Intencion Impresses Boss On Debut

Thursday, 15 July 2010 04:56

Champion jockey Glen Boss has predicted a bright future for Intencion, an impressive winner of the Lamby's Tavern 2YO Plate (1000m) at Geelong today.

Boss didn't hestitate in suggesting the Commands colt would race through his grades and be a classy sprinter/miler.

Intencion was sent to the front early by Boss and he held that position throughout, easily holding out his rivals to win on debut.

"This is a real nice horse I think," Boss said. "He seems like he has a bit of presence about him."

"As soon as you get on him he feels like a real nice horse."

"He's got a really good action and he's well educated, but on the other hand he's still very raw."

Boss said the son of Commands travelled well in the lead.

"He had them covered throughout. He would have held them off for another lap. He was kidding to them."

"He's a horse you can probably stick with and follow - he's going to win a fair few races."

"He's probably going to look a nice sprinter and miler," Boss said of the juvenile who's trained at Caulfield by Tony Vasil.

Intencion, who is from the Group Two placed Pins mare Acupuncture, was knocked down to Magic Millions' Singapore agent Wade Burridge for $200, at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for owner Masatsugu Otani.

Otani, who is based in Singapore, has thoroughbred interests in Australia, Singapore, Europe and the United States as well as his native Japan.

"He was a lovely colt at the sale and well presented by Willow Park Stud," Burridge said.

"We picked out three at the sale and were underbidders on the other two - but thankfully he was the top pick."

"He's shown Tony some good ability and it's nice to see him win today. Hopefully he has a bright future - and he's still a colt."

Picture: Colin Bull

The Pentagon Returns Positive Swab

Wednesday, 14 July 2010 10:50

Racing Victoria stewards today received a report from Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) confirming a positive swab has been returned by the Michael Kent-trained The Pentagon.

The report pertains to a post-race urine sample, shown to contain Ibuprofen (non steroidal anti- inflammatory), taken from The Pentagon following its win in the Andersons Country Challenge 0-68 Handicap (2211m) at Sale on Sunday, 6 June 2010.

Ibuprofen is a prohibited substance in accordance with the Australian Rules of Racing.

On Friday, 25 June 2010, Racing Victoria stewards initially informed Mr. Kent of the irregularity.

Mr. Kent was today advised of the confirmatory findings and stewards are continuing their investigation into the matter.

Picture: Colin Bull

Triumphant Choice Faces Steep Learning Curve

Thursday, 15 July 2010 04:29

Premier trainer Peter Moody believes last start winner Triumphant Choice still has a lot to learn heading into Saturday's $70,000 Epilepsy Foundation Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield.

Moody has had the three-year-old colt for just two starts, including a four length Maiden victory at Sale two weeks ago, but has no reservations in stepping straight up to city class.

"John Hawkes had the horse for his first few runs which included the Sires Produce Stakes (G2) behind Rostova," said Moody.

"I dropped him back a fair few rungs in grade and he won accordingly.

"Saturday's race is a big step up in class on the win, but it is against his own age and will really help his development," Moody added.

The son of Redoute's Choice is a work in progress according to Moody who is expecting this preparation to be more of a learning experience for the colt.

"He has a lot to learn about racing," said Moody.

"Obviously being a half brother to Savabeel I am expecting him to enjoy the extra distance and improve as a rising four-year-old, but he still does quite a bit wrong.

"I am also still learning about the horse and whatever he does on Saturday I'm sure he will improve on," he added.

Triumphant Choice has drawn an outside gate but will have the services of stable jockey, and leading Victorian hoop, Luke Nolen in the saddle.

Picture: Colin Bull.

Boss Injures Foot In Pre-race Mishap

Wednesday, 14 July 2010 08:45

Champion jockey Glen Boss has been cleared of a broken foot after a barrier mishap at Sandown.

Fellow jockey Luke Nolen's mount Desertvue whipped around and his stirrup iron struck Boss on the foot before Wednesday's Betfair Handicap (1000m).

Boss went on and rode Rescheduled to ninth place behind Sandusky City in the race.

But he saw the doctor immediately after the race and had the foot heavily bandaged before leaving the course on his way to get the foot X-rayed.

The X-ray showed no broken bones and Boss expects to ride at Geelong on Thursday.

Picture: Colin Bull

Fresh Start For Champagne Harmony

Thursday, 15 July 2010 03:35

Trainer Pat Carey hopes a change in scenery can bring out the best in recent stable acquisition Champagne Harmony in Saturday’s $100,500 Listed Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.

Formerly trained at Flemington by Mark Kavanagh, Carey inherited the horse after her disappointing twelfth placing in the Listed Northwood Plume Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield last October.

“I’ve trained for the owners previously and the owner just decided to give me the horse for a change of scenery,” Carey told the Virtual Formguide.

