Weir Looking To End Season On A High
- Friday, 30 July 2010 03:30
Darren Weir is out to finish the 2009-10 season on a high note with three runners at Caulfield on Saturday including last-start course and distance winner Tonic.
The grey daughter of Dash For Cash was having her first start for Weir after previously being with the Robert Smerdon stable and, despite resuming after an 11-month layoff, was good enough to win over 1200m on July 17.
The rising five-year-old contests the Congratulations Peter Moody Handicap and again meets Rhythm In Paris and the Moody-trained Glaze, mares she beat into second and third placings last start.
"She had a little chip taken out of a joint," Weir said, explaining Tonic's long layoff before that victory.
"Judy Holden pre-trained her and did a very good job with her."
If Tonic, who will again be ridden by Steven King, wins or at least goes close on Saturday it would set her up for a crack at the Group Three Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 14.
Tonic was one of 20 Melbourne winners Weir has prepared so far this season, placing him equal 11th with Robbie Griffiths to premier trainer Moody (82 wins) and one short of his best tally in Melbourne set in 2006-07.
Weir is very happy with his lot at present having landed his 144th winner throughout Australia this season when Rue Maple won at Moonee Valley last Saturday, placing him third behind Peter Snowden (226-1/2) and Moody (192).
"I'm getting a better class of horse and starting to get more runners in Melbourne now which is good. It's something I want to do," he said.
Weir, 40, has 85 horses in work at Ballarat and over 200 on his books and he trialled 40 horses at Burrumbeet on Tuesday.
Ultra Tune boss Sean Buckley has sent Weir several horses to prepare including a recent purchase, New Zealand Group One-winning mare Culminate formerly trained by Steven McKee.
Weir's other two runners at Caulfield are The Night's Hot in the Join MRC and Receive $2000 Instant Value Hcp (1800m) and Gotta Keep Cool in the Chisholm Institute Hcp (1800m).
Weir also has three runners at Morphettville including Broadway Harmony, to be ridden by stable apprentice Jarrod Fry in the Listed Reliance Petroleum Stakes (1050m).
Picture: Fiona Tomlin
Umgeton On Trial For Quezette
- Friday, 30 July 2010 03:15
Unbeaten filly Umgeton will get the chance to prove she is up to taking on the best fillies in the spring when she resumes at Caulfield.
The rising three-year-old was a short-priced favourite when she won her first two starts at Bendigo and Echuca in the autumn but is one of the outsiders at $18 in Saturday's Congratulations Luke Nolen Handicap (1000m).
Bendigo trainer Brendon Hearps said Umgeton will be on trial for a crack at the Listed Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 14.
"She has to be competitive on Saturday if she is going on to the Quezette," Hearps said.
"She goes pretty well and I'm happy with her."
Hearps trained Umgeton's dam Edgeton, who won seven of her 23 starts including the 2004 Listed McEwen Trophy (1000m) at Moonee Valley, beating Reactive and Mistegic.
"Umgeton is a lot like her mother. They could be twins to look at," Hearps said.
Both are chestnuts.
Like Umgeton, Edgeton also had her first two starts in the country but was beaten on debut at Wangaratta before winning at Murtoa and having her next 21 runs in the city.
Umgeton was an easy two-length winner on debut at Bendigo and Hearps believes that she would have won more easily at Echuca but for an emerging foot abscess.
"I was a bit disappointed at Echuca when she only won by a length but two days later her hind leg blew up and a foot abscess grew out of it," Hearps said.
"Saturday is a bit of a leap in class, especially against the top three (city winners Marmaa and Curtana and stakes-placed Tricky Tricky) but this will tell us if she is up to better races."
Glen Boss will have his first ride on the Stratum filly on Saturday and Hearps said that while she led at her first two runs he wouldn't be surprised to see her hand up the lead to other runners at Caulfield.
"If they go hard enough she will be okay to take a sit," Hearps said.
Field Assembled For The Greatest Cup Never Run
- Thursday, 29 July 2010 05:53
The who’s who of Australian racing gathered at Melbourne Museum on Wednesday, 28 July for the announcement of the runners in ‘The Greatest Cup Never Run’.
It was part of the launch of The Story of the Melbourne Cup, Australia's Greatest Race, a coffee-table book of racing essays, illustrations and images compiled in honour of 150 years of the race that stops a nation.
