Price Out To Repeat Group One Double

Friday, 19 March 2010 06:22

Mick Price will attempt to repeat a Group One double he achieved at the corresponding meeting a year ago when Velocitea contests the Sportingbet Classic and Aloha and Nakaaya the Australasian Oaks at Morphettville.

Price combined with stable jockey Craig Newitt to win the 2009 Robert Sangster Stakes, now known as the Sportingbet Classic, aboard Bel Mer while the pair landed the Australasian Oaks with Gallica.

Newitt will ride Nakaaya in Saturday's Oaks but is on the Peter Moody-trained Headway in the Sportingbet Classic (1200m), while Damien Oliver will handle Velocitea in the Classic and Aloha in the Oaks.

Oliver is chasing his third Oaks having previously won the 2000m feature on Episode in 1999 and Tully Thunder in 2002.

He also won a Sportingbet Classic aboard Alinghi in 2005.

Price, who has won the Sportingbet Classic three times, the other two with Spirit Of Love (1998) and French Bid (2004) before it was elevated to Group One level, queried how the track would play on Saturday.

"Given that the rail is out three metres, the same position as it was on Adelaide Cup day when they were in the middle to outside of the track making their runs, will it be to Velocitea's advantage drawing barrier five?," he asked.

However he is confident the former Brian Mayfield-Smith-trained mare is at her best for the big race.

"I cannot have her any better. She gets her chance to win a Group One," he said.

The Volksraad four-year-old is after a hat-trick of victories following her wins in the Group Three Hyderabad Racing Club Stakes and the Listed Japan Racing Association Stakes, both over 1200m at Caulfield.

"She's in good order, I'm very happy with her," Price said.

Price was happy with Aloha coming up with barrier six in the Oaks field of 16 plus three emergencies, while Nakaaya drew seven.

"That draw is good for Aloha because we want to snag her back with cover early so that she settles," he said.

A Sandown 1200m winner last August, Aloha has been placed at all her other six starts including her last five runs up to 1600m.

The Encosta De Lago three-year-old was third behind Oaks rivals My Emotion and Speedy Natalie in the Group Two Fillies Classic (1600m) at Moonee Valley before finishing third to Small Minds in the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m) at Morphettville on March 8.

Nakaaya, a Caulfield 1400m winner in December, ran an encouraging fifth to Set For Fame in the Group Two Angus Armanasco Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield on February 20.

But last start the Tiger Hill filly was a distant last in the Adelaide Guineas after her saddle slipped forward.

"Nakaaya will be no problem over the trip but Aloha has to prove herself," Price said.

"It could be her first and last try at 2000 metres but it's a Group One.

"I thought I'd dodge the Australian Guineas to have a shot at this race

"He (Oliver) followed the wrong horses in the wrong part of the track last start and got blocked for a run while the winner was out in the middle, but she was strong to the line."

Velocitea is $5 favourite in the 20-horse Sportingbet Classic with TAB Sportsbet ahead of Headway at $6.50 with Majestic Music and Sister Madly at $7.50.

The Mick Kent-trained My Emotion is the $5 Oaks favourite ahead of Speedy Natalie at $5.50, Aloha at $7.50 and Absolute Faith at $8.

Nakaaya is at $11.

To view fields and form for the Sportingbet Classic, click here while if you wish to view fields and form for the Australasian Oaks, click here.

Pictures: Fiona Tomlin & Sportpix

Morphettville Group One Features - Final Fields & Barriers

Wednesday, 17 March 2010 00:11

A capacity field of twenty runners will charge around Morphettville this Saturday for the $300,000 Group One Sportingbet Classic (1200m) for fillies and mares.

The Gary Kennewell-trained Cerberus Girl has drawn favourably and will start from barrier one while fellow local runners Very Discreet and Shekinaar won’t have many complaints with where they start from in gates three and four respectively.

Velocitea is expected to start favourite when pre-post markets are released later today with the Mick Price-trained galloper due to start from barrier five.

In the other Group 1 event on the card at Morphettville this Saturday, the $300,000 Schweppes Australasian Oaks (2006m) for three-year-old fillies, Adelaide Guineas (1600m) winner Small Minds has been set a tough task from barrier 17.

