Robeeca Set For Great Eastern

Sunday, 04 April 2010 04:15

Seven-year-old Robeeca will be trying to give trainer Grant Young a rare Great Eastern Steeplechase double after the former jockey won the Oakbank feature on Bruskin 10 years ago.

Young has been training horses for three years and he is optimistic that Robeeca, his first Great Eastern runner, will acquit himself well on the big stage.

"He has been set for this race the whole way through and he wasn't meant to come on until now," Young said.

"I think he is the sort of horse that has to be wound up to be running consistently all the time and that is not what we wanted to do.

"We we wanted him to be fully wound up for Oakbank and that is where we have him."

Robeeca, who was placed in the 2008 SA Grand National Hurdle, was a dual hurdle winner last season but has stepped up to the steeplechasing this season.

At his only race start over the bigger jumps he fell at Oakbank last month but has since finished second in a jumps school at the track which Young said had given the horse a lot of confidence.

"I think it has really brought him on," Young said.

"He is a totally different horse now and lot more relaxed at the track."

He said Robeeca worked impressively last Thursday and all the signs were encouraging that he would run out the 4950 metres of Monday's Great Eastern.

"He is not far away from being 110 per cent," Young said.

Picture: Jenny Barnes

Saturday's Morphettville Races Report

Sunday, 28 March 2010 13:00

Melbourne hoop Chris Symons was king of Morphettville when he rode three listed winners for three Victorian mentors on Saturday.

The first of Symons’ winners came from the Moe stable of Peter Gelagotis when the More Than Ready sired Floramour $6 was the long head winner of the listed 1200 metre Manihi Classic.

From the Straight Strike mare Stringy Bark Floramour came from well back and powered home to beat the Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas trained Chad Lever ridden Impressive Eagle $6. Hidden Energy $3.60 was another one and a quarter lengths away third for David Hayes and Paul Gatt.

Being out of the Palace Glow mare Place Music and fathered by Testa Rossa the three year old gelding Red Colossus gave Chris Symons a length win in the listed 1800 metres St. Clair Port Adelaide Guineas.

Being under the care of Cranbourne horse carer Greg Eurell Red Colossus, who is likely to tackle a 2000 metre race at his next start, came from a rearward position and recorded a win over the John Thompson trained Dean Holland mount Safety In Numbers $4.60. The $17 chance Token of Honour was a farther neck away taking out the minor prize for David Hayes and Paul Gatt.

Chris Symons brought up his treble when the $3-10 public fancy Sound of Nature was the one and a half length winner of the 1600 metre listed C.S. Hayes Memorial Cup for Mornington based mentor Lee Freedman.

The all American bred Sound Of Nature, who is by Chester House from the Danzig mare Yashmak, was well placed and took out the event from the Michael Sell mentored and Terry Barry ridden Enchanting Waters $21. Puerto Banus $10 was another two and half lengths away third for Paul Seater and apprentice Libby Hopwood.

Not having won since the Nitschke Stakes in February the $2.20 favourite I’m Discreet returned to the winner’s list when she was the three quarters of a length winner of the 1600 metre SA Thoroughbred Breeders Laelia Stakes.

Being under the care of Richard Jolly who said “I’ve never had a filly like her” the Chad Lever ridden three year old daughter of the United States bred entire Elusive Quality, from the Euclase matron She’s Discreet, I’m Discreet led all the way and beat the John Thompson trained Dean Holland ridden Legislature $11.

Rose Darmore $26 was a farther three lengths away third for Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas and Mathew Neilson.

I’m Discreet will now progress to the Panasonic Queen of the South Stakes at Group 2 level over 1600 metres on April 17 and then to the Darley Auraria Stakes for three year old fillies on Super Sunday May 2.

The two lengths victory of the Eric Musgrove prepared Arron Lynch guided Mybigfatgreekhorse $5 got the visitors off to a good start when the Zabeel gelding, from Alleged mare Miss Vita, was the two length winner of the 3200 metre hurdle which opened the program.

Leading all the way Mybigfatgreekhorse, who may line up in Saturday’s 3250 metres Von Doussa Steeplechase at Oakbank, beat the Kevin and Heather Frew trained Thomas Logan ridden Mephistopheles $8. The $4 chance Tradesman’s Choice was another two and three quarter lengths away third for Gordon Richards and Martin Kelly.