The VRC and The Slattery Media Group event saw racing identities Glen Boss, Roy Higgins, Greg Carpenter, Terry Henderson and Mick Robins join special guests The Hon. John Brumby, Premier of Victoria, VRC Chairman Rod Fitzroy and event MC Bruce McAvaney, in celebrating the announcement of ‘The Greatest Cup Never Run' – a fictional Melbourne Cup field featuring 24 of the most outstanding racehorses of the past 149 years.
The champions who made the exclusive field of 24 include (in saddlecloth number order):
- Phar Lap (1930);
- Carbine (1890);
- Makybe Diva (2003-05);
- Peter Pan (1932,1934);
- Galilee (1966);
- Poseidon (1906);
- Rising Fast (1954);
- Rain Lover (1968-69);
- Comic Court (1950);
- Grand Flaneur (1880);
- Might and Power (1997);
- Archer (1861-62);
- Vintage Crop (1993);
- Delta (1951);
- Malua (1884);
- Nightmarch (1929);
- Poitrel (1920);
- Saintly (1996);
- The Barb (1866);
- Dalray (1952);
- Hall Mark (1933);
- Light Fingers (1965);
- Doreimus (1995);
- Think Big (1974-75).
Weights and barriers were also announced for each runner.
The field from the Greatest Cup Never Run will come to life on Emirates Melbourne Cup day when the race will be digitally simulated.
The field of 24 champions, including Phar Lap and triple Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva, will go head-to-head with one runner taking out the crown of the greatest Melbourne Cup champion of all time.
Greg Carpenter, Racing Victoria Chief Handicapper – due to handicap his sixth Melbourne Cup this year – assembled the field of 24 champions and the associated weights.
A panel of 22 racing experts has assessed the field and will determine the outcome of the digitally simulated race, based on variables including weight, barrier and jockey.
“The past 149 years has seen countless exhilarating, courageous and heartbreaking Melbourne Cups, and it is the stories and emotions that make up this iconic race that we wanted to capture in The Story of the Melbourne Cup, Australia's Greatest Race,” said Geoff Slattery, CEO of The Slattery Media Group, official publisher of the commemorative book.
“The most extensive historical and cultural account of The Melbourne Cup ever offered, the book is an exciting depiction of the history of the Melbourne Cup and a testament to its incredible national and international significance,” Mr Slattery said.
Thirty-five of Australia's premier racing and sporting writers contributed to the book, including John Harms, Andrew Lemon, Neil Kearney, Bruce Clark, Adrian Dunn, Andrew Rule, Gerard Whateley, Danny Power, Jim McGrath and Mike Sheahan.
Their commissioned work makes up the narrative behind The Story of the Melbourne Cup, Australia's Greatest Race.
The launch of The Story of the Melbourne Cup, Australia's Greatest Race and the announcement of the best-of-the-best horses in Melbourne Cup history are the latest in a line of celebratory events and initiatives to commemorate the milestone 150th running of the race that stops a nation.
According to VRC Chairman, Mr Rod Fitzroy, the publication of The Story of the Melbourne Cup, Australia's Greatest Race, is an important component of the celebrations that will commemorate the 150th milestone of the great race.
“The book not only captures the essence of the Cup, but also highlights the risk and genius it took to establish the race and traces its continuing development to the phenomenon it is today,” Mr Fitzroy said.
To pay homage to the heritage of the Melbourne Cup, the 1910 Melbourne Cup trophy won by Comedy King and 2010 Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy were displayed at the event.
The Story of the Melbourne Cup, Australia's Greatest Race is available now at all good bookstores.
Recommended retail price is $99.95. For further information visit http://www.melbournecupstory.com/
Scobie Breasley Finale Tomorrow
- Friday, 30 July 2010 03:03
Victorian racing’s most coveted award, the Scobie Breasley Medal presented by Tabcorp, will be decided tomorrow with the final race meeting of the 2009-10 season at Caulfield.
The Medal is awarded to the most outstanding flat jockey of the season based on performances at Victoria’s metropolitan meetings from 1 August 2009 to 31 July 2010.
The stewards’ panel at each meeting awards votes on a three-two-one basis for the three rides they deem to be the most outstanding of the day.
The winner will be announced at the Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Awards presented by Tabcorp on Sunday night, 8 August at Crown’s Palladium.
In one of the most open counts in the award’s 15-year history, Racing Victoria revealed that 10 jockeys were in contention to win the Medal when five meetings remained in the season.
