Catapulted Has Christmas Credentials
- Tuesday, 15 December 2009 13:59
Mark Kavanagh has enjoyed his fair share of success over the spring carnival and that appears to have continued into the warmer months of the year after Catapulted enhanced his reputation with a dominant victory in the $70,000 Listed City Of Marion Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday. Starting from the outside alley in the 17-horse field, Catapulted flew the gates and jockey Simon Price was able to expertly steer the four-year-old into the ‘one-one' before displaying a superior turn of foot in the straight to obliterate his rivals.
Catapulted ($3.60 fav) defeated Blahnik ($7) by three and a half lengths with Oakleigh Plate placegetter Tramuntana ($7) and Verco Road ($11) putting in eye-catching runs behind the winner in third and fourth respectively.
The son of Catbird has won his last for starts and will look to add to his tally in the $70,000 Listed Christmas Handicap (1400m) at Morphettville Parks on Boxing Day.
"You can never expect it to be easy from that sort of draw and in this better company, but he did win well so he'll be given another opportunity at that level," Kavanagh told the Adelaide Advertiser.
Meanwhile, Flying Merkel won his second metropolitan race in three starts after winning the $26,500 Boxing Day at Allan Scott Park Morphettville December 26 Handicap (1000m).
Trained by Scott Trenowden, who has less then six horses in work, Flying Merkel settled off the speed in a similar vein to Catapulted, only to peel a couple of horses away from the rails and dash clear to put the race beyond doubt.
The lightly raced five-year-old gelding is owned by Ceduna-based trainer Trevor Trenowden and former Virtual Formguide journalist, now Magic Millions media manager Greg Irvine as well as close friend, Kerry Gum.
Flying Merkel will now be sent for a spell with the aim of chasing further riches over the autumn carnival in his home state.
Pictures - Jenny BarnesSouth Australian Racing Releases Blueprint For Future
- Tuesday, 15 December 2009 05:30
The Strategic Plan 2009-2012 sets a number of clear objectives for the next three years, ranging from:
- further improvements in corporate governance and club management;
- significant development of club infrastructure and facilities;
- further significant increases in prizemoney levels to encourage horse ownership; and
- a focus on the consumer across the thoroughbred racing industry.
The Strategic Plan 2009-2012 incorporates a wide range of specific strategies against each objective along with clear measurements to gauge the effectiveness of the strategies.
Chairman Philip Bentley said the document was the result of several months of detailed work by the Board.
"A great deal of thought has gone into understanding the background behind each individual issue. Each strategic objective has been framed in context to ensure every action or initiative is directly linked to a real issue," he said.
"The Board believes this is a crucial point, as the thoroughbred industry is not a business that can be managed or grown solely on the basis of focusing on financial figures. Rather, it is an industry upon which thousands of South Australians rely for their livelihoods."
As part of the Strategic Document, a goal has been set to increase prizemoney levels by 40% over 2009-2012.
"While not releasing our financial forecasting at this stage, I can say that the Board is very comfortable with the revenue increases we are projecting over the three-year period covered by the Strategic Document," he said.
"These increases will further enable Thoroughbred Racing to carry out its stated aim of securing the long-term financial viability of the thoroughbred racing industry in South Australia while also further lifting prizemoney levels.
"Put simply, we are building a better industry."
The Thoroughbred Racing Strategic Plan 2009-2012 public document can be viewed at www.theracessa.com.au.
Media Release - TRSA
Bright Future For Luminous Harmony
- Tuesday, 08 December 2009 04:59
Luminous Harmony showcased her considerable ability at Morphettville on Saturday with trainer Mick Price believing she could be a future city winner in her home state.
Overshadowed somewhat by the emphatic win of stablemate Marconi at Caulfield earlier in the afternoon, Luminous Harmony ($1.75 fav) dismantled her opposition to win the $26,500 Pewsey Vale Handicap (1400m) for three-year-olds by three and a half lengths.