After becoming a member of the Group 1 trainer’s club when Small Minds won the Schweppes Oaks trainer John Thompson was once again in the winner’s circle when the Peter Mertens guided Reventon was the $2-80 favourite half length winner of the 1000 metre second event giving his sire Testa Rossa the first leg of a double.

From the Lake Coniston mare Aragonce Reveton led all the way and beat the David Hayes prepared Paul Gatt guided Life Is A Cabernet $3. Hung Up $3.20 was a farther two and a quarter lengths away third for Lee Freedman and Chris Symons.

Trainer Phillip Stokes and jockey Ben Claridge were well placed with the half length victory of Naratel $6.50 in the 2028 metre third race.

Being out of the Our Poetic Prince matron Princess Kara and sired by King of Prussia Naratel was well placed and beat the $3.20 public elect Reprisal for mentor David Hayes and rider Paul Gatt. Nitonic $6 was a farther one and three quarter lengths away third for Ron Daniel and Chad Lever.

Jockey Chris Symons came within a short head of winning his fourth race when his mount and the David Jolly trained Budriguez $3.80 was beaten by the David Hayes trained Paul Gatt mount The Fugitive, the $1.95 favourite in the 1050 metre final event.

A three year old Rock of Gibraltar gelding from Perfect Melody, a Palace Music mare, The Fugitive was always well placed. The $10 chance Nevzlin was another long neck away third for John Thompson and Simon Price.

Maher Magic At Oakbank

Sunday, 04 April 2010 03:31

Honest steeplechaser Al Garhood ensured trainer Ciaron Maher would secure victory in both jumps races at Oakbank on Saturday after winning the $100,000 Von Doussa Steeplechase (3250m).

Ridden by leading jumps jockey Craig Durden, Al Garhood took up his customary position in the lead and was never headed despite the various challenges in the last lap by Frenzilian and stablemate Pentacolo.

Frenzilian made his move shortly after the fallen log down the back straight the second time however peaked on his run approaching the home bend.

As Frenzilian started to weaken, Pentacolo chimed in three-wide to put in his claim.

However Al Garhood was simply too brave over the final two furlongs and would not be denied victory.

Al Garhood ($9) defeated Pentacolo ($6) by three and a half lengths with the John Wheeler-trained Yamanaura ($8) a further five and a half lengths adrift in third.

"Going into the race I thought he had a bit of zest about him,” Maher told The Advertiser.

“He was beaten 30 lengths first-up over a mile, then got it back to 10 lengths at his second run and then was only three lengths off them last start.”

While Al Garhood will now be kept for the Warrnambool Carnival and a possible tilt at a third Brierley Steeplechase, Pentacolo is entered for Monday’s $166,000 Scott Group Of Companies Great Eastern Steeplechase (4950m) where he will be looking for back-to-back wins in the event.

Maher will wait until the scratching deadline tomorrow morning to determine whether Pentacolo will back-up and carry the topweight of 68kg in what is now Australia’s richest jumps race following the demise of some prestigious races in Victoria.

However Frenzilian is not expected to back-up into the $100,400 Yalumba Classic Hurdle (3600m) after sustaining an abrasion on a leg during yesterday’s Von Doussa.

The first three horses across the line in yesterday’s $30,300 Woodford Reserve Hurdle (2900m) are expected to reignite rivalries on Monday in the feature hurdle event instead.

Satu San ($5.50) defeated Sirrocean Storm ($5) by eight and a quarter lengths with Art Success ($2.10 fav) – a former Brisbane Cup (3200m) winner on the flat - finishing third.

The Maher-trained Satu San came with a sweeping run down the back straight on the final occasion to gather in the leaders and record a soft victory with Gavin Bedggood in the saddle.

"The trial on Monday and a week of solid work topped him off and I was expecting a much better effort today,” Maher said.

To view the final field and form for the Great Eastern Steeplechase, click here.

To view the final field and form for the Yalumba Classic Hurdle, click here.

Pictures: Jenny Barnes

Wednesday's Murray Bridge Races Report

Thursday, 25 March 2010 13:50

Having three winners to his credit Simon Price was the headline act at Murray Bridge on Wednesday.

Apprentice Tillie Neve combined with trainer John Hickmott in dual wins to share the spotlight.

The William Smart trained first starter Giggle On $13 gave Simon Price the first leg of a treble in the 1000 metre third race.

