Waterhouse a Winner With Appeal Result

Friday, 16 August 2002 00:00

Controversial bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse has had his one year disqualification wiped and replaced by a nine month suspension after the conlusion of an appeal in Sydney today.

The appeal was launched after NSW TRB stewards outed Waterhouse with a one year disqualification and fines of $78,000. The total of fines also were decreased today to $19,500.

The situation arose after it was discovered by officials that Waterhouse had provided elevated odds for a number of fancied runners to a former family associate Peter McCoy.

A number of character witnesses for Waterhouse had their turn in the spotlight today. They included a heavyweight from the Gosford Turf Club and a professional punter.

His wife, leading Sydney based trainer Gai, flanked Robbie for the first time during the appeals process.

Waterhouse will now be free to return to the betting ring in nine months time and he won't have to apply to the bookmaking officials for a licence as he would have had to if he was disqualified.

Mornington Winner Disqualified After Losing Lead Bag

Thursday, 15 August 2002 00:00

A winning horse was disqualified at Mornington today after losing its lead bag during the race.

Stewards had no option but to overlook the winning performance of the Jim Marconi trained Royal Rule, who had originally won the first race by three quarters of a length.

It is understood the lead bag fell out of the horse's gear during the middle stages of the Super Vobis 3YO Colts and Geldings Maiden Plate (1200m) after the saddle had shifted in the early stages of the race.

Young rider Lonagan Milham could only look on in dispair as he weighed in one and a half kilograms light and he was still a touch more than half a kilo short when the bridle was added to the saddle.

Bounty Beat, the original runner up in the race, was elevated to the winners position, while all other placings were lifted by one.

The unusual occurence isn't totally rare. Only yesterday a horse in New Zealand who'd finished third was disqualified after is was found the lead bag had been left out of the horse's gear when it was being saddled at the Rotorua meeting.

That horse's rider had weighed in 2.25 kilograms light and even if the bridle had of been called for, it would have still been well short of its carded weight.

Marshall "Surprised" With Star of Florida Call Up

Thursday, 15 August 2002 00:00

Comeback jockey Simon Marshall has been rewarded for his hard work and excellent early form by being sought out for the ride aboard the outstanding young sprinting prospect Star of Florida when that gelding runs next weekend.

Marshall admitted today he was "a bit surprised" when he answered his phone late yesterday afternoon and Queensland based trainer Pat Duff was on the line. Duff offered the ride, expected to be only (at this stage) a once off partnership, to Marshall and the rider didn't have to think twice before saying yes.

"I certainly wasn't really expecting the call from Pat," Marshall told Cyberhorse today. "But it's a great pick up ride."

In fact Marshall went a step further by saying the youngster, a last start winner of the San Domenico Stakes in Sydney, is similar to a former champion he rode to numerous big race wins, Hareeba.

"He is a bit like him," Marshall said. "Obviously he still has a long way to go to be as good as Hareeba, but they both have plenty of early brilliance and a high cruising speed."

The heavyweight hoop said the Telesto gelding had a bright future and he was looking forward to riding him in Saturday week's Up and Coming Stakes in Sydney.

"Star of Florida is a lovely horse," he said. "He's got a heap of natural ability and he should be able to shine in these early three-year-old races of the season."

Marshall has made a positive return to the saddle. At his first meeting on the Gold Coast two weeks ago he rode two winners from just three rides. And to continue the great return he rode a winner from three rides at his first metropolitan meeting in Sydney yesterday.

"I couldn't really have asked for much more at this stage," Marshall said. "I'm really happy with the way I have come back and I'm looking forward to the next few months."

On Saturday in Sydney Marshall will have his first stakes race ride for over five years. He will be riding the promising staying prospect Kaapgun, a Group Two winner last preparation, in the Premiere Stakes.

"You'd think he'd need a couple of runs at this stage, but Noel Mayfield-Smith is a very astute trainer," Marshall reported.

In the immediate future Sydney will be Marshall's base, but he is hoping to be riding in Melbourne over the upcoming Spring Carnival.

"It just depends if I can get some rides there (Melbourne)," he said. "I've been offered a couple of rides but at the weights I'm no chance of being able to ride them."

Marshall will get down to 56 kilograms to ride Star of Florida next weekend, but he will be reluctant to take rides under 56.5 in the future.

"I just want to be able to put everything into it. Strength is needed in the saddle and I need to be at my best."

For Marshall the early results he's been enjoying in the saddle in recent weeks gives the rider the ammunition he has needed to throw at the doubters.

"It's great just to show the skeptics up," he said. "You can just put it down to hard work, I've really worked my butt off to get back."

PICS - Quentin Lang.

It's a Valley of Stars on Saturday

Thursday, 15 August 2002 00:00

Quality abounds at Moonee Valley on Saturday as the Melbourne Spring Carnival approaches with the running of three classy stakes races.

Bel Esprit, Titanic Jack, Rubitano, Shaye Spice, De Gaulle Lane, Innovation Girl, British Lion, Flashed, Yell, Able Choice, Mistegic and The Big Chill are all set to step out one of the features.

