Bashful Girl Leaves Lamings For Laing

Wednesday, 14 April 2010 14:44

On the eve of her biggest test to date, Bashful Girl has transferred stables and will now be trained Robbie Laing.

Formerly trained by the father and son combination of Bevan and Richard Laming, Bashful Girl is engaged to run in this Saturday’s Group 2 $150,000 Panasonic Queen Of The South Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville.

Thoroughbred Racing South Australia (TRSA) Stewards were notified on Wednesday morning of the switch in stables.

The Virtual Formguide understands that there has been no change in ownership.

Bashful Girl is a stakes winning mare after winning the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Sandown Hillside last November.

Her only other piece of precious blacktype was recorded in the Group 2 Kewney Stakes (1600m) for three-year-old fillies when third behind Zarita.

Incidentally, Zarita on Saturday stands in the way of Bashful Girl starting a successful association with Laing as the Pat Hyland-trained galloper is pre-post favourite for the fillies and mares mile race.

Picture: Greg Irvine

Easter Monday's Oakbank Races Report

Tuesday, 06 April 2010 13:10

After training the quinella in the Adelaide Cup last month when Capecover and Kerden ran first and second trainer Patrick Payne won more SA prizemoney when the Steven Pateman steered It’s A Dud was the one and quarter length winner of the 4950 metre Great Eastern Steeplechase on Monday.

Starting at $5 the Istidaad sired It’s A Dud, from the Blues Traveller mare Royal Annie, was in the first three throughout the three lap steeplechase before going on to defeat the one time leader, the John Wheeler mentored Brett Scott ridden Yamanaura $4.20.

Mephistopheles $5.50 was another three and a quarter lengths away third for Kevin and Heather Frew and Tommy Logan.

After being King Of Oakbank on Saturday when he trained the two jumps winners horse carer Ciaron Maher was in the jumps action again when the Steven Pateman mount Art Success $11 was the three and three quarter length winner of the3600 metres Classic Hurdle.

From the Zabeel mare Zabelette and fathered by the Great Britian bred stallion Pentire, Art Success came from the back to beat the John Wheeler trained Richard Eynon ridden Sirrocean Storm $7.50.

Another John Wheeler mentored Brett Scott mount Squire Rex $11 was a farther three quarters of a length away third.

Art Success will now probably head to Gallywood hurdle at Warrnambool next month.

A likely start in the Darwin Cup next August could be on the cards for the John Stanton trained and Simon Price ridden Molotov $5 the three and three quarter length winner of the listed Onkaparinga Cup which was contested over 2150 metres.

The product of the United States bred entire Grand Lodge and the Zabeel matron Admit Anywhere Molotov was well placed and recorded a win over the $1.95 public fancy Naughty Boy for lady mentor Kylie Huxtable and jockey Chad Lever. All About Annie was another one and a half lengths away third for the Leon Macdonald/ Andrew Gluyas combination and Clare Lindop.

The grey nine year old gelding Scary Smokovec $4 was successful for mentor Greg Lesnikowski and jockey Michael Hoppo in the 1100 meter all grey race which opened the programme.

Being out of Soliciteuse, a Zabaleta mare, and sired by Made Of Gold Scary Smokovec defeated the apprentice Tillie Neve ridden Ken Sweeney trained Call Centre $31. Another half length away taking the third stakemoney was Off My Facebook $3 for David Balfour and Clare Lindop.

The Exceed and Excel three year old filly, the Mark Kavanagh trained Kissable $6, from the Royal Academy mare Regal Kiss, was the two length winner of race two which was run over 1100 metres.

Settling down in third place and maintaining a forward position Kissable gave jockey Todd Pannell a welcome home present when she beat Victorian visitor the Eric Musgrove prepared Chad Lever piloted $4 chance Shot Of Laughter. Giggle On $11 was another one and a quarter lengths away filling the minor placing for William Smart and Simon Price.

An $8 chance at barrier rise the Shane Oxlade cared for Justin Potter mount Kingnadim was the one and a quarter length winner of the fourth event which was contested over 1900 metre Country Cup.