In her wake were last start winners, Daydream Charlie ($7) and Gunner Rock ($3) who finished second and third respectively.
Price hinted that the filly would race through the summer months with the benefit of "training-on" due to having a preparation under her belt.
"The thing about Luminous Harmony was that I was trying to avoid that terrible statistic where they win first-up and 93% get beat at their next start whatever you do with them," Price told The Virtual Formguide.
"So if you just run in them in the weakest race you can find that's the best thing you can do.
"That's why we took her interstate, we thought the trip interstate would do an inexperienced horse all the good," he added.
The Caulfield-based trainer believes Luminous Harmony has the potential to become "a nice Saturday 1400m filly" but isn't entirely convinced she's up to stakes company just yet.
"I think she needs to keep on improving, I think she's good enough to win in town here in Melbourne," Price said.
By Fastnet Rock out of Feminine Wiles, Luminous Harmony was purchased for $260,000 from the 2008 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale and has won twice from three starts. Her prizemoney is just over the $23,000 mark.
Finishing second on debut at Sale in a 2yo Fillies (1200m) race in June, she won easily at Moe 23 weeks later in a Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate (1200m).
Luminous Harmony is now expected to tackle the $70,000 Joe Brown Super Vobis 0-72 Handicap (1600m) for three-year-old fillies at Caulfield on Boxing Day.
Pictures - Jenny Barnes
Morphettville Races - 12 December Pictorial Report
- Sunday, 13 December 2009 11:45
Click below for all the action from the Morphettville Races including wins by I'm Discreet, Atlantic Air and Canali plus Catapulted's annihilation of the City of Marion Stakes despite jumping from the outside barrier then Flying Merkel's victory in the last race.
Saturday's Morphettville Parks Races Report
- Sunday, 06 December 2009 11:15
Starting at $4 Bit of a Dude was not very far off the lead for the entire journey and beat the David Hayes mentored Paul Gatt guided Jalsah $5. A father two lengths away third was Sassy Sheila $3.20 for Paul Seater and Matthew Neilson.
Jockey Ben Claridge increased his lead by one to twenty two wins on the metropolitan jockeys premiership when he rode the Phillip Stokes cared for Choilin to a one and a half length win in race two which was contested over 1250 metres.
Returned the $2 equal favourite with the fourth placegetter L'aubaine the Choisir three year old colt, out of Candelina, an Eire mare, was not very far from the lead for the entire race and beat the Karen Byrnes trained Paul Gatt ridden Regalina $9. Exalted Mollie $7-50 was a farther length away third for Jim Smith and apprentice Libby Hopwood.
Punters had their first outright success when Luminous Harmony, the $1.75 favourite, gave Caulfield trainer Mick Price and jockey Jeffrey Maund a three and a half length win in the 1400 metres third event.
Being from Miesque's Son mare Feminine Wiles and sired by Fastnet Rock, Luminous Harmony started well before running to the front in the middle stages and going on to beat the Shane Oxlade trained Justin Potter ridden Daydream Charlie $7 who trailed Luminous Harmony for a greater part of the event. The Phillip Stokes and Ben Claridge supplied Gunner Rock $3 was another half head away filling the minor placing.
Sired by the American bred Foxhound from the Devaraja mare Sacagawea, Shekinaar was the three quarters of a length winner of race four which was run over 1250 metres.
Being cared for by David Jolly and having the services of Matthew Neilson the $3-30 chance Shekinaar came from a mid field position and beat the David Jolly trained Clare Lindop ridden Kisrak $3-60 giving the Goolwa based trainer the quinella.
A farther two lengths away third was the $2.80 public elect Metrofox for Daniel Clarken and his apprentice Lauren Stojakovic.
Southeast trainer Daryl Dodson and jockey Adrian Patterson combined their efforts in the one and a quarter length win of $15 chance She's A Gal in race five which was contested over 1950 metres.
