Rebecca Williams Just Class

Tuesday, 22 June 2010 22:32

Young apprentice Rebecca Williams showed a judgement of pace well beyond her years to take out the $12,000 Midland Express Maiden Plate (2037m) at Kyneton yesterday.

Allowing her mount Working Class ($7.50,$15) to stride from a wide gate to lead the field out of the Kyneton straight on the first occasion put Williams in a position to dictate terms and she did just that.

Muddling the tempo throughout Williams still had a strong hold of Working Class turning for home and despite a challenge from Hybeam ($2.50,$5) upon straightening the race was over when Williams pulled the stick, kicking clear to win by three and a half lengths with Queens Lager ($26,$31,$26) running into third a half length away.

Working Class is trained by Rebecca's mum Jennifer, who praised the ride of her daughter observing the benefit of a four kilo claim when used properly.

"If you can claim four kilos off their back in heavy conditions like today it is just so important," said Williams after the win.

"She got the horse across from the widest gate without using him up too much and then setup a pace to suit.

"I was just thrilled when she let him balance up, went hands and heels and then gave him a few hits with the stick, she is really improving," Williams added.

The role of ex-champion jockey John Didham has been a key in Rebecca's continued improvement according to Williams and she attributed much of the win to a long conversation between himself and the apprentice the night before.

"John has helped Rebecca quite a bit," said Williams.

"He spent the best part of an hour going over the race with her the night before and she rode almost to the letter as they had discussed."

Williams admitted the five-year-old Anabaa gelding needed a lot of management due to ongoing leg problems but was clearly appreciating the softer winter tracks.

"He had an operation to remove bone chips before I started training him," said Williams.

"Since then we haven't been able to work him as we would've liked but by taking our time we have been able to get a few nice results, including today's win.

"We will have to have a look at the calender to see whats about as the tracks are only going to get wetter," she added.

Rebecca Williams has ridden Working Class the five times for four cheques including two minor placings.

Jockey Nikolic Pleads Not Gulity

Monday, 21 June 2010 10:02

Jockey Danny Nikolic has pleaded not guilty to charges of improper practice and conduct prejudicial to the interests of racing at an inquiry in Melbourne.

Last month, Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) stewards laid nine charges against Nikolic after a long running investigation into bets placed by professional punter Neville Clements on horses ridden by Nikolic.

The 36-time Group One winning jockey pleaded guilty to a charge of of insulting behaviour towards stewards and four counts of leaving the jockeys' room during race meetings without stewards' permission to use his mobile phone.

On Monday, the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board heard from Paul Holdenson, QC, legal counsel for the RVL stewards, that the panel had investigated 21 of Nikolic's rides and found that 11 of them were of particular interest as they had been laid to lose by family friend Clements.

A former rails bookmaker in Melbourne, Clements is a professional punter and commission agent who has been warned off for failing to produce his phone records to stewards at the Nikolic inquiry.

However, the RADB ruled on Monday that evidence to be given at the hearing by chief steward Terry Bailey was inadmissible as Nikolic had not been charged with any wrongdoing in any of the rides in question.

Nikolic has maintained his innocence throughout the marathon inquiry which he admitted had been stressful and affected his reputation.

Holdensen painstakingly listed all of the 11 horses, ridden by Nikolic, which Clements laid with betting exchange Betfair to lose.

They all lost except for one which he laid for the place and it ran second.

He stood to lose over $20,000 on three beaten horses had they won.

Holdensen said the stewards' circumstantial case centred around the communications between Nikolic before each of the races in question with Nikolic making calls to either Clements or another friend John O'Neill.

The stewards contend that on numerous occasions O'Neill acted as a go-between, calling Clements after speaking with Nikolic.

However the stewards admitted they did not have all the telephone records in question.

Holdens said several of the Nikolic mounts laid by Clements were at a far larger volume than any of the other horses he laid or bet on with Betfair over a 13 month period from January 2009 to February 2010.

One of the horses laid by Clements was subsequent dual Group One winner Hot Danish who finished fifth at Flemington on October 3 last year.

Clements laid the Les Bridge-trained mare to lose $10,876 on Betfair and won $6,373.

Holdenson also listed three Nikolic rides laid by warned off Queensland punters Allesandro Alamo and Kevin McFarland.

Clements, Alamo and McFarland were all warned off in Queensland over the Baby Boom case.

Then prepared by Nikolic's brother John Nikolic, the mare was beaten into fourth place as a long odds-on favourite in a Sunshine Coast maiden on January 3 this year.

Clements laid Baby Boom on Betfair to lose $45,420 at odds of $1.80 and won $56,000.

Alamo won $15,676 laying her on Betfair while McFarland won $1967 the win and $10,480 the place laying her on Betfair.

