Torrential rain lashed Royal Randwick on Saturday and with the track already rated as a Heavy 10 before the races started, it wasn't long before the races were abandon due to the surface water on the track. The once proud Royal Randwick, known for its ability to drain away, was nothing more than a swamp.
Maybe our horse's should have employed these gear changes !
Royal Randwick Members Enclosure before race 2
NO IFS OR BUTS
Fortunately for our Dynamic owners on the day, both our 2yo runners were able to run well and both performed with distinction in the slop.
We kicked off with NO IFS OR BUTS in race 2 where he ran the most gallant and eye-catching 3rd placing, which put a broad smile upon the faces of his lady owners which certainly illuminated the grey miserable day.
NO IFS OR BUTS had come up with barrier 1 at acceptance time however what is normally an advantage, was a significant disadvantage on the day. Jumping away a touch slow off the inside, he simply couldn't get the desired traction early and despite the best efforts of his rider, the horse drifted back a couple of lengths on the fence. That certainly was not the place to be. His big and bold, beautiful white face was quickly turned to more a caramel colour as the horse was copping the muddy backwash of a track that was not capable of holding together.
The horse and rider were struggling in the conditions and approaching the home turn, was 3 lengths off the leaders and seemingly going up and down in the one spot. At the 250m he was going backwards and loosing touch, getting back to second last. However to all our amazement, as soon as his rider angled out 4 horses to the centre of the track and away from the muddy kickback of those in front, NO IFS OR BUTS rallied again and remarkably hit the line strongly to over take several competitors to finish a courageous third.
Josh Parr returned the mud spattered horse to the delighted owners expressing that he was certainly not happy in the early stages but was a strong and tough tradesman like horse who once he had clear running knuckled down to fight out the finish. There is little doubt that had the horse not been trapped on the inside, he would have finished significantly closer to the winner, who had all the favours out in the centre of the track in the better going and with an uninterrupted run.
NO IFS OR BUTS with his awesome looks, is doing the job on the track for his team of lady owners. That's now 2 starts = 1 second, 1 third. Let's hope that we find a bit drier track over a bit further at his next start and he will be able to give some cheek.
REPARTEE
REPARTEE competed in race 3 and was simply awesome when running a neck back in second place, after a determined knock 'em down, drag 'em out fight to the finish line with the eventual winner.
Weight stops trains, especially in the mud and REPARTEE was badly weighted in this event before the rain came. Having just had the one start for a win in country Victoria, she was asked to carry the same weight as the winner did who had won 2 races and was stakes placed and a last start winner at Randwick. To compound the weight issue, the winner claimed 2.0kgs for an apprentice. So we gave the winner experience, fitness and 2.0kgs (1.5 kgs = 1 length) and it was only the last 20 metres did the winner gain it's winning advantage.
Josh Parr returned to the owners full of praise for the filly's ability and determination and will to fight. He reported it was simply the weight told the difference on the day.
She was totally unhappy in the slush however it was class that took her so far into the race. Once she is on top of the ground you will see a far better racehorse.
REPARTEE has now raced twice = 1 win, 1 second both on heavy tracks.
She gives all connections a positive vibe about her future.