Tassie Sprint Double Target For Royal Ida

Monday, 10 January 2011 06:45

Another Tasmanian raid is planned for evergreen sprinter Royal Ida who is set to target a feature sprint double in the next month.

Trainer Luke Oliver said he was keen to run Royal Ida in the Listed thetote.com.au Stakes (1200m) at Launceston on January 27 and then try to win his second Listed Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m) at Hobart on February 13.

Last year Royal Ida beat prolific Tasmanian winner Conquering in the Lyons, which was his 18th victory.

He hasn't won in six runs since but despite his age he has been a consistent stakes performer.

On Saturday the 10-year-old gelding finished a close sixth to New Zealand-bound sprinter First Command in the Listed L T Cleary Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

"He had no luck from the barrier (11) with the big weight (58.5kg) against those horses but he pulled up really well," Oliver said.

"Once he gets back to weight-for-age again in that sort of class he will be right."

The Cleary was Royal Ida's first run since finishing third to Avenue and Dubleanny in the Listed Heffernan Stakes (1300m) at Sandown.

Last July he was third in the Monash Stakes, then fourth to Shoot Out in the Group Three Bletchingly Stakes and fourth to Elusive Touch in the Group Three Aurie's Star Handicap.

Meanwhile trainer Lee Freedman has confirmed that First Command will fly to New Zealand this week for the Group One Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Trentham on January 22.

"He is in really good form, fit and well, and is certainly well up to a race like that," Freedman said.

Last Saturday First Command carried 59kg and powered to the line in a fast 1.08.38 for the 1200m to win his ninth race in 17 starts.

Freedman said after the Telegraph First Command would be freshened for the Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 26.

First Command has won five of his six starts at the track.

"He is just so brilliant at Caulfield," Freedman said.

Devonport Meeting Rescheduled

Monday, 20 December 2010 01:40

Last Friday’s postponed meeting at Devonport has been rescheduled for this Wednesday.

Heavy rainfall ensured surface water was on parts of the track leaving stewards with little option but to cancel the meeting.

The main race on Wednesday’s rescheduled meeting will be the $25,000 J Boag & Son Golden Mile (1600m) featuring moderately performed open class gallopers such as Trysty, Speedy Sky, Western Wager and Lock It In Eddie.

Jumper Tibooburra Travis is topweight for the Golden Mile and has been asked by the handicapper to lug 60kg.

All scratchings have been re-instated and new race times apply.

Below are the fields and form for Wednesday’s rescheduled meeting.

Devonport (Wednesday)

Socks In Guineas Walk Over

Thursday, 06 January 2011 23:50

Socks confirmed his status as the best three-year-old in Tasmania with a barnstorming win in last night's listed Tasmanian Guineas (1600m) at Launceston.

Despite settling well back in the field and being trapped wide throughout, the classy son of Keep the Faith still proved much too good for his rivals.

Now the winner of six of his nine lifetime starts, Socks made a long, sustained run and was still able to race to the front and cruise to a soft half length success.

Now the question for connections is whether or now Socks will run in the state's blue riband, the Group Three Tasmanian Derby.

"We'll see what happens," trainer George Blacker said. "It's another month away."

"We'll have a look. He got a lot further back than we thought today and there were signs he could stay."

"He got back and then hit the line really well I thought."

The quality three-year-old won two runs back at Launceston prior to his last start sixth in the listed Tasmanian Stakes against all comers when a highly fancied runner.

"I think he was a bit off colour in Hobart. We've got him right and he's come through."

"The way he ran last night and got back and finished off - he might be a great chance in the Derby."

Socks is raced by Charlie and Wendy Langmaid - they paid just $15,000 for him from the draft of Armidale Stud at the 2009 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale.

He's already earned over $196,000 and if a Derby jumps in that figure will continue to grow significantly.

The smile couldn't be wiped off the face of Socks' regular rider Kelvin Sanderson - "The Ice Man" as cool as ever after the latest win.

"I think he loves me," Sanderson said. "I sure love him."

"He did a good job today. He settled well. It was a very genuine tempo and when he made his run at them the horse felt awesome underneath me."

"I give him a couple of cracks around the bum and he really stretched out and found the line."

"Onwards and upwards," Sanderson summed up.

Socks is the first stakes winner for his sire, the former classy Sunday Silence galloper Keep the Faith - a resident of Swettenham Stud.

His dam Count the Kisses, a winning daughter of Mukaddamah, was stakes placed and is a half sister to the group winning juvenile and Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic placegetter Ashkaleta.

A half sister to Socks, by exciting young sire Helike, will go under the hammer as part of a quality draft from Armidale Stud at February's Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale.

