Craft Dedicates Win To Father

Saturday, 08 October 2011 06:59

Kim Craft looks certain to head to Sydney with Lucky Dubai after the sprinter ended the stable's city drought at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Lucky Dubai got up in the last bound to edge out topweight Femina Fashion by a head in the Avant Garde Recruitment Handicap (1500m).

Win a Million was a further half-length away third.

An emotional Craft, who is based at Caloundra, dedicated Lucky Dubai's win to her late father, Col Harwood.

"I lost my Dad afew months ago and this win is for him," Craft said.

"Dad died on July 27, the same day as my mother's birthday."

Craft picked out the race for Lucky Dubai before the mare resumed at Doomben in September.

"Unfortunately there's nothing around for her until December so I've arranged to get a NSW calender and I'll see what is available in Sydney for her," Craft said.

Craft had not saddled a Brisbane winner since her recently-retired Toptwo was successful in a restricted midweek race at Doomben on January 5.

Trainer Trevor Whittington will press ahead with plans to send Femina Fashion to Melbourne for the Group Two Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 5.

Femina Fashion looked to have the race won but laboured under her big weight over the concluding stages in the heavy conditions.

"It was an enormous run and had the track not gone to heavy during the day I reckon she would have won," Whittington said.

Femina Fashion made her spring comeback with a first-up fourth to More Strawberries in the Listed Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle on September 15.

Meanwhile, trainer Rob Heathcote won't be rushing off to Melbourne with Fillydelphia despite the mare's impressive comeback win in the Australian Financial Advisers Quality Handicap (1300m).

In a daring ride by Jim Byrne, Fillydelphia was set alight before the home turn before scoring by three lengths over Mr Slick.

Fillydelphia was having her first start since failing in the Group One Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm in June.

Heathcote, who was in Melbourne to saddle up Woorim in the Group One Toorak Handicap, considered scratching Fillydelphia when the track was downgraded to heavy during the day.

"I knew she'd be fit enough but I was a bit undecided about running her on the heavy track," Heathcote said.

"I won't decide on a Melbourne trip until after she runs again in a fortnight."

Byrne was impressed with his first ride on the daughter of Bianconi.

"She ticks all the boxes but I didn't want to knock her around too much in her first run back from a break," Byrne said.

"She's obviously a stayer and has a long campaign ahead of her."

Richardson Excited About City Debut

Thursday, 06 October 2011 01:59

As the excitement builds ahead of champion Black Caviar's comeback in Melbourne, a little-known Queensland country apprentice will be hoping to make a mark in her debut metropolitan ride at Eagle Farm.

Brooke Richardson did not hold a metropolitan jockey's licence when central Queensland trainer Todd Austin asked the 17-year-old a few weeks ago to ride Group One placegetter Playtime in Saturday's Airasia.com Handicap (1200m).

Playtime was named Racing Queensland's Regional and Queensland Two-Year-Old of the Year last season after finishing second to Hot Snitzel in the Group Two Sires' Produce Stakes and third to Benfica in the Group One TJ Smith at Eagle Farm in June.

Richardson is a daughter of Toowoomba trainer Brendan Richardson but began her indentures with her grandfather Clem Pollard, another Toowoomba trainer, before going on loan to Austin at Barcaldine.

Richardson has been licensed for only 14 months but already has ridden 65 winners on Queensland country tracks.

"I'm not nervous but I've been very excited since I first found out a few weeks ago I'd be riding Playtime in town," Richardson said.

"At the time I didn't even hold a city licence but we made a few phones calls to Racing Queensland and soon got it."

Richardson was never a great scholar at Toowoomba's Darling Downs Christian College but always knew with her racing pedigree that she'd become a jockey.

Like most young female riders, Richardson spent most of her early years riding at pony clubs and doing camp drafting.

"I've only had a jockey's licence for 14 months but I've been riding horses since I was five," Richardson said.

"I did pony clubs right up until I was 16 then I started to work around racehorses with Grandad and then with Dad."

Richardson admits she was never a great student and only stayed at school for sport before she left during Grade 10 to work around the family stables.

For one so young, Richardson has already set herself a big goal.

"I want to go right to the top if I can," she said.

"I finish my loan period with Todd (Austin) at the end of the month and I'll continue to ride around Toowoomba for another year or so before I hope to go to town.

