Grandview Avenue won the Carlyon Stakes at The Valley after trainer Simon Ryan thought his sprinter would be making up the numbers. VALLEY WRAP
Warrnambool trainer Simon Ryan travelled to The Valley on Saturday happy to make up the numbers with Grandview Avenue in the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m).
The man and his home-bred sprinter, one of five in the small stable, went home a black type winner 57.65 seconds after the barriers crashed open.
Grandview Avenue, who six starts back won by seven lengths at Murtoa, did it the hard way too, trucking up outside speedy Sartorial Splendor and then putting paid to rivals entering the straight.
“He’s winning these races comfortably, he’s gone to another level today,” gobsmacked Ryan said.
“It caught me by surprise today.
Ryan trained 45 winners from 393 runners before Grandview Avenue romped to victory on Saturday without a stakes triumph.
“I’ve won a Saturday race at Caulfield, won at Flemington and I have won a couple of races here, and just got beaten in a Mornington Cup,” Ryan said.
“To be honest it has caught me completely off guard.
“We thought he’d run well but couldn’t have foreseen that.
“It’ll sink in on the way home. Really proud of the horse and he’s come a long way.”
Grandview Avenue’s form reversal has coincided with Ryan targeting the 955m to 1100m races instead of 1200m trips.
Runner-up Prophet’s Thumb launched late to clinch second, while fancied Prezado appeared to get every chance from a stalking position behind the speed.
But Grandview Avenue was never going to lose rounding the bend under young jockey Teo Nugent.
“To see him progress through the grades, he put the writing on the wall at Flemington when finished a creditable fifth,” Nugent said.
“He gave them weight last start in the 955 metre race and he ran some time. I was really confident coming into today.
“He flew the gates and we landed in a lovely spot outside the leader. He gave one hell of a turn of kick when I asked him at the top of the straight.”
Nugent, who partnered Grandview Avenue to back-to-back Dunkeld wins in 2018, was as thrilled as anyone to toast stakes success.
“I knew he had the potential to be there but when you’re up against some of these nice horses, especially from Godolphin, you’re not in the (benchmark) 58’s like he used to be,” Nugent said.
“I’m just so happy to get some black type here today especially for a Warrnambool trainer like Simon.”
MCKENZIE STAKES: OCEAN GAMBLE PAYS OFF
– Brad Waters
Ocean Beyond might look more like a filly to trainer Daniel Bowman, but the gelding remained unbeaten with a strong effort in the McKenzie Stakes at The Valley.
Bowman said Ocean Beyond still had plenty of development ahead to complement his ability, which was on show as the three-year-old comfortably handled the jump from maiden class to Listed level in Saturday’s $140,000 race.
“He’s still very feminine and fine, he’s got a bit of filling out to do,” Bowman said.
“Jumping from maiden to Listed — calculated: You don’t see our stable do that too often. It paid off.”
Ocean Beyond got home by a half-length over the $4 second favourite Deep Speed.
The pair finished three lengths ahead of the third-placed Free To Move ($10).
The win on Ocean Beyond is the latest success in a long friendship between Bowman and jockey Harry Coffey, which stretches back to their first meeting at Wycheproof.
Bowman met his wife on the same day.
“I think he’d be happier meeting her,” Coffey said.
“She’s done more for him than me. He has always been a good mate.
“Daniel and I have been associated with some good horses back in the day. Hopefully this one can take us back to those heights.”
Coffey got engaged himself during a break from riding during the COVID crisis.
Coffey suffers from cystic fibrosis, which would have left him vulnerable to the virus had he been infected.
SUNDAY FIX: KAH’S BANTER FEELS SPECIAL
In-form jockey Jamie Kah said All Banter reminded her of Group 1 winner Bella Vella in her win in the Seppelt Wines Handicap (1000m).
The heavily-backed All Banter raced on the speed before dashing clear to score by two lengths, prompting Kah to compare the Adelaide sprinter to the Moir Stakes winner.
“The feel she gave me then was pretty special,” Kah said.
All Banter completed a double for Kah before her fiancée Clayton Douglas did his bit for the household when he steered Zakurak to victory at Yarra Valley 10 minutes later.
LAST TO FIRST
The only time Re Edit looked the winner at The Valley was on the finishing post.
