Capacity Field for Adelaide Millions Dash

Friday, 14 February 2003 00:00

A full field of 16 juveniles will go head to head next Wednesday for their share of $400,000 when the Channel 7 Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic is run at Morphettville.

Wednesday will see the running of the third classic and connections of each runner will be hoping their charge joins Barossa Broadway and Milkshake as Magic Millions Adelaide Classic winners.

Lee Freedman and Tony McEvoy both have two representatives in the race, while Leon Macdonald will have two if the first emergency Imperial World gains a start.

The trainers and jockeys who are running for their share of the big money is like reading a who's who of Australian racing. Freedman, Hawkes, McEvoy, Waterhouse, Vasil, Rogerson, Laing, Mitchell, Macdonald, Balfour, Conners, Ellerton and Birchley. While those who will be legged up on runners include Oliver, Callow, Payne, Powell, Prebble, King, Nikolic, Price, Newitt, Boss, Holder and Gatt.

QUICK FACTS

• No filly has won the Magic Millions Classic.
• Jason Holder will be aiming for his second Millions win. He rode Barossa Broadway to win in 2001. This year he will be aboard Mot D'or.
• Which ever trainer wins in Wednesday it will be their first Adelaide Classic triumph.
• The rail will be out three metres for the entire circuit on Wednesday.
• Ten of the 16 runners have already been winners. Only two are yet to place.
• All of the sixteen have earned prizemoney.
• Two of the runners - Helter Skelter and Dress Code - ran in the Gold Coast Classic in January. They finished ninth and fifth respectively.
• Six runners go into the race unbeaten.
• There are five colts in the field, five geldings and seven fillies.
• The race is run over 1200 metres, and has been since the inception.
• This year's Classic will be the first run during the week. The previous two runnings were held on a Saturday.
• Last year Cheltenham Park hosted the race due to the renovations of the Morphettville Racecourse.
• Runners in this year's race are trained from the following different locations: Eagle Farm, Sutton Grange, Flemington, Morphettville, Rye, Caulfield, Warwick Farm, Randwick and Angaston.
• Clare Lindop and Gai Waterhouse will both break new ground on the weekend they become the first females to contest the event.

Adelaide Magic Millions Barrier Draw Tomorrow

Thursday, 13 February 2003 00:00

The Barrier Draw for the Channel 7 Magic Millions Adelaide 2-year-old Classic takes place this Friday at 11am at the Magic Millions Sales Complex at Morphettville.

The all-important barrier draw will be accompanied by fashion parades and live music, making for very colourful occasion, befitting of South Australia’s richest race. The theme will be "The Drawing Room".

The SAJC are inviting the connections of horses engaged in the race to attend and asking them to be available for media interviews.

The Runners Named:

The competitors for the $400,000 Magic Millions race will be named at 10am on Friday morning. The field will contain 16 horses and 4 emergencies. A list of likely competitors includes the Lindsay Park pair, Come On Rory and Fragmentation, the John Hawkes-trained File Rapid, the smart Queenslander. Helter Skelter, Gai Waterhouse’s In Flames and good prize money earners Dress Code and Resolved trained by Robbie Laing and Clarry Connors respectively. Adelaide-trained hopes are Leon Macdonald’s Mot D’Or and David Balfour’s Champagne Gold.

Qualifying for the Race:

The race is restricted to horses sold at Magic Millions yearling sales around the country.

The order of entry is dependent on the amount of prize money the individual horses have won during their career to date. This ensures the best performed horses make the line up.

The Race

This year’s race is run on Wednesday February 19 at Morphettville. The Sales commence at 6pm after the completion of the race day.

Media Release - SAJC

Adelaide 2YO Classic: Profiles of the Runners

Friday, 14 February 2003 00:00

The 2003 Channel 7 Adelaide Magic Millions 2YO Classic will be run over 1200 metres at Morphettville on Wednesday.