Fellow interstate visitors Pins On Ice and No Evidence Needed are the only two runners in the field to fare worse and will start in the two outside draws.

Morphettville (Saturday)

Race 6 @ 4:10pm - $300,000 Group 1 Schweppes Australasian Oaks (2006m)

3yo Fillies - No Claims

Race 7 @ 4:50pm - $300,000 Group 1 Sportingbet Classic (1200m)

F&M - No Claims

Picture: Jenny Barnes

Tootsie Chases First Group One Win At Morphettville

Friday, 19 March 2010 05:33

Tootsie will get her chance to register her first Group One victory on Saturday when she contests the $300,000 Sportingbet Classic (1200m) at Morphettville according to her trainer Michael Moroney.

Whilst he concedes starting from barrier 18 of 20 is far from ideal in what he describes a “very competitive mares race”, Moroney believes Tootsie can win if jockey James Winks rides her more quietly from the gates.

“She got beaten fair and square in New Zealand (Group 1 Trentham Stakes) but was a bit slow away,” Moroney told the Virtual Formguide.

“Just from the barrier draw, we’ll probably have to ride her back which we’ve done before.”

Winks has never ridden the five-year-old mare previously.

Moroney is well aware that Saturday’s race will be Tootsie’s tenth run this season but more racing is to be added to her agenda shortly.

“She’ll head to Queensland after this.”

“She’s currently on lease and it ends in July so she’ll race through till then,” Moroney added before confirming a race such as Group 1 Winter Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm could be her main aim after tomorrow.

After finishing second in the Listed Northwood Plume Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield last October, Tootsie struggled slightly over the remaining Melbourne Spring Carnival and returned to New Zealand.

Tootsie bounced back quickly by finishing second in the Trentham Stakes (1200m) before winning the Group 3 TBV Mannerism Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 20 ahead of last start winner Be Positive.

She boasts a record of seven wins and five placings from 23 starts with over $370,000 in prizemoney next to her name.

Tootsie is by Pins out of unraced O'Reilly mare Hyades who is a half-sister to Listed winner La Rose Noir who is the dam of stakes winner Espurante.

With the David Hayes-trained Irish Lights scratched, Tootsie is currently rated a $21 chance to win Saturday’s Sportingbet Classic with TAB Fixed Odds with Velocitea the favourite at $5.

To view fields and form for the Sportingbet Classic, click here.

Pictures: Fiona Tomlin & Sportpix

Jolly Aiming For Discreet Double

Tuesday, 16 March 2010 07:15

Trainer Richard Jolly is looking to pull off a Group One family double with half-sisters Very Discreet and I'm Discreet in the Sportingbet Classic and the Australasian Oaks respectively on Saturday.

Jolly believes Very Discreet can rebound at Morphettville from the worst run of her career while he is hopeful that I'm Discreet's class and toughness will give her the edge in the Oaks.

Four-year-old Very Discreet, who has won five of her nine starts, was a victim of her own brilliance last start when she began quickly and raced against her normal racing pattern on the speed in the Group Three Irwin Stakes (1100m) won by Augusta Proud.

She was always a target for the swoopers on a track that was favouring backmarkers and was swamped, finishing sixth of the seven runners.

"On face value it was disappointing but she jumped quickly and as soon as she was in front it gave her no hope," Jolly said.

"I think you just have to forgive her that run and give her another chance.

"She does relax when she gets cover and finishes off well and that's what she will have to do to be a chance in a race like that on Saturday."

Chad Lever has partnered Very Discreet most of her career and will ride her again in the 1200m Morphettville feature.

Last spring the mare won three Listed races including the Wylie Stakes (1100m) and Durbridge Stakes (1200m) when Lever rode her.

She also won the Listed Crown Promenade Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Oaks day.

Very Discreet, by Exceed And Excel, and I'm Discreet, by Elusive Quality, have been the most notable of six winning foals from Group Three Dermody Stakes winner She's Discreet.

