Perturbo Gets Chance To Bag Group One
- Friday, 30 April 2010 06:45
Four-year-old sprinter Perturbo has emerged as an unlikely Group One contender for trainers Colin and Cindy Alderson.
The Jugah gelding was considered a useful young horse capable of winning his share of his races but an explosive victory at Flemington two starts ago has led to him contesting Sunday's The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville.
"We probably didn't have a particularly high opinion of him early," Cindy Alderson said.
"He'd shown enough that he could win a race or two but I certainly would never have imagined we would be lining up in a Group One with him."
Perturbo has won six of his 15 starts and has been a different horse at his last two starts when ridden back at Flemington.
He reeled off stunning sectionals when he came from last in a field of 11 to beat Happy Glen over 1000 metres on April 10 and last Sunday just failed to repeat the effort over 1200m when beaten a half-head by Good Medicine.
"He's been one of horses who has been progressive the whole way through," Alderson told radio station Sport 927.
She said she thought Perturbo's Flemington win was a "one off" but when he ran so well again last week he booked his place in The Goodwood.
"He has kept improving and is in great form," Alderson said.
"He deserves a crack at it."
Stablemate Sea Galleon is one of the fancies for Sunday's South Australian Derby (2500m) and Alderson hasn't ruled out a change of tactics on the son of Galileo.
He has been ridden back at most of his seven starts but gave away an impossible start in last Sunday's VRC St Leger (2800m).
"He stood them up a pretty big start at top of straight and I was pretty impressed he was able to get so close to them (at the finish)," Alderson said.
Beaten only 2-1/2 lengths, he finished fifth to Exceptionally after producing a similar fast-finishing burst from near last to finish third to Rundle in the Galilee Series Final (2500m) at Flemington on April 10.
"He hasn't had that many breaks go his way this campaign but hopefully on Sunday they might," Alderson said.
She said it was possible that Sea Galleon would be ridden more forward in the Derby and may even lead.
"I always liked the horse from day one and I have got a bit of a soft spot for him," Alderson said.
"As his campaign has gone on and he's had more racing he has impressed with the way he has adapted.
"He hasn't won a race since his first start this campaign but his runs have been full of merit each time."
Winning Run To Continue For Red Colossus
- Thursday, 29 April 2010 08:30
Promising stayer Red Colossus is on a winning run and trainer Greg Eurell has every reason to be confident that it won't stop in Sunday's South Australian Derby.
The Testa Rossa gelding has won his last three starts, including most recently the Listed Chairman's Stakes (2014m), and according to Eurell is going from strength to strength.
"In all honesty you wouldn't have known he'd had a run last start," Eurell said.
"It obviously didn't have much effect on him and he's absolutely thrived."
Red Colossus has won four of his nine starts but only since he has been stepped up over ground has he started to deliver on his early promise.
After beating a midweek field at Sandown over 1600 metres on March 10 he successfully graduated to stakes racing at his next two runs in Adelaide, winning the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) and the Chairman's Stakes.
The Chairman's has been a traditional lead-up to the 2500m Derby with three horses landing the double including Rebel Raider last year.
Mummify (2003) and Markham (1997) also won both races while another five winners of the Chairman's Stakes have finished second in the Derby.
Eurell said Red Colossus had learned to relax with racing and was confident he would run out a strong 2500m.
"On everything he's done he certainly gives every indication he will run the trip," Eurell said.
"His last couple of runs have been tough and he's got to the line really well."
Even the barrier draw was favourable for Red Colossus who has gate two while the favourite Kidnapped, who was third in the Chairman's Stakes, drew the outside of the 16 runners and four emergencies.
Chris Symons has ridden Red Colossus every start and got a feel for the horse's class back in the spring when he was a three-length fifth to Carrara in the Group Two Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
Eurell said it was now all starting to happen for the gelding.
"He's learned a little bit more about the caper and it has all fallen into place for him this campaign," Eurell said.
