Bent's Australian Hurdle Trial
- Tuesday, 15 June 2010 09:30
A start for Some Are Bent in Saturday's The Australian Hurdle hinges on him being able to qualify in a hurdle trial at Stony Creek on Wednesday.
The Stony Creek jumps trials were washed out on Friday and rescheduled for Wednesday and Smerdon was relying on better weather to allow them to proceed.
If the trials were to be called off again, it would mean Some Are Bent would not be able to contest The Australian Hurdle (3400m) as he is not qualified over the new hurdles.
Some Are Bent hasn't raced in a hurdle event since finishing runner-up to Emgee Rex in the Lachal Hurdle (3400m) at Flemington in May 2008.
Trainer Robert Smerdon has decided to revert to the smaller hurdles for Some Are Bent who carried a hefty 71kg to win the Brierly Steeple (3450m) at Warrnambool on May 4.
But he subsequently fell in the Grand Annual Steeple (5500m) at Warrnambool two days later and then failed to finish in a 3300m steeplechase won by Tarawera at Sandown on June 2.
His rider Steven Pateman pulled him up before the last fence as the dual Jumper of the Year had lost his position after failing to handle the bigger new steeplechase fences.
Now a rising nine-year-old, Some Are Bent won the 2008 Hiskens Steeple (3712m) at Moonee Valley but before that was an outstanding hurdler winning eight races over the smaller fences including the 2007 Grand National Hurdle (4250m) at Sandown.
The gelding could be opposed on Saturday by his in-form stablemate and younger half-brother Black And Bent who has won at his past five starts.
Since winning the Galleywood Hurdle (3200m) - a race Some Are Bent won in 2007 - at Warrnambool on May 5, Black And Bent has been ticking over nicely on the flat with wins at Sandown (2400m), Moonee Valley (3000m) and Flemington (2500m).
Part-owner Mike Symons, who does all the race programming of both Black And Bent and Some Are Bent, has kept the stable's options open by also entering Black And Bent for the $100,000 Stayer's Cup (3200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
There were 13 nominations for both The Australian Hurdle and The Australian Steeplechase (3900m).
Robbie Laing entered last year's Grand National Hurdle winner Desert Master in both events as did Eric Musgrove with last-start Sandown hurdle winner Famous Prince.
Entries for The Australian Steeple include the 2007 and 2009 winner Mazzacano, reigning Grand Annual Steeple winner Al Garhood, last-start Sandown Steeple winner Tarawera and recent Great Southern Steeple winner Virvacity.
Al Garhood To Stick Close To Home
- Tuesday, 15 June 2010 07:15
Ciaron Maher is happy to play to the strengths of his star 'chaser Al Garhood by keeping the veteran on his home track at Warrnambool as much as he can.
The reprogramming of the jumps season this year has worked out in favour of the rising 11-year-old with suitable feature races staged at Warrnambool in July and August.
Maher said the Zabeel gelding would run in the $100,000 Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m) on July 11 and the $100,000 Crisp Steeplechase (4150m) on August 1.
Warrnambool was the scene of Al Garhood's greatest triumph on May 6 when he dominated the Grand Annual Steeple (5500m) from the front to win the marathon event by 20-3/4 lengths from Mali Juraj.
Maher is delighted with the way Al Garhood came through the Grand Annual, a race in which he finished 11-3/4 lengths second to Sir Pentire in 2009.
"If the Grand Annual had been run again a week later, he would have been right to run in it, that's how well he pulled up," the trainer said.
"He's had three weeks in the paddock and is back in work heading towards running (in the Thackeray) on July 11."
While Al Garhood failed to make it three straight victories in the Brierly Steeple (3450m) this year - he finished runner-up to outstanding 'chaser Some Are Bent on May 4 - Maher feels his form is a lot more consistent this season.
The horse also won the Von Doussa Steeple (3250m) at Oakbank on April 3, beating stablemate Pentacolo who is spelling.
"I think I managed him a little better this year and he was happy to relax and he got the trip in the Annual no worries," Maher said.
"He loves Warrnambool. He's suited by the tight turns and is able to skip away from the opposition."
Maher has nominated Al Garhood for Saturday's The Australian Steeple (3900m) at Sandown and the gelding is the second highest-rated horse with a handicapping rating of 140 behind dual Australian Steeple winner Mazzacano (142).
Mazzacano, won the race in 2007 and in 2009, shouldered 70kg when he beat Some Are Bent in a 3300m Sandown Steeple on April 21.
