Reading Races

Sun Herald

Sunday October 8, 2006

By TONY BRASSEL

RACE 1: EMIRATES - GIMCRACK STAKES 1000mFav: I Have No Fear ($3.00) 5th WEATHER: Fine. TRACK: Good

MATURE-LOOKING HURRIED CHOICE raced up to a barnstorming trial win, plus solid backing, to overhaul ultra-slick MISS ARGYLE.

A grand-daughter of Kiwi group 1 winner Lurestina, the Gimcrack winner is from a half-sister to 2000 Widden Stakes winner Miss Bussell.

With three leaders dicing each other up, Choisir's daughter enjoyed a final shot down the running and sheer strength enabled her to claim the win with SUPERFLY unlucky not to have threatened after becoming bailed up at a critical phase.

1. HURRIED CHOICE: M J Jooste's b f 2y (Choisir - Hustle Bustle) 56 1 (M Rodd, Trainer: David Payne) settled 6th, travelled on the fence and was behind the leader (Miss Argyle) on the turn waiting for a run, once the run appeared turning for home she took full advantage and sustained a strong finish in the straight for a game debut win ($6.00 $7.00 $5.50).

2. MISS ARGYLE: b f 2y (Iglesia - Precious Pearl) 56 12 (Z Purton, Trainer: Gai Waterhouse) pressed forward from the wide gate to cross and lead, was still in front near the 350m where joined by the winner which only got the better of her in the last 50m in an excellent first start considering the work done early (10.00 17.00 16.00) 3/4len.

3. SUPERFLY: ch f 2y (Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire) - Allez France) 56 3 (D Dunn, Trainer: David Hayes) settled 7th, was 5th on the turn looking for the way clear, only found clear running near the 100m mark, hit the line gamely, unlucky (4.20 4.80 4.00 4.40) 3/4len, 1/2hd.

4. WEEKEND IN PARIS: 56 5 (L Beasley) showed no early pace and drifted back to settle 11th, was bottled up on the turn looking for the way clear but when the run came near the 250m she did give the impression that she may need time (16.00 51.00 41.00) 3len.

5. I HAVE NO FEAR: 56 13 (G Boss) pressed forward from the wide gate to settle in 3rd spot, was still 3rd on the turn but under pressure (2.00 3.00 fav) 4.6len.

6. Hostee: 56 9 (C Munce) 12th to the turn (15.00 21.00) 6.1len.

7. Dandee Topwin: 56 4 (J Ford) 13th to the turn (31.00 51.00 41.00) 6.5len.

8. Closet Rocker: 56 14 (R Wiggins) 10th to the turn (51.00 201.00) 7.1len.

9. Cartoon Character: 56 8 (H Bowman) 5th settling, 7th turn (12.00 31.00 19.00) 7.2len.

10. Mac Qua: 56 6 (D Beadman) pressed forward and race outside the leader (Miss Argyle), she was under pressure on the turn (4.20 7.50 6.50 7.00) 9.5len.

11. Ausbred Rose: 56 2 (Ms K O'Hara) 14 to the turn (11.00 101.00) 9.6len.

12. Montana Hilton: 56 7 (G Lynch) 9th to the turn (51.00 101.00) 11.9len.

13. Honourable Lass: 56 11 (L Nolen) 8th at the turn (81.00 301.00) 12.5len.

14. Reraise: 56 10 (C Brown) 4th to the turn (16.00 26.00 21.00) 15.2len.

Scr: Asadie (15 ), Our Countess (16 ), Clearstream (17 ), Future Impact (18 ).

Time: 58.34s (last 600m 35.41s). Off: 12.05.

RACE 2: MILK & HONEY ROMAN CONSUL STAKES 1200mFav: Gold Edition ($1.65) 2nd

REIGNING TO WIN maintained John O'Shea's superb seasonal record with a winner every Saturday since August 1 and there's much, much more in the offing.

From horse and trainer.

The youngster did seem open to improvement, yet was able to zoom over the top of high-grade sprinter GOLD EDITION - after they loitered their first 600m in 36.21s.

