Censor Remains Unbeaten

Wednesday, 14 July 2010 03:41

The Lee Freedman-trained Censor maintained his unbeaten record after winning the $30,000 Cecil Godby Super VOBIS Handicap (1400m) for two-year-olds at Betfair Park Sandown Hillside on Wednesday.

Owned by Sheikh Mohammed, it was a rare ride for Damien Oliver in the predominantly maroon coloured silks of Darley.

Censor was ridden just off the speed from the second outside barrier before being hooked wide in the middle part of the straight before letting down with a punishing sprint over the concluding stages.

Censor ($4-$2.60-$2.70) defeated Paranoid ($13-$21) by 2-1/4 lengths with Marked Danger ($8-$7-$8) a similar margin away in third.

Rockabee Miss ($13) put in another solid performance, finishing fourth beaten five lengths from the winner while favourite Alotta Spur ($2.40-$2.80-$2.60 fav) was next across the line.

Censor was Oliver’s only ride for the afternoon after returning from England after unsuccessfully partnering Nicconi in the July Cup at Newmarket last Friday.

“I’ve been waking up at 1am in the morning after coming back from the UK, I’m still on their time I think,” Oliver said before cheekily adding “I might go and have a sleep.”

Oliver described Censor, a last start maiden winner at Kyneton as “a nice horse.”

“He come on from a nice maiden win the other day and I think he’s a lovely horse."

“A nice type of horse with a lovely attitude and he’s got nice ability,” he added.

Stable foreman Sam Pritchard-Gordon was keen to quash any suggestions Censor was destined for the elite level, taking a “let’s wait and see” approach with the son of Elusive Quality.

“He’s a horse that’s always flown under the radar and he just keeps on stepping up to the mark,” Pritchard-Gordon said.

“For an entire colt he does everything right.

“He pulled away nicely on the line.

“Lee (Freedman) is always adamant with the Elusive Quality’s you’ve got to leave them alone and let them mature.

“He’s a horse that obviously comes alive when he’s on the racecourse,” he added.

Censor, out of the stakes placed mare Glasnost, was purchased for $150,000 at the 2009 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Pictures: Colin Bull

Thorn Lake Returns At Sandown

Tuesday, 13 July 2010 05:30

The first-up performance of Thorn Lake on a heavy track at Sandown will determine whether trainer Robbie Griffiths presses on with the gelding into the early spring or waits until the tracks dry out.

The Thorn Park four-year-old makes his return to racing after a long layoff due to injury in Wednesday's Betfair Hcp (1000m) on the Hillside circuit.

"He knocked a tendon in training so we put him aside for 12 months," Griffiths said.

"He's going really well but he's not fully fit and he's also unknown on the wet.

"He trialled okay on the wet last week but I'd like to see him do it on race day."

Thorn Lake, to be ridden by Peter Mertens, hasn't raced since finishing 10th as favourite to Gold In Dubai over 1200m at Caulfield in May last year when he got his tongue over the bit.

For that reason Griffiths said the gelding would be wearing a tongue tie for the first time on Wednesday.

An $80,000 purchase as a yearling, Thorn Lake has raced five times for two wins and two thirds.

After a six-length win on debut in a 1000m Ballarat maiden in February 2009, the gelding finished third to First Command over 1000m at Sandown after being slow to jump and third to Ortensia over 1000m at Caulfield.

Six weeks later he won over 1000m at Sandown before his Caulfield failure.

"Basically he's going to the races with room for improvement and I'm going to let the result determine our immediate plans for the spring," Griffiths said.

"If he handles the ground really well we'll continue on with him and race him in the early part of the spring and if he's a bit iffy in it we might back off him a bit and bring him back for the latter part.

"He does have the ability to win if he handles the ground. He's potentially the best horse in the race.

"He's a winner at Sandown over 1000 metres and if he doesn't run up to form you know it's track-related."