But the Robbie Laing-trained gelding was distanced when fourth to Al Garhood in the Grand Annual at his latest 'chasing start.
Picture: Colin Bull
Gippsland News: Moe Trainers' Metro Double
- Monday, 14 June 2010 14:00
It was a huge weekend for Moe trainers with an interstate Saturday double – Peter Gelagotis winning in Melbourne with Savquaw and Allison Bennett in Adelaide with Alpharari.
Gippsland trainers have not had a Saturday class metro double for over a decade. The last metro double was when Afterburn (Julie Scott) and We Wonder (Ian Hutchins) won on June 4, 2008, but it was a mid week meeting.
Bennett decided to head to Adelaide for the first time in many years due to a lack of suitable options in Victoria.
“I had taken horses there before, but not for many years. This mare is no good on wet surfaces and Caulfield doesn’t suit her, so that leaves the options limited.
“It was a really good effort. She was last until well into the straight, but wound up really well and finished all over them.
“There’s the option of going back in a fortnight, which I will have a look at. It’s not a mares’ race this time, but given the way she won it is a real option.
“She was so relaxed over here in Adelaide it was surprising. Sometimes a trip away like this can really bring a horse on, so fingers crossed,” she said.
ONE MORE FOR SAVQUAW
Savquaw is likely to have one more run this preparation before a let up and being aimed at back to back Moe Cup wins.
The consistent five year-old won his first Saturday class metro race on the weekend after three previous mid week successes and the Moe Cup.
At this late stage of the season he appears the only serious challenger to Floramour as Gippsland horse of the year.
“I’ve never had a horse good enough to win it, so to have two in the running is exciting,” said trainer Peter Gelagotis.
“We still have the Moe Cup (October) in mind for Savquaw and will need to give him a let up before then, but the likelihood is he will have one more run at Flemington in a fortnight over 2000m. A final decision will be made this week.”
Savquaw rolled to the front and held off all challenges, his liking for the soft conditions apparent as he was very strong on the line.
Picture: Fiona Tomlin
Horses To Follow - Moonee Valley 14 June 2010
- Monday, 14 June 2010 23:54
The following runners caught the eye at Monday's Moonee Valley meeting:
Race 6: Simpson Construction Handicap (1000m):
Tasmanian sprinter Twenty Grand has never started a preparation under 1200m nor against the class of sprinter he met at the Valley today so it was no surprise he was run off his feet in the early stages.
Standing the second last horse the best part of six lengths at the 300m, Twenty Grand finished the race being eased to avoid checking off the heels of the fourth placed Our Baby Bonus.
With a step up to 1200-1300m he looks a great each way bet at astronomical odds.
Race 2: Hoyts Foods Handicap (1600m):
The Kavanagh trained Believe 'n Achieve has already won seven races from just eleven starts so its not too hard to include this outstanding filly.
But yesterday she carried weight against some handy colts and there is no better test of a quality mare than that.
Almost bomb proof - will win in the Spring.
Photo by Fiona Tomlin
Raceday Puts Spark Into Kav's Filly
- Monday, 14 June 2010 07:45
Trainer Mark Kavanagh says he has never had a slower trackworker than three-year-old Believe 'N Achieve who earned a well-earned break with her seventh win in Hoyts Foods handicap (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
"She is a remarkable filly because she doesn't do anything on the track," Kavanagh said after Monday's victory.
"The owners keep asking me how she's going but I don't know what to say.
"She ran her last 600 metres in two hours on Tuesday morning.
"She is slowest horse on the track that I have seen but once she gets into a race she really shines."
Believe 'N Achieve's seven wins have come in just 11 runs but Kavanagh said that before she raced and on her trackwork there had never been a hint that she would make a racehorse.
He said his son Sam looked after her in Adelaide and that there were no expectations.
"I told him `put her in a race and put blinkers on her and hope that she surprises you' and that is what she has done."
Believe 'N Achieve won her third race start at Strathalbyn in September last year and hasn't looked back winning seven of her past nine runs.
"Who knows where we go from here?" Kavanagh said.
Believe 'N Achieve is a smallish filly but made light of her 58.5kg scoring by 1-3/4 lengths from Bombay Sling and Stoneblack.
Kavanagh said it was a good test for the $1.80 favourite who would now be spelled.
"We will give her a rest and might aim at mares' races later in the spring," Kavanagh said.
Meanwhile, Trustus backed up two days after his second to Savquaw at Flemington to land the StrathAyr Turf Systems Handicap (1519m).
