Kavanagh Pair To Be Spelled
- Thursday, 31 December 2009 03:15
The Mark Kavanagh trained pair of Catapulted and Klitschko will be enjoying time in the spelling paddock after their respective defeats at Morphettville Parks on Boxing Day. Catapulted started an odds-on favourite in the $70,000 Listed P.D.Excavations Christmas Handicap (1400m) last Saturday but disappointed his followers by finishing sixth, over three lengths from the winner Shekinaar.
Morphettville stable foreman, Sam Kavanagh, notified stewards that since Saturday's race Catapulted had pulled muscles across its back and hindquarters.
As a result, the four-year-old has undergone chiropractic treatment and will be spelled.
Catapulted has had ten starts for six wins and one placing with his prizemoney in excess of $155,000.
Meanwhile Klitschko will also be spelled after he suffered his second straight defeat to Canali in the $26,500 Boag's Draught Handicap (1000m).
Klitschko was beaten by two lengths on debut, but Canali trounced the son of Choisir by over six lengths on Saturday.
Kavanagh told stewards that Klitschko had already undergone a veterinary examination and subsequent arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone chip in the gelding's off knee.
Picture - Jenny Barnes
Morphettville Races 26 December - Pictorial Report
- Monday, 28 December 2009 08:45
Click below for the action from Christmas Hcp day held away from the now closed track of Cheltenham for the first time in history.
Goodwood, SA Derby Meeting Shifted To Sunday
- Tuesday, 22 December 2009 07:15
South Australia's biggest race-meeting of the year has been rescheduled to a Sunday afternoon in order to prevent a clash against an AFL match featuring two local teams, the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power at AAMI Stadium.
Now to be promoted as Super Sunday, the meeting will still carry a total of $1.3 million in prizemoney with no race running for less than $100,000.
The Super Sunday meeting includes two Group 1 events, the Betfair.com South Australian Derby (2500m) and the Distinctive Homes Goodwood Stakes (1200m), as well as five other listed events.
TRSA and the SAJC had announced the Super Saturday fixture months in advance of the AFL who released their fixtures for the 2010 season in October.
Once the AFL decided to schedule the match between the two sides on a Saturday afternoon, pitting the two major events on a collusion course, TRSA and the SAJC have taken evasive action and for the second time in five years have moved the meeting onto a Sunday afternoon.
"While we did give consideration to staying with the Saturday and competing with the AFL, that would have been to the detriment of all the work we have been doing with SA Tourism to position it as a major event, both interstate and statewide," said Thoroughbred Racing SA Chief Executive Jim Watters.
"This is particularly true with the $100,000 Provincial Super Series, a race which is the culmination of 14 qualifying heats being held at provincial race meetings around SA and is an important part of the campaign to attract South Australians to Adelaide for the State's richest race day."
As a result of the Super Sunday move, the Millicent Racing Club's Cup Meeting scheduled for Sunday has also been swapped to cover the Saturday vacancy and will be held at Mount Gambier with a prizemoney boost to all races on the card.
The Scott Group of Companies Millicent Cup stakes will increase to $30,000 with a $15,000 sprint.
All other races will now have a minimum stake of $14,000 following a prizemoney top-up by the Millicent Racing Club.
"We feel this move best rewards the club for its initiative and enthusiasm while also fulfilling our requirement to hold a race meeting in South Australia on the Saturday," Mr Watters said.
Pictures - Jenny BarnesShekinaar Wins Christmas Handicap
- Saturday, 26 December 2009 13:30
Expertly ridden by Michael Hoppo, Shekinaar jumped from barrier four and held her position into the first turn to settle just forward of midfield, one away from the rails on the back of odds-on favourite Catapulted.
When Catapulted worked into the clear before the home bend, Hoppo followed his main rival through the field before peeling wider and hitting the lead 150m from home.
With fellow mares Hidden Energy and Moment In Time charging late, Shekinaar had too much up her sleeve to win by less than half a length on the line.
Shekinaar ($19) defeated Hidden Energy ($21) by a long neck with Moment In Time a further short head away in third.
Impressive Eagle ($6) completed the all female first four finishing fouth while Gogocanny ($10) was the best of the males in fifth.
Catapulted ($1.70 fav) was disappointing, finishing down the track in sixth over three lengths from the winner.
Shekinaar has now won four times and has been placed on a further three occasions from ten starts and her victory today came at her first attempt in stakes company.