A product of the mating of the United States bred stallion Elnadim and the Woodman sired mare Buncrana, Kingnadim was fifth on settling down and went on to beat Belvic’s Belle $26 for mentor Michael O’Leary and rider Adrian Patterson.

The top weight Fraaclase $7.50 was a farther half length away filling the third placing for Sam Turner and Kane Post.

Having her forty first start the five year old mare Star Of The Stalls gave her trainer David Jolly and jockey Paul Gatt a nose win in the 1400 metre seventh race.

From the Stargazer mare Picalili Star and the former SA based sire Centre Stalls, Star Of The Stalls came from well back and beat the $2.10 public fancy Tobouggie Woogie for trainer Mark Kavanagh who had Chad Lever ride his charge. Belle Of Storms $5 was a farther one and a quarter lengths away third for visiting Ballarat based mentor Dan O’Sullivan and Simon Price.

The one and a quarter length win of the Ricky Moore trained Dominic Tourneur ridden Imperial Rain in the 1100 metre final event brought the curtain down on a successful Easter Carnival for the ORC.

Coming from a rearward position the King Charlemagne sired Imperial Rain $13, from the Umatilla mare Misty Galore, beat the Libby Hopwood ridden David Balfour trained A Wee Dram $14. Forgotten Dreams $12 was a farther half head away third for Owen Taylor and Justin Potter.

Picture: Jenny Barnes

Zarita Could Make Farewell In Adelaide

Monday, 12 April 2010 08:59

Classy mare Zarita will return to the scene of her two Group One victories at Morphettville in what will probably be her last start in the Group Two Queen Of The South Stakes.

Zarita is unbeaten in Adelaide having won the 2008 Australasian Oaks (2000m) and the South Australian Derby (2500m) in her three-year-old season.

Now a five-year-old, the daughter of Pentire mare is the class runner of the 1600m set-weights and penalties event for fillies and mares.

"I think this will be her last preparation before she is let down to go to stud in the spring, so this could quite possibly be her last run," trainer Pat Hyland said.

"It would be nice to go out on a winning note."

The former champion jockey said jockey Dwayne Dunn blamed himself for having Zarita up too close to the pace when she finished 13th to Zipping in the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington at her latest appearance on March 6.

He said Zarita had "a rough run" in that event but had freshened up pretty well since.

"She's seems okay. She worked between races at Cranbourne on Sunday and her rider said she felt good," Hyland said.

Steven Arnold, who has ridden Zarita for a win and two third placings, takes over the reins in Saturday's 1600m feature.

Since her SA Derby success, Zarita's two wins have been at Group Two level over 1600m at Moonee Valley in the Group Two W H Stocks Stakes last September and in the Sunline Stakes two starts back on February 13, the latter when ridden by Arnold.

A winner of nine races and placed seven times from 32 starts, Zarita has earned more than 1.65 million prize money.

Apart from her two Group One victories, she has won five Group Two races, run fourth to Maldivian in the 2008 Cox Plate and fourth to Niconero in the 2009 Australian Cup.

There were 13 nominations for the Queen Of The South including last year's winner Bird Of Fire and runner-up Amberino who went on to win the 2009 Group Two Emancipation Stakes (1600m) a week later at Randwick.

Caulfield trainer John Moloney has again set Amberino for a crack at both races.

Group Two Yallambee Classic winner Majestic Music; Group Three Eclipse Stakes winner Bashful Girl; and last-start Caulfield winners Returntosender and Zantelagh were also nominated for the Queen Of The South.

Morphettville (Saturday) - Nominations

Group 2 $150,000 Queen Of The South Stakes (1600m)

Pictures: Fiona Tomlin

Xenophon On Derby Trail

Tuesday, 06 April 2010 06:58

An improved last-start placing with blinkers on has fuelled South Australian Derby hopes for Byron Cozamanis-trained colt Xenophon.

The son of Show A Heart is among 29 up-and-coming three-year-olds trying to forge staying careers nominated for Saturday's Galilee Series Final (2500m) at Flemington.

The $100,000 event provides a convenient lead-up to the VRC St Leger Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on Anzac Day as well as the SA Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on May 2.

Cozamanis, who bought Xenophon as a yearling for $150,000 at the 2008 Inglis' Classic Sale in Sydney, said it had been a revelation to see the chestnut evolve as a stayer.