She was gone at the 600m, so too at the 300m, but but a Damien Oliver masterclass ensured favourite backers would get the money as Re Edit swamped Pres De Toi and Ethical Solution.
“I was a bit suss when we straightened, I didn’t think that we were going to get there,” Oliver said.
“The closer I got to the post I knew that I was finishing strongly.
“I was going to be in it but I wasn’t sure if I was going to get there.”
MONEY HEIST
No sign of George Clooney, Brad Pitt or Matt Damon at The Valley but for the six owners of Ocean’s Thirteen the effortless win in Race 3 was akin to daylight robbery.
The consistent mare controlled the race under apprentice Will Price and kicked strongly in the straight to the hooting and hollering of the owners lucky enough to be trackside.
“I got a little cheer on the way to the gates, too,” Price said.
“I‘d only ridden in front of crowds for three or four months as well.
“To ride a winner at The Valley on a Saturday and to have a few boys here is really super.”
Ocean’s Thirteen was Price’s 100th career winner and 10th in the big smoke.
QUIET ACHIEVER ROARS
Godolphin representative Sean Keogh described Paulele as the stable’s “quiet achiever” but the colt raced into the spotlight with his win the Ladbrokes Plate (1000m).
Paulele ($8.50) worked at The Valley in the days leading up to his first race and that experience proved invaluable as the son of Dawn Approach scored a two-length win over the Lloyd Kennewell-trained Direct ($7).
“He won like a nice colt and I’m sure he’ll have bigger targets down the line,” winning rider John Allen said of the James Cummings-trained Paulele.
The $4.40 favourite Brazen Boy won an Adelaide trial by 14 lengths but punctured after leading to beat two runners home.
SING FOR SUPPER
Seb Song is sure to attract some attention from cashed up Asian buyers after a brilliant win at The Valley on Saturday.
The untapped son of Sebring, who over raced early, strode clear in the straight under Jamie Kah to get favourite backers on the board.
The win was worth $74,250 to connections but one tempting call could see them bank more than 10 times that.
Co-trainer Dean Krongold did his best to water down any potential interest.
“The ownership group have been great supporters of the stable and I don’t think they‘ll be too keen (to sell),“ Krongold said.
“They’re racing fans. Special shout out to Ern Clarke who‘s been a bit ill of late and this will be a perfect tonic today.”
MEDICAL ROOM
Race 1 – Ronniejay – lame off hind and mucus in throat on a scope.
Race 2 – The Globe – lame off foreleg.
TAB BETS OF NOTE
RACE 1
Favourite punters started the day on good terms courtesy of Seb Song with Jamie Kah aboard.
Seb Song grabbed the lead as the field rounded for home and powered away.
Seb Song did ease from $2.40 to as much as $3.30 on raceday before closing $3.10.
Runner-up Supreme Thunder was a significant raceday firmer ($4.40 to $3.80).
Third placegetter Still Be Friends was solid around the $3.80-$4 mark (closed $3.80).
BETS: Still Be Friends $2,250 @ $3.80
RACE 2
The less favoured runner of the Godolphin pair, Paulele, proved too good off a hot speed.
Paulele received early support on raceday ($8.50 to $8) before easing late in betting to $9.50.
The Globe was the other Godolphin runner and failed to run a placing ($5.50 to $4.60).
Rain Boy ($13 to $7.50) and Prince Alexander ($17 to $10) also finished out of the placings
Brazen Boy drifted as raceday favourite from $2.60 to $4.20 and compounded late.
Direct (solid around $7) and Qeyaady ($31 to $12 on raceday) were the minor placegetters.
RACE 3
Despite easing late in betting, Ocean’s Thirteen comfortably won the third race.
Ocean’s Thirteen was as short as $2.90 on raceday before closing $3.50 favourite. The raceday firmer was Loe ($9.50 to $5.50) but the gelding failed to run in the placings.
Okotoks ($8.50 to $6.50) was another galloper backed on raceday that did not fire.
Laundy ($6 to $9) and Mostly Sunny ($11 to $15) finished second and third
BETS: Oceans Thirteen $1,500 @ $3.50, $1,750 @ $3.40
RACE 4
In a close finish, Re Edit managed to nab victory over Pres De Toi and Ethical Solution.
Re Edit touched $3.90 late in raceday betting before tightening to $3.50 favourite.
One-time favourite November Dreaming eased late from $3.60 to $4.