Elsewhere in what was an competitive card at Morphettville, St Fraser won the final of the $30,000 Star Of Christmas Series (1400m) while open class sprinters Changing Eyes and Get Set shared the spoils in the $41,000 Allan Scott Park Morphettville Handicap (1000m).
Amended Arrival Times For Morphettville Wednesday
- Tuesday, 22 December 2009 04:15
Media Release - TRSA
Wednesday's Morphettville Races Report
- Thursday, 24 December 2009 03:59
Staring at $6 the Blevic sired Meadows Power, from the Mighty Avalanche mare Power Of Angels, and raced by SAJC Deputy Chairman Ken Smith and his wife Helen, beat another Jim Smith runner, the Chad Lever ridden Quid Pro Quo the $1.70 favourite.
Classic Conduct $4 was another long head away third for John Hickmott and apprentice Libby Hopwood.
After being granted an owner/trainer licence six months ago Kristy Oyarzun stood proudly in the winner's stall for the first time as a trainer when her charge Colonel Spicer $21 won the 1523 metre second race.
Having the services of Michael Hoppo and sired by the English bred entire Pride And Glory from the Canny Lad matron Ashonti Spice, Colonel Spicer was last when the event took shape but gradually improved his position to put a margin of one and a quarter lengths between himself and the second placegetter, the David Hayes cared for Paul Gatt ridden Master Beckett, the $1.65 favourite.
Spirit of Umtali $10 was a farther long head away third for John Macmillan and apprentice Claudia Lions.
The breeding combination of Keltrice and the Royal Academy mare Windsor Rebel produced the William Smart trained Ryan Plumb ridden Kelly Royale, the one and a half length winner of race three which was run over 1000 metres.
An $11 chance at barrier rise Kelly Royale was well placed and beat the Peter Blanch prepared Dominic Tourneur mount Hearts ‘N' Halos $3.10. Waikiki Girl was another three quarters of a length away third for John Macmillan and Libby Hopwood.
Jockey Ben Claridge brought up the first leg of a double when he guided the Scaredee Cat three year old gelding Catsonsong, from Singasong, a Danasinga mare, to a one and a half length win in the 1200 metre fourth event.
A $2.80 favourite at barrier rise and being under the care of Phillip Stokes Catsonsong was a near all the way winner and beat the Gary Kennewell trained Ryan Plumb ridden Seeyatomoro $4. A farther length away filling the minor placing was the $10 chance Harbourtown for John Hickmott and apprentice Tillie Neve.
Punters had their second success in succession when Showusyourcugats, the $3.10 favourite, brought up a one and a half length victory for trainer Daniel Clarken and his apprentice Lauren Stojakovic in race five which was contested over 1200 metres.
From the Charmwood Forest mare Your Own Good and fathered by the United States bred King Cugat Showusyourcugats was always well positioned and beat the Gordon Richards trained Libby Hopwood ridden Testy $31. A farther three quarters of a length away taking out the third prizemoney was Missgoblet $8 for Stuart Gower and Michael Hoppo.
The team of co-trainers Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas and their number one stable jockey Clare Lindop were successful when the $3.10 punter's choice Eastern Manners was the two length winner of race six which was run over 1200 metres.
A four year old gelding by the American bred Dubai out of the Grand Lodge mare Grand Manners Eastern Manners settled fifth before losing that position but was able to regain his momentum and went on to beat the Samantha Barr prepared Dominic Tourneur mount Avoca Street $7, a last start Morphettville winner. Another half length away third was the $26 chance Sedbergh for Ken Sweeney and Tillie Neve.
Rider Ben Claridge brought up his double and mentor Paul Seater trained the first leg of back to back winners when the $6.50 chance Deal Broker was the short neck winner of race seven which was contested over 1000 metres.
An Alannan sired four year old gelding from the At Talaq mare On Any Deal, Deal Broker was well back in the early stages but powered home to beat the Stephen Brown cared for Chad Lever mount Thumb Print $6. Fast Frank $4.60 was another two lengths away third for Daniel Clarken and Dominic Tourneur.
Clare Lindop and Paul Seater brought up doubles when Olivia Grace $4 was the one and a quarter length winner of the final event of 1523 metres.
A daughter of Falvelon from the Charmwood Forest mare Nero Cavallo, Olivia Grace came from the rear of the field to beat the Jon O'Connor prepared Dominic Tourneur ridden Sacshe $5. A farther half length away third was Seduced, the $2-90 favourite for Roslyn Day and Simon Price.