"I thought being by Show A Heart he would be a sprinter early on but he showed nothing," Cozamanis said.

"It now appears the longer the races the better he goes at the moment."

Xenophon still has a long way to go to repay Cozamanis' investment having returned just over $30,000 from his win and two minor placings in 12 starts but was competitive at stakes level last spring.

His most notable performance was a fourth to Keep Control in the Listed Hill Smith Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville before winning his maiden at Strathalbyn over 2050m in October.

This campaign he was slow to find form with three down-the-track performances before Cozamanis replaced winkers with blinkers last start and he raced a lot keener.

He was always among the leaders and fought hard to the line to finish third to Chartreux and Beer Garden who are also entered for the Galilee.

"It was a much-improved run last start and I don't think the 2500 metres is going to worry him," Cozamanis, who formerly trained in South Australia before shifting to Caulfield, said.

"I am very happy with him and if he runs well then he will go to the SA Derby."

Xenophon has a 64 rating going into the race at Flemington and Dan Nikolic is booked for the Galilee ride.

Top rated is Chartreux (82), clearly ahead of Exceptionally (68), Rundle (67), Gallant Lady (66) and Beer Garden (65).

Weights will be declared on Wednesday.

Saturday's Morphettville Parks Races Report

Sunday, 11 April 2010 08:56

Trainer Patrick Payne continued his winning strike rate with major Adelaide races when the Matthew Neilson guided Danaupair Starlet was the length winner of the Sportingbet SA Fillies Classic of 2400 metres on the Morphettville Parks track on Saturday.

Starting at $8 and being fathered by Delago Brom from the Danasinga mare Danaupair, Danaupair Starlet came from a better than mid field, although three wide, position early in the event before improving to second early in the straight and went on to beat the Lee Freedman mentored Mark Pegus mount Gallant Lady $4-20.

The $2.80 public elect Ipioga was a farther three quarters of a length away third for Danny O’Brien and Dominic Tourneur.

Payne said after the race, “That was her race today,” and when asked what he had in mind for her he said, “We’ll see how she pulls up.”

Richard Jolly’s success in black type races continued when the $1-80 favourite Stirling Grove was the four length winner of 1400 metre SA Sires’ Produce Stakes.

Having the services of Chad Lever in the Group 3 event the Mossman sired Stirling Grove, from the Desert Prince matron Kalamata, was always in the first two and will now be set for the listed Oaklands Plate of 1600 metres on Sunday May 2.

Stirling Grove beat the Lee Freedman trained Dwayne Dunn ridden The Ruffian $3.70. A long neck away filling the minor placing was another Freedman runner Safe $13 with Mark Pegus in the saddle.

Being returned at $3 Tagus gave mentor John Thompson and jockey Peter Mertens a two and three quarter length victory in the listed City of Adelaide Handicap which was contested over 1600 metres.

From Lady Capel, a Last Tycoon matron and fathered by Encosta de Largo, Tagus begun well and settled fourth before mustering enough speed once again to go on to beat the David Hayes charge, the Paul Gatt piloted Eau de Joie $8. The $2.50 public elected I’m Discreet was a farther half length away third for Richard Jolly and Chad Lever.

Sired by Canny Lad and being from the Brief Truce dam More Haste the two year old chestnut colt Sleepers gave Mornington based trainer Lee Freedman and jockey Dwayne Dunn the first leg of a double in the opening event which was run over 1000 metres.

Being steady at $2.20 throughout the betting and starting favourite at that price Sleepers was never far from the lead and beat Capital Raising $2.80 for Flemington mentor John Thompson and hoop Peter Mertens. Perossa $8 was a farther two and a quarter lengths away third for David Hayes and Paul Gatt.

The one and a quarter lengths winning margin recorded by Fast Talker $5 in the 1550 metre sixth event brought up win number two for mentor Lee Freedman and jockey Dwayne Dunn.

The progeny of Fastnet Rock and the Distorted Honour mare Crystal Wit Fast Talker was well placed and beat the Phillip Stokes mentored Ben Claridge steered Furline $3.50.

Custard $5 was another nose away third for David Hayes and Paul Gatt.