Thorn Lake is equal second pick with Jeteven at $7.50 with TAB Sportsbet behind By The Way, the $4.60 favourite.

The track was rated a heavy (8) on Tuesday with the rail out 15m from the 1800m to the 800m and out 10m for the remainder.

Patinack Not Whining At Betfair Park

Wednesday, 14 July 2010 02:23

Patinack farm took first honours at Betfair Park with Whiner taking out the Fire Band Super Vobis Handicap (1000m).

Whiner ($4,$5) began sharply and Dean Holland was able to dictate terms from the front setting a moderate tempo for the sprint and upon balancing up kicked too strongly defeating Bye Bella ($2.30,$3.20) by more than a length on the line with Diamond Sarah ($10,$7) a further half length away.

According to Glenn Thompson, Victorian foreman for Patinack, the win came as some surprise to the stable who believed the filly would struggle during the winter months.

"She isn't 100% on the wet track so it was a good effort for her to come out and win today," said Thompson.

"Every win is important though and it was a good effort."

Thompson isn't certain as to the next move for the three-year-old filly by Melbourne Cup winning sire Street Cry, but is happy to take each race as it comes this time in.

"This probably isn't the best time of year to have her in work," said Thompson.

"We will take it one race at a time, not get too far ahead of ourselves and see how it goes."

Holland also expected the filly to struggle on the heavy Betfair Park track but observed the going didn't seem to be an issue.

"I have always thought she would be better on a dryer track," said Holland.

"She did handle the going well though today and I cuddled her for as long as I could.

The race panned out well and I was able to get a soft lead with a horse to follow on my outside which was ideal," he added.

Whiner has now won twice from 11 starts for more than $50,000 in prizemoney.

Photo by Colin Bull

Pictorial Report: Mounting Yard Drama At Flemington

Tuesday, 13 July 2010 02:00

Pandemonium broke out at Flemington on Saturday when a wild gust of wind blew over a rubbish bin and dislodged a cardboard sign in the mounting yard as the horses were parading prior to the running of the Banjo Paterson Series Final.

Five horses broke loose from attendants, scattering those nearby as the cardboard sign flew aloft like a scene from out of space invaders.

The only casualty was Jamie Morgan who was leading Pindarci. When the incident happened she was knocked over and trodden on.

Those type of incidents rare as they may be illustrate the necessity to have two doctors on course.

Whilst it has been mooted that one doctor is sufficient that is no more than a penny pinching exercise.

Had there been just the one doctor at Flemington and the young strapper requiring attention for just on an hour, would the meeting have continued?

It could easily have been a case of no doctor, no racing as jockeys could hardly be blamed if they took that action.

There was also an incident at Betfair Park on Wednesday when a female strapper was injured and was still receiving attention on the ground for approximately 15 minutes.

Below are pictures taken by Colin Bull of how the incident unfolded.

Pictures: Colin Bull

Hard Work Paying Dividends For Noonan

Wednesday, 14 July 2010 02:06

Lots of hard work is paying off for apprentice jockey Jake Noonan resulting in a winning double on Royal Bender and My Lily Rose at Flemington on Saturday.

Riding a winner at Flemington is the ambition of every young jockey - something they dream about when they become indentured to a trainer.

Noonan is a mere 17 years of age. In what has been a short career, he has ridden 63 winners in all with the Flemington double taking his tally in the city to seven.

He is apprenticed to his father Tony based at Mornington which is a huge advantage living with his parents at the stable.

However that doesn’t mean there any favours shown to him. Like all the young jockeys he has to earn his stripes.

Noonan has a lot of natural ability plus his overall demeanour ensures that leading trainers such as Darren Weir and Mick Price are using his services.

As we know Price can be a tough taskmaster describing Noonan as a "really promising intelligent kid".

Noonan was full of praise for Chris Symons and Blake Shinn for the advice and assistance they have given him.

He has no great ambitions for the moment working hard and riding winners will do for the present.

