Racing NSW Stewards today concluded an inquiry adjourned
from 23rd August 2007 into the Analyst's finding of the
prohibited substance Boldenone in the urine sample taken
from Perfectly Poised following that filly's second placing
in Race 2 (Rosehill Gardens Event Centre Handicap) conducted
at Canterbury Park on 18th April 2007.
Further evidence was today taken from Mrs Gai Waterhouse,
trainer of Perfectly Poised, Racing NSW Official Veterinarian,
Dr Craig Suann, and from Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory
Acting Director, Mr Andrew Vadasz. Mr Clive Jeffreys assisted
Mrs Waterhouse in the presentation of technical matters.
By consent of parties the results of the analysis of hair
samples from Perfectly Poised, which were submitted for
analysis to a USA laboratory, were not considered in evidence.
Mrs Waterhouse was found guilty of a charge under AR178
of having brought a horse to the racecourse for the purpose
of engaging in a race and when a sample taken from such
horse had detected in it a prohibited substance.
Mrs Waterhouse was fined the sum of $10,000 and was advised
of her rights of appeal.
1 XXXX GOLD DOOMBEN CUP WEIGHT FOR AGE
Weight for Age No Claims. Group 1. 2020 Metres $505,500
1 Grand Zulu (Gwenda Markwell) S Seamer 1 59.0
2 Scenic Shot (Daniel Morton) G Colless 13 59.0
3 Sarrera (Michael Moroney) D Oliver 5 59.0
4 Emerald Jack (Peter G Moody) L Nolen 15 59.0
5 Stormhill (Tim Martin) G Schofield 6 59.0
6 Spinney (Peter Snowden) 12 59.0
7 Legendary Man (Ken Lantry) S Treweek 16 59.0
8 Rampant Lion (Lindsay Gough) S Scriven 14 59.0
9 Viewed (Bart Cummings) S W Arnold 4 59.0
10 Luvuleo (Graeme Rogerson) R Thompson 17 59.0
11 Eskimo Queen (NZ) (Michael Moroney) M J Zahra 9 56.5
12 Like It Is (Darren Weir) S Murphy(a) 8 56.5
13 Reggie (NZ) (Peter G Moody) J Benbow 11 56.5
14 Lasoron (Bryan Guy) B Pengelly 7 56.5
15 Trick of Light (GB) (Michael Kent) Steven King 3 56.5
16 Lectrice (Mick Price) C Newitt 10 56.5
17e Mission Critical (Michael Moroney) S Katsidis 2 55.5
1 APACHE CAT 5G (Greg Eurell) 59.0
3 HARD TO CATCH 6G (Pat Duff) 59.0
4 REIGNING TO WIN 4G (John O'Shea) 59.0
5 THE JACKAL 5G (Paul St Vincent) 59.0
8 DOUBLE DARE (NZ) 6G (Chris Waller) 59.0
12 HELIDECK 4G (Brett Cavanough) 59.0
7 MURTAJILL 3C (Tim Martin) 57.0
11 TURFFONTEIN 3C(Anthony Cummings) 57.0
2 LA MONTAGNA 5M (Barry Baldwin) 56.5
6 JUSTE MOMENTE 4M (Danny O'Brien) 56.5
9 VORMISTA 4M (Mark Minervini) 56.5
10 TAN TAT DE LAGO 3F(Peter G Moody) 54.5
Final Acceptance –
close Wednesday May 21, 2008 at 10.00am (Fee $3,932.50 inc
gst)
Final Late Nomination –
close Wednesday May 21, 2008 at 10.00am (Fee $34,125 inc
gst)
It is a scary proposition that a horse can win a race by
20 lengths and the trainer declares there is still plenty
of improvement in him.
Last start 7YO Toulouse Lautrec toyed with his opposition
at his first start over the fences at Moonee Valley in the
Dominant Steeplechase (3224m). On Sunday he tackles the
fences again in one of Victoria’s premier jumping
races, the $60,000 Carlton Draught Great Southern Steeple
(3300m) at Mornington.
His previous victory follows three starts over the hurdles
that have resulted in two wins and a close second-place
finish.
However, after the massive win at Moonee Valley trainer
Chris Hyland left the course knowing the Group 1 winner
could jump much better.
“Because the race was put on late with the change
to Moonee Valley, we hadn’t had the chance to do a
lot of schooling with him. He was a little bit rusty,”
Hyland said.
On Monday Toulouse Lautrec schooled and left no doubt improvement
had been found.
“If he can jump like he did in trackwork Monday morning
then he will be hard to beat,” Hyland said.
“He has a lot of flat ability and is a quality racehorse.
But he likes to be boss around the stable and that is why
I think he is suited in a smaller stable.
“We’re able to take him to the beach and he
can walk around like he owns the place, which he might not
get the chance to do at some bigger stables.”
There is no doubting the class of the Danewin 7YO gelding.
In June 2004, Toulouse Lautrec was in the hands of trainer
John Hawkes when he won the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m)
by a length.
In his career to date Toulouse Lautrec has had 39 race
starts for nine wins and seven placings, earning $648,040
for owners in prizemoney.
Hyland stated jumpers now had to have plenty of ability
on the flat if they’re to measure up in city class
over the obstacles. However, he added that there are still
plenty of jumps races now on the race program though, at
places such as Casterton and Hamilton, where horses could
be competitive after trying the flat.