"The best part about him is that he's bouncing after his last run.
"It is unbelievable how well he's done. I couldn't fault him. He's spot-on."
Picture: Jenny Barnes
Captain Freshens Up Well For Goodwood
- Wednesday, 28 April 2010 09:45
Peter Moody says four-year-old Captain Coltish has freshened up well for Sunday's Group One The Goodwood at Morphettville, but is unhappy that the race has been retained as a set weights and penalties event.
South Australian racing authorities last year decided to amend the race conditions, which attracted champion Takeover Target as a drawcard, but Moody has called for the 1200m feature to return to being a handicap.
"The weight scale doesn't suit my horse, but it probably doesn't suit three-quarters of the field," Moody said.
"They should go back to the way it was and get rid of the set weights and penalties."
Under the race conditions, last-start Victoria Handicap winner Orbit Express and McKay Stakes winner Catapulted are equal topweights with just 55.5kg on Sunday.
The lowest-weighted runner is Very Discreet on 53kg while 12 of the 17 horses in the field, including Captain Coltish, have 54kg.
The winner of five of his 10 starts, Captain Coltish has enjoyed a short break since his last-start win in the Listed Schweppes Trophy (1400m) at Flemington on March 6.
"He has been going along nicely and had a nice preparation," Moody said.
"He had a freshen-up after his Listed win at Flemington during the carnival and trialled well at home for what doesn't appear to be a vintage Goodwood."
Moody was pleased with barrier seven for Captain Coltish and the son of Fusaichi Pegasus will be ridden by stable jockey Luke Nolen.
Catapulted, with barrier 12, heads TAB Sportsbet's Goodwood market at $3.40 ahead of Velocitea ($6) who has gate one.
Alongside Velocitea in barrier two is Rostova ($8) while Orbit Express (barrier 11) and Captain Coltish are both at $12.
A horror draw failed to remove the Peter Snowden-trained Kidnapped from the head of the SA Derby (2500m) market at $4.50.
He drew barrier 20 in the field of 16 and four emergencies and will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy.
In-form Testa Rossa gelding Red Colossus is drawn at the other end of the line in barrier two, and with Chris Symons on board, is at $4.80 to win his fourth race in a row.
The David Hayes-trained stablemates Extra Zero ($11) and Token Of Honour ($12) drew barriers 13 and one respectively.
Glen Boss rides Extra Zero and Paul Gatt is on Token Of Honour.
Steven King will ride Storm Brewing ($6.50) and Brad Rawiller is aboard Second King ($8.50) and both have drawn favourably in barriers five and seven respectively.
Picture: Fiona Tomlin
Wednesday's Morphettville Parks Races Report
- Thursday, 29 April 2010 07:58
Jockey Paul Gatt brought up the first leg of an early double when he guided first starter and $1.80 favourite Cruziero to a two and three quarter length win in the opening event of 1000 metres on the Parks circuit at Morphettville on Wednesday.
Under the care of David Jolly the Clangalang sired three year old gelding from the River Rough mare Time Is Hope, Cruziero was a near all the way winner and beat the Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas trained, Clare Lindop ridden Breathtaker $6.
The $3.70 returned Messsi Magic was a farther long neck away third for David Balfour and Simon Price.
Paul Gatt brought up his double when Tasteofenergy was the one and a quarter length winner of the 1250 metre third race for mentor John Croucher.
From the Zedative matron Sardana and fathered by Niello Tasteofenergy $4 came with a strong run over the concluding stages and beat the John Hyam trained Troy Baker ridden one time leader Dr Zip $26.
The $3.90 public elect Off My Facebook was another three quarters of a length away third for David Balfour and Clare Lindop.
An on-course pick up ride at the expense of Chad Lever saw jockey Todd Panell join trainer David Hayes in the winner’s enclosure after the one and a quarter length win of Monegasque in Race 2 which contested over 1000 metres.
