G.N Steeple Beckons For Juan Carlos

Wednesday, 28 July 2010 03:35

Juan Carlos racked up his third consecutive win at his steeplechasing debut this afternoon by easily winning the $30,000 Pedro’s Pride Steeplechase (3400m) at Betfair Park Sandown Hillside on Wednesday.

Ridden patiently in the field of ten by Steven Pateman, Juan Carlos chimed in three wide approaching the home turn and took the lead at the final fence at the 300 metre mark before sprinting clear of his rivals.

Juan Carlos ($2) defeated Nuvolari ($21-$31) by 4-1/4 lengths with Our Santa ($10-$17) a further long neck away in third.

Last start winner Morsonique ($3.60-$4.20) finished fourth while Plumtastic ($4.20-$5) was the only other horse to complete the course, seven lengths away from the winner.

The rest of the field was retired out of the race with the exception of Famous Prince ($7) who fell and dislodged Aaron Lynch at the final fence.

“He chased really well and he did respect the biggest fences today, that’s why he was a bit slow away early,” Pateman said before adding, “He had a look at the first couple and then got going.”

“This is a lovely big track and you can ride them up the back straight in a way to give them a good look at the fences.

“It’s a world class jumping track and I was on the class horse of the race.”

Trainer Allison Bennett couldn’t shed too much light on Juan Carlos’ performance post-race.

The Moe-based trainer cannot bear to watch her horses compete in jumps races live.

“Apparently,” Bennett answered when told that Juan Carlos jumped well throughout.

“I think he jumped very well which is a good thing.

“He’s just a beautiful jumper, I don’t think it matters what you put in front of him he just jumps very well.

“Steven is very confident aboard him in his ability and rides him well,” he added.

Juan Carlos will next run in the $150,000 Grand National Steeple (4530m) at Sandown on August 15.

“That’s always been his Grand Final,” Bennett said.

“There’s been those big races at Warrnambool but we’ve come back from injury and Warrnambool has those dips and turns...”

The nine-year-old gelding has won 11 times from 79 starts, with a record of three wins and three placings from eight starts over jumps.

Juan Carlos has accumulated $235,376 in prizemoney.

Pictures: Colin Bull

Plumtastic Could Be One Out Of The Box

Tuesday, 27 July 2010 06:15

Robbie Laing has high hopes for promising jumper Plumtastic who faces a tougher test in Wednesday's Pedro's Pride Steeplechase at Sandown.

Plumtastic could hardly have been more impressive when he romped home by 20 lengths at his fencing debut in a Moe Maiden Steeple (3375m) last Saturday week.

"He might just be one out of the box. He's a very good horse," Laing said.

"I've had the horse for a couple of years. He came from Perth as a lightly-raced horse.

"He's a huge horse with a head like a 44-gallon drum.

"He's a dyed-in-the-wool, old-fashioned `chaser with no flat ability and he jumps too big for hurdles but the other day at Moe he was a revelation.

"He gained a length at every fence, was 12 lengths in front on the turn, won by 20 and could have won by 30."

By Pricelessly, a son of 1978 US Triple Crown winner Affirmed, Plumtastic is a half-brother to Maneroo Lue who was beaten a short half-head in the 2005 Listed Ballarat Cup (2200m) and later won over hurdles at Sandown.

Plumtastic's dam, the unraced mare Got The Taste, is a daughter of speedster Martec who won the 1983 Group Three Debutant Stakes (900m) at Caulfield and Group Two Maribyrnong Plate (1200m) at Flemington.

The Moe win was Plumtastic's first in 19 career starts having been third in a 2088m Moe Maiden, second in a 3380m Bairnsdale Jumpers Flat and runner-up in a Warrnambool Maiden Hurdle.

Paul Hamblin will ride Plumtastic while Brad McLean has been engaged to ride stablemate Sir Pentire in the same race.

Laing is looking for an improvement from Sir Pentire who ran last in the Tom Corrigan Hurdle (3550m) at Warrnambool on July 11.

