Randwick’s storm exposed a bigger problem
Randwick will welcome the World’s best racehorse Ka Ying Rising for his Everest barrier trial on Tuesday morning but around the grounds a clean-up is underway to have the stands ready for October 17.
There were leaks across the Randwick grandstands as a storm hit late on Saturday afternoon, which saw the last race run in near darkness.
The storm saw Alison Road flooded next to the Randwick and caused problems getting the crowd away from the track.
It also flooded the official stand, the old grandstand beyond the winning post, and left the tunnel from the Theatre of the Horse to the track underwater.
The club has started the massive clean-up, and officials are pleased that Saturday’s meeting is at Rosehill, which gives two weeks to have Randwick at its best for The Everest.
Leaks have long been a problem around Randwick, and Saturday’s issues again highlighted the lack of infrastructure spending, including the inability to repair an escalator in the Queen Elizabeth Stand.
Flemington had similar problems in the past decade with the roof of the Champagne Bar collapsing in 2010, but it has continually improved facilities since.
Both tracks were stars of Saturday’s racing providing great racing surfaces despite less than ideal conditions.
Pope’s visit could light up Randwick for The Everest
The dream of The Everest under lights was one thing Peter V’landys couldn’t achieve during his time at Racing NSW.
However, it may be closer than ever.
Randwick’s lights were approved for three years, but a lack of funds from the Australian Turf Club has seen the project not talked about, yet alone started.
They certainly would have been handy for the final race on Saturday.
Randwick is going to be the host of Pope Leo XIV in October 2028 and part of the compensation could be funding for the lights.
The world-class lighting will help around the visit and allow Randwick to become a summer site for racing.
Could the project get done before the 2027 Everest to take the second decade of the race into the night.
Only halfway to Everest field before Ka Ying Rising hitout
There is less than half of The Everest field confirmed with under a fortnight until the $20 million showcase at Randwick on October 17.
Stradbroke winner, Spicy Martini, became the fifth horse to get a slot on Saturday, joining defending champion Ka Ying Rising, Ninja, Headwall and Blue Door.
There will be a flurry of announcements this week, with Tempted to represent Godolphin, while Yulong is expected to name Angel Capital as its runner. Premiere Stakes runner-up Savvy Hallie, Jimmysstar, Joliestar and maybe three-year-old St Gotthard are likely to join the field.
Ka Ying Rising will make a public appearance at Randwick in the Everest barrier trial and trainer David Hayes and jockey Zac Purton will hope it will be a little better than last year’s outing.
“I’m looking forward to the trial to see how he reacts to an Australian slow track,” Hayes said. “He has been there before, so we will give him another look at the place and hopefully he goes well.
“It is a good chance for him to see Randwick again and stretch his legs.”
One for the punters
Can Tempted beat Ka Ying Rising in The Everest? She is clearly our best sprinter and is right up there with the likes of Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi in the discussions as Australia’s best horse. It has been a 12-month plan to get her back to The Everest after being runner-up last year, and she has done it without being fully taxed. Ciaron Maher will peak her in two weeks and if she can be within a couple of lengths of the Hong Kong star, who knows what could happen. It would be nice to have a ticket with her name on it.
One from the stewards
While stablemate God’s Window charged down the centre of the track to win the Epsom, favourite Autumn Boy and Declichy Boulevard had hard luck stories. Autumn Boy was “held up from the 400m until after passing the 300m, where it was shifted to the inside of Well Written to obtain clear running. For a short distance passing the 100m, was impeded when racing in restricted room to the inside of Fully Lit.” Declichy Boulevard was checked at 200m mark and left with more to offer as she run 12th.
One for the bookies
Genesis Runner was an odds-on favourite in the Dulcify Stakes, but his lack of a turn of foot was exposed in a grinding finish where Wonka got the better of him. He is probably one you can leave out of the Spring Champion Stakes calculations. He should be a better horse in the autumn.
One for the futures
Paradoxium has become the forgotten horse in the Coolmore Stud Stakes. He is an $11 chance, an outstanding price, after The Next Episode and Natural Fling become the favourites after the Danehill Stakes on the weekend. Paradoxium was a dominant winner down the straight last month and probably should be sharing favouritism. He runs in the Roman Consul Stakes on the weekend and the price could be slashed after that.