Starting at $5 the Face Value two year old gelding from the Jeune mare Jeune Royale, Monegasque was well placed and defeated the Bill Bogarts prepared apprentice Libby Hopwood steered Twlight Dancer $9. Another one and a quarter lengths away filling the minor placing was Little Fireball $51 for Daren Reynolds and apprentice Justin Wood.
Sired by the United States bred horse Distant Music out of the Bellotto mare Truly, Jive Lady gave her mentor Mark Minervini and jockey Dominic Tourneur a neck win in the 1250 metre fourth event.
Starting the $3.80 favourite after an opening quote of $3.30 the four year old mare Jive Lady beat the David Balfour charge, the Wayne Kerford mount Go Conaki $4.
The combination of John Dunn and apprentice Amy Herrmann were associated with Scarlet Jay $6 who was a farther three quarters of a length away third.
Distant Music brought up a race to race siring double when the $4 returned Nostoppinthemusic provided trainer Bart Merrall and hoop Simon Price with a one and a half length win in Race 5 which was run over 1400 metres.
Being out of Amelia Island a Tate Gallery mare Nostoppinthemusic came from last to beat the Lloyd Kennewell cared for Dominic Tourneur guided Ocsmepot, the $1.50 public fancy. Blue Simone $10 was another one and a half lengths away third for Leon Macdonald, Andrew Gluyas and Clare Lindop.
Having his first start for trainer Walter Benic and ridden by visiting Tasmanian apprentice Ronan Keogh, Don Paco $18 was the head winner of the sixth race which was contested 1250 metres.
A Bianconi gelding out of a Rancho Ruler matron Ranchonera, Don Paco was mid field early before racing into second position and, taking the lead late in the race, went on to beat the $5 chance, the Matthew Seyers mentored apprentice Lauren Stojakovic ridden Darakan. Imperial Lines $6 was a farther head away third in a busy finish for Tellie Neve and Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas.
SA apprentices filled all three placings in the Nation Apprentice Series Heat 4 when Mount Gambier based apprentice Melissa Walters recorded a three quarters of a length win on the Barbara Geracitano trained Snapertude $7 in Race 7 which was run over 1400 metres.
A Snaadee gelding out of the Night Shift mare Night Kiss Snapertude was well placed and defeated the apprentice Lauren Stojakovic ridden David Balfour cared for Admiral’s Watch $4.
A neck away third was Monde Avion for Amy Herrmann and Jon O’Connor at $14.
The three quarters of a length win of the John Macmillan trained apprentice Claudia Lions ridden Unicus $4.60 brought racing to a close in the final event of 1550 metres.
From the Lyphard mare Riverly and sired by the American bred entire Fantastic Light, Unicus came from mid field and beat the last start winner Five Trains $10 for mentor Peter Neuhuber and rider Todd Pannell. Starting at $5 Devine Being was another one and a half lengths away third for David Hayes and Paul Gatt.
Goodwood - Final Field & Barriers
- Wednesday, 28 April 2010 01:04
A near capacity field has been assembled for this Sunday’s $300,000 Group One Distinctive Homes Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville.
Tourneur, Neve Suspended At Morphettville Parks
- Thursday, 29 April 2010 05:05
Jockeys Dominic Tourneur and Tillie Neve have been suspended for careless riding following Wednesday’s meeting at Morphettville Parks.
Tourneur was suspended after causing severe interference in the Marsh Maiden Plate (1400m) aboard odds-on favourite Ocsmepop.
Struggling to gain clear running towards the rear of the field, Tourneur pushed into the clear at the top of the straight when insufficiently clear of High'n'rye causing that galloper to become unbalanced.
After pleading guilty to the careless riding charge, Tourneur was suspended for six meetings which will commence on May 4 till May 16.
Meanwhile Neve was suspended for four meetings after shifting out in the final 250m of the $10,000 Boag's Draught Class 1 Handicap (1550m) aboard Target Explorer.