Hyland said he owed thanks to Group 1 winning trainer Greg
Eurell for the addition of Toulouse Lautrec to his team.
“There were a lot of people trying to buy the horse
to jump so the owners decided they might as well race him
themselves. Greg knows the owner’s racing manager
and he recommended me, so I must thank him for that,”
Hyland said.
This campaign Hyland has targetted the $250,000 Grand National
Steeplechase (4500m) at Flemington on Saturday 5 July for
Toulouse Lautrec.
“The longer the better it is for him, especially
with his strong staying pedigree,” Hyland said.
“He’ll have two more lead-up runs after the
Great Southern on Sunday. If he comes through the Grand
National, then we may look at the Hiskens at Moonee Valley.”
Country Racing Victoria Chief Executive Officer Scott Whiteman
encouraged racegoers to attend the Mornington meeting, if
only to watch a quality racehorse live in action.
“Country racing is often the grooming ground for
future Group 1 victors, however, it is not often a Group
1 winner returns to a country venue,” Whiteman said.
“Sunday presents an excellent opportunity to take
the family to a picturesque racecourse and watch a top thoroughbred
execute a jumping display that has the potential to lead
to greater glories during winter.”
For more details on all Victorian country racing, visit
www.countryracing.com.au.
Wodonga trainer Peter Maher has nominated four runners
for Saturday’s 2YO race at his hometrack, the Jack
Maher Classic (1200m), in his bid to win the race named
after his late father for the second time.
Maher previously won the Jack Maher Classic in 1994 with
Atlantic Comet. The Atlantic Flyer gelding would go on to
be an honest local campaigner, posting five of his seven
career wins at Wodonga and took out the 1995 Wodonga Cup
and 1997 Wangaratta Cup.
“You only have a certain number of two-year-olds
in your stable and it is nice to be able to try and win
the Jack Maher, but that is easier said than done,”
Maher said.
“It is pretty hard with two-year-olds because there
is usually something that goes wrong, whether it be shin
sore or the like.”
Maher has engaged fillies Strawberry Lane and Delta Mist,
who are both by Under A Spell, and geldings Opoho and Harry’s
Luck. Strawberry Lane is the only nominee with race experience,
finishing second in a 2YO Maiden (1100m) at Wangaratta on
27 April.
When pressed to identify the best chance of his four nominations,
Maher does not hesitate before singling out Strawberry Lane.
“Strawberry Lane has had a run and is race fit. She
has trained on well and probably should have won at Wangaratta,
so that form is as good as any,” Maher said, adding
the filly could also handle the wet if inclement weather
played a factor.
“She has improved from Wangaratta, where she did
a few things wrong, and has trained on well.”
His other Under A Spell filly, Delta Mist, has taken a
bit more time to blossom. There are three other guys that
will be cheering for both the girls though, with owners
Stephen Brown, Noel Forrest and Gary Bechaz involved in
both fillies.
With his El Moxie gelding Opoho, Maher cautions the youngster
might need the run.
“He has been a little bit rushed to get there but
he definitely has ability,” Maher said.
Of his other runner, the Marwina gelding Harry’s
Luck, Maher declared him a nice horse but there was always
the unknown of whether they’re good enough on race
day.
Wodonga Turf Club president Terry Maher, who is Peter’s
brother, said the Club had been delighted with the response
from trainers and owners since the meeting was switched
this year to a Saturday. It was previously held on a Friday.
“We’ve had a great response in terms of nominations
for the meeting,” Terry Maher said.
“Hopefully in turn this will lead to plenty of people
coming to the track on Saturday to watch what could be a
thoroughbred star of the future.”
In the new millennium there have been plenty of winners
of the Jack Maher Classic that have progressed to success
at metropolitan tracks including Cool Azz, Mr O’Hara,
Neprotain, Bella Princess and Barwon Express.
Terry Maher, who follows in his father’s footsteps
as president, added that Wodonga Turf Club honoured many
of the local racing identities at this race meeting –
Wodonga Legends Day.
Along with the 23rd running of the feature event –
the Jack Maher 2YO Classic – other events were named
after the late Vince Tobin – a renowned breeder of
quality thoroughbreds and a long-term committee member of
the club; the late Denise Casey, a well known and much loved
local racing identity; Frank Bohan, who is a past Secretary
and committee man and well known racing identity; Des McLeod,
who was a successful amateur jockey from Wodonga, worked
as a Steward in Victoria and South Australia and is still
actively involved with racing; and the McGrath Family. Jim
McGrath was a great supporter of the club for many years,
while Bill McGrath and Genevieve McGrath were both past
riders and trackwork riders well known in the Wodonga area.
For more details on all Victorian country racing events,
visit www.countryracing.com.au.
13/5/08 Takeover Target on
target for Singapore
World champion sprinter Takeover Target has survived his
final hit-out at Sandown ahead of Sunday’s $1 million
KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m) in Singapore.
But the same almost couldn’t be said for fellow Aussie
speedster Magnus.
The Peter Moody-trained stallion, which will join Takeover
Target on tomorrow’s flight to Singapore, dumped his
jockey coming onto the track and sent a scare through the
Moody camp as he galloped uncontrollably into the thick
fog which had engulfed Sandown Racecourse.