Carey said that the horse entered his stable with no obvious ailments and that he has been doing “nothing special” on the training track with the daughter of Choisir.

The Mornington-based trainer intends on keeping Champagne Harmony to sprint races and has already identified an immediate aim for her this preparation.

“She’s a mare and the logical race for her would be the Cockram Stakes and we’ll head towards there.”

“1200 metres suits her and against her own sex is also beneficial,” he added.

The $125,000 Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) restricted to mares will be held at Caulfield on August 14.

Champagne Harmony will be ridden by Steven King in the Monash Stakes for the fourth time at her tenth racetrack appearance.

King partnered her to victory in the Group 2 Yallambee Classic (1200m) last March at Morphettville while Michael Rodd was riding in Sydney.

He then retained the ride in the Group 1 Sangster Stakes (1200m) a fortnight later and finished fourth under two lengths from the winner Bel Mer.

The last time King rode Champagne Harmony was when she finished a distant last in the HKJC Stakes (1200m) at Flemington last September.

Boasting a record of three wins and a second from nine starts, Champagne Harmony has accumulated a shade over $200,000 in prizemoney.

Caulfield (Saturday)

Race 6 @ 3:07pm - $100,500 Listed Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m)

Picture: Greg Irvine

Sumthink To Cheer About

Wednesday, 14 July 2010 08:32

Trainer Peter Healey gave the ratings system his tick of approval after Justsay Sumthink won the $30,000 Red Fury 0-82 Handicap (1500m) at Betfair Park Sandown Hillside on Wednesday.

It’s been 13 months since the rising eight-year-old mare won her last race and took her rating to a career high 93 points.

However the lack of winning form saw her rating drop to 80 points prior to today’s race and Healey paid tribute to the system that has prolonged Justsay Sumthink’s racing career.

“I think it’s a tick for the ratings system the fact that their brought into their own grade and have a chance to win,” Healey said.

“Leading up to the last couple of runs I might have cooked her a little bit so after the Moonee Valley (last start) run we gave her three days in the paddock.”

Leading from start to finish, Glen Boss steered Justsay Sumthink ($3.20-$3.40 fav) to victory by 1-3/4 lengths ahead of Diamond Envy ($5-$6.50) with Raid The Royals ($9-$10-$9.50) a further 1-1/4 away in third.

“She’s been in good form just out of luck,” Boss said following the win which was only his second ride aboard the mare.

“I made my intentions pretty clear from the outset that I wanted to lead and early we went pretty quick but she had a soft lead from that point on.

“I was always in control,” he added.

When asked what the future holds for Justsay Sumthink, Healey said that he would “try and find the weakest race possible” for the Mornington-based galloper.

A winner of 10 from 73 starts with 23 placings to her name, Justsay Sumthink has accumulated just under $300,000 in prizemoney.

Pictures: Colin Bull

Ten Still In Contention For Scobie Breasley Medal

Thursday, 15 July 2010 01:23

With just five metropolitan race meetings left for the 2009/10 season, Racing Victoria revealed that 10 jockeys still remain in contention to win the prestigious Scobie Breasley Medal presented by Tabcorp.

The Medal, which is awarded to the most outstanding flat jockey of the season based on performances at metropolitan meetings, will be announced at the Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Awards on Sunday, 8 August at Crown’s Palladium.

In one of the most open counts in the award’s 15-year history, any one of the following jockeys, which are listed in alphabetical order, could take home the Scobie Breasley Medal – Glen Boss, Dwayne Dunn, Nick Hall, Steven King, Jason Maskiell, Luke Nolen, Damien Oliver, Michael Rodd, Chris Symons and Craig Williams.

Oliver, who won the inaugural Medal in 1996, holds the record as a six-time winner, while Williams has won the past four. Steven King is the only other jockey amongst this year’s remaining contenders to win the Medal. He did so in 1997.

Racing Victoria Chief Executive Rob Hines said, “With the season drawing to a close, it’s with great excitement that we announce that an epic battle is unfolding in the race to secure the Victorian industry’s highest honour, the Scobie Breasley Medal.

“This announcement is certainly going to make the remaining metropolitan race meetings exciting to watch and of course the announcement of the winner on 8 August a most anticipated event.”

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.

Picture: Colin Bull

Censor Revels In Sandown Heavy

Wednesday, 14 July 2010 07:46

The Lee Freedman stable produced a promising late season two-year-old in Censor who came to town for the first time and won impressively at the Sandown Hillside meeting.

A half-brother to Group Three Keith Nolan Classic winner Slapstick, Censor, a son of Elusive Quality, made a winning debut over 1218 metres in heavy going at Kyneton last month before again handling the heavy surface well in the Cecil Godby Hcp (1400m) on Wednesday.

