Kattavia to Spell for Derby Goal

Monday, 12 August 2002 00:00

Promising three-year-old Kattavia is heading to the paddock after his impressive win in yesterday's David Benham Handicap (1740m) at Flemington.

The Leon Macdonald trained three-year-old will be aimed toward the South Australian Derby (G1) in an attempt to emulate his former brilliant stablemate Gold Guru, who captured the AJC variety in 1998.

Kattavia, an attractive son of the shuttle sire success Grand Lodge, is part owned by Gold Guru's breeder and owner Harry Perks.

Yesterday with former Tasmanian apprentice Craig Newitt in the saddle Kattavia raced handy to the leaders before bounding the front at the top of the long Flemington straight and then comfortably held out all challenges from the opposition.

Macdonald's Melbourne stable foreman Andrew Noblet said the gelding was to have been spelled after his last run, when second to the boom filly Macedon Lady.

"We were going to send him out after his second the other day," Noblet said. "But we looked at this race and thought it was a nice option."

"He's bred to get over some ground and we'll aim him toward the Derby in Adelaide," Noblet added. "He looks ideal for that sort of a race."

Meanwhile, Noblet reported that Great Glen, who suffered his first defeat in Saturday's listed Yalumba "The Signature" Handicap at Morphettville in Adelaide is heading to Melbourne.

"He's coming over on the first available transport and he'll run in the Vain Stakes at Caulfield," Noblet added. "If all goes well he'll then go into the Ascot Vale Stakes."

The gelding, who's raced by in form owner Des Pope (Rubitano and Innovation Girl among othrers), is already a Group Two winner and he's been nominated for the Group One Caulfield Guineas to be run in October.

PIC - Jenny Barnes.

Cassidy Quizzed over Involvement in Bloodstock Deal

Monday, 12 August 2002 00:00

Jockey Jim Cassidy was today questioned by NSW TRB Stewards relative to an article which appeared in the Business Section of the Daily Telegraph newspaper, on Thursday, 27 June 2002.

The article reported that Jim Cassidy had collected a $10,000 cash cheque for bloodstock agent Mr Malcolm Ayoub from Mr Karl Suleman, which was delivered by Mr Suleman’s uncle, Mr Alex Odisho.

Written evidence was provided to the inquiry from Mr Odisho, and Mr Ayoub was questioned by teleconference.

Mr Ayoub undertook to provide the inquiry with copies of documentation which supported that the $10,000 cheque had been a commission for his business in the sale of horses and that Jim Cassidy had facilitated the receipt of that transfer of funds by meeting with Mr Odisho when he (Malcolm Ayoub) was not available due to ill health.

Jim Cassidy was advised that whilst there appeared to be no wrongdoing, under the Rules of Racing in respect of this matter, nevertheless, at all times he should be mindful of his conduct as a jockey and the perception that actions of this nature might create.

The Stewards will peruse the documentation from Mr Ayoub when it is presented next week.

PIC - Quentin Lang.

Media Release - NSW TRB

Magic Millions Winner Milkshake Fights for Life

Monday, 12 August 2002 00:00

Promising three-year-old Milkshake is fighting for his life after being rushed to the Werribee Equine Hospital last week.

A winner of the Magic Millions Classic at Cheltenham in Adelaide this year, Milkshake was tipped to have a bright future on the track by his astute trainer Colin Little.

Little, who prepared a winner (Penash) at Flemington yesterday, reported that the son of Encosta de Lago's condition was "a bit serious."

"He got an infected sesamoid, and we're all just hoping he is able to pull through," Little reported.

The gelding's part owner Jason Petch said the events of the past week had been very trying and he was hopeful Milkshake would recover.

"We're just not sure what's really going to happen," Petch said. "I guess the next few days are going to decide."

At the time of his Magic Millions triumph in February, which netted connections nearly $230,000, Petch described the win "as the greatest thrill in his life."

PIC - Jenny Barnes.

Wellbeing Guns Down Sakhee in France

Monday, 12 August 2002 00:00

Wellbeing, the Sadler's Wells entire out of a full-sister to champion NZ sire Zabeel, claimed the scalp of last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Sakhee in the Prix Gontaut-Biron at Deauville on Saturday.

Last year's European champion racehorse has not been sighted since flopping in the Dubai World Cup in March and was expected by connections to win this Group III contest enroute to a crack at the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown next month.