What made the situation more dramatic was that Takeover
Target had started his gallop and was also hidden by the
blanket of fog.
Takeover Target’s trainer Joe Janiak fell as he tried
to avoid the tearaway Magnus, which was eventually caught
in the chute at the top of the back straight.
“We didn’t need that this morning,” said
Moody.
“But it probably shows how well he’s feeling,
so if you can take a positive out of it that’s it.”
Magnus was taken back to the Sandown Quarantine stabling
area and after a brief inspection returned to complete his
gallop.
Janiak was pleased with Takeover Target’s final piece
of work.
“Yeah he normally trots a lap, then canters one,
not that I could see it! I just had to rely on my trustworthy
track ride, but by all reports it was all good,” Janiak
said.
Janiak is looking forward to racing in Singapore, one of
the few places he and his champ haven’t been in recent
years. Following Sunday’s race Takeover Target will
head to England for his third straight crack at the Royal
Ascot carnival.
“If anything I think he’s in the same or maybe
better condition (than last year), he’s a bit older,
but he doesn’t know that, his work has been fantastic.
Please be advised of the following additional gear changes
approved by Racing NSW Stewards for Wednesday's Royal Randwick
race meeting (14th May).
In Race 1, Horse - 5 SNOW ALERT (Jeff Lloyd), who is having
its first start, will carry a TONGUE TIE & LUGGING BIT.
In Race 6, Horse - 3 ILLUMINATES (App. Peter Wells) will
be fitted with a BARRIER BLANKET.
13/5/08 Star quartet to do
battle in Houlahan
Victoria’s top quartet of hurdlers are on track to
do battle again in Saturday’s $100,000 J.J. Houlahan
Hurdle (3200m) at Flemington.
Weeping Willow, Hasta Manana, Shrogginet and last years
champion jumper Some Are Bent have all been entered for
the race which is the sixth leg of the 2008 J.J. Houlahan
Championship.
The Chris Hyland-trained Weeping Willow has been the star
of the jumps season so far winning four on the trot including
a last start, last stride win in the Galleywood Hurdle at
Warrnambool.
On that occasion he defeated Hasta Manana with Shrogginet
third and Some Are Bent a gallant fourth.
Some Are Bent was asked to carry topweight of 68kg in the
Galleywood, his first jumps start for the season, and after
being pressured for most of the race he fought on bravely
to be beaten less than two lengths.
Some Are Bent is chasing back-to-back wins in the Houlahan
Hurdle having defeated 2005 Grand National Hurdle winner
Enzed and this years Great Eastern Steeplechase winner Conzeal,
last year.
Weeping Willow finished fourth, beaten eight lengths, in
last years race but is clearly a much better jumper this
season.
Among the other J.J. Houlahan Hurdle nominations; last
start Warrnambool hurdle winners Bullecourt and The Taurean
and promising first season jumper Emgee Rex.
Please be advised that jockey Danny Langridge has been injured
and will not be able to fulfil his two riding engagements
at today's Canterbury Park race meeting (13th May).
The following replacements have been declared by Racing
NSW Stewards:-
Race 4, Horse - 7 OUT OF POSITION will now be ridden by
JEFF LLOYD.
Race 5, Horse - 9 NUNZIATA will now be ridden by (a)TYE
ANGLAND.
12/5/08 Brisbane Cup on Cards
for Fulmonti (NZ)
The Gr.2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) beckons for the Montjeu gelding
Fulmonti (NZ) (ex Grosvenor’s Pride by Grosvenor)
following Saturday’s BTC Gr.3 Chairman’s Hcp
(2020m) win at Doomben.
Just as Mandela (NZ) had twelve months earlier, Fulmonti
(NZ) had the measure of his rivals in the Gr.3 feature,
winning on the good track by a half length in a time of
2:04.59.
Brisbane's Chairman's Hcp has been an outstanding platform
for the New Zealand bred galloper, with nine winners coming
since 1998 (to view the catalysts for this 81.8% win ratio,
see table below).
The Gr.2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) beckons for Fulmonti (NZ)
Looking to the Brisbane Cup double achieved by Art Success
(NZ) in 2006, Fulmonti’s (NZ) trainer Chris Jordon
is in little doubt of his stable charge’s ability
to get the distance and of the best preparation to adopt
leading in to the 2400m contest.
"He's out of a Grosvenor mare so he should get 2400
metres," Jordan was reported as saying.
"But he doesn't need a 2200 metre race as a lead up
and I'll run him over 1500 metres in the Sir Edward Williams
at the end of the month.
"This horse never has a hard gallop on the track and
he races best fresh.
"He'll be better going into the Brisbane Cup a little
underdone rather than have a hard lead-up run somewhere."
Fulmonti (NZ) cottoned on to the racing game as a three-year-old,
registering win one at his tenth start after no less than
five minor placed efforts. As a four-year-old, Fulmonti
(NZ) saluted the judge on three occasions, a win count that
he presently sits on for this season.
