Menari Runs Outstanding Sectional Times In Brilliant Rosebud Victory
The Gerald Ryan-trained colt Menari (Snitzel) ran outstanding sectional times in scoring his impressive first up victory in Saturday’s The Rosebud (Listed, 1100m) at Rosehill.
Now likely to head towards the Golden Rose Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) on 23 September, Ryan subsequently put out feelers to The Everest (1200m) spot holders with Menari’s times confirming that the colt could be effective in that $10,000,000 weight-for-age event at Randwick on 14 October.
Menari was smartly away on Saturday but was eased by Josh Parr to settle in third last place in the eight-horse field, tracking a quick pace before improving well on turning for home.
The colt then showed a very good turn of foot, took the lead at the 100 metres and then drew clear to score decisively by a length and a quarter from Siege Of Quebec (Fastnet Rock) with the Godolphin-raced colt Trekking (Street Cry) a length further back in third.
Time for the 1100 metre journey was a fast 1:03.20, which was only 0.69 seconds outside the Rosehill track record for that distance, established in February 2007.
In addition the race returned a fast 11.49 200 metre rate, equivalent to 1200 metres in 1:08.94 – but it was Menari’s sectional times that really impressed.
Clocked from the 1000 metres point, Menari returned 200 metre sections of 10.57, 10.83 (400m in 21.40), 11.27 (600m in 32.67), 10.85 (800m in 43.52) with his final 200 metres in 11.35 to give the colt a fast last 1000 metre time of 54.87.
It was Menari’s sixth race start, having won on debut in January before an unlucky second in the Canonbury Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m), and was resuming after being unsuited by heavy tracks at three starts during the Sydney autumn carnival.
Another factor enhancing the merit of Saturday’s win was the fact that Menari carried 60.5 kilograms to victory, conceding six kilograms to the runner up and four kilograms to the third placed horse, yet he won easily and in fast time.
The runner-up Siege Of Quebec deserves acknowledgement and also the fourth-placed colt, the Team Hawkes-trained Overshare (I Am Invincible), as that pair were co-leaders. They set a taxing tempo and did well in holding on as well as they did under the circumstances.
Siege Of Quebec’s sectional times tell that story, with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt running 200m sections (from the 1000m point) of 10.38, 10.69 (400m in 21.07) 11.34 (600m in 32.41), 11.19 (800m in 43.60) and 11.53 to give him a final 1000 metre time of 55.13.
Earlier in the Rosehill program, the promising Waterhouse and Bott-trained stayer Arbeitsam (Snitzel) also impressed On The Watch with his easy win in the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m).
Taken straight to the front as expected by Tommy Berry, Arbeitsam ran along at a good tempo before racing away in the straight to score by just under five lengths from the Gary Moore-trained gelding Classic Uniform (Al Maher).
Time for the 1800 metre distance was 1:48.37, which is a very smart 200 metre rate for a distance race of 12.04 but again it was Arbeitsam’s sectional times that really took the eye.
After running 13.97 from the barrier for the first 200 metres, Arbeitsam then timed to run his final 1600 metres in a fast 1:34.21, his last 1400 metres in 1.22.12, last 1200 metres in 1:09.93, last 1000 metres in 58.28, last 800 metres in 46.22, last 600 metres in 34.51 with his final 200 metres in 23.08.
The four-year-old gelding, has now raced 12 times for five wins and five placings and it was Arbeitsam’s third win from his last four starts – he is a progressive young stayer who appears likely to progress to far better things.
The feature race at Flemington on Saturday was the Aurie’s Star Handicap (Gr 3, 1200m) which was taken out by the Tony McEvoy-trained Hey Doc (Duporth), a dual Group One winning three-year-old last season.
With the field racing closer to the grandstand side, Hey Doc travelled well for Luke Currie being part of the leading group, who were going at a steady tempo, before sprinting quickly for the latter part of the race.
Hey Doc then fought back gamely to hold on for a narrow but impressive first up win over the Lindsay Park-trained Cannyescent (Canny Lad), who was chasing his fourth successive win.
Time for the 1200 metre journey was 1:09.99 and Hey Doc only covered his first 600 metres in only 36.96 with the speed coming suddenly into the race from that point, resulting in Hey Doc clocking fast closing times of 33.02 (last 600m), 21.95 (last 400m) and 11.12 for his final 200 metres.
It was Hey Doc’s seventh win (with three placings) from 15 starts and the quality performer, whose Group One victories were both over 1600 metres, will now advance to the Memsie Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Caulfield on 2 September with strong claims.
The runner-up Cannyescent also impressed with his fast closing speed. After racing back in the field, he came with a strong late run, failing only narrowly, and he ran the fastest times of the day for the last 600 metres (32.48), last 400 metres (21.46) and 200 metres (10.96).