Nothing Discreet About Jolly’s Success
- Monday, 30 November 2009 14:45
Trainer Richard Jolly continued to stamp his impramanda on the 2009/10 season in Adelaide after talented filly I'm Discreet comfortably won the $26,500 Caroma Dorf Handicap (1050m) for three-year-old fillies at Morphettville on Saturday. Settling in second position in the small five horse field, I'm Discreet ($1.35 fav) defeated Super Tuesday ($3.50), who made up ground from the rear of the field, by two lengths with Real Reda ($4.80) a further length and three quarters away in third.
I'm Discreet won two races last preparation as a two-year-old before finishing third in the $70,000 Listed Dequetteville Stakes (1100m) on a slow track.
Her victory on the weekend resuming from a 20 week spell has convinced Jolly to take on the open age horses in the Listed $70,000 City Of Marion Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville in a fortnight's time.
Beyond that, Jolly has high aspirations for the daughter of Elusive Quality who is a half-sister to stablemates Very Discreet and Disquiet.
"She'll go to the Nitschke and then the Adelaide Guineas and, if she handles the 1600m of that race, she'll go on to the (Australasian) Oaks," Jolly told The Advertiser.
The $85,000 Listed Nitschke Stakes (1400m) for three-year-olds will be at Morphettville Parks on February 20 while the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m) will be staged at Morphettville on March 8.
The $300,000 Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) will be held 12 days later.
Adelaide Trainers' Premiership
Mark Kavanagh 17
David Hayes, Richard Jolly 15
Leon Macdonald 12
Phillip Stokes 11
Tourneur Suspended At Clare
- Monday, 30 November 2009 03:45
Jockey Dom Tourneur incurred a five meeting suspension for careless riding at Clare on Sunday. Tourneur rode Morpenny Miss in the fourth race, the 5CS Magic FM 0-65 Handicap (1100m) and inconvenienced Moala Blue (Justin Potter) after shifting ground approaching the 400m mark in an effort to improve his position.
Tourneur pleaded guilty and was suspended for five meetings.
His suspension commenced today and will conclude at midnight on Wednesday, 9 December 2009 for a period of five meetings.
Morpenny Miss finished fourth behind the Jordan Frew ridden Speculate.
Picture - Greg Irvine
Autumn Carnival Ambitions For Morphettville Winners
- Tuesday, 24 November 2009 12:30
The Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas trained two-year-old colt Spirited Eagle won the $31,000 Sportingbet Plate (1000m) at only his second start on the weekend.
Owned by Wolf Blass, the son of Not A Single Doubt was purchased for $85,000 at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale and is expected to target the $200,000 Adelaide Magic Millions (1200m) for two-year-olds on Adelaide Cup Day, March 8.
"He is by a sprinter but on what he shows I think he could be a miler," Macdonald told Adelaide newspaper The Advertiser.
Spirited Eagle comes from a promising family. The dam, Rezidencia, was trained by Alan Bailey and narrowly missed out on black-type as a three-year-old filly but made amends by winning at her final start at Moonee Valley.
Since then she has produced Rezonet, who after two unsuccessful runs in New South Wales, won her next three starts at Townsville. She has $22,600 in prizemoney to show for efforts from nine starts.
Rezonated is Rezidencia's other progeny to make the racetrack and is yet to break her maiden status from seven starts however a win appears not too far away for the Mick Price trained galloper.
Meanwhile, five-year-old mare Summery surprised many - including her trainer Richard Jolly - by winning first-up in the $26,500 Coffee Club 0-94 Handicap (1200m) for fillies and mares.
In doing so, Summery has convinced Jolly at aiming her for next year's $400,000 Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m).
"She might have just a couple more runs before Christmas, but I won't be rushing her up in journey," Jolly said.
If Summery gains a berth in the Adelaide Cup, it will be Richard Jolly's first runner in the race since at least 2002.
By Scenic out of Springhill Lady, Summery took her record on the weekend to five wins and three placings from 13 starts.
Summery is a half-sister to Terry Kelly trained seven-year-old gelding Testa Rocca who has overcome a 58 week layoff early in his career to work his way through the grades admirably. 
Only two starts ago, Testa Rocca finished second behind Pedrillo at Morphettville Parks in a $41,000 Open Handicap (2250m) in late August.
Pictures - Jenny Barnes
Morphettville Races 28 November Pictorial Report
- Sunday, 29 November 2009 03:15
Click below for the action from the early half of the day at the Morphettville races including the third straight win for French Secret, I'm Discreet back to her best and the promising Storm Brewing.