The RADB ruled the evidence regarding the Baby Boom case was admissible as it was relevant to the Danny Nikolic case.

Nikolic's lawyer Richard Smith, SC, said the jockey's evidence was that he regularly spoke to Clements regarding form and the likely pace of races but did not discuss his mount's chances with him.

The inquiry continues on Tuesday.

Picture: Sportpix

Jockey Nikolic Denies Wrongdoing

Tuesday, 22 June 2010 09:15

Jockey Danny Nikolic denied having passed on any information about nine of his mounts to Neville Clements in telephone conversations with the professional punter and commission agent who laid substantial bets on those horses to lose.

On the second day of the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board (RADB) hearing on Tuesday, Paul Holdenson, QC, for Racing Victoria (RVL) stewards, put it to Nikolic that the jockey had given Clements information regarding the chances of each of those horses.

Nikolic told the RADB that the conversations with Clements were purely to do with tempo of races, form and ratings so that he knew which horses to follow in a race.

The jockey denied knowing that Clements had a Betfair account and laid horses on it to lose until he learned of it through transcripts of evidence during the stewards' inquiry regarding his relationship with Clements.

Nikolic also denied talking to Clements regarding Baby Boom before the mare, then trained by Nikolic's brother John, ran fourth in a Sunshine Coast maiden as a $1.30 favourite on January 3 this year.

"One hundred per cent. I did not talk to him about that horse," Nikolic said.

He also offered to take a lie detector test to prove it.

Baby Boom - not ridden by Nikolic but deemed by the board to be relevant to the case - was laid on Betfair by Clements who won $56,000 on her at an average price of $1.80.

"He (Clements) told me about it when I started getting some headlines (over this case)," Nikolic told the board.

"He said he laid it for more than he anticipated."

Clements has been warned off Victorian racetracks over failing to give stewards his telephone records in the Nikolic investigation and is one of three punters warned off in Queensland over the Baby Boom case.

Nikolic told the board that Clements had never asked him whether one of his mounts could win.

"What he might ask me is `have you ever been on this thing's back and has it done well'," said the jockey.

He said he knew that Clements put bets on for close friend and best man at his wedding, John O'Neill, "all the time".

Earlier Holdenson called evidence from betting exchange Betfair's integrity risk manager Matthew Clark.

It was established that the nine Clements bets in question had an average lay risk of $15,074, much higher than the lay risks taken on other jockeys' mounts.

Clark told the board that the higher amounts of money Clements laid on horses ridden by Nikolic over other riders flagged interest in his account and that RVL stewards were alerted by a number of emails.

"This is what we would term a bias due to activity and the size of the risk taken," he said.

Richard Smith SC, for Nikolic, told the board that Clements had also lost on five of Nikolic's mounts which he laid when four of them had won and one he laid for the place had run second.

He also put it that the nine Nikolic mounts laid substantially by Clements was "a pretty selective lot of horses".

Nikolic on Monday pleaded not guilty to two charges, two of improper practice and two of conduct prejudicial to the interests of racing.

The hearing will continue on Wednesday with final submissions while the Board will announce its decision next Tuesday.

Picture: Sportpix

Moroney Team Talks Up Lordoftheparrots

Monday, 21 June 2010 10:00

Promising but oddly named three-year-old Lordoftheparrots could fill the void in the Mike Moroney stable left by the absence of gifted sprinter King Pulse.

King Pulse suffered serious injuries during the freakish Super Saturday storms at Flemington in March this year.

Following an impressive debut win at Seymour over 1300m when a heavily-backed favourite, Lordoftheparrots caught the eye with his third at Sandown when bumped up to city grade at his second start.

Despite encountering a heavy track for the first time, Lordoftheparrots charged to the post from a seemingly impossible position against more experienced rivals, giving Moroney and managing part-owner Rohan Aujard plenty of hope for the future.

"Steven (Arnold) said he wasn't one hundred per cent comfortable in the wet so the run was probably better than it looked," Moroney's racing manager Anthony Feroce said.

"He looks like a nice horse in the making and we hope he will measure up to better races later in the year."

Lordoftheparrots will take his place in Saturday's Baden-Baden Handicap at Flemington over 1730 metres where he will be tested beyond a mile at just the third start of his career.

But if pedigree is anything to go by the three-year-old will only improve as he is stretched even further in distance next season.

By little-known New Zealand-based but American-bred stallion Lord Of Warriors, a dual Group Three winner in Hong Kong and a middle distance specialist, out of the Half Iced mare Polly's Folly, Lordoftheparrots seems purpose-built for middle-distance racing.

That presents Moroney with a host of minor stakes race options during the spring including the JRA Cup at Moonee Valley and the Coongy Handicap at Caulfield.

But for Aujard, Lordoftheparrots' promise has proved a timely tonic as he waits patiently for King Pulse to recover from injuries which included multiple haematomas, a lowered hip and a chipped shoulder blade.

