Cassidy Predicts Big Future For Symbol

Wednesday, 12 October 2011 06:59

This year's staying features in Melbourne have come around too soon for Western Symbol but champion jockey Jim Cassidy expects to see the promising stayer there this time next year.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained five-year-old showed his staying promise with a convincing all-the-way win over 2400 metres in Wednesday's Coogee Handicap on the Kensington track at Randwick.

Western Symbol carries the same brown colours with white epaulettes as stablemate Descarado who won last year's Caulfield Cup and returned to Melbourne with victory in last Saturday's Group One Caulfield Stakes.

The same colours will also be sported by Brisbane Cup winner Tullamore's jockey when he chases glory in Saturday's Caulfield Cup.

Western Symbol ($2.25 fav), having just his ninth race start, was taken to the front by Cassidy and controlled the race from there, sprinting away in the straight to win by 3-1/2 lengths over Unchain My Heart.

"He's a nice staying horse in the making, I really like him," Cassidy said.

"Hopefully he'll be in Melbourne with me this time next year."

Western Symbol scored over 2200m at Warwick Farm two starts back before finding trouble at the same track last time out when second to Reprisal over 2200m.

Cassidy wasn't going to make the same mistake again and elected to dominate the race from the front.

"I stuffed up last start by letting one come around me, trying to take a sit, and ended up in all sorts of trouble. Up to a mile and a half (2400m) today I knew he was the best horse in the race and rode him like it," he said.

Waterhouse was in Melbourne overseeing the preparations of the stable's spring hopefuls but stable representative Steve O'Halloran said Western Symbol was unlikely to be joining the team down south this year.

"He's probably not seasoned enough yet," O'Halloran said.

Cassidy, who bagged a winning treble at Rosehill last Saturday, continued his great form by bringing up a double on the Chris Waller-trained Done Nothin' Wrong in the Royal Randwick on Youtube Handicap (1550m).

He almost finished the day with another treble but was denied in the final event aboard Oakfield Comet, with talented gelding Nextanix finishing over the top of the mare to win by a half-neck in the Randwick Betting Auditorium Handicap (1400m).

"He's got a good future and it was just nice to see him do it today," Nextanix's trainer Kerry Parker said.

Clipperton Back In Business After Fall

Tuesday, 11 October 2011 05:30

Young apprentice Sam Clipperton escaped injury in a race fall on the weekend and was back at work on Tuesday morning preparing to ride a day later at Randwick.

Clipperton fell heavily from Izababe in the straight during a race at Rosehill on Saturday and was taken to hospital for precautionary scans with pain in his back.

He was later cleared of any injuries and has four rides at Wednesday's meeting.

"He has come through it really well and was back at trackwork this morning," Clipperton's master Ron Quinton said.

"It was a very, very heavy fall and he was very fortunate not to be hurt. He's a lucky boy.

"He was cleared of any problems on Saturday night, he rode work this morning and is keen to get back into it which is good."

Two of Clipperton's rides at Randwick are for trainer David Payne.

The first is three-year-old Emila in the Clovelly Handicap (1150m) while he also jumps aboard Smash Hit in the TAB Millions Handicap (1300m).

Clipperton had been booked for five rides, however the David Hayes-trained Mabsam was scratched on Tuesday.

Another apprentice, Michael Grantham, will make his Sydney debut having been booked for two rides.

Grantham, a leading apprentice in Western Australia, is in Sydney on loan to premier trainer Chris Waller and made his NSW debut last weekend with two rides at Kembla Grange.

Grantham, who claims two kilograms in town, has the ride on the Waller-trained import Marden in the Coogee Handicap (2400m) and the Gerald Ryan-trained Hide `N' Dash in the Randwick Betting Auditorium Handicap (1400m).

The midweek meeting will also see the return from a let-up of the Kerry Parker-trained Nextanix who lines up in the same race as Hide `N' Dash.

Nextanix hasn't raced since his second to the talented Altius over 1500m at Rosehill at the end of July.

"He got a bit of a high temperature for a couple of days so I decided to send him to the paddock for a couple of weeks," Parker said of the gelding's 10-week absence from the races.

