Rarefied To Make Comeback At Randwick

Friday, 14 October 2011 06:15

The Darley team has persevered with stakeswinner Rarefied and the talented gelding makes his long-awaited comeback at Randwick on Saturday.

The five-year-old, who is a half-brother to Group One-winning mare Beaded, hasn't raced for nearly 18 months due to injury but lines up in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1100m) and is one of the most interesting runners on the eight-race Sydney program.

As a three-year-old Rarefied won the Group Three Up And Coming Stakes (1200m) and was placed another four times at stakes level including finishing third to Black Caviar and Wanted in the Group Two Danehill Stakes (1200m).

"He's in the same sort of boat as Erewhon, although he's actually had longer out than Erewhon," Brad Widdup, who is stable foreman to trainer Peter Snowden, said.

"He (Rarefied) actually did a tendon initially. We brought him back and had him close to racing again and he had a quarter crack on both sides of his foot.

"Everything looks great now, he's had a good preparation and the horse looks great."

Group One winner Erewhon returned from a year off the scene at Rosehill last Saturday and ran an encouraging second to the promising Somepin Anypin.

Rarefied won a Warwick Farm trial over 800m earlier this month and Widdup said the gelding was in good order for his return.

"He should run well, we're not expecting him to win but he should be able to put a forward showing in," he said.

Beaded has been a model of consistency at the top level in recent seasons with a Group One Doomben 10,000 win and six other placings at Group One level.

"He (Rarefied) has got good ability and that's why we have persevered," Widdup said.

Beaded was among nominations for Saturday's Listed Nivison Stakes (1200m) but the Darley team will be represented in that event by Kanzan and Mascareri.

Seamer On Cabernet For Randwick Return

Thursday, 13 October 2011 06:15

When Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Scott Seamer came calling for a ride at Saturday's Randwick meeting, trainer Grahame Begg was happy to oblige.

Brisbane-based Seamer will be in action at Randwick on Tattersalls Club Cup day and Begg has booked him to partner Cabernet in the Listed Nivison (1200m) for mares.

"Scott rang me and asked if I had a ride for him, he said he was coming down," Begg said.

"I told him I didn't have a jockey for her because obviously it was difficult getting jockeys for Saturday, so I said he could ride her."

Seamer has four rides at the meeting with many of Sydney's top jockeys absent due to Caulfield Cup day in Melbourne.

Cabernet hit a rich vein of form last preparation, winning three races in a row before failing to beat a runner home when returning from a let-up in the Triscay Stakes.

The five-year-old has had two barrier trials ahead of her return and Begg elected to hold her back another week and wait for the Nivison rather than compete at Rosehill last Saturday.

"She's coming along well," the trainer said.

"We scratched her last week because we thought the track was going to be a bit soft and she drew the outside gate.

"She's in on Saturday in a Listed race and she's going well. On her day she can gallop."

Cabernet is on the fourth line of TAB Sportsbet betting for the Nivison at $10 behind $4 favourite Ofcourseican.

Seamer is also booked for Midnight At Ascot in the Lightning Handicap, Peakhurst Girl in the City Tattersalls Plate and he reunites with nine-year-old stayer Lodge The Deeds for the first time in two years in the Listed Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m).

Seamer has ridden Lodge The Deeds seven times for three wins.

He won three straight races on the gelding in the middle of 2007 then more than two years later finished second on the gelding in both the 2009 Newcastle Cup and Group One Metropolitan.

Stitt Expects Wins From Southern Shimmer

Friday, 14 October 2011 05:15

The country Cups circuit has so far been the domain of Taree star Southern Shimmer but trainer Ross Stitt hopes to raise the bar after the gelding makes his Queensland debut at Eagle Farm.

Stitt will test the waters with Southern Shimmer in Saturday's Blackwater Quarries & Concrete Handicap (1600m) while stablemate Youthful Jack will start in the Stanton Mienert Business Valuations Handicap (1200m).

Southern Shimmer took his record to eight wins from 17 starts with a last-to-first win in the Dubbo Cup (1600m) on September 18.