Jolly said I'm Discreet was a tougher filly than Very Discreet and being a winner of five of her eight starts including the Listed Nitschke Stakes (1400m) had earned a crack at the Oaks (2006m) after her fourth in the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m) on March 8.

"She is a query at the trip but she is a pretty tough filly and battled on okay at the mile last start," Jolly said.

"I think she will run 2000 metres but she will probably want a nice draw and a cushy run."

Jolly is hopeful that Shady Grove, a winner of two of her seven starts and a last-start second in restricted grade over 1800 metres at Morphettville, will also get a start in the Oaks.

If she does her usual rider Libby Hopwood would retain the ride.

"She (Shady Grove) has been running against lesser opposition but she is going quite well," Jolly said.

"She probably lacks a bit of class but she will stay and is very honest so she certainly deserves her chance."

Final fields and barriers for the Sportingbet Classic and the Oaks will be declared on Wednesday.

Pictures: Quentin Lang & Jenny Barnes

Wednesday's Strathalbyn Races Report

Friday, 19 March 2010 02:52

Strathalbyn trained horses took full advantage of their home track when local mentors prepared five of the eight winners at Strathalbyn on Wednesday.

Dennis O’Leary, Shane Oxlade, Phillip Cole, Peter Moody and Brian Mueller were the local winners. Although he is registered as training at Nornanville Dennis O’Leary can be classed as a Strathalbyn trainer as some of his team use the Strathalbyn course for special work. He was the first to be seen in the winner’s enclosure when Valuabelle $6 was the four length winner of the opening event 1200 metres.

Having the service of Dominic Tourneur the Face Value sired Valuabelle, from the Chanteclair mare Nervola Belle, was well placed and beat the Gordon Richards trained apprentice Libby Hopwood mount Barannan $61.

The $3.70 public elect Raven Ready was another head away, taking the third prize, for Jim Smith and Matthew Neilson.

After having one of his runners scratched at the barrier trainer Shane Oxlade watched his remaining charge, the Paul Gatt ridden Jazzy General $10, record a half length win in the 1200 metre second race.

Sired by General Nediym from Gala Jazz, a daughter of Almurtajaz, the four year old mare Jazzy General came from well back with a withering run over the concluding stages to defeat Bart Merrall mentored Chad Lever ridden Hey Jamie $7.

A dead heat was declared for third between Scarlet Rose $4 for Richard Jolly and Libby Hopwood and Where’schristopher $6 for Lloyd Kennewell and Ryan Plumb.

Phillip Cole was the third local trainer in succession to meet with success when Tragic Transport $21, a Double Vice gelding from the Scenic matron Baringa, was the one and a quarter length winner of race three which was run over 1600 metres.

Ridden by Phillip Crich Tragic Transport led all the way and claimed victory over the John O’Loughlin prepared apprentice Lauren Stojakovic ridden Boom Trader, the $2.90 favourite. Phillip Stokes and Ben Claridge supplied He’s Hot To Trot $51 who finished a farther three quarters of a length away third.

Peter Moody was another local trainer to share in the limelight when the apprentice Kate Dyson mount Nothing Shall Pass lived up to his name and led all the way to be the eight length winner of the 2050 metre fifth race.

From the Blushing Scribe mare Amy’s Blushing and sired by the United States bred Fraar, Nothing Shall Pass $5-50 beat the Liz Garrick trained Lauren Stojakovic mount Portrait Dane $3-80.

Alakate $5.50 was a farther one and a quarter lengths away third for Tony Rohloff and Dominic Tourneur.

Local mentor Brian Mueller was seen in the winner’s enclosure when his charge Our Lara $7.50 was the one and three quarter length winner of race six which was run over 1100 metres.

From the Marooned sired Isolated Action and fathered by the Adelaide hills based sire Devaraja the Ben Claridge ridden three year old filly Our Lara settled in third position and sprinted to lead just after the home turn was reached.

Our Lara, who is raced by Mueller and Perth resident Mrs Veronica Evans, beat the Shane Oxlade trained Justin Potter ridden Daydream Charlie $15 giving the Strathalbyn track the quinella.