Feroce said that the horse's recovery was encouraging but he did not expect to see King Pulse back at the races any time soon.

"He's in rehabilitation at the moment and at this stage the reports are pretty positive although we won't know for a little while yet," he said.

"The vets are quite confident that we will eventually get him back to the races."

Picture: Colin Bull

Payne's Winter Stocks Boosted

Tuesday, 22 June 2010 08:15

Patrick Payne's winter stocks have been boosted recently by the arrival of a team of five well-performed stayers from across the Tasman.

And the recruits are poised to begin returning dividends for their New Zealand-based connections at Moonee Valley on Wednesday.

Useful staying mare Soph and improving four-year-old Saint Romain were sent over on the recommendation of Kiwi trainer Kevin Myers, a long-time family friend and mentor to Payne.

Myers believed that the duo, along with stablemates Titch, Sparking and Pennon, would be perfectly placed to take advantage of healthy prizemoney levels in Victoria over winter.

"The prizemoney isn't good enough in New Zealand so he (Myers) was keen to get a few of them over to me for the winter. They all like wet tracks and they all can stay," Payne said.

Soph notched her second stakes placing when she was runner-up in the Group Three Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) at Riccarton in early May.

She finished midfield at her Australian debut at Flemington on June 5 but will strip fitter for Wednesday's Essendon Jeep Cherokee Hcp (2040m).

"She's a beautiful mare. Her Group Three run was on the South Island so it's a little weaker than up north but she stays well and will run well," Payne said.

Saint Romain needed the run when he resumed at Warrnambool but considerable improvement is expected when the son of Stark South tackles the Essendon Jeep Grand Cherokee Hcp (2040m).

While Soph and Saint Romain do battle at Moonee Valley, two of Payne's other new additions will begin a jumps campaign with hurdle trials at Sandown.

Myers had identified both Titch and Sparking as potential jumps prospects in New Zealand and Payne is keen to get both qualified over hurdles as soon as possible.

Titch showed his stamina with a win over 2500m at Riccarton in May and has impressed Payne since arriving in Australia with three placings in metropolitan grade including a brave second to in-form stayer Black And Bent.

Sparking is looking to get his hurdle ticket having already completed a trial at Pakenham late last month.

Payne, who had a brief but successful stint as a jumps jockey after retiring from flat racing, will take three other horses to the trials - Sheer Platinum, unraced gelding Karnazes and Redoute's Choice four-year-old Gravitas.

Nikolic Pleads Guilty To Five Charges

Monday, 21 June 2010 06:39

Embattled jockey Danny Nikolic has pleaded guilty to five charges laid against him by Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) stewards at today’s Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board hearing.

Nikolic pleaded guilty to the less serious breaches of the rules. Those being;

• One charge under AR175(j) for engaging in improper behaviour before stewards at Moonee Valley on February 13.

• Four charges under AR91 for leaving the jockeys’ room between riding commitments without permission of stewards and making contact with various associates via his mobile phone on:

1. October 18, 2009 @ Seymour
2. October 20, 2009 @ Kyneton
3. October 21, 2009 @ Geelong
4. January 1, 2010 @ Flemington

However Nikolic pleaded not guilty to more serious allegations. Those charges included two charges for improper practices in connection with racing and another two charges for conduct prejudicial to the interest of racing.

The case before the RAD Board is currently continuing.

Picture: Sportpix

Geelong Synthetic Race Track Faces Test

Tuesday, 22 June 2010 07:45

The reconstructed Geelong synthetic track will be tested under competitive conditions with barrier trials on Wednesday morning.

Track gallops have already been successfully conducted on the surface and a total of 55 horses will put the track through its paces in nine trials scheduled between 9am and 11am (AEST).

"The feedback following the gallops has been positive and these trials will provide us with a further opportunity to review the performance of the track prior to the resumption of racing," Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) chief executive Rob Hines said.

Race meetings are scheduled for the Geelong synthetic track on Tuesday June 29 and Friday July 2.

The meetings will be confirmed providing the track passes Wednesday's test.

Maskiell Premiership Bid Fades

Monday, 21 June 2010 06:16

The chance of apprentice Jason Maskiell claiming the 2009/10 Melbourne Jockeys’ Premiership appears all but over after the rider was suspended for careless riding at Bendigo on Sunday.

Maskiell rode Little Louis in the $15,000 Eliza Park SV 3YO Fillies Maiden Plate (1400m) only to cause interference shortly after the start.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding, that he permitted Little Louis to shift in on an acute angle when not sufficiently clear of Lea Babe causing interference to Divine Fantasy (Steven Arnold) and Safvanna Queen (Casey Bruce).

As a consequence of the interference, Divine Fantasy clipped the heels of Lea Babe and almost dislodged Arnold.

