Jocks to Lose Their Locks for Charity

Thursday, 08 August 2002 00:00

Melbourne’s leading jockeys Darren Gauci, Damien Oliver, Brett Prebble, Kerrin McEvoy, Peter Mertens, Stephen Baster and Greg Childs will have their heads shaved at the Moonee Valley Racing Club tomorrow to raise money for the Bluey Day Appeal.

The jockeys will be supervised by the legendary Roy Higgins, with trainer Wayne Hawkes agreeing to have his head shaved if bids reach over $5,000.

Proceeds will go to the Bluey Day Fundraiser on Saturday August 10. Bluey Day provides much needed funds to over 10 cancer related projects being run by the Royal Children’s Hospital. The headshave campaign originated in Horsham in 1995 when Senior Constable Karl David decided to raise money for children living with cancer by shaving of his hair. As children often lose their hair during chemotherapy, he thought it might boost their morale to see bald policemen. This concept continued to evolve to what it is today.

Moonee Valley will be open to the general public with a free sausage sizzle being held for a gold coin donation on the day. A Memorabilia Auction will also take place, with several items having been donated by champion jockeys and trainers.

The event will take place from 2.30pm onwards.

What: Jockeys shave their hair off for Bluey Day Appeal
When: Friday August 9, 2.30pm
Where : Moonee Valley Racing Club

Media Release - Racing Victoria

A Special Girl Makes Her Debut

Wednesday, 07 August 2002 00:00

The Dan O’Sullivan trained Demographic made an impressive, although inexperienced debut at Victoria Park on Saturday winning the Nuclear Debate Handicap. With her ears pricked inquisitively on the line, Demographic completed the straight 1000 metre course 1 ¾ lengths clear of her nearest rival, the royally bred Defiant (Danehill from Ruffles) with a further ¾ of a length to the Anabaa filly Anacarde.

A three-year-old chestnut filly, Demographic is by Gold Brose from Special Sal, a daughter of sprinting sensation Special. Her straight course ability should come as no surprise when one considers her grand dam Special dominated the Flemington Straight Six in 1988 with wins in the Group One VRC Gadsen, Lightning and Newmarket Stakes. Gold Brose too shared this particular talent winning the VRC Linlithgow Stakes as a three-year-old.

Demographic is built very much in the mould of her father Gold Brose, a stallion I had the opportunity to view whilst on a Stud Tour of New Zealand hosted by the South Australian Thoroughbred Breeders.

At the time of our visit in September 2000 Gold Brose headlined the Westbury Stud stallion roster having produced the stakes winners Buzz Lightyear, Catamarca, Party Queen, Butterscotch, Joan’s Best, Coup Wood, Mine d’Or and Cryptavia since his entry to stud just five years prior.

Fitted with a special shoe to support a hind leg, Gold Brose appeared in extremely good health at the time of our visit and whilst Westbury did their best to manage the same injuries that plagued his racetrack career, Gold Brose died shortly after our visit.

Demographic, a member of Gold Brose’s penultimate crop, was purchased by the South Australian breeding outfit Brandon Farm at the 2001 New Zealand Premier Sale, presumably with her broodmare potential in mind. She was, in actuality, an astute purchase given the encouraging performances of her full sister, Chalonnaise at the time. Under the guidance of Tony McEvoy, Chalonnaise had won in Adelaide and been placed in the Group Three SAJC Smoke-Free Stakes and listed VRC Cadbury Roses Stakes.

Special Sal, the dam of Demographic, is by Alzao from the aforementioned Special by Habituate. Whilst Special’s accomplishments on the racetrack alone are enough to send the printer running for more ink, her lesser-performed daughter’s are set to surpass her broodmare record.

Lady Special, a full sister to Special Sal, is fast emerging as the star producer of the family. Her first foal, none other than Bomber Bill, is a dual Group One winner of over $900,000. Her second foal Camargue, a Group Three winner of the VATC Thoroughbred Club Stakes is now a broodmare herself and has a 2001 colt by Flying Spur.