The son of Southern Image won the Sawtell Cup (1515m) in July and the Murrumbidgee Guineas (1600m) at Wagga in May and was also runner-up to Brave The Way in the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m) in August.

"I'll see how he goes on Saturday but I'm thinking of giving him a break after this to prepare him for the (Sydney) autumn," Stitt said.

"I've always said you won't see the best from him until he fully matures. He's still growing and will be a lot stronger next year.

"He always gets back in his races and won quite impressively at Dubbo last time and also at Sawtell and was very unlucky in the Coffs Harbour Cup when he ran into a few traffic jams."

Stitt bought Southern Simmer as a yearling at the Inglis Classic sales in Sydney for $16,000 and has seen the investment returned more than tenfold.

"The only time I've taken him to the city was when he got beaten at Randwick on a bog track," Stitt said.

"He doesn't like heavy tracks and the meeting was called off after that race."

Evergreen Robert Thompson will make the trip from Newcastle to partner Southern Glimmer and Youthful Jack.

"Youthful Jack is going well but I'll be very disappointed if Southern Shimmer doesn't win," Stitt said.

Youthful Jack will be attempting to break a drought of more than two years since his last win in the Listed Brisbane Plate (1400m) at Eagle Farm in May 2009.

"He's going good at the moment but he hasn't won since he had a throat operation two years ago when he was with Allan Denham," Stitt said.

Stitt took over training Youthful Jack after he had his last run for Denham when he ran last at Rosehill in February.

The six-year-old, who had a brief stint with Toowoomba's Rex Lipp when he was two, started favourite but could manage only fifth on a heavy track in the Denman Cup (1280m) at Muswellbrook on October 2.

"He's got barrier two which is important with the false rail in operation and I'm expecting him to be very competitive," Stitt said.

Cassidy Set To Dominate Again On Saturday

Thursday, 13 October 2011 05:45

Jim Cassidy has had five city wins in the past week and the champion jockey is set to carve up again at Randwick on Saturday.

The in-form Cassidy has an outstanding book of feature race rides with three favourites in pre-post betting for the four Listed events.

The 48-year-old grand slam-winning hoop partners Ironstein in the Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m), consistent sprinter Winter King in the Lightning Handicap (1000m), stakeswinning mare Ofcourseican in the Nivison (1200m) and Group-winning colt Uate in the Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m).

Ironstein, a luckless fourth in the Group One Metropolitan (2400m) last start, is the $5.50 equal favourite with TAb Sportsbet along with last-start winner Teardrop Rock.

"He was unlucky in the Metrop, he should have ran second for sure," Cassidy said of Ironstein.

"He got interfered with bad and it stopped his momentum. If he can back up that run from the Metrop then he's going to be hard to beat."

Cassidy is chasing his second straight win in the race following the easy victory of Maluckyday last year on his way to his second in the Melbourne Cup.

"He (Ironstein) is capable of winning the race for sure, his run last start was terrific and this is no harder than what the Metrop was," Cassidy said.

"I think he's in it up to his ears."

Cassidy is hoping to go one better on Winter King after partnering the consistent sprinter to two seconds in features so far this season.

Emerging star Rain Affair fought back to deny Cassidy and Winter King first-up in the Missile Stakes (1200m) and then two starts later the sprinter copped interference during the run when second to Decision Time in the Concorde Stakes.

The five-year-old gelding, who is the $4.60 favourite, won the Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) last year and since then has been placed a further nine times at stakes level.

"He deserves to win one of these," Cassidy said.

"Let's hope it's Saturday.

"Ofcourseican has probably been a bit unlucky her last couple of starts too. She probably only wants a touch of luck and she can turn it around also."

The Ron Quinton-trained Ofcourseican, placed in the Sheraco Stakes and Golden Pendant so far this campaign, was installed the $4 favourite for the Nivison after Group One-winning mare Beaded was absent from acceptances.

Skyline Stakes winner Uate, who also boasts a second to Helmet in the Group One Sires' Produce Stakes, returns in the Brian Crowley Stakes with Cassidy to have his first ride on the Kris Lees-trained three-year-old.

