Smart Symons Wins On Synthetic
- Wednesday, 30 June 2010 09:42
Chris Symons used his initiative aboard Juan Carlos and that ultimately proved the difference between winning and losing as the Allison Bennett-trained galloper won the $30,000 Journal 0-82 Handicap (3050m) on the Geelong Synthetic track this afternoon.
With a field of ten contesting the race, Juan Carlos was racing in a position just worse than midfield in the moving line. With leaders Bian Coby and It’s Norwester only dawdling, Symons whipped around the field.
“They were running even time early and I was going to wait until they made their way into the back straight before I made my move but I thought there would be five other jockeys thinking the same thing,” Symons said.
“Before we got into the back straight, I made my move and surprisingly nothing went with me.”
The nine-year-old took the lead uncontested only to pinch a winning break well before the home turn.
“He travelled brilliantly and quickened up before the half-mile and he was running good sectionals but he kept whacking away to the line," Symons added.
Main danger Titch struggled to gain clear running in the straight but had the best part of the straight to overhaul or at least make up some of the deficit, but failed to do so and instead was pushed all the way for second with Costalots.
Juan Carlos ($4.80-$6.50) defeated Titch ($2.50-$3-$2.80) by 5-1/2 lengths with recent Sandown midweek winner Costalots ($7-$9-$7) in third, 2-3/4 lengths ahead of The Member ($10) in fourth.
Bennett maintained she had some concerns over how well Juan Carlos would handle the synthetic track.
“The horse is going really well, he think he’s a two (year-old) again,” Bennett said.
“I was concerned as he has done a tendon and I didn’t know what this surface would be for that sort of injury.
“He doesn’t love a Heavy (10) but I’ve raced him on it before and he’s legs have come through it fine,” she added.
A winner of nine from 77 starts, Juan Carlos is being aimed towards another tilt at August’s Grand National Hurdle after finishing second behind Desert Master in last year’s edition.
Picture: Colin Bull
Weir's Change Of Plans With Oak Heart
- Wednesday, 30 June 2010 07:30
Trainer Darren Weir has made a change of plans and will run Oak Heart in Saturday's 2500-metre handicap at Moonee Valley as a lead-up to the Banjo Paterson Series Final at Flemington.
Weir had been going to wait for Saturday week's $150,000 event after Oak Heart won over 2400m at Sandown on June 19.
On that occasion he defeated subsequent Flemington 2000m winner Only He Knows and Rowland on a heavy (10) track.
"I just thought three weeks between runs might be a bit too much and he might do too well," Weir said.
The El Moxie five-year-old has won two Saturday metropolitan races from seven runs this preparation, the other over 2000m at Flemington four starts back on May 8.
Last spring the gelding ran sixth to The Sportsman in the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) but Weir said he'd improved since and would target country Cups late in the spring carnival such as the Ballarat and Bendigo Cups.
Steven King, who had the winning ride last start, maintains the mount on Saturday.
Among his opposition will be Black And Bent who is chasing his seventh straight win ahead of backing up in the Banjo Paterson Series Final (2500m).
Glen Boss will ride the Robert Smerdon-trained four-year-old in both races.
Meanwhile, Mornington trainer Jason Warren has delayed the comeback of Coronation Diva who won't resume in Saturday's 1200m mares' handicap.
The five-year-old daughter of Bianconi won five of her seven starts last preparation but hasn't raced since scoring over 2040m at Moonee Valley on August 22 last year.
"She had a bone removed from a fetlock," Warren explained.
"She's in really good order, she's already had one trial but I thought the 1200 metres was a bit short for her."
Warren said Coronation Diva would trial over 1200m on the Geelong synthetic track on Monday ahead of resuming in the Cyril Beechey Hcp (1400m) at Sandown on July 14.
"That will be an easier progression," the trainer said.
Picture: Colin Bull
Royal Bender Gives Noonan Synthetic Winner
- Wednesday, 30 June 2010 02:46
The Darren Weir trained Royal Bender triumphed in the $30,000 Bianco Flyer Super Vobis Handicap (1000m) after a three horse war down the Geelong straight.
Royal Bender ($2.60,$2.80,$2.10) won the race out of the barriers jumping straight to the lead for apprentice Jake Noonan and the margin was telling in the end.