The 2009 Grand Annual winner, now rising 11, shaded the talented Morsonique in winning a 2800m steeple trial at Moe last Thursday.

Sir Pentire is heading towards the Grand National Steeple, a race in which he was runner-up to Pentiffic last August.

The Michael Trinder-trained Morsonique made a winning debut over fences at Sandown when he defeated Our Santa by 2-1/4 lengths over 3400m on July 7.

Vindicating, third to Black And Bent in the Australian Hurdle and runner-up to the classy Some Are Bent in the Tom Corrigan Hurdle, and Corries will be Laing's runners in Wednesday's The Shu Hurdle (3400m).

Hamblin will ride Vindicating in the small field of seven while Adam Trinder will be aboard Corries who was runner-up in the Australian Hurdle.

Picture: Colin Bull

Jumps Star A Finalist For Victorian Horse Of The Year

Wednesday, 28 July 2010 02:59

Black And Bent, the versatile jumps racing star, has moved a step closer to a fairytale victory in the 2010 Staging Connections Victorian Racehorse of the Year award.

The Australian and Galleywood Hurdle winner has today been named as one five finalists for the coveted award following the collation of votes from members of the Victorian media.

Voters were presented with a list of the 10 most outstanding equine performers on Victorian tracks this season from which to make their selection. The top five vote getters are the finalists.

The remaining four finalists are Emirates Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, Tatts Cox Plate winner So You Think and multiple Group 1 winners Starspangledbanner and Typhoon Tracy.

The winner will be announced at the Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Awards presented by Tabcorp at Crown’s Palladium on Sunday night, 8 August.

In a remarkable 2009-10 season, the Robert Smerdon-trained Black And Bent tasted more success than any other on Victorian tracks with four hurdle and four flat wins.

If victorious he would snap the recent domination of sprinters with West Australian star Scenic Blast awarded the title last year, Weekend Hussler in 2008 and Miss Andretti in 2007.

The five finalists for the title of Staging Connections Victorian Racehorse of the Year are (statistics relate to performances on Victorian tracks from 1 August 2009);

1. Black And Bent – 14 starts, 8 wins, 1 placing
The most successful horse in Victoria this season with four flat and four hurdle wins

2. Shocking – 9 starts, 2 wins (1 x G1), 3 placings
Winner of the Emirates Melbourne Cup

3. So You Think – 3 starts, 1 win (G1), 1 placing
Least experienced horse in history to win the Tatts Cox Plate at just his fifth start

4. Starspangledbanner – 8 starts, 4 wins (2 x G1), 1 placing
Group 1 winner at 1100m defeating older horses and at 1600m against three-year-olds

5. Typhoon Tracy – 7 starts, 4 wins (3 x G1), 2 placings
Triple Group 1 winner with victories in the Myer Classic, Sportingbet Orr Stakes and Rokk Ebony Futurity Stakes

A range of awards will be presented alongside the Staging Connections Victorian Racehorse of the Year award at Crown on 8 August including;

• Scobie Breasley Medal presented by Tabcorp

• Fred Hoysted Medal presented by Sport 927

• Tommy Corrigan Medal presented by Thoroughbred Racing Productions

• 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.

Picture: Colin Bull

Stanzout A Bletchingly Standout

Tuesday, 27 July 2010 05:30

Cranbourne trainer Colin Davies is eagerly awaiting Saturday's Bletchingly Stakes with stable star Stanzout who he believes is back to his best form.

The grey came from last at the 400m in the Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on July 17 to finish fourth to the highly-rated three-year-old Reward For Effort, beaten less than three-quarters of a length.

"I couldn't have been any happier with the run," Davies said.

"He was the only horse to break 45 (seconds) for the last half-mile (800m)."

Davies said the gelding needed the run at his previous outing when eighth to Bletchingly rival Elumino in the All Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington on July 10, which was his first start for six weeks.

Stanzout has won eight races in his 38-start career, six over his pet trip of 1200m - the distance of the Group Three Bletchingly at Caulfield - and two at 1100m.

"The 1100 metres is a bit short for him now and it was a bit of an ask to come from last (in the Monash)," Davies said.