This winner's scorecard now reads four wins in five goes and his trump card is the way he throws himself at the line. He's a joy to watch.

Given a lovely time until the 200m, the runner-up gained a hefty cheque but was nonetheless disappointing given the favourable early tempo.

1. REIGNING TO WIN: T K Stuckey & Ms P Yan's b c 3y (King Of Kings (Ire) - Secret Liaisons (NZ) 56.5 2 (G Boss, Trainer: John O'Shea) drifted to be midfield racing one off the fence, was taken very wide on the turn to improve and though the tempo suited the front-runners he knuckled down gamely from 300m to eventually edge out the favourite in an excellent return ($3.00 $3.70 $3.40 $3.60).

2. GOLD EDITION: gr f 3y (Lion Hunter - Glimmers) 54.5 4 (G Lynch, Trainer: Ron Maund) raced outside the leader (Kelly) with the tempo suiting that pair, loomed up near the 350m looking the likely winner and skipped to a clear advantage with Racing To Win closing gradually but in the last couple of strides despite the pull in the weights, found the winner too strong (1.65 1.75 1.65 fav) sht hd.

3. MUTE: b f 3y (Stravinsky (USA) - Voice (NZ) 54.5 1 (Z Purton, Trainer: Graeme Rogerson) drifted back to race a shade closer than midfield on the fence, saved ground in transit and was under pressure when asked to improve topping the rise, battled away without threatening the first pair over the final 200m (26.00 101.00) sht hd, 3 len.

4. MY MIDDI: 56.5 5 (Ms K O'Hara) settled a long way back but saving ground on the fence, was close enough if good enough on the turn but her run reached a peak at the 150m and she then plugged away from that point (12.00 21.00) 3.2len.

5. KELLY: 56.5 3 (D Beadman) led travelling inside the (Gold Edition), was joined by that filly near the 350m and was left behind by Gold Edition when it counted, tired over final 200m perhaps still feeling the effect of his tough first-up run (4.00 8.50) 5.2len.

6. Pure Energy: 54.5 6 (C Brown) pressed forward from the wide gate to settle in a handy spot but wide without cover, was under pressure on the turn and the work in transit soon took its toll in the straight (21.00 101.00 91.00 101.00) 6.9len.

Scr: Star Of Luis (3).

Time: 1m10.74s (last 600m 34.53s). Off: 12:40.

RACE 3: SYDNEY CITY LEXUS CRAVEN PLATE 2000m Fav: Ice Chariot ($4.60) 4th

CATECLIPSE'S first go over a middle-distance and home he romped ahead of classic winners TESTIFIABLE, ICE CHARIOT and TOULOUSE LAUTREC.

His first 1400m figure (1m27.39s) was conducive to on-pace runners holding sway, but these Derby heroes are floundering to varying degrees.

Testifiable and Ice Chariot raced respectably, but each needs to lift considerably if they are to figure in major staying events down south.

Who knows how far the winner will manage?

He's certainly brave and sails along boldly in his races and he's a strapping type, built more like a stayer than sprinter.

GAWNE made a couple of runs during the race so she fared well. In excellent health, the bay shouldn't be underestimated in coming weeks.

1. CATECLIPSE: C G Maloney, R Weiss, Dr A Gorta, R M & Mrs W J B Lapointe, G Colosi & J Shine's ch g 5y (Catbird - Shadyside (NZ) 58 8 (D Beasley, Trainer: Gai Waterhouse) pressed forward to cross and lead, travelled kindly in transit and held a clear lead at the 200m after leaving Gawne which had raced at his quarters, sustained a strong run to withstand the late challenge of the runner-up ($5.00).

2. TESTAFIABLE: ch h 4y (Testa Rossa - Jamelden Echo (NZ) 57 1 (L Nolen, Trainer: Peter Moody) settled in the box-seat trailing the leader (Cateclipse), saved ground all the way in transit but was looking for the way clear on the turn, only found clear running near the 200m, needed to be clear earlier to have his fair chance (4.80 6.00 4.80) 1len.