Picture: Fiona Tomlin

Our Baby Bonus To Spell

Monday, 12 July 2010 14:00

Talented sprinter Our Baby Bonus has been sent for a spell following his surprise defeat at Flemington on Saturday.

Price told the Virtual Formguide last Thursday that he believed to have Our Baby Bonus right for the race after pulling up sore in his stifle from his fourth place effort at Moonee Valley behind Galbraith over 1000 metres.

But punters witnessed another tame performance from the grey gelding in the $75,000 Henry Bucks Best Dressed Handicap (1000m) for three-year-olds.

He pinged out of the gates for apprentice Taylor Lovelock-Wiggins but displayed little willingness for a contest at the 250 metre mark as Big Spirit burst clear to win easily.

Our Baby Bonus finished fourth, beaten 2-1/2 lengths from the winner.

Prior to his past two defeats, Our Baby Bonus was unbeaten from four starts.

Purchased for $42,500 from the Inglis Autumn Yearling Sale, Our Baby Bonus has accumulated over $215,000 in prizemoney.

Picture: Fiona Tomlin

Racing Royalty To Return In Monash Stakes

Tuesday, 13 July 2010 22:00

While the vast majority of rising ten-year-olds are long retired from the racetrack, one is being prepared for a possible tilt at securing a maiden Group One victory.

Royal Ida returns to racing this Saturday in the $100,000 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield with trainer Luke Oliver noticeably effervescent when discussing the prospects of his horse this preparation.

“He is going well,” Oliver told the Virtual Formguide recently.

“He had a jumpout at Caulfield over 650 metres and finished second around two lengths behind Reward For Effort.”

Those two horses will clash in the Monash Stakes and Oliver believes the gelding will strip fitter from that workout for Saturday’s assignment.

Royal Ida will carry 58.5kgs, and consequently, the number one saddlecloth in the Monash Stakes.

Jockey Brad Rawiller returns from a one week honeymoon with wife Carolyn Hornsby to take the reins on the weekend.

Long-term, Oliver is keen to test the son of Star Pyramul at Group 1 level.

“Ideally I’d love to get him into a race like the Rupert Clarke Stakes and carry a light weight of around 54kg to 55kg.”

The last time Royal Ida raced at Group 1 level was in the 2007 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) when finishing eleventh behind Sniper’s Bullet. At that stage, the gelding was trained by Mount Gambier-based trainer Michael O’Leary.

But for the time being Royal Ida will be targeted at the early sprint races with the $125,000 Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on July 31 likely to be on his agenda next.

The Ida Files
Royal Ida’s record with Luke Oliver as a nine-year-old

Overall: (7:3-0-2)

Prizemoney: $238,723

WON G3 Standish Handicap (1200m), Listed Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m) & $50,000 Weary Dunlop Handicap (1206m) @ Benalla on Cup Day.

THIRD G3 Durbridge Stakes (1200m) & G3 AAMI Business Insurance Stakes (1400m)

FOURTH G2 Australia Stakes (1200m) & $100,000 4yo&Up Handicap (1400m) @ Flemington on Emirates Stakes Day.

Picture: Colin Bull

Maskiell Joins Smerdon Stable

Monday, 12 July 2010 08:15

Victorian apprentice Jason Maskiell will link with trainer Robert Smerdon.

Formerly apprenticed to Mick Price, Maskiell was sacked by the Caulfield trainer over alcohol-related issues.

"From a career-point of view it's great to secure a position with the Smerdon stable," Maskiell said.

"I look forward to putting the events of the last few weeks behind me."

With 51 winners for the season, Maskiell, 19, is second in the Melbourne jockeys' premiership and holds an unassailable lead in the apprentices' title.

Smerdon, who is enjoying a career-best season with 41 metropolitan victories, has been influential in shaping the careers of leading jockeys such as Hong Kong-based Zac Purton.