Profiles of the final field are as follows:

1 - HELTER SKELTER
Bay colt
Piccolo (GB) - Amplify (by Ubetido)
Breeder: Eureka Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd, Qld
Sale price: $17,000 at Gold Coast Premier Yearling Sale
Vendor: Eureka Thoroughbreds
Buyer: LF Birchley
Barrier: 5
Jockey: John Powell
Trainer: Liam Birchley (Eagle Farm)
Record: 3: 2-0-0
Stakes: $81,500

2 - DRESS CODE
Bay or brown gelding
El Moxie (USA) - Ranein (by Bluebird)
Breeder: Dr JD Woolridge, NSW
Sale price: $20,000 at Magic Millions Summer Yearling Sale
Vendor: Inverness Stud
Buyer: R Laing
Barrier: 4
Jockey: Noel Callow
Trainer: Robbie Laing (Sutton Grange)
Record: 5: 1-0-1
Stakes: $35,100

3 - KING'S CHOIR
Bay colt
Hurricane Sky - Queen's Choir (NZ) (by Palace Music)
Breeder: Mr JL Pettigrew, NSW
Sale price: $45,000 at Adelaide Premier Yearling Sale
Vendor: Attunga Stud
Buyer: Contract Racing Pty Ltd
Barrier: 6
Jockey: Danny Nikolic
Trainer: Mathew Ellerton (Flemington)
Record: 1: 1-0-0
Stakes: $14,300

4 - DUNE WARRIOR
Bay colt
Desert King (IRE) - Sugus Collection (by Canny Lad)
Breeder: Mr YK Cheng, NSW
Sale price: $130,000 at Magic Millions Premier Yearling Sale
Vendor: Coolmore Stud as agent
Buyer: James Bester Bloodstock
Barrier: 7
Jockey: Brett Prebble
Trainer: Lee Freedman (Rye)
Record: 1: 1-0-0
Stakes: $7,150

5 - FRAMMENTI
Chestnut colt
Snippets - Regal Chamber (by Archregent)
Breeder: Suntar Holdings Pty Ltd, NSW
Sale price: $235,000 at Magic Millions Yearling Sale
Vendor: Lomar Park Stud, NSW
Buyer: T Vasil
Barrier: 5
Jockey: Patrick Payne
Trainer: Tony Vasil (Caulfield)
Record: 2: 0-0-0
Stakes: $5,000

6 - NATURAL EMBRACE
Chestnut colt
Strategic - Pretty Natural (by Naturalism)
Breeder: MF & Mrs LM Van Gestel, NSW
Sale price: $26,000 at Adelaide Premier Yearling Sale
Vendor: Baramul Stud
Buyer: Graeme Rogerson Bloodstock
Barrier: 15
Jockey: Steven King
Trainer: Graeme Rogerson (Flemington)
Record: 1: 0-1-0
Stakes: $5,500

7 - MOT D'OR
Chestnut gelding
Dieu D'Or - Go Motto (by Motavato)
Breeder: Mr GJ & Mrs BA Cox, SA
Sale price: $15,000 at Adelaide Premier Yearling Sale
Vendor: Mill Park as agent
Buyer: Leon Macdonald
Barrier: 2
Jockey: Jason Holder
Trainer: Leon Macdonald (Morphettville)
Record: 2: 0-1-0
Stakes: $7,160

8 - WONTIME
Bay gelding
Gilded Time (USA) - Shorwon (by Buena Shore)
Breeder: Mr A & Mrs JZ Rasheed, SA
Sale price: $135,000 at Magic Millions Yearling Sale
Vendor: Attunga Stud as agent
Buyer: Brenton Wilkinson
Barrier: 11
Jockey: Jeffrey Maund
Trainer: Stuart Gower (Morphettville)
Record: 1: 0-0-0
Stakes: $2,000

9 - CLEAR INTENT
Grey gelding
Zeditave - Sable Row (by Sir Tristram)
Breeder: Mr AE Vrisakis & Mr BN Allen, NSW
Sale price: $75,000 at Magic Millions Yearling Sale
Vendor: Murrulla Stud as agent
Buyer: Bill Mitchell
Barrier: 1
Jockey: Dale Smith (a)
Trainer: Bill Mitchell (Caulfield)
Record: 1: 0-1-0
Stakes: $1,400

