Evans Returns To Queensland

Monday, 05 July 2010 15:13

Trainer Mick Kent and apprentice Brent Evans are the latest combination to split after Mick Price parted ways with Jason Maskiell last week.

Evans, 19, has ridden 27 winners this season in the Melbourne metropolitan area and sits in twelfth position in the premiership.

He tested positive to the illicit drug ‘ice’ in September last year and served a two month suspension for his indiscretion.

Despite riding 16 metropolitan winners after that suspension, Evans has been sent packing by Kent.

"He's going home.” Kent told the Herald Sun.

“He's got talent but not the application.”

Evans was crowned 2008/09 Queensland Apprentice of the Year and also claimed the South East Queensland Metropolitan & Provincial Jockey of the Year award in the same season.

Adam McCabe, who rode his sixth metropolitan winner aboard the Kent-trained Philda on Saturday, will fill the void left by Evans.

Meanwhile, Price has wasted no time in securing a short-term replacement for Maskiell.

The Herald Sun also reports apprentice Ben Knobel will commence a three-month loan with Price shortly.

Picture: Colin Bull

The Race Is On For Horse Of The Year

Monday, 05 July 2010 04:22

A field of 10 has assembled for the race to secure the coveted title of Staging Connections Victorian Racehorse of the Year at next month’s Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Awards presented by Tabcorp.

Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) today unveiled the contenders from which members of the Victorian media will be invited to select their champion racehorse of the 2009-10 season.

The award takes into account performances of all horses on Victorian tracks only and will be presented alongside the Scobie Breasley Medal at Crown’s Palladium on Sunday, 8 August.

Sprinters have dominated the award in recent years with West Australian star Scenic Blast awarded the title last year, Weekend Hussler in 2008 and Miss Andretti in 2007.

An eclectic mix of contenders have been assembled for the 2010 honour with jumping prodigy Black And Bent named alongside Emirates Melbourne Cup winner Shocking.

Also in contention are stars three-year-olds So You Think, Starspangledbanner and Wanted, glamour girl Typhoon Tracy – the lone mare amongst the contenders – and rising nine-year-old Zipping who this season recorded his first Group 1 victory at his 15th attempt.

The 10 contenders for the title of Staging Connections Victorian Racehorse of the Year are (statistics relate to performances on Victorian tracks from 1 August 2009 until today);

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. Turffontein – 8 starts, 2 wins (2 x G1), 2 placings
One of only three horses to record multiple Group 1 victories on Victorian tracks

6. 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

7. Viewed – 8 starts, 1 win (G1), 1 placing
Achieved 122 international rating – equal highest of season by an Australian – winning BMW Caulfield Cup with 57kg

8. Wanted – 9 starts, 1 win (G1), 5 placings
Contested a season-high seven Group 1 races in Victoria for 1 win, 3 seconds, 2 fourths

9. Whobegotyou – 6 starts, 2 wins (1 x G1), 3 placings
Finished top two in five weight-for-age races headlined by Group 1 Yalumba Stakes win

10. Zipping – 6 starts, 2 wins (1 x G1), 1 placing
First horse in 122-year history of Sandown Classic (Cup) to win on three occasions

(* Engaged to race this Saturday at Flemington. Can add further to 2009-10 statistics)

Voting on the Staging Connections Victorian Racehorse of the Year will commence today and concludes at 5pm on Wednesday, 14 July.

Pictures: Quentin Lang, Fiona Tomlin & Colin Bull

RVL Lets Nikolic Case Rest

Monday, 05 July 2010 09:15

Racing Victoria has closed the book on the Danny Nikolic case and will not appeal the Racing Appeals And Disciplinary Board (RADB) findings handed down last month.

RVL integrity general manager Dayle Brown on Monday issued a one paragraph statement ruling out any appeal.

"We have reviewed the findings of the RADB and their reasons for decision in the case involving Danny Nikolic and have decided not to lodge an appeal," Brown said.

RVL stewards conducted an exhaustive 137-day inquiry into 21 of Nikolic's rides this season and while identifying 11 of them as having questionable components, failed to convince the RADB that Nikolic had engaged in improper practice (two charges) and conduct prejudicial (two charges) to the image of racing.

It was alleged Nikolic had formed associations with certain persons and had communications with them.

Bets well outside the associates' normal betting patterns were placed on Betfair against a number of Nikolic's rides between October 1 last year and February 13 this year.