Noonan held the well backed favourite together in the straight after being badgered for most of the journey and his patience paid off as Royal Bender held off the strong challenge of Maratino ($21,$13) by the narrowest of margins with a half length to Ruby Royal ($11,$12).
The win keeps Royals Benders unbeaten status intact but Weir admitted he wasn't confident halfway down the straight.
"They went very fast early," said Weir
"I was a bit worried half way down the straight.
"But when he (Noonan) got into her she kicked and really knuckled down well," he added.
Weird was thrilled to get the win for long time client John Richards who bred and owns the two-year-old filly.
"John Richards has been a good supporter of ours for ages," said Weir.
"On what she has shown thus far she has a future for sure.
"I have raced a few out of the family for John, Blue Royalty won two at Caulfield and Crown Ruby a couple at Moonee Valley," he added.
Noonan was having just his first ride on the synthetic Geelong surface after being booked to ride on the infamous day when the track was closed down.
"I was meant to ride the day they found the rocks on the track," said Noonan.
"It was nice to pinch a win with my first ride on the track now though, I have a 100% strike rate."
Picture: Fiona Tomlin
Jockey Nikolic Wastes No Time
- Wednesday, 30 June 2010 06:30
Danny Nikolic made sure he stayed in the spotlight after being cleared of serious charges on Tuesday when he rode a winning double at his first two rides on the new synthetic track at Geelong.
Nikolic had four rides at Wednesday's meeting which was a Melbourne Racing Club fixture transferred from Sandown due to the extremely heavy conditions there.
However Nikolic nearly missed making it to Geelong after his car broke down.
"I was just lucky that (fellow jockey) Ben Melham stopped and picked me up," he said.
Nikolic struck in the opening event, guiding the Peter Snowden-trained Screen to victory in the Sufficient Hcp (1000m) and landed his double aboard Avelon Royale in the Shizu Hcp (1000m) for Cranbourne trainer Nikki Burke.
A big drifter in the betting from her opening price of $2.80 to start at $5.50, Screen was slow to jump away in the small field of seven and settled near last.
But Nikolic was at his best gaining a split in the closing stages to get her up to beat Whiner ($13) by a half-length with $3 favourite Fifth Elephant a long neck away third.
"She would have been a good thing beaten if I had got beaten," Nikolic said.
"All the way up the running I was looking for a chance to let her go. She did relax quite well and Paul (Snowden's son and Melbourne stable foreman) had the opinion that she has good ability but she just overdoes things early in her races.
"She was a bit tardy out so I just put my hands down on her and she relaxed well and she hit the line really well."
Nikolic was impressed with the new synthetic surface which staged its first meeting with a Geelong Racing Club fixture on Tuesday and has another on Friday.
"I've ridden on a similar track to this in Singapore. This track is racing really fair. I think it is a good surface," he said.
The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board on Tuesday dismissed two charges against Nikolic relating to improper practices in connection with racing and a further two of conduct prejudicial to the interests of racing.
Wednesday's double was his first metropolitan winners for the month and third overall since June 1.
Nikolic admitted that a lot of people had "dropped off".
"But I've actually found a lot of friends who I didn't realise were so solid towards me," he said.
"I've been coping pretty good with all this, but when you can go home and have a good night's sleep and know that you don't have to worry about anything, it's a big, big relief."
Picture: Colin Bull
Hicks Appeals Fine
- Wednesday, 30 June 2010 01:56
The RAD Board will hear an appeal by licensed trainer Graham Hicks at 10.30am on Tuesday, 6 July 2010.
Mr Hicks is appealing the severity of the penalty imposed by Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) stewards when he pleaded guilty to a charge of misconduct, under the provisions of AR 175(q), and was fined the amount of $500.
The charge relates to an altercation that took place with licensed trainer Mr Shane Garland at the Ballarat stables of Mr Hicks on Friday, 28 May 2010.
Ghostmilk To Stay In Melbourne
- Wednesday, 30 June 2010 05:45
Improving weather has almost certainly ruled imported mare Ghostmilk out of going for a breakthrough black-type win in Saturday's Listed Civic Stakes at Rosehill.
A mare with a formidable record in rain-affected going, Ghostmilk has scored impressive heavy track wins at her past two Sandown starts for trainer Peter Moody to earn a Civic nomination.
"There would need to be a heavy track at Rosehill for her to run," Moody's racing manager Jeff O'Connor said.