The 10 contenders, in alphabetical order, were Glen Boss, Dwayne Dunn, Nick Hall, Steven King, Jason Maskiell, Luke Nolen, Damien Oliver, Michael Rodd, Chris Symons and Craig Williams.
In the four metropolitan meetings since that 15 July announcement, Boss and Williams have been the most successful jockeys each piloting six winners.
Nolen (three), King (one) and Symons (one) have been the only others to visit the winner’s circle in Melbourne since that date.
All 10 riders will be in action at Caulfield tomorrow for the last chance to add to their votes tally.
Young gun Nick Hall is the only contender engaged in all eight races, although Boss, Nolen and Williams are booked to ride in seven events.
Oliver, who won the inaugural Medal in 1996, holds the record as a six-time winner, while
Williams has won the past four. King is the only other jockey amongst the 10 to have won the Medal having triumphed in 1997.
A range of awards will be presented alongside the Scobie Breasley Medal at Crown including;
- Fred Hoysted Medal presented by Sport 927
- Tommy Corrigan Medal presented by Thoroughbred Racing Productions
- Staging Connections Victorian Racehorse of the Year Award
- TVN Most Memorable Moment Award
Bookings for Victorian racing’s night of nights can be made by visiting racingvictoria.net.au/events or by calling Customer First on 1300 139 401.
Japan Horses To Race In Australia
- Thursday, 29 July 2010 04:59
Japanese horses have been cleared to travel to Australia only days before entries close for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
The federal government and Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service on Wednesday night approved two pre-export quarantine facilities in Japan, paving the way for the first Japanese spring carnival invasion since 2006.
Japanese horses have been banned from travelling to Australia since equine influenza outbreaks in both countries three years ago.
Racing Victoria racing operations manager Leigh Jordon said the lifting of the quarantine ban on Japanese horses would add to the strength of an international raid on the 150th Melbourne Cup.
He said Jaguar Mail and Meiner Kitz, the first two horses home in this year's Group One Tenno Sho, Japan's premier 3200m handicap, were now expected to travel to Australia for the Cup.
Four-time premier jockey Craig Williams has accepted the Cup mount on Jaguar Mail after winning the Tenno Sho on the stayer.
Trained by Noriyuki Hori, Jaguar Mail in owned in the same interests as Delta Blues and Pop Rock who were first and second respectively in the 2006 Melbourne Cup.
Another Japanese stayer, Eye Popper, was second in the 2005 Caulfield Cup.
The approval of quarantine protocols between Australia and Japan may also pave the way for an historic new chapter in the Victoria Derby.
The connections of Break A Theory, a stablemate of Meiner Kitz, have also expressed interest in becoming the first internationally-trained runner to contest Victoria's coveted three-year-old Classic.
Entries close on Tuesday for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups as well as the Cox Plate.
Entries for the Derby and the VRC Oaks close on September 21.
Jordon said the proven competitiveness of the Japanese horses would ensure they have a strong following in Australia.
"The approval of the pre-export facilities at Tokyo and Nakayama ... delivers a positive outcome for the state of Victoria and indeed the nation with a large contingent of Japanese media and tourists now set to join their horses in Melbourne in the coming months," he said.
"The Japanese horses proved during the 2005 and 2006 spring racing carnivals that they are world-class performers and their presence in the 150th Emirates Melbourne Cup, and any lead-up races for that matter, would add immense intrigue."
Gelagotis Keen To Understand Sermon
- Friday, 30 July 2010 02:26
Peter Gelagotis is hoping change of scenery can trigger a change in form with rising seven-year-old Sermon.
Formerly trained by Robbie Laing at Cranbourne, Sermon won the 2009 Cranbourne Cup last October.
Since then he has failed to recapture anywhere near that winning form in five attempts.
“He won the Cranbourne Cup and it’s a listed race and that form line was around the same time Savquaw won the Moe Cup,” Gelagotis told the Virtual Formguide.
“The races are only four or five days apart and the form-line were very strong.
“To win the Cranbourne Cup you have to have a bit of ability and I also rate Savquaw highly in my stable.
“It’s just a matter of rekindling that form,” he added.
The horse with a history of wind problems was transferred to Gelagotis’ Moe stables as several owners in Sermon also have a share in his stakes winning mare Floramour.
“I’ve only had the horse for three or four weeks now.”
“He was getting to the stage where the horse was aggressive and our setup is a bit quieter at Moe and so far so good.