"I'd like to see him in the middle of the field and the 1200 metres suits.

"Weight-for-age (conditions) suit him because he's not giving away too much weight and he seems to handle himself well at it.

"I'm looking forward to Saturday."

Top jockey Craig Williams will ride Stanzout on Saturday.

He has ridden the rising eight-year-old twice for second placings including when runner-up to Apache Cat in the Group One Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley in February 2008.

Stanzout landed his best win in the Group Two Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in October 2007 and has been placed at the highest level three times.

Apart from the Australia Stakes second, he was third in The Age Classic (1200m) in November 2007 and in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) in February 2008, both at Flemington.

However he lost form due to health issues and was not placed again until he ran third under 60kg in the Mildura Cup (1400m) in May last year.

"He's really just got himself back to his best. Most of his issues were after he had an EI (equine influenza) injection after he won the Gilgai," Davies said.

"He got a lung infection and it took him a long time to get better but it's healed over time.

"He used to pull up a bit ordinary after gallops and races but he's now fully recovered.

"Over the spring he should be able to pick up a couple of good races but we'll take one step at a time.

"He's a pretty fit horse and he hasn't over-exerted himself."

After a layoff of eight months, Stanzout won the Sale Quality (1200m) first-up in February and three starts later was runner-up to Orbit Express, with Williams in the saddle, over 1200m at Caulfield in March.

Fresh from a six-week freshen-up he gave Davies a great thrill when he won the Listed Wangoom Hcp (1200m) at Warrnambool four starts back on May 5.

Octavanus, prepared at Cranbourne by Ross Pecora, was a late entry for the Bletchingly on Tuesday bringing the number of nominations to 13.

Among the entries are four Group One winners - star Queensland three-year-old Shoot Out, Douro Valley, Mr Baritone and Velocitea.

Pictures: Colin Bull

Lucki'mbarefoot Earns Break For Spring

Wednesday, 28 July 2010 02:18

Moe trainer Tracey Templeton is Derby bound with Luckyi'mbarefoot winner of the $30,000 Chortle Super Vobis Handicap (1600m) at Betfair Park today.

Luckyi'mbarefoot ($4.20,$4.60,$4.40) jumped well and was given the run of the race by Dean Holland sitting one out and one back the trip.

Holland peeled of the leaders heels turning for home to ensure clear running in the straight and proceeded to grind the leader down and scoring a convincing one and a half length win over Arboreta ($3.20,$3.60) with Dubawi's Daughter ($18,$41) a head away.

Templeton has been buoyed by the two-year-old's form this preparation and is considering targeting the Derby in the Spring.

"He has won both races this time in which is a good sign," said Templeton.

"We will put him away for a little breather for now and then bring him back for some Spring races hopefully.

"We might even look at the derby with him, but we will see how he goes."

Holland, who rode Lucki'mbarefoot prior to his first race start, observed that the gelding was still a work in progress but improving with every run.

"I trialled him before he even had a run and thought he would always make a good horse," said Holland.

"He has taken a little while to get there but he will just keep on improving after winning his maiden the other week.

It is a little bit of a work in progress getting him to settle but he is almost there and the Derby is definitely a possibility."

The win was Holland's second on the son of Undoubtedly from just the three rides.

Photo by Colin Bull

Rose Set To Bloom In Spring

Monday, 26 July 2010 07:51

Trainer Mick Price says he is still feeling his way with imported English mare The Miniver Rose who is being aimed at the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

The four-year-old, who still has her summer coat, had her first public hit-out for Price when she finished second to last-start Flemington winner Moudre in a 1200-metre trial at Geelong on Monday.

The Miniver Rose has won two of her nine starts, including the Group Two Hill Stakes (2920m) at Doncaster on September 10 last year and was fifth to Starfala in the Epsom Oaks.

Price faces a challenge to get the best out of the daughter of High Chaparral who hasn't had time for an acclimatising preparation in Australia since being bought by Peter Carrick's Lakeview Resources from 340,000 guineas (about $A600,000) at England's world famous Tattersall's December Sale.

