Twenty Grand Gets His Chance

Friday, 23 July 2010 05:45

Trainer Gary White believes that following three failed trips to Victoria with Twenty Grand the seven-year-old gets his best chance to break through in Saturday's $70,000 Chris Hood Memorial (1200m).

"He has been a hard horse to place in Victoria and the few times he has had a strong chance on paper he has had no luck," said White.

"Tomorrow he has the right weight, jockey, track, distance and couldn't be racing better in my opinion.

"Perhaps it's his turn," joked White.

Twenty Grand has been plagued with injury throughout his career and retirement has been on the cards a number of times according to White.

"His name came about after he injured himself prior to the yearling sale and cost his breeder about that much in the process," said White.

"Since then he has suffered from leg problems in almost every joint and the window of suitable conditions and maximum potential has unfortunately shrunk.

"We manage him carefully though and just a fortnight ago he finished within a handful of lengths of four-year-olds with forty percent winning strike rates and a Group One placegetter."

White has tasted recent success in Victoria with Lake Crescent and has a number of his stable stars making the trip across Bass Strait something he highlights as an important selling point for his stable, Scruples Lodge.

"We have four horses here at the moment and another couple to come over," said White.

"It is important to make the trip when the horse is ready and it also gets them out of their comfort zone which is an important part of their development.

Recently White has discovered a large number of Victorian owners looking to have their horses trained in Tasmania citing rising costs and limited returns.

"There are a number of trainers in Tasmania who would, and do, hold their own anywhere in Australia and you can have a horse educated and it's ability determined for less than some pre-trainers here in Melbourne," said White.

"Then, if they are good enough, its an inexpensive two hour trip over as we are showing with the small team that we have here right now."

Twenty Grand is currently $5.50 chance with TAB Sportsbet and will jump from barrier six with apprentice Jason Maskiell to take the ride.

Cups Campaign For Derby Placegetter

Thursday, 22 July 2010 05:10

Runner-up from May’s Group One South Australian Derby (2500m), Red Colossus, has returned to the Cranbourne stables of Greg Eurell ahead of an optimistic spring campaign.

The son of Testa Rossa is set to be aimed at the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup.

“We’ll be looking at the Cups no doubt,” stable foreman John Baker told the Virtual Formguide before insisting, “He has been entered for all the good races."

Red Colossus won three consecutive races last preparation – two of those victories in stakes company - before suffering an agonising defeat in the SA Derby to the Peter Snowden-trained Kidnapped.

“He’s done four weeks pre-training but today he’s returned to be back in full work,” he said.

“He did a very good job last prep.

“He learnt a hell of a lot stepping up from midweek to Group 1 company in the space of a couple of months,” Baker added.

Baker noted that jockey Chris Symons was keen to renew his association with the rising four-year-old in the hope of claiming an elusive Group 1 victory.

No firm decision has been made on what race Red Colossus will contest first-up but Baker assures that, “Knowing the horse it’d be a race over 1300 or 1400 metres.”

“We’ll see his best once he steps up beyond a mile.”

Boasting a record of four wins and a second from 10 starts, Red Colossus has won $194,163 in prizemoney.

To view the form history of Red Colossus, click here.

Picture: Jenny Barnes

Horseland Supports Racehorse Outplacement

Thursday, 22 July 2010 21:40

Horseland, Australia's leading saddlery retailer, with 57 stores around the country has become the latest sponsor of the Cyberhorse Racehorse Outplacement Program.

Horseland is the initial contributor to the ROP Support Package, which is effectively a starter kit for the new owner of horses graduating from the Program.

Horseland will supply products and vouchers to the value of $400 as its contribution to the ROP Support Package.

Adam Bucknell, Horseland CEO, described the sponsorship as the perfect way for Horseland to "give back" to the horse industry.

"Off the track thoroughbreds were the main competition horse for our clients when we first started 32 years ago", he said.

"Generations of equestrians have started their riding career on a thoroughbred."

"Now they are not so fashionable and its time for the horse industry to address the major wastage of this wonderful resource."

Bill Saunders, Managing Director of Cyberhorse, welcomed the support of Horseland, saying:

"We are pleased to have Horseland on board."

"With Racing Victoria becoming a major sponsor and now support from the major saddlery retailer, the Racehorse Outplacement Program is building serious momentum."

"Our ambition is to build up the ROP Support Package value to well over $1000, which will not only provide the new horse owner with many products and services they will need, but will also go a long way to supporting a value for the horse which will make it an investment instead of a throwaway item."

Saunders went on to explain that the reason why so many ex-racehorses suffered an uncertain future was the industry practice of giving them away or selling them very cheaply just to get rid of them.

"Far too many ex-racehorses end up owned by people with no money, who can't look after them properly", he said.

"Or on the other hand, because the new owners have not spent very much on them, they may not regard them as an investment to be treasured."

"Either way the horse suffers."

Saunders believes that the kindest thing you can do for a horse is to sell it for a good price.

"That guarantees that the new owner has got some resources and is more likely to look after the horse properly", he said.

Rawiller Appeals Suspension

Thursday, 22 July 2010 04:14

Apprentice Stacey Rawiller will appear before the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board on Monday in appealing against an eight meeting suspension.

