Strangles Case Confirmed In SA

Wednesday, 12 May 2010 02:55

TRSA Stewards advise that tests taken from a thoroughbred horse located on a Macclesfield property have confirmed Strangles infection. Tests taken from three other thoroughbred horses occupying the same paddock were negative.

The property on which these horses are located is on Davis Road, Macclesfield, which is adjacent to Performance Park, a property operated by Licensed Trainer Mr. M. Nunan and managed by Licensed Trainer Mr. W. Clarken. The principals, through their own Veterinary Surgeon, as required, had notified PIRSA of the infection.

Following an inspection by TRSA Stewards and Veterinarian Dr. P. Horridge, the Stewards ordered the property on which the infected horse was located be quarantined under Rule AR.64K(4).

TRSA Limited emphasises that having regard to the separation of the infected property and the biosecurity measures willingly implemented by the principals, the Order does not apply to the property known as Performance Park.

Given the seasonal change, trainers are alerted that Strangles is a notifiable disease and to remain alert to horses showing the typical symptoms being high temperature, loss of appetite, discharge from the nostrils, enlarged glands, coughing and difficulty in swallowing.

Super Sunday - Morphettville Races Report

Monday, 03 May 2010 14:00

After riding feature race winners throughout the world Kerrin McEvoy won his first home-state derby when he guided the Peter Snowden prepared Kidnapped to a long head victory in the 2500 metre Group 1 South Australian Derby at Morphettville on Saturday.

After being backed from an opening quote of $5 into a starting price of $4.60 the Viscount fathered Kidnapped, from the Dehere mare Youthful Presence, came from well back and, with McEvoy steering the three year old through on the rails to won Kidnapped beat the Greg Eurell trained Chris Symons ridden Red Colossus $4.80.

The Colin and Cindy Alderson trained Danny Brereton ridden Sea Galleon $14 was a farther half length away third.

Peter Snowden said that Kidnapped will now go for a spell ahead of spring riches.

The combination of Caulfield based mentor Mick Price and Craig Newitt were well pleased with their in victory when Velocitea, who finished second in Robert Sangster Classic last month, went one better to win the SA premier sprint event, the Group 1 Goodwood Handicap of 1200 metres.

From the Felix The Cat mare Cat Shmea and sired by Volksraad, Velocitea $7 was fourth on settling down and, maintaining a forward position, scored a long head victory over the $2-60 favourite Catapulted for Mark Kavanagh and Simon Price. A farther three quarters of a length away third was Very Discreet $13 for Richard Jolly and Dwayne Dunn.

Mick Price said when asked what plans he had for the mare that he would have to consult with the owners to see where we go with her in the immediate future.

Trainer David Hayes and jockey Paul Gatt were the first of only three local combinations to enter the winner’s enclosure on Sunday when the $18 chance Precious Lorraine was the one and three quarter length winner of the listed Oaklands Plate of 1600 metres.

Stepping up in distance from 1200 to 16000 metres and being from Danehill matron Monsoon Wedding the two year old Encosta de Lago filly Precious Lorraine settled well and maintained a mid field position before going on to beat the Lee Freedman charge, the Kerrin McEvoy ridden Exchanges $10. A farther five and a half lengths away was Tale of Thunder $31 for John Thompson and Peter Mertens.

A pleased David Hayes said after the race that Precious Lorraine could possibly be a contender for the Gibson Carmichael Stakes at Flemington on May 15 or she may be bound for the paddock.

Starting for the third time and winning her second race the three year old filly Broadway Harmony gave her Ballarat trainer Darren Weir and rider Sebastian Murphy a two and a quarter length win in the listed 1100 metre Dequetteville Stakes.

From the Rokosz matron No Peace and sired by the United States bred entire Statue Of Liberty, Broadway Harmony settled fourth and went on to record a win over the Peter Morgan mentored Chris Symons ridden Jesse’s Girl $5.50 who finished a half length ahead of Across The Moon $14 for Michael Moroney and Mark Zahra.