Year NZ Bred Chairman's Winners
2008 Fulmonti (NZ) (Montjeu)
2007 Mandela (NZ) (Ebony Grosve)
2006 Art Success (NZ) (Pentire)
2005 Zingam (NZ) (Zabeel)
2004 So Assertive (NZ) (Zabeel)
2002 Society Beau (NZ) (Bigstone)
2001 Citi Habit (NZ) (Citidancer)
1999 Cronus (NZ) (Zabeel)
1998 Yacquina Bay (NZ) (Oregon)
Purchased for NZ$100,00 at the 2004 Premier Yearling Sale
at Karaka, Fulmonti (NZ) has returned this amount and more
for his owners B Broomhead & A Jones, who have so far
banked $305,100 in stakes earnings for the horse.
Fulmonti (NZ) is one of five winners using the Montjeu
x Grosvenor mare cross, a positive nick given the cross’
seven runner tally to date.
Following on from the VRC Derby win of Nom Du Jeu (NZ),
Fulmonti’s triumph continued the great run of form
enjoyed by the progeny of Montjeu, a sire of some 43 individual
stakes winners.
Fulmonti’s (NZ) unraced dam Grosvenor’s Pride
(NZ) has produced the six winners from her seven foals to
race, with another of her black-type ambassadors being the
Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes winner, Pride of the Class (NZ)
(Volksraad).
Bred by Paul & Cushla Smithies, Fulmonti (NZ) represented
the third black-type winner to have hailed from Monovale
Farm this season, with previous winners here comprising
of the multiple Gr.1 winner Sir Slick (NZ) (Volksraad) and
of the Australian Listed 2YO winner Likefatherlikeson (NZ)
(Reset).
Grosvenor’s Pride (NZ) produced a brother to Fulmonti
(NZ) in both 2003 and 2005, along with a Faltaat colt named
Alytaat in 2004 and a High Chaparral colt in 2006.
Unfortunately Grosvenor's Pride (NZ) passed away in 2006,
however, Monovale Farm have retained an ability to continue
breeding from the family thanks to her daughter Perabo (NZ).
By Senor Peter, Perabo (NZ) is currently in-foal to Perfectly
Ready and has a weanling colt by Fantastic Light on the
ground.
12/5/08 Gorky
Park (NZ) Back in Winners Circle
Plucky Gorky Park (NZ) (Montjeu x Steluta by Defensive Play)
made a successful return to the winners circle at Caulfield
on Saturday, when he strode clear to take the No Fuss Solutions
Cup (2394m).
Trained by David Hayes, Gorky Park (NZ) was posting his
first win since recovering from the tendon injury he suffered
in April last year when running fifth to Fiumicino (NZ)
in the AJC Australian Derby.
"With the stem cell treatment his tendon looks fantastic
now," Hayes said.
Last season, the dual Gr.1 placed son of Montjeu was a
top staying three-year-old when he finished second to Efficient
(NZ) in the 2006 Victoria Derby and third in the Gr.1 The
BMW.
"His second in the Victoria Derby was to Efficient
who is one of the best winners in recent years." said
Hayes.
Gorky Park (NZ), who was having his fifth start this campaign,
may back-up next Saturday to contest the Listed Andrew Ramsden
Stakes (3200m) at Flemington, and/or head to the Queensland
Winter Racing Carnival for the Gr.2 P J O'Shea Stakes (2200m)
at Eagle Farm on May 31.
12/5/08 Waterhouse Inquiry
poised to resume
GAI WATERHOUSE will have the power to ask that the Perfectly
Poised inquiry be held behind closed doors following Racing
NSW's introduction of a new policy to govern publication
of interim reports.
The drawn-out Perfectly Poised saga is due to resume on
Thursday, with Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy confirming
yesterday Waterhouse could make application to have it heard
in camera (see Max Presnell, page 19).
Perfectly Poised returned a positive swab to the banned
steroid boldenone when finishing second at Canterbury in
April last year.
The inquiry was adjourned at the request of Waterhouse
so tail and mane hair samples could be sent to the United
States for testing in the hope of finding out when the drug
was administered.
"We have been assured the results will be in by Thursday,"
Murrihy said.
12/5/08 Dye
grounded after tumble
SHANE DYE's return to Australian racing has stalled, with
the jockey sidelined indefinitely following a fall from
Prend in the first race at Doomben on Saturday.
"Twenty-five years of riding and I've never had a
stirrup iron break - but it did," Dye said. "Luckily,
it was after the winning post. I've done my cartilage in
the ribcage … I've done it twice before, the last
one took six weeks."
Dye recently scoffed at suggestions retirement was looming,
saying: "I've got a few fingers in a few pies".
Reminded of the quip yesterday, he said: "They are
not hot enough yet".
Canterbury City Council unanimously approved World of Golf
Australia Pty Ltd's application at its meeting last night,
paving the way for a new Australian standard in golfing
facilities to be constructed at Canterbury Park.
Sydney Turf Club, as racecourse owner and business partner
of the project, considers the World of Golf proposal an
excellent opportunity to expand its non-racing business.
The project centres around a state-of-the-art golf practice
facility, modelled on a successful sister project, which
has been operating in South Africa for 10 years. It will
be developed in the centre of the racecourse, as not to
interfere with the Club's commitment to hosting regular
race meets.
STC Chief Executive, Michael Kenny, said World of Golf is
an ideal partner in the Club's bid to expand the use of
Canterbury Park and offer greater leisure activities to
the local community.