The first of the stakes events on the weekend is the listed Mitchell McKenzie Stakes for the three-year-old colts and geldings over 1000 metres.

Bel Esprit, last season's champion Melbourne based juvenile, is primed to run a huge race first up provided the track is no worse than dead.

His major opposition is likely to come from the Tommy Hughes Jnr trained unbeaten performer Titanic Jack. Along with Bel Esprit he was the star of Tuesday morning's track gallops at Moonee Valley, running fast time and looking very impressive.

Yell, a stakes performer in nearly every state as a two-year-old, also makes his return in the Mitchell McKenzie for John Hawkes. Darren Gauci will be aboard the youngster who will jump from the outside barrier in the field of seven.

The fillies get their chance to split up some black type in the William Crockett Stakes, also over the 1000 metres. A field of 12 has accepted for the listed event.

Innovation Girl, a member of the in form Brian Mayfield-Smith stable, comes off an impressive first up win in the Group Three Dermody Stakes in Adelaide, and she is a proven performer at Moonee Valley. She will be the one to beat from barrier eleven.

Flashed, a daughter of Fuji Kiseki, and the unbeaten stakes winner British Lion, both have strong winning chances from better barriers.

Meanwhile, the proven sprinters go head to head in the listed Rosemount Estate McEwen Trophy (1000m).

Rubitano and Mistegic look set to dominate the market in a field which includes the rising talents like Moonee Valley specialist Shaye Spice and Aragonce and The Big Chill, who are both trained by Russell Cameron.

The rest of the Valley card also hold plenty of quality. Horses the calibre of Bush Padre, Court of Jewels, Ugachaka, Mr. Prudent, Touch the Groom, Make Mine Magic and Chimu are also among the fields.

PICS - Quentin Lang.

Action Planned for Premiere Stakes Day

Thursday, 15 August 2002 00:00

Race six at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday is the G2 Bankstown Sports Club Premiere Stakes bringing together a top class field competing at weight for age.

This race has been won by such turf greats as Kingston Town (1981), Emancipation (1983), and Campaign King (1987).

The line up includes multiple Group winners Shogun Lodge, Century Kid and Padstow; along with other stakes winners including Dress Circle, Sportsbrat, Kaapgun, Hosannah and Ancient Song.

Race 5 is the Fairfield RSL Club Grey Stars Handicap, an annual event on the Sydney Turf Club calendar. The Rosehill trained Cariboo will be attempting to continue his unbeaten run in what should be an entertaining spectacle.

All uniformed SES workers, and those with appropriate accreditation, will receive FREE entry to Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.

Other highlights this Saturday include live entertainment from midday till 4.30pm with ‘Face Value’ and ‘Vogue’ performing in the Owners & Trainers Bar from 4.30pm till 7.00pm.

Regular features of a day at Rosehill Gardens are also available, such as the popular children’s entertainment, including FREE mini train rides, jumping castle and pony rides, all located behind the JR Fleming Stand, plus the Giant screen featuring live interstate racing. Gates open at 11am.

Media Release - STC

Morphettville Races (10/08/02) Part One

Wednesday, 14 August 2002 00:00

Irish Race day returned to its home at Morphettville with the main attractions of the day the Hurdle and the Steeplechase where the Irish put a lead on the Australian team while the promising local sprinters ran in the Listed Wylie Hcp.

Between races there was a shetland pony race where Harry proved too good from Feral Cheryl and Porky Pie and later in the day an exhibition gallop by the unbeaten Pompous and star 3yo filly of last season Elegant Fashion.

The Over The Rainbow jumping series concluded with the Hurdle today with the title (decided on a points system) awarded to Kastabon.

Race 1 - 3yo Hcp 1100m

1st - Upmarket Star ( bay filly 3yrs Staaraq - Market Brace) ridden by David Carney. Trained by Shane Coombs for J Miller, D McNamara, G Taylor, T Stephens, A Finlayson, R Allison, G Short, J Wishart and TL Wright.
2nd - Gucci Guru
3rd - Naden

Race 2 - Steeplechase 3600m

Despite misjudging the first jump in the home straight on the first occasion Gilligan recovered well and went on to withstand the challenge from Turkey Lane with Zidane third after leading for much of the trip.

1st - Gilligan ( bay gelding 11yrs Kings Island-Munika) ridden by Danny Howard. He is trained by Eric Musgrove for himself, BH Musgrove and MG Stockx.
2nd - Turkey Lane
3rd - Zidane

Next Page

Brew Making Good Progess in Return

Thursday, 15 August 2002 00:00

Reborn racehorse Brew is making excellent progress in the coutdown to a return to the track

Retirement was put on hold for the 2000 Melbourne Cup winner when he proved unsuitable for a planned police horse career.

The exercise regime he had been put through during that process had benefitted him however, to the point that his former ligament problems had disappeared, resulting in a revision of his racehorse future.