The Irish bred stallion High Chaparrol and the Sir Tristram sired mare Queen Caelia provided Fairy Oak, the short neck winner of the 1600 metre Group 3 Auraria Stakes.

Being under the care of Peter Moody at Caulfield and with Luke Nolan as her pilot Fairy Oak was well back in the early stages before thundering home to win.

Starting at $7 Fairy Oak beat the Mick Kent cared for Jason Holder mount El Spark $21. A farther head away third was the $9 returned Legislature $7 for Peter Mertens and John Thompson.

Peter Moody said after the win of the lightly framed Fairy Oak, “I will see how she goes when she returns home and I will decide whether I take her to Brisbane for the June 5 Queensland Oaks or she goes for a spell.”

After being placed at her previous four starts Hanabananah $41 gave her trainer Mark Minervini and jockey Steven King a short half head win in the listed Proud Miss Stakes of 1200 metres.

From the Langfuhr matron Langtryst and fathered by the American bred King Charlemagne Hanabananah, who may have one more preparation before being retired to the breeding barn, beat the Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas mentored Chad Lever piloted Impressive Eagle $5.

Another Macdonald and Gluyas cared for runner the Clare Lindop ridden Augusta Proud $6.50 was a half neck away third.

After running second and third in the previous race the co-training partnership of Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas and rider Clare Lindop were rewarded when Majestic Music $9 was the short neck winner of the Group 3 Allan Scott Stakes which was run over 1600 metres.

An Al Maher three year old filly from the Royal Academy mare Royal Flute, Majestic Music came from mid field and beat the $4.40 public elect Life To The Full for mentor Robert Smerdon and rider Nicholas Hall. The $9 chance Tagus was a farther two and a half lengths away third for John Thompson and Peter Mertens.

After winning two heats of the Provincial Super Series Faldane $18 gave his trainer Barry Woosnam and jockey Michael Hoppo a half length win in the 1600 metre final.

Sired by the American bred Faltaat from the Danehill mare Dane Gu Li, Faldane came from well back and beat the Jeremy Kenny trained Dwayne Dunn mount In The Chair $6. Street Singer $21 was two and a quarter lengths away third for Daniel Clarken and Wayne Kerford.

Saturday's Morphettville Parks Races Report

Sunday, 09 May 2010 10:25

Apprentice Claudia Lions and jockey Matthew Neilson provided the racing headlines when they both landed double victories on the Parks track at Morphettville on Saturday.

Lions rode the first of her two winners when she was successful on the Barry Brook trained Yesquire $12, the length winner of the 2400 metre third event.  Part owned by Brook the Jeune sired Yesquire, from Sanzzy Nazzy a Nasipour mare, led all the way and beat the Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas trained Matthew Neilson ridden Wendy Ellen $9.

Delarouze $8 was a farther nose away filling the minor placing for David Balfour and Todd Pannell.

Lions brought up her second winner a race later when the Phillip Stokes trained Shadrach $7 was the neck winner of the 1550 metre fourth race.  From the Bellotto mare Autumn Belle and fathered by Lonhro, Shadrach was well placed and beat the $10 chance Akatak $10 for provincial trainer Karen Byrnes and jockey Matthew Neilson.

The $21 returned Riceman was a farther short half head away third for Dean Saxon and apprentice Amy Herrmann.

Having it first race day outing the half brother to Moment In Time Condelago $4.80 was the half neck winner of the 1250 metre second event and gave Matthew Neilson the first leg of a double.

Being under the care of Mick Huxtable the Delago  Brom two year old gelding from the Kenny’s Best Pal matron Concluding, Condelago came from a mid field position and beat the David Hayes trained Simon Price mount Edge Of Time  $9 by a half neck..

The Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas trained Clare Lindop ridden It’s Home $7 was another three lengths away third.

Jockey Matthew Neilson scored  the second leg of his double when the David Balfour trained Fantastic Beau $5 was the one and a quarter length winner of the final event which was run over 1400 metres.