The filly, brown in filly and Super VOBIS (Tas) qualified, is catalogued as lot 98 for the February 22 auction at in the Inveresk Showgrounds.

Postponed Hobart Meeting Rescheduled For Tomorrow

Monday, 29 November 2010 23:30

The Hobart thoroughbred meeting that was postponed on Sunday has been rescheduled for tomorrow.

All fields will remain the same but all scratchings have been reinstated.

The meeting will be broadcast nationally on Sky 2 with the first race is scheduled to start at 12.40pm.

The trials scheduled for Hobart on Wednesday have been cancelled with the next trials scheduled for Hobart on December 7.

Mourinho Aimed At Derby

Thursday, 06 January 2011 00:36

Impressive last start Moonee Valley winner Mourinho is set to contest February’s $150,000 Group 3 Tasmanian Derby (2200m) at Hobart.

Named after one of the great modern day football coaches Jose Mourinho, who famously proclaimed himself as ‘The Special One’, the son of Oratorio has been given the opportunity by trainer Peter Gelagotis to prove he’s just that next month.

“He’s always shown us that he’s got a bit of ability,” Manny Gelagotis said, brother and Racing Manager of the Moe-based stable.

“Even when we had him broken in we had a very good report about the horse.

“He has just taken that bit of time to get to the races.”

Gelagotis indicated that the stable was happy to send the gelding to the paddock following his Moonee Valley win on Friday Night over 2040 metres but the intervention of leading rider Damien Oliver swayed them earlier this week.

Mourinho will now run in a the $70,000 Australia Remembers 0-78 Handicap (1800m) for three and four-year-olds at Flemington on January 22 before contesting the Tasmanian Derby on February 5.

Oliver will be able to ride Mourinho at Flemington on January 22 but has commitments at Caulfield the same day of the Tasmanian Derby.

When asked to compare Mourinho with ill-fated stablemate Big Col, who as a three-year-old won at Caulfield before finishing eleventh in the Group 1 AJC Derby (2400m), Gelagotis said, “I think Big Col was a more seasoned and polished horse but one thing about this guy (Mourinho) is that he is rapidly improving.”

Gelagotis is no stranger to the Tasmania Summer Carnival with Savquaw finishing third in the 2008 Listed Hobart Guineas (1600m) and Tristasun fourth in the 2008 Listed Gold Sovereign Stakes (1200m).

By Irish sire Oratorio, Mourinho is the third foal out of Generous mare Benevolent to race.

Her other two foals, Forest Beauty and Dementieva, have only managed to win a maiden over seven furlongs with their career earnings below $10,000.

Mourinho was purchased for $36,000 at the 2009 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and connections have recouped that initial outlay with prizemoney now in excess of $60,000.

To view the full record of Mourinho, click here.

Picture: Colin Bull

Thirkell-Johnson Retires From Board

Monday, 29 November 2010 23:17

One of Tasmania's longest serving racing administrators Rod Thirkell-Johnson AM has retired from his position as a member of the Tasracing Board.

The Minister for Racing Bryan Green today announced new appointments on the board of Tasracing that he believes will help guide the next phase of the racing industry's development.

Hobart accountant Danny McCarthy has been appointed to the board while Des Gleeson is the new Thoroughbred Director replacing Thirkell-Johnson.

Mr McCarthy has been a partner of Wise, Lord & Ferguson since 1989, specialising in audit and financial consulting.

"Danny's experience in economic research, financial modelling and business risk assessments will be invaluable during the next phase of the racing industry's development under the Board's direction," Mr Green said.

He joins chairman Brian Speers and directors Dean Cooper, Des Gleeson, Tania Price, Geoff Baxter and Trevor Leis on the board.

Tania Price has been reappointed as an independent director.

Mr Green paid tribute to Mr Thirkell-Johnson for his contribution to the industry and the role he has played on the Tasracing Board since its inception in 2009.

Mr Gleeson, who previously held one of two general director positions on the board is a highly respected administrator and former internationally recognised chief steward with strong contacts in the thoroughbred industry at a national and international level.

Mr Thirkell-Johnson is one of Tasmanian racing's most respected administrators.

He has been aligned with the Tasmanian Turf Club for 50 years. He became a member of the TTC in 1960 and joined the committee in 1977.

Mr Thirkell-Johnson also served as a committeeman until 1989 when he was elected chairman and he held that position until 1996 when he stepped down to concentrate on issues in the wool industry in his role as a member of the Wool Council of Australia.

He was back at the helm two years later and from 2001 he was a constant member of the Tasmanian Thoroughbred Racing Council.

Mr Thirkell-Johnson stepped down from his role as TTC chairman when he was appointed to the inaugural Tasracing board in 2009.

