Warren's Career Gets A Boost
- Saturday, 14 August 2010 07:45
Lightly-raced five-year-old Rhythm In Paris has given young trainer Jason Warren a timely career boost by taking out the Group Three Cockram Stakes at Caulfield.
The Bianconi mare only made the field for the 1200m feature as the second emergency after two scratchings on Saturday morning.
The turn of events led to Warren withdrawing Rhythm In Paris from the "Weary" Dunlop Research Foundation Handicap (1400m) earlier in the day so she could take on the crack field of mares.
"I am thrilled to bits," the 33-year-old trainer said.
Only four months ago Warren took the biggest risk of his life when he bought Denistoun Park, an impressive training complex formerly owned by Lee Freedman on the Mornington Peninsula..
"It was an incredibly big move and we sold everything we had to buy it," Warren said.
"This win is a huge result for us as we really needed the boost."
Warren began training horses eight years ago and in between had a two-year stint with Freedman to hone his training skills which has come in handy with Rhythm In Paris who has been a challenge to train.
She was having only her sixth race start on Saturday in a career partly hindered by a large bone chip in a fetlock which needed surgery, and more recently had her spring campaign interrupted with a foot abscess last month.
Despite the setback Rhythm In Paris, who was unbeaten in her first three starts, bounced back to the winner's circle in impressive fashion in the Cockram with jockey Ben Melham driving her home from back in the field to beat Response and Lady Lynette.
Warren paid tribute to Rhythm In Paris' owners John Stewart and Rob Roulston who have backed him as a trainer from the start.
"They have been huge supporters of mine," Warren said.
"They were happy to give her (Rhythm In Paris) the time and it has paid dividends."
The sights have been lifted again and Rhythm In Paris will now be aimed at the Group Two Let's Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 4.
She may then back up in the Group Two Stocks Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley leading into her grand final in the Group One Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington on October 30.
"I could only dream to win a Group One race for these guys (Stewart and Roulston) because I wouldn't be where I am without them," Warren said.
Pictures: Fiona Tomlin
Katsidis Outed For Shoot Out Ride
- Saturday, 14 August 2010 07:45
Top Queensland jockey Stathi Katsidis will miss the ride on Decision Time at Warwick Farm next Saturday after being suspended for careless riding aboard star galloper Shoot Out in the Liston Stakes at Caulfield.
Katsidis pleaded not guilty to the charge, saying he was merely holding his line when giving Shamoline Warrior a "slight bump" near the 600m of the 1400m feature when racing outside that horse.
He said Shamoline Warrior became unbalanced in the incident but did not lose any ground.
Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey said the panel agreed with Katsidis that the interference was in the lower range and, taking into account his good record, outed him for nine meetings starting from midnight on Saturday night.
He is free to return on Tuesday, August 24.
Katsidis said he probably would not appeal the suspension as he is free to ride Liston winner and $5 Cox Plate favourite Shoot Out in the Group Two Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 28.
Trainer Clarry Conners will now have to seek a new rider for Golden Slipper runner-up Decision Time in next Saturday's Group Three Up And Coming Stakes (1200m).
Picture: Fiona Tomlin
Crystal Lily Goes Down In Upset
- Saturday, 14 August 2010 05:30
The upset win of Panipique over Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily in the Quezette Stakes highlighted the depth of the three-year-olds in the stables of leading trainer Peter Moody.
Moody, the reigning Melbourne trainers' premiership winner, was surprised when stablemate Master Harry failed to handle the slow (7) going and ran only eighth behind Toorak Toff in the Vain Stakes.
But he was confident Testa Rossa filly Panipique ($15) would get through it as her dam Our Quivira, a dual stakeswinner, was very good in the wet.
"She's worked with (stablemate) Curtana (a recent impressive Caulfield winner) at Caulfield on Tuesday morning and in fairness has always been able to (go with her)," Moody said.
"So that gave us a good feeling until you see a Golden Slipper winner in the race."
Ridden by Luke Nolen, Panipique settled fifth on the inside of Crystal Lily ($1.70 fav) and that pair drew away to fight out the finish with Panipique forging clear late to score by three-quarters of a length.
Enzed Girl ($15) was 4-1/4 lengths away third.
Moody said Our Quivira was a smart straight-track filly and he would run Panipique next in the Group Two Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on September 4.
He said he would then bring her back to her home track at Caulfield for the Group Three Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) on September 18.
Moody said Achievements, Willow Creek and Miss Gai Flyer, as well as Master Harry, Curtana and Panipique, were all very promising three-year-olds.