From the Polish Patriot matron Prime Ville and sired by the American bred entire Fantastic Light, Fantastic Beau was well  placed and beat the Scott Trenowden prepared apprentice Libby Hopwood ridden True Emotions $21.  Quietzer $5 was a farther long neck away third for David Hayes and Paul Gatt.

After running fourth in a Hamilton steeplechase and third  in a  Morphettville hurdle Mybigfatgreekhorse was the neck winner of the 3200 metre hurdle which opened the days racing and was run on the main Morphettville track.

Prepared by Eric Musgrove and having the services of Arron Lynch the Zabeel fathered Mybigfatcreekhorse, the $3.30 favourite who is from the Alleged mare Miss Vita, led all the way and defeated another Musgrove trained jumper, the Steven Pateman ridden Lucky Lurch $5.

Yoshi Raaza was a farther one and a quarter lengths away taking out the third placing for Colin Stewart and Emily Taylor at $14.

A construction supervisor on the new northern expressway on the northern outskirts of Adelaide hobby trainer Brett Charry who races Plumbago with his partner Roxanne Joiner was elated on winning his first city race in the1000 metre fifth race.

From the daughter of the Irish bred sire Rustic Amber Rustic Sal, the Victory Prince six year old gelding Plumbago $18 with Amy Herrmann in the saddle came from well back in the field to record a two length win over the Byron Cozamanis mentored Wayne Kerford mount Kenny Kid $8.  Starting at $8 Bella Leah was a long neck away filling the minor placing for Libby Hopwood and Paul Seater.

Having the breeding on both sides of the Atlantic - fathered by the United States bred entire Elusive Quality from the daughter of the  American stallion Silver Hawk, the UK bred Osprey, Queue For Quality $5.50 was the short head winner of race six which was run over 1250 metres.

Cared for by David Jolly with Paul Gatt in the saddle Queue For Quality came from well back and recorded a victory over the John Thompson trained Simon Price ridden Nevzlin $15.

Imperial Lines $14 was a half neck away third for the combination Leon Macdonald, Andrew Gluyas and Clare Lindop.

Starting at $4 Our Saint was the long head winner of the 1250 metre seventh event for trainer Mark Kavanagh and jockey Simon Price.

A Royal  Academy gelding from the Don’t Say Halo mare Perfect Halo, Our Saint came from well back and beat the Brian Mueller prepared Tamara Zanker ridden Just Sybil $21.

Tictacs $5 was a farther length away third for David Hayes and Paul Gatt.

Sterling Grove To Be Spelled

Monday, 03 May 2010 05:52

Richard Jolly has notified TRSA Stewards that Sterling Grove is suffering a respiratory tract infection and will be spelled immediately.

It comes after the two-year-old gelding put in a below-par performance at Morphettville yesterday.

Starting a warm $1.40 favourite in the $100,000 Listed Oaklands Plate (1600m), Sterling Grove was the first horse beaten and finished last, beaten 12.7 lengths from the winner Precious Lorraine.

Jolly told stewards the son of Mossman was endoscoped earlier today which revealed his ailment.

Jolly was advised a Veterinary Certificate of Fitness would be required prior to presenting Sterling Grove for a future trial or race.

After finishing second behind Toorak Toff in the $100,000 Group 3 Jansz (1200m), Sterling Grove won the $100,000 Group 3 South Australia Sires’ Produce (1400m) by four lengths.

Picture: Jenny Barnes

Wednesday's Strathalbyn Races Report

Thursday, 06 May 2010 14:06

It was a red letter day when six locally trained runners won six of the eight races at Strathalbyn on Wednesday.

The first horse in the winner’s frame was Lynvan Rose for Strathalbyn based mentor Shane Oxlade and jockey Justin Potter in the opening event of 2050 metres.