"But I want to go further than just Brisbane."

Richardson doesn't model herself on any particular rider but is a fan of Hugh Bowman and Corey Brown while she admires her female counterparts Clare Lindop and Kathy O'Hara.

"Everyone has their own style but there are bits and pieces you take from other riders," she said.

Rugby League Greats Share In Win

Saturday, 08 October 2011 03:15

Rugby league greats Laurie Daley, Darryl Brohman and Ricky Stuart may have an above average filly on their hands following the narrow win of Emmalene at Eagle Farm.

Ridden by Larry Cassidy, Emmalene edged out Patinack Farm's Another Superior by a short neck in Saturday's Airasia.com Handicap (1200m).

Dorchester filled the minor placing only a half head away third in the close finish.

Stuart, Brohman and Daley share in the ownership of Emmalene with seven others.

Emmalene is a daughter of Jet Spur and cost $110,000 at the Magic Millions sales.

Trainer Liam Birchley has a good opinion of Emmalene who won on debut at Caloundra in August.

Birchley then sent her to Sydney where she finished second to Vintage Triumph at Canterbury on September 23.

Birchley is contemplating a trip to Melbourne next month with Emmalene if she pulls up well from her tough run on a slow track.

"Provided she pulls up OK we're thinking of sending her to Melbourne," Birchley said.

"There's a three-year-old fillies races on Oaks day which looks suitable for her.

"I think she'll improve a lot once when put blinkers on her."

Jockey Larry Cassidy gave Emmalene the tick of approval after the filly ploughed through the wet conditions.

On Thursday, Cassidy was successful in his appeal against a three month suspension imposed by stewards over his handling of beaten favourite, the Rob Heathcote-trained Trump at Doomben last month.

"I was three wide on her but on a track like that it was no disadvantage," Cassidy said.

"I thought there would be some speed in the race so I could be fourth or fifth. I counted to ten and let them sort themselves out before I made a move forward."

In a pre-race sensation favourite backers did their money cold when Kelbenjar reared as the gates opened and took no part in the race.

Stewards later declared the gelding to be a starter.

Bailey On To A Good Thing With Our Design

Wednesday, 05 October 2011 05:45

Alan Bailey sensed he was onto something big when he won a spirited sale ring duel against prominent breeder Sir Patrick Hogan at last year's New Zealand Premier sales.

An impressive-looking Stratum filly caught Bailey's eye and eventually she was knocked down to him for $250,000.

That filly, Our Design, scored her first win from three starts when she led all the way to trounce her opposition by 4-3/4 lengths in the www.brc.com.au Maiden Plate (1350m) at Doomben on Wednesday.

Bailey has a big opinion of Our Design and sent her to Sydney for her debut at Canterbury on September 7.

However, Our Design could manage only sixth to Shadow West in a 1200-metre fillies Maiden before Bailey brought her back to Brisbane to finish second to Strip Show in a 1350-metre Maiden at Doomben a fortnight later.

"We thought she could win her first start in Sydney but the track was wet," Bailey said.

"She was all at sea so we brought her home."

Bailey believes Our Design is destined for bigger things and a winter carnival campaign next year looks the obvious option.

"I've got a very good opinion of her," the normally reserved Bailey said.

"She's one of the nicest fillies I've had for some time.

"She's got the makings of being a very good filly later on and she should get to 1600 metres."

Bailey recalled the sale ring battle he had with Sir Patrick, one of Australasia's biggest and most successful breeders when he was in charge of Cambridge Stud in New Zealand.

"I must have been on the right track when I started bidding against him," Bailey said.

"He (Hogan) ended up being the underbidder on this filly."

Our Design's time of 1:19.82 was fractionally outside the class record but it could easily have been lowered had jockey Glen Colless extended her.

Colless, who pulled up distressed after battling a stomach bug, felt Our Design had a bright future and believed she'd be better off ridden off the pace.

"It wasn't our intention to lead and she's better off taking a sit," Colless said.

"She's a real nice filly and she'll be even better next preparation."

Horses For Courses Says Craft

Friday, 07 October 2011 04:45

Trainer Kim Craft is relying on the adage "horses for courses" to end a city drought at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Craft has not saddled a Brisbane metropolitan winner since her recently-retired Toptwo was successful in a restricted midweek race at Doomben on January 5.

