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Appeals by Robyn Freeman / Ben Vassallo - dismissed
Kutchinsky out of feature races

Cummings down but not out of the spring

Goldstone stars on debut for Bart

Alandi and Efficient head cup weights

Many chances across the country for Aquanita

Hold all tickets: weight disadvantage makes Slater an unlikely starter

More trackwork from Gai Waterhouse stable
Review of Benchmark Racing

2010 Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductees

Shellscrape gets his deserved Group one

Latest trackwork from the Gai Waterhouse stable

Qld Horse of the Year honour for Shoot Out

Cassidy keen to conquer all down south

scroll down for more horse racing news

 
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2/9/2010 Appeals by Robyn Freeman / Ben Vassallo - dismissed

The Racing NSW Appeal Panel today dismissed the appeal of licensed jockey Robyn Freeman against her conviction and penalty of a one-month suspension for her ride on Reigning Rhythm at the Wyong race meeting on Friday, 16th July 2010. Ms Freeman was found guilty of a charge under AR135 (b) "The rider of every horse shall take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that his horse is given full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible place in the field) in that as the rider of Reigning Rhythm:-

i) She failed to improve her position from the 400m behind Le Gaze to be closer to that runner at the entrance to the straight where it was reasonable and permissible to do so;

(ii) That from the entrance to the straight to approximately the 100-metres, she failed to position Reigning Rhythm to take a run that was available between Spin Ball and Le Gaze which would have afforded her a clear and unimpeded run to the finish and the opportunity to place her mount under full vigour; and

(iii) In all the circumstances from the 400-metres to the finish, she rode her mount with insufficient vigour.

Ms Freeman is free to take rides this Saturday (4th September) at Hawkesbury and her suspension thereafter for one month will mean she is be able to resume race riding on Tuesday, 5th October 2010.

********

Apprentice jockey Ben Vassallo also had his appeal dismissed against a charge of careless riding from his ride on Grand Rhumba at AJC’s Hawkesbury race meeting on Tuesday, 24th August 2010.

Apprentice was charged under AR137(a) in that "As rider of Grand Rhumba, inside the 100m he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of Dublette, resulting in Dublette, which had been inclined to shift in away from Grand Rhumba, being taken in across the running of Fappiano’s Lad and contributing to Fappiano’s Lad having to be checked when tightened between Fappiano’s Lad and Last Day Friday."

Apprentice Vassallo’s permit to ride in races is suspended until Friday, 24th September 2010, on which day he may ride.


2/9/2010 Kutchinsky out of feature races

The Tony Noonan stable has officially advised Racing Victoria that Kutchinsky has gone amiss and will not be continuing with its spring campaign. The horse will not be an acceptor when the first declarations are taken next Tuesday, 7 September for the Emirates Melbourne Cup, BMW Caulfield Cup and Tatts Cox Plate.
Further to the earlier update pertaining to Kutchinsky, the Tony Noonan stable has further advised Racing Victoria that the horse may compete later in the spring upon recovery from a virus, but reaffirmed that the horse will not be a first acceptor for the Emirates Melbourne Cup, BMW Caulfield Cup and Tatts Cox Plate next Tuesday, 7 September.

2/9/2010 Cummings down but not out of the spring
Andrew Eddy and Craig Young

A BROKEN pelvis might slow down Bart Cummings this spring but the 82-year-old's horses continue to dominate the feature race markets following the release of the weights for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups yesterday.

Cummings's son Anthony reported yesterday that his father would be in hospital for another week and might have to use a walking aid during his recovery this spring, but otherwise little had changed with the Cups master.

''He's fine. He's still giving out the orders,'' Cummings said at Warwick Farm where his father unearthed a likely Caulfield Guineas-type in the form of Shamardal colt Goldstone.

''He looked one way and stepped another and tripped over a step,'' Cummings said in explaining his father's fall at home. ''When he went down he fractured his pelvis. It's not a bad fracture. He might just need a frame to help him get around for a while.''

Bart Cummings only recently recovered from a bout of pneumonia that forced him to miss the majority of the autumn and winter carnivals.

As usual, Cummings's horses were the talk of the Cup weights announcement yesterday with two of his best four-year-olds - So You Think and Faint Perfume - asked to create some history of their own this spring.

VRC Oaks winner Faint Perfume will have to prove herself the equal of Cummings's former star Leilani if she is to also carry 52 kilograms and win the Caulfield Cup. Leilani in 1974 and How Now in 1976 are the only four-year-old mares to carry such a weight and win.

With a handicap of 56kg in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, So You Think is the highest weighted four-year-old since Octagonal gained 56.5kg in 1996.

Owner Lloyd Williams's pair of Alandi and Efficient topped the Melbourne Cup weights with 58kg but Williams was hardly alarmed. ''That was expected if you look through the ratings,'' he said.

Williams said he felt one of the better weighted horses was last year's winner Shocking, and the horse's trainer Mark Kavanagh could not disagree despite him rising from 51kg to 57kg. ''Everything the handicapper said when explaining his weight was logical and made sense so that was not a shock,'' Kavanagh said.

Handicapper Greg Carpenter said Shocking's form at 2400 metres underlined the rise to 57kg. ''In four starts at that distance and beyond, he ran second in the Queensland Derby, second in the Herbert Power and then won the Lexus and Melbourne Cup.''

The John Wallace-trained Shoot Out received 55kg in both Cups. The gelding is the highest-weighted AJC Derby winner since Universal Prince (55.5kg) in 2001. ''You can't whinge about it,'' Wallace said. ''I learnt long ago never to argue with handicappers. I expected him to get around 54.5 kilos, so 55 isn't too bad.''

Dermot Weld's Rite Of Passage received 57kg in the Melbourne Cup while stablemate Profound Beauty was given 54kg


1/9/2010 Goldstone stars on debut for Bart

The legendary Bart Cummings stable looks to have unveiled a stakes winner of the future at Warwick Farm this afternoon.

Goldstone, a three-year-old colt by Shamardal, impressed connections and racegoers alike when he won the Members' Terraces Handicap (1150m) on debut.

While Cummings himself is sidelined with a broken pelvis, his horses have continued on their merry way and Goldstone is the latest likely prospect unleashed on the racetrack.

Cummings selected and purchased Goldstone for $220,000 from the Segenhoe Stud draft at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

The legendary trainer's grandson and foreman James Cummings said connections had always had a good opinion of the exciting three-year-old.

"We sent Kudakulari down to Melbourne and he'll go towards the (Caulfield) Guineas and thought we might keep this bloke around for the Spring Champion Stakes."

"He's in the race and I think when he gets up in trip he might even be more dynamic."

"He's produced a very good turn of foot today and he's built upon what he's shown us at the trials."

"Hopefully he continues to improve and reach some pretty high levels in his first preparation."

Goldstone is by the same sire as Cummings' VRC Oaks winner Faint Perfume.

"He's by Shamardal and we've got a pretty good mare in the stable by him."

"Hopefully he (Goldstone) might reach her heights," Cummings wrapped up.

Winning rider Tim Clark likened Goldstone to one of the stables other three-year-old Group One winners from last season.

"We've done plenty of work on him at home and he's always impressed me."

"He'll only improve from that too. He reminds me a lot of Rock Classic."

"Hopefully he can go on from here - but I think he might have a nice, bright future," Clark commented.

Goldstone, by Giant's Causeway's hot sire son Shamardal, is the second winner produced by the once winning Peintre Celebre mare La Camille.

A half sister to two stakes performers including the Silver Shadow Stakes winner Katima, La Camille is also the dam of the twice Hong Kong winner Brave Heart.


1/9/2010 Alandi and Efficient head cup weights

A pair of Lloyd Williams-owned stayers head the weights for the 2010 BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) which were released today by Racing Victoria Chief Handicapper Greg Carpenter.
Williams’ champion stayers from different hemispheres, 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient and Europe’s dominant stayer of 2009 Alandi, have each been allocated 58kg and have the honour of heading the handicaps for both Cups.
“Efficient is the best performed stayer amongst the Australian entries and Alandi was the dominant stayer in Europe last season. Each has earned their place at the head of the 2010 Cup weights,” Carpenter said.
Williams has nominated 23 horses, including a number of European imports, in his bid to win the historic 150th Emirates Melbourne Cup, a race he has previously won with Just A Dash (1981), What A Nuisance (1985) and Efficient.
Efficient was allocated 58kg in both 2008 and 2009 (when heading the weights with Maldivian) and has not raced since winning the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington last October owing to injury.
After missing the three of the past four Melbourne Cups with injuries, Williams last week publicly declared that the seven-year-old grey may be unlikely to contest this year’s renewal.
“Peter Pan is the only horse to win two Cups (1932 and 1934) having missed the interceding renewal through injury. No horse has won the Cup twice with three years between victories,” Carpenter explained.
There are only four Group 1 races run for older horses each year in Europe beyond 2400m and Alandi won two of them in 2009, the Irish St Leger (2800m) and the Prix du Cadran (4000m), with four time Ascot Gold Cup hero Yeats finishing in his wake in both.
2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking has been given 57kg in his title defence. His win last year gave Mark Kavanagh his first success in the race and provided rider Corey Brown sweet revenge after being narrowly touched off on Bauer in 2008. The weight represents an
increase of 6kg over his winning weight of 51kg and includes a weight-for-age (WFA) component of 1.5kg.
Shocking seeks to join Archer (1861-2), Rain Lover (1968-9), Think Big (1974-5) and Makybe Diva (2003-4-5) as the only horses to win the race in successive years. Cup heroine Makybe Diva had her weight increased by 4.5kg after her initial success in 2003. Think Big moved from 53kg to 58.5kg in the weights in his dual successes.
“The 6kg increase given to Shocking includes the weight-for-age component of 1.5kg providing in effect a net penalty of 4.5kg,” Carpenter explained.
“It acknowledges his win in the Melbourne Cup and the Group 3 Lexus Stakes (Hotham Handicap, 2500m) since weights were released in September 2009. It is the same weight (57kg) allocated to 2008 Melbourne Cup winner Viewed last year, a weight he carried to
victory in the Caulfield Cup.”
World racing powerhouse Godolphin, which won the 2008 Caulfield Cup with All The Good and finished second for the third time in the 2009 Melbourne Cup with Crime Scene, have two of the highest weighted international entries.
2009 English St Leger (2920m) winner Mastery and Cavalryman, third to superstar Sea The Stars in the Arc de Triomphe (2400m) last year, have both been allocated 57.5kg. Stablemate Campanologist, a recent winner of back-to-back Group 1 races in Germany over 2400m has 56kg.
Also on 57.5kg is Japanese entry Jaguar Mail, the winner of the Group 1 Tenno Sho (3200m) at Kyoto in May. Jaguar Mail has campaigned overseas twice finishing a narrow third in the 2008 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) and fourth, beaten less than a length by Daryakana, in the same race last December. Indications are Jaguar Mail will be reserved for another tilt at the Hong Kong race rather than travel to Australia for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
The 2008 Tenno Sho winner Meiner Kitz has been allocated 57kg, but unfortunately has sustained an injury and is unlikely to be a first acceptor. Veteran Japanese stayer Tokai Trick, who took out the G2 Hanshin Daishoten (3000m) in March, has 54.5kg and is still a
strong chance to make the trip.
Irish trainer Dermot Weld, the only European to win the Melbourne Cup after triumphing with Vintage Crop (1993) and Media Puzzle (2002), is represented by this year’s Ascot Gold Cup (4000m) winner Rite Of Passage (57kg) and Profound Beauty (54kg). Weld’s other entries, Majestic Concorde and Natural High, are both on the minimum of 50kg.
Previous Ascot Gold Cup winners to contest the Melbourne Cup in the same year are Drum Taps, who finished ninth in 1993 with 58.5kg, Double Trigger who finished 18th in 1995 with 60.5kg and Yeats who finished seventh in 2006 with 59kg.
“Rite Of Passage has a unique profile having had seven of his 10 lifetime starts in either Jumps races or National Hunt Flat Races (Jumpers Flat). His Ascot Gold Cup victory was achieved in only his third run in a professional flat race and his first in a black type event,” Carpenter said.
“With 57kg he is at the lower end of the scale for an Ascot Gold Cup winner and takes the same weight allocated to Kayf Tara in 1998 after he won England’s premier staying event at just his fifth race start.”
Profound Beauty ran fifth to Viewed in the 2008 Melbourne Cup with 51.5kg and was allocated 53.5kg last year but did not make the trip to Australia. The only mare to win the Melbourne Cup with more weight is Makybe Diva (55.5kg in 2004 and 58kg in 2005), while
Empire Rose carried 53.5kg to victory in 1988.
Of the other key international entries, this year’s Group 2 Goodwood Cup (3200m) winner Illustrious Blue has been allocated 55kg for English trainer William Knight.
Previous Goodwood Cup winners to contest the Melbourne Cup in the same year are Double Trigger (17th in 1995 with 60.5kg), Grey Shot (seventh in 1996 with 55kg), Persian Punch (third in 2001 with 57.5kg), Jardine’s Lookout (seventh in 2002 with 56kg), Distinction (19th in 2005 with 56.5kg) and Yeats (seventh in 2006 with 59kg).
Sans Frontieres, winner of the Group 2 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes (2400m) and Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes (2656m) at his last two starts for English trainer Jeremy Noseda also has 55kg, as does the Hong Kong entrant Mr Medici who won this year’s Group 1 Champion and Chaters Cup (2400m) and is being primarily targeted at the Caulfield Cup by his trainer Peter Ho.
The entries of Luca Cumani are headed by Manighar (54kg), previous Melbourne Cup placegetters in Bauer and Purple Moon who are both allocated 53.5kg and Drunken Sailor (53kg). Purple Moon has sustained an injury and has already been ruled out of contention.
Americain, trained in France by Alain de Royer Dupre and owned by Australian interests, has been allocated 54kg. He defeated Manighar in the Group 2 Prix de Kergolay (3000m) last week at Deauville.
Hall of Fame Legend Bart Cummings has already trained a record seven Caulfield Cup and 12 Melbourne Cup winners.
His 2009 Tatts Cox Plate winner So You Think has been allocated 56kg in both races, whilst highly fancied four-year-old mare Faint Perfume, winner of the Crown Oaks (2500m) and Vinery Stud Stakes (Storm Queen, 2000m) as a three-year-old, has been assigned 52kg.
Another Cummings entry Dariana has 51.5kg after impressively defeating the males in the Queensland Derby (2400m) impressively in June. All three are owned in partnership by Dato Tan Chin Nam who holds the record of four Melbourne Cup wins as an owner with Think Big (1974-75), Saintly (1995) and Viewed (2009).
Other leading entries for Cummings include dual Group 1 winner Sirmione (55kg), Moatize (52kg), comeback galloper Empire’s Choice (51kg) and Precedence (50.5kg).
Amongst the impressive line-up of Australian four-year-old entrants are AJC Derby (2400m) winner Shoot Out, who has been assigned 55kg, and Victoria Derby (2500m) winner Monaco Consul who has 54kg. The Gai Waterhouse-trained Once Were Wild, who won this
year’s AJC Oaks (2400m), has been allocated 51.5kg.
Of the older Australian trained horses, triple Group 1 winner Metal Bender has 56kg for trainer Chris Waller. Rebel Raider, who won the Victorian and South Australian Derbies in his three-year-old season, has been allocated 55.5kg, as has another Lloyd Williams entry
Zipping, who has won the last three renewals of the Sandown Classic (2400m) and in March took out the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington.
Sydney trainer John O’Shea has a strong hand with Sydney Cup (3200m) winner Jessicabeel (52.5kg) and Rosehill Guineas (2000m) winner Zabrasive who has 53kg.
First declarations for the BMW Caulfield Cup, Tatts Cox Plate and Emirates Melbourne Cup close at 12 noon on Tuesday, 7 September 2010.

