Trackside today: All the news and analysis from Saturday’s meeting at Randwick

TAB BIG BETS: SPORTSMAN’S Shayne O’Cass pinpoints the winners and losers from Spring Champion Stakes Day, plus Ron Dufficy’s post-race analysis.

Koby Jennings was all smiles after Niccolance cruised to victory on Saturday.

SPORTSMAN’S Shayne O’Cass gets all the news from the track at Randwick on Saturday, plus Ron Dufficy’s post-race analysis.

SPRING CHAMPION: BATTLERS DREAM BIG AFTER ROSE MAKES HISTORY

CAULFIELD STAKES: CHAMP READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD

THOUSAND GUINEAS: GLAMOUR STEALS THE SHOW

RACE 1

THE Chris Waller-trained filly Luiza clocked a sizzling 56.75s for the 1000m (aided by a considerable tailwind) to win the Kirkham Plate, leading all the way and maintaining a margin on the odds-on favourite and $1.1m yearling, Showtime, at the finish, with the well bred Lightz an encouraging third.

IN THE RUN

1ST: (8) LUIZA ($5.70, $1.50 TAB): Drew the inside alley, fast away, led on fence, setting up a fast pace, had a margin at the 200m and maintained it through the line

2ND: (6) SHOWTIME ($1.20): Settled third, two-lengths off the leaders, ran on under riding but couldn’t bridge the gap

3RD: (3) LIGHTZ ($2.10): Hopped in the air at the start, recovered to be fourth fence, peeled off heels at the 200m and kept on, encouraging debut

FULL DIVIDENDS: TAB FIXED ODDS

RON DUFFICY’S POST-RACE ANALYSIS

NATURAL: Chris Waller produced a rare running 2YO here in Luiza who looked a real natural showing good speed running fast time and winning. She Looks pretty good.

THE FAVOURITE: Odds-on favourite Showtime appeared to be in a great spot just off a good speed but found the winner too sharp. He looks more a 1200m horse.

TAB BETTING REVIEW

luiza caused a big upset after leading throughout. Drifting from $4.80 out to $6, she was the best tried to beat the heavily supported Showtime ($1.80-$1.75) who had the sit just off the speed. Highlighting just how popular Showtime was with TAB customers, he held 75 percent of all bets on the race and nine times the amount of money than the winner did. Severence was tried late and firmed from $8 to $6 in the final stages of betting. BETS: Showtime $7,500 @ $1.80, Severence $4,600 @ $6

Luiza scored an impressive debut win at Randwick.

RACE 2

NICCOLANCE leads throughout, carrying 59kgs, to win his second race from as many starts this campaign. Beautifully rated by Koby Jennings, Niccolance had over a length to spare on the fast-finishing Comin’ Through, who was last for the most part. Newcastle filly Reach For Heaven was third.

IN THE RUN

1ST: (1) NICCOLANCE ($3.40, $1.70): Crossed over to the fence to lead after 200m, ideally rated thereafter, had a margin at the 200m and maintained it through the line.

2ND: (3) COMIN’ THROUGH ($1.60): Allowed to drift back to last early, taken to the outside at the top of the straight and finished off powerfully.

3RD: (7) REACH FOR HEAVEN ($2) Sat second throughout, under riding at the 400m but kept on gamely to the line to narrowly miss second spot.

FULL DIVIDENDS: TAB FIXED ODDS

RON DUFFICY’S POST-RACE ANALYSIS

DOMINATION: Niccolance took this race by the scruff of the neck, controlling this race up front and the result was never in doubt after a well-judged ride by a confident Koby Jennings.

BLACKBOOKER: Comin’ Through was eased back from a wide draw and really caught the eye charging in to second place. He looks a good horse to my eye.

TAB BETTING REVIEW

Niccolance ($3.80-$2.80-$3.80) made it consecutive leaders at Randwick. Finding the front soon after the start, jockey Koby Jennings rated the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained runner to perfection as it won easily. It was the second-best supported in the race and opened at $6 during the week. Invincibella was an easing favourite from $2.90 out to $3.80 and after sitting behind the leader was disappointing in the straight. Comin’ Through was supported late ($6-$4.80) while Reach For Heaven ($13-$8.50) was tried at eachway odds throughout the week.