Starting at  $31 the Alannan sired Lynvan Rose, from Woodbine Rosie a Palace Music mare, came from a mid field position to score a length victory over another Strathalbyn prepared runner, the John Macmillan cared for Tamara Zanker mount High’N’Rye $51. Barannan $4.60 was a short head away third for Gordon Richards and apprentice Libby Hopwood.

Starting for the sevenths time and recording his first win the Brief Truce gelding Kellerman gave local trainer Judy Potts and jockey Matthew Neilson a one and three quarter length win  in race two which was contested 1600 metres.

From the daughter of At Talaq Golden Vine the $3.20 returned Kellerman was well in contention throughout and defeated Lafayette Lady, the $2.90 public choice for trainer David Jolly and his apprentice Claudia Lions giving the Strathalbyn track the quinella.  Rawlaw $21 was another three lengths away third for Kristy Oyarzun and Michael Hoppo.

Sired by the United States bred  entire El Moxie from the Big Boost matron Gold Orchid, Fire Into Action $7 kept up the winning  momentum for locally trained horses when the Bill Peake cared for apprentice Amy Herrmann guided gelding was the half length winner of the 1200 metre third race.

Being in touch the leaders throughout Fire Into Action beat the David Jolly prepared Claudia Lions ridden Yoshi Boy $6 who finished a half length ahead of the $3 favourite Scarlet Jay for John Dunn and Simon Price.

The strangle hold on the meeting by Strathalbyn trained runners was halted briefly when the Mark Minervini cared  for Adrian Patterson mount Andamooka Gem $4.20  was the one and a quarter length victor of the 1600 metre fourth race.

From the Lake Coniston sired Constant In Opal and being a three year old Quest for Fame gelding, Andamooka Gem will now have his next start in a 1550 metre three year old event on the Parks track at Morphettville on May 15.  The John Macmillan mentored Claudia Lions ridden Unicus the $2.80 public elect ran second while Akhameela $12 was a farther half length away third for Fred Meuring and Jeffrey Maund.

After a break of one race another Strathalbyn prepared horse, the John Hyam mentored About Me, gave jockey Troy Baker the first leg of a double in the fifth race which was run over 1350 metres.

Having a winning margin of two and a half lengths and starting the $2.70  punter’s choice the Golden Lake fathered gelding from the Monolith mare Zipnotic, About  Me was no farther back than fourth for the entire journey.

About Me was successful over Swoopy Coupe $8 for trainer Bill Bogarts and apprentice Kate Dyson.  The $3.80 charge Red Centurion was another neck away third for Richard Jolly and Libby Hopwood.

After finishing second at Moonee Valley and fifth at Ballart on a recent interstate trip About Me, who is still  very green according to Hyam, is likely to run in a special conditions race which will be  contested over 1550 metres on the Parks course at Morphettville on May 15.

Favourite backers and those who back Strathalbyn trained runners were on good terms with themselves when the David Jolly trained  Claudia Lions piloted Dragon Lord $1.90 led all the way to give the Strathalbyn track win number five in the 1200 metre sixth event.

Recording a winning margin of five and a half lengths the Octagonal sired Dragon Lord, out of the Rubiton matron Scarlet Bird, who now will have as his next task a 1250 metre race on the Morphettville Parks track on May 15 beat the $3.50 chance Woofnoof for mentor Deon Koch and jockey Matthew Neilson making it a local quinella.

Roll On Bai $31 was another one and a quarter lengths away third for John Dunn and apprentice Krystal Bishop.

The $3.50 favourite, the David Hayes trained Paul Gatt piloted Unchain My Heart was only the second non- Strathalbyn horse to win on the day when the filly was the long head winner of the 2050 metre seventh event.

An Al Maher three year old filly from the Prince of Birds mare Fly By Night, Unchain My Heart came from well back in the field to beat the $6 chance, the John Hickmott trained apprentice Jordan Frew ridden Musty Springs.  A farther six and a half lengths away third was Goldstinger $6-50 for Ken Sweeney and Clare Lindop.