3. GAWNE: b m 4y (Flying Spur - Satin Covers) 54.5 9 (M Rodd, Trainer: Anthony Cummings) followed Cateclipse across from the wide gate to race outside the leader in 2nd spot in transit, faced the breeze all the way to the turn and couldn't match the finish of Cateclipse from the 200m (20.00 31.00) 1len, 11/4len.

4. ICE CHARIOT: 57 5 (G Lynch) showed no early pace and settled a long way back racing one off the fence, conceded too great a start on the turn where his fate was sealed when he was blocked for a run once clear near the 250m, tried very hard but with the task beyond him under the circumstances (4.00 4.80 4.60 fav) 3len.

5. ABOVE DECK: 58 7 (C Munce) settled in a handy spot racing one off the fence trailing Gawne, raced outside Testafiable enjoying a good run to the turn but his run reached a peak near the 200m and others hit the line stronger (5.50 6.00 5.50) 3.8len.

6. Mahtoum: 58 3 (C Brown) 5th to the turn (13.00 18.00) 4.6len.

7. Evasion: 58 2 (D Beadman) 6th to the turn (6.50 8.00) 5.2len.

8. Mr Martini: 58 4 (J Ford) 7th settling, 8th turn (11.00 18.00 17.00) 6len.

9. Swansea: 55.5 6 (Z Purton) 10th settling, 10 turn (11.00 31.00 26.00) 6.8len.

10. Toulouse Lautrec: 58 10 (D Mc Lellan) 9th to the turn (26.00 41.00) 7.6len.

Scr: Grand Zulu (1), Vitesse Dane (11).

Time: 2m03.42s hand timed (last 600m 36.03s). Off: 1.15.

RACE 4: THRIFTY - SPRING CHAMPION STAKES 2000mFav: Mearas ($3.00) 6th

TERANABA'S consistent inconsistency continued in one of the day's main events when the stylish bay provided Anabaa with his second Randwick three-year-old feature of the calendar year.

Beaten 11lengths three runs ago, then a brave third in MEARAS'S Spring Stakes at Newcastle, yesterday's winner came off a 16lengths defeat by THESEO last week.

Yesterday, he revelled in the slow 1m28.29s first section to score the luckiest group 1 win of the season ahead of fellow on-pace runner ALL BLACK GOLD.

TUESDAY JOY, flattened halfway down the stretch, would have scored with average luck - her run was enormous while favourite MEARAS also suffered in the unfortunate scrimmage, thus rendering this group 1 a dodgy form reference.

NOTE: Sectional times not available at time of publication.

FUTURE: Tuesday Joy is a tidy maiden.

1. TERANABA: F Stufano, G Harvey, Dr M Santangelo, A Riccio, Mrs I Riccio, M T O'Sullivan, P A Tiernan, B A Rutter & I M Smith's b c 3y (Anabaa (USA) - Tristera) 56.5 8 (L Cassidy, Trainer: Anthony Cummings) led racing inside All Black Gold in transit, ran the race to suit himself and battled on courageously over the final 300m ($61.00 $71.00 $51.00 $61.00 $51.00).

2. ALL BLACK GOLD: b c 3y (Canny Lad - Explanation) 56.5 5 (J Ford, Trainer: Chris Waller) worked hard before eventually settling outside the leader (Teranaba), faced the breeze to the turn outside the winner before finding plenty to go down fighting in a game effort considering the work done early (6.00 7.50 6.00) 1/2nk.

3. HE'S NO PIE EATER: br c 3y (Canny Lad - Ladies' Day (Can) 56.5 4 (C Munce, Trainer: Graeme Rogerson) settled in a handy spot on the fence, saved ground all the way in transit and tried hard (17.00 26.00 21.00) 1/2nk, 1/2hd.

4. TUESDAY JOY: 54.5 12 (D Beasley) settled near the rear, was very wide on the turn but warming to her task before becoming badly hampered near the 200m then responding once re-balanced to hit the line full of running, most unlucky (4.40 4.60 4.00 4.20) 0.6len.

