Cummings Has Two-state Saturday

Friday, 13 August 2010 06:45

Anthony Cummings is hoping a couple of months spent using a water-walker will enhance Zavite's Melbourne Cup prospects this spring.

The Cup hopeful will begin his campaign in Saturday's star-studded Liston Stakes at Caulfield, while in Sydney the trainer will produce VRC Oaks prospect Chula Vista and Epsom Handicap-bound Recoup De Fortune.

Tough eight-year-old Zavite hasn't raced for 16 weeks since the Group One Sydney Cup (3200m) but Cummings said that time had been spent trying to strengthen the Auckland Cup winner's hindquarters.

"I'm really pleased with him, he's strengthened up nicely," Cummings said.

"He actually didn't go out of work in the time off, he went to the water-walker and spent eight to 10 weeks there just to build up his hindquarter.

"The last two springs he's had issues, muscle issues, with his hindquarter and we were looking to overcome that by doing some strengthening work.

"At this point that looks to be working."

Chula Vista, meanwhile, resumes in the Group Three Run To The Rose (1300m) along with stablemate Big Sunday.

The Encosta De Lago filly won a maiden under lights at Canterbury by 3-1/2 lengths in the autumn before stepping out nine days later to finish fourth in the Listed Fernhill Handicap (1600m).

The filly took up the running from a wide barrier in the Fernhill and also raced on the speed when finishing last, beaten less than four lengths, in the Group One Champagne Stakes (1600m).

Cummings said from barrier 11 on Saturday Chula Vista would be ridden more quietly.

"She's had two trials that have both been good," Cummings said.

"She has shown good improvement from one to the other and since then so I'm looking forward to getting her back to the track heading towards a VRC Oaks campaign."

The Run To The Rose is a traditional Golden Rose lead-up race and Cummings said Chula Vista was resuming on Saturday to keep that option available.

"We'll be guided by what she does on Saturday," he said.

"I think she'll run a pretty nice race but I think she'll be better placed over more ground later in the preparation."

Big Sunday is the outsider in the Run To The Rose but has drawn well in barrier two.

"He's a nice horse who has paid full penalty for wide gates in his first couple of starts (this preparation)," Cummings said, adding that the son of Catbird's prospects would improve as the weather and tracks improved.

Apprentice Brenton Avdulla will ride Recoup De Fortune and take 1.5kg off the gelding's 59kg impost in the Club Liverpool Handicap (1300m).

The Group One Epsom Handicap on October 2 will be the five-year-old's first major target this preparation.

Multiple Melbourne Metro Winners Test Positive

Thursday, 12 August 2010 11:37

Three horses from prominent Victorian stables have tested positive to prohibited substances following recent metropolitan wins Racing Victoria Limited stewards announced on Thursday evening.

Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) confirmed two positive swabs were returned by the Allison Bennett-trained Juan Carlos.

Juan Carlos first returned a positive swab to the non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory ‘Ibuprofen’ following his victory in the $30,000 Journal 0-82 Handicap (3050m) at Geelong Synthetic on June 30.

A week later the ten-year-old won the $30,000 Mosstrooper Hurdle (3400m) at Sandown with the same substance in his system according to RASL’s findings.

Juan Carlos is currently second favourite behind Tarawera for Sunday’s $150,000 Grand National Steeplechase (4530m) at Sandown Hillside.

Meanwhile, Viking Turf Belle tested positive to ‘Dexamethasone’ in the $70,000 Workmen’s Club Handicap (1200m) at Moonee Valley on July 3.

Trained by Jason Warren at Mornington, the substance Dexamethasone is a short acting corticosteroid.

Viking Turf Belle won two consecutive races at Moonee Valley in the space of a fortnight but has since disappointed at her past two outings.

Her latest effort was in much harder grade, finishing tenth of eleven in the $150,000 Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington last Saturday.

Warren was notified of RASL's findings on July 28.

The Ray Cleaver-trained Diggersanddealers was the other horse to return a positive swab after his victory at Caulfield on July 17.

The seven-year-old gelding produced a urine sample which was shown to contain procaine, a local aesthetic and stimulant commonly contained in injectable penicillin.

That victory was Diggersanddealers third consecutive win and he has subsequently raced twice with little success.

All three trainers have been advised that investigations are continuing.

Pictures: Fiona Tomlin & Colin Bull

Williams' Tip Put To The Test

Friday, 13 August 2010 06:45

Craig Williams' prediction that Response had a big future will be put to the test when she resumes in the Group Three Cockram Stakes at Caulfield.

The four-year-old mare impressed the champion jockey last autumn when she became the first three-year-old filly to beat the mares in Flemington's Group Three Matron Stakes (1600m).

The feature win was only her fourth race start and only a month after she won her race debut for trainers Mat Ellerton and Simon Zahra at Ballarat in February.