The stable threesome of co trainers Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas and their number one rider Clare Lindop brought up the first leg of a double when Lightly Spiced was the long head winner of race three which was contested over 1250 metres.

Sired by the United States bred entire Fantastic Light from the Amen Brother mare Spice Doll, Lightly Spiced came from well back to beat the Trevor Dansie cared for apprentice Amy Herrmann ridden Idalolu $5. Kisrak $6-50 was a farther half head away filling the minor placing for David Jolly and apprentice Claudia Lions.

From the Flying Spur mare Sizzle’em and sired by the Irish bred Galileo Miss With Attitude $5 recorded a long head win in the 1250 metre final event and brought up a double for trainers Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas and rider Clare Lindop.

Coming from well back Miss With Attitude finished too strong for the Jon O’Connor trained Dominic Tourneur piloted You Dee Cee $10. David Hayes and apprentice Kate Dyson provided the $6.50 chance Candle who was a farther head away third.

Coming from well back the four year old mare Missgoblet $13 gave her trainer Stuart Gower and jockey Michael Hoppo a half length win in race two which was run over 1250 metres.

A Choisir mare out of Oak Park Carashan, a Campolina mare, Missgoblet beat the last start winner Sivi Soko $3.30 for mentor Jim Smith and jockey Matthew Neilson.

Cornelia Marie $7.50 was another short half head away third for David Jolly and Dwayne Dunn.

Oakbank Carnival - Pictorial Review

Tuesday, 06 April 2010 06:23

Approximately 56,000 people flocked to Oakbank on Monday to watch an enthralling renewal of the $166,000 Great Eastern Steeplechase (4950m) which was won by It's A Dud.

That crowd figured ensured over 100,000 people attended Oakbank over the Easter period.

This year's carnival will be remembered for many reasons however primarily for trainer Ciaron Maher's dominance in winning three of the four jumps races on offer and his bittersweet victory with Art Success in the $100,000 Yalumba Classic Hurdle (3600m) after stablemates Marc Of Thunder and Satu San fatally clattered into each other on the flat.

The Richard Jolly-trained Very Discreet won the only stakes race of the carnival on Saturday, the $70,000 Oakbank Stakes - registered as Hills Railway Stakes - (1100m).

Leading Adelaide equine photographer Jenny Barnes was trackside once again to capture all the action.

Click below on the relevant date to view race images of the 2010 Oakbank Easter Carnival.

Oakbank Races (3/4/10) Easter Saturday

Oakbank Races (5/4/10) Easter Monday

Devil May Care On Goodwood Path

Sunday, 11 April 2010 06:45

Talented sprinter Devil May Care will attempt to qualify for the Group One Goodwood via Saturday's D C McKay Stakes at Morphettville.

Although all the mare's five wins have been at 1000 metres, Benalla trainer Wayne Nichols believes she can get further and is aiming to prove that point, starting with Saturday's Group Three race in Adelaide.

The McKay is run over 1100 metres and a win or a second placing will exempt the five-year-old from the ballot on the Group One $300,000 Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 2.

Nichols scratched the mare from Saturday's Lort Smith Animal Hospital Hcp (1000m) at Flemington with the McKay in mind and has engaged Melbourne-based Dean Holland for the ride.

Holland has ridden Devil May Care at her past four starts for two wins.

"I'm not convinced she's just a 1000 metre horse. Every time she's run beyond that trip there have been circumstances why she didn't fire," Nichols said.

Only four of her 20 starts have been beyond 1000m, and she has failed three times at 1100 and once at 1200 metres.

"She pulled up with a bone chip in a hock after running over 1200 metres at Moonee Valley and had to have surgery," Nichols said.

"She's always showed me a heap of ability but I think she's a different horse this time in. I've always rated her and I think it's worth the punt because of the upside with her breeding-wise.

"It's a Group Three which if she won would be good for her as a broodmare and it would get her into the Goodwood which we've like to have a crack at too."

Nichols bred and is a part-owner of Devil May Care whose dam Destry Girl won 11 races for him and he has trained five of her progeny to win races.

He also has a Street Cry two-year-old half-brother to Devil May Care and a yearling sister to the mare.