"I have been speaking to a few people in Sydney and I've been told it probably wouldn't be wet enough.
"We still might accept with her at Rosehill as insurance but Melbourne looks the better option."
Ghostmilk is likely to bid for a winter hat-trick at Moonee Valley.
A former Irish mare, Ghostmilk is entered in two Melbourne races - each over 1500 metres.
She is weighted on the 53kg limit in an open handicap while she has received 57.5kg against her own sex.
O'Connor said a spring campaign was possible for Ghostmilk if she continued her winning ways on Saturday.
"By staying in Melbourne we are also keeping something up our sleeve with the spring in mind," O'Connor said.
"We've got her marked as a 1400-metre horse and there could be options for her in the early part of the spring at least."
Cool Diva, who has finished in the placings behind Ghostmilk at her past two starts, is also Sydney-nominated.
The four-year-old, prepared by the Golden Slipper-winning partnership of Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra, has been entered in a Benchmark 80 race.
Ellerton said the stable was covering its options after scratching Cool Diva from Wednesday's Geelong meeting.
"She's not as effective in heavy going as she is in slow going," Ellerton said.
"While her form is good, I'm keen to take her north in search of a bit better ground."
Ellerton and Zahra were the toast of Australian racing the last time they had a Rosehill runner when they linked with Hong Kong-based jockey Brett Prebble to win the Golden Slipper with Crystal Lily.
If Cool Diva doesn't start on Saturday, there's every chance she will front up against her own sex at Randwick the following week.
Cool Diva is one of 17 nominations for the Benchmark 80 Handicap over 1400 metres at Rosehill.
Picture: Colin Bull
Waymouth Must Wait To Make Training Debut
- Tuesday, 29 June 2010 14:00
Former jockey Norman Waymouth was looking forward to his first runner as a trainer until fate stepped in at the eleventh hour.
All was in place to start Roman Match at Cranbourne on Sunday until a blood count failed putting a spanner in the works.
Waymouth has just a small team of three horses in work at Tyabb. He was really looking forward to having his first starter.
There are plenty of ups and downs in racing. He can recall the halcyon days of Rancher and how life changed for the Waymouth family.
Rancher, a $6,000 yearling, was purchased and trained throughout his career by Charlie Waymouth who had tasted success as a jockey having ridden Chicquita in her first six wins.
Rancher was an outstanding two-year-old unbeaten in eight starts at that age. He spreadeagled fields like confetti in a breeze.
It was a great era for the Waymouth family particularly for Norman who rode the colt in each of his 14 starts.
Rancher was a colt that encouraged people to go racing. He won nine races in succession, starting odds-on favourite each time plus he broke course records at his first three starts.
Geelong Surface A Godsend For Lake Crescent
- Wednesday, 30 June 2010 05:21
Tasmanian sprinter Lake Crescent enhanced his reputation with his second Victorian city victory in just three tries winning the $30,000 Betfair Handicap (1300m) at Geelong.
Lake Crescent ($3,$3.10) was only fairly away from the gates and Darren Gauci was forced to go to plan 'b' settling off a slow pace and trying to relax the four-year-old gelding who tended to over-race.
On the point of the turn Gauci was able to angle off heels and Lake Crescent sprinted strongly, kicking clear and holding off a fast finishing Dandy Dollar ($8,$12) to score by a head with a further three lengths to Kudeta ($5,$8,$7.50).
The change of track was heaven sent according to the gelding's trainer Gary White who was confident his charge would thrive on the synthetic surface.
"The meeting transfer was a godsend," said White.
"He hasn't got any heavy track form and we were concerned as to how he would handle the Sandown conditions.
"The synthetic surface is very similar to what we work on back in Tassie so I was confident that he would handle it well," he added.
White highlighted the importance of Victorian race experience in the development of his top level horses back in Tasmania.
"I have sent the horses over that I have earmarked for Summer Carnival races in Tassie for many years now and it has a big impact on their development," said White.
"It doesn't matter if they win, lose or draw, they are out of their comfort zone and get an opportunity to race at a truer tempo.
Although White has ambitions of racing the horse in some of his home states feature events he won't be bringing the son of King Charlemagne back home just yet.
"We will look for a similar race in the coming weeks," said White.
"The tracks may be getting a little wet for him though."