"She raises expectations by the way she performs," Williams said.

"I really like her."

Zahra said Response beat the odds in the Matron Stakes as she was taking on the mares for the first time and backing up seven days after finishing second to VRC Oaks winner Faint Perfume in the Group Two Kewney Stakes (1400m).

"She is an emerging mare and went from a maiden to a Group winner in just one preparation," Zahra said.

Williams won the Matron on Response and rode her again last start when she was beaten six lengths when finishing ninth to Typhoon Tracy in the Group One Queen Of The Turf (1500m) at Rosehill on April 3.

It was her only unplaced run in five starts but Zahra said the trip to Sydney could end up being the making of her.

"I would forget the Sydney run," Zahra said.

"She was at the end of her preparation and was a bit foot-sore and had growing pains but in saying that the experience of going away did her a lot of good.

"She has settled down and has turned in to a really nice mare."

Zahra said Response had an obvious liking for soft tracks and would get perfect conditions for the 1200m feature at Caulfield on Saturday.

"She won her maiden on a track that was virtually heavy and in her trials she looks like she is getting through the (heavy) ground and loving it," he said.

"We are rapt with her and this is a really nice race to step her off in."

He said the major concern was barrier one on a potentially chopped-up track but he expects her to be in the firing line all the way.

"You can put her in any spot you want but she will probably be in the first four on Saturday," Zahra said.

Response is owned by Barry and Midge Griffiths who have had a number of top gallopers in the past including 1989 Melbourne Cup winner Tawrrific, 1992 Caulfield Cup winner Mannerism, 1992 Thousand Guineas winner Azzurro and 1994 Thousand Guineas and VRC Oaks winner Northwood Plume.

Pictures: Fiona Tomlin

Kent Charged Over Positive Swab

Thursday, 12 August 2010 08:15

Cranbourne trainer Mick Kent was on Thursday charged over The Pentagon returning a positive swab to a prohibited substance following his win at Sale in June.

And trainers Allison Bennett, Ray Cleaver and Jason Warren have had positive swabs from their horses confirmed by Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL).

RASL confirmed to Racing Victoria (RVL) stewards the presence of Ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, in a post-race urine sample taken from The Pentagon after he won over 2211m at Sale on June 6.

Kent was informed the charge would be heard before the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board on a date to be fixed.

RVL stewards received a report from RASL confirming positive swabs to Ibuprofen had been returned by the Bennett-trained Juan Carlos in post-race urine samples when he won over 3050m at Geelong on June 30 and scored in the Mosstrooper Hurdle (3400m) at Sandown on July 7.

The Cleaver-trained Diggersanddealers returned a positive post-race urine sample to procaine, a local anaesthetic and stimulant commonly contained in injectable penicillin, following his win at Caulfield on July 17.

The Warren-trained Viking Turf Belle returned a positive post-race urine sample to Dexamethasone, a short-acting corticosteroid, following her win at Moonee Valley on July 3.

Stewards on Thursday advised Bennett, Clever and Warren of the confirmatory findings and that they were continuing their investigations.

Arnold Wary Of The Wet

Friday, 13 August 2010 05:45

Steven Arnold says his JJ Liston Stakes mount So You Think is fit enough to win first-up but has a query on him handling the wet track at Caulfield.

The reigning Cox Plate winner and current favourite for this year's weight-for-age championship hasn't raced for nine months.

But Arnold said the Bart Cummings-trained star gave him a good feel when he rode him in his work on the course proper at Caulfield on Tuesday morning.

"He's in great order, obviously not wound right up at this stage, but his work was beautiful," Arnold told Sport 927 on Friday.

"The ground was a little bit wet. I wouldn't think he was 100 per cent comfortable on the wet ground.

"That is my only query but he should still run well.

"He's not like an old stayer starting off. He's a pretty sharp sort of a horse so, if he can handle the conditions okay, he could win the race."

The Caulfield track was rated a heavy (8) on Friday after 27.2mm of rain so far this week.

So You Think won on a dead track at his debut over 1400m at Rosehill as a two-year-old, but hasn't raced on a slow or heavy surface.

Gold Coast trainer John Wallace said he would like the going to be better than heavy for the favourite Shoot Out.

But he was happy with the four-year-old since his brilliant first-up win in the Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on July 31.

"I'd prefer it to be better but what can you do. They're all going to have to go through it," he said.

"I think he's gone ahead. He's done really well in himself and I couldn't be happier with him.

"I'd rather have him than any other runner."

Wallace said he would discuss tactics with jockey Stathi Katsidis before deciding how he should ride the gelding from barrier 10 in the 15-horse field over the 1400m after he went forward from the inside gate last time.

"It depends on how the races are playing out there tomorrow and we'll go from there. He's pretty adaptable," he said.