Being from the Almaarad mare She's Timid and fathered by Galileo, She's A Gal came from a rearward position and defeated the $3.80 chance Magnificat for horse carer Mick Huxtable and rider Ben Claridge. Fraaclase $11 was a farther one and a half lengths away third for Sam Turner and Paul Gatt.
Bordertown trainer Jeffrey Searle tasted success in the 1400 metre sixth race when the apprentice Tillie Neve mount Lotto Meo won his second successive race.
Starting at $6 and recording a short half head win the Bellotto sired Lotto Meo from Fun Safari, a Racing Is Fun mare, came from well back and beat Vinegar Hill $5.50 for mentor Phillip Stokes Ben Claridge.
Another head away in third placing was Lapel $6 for Richard Jolly and Libby Hopwood.
After being crowned Dux of the Apprentice Academy last Monday night Libby Hopwood capped of big week when she brought up the first leg of the double on the Mark Kavanagh trained $2-80 favourite, Navmann, the three quarters of a length winner of the seventh race which was run over 1250 metres.
The Orientate sired Navmann, from the Be My Guest mare Honest Guest, was well placed before the gelding brought up a hat trick of wins.
Navmann defeated the Barry Dunn trained Ben Claridge mount Count Cheval $13. Friday Nights was another three quarters of length third at $3.60 for Lloyd Kennewell and Chad Lever.
Libby Hopwood completed her double when she combined with her master Richard Jolly in the one and a quarter length win of Get Set $6-50 in the final event of 1000 metres.
A More Than Ready mare from Taleer, a Seattle Dancer mare, Get Set was no farther back than sixth and beat the Brain Mueller trained Claudia Lions ridden Just Sybil $4-20. A farther three quarters of a length away third was Court Bell $5-50 for Jon O'Connor and Kate Dyson.
Friday's Morphettville Races Report
- Saturday, 12 December 2009 01:45
A four year old gelding by Adam from the Racer's Edge mare Lunar Streak, Zadam was a near all the way winner and defeated the $12 chance Classic Conduct for trainer John Hickmott and apprentice Libby Hopwood. A farther one and a quarter lengths away third was Redwood Lass $31 for Greg Lesnikowski and Jeffrey Maund.
Starting at $2.60 Kissable gave trainer Mark Kavanagh and jockey Matthew Neilson a two length victory in race two which was contested over 1050 metres.
From the Royal Academy mare Regal Kiss and fathered by Exceed And Excel Kissable led all the day and beat Space Star $10 for horse carer Peter Jolly and rider Libby Hopwood. The $2.20 punter's choice Super Tuesday was a farther three quarters of a length away third for Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas and Clare Lindop.
After being granted an owner/trainer licence eighteen months ago Samantha Barr trained her first winner when the Chad Lever guided Avoca Street $51 flashed down the outside of the track to be the half neck winner of the 1050 metre third event.
Sired by Untouchable from the Quest for Fame matron Royal Tour, Avoca Street came from well back to gain victory over the Mark Kavanagh cared for Simon Price mount Excellerant $3.80. Catsonsong $4.40 was another half neck away third for Phillip Stokes and Ben Claridge.
Riding on the crest of a wave at present apprentice Libby Hopwood guided Shady Grove $8 to a two and a half length win in the 1600 metre fourth race for her master Richard Jolly.
A three year old daughter of Legion, out of Coral Key a Dolphin Street mare, Shady Grove came from last to beat the Ken Sweeney prepared Matthew Neilson piloted Perfect Crown $5. Allabouttheshoes $5 was a short head away third for Stuart Gower and Michael Hoppo.
Winning by a margin of a neck the Greg Lesnikowski mentored Tolderol Teaparty brought up a double for jockey Paul Gatt in the 2030 metre fifth race.