10 - FILE RAPID
Bay filly
Gilded Time (USA) - Daisy Bates (IRE) (by Danehill)
Breeder: Mr BT Agnew, NSW
Sale price: $57,500 at Magic Millions Yearling Sale
Vendor: Wakefield Stud
Buyer: KS Lee
Barrier: 12
Jockey: Wayne Kerford
Trainer: John Hawkes (Warwick Farm)
Record: 4: 1-0-1
Stakes: $33,300

11- RESOLVED
Black filly
Success Express (USA) - Strong Miss (by Marauding)
Breeder: Mr & Mrs WE Moran, Qld
Sale price: $45,000 at Magic Millions Yearling Sale
Vendor: Noble Park Stud
Buyer: Clarry Conners
Barrier: 17
Jockey: Damien Oliver
Trainer: Clarry Conners (Warwick Farm)
Record: 3: 1-1-0
Stakes: $26,250

12 - FRAGMENTATION
Bay filly
Snippets - Southern Sprinter (by Southern Appeal)
Breeder: PC Stud Farm, SA
Sale price: $90,000 at Magic Millions Yearling Sale
Vendor: Riverslea Farm
Buyer: Mark Pilkington Bloodstock
Barrier: 10
Jockey: Simon Price
Trainer: Tony McEvoy (Angaston)
Record: 2: 2-0-0
Stakes: $18,860

13 - COME ON RORY
Bay filly
Rory's Jester - Come on Angel (by Godswalk)
Breeder: Davilora Lodge, Vic
Sale price: $35,000 at Adelaide Premier Yearling Sale
Vendor: Lindsay Park Stud as agent
Buyer: Mark Pilkington Bloodstock
Barrier: 14
Jockey: Paul Gatt
Trainer: Tony McEvoy (Angaston)
Record: 1: 1-0-0
Stakes: $13,400

14 - CHAMPAGNE GOLD
Bay filly
Made of Gold (USA) - Nothing But (by True Version)
Breeder: Milluna Stud, SA
Sale price: $31,000 at Adelaide Premier Yearling Sale
Vendor: Milluna Stud
Buyer: David Balfour
Barrier: 3
Jockey: Clare Lindop
Trainer: David Balfour (Morphettville)
Record: 4: 0-1-1
Stakes: $14,060

15 - DANREGO
Bay filly
Danzero - Marrego (by Marscay)
Breeder: Bhima Pty Ltd, NSW
Sale price: $30,000 at Magic Millions Yearling Sale
Vendor: Bhima Pty Ltd
Buyer: Lee Freedman
Barrier: 16
Jockey: Craig Newitt (a)
Trainer: Lee Freedman (Rye)
Record: 1: 1-0-0
Stakes: $7,150

16 - IN FLAMES
Bay filly
Spectrum (IRE) - Canny (by Canny Lad)
Breeder: Mr RF Jones, Mr W Duggan, Mr J Fisk & Mr W McLellan, NSW
Sale price: $35,000 at Magic Millions Yearling Sale
Vendor: Yarraman Park as agent
Buyer: Star Thoroughbreds
Barrier: 13
Jockey: Glen Boss
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse (Randwick)
Record: 1: 1-0-0
Stakes: $6,500

17E - IMPERIAL WORLD
Chestnut gelding
Spinning World (USA) - Tower Seal (NZ) (by Le Belvedere)
Breeder: Gawler Park Stud, SA
Sale price: $32,000 at Adelaide Premier Yearling Sale
Vendor: Gawler Park Stud
Buyer: Leon Macdonald
Barrier: 9
Jockey: not notified
Trainer: Leon Macdonald (Caulfield)
Record: 2: 0-0-0
Stakes: $0

Balaklava (SA)

Wednesday, 12 February 2003 00:00

TRACK: Good
WEATHER: Overcast
Rail: True

RACE 1 – GILMAC / MID NORTH TYRES EXIDE /SABIS TWO-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE – 1200 metres

FLASH WATERMARK (J. Holder) jumped out at the start and bumped DIURNAL (W. Kerford), resulting in that gelding losing some ground.

