Mixed Bag Of Emotions For Karakatsanis

Saturday, 29 October 2011 08:31

Con Karakatsanis was thrilled to see Riva De Lago win impressively at Rosehill on Saturday but his emotions were far different a few hours earlier.

Talented galloper Howmuchdoyouloveme collapsed with heat stress shortly after finishing runner-up to Star Mystery in the third race.

"He was going back to the horse stalls and he just collapsed and was down for about 20 minutes," Karakatsanis said.

"I thought he was gone. I was not well either. When you see a horse you think so much of down on the floor, it's not good.

"The heat got to him and he was dehydrated."

Veterinarians placed the three-year-old on a drip immediately and Howmuchdoyouloveme was later taken back to Karakatsanis' stables.

"He's recovered enough to go back to the stable," he said.

"We'll keep a close eye on him and make sure we get as much fluids into him as we can. Fingers crossed he pulls through it all well enough to come back a nice horse next preparation."

Chief steward Ray Murrihy said four horses suffered heat stress on Saturday despite the temperature only being in the low 20s.

"The temperature was only about 22 degrees but it's a lack of any breeze and the humidity," Murrihy said.

Karakatsanis' day brightened with Riva De Lago, who is being aimed at next year's Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) after proving he was a horse on the rise with an easy win in the Vincents Forensic Accounting Handicap (1350m).

Riva De Lago showed his dominant first-up win at Randwick two weeks ago was far from a one-off as he sat midfield and then swept past his rivals to score by two lengths from Coup Ay Tee.

Karakatsanis said the four-year-old, who was gelded prior to this preparation, was likely to have just one more start before being spelled.

"The Stradbroke next year, that's where we are headed," Karakatsanis said.

"I know it's a long way away but I still wanted him to show today that he's on the way there. He's not letting me down."

Karakatsanis has won the Stradbroke twice with Black Piranha in 2009 and 2010.

Ryan's Got Options For Ahdashim

Friday, 28 October 2011 23:41

A Singapore trip didn't come to fruition for Ahdashim earlier this year but trainer Gerald Ryan has races in three states in mind for the sprinter this campaign.

Ahdashim was nominated for the KrisFlyer Sprint in May but Ryan said a hind leg injury sustained in his box in April put paid to those hopes.

The six-year-old gelding resumes in the Turner Freeman Handicap (1100m) on his home track at Rosehill on Saturday with a late carnival appearance in Melbourne a possibility.

Ryan is also looking at two stakes races in Brisbane this summer with the Group Three-winning sprinter.

Ahdashim hasn't started since his fourth to Keepin' The Dream in the Group Three Newcastle Newmarket (1400m) in March but tuned up for his return with a barrier trial win at Rosehill on Tuesday.

"It was a reasonably easy trial, he led all the way and wasn't knocked about," Ryan said.

In recent preparations Ahdashim has resumed over 1200m but Ryan has opted for the 1100m event on Saturday.

"It's hard to find races for him but if he ran well on Saturday we might take him down to Sandown for his next start," the trainer said.

The Sandown race on November 12 is the Listed Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1300m).

"Otherwise he'll go to Brisbane for a couple of the summer series races."

The Group Three George Moore Stakes (1200m) and the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m) at Doomben are the Brisbane races pencilled in for the sprinter.

Ryan said Ahdashim, who'll be ridden by Josh Parr on Saturday, had come back into work quite late which was the reason he was only ready to resume on Saturday.

"He was late coming back in but he's come up well," Ryan said.

"Originally we were going to go to Singapore but he hurt his hind leg in his box and we had to stop.

"He went out to the paddock at the end of April and didn't come back into work until the first of August."

Ahdashim has won one of his five first-up starts and is the $5 third favourite behind Group One-winning sprinter Atomic Force at $2.60 and Phenomenal Lass at $4.

"It's probably too short and he lacks a run but he's going well," Ryan said.

"He'll still run well."

Ahdashim Makes Winning Return

Saturday, 29 October 2011 07:16

Honest sprinter Ahdashim returned from seven months on the sidelines with a gutsy win at Rosehill on Saturday but he had to survive a protest before being declared the winner.

The Gerald Ryan-trained Ahdashim ($9) had not started since March but fought right to the line to defeat the resuming Latin News ($4.20) by a head in the Turner Freeman Hcp (1100m).

Tromso ($4.80) was another half-length away third.

Nathan Berry, rider of Latin News, firedin a protest alleging Josh Parr on Ahdashim had struck Latin News twice on the nose with his whip inside the final 100 metres.

Chief Steward Ray Murrihy identified one occasion where Parr's whip had flicked the nose of Latin News but was quick to dismiss the objection.