A start in the Group One Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on August 28 is looking increasingly doubtful for Crystal Lily.
"She got tired, didn't like the ground and paddled the last 50 metres," owner-breeder David Moodie said.
"She was giving the winner 3.5kg."
Moodie said he would wait and see how she pulled up before plans were made for her next start.
"It would be hard to go there (to the Golden Rose) on that and stepping up to 1400 metres," he said.
Co-trainer Mat Ellerton said Crystal Lily had improvement in her.
"She's still a bit rusty in the coat," he said.
Picture: Fiona Tomlin
Shoot Out Will Win Cox Plate: Wallace
- Saturday, 14 August 2010 07:15
Gold Coast trainer John Wallace declared Shoot Out would win the Cox Plate, and added he wouldn't run in the Melbourne Cup unless he thought he could win it too, following his victory in the JJ Liston Stakes at Caulfield.
The race was robbed of an early season clash between stars Shoot Out and Cox Plate winner So You Think when the Bart Cummings stable scratched him on Saturday morning due to the wet track.
So You Think is now scheduled to resume in the Group Two Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 28, a race also earmarked for Shoot Out and glamour mare Typhoon Tracy.
The heavy (8) track was upgraded to a slow (7) after the second race and Shoot Out ($3 fav) revelled in it.
Despite racing six deep coming to the home turn the four-year-old, with regular race rider Stathi Katsidis in the saddle, got up to beat last year's winner Predatory Pricer ($7) by a long head with Heart Of Dreams ($6) 2-1/4 lengths away third.
Shoot Out became the third horse to complete the Group Three Bletchingly Stakes (1200m)-Group Two Liston Stakes double, emulating Super Elegant (2003) and Apache Cat (2007).
"He's a good horse. I was thinking 'how wide can this bloke get' but he (Katsidis) knew what he was doing, he's just a good race horse. He loves to win and I'm so proud of him," Wallace said
"This horse will only get better so I'm telling you - look out.
"He's nowhere near it yet, I've just been playing around with him. He might find it harder next time to beat Typhoon Tracy at 1400 metres but after that look out when he goes a bit further.
"He'll win the Cox Plate and we'll see about it (the Melbourne Cup) but he won't run unless I think he can, I promise you that.
"He's a great horse and I'm so lucky to have him and I just hope he keeps getting better."
Wallace, who admitted he was concerned about Shoot Out being so wide, later said he had great faith in Katsidis who has now won four races on the High Chaparral gelding including the Group One Randwick Guineas (1600m) and the AJC Australian Derby (2400m).
Wallace shrugged off suggestions that Shoot Out was up too early in the spring and supporting him is the fact that three horses have gone on to complete the Liston-Cox Plate double - Tobin Bronze (1966), Tauto (1971) and So Called (1978).
Sydeston (1990) is the only horse to complete the Liston-Caulfield Cup double but no Liston winner has gone on to take out the Melbourne Cup.
Mick Price was very happy with the returns of Predatory Pricer, having his first start for the stable after wrenching a joint in the Caulfield Cup last spring, and Heart Of Dreams while the Danny O'Brien-trained Vigor was an encouraging fourth.
Putting in a real eye-catching effort for fifth was rank outsider Zavite, while Victoria Derby winner Monaco Consul battled on well for sixth ahead of Melbourne Cup winner Shocking who came from last on the turn to finish seventh.
Pictures: Fiona Tomlin
Panipique Causes Upset In Quezette
- Saturday, 14 August 2010 05:07
After the disappointing effort of Master Harry forty minutes earlier in the Vain Stakes, stablemate Panipique caused a minor boilover in the $100,000 Listed 2010 Legacy Badge Appeal Quezette Stakes (1100m) for three-year-old fillies at Caulfield on Saturday.
After finishing sixth a fortnight ago in the Listed Dermody Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville, Panipique put her best foot forward this afternoon.
“I think she’s done a good job,” winning trainer Peter Moody said before adding “She hit the line really well.”
“She had no luck at all in Adelaide last start and today she’s had to check and come around her (Crystal Lily) heels and still was able to nail her.
“We had the run under our belt and its probably held us in good stead.”
Pinging out of the inside alley, Panipique was restrained by Luke Nolen to race in fifth position on the heels of Crystal Lily.
Umgeton raced three wide on the speed with Broadway Harmony in the middle and Warm Love holding down the rails.
Those leaders were quickly headed off by Crystal Lily upon straightening with the Golden Slipper winner skipping two lengths clear inside the final furlong marker.