Rawiller incurred the wrath of stewards after she was found guilty of careless riding at Mildura on Monday aboard Just A Fella in the Sunraysia Daily Maiden Plate (1200m).

She has applied for a stay of proceedings and will ride until Sunday.

Rawiller has one ride at Moonee Valley on Saturday in the $70,000 Travis Harrison Cup (1514m), a race for apprentice riders only, aboard second emergency Chelle's Alibi.

Gundogdu Returns At Moonee Valley

Thursday, 22 July 2010 06:30

Ibrahim Gundogdu will resume his career at Moonee Valley on Saturday after spending nearly a year on the sidelines due to bureaucratic red tape.

Turkish-born Gundogdu's work visa expired 12 months ago and he was not relicensed.

However he recently gained permanent residency in Australia which allowed him to reapply for his licence which was granted by the Racing Victoria Limited licensing committee on Thursday.

The 22-year-old resumes his apprenticeship with Cranbourne trainer Mick Kent who has engaged him for two rides at Moonee Valley, Clandon in the Travis Harrison Apprentices Cup (1514m) and Zoomin in the Dominant Hiskens Cup (1514m).

Gundogdu has a good record on Clandon having been aboard the mare in six of her eight wins including her latest at the corresponding Moonee Valley meeting last year.

His last winner was on the Kent-trained All Cheval at Sandown on July 29 last year.

Last season he finished equal second in the Melbourne apprentices' premiership with Dean Holland with 32 wins, one behind Nick Hall.

While Hall and Holland are now senior riders, Gundogdu still claims two kilograms in town but has lost his allowance on provincial and country tracks.

Gundogdu, who came to Australia from Turkey as a 17-year-old, learned to ride at a Gold Coast riding school run by Kent's brother Rodney.

Mick Kent subsequently took Gundogdu on as his stable apprentice after his brother recommended the young rider.

Gundogdu has been a success story, riding around 140 winners, and his return is timely after Kent recently severed ties with another stable apprentice Brent Evans who has returned to Queensland.

Gundogdu has kept fit by riding trackwork for Kent while not being allowed to ride in races.

Fourth-up this preparation Clandon was runner-up to Tiakinui in a Ballarat 1600m heat of the Winter Championship Series in heavy going on June 24.

But last time out she was well beaten when 10th on a slow track to stablemate Philda over 1500m at Moonee Valley on July 3.

Zoomin, a Listed 1900m winner at Rotorua in New Zealand last October, has had three starts for the Kent stable including a close second to Forbidden Quest over 1800m at Sandown when first-up on April 24.

The Pupil gelding has had a seven-week freshen-up since running seventh to Black And Bent over 2500m at Flemington.

Picture: Colin Bull

Gundogdu Cleared To Ride

Thursday, 22 July 2010 03:42

Apprentice Ibrahim Gundogdu has been cleared by Racing Victoria’s licensing committee and is free to ride this Saturday at Moonee Valley.

The Virtual Formguide reported earlier in the week that Gundogdu, 22, had only recently gained permanent residency in Australia after waiting almost a year to be approved.

In the meantime he has been unable to ride professionally and has been keeping fit by riding work for Mick Kent at Cranbourne.

However he’ll be back in the saddle where it counts this Saturday when he partners the Kent-trained Clandon in the $70,000 Travis Harrison Cup (1514m), a race restricted to apprentice riders only.

Gundogdu has built up a healthy association with Clandon, riding the mare 17 times for six wins and seven placings.

Meanwhile Kent has also enlisted his services for the ride aboard Zoomin in the $70,000 Dominant Hiskens Cup (1514m).

Coincidently, Gundogdu won the Hiskens Cup last year aboard Clandon.

Gundogdu will be able to claim two kilos in the metropolitan area with no allowance in the country upon his return.

Picture: Colin Bull

Little Looks To Reign At The Valley

Thursday, 22 July 2010 06:20

Colin Little believes a wet Moonee Valley surface is the biggest danger to his unbeaten two-year-old Lonhreign in Saturday's $70,000 MVRC Saves Water Handicap (1200m).

Lonhreign surprised Little on debut, winning a Two-Year-Old Maiden (1000m) on the Geelong Synthetic course a fortnight ago with something in hand.

"He has always shown a fair bit of potential on the training track but I thought he might find the 1000m a little bit short," said Little.

"Jason (Maskiell) gave him a great run in transit and it probably made the difference on the line."

The step up in distance and race experience will benefit the son of Lonhro but Little is unsure how the gelding will handle the slow to heavy racing surface.

"I've always thought the he was more of a 1200m than 1000m horse and he has trained on quite well," said Little.

"To be honest I'm not sure how the breed handle the softer going.

"He thrived on the Geelong surface but it could be a different kettle of fish at the Valley."

Little is also expecting improvement from stablemate Holder in the same event observing that a bad barrier had probably cost Holder a chance of finishing closer to Lonhreign on debut.

"There isn't much between the pair on the training track," said Little.

"I thought they their debut could've been a different story had the barriers been reversed and on Saturday from barrier four Holder will get his chance.