Saturday's Morphettville Races Report
- Monday, 21 December 2009 04:03
Trained by David Hayes and starting at $3.30 You Beautiful Doll, now the winner of two races in succession, was last on settling but gradually moved though the field and beat the $2.10 public elect Naughty Boy for mentor Kylie Huxtable and rider Chad Lever. Completing the trifecta was Elmore $3.20 for Luke Oliver and Ryan Plumb.
After having to be content with second placing in the opening event trainer David Hayes joined forces with jockey Paul Gatt in the half length win of Jalsah $5 in the 1000 metre second race.
From the Danehill matron Alqwah and fathered by the United States bred Elusive Quality, Jalsah came from a near last position and beat a first starter, the David Balfour trained Damien Robinson steered Obsidian Dragon $15. Always Discreet $4.80 was a farther two and three quarter lengths away third for Richard Jolly and apprentice Libby Hopwood.
Jockey Simon Price scored his second win when the $2.50 chance Rock The Moment was the five and a quarter length winner of the 1200 metre third event giving trainer Mark Kavanagh the first leg of a training double.
The product of Rock Of Gibraltar from Moment's Pleasure, an Archregent mare, Rock The Moment was well placed and defeated Vintage Comedy, the $2.20 favourite. Five Trains $61 was a farther one and half lengths away third for Peter Neuhuber and Damien Robinson.
Being under the care of Craig Curtis the exciting three year old Storm Brewing, the $2-25 public elect, was the one and a quarter length winner of race four which was run over 1800 metres.
Sired by the English bred stallion Desert Sun from the Mystery Storm mare In A Teacup, Storm Brewing was in the first two throughout the event and went on to record a win over the Stuart Gower trained Michael Hoppo steered Allabouttheshoes $10.
Daydream Charlie $4 was a farther three quarters of a length away third for Shane Oxlade and Justin Potter.
Storm Brewing will now be rested and is likely to be a SA Derby prospect in May.
The $8 chance Noble Connection gave trainer Daniel Clarken and his apprentice Lauren Stojakovic a one and a quarter length win in the 2030 metre fifth race.
From Bright Blue, a daughter of Scenic, and sired by Iglesia Noble Connection was an all the way winner and beat the Mick Huxtable trained Simon Price ridden Magnificat $3.60. A farther neck away third was Stakhanovite $3.80 for Gary Searle and Adrian Patterson.
After not missing a placing in his two runs back from a spell Ooleo gave trainers Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas and rider Clare Lindop a neck win in race six which was contested over 1100 metres.
Giving his sire Iglesia a race to race double and being out of the Gold Craft sired Greinee Pet, Ooleo $4.60 was not sighted early in the race but powered home to beat the Daniel Clarken cared for Dominic Tourneur ridden Law School $5. Another long neck away third was Exalted Keetah $5 for Jim Smith and Simon Price.
A winning margin of one and a quarter lengths on the part of Galileo's Dream, the $3-20 favourite, saw rider Simon Price ride his third winner and Mark Kavanagh train his second winner in race seven which was run over 1600 metres.
Being from Fairy King mare Away With Fairies and sired the by the Irish bred sire Galileo the four year old Galileo's Dream was always in the first two and beat the Phillip Stokes prepared Ben Claridge guided Zaraya Rose $7. David Hayes and Libby Hopwood provided Penzevengi $5 who was a farther long head away third.
Mount Gambier trainer Chris Oxlade and apprentice Libby Hopwood teamed together in the one length win of Orchestra Stalls, the $2.20 favourite, in the 1600 metres final event.
A product of the mating of Centre Stalls and the Keepers mare Keep Us Laughing, Orchestra Stalls was mid field before going on to record a win over the Lloyd Kennewell trained Ryan Plumb ridden Loukoumi $4. A father two and a half lengths away third was Akhameela $21 for Fred Meuring David Tootell.
Comment: AFL Needs Reality Check
- Wednesday, 23 December 2009 03:15
If you haven't, you didn't miss out on much except a whole lot of vitriolic scaremongering from the AFL.
According to senior AFL officials, if the World Cup comes to Australia, the proposed eight week lease of a handful of stadiums will leave the AFL with no other choice but to abandon a whole season.
The repercussions of that hiatus, according to the AFL, would be so great that some football clubs could go bust.
Those claims, and others, were unequivocally parroted by some sections of the media.
Their cries may have been over the top but all the AFL and Aussie Rules supporters wanted was a fair go. They don't want to be dictated to by a competitor and suffer economically because of it.