"I haven't got time to give her one run in a preparation and then spell her completely so she can acclimatise," Price said.

"We have just got to chink her through the spring and go for the Cups.

"We haven't attempted to dash her up until now but she has worked home in half mile jump outs and finished midfield."

"She is a real staying mare and a tough High Chaparral with a tough temperament."

Champion jockey Damien Oliver rode The Miniver Rose at Geelong and she settled back second last in the five horse field with Moudre behind her.

Both horses made their runs together with Moudre scoring easily by 2-1/2 lengths.

"She (The Miniver Rose) is a real 2400 and 3200 metre horse and Ollie didn't do a lot on her," Price said.

"I didn't want her to get banged up as she was here to have a good experience."

"She's had a blow and has blown up over the back."

Price said that The Miniver Rose may trial again at Cranbourne next Monday before making her Australian debut, most likely in a 1400-metre mares' race.

Meanwhile stablemate Spacecraft will have his first start for Price in the Falvelon Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield on August 14 and could end up contesting the Group One Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield in October.

Ridden by Oliver, the rising four-year-old was also at the Geelong trials and posted a 3-1/2 length second to Greg Eurell-trained maiden galloper Bay Of Poets in one of the fastest trials of the day.

Formerly trained by Danny O'Brien, Spacecraft has raced seven times and is a dual city winner noted for his long neck second to Hanks in the Group Two AAMI Vase at Moonee Valley last spring.

His only placing in three autumn runs was in the Listed Zeditave Stakes.

"He is a nice, strong, athletic colt and it is just a matter of how good he is," Price said.

"He has had a really good preparation and he might be a Toorak horse."

"Today he had a nice clean-out with being pushed too much."

Picture: Fiona Tomlin

Metung Tackles Boys At Betfair Park

Tuesday, 27 July 2010 06:46

Cranbourne trainer Cindy Alderson will be hoping it's a case of 'third time lucky' for Metung Belle in tomorrow's $30,000 Betfair Handicap (2400m) at Betfair Park.

Metung Belle has placed twice at her last two Betfair Park outings including an eye-catching second in last Wednesday's $30,000 Sweet Nell Handicap (2400m) coming from last to go down less than a length on the line.

Tomorrow Metung Belle will take on the boys for the first time in her career and whilst Alderson admits it will be no easy feat she is confident it is the right race for the four-year-old mare.

"Going up against the boys for the first time is a bit of an unknown," said Alderson.

"But she is a tenacious little devil out of a Zabeel mare so the distance and track conditions will really suit her.

"I'm hoping she can measure up to the males because there isn't a lot of mares races around for her and she is thriving at the moment."

Alderson believes the daughter of Viscount can be right in the finish should Symons be able to have her closer in the run.

"She probably got too far back last week but Chris was happy with how she was travelling and always thought she was a chance," said Alderson.

"If we could settle closer to mid-field tomorrow I think she will be right in the finish."

A win with the lightly raced staying prospect would carry even greater significance for Alderson given she is raced by the family of the late Gerald Cunningham.

"Gerald was a long time friend and stalwart of the racing industry," said Alderson.

"The mare is now raced by his wife Eileen and son David and it would be fantastic if she could win for them."

Picture: Colin Bull

Wallace Warning For Shoot Out Rivals

Monday, 26 July 2010 07:51

Shoot Out's prime campaign targets are still three months away but trainer John Wallace says the AJC Australian winner can return in winning form on Saturday.

A winner from the 1200 metres of Saturday's Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield to the 2400 metres of the Group One AJC Australian Derby, Shoot Out will disappoint Wallace if he isn't in the finish of the Group Three sprint.

"He'll race well on Saturday," Wallace said.

"He's different to most of those good horses that stay because he can sprint too.

"I'd be happy if he's just racing home but it wouldn't surprise me if he beat them.

"He arrived here last Wednesday. He's settled in well, has done well and he looks lovely."

Wallace said he was happy with the way Shoot Out trialled at Doomben on July 13.

With his regular race rider Stathi Katsidis in the saddle, Shoot Out finished two lengths clear of The Chanster.