Jockey Troy Baker brought up his double when the Byron Cozamanis prepared Brute Bernard $7 was the half neck winner of the 1350 metre final event.  From the Don’t Say Halo mare Chatsey and sired by the Argentinean bred Taimazov, Brute Bernard was always well placed and beat the Phillip Crich ridden Barry Dunn trained Enuejeune $26.  Third placing was taken out by the $3-20 favourite Cuban Kid for Gary Searle and Chad Lever.

Derby Kidnapped By Snowden And McEvoy

Sunday, 02 May 2010 08:15

Kerrin McEvoy has had a triumphant homecoming, steering Kidnapped to victory in the South Australian Derby while trainer Mick Price has savoured a Goodwood win at Morphettville with Velocitea.

Trainer Peter Snowden targeted Sunday's 2500m Group One feature after Kidnapped's two below par runs early in the Sydney autumn carnival.

Snowden aborted plans to run in the AJC Australian Derby and sent Kidnapped south believing he was much better the left handed way of going.

After a close third to Red Colossus in the Chairman's Stakes (2014m), Kidnapped turned the tables in the Derby to the delight of punters who sent him out the $4.60 favourite.

He sustained a long run from back in the field to defeat Red Colossus ($4.80) by a long head second with Sea Galleon ($14) another half length third.

International jockey McEvoy, the number one rider in Australia for Kidnapped's owner Sheikh Mohammed, is originally from the South Australian town of Streaky Bay.

The Group One Goodwood was another close finish with Craig Newitt sticking to the fence on Velocitea ($7) who beat $2.60 favorite Catapulted by a long neck with Very Discreet ($13) another three-quarters of a length third.

The win was Price's second at Group One level this season following Heart Of Dreams' win in the Underwood Stakes in the spring.

One of the main attractions at the showpiece meeting was the appearance of 2009 Goodwood winner Takeover Target.

The now-retired international sprint star has been a popular addition to carnivals over the past few months.

He was paraded in front of the large crowd with leading South Australian rider Clare Lindop taking him through his paces.

Pictures: Jenny Barnes

Brooks Making Steady Recovery From Fall

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 12:18

The condition of South Australian apprentice Elly Brooks has stabilised after being brought out of an induced coma on Tuesday.

Brooks, 17, fell from a horse during trackwork on Saturday morning at Morphettville.

Since the incident, Brooks has been hospitalised at Flinders Medical Centre in intensive care.

It is hoped Brooks will be transferred to another ward to undergo further testing towards the end of this week where it may be also possible for her to receive visitors.

Brooks, who is indentured to Morphettville-based trainer Gordon Richards, made her riding debut over the two-day Kangaroo Island Cup Carnival in February this year.

Majestic Music Wins Allan Scott Stakes

Sunday, 02 May 2010 06:40

Narrowly denied success 35 minutes earlier in the Listed Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) with Impressive Eagle and Augusta Proud filling the placings behind Hanabananah, Leon Macdonald tasted success after Majestic Music won the Group Three Allan Scott Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville this afternoon.

Overhauling Life To The Full ($4.40 fav) with her signature closing turn of foot, Majestic Music ($9) stormed down the outside to win by a short neck.

Tagus ($9), who won in track record time last start at Morphettville Parks, had no excuses and finished third a further two and a half lengths adrift.

Victorian gallopers Raffaello ($21), Amberino ($11) and Excelltastic ($5) were the next best across the line with Amberino and Excelltastic dead-heating for fifth.

Equal Favourite Dr Doute’s ($4.40 eq fav) weakened to finish second last after being given no peace in the lead.

A three-year-old filly by Al Maher, Majestic Music has now won six races from 17 starts and has now taken her prizemoney beyond the $670,000 mark.

Picture: Jenny Barnes

Mayfield-Smith Retired But Not Forgotten

Monday, 03 May 2010 21:52

He wasn't anywhere he could celebrate, but Brian Mayfield-Smith had one of his biggest thrills in racing when Fairy Oak won the Group 3 Auraria Stakes at Morphettville on Sunday.