Being out of Venteax, a Red Anchor mare and sired by the United States bred stallion Twining, Tolderol Teaparty came from a better than rearward position to defeat Sadayakko $10 for the combination of mentor John Hickmott and rider Libby Hopwood. A farther neck away, filling the minor placing, was the $6 chance Nobel Connection for Daniel Clarken and his apprentice Lauren Stojakovic.
Teaming with horse career Richard Jolly jockey Adrian Patterson rode the $7 chance Tamisra to a long neck win in race six which was run over 1600 metres.
A three year old Choisir filly out of the Sadler's Wells mare Ropes of Time Tamisra was no further back than fourth before going on to beat the $2.30 public elect Ucetek for trainer Lloyd Kennewell and jockey Ryan Plumb. Another one and a half lengths away third was Xaieta $5.50 for David Jolly and Simon Price.
Jockey Clare Lindop rode the first of back to back winners when the Danny Penna prepared Good Decision was the long neck winner of race seven which was contested over 1050 metres.
A product of the mating of Good Journey and the daughter of Red Ransom, Written Decision, Good Decision $5 led throughout and beat the John Hyam mentored Troy Baker mount Monfils $5. Another $5 chance Alquamarne was a farther length away third for Barry Brook and Simon Price.
The Clare Lindop ridden $2.60 favourite Eastern Manners was the three and a half length winner of the 1200 metre final event for co trainers Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas and brought up LIndop's double.
From the Grand Lodge mare Grand Manners and fathered by E Dubai Eastern Manners led all the way and beat the David Hayes prepared Paul Gatt ridden Khandura $8. Harbourtown $6 was a farther two and a half lengths away third for John Hickmott and apprentice Kate Dyson.
Petition Calls For SA Jumps Racing Ban
- Tuesday, 01 December 2009 08:15
More than 5,000 South Australians have signed a petition calling for an end to jumps racing, a protest group says.
The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses presented the petition to Greens MP Mark Parnell at parliament house in Adelaide on Tuesday.
It comes after Victoria last week said jumps racing would end in that state by 2011.
At the same time South Australian racing authorities said they would allow it to continue.
The decision left SA as the only state to persist in running hurdle and steeplechase events.
Coalition spokesman Colin Thomas said the petition should send a clear message to the South Australian government and Racing Minister Michael Wright.
He said the minister should be ashamed and embarrassed that his government provided financial support to an industry that sent horses to their deaths in the name of entertainment.
"Horses that will suffer intolerable pain and suffering due to broken shoulders, broken necks and fractured spines," he said.
The coalition said that while it welcomed Victoria's move, it would continue to campaign to have jumps racing banned across the country and expected the industry to become unviable once SA was forced to go it alone.
It said so far this year 13 horses had died after falling in jumps events in SA and Victoria.
Wednesday's Balaklava Races Report
- Thursday, 10 December 2009 04:21
Winning by a margin of two and a quarter lengths and starting the $1.60 favourite the Roslyn Day prepared Adrian Patterson mount beat Storm Warning $3 for trainer David Hayes and rider Paul Gatt. First time starter Silent March $7 was another one and a half lengths away third for Ron Stokes and Ben Claridge.
Co-trainers Heather and Kevin Frew and their apprentice son Jordan were seen in the winner's stall when the Cybercyn was the half length winner of the 1300 metre second race.
Starting at the odds of $3 50 Cybercyn, a Staaraq mare from the Kaapstad matron Brave Kappy, was last early but came with strong outside run over the latter stages and beat the Dennis O'Leary mentored and Troy Baker ridden Akhamine $4.
A farther one and a quarter lengths away filling the minor placing was Sandquill $4 for Shane Oxlade and Justin Potter.
From the Military Plume mare Classic Plume and fathered by Rubiton, Classic Century $4.40 was the neck winner of the 1400 metre third race.
Being under the care of Kirsten McGowan Classic Century was well placed during the event and gave apprentice Libby Hopwood the first leg of a double.
The Roslyn Day trained Adrian Patterson mount Kuiptpo, the $1.26 public elect, was placed second two and half lengths ahead of the third placegetter Kelport $8 for David Halliday and Jeffrey Maund.
