David Gately Group Racing Review Championships Day 2

Author: David Gately

Apr 16, 2024 11:30 AM
Photo: Getty

Gator's Horses To Follow

In Sydney it was RANDWICK and Day-2 of The Championships.

The track was GOOD-4 and the rail 4m (1400m-to-WP).

You could lead and win, swoop and win or even sit 3-wide for 3200m apparently.

Most avoided being hard on the inside rail was all.

David Gately Racing Review - Championships Day 2

Queen Elizabeth

What incredible scenes unfolded in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stks (2000m/ WFA) with PRIDE OF JENNI setting out (looked very keen early) and racing some 40L clear of her rivals mid race.

She ran her 1st-600m +13.7L Vs G1 average (actually a little subdued for her) but kept running!

Her 1-24.19 1st-1400m means she would have led herself, from her Australian Cup run, by roughly 7L with 600m to run.

She was still 15L clear straightening and mathematically, the chasers had no hope.

They way I have described this race is imagine you have 2 x 2000m heats of the QE Stks, but you run them only 4-5 seconds apart.

Heat-1 had PRIDE OF JENNI simply running her own race, sustained speed and maximising her athletic talent.

Heat-2 has the rest of the field, sadly for them, they had no natural ‘’leader’’ and simply had no hope of maximising their own genetic talents.

MR BRIGHTSIDE led ‘’heat 2’’ but he is no leader (as evidenced when he tried chasing Pride Of Jenni in that Aust Cup) and he was going some -14L Vs G1 average.

He had not answer for VIA SISTINA who has run a sizzling 33.66 last 600m but he held 3rd and, ridden this way, was able to return to something more like his true form (he always beats CASCADIAN - bar for that Aust Cup) and went back to beating him again.

So, that’s the race… Just fabulous theatre!

Winning time: 2-02.02 was only +1L Vs G1 average…

We know both 2nd and 3rd are capable of way better than that…. Bring on the Spring !!!!

Sydney Cup

The G1 Sydney Cup (3200m) saw another herculean performance with CIRCLE OF FIRE sitting 3-wide no cover for the trip, not only that, he worked forward long before the turn in a race run over +11L Vs G1 average early.

Hit hit the lead, then, still ran race-fastest last 200m (11.96) to hold off the heavily backed ATHABASCAN who had his back and, well, you couldn’t put enough on him when they straightened, winner was purely phenomenal and can measure up in Spring features I’d say.

KALAPOUR is barely a 3200m horse but was a brave third with every chance.

Time: 3-20.89 +8.5L Vs G1 average.

Queen Of The Turf

R9 was G1 Queen Of The Turf F&M/ 1600m and ZOUGOTCHA was able to just hold off the unlucky ATISHU thanks to a perfect run (ride) in transit.

I do think the 1600m is right at the end of her distance range at the elite level (her last 200m ranked 6th this race - 11.48) and a soft tempo (61.42 1st-1000m/ -6.9L 1st-section Vs class ave) but she was in front at the end of it, and that’s all you need, right?

ATISHU gave winner 5L straightening but couldn’t fully open throttle, When she did, 150m or so out, she charged… and was stiff but for mine, you have to ride her this way, when she is ridden closer (like Blamey Stks - yes she won it but Ayrton clearly should have beaten her and she rated well down on her G1 form).

Her 11.14 home was 2nd-fastest of the day.

SEMANA tracked filly MAKARENA everywhere and piped her for third.

RUTHLESS DAME ran home well (11.40 rank 3rd) for easier and OLENTIA hit line 11.34 (ranked 2nd) from too far back off this tempo.

Time: 1-35.71 was -5L Vs class ave.

ATC Oaks

The other G1 was the ATC Oaks (2400m/ 3yoF) and three very good fillies fought it out with only 1L separating them on the line.

AUTUMN ANGEL drifted back with speed looking ok early, times didn’t really back that up though with -5.8L 1st-600m Vs G1 3yoF standard.

Winner made ground then edged over heels of hot fave ORCHESTRAL and was too strong!

Her 11.60 last 200m was quite dominant.

ZARDOZI was back behind her early and also ran home hard (11.80) turning the tables on ORCHESTRAL for second with the gun Kiwi filly a solid 1L third.

Rider thought it was an end of prep run for the fave and she was 7th-up into a prep with the quinella significantly earlier in their respective campaigns, so, this may well have merit.

QUINTESSA held 4th but was safely covered by the trifecta.

Winner ran +3.4L last 600m Vs class but overall time 2-31.49 was some -6L below.