The Goodwood was changed from a handicap to a set weights and penalties race after 2007 with international sprint star Takeover Target carrying 58.5kg to victory last year.

Pictures: Fiona Tomlin

Untimely Suspension For Hamblin

Tuesday, 06 April 2010 05:12

Jumps jockey Paul Hamblin will miss the start of the Victorian jumps racing season after failing a breath test at Oakbank on Monday.

Hamblin was booked to ride the ill-fated Marc Of Thunder in the $100,000 Yalumba Classic Hurdle (3600m) and Enclosed in the $166,000 Scott Group Of Companies Great Eastern Steeplechase (4950m).

On being requested to provide a routine breath sample prior to the first race, Hamblin provided a sample which exceeded the .02% blood alcohol limit permitted for jockeys.

Hamblin provided several samples after the initial test which continued to be above the allowed threshold limit.

As a result, Hamblin was stood down from his commitments for the remainder of the day and was replaced by Kosuke Kawakami and Gavin Bedggood.

Hamblin pleaded guilty to the subsequent charge of providing a sample with a banned substance but claimed he had merely had social drinks the previous evening and was “shocked by the outcome”.

He was suspended for 27 days and was fined $500 but TRSA stewards also gave concessions for Hamblin to ride in trackwork and official barrier trials in the lead-up to the Warrnambool Carnival.

Hamblin, who will commence his suspension tomorrow after riding at Warrnambool in a couple of highweight races earlier today, will be able to return to competitive riding on the first day of the Warrnambool Carnival on May 4.

The Victorian jumps racing season is due to commence at Hamilton on April 17.

Wednesday's Murray Bridge Races Report

Thursday, 08 April 2010 15:58

Apprentice Omer Ay brought up a personal milestone when the wins of his master David Hayes prepared gallopers Jester Smile and Devine Being gave him his first provincial double at Murray Bridge on Wednesday.

Ay was joined in the winning double department when Victory Belle and Faldane recorded wins in successive races later in the day with Michael Hoppo in the saddle.

Starting at $6 and ridden by Omer Ay the David Hayes cared for Real Jester sired two year old filly Jester Smile, from the Defensive Play mare By Her Smile, came from well back to claim a  three length victory over the John Dunn cared for, apprentice Krystal Bishop ridden, Kooda Wonder $18.

The $3.80 favourite Schoorwin was a farther head away third for Paul Beshara and Ryan Plunb.

Omer Ay and David Hayes brought up their second win when the Canny Lad fathered three year old gelding Devine Being $7 was the one and three quarter length winner the 1400 metre fourth event.

Being out of the Quest for Fame matron Angles, Devine Being was well back in the middle stages before steering an outside course in the straight to defeat the Bart Merrall cared for Chad Lever mount Hey Jamie, the $2.80 equal public elect.  The minor placegetter She’s Bossy was a half length away third for Bill Bogarts and apprentice Claudia Lions.

Jockey Michael Hoppo brought the first of back to back wins when the Jonathon Maddigan prepared Victory Belle $4.60 was the two and three quarter length winner of the 1000 metre sixth event.

From the Naturalism mare Nature’s Belle and sired by the American bred Super Jet, Victory Belle was always in the leading division and beat the Karen Byrnes mentored apprentice Jordon Frew ridden Hay Lover $8.50.  Romeo Rules $5 was a farther one and half lengths away third for Paul Seater and Paul Gatt.

The five year old gelding Faldane won his second race in the Provincial Super Series, the 1400 metre sevenths race, and brought up Michael Hoppo’s double.

Being under the care of Barry Woosnam the Faltaat sired Faldane, from Dane Gu Li a daughter of Danehill, was mid field in the middle stages but stormed down the outside of the course and beat the David Hayes mentored Paul Gatt mount Flash Gift, the $2.40 favourite.

Belle Addiction $18 was another one and a quarter lengths away taking the third prizemonney for Trevor Saltmarsh and Justin Potter.

Racing opened when the Ken Sweeny mentored Clare Lindop ridden Manganese was the half lengths winner of the 1600 metre opening event.