Wallace said he was virtually letting Shoot Out train himself in the lead-up to the big spring plums by racing him every fortnight.

"He's starting to get fitter but he's still got a lot of improvement in him. I haven't really started to train him much yet," he said.

"I've just been letting him go even time and poke along. All I've been doing is training him to get better as he goes."

Shoot Out is $3.20 favourite with TAB Sportsbet ahead of So You Think at $4.80 and Heart Of Dreams ($6), with last year's winner Predatory Pricer and Vigor next best at $10.

So You Think is $11 favourite for the Cox Plate, just shading Shoot Out at $12.

Picture: Colin Bull

Harry Has A Job Ahead Of Him

Thursday, 12 August 2010 06:45

Trainer Peter Moody says Master Harry has a job ahead of him to match the more experienced three-year-olds when he resumes in the Listed Vain Stakes at Caulfield.

Master Harry captured the imagination when he beat his stablemate Curtana at his only start in the Listed Streets Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on March 13 but needs to go to another level for Saturday's 1100m assignment which features Blue Diamond Stakes winner Star Witness.

Nine of the 11 Vain runners have won races and the top four in the racebook - Star Witness, Toorak Toff, Marmaa and General Truce - have not only won but have an edge in experience having raced at least four times.

"I like the horse (Master Harry) and we are going to find out in this race where he is going to be," Moody said.

"He is an exciting horse but realistically he has won an out-of-season stakes race while all others were going to the top level.

"Some of these other horses have a fair bit more experience on their side so there is a bit of a gap that he has to bridge."

Moody said Star Witness and Golden Slipper Stakes winner Crystal Lily, who contests Saturday's Quezette Stakes (1100m), were the benchmark three-year-olds.

Star Witness won his first three starts including the Blue Diamond Stakes before journeying to Sydney as an afterthought and finishing second last in the Group Two Todman Stakes.

Star Witness had a jumpout at Geelong last week and shares the top of TAB Sportsbet's chart at $4.80 with the Robert Smerdon-trained Breitling who has raced twice and last month won the Inglis Bonus Handicap (1000m) at Caulfield,

Master Harry, who will be ridden by Luke Nolen, is at $5 in an open market just ahead of Toorak Toff ($5.50).

The Mark Kavanagh-trained Shrapnel ($6.50) is having his third race start after finishing his autumn campaign with a victory in the Group Three Breeders' Stakes (1200m) in Adelaide on February 27.

Moody will run Panipique in the Quezette Stakes.

He said the promising filly, who won her race debut at Moonee Valley, had no luck when resuming last start and finishing sixth to Streetcar Magic in the Listed Reliance Petroleum Stakes (1050m) in Adelaide.

"She drew an outside barrier and got back too far but was working home all right," Moody said.

Pictures: Fiona Tomlin

Zahra Nervous Ahead Of Lily's Return

Friday, 13 August 2010 05:45

Co-trainer Simon Zahra has admitted to an attack of nerves on the eve of the return of Golden Slipper Stakes winner Crystal Lily in the Listed Quezette Stakes at Caulfield.

The star filly has impressed the stable in her jumpouts leading up to Saturday's 1100m feature but Zahra, who trains the filly with Mathew Ellerton, said they were feeling the pressure.

"It is a bit of a nervous time but we are keen to get her underway," Zahra said.

He said expectations were high that Crystal Lily would start her spring the way she left the autumn and that she would most probably follow a traditional path towards the Group One Thousand Guineas (1600m) in October.

"She's had two trials and they have been terrific," Zahra said.

"She has run good time and she has done it pretty easily.

"It is not ideal to start her off on a heavy track but she has got to start somewhere and we are looking forward to it."

The winner of four of her seven starts, Crystal Lily is a pronounced favourite at $2.20 with TAB Sportsbet to bring up her fourth win in a row.

Shaaheq ($6.50), She's Got Gears ($7.50) and Broadway Harmony ($8.50) are the only other runners under double-figure odds.

Zahra said Crystal Lily had been one of the toughest two-year-olds he had been associated with but was mindful that not all Slipper winners train on.

"Sometimes they don't come up and sometimes they turn out better than you think," Zahra said.

"We will just take it one step at a time.

"We haven't really got right into her because the tracks have been so wet but she has impressed us.

"She has come back more relaxed and has matured mentally."

Crystal Lily's return to racing coincides with the first-up appearance of Blue Diamond Stakes winner Star Witness who has been sensationally backed from $4.80 to $3.30 favouritism in the Listed Vain Stakes (1100m).

The Robert Smerdon-trained Breitling opened equal favourite with Star Witness but it was no surprise to his jockey Glen Boss to see him drift in the market to $6 on Friday.

"He is a very nice horse but he has got to take a massive step on Saturday," Boss said.