“He won a trial at Moe and looked good happy doing it, he settled nice and hit the line okay.
“He didn’t appreciate the heavy, heavy going but his class seemed to get him over the line to win.”
The son of Octagonal will run in Saturday’s $70,000 The Chairman's Retirement Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield with Gelagotis more focused on gaining an insight on Sermon with a view to the future then tomorrow’s result.
The experimental nature of tomorrow’s race is underlined by the five gear changes applied to Sermon (Tongue Tie again, Blinkers Off first time, Norton Bit off again, Lugging Bit off first time, Butterfly Bit first time).
“On Saturday we have Damien Oliver on to give us an assessment as to where we’re at.”
“I don’t think 1400 metres is his right distance but like any other nice stayer, if he can relax and hit the line I’d be pretty happy.
“I think he’s a pretty smart horse if we can get him right over 2000 metres – his best distance is between 1800 to 2200 metres,” he added.
Boasting a record of five wins and nine placings from 39 starts, Sermon has accumulated over $310,000 in prizemoney.
Caulfield (Saturday)
Race 8 @ 4:20pm (EST) - $70,000 The Chairman's Retirement Handicap (1400m)
| # | Form | Horse (Barrier) | Trainer | Jockey | Weight | API | Win % | Place % |
| 1 | 094311 | Gorky Park (12) | D Hayes |
S W Arnold |
59.5 | 41.1 | 20.0 | 55.0 |
| 2 | 714512 | Philda (14) | M Kent |
A Mccabe |
59.0 | 9.8 | 35.7 | 71.4 |
| 3 | 773364 | El Mandon (7) | M G Price |
Chris Symons |
56.0 | 12.9 | 20.8 | 66.7 |
| 4 | 804039 | Maxisun (3) | A J Vasil |
D Dunn |
55.5 | 7.8 | 24.0 | 44.0 |
| 5 | 332126 | Berringama (16) | B O Cox |
G Boss |
55.0 | 9.4 | 15.0 | 70.0 |
| 6 | 108090 | Sermon (13) | P Gelagotis |
D Oliver |
54.5 | 8.0 | 12.8 | 35.9 |
| 7 | 145134 | Fairygem (1) | P Moody |
J Noonan |
54.0 | 11.6 | 25.0 | 40.0 |
| 8 | 249313 | Carbon Trader (15) | S Fliedner |
B Melham |
53.5 | 6.1 | 14.8 | 55.6 |
| 9 | 935407 | Oroya Gold (4) | C Maher |
53.5 | 9.0 | 10.4 | 52.1 | |
| 10 | 068084 | Schilling (17) | P J Morgan |
N Hall |
53.5 | 22.7 | 17.6 | 41.2 |
| 11 | 358050 | Jennings (6) | Ms A Torpy |
W Egan |
53.0 | 5.9 | 20.5 | 41.0 |
| 12 | 620647 | Lucky Thunder (9) | D O'Brien |
Craig Williams |
53.0 | 15.2 | 11.8 | 47.1 |
| 13 | 109065 | Twenty Grand (11) | G S White |
J Maskiell |
53.0 | 4.0 | 23.5 | 52.9 |
| 14 | 811517 | Lake Crescent (8) | G S White |
N Rose |
53.0 | 4.5 | 36.8 | 52.6 |
| 15 | 084653 | Sacred Orders (10) | G Portelli |
D Yendall |
53.0 | 5.7 | 14.7 | 44.1 |
| 16 | 334690 | True Tales (19) | A J Vasil |
C Newitt |
53.0 | 8.4 | 28.6 | 47.6 |
| Emergencies | ||||||||
| 17 | 112190 | Live In Sin (5) | P Moody |
L Nolen |
53.0 | 5.5 | 29.4 | 47.1 |
| 18 | 557004 | Sentire (18) | R E Laing |
53.0 | 6.6 | 9.4 | 32.1 | |
| 19 | 263940 | Kronstan (2) | P E Conroy |
D Gauci |
53.0 | 2.1 | 15.6 | 25.0 |
Pictures: Greg Irvine & Colin Bull
Three Finalists For Vic Wagering Licence
- Thursday, 29 July 2010 04:16
British betting giant Ladbrokes is one of three companies short-listed to take over Victoria's multi-billion dollar wagering licence.
Ladbrokes, which calls itself the world's largest fixed-odds betting company, will compete for the licence with long-term licence holder Tabcorp and Tatts Group.
