, is relaxing in front and has a strong kick. That's a winning combination.

Race 3 – Heritage Stakes (1100m)

1st – Viridine ($7)
2nd – Single Bullet ($6.50) - 1¼ lens
3rd – Albumin ($17) – neck
Then followed: Malahat ($2.90 fav), Marsupial ($3.60), The Mighty Fed ($18), Lightz ($26), Goodfella ($17)

 

 

Analysis: A copybook Brenton Avdulla ride helped stretch Viridine's record to three from three. Positioned fourth one out behind a solid tempo, Viridine had clear air at the top of the straight and powered home in 32.83 secs for his final 600m. Albumin was ridden cold and was the only runner to come home quicker (32.55 secs) – he's found his right racing pattern now. Single Bullet was the hard luck story. Landed in the box-seat but was pocketed when Malahat failed to kick topping the rise. Got out with 125m to go and chased gamely.

Money Trail: Single Bullet had the wobbles in the ring – easing from $4.60 to $6.50. Malahat was a solid favourite firming from $3.10 into $2.90. Viridine solid $6.50 to $7.

My Tip: Malahat was fired out to lead by Hugh Bowman, as expected, and appeared to get an easy enough time but didn't find as much as I'd hoped. Perhaps fresh is best for him.

Blackbooker: I'm sticking with the obvious again and following Viridine . Yes he had all the favours but he was strong through the line and I wonder whether punters will look at the unlucky Single Bullet or the flashing light run of Albumin rather than go with a proven winner.

Race 4 – Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m)

1st – Comin' Through ($2.30 fav)
2nd – Tom Melbourne ($3.20) – long head
3rd – Burning Passion ($5.50 fav) – half head
Then followed: Pajaro ($61), No Doubt ($11), New Tipperary ($14), Havana Cooler ($41)

 

 

Analysis: Comin' Through was too tough at the business end and extended his winning record to four from nine starts. Tom Melbourne had every possible and gets full points for effort – he just doesn't get the results. But is this form a bit suspect or has Pajaro gone to a new level? Slow to begin then crowded, he was a mile off them approaching the turn yet got within a half-length on the line. His final 600m of 33.29 secs was significantly faster than his better-fancied rivals.

Money Trail: New Tipperary was specked from $19 into $14 but never got involved. Comin' Through rock solid throughout betting - $2.25 to $2.30 in the 30 minutes prior to jump.

Blackbooker: Pajaro is the one to follow from this race. He was giving away race fitness and struck early bother before zooming home. The Snowden stable know how to place this seven-year-old and provided he gets good tracks, he'll win a race or two.

Race 5 – Tea Rose Stakes (1400m)

1st – Alizee ($10)
2nd – Champagne Cuddles ($3.40) – 1¼ lens
3rd – Cellargirl ($12) – length
Then followed: Tulip ($3.20 fav), One More Honey ($41), Sweet Deal ($19), I Am Excited ($14), Smooth Landing ($51), Pandemonium ($9), Acqume ($14)

 

 

Analysis: They went quickly up front with Acqume doing too much work and folding-up in the straight. She was reported to be distressed and coughing. But Alizee was back to her brilliant best thanks to a more patient ride. Glyn Schofield allowed the well-bred filly to find her feet back in the ruck and only needed an out topping the rise. She quickened once finding clear running and was much too good. Tulip was pocketed at the top of the straight and should have finished closer. Champagne Cuddles was given every chance. Cellargirl was strong through the line whilst One More Honey didn't get much room at all in the straight.

Money Trail: Punters dived into Tulip , starting the favourite at $3.20 after opening $3.60. Champagne Cuddles was the opening favourite at $2.80 before starting at $3.40. Sweet Deal was specked from $31 into $19.

My Tip: It went pear-shaped from the moment the gates opened for Pandemonium . The filly I had leading missed the start by two lengths. Looked a brief chance of doing something on the turn but she doesn't have the closing speed. Forgive run but will need to do much better if eyeing off the Flight Stakes.

Blackbooker: I'm not sold on this Sydney three-year-old filly form but Alizee is all class and riding her quietly is clearly the go. But I'll follow One More Honey as she gets out over more ground. She should have finished much closer and was charging through the line.

Race 6 – George Main Stakes (1600m)

1st – Winx ($1.12 fav)
2nd – Happy Clapper ($15) – 1¼ lens
3rd – Foxplay ($21) – 4½ lens
Then followed: McCreery ($151), Mackintosh ($101), Heavens Above ($91), Red Excitement ($26), Ecuador ($81)

 

 

Analysis: I'll be honest – halfway through this race I thought the winning streak was over. But champions do amazing things and Winx somehow found her rhythm, worked through her gears and with a final 600m of 33.54 secs (half a second quicker than any rival), she asserted her dominance and won with authority. Happy Clapper is flying! Bring on the Epsom.