That's fair enough.
So it's with this knowledge I'm struggling to come to terms with the AFL bullying Thoroughbred Racing SA (TRSA) and the South Australian Jockey Club (SAJC) into moving their signature meeting for the second time since 2006.
Due to the AFL's scheduling the Adelaide Crows vs. Port Adelaide match on Saturday afternoon, May 1st - months after the SAJC and TRSA finalised their calendar dates - the Goodwood and South Australian Derby will be held the following day on the Sunday.
Thoroughbred Racing SA Chief Executive Jim Watters was diplomatic about the situation in issuing a press release on Monday commenting "While we did give consideration to staying with the Saturday and competing with the AFL, that would have been to the detriment of all the work we have been doing with SA Tourism to position it as a major event, both interstate and statewide."
He goes onto add, "We believe this decision is the right one for racing in South Australia and for the good of the event into the future."
There is simply no doubt the SAJC and TRSA would have preferred to have stayed on the Saturday afternoon.
Turnover figures from the first two Super Sunday's in 2006 and 2007 demonstrate a reduction in turnover as it was scheduled away from racing's ‘prime-time'.
In 2007, Uni-Tab ‘Win Pools' totaled $1.5 million for all eight races however a year later and a return to its Saturday timeslot meant that figure rose by just under 25%.
Interestingly in 2009, despite having less starters compared to 2007, the win-pool on Uni-Tab for all eight races still totaled over $1.8 million.
It's a no-brainer from any racing perspective you view the situation from, the ideal date and time of the meeting is Saturday afternoon.
I'd be staggered if TRSA and the SAJC didn't explore other strategies in order to reach a compromise and keep the meeting in its rightful spot.
It'd be negligent on their behalf if they didn't at least try.
So it must be questioned why didn't the AFL answer the pleas of the South Australian thoroughbred racing community to move the football match to another timeslot?
You could play the ‘Showdown' at midnight on Christmas Day and still get a capacity crowd at AAMI Stadium such is the popularity of the two teams in their home state.
Last year, the Adelaide Crows played Port Adelaide on Saturday Night and didn't seem to detract from either event too severely.
But there was no compassion from the AFL - no compromise was achieved and TRSA and SAJC had no other viable financial option but to cut their losses and reluctantly delay the raceday by 24 hours.
If they kept it on the Saturday afternoon against the AFL, the meeting would have been asphyxiated by the popularity of the local Derby.
But the AFL should be warned. What goes around comes around and let's hope something as big on a global stage such as the FIFA World Cup comes to Australia in order to knock their overburdening ego back into shape for everyone's benefit.
Related Coverage
Goodwood, SA Derby Meeting Shifted To Sunday
Sportingbet Sponsor South Australian Group One Race
- Friday, 18 December 2009 08:45
The $300,000 Sportingbet Classic always attracts the highest quality fillies and mares from around the country with recent winners including Alinghi and Universal Queen.
Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said he was excited to be supporting both the race and the industry in South Australia.
"This race has a tremendous history and I am sure the Sportingbet Classic will produce some more champions in the years to come," Sullivan said.
"This is an extension of our already significant involvement with racing in South Australia and another example of our commitment to contribute to the long term growth of the racing industry.
"We are now sponsoring four Group 1 races in Victoria and South Australia as well as racing at all other levels from Saturday meetings to midweek and country racing.
"We have always said we want our contribution to racing to be about more than tax and we look forward to the day when we can support racing in all states of Australia."
South Australia Jockey Club Sponsorship Manager Torrie Osborn said the deal was great news for the club and racing in South Australia.
"This is an extension of the deal we have with Sportingbet Australia and another positive step in the growth of racing in South Australia," Osborn said.
"The Sportingbet Classic has a rich history of producing quality fields and the three year deal with Sportingbet should see us produce many more champions in the years to come."
The inaugural Sportingbet Classic will be held on March 20 2010 as part of the South Australian Autumn carnival.
Media Release -
Morphettville Races - 19 December Pictorial Report
- Tuesday, 22 December 2009 11:45
Usually a quiet meeting leading into the big Christmas Hcp on Boxing Day there was great interest in the 2yo race which had excitement before and during the race. As the field of 13 paraded in the mounting yard Kismet's Kiss took fright when her jockey was legged aboard and bolted towards the stalls. She stopped before the gate blocking her path and turned around and charged back amongst the other 12 runners through the mounting yard dodging trainers who tried to calm her then turned and headed for the gate again this time crashing into it.