"We've brought him back now to try to win some races with him.

"I haven't got any real plans at this stage but I just want him to build his confidence. We know he's got a fair bit of ability but he's still got a bit to learn about racing."

Parker also has last-start Kembla winner Straight Hennessy contesting the Royal Randwick on Youtube Handicap (1550m) and said race tempo would be crucial for both his stable runners given they are backmarkers.

Syreon Heads Waller's Cup Quartet

Wednesday, 12 October 2011 06:30

A seemingly more dour Syreon will have his stamina tested at Randwick on Saturday when he jumps to 2400 metres for the first time in the Listed Tattersalls Club Cup.

The gelding, who was placed in the Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000m at Randwick during the autumn, is one of four Chris Waller-trained entries.

However, four-year-old King Gladiator will need a scratching after being made first emergency when a full field of 16 plus four emergencies was declared on Wednesday.

Syreon finished fourth to stablemate My Kingdom Of Fife over 2000m in the Craven Plate last start and, on form, Waller believes he could be the pick of his runners which also include Illustrious Blue and Sydney Cup winner Stand To Gain.

"He probably looks our best chance in the race on form," Waller said of Syreon.

"He was unlucky probably not to run second (to My Kingdom Of Fife) last start so we'll see how he goes on Saturday.

"If he gets the trip he'll be hard to beat."

Waller said it wasn't his plan to step Syreon up to 2400m this preparation but he changed his mind because the gelding had been racing a bit flat.

"We thought his form might have been a bit better and he's just been a bit flat all preparation," Waller said.

"We even thought about backing off completely but he's just shown enough to keep going."

Waller prepared the quinella in the Group One Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 1 with The Verminator defeating stablemate Hawk Island.

However, he was disappointed with the performances of his other runners Illustrious Blue and Stand To Gain who finished 12th and 14th respectively.

The Rosehill trainer said Saturday's event would be defining for the pair, with both still among entries for the Melbourne Cup.

"Stand To Gain and Illustrious Blue are still in the Melbourne Cup but they won't be going unless they deserve to be there," Waller said.

"I would imagine they would have to run in the first three or at least run cracking races to suggest we keep going."

King Gladiator, a close second to Teardrop Rock last Saturday over 1900m after coming from the tail of the field, is also among Melbourne Cup nominations.

Waller said getting there was the least of his concerns with the progressive stayer.

"We'll just chip away and if he doesn't get there this preparation I'm sure he'll get there in the autumn and then maybe next spring," he said.

Changes To Board Of Racing NSW

Tuesday, 11 October 2011 05:15

The board of Racing NSW is in caretaker mode with the announcement of new legislation to introduce reforms to racing's governing body.

The present five-member board, which has been in operation for less than three years after reforms made by the previous government, will be replaced by a seven-member board under changes to the Thoroughbred Racing Act.

Racing minister George Souris announced the proposed changes to the legislation on Tuesday, saying they would broaden the skills base of the board and strengthen appointment procedures and eligibility and conflict of interest requirements.

Some of the key changes listed:-

* A person is not eligible to sit on the board if he or she has been an employee or committee member of a race club or industry association in the previous 12 months.

* Expressly prohibit board membership if the selection panel determines that the person has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in conflict with the role of a board member.

* Strengthen the conflict of interest provision in the Act requiring the disclosure of a direct or indirect interest in a matter under consideration by Racing NSW.

* Prohibit a board member from participating in the consideration of a matter in which they have acquired and disclosed a pecuniary interest.

The board member selection panel will provide a short list of candidates to the minister who will make the final selection and also appoint the chair and deputy chair of Racing NSW.

"In 2008 a new independent board model was introduced in an attempt to end factionalism and self interest and ensure members act in the best interests of the NSW racing industry as a whole," Souris said.

"However, a review of the current provisions demonstrates insufficient legislative content ensuring adequate resources and skills and eliminating the influence of factional and personal interests in decision making.

"By increasing the size of the board we are providing more members to manage the workload and a broader range of skills to ensure the future sustainability of the racing industry.