5. FIANCHETTO: 56.5 3 (D Dunn) 7th settling, 8th turn (81.00 101.00 61.00) 1len.

6. Mearas: 56.5 16 (D Beadman) steadied back to settle at the rear, became badly unbalanced at the 250m in the scrimmage that also involved Tuesday Joy but he still hit the line gamely like the good horse he is (2.60 3.00 2.80 3.00 2.90 3.00 fav) 1.1len.

7. Viewed: 56.5 2 (C Brown) 6th to turn (14.00 16.00 15.00) 1.5len.

8. Sermon: 56.5 7 (M Rodd) 9th settling, 7th turn (13.00 16.00) 1.7len.

9. Get Square: 56.5 15 (Tim Clark) 14th settling, 13th turn (26.00 31.00) 2.2len.

10. Theseo: 56.5 6 (Z Purton) 5th to turn (17.00 18.00 13.00) 3len.

11. Magic Jet: 56.5 10 (R Cartwright) 8th settling, 9th turn (9.00 14.00) 3.1len.

12. Voltabolta: 56.5 9 (L Beasley) 10th settling, 15th turn (51.00 401.00 301.00) 3.2len.

13. Empires Choice: 56.5 11 (G Boss) 11th settling, 10th turn (13.00 16.00) 3.4len.

14. Macau Causeway: 56.5 1 (L Nolen) 3rd to turn (81.00 151.00) 3.6len.

15. Bomber Command: 56.5 14 (J Innes) 12th to turn (61.00 101.00 91.00 101.00) 4.7len.

16. Just Mambo: 56.5 13 (H Bowman) 13th settling, 14th turn (21.00 26.00 21.00) 6len.

Scr: Red Lord (17). Protest 2nd against 4th dismissed.

Time: 2m04.49s (last 600m 36.22s). Off: 1:52.

RACE 5: COAST CLOTHING - THE SHORTS 1100m Fav: Magnus ($4.00) 2nd

POPULAR BENTLEY BISCUIT kicked straight back into winning vein to run the fastest 1100m time in 34 runnings of the Shorts at this trip.

First home in nine of 12 starts and undefeated in four first-up assignments, he stalked the speed merchants then overwhelmed a much smaller model in MAGNUS.

Despite the frantic pace, both SPARK OF LIFE and Magnus maintained their prominent positions throughout.

Compact Magnus was only claimed in the final 80m with topweight Spark Of Life running a ripper of a race considering his woolly mammoth appearance. He invariably improves in condition after returning from holidays.

Barnstormers BLACK INK and WRITTEN TYCOON also resumed with eye catching displays - chunky fellows, they'll be trimmer next time.

1. BENTLEY BISCUIT: Mrs G M Waterhouse & G W Mooratoff's ch g 5y (Peintre Celebre (USA) - Tycoon Joy) 55.5 10 (H Bowman, Trainer: Gai Waterhouse) settled midfield covering ground but with a trail, was taken wide to make his run near the 400m and he kept trying to just swamp the two leaders over the final 50m ($3.80 $5.50 $4.80).

2. MAGNUS: b h 4y (Flying Spur - Scandinavia) 54 8 (L Nolen, Trainer: Peter Moody) pressed forward to race outside the leader (Spark Of Life), faced the breeze all the way to the turn before joining the third horse near the 350m, they matched strides until near the line but neither were able to withstand the winners late finish (5.00 6.00 4.00 fav) lg hd.

3. SPARK OF LIFE: ch g 6y (Nine Carat (USA) - Sparkling Bounty) 58.5 5 (C Munce, Trainer: Allan Denham) took up his usual spot in front racing inside Magnus, they raced as a pair to the turn and as usual he kept giving when asked to improve near the 300m and was only claimed by Magnus near the 50m mark (6.50 8.00 7.50) lg hd, lg hd.

4. BLACK INK: 56.5 11 (D Beadman) settled 9th, was 8th on the turn where he was taken to the extreme outside to make his challenge topping the rise and battled on strongly after being unsuited by the wide gate (5.00 7.00 6.50) 1.7len.

5. WRITTEN TYCOON: 57 14 (G Boss) 7th settling, 6th turn (6.00 8.00 7.00) 1.8len 6. Our Liam: 55.5 13 (L Beasley) settled in a handy spot facing the breeze without cover, loomed up to challenge near the 250m before tiring over the final 150m (31.00 101.00) 1.9len.