A $3.60 chance when the starter released the field and fathered by the American bred entire Fasliyev from the Vettori mare Vetorisc, Manganese came from well back to beat the Barry Woosnam cared for Wayne Kerford ridden Magnifcent Seven, the $3.40 public fancy.  Fast Eddie $3-50 was another one and three quarter lengths away third for Dennis McMahon and Claudia Lions.

The Mugharreb sired Our Joy, from the Perugino matron Dominita, gave local trainer Kylie Huxtable - who is recovering from a broken ankle - a boost when hoop Adrian Patterson guided the three year old filly to a one and quarter length victory in race three.

Starting at $5 Our Joy was well placed and beat the Lloyd Kennewell mentored Dominic Tourneur guided Bullydozer $4.40. Final Analysis $8.50 was another long head away third for Bart Merrall and Chad Lever.

Being always in contention the consistent Countess of Tiba, who had run second, fifth and third at her previous three outings gave her trainer Ken M Knowles and jockey Dominic Tourneur a neck win in the 2200 metre fifth race.

Starting the $4.20 punter’s choice the progeny of the Irish bred sire Second Empire from the It Is True matron True M’Lady was well placed during the distance event and beat Basie Blues $4.60 for Ken Sweeney and Clare Lindop.  A farther one and a quarter lengths away third was Feilding Drive $7-50 for Jamie Opperman and Michele Hagley.

Supporters of the local stale of Colin Baker went home happy when the Simon Price ridden Kate’s Dream $6-50 was the half neck winner of the 1200 metre final event.  An Akhadan three year old filly from the Dieu D’Or mare Makmore, Kate’s Dream beat Any Plum, the $2-80 favourite, for Paul Seater and Dominic Tourneur.  A farther three and a quarter lengths away third was Bianium $10 for David Jolly and Claudia Lions.

It's A Dud Wins Great Eastern

Monday, 05 April 2010 07:45

Former champion jockey Patrick Payne added the Great Eastern Steeplechase to his resume when It's A Dud outstayed his opposition to win the Oakbank feature on Monday.

Payne landed his biggest win as a trainer when Capecover won the Group Two Adelaide Cup (3200m), beating stablemate Kerdem, at Morphettville last month.

The Cox Plate-winning jockey, who also tried his hand as a jumps rider, is making a name for himself as a very good conditioner of stayers and jumpers.

A seven-year-old by Australian Cup winner Istidaad, It's A Dud ran fifth to Pentacolo in the 4950m race last year and was third to Sir Pentire in the 2009 Grand Annual Steeple (5500m) at Warrnambool.

The gelding indicated he was going well in the lead-up to Oakbank with a 2211m flat win at Balaklava before running second to Frenzilian in a 3250m Oakbank Steeple, both last month.

Payne topped off It's A Dud's preparation in a 3600m flat event at Oakbank on Saturday in which he finished sixth to Scenic Buzz.

Ridden by Steven Pateman, It's A Dud ($5) wore down the John Wheeler-trained Yamanaura ($4.20) to score by 1-1/4 lengths.

Last year's runner-up Mephistopheles ($5.50) was 3-3/4 lengths away third.

The win was Pateman's second in the Great Eastern Steeple which he also claimed aboard Conzeal in 2008.

The Ciaron Maher-trained favourite Pentacolo, who carried 69kg, was trying for back-to-back Great Eastern victories but found the 5kg weight rise from last year too much and he faded to finish fourth.

Maher had dominated the first three jumps events held over the Easter weekend at Oakbank with Art Success, also ridden by Pateman, winning Monday's Yalumba Classic Hurdle (3600m).

On Saturday, Maher landed a double in the two jumps events with Satu San in the Woodford Reserve Hurdle (2900m) and Al Garhood taking out the Von Doussa Steeple (3250m).

Art Success, the 2006 Brisbane Cup winner, ran third as favourite behind stablemate Satu San on Saturday at his jumps debut.

But the eight-year-old improved with the experience to land Monday's $100,000 feature hurdle.

Sent out at $11, Art Success came away to score by 3-3/4 lengths from Sirrocean Storm ($7.50) with Squire Rex ($11) third.

Maher had three runners in the Classic Hurdle but the other two failed to complete the course with both Marc Of Thunder and Satu San falling.

Pictures: Jenny Barnes