"It's not enough to uphold the objection but what it does is save you a hit in the back pocket (fine) for lodging a frivolous protest," Murrihy told Berry.

Ahdashim settled in behind the speed but got into the clear on the inside of Latin News as the field straightened for home.

The stakeswinner went on to record his seventh win from 30 starts.

The six-year-old's victory could have earned him a late carnival appearance in Melbourne for the Listed Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1300m) at Sandown in two weeks time.

"It was a tough win, he's a good horse on his day and his form shows that," Parr said.

"I've been doing a bit of trackwork for Gerald two days a week and I'm starting to get to know his horses. This horse had been working really well and he trialled well on Tuesday.

"I was confident he would run well if given the right ride and I think I did that."

Ahdashim hurt one of his hind legs while in his box in April and was given three months in the paddock before returning to prepare for his current campaign.

Berry labelled Latin News' first start for trainer David Payne as a "huge run" while trainer Darren Smith said Group One winner Atomic Force "ran super", finishing fourth with 61kg.

"He had a tough run and was beaten a length and a half," Smith said.

"He's nominated for Hong Kong (Hong Kong Sprint) so if we're lucky enough to get an invite we may press on and go to Hong Kong with him."

Half-sisters Give Begg Chance Of Double

Friday, 28 October 2011 23:41

Fallen One faces the daunting task of taking on Atlantic Jewel in Saturday's Wakeful Stakes, but Grahame Begg is holding out more hope of a victory with the filly's sibling at Rosehill.

Four-year-old Triple Six, a half-sister to Fallen One, runs in the Always Recycling Handicap (1500m) after breaking through for her first win at Randwick's Kensington track earlier in the month.

Begg will be at Flemington for Derby Day to watch Fallen One continue on her path to next Thursday's Group One VRC Oaks but the trainer will also be keeping a close eye on Triple Six's Rosehill performance.

"She (Triple Six) is quite highly-strung and it's taken a bit to get her to win a race," Begg said.

"It was good to get that out of the way last start.

"She's certainly shown well above-average ability but it's just been about trying to get it out of her."

On the other hand, Begg said Fallen One had "a great temperament".

Begg is hoping Triple Six's breakthrough win at her eighth start can spur the mare on to more success.

"We'll just try to get her through her grades and try to keep placing her well," Begg said.

"Hopefully she might aim up for something in the autumn but that's still a long way off."

Triple Six will be ridden by Mitchell Bell and is the equal second favourite on TAB Sportsbet at $5.50 with last-start winner Savannah's Choice the $4.80 favourite.

"She should get a good run (from barrier three), probably just back off the speed, there looks to be genuine speed which will suit her and hopefully there is no leader bias," Begg said.

Fallen One was taken south after winning a maiden at Kembla over 1600m and had her first Melbourne start when fifth to Gliding in the Listed Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield two weeks ago.

"She was beaten just over two lengths by Gliding in her first run in Melbourne and she was going straight from 1600 metres up to 2000 metres," Begg said.

"We were pretty happy with her run and we're looking forward to next Thursday in the Oaks. Tomorrow's race will top her off nicely for the Oaks."

Thousand Guineas winner Atlantic Jewel is the $1.30 Wakeful favourite with Fallen One at $26.

Schofield Bounces Back

Saturday, 29 October 2011 05:31

Apprentice Chad Schofield bounced back from a heavy fall on Friday night to win at Rosehill a day later aboard Star Mystery.

Schofield escaped injury but was stood down from his remaining rides at Canterbury after clipping another runner and falling from Hot Heels in the fourth race.

But the young rider rebounded quickly, claiming the Bradford Solar Handicap (1200m) on the Allan Denham-trained three-year-old Star Mystery.

Sent out at $5.50, the colt trailed leader Howmuchdoyouloveme ($4 fav) before reeling him in to win by three-quarters of a length.

The Anthony Cummings-trained Ever The Same ($8) hit the line strongly to claim third, another short neck back.

Star Mystery was having his first start since June and took his record to four wins and two placings from seven runs.

"It was a good win, he's a very tough little horse," Schofield said.

"He got across from an awkward barrier easily and I let him travel in second position and he was too tough."

Schofield said he was especially pleased with the win after escaping injury on Friday.

"I was very lucky, it was a bad fall, but luckily I came out of it with no injuries," Schofield said.

Schofield is the son of jockey Glyn Schofield who rode favourite Manawanui in Saturday's Victoria Derby at Flemington with the pair finishing sixth to Sangster.

Trainer Con Karakatsanis said Howmuchdoyouloveme would head for a spell.