Eight of those horses were laid to lose on Betfair by Nikolic's friend, professional punter and commission agent Neville Clements for substantial amounts.

Queensland punters Alessandro Alaimo and Kevin McFarlane both laid two of Nikolic's mounts, with both laying the same horse on one occasion, on Betfair.

Nikolic said he had used Clements as a form analyst which has raised the possibility of licensing form analysts which RVL chief executive Rob Hines said was now being considered by RVL's integrity sub-committee.

Hines said the definition of form analysts was "problematic" as any punter who studies form could be included.

"The integrity sub-committee is looking at whether a relationship should or should not exist between form analysts and jockeys and how that could work and the ramifications for Rules of Racing," Hines said.

He said a decision was likely to take months.

"The integrity sub-committee will make the decision based on recommendations and reports from stewards.

Nikolic has indicated that he may seek out racing's government-appointed watchdog Sal Perna to investigate the running of the case against him which he claims has adversely affected his reputation and cost him $100,000.

The relationship between RVL chief steward Terry Bailey and Nikolic remains frosty as a result of the inquiry.

The RADB ruled that harbouring suspicions about Nikolic's conduct was not sufficient to prove the four charges against him.

After the RADB handed down its findings Brown said that RVL had to consider all aspects of the case.

"It's complex, the evidence is complex and it's really a case which is breaking new boundaries and frontiers and we need to consider all that evidence."

Brown said the stewards had acted in an impartial and appropriate manner throughout the case.

Nikolic was fined $3000 after pleading guilty to five lesser charges relating to the inquiry including one of verbally abusing Bailey at Moonee Valley on February 13.

Public To Decide Memorable Moment

Monday, 05 July 2010 04:01

The public are being asked to decide the most memorable and defining moment of the 2009-10 Victorian racing season in the countdown to next month’s Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Awards presented to Tabcorp.

Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) today unveiled the six contenders for the TVN Most Memorable Moment which is determined by public vote at www.racingvictoria.net.au/memorablemoments.

The award will be presented alongside the Scobie Breasley Medal and Staging Connections Victorian Racehorse of the Year award at Crown’s Palladium on Sunday night, 8 August.

Last year it was Robbie Laing who claimed the inaugural TVN Most Memorable Moment award for his remarkable training achievements with jumpers Sir Pentire and Mazzacano.

Sir Pentire won the Grand Annual Steeplechase at his first start for two years, whilst Mazzacano did likewise in the Australian Steeplechase after a similar absence.

The six contenders for the 2010 TVN Most Memorable Moment are;

1. Bart’s Dominance – Master trainer Bart Cummings’ dominance of the Spring Racing Carnival with victories in the BMW Caulfield Cup, Tatts Cox Plate, David Jones Toorak Handicap and Crown Oaks.

2. Carnival King – Corey Brown becomes only the third jockey, and first since 1935, to win three of the four marquee races held during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

3. Girl Wonder – Michelle Payne pilots her first Group 1 winner in the David Jones Toorak Handicap at Caulfield aboard Allez Wonder for Bart Cummings.

4. Magnificent Seven – Robert Smerdon claims the Mercedes Trainers’ Bonus at the Tabcorp Warrnambool May Racing Carnival with a record seven winners over three days.

5. The Kavanator – After a Spring Racing Carnival devoid of luck, Mark Kavanagh emerges to record his greatest triumph with Shocking in the 2009 Emirates Melbourne Cup.

6. Wanted’s Perfect Storm – Wanted overcomes a once-in-a-lifetime hailstorm that looms during the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington to record his maiden Group 1 victory.

Voting for the TVN Most Memorable Moment closes at 12 noon on 4 August, 2010.

Everyone who votes for the moment judged the most memorable will go into the draw to win two tickets to the Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Awards plus a night’s accommodation at Crown Promenade.

Pictures: Quentin Lang, Fiona Tomlin & Colin Bull

Six Of The Best For Yendall At Mildura

Monday, 05 July 2010 08:34

Dean Yendall enjoyed a remarkable day at the office on Monday riding a personal best six winners on the 10-race card at Mildura.

The highly respected Western Districts jockey had twice piloted five winners at a meeting, but went one better when $4 favourite Ken's Image raced to victory amid rapturous applause in the final event.

His haul matches that of the late ‘Tassie' Pegus, father of Mark, who made a clean sweep of a six-race card at Mildura in 1974 and John Salisbury who did likewise 11 years earlier.