1/9/2010 Many chances across the country for Aquanita

In Victoria the three Caulfield trainers have assembled an impressive posse of horses for the Ballarat meeting.

First off the rank is Viva La Stunner and Noplacelikehome in race one a 1200m three year old fillies maiden.

Two starts for Noplacelikehome have seen steady improvement while the addition of blinkers to Viva La Stunner should sharpen her up.

Race two sees the debut of the well bred colt Saneyev in a 1200m maiden.
The Vasil trained galloper is by his former champ Elvstroem out of the smart mare Pravda who won eight times including twice at Group Three level over a mile and a half. No trial form exists but on breeding alone he can run a smart race.

Next for Vasil in race three sees Swing The Blues step up to 1400m in maiden class. The seven year old was solid on debut but struggled at outing number two. The extra distance should see an improved run.

The consistent Castironguarantee appears well placed to run well in race four a 2200m 0 ? 68. He rises in grade but he has weight relief and fitness on his side to run a bold race.

Smerdon chimes in two races later with his galloper Dubai To Sydney in a 1400m rating 0 ? 68.

Dubai To Sydney is first up after a two month layoff, he has one win from five first up tries. No form on slow or heavy tracks is a concern may be one to follow but not today.

Tony Vasil has Like Bolt in race seven a rating 0 ? 62 three year old 1200m country showcase.

The gelding broke through at start number three winning impressively over the 1200m. He has a second placing on slow ground and must be respected in this lineup.

For Liam Birchley his first runner will be Commanche Warrior in race two a class five 1350m. This horse goes well fresh; it would be no surprise to see him in the finish.

Two races later and Maid Of Favelon and Strap Theory race in maiden grade over 1100m.

Both horses have claims although Maid Of Favelon has the slight edge from the better draw.

Race five and More Luck will be hoping for plenty of that in race five a 1200m three year old maiden.

The grey filly placed second in similar class two weeks back, she drops two kilos from that run and has definite claims.

In race six Salice races in a fillies and mares 1200m class three handicap.
Her two runs from a spell have not been anything of note and her task is made tougher from the wide draw.

In Perth the Miller stable has two to race at the Belmont meeting.
Up first is Danaping who runs in race two a 1200m westpeed three year old handicap.

Miller has tuned this son of Danasinga up with two trials where he has shown enough that he will be competitive on debut.

In race six while most of us on the eastern seaboard are thinking about dinner, Miller will be preparing Timely Queen for a 1300m rating 60 ? 72 rating handicap.

The Pontiff - Paul Harvey is a significant jockey choice, important as any gear change that Miller could make. Timely Queen has the ability to lead and dictate for a long way.


1/9/2010 Hold all tickets: weight disadvantage makes Slater an unlikely starter
Chris Roots

THE hype surrounding three-year-old Slater led to a betting frenzy when TAB Sportsbet opened markets on today's Warwick Farm meeting, but trainer Chris Waller doesn't share the enthusiasm and may keep his young colt at home.

Slater was installed the $2.40 favourite against the older horses in the final race - but that was quickly cut to $2, as 95 per cent of the investment on the race was for the three-year-old. But all punters might get is a refund.

''It's unlikely he's going to start,'' Waller said. ''He's a three-year-old and would be at a disadvantage at the weights at this time of year against his older rivals. I'm a great believer in the weight-for-age system and he should be getting six kilograms from them and he's only getting two.''

Slater created a stir when he won his only start, in May. Waller named the colt among his top juveniles last season, rating him alongside TJ Smith winner Pressday.

Slater has drawn barrier 13 today and Waller is willing to wait a couple more weeks for a suitable race against horses his own age.

''Everyone else is getting excited about him,'' he said. ''At the moment he is just another horse which has won his maiden. He has only had the one [barrier] trial and I'm probably not going to risk him against older horses considering the weight and the bad barrier. If he doesn't start [at Warwick Farm] there really isn't a race for him until September 18 over 1100 metres.''

Waller's strong spring team will be split between Sydney and Melbourne on Saturday. Jim Cassidy, who is booked to ride Slater today, will team with multiple group 1 winner Danleigh in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. ''Danleigh is still a bit burly and the float trip down [to Melbourne] should tighten him right up,'' Waller said.

Warwick Stakes winner Metal Bender and Triple Honour will stay in Sydney for the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick on Saturday as they continue their path to the Melbourne Cup. Racing Victoria handicapper Greg Carpenter will release weights for the Cup today.

Hugh Bowman will take over from Tim Clark on Metal Bender on Saturday, while Glyn Schofield will ride Triple Honour.

1/9/2010 More trackwork from Gai Waterhouse stable
(Tuesday, 31/8)

It was a glorious morning at Randwick today and it was truly joyous training the horses. The Kensington track had been made available to the group horses which made a huge difference. Star of the show was Star Thoroughbreds champion Theseo (Danewin). Yesterday at a trot and canter he nearly pulled Steve O'Halloran's arms out. This morning he delighted both owner and trainer out on the grass where he was totally in his element. He is ready to take on those horses that beat him last time at Warwick Farm. Theseo feels nothing will stand in his way; he is a horse with a huge heart.

Descarado (High Chapparel), Mark Newnham said, has returned to form. After his last start the gelding lost some condition and his appetite. Mel Norton, an astute horse person, was immediately on to it changing his diet and I his work. Then it was onwards and upwards. I have put him back a week and Descarado will now contest the Theo Marks Handicap over 1400m at Rosehill on September 11.

Halekulani (Encosta de Lago) worked with stable mate Ice Cr? (Encosta de Lago) in a testing 1200m gallop. Mark felt the Encosta de Lago 3YO has gone ahead since his last win at Canterbury. Neil feels the filly Ice Cr?, who put in a great effort would benefit hugely from the addition of blinkers, I love the jockey's feedback, it is so essential to the overall training of the horses and Neil and Mark are just top form.

April in Venice (More Than Ready) blitzed the track and you could almost see sparks off her heels. She ran 35.1 for the 600m and 10.8 for the final 200m. Mark came in declaring he would win on her on Saturday when she races at Hawkesbury. She is such a beautiful filly who has strengthened up remarkably since the last preparation.

Pictures of You (Don Eduardo) brought a smile to Neil Paine's face. She will run at Hawkesbury on Saturday and is doing a treat.

Blake Spriggs feels Rock Kingdom (Rock of Gibraltar) is coming to his best. He breezed over 1400m on the Kensington track and did everything right. I have been holding this war horse back so I have a couple more weeks until he contests the Bill Ritchie Stakes, named after Julie Ritchie (Committee Person of the AJC). It will be run at Randwick on September 25.

Excellent work was by Master Of Reality (Danehill Dancer) and Top of the Deck (Catbird) who both won their trials impressively on Friday. Both jockeys said they have gone ahead since then.

Blake was impressed with the daughter of Exceed and Excel, Valour who will contest the 3YO Maiden at Hawkesbury on Saturday and will be extremely competitive.

After all these declarations this morning I was feeling pretty chirpy. The 2YO's then came on the scene and Mark was adamant that we have a Gimcrack states filly in Costa Serena (Encosta de Lago). But the Star Thoroughbred Darshana (Fastnet Rock) was not going to miss out on any of the accolades. Not being quite as seasoned as her stable mate she has not quite learned how to quicken in the final furlong. But give it another week or two and this filly will be flying.

Boardwalk Dancer (Strada) and Star Thoroughbred filly Colloquial (Nadeem) bowled over 400m pleasing Blake and Ranjeet. Steve was impressed with the Flying Spur/Witwaterstrand filly and Darshan said Milazzo is a lovely son of Snippetson. Rocky Two (Rock of Gibraltar) - (isn't that a terrific name?) is a lovely big, strong 2YO and so is his partner Fortius (More Than Ready).

My Kristie (Redoute's Choice) and Royal Battalion (Encosta de Lago) both trialed impressively and certainly backed up this morning when they galloped over 1200m. My Kristie can sometimes be a bit of a hard ride but this morning she did everything right for Steve. Royal Battalion is certainly shaping up to be a serious colt.

Daintree Road (Magic Albert) has come back a lot stronger and more focused.

Fit N Ready (More Than Ready) and Kezzabelle (Zabeel) worked together and Fit N Ready is definitely on target. She won't be far from a trial. Kezzabelle is a lovely, lanky, long legged daughter of Zabeel who has always shown me above average ability.


31/8/2010 Review of Benchmark Racing

The reintroduction of Class 3 races in Country areas and increased weight concessions for three-yearolds in staying races are some notable enhancements to handicapping and programming to be implemented by Racing NSW from 1 November 2010 following its Review of Benchmark Racing.
RNSW completed its review and after issuing nine proposals, has agreed on a number of enhancements following further consultation with the NSW Trainers Association (NSWTA) and Racing Industry Consultative Group (RICG).
The Board of Racing NSW has extended Class racing in Country NSW to include Class 3 races as well as increasing the programming flexibility of Benchmark races, including by number of wins.
RNSW Chairman, Mr Alan Brown, hailed the changes following dialogue between RNSW and a group of prominent country NSWTA members that included members of the NSW Trainers Association Board.
“Following very fruitful discussions with leading country trainers, the programming mix will be altered to include Class 3 races, while retaining Benchmark racing at mid to high levels. These are positive changes that enhance the opportunities for young, progressive horses while retaining the considerable benefits of Benchmark racing,” Mr Brown stated.
The staying ranks of NSW are also set to be boosted, with a decision to increase by one kilogram the weight concession for three-year-olds contesting races from 1800-metres in distance.
“Encouraging stayers is an important objective of Racing NSW and this increase in the allowance for three-year-olds at distances of 1800-metres and beyond will better align their handicap weight with the weight-for-age scale,” Mr Brown added.
In addition to these changes, races in Country areas will now have a minimum topweight and Benchmark level of 59kg and weights will be spread at acceptance time where horses originally handicapped at the top of the weights do not accept for the race.
RNSW is continuing to consult with the industry regarding ballot conditions and is further pursuing more complex proposals from the Benchmark Review. RNSW and the NSWTA have agreed on continuing consultation to monitor and manage the changes to the Benchmark System and discuss related matters, including issues arising in the Metropolitan, Provincial and Country areas.
NSWTA Chief Executive, Rob Colquhoun, welcomed the developments and particularly the reintroduction of Class 3 races in Country areas: “It was a consistent theme from Country respondents to the NSWTA survey on the Benchmark System that Class racing is preferable for young, progressive horses.
“The reintroduction of Class 3 races and the bolstering of the number of Class 1 and Class 2 races should accordingly be endorsed by NSWTA members in Country areas.”
The outcomes of proposals from the Review of Benchmark Racing are summarised below and will be implemented on 1 November 2010 (allowing for amendments to advanced programming):-.
Minimum Topweights in Handicaps
The minimum topweights at acceptance time be amended or retained as follows;
• Metropolitan/Provincial – no increase from 58kg (Review proposal was 59kg);
• Quality handicaps no increase from 61kg (Review proposal was 62kg); and
• Country racing – increased 1kg to 59kg. The Benchmark level of country Benchmark races is increased by 1kg to 59kg.
Spread of Weights at Acceptance Time
Where horses originally weighted at or above the minimum topweight do not accept for a particular race, the handicap weights for horses below the minimum will be utilised to establish a spread of weights.
Weight Allowances for Three-Year-Olds
The existing three-year-old weight allowance in open age races of 1800m or longer will be increased by 1kg (review proposal was 2000m+).
Consultation with Trainers
RNSW will continue to engage in consultative sessions with NSWTA members (including NSWTA Board Members) from the Metropolitan, Provincial and Country areas.
Amendments to Benchmark Levels after Acceptances
RNSW will discontinue effectively lowering the weights of Benchmark races in cases where no horse in the field is weighted on the minimum.
Publishing Benchmarks of Maiden Horses
The Benchmark figures of maiden horses will be published only after 10 starts (rather than 3 starts) unless a horse nominates for a Benchmark race.
Programming Mix
Programming of Country races will be amended to include:-
• Programming of Class 3 races in addition to Class 1 and Class 2 races;
• Enable programming flexibility to split Benchmark races by number of wins when appropriate (e.g. BM60: 4wins+). The BM 4w+ race is designed for high population meetings where there is room for a C2 1200m and a 4win+1200m on the same program; and
• Establish as a guide the minimum Benchmark for Country TAB races as Benchmark 50, with horses with lower Benchmarks being able to be placed in Class races.
Restructure Number of Race Meetings
Continue to assess the viability of a restructure of the level of racing activity between the Metropolitan and Country sectors to better balance the supply of racing with demand for starts in these sectors/regions.
Ballot Conditions
The proposals regarding balloting conditions continue to be reviewed in consultation with the NSWTA and RICG.