Picture: Fiona Tomlin

Spring Carnival Beckons For Zamask

Tuesday, 13 July 2010 10:07

The Peter Moody stable may have unveiled a contender for the three-year-old classics later this year after Zamask won the $12,000 Max Blackiston Plate (1013m) at Sale on Tuesday.

The unraced two-year-old daughter of Zabeel box-seated in fourth position before gradually grabbing the lead from dual city placegetter and early pacemaker Magic Of Emma to win by just under half a length on the line.

Zamask ($1.90-$2.20 fav) defeated Magic Of Emma ($2.50-$2.70-$2.60) by a long neck with A City Girl ($10-$21) a further 2-3/4 lengths away in third.

Winning rider Luke Nolen said he expected a forward showing from Zamask.

“She’s very well educated,” Nolen said.

“She sprung the gates well and settled closer to the speed then we originally thought.

“They controlled the speed over the 1000 metre trip but we were always in control of the race,” he added.

Based on Tuesday’s victory, a race such as the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) in October doesn’t appear to be improbable.

Nolen’s willingness to discuss the long-term future of Zamask immediately after unsaddling lends itself to thinking such a monumental victory might be on the cards.

“It’s important to get her maiden win out of the way.”

“We hold a high opinion of her and she’ll be better as a three-year-old.

“We’ve laid the foundation for her now and I’m sure she’ll enjoy an exciting career,” Nolen added.

Zamask is the first foal to come out of the stakes winning mare Royal Mask.

Royal Mask herself is from the same dam as Masked Assassin, a one-time Group 1 placegetter who won the Group 2 Queensland Sires’ Produce (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June 2007.

Picture: Fiona Tomlin

Monash Test For Berringama

Monday, 12 July 2010 07:45

A bulked up Berringama has trainer Brian Cox excited about his prospects of reaching a new level this campaign which begins with the Monash Stakes.

The Wodonga based Cox said the rising five-year-old had shown remarkable benefit from his latest spell and was heavier and stronger for a first-up crack at Saturday's 1100m Listed feature at Caulfield.

"He has bulked up like one of those rugby players," Cox said.

"He looks like a real racehorse now and I think we can win a good race with him."

Berringama has won three of his 19 starts and has run second seven times and third on four occasions.

Among his best runs last campaign was a second in the Wodonga Cup followed by three consecutive minor placings at Flemington including a third to Danzylum and Time Matters in the Listed Manifold Stakes (1400m).

Berringama was a 1400-metre winner at Caulfield two starts ago and beaten less than a length when second to Delayedreaction in the Listed Anniversary vase (1400m) at Caulfield on March 20.

The Monash will be his first race start under 1200 metres and Cox is looking forward to the challenge with the Tobougg gelding.

"He has been in work a good while and had a couple of nice little jump outs," Cox said.

"I am happy with him and providing the track is fair and an even playing field I'm sure he will be doing his best work towards the end.

"He was knocking on the door to win one of those races last time but I think with a bit of luck on his side this campaign he will be able knock off a Listed or even a Group race."

"We haven't picked out anything specific and for now we will place him in races that we think he can win.

"We think he might get further than 1600 metres this campaign but for now we will crawl before we walk."

Entries for the Monash have been extended 24 hours after only 13 nominations were received on Monday.

Most notable among the entries is Peter Moody's 2009 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Reward For Effort who hasn't raced since finishing seventh in the Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) in April last year.

Top rated entries are rising 10-year-old Royal Ida (105), who won the Standish Handicap last campaign for trainer Luke Oliver, and South Australian Arinos (105) who is resuming.

Reward For Effort and Royal Discretion both have 102 ratings and are the only other nominated horses in triple figures.

Elusive Touch is set to back up after his close second to Elumino is last Saturday's Victorian Sprint Final (1200m) while Joe Pride has entered Electric Dreams on the back of a last-start win at Rosehill.

Picture: Fiona Tomlin