In Demographic’s pedigree both Gold Brose and Special’s sire Habituate represent the Habitat sire line. She is therefore inbred to that horse 4m x 4m. Habitat is by Sir Gaylord a son of the Princequillo mare Somethingroyal and therefore a half-brother to the immortal Secretariat. Demographic carries another strain of Sir Gaylord via Sir Ivor, the sire of Alzao and interestingly, Gold Brose himself traces in direct female to Somethingroyal’s dam Imperatrice.

Demographic is also inbred 5m x 4m to Northern Dancer through Nijinsky (sire of Yeats, dam sire of Gold Brose) and Lyphard (the sire of Alzao).

Racing Museum and Hall of Fame Appoints Director

Thursday, 08 August 2002 00:00

The committee of the Australian Racing Museum and the Australian Racing Hall of Fame were pleased to announce yesterday that Joe McGrath has been appointed Director – Australian Racing Museum and Australian Racing Hall of Fame.

McGrath, 37, has worked for 14½ years with the Victoria Racing Club and more recently Racing Victoria and comes well qualified for the position. As Racing Victoria’s Publishing/Publications Manager, McGrath has been responsible for the development of a viable industry publishing unit, servicing industry personnel predominantly in Victoria. He has been most notably instrumental in the success of the industry publication, Inside Racing, taking it from an industry cost to a profitable publication in its own right. He was editor of that publication for 13 years.

McGrath comes to the position not only with relevant business experience, but also an impressive academic background. With a Masters in International Business Management, Graduate Diploma in Business Management and Bachelor of Arts majoring in Recreation, McGrath has much to offer the position.

In accepting the appointment, McGrath was enthusiastic about what lay ahead for the Australian Racing Museum and the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.

"I believe it is a very exciting time to be joining a body which is, in many ways, an untapped resource up to now.

"It has great potential for growth and with several exciting plans already formulated, the Australian Racing Museum and Australian Racing Hall of Fame will establish a renewed presence and importance within the Australian Racing Industry.

"I look forward to the challenges ahead and driving what will be significant change for both the Museum and Hall of Fame," McGrath stated.

McGrath comes from a diverse racing background with his father, Brian (dec) a leading rails bookmaker in the 1960s and early 70s; mother Kath a leading thoroughbred breeder who raced or bred such notable performers as Bellition, The Judge, Victoria Peak, Red Rebecca, Jackson Square, Bicentenary, Yorick, Slightly Pink and Voltage Peak; and brother Jim, a prominent commentator for the BBC, London and Hotspur for the Daily Telegraph, London.

"While it is with some sorrow that I leave Racing Victoria, I am delighted to be still connected with the racing industry and will only further enhance existing relationships with industry personnel.

"I am delighted with the outcome," McGrath added.

Australian Racing Museum and Australian Racing Hall of Fame Chairman, Mr Ian MacDonald was delighted with the appointment.

Mr MacDonald stated:

"Joe’s appointment as Director of the Australian Racing Museum and Australian Racing Hall of Fame will take these organizations to a new and exciting level within not only the Victorian Racing Industry but also the Racing Industry Australia wide."

McGrath will take up his appointment on Monday, 16^th September.

Media Release - Racing Victoria

Dubai Clare Wins For Clare

Wednesday, 07 August 2002 00:00

In a shocking result for punters Dubai Clare scored a shock win in the Double Vice Handicap at Gawler today, with a Clare in the saddle.

A member of the John Barns stable, Dubai Clare, a 40/1 despised outsider, scored a comprehensive win with Clare Lindop in the saddle.

A five-year-old daughter of the South Australian based sire Dubai Creek, Dubai Clare won the 1050 metre Class One event by a length and three quarters. Second home was another outsider West Street (20/1). The favourite Prince Blev (25/10) was third, a further one and a half lengths back.

Apart from that blow out result there was some joy for favourite punters on the eight event card.

Scenaraja (15/10) scored a runaway win in the first race, while Issapardee (16/10) and Cullen Bay (16/10) were also winning favourites.

Adelaide Hills based senior rider Jeffrey Maund took riding honours with a winning double. He was successful aboard Quick Class for Trevor Day before winning the last on the locally trained 10/1 pop Belikely for Kerri McAnulty.

Holder Hoping For a Great Return on Glen

Thursday, 08 August 2002 00:00

Top jockey Jason Holder is eagerly awaiting the return of promising galloper Great Glen in Saturday’s $40,000 Yalumba "The Signature" Handicap (1050m) at Morphettville.