A farther short neck away third was Trice as Good $6 for Daniel Clarken and Lauren Stojakovic.

Now in the mentoring hands of the co- training partnership of Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas and piloted by Clare Lindop Wendy Ellen was the two and three quarters of a length winner of race four which was run over 2050 metres.

Being quoted at $4.20 when the starter sent the runners on their journey, the Irish bred entire Street Cry sired Wendy Ellen, from the Chief’s Crown matron Supernal, recorded her second success from thirty three starts.

Wendy Ellen maintained a midfield position before going on to beat the John Hickmott prepared apprentice Tillie Neve guided Musty Springs $8.50, the one time leader. A nose away was Mamma Mia $10 for David Hayes and Paul Gatt.

Trainer Daniel Clarken, jockey Wayne Kerford and Street Singer, a Mossman gelding, made it two wins in seven days when the four year old was the head winner of race seven which was contested 1350 metres.

Being out of Catshaan, a Catrial mare, Street Singer was well placed and beat the Daniel J Clarke mentored, Matthew Neilson mount Mei Wenti, the $4 punter’s choice. Starting at $10 Snapertude was a father length away third for Barbra Geracitano and Michael Hoppo.

To the glee of bookmakers punters continued their run of outs when the $8.50 chance Alquamarne was the one and a half length winner of the 1200 metre final race for mentor Barry Brook and apprentice Claudia Lions.

Being out of the Almaarad mare Almaanne and sired by Alquoz, Alquamarne was in the first three throughout the event and beat Snaamar $7 for mentor David Halliday and apprentice Jordan Frew. A farther one and a half lengths away third was the $6-50 chance Zaazip for Karen Byrnes and Paul Gatt.

O’Connor Fined For Positive Swab

Monday, 15 March 2010 13:00

The Stewards have concluded an inquiry into the analysis of a urine sample taken from Court Bell at Allan Scott Park Morphettville on Monday, 1 February 2010 which detected the prohibited substances Phenylbutazone and Oxyphenbutazone.

Court Bell was trialling to be reinstated to race having had an embargo imposed in winning at Allan Scott Park Morphettville on Saturday, 16 January 2010.

Evidence was taken from Mr. Jon O’Connor, the Trainer of Court Bell, TRSA Veterinary Surgeon, Dr. P. Horridge, and Dr. D. Batty, Deputy Laboratory Director, Racing Analytical Services Limited.

Mr. O’Connor’s treatment record was examined together with veterinary records for the mare.

Mr. O’Connor was charged under ARR.177A(a) in that Court Bell had been brought to the racecourse and presented for reinstatement in an Official Barrier Trial following which the prohibited substances Phenylbutazone and Oxyphenbutazone were detected in a urine sample taken post trial.

He pleaded guilty and was fined $2000. In determining penalty, the Stewards recognised Mr. O’Connor’s forthrightness before them and his presentation of credible treatments records.

Mr. O’Connor was informed of his right of appeal.

Picture: Jenny Barnes

Patinack's Trio In Australasian Oaks

Thursday, 18 March 2010 06:45

Patinack Farm trainer John Thompson will have a three-pronged attack in Saturday's Australasian Oaks in Adelaide as he looks to win his first Group One feature.

The Patinack team has Linky Dink, Small Minds and No Evidence Needed all set to contest the 2006m Classic for fillies at Morphettville and the trainer believes they have claims despite barriers 13, 17 and 19 respectively.

"It doesn't help but most of them get back anyway," Thompson said.

"I'm happy with all of them going into the race.

"No Evidence Needed, if she runs up to her last couple of runs she'll be right in it.

"The form around her is very strong."

No Evidence Needed won a 1200m Fillies Handicap at Caulfield first-up from a let-up last month before finishing fourth to Set For Fame second-up in the Angus Armanasco (1400m).

The Shamardal filly was then beaten less than a length by VRC Oaks winner Faint Perfume in the Group Two Kewney Stakes over 1600m at Flemington on March 6, with subsequent Matron Stakes winner Response finishing second.

Small Minds goes into the Oaks on the back of a last-start win in the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m) in which she started at $61.