BETS: Niccolance $5,000 @ $3.40

A beautifully rated ride from @KobyJennings in front sees Niccolance get home in Race 2 at #Randwick. pic.twitter.com/fy0yXiAumP

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 8, 2016

RACE 3

TOWER OF SONG comes from last to beat Chris Waller-trained duo Encosta Line and Vassal in a three-way finish. The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained winner was well backed both on and off course and continues a great run for jockey Brenton Avdulla. Early leader Signposted had every chance but was under siege at the 200m and ended up missing out altogether.

IN THE RUN

1ST: (9) TOWER OF SONG ($5, $1.50): Settled with one behind him, improved on the point of the bend out-wide, taken to the middle and ran on over the top of his rivals to just score

2ND: (7) ENCOSTA LINE ($3.90): Hunted up in the early-middle stages to go round and sit outside the leader, took over at the 200m but was run down in the final strides.

3RD: (4) VASSAL ($4.20): At the rear, stayed closer in, weaved a passage through over the final stages to hit the line hard in a desperately close finish.

FULL DIVIDENDS: TAB FIXED ODDS

RON DUFFICY’S POST-RACE ANALYSIS

THE FAVOURITES: Balmain Boy and Signposted were the well tried pair but both were disappointing not finishing their races off.

THE STAYERS: The Waller trio of Encosta Line, Vassal and Hipparchus are all ready to go at 2000m third-up next time.

TAB BETTING REVIEW

Tower Of Song was tried late, $7.50 into $5, and arrived just in time to grab the win for its backers. Balmain Boy ($3.20) was the most popular runner in terms of money taken and held 36 percent of all bets while Signposted ($3.80), which led and dropped out late, was next best backed. Encosta Line was specked ($15-$14) and ran a mighty race after sitting outside the leader while Vassal ($19) didn’t’ have a great deal of support.

RACE 4

KOBY Jennings secured an early double after winning the TAB Highway on Distinctive Look. The gelding scored a fighting win over Quirindi visitor Valatia, who just held off the fast-finishing Flitero from Murwillumbah. Distinctive Look’s win was his second TAB Highway in the space of two weeks.

IN THE RUN

1ST: (1) DISTINCTIVE LOOK ($5.10, $2.10): Jumped well, settled second in ideal tracking position, took over at the 300m, and held off a wall of challengers to score

2ND: (11) VALATIA ($14.50): Midfield, parked three-wide, made a move five wide on the bend, ran on strongly, brave effort

3RD: (6) FLITERO ($3): Settled midfield on the fence, taken to the outside part of the track and finished off

FULL DIVIDENDS: TAB FIXED ODDS

Distinctive Look fights off all challengers to claim the TAB Highway Handicap at #Randwick! pic.twitter.com/HStOy8anhm

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 8, 2016

RON DUFFICY’S POST-RACE ANALYSIS

CONFIDENCE: Another well-rated ride by apprentice Koby Jennings on Distinctive Look, making it a winning double for the day. Koby is riding with supreme confidence at the moment.

FURTHER: Mysticism travelled well but was very one-paced, she will be better at the 2000m next time.

TAB BETTING REVIEW

Distinctive Look ($6-$5) and Mysticism ($5) were the two best supported here in terms of money taken. After sitting just off the leader Gambled ($15-$9.50-$11), Distinctive Look hit the front at the top of the straight and held off a wall of horses to score. Valatia ($61) didn’t have a great deal of support while the late money was for Flitero ($14-$10) who finished late to wind up third. Mysticism began favourite and wound up fourth. The two favs held 45 percent of the total investment.

RACE 5

FORMER Kiwi galloper Broadside lifted himself off the canvas to out-point Taree Cup winner Olympic Academy in the 2000m race on the program. Broadside, the well supported favourite, has now won two of his three runs in Australia since joining the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott establishment. The Chris Waller-trained Murphy’s Delight was third but never troubled the two in front of him.

IN THE RUN

1ST: (7) BROADSIDE ($2.30, $1.30): Ideally placed in second, took over at the 300m and went for home, kept finding under riding, strong staying win

2ND: (2) OLYMPIC ACADEMY ($2.30): Well positioned fourth fence, set down his challenge at the 200m but couldn’t make up the deficit, honest again

3RD: (1) MURPHY’S DELIGHT ($5.60): Settled in the back few, ran on through the field in the straight, best work last 100m, ants more ground now

FULL DIVIDENDS: TAB FIXED ODDS

RON DUFFICY’S POST-RACE ANALYSIS

TOUGH: Broadside got into a great rhythm on top of the speed and kept grinding away for a solid win here. He gives the impression that he will be an even better horse at 2400m.

THE BEATEN BRIGADE: Murphy’s Delight is gradually getting fitter but the winner is the only horse to follow from this race.