Yendall, who was beaten out of a place on favoured runners in Races 8 and 9, said his fellow jockeys were applying the pressure once he'd ridden number five.

“It's just a relief to get that last one,” he said. “The boys have been into me for the last four races, all the same wishing me all the best for it, but it took me to the last race to finally do it.

“I seem to have a lot of luck here (at Mildura) and it's been good to me....it's a big thrill.

“I put a little bit of pressure on, but I didn't let it get to me too much,” he added. “I just took another race as it come and I thought I rode those two (beaten horses) well, they just weren't up to it on the day.”

Yendall, a regular face at Mildura meetings, said the long trip back to his hometown of Horsham provided an opportunity to reminisce about his feats and celebrate.

“We might have a drink on the way home. It is a three-and-a-half hour trip so we might make the most of it,” he declared after the last.

Yendall's six winners were Pinsofjoy ($3, Race 1), Audrey Belle ($4.20, Race 2), Danindi ($6, Race 5), Stateside ($5, Race 6), Toxic Free Mallee ($4.60, Race 7) and Ken's Image.

Three of his winners came from the Matthew Williams stable, whilst he also rode winners for Daryl Dodson, John Castleman and Barbara Marshman.

October Hearing Date For Laming Case

Monday, 05 July 2010 02:28

Father and son training combination Bevan and Richard Laming will front the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board in another three months time.

The Lamings met with Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) stewards at a pre-hearing conference this morning to discuss “issues relating to evidence accumulated by both parties” with the aim of also determining a date for the RAD Board inquiry.

The RAD Board inquiry is now scheduled to be held at 10am on Monday, October 4.

This is not the first time RVL stewards have announced a provisional date for the Lamings RAD Board hearing.

In January this year, stewards announced that the hearing would be held in mid-April only for both counsel to seek an adjournment.

Ten Nominations For Victorian Award

Monday, 05 July 2010 08:15

Melbourne Cup winner Shocking will be trying to end the dominance of sprinters in this year's Victorian Racehorse of the Year.

The Mark Kavanagh-trained stayer is among 10 nominations for the award which in recent years has been won by Scenic Blast (2009), Weekend Hussler (2008) and Miss Andretti (2007).

Other contenders unveiled on Monday were Black And Bent, So You Think, Starspangledbanner, Turffontein, Typhoon Tracy, Viewed, Wanted, Whobegotyou and Zipping.

The award is judged on Victorian performances and is voted on by the Victorian media.

The winner will be announced at Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Awards on August 8 along with the prestigious jockey award, the Scobie Breasley Medal.

The public will be asked to vote for the most memorable and defining moment of the Victorian racing season.

The six contenders are:

1. Bart's Dominance - Master trainer Bart Cummings's dominance of the spring racing carnival with victories in the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, Toorak Handicap and Crown Oaks.

2. Carnival King - Corey Brown becomes only the third jockey, and first since 1935, to win three of the four marquee races held during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

3. Girl Wonder - Michelle Payne pilots her first Group One winner in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield aboard Allez Wonder for Bart Cummings.

4. Magnificent Seven - Robert Smerdon claims the Mercedes trainers bonus at the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival with a record seven winners over three days.

5. The Kavanator - After a spring racing carnival devoid of luck, Mark Kavanagh emerges to record his greatest triumph with Shocking in the 2009 Melbourne Cup.

6. Wanted's Perfect Storm - Wanted overcomes a once-in-a-lifetime hailstorm that looms during the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington to record his maiden Group One victory.

Blass Has Another Smart Type

Monday, 05 July 2010 00:16

There is nothing like the thrill of winning, an experience you’ll never tire of according to Wolf Blass who was back in the winner’s circle at Moonee Valley on Saturday courtesy of Spirited Eagle.

That was the gelding’s fourth win in six starts. It’s an impressive strike rate and at least one that is paying its way.

Blass recalls the days back in the early 90s when he spent upwards of $3 million chasing that elusive Group 1 winner - the dream of every owner.

The Group 1 was achieved when Grooming won the Brisbane Cup trained by the late Ted Cameron who cut his teeth into the business of training racehorses in Balranald before moving on to Swan Hill and eventually to Adelaide.

Whether Spirited Eagle will reach the same heights as Grooming remains to be seen however he is doing nothing wrong at present.