One bet of $4000 at $3.90 was placed on the unplaced November Dreaming. The unplaced Wings Of Pastrami hovered around $5-$5.50 before closing $5.50. Runner-up Pres De Toi was specked on raceday from $15 to $11 before closing $13.
Third placegetter Ethical Solution eased from as short as $5.50 to $6.50.
BETS: Ethical Solution $1,000 @ $6.50
BETS: Re Edit $2,400 @ $3.90, $2,000 @ $3.70, $1,800 @ $3.70
BETS: November Dreaming $4,000 @ $3.90, $1,465 @ $3.30
RACE 5
In an upset result, Ocean Beyond held off Deep Speed to win the McKenzie Stakes.
Ocean Beyond was unwanted on raceday drifting from $5 to $10.
Deep Speed was $2.90 once scratchings were confirmed before easing to $4.
Unplaced favourite Nicolini Vito was heavily supported on raceday from $3.40 to $2.60.
One bet of $4000 at $2.60 was placed on Nicolini Vito.
Free To Move ($10) finished third ahead of Ilovethegame ($7 to $6).
BETS: Nicolini Vito $2,000 @ $2.80, $2,360 @ $2.80, $4,000 @ $2.60, $2,000 @ $2.60, $1,950 @ $2.60
BETS: Ilovethegame $6,000 @ $6, $2,500 @ $6
BETS: Deep Speed $2,500 @ $4, $1,500 @ $4
RACE 6
All Banter rewarded favourite punters after being extremely well backed.
All Banter accounted for almost half of the win hold and cleared away in the last 200m, justifying the backing for it which made the Richard & Chantelle Joy-trained filly one of the best backed runners all day at The Valley.
All Banter was backed on raceday from $3.90 to $2.40. Bets of note included $5000 at $3.90, $5000 at $3.10 and $4000 at $3.10.
Runner-up Kalkarni Royale hovered around $5-$5.50 before closing the $5 second elect.
Third placegetter Lady Brook eased on raceday from $6 to $8.50.
Sophia’s Choice ($6 to $9) was the shortest-price runner to not run a place
BETS: All Banter $5,000 @ $3.90, $5,000 @ $3.10, $4,000 @ $3.10, $2,000 @ $2.70, $1,000 @ $2.60 MULTIPLE TIMES, $2,000 @ $2.40
RACE 7
In a bobbing finish, One More Try was able to outlast Barade over the 2040 metres.
One More Try held favouritism until the late stages of betting ($4.20 to $4.60).
Bartholomeu Dias ($4.80 to $4.20) claimed favouritism but was unplaced. One bet of $5500 at $4.40 was placed on Bartholomeu Dias.
Stars Of Carrum was a big raceday firmer ($14 to $7) but failed to place. Barade hardly moved from the $9.50 mark before eventually closing $10.
Hang Man ($6.50 to as much as $8.50 before closing $8) finished third.
BETS: One More Try $2,000 @ $4.20, $1,500 @ $4.20
BETS: Bartholomeu Dias $3,000 @ $4.60, $2,000 e/w @ $4.60/$1.90, $5,500 x $1,500 e/w @ $4.40/$1.80
BETS: Danon Roman $1,000 e/w @ $12/$3.40
RACE 8
Grandview Avenue landed a good plunge in taking out the Carlyon Stakes.
Grandview Avenue was supported on raceday from $9.50 to $7.
Runner-up Prophet’s Thumb was an equal favourite ($8.50 to $5 on raceday).
The other co-favourite Coruscate ($4.60-$5.50-$5) finished out of the placings.
Third placegetter Prezado was as short as $4.60 before closing $5.50. Seemingly Discreet ($6.50-$8-$7) finished fourth.
BETS: Prophet’s Thumb $4,000 x $2,000 e/w @ $8/$2.60
BETS: Coruscate $1,000 @ $5.50
BETS: Seemingly Discreet $2,000 @ $7
RACE 9
Bandersnatch flashed home late to land the prize in the final race at The Valley.
Bandersnatch was easy on raceday from $4.60 to $6.50. One punter took advantage of the drifting price with a $3000 wager at $6.50. The biggest tightener was Housay from $7 after scratchings to $3.80. Housay finished third with Montenegro Man ($9 to $7.50) the runner-up
Co-favourite Overkill eased late from $3.60 to $3.80 and finished fourth.
