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By Brad Gray
At Royal Randwick

Vadiyann Hits The Ground Running
First up since September 2018 and chasing a hit speed set by Fun Fact. It was one heck of an Australian debut from French import Vadiyann.

Punters Intelligence shows Fun Fact rolled through the first 1400m in a fast 1:25.15s. That's roughly 17 lengths faster than the average early split for a 2000m race at Randwick.

"That was some performance first up 2000m off such a long spell, it was a mighty effort. The first time I sat on him was only in that latest trial and he gave me the feel of a nice progressive stayer that would continue to improve over further," said jockey Tim Clark.

"He is fortunate that he has come here with a low rating so has a few benchmark points to work with. That'll help him go through the grades before he finds himself in the deep end but like a lot of these imports they have a bit of class about them."

Co-trainer Adrian Bott said the rolling tempo suits horses with his profile before adding that the stable will be patient with the five-year-old.

"There is no rush to take any big steps just yet, we'll take him through the grades. It'll more in the spring, once we have him seasoned, we'll set our sights higher and look at some staying targets."

Brave win first up for 15 months over 2000m!

Won’t be the last time we see Vadiyann in the winners’ circle @GaiWaterhouse1 @SkyRacingAU pic.twitter.com/B4YU7Qy4gz

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) December 21, 2019

A Week Is A Long 'Time'
A very different Passage of Time rolled into the races this Saturday.

Joe Pride (Pic: Bradley Photos)

The five-year-old ran last only a week ago but jockey Chris Williams took him straight to the front out to 1400m and the result was never in doubt. So what happened?

"He wasn't himself last week, he fired up and Glyn (Schofield) had him in an awkward spot between horses which he doesn't like. You can see why he needs room, look at the size of him, he is a big beast and he needs galloping room," said Joe Pride.

"Chris handled him beautifully, he let him flow through his gears and he enjoyed himself.

"It was nice to see him run out 1400m today and he is even better on wet tracks, so if there are any grand plans for him it'd be next winter, that'd be when he could knock off something half decent."

Big Parade Heading To Guineas
How the Clare Cunningham-trained Big Parade performs in the Listed Gosford Guineas (1200m) next Friday will decide the promising three-year-old's future targets.

Jason Collett (Pic: Bradley Photos)

"We are very happy with him going into the race," said Big Parade's regular rider Jason Collett, "The step up to 1200m will suit and it's a nice stepping stone for him. It'll give us an indication of where we will head to in the autumn."

"Physically he is turning into a nice horse but mentally there is more to come. He'll have a final gallop on Monday and go for there."

Meanwhile, stablemate Cradle Mountain looked sharp in a Hawkesbury trial and isn't far away from appearing again at the races.

"Clare is really happy with him action-wise and how he is feeling. He may have another trial, he may not, he came through it well and it was a good hit out running time so he may go straight to the races but we'll see in the next week or so."

Boss Explains Pumpkin Pie Ride
"I was trying to catch Nash napping."

Glen Boss (Pic: Bradley Photos)

That was what Glen Boss told stewards after his ride on Pumpkin Pie.

Punters Intelligence shows that race leader To You Health ran 11.09s from the 1200-1000m before a near six length slowdown between the 1000-800m (12.13s). It was that section that Boss emphasised as the reason why he took off.

"I didn't want to be coming back in after the race saying they went too slow," explained Boss, before adding that it was the subsequent "argy-bargy" that ultimately brought about the undoing of Pumpkin Pie.

Asharani had the last shot at her rivals an 11.65s last 200m, the quickest of the race, was enough for her to win.

As for Word For Word punters, we'll have to butter up again when the four-year-old appears third up.

Check out the results and replays for Randwick on Saturday.