7. Magically: 55 7 (M Rodd) 4th settling, 5th turn 11.00 21.00) 2.1len.

8. Mac's Tune: 56.5 4 (G Cooksley) 14th to the turn (16.00 51.00) 2.5len.

9. Mustard: 57 9 (L Cassidy) 13th to the turn (15.00 26.00) 2.8len.

10. Falaise: 56 12 (R Quinn) 10th to the turn (21.00 31.00) 2.9len.

11. Fox Lake: 55 2 (B Pengelly) 8th settling, 9th turn (13.00 21.00) 3len.

12. Lantwin: 54 3 (Z Purton) 11th to the turn (19.00 31.00 26.00 31.00) 3.5len.

13. Spirit Of Tara: 56.5 6 (C Brown) 12th to the turn (26.00 41.00) 4.1len.

14. Resistor: 55.5 1 (D Mc Lellan) 5th settling, 4th turn (41.00 61.00 51.00 61.00) 5.8len.

Scr: Lucky Night (15), King Rex (16), Sam Sung A Song (17).

Time: 1m03.36s race record (last 600m 34.72s). Off: 2.30.

RACE 6: THE SCHWEPPES METROPOLITAN 2400mFav: Molotov ($4.80) 5th

A classic ride aboard a classic stayer. Dwayne Dunn rode a faultless race aboard TAWQUEET, which, this time last year was running third in Scorpion's group 1 English St. Leger (2800m) at Doncaster.

Winless for 14 months, the sweet-moving entire hit a peak at his fifth outing Down Under thanks to Dunn conserving the chestnut's energy along the fence. He brought him with a magnificent surge down the rise.

The winner's inside trajectory proved a deciding issue here. ACTIVATION and VANQUISHED charted more demanding paths away from the rails, losing ground to the American-bred stayer at key points off the final bend. Both gallopers turned in terrific efforts.

DIZELLE and MOLOTOV also finished soundly.

1. TAWQEET: Shadwell Stud Australasia Ltd Syndicate (Mgr: G M Kelly's) ch h 5y (Kingmambo (USA) - Caerless (Ire) 54 9 (D Dunn, Trainer: David Hayes) missed the start before settling midfield, was under riding on the turn racing between others but he looked the likely winner when he loomed near the 200m ($14.00 $18.00 $17.00 $18.00 $17.00).

2. ACTIVATION: b g 5y (Zabeel (NZ) - Coogee Walk (NZ) 55 12 (M Rodd, Trainer: Graeme Rogerson) settled at rear racing three wide with cover, at no stage was he near the inside rail and topping the rise he was taken very wide to improve, showed great courage over the final 250m to get as close as he did to the winner (8.00 10.00 7.50 8.00) 1/2len.

3. VANQUISHED: br g 7y (Hector Protector (USA) - Exuberance) 53.5 2 (D Beasley, Trainer: Bede Murray) settled midfield, was taken wide to improve on the turn and looked a threat but though he tried hard the first pair were too good (12.00 15.00) 1/2len, 11/4 len.

4. DIZELLE: 53.5 13 (D Beadman) settled a long way off the lead, was taken to the extreme outside topping the rise and battled away honestly (6.00 9.50) 3.1len.

5. MOLOTOV: 52 3 (C Munce) settled 9th racing one off the fence, was still 9th on the turn between others, battled away honestly in the straight (7.00 4.80 fav) 3.8len.

6. Scattergun: 50.5 8 (D Mc Lellan) 8th to turn (9.00 11.00 10.00 11.00) 4.8len.

7. Replicator: 50.5 7 (Tim Clark) led early before easing to be in second spot near the 1400m, raced on the speed to the turn but tired over the last 150m (51.00 71.00) 4.9len.

