North Boy Primed for Schillaci

Friday, 11 October 2002 00:00

The gelding, prepared by Tony McEvoy at Lindsay Park, was to have run first-up in the Manikato but had a set-back.

"He had a hoof abscess and took a long time to get over it," McEvoy said. "He’s fine now, though. I’m confident he’ll run well but, after having so long off, he will certainly be improved by the run."

North Boy ran in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas on this day last year and, having failed to finish the race off behind Lonhro, has been set for sprints since.

McEvoy’s other feature-race runner for the day, Elegant Fashion, is also returning from a set-back. She is in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap.

"She ran below par in the Craiglee Stakes and we couldn’t work out why," McEvoy said. "But about 12 hours after the race she broke out with a rash of boils. It really knocked her about and it took its toll on her. We had to back right off then build her up again but she’s going along well now. It’s a tough race to return in but I have a lot of faith in her and I’m just hoping she runs well."

Elegant Fashion will miss the Group 1 Caulfield Cup next weekend, and will instead either run in the Group 1 MacKinnon Stakes at Flemington on November 2 or be freshened for the Group 1 Emirates Stakes over a mile at the same track on November 7. She may then even continue on to Hong Kong in December.

"Hong Kong is a possibility," McEvoy said. "She could either run there in the Hong Kong Mile or the Hong Kong Cup. I wouldn’t send her to (Lindsay Park principal) David Hayes, though. I’d never get her back!"

Media Release - Jason Hickson (TRSA)

Guineas a Prelude to Honkers for Bel Esprit

Thursday, 10 October 2002 00:00

Eskander to Lay Bel Esprit for Thousands

Friday, 11 October 2002 00:00

Alan Eskander, who's father Michael is one of the country's best known, said he's prepared to risk hundreds of thousands of dollars on the colt.

Eskander reported today that any time he could find any sort of weakness in a leading chance he was prepared to "take it on."

"He's a fast horse but he's certainly a query at the distance," Eskander said of Bel Esprit. "Barrier fifteen is also a major obstacle to overcome."

"As well the form lines around Bel Esprit are also hard to line up," he added.

Eskander, who has marked Helenus ($4) as favourite over Bel Esprit and Titanic Jack (both $5), said he was up to the challenge of punters.

"I'll be happy to take a wager (on Bel Esprit) to win $100,000," he said. "It's a great betting race and most bookmakers will be laying about ten horses."

Many other markets issued for the race still have the John Symons trained three-year-old as the early favourite for the race.

"Others have him shorter I have noticed," Eskander said. "But I'm happy to take him on."

Grey Has Big Shoes to Fill

Thursday, 10 October 2002 00:00

The three-year-old takes on some of Australia’s best sprinters in the 1000m dash but, according to Gower, will acquit herself well.

"We won’t die wondering," Gower said. "She was entered for a three-year-old race down the straight at Flemington last Monday but had a lot of weight and drew the wrong side of the track, so we decided to keep her for this weekend.

"She rises sharply in class, obviously, but she has no weight and is a great railer. We thought we’d give it a crack and see how good she is."

Sunday Shoes has started eight times for three wins, the latest a 4.4 length thrashing of her opposition up the 1000m straight at Victoria Park. One of those wins was an all-the-way win over 1100m at Flemington as a two-year-old.

"She’s been absolutely flying so we sent her over last Saturday week," Gower said. "She handled the trip really well and has settled in nicely. Having no weight on her back will really help and she’s best when allowed to just bowl along."

Gower understands the enormity of the task he has set the filly but is confident, from a good draw, she will give a bold sight.

"It’s a huge ask, but it will give us a good guide to her ability," Gower said. "She won’t disgrace herself. She’ll be a better filly next time in, though, because she’s been a bit immature but it’s all good experience."

After Saturday, Sunday Shoes may back up at the same track next week over 1100m, but is more likely to run up the straight over 1000m at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day.

"She has too much speed to run 1200, so about 1000 to 1100m is best," Gower said. "Ideally I’d like to keep her fresh and run her at Flemington, but we’ll see how she goes this weekend."

Media Release - Jason Hickson (TRSA)

McEvoy Buzzes to Sandown to Watch Beekeeper

Friday, 11 October 2002 00:00

Gai Puts Her Foot on the Excellerator

Thursday, 10 October 2002 00:00

Waterhouse will be in town to saddle up the rejuvenated gelding Excellerator in the $352,000 Toorak Handicap (1600m) as they gelding aims for another big race win.

Last Saturday Excellerator, a son of the champion sire Marscay, beat a high class field in the Group One Epsom Handicap at Randwick in Sydney.

Excellerator, who will be ridden by the proven big race jockey Jim Cassidy, has drawn barrier three for Saturday's assignment, his first run in Melbourne during an illustrious career.

Waterhouse was represented in last weekend's Gilgai Stakes at Flemington, but her runner Assertive Lad finished last.

"I wouldn't be dropping off his just yet," Waterhouse said. "He can mix his form from time to time."

Racing's first lady said she would have about six to eight runners based in Melbourne over the next month to six weeks.

