New Universe Runs Fast Sectional Times In Impressive Australian Debut Win
After jockey Tommy Berry eased New Universe from his outside barrier (11), the gelding, who was racing a bit keenly, settled a distant last in the 11-horse field, to the concern of most supporters of the $3.60 favourite.
Berry made his move nearing the 600 metres, switched New Universe widest of all on turning for home and the gelding then produced a great turn of foot which saw him run out a clear winner by a length in the Benchmark 76, Three-Year-Old Handicap (1200m) in a time of 1:09.78.
Clocked from 1000 metres, New Universe returned fast 200 metre sections of 10.94, 10.95, 11.01, 10.85 and 11.17, giving him brilliant closing sectional times of 54.92 (last 1000m), 43.98 (last 800m), 33.03 (last 600m) and 22.02.
Having his first run for the Chris Waller stable, New Universe was having only his fourth start being a winner of two of three starts in New Zealand and Saturday was also his first run since racing at Ellerslie in December.
He should obviously be further improved by the experience and New Universe looks set for a bright future in this country.
Another to impress on the watch on Saturday was the Mick Price-trained mare Secret Agenda (Not A Single Doubt) who showed great pace, overcoming her difficult barrier (16) with an all-the-way win in the Ubet Classic (registered as Robert Sangster Stakes) (Gr 1, 1200m) at Morphettville.
Ridden by Damien Oliver, Secret Agenda dashed clear on straightening and went on to score by a length and three quarters from Viddora (I Am Invincible) with I Am A Star (I Am Invincible) a head away third in the smart time of 1:09.15.
Clocked from the 1000 metres, Secret Agenda produced impressive sectionals, her 200 metre breakdown being 10.35, 10.95 (400m in 21.30), 11.26 (600m in 32.56), 11.20 (800m in 43.76) with her final 200 metres in 12.00 to give her a fast 55.76 for her final 1000 metres.
It was Secret Agenda’s first Group One victory having won the Sapphire Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) at Randwick at her previous start on 8 April. The four-year-old mare has now raced 17 times for six wins and four seconds.
In the other Group One feature at Morphettville, the Chris Waller-trained filly Egg Tart (Sebring) continued her impressive winning sequence to five (from only seven starts) in taking out the Australasian Oaks (Gr 1, 2010m).
In a race of tactics with Kerrin McEvoy on Egg Tart tracking the favourite, the Darren Weir-trained Kenedna (Not A Single Doubt) before the pair of classy fillies fought out an exciting finish.
Both fillies raced midfield and while John Allen on Kenedna elected to go for a rails run in the straight, McEvoy switched deeper with Egg Tart.
Kenedna was first to get clear, took the lead at the 50 metres before his rival got a late opening to grab a late-closing head win at the post.
Egg Tart returned the slightly faster closing sectional times with her last 1000 metres in 58.71, last 800 metres in 46.43, last 600 metres in 34.62, last 400 metres in 23.23 and last 200 metres in 11.79.
While Kenedna was timed to run her last 1000 metres in 58.98, last 800 metres in 46.76, last 600 metres in 34.83, last 200 metres in 23.32 with her last 200 metres in 11.83.
Both fillies are expected to clash again in the upcoming Queensland Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) at Eagle Farm on 3 June.
Also headed towards that fillies’ classic is Saturday’s Gold Coast Bracelet (Listed, 1800m) winner Dawn Wall (Fastnet Rock), giving trainer Chris Waller a strong hand in the feature.
Given a good trip by Hugh Bowman in fourth place, Dawn Wall moved up nicely approaching the home turn and after taking the lead shortly after straightening, she went on to win comfortably by a length and a half from the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained filly The Pinnacle (So You Think).
Time for the 1800 metre distance was 1:49.00 (12.11 200m rate), with the first 1200 metres in 1:15.20 (12.53 200m rate) with a quick final 600 metres in 33.80 (11.26 200m rate).
In the main race on the Gold Coast card, the Godolphin-raced import It’s Somewhat (Dynaformer) staged a good all-the-way effort in taking out the A D Hollindale Stakes (Gr 2, 1800m).
He was pressured from the 600 metres by the eventual runner up Single Gaze (Not A Single Doubt) and after quite a battle in the straight, It’s Somewhat prevailed gamely by a half neck and remain unbeaten in three runs this preparation.
Time for the 1800 metre distance was 1:48.55 (12.06 200m rate), only 0.45 faster than Dawn Wall recorded earlier with the sectional breakdown being similar, the first 1200 metres clocking 1:14.94 (12.49 200m rate) with a quick last 600 metres in 33.61 (11.20 200m) rate.
It’s Somewhat is now set to run in Saturday week’s Doomben Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) where he is the TAB’s $4.00 favourite in their early markets.
Second favourite at $5.00 for the Group One race is now the Darren Weir-trained import Articus (Areion) who ran strong times in his impressive win in the Chairman’s Club Handicap (1800m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Having only his third start in Australia, the Darren Weir-trained Articus tracked a fast pace and after racing in seventh place made a wide move nearing the home turn. He took the lead at the 300 metres and then fought back strongly under his 60 kilo top weight to score impressively by a length.
Time for the 1800 metre journey was a fast 1:48.12 (12.01 200m rate) in a truly race with the first 1200 metre in a very solid 1:12.10 (12.01 rate) with the last 600 metres in 36.02 (12.00 200m rate).
Articus clocked strong sectional times, his 200 metre breakdown from the 1200 metres being 12.15, 11.46 (400m in 23.61), 11.51 (600m in 35.12), 11.34 (800m in 46.46), 11.40 (1000m in a fast 57.86) with his last 200 metres in 12.64 to give him a final 1200 metre time of 1.10.50.
He is clearly a quality stayer who is set to progress to the Doomben Cup with strong claims.