Having a margin of a half lengths to spare the Happy Giggle gelding Giggle On, from the Bellotto mare Joka’s Belle, was not very far from the lead for the entire race and beat Off My Facebook, the $2 favourite, for mentor David Balfour and jockey Ben Claridge.

A $7 chance Lady Reyane was a length away third for David Jolly and Justin Potter.

Simon Price brought up back to back wins when he steered the High Yeild mare Cherry High, from Cherry Time a daughter of Red Ransom, to a short head win in the 1400 metre fourth event.

Prepared by Kirsty Cordon, being returned at $3.80 and having her second race day outing the four year old mare Cherry High was well placed and beat the Jim Smith mentored apprentice Amy Herrmann ridden Exalted Lady, the punter’s choice at $2.50. Mavross $5.50 was a farther one and three quarter lengths away third for David Jolly and Chad Lever.

The Paul Seater trained Fine Calibre, the $2.40 public elect in the 1400 metre seventh race, gave her rider Simon Price his third winner.

Having a half length advantage over her rivals when the winning post was reached and being from the Gone West mare Anniegetyourgun and fathered by French Deputy, Fine Calibre was an all the way winner and beat the Daniel Clarken trained and his apprentice Lauren Stojakovic ridden Noble Connection $18 who was resuming from a spell. Barry Woosnam and Michael Hoppo supplied Faldane $6 who was a farther one and three quarter lengths away third.

The four and a quarter length win of the Taos sired Bell Ringer $14 brought up the first leg of a double for local trainer John Hickmott and apprentice Tillie Neve in the 2200 metre second race.

Being out of a Bellwater mare Bellawellla, Bell Ringer came from well back and beat the Bart Merrall prepared Chad Lever ridden Grasping $3.20. Another four lengths away filling the minor placing was Yoshi Raaza $61 for Colin Stewart and apprentice Libby Hopwood.

Mentor John Hickmott and apprentice Tillie Neve, who will have her indentures transferred from Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas to mentor Ken Sweeney on Friday, brought up a double when Entirely Mine was the half neck winner of race five which was contested 1400 metres.

Being out of the Grosvenor mare Diamonte Rose and fathered by Viking Ruler, Entirely Mine was well placed and defeated Fox Talk $51 for mentor Roslyn Day and rider Adrian Patterson. Barannan $6.50 was a farther long neck away third for Gordon Richards and Simon Price.

After being a clear last before making up considerable ground Rub Doubt $14 gave trainer Brian Mueller and jockey Justin Potter a neck win in the opening event of 900 metres.

A Not A Single Doubt two year old filly out the Rubiton matron Ruby’s Our Hope, Rub Doubt beat the Laurie Connolly trained apprentice Jordon Frew mount Dapamac $12. After being the leader for most of the journey Schoorwin $5 was another length away third for Paul Beshara and Chad Lever.

Previously in the care of Brian Mayfield-Smith Dragon Lord had an impressive start to his SA debut when he gave mentor David Jolly and rider Jeffrey Maund a three and a quarter length win in race six which was run over 1000 metres.

From Scarlet Bird, a Rubiton mare and by the New Zealand bred entire Octagonal, Dragon Lord beat Victory Belle $7 for the combination of horse carer Jonathon Maddigan and rider Michael Hoppo. Roswood Manor $6 was another one and a quarter lengths away third for Darren Kolpin and Melissa Walters.

The breeding partnership of Dash For Cash and the Euclase mare Lady Malina was successful when their progeny Sivi Soko $6 was the two and a half length winner of race eight which was contested over 1200 metres.

Being under the care of Jim Smith and having the services of Matthew Neilson Sivi Soko was well placed and beat the Dion Koch trained Libby Hopwood steered Woofnoof $7. A farther two and half lengths away third was St Fraser for Ken Matson and Jordon Frew.

Winning his second race in seven days Nothing Shall Pass, the punter’s elect at $1.90, gave the gelding’s trainer Strathalbyn based Peter Moody and apprentice Kate Dyson a three quarters of length win in the final event of 1600 metres.

A Fraar six year old out of Amy’s Blushing, a Blushing Scribe mare, Nothing Shall Pass came from a mid field position and beat the John Hickmott prepared Tillie Neve ridden Let Go Johnny $9 who finished two lengths ahead of Magnificent Seven $18 for Barry Woosnam and Wayne Kerford.

Maher Hoping For Success At Oakbank

Friday, 02 April 2010 04:45

Ciaron Maher isn't looking beyond Saturday's Oakbank meeting for stable newcomer Art Success who will make his jumping debut in the Woodford Reserve Restricted Hurdle.