Thirkell-Johnson brought decades of experience in racing administration to the table, which was a valuable asset, particularly in Tasracing's infancy.

Testament to his ability as a racing administrator is further evidenced in his role as a delegate to the Australian Racing Board.

Dream Pedlar Wins Devonport Cup

Wednesday, 05 January 2011 13:15

Dream Pedlar equalled a long standing weight carrying record when he won yesterday’s $100,000 Total Care Devonport Cup (1800m) in front of a crowd of 10,000 people.

After starting from a wide barrier, Dream Pedlar settled nicely for Michael Guthrie in a midfield position before finding clear running at the top of the straight.

Dream Pedlar ($3.60) then charged at the tiring Borugino ($31) to hit the front close to home despite the impost of 61kg to win by a half length on the line.

Fierezza ($26) finished a further long head away in third and with better luck over the concluding stages could have finished closer to the winner.

The last time a horse carried 61kg to victory in the Devonport Cup was Barnwell in 1949.

“He was always in a good position but I was a bit worried down the back (straight) as he was in on the fence a bit and I thought ‘gee don’t go there, don’t get held up’,” winning trainer Troy Blacker told TasRacing following the win.

“But he found his way clear and he was too strong in the end.

“He is a lot stronger and maturer and is a real fair dinkum racehorse this year,” he added.

Earlier this season Dream Pedlar won the $50,000 Golden Nugget (1600m) at Ballarat, the Listed Bendigo Cup (2200m) and the Listed Tasmanian Stakes (1600m) at Hobart at his previous outing.

Dream Pedlar will now progress towards the Group 3 $300,000 AAMI Hobart Cup (2200m) at Elwick on February 13 with the Mick Kent-trained My Bentley a likely opponent.

Dream Pedlar, a six-year-old son of West Quest, has raced 36 times for seven wins and 13 placings with prizemoney now in excess of $450,000.

The other highlight on Devonport Cup day was local hoop Craig Newitt riding five winners on the ten-race card.

Newitt was shooting for a fifth victory in the Devonport Cup with Lock It In Eddie but finished fifth, beaten 1-1/2 lengths from the winner.

Obstinado All Class In Newmarket

Thursday, 18 November 2010 13:39

Obstinado made it back to back feature race wins in Tasmania when the rising talent scored a dashing win in the listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Launceston on Thursday night.

Courtesy of a first class ride from rejuvenated senior rider Justin Hamer, Obstinado was able to shoot clear shortly after rounding for home and then was able to hold out the challenge from rivals headed by Victoria raider and race favourite Gold in Dubai.

There were some anxious moments for connections and punters when Gold in Dubai's rider Brad Rawiller threw in a protest against the winner for alleged interference nearing the turn.

After a length hearing - thanks to another minor protest - stewards refused to alter the placings and Obstinado was declared the deserving winner.

The winner is trained by the father-son training team of David and Scott Brunton and was ridden by Justin Hamer - they teamed up to win the same race last year with Life to the Full.

"I under rate the horse," Scott Brunton said after the win. "He's done a great job - just incredible."

"Justin Hamer, a great ride - he's won it two years in a row for us - good luck to him. He doesn't ride a lot for us anymore but good on him."

"He's done an incredible job the horse - I wasn't really expecting it - he ran third at Coleraine three starts ago in a 0-72."

"It's just fantastic. I couldn't be more happy for the owners. Brett Williams and the crew - they're stuck by us and they've been fantastic."

Williams, the executive officer of Tasbreeders, was not surprisingly all smiles in the winner's stall after the race.

"I'm a bit lost for words to be honest with you," he said. "He's a bulldog."

Winning rider Justin Hamer, who's battled his weight during his classy riding career, was thrilled to have made it back to back wins in the feature sprint.

"I don't know what to say," Hamer said moments after weighing in. "I just love it."

"He (Obstinado) is a real fighter. He toughs it right out to the line and to come back as a four-year-old and beat the older horses is a great job."

"I thought he was a one paced horse - but he's really starting to get a turn of foot. Under hard riding he extends well."

The gelding has turned out a great investment for connections. He cost co-trainer David Brunton $35,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale.

Already he's won over $175,000 thanks to his five wins and eight placings from just 17 lifetime starts.

Obstinado made history in winning - becoming the first stakes winner for his sire, Kitwood's Group One winning son Estambul.

His dam, the Aliocha mare Shades of Stubborn, was a quality mare - her two wins coming in stakes events - the Tasmanian Guineas and Cascade Classic.

Shades of Stubborn is a half sister to the eight time winning and Hobart Guineas placegetter My Uncle Ted (Ladoni).

Further back it is the same family as Group One winner Unequalled as well as Faustina, Booroonga and Charred.