Tabcorp, previously the TAB, has had a monopoly on off-course betting in Victoria for 50 years.
The three were short-listed from a field of local and international gambling operators to compete for the 12-year wagering and betting licence from 2012.
The state government will award the licence later this year.
Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) says it's pleased a decision is imminent and welcomes the strong field of candidates.
"The post-2012 wagering joint venture will be vitally important to securing a growing and viable racing industry so we are keen to see the licence awarding process completed as soon as possible and give the industry certainty about its future partner," RVL chief executive Rob Hines said.
Gaming minister Tony Robinson said Victoria's wagering and sports betting industry was worth more than $4 billion a year and it had attracted interest from some of the biggest and most established wagering ventures in the world.
"The level of interest shown is a testament to the strength and prestige of Victoria's racing industry," Robinson said.
The 12-year wagering and betting licence will provide:
* The right to offer both parimutuel and fixed-odds betting on racing, sports and other events, including the only authority to conduct wagering and betting via an off-course retail network;
* The right to establish and operate the only betting exchange based in Victoria;
* The right to offer approved simulated racing games.
Velocitea A Bletchingly Stakes Special
- Friday, 30 July 2010 01:05
Trainer Mick Price believes Velocitea is an each way special in tomorrow's $125,000 Group Three Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
The Group One winning mare will resume at her favourite track and distance, Price acknowledging he will be disappointed if she's not in the finish.
"I would be disappointed if she didn't finish in the first three," said Price.
"The 1200m has been good for her, Caulfield has been good for her and I suppose you could say it's a home track advantage."
The Bletchingly Stakes has always been Price's first option to kick off the four-year-old Volksraad mare's campaign and he is confident she is ready to win.
"She likes to be fresh and doesn't need a lot of work," said Price.
"She has the fitness of two nice trials going into Saturday's race and has won twice first up."
Despite winning seven of eighteen starts, and earnings of almost $600,000, Price believes the mare has been well placed and admits she hasn't shown him a great deal of improvement since spelling after the Goodwood.
"I don't know if she has improved from last time in, but I don't know if she had to," said Price.
"I actually think that she has had good gates and every chance in all her runs, so placement has been important, but it's racing and you need that.
"You still have to be good enough to win," Price added.
Velocitea has fared well again for the Bletchingly Stakes drawing barrier six and will carry 56.5kg with Craig Newitt in the saddle.
Photos By Fiona Tomlin.
Davies Report Lifts Williams Spirits
- Thursday, 29 July 2010 03:57
Craig Williams hopes glowing feedback on the progress of Stanzout from trainer Colin Davies will translate into another slashing performance in Saturday’s weight-for-age $125,000 Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Stanzout was widely considered the run of the race following his fast-closing fourth in the Listed Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) a fortnight ago.
Williams, who only recently returned from Japan, says he is yet to see a replay of the Monash Stakes but is buoyed by Davies’ confidence going into Saturday’s race.
“Colin Davies spoke to me at Cranbourne on Sunday, and it might sound silly to say this given he is a seven-year-old, but he says he feels the horse is in his peak form,” Williams said.
“So he’s very happy with the horse and that’s good because that’s the most important thing.”
Williams expressed surprise at the quality of the Bletchingly Stakes which could have been further enhanced had 2009 Blue Diamond winner Reward For Effort taken his place in the field.
“There’s four Group One winners in the race.”
“It’s a great way to end the season, normally we don’t see them until another few weeks but we’re seeing a pretty hot field on Saturday,” he added.
Stanzout will start from barrier seven in the 11-horse field and is currently rated a $10 chance with TAB Fixed Odds.
Two last start Group 1 winners head the market order with Goodwood winner Velocitea at $3.40 while AJC Derby winner Shoot Out is rated a $3.70 chance.