31/8/2010 2010 Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductees

Dual Cox Plate winning champion Northerly was today unveiled as one of seven inductees into the 2010 Australian Racing Hall of Fame.
The former Western Australian superstar was reunited at Moonee Valley Racecourse with 2008 Hall of Fame inductee Damien Oliver who rode the horse in his first Cox Plate triumph in 2001.
The now 14-year-old joins champion racehorses such as Phar Lap, Carbine, Tulloch, Kingston Town and Makybe Diva in the Hall of Fame.
The official induction ceremony will be held at the Australian Racehorse of the Year and Hall of Fame Awards presented by Sky Racing World, Tabcorp and Staging Connections, this Sunday night at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium.
Former South Australian great John Letts, who was also present at today’s announcement, will be inducted alongside William “Billy” Pyers in the jockey category. The other inductees are trainers Harry Plant and Jim Atkins, administrator Henry Byron Moore and star 1960’s galloper Sky High.
The 2010 Australian Hall of Fame inductees are;
COMMOTION CREATIVE HALL OF FAME HORSE INDUCTEES
Northerly – In the care of Fred Kersley, Northerly excelled under weight-for-age and handicap conditions with two Cox Plates, a Caulfield Cup, an Australian Cup and the Railway Stakes amongst his feature haul. His outstanding feats saw him named the Australian Racehorse of the Year in 2003.
Sky High – A brilliant horse who excelled from 1000 to 2500 metres and amassed an astonishing 29 wins and 19 minor placings from 55 starts. A winner of the Golden Slipper and Victoria Derby for trainer Jack Green, he enjoyed a stellar season in 1961 with victories in the Lightning Stakes, Futurity Stakes, Caulfield Stakes, Mackinnon Stakes, Canterbury Stakes and the Epsom Handicap.
CROWN TOWERS HALL OF FAME ASSOCIATE INDUCTEE
Henry Byron Moore – Served as the Secretary of the VRC for 44 years from 1882 to 1925 and was instrumental in establishing many of the facilities and attractions that make Flemington one of the great racecourses of the world including the members’ drive and the famous rose plantings. Moore has also been acknowledged as the visionary responsible for Oaks Day being recognised today as ‘Ladies Day’.
MICHELTON WINES HALL OF FAME TRAINER INDUCTEES
Harry Plant – Best known for his training feats with inaugural Hall of Fame inductee Bernborough who won 15 races in succession. Plant’s feature race wins included four Doncaster Handicaps, two Golden Slippers, three AJC Sires Produce Stakes, a Newmarket Handicap, Futurity Stakes, Oakleigh Plate, Stradbroke Handicap and a Doomben Cup.
Jim Atkins – A member of one of the most prominent racing families in northern New South Wales, Atkins achieved his ambition of winning the Brisbane trainers’ premiership in 1971-72. He won a further three premierships and was a regular fixture in the top 10 over the next 25 years. Atkins’ stable of stars included Dalrello, Grey Affair, Prince Ruling, Just Now, Mr Cromwell and Rock Show.
AUSTRALIANSUPER HALL OF FAME JOCKEY INDUCTEES
William “Billy” Pyers – Pyers had a remarkable start to his career - by the time he’d turned 24 in 1957 he’d won the Adelaide jockeys’ premiership seven times. He won further titles in 1959-60 and 1960-61 and counts the Caulfield Cup, Newmarket Handicap and Golden Slipper Stakes amongst his feature wins. Pyers then embarked on a successful career in Europe with his international victories including two King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, as well as the 1967 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
John Letts – In a career spanning over 30 years, Letts rode 2350 winners. His total of 97 Cup wins, 30 in the city and 67 in the country, has never been matched and includes two Melbourne Cups (Piping Lane 1972, Belldale Ball 1980), three Adelaide Cups, an Australian Cup, a Moonee Valley Cup and a Hobart Cup. In 1972-73 he won the first of his eight Adelaide jockeys premierships.
Sunday night’s ceremony will also see an existing member of the Hall of Fame awarded racing’s highest honour when they join Phar Lap, Bart Cummings and Scobie Breasley as a Staging Connections Legend of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.
Other honours to be bestowed on the night as part of the Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
include;
• Sky Racing World Australian Racehorse of the Year
• Inglis Bloodstock Champion Sprinter
• Mittys Champion Middle Distance Performer
• New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing Champion Stayer
Tickets for Australian racing’s night of nights are still available and can be purchased by visiting racingmuseum.com.au/events or by calling Customer First on 1300 139 407.

30/8/2010 Shellscrape gets his deserved Group one

Winner: Shellscrape (Dane Shadow-Kisma)
Race: AJC Galaxy Stakes G1 (1100m)
Sold for: $40,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale
Vendor: Kitchwin Hills (As Agent)
Buyer: Vin Cox Bloodstock
Earnings: $710,500
Owner(s): GL & Mrs M Grimish & GJ & Mrs LM Loiero
Trainer: Chris Waller (Rosehill)

Classy sprinter Shellscrape has been credited with a deserved Group One win following a stewards inquiry in Sydney today.

Ortensia has been stripped of her win in the Group One Galaxy Stakes at Randwick on April 17 after an inquiry into her returning a positive swab.

Stewards, fronted by chairman Ray Murrihy, disqualified the mare and promoted Shellscrape to first place - followed by Swift Alliance (2nd) and Styker (3rd).

The win made history with Shellscrape the first Group One winner for his sire, the Kitchwin Hills based Dane Shadow.

Shellscrape had prior to the Galaxy also won the Group Two Roman Consul Stakes, Group Three San Domenico Stakes and listed Australia Post Stakes.

His record is enhanced to now read out at six wins and nine minor placings from 21 starts and earnings of over $710,000.

Shellscrape was purchased by leading Sydney based bloodstock agent Vin Cox for $40,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale at the Gold Coast.

Kitchwin Hill's Mick Malone was glad the result of the inquiry had finally been announced over four months after it was run.

"It's been a long wait," he said. "It's a very deserved Group One win and we're glad the horse has been recognised now."

"Shellscrape has form around so many of the great horses - horses like Starspangledbanner and Headway."

"And that day in the Galaxy he copped a check as well as was pretty unlucky and the margin wasn't much on the line."

Malone said the result would help Dane Shadow continue his rise through the siring ranks.

"We're really excited about his future," Malone said. "Now is certainly the time to be considering Dane Shadow."

"Last season he served his best ever line up of mares - mares like Eskimo Queen, Dan Baroness and Shady Stream - the dam of Takeover Target and Predatory Pricer."

"Each crop has been better for Dane Shadow. His crop who've just turned two are from better mares, they're nicer horses, there are more of them and they are with better trainers."

"He's really getting the recognition he deserves - and we're certainly looking forward to the next couple of seasons."

Malone said his team is looking forward to January's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

"We're looking at having our biggest ever draft for the Gold Coast," he said. "We have some serious yearlings set to head north."

Today's announcement of the amended Galaxy result enhanced the outstanding 2009/10 racing season for Magic Millions graduates.

Some 5,214 races in Australia were won last season by graduates of Magic Millions sales and those wins collected for their connections well over $84 million.


30/8/2010 Latest trackwork from the Gai Waterhouse stable
Article courtesy of Gai Waterhouse website (Monday 30/8)

Bravo! There was excitement all around! Dixie Dancer (Anabaa), the filly who has given senior rider Steve O'Halloran a few horrid days, turned the corner this morning. I always ask the riders what their bests are each morning and Steve proudly said Dixie Dancer was his. When she was just in trot and canter work she was a nightmare. She didn't want to do what I wanted her to do and jumped and dived everywhere. The speed in her work has now increased and so has her attitude. Now we can concentrate on her as a racehorse. She gets on the track and low and behold we have a lovely filly.

More Strawberries (More Than Ready) contests the Furious Stakes over 1400m at Randwick on Saturday. This morning's work is exactly what Mark and I look for in a group horse. She relaxed well in the early stages of the gallop and then sprinted to find the line with vengeance. I couldn't be happier with how she is training and how she looks. On Saturday she will be partnered by our own Nash Rawiller.

Once Were Wild (Johannesburg) worked beautifully for Mark Newnham today. He couldn't decide if she or More Strawberries was his best. Once Were Wild has been his favourite ride each preparation. She held back over her younger stable mate to produce a pleasing piece of work in her final gallop before the Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong on Friday.

Pureness (Tale of the Cat) is exactly that. He was superbly mated by George Altomonte and his astute team. He will be extremely competitive when he contests the Benchmark 75 over 1300m on Wednesday at Warwick Farm.

Rabbuka (Giants Causeway) flew this morning. At his last start he had flicked his head up and knocked Nash Rawiller sideways almost out of the saddle. This morning the big gelding worked liked a horse possessed, pounding the dirt over 1400m. It was a joy to behold and he found the line with such vengeance. At his best he always takes a stack of beating. He is nominated for the Epsom Handicap where Mr Cojuangco and his manager Andrew Baddock can see what they think of him.

Meditation (Elusive Quality) is turning into a formidable filly. She has improved out of all knowledge and is on target to contest the 3YO Fillies and Mares Maiden Handicap at Canterbury on September 8.

Piecart (Charge Forward) and Holy Roman Emperor/Nellie de Air are two very smart colts mowing over 400m. Tim Clark who rode Piecart stated he is a very sound colt with a stack of ability, I like him enormously. The Star Thoroughbred Holy Roman Emperor was ridden by Peter Robl who was delighted with this unsold 2YO colt.


30/8/2010 Qld Horse of the Year honour for Shoot Out

Shoot Out's barnstorming 2009/10 racing season was capped on Saturday night he was crowned Queensland's Horse of the Year.

The connections of the outstanding four-year-old were presented with the major award at the glittering function at Sofitel Brisbane.

Adding to the Horse of the Year honour, the trainer and regular rider of Shoot Out, John Wallace and Stathi Katsidis, swept away with the major trainer and jockey awards.

A few hours before being crowned Queensland's best, Shoot Out ran an eye catching third to Cox Plate winner So You Think in the Group Two Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.

Despite covering more ground than any other runner, Shoot Out was able to produce the quickest final 200 metres in the race.

It was Shoot Out's efforts during the recently completed 2009/10 racing season that saw him win Sasturday night's major award.

He won four races during the season including the Group One double of the Randwick Guineas and AJC Australian Derby.

Bred by Oaklands Stud, Shoot Out was purchased by owners Linda and Graham Huddy for $15,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

As it stands he boasts the imposing record of seven wins and three minor placings from just 14 starts and earnings of $1,578,950.

The son of High Chaparral holds an entry for the Melbourne Spring Carnival's three feature races - the Cox Plate and Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

Wallace said the Cox Plate remained as the number one mission for Shoot Out for this preparation.

Other finalists in the Queensland Horse of the Year award included fellow Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduates Albert the Fat and Military Rose.

Albert the Fat won the Best 4YO & Up award following his Group One success during the carnival for Eden Petrie.

The Champion QTIS 2YO and 3YO award winners - Ringa Ringa Rosie and Fifteen Carat - were also plucked from the Gold Coast ring.

Toorak Toff's sire Show a Heart, a resident of Glenlogan Park Stud, was recognised as the Champion Sire of the season.

Another big winner on the night was Lyndhurst Stud's Hidden Dragon - the Champion 2YO and First Season Sire.


30/8/2010 Cassidy keen to conquer all down south
Craig Young

JIM CASSIDY makes a belated return to Victoria this Saturday but first has an appointment with the Chris Waller-trained three-year-old Slater at Canterbury on Wednesday.

The grand-slam-winning jockey heads south to ride Loves Conquers All for loyal owner Nick Moraitis in the Bobby Lewis at Flemington.

Love Conquers All, prepared by John Hawkes and sons Michael and Wayne, is the winner of six from nine, including two stakes races.

Slater has started once, for a narrow victory in a maiden at Canterbury in May, but the colt, by Redoute's Choice, may be special.

''I've put a rap on him and I'm not back-pedalling,'' Cassidy said yesterday. ''I think he is a genuine group 1 performer. He trialled nice the other day and now he has to do it.''

Slater is high in betting markets for the Caulfield Guineas.

Cassidy's glowing opinion of him was bolstered when he partnered the colt in a 6.5-length win in a recent Rosehill barrier trial.

''I've opened my mouth and I'll back myself,'' Cassidy said.

Cassidy is also a fan of Love Conquers All, having guided the four-year-old to commanding victories in the June Stakes and Missile Stakes at the entire's past two assignments.

''I can't remember the last time I rode down in Melbourne,'' Cassidy said. ''I didn't ride there last year, I don't think I rode the year before.''

But what about Love Conquers All? ''I'm trying to conquer Melbourne again,'' Cassidy quipped.

''I think he is the real deal and it's nice to be on another another good one for Nick and Hawksey.''

Cassidy is also set to ride the Chris Waller-trained Danleigh in the Makybe Diva Stakes, which may be the cups launching pad for the Bart Cummings-trained Dariana, which ran away with the Queensland Derby.

Danleigh was third behind stablemates Metal Bender and Triple Honour, which Cassidy rode, in the Warwick Stakes at Warwick Farm nine days ago.

''The preferred option is to split the three up,'' Waller said.

Metal Bender and Triple Honour are en route to the Caulfield Cup and will continue their build-up in Saturday's Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick.

''Danleigh has done well and may have taken another run to come up this time,'' Waller said.

''He is a year older. We know Metal Bender is a very good horse but it is hard to tell if he has improved, for he only does what he has to do on the training track. We know he has a bit motor on race day and I'm more than happy with Triple Honour.''

Metal Bender was ridden superbly by the in-form Tim Clark to win the Warwick Stakes. But rival Hugh Bowman, who rode Danleigh, is committed to the Randwick and Rosehill Guineas winner in the southern cups races.


29/8/2010 Toorak Toff magic in Golden Rose

Winner: Toorak Toff (Show a Heart-Orong)
Race: STC Golden Rose Stakes G1 (1400m)
Sold for: $135,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Glenlogan Park
Buyer: Bill Van Rooy
Earnings: $975,645
Owner(s): RG Hore-Lacy, W Van Rooy, T Morrissey, P Coffey, P McNamara, S Cheng & Shandy Kristo Syndicate
Trainer: Rick Hore-Lacy (Caulfield)

Toorak Toff confirmed his status as one of the new stars of the Australian turf with a brilliant second up win in today's $1 million Group One Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill.

Sent out as one of the fancied runners after a brilliant last to first win in the recent Vain Stakes at Caulfield, Toorak Toff made the step to racing's elite level in style.

Trainer Rick Hore-Lacy has always spoken highly of Toorak Toff, thinking he could be the best horse he's ever trained.

He shot to prominence last season when he scored a brilliant win in the Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic.

Today at Rosehill he was able to notch up a third stakes win in a third state with his outstanding half neck win.

The entire by Show a Heart will now return to Melbourne and be set for his ultimate aim this spring, the Group One Caulfield Guineas (1600m).

A $135,000 purchase by part owner Bill Van Rooy at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Toorak Toff has now earned over $975,000.

"He's a very good horse," Hore-Lacy told reporters after the race.

"His next major aim is the Caulfield Guineas - he'll probably run in the Guineas Prelude and then the Guineas."

Hore-Lacy had the season's first Group One race on his radar quite some time ago and admitted to having something on him in the early markets.

"One of the owners got $20 about him about a month ago, so I had something each way on him."

When asked what he thought Toorak Toff's pet trip would be - Hore-Lacy was quick to respond.

"I think 1600 (metres). He'll really enjoy the mile."

Damien Oliver, who notched a treble in winning the Group One feature, was delighted with the win.

"It was a great effort," the champion Melbourne jockey said. "He was chasing some pretty smart horses there."

"There wasn't a lot left in the tank at the finish there but that's the true sign of a very good horse - when the chips were down he kept answering to the challenge."

"He's a strong horse and he's got a good turn of foot. He finished right over the top of them."

"This horse has always shown a lot of promise and he's starting to fulfil it now and all credit to Rick he can certainly find a good horse."

The result confirmed the status as the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale as the value sale of the world.

As well as the winner, who cost $135,000, it threw up the runner-up Squamosa, a $140,000 purchase for Star Thoroughbreds.

The two which cost a combined $275,000 have already earned a staggering $1,347,395 - and both have only had a handful of starts. And also importantly for connections both are still colts and look to be exciting sire prospects.

The win of Toorak Toff capped a magnificent day for Queensland's Glenlogan Park Stud.

The win was the fourth on the day for their resident sire Show a Heart. Another of his winners was the Caulfield stakes victor Rightfully Yours.

They were also cheering home Ringa Ringa Rosie, by Bradbury's Luck, to a brilliant win at Doomben.

And the breeders of Toorak Toff have plenty more to look forward to.

Glenlogan are preparing a full sister to the Golden Rose winner for January's 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

"She's a magnificent individual," Glenlogan's Steve Morley reported."She doesn't have the same big baldy face as Toorak Toff, but she's very much in the same mould."

"A real dead spit for her brother - the same physique - a really lovely filly who is sure to appeal to buyers and trainers," Morley added.


Toorak Toff photo by Lisa Grimm www.lisagrimmphotography.com

Angel sprouts wings in Mcneil

Winner: Sistine Angel (Testa Rossa-Famous Painter)
Race: MRC HDF McNeil Stakes G3 (1200m)
Sold for: $60,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Alwyn Park Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: Andrew Noblet
Earnings: $98,050
Owner(s): D Thomas & T Curnow
Trainer: Andrew Noblet (Caulfield)


Sistine Angel's march toward the Group One Thousand Guineas kicked away in style when she scored a brilliant win in the Group Three HDF McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield today.