However Panipique was not to be denied, finishing quickly down the outside to make up the deficit and go past Crystal Lily at the clock tower.
Panipique ($11-$15) defeated Crystal Lily ($1.70-$1.75-$1.70 fav) by three quarters of a length with Enzed Girl ($11-$15) making up ground from the rear of the field to finish third, a further 4-1/4 lengths adrift.
Shaaheq ($5.50-$6.50) faded over the concluding stages for fourth while Umgeton ($15-$17) battled away for fifth, over 6-1/2 lengths from the winner.
Moody said the decision to run Panipique in the Quezette was made following a trackwork gallop midweek.
“We’ve got a lot of two-year-olds with form around Curtana and this filly was able to work together with her on Tuesday morning,” he added.
“In fairness to this filly always has been.
“We were going to keep her to the Valley (next Saturday) but after her work on Tuesday we thought of giving her a crack.
“She’s probably always had the ability but lacked a bit of physical strength,” Moody noted.
Moody now intends on running Panipique in the $250,000 Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on September 4 before pressing onto the $125,750 Group 3 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on September 18.
By Spinning World, Panipique is out of the dam Our Quivira who won the Group 3 Dermody Stakes (1050m) as a three-year-old and than the Listed Victoria Stakes (1100m) at Flemington six months later.
Panipique has now won in excess of $85,000 in prizemoney with a record of two wins from four starts.
Meanwhile, Brett Prebble was not disappointed with the effort from Crystal Lily.
He suggested that despite Crystal Lily winning the world’s richest two-year-old race last April on a slow track, that she didn’t appreciate racing on the surface and was found out fitness wise by the winner.
“She ran well,” Prebble said.
“She over-raced as she can do, burnt the candle at both ends today and was a little vulnerable.”
Pictures: Fiona Tomlin
Long Jeuney To Success For Hooper
- Saturday, 14 August 2010 06:36
The Ryan Hooper trained Jeuneyman saw more of the highway than the inside running rail but proved too strong second up winning the Listed $100,000 ‘65th Anniversary of the end of World War 2 Stakes’ (1200m) at Caulfield.
Jeuneyman ($13) was well back but comfortable throughout with James Winks happy to track runner-up Sound Journey into the straight ($12,$13).
Despite standing the leader, and race favourite, Avenue ($2.60,$3.30) more than six lengths on the home turn, Jeuneyman rattled home to nab Sound Journey on the line with a further half length to Nicastro ($6,$6).
Hooper believed the run was full of merit highlighting the seven-year-old gelding has missed vital work in the lead up.
“We missed a lot of work due to the rain back home but he showed today he is a real tryer,” said Hooper.
The son of Jeune , a family horse according to Hooper, will be looking to step out to the seven furlongs in the coming weeks.
“He is a real family horse this bloke,” said Hooper.
“Mum bought him and we have had a lot of fun racing him.”
“It’s great to win a listed race with him and we will probably look for another 1400m race with him in a fortnight.”
Winks observed that whilst the gelding is small in size, his attitude and ability to quicken when called upon enable him to bat above his average.
“He is only a tiny horse and has a great attitude,” said Winks.
“Mid-race he gave me a terrific feel and after a tap down the shoulder he let down great and lengthened well.”
The Listed win takes Jeuneyman’s career earnings to more than $330,000 from just twenty eight starts.
Photo by Fiona Tomlin
Toff Lords It Over Vain Rivals
- Saturday, 14 August 2010 04:59
Classy three-year-old Toorak Toff has taken Rick Hore-Lacy's breath way with a barnstorming win in the Listed Vain Stakes at Caulfield.
Hore-Lacy jokingly asked for an oxygen mask as he tried to take in Saturday's unexpected head win over Soul and Blue Diamond Stakes winner Star Witness.
"My heart is going boom, boom, boom," Hore-Lacy said.
"I didn't think he could win.
"He has come from last and gone around them and he made it look easy."
Hore-Lacy feared that the 1100 metres would be too short for Toorak Toff ($9) but jockey Damien Oliver urged him home down the centre of the track to score his fourth win in seven starts.
He will now head to Sydney for the $1 million Group One Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill in two weeks and return to Melbourne and take on the older horses at weight-for-age in a yet to be decided assignment leading up to the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in October.
Hore-Lacy had declared Toorak Toff as potentially a better horse than his Blue Diamond and Caulfield Guineas winner Redoute's Choice but isn't getting carried away just yet.