"Sydney Turf Club prides itself on innovation, as can
be seen by the launch of our $30million Grand Pavilion at
Rosehill Gardens last month," Mr Kenny stated.
"The World of Golf project is another way we can achieve
greater use of our facilities. World of Golf can complement
racing at Canterbury Park while maintaining the expansive
green open space which typifies the racecourse.
"Mid-week race meetings to take priority and golf to
take place on every other day. The spin-offs include further
employment as we provide staff to operate a golf facility
unlike any other in Australia."
Revenue made by the Club from the World of Golf venture
will be invested into the racing industry.
The development, which spans almost 40 acres, features specialist
zones for practicing all aspects of the game including chipping,
putting, driving, pitching and bunker play. The project
also includes a 9-hole par 3 course and adventure golf,
which can be likened to a highly challenging version of
putt putt.
World of Golf Australia CEO, Antony Resnick, has no doubt
the development will change the way golf is practised in
Australia: "There will be tangible benefits from the
creation of a complex of this magnitude while ensuring its
success and future growth," Mr Resnick said.
"Canterbury Park is an ideal location for our facility;
it's close to city, highly accessible from all areas in
Sydney, with an abundance of parking space, easy access
to Canterbury train station and a bus stop at the front
door."
Importantly, World of Golf will retain a 'green belt' environment
in the Canterbury district. More than 4,000 native trees,
low-lying shrubs and grasses will be planted as part of
the complex.
It is estimated that building works will cost in excess
of $5m. In addition, World of Golf Australia will acquire
specialised golf equipment, ball management systems for
automated ball delivery to players, furniture and fittings,
play equipment for children, putt putt facilities and catering
outlets. Also part of the project is a golf retail store,
a golf teaching academy and demonstration centre where players
can test the latest equipment.
Construction of the facility is expected to begin early
in the new financial year, with completion taking up to
nine months
Champion jockey Damien Oliver reckons cult idol Apache
Cat is beatable in the Doomben 10,000 on Saturday week after
losing out to the gelding in a heart-stopping finish yesterday.
Officials claimed Apache Cat was responsible for an extra
3000-4000 patrons at Doomben and Ollie, on South Australian
mare Vormista in the BTC Cup, came within a head of an upset.
"A few things went against my mare, she got a bump
from the inside and she was having her first start for around
seven months," he explained.
Oliver considered a protest but after seeing film of the
race from head-on conceded that trouble came from the inside
and not Apache Cat.
"Passing the 100 metres Vormista was momentarily buffered
for room between Apache Cat, which shifted in slightly,
and Swiss Ace which shifted out slightly," the stewards
reported.
Yes, another group 1 second for Ollie but for a couple
of strides he made it looked dicey for the hot favourite.
Fortunately, Corey Brown was able to keep him rolling,
surprisingly without much whip because the jockey felt he
had to keep winding him up hands and heels to get the best
out of him.
Prior to the BTC Cup, racegoers lined the fence six to
eight deep to look at the flashy chestnut, creating so much
activity that trainer Greg Eurell moved him to another stall.
Still, those who laid the odds had palpitations.
"How are they going to beat Apache Cat?" was
the most-asked question in racing circles on Friday.
Lack of pace was nearly the answer.
Apache Cat was in touch with the leaders, third on the
turn, when they dashed after a slow tempo (36.02 seconds
for the first 600m) and Brown said Swiss Ace, in particular,
took plenty of running down, with Vormista pushing through
in the centre.
The final 600m in 33.28s meant backmarkers like Swick and
The Jackal had no chance. In fact, Swick must have broken
the speed of sound to get so close in fourth place.
But Apache Cat, as Brown puts it, keeps rolling and while
it looked hectic, like all top-liners he found something
when required.
Certainly the extra journey (1350m) won't be a problem
in the Doomben 10,000 but due to the scramble yesterday
bookmakers will be more generous.
"He's a real gentleman," Brown added.Which was
a far cry from trainer Bryan Guy after Masai Pride scored
in the earlier Ooh! Media Handicap after missing the start.
"He's a prick," Guy declared.
Masai Pride begins badly when blinkers are applied, which
was the situation yesterday but when he begins well without
them the grey doesn't produce the big finish.
"Stewards have made me barrier trial him three times
but it's just the way he is," the trainer said.
Jockey Stathi Katsidis described Acorns, triumphant in
the XXXX Gold-Golden Stakes, as a "confusing horse".
Acorns, too, had a gear change to blinkers and raced outside
the leader before hanging on grimly, but in the straight
wasn't comfortable.
GAI Waterhouse bolstered her Brisbane winter carnival team
when Royal Discretion backed up stablemate Rabbuka's Rowley
Mile triumph with an emphatic Hawkesbury Guineas win yesterday.
In carting off two of the day's feature events at the hugely
successful race day at the Clarendon course, Waterhouse
declared both would head north for the winter riches.
"They will both go up there, along with Master Magic
which will race next Saturday, and they will be very competitive
up in Brisbane," Waterhouse said.
Royal Discretion was sent out as a $2.40 favourite and
bolted in by 1¼ lengths over Turffontein ($8) and
Acey Ducey ($10), which was 1¾ lengths away in third.
"He is a very exciting horse," Waterhouse said.
Royal Discretion is owned by a crew of South Africans who
race horses all over the world.