Facing the starter for the first time since three unlucky runs in the autumn, Sistine Angel has always been a filly held in high regard by her trainer Andrew Noblet.

The West Australian bred and sold group winner earned black type as a two-year-old when she ran third in the Blue Sapphire Stakes.

Today at her first run as a three-year-old, Sistine Angel produced an outstanding burst in the straight to come from last and give her rivals a start and a beating.

"It was a hard task first up," Noblet said. "She's come back from her last preparation really well and to do that first up is a great effort."

Noblet said the filly should not have been going into today's event as a maiden.

"She copped a big knock here one day and probably could have nearly won."

"And then at Flemington they went really slow up front and she got back and ran on well."

The future looks bright for the Testa Rossa filly with Noblet saying she would make plenty of good natural improvement.

"She's come back pretty well. But she's got a bit of improvement in her."

"Her coat still has to come through. So hopefully she progresses well."

"I'm glad she got a bit of an infection in her leg last week as we could have run her at the Valley and she would have had no hope."

"We landed here in a red hot race and it's surprised me how well she's gone first up."

"She's a nice horse and hopefully she can go a long way."

"The Thousand Guineas is her main aim. The Oaks isn't really in her plans."

"We might wait for the autumn before we look at a longer trip."

"She's got a good constitution. She's a tough little horse."

Noblet purchased the filly in Perth last year and said she was one of the nicest fillies at the Belmont Park based auction.

"I bought her in Perth and she's come a long way back here. It's nice to have a nice horse."

At the post Sistine Angel ($12-$15) held a widening head margin over the runner-up Servant ($17-$13).

Another half length back in third place was Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate Intencion ($51).

Bred by Warren Gellard in Kalgoorlie, Sistine Angel was purchased by Noblet for $60,000 at last year's Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

Sistine Angel, by leading Vinery Stud stallion Testa Rossa, is one of two winners, from two runners, produced by the unraced Peintre Celebre mare Famous Painter.

Famous Painter is a daughter of the stakes winning and top producing Rancher mare Rancheetah - making her a half sister to the stakes winners Gallopini and Land Speed Record.

Her latest yearling, an attractive chestnut colt by AJC Sires' Produce Stakes winner Excites, is being prepared for February's 2011 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

Snow Alert too good in Premier's cup

Winner: Snow Alert (Red Ransom-Flurry)
Race: STC Premier's Cup LR (1800m)
Passed for: $190,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Stratheden Stud
Reserve: $200,000
Earnings: $395,180
Owner(s): Stratheden Stud Syndicate (Mgr: CB Marheine)
Trainer: Chris Waller (Rosehill)

Red hot Sydney trainer Chris Waller thinks talented performer Snow Alert could be a Group One contender following an easy win in today's $100,750 listed Premier's Cup (1800m) at Rosehill.

A winner of the listed Rowley Mile earlier in the year, Snow Alert is set to be tested over longer distances by his trainer as he looks to the future.

"We were very positive today from a bad barrier," Waller said."He was used up early. He had to get going a little early and he was probably out of his comfort zone but he fought on very well.""Everything's coming together with him and if he can get past 2000 metres he might be able to be a Group Two or Group One horse."

"The better track today certainly helped him and hopefully we can get a few more," Waller added.

Waller said the gelding was an entry for the Wyong Cup, but thought a race like the Metropolitan could suit.

"He is nominated for Friday at Wyong, but we don't have to go backing him up so early this prep - so we'll see."

The Newcastle Gold Cup is a race connections are seriously considering prior to any decision on the Metropolitan.

In the race to the line this afternoon Snow Alert ($5) had a length margin over the early leader and favourite Scouting Wide ($3.50).

Abitofado ($10) edged out Gergis ($10) to snatch third place, a half head behind the runner-up.

A graduate of the 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Snow Alert has sent his earnings soaring to almost $400,000 - not bad considering he could have been yours for just $200,000.

By former leading international sire Red Ransom, Snow Alert is one of two stakes winners and four winners produced by the Groom Dancer mare Flurry.A two time winner and twice stakes placed mare in her own right, Flurry is also the dam of the international stakes winner Fidelio's Miracle.A daughter of the Leopardstown stakes winner Snowtop, Flurry is a half sister to Snowdrift - the dam of Australian based stars Snowland, Portillo and Snippetson.

It is also the same family as Group One winners including Prix Morny winner and exciting young stallion Myboycharlie.


Snow Alert photo by Lisa Grimm www.lisagrimmphotography.com

Caulfield Cup plans for Spacecraft lift off

Winner: Spacecraft (Galileo-Demanding)
Race: SAJC Penny Edition Stakes LR (1400m)
Sold for: $85,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Racetree
Buyer: Peter Caporn
Earnings: $163,238
Owner(s): PR & Mrs KJ Caporn & BL & Mrs JM McRostie
Trainer: Mick Price (Caulfield)

Caulfield Cup ambitions for classy four-year-old Spacecraft received a great boost on Saturday when he won the listed Penny Edition Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville.

An entire by Galileo, Spacecraft gave his connections plenty to cheer about when he notched his first stakes success at his second start for a new stable.

He was sent out one of the leading chances in the race after an eye catching first up effort in the recent Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington.

New trainer Mick Price, watching from Caulfield, was impressed with the win and also the heady front running ride from Group One winning hoop Dean Holland.

"He's only an 85 rate - he was in a 1400 metre handicap here (at Caulfield) and he didn't get a run so that (in Adelaide) was our back up race," Price said.

"I've got a good opinion of him. Now being a weight-for-age winner I'm hoping his rating goes up so that he can get off the minimum in handicaps."

"I think his best distance is 2000 metres and I'm hoping it's 2400 metres."

"Hopefully I can find a 2000 metre handicap race for him and then get a run in the Caulfield Cup - that's the way I want to go."

"He's a lovely Galileo galloper. He's good winded. It was a really good in today."

Price was impressed with the way Dean Holland rode his four-year-old in the Adelaide feature.

"We drew 10 and I wanted to be outside the speed. And he said, what about if we lead."

"I said - I'm pretty sure that will be okay because from memory he's not a stargazer when he's out in front."

"We've spent a lot of time in getting him to relax - he's a very tenacious horse when you work him with company."

Spacecraft ($4.60) cruised home to beat Magical Pearl ($11) by a length and three quarters.

Viking Turf Belle ($21) was third home, a further length and a quarter back.

Xaieta ($10) was fourth ahead of last year's Melbourne Cup favourite Alcopop ($6.50) while the favourite Majestic Music ($3.20) paddled in the straight to finish seventh.

Spacecraft was purchased by senior part owner Peter Caporn for $85,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

The Racetree sold youngster has already earned over $163,000, is still a colt and has Group One spring features on his radar. He certainly looks another great value buy from the Gold Coast.

Spacecraft is one of two stakes winners for his dam, the twice Perth winning Octagonal mare Demanding.

As well as Spacecraft she is the dam of the dual stakes winner and WA Derby placed Phenomenons.

Demanding herself is a half sister to three stakes gallopers including multiple stakes winner Victory Dash. She is from a stakes winner in Sydney as well.

Her latest yearling, a filly by Danehill's record breaking sire son Rock of Gibraltar, has been entered for the 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by the team from Racetree.

So You Think may prove one of the greats after super return
Andrew Eddy
August 29, 2010

SO YOU THINK certainly won't win Bart Cummings his 13th Melbourne Cup this spring.

But by the time the 150th edition of the great race is run in November, the stallion may well be recognised as one of the master's best ever following an amazing return to racing at Caulfield yesterday.

Yesterday, Cummings, 82, was 800 kilometres away as he monitored So You Think's first run for 42 weeks, but he didn't need to be at Caulfield to gauge the true magnitude of the four-year-old's performance as he took the scalps of Australia's best weight-for-age gallopers Whobegotyou, Shoot Out and Typhoon Tracy in the Memsie Stakes.

''I've had a few good ones,'' he told reporters at Rosehill. ''He's up with the best of them, to do that first-up on a heavy track. The result today was very good. He has come back a bigger and stronger horse. He has a great future.''

Back at Caulfield, the horse's jockey Steven Arnold was singing a similar song. ''He's a freak I think … it's the best horse I have ridden,'' he said. ''As a horse to win on, he's probably the best.''

Last autumn, So You Think underwent a throat operation that threatened his racing career and Cummings said that he carried the condition last spring when he shot to fame with a super Cox Plate win. ''He won a Cox Plate the way he was,'' he said. ''He couldn't be any worse, he can only get better and better.''

Cummings confirmed So You Think, which is now the raging $4.40 favourite to win a second Cox Plate, would be kept on a weight-for-age path through to the Cox Plate on October 23, He will have his next start at Moonee Valley in the race named after his part-owner - the group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley.

The Caulfield Cup has a new co-favourite after the Warrnambool horse Moudre firmed from $16 to join Shoot Out at $10 after his dominant performance to win the listed Heatherlie Handicap


28/8/2010 Plenty of hopes for the Aquanita team this weekend

Caulfield has most entrants with ten possibly to start.

The highlight is a high quality Memsie Stakes and Valdemoro resumes for Tony Vasil against very tough opposition. She is certainly a promising mare and no surprise if she runs well but look for her late.Trisara is a nice 3yo filly who is fit and should settle forward from a good gate. She just doesn't want it too wet.

Testa Monte hasn't raced for a year and comes back over the short trip. She has form through some nice fillies so will be interesting to see the first up run.Breitling draws the softest gate in his career in the McNeil Stks so it will be important to see how he races inside horses but the extra 100m is a better proposition and despite meeting some stakes winners is up to contending here. In the same race Intencion has his first attempt on a turf track and had little luck when trapped between horses last time so may improve.

Sarge In Charge runs in a Listed race against top opposition. Has been taken to Melbourne looking for the wet ground but this is a much tougher race than recent runs.

Apprehend takes on a race far easier than the WFA event he contested last time. He is up in trip and down in class which is a nice mix plus runs with a decent weight.

In the last Carrara runs in his first chance out of Stakes company since his debut maiden race. He isn’t badly off for a G1 placegetter and the claim is critical too.Also in that Persian Star, who came of age last prep, kicks off a possible Cups campaign. A bad barrier means she has to go back but will have some fitness levels of the Brisbane Cup run and no surprise if she worked to the line well. Also Saddler’s Story is there but is far better suited to races of longer distance.

To Queensland where at Doomben two are due to contest the last race.

Blue Jupiter has been having a slightly frustrating campaign as he is running so consistently without winning. He must be an each way chance again while Chaski is coming off a decent break, has won first up before and uses inside barriers well.

At the Gold Coast another race has dual runners but both are also engaged at Caloundra Sunday.

Hidden Run has had another decent break before returning to the track and draws a favourable alley while Product will be far better for the experience and unlike last time, she won't be trapped wide off gate one.

Over to Perth where more success could be found at Belmont for Simon Miller.Rosmopolitan probably gets back from the gate but again there is not much speed here so may have to make a move in a race that is not rated as highly as a fortnight ago.

Power Princess chases a hat trick and every chance she gets the same run in transit as last couple. Should play a big role in the finish.

Gold Rocks has had three weeks off and that might be the key here. She carries a light weight and comes back to the 1000m at which she was so dynamic first up.

Now to Sunday were there are other serious chances. The meeting in Queensland is the traditional Caloundra fixture. In one race there are three runners for Liam Birchley and all of them have a chance.

Hidden Run draws a shocking gate and difficult to know about all the first starters but the big field should see it run at pace while Plazsni finds a lovely barrier to not have to work too hard and importantly has the tongue tie on for the first time. The other entrant is Product who should be able to get in with pace on as she showed enough speed last time.Snip ‘n’ Duck then runs in a race where he must improve but comes back to the venue where he had his maiden win and might run a race at decent odds.

At Warrnambool Stoneblack makes his debut over the jumps for Robert Smerdon after running well over 1800m midweek in town. If he runs the trip and stands up, he may have too much dash on the flat.

Morbogal runs in a 1700m in a highweight and has some of the best form in the race. Gets back on the turf and if handles it wet should be hard to defeat.

Finally To Seymour where Simple Task is up quickly to the 2000m but is bred to handle that no problem while Now You’re Talking debuts over 1200m in a very big field.


28/8/2010 Stewards report: So You Think

Racing Victoria stewards have this afternoon sought clarification from the Bart Cummings stable on the condition of So You Think prior to its return to racing tomorrow at Caulfield.
The stable have confirmed that it established following the horse’s last campaign that So You Think did not fully abduct on the left hand side of its larynx and that a procedure was performed some six months ago to correct the anomaly.
The stable have expressed their satisfaction with So You Think’s preparation in the lead-up to tomorrow’s New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes.

27/8/2010 Iasbet Memsie stakes special

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27/8/2010 Typhoon Tracy back in the mood to repel challengers for crown

Trainer Peter Moody dominated Victorian racing last season and the plunder could be about to continue, writes Craig Young.

Victoria's premier trainer, Peter Moody, is eyeing off a two-state feature double tomorrow, highlighted by his horse-of-the-year elect Typhoon Tracy returning in an intriguing Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.

Ten of the 14 Memsie runners are group 1 winners, including rising star Shoot Out, which treated rivals with contempt down south in his two runs back from a spell.

The AJC Australian Derby winner will be joined in the Memsie by the Bart Cummings-trained Cox Plate winner So You Think and the master trainer is also starting the Australian Cup winner Sirmione, the VRC Oaks winner Faint Perfume plus Moatize and Brightnight.

''I haven't had a good look at the field but I'm happy with my mare,'' Moody said yesterday. ''She is ready to resume and done enough work to make her presence felt.''

TAB Sportsbet installed Shoot Out as the Memsie favourite at $2.60, ahead of Typhoon Tracy at $3.10, with So You Think at $7.50, just ahead of last year's beaten Cox Plate favourite, Whobegotyou ($8).

Typhoon Tracy, which has won three from four first-up, won the group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Rosehill on April 3 but her winning streak came to an end when she was 14th behind Rangirangdoo in the Doncaster Mile a fortnight later. The mare was found to have a virus.

''The whole team was pretty much wiped out by that up there [in Sydney],'' Moody said. ''But she has had a good spell, and has returned much bigger and stronger. We are looking to stretch her out to 2000 metres this time and she has had a good foundation.''

Moody has no doubt Shoot Out, which returned from the AJC Australian Derby in the autumn to win the Bletchingly Stakes and Liston Stakes in devastating style in the past month, is the testing material. ''Shoot Out is the horse to beat,'' he said. ''He has the form on the board, I've seen him at the races down here and you cannot fault what he has done.''

Moody accepted with 13 horses for his home track meeting at Caulfield, although last year's Blue Diamond Stakes winner, Reward For Effort, is favoured to run in tomorrow's Concorde Stakes at Rosehill.

The son of Exceed And Excel returned from 67-week, injury-enforced spell to score a resounding win in the Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield on July 17.

''It was a relief to see that horse return like he did,'' Moody said. ''We all knew he had the ability and I was always confident he would return. He hasn't raced for a month but I've kept him up to the mark. He has been doing plenty of work on the water walker to help with his joints.''