However, she remains hopeful her stable star Lucky Dubai can break through in the Avant Garden Recruitment Handicap (1500m).

Prior to Toptwo's success at the start of the year, Craft's previous city winner was with Lucky Dubai who was successful at Eagle Farm in October last year during a stellar run which included four successive victories at the track.

Lucky Dubai has had two starts back this campaign, both on her hoodoo track at Doomben.

The five-year-old mare tailed the field most of the way when resuming with a moderate eighth to Funtantes in an unsuitable 1200-metre Quality for fillies and mares at Doomben on September 10.

The daughter of Dubai Destination showed improvement at her next start with a solid-finishing fifth against her own sex at Doomben a fortnight later.

Craft remains mystified why Lucky Dubai has never won at Doomben where she has failed to be placed in all six attempts.

Her Doomben record is in stark contrast to Eagle Farm where she has six wins and a second from 14 starts.

Craft also hopes the weights which have turned in Lucky Dubai's favour will be a plus.

Lucky Dubai conceded a kilogram to Risk Aversion when they met last time while the Michael Lakey-trained mare is now 1.5 kilograms worse off against Craft's sprinter.

Craft, who has a small team of five horses in work, is unsure why Lucky Dubai saves her best for Eagle Farm.

"She goes a lot better at Eagle Farm but I think that's because Doomben might be too small for her," she said.

"She likes the open spaces at Eagle Farm."

Craft was delighted with Lucky Dubai's last performance and is considering a trip to Sydney if the mare returns to her best form.

"Her last run was brilliant," Craft said.

"She hit a flat spot about 150 metres out but she was right once she saw daylight.

"She's back to her right track and distance in this but I still think Risk Aversion is the one to beat.

"But they'll know my mare is there."

Craft is yet to study her Sydney options with Lucky Dubai and will be guided by her performance whether to head south.

"There's no races suitable for her here in the next few months and if she goes well we're seriously looking at taking her to Sydney."

Risk Aversion To Go Out A Winner

Wednesday, 05 October 2011 04:15

Win, lose or draw, talented mare Risk Aversion will head for the spelling paddock after her assignment at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Trainer Michael Lakey believes the four-year-old mare deserves a rest following the Avant Garde Recruitment Quality (1500m).

Lakey feels Risk Aversion, who has won four of her five starts, is starting to feel the effects of a tough campaign which has seen her win all three starts since she resumed in August.

The daughter of Encosta De Lago maintained her unblemished record this campaign with a narrow win over Win A Million in a 1350-metre fillies and mares Quality at Doomben on September 24.

"She's done a good job but I can tell it's had an effect on her, stepping up from a class four win to winning narrowly in a lot harder company at her next two starts," Lakey said.

Lakey will also welcome Risk Aversion going for a break after declaring her a "heart attack" horse following her past three photo-finish victories.

"She's been a bit of a heart attack horse winning those races in photo-finishes," Lakey said.

Lakey was initially concerned with Risk Aversion's recovery from her latest victory but will go into her spring swansong full of confidence.

"She was a bit jaded for a few days after her last win," Lakey said.

"However, she bounced back well and I was really happy with her work on the course proper at Deagon yesterday (Tuesday) morning.

"This is definitely it for her this campaign. She'll be going out for a break no matter what happens."

However, Risk Aversion's "break" won't be for long as she is being aimed at the Listed Just Now Quality at Eagle Farm in December.

Risk Aversion's owner John Hutchins wants to win a black-type race before she is eventually retired to stud.

Hutchins won the Group One Coolmore Classic at Rosehill with Typhoon Tracy in 2009 and wants to give Risk Aversion every opportunity to equal the feat.

Chris Munce has turned down offers to ride at Caulfield on Saturday to be reunited with Risk Aversion.

Munce, who is still keen to ride in Melbourne this spring, rode in Sydney when the mare won her past two starts for apprentice Tim Bell and Ric McMahon.

Munce was successful on Risk Aversion in her comeback in a Class Four at Doomben in August while Bell partnered her in a Benchmark 85 win at Eagle Farm on September 3 before McMahon's victory on her three weeks later.

McMahon declared Risk Aversion an exciting proposition and believes she'll be even better after she matures.

Lakey has managed Risk Aversion perfectly after her career was delayed because of early suspensory problems.