She pleaded guilty to the charge with her suspension to commence with immediate effect until May 6.
South Australian Derby - Final Field & Barriers
- Wednesday, 28 April 2010 00:37
Red Colossus has drawn ideally to complete a clean sweep of Adelaide’s feature three-year-old events by winning this Sunday’s $300,000 Group One Betfair.com South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville.
Trained by Greg Eurell, Red Colossus will start from barrier two and will be ridden by Chris Symons who gets the opportunity to ride his first Group 1 winner.
Red Colossus at his last two starts has won the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) and Listed Chairman’s Stakes (2014m).
David Hayes will be represented by Chairman’s Stakes runner-up Token Of Honour (barrier 1) and Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) runner-up Extra Zero who will start from gate 13.
Steven King, who already has won a Group 1 race in Adelaide this season aboard Rostova in the Robert Sangster Stakes, will ride the Craig Curtis-trained Storm Brewing who has been thereabouts at his past couple of starts.
Kidnapped, who finished an honourable third last start in the Chairman’s Stakes, will have to contend with the outside alley on Sunday.
Morphettville (Sunday)
Race 6 @ 2:50pm - $300,000 Group 1 Betfair.com South Australian Derby (2500m)
| # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Br | Kg |
| 1 | Extra Zero | David Hayes | G Boss | 13 | 56.5 |
| 2 | Kidnapped | Peter Snowden | K McEvoy | 20 | 56.5 |
| 3 | Red Colossus | Greg Eurell | C D Symons | 2 | 56.5 |
| 4 | Storm Brewing | Craig Curtis | Steven King | 5 | 56.5 |
| 5 | Token of Honour | David Hayes | P Gatt | 1 | 56.5 |
| 6 | Tenzing | David Bourne | S W Arnold | 14 | 56.5 |
| 7 | Second King | Michael Kent | B Rawiller | 7 | 56.5 |
| 8 | Daydream Charlie | Shane Oxlade | J B Potter | 10 | 56.5 |
| 9 | Beer Garden | Dan O'Sullivan | D Gauci | 12 | 56.5 |
| 10 | Xenophon | Byron Cozamanis | M Pegus | 4 | 56.5 |
| 11 | Sherpa Tenzing | Jim Conlan | M J Zahra | 19 | 56.5 |
| 12 | Star of Jeune | Patrick Payne | Ms Michelle Payne | 6 | 56.5 |
| 13 | Billson | Robert Hickmott | N Hall | 16 | 56.5 |
| 14 | Devil Rider | Shaun Dwyer | M Rodd | 18 | 56.5 |
| 15 | Sea Galleon | Colin & Cindy Alderson | D Brereton | 9 | 56.5 |
| 16 | Bint Maher | Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas | Ms C Lindop | 11 | 54.5 |
| Emergencies | |||||
| 17 | Tuscan Fire | Dan O'Sullivan | L Nolen | 15 | 56.5 |
| 18 | Diamonds At Noon | Bill Cerchi | L Currie | 3 | 56.5 |
| 19 | Sandhill Lad | Barry Dunn | Ms A Herrmann(a) | 17 | 54.5 |
| 20 | Touch Too Much | Dan O'Sullivan | M Pumpa | 8 | 56.5 |
To view the final field & barriers for the Group 1 Goodwood, click here.
Picture: Jenny Barnes
Super Sunday - Morphettville Fields & Form
- Thursday, 29 April 2010 04:09
Below are the fields and form for Sunday's Morphettville meeting featuring the Group One Goodwood and South Australian Derby.
A near capacity field has been assembled for the $300,000 Group 1 Distinctive Homes Goodwood (1200m).
Only one previous Group 1 winner, Rostova, is in the final field of 17.
Meanwhile, Red Colossus has drawn ideally to complete a clean sweep of Adelaide’s feature three-year-old events by winning the $300,000 Group 1 Betfair.com South Australian Derby (2500m).