Holder began the season with a winning treble at Victoria Park last weekend and hopes to keep the early momentum going. He has four rides this Saturday – all for Leon Macdonald - but the one that holds the most attraction is Great Glen. Each morning for the last eight weeks, Holder he has been aboard the gelding, keen for his return.

"He’s an exciting horse on the way up," Holder said. "I’ve won both starts on him and am happy to be able to kick off again this time in."

Great Glen made his debut with a nine-length win in a restricted two-year-old race at Murray Bridge in January, but made the step up to Group class by winning the Group 2 Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Cheltenham Park next start, fighting on doggedly to beat Yell and Presumed Innocent.

"He has led at both his starts but I don’t think he has to," Holder said. "On debut he just couldn’t go any slower, but he had to work to cross from a wide gate in the Breeders’ Stakes. The most impressive thing about him is that he was taken on in the lead in that race at about the half-mile. He was never going to let the horse (Yell) past him and he really dug deep to win."

Great Glen has trialled over 688m in slow conditions at Cheltenham Park, winning easily. But this campaign will be his big test.

"A lot of horses win as two-year-olds and don’t come up again, but he trialled like a good horse," Holder said. "But if he’s going to Melbourne this time in, he’d have to run pretty well on Saturday. He’s a beautiful, big strong horse but this will be a good test for him. Leon will make his plans after seeing what he does on Saturday but I hope I get the chance to stick with him."

Noted speedsters Romilada, Corps Commander, the towering grey Kurt and Court Hero will test his meddle this weekend.

Media Release - Jason Hickson (TRSA)

More Stars Out to Play This Weekend

Wednesday, 07 August 2002 00:00

Some more gallopers being aimed at the spring carnival riches in Melbourne and Sydney later in the year are running around the country and in New Zealand this weekend.

In Melbourne the Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington on Sunday will hold plenty of interest with a good field of both proven and promising gallopers set to clash for top prize money.

Among the nominations for the Flemington feature on Sunday are Prince Rubiton, Fields of Omagh, I Rock My World, Magical Miss, Dash for Cash, Pantani, Tuscanos, Sir Anabaa, Fritz, Flavour and Tears Royal.

In Sydney some rising stars of the turf are set to clash in the San Dominico Stakes for three-year-olds. Calaway Gal, Eastwest Success and Star of Florida.

Also on the same day a number of other handy performers are among the entries. They include Fair Embrace, Faith Hill, Faiza, Nanny Maroon, Oomph, Winona and Native Jazz.

There will also be some attention to the meeting in Adelaide when the unbeaten Leon Macdonald trained Great Glen runs in the listed Wylie Handicap at Morphettville.

At the Sandown meeting in Melbourne on Saturday the entries include stakes performers Cyberiad, The Secondmortgage, La Lagune, Manang and the former European Enzeli for Myles Plumb.

Meanwhile, there will also be eyes in New Zealand when the Mackinnon Stakes heroince La Bella Dama and proven kiwi Tit for Taat both step out on the track in different races at different tracks.

VRC Rewards Members in Australian Racing First

Thursday, 08 August 2002 00:00

The VRC will be conducting an Australian Racing first this Sunday 11 August, when six of the eight races on the program are named in honour of its most regular attending Members from the 2001/2002 Racing Season.

The top seven attending Members will be treated to a VIP day at the races as a way of acknowledging and thanking them for their outstanding patronage to Flemington throughout the year.

Members honoured on the day will have their names etched into Flemington racing history with a race on the program named in their honour.

The initiative is part of the VRC’s Racing Rewards, launched on 1^st August 2001. Racing Rewards aims to reward the most regularly attending Members by offering them exclusive access to a range of racing and non-racing related benefits which includes Members tickets, dining discounts, champagne vouchers and entry into a series of prize draws including overseas trips to feature international race meetings such as the Singapore International Cup.

Rosemary Kenny attended almost all-34 of Flemington racemeetings last season making the journey from Bendigo on each occasion and will be among the lucky seven regular racegoers to be acknowledged on the day.