Lake Crescent has now won six of his last eight races for more than $80,000 in prizemoney.
Photo by Colin Bull
Handsome Future For All Concerned
- Tuesday, 29 June 2010 14:00
While The Handsome One was winning at Flemington on Saturday his trainer Greg Eurell was about to walk down the aisle with his bride Dannille nee Ellett.
Eurell had nothing to worry about though, the gelding was in the safe hands of his able stable foreman John Baker.
Baker was wearing quite a grin after the race and obviously was satisfied with the performance as it was the horse’s first-up run since February.
The Handsome One has been ridden in each of his five starts by Dale Smith. Smith has quite an opinion of the gelding believing the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) on the final day of the Flemington Spring Carnival could be an option.
When Eurell returns from his honeymoon he will no doubt outline the future program for The Handsome One who shows a lot of promise.
He is by the high class racehorse Shamardal who’s clearly among the best European horses to come out here in the last decade.
His success at stud is hardly surprising as his dam Helsinki, by Machiavellian, is a full sister to Street Cry whose success as a sire is well documented.
The second dam Helen Street was a classic filly winning the Irish Oaks and she left no less than 10 winners.
Picture: Fiona Tomlin
Nikolic Warms Up Burke's Return
- Wednesday, 30 June 2010 03:57
A perfectly timed run by Danny Nikolic got the Nikki Burke trained Avelon Royale home in the $30,000 Shizu Handicap (1000m) at Geelong.
Avelon Royale ($4.60,$5.50) was ridden off the pace by Nikolic and suited by a fast tempo in the early stages.
Nikolic tacked on to the main bunch approaching the turn and made his move at the 400m mark, sprinting steadily to catch Annie's Courage ($51) on the line with Woppitt ($3.20,$4.60) fighting on for third a length away.
Having just returned from a reconnoissance mission in the United Kingdom, Burke was confident Avelon Royale would help her settle back into the cold winter racing.
"It was great to see so many racing setups over there, they are like palaces compared to what we have here and everything is for the horses - which is the way it should be," said a shivering Burke.
"I was confident if she handled the track today she would win.
"She has been flying at home and her work on Saturday morning was the best of her life," she added.
Burke admitted she wasn't expecting to see the five-year-old mare as far back as she was but praised Nikolic's effort.
"I was a bit worried when she was so far back by Danny obviously knew what he was doing," said Burke.
"It's very good to have Danny on your side."
Nikolic observed the fast tempo early would set the race up for Avelon Royale and was impressed with how the mare hit the line.
"They went very hard early and she didn't jump that good so I just left her alone," said Nikolic.
"When I peeled off them at the top of the straight I knew she was going to let down well but she hit the line very strong.
"It is a very good racing surface, its racing very fair," he added.
Despite engine trouble on route to the races, Nikolic was otherwise on cloud nine after riding his second winner from as many rides since having his name cleared of any wrong doing by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board just 24 hours before.
"I have always thought I've coped well with this whole situation, but when you can go home and have a good night's sleep it makes a big difference," a smiling Nikolic.
Photo by Fiona Tomlin.
Sandown Meeting Moved To Geelong Synthetic
- Tuesday, 29 June 2010 10:32
Racing Victoria Ltd advised on Tuesday evening that the Sandown-Hillside race meeting on Wednesday 30th June has been transferred to Geelong Synthetic following a stewards' inspection which deemed the track unsuitable for racing.
The racing program is now as follows:
Geelong Synthetic Wednesday 30th June 2010
$30,000 3YO Fillies 0-72 Handicap 8 (no change) 1000m (no change)
$30,000 2YO Fillies Handicap 12 + 1emergencies (was 13) 1000m (no change)
$30,000 0-82 Handicap 12 + 2em (was 14) 3050m (was 3000m)
$30,000 Mares 0-89 Handicap 12 + 2em (was 14) 1000m (no change)
$30,000 3YO 0-68 Handicap 12 + 8em (was 16 + 4) 1300m (was 1400)
$30,000 0-82 Handicap 12 + 6em (was 16 + 2) 1300m (no change)
$30,000 0-82 Handicap 12 + 3em (was 15) 1900m (was 1800m)
$30,000 Mares 0-82 Handicap 12 + 5em (was 16 + 1) 1300m (was 1400m)
Rail Position: True
Track: Synthetic