We saw torrential conditions at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday; however, there were a few standout sectional performers before the meeting was abandoned.
Classy colt Emirate stole the show after an impressive performance in the 2YO Handicap over 1300m, and Punter’s Intelligence recorded the merit of his win.
He showed adaptability, acceleration and went through the line full of energy with his ears pricked.
The two-year-old overcame difficulties at the top of the straight and put the race away between the 400m-200m running 11.24 for that section.
He is an improving type, and all key indicators suggest he can be a major player in all the feature races as a three-year-old in the Spring.
Mr Artemisia was a flashing light run, and he looks set to peak fourth-up over more ground.
He had too much to do after being restrained from a wide draw and got too far back in the run.
However, he made up significant ground and ran the races quickest, closing 600m/400m/200m splits in 34.08/22.64/11.41.
Harlem Queen improved from her debut run with the experience, and she savaged the line late.
The filly was forced into the inferior ground but built momentum and clocked the second-fastest final 200m sectional of the race in 11.49.
Another runner of note, Graceful Artist, had excuses but exerted all her energy between the 600m-200m running the race’s quickest section in 22.41.
Franz Josef and Captain Furai were all the rage in the betting in the Benchmark 72 event over 1500m, and the two geldings fought it out over the concluding stages.
Franz Josef was ridden aggressively early and suited back to leading, albeit at a slow tempo.
The lightly raced galloper was suited, but when headed over the final furlong, he found under pressure and recorded the race’s quickest final 200m in 12.04. Further, his last few bounds were strong, and he can only step off this effort.
Captain Furai, who is still in his first preparation, looked the winner after sprinting a sharp 11.92 between the 400m-200m before peaking on his run. Continue to follow him.
Rematch bounced back into the winner’s stall and absorbed the high-pressure event in the Tab Highway (1500m).
He was suited back to set weight conditions but ran the race quickest 400m-200m split in 11.97 and maintained a solid finishing speed to score.
Associate, who was resuming, caught the eye running the race quickest final 600m in 37.17 and will only come on from this outing.
One of the more hidden runs was Amarantz, who wasn’t suited to the conditions and got into an impossible position.
To her credit, she was checked/blocked at critical stages in the straight, running the tenth fastest 400m-200m split, but once clear, she picked up and hit the line, recording the equal-quickest final 200m in 12.78.
A quick mention of Cigar Flick who revelled in the conditions to win the final event.
Although having last use of the track, she still ran one of the meeting fastest final 200m in 11.99.
Fastest last 600m: Eye Pea Oh 32.93
Watch Punter’s Intelligence at 7pm on Tuesdays on Sky Thoroughbred Central.