The 2006 Group One Brisbane Cup (3200m) winner when prepared by Jon Collins, Art Success has pleased Maher in his jumps trials leading up to Oakbank, winning two of three including a six-length win over stablemate Satu San over 2200m at Oakbank on Monday.

"He jumps really cleanly and seemed to handle the track okay. The Restricted Hurdle on Saturday looks a nice race for him," he said.

"Pentacolo had his measure (in a trial) at Hamilton but he certainly trialled well on Monday.

"He obviously has the flat ability. He jumps well and you can see in his flat form that he can pop up when no one expects him to.

"He won a Brisbane Cup and he did it again later winning the (2008) Grafton Cup.

"He hasn't shown much interest on the flat for me but he seems to really like jumping. He really attacks his jumps and he's pretty sharp at them."

Steven Pateman will ride Art Success in the 10-horse field on Saturday and Maher will also saddle up topweight Marc Of Thunder (Brad McLean) and Satu San (Gavin Bedggood) for the 2900m event.

The Warrnambool trainer said Satu San would back up in Monday's Yalumba Classic Hurdle (3600m) and Marc Of Thunder would probably do the same but he would wait and see with Art Success.

"He's a chance to (back up) but Saturday is his aim at the moment," he said.

Maher has a strong hand in the Von Doussa Steeplechase (3250m) with last year's Great Eastern Steeple winner Pentacolo (Brad McLean) and dual Brierly Steeple winner Al Garhood (Craig Durden).

Maher hasn't ruled out trying for back-to-back Great Eastern Steeple wins with Pentacolo but a decision won't be made until he runs in Saturday's Von Doussa Steeple at Oakbank.

Pentacolo pleased Maher with his length win over stablemate Al Garhood in a 3200m steeple trial at Oakbank on Monday.

"I want him to peak for Warrnambool so I'll just see," Maher said.

The Pentire seven-year-old is topweight with 68kg in the Great Eastern (4950m), a race he carried 64kg in last year.

"If it's an ordinary field we might be swayed," Maher said.

Maher's main goal for Pentacolo is the $145,000 Grand Annual Steeple (5500m) at Warrnambool on May 6, a race he finished fourth in behind Sir Pentire last year.

Zabeel 10-year-old Al Garhood, runner-up in the 2009 Grand Annual, is not engaged in the Great Eastern.

The Von Doussa field is a strong one with the John Wheeler-trained Yamanaura (Brett Scott) and the Eric Musgrove-trained Wheel The Lead (Adam Trinder), last year's winner, equal topweights with Pentacolo on 68kg.

Picture: Jenny Barnes

Trainers Weigh Up Manihi For Mares

Thursday, 25 March 2010 10:14

Trainers Robbie Griffiths and Peter Gelagotis are weighing up their options with their respective mares Avionics and Floramour.

Both four-year-olds accepted for the No Fuss Solutions Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield as well as Saturday's Listed Manihi Classic (1200m) at Morphettville.

"Avionics might go to Adelaide for the stakes race and try and get some black type," Griffiths said.

Gelagotis is thinking along the same lines with Floramour.

Craig Williams has taken the Caulfield mount on Avionics and Peter Mertens has the Adelaide ride.

Mark Pegus will ride Floramour if she starts in Melbourne and Chris Symons is her Morphettville jockey.

Avionics has failed in three previous stakes race attempts but has come back this campaign in grand form, weighing in at each of her four runs.

Williams rode her two starts ago when she beat Returntosender at Caulfield while Mertens steered her last Saturday at the same track when third to Elumino and Solchow.

Eight mares accepted for the Caulfield event including the talented Mick Price-trained About Ready and the stakeswinning Our Lona.

The Manihi Classic is an open class sprint and Floramour has competed strongly against the males at her last two starts.

She was fourth to Velocitea in the Listed JRA Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield and a 1-1/2 length eighth to Devil May Care down the straight in the Listed Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m) at Flemington.

Lord Monty heads the Manihi field while other chances include Impressive Eagle, Hidden Energy and Jaalippy.

Picture: Fiona Tomlin

Wednesday's Balaklava Races Report

Thursday, 01 April 2010 02:38

After being backed in from an opening quote of $3 to start the $2.40 favourite the Jon O’Connor trained two year old filly Oui Si Attitude gave her rider Dominic Tourneur the first leg of a double in the opening event of 1300 metres at Balaklava on Wednesday.