APTICON (J. Bowditch) jumped away awkwardly.

In the vicinity of the 800 metres LA BOISSELLE (S. Price), which was racing keenly, also showed a tendency to lay out.

OUTBACK LAD (C. Lindop) was disappointed for a run near the 400 metres.

RACE 2 – OSCTROT CARRIERS / BALAKLAVA THRIFTY LINK HARDWARE MAIDEN PLATE – 1200 metres

Near the 450 metres COUNTER CAPERS (J. Bowditch) shifted out and bumped KISS OF MAGIC (C. Lindop). Shortly after KISS OF MAGIC (C. Lindop) showed a tendency to lay in on at least two occasions.

Subsequent to the race the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon reported that PHOEBE’S WAY returned with a laceration to its near hind heel.

RACE 3 – REIDS IGA FRIENDLY GROCER MAIDEN PLATE (1^st Division) - 1600 metres

Shortly after the start DANCIN’ MAX (J. Holder) shifted in onto FRENCH BLEND (N. Tomizawa), which was obliged to shift in and bumped DOW CAG (J. O’Connor). J. Holder was reminded of his obligations when shifting ground.

Inside the 500 metres IT AIN’T OVER (W. Kerford) shifted out and brushed FRENCH BLEND (N. Tomizawa). Shortly after FRENCH BLEND continued to hang out badly, placing N. Tomizawa at a disadvantage.

FRENCH BLEND (N. Tomizawa) continued to race greenly in the straight. Trainer Mr. G. Richards was advised the filly must complete a Barrier Trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards before accepting for any future event. Subsequent to the race a Veterinary examination of FRENCH BLEND revealed the filly had bruising and a slight laceration to its lower jaw.

In the vicinity of the 450 metres DOW CAG (J. O’Connor) shifted in and bumped BUSHER (C. Lindop) at the same time as SCENIC SUNSET (J. Bowditch) shifted out slightly. As a result WILL LAUGH (C. Buchiw), which was racing between BUSHER and SCENIC SUNSET, became unbalanced for a short distance.

Inside the 400 metres JET VARAJA (D. Tootell) and GLORY GAZER (M. Neilson) bumped.

GLORY GAZER (M. Neilson) showed a tendency to lay out over the concluding stages.

RACE 4 – BALCO AUSTRALIA / TADS EMBROIDERY SERVICE CLASS 3 HANDICAP – 1300 metres

S. Price, rider of UNBRIDLED LAD 2^nd Placegetter, lodged an objection against M. Neilson, rider of MOVED 1^st Placegetter for alleged interference over the final 150 metres. After taking evidence from all parties, viewing the official Patrol films and acting on their own observations, Stewards upheld the protest. The amended placings were:
First 1 UNBRIDLED LAD (S. Price)
Second 5 MOVED (M. Neilson)
Third 3 PRIOR MINISTER (N. Tomizawa)
Fourth 2 LANCE CORPORAL (S. Tronerud)
Fifth 7 STOCKADE BOY (C. Buchiw)

Inside the 150 metres MOVED (M. Neilson) shifted out and brushed UNBRIDLED LAD (S. Price), and over the concluding stages shifted out again and bumped UNBRIDLED LAD, resulting in that gelding becoming unbalanced. M. Neilson was reprimanded and advised to take more care when riding his mounts out to the line in future.

MOVED (M. Neilson) showed a tendency to hang out in the vicinity of the 800 metres.

RACE 5 – BALAKLAVA PHARMACY / SABIS F & M CLASS 1 HANDICAP – 1400 metres

JEUNE AMOUR (S. Price) and KULCURNA (J. Bowditch) were slow to begin.