"He's a good horse but still very immature," Karakatsanis said.

Cordelia Set To Improve At Rosehill

Thursday, 27 October 2011 06:46

Gerald Ryan has noticed improvement in two-year-old Cordelia since her debut and hopes that translates into a better showing at Rosehill on Saturday.

Cordelia is the lesser favoured in betting of Ryan's two runners in the Furzer Crestani Accounting Handicap (1100m) with stablemate Brilliant Snitzel the $2.50 favourite while Cordelia is at $9.

Brilliant Snitzel beat home Cordelia when they lined up in the same race on debut at Rosehill on October 8, with Brilliant Snitzel finishing fourth to the Darley-owned Tatra while Cordelia was just over four lengths behind her stablemate in seventh.

"Cordelia has improved since her first-up run," Ryan said.

"Off a wide barrier (12) on debut she went back and was wide all the way. She raced a bit greenly but since then she's improved and her work has picked up."

Ryan has applied pacifiers to Cordelia while Brilliant Snitzel will have the addition of blinkers.

"Brilliant Snitzel has held her own," Ryan said.

"She might be a better filly ridden a bit quieter. I've put blinkers on her because she raced a bit greenly on debut and she's done OK since. She worked strongly on Tuesday morning."

Ryan brought up the stable's first two-year-old winner of the season at Randwick on October 15 when Amorino was successful.

Four-time Golden Slipper-winning trainer Clarry Conners is after his first juvenile winner of the season and has Report backing up in Saturday's seven-horse field.

Report, a daughter of Canny Lad, was beaten six lengths when fourth to Meidung at Rosehill over 1100m last Saturday.

The filly settled at the tail of the 12-horse field from a bad barrier which wasn't the place to be but worked home for fourth.

"So she has run OK and she is as tough as anything," Conners said.

"She never left any feed since she raced and we know the races fall away straight after the big races so we thought we'd see what the field was like and as she was OK we'd run her again before she goes out."

Collett Makes Most Of Sydney Visit

Saturday, 29 October 2011 04:46

Apprentice Jason Collett made his short trip to Sydney worthwhile with victory on the Chris Waller-trained Savannah's Choice at Rosehill on Saturday.

With a jockey shortage due to the Victoria Derby meeting in Melbourne, Waller called on New Zealand-based Collett to return to Sydney for the week and he booted home Savannah's Choice in the Always Recycling Handicap (1500m).

Collett's visit included riding at Wednesday's Warwick Farm meeting as well asat Gosford on Thursday, Canterbury on Friday night and Rosehill on Saturday.

"It's good to come over and get some nice rides from Chris," Collett said.

"I had two winners from two rides at Gosford on Thursday and five rides for three thirds on Friday night, but this is the first city winner for the week."

Collett spent three months on loan to Waller earlier this year and made a big impression winning 28 races including 24 in the Sydney metropolitan area.

He opted against extending his stay fulltime but said the short visit this week was worthwhile.

"It worked in well with what was happening in New Zealand," Collett said.

"It was a bit of an off-week so I seized the opportunity and it's nice to get a winner."

Savannah's Choice ($4.80 equal fav) returned with a first-up win at Canterbury earlier this month and made it back-to-back wins this preparation with her long-neck victory over Winner Take All ($7) with Hide 'N' Dash ($31) another head away third in a driving finish.

Villiers Target For Circle Of Power

Thursday, 27 October 2011 06:46

Trainer Rod Craig has earmarked the Group Two Villiers Stakes as the summer target for Circle Of Power and says he is confident the gelding can take the first step this weekend.

The four-year-old contests Saturday's Vincents Forensic Accounting Handicap (1350m) at Rosehill, his first start after a 13-week spell.

Craig was upbeat about Circle Of Power's chances in the event and said he was building towards the Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm on December 17.

"I'm heading towards that, by all means," Craig said.

"He's won around $220,000 now and has had 20-odd starts - he's a very consistent horse."

TAB Sportsbet has posted Circle Of Power, who boasts four wins and five placings from 26 starts, as a $26 outsider.

The Warwick Farm-based trainer conceded the distance was not ideal for him but was still confident of a bold showing.

Circle Of Power has been placed in all four of his first-up runs.

"He's definitely better over a little bit further," Craig said.

"But he's fresh and I think he'll go quite well."

Craig was also pleased with the form of Gaze In Awe, who will tackle the Bradford Solar Handicap (1200m) on Saturday.

The three-year-old, rated an $8 chance with TAB Sportsbet, was trapped wide in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes last start but fought on well to finish fourth to the in-form Hot Snitzel.

Craig said the gelding, who has produced one win and two placings from 10 starts, was performing well, but without luck.