"He's got form around Group One races so you would expect him to be hard to beat on Saturday being fresh," Cassidy said.

"Kris tells me he is happy with him."

Cassidy bagged a treble at Rosehill last Saturday and got into the winner's stall twice at Randwick on Wednesday.

Praecido Can Bounce Back At Randwick

Friday, 14 October 2011 04:59

Trainer David Payne has warned punters to rule a line through Praecido's Metropolitan flop, declaring he can bounce back at Randwick on Saturday.

Praecido had been working into form with fourth placings in the Kingston Town Stakes and Colin Stephen Quality before his 15th of 17 in the Metropolitan won by The Verminator.

The winner's stablemate Bellagio Wynn fell near the 600m and Payne said Praecido copped the backwash.

"The horse fell in front of him and he copped a bad check," Payne said.

"He was travelling quite well at the time.

"I wouldn't even worry about it."

Praecido sported winkers for the first time in the Metropolitan and will again wear them in the Listed City Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.

He is a $16 chance with TAB Sportsbet but the worrying statistic for punters is his strike rate, with just one win from 24 starts.

Payne defended Praecido's poor winning record, pointing out that 18 of his runs have been in stakes grade with eight of those at Group One level.

"If you look at his form he has raced in the best company and he has won almost $500,000," Payne said.

"He is fit and well and he stays all day."

Praecido is 37th in the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup and if he wins on Saturday Payne is keen to press on to the first Tuesday in November.

"Definitely. You've got to have a ticket the way they're falling away every week and he's a sound horse," he said.

Maluckyday won the City Tattersalls Club Cup 12 months ago before claiming the Lexus and beating all but Americain in the Melbourne Cup.

Of the 16 and four emergencies in this year's renewal, 11 are still in Melbourne Cup contention.

They include the Gai Waterhouse-trained topweight Herculian Prince who is 19th in the Cup order of entry but has been struggling for form since winning the Metropolitan last spring.

He finished 11th in the race this year but was stripped from behind in the run.

Stablemate Older Than Time, a last-start fifth in the Craven Plate (2000m), is 32nd in order, while the Chris Waller pair of Illustrious Blue (25th) and Sydney Cup winner Stand To Gain (30th) are also prominent.

Payne will shoot for a stakes double with Winter King to contest the City Tattersalls Lightning Hcp (1100m).

The gelding blotted his copybook when last in the Premiere Stakes but Payne was unhappy with the ride.

"He was badly ridden the other day but the horse is very well," he said.

"Just put a pencil through that run.

"Both my horses are fit and well and they handle it wet or dry."

Debutant Breaks Wyong Course Record

Thursday, 13 October 2011 04:45

A three-year-old colt who cost just $3000 as a yearling and was described by his trainer Marc Conners as a "dope" early in his career, broke the track record for 1100 metres when winning on debut at Wyong on Thursday.

The aptly-named Didntcostalot, by the young Danehill stallion Danerich, careered away to win Thorn-Nesco-Electra Maiden Plate by 5-1/2 lengths in 62.32 seconds, eclipsing the previous course record of 62.33 seconds set by Rose Of Kings in 2005.

Jockey Jeff Penza let Didntcostalot slide to the lead along the rail after the first 100 metres and he held a slight advantage to the turn.

Once he turned for home Penza gave the colt two backhanders and he scorched away to win unextended.

"There is loads of improvement in him because he did a few things wrong," Penza said.

"I was on one rein the whole way.

"Once he learns to settle and go straight he could be anything."

Clarry Conners, the trainer's father and a man who has won four Golden Slippers, was at Wyong sporting a huge smile.

He was reluctant to comment except to say: "He's Marc's horse and he looks like he could be very good."

Didntcostalot was bought by Vern Rayner from Classic Bloodstock.

"Vern is an outstanding judge and this proves it," Marc Conners said.

"This horse was quite dumb early, a bit of a dope, but this preparation he has really come of age.

"He trialled very well at Warwick Farm and won easily so we looked for a nice race for him first-up and this fitted the bill.