"We are also strengthening eligibility requirements for the future so that somebody cannot simply resign from their position on the committee of a race club one day and then run for a position on the board of Racing NSW the next day."

If the reforms are passed by parliament a new selection process will be held to test the market place for the best persons available under the new arrangements. Existing members will be eligible to apply for appointment once advertisements are placed.

Alan Bell is the current chairman of Racing NSW having taken over from Alan Brown earlier this year when the latter stepped aside short of his four-year term.

Quinton Rapt Beaded Is Out

Wednesday, 12 October 2011 05:45

Peter Snowden's decision not to start Group One-winning mare Beaded in the Nivison Stakes has buoyed the spirits of rival trainer Ron Quinton.

Quinton will saddle up Ofcourseican in Saturday's Listed Nivison (1200m) for mares at Randwick on the back of consecutive placings in the Sheraco Stakes and Golden Pendant.

Beaded, the Group One Doomben 10,000 winner, was among the nominations for the race and would have carried just two kilograms more than Ofcourseican under the set weights and penalties conditions.

But Snowden opted not to accept with the gun mare and will rely on Kanzan and Mascareri as Darley's representatives.

"She (Beaded) just looked so well placed at the set weights and penalties," Quinton admitted.

"So that makes it a bit more even now with her not in it."

Ofcourseican returned with a slashing third in the Sheraco Stakes (1100m) first-up before going close again second-up when beaten less than half a length behind Screen and Gybe in the Group Three Golden Pendant.

The five-year-old won the Listed Wenona Girl Handicap (1200m) last preparation.

"I'm very happy with her going into this race, she's done well," Quinton said.

Ofcourseican will be ridden by champion jockey Jim Cassidy who bagged a winning treble at Rosehill last Saturday.

Unbeaten Ying La Faces Stakes Test

Tuesday, 11 October 2011 04:59

The owner of unbeaten Ying La might have to wait until next year to justify passing up an overseas offer for the three-year-old.

Ying La, the target of a Hong Kong bid, will have his potential put under the microscope in the $100,000 Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

It's not Grant Delaney's preferred metropolitan Saturday test for the horse who has won his only three starts, but the Newcastle trainer is happy for him to go around in the Listed event.

"Ideally, it would have been better to find a normal Saturday three-year-old race but it's there and it fits in nicely," Delaney said.

"If he didn't win I wouldn't be totally distraught and win, lose or draw it will be his last run before he goes to the spelling paddock.

"This is only his second preparation and when he spells he'll really thicken up.

"So far he's done a lot in a short space of time so that augurs well for next year."

Ying La was heavily backed on debut to win a Newcastle maiden and has since been untroubled in two Canterbury wins.

The Newcastle victory attracted interest from Asian bloodstock agents but Delaney said owner Matthew Chidgey wasn't willing to part with the horse he bred.

"There's been one offer made from Hong Kong and the owner knocked it back," Delaney said.

Delaney and Chidgey first teamed up with the stakeswinner Air She Goes, a half-sister to Ying La's dam Chain Of Ponds.

"Matthew loves his racing and he is one of the best owners a trainer could have," Delaney said.

"He asked for my opinion (about selling) and I can only tell him what I think but in the end it's up to him."

With Glyn Schofield riding in Melbourne, Tommy Berry takes over on Ying La on Saturday.

Berry will be wearing Delaney's colours of purple, white halves - silks made famous by Gunsynd, one of Australia's most popular thoroughbreds.

"I've had the colours for about 20 years now," Delaney said.

"It's a nice bit of history to have."

Olive Hoping For Grand Performance

Wednesday, 12 October 2011 05:15

Trainer Nick Olive is banking on Grand Rhumba's superior first-up record giving him a fighting chance for stakes success at Randwick on Saturday.

The gelding will be one of two runners for Olive in the Listed City Tattersalls Lightning Hcp (1100m) along with the speedy Zaratone.

Grand Rhumba has been a prolific winner in his 44-start career and boasts 13 victories but they have all come on the country or provincial circuit.

However, he wasn't disgraced in two attempts at Listed grade last campaign, including a seventh to Pinwheel in the Canterbury Classic when he was beaten just over three lengths.