"There is a huge boom on him but you have got to keep it in perspective.

"He got beaten first-up in a winter two-year-old race and then won one after getting a beautiful run the other day one-out, one-back.

"They had him short in the market for Saturday which shocked me but until they prove it against better horses they are a bit of an unknown."

Picture: Fiona Tomlin

Race Day Atmosphere To Turn Consul On

Thursday, 12 August 2010 05:45

Top jockey Craig Williams is optimistic that race day will spark the competitive juices in Monaco Consul in the Group Two Liston Stakes at Caulfield.

Williams said he was looking forward to getting a guide on last year's Victoria Derby winner in Saturday's 1400m feature after the Mike Moroney-trained four-year-old felt indifferent in a jumpout at Flemington last Friday.

"I trialled him the other day and it will be interesting to see how he feels on race day," Williams said.

"He doesn't give you a feel in the mornings, that's for sure.

"He is not a morning glory and you wouldn't know he's a Group One horse."

The Liston has attracted a Cox Plate-like field which includes last year's Cox Plate winner So You Think, Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, AJC Australian Derby winner Shoot Out, Caulfield Cup placegetter Vigor and emerging four-year-olds Shamoline Warrior, Carrara and Tollesprit.

Last year's Liston winner Predatory Pricer, now trained by Mick Price, and his dual Group One-winning stablemate Heart Of Dreams are also leading first-up chances in the 15-horse field.

"I think clearly that Mick Price holds the key to the race," Williams said.

"I couldn't get on them so I'm happy I'm on Monaco Consul."

TAB Sportsbet on Thursday opened Monaco Consul at $16 while Shoot Out heads the market at $3.20 from So You Think ($4) and Heart Of Dreams ($7.50).

Monaco Consul, who won the Group One Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick in his lead-up to the Victoria Derby, hasn't raced since the autumn when he started only four times.

While he had a winless campaign, he finished third in the AJC Australian Derby before also running third to Road To Rock at his last start in the Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 24.

Williams said Thursday's heavy track rating would suit Monaco Consul on Saturday and he is looking ahead with hopes of riding the horse to grander prizes.

"He has won first-up over 1400 metres before but there are a couple there on Saturday that are probably going to be a lot sharper than he will be over the 1400 metres," Williams said.

"He is a very nice horse and he is nice ride for getting a feel for the future.

"There are many weight-for-age options for him at longer distances later on."

Picture: Quentin Lang

Another Win For Thirteen Skins

Thursday, 12 August 2010 19:37

Everything went against Thirteen Skins on Thursday afternoon at the Geelong Synthetic but the plucky four-year-old still managed to win his second consecutive race.

The last start Sale maiden winner had to be re-shod by the farrier prior to leaving the mounting yard to compete in the $15,000 Centrebet.com GET ON to Get Out 0 - 62 Handicap (1900m).

In the race itself, the Colin Little-trained galloper settled in third position for jockey Jason Benbow and was poised to pounce on the leaders.

However Thirteen Skins lost his position approaching the home turn as Benbow struggled to gain clear running.

Hooked off heels in the early portion of the straight, Thirteen Skins forced his way through the field before outstaying his rivals to register a win full of merit.

Thirteen Skins ($3.50 fav) narrowly defeated Dear Prudence ($8.50) with Bedouin Express ($11) a further length adrift in third.

The result means Thirteen Skins is unbeaten in all races beyond a mile.

Little believes the horse has the ability next preparation to develop into a consistent staying type that has the potential to measure up to the country cups circuit next season.

"He is a tough customer this bloke and will get a strong 2400m which could make him a handy stayer,” Little said.

The son of Irish sire Tobougg now boasts a record of two wins and two seconds from six starts with prizemoney in excess of $21,700.

Weight Not Right For Jockeys

Thursday, 12 August 2010 05:45

Jockeys Brian Higgins and Ryan Maloney have been fined $600 and $500 respectively on charges relating to deliberately attempting to lighten their weight when weighing in after provincial races.

Higgins pleaded guilty before the Racing Appeals And Disciplinary Board to a charge of improper action in that he deliberately placed his riding gear against the head of the scale so as to affect the weight displayed after the Maiden Plate (1309m) at Seymour on July 29.

The jockey rode One Carat into ninth place in the race.

Higgins also pleaded guilty to a further charge relating to him weighing in 1.5kg over his declared weight.

No penalty was imposed for that breach.

Maloney was fined $500 on a charge of improper action when weighing in at the Geelong meeting on July 16.

He pleaded guilty to deliberately removing the girth from his saddle and concealing it inside his helmet and weighing in without the girth after the 3YO Maiden Plate (1200m).

Maloney's mount Tassie Devil ran last.

Pictures: Quentin Lang & Greg Irvine