Sired by the United States bred entire Bianconi from Sizzle’em, a flying Spur mare, Oui Si Attitude came from mid field to record a one and a quarter length win over the $5 chance Miners Gem for mentor Bill Smart and rider Amy Herrmann.

Starting at $3 and being a farther three quarters of a lengths away Baboosh finished third for David Hayes and Paul Gatt.

Jockey Dominic Tourneur completed his double when the Untouchable fathered Avoca Street, the $2-80 second elect, was the half neck winner of the seventh race which was run over 1300 metres.

Being out of the Quest for Fame mare Royal Tour and trained by Samantha Barr Avoca Street raced mid-field and came with a strong outside run to beat the Daniel Clarken prepared apprentice Lauren Stojakovic ridden Ultramarine Blue, the $2-60 favourite.

A farther one and a quarter lengths away third was Miami Ink $5 for Scott Trenowden and Paul Gatt.

The half neck win of the $1.50 favourite Miss O’Brien grave trainer David Hayes and hoop Paul Gatt the first of successive wins in the 1200 metre third race.

Being well placed the Fastnet Rock sired Miss O’Brien, from the Last Tycoon mare Yvonne, overhauled the Bill Bogarts cared for apprentice Libby Hopwood mount Swoopy Coupe $6 in the concluding stages. Jon O’Connor and Dominic Tourneur provided Ramsgate $18 who was another three quarters of a length away third.

Coming from better than a mid-field position the Redoute’s Choice fathered three year old filly Lannaki, from the Red Ransome mare Woody, came with a strong outside run late in the 1600 metre fourth event to bring up a race to race double for mentor David Hayes and rider Paul Gatt.

Starting the $2.50 public elect Lannaki beat Mavrross $3.40 for the combination of mentor David Jolly and rider Chad Lever. After looking a threat at one point in the event Boom Trader $3.60 was another one and three quarter lengths away third for John O’Loughlin and Wayne Kerford.

Apprentice Libby Hopwood and her master Richard Jolly were well pleased with the two and a half length win of Red Centurion in the 1200 metre second race.

Drifting in the betting from $7 out to $8 the Bertolini gelding from the Rory’s Jester matron Nagina, was always in touch with the leaders and beat the Paul Beshara cared for Paul Gatt guided Flash Back, the popular fancy at $3. A farther two and three quarter lengths away filling the minor placing was Harbourtown $8 for John Hickmott and apprentice Tilly Neve.

From the Stargazer mare Star Of Delante and sired by the American bred Fraar, Miss Newenham gave her trainer Fred Meuring a head victory in race five which was contested over 1200 metres.

Being returned at $13 Miss Newenham settled well and powered home over the concluding stages to beat the last start winner Our Lara the $2.30 favourite for mentor Brian Mueller and rider Ben Claridge. Musigny $6 was a farther head away filling the minor placing for David Hayes and Paul Gatt.

Being under the care of Morphettville based mentor Jonathon Maddigan Li’l Miss Sunshine $8, with Damien Robinson as her pilot, was the three quarters of a length winner of the sixth event which was run over 2200 metres.

Winning her second race in a month the Belvic sired mare from Green Ice, a Thunder Gulch mare, L’il Miss Sunshine took control of the race soon after the start and went on to beat the Patrick Payne prepared Matthew Neilson ridden Danaupair Starlet, the $2.20 public elect.

After leading the field out of gates Countess Of Tiba $8 finished a farther four lengths away third for Ken M. Knowles and Dominic Tourneur.

Having his third run following a two year break Mei Wenti, $3-60 favourite, recorded a three and three quarter length win in the 1600 metre eighth race. Under the care of Daniel J Clarke and having the services of Chad Lever the Kenvain gelding, from the What a Guest mare Royal Visitor, was prominent throughout and beat the Gary Searle trained Todd Pannell ridden Cuban Kid $14.

A farther three quarters of a length away third was Visual Impact $7 for Ken Sweeney and Jeffrey Maund.

Trainer Mark Minervini and rider Simon Price teamed together when Andamooka Gem $6 was the half neck winner of the 1400 metre final event.

Out of the Lake Coniston mare Constant in Opal and sired by Quest for Fame, Andamooka Gem was always well placed and beat Sellbourne Road $9 for the combination of Kaye Faulds and apprentice Scott Westover.