"He hasn't done any fast work since arriving. He'll do a little bit tomorrow (Tuesday) but nothing serious. He's only got to run 1200 metres and he's had the trial," Wallace said.

"The main thing I want him to do is have a run every fortnight and let him keep training himself."

Wallace has trained some good horses over the years including 1994 Melbourne Cup placegetter Oompala, Enthusiast and Special Song but he believes Shoot Out is something else.

"This is the best horse by far that I've ever trained," he said.

A $15,000 yearling purchase at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Shoot Out was selected by Mount Isa owner Linda Huddy who races him with her husband Graham.

"Linda picked him out and I was just lucky enough to be there and she asked me to train him," Wallace said.

The rising four-year-old has already earned the Huddys more than $1.3 million.

"He's nominated for the Cox Plate and the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups," Wallace said.

"I thought you've got to be in them but my thinking at the moment he would be go to the Cox Plate and then the Melbourne Cup, but we'll see what happens."

Wallace said Katsidis, who missed riding at Eagle Farm on Saturday due to a virus, was feeling better on Monday.

He rides at Eagle Farm on Wednesday and will be aboard Shoot Out on Saturday.

The jockey has ridden him seven times for two Group One wins - the Randwick Guineas (1600m) and the Derby.

Katsidis is now only one win in front in the Brisbane premiership with on 72 after rival Larry Cassidy rode four winners at Eagle Farm including one of Katsidis' forfeited mounts.

His decision to ride in Melbourne could cost him the premiership.

"Stathi loves this horse and he wants to be down here riding him in all of his races," Wallace said.

There were 12 entries for the Bletchingly including Group One winners Douro Valley, Mr Baritone and Velocitea with nominations have been extended until Tuesday morning.

Picture: Sportpix

'Greatest-ever' Cup Field To Be Revealed

Tuesday, 27 July 2010 06:45

A fictional greatest-ever Melbourne Cup field will be revealed on Wednesday as celebrations to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the great race are stepped up.

The exclusive field, selected by Racing Victoria's chief handicapper Greg Carpenter and called the Greatest Cup Never Run, features 24 of the most outstanding horses of the past 149 years.

The field is included as part of The Story of the Melbourne Cup; Australia's Greatest Race, to be launched at the Melbourne Museum on Wednesday.

Edited by Slattery Media Group racing editor, Stephen Howell, the book of racing essays, illustrations and images features contributions from 35 of Australia's premier racing and sporting writers.

The field for the dream race will be unveiled in the same style as the Melbourne Cup barrier draw.

Attending the launch will be Victorian premier John Brumby and deputy premier and Racing Minister Rob Hulls as well as some of racing's legends including three-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Glen Boss, dual Cup-winning jockey Roy Higgins and dual Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Mick Robins.

Both the 1910 (Comedy King) and 2010 Melbourne Cup trophies will be on display.

Punters Warned Off Over No Show

Monday, 26 July 2010 05:59

Gold Coast punters Alessandro Alaimo and Kevin McFarland have been warned off indefinitely for failing to attend the Danny Nikolic inquiry in April.

Alaimo and McFarland did not attend Monday's Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board hearing in Melbourne and did not enter a plea.

Racing Victoria's Integrity Services manager Dayle Brown appeared on behalf of the stewards.

Alaimo and McFarland had both been charged over their failure to attend the inquiry on April 20.

They had been called to give evidence after their betting activities on Betfair linked them to the Nikolic investigation.

Last month the jockey was cleared by the RAD Board of two charges of engaging in improper practice and two of conduct prejudicial to the image of racing after an exhaustive inquiry.

Queensland Racing stewards warned off Alaimo, McFarland and Victorian punter and commission agent Neville Clements after an investigation into the defeat of $1.30 favourite Baby Boom, trained by Nikolic's brother John, who finished fourth at the Sunshine Coast on January 3.

Clements was warned off indefinitely on March 24 over the Nikolic investigation, for his failure to hand over his phone records from last September to February to RVL stewards.

He has appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal with the decision set down for October 4.