While Nash Rawiller was seen to advantage when scoring
on Royal Discretion it was Blake Shinn who took the winning
ride of Rabbuka. And Waterhouse didn't miss the beaming
face of Shinn after its Rowley Mile success.
"A little smiling face, good heavens that's a bit
of a change," Waterhouse said.
Shinn, who also won the final event aboard Don't Tell Pat,
had a troubled week with Racing NSW stewards suspending
him for a month after returning a positive to the banned
stimulant ephedrine.
Shinn has vowed to work harder than ever and won't be relaxing
while on the suspended list.
The 20-year-old backed up Waterhouse's opinion of Rabbuka
($3.50) saying he is "a promising horse on the way
up" after its long-head victory over stablemate Party
Crasher. The winner of four from seven starts, Rabbuka was
hit hard when equine influenza struck but the four-year-old
completed a winning hat-trick when nailing Party Crasher
($6), which was a short head in front of Mr Ubiquitous ($10).
"No disgrace for the second horse Party Crasher being
beaten because this is the making of a very, very talented
middle-distance stayer," Waterhouse said. "We
had an enormous opinion of him and when EI came in, he was
one of the few horses in my yard to really feel it.
"He lost a lot of condition and got very sick. We
had to put him out for a long time."
Jamie Innes sent Party Crasher to the front and tried to
pinch the race when cutting loose prior to the turn and
it took Rabbuka the entire straight to overhaul him but
the winner was strong on the line.
LIKE his brother Kerry, Chris Jordan has a happy knack
of preparing a good stayer. Fulmonti is headed towards the
$300,000 Brisbane Cup (2400 metres) at Eagle Farm on June
9. The five-year-old gelding was impressive winning the
$100,000 Chairman's Handicap (2020m) yesterday with Ric
McMahon aboard."I don't gallop this horse between races,
he only does three-quarter pace," the New Zealander
said.
McMahon, 20, has only just returned from breaking his leg
three months ago in a fall at Doomben. "This is my
first group 3 win," he said. "The leg is coming
good but I just can't run on it at the moment, but it is
not affecting my riding."
11/5/08 Courtney
sets pace with first winner
Apprentice jockey Courtney Pace is celebrating a dream start
to her professional riding career after notching her first
winner with her first ride.
Pace partnered the Lee Hope-trained Finlayson to victory
in the ASSDA 0-72 Handicap (1400m) at Cranbourne. While
Hope wasn’t on hand to witness the victory his son
Shannon said it was the culmination of a long-term plan.
“Dad targeted this race and this horse for Courtney’s
first ride so it’s great how it’s all worked
out,” Hope said.
“She rode him really well. She didn’t panic
even though it was her first professional ride. She did
a great job.”
Pace cut her teeth on the picnic circuit over the past
couple of years and rode 10 winners during the recently
completed picnic season.
“I had 181 rides at the picnics so I had a good grounding
there,” said a delighted Pace.
Her last winner as an amateur jockey was aboard picnic
champ Warrigal Tom at Buchan on 16 February
9/5/08 Swick (NZ) Shoots
for Gr.1 Success
O’Reilly (NZ) gelding Swick (NZ) (ex Creme Anglaise
by Crested Wave) will carry the Gr.1 hopes his sire this
weekend when he steps out in the BTC Cup (WFA, 1200m) at
Doomben.
Looking to turn the tables on the outstanding galloper
Apache Cat, to whom he finished second in March’s
Gr.1 Lightning Stakes, Swick (NZ) would become O’Reilly’s
(NZ) sixth individual Gr.1 winner should he do so.
Trained by Bart Cummings, Swick (NZ) has saluted the judge
on five occasions, with black-type success counted in the
A$350,000 Gr.2 Seppelt Salinger Stakes (1200m), and the
MRC Gr.3 Sandown Stakes (1400m).
O’Reilly (NZ) will receive further black-type representation
this weekend, courtesy of his Gr.1 Caulfield Cup winning
son Master O’Reilly (NZ) (Without Remorse x Bakharoff)
who is a fresh-up runner in the A$170,000 Gr.3 Gerard Corporation
Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville.
9/5/08 Hussler's
Reputation continues to soar
Champion three year-old Weekend Hussler has been rated the
equal best miler in the world following the latest release
of the World’s Leading Horses.
The ratings have been issued following last weekend’s
Kentucky Derby meeting and are compiled by the World Rankings
Supervisory Committee.
Weekend Hussler is now rated at 122, alongside Hong Kong
superstar Good Ba Ba, following his stunning victory in
last month’s Group 1 Cathay Pacific George Ryder Stakes
in Sydney.
The rankings take into account the best performances in
the world during the last six months and Weekend Hussler
has moved from equal eighth best horse in the world to now
hold equal fifth.
Last month Weekend Hussler was also rated the second best
sprinter in the world behind another Hong Kong star, Sacred
Kingdom.
Greg Carpenter, Chairman of the ANZ Classifications Committee
and Australia’s representative on the Wold Group said
“The latest listings give ample proof of the regard
for Australian racing on the International stage and in
particular the world-wide acclaim Weekend Hussler has been
given for his performances in his three year-old season.”
Super sprinter Apache Cat has also entered the world’s
top 50, with a rating of 118, following his win in the Group
1 T J Smith Stakes at Randwick. He joins Takeover Target
and Miss Andretti as Australia’s leading older sprinters.