Moody has engaged Sydney's No.1 jockey, Nash Rawiller, for Reward For Effort, while grand-slam-winning rider Jim Cassidy has been engaged to partner stablemate Panipique in the $1 million Golden Rose.

''She was impressive beating Crystal Lily the other day,'' Cassidy said. ''Peter is the form trainer, the premier trainer and I'm glad he opted for me.''

Panipique was having start No.4 when nailing the Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily in the Quezette Stakes at Caulfield a fortnight ago. Crystal Lily was going into the race first-up and connections also decided to head north for the Golden Rose.

''She is going good and did beat the Slipper winner last start,'' Moody said. ''I wasn't surprised, not work-wise. I didn't go in cock-a-hoop thinking she'd win but she has always been able to hold her own with the better three-year-olds we've got at home.''

Begg confident colt can prove a thorn in rivals' side
Craig Young
August 27, 2010

GRAHAME BEGG was crunching the numbers last Sunday. It had nothing to do with the federal election but tomorrow's $1 million Golden Rose at Rosehill.

The Randwick trainer was intent on skirting around the major races with Ilovethiscity, but races with seven-figure prizemoney and group 1 status don't roll round every weekend. ''We thought he had no hope of getting into the race due to a lack of prizemoney,'' Begg said.

The son of Magic Albert has been to the races five times, breaking through to win for the first time on the Kensington track at Randwick last Wednesday week.

In the autumn, Ilovethiscity chased home leading Golden Rose contender Hinchinbrook in the Skyline Stakes, with Begg ordering an immediate spell with the spring in mind.

''It is a good preparation for this horse,'' he said. ''It was a drop back in grade last start, a good confidence booster for the horse. He has had 10 days off going into this from his latest win and he has had the two runs back from a spell.''

Ilovethiscity returned from a spell on a bog Rosehill track when sixth in The Rosebud behind One More Grand, which preceded his only victory to date. Begg was concerned the first-up run on the heavy track may have done more harm than good but it may well turn out to be a positive.

''He has form around the good horses,'' he said. ''He ran second to Chance Bye in the Inglis race when coming from the back in a slowly run race. He was fourth to Hinchinbrook in the Skyline and there are a few 'ifs' going into this race.

''Hinchinbrook is going in first up, and a few of the others have only had the one run back.''

Begg also pointed out the Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily was beaten by Golden Rose rival Panipique first-up over 1100m at Caulfield while Toorak Toff returned to win over the same course and distance.

''They are going from 1100m to 1400m second-up,'' Begg said. ''My horse is going in third-up and he has pleased us.''

27/8/2010 Wave Dancing impressive at Gosford

Raw ability carried promising filly Wave Dancing to victory when she broke through in the Tasman KB Plate (1600m) at Gosford this afternoon.

A lightly raced daughter of Danehill Dancer, Wave Dancing produced a strong performance to come from off the speed and win in good style for the Anthony Cummings stable.

Cummings' son and foreman Edward was impressed with the win and suggested there was more to come as the filly continued to develop.

She's still learning and I think that's what we'll take out of today."

"She's got a good motor. We' never had much doubt about that."

"Today is about getting her educated - she's learning and improving all the time."

"Just having a look at her now coming back in she's still a bit all over the place."

"She's still got a long way to go."

Wave Dancing is a graduate of the 2008 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale at the Gold Coast.

There she was offered for sale by Coolmore Stud and she made $75,000 to the bid of Lake View Stud.

With a win and a placing from just three starts, the future looks bright for the filly.

Wave Dancing is a daughter of Danehill Dancer - the sire of stars including Mastercraftsman, Private Steer, Choisir, Again, Anna Pavlova and Super Satin.

Her dam, the Justice Prevails mare Sweet Revenge, was a smart racehorse in New Zealand winning five races and placing in four stakes events.

Sweet Revernge is a half sister to the New Zealand stakes winner Coil Collection.

Meanwhile, the Kris Lees trained and Andrew Gibbons ridden El Tegra made it back to back wins in the very next event.

A four-year-old son of More Than Ready, El Tegra is another quality graduate of Prime Thoroughbreds.

An $80,000 graduate of the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, El Tegra is from the Group Two winning and Group One placed Jeune mare Jameela.


26/8/2010 Form focus: Golden Rose
Sydney Turf Club – 2010 Golden Rose (1400m)
Group 1 $1,021,400 3yo-Set Weights 28/08/2010

Year Winner Trainer Jockey No. Br. SP Lead-Up Form

2003 IN TOP SWING N.MAYFIELD-SMITH H.BOWMAN 7 12 $19 6th Rhil 1300m 3Y Qlty
2004 DOONAN MS.H.PAGE H.BOWMAN 8 1 $16 1st Doom 1200m 2YO-2nd E Fm 1200m 3Y C6
2005 PARATROOPERS J.HAWKES D.BEADMAN 1 2 $4.40 1st Rhil 1300m 3Y Qlty
2006 COURT COMMAND D.SMITH D.MCLELLAN 5 6 $7 4th San Domenico-1st Up & Coming
2008 FORENSICS P.SNOWDEN D.NIKOLIC 10 12 $9.50 1st Light Fingers
2008 DUPORTH A.CUMMINGS H.BOWMAN 4 1 $2.70f 1st San Domenico-3rd Up & Coming
2009 DENMAN P.SNOWDEN K.MCEVOY 2 4 $2.40f 1st Flem 1100m 2YO-1st Sanl 1200m 2YO-1st Run To Rose

Form Facts

Race first run: 2003

Race not Held: 2007 (Equine Influenza Outbreak)

Conducted: In the Autumn (2008-Forensics)

Winners to Runners (by sex): Colts/Geldings: 679 Fillies: 1/22

Fillies to Place: Stripper (2nd-Spring 2008) Forensics (1st-Autumn 2008) Ashenti (3rd-2003)

Record of Favourite: Denman (1st-2009) Duporth-Spring 2008 (1st-$2.70) El Cambio-Autumn 2008 (2nd-$5) Mentality-2006 (3rd-$3.40) Carry On Cutie-2005 (5th-$3.90) Outback Prince-2004 (13th-$5) Niello-2003 (6th-$3.60)

Golden Rose winners record in the Caulfield Guineas: Denman (7th-2009) Duporth (4th-2008) Court Command (3rd-2006) Paratroopers (2nd-2005) In Top Swing (1st-2003)

Golden Slipper winners record in the Golden Rose: Forensics (2007 Slipper/2008 Autumn Golden Rose)

Spring Champion Stakes winners to contest the Golden Rose: Savabeel (2004) Niello (2003)

Caulfield Guineas winners to contest the Golden Rose: God’s Own (2005) In Top Swing (2003)

26/8/2010 Form Focus: Memsie Stakes (1400m)
Melbourne Racing Club – 2010 New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m)
Group 2 $201,000 Weight-For-Age 28/08/2010

Year Winner Trainer Jockey No. Br. SP A/S Lead Up Form

1990 THE PHANTOM M.BAKER G.COOKSLEY 3 12 12 5G First run back from a spell
1991 REDELVA G.VARCOE N.WILSON 1 1 15-8f 8G 2nd Chirnside Stk-4th Manikato Stk
1992 NATURALISM D.FREEDMAN S.MARSHALL 8 10 6 4H 5th AJC 1200m Hcp
1993 PALACE REIGN D.HAYES M.CLARKE 9 6 11-2 4H 2nd Sand 1200m Hcp
1994 BUNDY LAD R.HINTON S.MARSHALL 6 1 12 5G 2nd NZ 1200m Hcp-5th NZ 1400m Hcp-1st NZ 1400m WFA
1995 ISLAND MORN P.HAYES P.KNUCKEY 1 8 8 5H 1st SA 1350m Hcp
1996 SIR BOOM M.HUTCHINS J.PATTON 5 5 7 5G 1st VRC Winter Final-1st MV 1600m Hcp-5th Manikato Stk
1997 TARNPIR LANE C.BROWN G.EADES 10 4 9-2 4H 6th Manikato Stk
1998 DANE RIPPER J.CUMMINGS D.OLIVER 12 2 5-2 5M 1st Manikato Stk
1999 SIR BOOM M.HUTCHINS G.HALL 4 9 7 8G 5th VRC Winter Final-8th MV 1600m Hcp-4th Manikato Stk
2000 SUNLINE T.MCKEE G.CHILDS 15 5 2-7f 5M 1st Manikato Stk
2001 SUNLINE T.MCKEE G.CHILDS 9 3 $1.80f 6M 2nd Manikato Stk
2002 MAGICAL MISS J.CUMMINGS S.ARNOLD 9 2 $7 4M 4th VRC Aurie’s Star
2003 LE ZAGALETTA D.FREEDMAN B.PREBBLE 3 12 $5ef 8G 1st MV 1514m Hcp-1st VRC Wint Heat-2nd VRC Winter Final
2004 REGAL ROLLER C.MCDONALD M.FLAHERTY 2 5 $3.30f 5G 4th Bletchingly Stk-1st Liston Stk
2005 MAKYBE DIVA D.FREEDMAN S.KING 7 3 $7.50 7M First run back from a spell
2006 EL SEGUNDO C.LITTLE D.GAUCI 5 6 $3.80f 5G 2nd VRC Aurie’s Star
2007 MISS FINLAND D.HAYES C.WILLIAMS 13 3 $4.40 4M First run back from a spell
2008 WEEKEND HUSSLER R.MCDONALD B.RAWILLER 9 5 $1.70f 4G 2nd Liston Stk
2009 MIC MAC G.EURELL D.NIKOLIC 11 4 $3.10f 4G 1st VRC Aurie’s Star

Form Facts

Race first run: 1899

Conducted: At 1400m (Since 1980)

Winners (by age/sex) since 1980: 5y+GH: 11 5y+M: 5 4GH: 12 4M: 2 3CG: 0 3F: 0

Consecutive Memsie winners: Sunline (2000/01) Yangtze (1965/66) Lord (1958/59/60/61) Coppice (1954/55) Comic Court (1949/50) Ajax (1938/39/40) Waltzing Lily (1933/34) Heroic (1925/26) Eurythmic (1920/21/22)

Liston Stks-Memsie Stks (same year): Regal Roller (2004) Zambari (1973) Lord (1958) Syntax (1957)

Memsie Stks-Melbourne Cup (same year): Makybe Diva (2005) Comic Court (1950) Artilleryman (1919)

Memsie Stks-Caulfield Cup (same year): Silver Bounty (1981) Peshawar (1952) Eurythmic (1920) Hymettus (1901)

Memsie Stks-Cox Plate (same year): Makybe Diva (2005) Sunline (2000) Rubiton (1987) Ajax (1938) Phar Lap (1931) Heroic (1926)

Last 20 years-Melbourne Cup winners to contest the Memsie: Efficient (2007) Makybe Diva (2005/2004) Doriemus (1995) Kingston Rule (1990)

Last 20 years-Caulfield Cup winners to contest the Memsie: Viewed (2009) Northerly (2002) Doriemus (1995)

Last 20 years-Cox Plate winners to contest the Memsie: Maldivian (2008) El Segundo (2007) Fields of Omagh (2006) Makybe Diva (2005) Northerly (2002) Sunline (2000)


26/8/2010 Youeffoh lands today at Geelong

Youeffoh is an identified flying object. Well she was today at Geelong anyway.

The nicely related Starcraft filly gave connections plenty to look forward to when she romped home in the Luxbet.com Plate (1000m).

Racing for just the second time, the Lee Freedman prepared filly showed she had a bright future ahead when she finished over the top of the field in an authoritative performance.

The filly's only previous run was a sixth, when beaten just three lengths, by subsequent Blue Diamond Stakes winner Star Witness in the listed Talindert Stakes at Flemington in January.

Part owner John O'Neill said the promising filly was raced in similar interests to former superstar galloper Mummify.

"We bought the filly as a yearling on the Gold Coast with a few friends - Mark Pejic and Billy Pearce and Danny Upfal."

"And I'm happy to get Dan (Nikolic) back on the horse.
We had a great association with him."

O'Neill said the stable has for quite a while held a good opinion of Youeffoh.

"Lee has certainly taken his time with her and hopefully we can go on and win some better races over the spring," he said.

"We had some issues first up with her and she's had some issues in work. We'll just continue to battle on - Lee will work it out."

Winning rider Danny Nikolic predicted bigger and better things from the filly - suggesting once she learned to settle in her races she would improve to another level."Lee's got a good opinion of her and he told me to try and find a bum - sit second or third."

"The tempo was okay early. She did start to switch off but once she learns to settle she's going to be above average."

"There was plenty there. I just let her move up coming to the turn and let her find her gait."

"When she balanced up I put a couple around her tail and she really hit the line. Today was a much better effort than the other race in town in good class."

"I think she's got the makings of a nice filly. But she's just got to learn to relax and breath," Nikolic summed up.

When the finish line was reached Youeffoh ($1.70 fav) held a two and a quarter length margin over African Heat ($7).

Another two and a quarter lengths back in third place was Wild West ($4).By Star Witness' sire Starcraft, Youeffoh is one of four winners produced by the black type performed Danehill mare Ribot's Secret,Twice a winner in the Northern Hemisphere, Ribot's Secret was second in a Group Three Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot and third in a Group Three Railway Stakes at the Curragh and Group Three Senorita Stakes at Hollywood.

She was also fourth in two other group races at the Curragh.

Ribot's Secret's other three winners are also multiple victors in Japan and one of her daughters is also a proven winner producer.


Youeffoh as a yearling

26/8/2010 Houlahan and Johnston dominate finalists for Champion Jumper Award

High profile training duo Fran Houlahan and Brian Johnston dominate the list of finalists for the 2010 Design Awards Australian Champion Jumper Award.
2009 Crisp and Grand National Steeplechase winner Pentiffic and stablemate Tarawera, winner of the 2010 Australian Steeplechase, were today named as two of four finalists for the coveted award.
The remaining finalists are Ciaron Maher’s 2010 Von Doussa and Grand Annual Steeplechase winner Al Garhood and the Robert Smerdon-trained Black And Bent, winner of the 2010 Galleywood and Australian Hurdles.
Australia’s Champion Jumper will be announced at the Australian Racehorse of the Year and Hall of Fame night presented by Sky Racing World, Tabcorp and Staging Connections at Crown’s Palladium on Sunday, 5 September.
The award is voted on by senior racing administrators from the nation’s two jumping states, South Australia and Victoria, along with members of the Australian Racing Writers Association in each state.
Voters were asked to cast their opinions based on jumping performances in Australia and throughout the world by Australian-trained horses from 1 August, 2009 to 15 August, 2010. The top four vote getters have been named as the finalists.
Pentiffic, who is now recuperating in the UK following an injury setback in Japan earlier this year, won the coveted award 12 months ago for his performances in the 2008-09 racing season (1 August, 2008 – 31 July, 2009).
The four finalists for the title of the Design Awards Champion Jumper Award (statistics based on jumping performances in the voting period) are;
1. Al Garhood – 5 starts, 2 wins, 1 placing
2. Black And Bent – 5 starts, 4 wins
3. Pentiffic – 3 starts, 2 wins
4. Tarawera – 9 starts, 4 wins, 2 placings
Other honours to be bestowed on the night, amongst a raft of awards, include;
• Sky Racing World Australian Racehorse of the Year
• Inglis Bloodstock Champion Sprinter
• Mittys Champion Middle Distance Performer
• New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing Champion Stayer
In addition to the Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards, the night will also see the induction of five people (trainers / jockeys / associates) and two horses into the Australian Racing Hall Of Fame and the elevation of a past inductee to Legend status.
Bookings for Australian racing’s night of nights can be made by visiting racingmuseum.com.au/events or by calling Customer First on 1300 139 407.