"It is still a bit early to compare him with a horse like Redoute's Choice but if he (Toorak Toff) hadn't been shin-sore he could easily have won the Blue Diamond," Hore Lacy said.
He said Toorak Toff was also desperately unlucky at his two starts in Sydney where he drew wide and finished fourth in the Group One Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) and seventh in the Group One Champagne Stakes.(1600m)
"Bad gates cost him and he could have won both those races," Hore-Lacy lamented.
Hore-Lacy's only regret was that the Vain Stakes wasn't worth more than $100,000.
"There are not many better three-year-olds around than the ones that turned up today and what gets in my craw a bit is that it is $100,000 and you go around for $70,000 in ordinary Saturday race," Hore-Lacy said.
"To get $30,000 more for winning race like this, I think it is bloody ridiculous."
Toorak Toff, who was a $135,000 yearling, won the Adelaide Magic Millions in March and Oliver said he identified him as a potentially top three-year-old after winning the Group Three Jansz (1200m) on him at his next start at Morphettville.
"He is a great size and obviously travels well and has a good turn of foot," Oliver said.
"He has a great constitution and I think there is improvement in him."
Jockey Nick Hall said Star Witness, who couldn't go with Toorak Toff on Saturday, didn't handle the slow track.
"He is better than that and never travelled on a slow tempo," Hall said.
Trainer Peter Moody was of a similar opinion about Master Harry who finished eighth.
"He was off the bridle at the 500 metres," Moody said.
Pictures: Fiona Tomlin
Mont Fleuri Digs In For The RSL
- Saturday, 14 August 2010 06:33
The Lee Freedman trained Mont Fleuri made it two wins from her last three starts swooping from near last to win the $70,000 RSL Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield today.
Mont Fleuri ($5,$6) was settled by Dwayne Dunn off a deceptively fast pace created by tear-away leader Live In Sin ($8,$9,$8) and stood the front-runner the best part of twenty lengths in the middle stages.
Dunn made a sharp move at the 800m mark and entering the final furlong looked the winner but had to withstand a late challenge by Salinas ($6,$5) holding on to win by the barest of margins with a further three lengths to Lucy’s Cash ($6.50,$7).
Premier jockey Dwayne Dunn praised the mare’s effort to break through in open class believing she was unlucky to have not won more as a three-year-old.
“To step up to open grade mares today was very good,” said Dunn.
“We would’ve liked to have run her in the better three-year-old races because she deserved to win a few more of those than she did, but it wasn’t to be.
“She is certainly better than average.”
Dunn couldn’t see the tear-away leader until the home turn and admitted hitting the panic button when he did.
“I couldn’t see the leader until halfway around the home turn and I hit the panic button,” said Dunn.
“By the furlong I knew I had it though and it was just a matter of shaking Peter’s (Moody) horse off.
The daughter of Cape Cross has now won the three times from 12 starts for almost $200,000 in prizemoney.
Photos by Fiona Tomlin.
Toorak Too Toffy
- Saturday, 14 August 2010 03:41
Rick Hore-Lacy felt like calling for an oxygen mask after Toorak Toff came from last to win the Lister Diesel Engines Vain Stakes at Caulfield this afternoon.
His heart thumping wildy after the excitement of seeing Toorak Toff narrowly beat Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Star Witness, Hore-Lacy's other concern was insufficient prizemoney for the black type race.
"There are not many better three year olds around than the ones that turned up today and what gets in my craw a bit is that its a $100,000 race and you go round for $70,000 in an ordinary Saturday race."
"You get $30,000 more for winning a race like this. I think its bloody ridiculous."
Lobbing along in last place until the home turn, Toorak Toff ($7-$9) was switched off heels by Damien Oliver and rapidly started making ground on the heavy track.
He hit the front about 100 metres out beating the Snowden trained Soul ($7.50-$10-$9.50) by a head with Star Witness ($3.80-$4.00-$3.90) a half length away third.
Hore-Lacy went into today's race without a lot of confidence, conceding that this meant "the trainer's not a very good judge".
"Even though I didn't think he could win I did have a small bet each way", he admitted.
Hore-Lacy plans to take Toorak Toff to Sydney for the $1 million Golden Rose in two week's time, before returning to Melbourne with the $1 million Caulfield Guineas as his main Spring target.
"He was just a very very impressive colt", he recalled when asked what attracted him.
Hore-Lacy expects Toorak Toff to be very competitive in the Golden Rose after a Sydney trip dogged by bad luck in the Autumn, when the colt ran fourth in the Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes and seventh in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes.
