Latest News

Waihaha Falls stamped himself as one of the most exciting prospects coming through the winter months after a brilliant win in the Bowermans Handicap (1200m).

The John O’Shea trained galloper confirmed his first-up performance wasn’t a fluke and looks set to be competitive in much stronger grade in the future.

He was visually dominant, and the clock supported the merit of his performance. Further, as expected, the race rated highly relative to the day after adjustments and the margins throughout confirmed the quality.

Punter’s Intelligence recorded that the race was run at a solid tempo with the leader Mamaragan, running the first 600m run in 36.68.

Although not everything went to script in transit with the gelding being shuffled back/exposed early, he overcame that with acceleration. Further, he sprinted his final 600m/400m/200m splits in 35.67/23.91/12.25, some of the fastest closing sectionals of the entire meeting.

Key indicators suggest he can improve third-up again and is one to keep following.

Snippy Fox was brave in defeat after settling handy to the genuine tempo and never shirked her task to the line. Additionally, she recorded the race’s second-quickest final 200m split in 12.63 and is well placed in a similar grade again.

Placegetter Poetic Charmer lived up to his strong first-up record and hit the line well, running the race’s second-fastest final 600m split in 36.50. He will improve with fitness and over further distance.

Jockey Glyn Schofield emulated similar tactics to last start aboard Taksu and rode the gelding to tactical perfection to win the Furphy Winter Stakes (1400m).

The Joe Pride galloper led at a moderate tempo, running the first 800m in 51.08, which was approximately three lengths slower than the TAB Highway (1400m) and a significant 12 lengths compared to the Ranvet Handicap (1400m).

He was brave in fending off the challenge of JoJo Was A Man who in his own right ran a gallant race. The four-year-old continued his consistent form and went down fighting after racing wide throughout. Moreover, he ran the race’s quickest final 200m split in 12.60.

Oscar Zulu wasn’t suited but tried hard and ran the race fastest 400m-200m split in 11.77 and Agreeable who had the pace/bias against ran on well.

The standout closing sectional performer of the day was Casino Kid, who got too far back in the run after beginning awkwardly in the Precise Air Handicap (1100m).

The four-year-old gelding was first-up and ran the meeting’s quickest final 600m/400m/200m splits in 35.20/23.18/11.82. Watch for him over a more suitable distance.

Two other first-up performances to note came through the Schweppes Handicap (1100m). Sunrise Ruby and Marchioness resumed in style and both of their runs had sectional importance.

Sunrise Ruby ran a powerful last 400m split, which was one of the fastest of the meeting in 23.92.

The NZ import Marchioness, now trained by Matthew Smith, maybe the hidden run of the race. Further, she jumped well but was restrained from a wide draw and got too far back in the run. The mare clocked the race’s third-quickest final 200m in 12.42, and her work past the post suggested she would only improve next start.

It’s worth mentioning the Godolphin three-year-old Kanazawa, who went to a new level and appreciated being back on rain-affected ground. He went through the line full of energy, winning the Grainshaker Vodka Handicap (1400m) and ran a slick final 200m in 12.19. Continue to follow him.

Fastest last 600m: Casino Kid 35.20

Watch Punter’s Intelligence with Ben Way and Brad Gray at 7pm on Tuesdays on Sky Thoroughbred Central.

Click here to download the Punter's Intelligence app