American superstar Curlin maintains his ranking as the world’s
best horse while Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown has shot
to number two on the list with a rating of 126.
APACHE CAT steps out in the BTC Cup at Doomben on Saturday
and betting suggests the race is over. TAB Sportsbet is
offering $1.45 about the baldy-faced gelding chasing four
successive group 1s.
"So he should be that price, he is a top horse,"
Sunshine Coast trainer Michael Mair said. "But things
can go wrong in racing and you can get a bit of luck."
Mair's form three-year-old colt Swiss Ace takes on Apache
Cat with the latter's jockey, Corey Brown, also looking
for four group 1s from as many rides.
"When I push the go button you know there is going
to be something there," Brown said. "He is a genuine
group 1 horse and has an amazing will to win."
Swiss Ace has nine wins from 11 starts and is seeking four
straight.
"He has done nothing wrong so far and deserves his
chance in this field," Mair said. "Every time
we put a hurdle in front of him he seems to jump them.
"There is nowhere to hide at this level but we will
be doing our best. He is around his peak but whether that
is good enough is yet to be seen."
Barbara Joseph was as surprised as anyone when Belong To
Many snatched victory with an all-the-way win in the Sapphire
Stakes at Randwick on oaks day.
"We didn't even think she would get in the race,"
Joseph said. "So it was a bit of a surprise when she
won; she is a real fighter and deserved a win like that."
Belong To Many runs in the Woodlands Crown at Hawkesbury
on Saturday.
"She is a good little mare and she is racing well,"
Joseph said. "She pulled up nice after the run, she
is better on top of the ground and we should get a nice
track at Hawkesbury. A lot of jockeys have headed up to
Queensland or are on holidays, so I decided to put Jeff
[Penza] on her. He has ridden her before and he knows the
horse."
Stablemate A Country Girl will also run in the Woodlands
Crown after beating one runner home in the Royal Parma at
Rosehillon April 19.
Joseph has freshened A Country Girl and said "she
goes well with a few weeks off and it wouldn't be a big
surprise to see her turn it around".
Cobbitty trainer Anne-Marie Ruttley takes a team of three
to Hawkesbury with Don't Tell Pat and stablemate Beautiful
Light contesting the Richmond Club Handicap.
"Dont Tell Pat has got a fair bit of weight [58 kilograms],"
Ruttley said. "But he runs well over the trip. In fact,
Don't Tell Pat's four career wins thus far have all been
over the same journey as Saturday's assignment."
Don't Tell Pat ran into trouble when fifth behind Hoystar
last time out, with Ruttley also reporting the gelding didn't
handle the wet Rosehill track.
"He had a little jump-out down here the other day
and if we get a good track at Hawkesbury I expect he should
win," Ruttley said. "Beautiful Light has had a
good break but has had three jump-outs down here and is
going well. Whatever he does on Saturday he should improve
on."
Ruttley's other runner, Mystical Ring, has been absent
from racing since November 2006.
"He had a barrier trial back in August last year when
he finished second," Ruttley said. "We have had
a few problems with him in the past.
"We nominated him for a race around a month ago but
we kept getting setbacks.
"But he is going really well now and should be right
in the race."
Ruttley has secured the services of Sydney's leading jockey,
Blake Shinn, for the rides aboard Don't Tell Pat and Mystical
Ring. Rod Quinn has been booked to partner Beautiful Light.
8/5/08 Master O'Reilly returns
at Morphettville
Reigning BMW Caulfield Cup winner Master O’Reilly
makes his long awaited return to the track on Saturday in
the Gerard Corporation Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville.
Saturday’s race will be Master O’Reilly’s
one and only appearance this campaign. He will then be spelled
in preparation for another tilt at the Caulfield and Melbourne
Cups.
The reason for starting Master O’Reilly in Adelaide
and not Melbourne is simple according to connections.
“He gets in with a good weight,” said assistant
trainer Gino Mata.
“With the set weights and penalties conditions it
is a much more luxurious weight for him to carry first up
over a mile.”
Master O’Reilly will carry topweight of 58kg.
“He’s coming from a Melbourne Cup preparation
so he still has some residual fitness and at this time of
year, on that track, those conditions should suit him well,”
Mato said.
Master O’Reilly has only had two starts over the
mile for a second placing.
His main opposition on Saturday includes exciting South
Australian galloper Stillme and Mike Moroney’s in-form
galloper Skiddaw Peak.
A DAY after being suspended for a month on a drugs charge,
jockey Blake Shinn rode four winners on the eight-race card
at Canterbury yesterday.
Shinn, whose suspension begins on Sunday, described his
performance as "extremely satisfying and a big relief".
He also expressed gratitude for the support he had received
from within the industry.
"I'm just going to have to work harder, come back
bigger and better," Shinn said. "And hopefully
I can win the premiership."
The four wins at Canterbury took Shinn's premiership total
to 61, a lead of 10 over Nash Rawiller.
Legendary trainer Bart Cummings believed Shinn should have
been given "a healthy fine" instead of being banned
after testing positive to the outlawed stimulant ephedrine,
which is used as an appetite suppressant to keep weight
down. The 20-year-old was suspended on Tuesday.