Trained by Greg Eurell, Red Colossus will start from barrier two and will be ridden by Chris Symons who gets the opportunity to ride his first Group 1 winner.
Symons is riding in excellent form after riding a treble at Betfair Park Sandown Hillside yesterday.
Morphettville (Sunday)
Race 1 - 12:30pm Unley Telstra Oaklands Plate (LR) - 1600m - Form
Race 2 - 1:05pm Cleanevent Dequetteville Stks (LR) - 1100m - Form
Race 3 - 1:40pm Darley Auraria Stakes (G3) - 1800m - Form
Race 4 - 2:15pm Betfair.Com Proud Miss Stakes (LR) - 1200m - Form
Race 5 - 2:50pm Allan Scott Stakes (G3) - 1600m - Form
Race 6 - 3:25pm Betfair.Com S.A. Derby (G1) - 2500m - Form
Race 7 - 4:00pm Distinctive Homes Goodwood (G1) - 1200m - Form
Race 8 - 4:35pm Con Yamas Super Series Final - 1600m - Form
Picture: Jenny Barnes
Kerford Fails Breath Test
- Tuesday, 27 April 2010 04:56
Wayne Kerford has been suspended for nine weeks after failing a breathalyzer test at Morphettville Parks on Sunday.
Nineteen riders were tested by Thoroughbred Racing South Australia (TRSA) stewards on Sunday with Kerford the only hoop to fall foul of the rules.
Kerford, 37, provided three samples between 1.25pm and 1.54pm, which exceeded the permitted .02% blood alcohol concentration.
Kerford pleaded guilty to the subsequent charge against him and was suspended for a period to commence at midnight tomorrow expiring on Wednesday, 30 June 2010.
In sentencing the experienced rider, TRSA stewards noted Kerford had breached similar protocol at Mount Gambier ten years ago.
Kerford will also be unable to ride in official trials however stewards advised him that on application he might be able to ride in trials for the last three weeks of his sanction.
Kerford has become the third jockey in the space of a month to fail a breath test conducted by South Australian and Victorian stewards after jumps jockey Paul Hamblin failed a test on Easter Monday at Oakbank and Jacob Rule failed a test at Hamilton on April 18.
Additionally, fellow jumps jockey Brad McLean is expected to face TRSA stewards soon after testing positive to an anorectic substance.
Rostova Chases Group One Number Two
- Wednesday, 28 April 2010 23:10
Trainer Steve Richards is hoping his stable star Rostova can trade in her frequent flyer points for a second Group One victory this Sunday in Adelaide’s $300,000 Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville.
Rostova started her preparation with a handful of Group races in Melbourne before heading to Adelaide and winning the Group One Sportingbet Classic (1200m) which justified a trip to Sydney where she was far from disgraced in the Group One Galaxy (1100m).
Now Richards will head back to the scene of the crime and is confident the three-year-old daughter of Testa Rossa can boost her breeding stocks by winning the Group One sprint.
“Her performance in the Galaxy was great and she has come through the race in flying colours,” said Richards during the week.
“On her last start she will be hard to beat but we will be sending her to the paddock win, lose or draw after the weekend ”
“She can have a nice break and we will bring her back for the Spring,” Richards added.
Richards was thrilled with Rostova’s run in the Galaxy against the best fillies and mares in Australia and believes that the gap between his filly and Ortensia is not as great as some might think.
“She was beaten by a very classy mare last start,” said Richards.
“But we only went down a little over a length on the line and I believe if she had come down the outside she would’ve finished no worse than second”
Rostova, currently a $8 chance at Sportingbet , has drawn barrier two in the 17 horse field and will be ridden by regular jockey Steven King.