Sunday's Strathalbyn Races Report
- Monday, 23 November 2009 03:45
Being under the care of Paul Seater the Fraar sired Saeta Rose $5.50, from the Whiskey Road mare Wine And Roses, came from well back with a strong run over the concluding stages to beat the Ken Sweeney cared for Matthew Neilson ridden Visual Impact $13.
A farther three quarters of a length away was Dark Diva $6 for local trainer Barry Dunn who had Ben Claridge ride his charge.
The two and half length win of the Staaraq four year old gelding Meadows Staar in the 1600 metre third event gave jockey Clare Lindop the first leg of her treble.
Being from the Undercut matron Dancing Desire and trained by Jim Smith the $1.90 favourite Meadows Staar was in the back half of the field early before striding to the front in the middle stages and going on to beat the $7 chance Zadam for mentor Mark Minervini and rider Adrian Patterson.
Another three lengths away third was Fager Son $5.50 for the combination of Ryan Balfour and Wayne Kerford.
Clare Lindop was again in the spotlight when the Karen Byrnes owned and trained Bergstrom $4.60 was the one and a half length winner of race seven which was run over 1350 metres.
From the Curravilla matron Villivia and sired by Taos, Bergstrom held down a mid field position before getting to the front just after the home turn was reached and then going on to beat the Barry Dunn trained Ben Claridge ridden Copper Days, the $3-30 public elect. A farther one and a quarter lengths away third was Giggling Girl $5.50 for Fred Meuring and apprentice Claudia Lions.
Strathalbyn based trainer Shane Oxlade and jockey Justin Potter were the only two horsemen to raise a cheer from local racing fans when Daydream Charlie, the only local winner, won race two which was contested over 1350 metres.
Being the $2.10 favourite the Blevic sired Daydream Charlie, from the Straussbrook mare Dance On Tables was well placed early and quickly got to the front just before the home turn and went on to beat the John Hyam cared for Troy Baker piloted All About Heart $2.60 by a margin of two and a quarter lengths.
Starting at $31 Meadows Power was another eleven lengths away third for Jim Smith and apprentice Melanie Tyndall.
The combination of horse carer Paul Beshara and apprentice Libby Hopwood stared the day off well when Silver Clip $3 was the seven length winner of the opening event, a distance maiden which was contested over 2050 metres.
A five year old grey gelding sired by Sure Win Kenny out of the Canadian Silver matron Canadian Supreme, Sliver Clip was last when the race took shape.
Sliver Clip gradually improved his position and recorded a seven lengths win over the $5 chance Linkwin Miss for trainer Barry Ewen and jockey Clare Lindop. A farther long neck away third was the $2.30 favourite Varsovia for Greg Lesnikowski and Paul Gatt.
The parenting combination of the American bred horse Grass Wonder and the daughter of Alzao, Laudemio provided the one length winner the 1200 metre fourth race Tuscan Wonder.
Starting at the odds of $5 the Kirsten Mcgowan prepared Ben Claridge ridden Tuscan Wonder was not very far off the pace for the entire journey and went on to defeat Excellerant the $2.30 punter's choice for the combination of mentor Mark Kavanagh and jockey Paul Gatt.
After racing in second position for most of the journey Courting Justice $5.50 was placed third, three and a half lengths behind Excellerant.
The United States bred stallion Bianconi and the Hula Chief sired mare Dreamie were associated in the winner of 1200 metre fifth race, Million Bucks.
Prepared jointly by Heather and Kevin Frew and having the services of jockey Ryan Plumb Million Bucks $6.50 came from fifth and beat the Ben Claridge ridden Barry Dunn trained Count Cheval $10.
Another two lengths away third was the $2.90 public elect Her Alibi for Jake Stephens and Paul Gatt.
Competing for the fourteenth time and winning his second race the four year old gelding Alice Coupez was the three and half length winner of the final event which was run over 1600 metres.
Sired by the American sire Ne Coupez from Alice Pro, a Distinctive Pro mare, trained by Mark Kavanagh and having the services of Paul Gatt Alice Coupez was well placed and beat Make Me Cry, the $3-70 favourite for Stuart Gower and Ryan Plumb. A farther two and a half lengths away third was Alquamarne $10 for Barry Brook and Ben Claridge.
SA Won't Halt Jumps Racing
- Friday, 27 November 2009 02:30
South Australia will stand alone as the only place in the nation with jumps racing, but officials fear for its long-term survival.
The controlling body of horse racing in SA, Thoroughbred Racing SA, says Victoria's decision to phase out jumps racing is disappointing.
Thoroughbred Racing SA chairman Philip Bentley said Victoria's move "will go down in history as the beginning of the end of a proud tradition".