Money Trail: Nothing was backed to beat Winx . The mighty mare did ease from $1.10 to $1.12 for those looking for something better than bank interest. The first three across the line finished in market order.

Blackbooker: Winx will go onto win another Cox Plate, most likely via the Craven Plate, whilst Happy Clapper can win the Epsom provided the track is close to good.

Race 7 – The Shorts (1100m)

1st – Redzel ($2.50 fav)
2nd – Ball Of Muscle ($10) – 1¼ lens
3rd – Nieta ($21) – short neck
Then followed: English ($4.40), Takedown ($15), Fell Swoop ($11), Chautauqua ($5.50), After All That ($151), Eckstein ($41)

 

 

Analysis: Redzel was too tough on the day. Didn't have the pace or desire to lead so took the trail off Ball Of Muscle and worked hard to get past him. Nieta much better second-up. But all eyes were on Chautauqua . A final 600m of 32.09 secs! Splits of 10.67, 10.58 and 10.84. That is flying! Redzel will have a hefty break over Chautauqua in The Everest, but he'll need it. Wow, what a race it's shaping up to be.

Money Trail: Ball Of Muscle drifted in the final 30 minutes of betting from $6.50 out to $10 but all of the investing had already occurred with him. Redzel solid enough ($2.25 - $2.50) whilst Takedown ($21 - $15) and Fell Swoop ($14 - $11) were specked.

My Tip: Redzel did what he does. He settles on pace and proves bloody hard to get past. If I had the $600k slot, I would have done a deal with the Redzel team weeks ago. Good luck to James Harron – I think you're on the winner.

Blackbooker: I want to stick with Redzel , he's been my long-range Everest tip, but how do you not love that run of Chautauqua ? I'm not a punter that saves so I won't start now, but I'll be scanning my eyes out wide down the Randwick home straight on October 14 and looking for the winning post. The grey flash will be motoring!

Race 8 – Kingston Town Stakes (2000m)

1st – Libran ($26)
2nd – Antonio Giuseppe ($5) – 1½ lens
3rd – Life Less Ordinary ($2.90 fav) – ½ length
Then followed: Who Shot Thebarman ($51), Classic Uniform ($10), Allergic ($19), Chocante ($4.60), Dee I Cee ($31), Megablast ($17), Kinema ($91), Harper's Choice ($16)

 

 

Analysis: The fastest last 600m (33.45 secs) and fastest final 200m (11.26 secs) for winner Libran . Ridden quietly, got the necessary pressure up front and got the breaks in the straight when Glyn Schofield needed them. A deserved win. Antonio Giuseppe is on track for the Metropolitan. He's brave and tough and is better on soft ground. Life Less Ordinary had every hope but should still have some improvement in him.

Money Trail: Life Less Ordinary had been backed in the 48 hours leading-up to the race and was crunched again in the final 30 minutes – firming from $3.40 to start as the $2.90 favourite. Classic Uniform met with late support, trimming-up from $13 into $10.

My Tip: Chocante had the form on the board and received the run I had anticipated, but he just didn't sustain his effort once set alight at the 600m. Disapppointing.

Blackbooker: I'll blackbook Antonio Guiseppe but only if the rain arrives leading into the Metrop. He's just not as effective on the firm ground – but he's certainly on track.

Race 9 – TAB.com.au Benchmark 84 Handicap (1200m)

1st – Isorich ($21)
2nd – Improvement ($9) – head
3rd – Dagny ($14) – ¾ len
Then followed: I Thought So ($4.40), Love's A Fantasy ($41), Last Witness ($26), Sir Plush ($13), Pumpkin Pie ($14), Rosa Carolina ($12), Missile Coda ($3.30 fav), Ziggy Willie ($71), Echo Effect ($11)

 

 

Analysis: An even line-up on paper and that's the way it played out with only two lengths covering the first 10 across the line. Favoured runners Missile Coda and I Thought So were trapped deep which didn't assist their chances. On pace runners dominated with the first two Isorich and Improvement fighting out a terrific battle down the straight. Could make a case for Last Witness being the unlucky runner after striking trouble approaching the turn. Love's A Fantasy never appeared to get a clear shot at them either. But all honours with the winner. Consistency rewarded and one that always sneaks under the guards of punters.

Money Trail: Punters wanted Missile Coda in the last – firming from $3.60 into $3.30. I Thought So had been well supported in the 48 hours prior but drifted from $3.50 to $4.40 in the final 30 minutes of betting.

Blackbooker: Improvement  certainly improved sharply second-up. She's most effective when ridden on pace and with four wins from 10 starts has a handy strike-rate. Should pick up a race or two this time in.

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