The $3-50 favourite Amici D’Amore was a farther one and a half lengths away third for Jon O’Connor and Dominic Tourneur.

SA Jumps Scene Sound While Victoria Still Shakes

Sunday, 21 March 2010 23:59

Jumps racing is well and truly alive in South Australia and if last Saturday’s meeting at Oakbank is any indication, the sport has never been healthier.

What a great beginning to the new season. The signs are positive that Oakbank over the two days at Easter will be bigger and brighter than ever.

Oakbank is a true icon of Australian racing and what racing is all about that must be preserved at all costs.

The Hurdle race attracted a field of 12 runners with the Steeplechase comprising of 13 starters. There was just the one fall with horse and rider both escaping injury.

The jump’s looked far more impressive than we currently have in Victoria, with the last jump being a growing hedge.

The race club is in the process of growing further hedge fences that could be in use as early as next season.

Whilst in Victoria there is still a lot of indecision as if the industry is in a state of limbo -nobody quite certain knows what to expect.

The present season that was due to commence on the 6th of April has already been put back a couple of weeks and there could easily be further delays.

Alterations to the obstacles are well behind schedule and until that work is completed there can be no trials.

Horses will have to trial successfully over the new jumps before they will be permitted to race.

They are just a few of the nagging problems facing the industry which can be overcomed with a bit of common sense, however it is not the major issue.

The major issue for Racing Victoria is how they will install confidence into an industry that has been shattered, and picking up the pieces is not going to be easy.

Racing Victoria obviously don’t understand the fundamentals associated with the jumping industry. It can be a very costly exercise for little reward.

Owners cannot be expected to invest tens of thousands of dollars into an industry that is already on a shaky foundation.

Pentacolo On Track For Oakbank

Monday, 29 March 2010 08:15

Trainer Ciaron Maher hasn't ruled out trying for back-to-back Great Eastern Steeplechase wins with Pentacolo but a decision won't be made until he runs in Saturday's Von Doussa Steeple at Oakbank.

Pentacolo pleased the Warrnambool-based Maher with his length win over stablemate Al Garhood in a 3200m steeple trial at Oakbank on Monday.

"I want him to peak for Warrnambool so I'll just see. He's going to have to carry topweight (68kg) this year so we'll just have to work it out," Maher said.

"If it's an ordinary field we might be swayed. We'll wait and see."

Maher's main goal for Pentacolo is the $145,000 Grand Annual Steeple (5500m) at Warrnambool on May 6.

The seven-year-old was fourth to Sir Pentire in last year's Grand Annual.

Pentacolo showed he was going well with a five-length win over stablemate Art Success in a Hamilton 2800m jumps trial last Wednesday.

Al Garhood, a dual Brierly Steeple winner at Warrnambool, will have just the one run at Oakbank, in the Von Doussa.

Stable newcomer Art Success, the 2006 Group One Brisbane Cup (3200m) winner, impressed winning a hurdle trial (2200m) by six lengths from Satu San.

"He jumps really cleanly and seemed to handle the track okay. The Restricted Hurdle on Saturday looks a nice race for him," Maher said.

Satu San will run on the flat in the Yalumba Hcp (3600m) on Saturday and back up in Monday's Yalumba Classic Hurdle (3600m).

Another stablemate Marc Of Thunder, who won a Mt Gambier Hurdle (3050m) by 5-1/4 lengths last Friday, ran a soft fifth to the Barry Brook-trained Yesquire in a 2200m hurdle trial.

Maher said the grey would clash with Art Success in Saturday's Restricted Hurdle (2900m) and would probably back up in the Classic Hurdle.

"He won very easily at Mt Gambier in a very weak field," Maher said.

"I hadn't trialled him yet this preparation and I just treated it as a trial.

"He lost his confidence against some pretty strong fields last winter. He was running against the cream and I wanted to give him a confidence booster which it did.

"He raced and won on the bridle and he trialled very well today under a good hold. His jumping was spot-on."

Saturday's Morphettville Races Report

Sunday, 21 March 2010 23:57

Jockey Dean Holland was welcomed into the Group 1 winner’s club by his former home town crowd when the John Thompson prepared Small Minds was the neck winner of the Schweppes Oaks which was run over 2006 metres at Morphettville on Saturday.