Exellerator is being aimed at the Cox Plate later this month while Platinum Scissors will be running in Saturday week's Norman Robinson Stakes on his way to the Victoria Derby and a possible Melbourne Cup start.

Meanwhile, Waterhouse will also be represented at Caulfield on Saturday by the budding stayer National Treasure, a gelding who is desperately seeking a Cup start at Caulfield and Flemington. Cassidy will also be aboard National Treasure and the gelding has also drawn perfectly in barrier three.

Lonhro No Distance Query: Hawkes

Friday, 11 October 2002 00:00

Hawkes, the son and Melbourne foreman of leading interstate trainer John, said he had little doubt the young star would get the 2000 metres.

"Many have a query over him running the trip tomorrow," Hawkes Junior said. "But he's a horse who relaxes in his races lovely and that should hold him in good stead."

"He's a versatlie horse," Hawkes added of the colt who unluckily missed a place behind Defier and Excellerator in the George Main Stakes in Sydney.

Saturday will be just the second time Lonhro has raced at Caulfield. At the same meeting last year the son of Octagonal scored a last to first win in the Caulfield Guineas in what was classed as one of the best Guineas fields ever assembled.

Hawkes said today that Darren Beadman retained the ride on the stud prospect despite drawing criticism from his father for his handling of him in the George Main.

"The Ingham's own the horse and ultimately the decision is up to them," Hawkes said. "If they want him on - then he goes on."

Beadman will arrive in Melbourne later this afternoon in preparation for tomorrow's raceday which will also see him partner Bede Murray's colt Half Hennessy in the Caulfield Guineas and Leon Macdonald's old marvel Umrum in the Toorak Handicap.

"He is really pumped up about tomorrow," Hawkes said of Beadman. "He told me he was bouncing around and ready to go."

Hawkes has great admiration for the champion mare and three time Australian Horse of the Year Sunline, who along with Lonhro dominates the Yalumba market.

Currently leading bookmaker Alan Eskander has Lonhro marked at $2.35 ahead of Sunline at $3. The next line of betting sees Distinctly Secret and Republic Lass on $8.

"In the words of John Hawkes - the best mare I've ever seen race - so that's how much respect he has of her," Wayne Hawkes said of Sunline.

"She might just get things to suit tomorrow and I'd expect Greg (jockey Greg Childs) to let her free wheel a little more tomorrow and not hold her up so much as he did last start."

"I'm sure G Childs will be keen on using her high speed and show the rest just how she can quicken."

Sunline's trainer Trevor McKee reported yesterday afternoon that the mare was in "good shape" for tomorrow's race.

"I couldn't be any happier with her at this stage," McKee reported. "She's working well and I'm sure she will run well."

PICS - Quentin Lang.

Caulfield Guineas - Form Focus

Thursday, 10 October 2002 00:00

Melbourne Racing Club - Carlton Draught Caulfield Guineas (1600m)
Group 1 Of $1,002,000 3yo - Set Weights

TEN YEAR TRENDS

Year - Winner - Trainer - Jockey - No. - Barr. - SP - Lead Up Form
1992 PALACE REIGN D.HAYES M.CLARKE 16 3 7 3rd Vain Qlty-1st VRC 1400m 3y Hcp-4th Stutt Stks
1993 MAHOGANY D.FREEDMAN G.HALL 1 1 3f 1st Up/Coming Stks-4th Roman Consul-2nd Spring Stks
1994 ST.COVET D.HAYES W.HARRIS 1 4 13-4 4th Ascot Vale Stks-4th MacDonald Stks-2nd Stutt Stks
1995 OUR MAIZCAY G.SEARLE B.YORK 3 2 4-5f 1st Roman Consul-1st Ascot Vale Stks-1st Vic Health Cup
1996 ALFA J.CUMMINGS R.GRIFFITHS 4 3 8 7th Ascot Vale Stks-1st MacDonald Stks-1st VRC 1400m 3y LR
1997 ENCOUNTER C.CONNORS R.DYE 1 4 5-2f 1st Roman Consul-1st Spring Stks-1st Geo.Main Stks
1998 KENWOOD MELODY F.MITCHELL R.DYE 5 1 4 2nd STC 1100m 3y NMW-1st Ming Dynasty Qlty-1st Stan Fox Stks
1999 REDOUTE'S CHOICE R.HORE-LACY J.CASSIDY 3 1 10-9f 1st Manikato Stks-4th Ascot Vale Stks-3rd Vic Health Cup
2000 SHOW A HEART B.MILLER S.KING 1 13 3f 2nd Ascot Vale Stks-2nd Gneas Prelude
2001 LONHRO J.HAWKES D.GAUCI 2 10 $7 1st M/Dynasty-1st Heritage Stks-1st Stan Fox Stks

Note: (2000) Skalato (first past post) disqualified after returning a positive swab

RACE STATS (last 10 years)

Guineas Prelude (MacDonald Stks) winners record : 10 runners for 1 winner (Alfa) & 3 placings (Pure Theatre, Fubu, Port Watch)