Mayfield-Smith picked out the daughter of High Chaparral at the 2008 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale and bought her for long time client John McLean for $140,000.

"She was out of a Sir Stristram mare and she had a beautiful action", Mayfield-Smith said of what attracted him to Fairy Oak.

The filly only had one start for Mayfield-Smith, where she ran a nice third on debut on a rain affected track at Kyneton last June as a late two year old.

When he retired from training late last year, Fairy Oak and two other horses that Mayfield-Smith was training for McLean were transferred to Peter Moody. As a parting gesture, McLean who had won 36 races with horses trained by Mayfield-Smith, gave him a share in Fairy Oak.

So when she graduated to stakes class at only her fourth start in a race, Mayfield-Smith was understandably elated.

"I don't usually show much emotion when I have a win", the stoic Mayfield-Smith admitted.

"But I was in the car, miles from anywhere, so I got a bit excited."

Mayfield-Smith was returning from Deniliquin where he had been competing in a cutting competition, a hobby to which he has turned full attention since giving up training racehorses.

His good day at Morphettville did not end with Fairy Oak's win as later in the day, Velocitea, another New Zealand bred horse originally trained by Mayfield-Smith won the Group 1 Goodwood Handicap.

This win was special for Mayfield-Smith because Velocitea's owner, Rob Ferguson, was one of his most staunch owners not only when he was a leading trainer in Sydney, but also when he resumed training in Melbourne after returning from wildlife conservation efforts in Africa.

"I've known Rob for 20 years", Mayfield-Smith recalled.

"When I gave up training in Sydney he treated me to great meal at an up-market Sydney restaurant and then when I came back to Melbourne, he was the first owner to give me a horse."

"It was always going to be hard to get started again in a new city, so I was very pleased when Rob gave me an imported mare, Tumi to train", he said.

"I'm thrilled for Rob that he's got a Group 1 win with the mare."

The win of Velocitea, now trained by Mick Price, was also gratifying to Mayfield-Smith because she is by one of his favourite sires, Volksraad.

"He is one of the most under rated sires", he said of the sire of Orange County, Pretorious, St Elmo's Fire and Lord Volksraad. 

Omens There For Price's Second Goodwood

Saturday, 01 May 2010 09:15

Mick Price is hoping Velocitea can emulate his 2006 Goodwood winner Perfectly Ready and win the Group One sprint feature from the inside barrier at Morphettville on Sunday.

Velocitea has been kept fresh since her three-quarter length second to Rostova in the Group One Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on March 20 and meets that Steve Richards-trained filly 3kg better under the set-weights plus penalties conditions.

"I'm assuming the fence is going to be okay because we've drawn barrier one and so is Steve Richards because Rostova has drawn (gate) two," Price said.

"We won the Goodwood with Perfectly Ready from barrier one when the fence was off and it's not to say she can't do it too.

"She's really going well and this race looks about her level. She hasn't won a Group One and if she can win on Sunday it's going to make her pretty valuable."

Stephen Baster stayed on the inside rail on Perfectly Ready and beat Sassbee who swept down the outside fence to go under by three-quarters of a length four years ago.

This time is will be the task of Craig Newitt to plot a path.

Price was happy with the mare's length second to Goodwood rival Captain Coltish in an 800m jumpout at Caulfield last Tuesday week.

"He's probably one of the main ones to beat in the Goodwood," Price said of the Peter Moody-trained sprinter who has been freshened up since winning the Listed Schweppes Trophy (1400m) at Flemington on March 6.

Velocitea, $6 second pick in the betting behind the Mark Kavanagh-trained Catapulted ($3.50), would give Price his second Group One win for the season having won the Underwood Stakes with Heart Of Dreams.

Catbird four-year-old Catapulted has won seven of his 11 starts and goes into The Goodwood (1200m) as an impressive last-start winner of the Group Three DC McKay Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on April 17.

Rostova is at $7.50 with Captain Coltish at $11.

Pictures: Fiona Tomlin