Part-owner Paul Moroney reports that Brew came through his second recent jumpout, at Flemington on Tuesday morning, pleasingly and will be entered for the JJ Liston Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday week.

"His jockey Steven Arnold said that he felt great in the jumpout," Moroney told ThoroughbredNews.

"He had a good blow and will gallop between races at Werribee next Wednesday prior to racing at Caulfield."

PICS - Quentin Lang.

Media Release - TNZ

Lenny Counting on Loobnan

Wednesday, 14 August 2002 00:00

Veteran trainer Len Smith is hoping to return from a five-year jumps exodus a winner with Loobnan at Cheltenham Park on Friday.

The Mount Gambier race meeting, moved to Cheltenham Park as the upgrade to the Mount Gambier track continues, is the perfect opportunity for Loobnan to kick off his hurdling career.

Smith’s last winner over the obstacles was Change Lady at Strathalbyn in September 1997, winning by 18.5 lengths at a lucrative 20/1. But not only was it Smith’s last hurdle winner, she may have even been his last hurdle runner.

"Change Lady was definitely my last hurdle winner," he said. "I can’t think of any other runners in between. I’ve had a few come along but I don’t think any made it to race day."

Top jumps jockey Grant Young rode Change Lady in 1997 and will ride Loobnan for his debut. Young, who is based at Cheltenham Park with Gary Kennewell, regularly rides the gelding in work and has schooled him extensively.

"I’ve been schooling Loobnan for almost two seasons," Smith said. "He earned his licence last year but I tipped him out and kept him for this season."

Smith would have preferred the distance of Friday’s race - 3036m – to be slightly shorter but, overall, the transfer to Loobnan’s home track has worked out well.

"It would have been nice to start him off at 2800m, but he’s on his home track with his regular rider in the saddle," Smith said. "He’s done a lot of work leading up to this, and regularly gallops a couple of miles down at the beach. He trialled here (at Cheltenham Park) recently and went well so he should be ready to make his debut."

Smith said the gelding was an excellent hurdler and would have a couple of starts this time in for experience. Should he measure up, Oakbank next year looks the logical step but there’s also the Cup week hurdle at Flemington in November.

Media Release - Jason Hickson (TRSA)

Embargo on SA Stable Lifted After Strangles Outbreak

Thursday, 15 August 2002 00:00

TRSA Stewards today announced that the embargo on the South East Stable property recently quarantined has been lifted.

Chairman of Stewards, Graham Loch, advises:

"Our Veterinary Surgeon Dr. R. C. Robinson visited the Trainer’s property today and is satisfied that the Trainer can move stock."

"Both the Trainer and their Veterinary Surgeon have cooperated and the prompt isolation of the affected case from the rest of the stable has been integral to controlling this outbreak."

"However, I would urge Trainers not to drop their guard."

"We have not been able to ascertain with certainty where the disease came from, therefore other cases may still be in the horse population."

Dr. Robinson advises that the following recommendations are the best measures to be taken for Trainers to keep Strangles out of their stables:

• The disease spreads predominantly by direct horse to horse contact, but can also occur indirectly via contaminated transports, gear and tack, buckets, feed, stables, flies, pasture, water troughs and stable hands. Isolation therefore means no physical contact with other horses, but stable and personal hygiene are obviously important as well.

• All isolated horses or suspicious cases should be attended and fed last in the daily routine, with staff disinfecting hands and footwear between such horses.

Symptoms to look for include -

• Purulent nasal discharge.
• Painful swelling (abscess formation) of the lymph nodes in the throat, head and jaw areas.
• These abscesses ultimately mature and rupture, discharging purulent material to the exterior.
• Increased body temperature > 38.5°C.
• Loss of appetite.

All new horses to the stable should be isolated for a minimum of three weeks and observe them daily for any symptoms. Ideally this includes taking temperatures every day and using separate gear and tack on all isolates.

Healthy horses may be vaccinated.

This involves three doses of vaccine two weeks apart initially and single annual booster dose thereafter until 5-6 years of age.

Improve fly control around stables, which includes careful manure disposal and covered manure storage.

Trainers looking to obtain more information may contact Dr. Robinson at TRSA on 08/8179 9823.

Media Release - TRSA

Aussies Still a Chance in Jumps Series

Wednesday, 14 August 2002 00:00

The locals have breathed some life back in the Ireland versus Australia Jumping Series after taking maximum points in the hurdle at Sandown today.

Led home by last season's Melbourne champion jumps jockey Brett Scott, the Australians had a little luck of their own, narrowing the Irish lead to 16 points.

Before today's race the Irish team of four had a massive 34 point lead, but with three representatives today the Aussie team scored close tomaximum points, while Ireland finished the race without a point.

The final race of the series will be held at Moonee Valley on Saturday with the running of the Waterford Crystal Hurdle. Acceptances and the drawing of jockeys will take place tomorrow morning.

Australia would have to win the race and grab 12 points to have any chance of scoring an unlikely victory.