By Golden Rose day more stories detailed the lack of runners and Vancouver’s absence than the chances of Exosphere. The day provided incredible highlights and riding performances. James McDonald, back from a suspension, rode popular grey mare Catkins to a strong win in the Sheraco stakes, Good Project in the Mack Trucks Handicap and Winx, in a performance that many had to see to believe, in the Theo Marks Stakes, all for Chris Waller.
By the time the eight runners in the Golden Rose ambled into the mounting enclosure, Exosphere, despite being the $3.10 favourite, looked to be a supporting act amongst the theatrics of Waller and McDonald.
Press Statement was the choice of racing’s astute tipsters, and the China Horse Club owned colt was predicted to become the premier 3yo with a commanding win, onwards to the Caulfield Guineas. Speak Fondly, the sole filly of the race trained by Gai Waterhouse, had become a consolation for the stable following the spelling of stable heavyweights Vancouver, and Golden Slipper runner-up English.
The filly had plenty of support at $4.40, particularly with the engagement of Brett Prebble, the Melbourne Cup winning jockey who met with enormous success in Hong Kong.
Of course, a race record time and dominant display was not enough for racing critiques. Press Statement’s jockey Tye Angland seemed to panic behind horses in the straight and switched course during the sprint home, potentially costing the horse second. Instead Waller’s colt had to settle for fifth. Angland’s day became significantly worse, after having to present his comments to Waller, owners and the racing media through gritted teeth, the hoop found his car’s windshield had been smashed no doubt by a disgruntled punter.
Exosphere jumped cleanly, sat behind the leaders Speak Fondly, Holler and Let’s Make It Rain, and on straightening ambled off the rail behind the filly. Within a few strides Exosphere had the race won, easing down to win by a widening 2-1/4 lengths, the only thing wider being the cheeky grin on James McDonald’s face as he drew past the line.
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Press Statement (above) and Vancouver (below)