Broadside produces a tough effort to take out Race 5 from #Randwick for @GaiWaterhouse1 & @AdamHyeronimus! pic.twitter.com/xTponjq12x

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 8, 2016

TAB BETTING REVIEW

Broadside was one of the best supported runners at Randwick all day. Opening the day at $3, it was crunched into $2.45 and held 50 percent of the total investment whilst being a popular ‘Multi leg’ runner as well. Sitting outside the leader, he hit the lead at the top of the straight and held off the fast-finishing Olympic Academy, who was as much as $13 during the week and started $9. My Guiliano ($3.40-$4.60) drifted badly and couldn’t get into the race after sitting back in the field. BETS: Broadside $3,400 @ $2.40, $3,000 @ $2.40

RACE 6

THUNDER Fantasy scored a boilover win first-up back home at Randwick after a successful stint in Hong Kong, where he won a Group 1. The horse has been off the scene since a Sha Tin engagement in May last year as a result of a tendon injury but rose to the occasion on Saturday — sitting in behind a fast pace and blousing his rivals late in 0.4s outside the track record. There was a close go for the minors, His Majesty was second just ahead of Religify.

IN THE RUN

1ST: (1) THUNDER FANTASY ($41.20, $7): Perfectly placed throughout, midfield tracking the speed, taken to the middle of the track and finished over the torp of his rival, tremendous return from the long layoff.

2ND: (7) HIS MAJESTY ($1.70): Fourth, one-out and one-back, issued his challenge from the 300m with a bunch of others and kept to task in the run to the line.

3RD: (4) RELIGIFY ($2.30): Led, fast tempo early on, under siege at the 300m but dug in for the fight to hold down third in a blanket finish for the minors.

FULL DIVIDENDS: TAB FIXED ODDS

RON DUFFICY’S POST-RACE ANALYSIS

BRAVE AS: The injury plagued Thunder Fantasy resumed after a 518-day injury enforced layoff returning from Hong Kong with a brilliant win nearly breaking the track record. It was an amazing performance.

THE TRAINER: A huge training performance from Anthony Cummings should also be noted here. A lot of hard work would have gone into this stallion.

Great training performance from @ACummingsracing!

Thunder Fantasy finishes over the top of his rivals to win #TheRaces Hcp at #Randwick! pic.twitter.com/y1ktuJfpBJ

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 8, 2016

TAB BETTING REVIEW

Handfast ($3.50-$3.30) went out as the popular elect here with TAB customers. Holding 38 percent of the total investment, it sat just off the speed but couldn’t finish off to land the money. thunder Fantasy, the rank outsider, was $35 to $51 and unwanted but finished too well for His Majesty ($5.50-$4.80) and Religify ($7). BETS: Handfast $5,000 @ $3, $3,100 @ $3.10

RACE 7

YANKEE Rose became the first filly to win the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes after beating Swear and Prized Icon in the 200m feature race. It was Yankee Rose’s second Group 1 at Randwick, she won the Sires Produce here as a 2YO. The filly sat back in the field before launching herself like a missile after topping the rise to barnstorm her way to a historic victory.

IN THE RUN

1ST: (11) YANKEE ROSE ($2, $1.30): Patiently ridden in the back half of the field, taken to the outside topping the rise, launching herself to storm over the top and claim her second G1 win.

2ND: (3) SWEAR ($1.90): Ridden out to take up a perfect trail in fifth, one off the fence, was being hailed the winner but was nailed late in the piece.

3RD: (1) PRIZED ICON ($1.90): Well placed, fourth on the fence, held up at the top of the straight but switched back to rails and had his chance.

FULL DIVIDENDS: TAB FIXED ODDS

RON DUFFICY’S POST-RACE ANALYSIS

BRILLIANT: A sensational performance by the first filly to win the Spring Champion Stakes, Yankee Rose, who finished brilliantly to earn her place in the Cox Plate.

THE RIDE: Full credit to top Victorian lightweight jockey Dean Yendall who stayed cool, calm and collected making all the right moves.