"Holder is certainly one to watch as he steps up over further ground."

Lonhreign will jump from barrier six and again get the services of leading apprentice Jason Maskiell who brings the gelding's weight down to 56.5kg.

Photo by Quentin Lang

Streetfighter To Run At The Valley

Thursday, 22 July 2010 02:59

Making plans for Victorian stayer Streetfighter, who resumes an interrupted racing career on Saturday, is not a consideration for trainer Terry Mathrick.

"If he stands up (to another campaign) there are a few nice staying races in Sydney to go for again," Mathrick said.

"He broke down again after his last run and really, he's only a day-to-day proposition now."

Streetfighter was an acceptor in Sydney and Melbourne but Mathrick has decided to keep the stayer closer to home for his return.

"Moonee Valley doesn't really suit him but at this stage of his preparation there is no need to be travelling," Mathrick said.

The six-year-old will line up in the Dominant Hiskens Cup (1514m) with Craig Williams in the saddle.

Streetfighter is no stranger to NSW racing, winning three times during a 2009 spring campaign.

His all-the-way win in the Group Three Newcastle Cup was a career highlight for Mathrick and his family.

Streetfighter has been off the scene since he failed to beat a runner home in two starts during the Perth summer carnival.

Bone chips in his knee were found soon after and, not for the first time, Streetfighter went under the knife.

"That was the third time bone chips have been taken out. He's had them in both knees," Mathrick said.

Picture: Sportpix

Heat On Chase The Sun At Valley

Thursday, 22 July 2010 05:45

Chase The Sun, who last campaign got within a length of Caulfield Cup placegetter Vigor, is on the verge of recapturing his best form.

Trainer Mike Moroney said it would be D-day for the six-year-old when he contests Saturday's Don Abell Cup (2500m) at Moonee Valley.

Chase The Sun is on the comeback trail after suffering a bowed tendon in January 2009 and has had a slow build-up this campaign in six runs since March.

His only placing in those outings was at Sandown three starts ago but Moroney said recent track gallops indicated the gelding was about to return to form.

"He is probably going to be at his best on Saturday," Moroney said.

"It has been a long road back for him but certainly on his work he seems as if he is back to where he was before he bowed his tendon."

Chase The Sun has won four of his 24 starts but arguably his most memorable performance was his three-quarter length second to Vigor in the Comedy King Handicap (2520m) at Flemington on January 17 last year.

While Vigor trained on last spring to finish a luckless third to Viewed in the Caulfield Cup, Chase The Sun broke down at trackwork and didn't race again until March this year.

Moroney said Chase The Sun was a promising stayer but was the first to admit he had been disappointing so far this campaign.

He has finished ninth at his last two starts at Flemington and Ballarat.

"Because of the way he is going at trackwork we are giving him one more chance," Moroney said.

"It is D-day for him.

"His tendon has been good and it is time for him to put his hand up."

Form runners in Saturday's event are Figure Of Speech and Crabs, who ran the quinella in the Banjo Paterson Final (2500m) at Flemington on July 10, and Tinamou who has won three of his last five starts at Warrnambool, Sandown and Moonee Valley.

Cummings Set For Third Hoysted Medal

Thursday, 22 July 2010 01:45

Bart Cummings is set to win a record third Fred Hoysted Medal after being named as one of five finalists for Victoria's highest training honour.

The racing legend was the nation's leading Group One trainer for the season and earned his nomination from the Australian Trainers' Association after four of his seven winners at the elite level fell in the months of October and November.

Allez Wonder (Toorak Handicap), Viewed (Caulfield Cup), So You Think (Cox Plate) and Faint Perfume (VRC Oaks) were all headline grabbers for Cummings in the spring.

Other finalists are Mick Price (August/September), David Hayes (December/January), Peter Moody (February/March) and Robert Smerdon (April/May).

The medal is awarded to the most outstanding trainer of the season based on performances on Victorian racetracks and will be announced at the Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Awards on August 8.

The sixth and remaining finalist, the trainer who excels during the months of June and July, will be announced on August 4.

Cummings, 82, won his first Fred Hoysted Medal in 2000 and added a second to his trophy cabinet last year.

Price earned his nomination after an impressive start to the season which culminated with a treble at Caulfield on September 19 which included the Group One Underwood Stakes with Heart Of Dreams.

Hayes, the 2007 Medallist, won selection for a memorable double at Flemington on January 30 when Nicconi captured the opening leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, the Group One Lightning Stakes.

On the same day European import Our Aqaleem, making his Australian debut and having his first run in 2-1/2 years after twice fracturing his pelvis, also won.

Moody was the dominant trainer throughout the 2010 Melbourne Festival of Racing landing a hat-trick of Group One races with Caulfield specialist Typhoon Tracy in the Orr Stakes and Futurity Stakes and Wanted in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.

Smerdon earned his nomination after training a record seven winners during the Warrnambool May racing carnival including the Brierly Steeplechase (Some Are Bent) and Galleywood Hurdle (Black And Bent).

During an amazing month Smerdon also landed the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington with Persian Star and prepared a treble at Moonee Valley on May 29.