However, they hadn't reckoned on a revitalised Wellbeing, a Group III winner in England, who relished the soft ground and powered away from a below-par Sakhee to win by a length.

Godolphin had been aiming the five-year-old by Bahri for a repeat bid in the Arc in October, but are now considering retiring him.

This was Wellbeing's second start of the term since moving from Henry Cecil to Chantilly-based Pascal Bary.

Out of Charming Life (Sir Tristram), and a half-brother to the Ashwell Farm, Cambridge, sire Kingfisher Mill, he had posted four wins from 11 starts in the UK, however was transferred to France where he is more likely to get the soft ground conditions he needs to be seen to best effect.

Adding to the NZ flavour of the contest was the inclusion of Andre Fabre-trained Sangreal (Celtic Swing-Grosvenor Gardens, by Grosvenor) in the field. The four-year-old however looked ill at ease on the very soft ground and finished well adrift.

Kingfisher Mill (by Riverman) stands at Ashwell Farm for NZ$5,500 plus GST.

Media Release - TNZ

Melbourne Cup Entry Wins Group One in Germany

Monday, 12 August 2002 00:00

Veteran European galloper Yavana's Pace, one of the international entries for Melbourne Cup later this year, scored a Group One win in Germany over the weekend.

Trained by Mark Johnston, the spritely ten-year-old proved too strong in the Credit Suisse Private Banking Pokal (G1) at Cologne yesterday.

At the end of the 2400 metre event the son of Accordion held a half length advantage over the classy three-year-old filly Salve Regina. Capable performer Millenary was third, a further four lengths back.

Although he is a ten-year-old, Yavana's Pace has only started on 36 occasions. His record includes ten wins and 12 minor placings.

Yavana's Pace is among 32 overseas entries for the $3,675,000 Tooheys New Melbourne Cup (3200m) to be run at Flemington on Tuesday November 5.

Johnston is set to aim the gelding at the Irish St Leger and from there the leading trainer will have a good idea of where he stands for a possible tilt at Australia's most famous race. The Irish St Leger will be run at the Curragh on September 14.

Incredibly yesterday's Group One win was Yavana's Pace first at Group One level, but Johnston feels it won't be his last. "He'll certainly come back as an eleven-year-old," he told Racing Post.

Haraka Heartbreak - Kasi Loses Her Life at Flemington

Monday, 12 August 2002 00:00

It was a day of mixed emotions for Lindsay Park's trainer Tony McEvoy at Flemington yesterday.

The Angaston based horseman was enjoying the thrills of the game when the top class galloper Fields of Omagh made a stunning return to win the Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m) beating a top class field.

That win had erased a bit of the heartache after he lost one of the stable's promising youngsters Kasi Haraka two races earlier.

A half sister to former talented Group One performer Nina Haraka, the grey four-year-old mare was having her first run this preparation in the Ansis Dizgalvis Sprint (1000m).

Weakening badly to the finishing post the former sale topping filly appeared to have suffered a heart attack when she dropped dead just a couple of hundred metres after crossing the line in last position.

McEvoy said the loss of the promising mare was a great shame.

"She'd shown us plenty of ability back at home (Lindsay Park)," a dejected McEvoy said. "She didn't have the same amount of natural ability as Nina Haraka, but she was still going to win her share of races."

Kasi Haraka, who was raced by Ted Cockram and the Winners Circle Club No 3 Syndicate, was sold for a record yearling price at the 2000 Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale for $230,000. She was knocked down to the late Peter Hayes after a bidding bonanza in the Morphettville auditorium.

PIC - Quentin Lang.

Tweak Keeps the Cerise Ball Rolling

Monday, 12 August 2002 00:00

Last year John Hawkes kicked away the Melbourne racing season in fine style with eight winners for the month of August. Twelve months on the all cerise silk coloured bearers have again made a lightning start to the season.

Yesterday at Flemington the talented four-year-old Tweak made if four wins in two days for the stable when he scored a one length win in the Rosemary Kenny Handicap (1800m).

A day earlier the stable won three races, including one dead heat success, to take training honours. The Sandown success came thanks to outright winners Old Man and Gradual and the dead heat winner Philotimo.

"We always seem to make a good start to the season," Hawkes' son and Melbourne foreman Wayne said.

"The new season, perhaps it's the new look that's doing the trick," he added. Hawkes along with leading jockeys Stephen Baster, Darren Gauci and Greg Childs had their heads shaved on Friday afternoon to raise money for Bluey Day.