Stutt Stks winners record : 10 runners for 3 placings (Schubert, Encosta De Lago, Blevic)

FEATURE RACE CONNECTIONS (same year victories)

Caulfield Guineas-W.S.Cox Plate: 4 winners - Red Anchor(1984), Surround(1976), Rajah Sahib(1968), Star Affair(1965)

Caulfield Guineas-VRC Derby: 17 winners - includes Mahogany, Red Anchor, Grosvenor, Sovereign Red, Tulloch, Hydrogen, Patrobas

Stutt Stks-Caulfield Guineas: 8 winners - includes Red Anchor, Surround, Beau Sovereign, Storm Queen, Star Affair, Lady Sybil

FORM FACTS

It is almost 20 years since the Stutt Stakes winner added the G1 Caulfield Guineas to his record, Red Anchor then adding the Cox Plate and Victoria Derby for good measure in a complete domination of the Spring of 1984. Helenus broke his Maiden tag in careering away with the Stutt, the race moved to a later date in the Spring this year. St Covet (1994) & Palace Reign (1992) are the last 2 Guineas winners to have contested the Stutt over the past decade. Bel Esprit will be trying to maintain the solid record of three year olds to place in the G1 Dubai R.C.Cup (VicHealth Cup). Just 5 three year olds have won or been placed in the G1 Dubai R.C.Cup in the last 10 years, Our Maizcay completing the double in 1995, Redoute’s Choice winning the Guineas after a third to Testa Rossa (2^nd in the Guineas) in the 1999 edition, while Encosta De Lago (3^rd in the Guineas) won the 1996 VicHealth Cup. (Theatre (2^nd in 1998) did not contest the Guineas). As the Blue Diamond Stks winner in the Autumn, Bel Esprit is seeking to join Manikato & Redoute’s Choice as winners of the Blue Diamond-Caulfield Guineas double and provide Damien Oliver with his second Guineas winner, Centro in 1990 getting home in a deceptive photo-finish.

FORM FOCUS - FACTS & FIGURES

Media Release - Racing Victoria

Another Inside Barrier for Sunline

Thursday, 10 October 2002 00:00

The Trevor McKee trained daughter of Desert Sun drew barrier one in the nine horse field where she is set to clash with proven Group One winners Lonhro, Sky Heights, Prized Gem, Republic Lass and Tully Thunder.

Sunline was given her final serious hit out in preparation to the weekend's race at Flemington on Tuesday morning in a workout that impressed many experienced seasoned track watchers.

She is believed to have covered 1400 metres in 1 minute 29.5 seconds with her final 600 metres in a slick 36 seconds.

Greg Childs partnered the mare in her Flemington gallop and he will again be in the saddle of the champion on Saturday.

Sunline, who ran third at her last start behind Defier and Excellerator in the George Main Stakes, is making her first appearance in Melbourne since she went down fighting in last year's Cox Plate.

"She's come along nice since Sydney," her trainer Trevor McKee said. "I'm really pleased with her."

The John Hawkes trained Lonhro is reported to have sizzled in a gallop at Moonee Valley on Tuesday morning.

But his trainer John Hawkes and jockey Darren Gauci refused to give comments on the gallop to the interested media.

A son of the former champion Octagonal, Lonhro finished behind Sunline in the George Main stakes after having no luck when trapped back on the inside rail.

Darren Beadman retains the ride on the flashy black entire in the Yalumba and the two will jump from barrier eight in the field of nine.

Recent G1 Kelt Capital Stakes (NZ's richest race) first and second placegetters Prized Gem and Distinctly North are expected to run well at Caulfield.

Damien Oliver has snapped up the ride aboard Distinctly Secret after Chris Munce was suspended. Boom apprentice Michael Rodd will partner Prized Gem for Murray Baker.

Locally trained mare Tully Thunder, a winner of the Australasian Oaks earlier this year, is also not without a chance for Andrew Findlay, who is riding in sparkling form.

The Yalumba Stakes is just one of nine quality races which will be run on Caulfield Guineas Day this Saturday. The first race will jump at 11.30am.

Wodonga Race 1: Gold Club Sponsorship Maiden Plate 1600m

Thursday, 10 October 2002 00:00

Benalla trainer Adrian Osborne had reason to smile when Ducasse (Dolphin Street-Oh So Pretty) saluted in the first. Now a 6yo having his 25^th start after being around the money many times Ducasse proved patience is a virtue. Adrian bought Ducasse as a 2yo and found he had a bowed tendon so an early racing career was out for him. On his agistment property at Benalla Adrian has the facilities to cater for horses such as Ducasse and has done so many times for horses that are sent to him for agistment or convalescence.

Some of his regular clients include trainers Tony Noonan, Colin Little and often Robbie Laing before he got his new set up. He now stands a stallion also named Guiscard by Canny Lad whose first crop are just on the ground. As if running a large agistment property and standing a stallion isn’t enough, Adrian also rides this horse work himself to monitor his action and progress. He always has a few in work and racing but Ducasse is special to him as it is a great achievement to patch up a tendon which a long slow process.