"It was a super run last start, beating the colts," Thompson said.

Group One winner Linky Dink has been out of form so far this preparation, finishing last in the Angus Armanasco first-up from a 37-week spell.

The filly could then only manage to finish seventh in the Adelaide Guineas won by her stablemate.

The TJ Smith Classic winner from last year will have a gear change in the Oaks.

"Linky Dink is a very one-paced horse," Thompson said.

"She's getting up to the 2000 metres and we're putting blinkers on her so she should improve too."

Pictures: Quentin Lang & Jenny Barnes

Plumb, Baker Suspended For Five Meetings

Monday, 15 March 2010 13:00

For the second time in quick succession, jockey Ryan Plumb has been suspended for careless riding.

Plumb was suspended at Clare Valley on Sunday in the Skillogalee Wines Maiden Plate (1800m) aboard Lord Of The Song.

When passing the winning post on the first occasion, Plumb was inconvenienced and was taken wide of the track when the Amy Herrmann-ridden Jive Lady shifted in to gain cover.

Shortly after in an effort to rectify the situation, Plumb shifted back towards the rail however in doing so, caused interference to several runners including Lynvan Rose who hit the running rail and lost its position.

Plumb was suspended for five meetings for his role in the incident while Herrmann received a reprimand and was advised in future to only shift ground when entitled to do so.

Plumb, who was suspended at Port Lincoln in mid-February for four meetings and returned to race-riding just over a fortnight ago, will commence his latest suspension following this Saturday’s Morphettville meeting and return at the start of April.

Meanwhile jockey Troy Baker was also suspended for five meetings and will be sidelined for the same period after causing interference in the first race at Oakbank on Saturday.

Baker was riding the Rebecca Hodson-trained Birdseid in the $32,000 Tony Pilkington Handicap (1050m) for two-year-olds when he allowed his mount to shift in causing Sir Swift, which clipped heels, to check losing its position in running.

Picture: Greg Irvine

McArdle Has Absolute Faith In Filly

Wednesday, 17 March 2010 07:30

John McArdle is confident Absolute Faith can give him the third Group One win of his career in Saturday's Australasian Oaks at Morphettville.

When McArdle first kicked off his training career he was quickly in the spotlight with top filly Hollow Bullet who won the 2004 Wakeful Stakes-VRC Oaks double at Flemington and the 2005 Arrowfield Stud Stakes at Rosehill.

While she may not be as good as Hollow Bullet, Absolute Faith is certainly rated highly by the Mornington mentor.

"She has 1200-metre speed, but she relaxes very well and the jockeys who have been riding her say she is looking for 2000 metres," McArdle said.

Regular rider Brad Rawiller couldn't make the weight of 53.5kg when the Not A Single Doubt filly was ridden by Dwayne Dunn to a half-neck second to Extra Zero in the Group Two Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield on February 27.

"She went terrific against the colts and was a bit unlucky not to win," McArdle said.

"Dwayne got off and said she just wants further."

While her sire was a sprinter, McArdle says the filly has thrown to the dam, US mare Tender Saint, a daughter of St Jovite.

Featuring in her pedigree is Helenus, the triple Group One winner of the Victoria Derby, Rosehill Guineas and Caulfield Guineas.

From eight starts, Absolute Faith has won twice at Flemington, over 1200m and 1400m, and has been placed at Group Two and Three level this preparation.

"We put her aside after two runs in the spring as we were hoping she'd come back a stronger filly in the autumn which she has," McArdle said.

"Brad (Rawiller) came down and trialled her over a mile at Balnarring since her last run just to keep her ticking over."

Absolute Faith, $8.50 with TAB Sportsbet, has drawn barrier 11 in the 16-horse field plus three emergencies.

Favourite at $4.60 is the Mick Kent-trained My Emotion, who goes in as the last-start winner of the Group Two Fillies Classic (1600m) at Moonee Valley, ahead of Speedy Natalie at $5.50 and Aloha at $7.