"A month is a bit severe. With no horses to ride on
race day, he is going to put on weight," Cummings said
at Canterbury. "He can't go on a holiday and relax,
he'll put on weight … a healthy fine would have been
better."
Shinn kicked off the character-building meeting with a
win on the Gerald Ryan-trained Warburg in the third and
ended the day triumphant in the last three races: on Scotch
Gem, Hunters Host and Cummings galloper King's First in
the last.Ryan believes the inquiry, in which Shinn pleaded
guilty to a breach of racing law, was handled superbly by
Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy. He said Shinn had
broken the rules but, as a former jockey, he still felt
for the hoop. "When I was riding I lived on duromine
but people out there aren't going to know it is an appetite
suppressant like I do," Ryan said.
Cummings and Ryan agreed the month out of racing would
not hurt the career of Shinn, who is rapidly becoming known
as a whiz-kid.
"He'll bounce back," Ryan said. "He has
the right attitude, he is a good worker, the best jockey
and has the best stable [Gai Waterhouse] behind him."
Shinn was only 17 years old when Cummings lured him north
to ride High Cee in the Newcastle Cup in 2005. The gelding
finished in a dead-heat for first with Carael Boy.
"He also won a St Leger for me," Cummings said.
"I was asked why I put him on, they said, 'He hasn't
done anything', but I said, 'Give him time and he will be
a top jockey'."
Cummings added Shinn "has just got to watch his weight
and diet" and was convinced the best was yet to come
from the youngster. "He is a rider of the future,"
Cummings said. "A clear-thinking fellow with the world
in front of him. He won't look back."Shinn is hopeful
more wins are in store for him on Saturday at the stand-alone
Hawkesbury meeting, which carries metropolitan status. He
has rides in each of the feature events: on board the Gary
Portelli-trained Cigar Royale in the Hawkesbury Guineas,
and on the Waterhouse-trained Rabbuka in the Rowley Mile.
"Rabbuka is a lovely horse on the way up," Shinn
said. "It is a bit of a class rise here, but I think
he is up to making the step."Cigar Royale's run was
good the other day on a rain-affected track. He'll improve
when he gets firm ground on Saturday and the 1400 metres
will suit."
Cigar Royale finished third on a slow track in that race,
the South Pacific Classic.Meanwhile, Apache Cat has drawn
barrier four in Saturday's BTC Cup at Doomben, with TAB
Sportsbet installing the gelding as the $1.45 favourite.
Corey Brown, who rode three winners at Canterbury yesterday,
is out to win a third consecutive group 1 on Apache Cat.
8/5/08 Rodd back in winners
circle
Emirates Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michael Rodd has notched
his first winner in almost four months, saluting aboard
topweight Mrs Waters in the Legends After The Last Handicap
at Moonee Valley.
Rodd hadn’t ridden since 19 January, and hadn’t
ridden a winner since the meeting at Geelong on 17 January,
after being struck down by a mystery illness contracted
while on holiday in Thailand.
He returned to the saddle at Ballarat last Saturday and
was actually thrown from his first mount on the way to the
barriers. Mrs Waters was just his fourth ride back.
“It’s good to get that out of the way, it’s
very exciting. A couple of months back I didn’t think
I’d be here so soon,” Rodd said.“It’s
a bit up in the air exactly what I was diagnosed with. I’m
working really hard and I still have a long road ahead of
me but it’s nice to be back in the car and driving
again.”Mrs Waters, trained by Peter Healy, led all
the way under her 58 kg to defeat Stravinsky’s Image
and Fidemus.
JACOB’S CREEK SPARKLING BTC CUP
DOOMBEN SATURDAY 10 MAY 2008 GROUP 1 – 1200 METRES
$400,000 +$3,300 TROPHIES WFA – APPRENTICES CANNOT
CLAIM
RACE 7 – 3.55
Nb Horse Trainer Weight Barrier Jockey
1 Apache Cat Greg Eurell 58.5 4 Corey Brown
2 Swick (NZ) Bart Cummings 58.5 5 Steven Arnold
3 The Jackal Paul St Vincent 58.5 3 Robert Thompson
4 Dance The Waves Gillian Heinrich 58.5 1 Scott Seamer
5 Roman Squire Paul Dawson 58.5 8 Brad Pengelly
6 Swiss Ace Mick Mair 57.0 2 Ken Pope
7 La Montagna Barry Baldwin 56.0 7 Glen Colless
8 Vormista Mark Minervini 56.0 6 Damien Oliver
First Acceptance – close Wednesday May 21, 2008 at
10.00am (Fee $660 inc gst)
First Late Nomination – close Wednesday May 21, 2008
at 10.00am (Fee $11,000 inc gst)
Final Acceptance – close Wednesday May 28, 2008 at
10.00am (Fee $2,420 inc gst)
Final Late Nomination – close Wednesday May 28, 2008
at 10.00am (Fee $22,000 inc gst)
First Acceptance – close Wednesday May 28, 2008 at
10.00am (Fee $825 inc gst)
First Late Nomination – close Wednesday May 28, 2008
at 10.00am (Fee $13,750 inc gst)
Final Acceptance – close Wednesday June 4, 2008 at
10.00am (Fee $3,025 inc gst)
Final Late Nomination – close Wednesday June 4, 2008
at 10.00am (Fee $27,500 inc gst)