He has an outstanding fresh record with four wins from six attempts and Olive will rely on that statistic at Randwick.

"He has had a jumpout at Canberra and he is great fresh," Olive said.

"The speed will be on up front and that will suit him.

"Whether he is good enough is the question but if this was a normal race and not a stakes race I'd be giving him a big chance. He's going well."

Nathan Berry will ride Grand Rhumba, who has barrier six, while apprentice Shaun Guymer will partner Zaratone.

Zaratone sped around Rosehill to an all-the-way win in the Starlight Stakes (1100m) in August but has failed to replicate that effort in three subsequent runs.

He is returning from a hit-and-run visit to Melbourne where he was sixth to Definitely Ready in a 955m scamper at Moonee Valley.

"He is still going well but he just needs things to go his way and he hasn't had that," Olive said.

"I'm still happy with the way he's going and when everything does go right in a race he is capable of winning again."

A field of 14 was paid up for the Lightning headed by Group One Oakleigh Plate winner Eagle Falls who is also entered for races at Caulfield and Morphettville on Saturday.

Takeover Target Stakes winner Title is set to resume for Joe Pride who also has dual acceptor Phenomenal Lass in the sprint, along with the Listed Nivison Stakes (1200m) for mares.

Darley looks to have a strong hand in the Nivison with Kanzan and Mascareri while trainer Ron Quinton will be hoping for a change of luck with Ofcourseican who has finished close-up thirds at her two runs this campaign.

Gazza Guru After Stakes Breakthrough

Tuesday, 11 October 2011 04:30

Seven-year-old Gazza Guru will momentarily try to steal the limelight away from his Cox Plate-bound stablemate Sincero when he chases a breakthrough stakes win at Randwick on Saturday.

With minor placings in the Wyong and Newcastle Cups and Craven Plate at his past three starts, trainer Stephen Farley believes Saturday's Listed Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m) is the perfect race for Gazza Guru.

Farley is in Melbourne overseeing the Cox Plate preparationof dual Group One winner Sincero who had his first look at the Moonee Valley circuit on Tuesday morning.

But he is looking forward to Gazza Guru returning to handicap conditions at Randwick after chasing home Group One winners My Kingdom Of Fife and Shootoff at weight-for-age last start in the Craven Plate (2000m).

"It looks great form and he's probably not a weight-for-age horse either," Farley said.

"It (Craven Plate) was a nice race for him on the way to this race and he did a great job.

"This was the race I pinpointed for him after he ran third in the Newcastle Cup."

Gazza Guru has the limit weight of 53kg and Farley is yet to lock in a jockey with a number of Sydney's top hoops competing in Melbourne at the Caulfield Cup meeting.

The winner of six of his 55 starts, the son of Street Cry has never won over further than 1800m but showed in the Newcastle Cup (2300m) when a close third to Green Moon that he was capable of staying a trip.

"Had you asked me six or 12 months ago would he run 2400 metres, I would have said he wouldn't run it down a well," Farley said.

"But the way he is racing at the moment, if he's ever going to get it then it's going to be now.

"He's relaxing really well and finding the line.

"He's flying and is probably racing in the best form of his career."

While Farley is hopeful Gazza Guru can score at stakes level for the first time, he is chasing a much greater prize with Sincero in Saturday week's $3 million Cox Plate.

Farley said Sincero had come through Saturday's Caulfield Stakes, where he finished fifth to Descarado, in great order.

Race jockey Chris O'Brien was at Moonee Valley to partner Sincero on Tuesday morning.

"He just trotted a lap and cantered a lap but he was nice and relaxed and we gave him a good walk around the enclosure and through the tunnel and he seemed to handle it all," Farley said.

"Chris was here and he'll come back down to ride him again on Thursday."

Farley plans to give Sincero three trips to Moonee Valley to familiarise him with the track and surroundings ahead of the Cox Plate.

"He'll do a bit more on Thursday and hopefully we'll go back there next Tuesday morning as well," he said.