8. Fooram: 53 4 (G Boss) 11th to turn (11.00 12.00 11.00) 5.4len.

9. Men At Work: 53 10 (H Bowman) 12th settling, 14th turn (21.00 26.00) 5.5len.

10. Magic Instinct: 52 16 (L Nolen) 13th settling, 15th turn (14.00 17.00) 6.6len.

11. County Tyrone: 56.5 11 (L Cassidy) settled 3rd but he had the misfortune of racing wide without cover, was always wide facing the breeze to the turn where still in 3rd spot and he had to tire as he did over the final 300m (13.00 21.00 18.00 19.00) 7len.

12. Exinite: 52 1 (J Ford) 6th settling, 7th turn (13.00 18.00) 7.5len.

13. Ring Of Fire: 52.5 15 (G Cooksley) 15th settling, 16th turn (11.00 15.00 12.00 13.00) 7.7len.

14. Bikkie Tin Blues: 53.5 14 (B Pengelly) 5th to turn (7.00 11.00) 7.8len.

15. North Of Havana: 52 5 (J Innes) led to turn (21.00 16.00 17.00 16.00 17.00 16.00) 8.5len.

16. Short Pause: 54.5 6 (C Brown) 4th to turn (41.00) 10.7len.

Scr: Oh Oklahoma (15).

Time: 2m31.10s (last 600m 36.31s). Off: 3:10.

RACE 7: 2(X)IST - EPSOM HCP 1600mFav: Racing To Win ($1.70) 1st

RACING TO WIN three, DESERT WAR nil.

And the handicapper still unbeaten.

Here was the quinella most of us expected with another stellar performance from the grey to maintain dominance over Gai Waterhouse's hulk.

Up 6kg on his Doncaster Handicap, Racing To Win dispelled any concerns about the impost when he increased stride nearing the 200m. The Epsom was his in a flash and now its off to Moonee Valley for an El Segundo clash.

Ever gallant, Desert War ran magnificently in his third Epsom assault - he's just not as good as the grey. Simple.

And MALCOLM lost nothing in winding up third. He cranked up boldly but this winner is just a light year ahead of anything in Sydney at the moment. Maybe even in Melbourne, too!

1. RACING TO WIN: T K Stuckey & Ms P Yan's gr g 4y (Encosta De Lago - Surrealist) 57 5 (G Boss, Trainer: John O'Shea) settled in a handy spot one off the fence, was taken three wide on the turn to improve and had to produce his best as Desert War had skipped three lengths clear turning for home, he set out after Desert War and gradually took ground off him in the closing stages to score impressively ($1.70 $1.65 $1.70 fav).

2. DESERT WAR: br g 6y (Desert King (Ire) - High Heels) 58 9 (L Cassidy, Trainer: Gai Waterhouse) had no trouble crossing from the wide gate to lead and dictated terms to suit himself with Flaming on his outside, was let stride soon after turning for home and threw out the challenge to the favourite when he raced three lengths clear near the 300m, he battled on strongly and was only claimed on the post (8.00 10.00 8.50) 1/2nk.

3. MALCOLM: b g 5y (Snippets - Finneto) 53 6 (D Beadman, Trainer: John Hawkes) was taken wide on the turn to improve after the tempo had suited the front-runners, finished off strongly though inclined to lay in under pressure and he failed to threaten the first pair over the final 150m (7.00 5.50 6.00 5.00) 1/2nk, 11/2len.

4. POLAR BEAR: 52 7 (D Dunn) had no trouble crossing to settle on the fence tailing Desert War in the box-seat position, saved ground all the way to the turn tracking the second horse and battled away in the straight without looking likely (14.00 18.00 17.00) 2.7len.

5. REGAL CHEER: 53 2 (M Rodd) drifted back to settle midfield, eased wide on the turn to trail the winner into the straight and was actually the widest runner approaching the rise, finished her race off solidly without exciting supporters (31.00 41.00 31.00) 4.1len.

6. Mnemosyne: 53 7 (R Quinn) 9th to the turn (15.00 26.00 21.00 26.00) 4.2len.

7. Utzon: 52.5 1 (J Innes) 5th to the turn (41.00 51.00 61.00) 5.5len.

8. Johan's Toy: 52.5 3 (Z Purton) 7th settling, 8th turn (12.00 16.00 14.00 15.00 12.00) 6.5len.

9. Flaming: 51.5 10 (C Munce) 2nd to the turn (26.00 41.00) 7.8len.

10. Binding: 52 4 (D Mc Lellan) 10th to the turn (41.00 201.00) 15.4len.

Scr: Newton's Rings (7), Leading Bid (12), Temple Hills (13).