"We knew he had plenty of ability but we didn't expect this.

"He still has a lot to learn so I might look for another provincial race and then see where we go with him.

"He could be one of the best horses I have put a bridle on."

Bowman Keen On Do You Think

Friday, 14 October 2011 03:30

It speaks volumes about Hugh Bowman's opinion of Do You Think that the top jockey has opted to reunite with the colt in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes at Randwick.

Bowman will be one of the few big-name hoops staying in Sydney on Saturday and is banking on Do You Think producing his best in the 1200m event against fellow stakeswinners Hot Snitzel and Uate.

"I could have ridden any one of six in the race and I was pretty keen to stick with him," Bowman said.

"I know what he's capable of and hopefully he can get back to it."

Trained by Bart Cummings, Do You Think scored a stunning debut win under lights at Canterbury in March, defeating Manawanui, before claiming the Group Three Schweppes (1400m) at Rosehill at his next start.

Bowman was on board for both wins as well as his eighth in the Group One Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m).

He hasn't ridden Do You Think since but was taken by his last-start third to Foxwedge in the Group Two Roman Consul Stakes (1200m).

Do You Think had started twice in Melbourne earlier this spring and failed to produce his best form, prompting Cummings to send him back to Sydney and drop him in distance after disappointing over 1500m at Moonee Valley.

"I won on him in his first two starts and he gave me an ultra-impressive feel," Bowman said.

"He went to Melbourne and didn't bring back his autumn form and I think they have made a good decision bringing him back to Sydney and back in distance, and I was really pleased with his run in the Roman Consul last start.

"I haven't been on his back but I know what he's capable of and I'm banking on the maestro getting the best out of him."

Bowman won the Group Two Sires' Produce Stakes in Brisbane on the Gerald Ryan-trained Hot Snitzel, who is the $3 favourite for the Brian Crowley, and the in-form jockey believes the Listed event has great depth in the nine-horse field.

"I think you could see at least half the field go down to Melbourne and be competitive through the Flemington week," he said.

Bowman missed last week's Caulfield Guineas meeting through suspension and elected to take a strong book of rides in Sydney rather than head to Melbourne for Caulfield Cup day without a headline ride.

"There were offers (in Melbourne) but no standouts," he said.

"I'm coming off the back of a suspension, I've got an important Cox Plate ride next week (on Lion Tamer) and I thought I'd rather be up here and have a good book of seven or eight rides and get back in the system."

Wonder And Glory For Layt

Thursday, 13 October 2011 03:59

This time last year Queanbeyan trainer Neville Layt came to town and plundered a couple of juvenile races with Karuta Queen.

He is hoping for more of the same at Randwick on Saturday, this time with a pair of two-year-old colts.

Layt will start Gallic Wonder and Undoubted Glory in the City Tattersalls Plate (1000m) and like Karuta Queen, both were bought at the Magic Millions sale.

Gallic Wonder is by Patinack Farm's Wonderful World and cost $100,000 while Undoubted Glory, a $90,000 purchase, is by Not A Single Doubt.

"He's (Undoubted Glory) by the same sire as Karuta Queen but what I liked about him is he's a half-brother to Fast Clip," Layt said.

"He trialled well. In the trial he got shuffled back when a horse interfered with him and he got back to last but he got to the line well."

Undoubted Glory finished fourth to Shelford in a 900m trial at Canterbury last month while Gallic Wonder finished fourth to Sessions in a separate heat.

Layt's son Adrian rode both colts in their respective trials and had the choice of mounts.

He opted for Undoubted Glory, which has drawn eight, while Jay Ford will jump aboard Gallic Wonder from barrier four.

"He's ridden for me in town many a time and we've done alright," Layt said of his combination with his son.

Adrian Layt does the bulk of trackwork riding for his father and Neville says his son "is a one hundred per cent better" jockey since returning earlier this year from a 12-month riding stint in England.

Ford's mount has also been pleasing Layt with his progress at home.

Layt was expecting Gallic Wonder to be slow to mature but the youngster has surprised him.

"I've got a half-sister to him and they're chalk and cheese," Layt said.