"This decision is most regrettable and not a decision to be proud of," Mr Bentley said on Friday.
Racing Victoria Limited's historic decision, which comes after a series of deaths marred the 2009 jumps season, leaves SA as the only place in the nation to host jumps racing.
Mr Bentley said SA had no intention of ending jumps racing, but expressed fears for the industry's survival.
"With so much of the Australian jumps racing industry based in Victoria, this decision will make the long-term survival of the industry in South Australia extremely difficult," he said.
"The Victorian decision also creates an unfortunate precedent for the industry, as the same groups who have lobbied against jumps racing have also advocated phasing out the racing of two-year-olds.
"It really does beg the question of who is running the industry.
"The Australian Racing Board should consider how much state racing bodies should take notice of people who are not supporters of racing."
SA's best-attended race meeting is the Oakbank Easter carnival, renowned for jumps racing.
Mr Bentley said that fact underlined support for jumps racing in SA.
"We will continue to program jumps races as long as there is a supply of horses, jockeys and trainers to make race fields viable," Mr Bentley said.
"We will also attempt to seize the opportunity to attract some trainers and horses from across the border."
SA's jumps racing season will resume in March next year.
Related Coverage
Jumps Racing To End Next Year - Racing Victoria Media Release
TRSA 'Disappointed' With RVL Over Jumps Decision - TRSA Media Release
Picture - Jenny Barnes
Stewards Condemn 'Ambitious' Tactics
- Monday, 23 November 2009 03:15
Neve, who is apprenticed to Leon Macdonald, rode Sandhill Prince and finished sixth in the $41,000 Allan Scott Park Morphettville Handicap (1800m) which contained eight horses.
After the event, stewards questioned the ride which saw Neve settle outside the leader, Stokehouse, at the 800m mark before improving her position to an outright leading position, only to weaken over the concluding stages.
Sandhill Prince was beaten 7.4 lengths away from eventual winner, the ultra-consistent Roslyn Day trained Road Worker.
Neve said that she had been instructed by Turner to attempt to ride forward from the 800m mark in an endeavour to have the gelding finish off its race in a stronger manner than in its previous starts.
Despite racing "comfortably" at the 800m mark and considering to maintain her position, Neve acknowledged that she rode her mount according to instructions and pressed forward.
In the inquiry, Turner confirmed that he gave instructions to Neve which she followed and correctly testified earlier in the inquiry.
Whilst Turner acknowledged that Sandhill Prince had generally been ridden on the pace in its races and that he had not previously provided similar instructions to the seven-year-olds riders, Turner vigorously denied claims that the instructions were provided for any reason other than to benefit his horse's chances.
After considering both explanations, stewards said the ride of Neve "lacked initiative" and instructed that in similar circumstances in future she would be expected to consider her circumstances as they unfolded during a race when applying her instructions
Meanwhile stewards described the instructions given by Turner to Neve as "ambitious, at best" and reprimanded him in accord with rule ARR.135A. in that Turner should inform stewards pre-race of any change in riding tactics.
TRSA 'Disappointed' With RVL Over Jumps Decision
- Friday, 27 November 2009 02:30
The Board of Thoroughbred Racing SA - the controlling body for horseracing in South Australia - has expressed its disappointment at today's decision by Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) to phase out its jumps racing program.Chairman Philip Bentley said the decision would have "major ramifications" for the South Australian jumps racing industry in the next few years.
"The decision of RVL will go down in history as the beginning of the end of a proud tradition," Mr Bentley said.
"Jumps races have been a part of the thoroughbred industry almost from its inception, and now the leaders of the heartland of jumps racing have said after 2010 there will be no more. This decision is most regrettable and is not a moment to be proud of.
"With so much of the Australian jumps racing industry based in Victoria, this decision will make the long-term survival of the industry in South Australia extremely difficult.
"However, Thoroughbred Racing SA does not intend to copy the Victorian decision. It is the responsibility of Thoroughbred Racing SA to support its industry and we will continue to do so.
"The Victorian decision also creates an unfortunate precedent for the industry, as the same groups who have lobbied against jumps racing have also advocated phasing out the racing of two-year-olds.
"It really does beg the question of who is running the industry. The Australian Racing Board should consider how much State racing bodies should take notice of people who are not supporters of racing."
South Australia's two best-attended race meetings of the year are conducted at the Oakbank Easter Carnival, while Irish Day - when Irish and Australian jumps jockeys display their skills - is the third largest day of the year at Morphettville.
Mr Bentley said these statistics underlined the substantial support for jumps racing in South Australia.