The Australian Champion Jumper Award has historically been judged on performances across the racing season (1 August – 31 July). As the jumps season runs across the calendar year (March – August) the decision has been made to migrate the voting period from the racing season to the jumps season. This is why this season’s award takes in performances in both August 2009 and 2010.

26/8/2010 Stewards quiz Waterhouse over Rawiller's tactics
Craig Young
August 26, 2010

TRAINER Gai Waterhouse will be called upon by Racing NSW stewards to confirm instructions given to stable jockey Nash Rawiller on betting-ring wobbler Charing Cross at Canterbury yesterday.

The race was won by Waterhouse's debutant Halekulani, which firmed from $3.10 to start $2.90 favourite, with stable apprentice Blake Spriggs surging forward after a slow start to sit outside the leader.

Charing Cross eased in betting from $2.30 to $3 and ran fourth after racing three deep with cover for most of the 1100-metre race.

Stewards called in Rawiller, Spriggs and Waterhouse's assistant trainer Tania Rouse to give evidence. Chief steward Greg Rudolph asked Rawiller: ''Did you discuss with Blake Spriggs where he'd be in the run,'' to which the jockey replied: ''No sir.''

Earlier Rawiller had been asked about the instructions given by Waterhouse for Charing Cross, which led on debut when beaten in the Todman Stakes in March.

''My instructions were to try and get cover if possible,'' Rawiller said.

''We thought you might lead today,'' Rudolph replied.

''No,'' Rawiller answered.

Rouse explained Charing Cross led in the Todman due to circumstances and the stable believed the galloper was ''better chasing a horse''. ''He hasn't really got a racing pattern,'' Rawiller said. ''Rightly or wrongly she [Waterhouse] said try and get cover with the headwind.''

Stewards agreed there was a strong headwind down the back straight at Canterbury, with Rouse adding Waterhouse had stressed to riders earlier in the day that is was essential to find cover.

Rawiller thought it was best to ''sit tight'' for if he pushed forward Charing Cross would have been ''three deep on the speed''. ''You're the best to begin - why didn't you drive through to lead?'' Rudolph asked. ''It would have been against instructions,'' Rawiller replied.

The matter was adjourned, with Rawiller told Waterhouse would be asked to confirm the instructions while stewards want to look at the betting-ring information.

Waterhouse and Rawiller team up with the unbeaten Squamosa in Saturday's $1 million Golden Rose.

Detectives close in on perpetrators in offensive text message affair
Dan Proudman
August 26, 2010

SEVERAL prominent Newcastle racing personalities have been caught up in a police investigation into the sending of pornography to the phone belonging to the wife of top jockey Dale Spriggs.

Leanda "Chick" Spriggs, who is the mother of Gai Waterhouse's star apprentice Blake Spriggs, made a formal statement to detectives that she received an offensive multimedia message sent to her mobile phone on her 50th birthday in May.

The video was accompanied by an offensive text message.

Newcastle detectives have identified the phone that sent the message and have spoken to its owner, who is involved in racing, as well as another personality, who is mentioned in the text message.

The Newcastle Herald understands both men have denied sending the offending material. The Herald cannot identify the men for legal reasons.

When contacted by the Herald yesterday, an emotional Leanda Spriggs said she had also been the victim of ongoing harassment from some members of the Newcastle racing fraternity since she had made the complaint.

She said she had received death threats as recent as last week as well as having other racing identities warn her she was overreacting.

"It has destroyed me," she said yesterday. "I didn't ask for this and I want it to stop."

Newcastle City detectives have confirmed they are close to completing their investigation into the pornographic text message.

Charges can be laid under Commonwealth legislation relating to the misuse of telecommunication equipment. The offence, which involves using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, carries a maximum sentence of three years' jail.Acting Racing NSW chief executive Keith Bulloch said the organisation had been made aware of the police investigation but had yet to receive a formal complaint. But Bulloch said Racing NSW would monitor the investigation before any decision was made to conduct its own independent review. Any conviction could impact "adversely" on people holding licences within the racing industry.

Spriggs said she continued with the complaint despite concerns that it would impact on the careers of her husband and son. "I have raised my sons to be respectful of women and I would be appalled if they behaved like this," she said.


26/8/2010 Cassidy suspended from Canterbury
NSW Stewards reported:
RACE 2: Winning Post Restaurant Handicap 2800m:

J Cassidy, rider of the winner, Needwood Lad, pleaded guilty to two charges under AR137A(5)(a)(i) and (ii) in that he used the whip on nine occasions prior to the 100m, four more than permitted by the rule, with five of those being on consecutive occasions. J Cassidy’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of two race meetings to commence on Thursday, 2 September 2010 and to expire on Saturday, 4 September 2010, on which day he may ride. In addition J Cassidy was fined $1000. In assessing penalty, Stewards took into account that this was J Cassidy’s sixth breach of AR137A(5)(a)(i) and his fourth breach of AR137A(5)(a)(ii). Whilst no penalty was imposed for part (ii), a conviction was recorded.


26/8/2010 Doll proves her class in town

Dancing Doll notched a valuable metropolitan win in Sydney on Wednesday when she flew home to win at Canterbury.

Under the urgings of Rod Quinn the well related mare was able to rattle home on the inside rail to grab the lead and win impressively.

Winning trainer Guy Walter was delighted the daughter of Danehill Dancer was able to capture her first city race.

"She certainly appreciated being back on the dry track," Walter pointed out.

"She showed a really good turn of foot. It was the best run of her life by far."

"Rodney rode her beautifully, I was a bit concerned about her coming to the turn - at Canterbury and getting shuffled back."

Dancing Doll was purchased by Jamie Walter's Proven Thoroughbreds for $100,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

"I'm very happy," Jamie Walter said. "That's our first city winner for the season actually."

"She cost $100,000 and was bred by Gerry Harvey's Baramul Stud and as you can see she's a beautiful type."

Winning rider Rod Quinn was taken aback by the way Dancing Doll sprinted when asked after straightening for home.

"She didn't have the best winning strike rate going in - but I just said to Guy when she wins she doesn't mess around."

So fast was Dancing Doll ($7.50) finishing that she raced away to beat Dunrossil ($5.50) by two and a quarter lengths.

Elstrata ($5.50) was another short neck back in third place.

By Choisir, Private Steer and Light Fantastic's sire Danehill Dancer, Dancing Doll is one of three winners produced by the former smart Adelaide racemare Nassi Doll.

A daughter of the group performed Bletchingly mare Flash Doll, Nassi Doll made history when she became the first thoroughbred in Australia to wear earmuffs in a race. That occurred at Cheltenham on March 25, 2000.

At stud the group performer is proving a decent producer for Baramul Stud.

As well as Dancing Doll she is the dam of the six time winning and stakes placed Queensland stayer Don Vito.


25/8/2010 Nediyms ruler thumps rivals in Perth

Followers of the powerful Dan Morton stable in Perth were cheering when Nediyms Ruler romped home in the Westspeed Handicap (1400m) at Belmont today.

After drifting to $12 from his opening quote of $9, the money came in thick and fast and bookmakers were forced to tumble his price into $5.50.

Allowed to cruise along at the front of the field by talented Perth based apprentice Campbell McCallum, Nediyms Ruler raced clear of his rivals at the top of the straight and established a winning break.

The youngster by General Nediym held a five length margin over runner-up Wild Charger at the post, while Kilat was another length and three quarters back in third place.

Bred by Ron Sayers' Yarradale Stud, Nediyms Ruler is by former Magic Millions flagbearer General Nediym.

He was purchased by Grant Burns' Premium Bloodstock Services for the Morton stable for $95,000 at last year's Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale at Belmont.

Morton, best known as the trainer of Group One winning Magic Millions graduates Scenic Blast and Scenic Shot, came to the track knowing his charge would be hard to beat.

"Last time out he had a couple of little excuses we discovered after (the race)," Morton said.

"I was happy with him going into today. He was pretty impressive in the end."

"I thought the 1400 (metres) would suit today, so I was really looking forward to it."

Morton said it was always the plan for the three-year-old to be up near the lead throughout the race.

"I said to Cam(pbell) that he didn't necessarily have to be right there, but be good enough to hold his barrier."

"There wasn't a lot of speed in the race and he just controlled it."

Nediym Ruler's dam, the Marauding mare Endesa, is a Perth winner at two and is from the stakes winning two-year-old Rory's Jester mare Livelihood.

That makes Endesa a half sister to the stakes winners Living Spirit (dam of Blue Diamond Stakes placegetter Maka Ena) and Only She Can.

It is also the family of the Group Two winning sire Happy Giggle, Singapore sensation Recast and stakes winning sire Gonski.

Another member of the family, the Melbourne stakes winner Immortality, made it back to back wins in Adelaide on Saturday.


25/8/2010 Arrival of the first International horses deffered

The arrival of the first international horses ahead of the 2010 Spring Racing Carnival has been deferred pending final approval of the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry’s new quarantine facility at Werribee.
The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) has delayed final approval of the operating manuals for the Werribee International Horse Centre which is completed and ready to accept horses.
Approval is expected to be granted within the next week, which has necessitated a change of plans for UK import Imposing who was due to arrive this Saturday. A recent acquisition by the Lloyd Williams stable, Imposing is now tentatively booked to arrive on Saturday, 4 September.
The AQIS delay will also necessitate a change of plans for Macau gallopers Luen Yat Forever and Good Control, who were due to arrive next Monday. Connections will consider their options before making a decision on their planned Spring Racing Carnival campaigns.
The three major shipments of European and Asian horses, which are due to arrive on 20 and 25 September and 9 October, are unlikely to be affected by the delay.
“We are disappointed at the delays we have faced in gaining approval for the Werribee International Horse Centre, especially as it has been completed and AQIS have provided in principle approval. This delay is all about the format of the operating manuals,” Racing Victoria Chief Executive, Rob Hines, said.
“Racing Victoria has dispatched a team of specialists to Canberra to work alongside AQIS as they complete their approval process.
“We have and will continue to stress to AQIS that prompt approval of the Centre is a matter of national importance given this year’s 150th running of the Emirates Melbourne Cup, along with the economic benefits the international participants and fans bring to Australia.”

25/8/2010 Provincial clubs address race meeting subsidies

The five NSW provincial clubs of Illawarra, Hawkesbury, Gosford, Wyong and Newcastle today announced they will discontinue the payment of farrier and float subsidies at provincial race meetings from 1 October 2010.
In a joint statement the clubs advised that due to the current funding difficulties it was not possible to continue the payments whilst at the same time retain the present levels of prizemoney and other benefits.
The clubs had in good faith continued the subsidies after the introduction of the Racing NSW $200 appearance fee paid to each starter, which was designed to also offset such costs.
Prizemoney levels and benefits provided to owners have increased significantly in recent years and the clubs are of the view that eliminating the subsidies is the best alternative at the present time to address unsustainable trends in club finances.

25/8/2010 Hinchinbrook raring after speedy recovery
Chris Roots
August 25, 2010

A COUPLE of blazing gallops have convinced trainer Gerald Ryan that Hinchinbrook can win the $1 million Golden Rose at Rosehill on Saturday.

The Fastnet Rock colt will resume in the first group 1 of the season after a virus forced him to miss a run in the Starlight Stakes two weeks ago.

Ryan never took Hinchinbrook out of the Golden Rose. And after the three-year-old jumped out with two stablemates yesterday morning it was an easy decision to start in the 1400-metre feature.

''He worked great on Saturday and again [yesterday] and I think he is fit enough for it,'' Ryan said. ''I have won races with horses first-up over a mile. It is a case of just have them ready and Hinchinbrook is ready.''

After making the decision to pay up, Ryan wanted a good barrier and jockey. He got both, with Corey Brown to ride Hinchinbrook from barrier four.

''It worked out well - from that gate he should be able to get a smother in behind them midfield,'' Ryan said.

Hinchinbrook slipped onto the fourth line of betting at $8 with Gai Waterhouse's unbeaten colt Squamosa, which fared poorly at the barriers and will start one from the outside in gate 14.

Masquerader, which was beaten by Squamosa in the Run To The Rose a fortnight ago, was favourite at $4.20 with TAB Sportsbet after drawing barrier two.

''He meets Squamosa five kilos better at the weights for being beaten a half length last start and has drawn the gate,'' TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie said. ''We have him ahead of Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily at $4.60 and Toorak Toff, who was impressive winning first-up in Melbourne, at $5.''

The Victorians drew alongside each other with Toorak Toff in nine and Crystal Lily in gate 10.

Fairytale filly Chance Bye came up with barrier three and, after as much as $71 was available before her third to Parables in the Silver Shadow Stakes at the weekend, she is rated a $21 hope.

25/8/2010 Fields and barriers for Golden Rose

6-03.50 GOLDEN ROSE (1400 METRES)
Of $1000000 and $21400 trophies. 1st $650000 and trophies of $17000 to owner $2200 to trainer $2200 to jockey, 2nd $200000, 3rd $90000, 4th $40000, 5th $20000.
Starter Subsidy: $200 for non-prize earning runners.
For Three-Years-Old. Set Weights. (GROUP 1).
No Allowances for apprentices. Field Limit: 17 + 4 EM
No Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Penalty Handicapper Rating

1 SQUAMOSA Gai Waterhouse Nash Rawiller 14 56.5
2 DECISION TIME Clarry Conners Blake Shinn 13 56.5
3 HINCHINBROOK Gerald Ryan Corey Brown 4 56.5
4 MASQUERADER David Payne Hugh Bowman 2 56.5
5 TOORAK TOFF Rick Hore-Lacy Damien Oliver 9 56.5
6 KUDAKULARI (NZ) Bart Cummings 11 56.5
7 RUN FOR LEVI John P Thompson Peter Robl 1 56.5
8 TOP DROP Gerald Ryan Jay Ford 12 56.5
9 ILOVETHISCITY Grahame Begg Joshua Parr 7 56.5
10 PRAECIDO (NZ) David Payne Glyn Schofield 5 56.5
11 CRYSTAL LILY Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra Brett Prebble 10 54.5
12 CHANCE BYE Michael Tubman Kathy O'Hara 3 54.5
13 PANIPIQUE Peter G Moody Jim Cassidy 6 54.5
14 SASA Tim Martin 15 54.5
15 GYBE Anthony Cummings Tim Clark 8 54.5


24/8/2010 Tuesday's trackwork from the Gai Waterhouse stable
(Tuesday, 24/8) Article courtesy of Gai Waterhouse website

Kiss from a Rose (Encosta de Lago) worked brilliantly this morning. Remembering the dirt has been ripped the horses could only go at three-quarter pace. I won't let my boys or horses do much more than this for a couple of days - usually about three. I don't like taking any chances with my treasures. Kiss from a Rose will contest the Fillies & Mares Benchmark 75 over 1200m at Randwick on September 4.

More Joyous (More Than Ready) - Dave Meijer's greatest love - that's if not for Norma and Alix, was given the thumbs up by Steve O'Halloran. She is really thriving this mare and races in the Sheraco Stakes on Saturday. It would take a pretty fair female to beat her.