Mahisara Still On The Way Up

Wednesday, 12 October 2011 04:59

Beautifully-bred colt Mahisara came a long way in his first preparation and trainer Paul Messara is hoping he can continue where he left off.

The three-year-old will take on the likes of Group performers Uate and Hot Snitzel when he resumes in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

By top sire More Than Ready out of Danehill mare Darsini, Mahisara went from winning a Kembla Grange maiden on debut in May to landing a black-type victory in the Listed Centenary Classic Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm four starts later.

In between he was Group Two-placed in the Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm won by Hot Snitzel.

"He's coming along really nicely and I'm very happy with where he's at," Messara said.

"I think he will improve with the run and his best trip will probably be 1400 metres to a mile (1600m).

"This is a touch short of his pet distance but he is fit and well and I expect him to run a good race in what looks a very competitive field."

Mahisara finished runner-up to Hot Snitzel in a recent barrier trial and will have the advantage of a better draw when they clash again on Saturday.

The Gerald Ryan-trained Hot Snitzel, who has not raced since his second to Benfica in the Group One TJ Smith at Eagle Farm in June, has barrier seven in the field of nine while Mahisara has gate three.

"He trialled well behind Hot Snitzel who is also in the race," Messara said.

"We've met him before and Hot Snitzel got the better of us last time but I'm hoping our bloke can run well."

Provided Mahisara progresses as hoped, Messara has mapped out a three-start spring program.

The colt will head to Melbourne after Saturday for the Listed Hilton Hotels Stakes (1400m) on Emirates Stakes day and the Group Two Sandown Guineas (1600m) on November 12.

"I'm hoping to get three runs out of him and then give him a break and come back for the autumn," Messara said.

"He's definitely strengthened since his last campaign and he's a more mature horse."

Messara is keen on the chances of Tumble Turn in Saturday's opening race despite the filly rising five kilograms on her last-start win at Canterbury.

"She's up in the weights but she won well last start and I think it looks a moderate field," he said.

"She'll be a very good chance in the race. She's done nothing wrong and the 1400 metres will suit her."

Meanwhile, smart colt Rekindled Alliance has gone to the paddock after overracing in blinkers the first time when sixth to Doctor Doom in the Group One Spring Champion Stakes.

Not So Chaste Now

Monday, 10 October 2011 11:07

Denman Cup winning mare Chaste had a bit going for her when she stepped out on a rain sodden track at Muswellbrook to contest the race as the bottom weight.

Firstly she is a daughter of Australia's leading stallion Lonhro, top of the 2010/11 sires' list. Secondly she had proven her ability with two metropolitan wins. Thirdly she was being ridden by in-form apprentice Rachael Murray. And as well she had an unusual break to the normal training routine on the day before the race.

Nearly 3 years ago she had signaled her ability with a win at her first race start at Scone for trainer Greg Bennett and a group of mostly local owners including Scone Race Club president Noel Leckie and committeeman Peter Townsend.

She won again at Scone 6 months later, ran 3rd at Canterbury, won again at Tamworth but then lost form to be unplaced in her next three starts.

She was spelled and sent to Queensland in the 2010 winter and won first up at the Gold Coast followed by a second at the same course before a win and a second at Eagle Farm and another win at Doomben.

She failed to regain that form in her next 8 starts so returned to Scone last month to be retired to the broodmare paddock and a booking to Widden Stud's Golden Slipper winning stallion, Stratum.

However, back in Greg Bennett's hands it was decided to give her a few more runs before undertaking motherhood and she produced an eye-catching third in the Sky Racing Cup at Scone on September 11 which led to a decision to start her in the Denman Cup at Muswellbrook.

However, with nature taking its course she went out to the Widden Valley on the Saturday morning before the Cup to be covered by Stratum and returned to Greg's stables the same day.

Whether Chaste had a smile on her face on race day, connections certainly did as she ploughed through a heavy 10 track to virtually lead all the way in a clever ride by apprentice Rachael Murray, who is riding in fine form with 12 wins and 13 place rides only two months into the current season.

The win took Chaste's prizemoney to well over $100,000, which is more than double the $50,000 invested in the service to Stratum.