After suffering an injury which resulted in hospital treatment while serving as a barrier attendant at Morphettville last Saturday trainer Craig Curtis bounced back in time to see his charge Gold Lens score an all the way win in race four which was run over 1200 metres.
Quoted at $18 at barrier rise and piloted by Matthew Neilson the Made Of Gold sired Gold Lens, out of the Victory Prince mare Candid Camera, defeated the David Halliday prepared Ben Claridge ridden Snaamar, the $6 equal favourite with the unplaced Frankie Sea. Ryan Balfour and apprentice Scott Westover were associated with Fraacharm $51 who was one and a quarter lengths away third.
After running a solid second at Balaklava a fortnight ago $2.40 punter's choice Homicide Hank gave his trainer Jon O'Connor and jockey Clare Lindop a three length victory in race five which was run over 1400 metres.
The product of the mating of the Irish bred horse Falbrav from Cha Cha, a daughter of Kenmare, Homicide Hank held a better than mid field position before powering home and defeating the Gary Kennewell cared for Ryan Plumb mount Virgil $4. Olivia Grace was another one and a quarter lengths away third for Paul Seater and Paul Gatt.
Being well placed Fingal Bay $8 gave his owner trainer Barry Woosnam and rider Michael Hoppo a head win in race six which was contested over 1600 metres.
From the Twig Moss mare Moss Dancer and sired by the New Zealand bred stallion Filante, Fingal Bay was in the first four throughout the event and beat the $2.60 public elect Puerto Banus for mentor Paul Seater and rider Clare Lindop. Penzevengi was a farther three quarters of a length away third for David Hayes and Paul Gatt.
Libby Hopwood brought up her double when she guided the John Dunn prepared Kooda Diva, the $2.80 favourite, to a three quarters of a length win in the 1200 metre final event.
From a Gleam Machine mare Giginka and sired by Shinko King Kooda Diva was the first to show out and then, settling fourth was able to work herself to the front and go on to beat the Roslyn Day mentored Jordon Frew mount Miss Mahlena $3. Another one and quarter lengths away third was Exalted Princess $41 for Mel Kittle and apprentice Melanie Tyndall.
Laing Considers SA Stable
- Tuesday, 01 December 2009 08:15
Trainer Robbie Laing says he will set up a satellite stable in South Australia next season if Racing Victoria Ltd (RVL) stands by its decision to ban jumps racing in Victoria.
Laing has 15 jumpers on his books and said that, if necessary, he would set up a base to train them in the last remaining "jumping" state.
"It is not our preferred option but we have horses and owners to cater for and if they (SA) were the only ones that had enough guts in Australia to run jumps racing then we would reward them," Laing said.
Laing accused the RVL board of being as "weak as water" and questioned whether it was the board or the RSPCA running racing in the state.
He said jumps racing had been compromised out of existence and called for the old panel jumps to be reintroduced.
"Every compromise has made jumps racing so unsafe," Laing said.
"Smaller jumps, fewer jumps, yellow-topped tops, a steel A-frame behind the jumps and schooling over 2800 metres at a snail's pace with three runners instead seven or eight running at race speed have all definitely made it less safe."
He said all the changes had led to, in many cases, the wrong type of horse contesting jumps races.
"People go away and get a lightly-framed flat horse that has 2000-metre flat ability to cater for the low hurdles but at the end of the day it doesn't carry 69kg or 70kg all that well because of its frame," Laing said.
"They are going so damn fast he trips over the steel A-frame and because he is lightly framed he breaks."
He said the old-style jumping horses were bigger and stronger.
"He was 17 hands and with a head like a 44-gallon drum and feet like a draughthorse and those kinds of horses could really jump," Laing said
He said they would make up to a length at every jump over the former handy flat horse which would equate to 12 lengths at the end of a race.