"He was one off a place in that Listed race last week where he sat three wide the whole way," he said.

"He sat two or three wide on the turn and just got pushed wider and wider."

Gaze In Awe had also been unlucky not to beat talented colt Uate at Newcastle earlier this year, Craig said.

"He was five or six lengths off him, and ran him to about a half-length or length over an unsuitable distance of 900 metres," he said.

Craig was hoping for some better luck on Saturday.

"He's done very well in everything we've asked him to do and hasn't had much luck in half his runs," he said.

"Horses can do that all their life, and that's what you remember, them being unlucky, but hopefully that'll turn around."

Magic Millions Target For Pure Hustle

Saturday, 29 October 2011 03:01

The Gai Waterhouse-trained Pure Hustle could be Magic Millions bound after producing an impressive debut victory at Rosehill on Saturday.

The son of Purrealist wasn't the best to begin from barrier one in the Furzer Crestani Accounting Handicap (1100m) but mustered speed to hold the inside advantage and scooted to the lead.

The gelding, who started $4.80 on track, rolled along in front before kicking for home and he had enough in the tank to defeat the Clarry Conners-trained Report ($6.50) by 1-3/4 lengths with another 1-1/4 lengths back to Peakhurst Girl ($14).

Waterhouse's stable representative Mark Newnham said the addition of blinkers since Pure Hustle's only barrier trial had really sparked the gelding into action.

"He went terrific today," Newnham said.

"He trialled without blinkers and was a bit green but Gai has put the blinkers on since then and it's really sharpened him up.

"Barrier one is also a big help with two-year-olds."

Pure Hustle sold for $42,500 at this year's Magic Millions yearling sales and Newnham said Waterhouse was likely to head towards the $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) in January.

"Gai got him at the Magic Millions and I would say, depending on how he comes through today, that she would probably like to target that with him now," Newnham said.

Pure Hustle was ridden by Tommy Berry who won the Magic Millions on the Neville Layt-trained Karuta Queen earlier this year and he would like to see the debut winner head to the Gold Coast.

"I hope so because I won it last time and it would be nice to go up there with another chance, if I can stay on him," Berry said.

"He's a very nice horse and has got a lot of improvement."

A number of high-profile sportsmen are in the ownership of Pure Hustle including former rugby league player Luke Ricketson who is engaged to Waterhouse's daughter Kate.

Anthony Minichello, Jason Ryles, Ryan Cross and Doug Bollinger are also in the ownership.

Birthday "Boys" In Farm Win

Wednesday, 26 October 2011 06:31

Four years to the day after being born, lightly-raced gelding Rolling Pin marked the occasion with a city victory at Warwick Farm and also provided his owner with a welcome 50th birthday present.

Rolling Pin, having just his eighth start, slogged it out in the heavy conditions to take out Wednesday's ATC Foundation Membership Handicap (1300m) by 1-3/4 lengths to register his fourth career win and first city success.

Owner Matthew Sandblom, who turned50 on Wednesday, was on track to celebrate the victory.

"I noticed when I bought the horse over in New Zealand that he had the same birthday so I couldn't resist," Sandblom said.

"And it looks like we'll have a bit of fun with this horse.

"He's a slow-maturing horse and Gwenda (trainer Markwell) has been patient with him. Hopefully it will all pay off now."

Rolling Pin's three previous victories came on his home track at Kembla Grange but Markwell obviously had a nice opinion of the son of Pins as she started him in the Listed Canberra Guineas at just his second start earlier this year.

"We'll just keep taking him through his grades," Markwell said.

"He still needs to learn a bit more about racing."

The victory of Rolling Pin also buoyed the spirits of Moruya trainer Lynda Bundy who was preparing to saddle-up Moorings Capital for the next race.

Moorings Capital defeated Rolling Pin at Kembla on September 27 and the seven-year-old mare backed up that performance to claim the Randwick Betting Auditorium Handicap (1400m).

The long neck victory over Nayana was also a special moment for apprentice Jason Collins who notched his first city winner.

"When Rolling Pin won the previous race I was pretty confident," Bundy said.

Sydney's leading trainer Chris Waller prepared a winning double at the meeting which included an encouraging debut win for three-year-old Sacred Pins in the Royal Randwick On Youtube Handicap (1200m).

Sacred Pins defied a betting drift from $2 to $6 on track to score while stablemate True Tussock was well-backed but did a few things wrong and finished fourth.

"He's definitely a Saturday-class horse, probably even better," Waller said of the winner.

"They're both nice horses but one did everything right today and the other did a lot of things wrong."

Picture: Sportpix