Suddenly a cat obviously spooked by the horse movement and crash of the gate bolted from the mounting yard hedge through the owners & trainers area past the scales, press room and was last seen skirting around to the back of the Morphettville grandstand. Many regulars commented on the bizarre nature of seeing a cat unexpectedly running out of its hiding spot and through the area - its timing couldn't have been any better to relieve the tension about the runaway horse (that scared the cat). Ultimately the horse found its way back to the stalls without serious harm, the cat disappeared for the day and the internal gate sported a large dent.
In the race itself outsider Obsidian Dragon was responding strongly in front but in the final strides Jalsah stormed home to grab victory on the line.
For action of the races from the earlier part of the day clock below
Wednesday's Strathalbyn Races Report
- Thursday, 17 December 2009 14:16
John Hickmott and Dominic Tourneur were the first open their Christmas boxes when Pengana was the neck winner of the 1600 metre opening event. Starting the $1.60 favourite the Black Hawk sired Pengana, from Rory's Wag a Rory's Jester mare, was well placed and went on to defeat Setatrend $5 for local trainer Michael Nunan and rider Ryan Plumb.
The $21 chance Jayceess was a farther two and three quarter lengths away third for Jon O'Connor and apprentice Scott Westover.
Quoted at $10 at barrier rise the Taos sired seven year old gelding Musty Springs gave trainer John Hickmott his second success, winning the fourth race which was run over 2050 metres.
From the Mustin Lake mare Mustin Magic, Musty Springs was in touch with the leaders throughout the distance event of the afternoon and finished a long neck ahead of Bust The Bank $18 for mentor Kim Healy and Justin Potter. Another two and three quarter lengths away third was another Kim Healy runner Mystique Madam, also quoted at $18, with apprentice Lauren Stojakovic in the saddle.
Trainer Dennis O'Leary's first winner came when Adoptme Two won the 1350 metre third race by one length.
Starting the $1.60 punter's choice and having the services of Chad Lever the Staaraq four year gelding, out of the Snaadee mare Adopted, came from a mid field position to beat the David Hayes mentored Simon Price ridden Jooli Lad $5.50. A $5 chance, another David Hayes runner Zenton, piloted by Ryan Plumb, was a farther three and a half lengths away third.
Mentor Dennis O'Leary and rider Dominic Tourneur brought up their doubles when Akhamine was the three quarters of a length victor of the 1600 metre final event.
A $3.80 chance when the starter released the field the Akhadan mare Akhamine, from the Rubiton matron Make Mine Ruby, settled in fifth place and maintained that position before going on to record a win over the Daniel Clarken cared for Simon Price piloted Teairra $9. Start Praying $26 was a farther one and a half lengths away third for Ken M Knowles and apprentice Jordon Frew.
Teaming with husband Jeffrey Maund Karen Letts-Maund was the only local trainer to meet with success when My Uncle Vinny was the head winner of the fifth race which was contested over 1200 metres.
The result of the mating of the Irish bed stallion Carnegie from the French mare Perilla, who was fathered by another Irish bred stallion Mark Of Esteem, My Uncle Vinny was well placed and beat the The Princess $4.60 for mentor Brian Mueller and rider Jordon Frew, giving the southern track the quinella. A farther three quarters of a length away third was Brute Bernard $13 for Byron Cozamanis and Paul Gatt.
Apprentice Libby Hopwood added another notch to her impressive record so far this season when she steered the Peter Jolly prepared Fameson to a long neck win in the 1100 metre second race.
Being the $3 public elect the Blevic sired Fameson, from the Bellotto mare Our Fame, was well placed and beat Wandsworth $71 for mentor Bill Peake and jockey Adrian Patterson. A length away third was Quick Plan $3.30 for Mick Whittle and Matthew Neilson.
A start in the $30,000 1400 metre Class 5 Handicap (Final of the Star of Christmas Series) on the Parks track at Morphettville on Boxing Day was the reward earned by the half head win of Cherishing in the sixth race which was run over 1350 metres.
Prepared by John Hyam and having the services Troy Baker the Special Bond sired mare, from the Switch In Time matron Mama San, Cherishing came from mid field and defeated King Of The Sun $5.50 for local trainer Mick Whittle and rider Chad Lever.
Another three quarters of a length away third was the $4 favourite Miss Planchet for Paul Seater and Clare Lindop.