"She's by Magic Albert and she was `brain dead' for the first 12 months of her racing career whereas this fellow was switched on from day one.

"He's a pretty smart horse."

As for splitting the pair, Layt says luck in running will be crucial.

"They're both going really well, they've had no problems with their legs or anything. They just need a bit of luck and no interference in the run."

Layt also reported Karuta Queen had pulled up well following her brave second to Black Caviar at Caulfield last Saturday and remained on track to race on Cox Plate day.

Glory Ready To Step Up On Saturday

Friday, 14 October 2011 03:15

Trainer Jarrod Austin will be looking to take his career to the next level when Allabout Glory tackles the Nivison Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

The six-year-old will be the Warwick Farm-based trainer's first Listed runner, with Austin confident about her chances despite the step up in class in the 1200m event.

Allabout Glory has won two of her four starts since Austin took control of the mare from Denise McGrath in July.

A win on Saturday would be by far his biggest victory and help consolidate the fledging trainer's reputation.

"We win a couple in town and hopefully it will put my name out there and will help attract a few more people to the stable," Austin said.

TAB Sportsbet on Friday rated the mare a $14 chance, with the Ron-Quinton trained Ofcourseican $4 favourite.

"She's in good form at the moment, but it is a step up in class," Austin said.

"We thought with the way she ran in her last couple of races it was time to give her a chance."

Austin said he was thrilled to have a runner contesting the event, which he reckoned would suit Allabout Glory.

"We've always thought she had a bit of potential, she had a few issues along the way but we seem to have got her right," he said.

"We did try her over a little bit further, but she's more of a sprinter and I think the distance is right up her alley."

He said the barrier draw was also favourable, with Allabout Glory to jump from gate two.

"We really had our fingers crossed that we'd get a good draw up against this better class of horses, so the barrier draw was perfect," he said.

Austin worked as a foreman for McGrath for almost a decade and was granted a training licence after McGrath stepped back from training to concentrate on the development of her pre-training and agistment property in Sydney's southwest.

Since then, the 39-year-old has claimed three metropolitan wins from seven starters.

Austin said he was focused on building his stable by targeting city wins.

"We want to branch out as much as possible now to get some more numbers," he said.

"We're certainly looking for more horses, that's for sure."

Smith Buoyed By Barrier Draw

Thursday, 13 October 2011 03:15

A favourable barrier draw has trainer Darren Smith upbeat about the Lightning Handicap chances of Midnight At Ascot.

The five-year-old has won two of his last three starts and Smith is expecting a boost from barrier one in Saturday's Listed 1100-metre event at Randwick.

TAB Sportsbet has posted the gelding as an $11 chance in the event, with Smith confident Midnight At Ascot had "turned the corner".

"We're happy with how he's returned from the spell," Smith said.

"We're throwing him in the deep end running him in a Listed 1100, but you know he's drawn a good barrier and I'll give him the throw at the stumps.

"Barrier one will suit him, they'll go very hard in front and he may be able to finish off and find the line strong."

First-up, Midnight At Ascot won over 1100 metres at Wyong on September 2 before closing late to win at Newcastle over 1200 metres on September 15.

Last start, he finished second to the talented Darley colt Galah at Warwick Farm on October 3.

Midnight At Ascot carries the same white and red colours as stablemate Atomic Force who took out the Group One Galaxy (1100m) at Randwick in April.

And the Broadmeadow-based trainer is hopeful Midnight At Ascot is headed in the same direction.

"He turned up at my place with 10 or 12 runs without winning a maiden and he's started off from the bottom and worked his way to a Listed race," Smith said.

"He's a happy horse, and he's turned the corner."

Smith reckons the event will suit, especially given the strength of Melbourne fields this weekend.

"This is the second-stringers but it's still a very good field and just gives him a chance to have a throw at the stumps," he said.

Smith will also give stablemate Oakfield Beauty her chance in the Listed 1200-metre Nivison Stakes.

"I'd like to get her a bit of black type, and it looks a suitable race for her to have a crack at it," Smith said.