Caulfield (Saturday)
Race 6 @ 3:07pm - $125,000 Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) WFA
| # | Form | Horse (Barrier) | Trainer | Jockey | Weight | API | Win % | Place % |
| 1 | 062578 | Mr Baritone (8) | M D Moroney |
M Zahra |
58.5 | 20.1 | 12.9 | 48.4 |
| 2 | 600008 | Douro Valley (9) | P J Morgan |
J Winks |
58.5 | 21.7 | 14.0 | 40.4 |
| 3 | 341413 | Royal Ida (10) | L Oliver |
B Rawiller |
58.5 | 14.7 | 32.1 | 58.9 |
| 4 | 021884 | Stanzout (7) | C J Davies |
Craig Williams |
58.5 | 15.9 | 21.1 | 42.1 |
| 5 | 370677 | Secret Flyer (5) | M W Young | L McGill | 58.5 | 13.8 | 34.6 | 57.7 |
| 6 |
312116 | Apprehend (11) | A J Vasil |
K Sanderson |
58.5 | 13.0 | 21.4 | 60.7 |
| 7 |
175792 | Keano (4) | D O'Brien |
N Hall |
58.5 | 15.4 | 27.8 | 50.0 |
| 8 |
512141 | Shoot Out (1) | J P Wallace |
S Katsidis |
58.0 | 124.0 | 45.5 | 63.6 |
| 9 |
048117 | Tollesprit (3) | S Fliedner |
S W Arnold |
58.0 | 23.8 | 36.4 | 54.5 |
| 10 |
301121 | Velocitea (6) | M G Price |
C Newitt |
56.5 | 30.7 | 38.9 | 72.2 |
| 11 | 110331 | Elumino (2) | P Moody |
L Nolen |
56.5 | 18.9 | 42.9 | 71.4 |
Picture: Colin Bull
Royal Ida To Bounce Back In Bletchingly
- Thursday, 29 July 2010 06:30
Veteran sprinter Royal Ida has recovered from a back ailment and will be at his top for the Group Three Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield.
The rising 10-year-old pulled a muscle in his back when on the losing end of a three-way photo-finish to Reward For Effort and Keano when first-up in the Listed Monash Stakes on July 17.
However he has responded well to treatment and thrilled trainer Luke Oliver with his work this week ahead of Saturday's 1200m feature.
"Everything seems on track and he should be spot-on, 100 per cent, on Saturday," Oliver said.
The winner of 18 races and $825,000 in stakes, Royal Ida galloped strongly at Caulfield on Tuesday fuelling Oliver's optimism that he will threaten in the Bletchingly.
"He had a really good gallop," Oliver said.
He said Royal Ida was "really sore" after the Monash and had chiropractic treatment the following Monday.
"After he galloped last Tuesday the chiropractor went over him again and was really happy with him," Oliver said.
Royal Ida, who won the Group Three Standish Handicap at Flemington on New Year's Day, is $11 to add to his 10 stakes wins.
Five horses are ahead of him in TAB Sportsbet's Bletchingly market which is topped by the Mick Price-trained Velocitea ($3.40).
AJC Australian Derby winner Shoot Out is $3.70 to launch his spring campaign with a victory while Tollesprit is $8, Elumino ($8.50), Keano ($9) and Stanzout ($10).
"There are some good horses there and it's going to be an exciting race," Oliver said, welcoming the challenge.
Elumino would be a fitting winner on the last day of the season for trainer Peter Moody and jockey Luke Nolen.
The Melbourne Racing Club is honouring both of them for their respective Melbourne trainers and jockeys' premiership wins.
Moody is hoping for a rain-affected track to help Elumino against the top chances.
While the four-year-old mare has never won at stakes level, she was brilliant last start against a number of stakes performers when she landed a photo-finish victory in the All Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington three weeks ago.
"It was a good win last start so we are striking while the iron is hot and running her on Saturday," Moody said.
"Shoot Out and Mick Price's good mare (Velocitea) are better than her but she is rock-hard and fit and if we get a slow track then that's her chance to catch them on an off day."
Pictures: Colin Bull & Fiona Tomlin
Announcement of Wagering Licence Applicants Welcomed
- Thursday, 29 July 2010 02:27
Racing Victoria Chief Executive, Rob Hines, has welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement that invitations to apply for the Victorian wagering licence have been issued to a shortlist of three wagering service providers.
The short-listed applicants announced by the Victorian Government today are:
- Tabcorp Holdings
- Tatts Group
- Ladbrokes PLC
The 12-year wagering and betting licence will provide:
- The right to offer both pari-mutuel and fixed odds betting on racing, sports and other events, including the only authority to conduct wagering and betting via an off-course retail network;
- The right to establish and operate the only betting exchange based in Victoria; and
- The right to offer approved simulated racing games
“We are delighted that the Government has attracted such a strong and competitive field to bid for the licence and we look forward to working with the successful applicant,” Hines said.
“The post-2012 wagering joint venture will be vitally important to securing a growing and viable racing industry so we are keen to see the licence awarding process completed as soon as possible and give the industry certainty about its future partner.”