"You saw what he did in Sydney", he said.
"He was dead stiff up there a couple of times with bad gates."
"He could have won both of those races."
Hore-Lacy picked Toorak Toff out of the catalogue for the 2009 Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast. With insufficient credit to purchase himself, he asked part owner Bill Van Rooy to bid $135,000 on his behalf.
Toorak Toff joins a long list of colts selected by Hore-Lacy which have gone on to racetrack success. Some of the best such as Redoute's Choice, Dash For Cash, Clay Hero and Canny Lad and gone on to stud careers.
"It's still a bit early to compare him with a horse like Redoute's Choice but if he hadn't been shinsore he could easily have won the Blue Diamond."
"There's no way that this guy will have his balls cut out", Hore-Lacy said of his classy Show A Heart colt.
Photos: Fiona Tomlin
Jeuneyman Not Just A Journeyman
- Saturday, 14 August 2010 05:45
Seven-year-old Jeuneyman has given his Tatura trainer Ryan Hooper his most important win at Caulfield on Saturday.
Hooper gave the Jeune gelding, who started at $13, little hope of winning the Listed 65th Anniversary Of The End Of World War II Stakes (1200m) but the gelding powered home from back in the field to score by a head from Sound Journey ($13) and Nicastro ($6).
The favourite Avenue ($3.30) made the race for the backmarkers when she led by more than six lengths but tired to finish fifth.
Hooper said wet tracks had limited the preparation of Jeuneyman who has only galloped once since finishing seventh to Mangonui when resuming at Moonee Valley on July 24.
"We missed a lot of work with him because it has been so wet but he is such a good little trier and great little horse," Hooper said.
"Fortunately being a small horse he doesn't need much work."
Jeuneyman was bought for $13,000 as a weanling and has won eight of his 28 starts including the 2008 Mitty's Cup (1200m) at Caulfield and last year's Gold Topaz Stakes (1200m) at Swan Hill.
"We have great fun with him and to win a race like this is great," Hooper said.
Jeuneyman will return to Caulfield in two weeks when he will have his next start in the Gay Icarus Handicap (1400m).
Pictures: Fiona Tomlin
Boss Weaves Magic Aboard Zoomin
- Saturday, 14 August 2010 03:12
Glen Boss showed why he was crowned Scobie Breasley medallist last Sunday night with a well-judged ride aboard Zoomin in the $70,000 RSL Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Restrained to settle in last place in the six-horse field, Zoomin raced tractably for Boss in the muddling tempo established by Riveted and Craig Williams.
Boss made the decisive race-winning move prior to the home bend as he hooked his mount out three wide to join Riveted and Abitofado in the lead upon straightening.
Riveted provided staunch resistance along the rails but was headed inside the final 100 metres by Tinamou and Zoomin with Zoomin finishing stronger of the two.
In the run to the line, Zoomin ($3.70-$4.20-$3.50 fav) defeated Tinamou ($3.30-$3.80) by a head with Riveted ($5-$6-$5.50) clinging onto third a further half length adrift.
Abitofado ($3.50-$4.20) finished fourth, under a length from the winner.
Boss said he was encouraged by Zoomin’s Australian debut performance at Sandown Hillside in April.
“The first time I rode him I said to Mick that he needs blinkers,” Boss said.
“He gets back and just drops the bit and switches off often.
“He ran terrific at Sandown on the bog but he just felt like he needed the blinkers.
“Mick has just been finding his way with the horse a bit.”
Boss suggested Zoomin was “going to win easily on the bend” before Mother Nature intervened.
“It was a fair win.”
“He was going to win easily on the bend and when he came out into that strong breeze he really lost his way and it took him another 200 metres to get balanced and get going again.
“He was strong on the line,” he added.
Formerly trained in New Zealand, winning trainer Mick Kent said that Zoomin pulled a muscle following his seventh placed effort at Flemington in June.
“It’s taken ages to get him right,” Kent said before alluding to his supreme staying ability.
“I said to Glen that he’s stamina is not the question – he’s got a very good motor.”
“I knew he’d make a move early, he had to, and to his credit he did.”
“He can run a trip, and that’s his forte whether it’s in the city or at Moonee Valley over 3000 metres.”
Boasting a record of seven wins and five placings from 24 starts, Zoomin has now accumulated $153,839 in prizemoney, of which $60,000 has been won in the last five starts since joining Kent’s Cranbourne stables.
Pictures: Fiona Tomlin