The clang of the gates where races are often won or lost could prove vital for Soulcombe, which adds fizz to the Drinkwise Mile at a seemingly lacklustre program at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Soulcombe is the Melbourne Cup favourite and a British blueblood by Frankel, who stands for a $275,000 service fee that doesn’t guarantee a clean barrier break.
Soulcombe clears out under Craig Williams to win the Queen’s Cup at Flemington on November 5 last year.Credit:Getty
Ironically, Banju, which is much fancied to beat Soulcombe, is a Benfica gelding with bloodlines better suited to the Snake Gully Cup but usually begins well and doesn’t dilly-dally early.
The four-year-old Soulcombe has only had eight races but produced the wow factor when making his Australian debut in the group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes over a 2600m at Flemington on November 5.
Of course, the gelding drops back to 1600m today, and his only barrier trial since for Chris Waller didn’t indicate the early pace often so necessary in Australian races. But supreme staying ability is only speed extended. It’s a matter of how he’s been tuned.
Maybe the open barriers used before starting stalls were introduced in 1947 influenced me about the importance of a fast, unimpeded start.
Before gates, jockeys would mill around on mounts waiting in their barrier draw to jump when the open strands rose to send them away. Balance, instinct and anticipation were required, every rider for himself.
Now they get into stalls, yes uncomfortable at times and noisy, but with the assistance of barrier blankets, extensions and attendants,who do so much for so little to assist them. Astride the gates, they hold ears and tails to keep the wayward tractable and assist hoops to take off unimpeded.
The Tulloch Lodge stable, where Gai Waterhouse was preceded by her father Tommy Smith, has won countless Sydney premierships with horses triggered for fast getaways that cut down interference.
Thus, I was somewhat perturbed by at least three strong fancies at Rosehill last Saturday involved in early drawbacks: hot favourite King’s Gambit (Canonbury) “began very awkwardly”, according to stewards; Steel City (Widden) “began only fairly and had to be eased when tightened”; and Golden Mile (Expressway) “lowered its head and then blundered on jumping and lost ground”.
Perhaps they would not have won with smoother exits, but reverse the situations with those who beat them?
Others at the meeting, too, began tardily, which is commonplace. For instance, Love Tap, which takes on Soulcombe and Banju, “began awkwardly” recently, and Banju was even involved in an early scrimmage before winning at Randwick on January 14.
Against Soulcombe, it will be a matter of condition for Banju over class. Just where does Waller want to go with Soulcombe in the autumn?
Certainly the improvement factor with three-year-olds involved today could lift the standard. Sebonack takes on the older sprinters, particularly Remarque, in the Yarraman Park.
Last start Sebonack “jumped badly and was hampered”. Subsequently gelded, he showed early speed in a recent barrier trial – possibly not as impressive as Remarque in the same heat but there is a 10-kilo difference in the handicap today.
Aft Cabin, which is promising to be smooth early and out of harm’s way, is possibly the best three-year-old on the program, but beware of rival Osipenko, which “bumped on jumping” last start when third, a half-length from the winner Golden Mile in the Caulfield Guineas.
Others at Randwick today involved in commencing glitches include Mexico (Lonhro), Lekvarte (Securities and TAB), Miss Lenorr (Midway), Super Bright (Congratulations) and, amongst others in the TAB Handicap, Claim The Crown, which like Soulcombe hails from abroad.
Claim The Crown at his local debut was “slow to begin” at Warwick Farm. Obviously, the horse to beat is Star Sparks, a Waterhouse-Bott gelding which has won five out of 10 and springs out and likes to lead.
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