Near the 900 metres GALWAY LASS (C. Lindop) shifted in slightly and as a result JEUNE AMOUR (S. Price), which was racing ungenerously, shifted in and hampered KULCURNA (J. Bowditch), which became unbalanced. Shortly after KULCURNA shifted out and bumped JEUNE AMOUR.

RACE 6 – BALAKLAVA STITCH JOINT / GRANDEUR PRESS CLASS 5 HANDICAP – 1600 metres

SHE’S OUR GAZA (W. Kerford) was slow to begin.

RACE 7 – AUSBULK DROUGHTBREAKER / EVANS CONSULTING CLASS 5 HANDICAP – 1600 metres

Subsequent to the race a Veterinary examination of RONDA’S GIRL revealed no visible abnormalities.

RACE 8 – THE PLAINS PRODUCER / ROYAL HOTEL CLASS 1 HANDICAP – 1200 metres

Near the 600 metres FATIGUED (M. Neilson), which was racing greenly, hung in and tightened INTERCEPTION (NZ) (P. Gatt), resulting in that mare losing some ground.

Near the 450 metres BLUE HAZE (S. Price) and MARLBOROUGH GIRL (N. Tomizawa) bumped.

In the vicinity of the 400 metres BLUE HAZE (S. Price) showed a tendency to lay in.

Inside the 100 metres AQUATON (C. Lever) shifted out when BLUE HAZE (S. Price) attempted a run between AQUATON and HERE’S ME MATE (J. Maund), which also shifted in. As a result, BLUE HAZE, which was still showing a tendency to lay in, was disappointed for a run and obliged to steady from the heels of AQUATON.

RACE 9 – AGFERT FERTILISERS / PETER HARCOURT & CO. MAIDEN PLATE (2^nd Division – 1600 metres

Shortly after the start TOPSWAN (Shane Tronerud) shifted in and hampered BENGRETA LAD (N. Tomizawa). Shane Tronerud was reminded of his obligations when shifting ground.

Near the 900 metres VALHOLL (Darren Holland), which was showing a tendency to over-race and race greenly, lost some ground and as a result BENGRETA LAD (N. Tomizawa) had to be steadied and taken out across the heels of VALHOLL. At the same time IT’S RAINING MARES (P. Gatt) also dropped back slightly and shifted in, resulting in BENGRETA LAD contacting that filly’s heels and dipping. Taking all matters into consideration Stewards found that no rider could be held responsible for the incident.

Subsequent to the race a Veterinary examination of TOPSWAN revealed the filly had returned with a laceration to its near hind leg.

Subsequent to the race a Veterinary examination of IT’S RAINING MARES revealed the filly had returned with a laceration to its near hind leg, which required treatment.

GENERAL:

Trainer Mr. C. Bromley was questioned by Stewards in relation to his runner MOVED receiving treatment on-course, prior to the running of Race 4. Mr. Bromley admitted to Stewards that he had rubbed Vicks on the muzzle of MOVED prior to the race, but when it was brought to his attention that this contravened ARR 189, he had removed the Vicks from MOVED’s muzzle. No further action was taken, however Mr. Bromley was reminded of his obligations in relation to any horse receiving medication or treatment on race days.

SWABBING:

Race 4 MOVED (winner)
Race 7 MISTER MANDEREE (winner)

Adelaide 2YO Classic: Runner by Runner History

Friday, 14 February 2003 00:00

Wednesday will mark the running of the third $400,000 Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic (1200m), this year sponsored by Channel 7.

Here's a brief rundown on each runner's history.