Other racing regulars enjoying the VIP treatment for a day include William Price from East Kew, whose trainer son Mick Price will have a two runners, Cornbread and Best Intentions in the race named after his father William.

George Vella, of Avondale Heights, David Benham of Abbotsford, Maxwell Hawkins of Ringwood, Michael Brondou of Thornbury and Ansis Dizgalvis of Hawthorn will also share the inaugural race names of the VRC Racing Rewards Race day.

Three levels of Rewards are achievable and are dependent on the number of Reward points accumulated throughout the Racing Season. Reward points are earned whenever a Member attends a race meeting at Flemington and scans their Membership Card through the Members turnstiles.

Media Release - VRC

Three More Internationals Nominate for Spring Features

Tuesday, 06 August 2002 00:00

The late entry provisions have captured three more entries for Melbourne's Spring Racing Carnival feature races.

French-based Englishman John Hammond has entered high class middle distance performer Execute and Group 3-placed Mocham Glen for the Carlton Draught Cox Plate.

Execute, a 5yo son of Suave Dancer has won eight of its 16 career starts and been placed in seven others. He is a winner at Group 2 level in France this season and was also 2nd in the Group 1 Prix Ganay.

Mocham Glen, a 5yo by Midyan has won two races and been placed in seven others from 10 starts.

John Hammond previously campaigned in Australia with Mont Rocher which was unplaced in the 2000 Caulfield Cup and Mackinnon Stakes. He has been keen to return since then and has been waiting for the right horse. Hammond is perhaps best known as the trainer of the brilliant Montjeu, winner of the 1999 Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe.

The Tooheys New Melbourne Cup has also been boosted by the late entry of the Alan Jarvis-trained Jardine's Lookout, last start winner of the Group 2 Goodwood Cup in track record time.

Media Release - Racing Victoria

Exciting Adelaide Galloper Resumes Saturday

Thursday, 08 August 2002 00:00

Boom Adelaide youngster Great Glen is the star attraction at the local meeting at Morphettville on Saturday as he attempts to extend his unbeaten run to three.

A member of the powerful Morphettville based Leon Macdonald stable, Great Glen is a last start winner of the Group Two Breeders' Stakes when he held out the John Hawkes trained Yell.

The runner-up from that race went on to edge out the previously unbeaten boom Melbourne filly Innovation Girl before thrashing a stakes field in Brisbane.

Great Glen's win in the Breeders' came just five days after he thrashed a field of Maidens at the provincial track of Murray Bridge.

The just turned three-year-old is part owned by Des Pope, a man who's runners are firing through the deeds of Rubitano and Innovation Girl, just to name two.

Pope is not surprisingly excited about the upcoming spring carnival and he is hoping the third member of the fabulous three resumes a winner in Adelaide.

"It's going to be interesting on Saturday," Pope said. "Great Glen is having his first start this preparation and hopefully he can continue in the same way that he went out (for a spell)."

Connections of Great Glen are planning on aiming the gelding at one of early feature races of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

"All going well after his run in Adelaide, then he will be sent here for the (Group Two) Ascot Vale Stakes," Macdonald's Melbourne foreman Andrew Noblet said recently.

The Macdonald stable is looking forward to another lucrative spring carnival with other stable representatives Li Lo Lill and Eagle Rhythm being targeted at the feature staying events, while many feel the bonny mare Shaye Spice is well up to some of the feature sprints.

PICS - Jenny Barnes.

Nine Races Likely for San Domenico Stakes Day

Tuesday, 06 August 2002 00:00

The Australian Jockey Club's San Domenico Stakes Day at Royal Randwick this Saturday (10 August 2002) is shaping up as a nine-race program.

The club intends to stage an additional race on the program if their are sufficient acceptors.

The ninth race will be conducted as a consolation race for $20,000 prizemoney, and will be conducted for any horses which miss out on a start in the Rajah or Garcon Handicaps.

Therefore, the bottom horses in balloting order for the Rajah Handicap (4yo & Upwards 1SC / 1YR, 1400m) and Garcon Handicap (Fillies & Mares Open, 1200m), will be eligible for the consolation race - a 4yo & Upwards Transitional Handicap (1300m).

To be eligible, a horse must be an emergency or have been balloted from either of the above races.

Media Release - NSW TRB