Censor was Damien Oliver's only ride at the meeting after returning from England where he rode the unplaced Nicconi in the July Cup (1200m) won by Starspangledbanner at Newmarket last Saturday.

"I've been waking up at one o'clock in the morning since getting back from the UK. I'm still on their time," Oliver said.

Censor ($2.70) settled second and was taken to the centre of the track by Oliver in the straight and drew away to score by 2-1/4 lengths from Paranoid ($21) with Marked Danger ($8) a similar margin away third.

"I've said all along that he's a horse who has stepped under the radar and has kept stepping up to the mark," said Freedman's stable manager Sam Pritchard-Gordon.

"For a colt he's pretty relaxed and does everything right. He's dictated and pulled away nicely on the line.

"Lee's always been adamant that with Elusive Qualitys, you've just got to leave them alone and let them mature.

"He went into his first race fairly underdone and he's still underdone.

"He's a horse who comes alive when he gets to the racecourse."

Raced by Sheikh Mohammed, Censor's great grand-dam is the former great filly Emancipation, a six-time Group One winner and Horse of the Year, and he is from the same family as dual Group One winning filly Virage De Fortune.

"He's a lovely horse with nice ability and he handles the ground well," Oliver said of Censor.

"His mother (Red Ransom mare Glasnost) was a good wet tracker too. I rode her quite a bit and she's from a great family so he has a nice future."

The Peter Moody-trained filly Alotta Spur ($2.60 fav) finished fifth but was later found to have blood in both nostrils.

Moody said he thought she may have hit her head in the barrier and a determination has yet to be made whether she will be deemed a bleeder.

Later Moody struck with Sheedy who revelled in the downgraded heavy (10) ground to lead all the way for a seven-length victory in the Yangtze Hcp (1300m).

Moody instructed apprentice Taylor Lovelock-Wiggins to try to pinch the race by opening up a break in the early stages and the Exceed And Excel rising five-year-old did just that.

Pictures: Colin Bull

Horses To Follow - Betfair Park 14 July 2010

Wednesday, 14 July 2010 22:03

A wet Betfair Park just got wetter as the day went on here are a few mud-larks to keep an eye on in the coming ‘wet’ weeks.

Race 3: Lincoln Handicap (2400m)

The pace was slow, but muddling, and Quick Bond never really got into a comfortable rhythm.

The lightly raced stayer dropped out when the field quickened but came again strongly on the line.  Handles the wet and a grinder on the rise.

Race 6: Betfair Handicap (1000m)

Sandusky City produced the win that he has been threatening to produce for some time.

The run away city win makes it four victories from his last six starts, including a further two close placings.

In form – keep following.

Race 7:  Yangtze Handicap (1300m)

Tasmanian visitor Mr Isaac was hung out to dry on a heavy surface which didn't suit but battled gamely finishing alongside many proven mudlarks.

Needing the run and looking for further so keep in the trifecta’s when he finds a dead-slow surface.

Will be big odds next time out.

Picture: Colin Bull

Moody Delays Decision On Reward

Wednesday, 14 July 2010 05:45

Peter Moody wants a dead or a "good" slow surface at worst for Reward For Effort to resume in Saturday's Sir John Monash Stakes on his home track at Caulfield.

The Exceed And Excel colt hasn't raced since finishing seventh to Phelan Ready in the 2009 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on a heavy track and Moody is keen to win a stakes race with him before his three-year-old season ends.

There are only three suitable races for Reward For Effort before the end of the month, the others being the Group Three Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on July 31 and the Dermody Stakes (1000m) at Morphettville on the same day.

The Caulfield track was on Wednesday rated a dead (5) after persistent showers which were again predicted for Thursday.

"The track would want to be dead or a 'good' slow for me to start him on Saturday," Moody said.

Reward For Effort hadn't raced on worse than a dead track before the Slipper which was his fourth run in a race and won both the Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) and the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on good tracks at Caulfield.

He was runner-up to Real Saga on a dead track in the Group Three Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield before turning the tables on that colt in the Blue Diamond.

He was being prepared for last spring but suffered a minor sprain to a suspensory ligament.

The colt then had an adverse reaction to treatment which also forced him out of competing during the autumn.

Moody said he would accept with Reward For Effort at Caulfield and with exciting wet tracker Ghostmilk at Rosehill.

"I want a good track at Caulfield for Reward For Effort but a wet one in Sydney for Ghostmilk," Moody said.

"I'll accept with her at Rosehill and make a decision later on whether to send her up there."

Ghostmilk is nominated for the Listed $100,000 Winter Stakes (1500m) and has the minimum weight of 53kg.

The imported rising seven-year-old Golan mare has produced powerful finishes to win her past three starts on rain affected tracks at Sandown (twice) and Moonee Valley.

Pictures: Colin Bull