Picture: Greg Irvine

Sunday's Clare Valley Races Report

Monday, 15 March 2010 13:00

Apprentice Tillie Neve was the first enter the winner’s circle when she guided Kate’s Dream to a one and a quarter length win in the opening race on Sunday at the Clare Valley Racing Club’s Mystical March Ladies Day fixture.

Prepared by Colin Baker and recording her win at her second start the Akhadan three year old filly, from the Dieu D’ Or mare Malmore, Kate’s Dream $5 came with a storming finish just after the home turn and defeated the Emma Hubbard cared for apprentice Claudia Lions mount Zofabird $5.

The $2.80 favourite Midnite Crusade was another long neck away third for David Jolly and Dominic Tourneur.

Sired by the Irish bred stallion Song Of Tara from the Kinjite matron Deep Time, Lord Of The Song $11 gave his mentor John Croucher and jockey Ryan Pluumb a neck win in the 1800 metre second race.

Taking up a mid field position soon after the start and continuing a strong run Lord Of The Song beat the Jeffery Maund guided Greg Lesnikowski trained Kyneton Lad $11. Galileo’s Goblet $26 was a farther short head away third for Phillip Cole and Claudia Lions.

A late pick-up ride at the expense of Simon Price saw Dominic Tourneur ride the first of two winners when the Greg Lesnikowski prepared Spinning Spanner was the one length victor of the third race which was run over 1700 metres.

From the Archway mare Summer Haven and fathered by the United States bred entire Spinning World, Spinning Spanner came from well back to beat the Mick Whittle mentored Mathew Neilson ridden In Private, the $3.20 public elect.

Another Crafty $16 was a farther two and a half lengths away filling the minor placing for Ron Daniel and Jeffrey Maund.

Hoop Matthew Neilson brought the first leg of his double when the $3.60 punter’s choice Race Memory was the three length winner of the 1200 metre fourth race.

Being under the care of Ken Sweeny the Racer’s Edge mare from Recollection, a Sippets mare, Racer’s Edge was well placed and beat the one time leader, the Shane Oxlade mentored Justin Potter piloted Umatilla Magic $10. Sheeza Peril $7 was another three and half lengths away third for Stuart Gower and apprentice Scott Westover.

The win of the $8 chance Darakan gave the chestnut gelding’s trainer Matthew Seyers and jockey Damien Robinson a three and a quarter length win in the 1100 metre fifth race.

From the Ardross mare City Ex and sired by the English bred entire Desert Sun, Darakan was in touch with the leaders throughout before defeating St Germein $3.40 for horse carer Peter Blanch and apprentice Scot Westover. A long head away filling the minor placing was Oriental Sling $5 for Greg Lesnikowski and Jeffrey Maund.

Jockey Domenic Tourneur landed his second winner when the King Charlemagne sired Imperial Rain, the $2.50 punter’s choice, was the one and a half length winner of race six which was run over 1100 metres.

Being under the care of mentor Ricky Moore and out of the Umatilla matron Misty Galore, Imperial Rain came from near last on the home turn to beat the Ken Sweeny mentored Matthew Neilson guided Tatsuhara $5.

The Brain Mueller and Claudia Lions supplied Belvidere Babe $12 another half neck away third.

Damien Robinson brought up second winner when the Jonathon Madigan charge Li’l Miss Sunshine $6 was the short half head winner of the seventh race which was contested over 1800 metres.

A five year old daughter of the Thunder Gulch mare Green Ice and the sire Blevic L’il Miss Sunshine was well placed and beat the Ken Sweeny trained Matthew Neilson ridden Eight Mile $5. Mr Marju $26 was a farther three and a half lengths away third for visiting Benalla trainer James Scott and apprentice Ellie Brooks.

Matthew Neilson rode his second for the day when the David Jolly cared for Tresette was the two and a quarter length winner of the final event was contested over 1100 metres.

From the Jugha sired mare Jug Full, Tresette, the $1.60 favourite, came from well back and grave his sire Blevic a double in the last two races.

The apprentice Scott Westover’s mount, the John Hickmott prepared Harbourtown $6 finished second, one and a half lengths ahead of Lady Orio $7.50 for apprentice Libby Hopwood and Simon Casey.