Mark Newnham rushed to jump on Exceedingly Happy (Exceed and Excel), "I love this mare," I heard him say. She bowled around over 1400m and both rider and horse were exceedingly happy with the work.

Pureness (Tale of the Cat) is thriving. I believe he is in the making of a very handy racehorse. He contests a very winnable race next Tuesday at Randwick. After which I will run him over 1500m where I will take the blinkers off. This will get him to relax as he goes over a further distance. One wonders how far this brother to Sebring will go.

I didn't realise really how talented Squamosa (Not A Single Doubt) is. The more I see him, the more he amazes me. He is so relaxed, everything is easy and nothing bothers him. This morning even though he and stable mate Memorable Moment (Encosta de Lago) only did three-quarter pace , but it was the way he handled it. Mark Newnham said, "at the 1200m Squamosa wanted to go a bit keenly, so I gave him a bit of rein where the colt came back under me and from there he was completely collected and competitive." Mark said he was definitely the best of the morning and is ready for Saturday. Denise, myself and the owners hope that Mark is a good judge.

Master of Reality (Danehill Dancer) is being waxed lyrical about by his riders. He is not one hundred percent there at present but I do love this colt. He is on target to contest either the 3YO Colts & Geldings Maiden over 1000m at Hawkesbury on September 4 or the 3YO Colts & Geldings Maiden at Goulburn over 1000m on September 7.

Glynn Schofield had ridden My Kristie (Redoute's Choice) in her trial and has been an admirer of this filly for some time. This morning when she worked with her partner Light Brigade (Redoute's Choice), he said she was much stronger and more focused.

Live and Learn (Encosta de Lago) is similar to My Kristie but not as good looking. She is a plainer horse but I am sure she has a big engine. She was a backward type to start with but she has really improved and this mornings work was excellent along with her stable mate Meditation (Elusive Quality).

No mare in Randwick is training better than Once Were Wild (Johannesburg). That is a statement and a half considering Les Bridge currently has the mighty Hot Danish. I think Once Were Wild is certainly ready for another group race. She has developed in size becoming strong and big and she is totally focused. Today with Nash Rawiller in the saddle, he came in and said "She's awesome." She will contest the Mona Lisa Stakes on September 3 at Wyong, down the road from Singo's pad. He likes races run close to home. She will then go on to even bigger and better things.

Costa Serena (Encosta de Lago) and her boyfriend Boardwalk Dancer (Strada) dived and jeered all the way up the track. Her owner gave me a text yesterday which simply said, "Costa Serena?..." - talk about keenness. I replied with a smiley face and then of course a phone call. These babies are both going great and I think Boardwalk Dancer may have even had the edge today. They are so exciting 2YO's, they are young and so willing to please. It is the expectation of the future which is so exciting and whether they could hold on for the Gimcrack Stakes or Breeders Plate and then possibly be a Golden Slipper horse. The other question is whether they need a spell. Of course when they are going great they do not. They go straight to the paddock if they become irritable, sore and just don't train so well. These two horses are doing everything I ask for and are very typical of the 2YO's I have in training at present.


24/8/2010 Eclair Surprise too good for Diva's boy

All eyes turned to Geelong this afternoon to see the debut run of Makybe Diva's first foal Rockstardom and while the son of Galileo ran an encouraging race he was no match for another debutant Eclair Surprise.

A member of the powerful Peter Moody stable at Caulfield, Eclair Surprise came from near last on the corner, weave between runners while losing momentus, but still proved too good for a field of promising youngsters.

Eclair Surprise, a $65,000 purchase from last year's Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, still has plenty to learn - but according to winning rider Luke Nolen he has a bright future.

"He's a nice enough horse," Nolen said. "When he came off the bridle chasing them there he got a little lost."

"Once he knuckled down he kicked nicely - went through a gap, but then after he came through he had a look around."

"When he works it out he'll be a nice horse," he added. "He's shown nice ability at home."

Nolen said it was always the plan to let the promising three-year-old find his feet early before asking him for an effort over the concluding stages.

"From that gate we were always going to have to give them a start."

"I think if he's allowed to race a bit closer and come home uninterrupted he might have won that by a couple (of length)."

"If he continues to mature we might have a bit of fun this prep."

Eclaire Surprise ($6.50) held a short head margin on the line over the warm favourite Pitt Street ($2.25 fav).

Condahussler ($6.50) was another three lengths further back, just ahead of Rockstardom ($5).

The only foal to date produced by the Scenic mare French Scene, Eclair Surprise is a son of Danehill's Victoria Derby winner Blackfriars.

French Scene, who is a daughter of the Group Two Winterbottom Stakes winner French Sound, won two races to 1400 metres - importantly one of her wins was at the Perth track of Belmont.

The win was a nice pointer for next year's Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale - which has been the subject of outstanding entries.

One sire well represented with entries is Eclair Surprise's sire Blackfriars.

With 10 stakes winners already including the likes of Mansion House, God Has Spoken, Majar and Simply Adorable, Blackfriars is one of Western Australia's most popular sires.

Blackfriars stands alongside Brocco, Hurricane Sky and freshman Universal Ruler this spring at Durham Lodge at Muchea, just north of Bullsbrook.


24/8/2010 Latest trackwork from the Gai Waterhouse stable
Article courtesy of Gai Waterhouse website Monday 23/8

Actrice (Elvstroem), even though she only worked at ? pace went around over 1400m. I extend the work when the pace is lessened. Tim Clark said, "She felt fabulous." She will be tested over 1400m on Saturday at Newcastle. My dad always said, "don't worry about a horse running 1400m when they appear to only be capable of 1000m - it's easy for them as they can relax over the longer distance, get their air and breathing into a pattern. No one ever thinks they'll win and they invariably do."

What a wonderful weekend Tim Clark had. I am sure why this talented jockey did so well was his handling of the conditions. The wind played such an important part in the Warwick Farms Stakes on Saturday and Tim was a genius at sitting, waiting and pouncing. And that's exactly what he did on his two winners Metal Bender and Parables.

What a sharp 2YO Piecart is. This young son of Charge Forward is an absolute natural. Mark said, "he is my best and an absolute cracker." Also working well was Valleyofthekings (Redoute's Choice). He can have his moments as we all do but he has certainly got ability.

I love this colt. Royal Battalion (Encosta de Lago) is developing into one of the loveliest, best furnished 3YO'S I have in the yard. He produces superb work, is beautifully compact and has a lovely idea. He has great disposition and will be seen to advantage at Friday's trials.

Holy Roman Emperor/Nellie De Air is a star. He is magnificent in size, stature and everything about him I just love. I am not the only one. The jockeys wax lyrical when he strides out with a partner which he did today over 600m.


23/8/2010 Maher shines at Mosstrooper awards

Warrnambool trainer Ciaron Maher was the man of the moment at the Mosstrooper Fellowship Awards last night, taking home a hat trick of awards including the J.J. Houlahan Jumps Championship Trainer Trophy and the TRSA Les Short SA Jumping Achievement of the Year.
Maher earned his victory for his outstanding training feats at Oakbank during the Easter Racing Carnival in April.
Maher claimed two of the three feature races including the Scott Group of Companies Von Doussa Steeplechase (3250m) with veteran ‘chaser Al Garhood and the Yalumba Classic Hurdle (3600m) with Art Success.
Al Garhood’s astonishing 20-length victory over the John Wheeler-trained Mali Juraj in the Grand National Steeplechase on the final day of the Tabcorp Warrnambool May Racing Carnival saw him deservedly take home the Warrnambool Racing Club Provincial Jumping
Achievement of the Year Award.
Unsurprisingly, Maher capped off the night by being presented with the J.J. Houlahan Jumps Championship Trainer trophy for the second consecutive year, scoring 80 points for the season.
The $1.6 million JJ Houlahan Jumps Championship, named in honour of the late Hall of Fame jumps trainer Jim Houlahan, recognises and honours the most outstanding horse, trainer and jockey throughout the 14-race series with points awarded to those horses and their respective trainers and jockeys that finish in the top five in each race of the Championship.
Three-time Tommy Corrigan Medallist Steven Pateman was awarded the trophy for Champion Jockey, finishing the Series on 72 points, 22 points ahead of joint second-placegetters Adam Trinder and Tommy Logan.
Pateman enjoyed a stellar season with victories in the Yalumba Classic Hurdle and Scott Group of Companies Great Eastern Steeplechase (4950m) at Oakbank and the Australian Hurdle (3400m) and J.J Houlahan Hurdle at Betfair Park (Sandown).
Australian Steeplechase (3900m) winner Tarawera was awarded Champion Horse, accruing 36 points for the season, eight points ahead of Al Garhood.
In other awards, Some Are Bent was crowned with the Victoria Racing Club Jumping Achievement of the Year Award over his half brother Black and Bent.
The two-time Australian Jumping Horse of the Year became the first jumper in Australia to surpass the magic million dollar mark in earnings following his victory in the $100,000 Tommy Corrigan Hurdle (3550m) at Warrnambool on Sunday, 11 July.
Sir Reginald Ansett was bestowed with the Country Racing Victoria Lifetime Contribution to Jumping Award while former Irish jockey Martin Kelly was presented with the Racing Victoria Jumping Jockey Encouragement Award.
The full list of winners on the night were:
J.J. Houlahan Jumps Championship Award (Horse) Tarawera
J.J. Houlahan Jumps Championship Award (Jockey) Steven Pateman
J.J. Houlahan Jumps Championship Award (Trainer) Ciaron Maher
Victoria Racing Club Jumping Achievement of the Year Award Some Are Bent
Country Racing Victoria Lifetime Contribution to Jumping Award Sir Reginald Ansett
TRSA Les Short SA Jumping Achievement of the Year Award Ciaron Maher
Racing Victoria Limited Jumping Jockey Encouragement Award Martin Kelly
Warrnambool Racing Club Provincial Jumping Achievement of the Year Award Al Garhood
Melbourne Racing Club Jumping Media Story of the Year Award Brendan Cormick
Moe Racing Club Jumping Photo of the Year Award Ross Holburt
TVN Race of the Year Award Brierly Steeplechase

23/8/2010 Jockeys the winner on August 28

THE Pakenham Racing Club and the Victorian Jockeys Association has joined forces to highlight the efforts of racing’s heroes.
The inaugural Jockeys Recognition Day will be held at Pakenham on Saturday, 28th August, which is a day designed to reward and recognise those jockeys who have retired, or who have been forced into retirement through injury.
The Club and the VJA will honour 14 of these jockeys by jointly naming seven races of the day, with the top weight of each race to wear the National Jockeys Trust silks representing the former jockeys.
The feature race of the day will be the Jockeys Recognition Day Plate.
A sportsman’s luncheon will also be held on the day with a slew of retired jockeys hosted by racing and media identity Dr Turf.
Pakenham Racing Club chief executive Michael Hodge said the day was the Club’s way of showing its gratitude to the stars of the sport.
“The whole concept of the day was the brainchild of Committeeman Max Mitchell, who has a big involvement in the industry and is a huge supporter of the jockeys and the contribution they make to the sport,” said Mr Hodge.
“So we took the idea to VJA boss Des O’Keefe and it has developed from there.
“The theme of the day is to recognise our sporting heroes with each race, but also get them all together in the same room for a great day out at the races.”
To celebrate the day, entry to the course will be by gold coin donation to the National Jockeys Trust, which is a trust designed to provide needed funds to jockeys such as those forced into retirement through injury or those who have experienced hardship starting their career as an apprentice.
For further information on the Pakenham Jockeys Recognition Day please contact the Club on (03) 5941 1207 or see www.pakracing.com.au

23/8/2010 Typhoon may not be blowing hot for shoot-out
Andrew Eddy

TRAINER Peter Moody says Horse Of The Year favourite Typhoon Tracy is unlikely to be as sharp as usual and will be vulnerable when she runs first up this Saturday in the group 2 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.

''She's had a slightly different preparation this time around, as she'll be probably getting to 2000 metres at her third-up run,'' Moody said yesterday.

''She's had a good, solid foundation because she's going to go 1400 metres first-up, then to 1600 metres and then 2000 metres, so maybe that sort of preparation may have dulled her brilliance a little. But she's bright and well and she doesn't know how to run a bad race, so I'm sure she'll be right in the finish.''

Typhoon Tracy was galloped on when unplaced as favourite at her most recent start, in last autumn's Doncaster Mile. She then caught a virus, but Moody said the five-year-old mare was suffering no ill-effects from injury or illness.

''She's very well, but the Memsie won't be an easy starting point for her,'' he said. ''Shoot Out could not have done anything more in his two runs, but I'm really looking forward to seeing her back on the track.''

As well as the John Wallace-trained Shoot Out, which won the Bletchingly Stakes and the Liston Stakes to begin his spring campaign, Typhoon Tracy will have to deal with four top horses from the Bart Cummings stable in So You Think, Faint Perfume, Dariana and Moatize.

Last year's Cox Plate favourite Whobegotyou will also run first-up in the race.

With four group 1 wins in succession last season, Typhoon Tracy heads the list of contenders for Horse Of The Year, which will be announced in Melbourne on September 5.

Earlier this month, she easily clinched the Victorian racehorse of the year award, polling 98 votes to defeat two big stars in Caulfield Guineas and Oakleigh Plate winner Starspangledbanner (61) and Cox Plate winner So You Think (35).

Flemington trainer Mark Kavanagh will start the Cox Plate campaign of group 1 winner Whobegotyou in the Memsie but said yesterday he did not expect it would be a winning return. ''I'm happy with him but he doesn't normally win first-up and he is likely to strike a slow track, which is not really his sort of track,'' he said.

Kavanagh said his Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, which ran on nicely first-up in the Liston Stakes earlier this month, would be reserved for the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington the following week.

Weekend Hussler, the 2007/08 horse of the year, continues to impress in the early stages of his latest comeback and may be ready to resume by Caulfield Cup day.

Trainer Ross McDonald said yesterday the six-year-old would be ready to return to his base at Caulfield from pre-training at Mornington in the next few weeks.

''He's getting nice and fit and looks pretty good,'' he said. ''We've got our eyes on a few sprint races over the spring.''

Weekend Hussler, which has off-fore fetlock problems, has run just once this year when unplaced in the Oakleigh Plate in February. But McDonald plans to have him at his top for the group 1 Patinack Farm Stakes at Flemington on November 6.

Sweet smell of success in air again for golden boy Bowman
Chris Roots
August 23, 2010

THE Golden Rose has been ''owned'' by top rider Hugh Bowman since its inception in 2003.

He won the first two runnings on In Top Swing and Doonan before finishing second to Paratroopers on Racing To Win. Then along came Duporth in 2008 to give him a third victory in the opening group 1 of the season.

Bowman will have a great chance to add to his impressive record when he rides the David Payne-trained Masquerader in Saturday's $1 million feature at Rosehill.

''Duporth was probably the best of the ones I have won on and he reminds me a lot of Masquerader,'' Bowman said. ''He [Masquerader] has the good pedigree, a good record like Duporth and has had the right preparation.''

Masquerader is TAB Sportsbet's equal favourite at $4.60 with Toorak Toff for the race. Bowman has never ridden the colt in a race but liked what he saw when Masquerader ran Squamosa to a half-length, giving the Gai Waterhouse-trained three-year-old five kilograms, in the Run To The Rose.

''I have only been on him at trackwork once but he is an impressive type,'' Bowman said.