"They carried weight better and were so big and tough that if they happened to fall they didn't break," he said.
He said panel jumps were safer as they would flatten if a horse hit them with any force.
"An eight-foot panel of four-by-two with some nice rubber over it and some swamp ti-tree attached to it makes it look nice and natural and if a horse hits it pretty hard the jump falls to the ground," he said.
"If a horse got killed it was a rarity and you would be stunned by it but now you go to the races and it is more like `I wonder which ones are going to come home'."
Laing is confident jumps racing can survive with minimal casualties but only if RVL gets the right advice from past and present jockeys as well as trainers.
"If it gets a reprieve let's do it right," Laing said.
The Australian Jumps Racing Association will meet with RVL shareholders on Wednesday night to decide on a course of action ahead of RVL's annual general meeting the following day.
Shareholders comprise the three metropolitan clubs, Country Racing Victoria, trainers, jockeys, breeders, bookmakers and unions.
Picture - Fiona Tomlin
Right Fong On Track For Perth Cup
- Wednesday, 09 December 2009 05:59
Adelaide galloper Right Fong will return to Flemington on Saturday for his last run before being flown to Western Australian for the Perth Cup on New Year's Day.Trainer David Balfour said the Western Health Cup (2000m) would suit the six-year-old who two starts ago charged home at Flemington to win the Listed Johnnie Walker Stakes (1800m) on Melbourne Cup day.
"The beautiful big track is what he likes and he should be hard to beat," Balfour said.
Balfour has spaced Right Fong's races this campaign and last start he was the victim of a hot pace when he started favourite and finished fourth over 1800 metres at Morphettville on November 21.
"He is a horse you have got to hold up as he has only got a 300-metre run and last start he got to the front too soon carrying 58kg," Balfour said.
"The extra 200 metres is going to suit him on Saturday and this will be only his fifth run in this campaign so he's just on the way up."
Balfour said Right Fong would be flown to Perth next Tuesday to give him time to adjust to the new surroundings.
Balfour rode in Perth as jockey but Right Fong will be the first horse he has trained to race there.
"We could back him up a week after Flemington in the Cox Stakes (2100m) but we will give him time to settle in and won't run him again before the Perth Cup," Balfour said.
"He can do plenty of work once he's over there and I think he will appreciate two or three weeks before the Cup.
"He is not a hard horse to train and it is just a matter of keeping the fitness up to him."
Balfour said the 2400 metres of the Perth Cup wouldn't be a worry for Right Fong as he finished third over 2500 metres at Morphettville on Anzac Day when he was wide all the way on heavy ground.
"It was a terrific run that day and he should have won so I have no doubts about him running the journey," Balfour said.
Picture - Quentin Lang
Animal Activists To Protest On Steps Of SA Parliament
- Monday, 30 November 2009 19:30
Protesters from the South Australian Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses are to rally on the steps of parliament from 12:30pm on Tuesday where they are expected to give an anti-jumps racing petition, with more than 5,000 signatures, to Greens member of the Legislative Council, Mark Parnell.
Parnell believes - quite optimistically compared to those in the racing industry - that the world famous Oakbank Easter Carnival is sustainable without jumps racing.
"South Australia has no choice now but to follow Victoria's lead," said Parnell.
"Jumps racing is dangerous for horses and dangerous for jockeys. The simple fact is there is no way to make jumps racing safe. The time for a permanent ban in South Australia has well and truly come.
"If Thoroughbred Racing SA doesn't do the right thing, then the Racing Minister, Michael Wright, must step in.
"Thoroughbred Racing SA can actively move to end jumps racing in our state, or watch as it inevitably dwindles away.
"The responsible thing is for racing administrators to provide assistance for the industry to evolve.
"The much-loved Oakbank picnic racing carnival will still thrive even with a ban on jump racing.
"It has a tremendous future as a regular racing carnival - removing the jumps will not change the atmosphere for spectators," he added.
Picture - Jenny Barnes