Photo by Jenny Barnes
Sunday's Morphettville Parks Races Report
- Monday, 26 April 2010 14:00
Jockey Paul Gatt, punters and trainer David Jolly started the day off well when the win of $1-70 favourite Ma Bellamee gave Gatt the first leg of a treble and Jolly the first of two winners on the Parks track at Sunday’s Anzac meeting at Morphettville.
Richard Jolly and his apprentice Libby Hopwood also had a double.
Having had one previous start for a fifth placing Ma Bellamee, a three year old daughter of Blevic, gave her sire the first leg of a double. From the Euclase mare Miss Eucalypt came from a mid field position to have a one and a quarter length winning break on the John Macmillan mentored Clare Lindop ridden Waikiki Girl $7.
Miss Floozy $4.60 was two and a quarter lengths away third for Mark Minervini and Adrian Patterson.
Paul Gatt scored the second of his three wins when he combined with trainer David Hayes in the two and a quarter length win of Sea Coral in race five which was contested 1950 metres.
Starting the $3.20 punter’s choice the Catbird sired Sea Coral, from the Statoblast mare Amphritite, came from well back to claim the event from the Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas trained Clare Lindop ridden Wendy Ellen $5. Ssteady at $21 throughout betting Lord Of The Song was a farther half head away third for John Croucher and Justin Potter.
Paul Gatt brought up his treble and David Jolly trained his second winner when Cornelia Marie, the $3.60 favourite, was the one and a half length winner of the 1250 metre seventh event.
From the Rubiton mare Edna Valley and sired by Reset Cornelia Marie was a near all the way winner and beat the David Balfour trained Simon Price mount Fantastic Beau $8. Cherishing $21 was another two and a quarter lengths away filling the minor placing for John Hyam and Troy Baker.
Apprentice Libby Hopwood and her master Richard Jolly brought up the first leg of their double when the Hassonet sired filly Scarlet Rose $6 was the two and three quarter length victor of the second race which was contested over 1950 metres.
From the Hula Town matron Hula Flight, Scarlet Rose was well placed and beat the $16 returned Lucky Tony for horse carer Stuart Gower and rider Adrian Patterson. Mavross $3.80 was another neck away third for David Jolly and Claudia Lions.
Richard Jolly and Libby Hopwood brought up their second winner when the $2.80 punter’s choice Mio Mio was the one and a half length winner of race four which was run over 1250 metres.
From Lauriston Lass, a Rubiton matron and fathered by Danehill Dancer Mio Mio came from well back and defeated Snow Bunny $8 for mentor Daniel J Clarke and jockey Chad Lever. The last start winner Race Memory $5 was another head away taking the third prizemoney for Ken Sweeney and Clare Lioin.
Punters had their second success when the $1.80 favourite Exalted Lady gave her sire Blevic his second win in the 1550 metre third race.
From the Delgado matron Alleged Lady and mentored by Jim Smith the Clare Lindop ridden Exalted Lady was well back early but powered home to score a long neck win over the one time leader Ness for Daniel Clarken and his apprentice Lauren Stojakovic. The $20 chance Showgun Warrior was another three and a half lengths away third for Paul Beshara and Libby Hopwood.
The Bel Esprit gelding Striding Success, from the Snippets mare La Bella Zoccola, gave trainer Trevor Dansie and apprentice Amy Herrmann a one and a quarter length win in the 1000 metre sixth race.
A $6.50 chance at barrier rise Striding Success was well placed and beat the David Balfour provided Clare Lindop ridden A Wee Dram $7.50. Canterbury Star $15 was another half length away third for Peter Blanch and Dominic Tourneur.
Trainer David Balfour and jockey Ben Claridge provided Dubai Dawn $6, the one and a quarter length winner of the 1550 metre final event.
Sired by the American bred E Dubai from the King of Kings mare Kay O’plenty Dubai Dawn led all the way and beat Miss Ball $10 for trainer Peter Lawrence and jockey Amy Herrmann. A short-neck away third was Belle Addiction $4.60 for Trevor Saltmarch and Justin Potter.