1. Helter Skelter Starts 3: 2-0-0 - $32,500 - T:Liam Birchley. J: John Powell. Winner on debut at Doomben then winner at Sandown first-up. Finished 9th behind Regimental Gal in Magic Millions Gold Coast in January. Drawn 5

2. Dress Code - Starts 5: 1-0-1 - $27,100 - T:Robbie Laing. J:Noel Callow. Moonee Valley winner three starts ago then close-up fifth last start in Magic Millions Gold Coast in January. Stakes placed at Caulfield on debut. Drawn 4

3. King's Choir - Starts 1: 1-0-0 - $14,300 - T:Matthew Ellerton. J:Danny Nikolic. Easy winner at Sandown at only start. Drawn 6

4. Dune Warrior - Starts 1: 1-0-0 - $7150 - T:Lee Freedman J: Brett Prebble - Easy winner on debut at Cranbourne. Drawn 7

5. Frammenti - Starts 2: 0-0-0 - $5000 - T:Tony Vasil. J:P Payne. Unplaced at only two starts but both were in stakes grade. Drawn 8

6. Natural Embrace - Starts 1: 0-1-0 - $5000 - T:Graeme Rogerson. J: Steven King. Runner-up on debut at Sandown, beaten less than two lengths. Drawn 15
7. Mot D'Or - Starts 2: 0-1-0 - $3960 - Leon Macdonald. J:Jason Holder. Midfield on debut in Fulham Park Plate then runner-up behind Fragmentation at Morphettville. Drawn 2

8. Wontime - Starts 1: 0-0-0 - $2000 - T:Stuart Gower. J: Jeffrey Maund One start for a fifth in the Group 2 SAJC Breeders. Drawn 11

9. Clear Intent - Starts 1: 0-1-0 - $1400 - T:Bill Mitchell. J:tbc. Runner-up in maiden company at debut at Moe. Drawn 1

10. File Rapid - Starts 4: 1-0-1 - $33,300 - T:John Hawkes J:Wayne Kerford. Winner over 1000m at Caulfield two starts ago before facing tougher company when 11th to Halibery in Blue Diamond Prelude. Drawn 12
11. Resolved - Starts 3: 1-1-0 - $26,250 - T:Clarry Conners J:Damien Oliver. Winner two starts ago at Moonee Valley before luckless second at Flemington last start. Drawn 17

12. Fragmentation Starts 2: 2-0-0 - $18,860 - T:Tony McEvoy J:Simon Price. Eight length winner on debut at Murray Bridge then led all the way form wide gate last start at Morphettville. Drawn 10

13. Come On Rory - Starts 1: 1-0-0 - $13,400 - T:Tony McEvoy J:Paul Gatt. Strong winner at only start over 1000m at Cheltenham Park. Drawn 14

14. Champagne Gold - Starts 4: 0-2-0 - $9260 - T:David Balfour J:Ms Clare Lindop. Placed at first two starts, including third in Fulham Park Plate, before finishing unplaced in stakes grade last two starts. Drawn 3

15. Danrego - Starts 1: 1-0-0 - $7150 - T:Lee Freedman J:Craig Newitt(a). Winner in maiden company at only start at Kyneton. Drawn 16

16. In Flames - Starts 1: 1-0-0 - $6500 - T:Gai Waterhouse. J: Glen Boss. Stables first runner in Magic Millions Adelaide. Easy winner at Wyong at only start. Drawn 13

17. Imperial World - Starts 2: 0-0-0 - $0 - T:Leon Macdonald. J:tbc. Yet to place from first two starts but well bred and open to improvement. Drawn 9

Media Release - TRSA

Fragmentation Races into Millions Field

Wednesday, 12 February 2003 00:00

The stand-out performer for Magic Millions Adelaide last Saturday was promising filly Fragmentation, when she won easilly after leading all the way in the 2YO Open Handicap at Morphettville.

Fragmentation (Snippets/Southern Sprinter) is a graduate of the 2002 Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Yearling Sale, purchased by Mark Pilkington for $90,000 and now trained by Tony McEvoy of Lindsay Park Racing Stables.

The half-sister to Fragmentation (Lot 345) will be offered by Ducatoon Park, SA, at next week's Adelaide Yearling Sale, being by hot young sire sensation Commands she is sure to conjure competitive bidding.

The first session of the Adelaide Yearling Sale commences at 6pm, on the 19th February, after the running of South Australia's richest race at Morphettville, the Channel Seven Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic. The sale will continue throughout 20th and the 21st February.