Hawkes went close to a winning double at Flemington only to be denied when the former Sydney based Dashiki was run down in the shadows of the post by the Michael Moroney trained Auckland Blues.

Tweak's winning jockey yesterday Darren Gauci, who was also displaying the sleek shaved head, was given lavish praise by Wayne Hawkes.

"He's just sensational on front runners," Hawkes said. "He gets them to the front and then rates them perfectly."

Hawkes, at this early stage to the season, heads the Melbourne training premiership over Tony McEvoy and Michael Moroney.

It's funny what a couple of weeks can hold. In the last three weeks to the season the Hawkes stable couldn't buy a winner to try and knock off Lee Freedman in the premiership race, but now they are back to winning form.

"Yeah it's amazing how it works like that," Hawkes said. "We couldn't do a thing right during July, but now with the better horses stepping out the form has again switched around."

Kerford's Frustrating Run Finally Ends

Monday, 12 August 2002 00:00

Adelaide jockey Wayne Kerford ended a frustrating run of bad luck both on and off the track when Olongopo won at Morphettville on Saturday.

Kerford had ridden 70 horses in the city since his last winner before the South Eastern raider scored in a driving finish in the Redbank Handicap (2048m).

The talented Adelaide rider was also having a serious case of bad luck off the track when he was assaulted by an unknown man near his home on June 30.

After more than a month out of the saddle Kerford made his city return at the season's first meeting last weekend, but finished without a winner from three rides.

Kerford is as hungry as ever to return to the top of the riding list according to his manager Mal James.

"The Bulldog (as Kerford is commonly known) has not lost his hunger for winners," James said. "He's really looking forward to riding more winners in the near future."

Florida Was at His Top But Will Improve: Payne

Monday, 12 August 2002 00:00

Leading Melbourne based heavyweight rider Patrick Payne revealed that Star of Florida had nothing more to give, despite appearing to have a lapful of horse in Saturday's Group Two San Domenico Stakes.

Payne said the gelding was getting tired at the end of Saturday's race, but he felt the gelding would improve significantly at his next start.

Star of Florida, who'd made a dynamic start to his career in his home state of Queensland, was having his first start in Sydney in the San Domenico.

Payne reported yesterday that the Pat Duff trained three-year-old was one of the brightest prospects he had ridden for some time.

"He's a very exciting horse, there's little doubt about that," Payne said. "He worked hard right from the start of the race on Saturday and he was entitled to get a little tired near the finish."

"He was at his top at the finish," he added.

Meanwhile, Payne sent a warning to weight-for-age rivals that the Bob Thomsen trained Shogun Lodge was set to return to racing in great style.

Payne rode the talented gelding in an exhibition gallop between races in Sydney and he was impressed with the way he went.

"He's in really good shape," Payne said. "I'm really looking forward to riding him in the near future."

Shogun Lodge has been nominated to return in Saturday's Group Two $141,200 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill, while Star of Florida is expected to next step out the Group Two $151,400 Up and Coming Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday week. Star of Florida's connections have the option of sending the youngster to Melbourne for the Group Two $351,500 Ascot Vale Stakes at Flemington, two weeks after the Up and Coming.

PIC - Quentin Lang.

Aussies Claw Back Ground in Jumps Series

Sunday, 11 August 2002 00:00

Promising young jumper Calcavecchia has led the Australian riders to a quinella and a chance to get back into the Irish/Aussie Jumping Series after the Hyland Sportswear Hurdle (2860m) at Flemington today.

In a rather fitting result Craig Durden (Calcavecchia) and Brett Scott (Bold Impulse) finished first and second. Those two riders dominated the Melbourne city riding premiership during the season just completed.

Ireland won both jumping races in Adelaide yesterday and the international team racked up a huge points tally.

After today's race the Aussies have narrowed the gap to 18 points, the equivalent of a first and second placing.

There are still plenty of more opportunities for points for both teams. The series heads to Warranmbool tomorrow for two races, before one at Sandown on Wednesday and the Steeple at Moonee Valley on Saturday is the series ender.

Calcavecchia continued a great run in recent jumps races for Robert Smerdon.

Smerdon, who was at the Warracknabeal races today, leaves next week to train his jumping star Zabenz in America.

Smerdon's stable foreman Pat Cannon said the runaway Grand National Hurdle winner had blossomed since arriving just over a week ago.

"He's arrived in great shape by all reports," Cannon said. "Robert will be heading over next week."