Picture - Jenny Barnes
Media Release - TRSA
Wednesday's Murray Bridge Races Report
- Thursday, 19 November 2009 07:45
Starting the $1.70 favourite, fathered by the English bred horse Xaar from the Jeune mare Babieta, Xaieta beat Smiling Hussy $3.80 for the training partnership of Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas and jockey Clare Lindop. Devadraana $4.80 was another three lengths away third for Simon Casey and Troy Baker.
Two former Melbourne Cup winners Jeune and At Talaq were associated with the head win of the Roslyn Day trained Adrian Patterson ridden Our Racontuer $3-80, the winner of the 2200 metre second race.
Sired by Jeune from the At Talaq mare Talk To Me, Our Raconteur was in a rearward position before taking a middle course over the concluding stages and going on to defeat the Ron Daniel prepared Clare Lindop mount Rogue Scholar $4. Starting the $3.50 public elect Cool Classic was a farther length away third for Paul Seater and Simon Price.
After riding two seconds in the opening two races Clare Lindop guided the Danny Penna mentored Good Decision, the $2-80 favourite, to a two and a quarter length victory in race three which was run over 1000 metres.
The product of mating the Red Ransom mare Written Decision and the stallion Good Journey, Good Decision defeated the $3 chance Katella Bubbles for mentor Paul Seater and horseman Jeffery Maund. A farther three and three quarter lengths away, filling the minor placing, was Adoptme Two $26 for Dennis O'Leary and Troy Baker.
Trainer Ken Sweeney and apprentice Tillie Neve joined forces in the half length win of Very Edgy $4 in the 1000 metre fourth event.
From the Racer's Edge mare Pretty Edgy and sired by Mister Malebo the three year old filly Very Edgy held down a midfield position before taking a wide passage in the straight where she went on to defeat the Simon Casey prepared Clare Lindop mount Uma Wave $3-20. Another neck away third was Regalina $3.80 for Karen Byrnes and apprentice Libby Hopwood.
The first of two successive local victories came in the 1200 metre fifth race when the Paul Seater trained Troy Baker ridden Miss Planchet $6 was the one and a quarter length victor of the 1200 metres fifth event.
A four year old daughter of Planchet out of the Regal Classic matron Classicalma, Miss Planchet was the first to leave the barrier before settling fourth and going on to record a win over the Stuart Padman mentored Libby Hopwood ridden Shimano Miss, the $3.40 punter's choice.
Another Paul Seater charge, the Matthew Neilson ridden Deal Broker $14 was another three and three quarter lengths away third, making it a Murray Bridge training triffecta.
Together with three kilogram claiming apprentice Claudia Lions Stuart Dodd was the second local trainer to meet with success when the seven year old mare Rain Strategy was the short half head winner of race six which was contested over 1400 metres.
From the Marauding mare Rain Bell the Strategic sired Rain Strategy was well placed and came with a strong outside run over the concluding stages to record a win over the Ken Sweeney cared for Clare Lindop ridden Eight Mile $31. Another short half head away third was Sachse $6 for Jon O' Connor and Libby Hopwood.
The Peter A Jones prepared David Tootell ridden Light The Knight $12 was four and a half length winner of the 1600 metre seventh race.
Fathered by the United States bred stallion Way Of Light out of an Eagling mare Rose Of Oakbank the seven year old Light The Knight enjoyed a mid field position before powering home on the outside in the straight and beating the Mark Minervini cared for Andrew Patterson guided Mary Goodnight $3.40.
Sadayakko $10 was another three quarters of a length away third for John Hickmott and Glen Davis.
Punters finished the meeting on a high note when Ucetek, the $2.50 favourite, was the neck winner of the 1400 metre final event for mentor Gary Kennewell and rider Matthew Neilson.
The product of mating the Irish bred stallion Kalanisi and the Rainbow Quest matron Dragnet, Ucetek was mid field before racing deep over the concluding stages and beating the David Hayes prepared Paul Gatt mount Master Beckett $10. A farther three quarters of a length away third was another Hayes runner Hellacious $9 with Mark Reuben in the saddle.
Wednesday's Balaklava Races Report
- Thursday, 26 November 2009 11:15
Sired by the United States bred horse Alquoz from the Dieu D'Or mare Duchess D'Or Alquodor $5.50 settled in a rearward position but challenged for lead late and went on to defeat the early leader Li'L Miss Sunshine $3.80 for mentor Jonathon Madigan and Peter Roff.
Hammerblow $5 was a farther five and three quarter lengths away third for David Jolly and apprentice Claudia Loins.