Time: 1m35.06s (last 600m 35.20s). Off: 3.50.

RACE 8: EQUAL - FLIGHT STAKES 1600mFav: Gallant Tess ($4.60) 10th

CLASSY CHEEKY CHOICE powered home with the Princess Series and her first group one in sparkling fashion.

In superb nick, the near black was the pick of the mounting yard, even seeming to have put on a kilogram or two in condition - a scary factor for rival connections.

And so it proved. The nifty miss followed on from Gai Waterhouse's winners in previous years Fashions Afield (2005) and Lotteria (2004) to completely blitz her rivals.

MY LADY'S CHAMBER continues to make progress. She did hit the line soundly but again found the winner superior while FLEUR ROYALE ran a mystifying race. On the lead early, she surrendered to the winner near the bend and looked gone, only to gather again and rally for a valuable group 1 third.

NOTE: Due to an on-course technical problem, sectional times were not available for this event.

FUTURE: Cheeky Choice is a choice miss.

1. CHEEKY CHOICE: N & Mrs A Vass & R Medich's br f 3y (Redoute's Choice - Christchurch) 56 17 (H Bowman, Trainer: Gai Waterhouse) worked across from the wide gate to eventually lead, kicked away to a clear lead topping the rise and at no stage over the last 150m was she threatened in an excellent front-running display ($4.40 $5.50).

2. MY LADY'S CHAMBER: ch f 3y (Arena - Queen's Suite) 56 8 (A Robinson, Trainer: Bill Prain) raced in 5th spot travelling wide without cover, still 5th on the turn and was asked to improve near the 300m, tried hard in the run to the post (14.00 21.00) 21/4len.

3. FLEUR ROYALE: b f 3y (Royal Academy (USA) - Azalea) 56 16 (J Innes, Trainer: Gai Waterhouse) pressed forward to hold a slight lead early, steadied back to race in second spot, tried hard over the final 300m but found her stablemate too good (21.00 41.00) 21/4len, lg nk.

4. JUST DANCING: 56 1 (C Brown) settled a long way back, was 12th as the field made its formation and was even further back on the turn, weaved between runners only find clear room near the 250m, was unsuited on the day (13.00 17.00 13.00) 3.3len.

5. AMITOLA: 56 14 (R Quinn) 11th to turn (26.00 51.00) 3.5len.

6. Swissac: 56 4 (L Nolen) 6th to turn (41.00 101.00 81.00) 3.6len.

7. Golden Zen: 56 13 (J Ford) 17th turn (81.00 201.00 151.00 201.00 151.00) 3.8len.

8. Absolutelyfabulous: 56 6 (D Mc Lellan) 14th settling, 17th turn (8.00 11.00) 4.2len.

9. Rendzina: 56 15 (L Beasley) last to turn (26.00 61.00 41.00) 4.4len.

10. Gallant Tess: 56 12 (M Rodd) 17th settling, 16th turn (4.40 5.50 4.60 fav) 5len.

11. Universal Queen: 56 19 (D Beasley) 15th to turn (26.00 51.00 31.00) 5.1len.

12. Heat Of The Fire: 56 5 (G Boss) 11th settling, 10th turn (21.00 51.00) 5.2len.

13. De Lago Mist: 56 7 (P Gatt) 12th settling, 13th turn (9.00 14.00) 5.3len.

14. Montmelo: 56 3 (D Beadman) settled 4th racing one off the fence, was still 4th on the turn and failed to run on from the 200m (6.50 7.50 7.00) 5.4len.

15. Catechuchu: 56 2 (L Cassidy) 8th to turn (7.00 8.00 7.50) 5.5len.

16. Miss Fantabulous: 56 18 (D Dunn) 3rd to turn (21.00 61.00 51.00) 6.4len.

17. Devout: 56 10 (C Munce) 4th settling, 9th turn (19.00 31.00) 6.5len.

18. Empress Jade: 56 11 (Z Purton) 13th settling, 14th turn (21.00 51.00) 6.7len.

19. Cinque: 56 9 (Tim Clark) 7th to turn (21.00 61.00 51.00) 6.8len.

All started.