Catalogues are Available from the Adelaide Office (08) 8297 8055 and from Simon Vivian in Melbourne (03) 9859 0310. The catalogue for the Magic Millions 2003 Adelaide Yearling Sale can be viewed online at www.magicmillions.com.au.

Media Release - Magic Millions

Phillip 'Stoked' About Vignor's Cup Chances

Thursday, 13 February 2003 00:00

Morphettville trainer Phillip Stokes will raise the bar just a little higher for in-form mare Vignor in Saturday's Group 3 Centreracing Tokyo City Cup (1600m).

The mare joined Stokes' team less than 12 months ago from the Lee Freedman stable but in that time has been placed to perfection, winning five and finishing second four times from nine starts.

Stokes has raced her through her grades but, after a last-start city win with 57kg - decided to go to the next level in racing her in stakes company.

"I've basically just taken it one step at a time with her, and she's risen to every challenge so far," Stokes said.

"But this is a different story altogether. She's been winning races where she hasn't had everything go her way and has still come through and she's going about as well as she can. But this is raising the bar a little higer - I just hope she's good enough."

Stokes said the mare is likely to go to stud next year, and Black-type status - even a placing - was the aim.

"I would be happy if she could run in the first three," Stokes said. "She's pulled up really well since her last win, drops 5kg on the run and has drawn an ideal gate - it's just a matter of whether she's got the class."

From a Tokyo City Cup perspective, Stokes has a Japanese connection. After being forced from the saddle with weight problems at just 21, Stokes found his big break in Japan - as well as his Japanese wife, Ayumi.

Stokes landed a job with the Taiki Group - a massive racing and breeding operation which raced topline horses such as Taiki Fortune and Taiki Shuttle, as well as breeding the likes of Vintage Crop and Theatrical. Stokes had a hands-on type management role where he rode many of the horses himself - getting them ready to race on all corners of the globe.

"Japan for me was a dream come true," Stokes said. "We raced horses all over the world, such as the Breeders' Cup in America. I learned a lot of different techniques which I use in my training. I was also lucky enough to meet my wife."

Stokes uses a lot of walking and slow work, as well as the beach, in keeping his horses fit yet fresh. It seems to be paying dividends - despite training a small but select team his strike-rate is by far the best in South Australia, with almost 40 per cent winning strike rate in both the city and state premierships.

PIC - Jenny Barnes.

Media Release - Jason Hickson (TRSA)

Peter's Filly Set to Embrace Adelaide

Tuesday, 11 February 2003 00:00

Dual-state trainer Peter Moody is hoping for just even luck in Saturday's Group 2 Swettenham Stud Stakes at Morphettville with talented filly Brief Embrace.

Almost 12 months ago, the three-year-old went within a head of winning the rich Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield, flashing home to finish second to a tiring Bel Esprit.

Since then, though, the filly has had nothing but bad barriers and bad luck according to Moody, but that was up until last Saturday when the breaks finally went her way. Under a brilliant ride by jockey Patrick Payne, the filly bounced back to form with her first win in 12 months over 1200m at Caulfield.

"Right from the start she's taken on top company and probably should have a better record than she has," Moody said. "She's a nice, neat ready-made sprinter. Last Saturday things finally went her way and she broke through for a good win. She did a great job, too, because she had to carry 60kg to do it."

Having pulled up well from the run, Brief Embrace will line up at Morphettville on Saturday to improve her stud record in the Group 2 fillies amd mares feature. Moody believes the race is perfect for her and is confident she will appreciate the new Morphettville lay-out.

"She gets into the race nicely at the weights - with 52kg - and drops 8kg on her last run," Moody said. "She will sit off the pace but is very strong at the finish and has a very quick sprint. It looks a good race for her."

"She deserves to win a nice race like this. She hasn't improved that much since her two-year-old season but I don't think she would have had to. She raced against elite company and was ultra-consistent, in particular in races such as the Blue Diamond and the Slipper (where she finished a close-up sixth)."

Victorian rider Luke Currie will be having his first ride on the filly, but has had success wih the stable in the past.