Cassidy Wins Appeal Against Suspension

Thursday, 06 October 2011 06:15

Jockey Larry Cassidy has won his appeal against a three-month suspension over his handling of beaten favourite Trump at Doomben last month.

Cassidy was questioned extensively on race day after $1.70 favourite Trump finished third to his Rob Heathcote-trained stablemate Bevico Girl in a 1615m race on September 17.

The former Sydney rider was later found guilty of not allowing Trump to run on its merits and was suspended for three months when stewards resumed their inquiries.

Cassidy was relieved when his appeal was upheld on Thursday.

"It's a good result," Cassidy said.

However, stewards indicated they would consider lodging their own appeal against the first level appeal body's decision.

"We've been told by the appeal board that the appeal was upheld in a benefit of the doubt ruling," chief steward Wade Birch said.

"Stewards will await the written report from today's hearing before considering whether or not to lodge our own appeal against the decision."

Stewards took Cassidy to task for not improving his position early in the race, saying he unnecessarily restrained him which resulted in the gelding being caught three wide.

Cassidy defended his actions saying he was trying to make sure Trump was relaxed and he was unable to get back in after two horses kicked up inside him.

Immediately after the race, Heathcote was furious with Cassidy's handling of the three-year-old when he became trapped three wide.

Cassidy, a three-time winner of the Sydney jockeys' premiership, moved to Queensland in January 2009.

He cited a lack of opportunity in Sydney due to small fields and the major stables retaining their own riders.

Cassidy won his three Sydney premierships in the late 1990s when he was the number one rider for Crown Lodge trainer John Hawkes.

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Good Pedigrees On Show At Doomben

Tuesday, 04 October 2011 04:30

A relative of former champion Super Impose and half-brothers to multiple Group One winner Show A Heart and top sprinter Zero Rock will have pedigree students salivating when the trio clash in a lowly midweek maiden at Doomben.

Military Manor, whose dam Cleobelle is a half-sister to eight-time Group One winner Super Impose, and Show A Heart's half-brother Vacallo make their debuts in Wednesday's Carlton Mid Maiden Plate (1110m).

The pair will be joined by the Kelso Wood-trained Eight O'Clock Rock, a half-brother to Group One-placed Zero Rock.

Show A Heart won four Group Ones before going on to become a highly-successful stallion.

Military Manor is trained at the Gold Coast by Gillian Heinrich who will scratch stablemate Whisky Highway from the same race after the three-year-old drew badly.

Heinrich admitted Military Manor was bought at the Magic Millions sales on type, not because of his flashy pedigree.

"We bought him because he was such a good type not because of his breeding," Heinrich said.

Heinrich was forced to delay Military Manor's career several times after the son of Pendragon kept going shin-sore as a two-year-old.

"He kept going shin-sore so I tipped him out and let him mature," Heinrich said.

"We've finally got him to the track now and he trialled well when he ran third here last month.

"It was nice trial but I felt he probably went a little too hard."

Trainer Rob Heathcote was also happy with Vacallo's recent barrier trial win at Doomben but is not confident the three-year-old can win.

"He's a handy horse but he's no superstar," Heathcote said.

"Not many horses win first time out and I'll be very happy to see him run a place.

"But he's forward enough to run a good race and his trial was quite good."

Wood will take a keen interest in the performance of Eight O'Clock Rock who is on the comeback trail after finishing fifth on debut in a 1000-metre maiden at Eagle Farm in December.

Wood believes the son of Octagonal, who finished second in an 800-metre barrier trial at Doomben last month, shows little similarities to Zero Rock and his other siblings.

"He's more laid-back than Zero Rock," Wood said.

"He's a four-year-old whose only had one start after he needed time from knee surgery early on in his career."

Wood was not disappointed with Eight O'Clock's debut when beaten just over three lengths after drawing wide.

"Unfortunately he's got another bad barrier (10) tomorrow," he said.

Femina Fashion On Trial For Melbourne

Thursday, 06 October 2011 05:15

Femina Fashion will be given the chance to win at Group level with a trip to Melbourne pencilled in after her Eagle Farm assignment on Saturday.

Gold Coast trainer Trevor Whittington has booked Glen Colless to ride Femina Fashion in the Avant Garde Recruitment Handicap (1500m) before the mare heads interstate for her main mission in the Group Two Matriach Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 5.