Whilst the gelding has not won beyond 1200 metres at this stage, his pedigree suggests he could get further a view shared by his joint trainer Leon McDonald.

He is by a sprinter in Not A Single Doubt but has a strong female line. His dam Rezidencia by Carnegie won beyond 2000 metres.

The grand dam Society Bay was a brilliant filly to 1600 metres and as a broodmare she was an exceptional matron leaving eight winners from 10 foals to race.

There is quite a deal of staying blood within the family and the way that Spirited Eagle won on Saturday is evidence he will get further.

Pictures: Fiona Tomlin

Winter Double Chance For Kavanagh

Monday, 05 July 2010 08:15

The Mark Kavanagh stable's hopes of having two Winter Championship runners at Flemington have soared with more than half of the 47 qualified horses dropping out of the feature.

Outlandish Lad was equal 29th in qualifying with just two points but is now 18th in the order for Saturday's 16-horse field after nominations for the 1600m final closed on Monday.

Stablemate Dr Doute's is already assured of a start in the top eight qualifiers.

Kavanagh won the Winter Championship with Sea Battle two years ago and the race has been on Outlandish Lad's program all campaign.

Kavanagh's son Levi said he was hopeful Outlandish Lad would make the field and was expecting him to improve on his last start eighth to Doubtful Jack in the last heat of the series over 1400 metres at Flemington on June 26.

"He has been a consistent horse and doesn't run many bad races but last start the heavy 10 track might not have suited him," Kavanagh said.

"He is also going to be better at 1600 metres."

Outlandish Lad has won six of his 18 starts and scored consecutive wins at Morphettville leading up to his Flemington failure.

He also won the greys race at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week.

Dr Doute's finished seventh, just in front of Outlandish Lad in the Winter Championship heat at Flemington and was also third to top qualifier and dual heat winner Jungle Ruler at Flemington on June 12.

Kavanagh said Dr Doute's was capable of winning the Winter Championship but training him had got tricky as he had got older.

As a three-year-old he won the Carbine Club Stakes over the 1600 metre course at Flemington but since has been a frustrating horse for connections

"He is a work in progress," Kavanagh said.

"He is a stallion and as he has got older he has started to think a lot more."

He said he had settled much better lately but last start struggled to get going on the bog track.

A total of 19 qualified horses, including Pinnacles, Offenders, Philda, Trustus, and Dr Nipandtuck, have been nominated for the Winter Championship final and another five unqualified horses make up the entry.

Gun wet trackers Ghostmilk and Riceman along with Rollins, Savquaw and The Invincible One did not contest heats of the series.

Outstanding jumper Black And Bent, who was narrowly beaten at Moonee Valley on Saturday, is set to line up on the flat again in the final of the Banjo Patterson Series over 2500 metres with his conqueror Niptious also among the entries.

Sivadio Wins CRV Community Cup

Sunday, 04 July 2010 21:15

Apprentice Nathan Rose maintained his impressive record aboard Sivadio after winning the $100,000 CRV Community Cup (2000m) at Ballarat on Sunday.

Prior to Sunday’s race, Sivadio had never contested a race worth more than $70,000. However the Stephen Theodore-trained galloper won yet another race under the urgings of Rose.

"It's all really about this horse," an enthusiastic Rose said before adding “I've had six rides on him now for four wins, a second and a third."

"He's been fantastic to me and it's great to have Stephen (Theodore) supporting me as well."

Describing Sivadio’s victory as a “big thrill”, Rose suggested it didn’t go all according to plan on the track.

"From the outside gate we were always going to have trouble getting in. I would have liked to have been in about fourth, one out and one back in an ideal world.”

"But we got trapped three deep for the trip, but with cover and coming to the 500 the leaders starting stopping.

"Once I balance him up and ask him to go - he just goes,” he added.

Sivadio hit the lead shortly after straightening ahead of Streaky Fella and went nearly two lengths clear of the Darren Weir-trained galloper at the 200 metre mark.

However the winning margin was whittled back on the line as the taxing run in transit told on Sivadio.

Sivadio ($9-$11) defeated Streaky Fella ($5-$6.50) by a length with Our Tycoon ($10-$12) a further three lengths adrift in third.

A winner of seven from 37, Sivadio has now accumulated over $130,000 in prizemoney. He was a $120,000 purchase from the 2005 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

Pictures: Colin Bull