A $26 chance when starter the released the runners in the pink ribbon classic the Canny Lad sired Small Minds, from the Yates matron Princess Marigold, was no farther back than sixth and finished too strong for another John Thompson prepared filly, the Danny Nikolic guided No Evidence Needed $7.

The Danny O’Brien trained Clare Lindop ridden Ipioga $9 competed a trifecta for the Flemington track when the filly finished another half neck away third.

Sire Testa Rossa brought up a siring double and the historic Flemington recourse had a race to race feature double when the Steve Richards trained Steven King guided Rostova was the three quarters of a length winner of the Sportingbet Classic for fillies and mares which was contested 1200 metres.

From Space Talk and fathered by the United States bred Anabaa, Rostova $26 came from well back and beat the Mick Price trained Damien Oliver ridden Velocitea, the $4.40 equal favourite with the twelfth placegetter Headway. Sister Madly $8 was a farther long neck away third for Anthony Cummings and Dwayne Dunn.

Rostova, who had not won since winning the VRC Sires Produce Stakes at Flemington 12 months ago, is now likely to tackle the 1100 metre Galalzy at Group 1 level at Randwick on April 17.

After winning the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on Adelaide Cup day Toorak Toff made it two Adelaide feature wins in a fortnight when he was the head winner of the 1200 metre The Jansz ( registered as National Stakes) for two year olds.

Being under the care of Rick Hore-Lacy and having the services of Damien Oliver the Show A Heart colt from the Grand Lodge mare Orong settled well and went on to record a win over the $1.85 public elect Stirling Grove who is trained by Richard Jolly and was ridden by Chad Lever. A farther two and three quarter lengths away third was Bedhrah $10 for David Hayes and Paul Gatt.

Toorak Toff will now head to Sydney for the $300,000 Group 1 AJC Sires Produce Stakes of 1400 metres at Randwick on April 10.

The Australian bred entire Testa Rossa brought up the first leg of a double when Rentarossa, the $2.40 favourite, was the short neck winner of the 2500 metre opening event for the father and daughter training partnership of Terry and Karina O’Sullivan.

Piloted by Mark Zahra and being out of the Belligerent sired mare High Rent, Rentarossa led from the starting stalls before dropping back to a mid field position and then mustered enough speed once more to go on and beat the Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas trained Clare Lindop ridden Sultan Of Speed $4.20. The $7 chance Red Cat was a farther neck away filling the minor placing for Bill Papazaharoudakis and Jason Holder.

When asked what he had in mind for Rentarossa Terry O’ Sullivan said that the gelding is likely to return to Adelaide for a similar type event.

Having the services of former Adelaide and now Brisbane based hoop Jason Holder the David Balfour trained River’s Lane was one and a half length winner of race two which was run over 1600 metres.

Being out of the Made Of Gold matron Star Maid and sired by the Irish bred Street Cry, River’s Lane came from well back with a late burst to beat the Sue Murphy prepared Paul Gatt ridden Racer’s Run $26. Cavalry Back $21 was another half length away third for Dean Pannell and Dean Holland.

The combination of trainer David Baylis and jockey Dwayne Dunn were well pleased with the two and a half length win of Balzoni, the $4 equal favourite with the fourth placegetter Changing Eyes in the 1000 metre third event.

Having its fifth start and recording the third win the Bianconi sired Balzoni, from the Euclase mare Lola, powered home from last and beat the Byron Cozamanis cared for Dean Holland mount Kenny Kid $6. Kisrak $5 was another nose away third for David Jolly and Jason Holder.

Sired by the American bred Dehere from the Centaine matron Kapchat five year old Hidden Energy gave her owner Mrs Sophie Sangster a two length victory in the fourth race which was contested over 1200 metres.

Being under the care of David Hayes and having the services of Paul Gatt Hidden Energy came from a rearward position and beat the Paul Seater cared for Matthew Neilson piloted Allstar $14. A farther one and a quarter lengths away third was a last start winner Exalted Thomas $9 for Jim Smith and apprentice Claudia Lions.

Melbourne rider Danny Nikolic joined forces with Finniss based trainer John Hyam in the three quarters of a length win of Believe In More $9.50 in the 1200 metre final event.

Sired by the American bred More Than Ready out of the Jugah mare Brookes, Believe In More came from well back to beat Ocsmepop $8 for horse carer Lloyd Kennewell and Craig Newitt. You Dee Cee $41 was a farther three quarters of a length away third for Jon O’ Connor and Matthew Neilson.