Femina Fashion has started 29 times during her career with more than half at black-type level.

A $35,000 buy as a Magic Millions yearling, Femina Fashion has won six times with her best victory in last year's Listed Gold Bracelet on her home track.

Whittington hoped Femina Fashion could win last year's Group One Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm but she was not quite seasoned for the 2400-metre trip despite being runner-up to Marheta in the Group Three The Roses (2020m) at Doomben at her previous start.

Whittington is keen to give Femina Fashion every chance to win a Group race before being retired to stud next season.

"I'm fairly sure this is probably her last season racing and she'll probably go to stud next year," Whittington said.

"Her owners are unlikely to breed from her and they'll probably sell her at the Magic Millions broodmare sale next June."

Whittington expects a strong showing from Femina Fashion following her first-up fourth to More Strawberries in the Listed Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle on September 15.

"It was an enormous run. She got to the front in the straight and was run down late," Whittington said.

"She had a wide draw and had to sit outside the leader most of the way.

"It was a great run considering she was first-up."

Whittington will be guided by Femina Fashion's recovery after her second-up performance before deciding if she needs another run before the Matriach Stakes.

"If she needs another run there's a 1700-metre race on Melbourne Cup day she can run in," he said.

Whittington is confident Femina Fashion can be competitive but is concerned she could be weighted out of racing in Queensland if she's successful in Melbourne.

"I'll give her a break after Melbourne but if she happens to win the Matriach then she's going to get big weights up here in the future," he said.

Whittington is already concerned Femina Fashion is conceding weight to talented sprinter Risk Aversion who is chasing her fifth win from six starts.

"I'm expecting Femina Fashion to be hard to beat but she has to give 4.5 kilos to Risk Aversion," he said.

Hill Enjoying Ride With Warrior Within

Saturday, 01 October 2011 05:59

Seasoned stayer Warrior Within vindicated trainer Bruce Hill's decision to abort his spring campaign in Sydney with a convincing victory at Eagle Farm.

Warrior Within, ridden by Hill's son-in-law Paul Hammersley, fought back to claim Saturday's Shine Lawyers Handicap (2100m) by a length over Eureka.

Patmoss was a further short head away third.

Hill bought Warrior Within for $60,000 as a two-year-old at the Gold Coast breeze-up sales and has enjoyed the past four years training the son of King Cugat who took his prize money earnings to $245,800 with 10 wins from 49 starts.

"He's been a great old horse to me and I've had a lot of fun with him," Hill said.

"He's won from 900 metres to 2350 metres and has won on all sorts of tracks from rock hard to heavy."

Hill's biggest career win was with Warrior Within in the Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) in July.

That victory prompted Hill to send him interstate for the spring but the Gold Coast trainer quickly realised he may have been aiming a little too high with the six-year-old.

Warrior Within had his first spring start in the Listed Wyong Cup (2100m) last month and wasn't disgraced despite finishing ninth to The Verminator.

Hill maintained his Wyong Cup effort wasn't bad as he was "smashed" a few times in the run.

Hill, who was hoping to send Warrior Within to Melbourne on a country Cups campaign, returned home to Queensland following his ninth to Green Moon in the Group Three Newcastle Cup (2400m) last month.

"His Newcastle Cup run was good considering they went slow up front early and was left a little flat-footed," Hill said.

"He still got to the line well."

Hill had hoped to be in Sydney on Saturday for the Group One Metropolitan (2400m) but sensed the class of opposition would be too strong.

"He's been in work since January and I just felt they would be too strong for him in the Metrop so we came home," he said.

"He's done a good job still to be firing and he might have one more run before he goes for a break."

Hill's long-range plans for Warrior Within include next year's Brisbane winter carnival.

Meanwhile, former Victorian apprentice Patrick Keane landed his first Saturday win in Queensland aboard Looped in the Sealy Australia Handicap (1200m).

Keane was indentured to trainer Doug Harrison at Cranbourne before transferring to Gold Coast trainer Kelly Doughty 12 months ago.

"I rode for about 15 months in Victoria and rode a winner at Moonee Valley," the 19-year-old said.

Keane and winning trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith have shared a great partnership in recent months.

"I've had about 20 rides for Lawrie for 12 wins. I had four rides for three wins when Lawrie asked me to ride for him at Rockhampton a few months ago," Keane said.