Bowman said drawing a good barrier was important in the Golden Rose.

''When I won on Doonan and Duporth I had [barrier] one, which is big help, and I think Paratroopers came out of two,'' he said.

''You need the luck in running, and, being on the favourite, I would prefer to draw well because you don't want to be doing extra work in the Rose. It is a top-class race and you can't afford for anything to go wrong.''

The Golden Rose will not have a runner from the powerful stables of Chris Waller and Darley's Peter Snowden. Snowden won the Silver Shadow Stakes with Parables and Up And Coming Stakes with Blackball at the weekend but will not be tempted to back them up.

''We were thinking about Blackball but it would only be an afterthought and you don't win these races as an afterthought,'' Snowden said.

Hinchinbrook, which was fourth in Crystal Lily's Golden Slipper, will resume in the Corcorde Stakes rather than take on the 1400 metres of the Rose first-up, with his trainer, Gerald Ryan, keen to concentrate on other goals later in the spring.

Crystal Lily will be paid up at acceptance time tomorrow but may yet run in the McNeill Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

''We're keeping an eye on the weather here [in Melbourne] and we will probably pay up for both races and see what she draws,'' trainer Mathew Ellerton said. ''[The 1400 metres] is an issue [second-up] but it is 10-times the money of the race in Melbourne and that has to be considered as well.''

Hong Kong-based Brett Prebble, who won the Golden Slipper on Crystal Lily, will ride the filly only if she starts in the Golden Rose, where she will try to emulate Forensics by completing the Golden double.

Nash Rawiller will be on the unbeaten Squamosa, which is Waterhouse's only runner, with Damien Oliver booked for Vain Stakes winner Toorak Toff.

Jim Cassidy will link with Panipique, which outgunned Crystal Lily to win the Quezette Stakes at Caulfield nine days ago.

Kembla Grange trainer Mick Tubman was pleased with the way Chance Bye came through her third to Parables in the Silver Shadow and said she was a 90 per cent chance of being in the field.

''She came home and ate up, and I am happy to start her,'' Tubman said. ''What a first-up run that was with 57 kilos, and she did all the work. There will be no Solar Charged there in the Rose, and if she can find the front and get an easy time, they won't get near her.''

Trainers press for Chelmsford meeting switch
Chris Roots
August 23, 2010

PRESSURE is building on the AJC to move the Chelmsford Stakes meeting in a fortnight from Randwick to Warwick Farm.

There are concerns among Sydney trainers over the state of the Randwick course proper, with usually diehard supporter Gai Waterhouse labelling it a fiasco. Meanwhile, the AJC's western option raced well on Saturday - election day - attracting more than 6000 punters.

''I thought Warwick Farm raced very well,'' said Darley's trainer, Peter Snowden, who won the three-year-olds' features with Parables and Blackball. ''I walked it before the meeting and it was a bit doughy on the inside up to three off the fence but it was still 1000 lengths better than Randwick.

''If you look where the winners came, three came along the fence and five down the outside - that shows it was pretty equal.

''The way Randwick is at the moment, I reckon it might be something worth thinking about. Randwick just rips the guts out of your horses presently, and it takes two or three weeks for them to get over the run and that's not something you want.''

There was a great atmosphere at Warwick Farm on Saturday, and AJC vice-president John Cornish outlined plans for four Sunday meetings and an Australia Day meeting, which would be coupled with a world-biggest barbecue event, as the club tries to take racing to the people of the west.

But the AJC has only two Saturdays a year at the Farm - Warwick Stakes day in the spring and the Chipping Norton meeting in autumn.

Guy Walter said moving the September 4 Chelmsford meeting made sense. It would protect the AJC's crown jewel and give Randwick another couple of weeks to recover from the pounding it has taken in the wet winter. ''It would be disappointing but they wouldn't have to change the distances, and Randwick needs a rest,'' he said.

Randwick would then be given every chance to be in top condition for George Main Stakes day and Super Saturday with its four group 1s, including the Epsom and the Metropolitan, on October 2.

Waterhouse said the AJC had not been prepared to move tomorrow's Randwick meeting to Warwick Farm and would hold it at Hawkesbury.

''The track [on Saturday] raced much better than Randwick and they only have half the people working on the track out there,'' she said. ''That tells you there's something wrong somewhere.

''They wouldn't have to move any meeting if they were doing the right thing at Randwick.''

Chris Waller had the Warwick Stakes trifecta with Metal Bender, Triple Honour and Danleigh on Saturday and all three will target the Chelmsford next.

Waller said it would be ''a stupid idea'' to shift the meeting. ''Certain horses suit certain tracks and even though Randwick is bad, tracks can improve quickly at this time of year,'' he said. But other tracks were ''a long way in front of Randwick''.


22/8/2010 It's easy as 1-2-3: Waller hits a new high
Craig Young
August 22, 2010

CHRIS WALLER'S surge up the training charts shows no signs of abating, with the New Zealander's cups-bound stayers Metal Bender and Triple Honour going one-two in yesterday's Warwick Stakes at Warwick Farm.

The Rosehill-based Waller, who finished second in last season's Sydney trainers' premiership, was not content with the Warwick Stakes quinella, and he had race favourite Danleigh complete the trifecta.

''Quality rises to the top,'' Waller said in reference to the multiple group 1 winner Metal Bender, which was given a gun ride by stand-in jockey Tim Clark. ''He is pretty special, Metal Bender, to come out and win first-up at 1400 metres.''

Waller has surged to the front of the Sydney trainers' premiership but his start at Warwick Farm wasn't good yesterday, for his gallopers finished second in the opening three races.

''That's racing,'' he said, while once again praising his staff for ensuring their gallopers were ready.

As a three-year-old Metal Bender won the Randwick and Rosehill guineas for trainer Jack Denham but after a leg injury led to a year-long spell, the Danasinga gelding joined the Waller team.

Waller had Metal Bender ready to appear at the end of the Sydney autumn carnival and after two runs went north to win the Hollindale Stakes and group 1 Doomben Cup.

Waller was asked about the Caulfield and Melbourne cups along with the Cox Plate for Metal Bender.

''I don't think we'll know until we put him in the big races,'' he said. ''I'm not a genius with the big cup races, the Cox Plate, but we've got plenty of time to look at the record books and work out a program.''

Waller said his Warwick Stakes three would go round in the Chelmsford Stakes on Saturday week before heading in different directions.

Another group 1 awaits Metal Bender in the George Main, while his Doncaster Handicap winner Triple Honour will go to the Hill Stakes and Craven Plate before heading south. ''Triple Honour has come back great and I want to have a real crack at the Caulfield Cup with him,'' Waller said.

Clark, who also won yesterday's Silver Shadow Stakes on Parables, gave Metal Bender a real chance in the Warwick Stakes, knowing the galloper had had two solid trials leading into the race.

''A tough horse with a real good will to win,'' Clark said. ''He was always travelling well and when I give him a squeeze just before the turn he picked up real well. I just needed a bit of galloping room and when he found it, it was over.''

Danleigh's jockey Hugh Bowman, who is booked to ride Metal Bender in the cups, was ''very, very happy'' with the favourite's third placing.

''He was just held up at a vital stage and the other two had the momentum,'' Bowman said.

Triple Honour's jockey Jim Cassidy reported: ''It was a terrific run. The winner was too good but my bloke will improve with the run.''

Blake Shinn felt multiple group 1 winner Sniper's Bullet ''was disappointing'' after ''receiving a lovely run throughout''.

But all honours were with Metal Bender for the 1400m was way short of this five-year-old's best distance. ''He is only going to get better as the races get longer,'' Clark said. ''He is a class horse.''


Metal Bender Photo by Lisa Grimm www.lisagrimmphotography.com

Waterhouse praises her own Mr Potato Head
Craig Young and Chris Roots
August 22, 2010

You don't think Gai Waterhouse is a fan of stable apprentice Blake Spriggs! Waterhouse's pre-race rev-up had the desired impact, for Spriggs was ''brilliant'' winning on Kontiki Park at Warwick Farm.

Waterhouse was sick of watching Spriggs ride like ''a bag of potatoes''. ''I want to see you ride like a bag of hard spuds, and that's what he was was, a hard spud,'' the trainer said.

Spriggs described Kontiki Park, which was coming off an eighth, as ''a bit lazy'' and ''it only does what he has to do''.

As for the form turnaround, Waterhouse declared: ''Wasn't that lovely. Isn't it amazing when you get weight relief?''


Kontiki Park Photo by Lisa Grimm www.lisagrimmphotography.com

TARDY START

Nash Rawiller had no doubt Tromso cost himself victory by jumping awkwardly in the opening race at Warwick Farm.

Punters groaned when the $1.75 favourite, which was $2.35 on Thursday, came out well behind the rest of the field.

''He jumped away from the rest of them and then knuckled slightly,'' Rawiller told stewards.

Rawiller said Tromso hit the front in the straight after getting a dream run through the field, but the fitter Onthelookout got the better of him in a driving finish.

''He had a soft run and I thought I was going to win when the run came but the other horse was just rock-hard fit,'' he said.

Tromso's trainer, Chris Waller, said: ''You can't miss the start like that and think you're going to win a photo finish.''

NESTOR BLOW

Heavyweight apprentice Kody Nestor had his visit to Warwick Farm soured by a four-meeting suspension for careless riding on Sophistication yesterday. Nestor plead guilty to pushing out on the turn, forcing winner Onthelookout out on to Without Compromise, which was checked. The jockey, who hails from Dubbo, has returned after a short retirement after finishing a spell with Warwick Farm trainer Guy Walter.

''I gave it away and got up to 70 kilos after leaving Sydney but then I realised I couldn't do anything else, so I'm back,'' Nestor said.

CASSIDY MAGIC

Favourite backers were doing it tough but not as hard as their galloper Lost For Words, which turned in a superior staying effort to win the second at Warwick Farm.

''The clods were coming back,'' master horseman Jim Cassidy told trainer David Atkins on dismounting. ''We were half dodging them until I popped off, to the outside, at the 800m. There were no clods and she just got running.''

Cassidy let Lost For Words stride forward and Telesmon popped on to her back. The pair drew away to fight it out but Lost For Words had too much class.

''He goes good, the old boy,'' Atkins said of Cassidy. ''You can't sit back and wait. She'd done no work, he had to get going.''

Lost For Words was having only start No.7 with the Zabeel mare recording win No.3.

''She was with John Hawkes, she must have had a few problems early on,'' Atkins said. ''Basically this is her first preparation.''

POWER PLAY

Australian flyer Starspangledbanner was beaten by 100-1 outsider Sole Power in the group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday night. Trainer Aidan O'Brien said Starspangledbanner would be better over a trip longer than 1000m but was pleased with the fighting effort. ''He was coming and coming, we know he's a very classy horse,'' O'Brien said

Clark in right place at the right time to charge to glory on Parables
Craig Young
August 22, 2010

RACING'S go-to jockey Tim Clark played giant-killer once again when the Peter Snowden-trained Parables made a devastating return to racing at Warwick Farm yesterday.

The filly charged up along the inside of the dead track, a section deemed inferior, to claim the Silver Shadow Stakes, with Darley Stud's celebrations tempered when stablemate and favourite Obsequious returned with a badly cut off hind leg.

''That is very disappointing, I hope she is not too bad, but it is racing,'' Snowden said.

Clark was on board Obsequious when she out-gunned Solar Charged with a first-up win in the San Domenico Stakes a fortnight ago.

His brother-in-law and Darley's No.2 jockey, Josh Parr, went back on Obsequious yesterday, with Clark happy to take the mount on the stablemate Parables, and once again Solar Charged returned to the runner-up's stall.

Clark, who is called in by the likes of Gai Waterhouse, Bart Cummings and Chris Waller when these dominant trainers are in need of jockeys. is happy to play the ''Mr Fix-it'' role.

And just 45 minutes after his win on Parables he did it again, with victory for Waller on Metal Bender in the group 2 Warwick Stakes.

Clark went into the Silver Shadow having not previously ridden Parables but declared pre-race the daughter of Lonhro had ''the X-factor''.

''I got a bit further back than I wanted and I tried to save a bit of ground up the inside,'' he said. ''I ran into a bit of trouble and it was a risk to go there where the ground wasn't much good, but it came off and I looked like a genius. If it didn't come off I would have been a dickhead.''

Clark paid tribute to the Lonhro filly, which is set for a super spring. ''It certainly helps when you have a horse of her calibre,'' he said.

Snowden was not about to get carried away with Parables for the premier trainer has ''been there before'', but Parables might be well above average. ''Her last run at Randwick before going for a spell was unbelievable,'' Snowden said.

''She broke 11 seconds [for the last 200m] that day. They don't do that unless they are very, very good.''

Premier jockey Nash Rawiller hit the ground running on Solar Charged, with the pair opening up a three-length lead on Obsequious and Chance Bye, which came in third. ''I thought it was a super run and set it up for the winner,'' Rawiller said. ''I thought mine was going to be extremely hard to beat 100m out but she might have been beaten by a smart one today.''

Chance Bye had not raced since finishing ninth in the Golden Slipper. ''It was a super run chasing the speed all the way,'' Chance Bye's jockey, Kathy O'Hara, said. ''She just kept finding the line and it looks like she has come back better than ever.''

Golden Slipper third placegetter More Strawberries finished fourth at her first run from a spell.

''She jumped on terms today, which was a good sign,'' jockey Glyn Schofield said when asked about More Strawberries. ''It was a good effort, too.''


Parables Photo by Lisa Grimm www.lisagrimmphotography.com

Snowden's patience pays off for Blackball
Chris Roots
August 22, 2010

DARLEY got the reward for patience with Blackball and Parables as they took out the feature races for three-year-olds at Warwick Farm yesterday.

Blackball, a son of Canny Lad, proved too strong for Queenslander Buffering and Sea Lord in the Up And Coming Stakes, giving his trainer satisfaction he had made the right decision back in the autumn.

''We have looked after this horse and it has been worth the wait,'' Peter Snowden said. ''We nearly ran him in the Golden Slipper but we would have had to pay the $100,000 [late-entry fee] to run him and that made the decision for us, so we went for the easier option in the Sires' [Produce].

''He had no luck in that race but he had only had the four starts and was always going to get better.

''We did the same thing with Parables, gave her a good spell, and look how she has come back. That's the great thing about my job: I can take my time with them. They [the owners of Darley] are racing people and understand it, so we get to see these horses now. It is really pleasing when it works out like this.''

The fact Blackball is a son of Canny Lad made it sweeter. ''The old boy is on his crutches but he is still getting horses like this in a race that is a stallions' race,'' Snowden added.

Blackball was back past midfield in the run but jockey Tye Angland was confident he had plenty to give coming to the turn. He pulled out to the centre of the track and charged at Buffering, which had established what seemed a winning break.

''He was travelling so well coming to the turn I let him slide,'' Angland said. ''But when Dan [Nikolic on Buffering] put a length-and-a-half on me I thought, 'this is going to be a real good effort if he can pick them up'.''

Blackball scored by a half neck but the owners of the Queenslander were still jubilant. ''Give me an alley next time, you cheating New South Welshman,'' Buffering's trainer Robert Heathcote said with a laugh. ''We are delighted, we only got beat a head by the Darley operation. We had the outside barrier and did all the work.''

Nikolic added: ''I have no doubt if he had something to chase down in the straight he would have won.'