Picture: Fiona Tomlin

Maskiell Chases Devonport Cup Success

Tuesday, 04 January 2011 01:58

Apprentice Jason Maskiell will be aiming to deny Craig Newitt a fifth victory in the $100,000 Total Care Devonport Cup (1800m) tomorrow.

Maskiell will ride the Elesha Spillane-trained Speedy Sky while Craig Newitt will partner the David and Scott Brunton-trained Lock It In Eddie.

Maskiell told the Virtual Formguide that he is pleased to be riding Speedy Sky.

“He finished second in the Devonport Cup last year and he also finished fourth last start so he should be thereabouts,” Maskiell said.

Speedy Sky should be better suited in this year’s Devonport Cup with the five-year-old comfortably qualified for the race in stark contrast to last year when Spillane was forced to run the mare twice over the Christmas period in a bid to get the mare into the final field.

Bendigo Cup winner Dream Pedlar is pre-post favourite for the Devonport Cup despite being asked to carry 61 kilos and drawing barrier 14 in his bid for victory around the notoriously tight-turning track.

Below is the final field and barriers for the Devonport Cup plus Craig Newitt's record in the race.

Devonport (Wednesday)

Race 8 @ 4:42pm - $100,000 Total Care Devonport Cup (1800m)

Craig Newitt’s Devonport Cup Record

2001 – Almost Precious ($41) 13th

2002 – Chardere ($8) 1st

2003 – Dream Quest ($6) 1st

2004 – Chardere ($2.50) 1st

2006 – Di’s Angel ($4) 4th

2009 – Saval Prince ($4.20 fav) 5th

2010 – With Decorum (3.70 fav) 1st

Picture: Colin Bull

Southlander Has Mainland In His Sights

Thursday, 14 October 2010 22:57

The Gary White trained Southlander could be mainland bound after the Tasmanian colt scored a most impressive win in the $12,100 Three-Year-Old maiden plate at the Tote Racing Centre last night.

Southlander ($4) was driven out of the barriers by apprentice Ronan Keogh who continued to make the colt work hard for the lead eventually crossing to the rail at the 600m mark.

Leading by just over a length turning for home Southlander was entitled to knock up but instead showed a stylish turn of foot to clear out by three lengths with Aceland ($3.80) making late ground to finish just over two lengths away in second spot and early leader Werbally ($8.90) a further two lengths away third.

White was confident pre-race, declaring Southlander when interviewed, and was quick to put his hand up for picking the horse as a youngster after the win.

"I picked him out as a foal and it's just nice to be able to have the bragging rights now," joked White.

"In all seriousness though this bloke has got a serious wind problem and you never quite know how it will affect their racing, so tonight's effort was very exciting and a great relief."

Southlander was a surprise drifter in the market despite winning an official barrier trial by five lengths, running serious time, and White can only put it down to his first start fiasco.

"Ronan appeared to kick Southlander's flank not long after they left the gates at his first start which caused the horse to buck and Ronan became dislodged," said White.

"Since then he won a barrier trial on a heavy track by five lengths eased down and I couldn't help but think 'there goes our price'."

White admitted the bold front running tactics were planned as he wanted a true guide as to where the colt was at with interstate options on the agenda.

“We rode him like the best horse in the race and it could've easily come unstuck but we needed a guide with some nice races coming up at Flemington,” said White.

“The scary thing is that had he drawn barrier one last night he would've won by ten lengths.”

The race pencilled in White's calender is the $125,000 Schweppes Tonic 1000 (1000m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day and White is brimming with confidence that his colt has what it takes.

“He will measure up to anything he meets, they simply can't run much faster, some might be able to maintain the speed for longer, but not any faster,” said White.

“Dropping back to 1000m just makes my job easier and he will handle any track conditions which is a big bonus.

“He is just a true professional a really sensible colt.”

Southlander is owned and raced by Geoff Harper's Seahorse Management Pty Ltd syndicate in partnership with the Amycus syndicate, managed by Ron Schwanke, and Harper shares White's confidence.

“It was a very exciting win to watch, very few horses are competitive from wide barriers at that starting point,” said Harper.

“Now we have a number of options which include the Listed Schweppes Tonic and Group One Coolmore, both at Flemington.

Southlander also continues Harper's association with the family and he is very proud of the colt's strong bloodlines.

“His half sister, Laura's Charm, is a multiple Group Two winner and his full sister, Corton Charlemagne, is a Group Three winner,” boasted Harper.

“Southlander also has a half sister by Danehill Dancer at the upcoming Easter Sales and the mare is back in foal to More Than Ready, so it is exciting times.”

Photo by Peter Staples