Maskiell was suspended by stewards for 12 meetings, with his ban to commence immediately. Maskiell will be free to ride at Moonee Valley on July 3.

Maskiell currently sits in second position on the Melbourne Jockeys’ Premiership table, ten wins adrift from Luke Nolen.

Meanwhile, Arnold was suspended later in the afternoon also for careless riding.

Arnold caused interference aboard Lord Of Arms in the $20,000 Slickpix Silver Bowl Series Heat 4 (1600m) as he permitted his mount to shift in whilst being ridden along, tightening the ground of Belgietto.

Arnold pleaded guilty to the charge and will be able to return from suspension a day earlier then Maskiell.

Picture: Colin Bull

Little To Dish Up At The Valley

Monday, 21 June 2010 23:27

Colin Little is hoping a rain affected Moonee Valley circuit this Wednesday will be just what up and coming sprinter-miler Cavendish needs first up.

Cavendish will run in the $30,000 Essendon Jeep & Essendon Hyundai at Auto Centro Handicap over 1000m, a distance that doesn't favour the three-year-old according to Little.

"The thousand metres is probably a bit short for him first up, he isn't normally that type of sprinter," said Little this morning.

"However it is a tough sprint at the Valley and he will love the wet conditions so that might really bring him into the race late."

Despite finishing in the first two at his last three starts, Little believed a better strategy was required to make the most of the gelding's three-year-old season and decided a brief freshen up was in order.

"He was racing really well but finding one horse better every week," said Little.

"Seeing as he handled wet tracks I proposed to the owners that we give him a short spell and bring him back in for a winter campaign to maximise his chances.

Little will retain the services of former New South Wales apprentice Taylor Lovelock-Wiggins who has been riding regular city winners since moving south and will provide welcome weight relief to Cavendish.

"The 59kg would have made it very hard to win," said Little.

"Lovelock-Wiggins did a good job on the horse last start and the three kilo claim is very important.

"But whatever the horse does on Wednesday I expect him to improve when he gets to the 1400m trip," Little elaborated.

Picture: Colin Bull

Gippsland News: Buy A Race On Ebay

Monday, 21 June 2010 02:41

Latrobe Valley Racing Club will host a transferred race meeting at Traralgon this Friday in a major coup for the club, which is putting itself forward as an alternate racing venue in the regular circumstance of some Victorian meetings having to be re-located, particularly in winter.

In a unique initiative call race naming right will be offered for unreserved auction on Ebay. Races 1 – 4 will be open on Tuesday at 8:50; 8:55; 9:05 and 9:10am and races 5 – 8 will come up at 2:30; 2:35; 2:40 and 2:45pm

Race naming rights include both local and national media exposure through a number of forums along with an invitation for four people to attend the race day and enjoy afternoon tea from 2:30 - 4:30pm

Newly elected club chairman, Brian Quigley, said it was an opportunity to show the racing industry that the club was keen to host additional transferred meetings.

“Equally it gives the many small businesses in the Latrobe Valley the opportunity to support the club by joining in the auction for naming rights to a race.

“We really don’t know what these race names will sell for, but I hope that a few people and businesses get into the spirit by bidding on eBay – it’s a good opportunity to name a race after your business, a cause, family member or friend.Time is of the essence and it’s a good way to generate a bit of publicity for the meeting,” Quigley said.

To find the auction items simply visit www.ebay.com.au and search for “Latrobe Valley Racing Club Race Naming Rights”.

TEMPY’S GOT TALENT

Moe trainer, Michael Templeton, has some exciting times ahead with promising two year-olds, Hovercraft and Veegeekay saluting at Tatura and Sale this week.

He purchased both at the 2009 Inglis Premier Yearling sales. A number of family members (including Mick) retained shares in Hovercraft (by Starcraft) with some outside ownership, while Veegeekay is raced by the Kennedy family.

“I think they will develop into quite different horses. Hovercraft is a more flashy type and is a bit more brilliant and Veegeekay gives me the indication he will develop into a nice stayer,” said Templeton.

“The likely plan from now is to give them both a run in town to see how they measure up and based on that we will make a decision on whether we will bring them back for some of the spring races.

“They are both big strong types and are very well bred. The jockeys who rode them this week gave promising reports, so if they look like they are up to it, we will give them a shot at it,” he said.

Templeton’s other runner at Tatura, Prinsom, frustratingly notched his fourth second in five starts.

“He is still doing a lot wrong in his races and pulled early again this time. It appears as though we are going (for home) a little early, but the reality is he is not an easy horse to ride and has is still fighting against the rider,” explained Templeton.

“Hopefully with a bit more experience the penny will drop with him. He does show a lot of staying ability and the fact he is doing so much wrong and has finished second four out of the past five times shows that.”