Time: 1m35.95s (last 600m 36.74s). Off: 4:30.

RACE 9: MARRIOTT HOTELS - ANGST STAKES 1400m Fav: Danasierra ($3.20) 7th

TIME to go berko. Strickly referring to Randwick's thoroughbreds, mind you.

How about the first 800m sectional in the last? A kamikaze-like 45.86!

No wonder MORE THAN LUCKY and MELODY dashed up from near the tail to overwhelm on-pace performers.

YOLO and company had next to no chance once they swarmed into the first bend at the 1000m. Under the circumstances, this mare turned in a phenomenal effort to get as close as she did.

Ultimately More Than Lucky, more a miler-middle distance sort, toughed it out from a similar style of performer in Melody. Their efforts were first rate, but the race was set up for these tougher mares when the crunch came.

A COUNTRY GIRL maintained her form with a bold effort.

1. MORE THAN LUCKY: Lucky Owners P/L Syndicate's br m 4y (More Than Ready (USA) - Cerebella (NZ) 55 11 (D Beasley, Trainer: David Payne) eased across from the wide gate to settle 12th racing wide with cover, was 11th on the turn where even wider and with Melody trailing her she sustained a strong run wide out in the clear over the final 250m and proved a shade too strong when it counted (21.00 41.00).

2. MELODY: gr m 5y (Stravinsky (USA) - Give It A Whirl (NZ) 54 15 (D Mc Lellan, Trainer: Darren Smith) eased across from the wide gate to settle 15th, was the widest runner on the turn where she had More Than Lucky directly in front of her, looked the winner when she loomed up near the 100m only to find More Than Lucky too strong ($31.00) 1/2len.

3. A COUNTRY GIRL: b m 4y (Singspiel (Ire) - Verdict Declared) 55 12 (H Bowman, Trainer: Barbara Joseph) steadied worse than midfield, was 8th on the turn between runners, stuck to her guns gamely over the final 350m (9.00 11.00) 1/2len, lg hd.

4. MARTINIFORUS: 56.5 2 (D Beadman) settled 7th but saved ground all the way to be 4th on the turn where close enough if good enough, was asked to improve near the 300m and battled away honestly (4.00 4.40 4.00 4.40 4.00) 1.2len.

5. AT EASE: 56 9 (L Cassidy) 11th settling, 12th turn (14.00 17.00) 1.4len.

6. Yolo: 56 1 (Z Purton) led to the turn (12.00 10.00 9.50) 1.7len.

7. Danasierra: 54 3 (G Boss) drifted back from the good inside draw to settle 9th racing one off the fence, angled across heels looking for the way clear on the turn, was badly held up until near the 200m, overlook run (3.30 3.60 3.10 3.20 fav) 2len.

8. Napa Sky: 54 6 (M Rodd) 2nd settling, 3rd turn (8.00 10.00 7.50) 3.3len.

9. November Flight: 54 4 (A Robinson) 6th settling, 7th turn (41.00 51.00) 3.9len.

10. Super Lacuna: 56 14 (C Brown) 14th to the turn (101.00 301.00) 4.4len.

11. Diamond Cove: 54 10 (L Nolen) 13th to the turn (17.00 31.00) 4.5len.

12. Fire Song: 54 13 (C Munce) 4th settling, 6th turn (31.00 101.00) 5.8len.

13. Zenarta: 54 7 (J Penza) 5th to the turn (31.00 41.00 26.00) 7.4len.

14. Dream Machine: 56.5 5 (D Dunn) 10th settling, 9th turn (15.00 17.00 15.00) 9.7len.

15. Kakakakatie: 56 8 (J Ford) 3rd settling, 2nd turn (6.00 12.00) 9.9len.

All started.

Time: 1m22.86s (last 600m 37.00s). Off: 5.11.

© 2006 Sun Herald

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