Morphettville trainer Phillip Stokes is currently on a stud tour of New Zealand was not on hand to see his charge Gunner Rock, the $1.70 public elect, win his first race in seven starts in the 1207 metre second race.
Entrusting the ride to jockey Ben Claridge the Rock Of Gibraltar three year colt, from the Bluebird mare Gypsy Frolic, was well placed before putting a margin of two lengths between himself and his opposition. Gunner Rock defeated the Roslyn Day prepared Adrian Patterson mount Seduced $6. Seduced was previously prepared by Lee Freedman.
Winehouse $3.60 was a farther length away third for David Hayes and Paul Gatt.
Being from the Filante mare Stella Fille and sired by Blevic, Streetcar Magic $2.50 was the one and three quarter length winner of the 1054 metre third event for mentor David Jolly and rider Justin Potter.
Well in contention throughout Streetcar Magic beat the Lloyd Kennewell cared for Ryan Plumb mount Ocsmepop, the $2-10 favourite.
A farther length away third was Cool Eyes $4-80 for David Hayes and Paul Gatt.
Jockey Matthew Neilson brought up the first leg of a double when he steered the $2.20 favourite Invincible Diva to one and a half length win in the fourth event which was contested over 1054 metres.
Being under the of Mark Kavanagh the Invicible Spirit sired Invincible Diva, from Kelslade a Keltrice mare, was well placed and came with a centre run over the concluding stages to defeat the John Dunn mentored and apprentice Tillie Neve ridden Kooda Surprise $5-50 .
David Balfour and apprentice Scott Westover supplied Fasadina $2.80 who was a farther half length away third.
Having her twelfth start and winning her second race Missgoblet gave her mentor Stuart Gower and jockey Michael Hoppo a two and three quarter length win in race five which was contested over 1054 metres.
Sired by Choisir from the Keltrice mare Oak Park Carashan, Missgoblet $10 was well placed. Missgoblet beat the Bill Bogarts mentored Peter Roff mount Heaven For Sure $7.
The $2.40 favourite Gastronomy was another one and three quarter lengths away filling the minor placing for Phillip Stokes and Ben Claridge.
Apprentice Scott Westover won his first provincial race when Chanceux $4.40 was the three quarters of a length winner of the 1307 metre sixth race giving trainer Jon O'Connor the first leg of a race to race double.
Being out of the Prince Echo mare Princess Tasia and sired by Happy Giggle Chanceux led all the way and beat the Gary Kennewell trained Ryan Plumb ridden Virgil $7. A farther one and three quarter lengths away third was the $8 chance Fingal Bay for Bill Bogarts and Michael Hoppo.
Trainer Jon O'Connor brought up his second success when the $2.80 punter's choice Road Warrior was the head winner and gave jockey Matthew Neilson his double in race seven which was run over 1407 metres.
A four year old Street Cry gelding from the Jeune mare Jeunola Star Road Warrior was sixth early before powering home and beating another Jon O'Connor prepared runner, the Clare Lindop ridden Homicide Hawk $10 giving the O'Connor stable the quinella. A farther length away third was Vinyl Pusher $4.60 was for Phillip Stokes and Ben Claridge.
Rider Matthew Neilson brought up a double when he scored a two lengths win on the Roslyn Day trained Sacre Nazaire $4.40 in the final event of 1407 metres.
Sired by Jeune out of a Don't Say Halo mare Don't Babble On, Sacre Nazaire came from well back to beat the Stuart Gower trained Michael Hoppo ridden Allabouttheshoes $14 by two lengths.
The $8 chance Quid Pro Quo was a farther length away third for Jin Smith and Clare Lindop.
Magro Moves To Victoria
- Wednesday, 18 November 2009 03:30
Magro, 38, will be based at Officer and train primarily for Roy Joseph who is an accountant and horse enthusiast.
Officer is a suburb 49km south-east of Melbourne which is in close proximity to tracks such as Cranbourne, Mornington and Pakenham.
Currently training at Gawler, Magro sighted the slow redevelopment of his home track and dwindling horse numbers as reasons why the opportunity to train in Victoria was too good to refuse.
"It is a great opportunity for me because I'll be responsible for the rehab and pre-training of horses and also be training for my own clients as well as for Roy (Joseph) and his family," Magro told the Adelaide Advertiser.
"Things had become too hard and stale, and while Gawler may be finished in about three months, that would probably extend to six months before anything was ready to go," Magro added alluding to having only ten runners in work.
Magro, who has trained at Gawler for over 15 years, owns property at Gawler and is currently considering whether to sell or rent out his home and stables.