Yankee Rose! The first filly to win the Spring Champion Stakes after a huge run at Randwick. pic.twitter.com/i1sxRI17Gp

— TAB (@tabcomau) October 8, 2016

TAB BETTING REVIEW

Yankee Rose was smashed late in betting. Backed from $2.60 into $2.30, she came from the back of the field to sweep past Swear ($6) and Prized Icon ($4.50-$6.50) who kept drifting all week. There was a small move earlier today for Tumultuous ($17-$10-$17). Yankee Rose held half of all bets on the race. BETS: Yankee Rose $7,000 @ $2.50, $5,000 @ $2.40

RACE 8

DIXIE Blossoms scored a well earned win in the Angst Stakes after a string of bad luck this time in work. The Ron Quinton trained mare was awkwardly placed at the top of the turn but angled into the clear and charged home over the top of them to score an emphatic win. Lady Le Fay raced handier than usual and kept on best of the rest while Happy Hannah made ground from the back and will peak next start.

IN THE RUN

1ST: (7) DIXIE BLOSSOMS ($3.30, $1.50): Drew wide, restrained back to last, awkwardly positioned at the top of the stretch, angled into the clear at the 200m and charged to victory

2ND: (4) LADY LE FAY ($1.60): Raced handier as announced, looked the winner at the 200m but was swamped to her outside, every chance, solid again.

3RD: (9) HAPPY HANNAH ($1.90): Settled in the back half of the field, stayed closer in saving ground, best work late, handle more ground now.

FULL DIVIDENDS: TAB FIXED ODDS

RON DUFFICY’S POST-RACE ANALYSIS

THE PLAN: This race was always the target for Dixie Blossoms and Ron Quinton produced her right at the top of her game on the right day. She is a very good mare.

PATIENCE: Tim Clark read the speed of this race perfectly, his is rising with confidence at the moment.

TAB BETTING REVIEW

Right throughout betting punters were keen on Dixie Blossoms. With TAB putting up $4 earlier in the week there was just a steady stream of money for the mare which saw her start $3.30. She wasn’t favourite though as that honour went to Extensible ($3.60-$3.10). Sitting back near last, jockey Tim Clark launched a big run down the centre of the track to get the cash over Lady Le Fay ($3.60-$4.80) and Happy Hannah ($9.50) which came through along the inside. Extensible wound up fourth. BETS: Extensible $3,500 @ $3.20, Dixie Blossoms $2,000 @ $3.50

RACE 9

Triple Crown filly Denpurr goes back to back at Randwick winning the final race of the day. The Peter and Paul Snowden trained filly sat off the speed and stayed closer in, driving up alongside the inside of the early leader Leami Astray to claim victory. Greg, Rock For the Ladies had every chance, running on for third.

IN THE RUN

1ST: (5) DENPURR ($6.30, $2.20): Settled off the speed on the rails, drove up along the inside to claim her second straight win this preparation, racing well.

2ND: (12) LEAMI ASTRAY ($3.40): Took up the running as expected, established a break at the 200m but was run down late, every chance.

3RD: (2) ROCK FORTHE LADIES ($2.50): Ideally placed just away from the speed, one off, let down at the right down, finished strongly, encouraging return

FULL DIVIDENDS: TAB FIXED ODDS

RON DUFFICY’S POST-RACE ANALYSIS

IN FORM: Denpurr has looked a different mare on dry tracks this preparation winning two from two. She is showing great desire to win.

FORGIVE: Dixie Chick was not extended at any stage in the straight and should have finished much closer, her turn is not far off.

TAB BETTING REVIEW

Denpurr ($7-$6) caused somewhat of an upset by taking out the last. Although it had some specking throughout the day and firmed slightly, the majority of punters in ‘the get out’ were with Dixie Chick ($5-$4.40). Leami Astray, which led, was specked at the $12 and ran a mighty second while Rock Forthe Ladies ($6-$8) wound up third. Dixie Chick held over half of all bets in the last.

FEATURE RACE MARKET MOVERS

MANIKATO STAKES

Sheidel $101-$51

COX PLATE

Winx remains $1.90

Hartnell stays $3

Black Heart Bart $12-$15

Yankee Rose $26-$17

Divine Prophet $35-$26

Seaburge $151-$51

VICTORIA DERBY

Prized Icon $13-$6.50

Good Standing $11-$7

Hey Doc $11-$7

Seaburge $15-$7

Sacred Elixir $5.50-$9

Swear $13-$9

Divine Prophet $17-$11

So Si Bon $35-$11

Honeywine $21-$13

Kaching $8-$17

MELBOURNE CUP

Assign $151-$71

CROWN OAKS

Yankee Rose $6-$4.40

Harlow Gold $5-$6.50

Whispering Brook $13-$6.50

Foxplay $9-$13

Leotie $9-$17

La Luna Rossa $13-$21

Legless Veuve $13-$51

DARLEY CLASSIC

Sheidel $101-$51