PICS - Quentin Lang.

Media Release - Jason Hickson (TRSA)

Treymane's Tactics the Key for Kiwi Sprinter

Thursday, 13 February 2003 00:00

The riding tactics of top New Zealand female jockey Cathy Treymane will play a big part in the result of Saturday's feature race at Morphettville - the Group 2 Swettenham Stud Stakes for fillies and mares.

Treymane will partner classy mare Our Egyptian Raine - a Group 1 winner of the Railway Handicap at Ellerslie (pictured) - for trainer Kenny Rae. Making her task more difficult is the barrier draw for the free-running mare - barrier 13 - in the high-pressure sprint.

"She drew an outside gate in our feature sprint race - the Railway Handicap - and was good enough to win," Treymane said. "She's not an overly big mare but has plenty of grit. A lot of front-runners fold up when tired but she is very brave at the finish and doesn't give in easily.

"The draw makes it tougher but it just depends on how much work she does early and whether she leads or is able to find a position just off the leaders."

Treymane has ridden the mare once for a win in the Listed Karcher Stakes at Pukekohe, but has an enviable record in feature races. She has seven Group 1 successes to her name, including wins in the Railway and Thousand Guineas, along with a string of other feature wins. And as well as riding in feature carnivals in Australia, Treymane has ridden in Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau and the United States.

Last start, Our Egyptian Raine worked hard in the lead to be overhauled at the finish by Tit For Taat in the Group 1 Telegraph Handicap at Trentham, finishing runner-up by a neck.  

A nose behind her was another Swettenham Stud Stakes aspirant, Fair Embrace, prepared by Graeme Rogerson.

Fair Embrace has almost $1 million in earnings and is a winner at Listed, Group 3 and Group 2 level, as well as Group 1 placed.

The two classy mares are sure to figure in the finish this weekend, but the two knockout horses may be two lightly-weighted and in-form fillies - Victorian's Brief Embrace and Dama de Noche.

Brief Embrace, prepared by Peter Moody, carried 60kg to win last start at Caulfield, while Dame de Noche, trained by Lee Freedman, won the Listed Kensington Stakes down the straight at Flemington last start. The filly defeated a strong line-up, including River Dove, Umrum (weight-for-age winner since in Tasmania) and Salinger placegetter Cosmic Strike.

PIC courtesy Trish Dunell.

Media Release - Jason Hickson (TRSA)

Gai Excited About Prospects of First Adelaide Millions Runner

Tuesday, 11 February 2003 00:00

History will be made next Wednesday when Gai Waterhouse saddles up her first runner in the Channel Seven Adelaide Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at Morphettville.

A multiple winner of the race on the Gold Coast with Assertive Lad and Excellerator, Gai is yet to have a runner in South Australia's richest race, but that will all end next week.

Waterhouse confirmed from the Premier Yearling Sale in Melbourne that Sunday's impressive debut winner at Wyong, In Flames was being sent to South Australia.

"It's funny because it looked as though I wouldn't have a runner in the race after I sent Spur Me On out for a break after his third in Sydney," Waterhouse said. "But this filly has come right into contention with her win."

Purchased at the 2002 Magic Millions Premier Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast for $35,000 by Denise Martin's Star Thoroughbreds, the filly is by the former star international galloper and promising sire Spectrum.

"She's a lovely filly but has taken a little while to mature," Waterhouse said. "But she bolted in at Wyong and by all accounts she has pulled up perfectly."

"I think she's got exceptional ability with plenty of potential and she's a lovely type," Waterhouse added.

Meanwhile, Waterhouse reported that the quality sprinting mare Libidinious had been sent home to Sydney for a freshen up after an unplaced effort at Flemington last start.

The mare, a Group One performer for the Alan Bailey stable last preparation, was scheduled to start in Saturday's Group Two Swettenham Stud Stakes at Morphettville.

"We will have to miss that race now," Waterhouse said. "It's disappointing but she is a real talent and races best fresh. There are still plenty of good wins left in her."

PIC - Quentin Lang.