He had to shoulder 59kg but jockey Steven Arnold had him well positioned in third place most of the way and urged him home to a half neck win over Prospect and Have A Shot.
Trainer Fran Houlahan said Trustus was better for the run last Saturday and that backing up wasn't going to be a problem.
"We know our horse and we know he's fit," Houlahan said.
She said Trustus would try to qualify through the remaining heats for the Winter Championship Final (1600m) which is run at Flemington on July 10.
Pictures: Fiona Tomlin
Horses To Follow - Flemington 12 June 2010
- Monday, 14 June 2010 22:15
These are the runners which caught the eye at Saturday’s cold and wet Flemington meeting.
Race 1: Birthday Handicap (1000m)
Forget Chilli Delight ever went around.
Seemed to slip and become rattled after a few strides putting it out of any contention and jockey Steven King spent the best part of the race getting the first starter balanced and comfortable.
Didn’t lose much more ground suggesting it would’ve been far from disgraced had it not slipped early. Have a saver on it in three weeks time.
Race 5: A.R. Creswick Stakes (1200m)
The real Tan Tat Brav was back on course today and pulled his way to the front in the three-year-old sprint.
Doesn’t like the heavy going but his class gets him through it. When, or if, he finds a dry track get on.
Race 6: Winter Championship Heat 3 (1400m)
Despite all his racing Jungle Ruler is only a six-year-old and certainly not past it!
He is also a winner of his last two in a row and today’s win showed why. He worked hard early and drifted wide in the straight but was still far too good for a reasonable field of sprinters.
Should you keep following him? Why not, he is doing nothing wrong.
Picture: Fiona Tomlin
Galbraith Earns Spring Call-up
- Monday, 14 June 2010 07:15
Mornington trainer Peter Healey wants to run impressive Moonee Valley winner Galbraith in the Group Two Moir Stakes this spring despite the sprinter's advancing years.
Healey outlined the plan after the former Hong Kong galloper, who has a degenerative bone disease, scored an emphatic victory in Monday's Simpson Construction Handicap (1000m).
Ridden by apprentice Jake Noonan, Galbraith was pressured by Woppitt but drew away at the finish to score by 1-1/2 lengths from Jeteven and stakes winner Midnight Mustang.
Three-year-old Our Baby Bonus started $2.05 favourite but suffered his first defeat in his five-start career, finishing in fourth place.
Healey said Galbraith, a seven-year-old, was highly-talented and the Moir Stakes on Cox Plate Day was a realistic goal.
"This horse has got serious super speed," Healey said.
"I would love to have him back here on Cox Plate day for the Moir." Galbraith won twice in 14 starts in Hong Kong where he finished last at his last three runs before joining Healey's stable.
However a veterinary examination recommended retirement for the seven-year-old before Healey could even enter him for a race.
"When we had him first checked out the vet at Ballarat just looked at him and said no way would we get him to the races with his issues," Healey said.
Galbraith suffers from subchondral bone disease which has attacked the joints between his cannon bone and fetlock in his legs.
"His bone is breaking down but he just keeps going," Healey said.
"All his work is at the beach and he responds to it." Galbraith has now won twice at Moonee Valley and placed twice at Caulfield in his four Australian runs.
"This is his first preparation since coming from Hong Kong and I think he can only get better," Healey said.
He said his next run before a pre-spring break would be the eighth heat of the Victorian Sprint Series (1000m) at Flemington on June 26.
"They say he is better down the straight so it will be interesting to see how he goes at Flemington," Healey said.
Meanwhile, Our Baby Bonus may have run his last race this winter after pulling up sore.
Pictures: Fiona Tomlin
Our Baby Bonus Lame
- Monday, 14 June 2010 14:00
Promising three-year-old Our Baby Bonus has pulled up sore following its moderate performance at Moonee Valley on Monday.
Contesting the $50,000 Simpson Construction Handicap (1000m), Our Baby Bonus enjoyed a lovely run behind the leaders however failed to quicken sufficiently around the home turn to pose any threat to Galbraith who led from start to finish.
Our Baby Bonus finished fourth beaten over three and a half lengths from Galbraith
Trainer Mick Price after the race requested Our Baby Bonus to be checked by the on-course vet.
The veterinary examination immediately after the event revealed the grey gelding to be lame in the off hind leg.
Price then told stewards he intended on seeking further advice from his own stable veterinarian and would notify stewards of their findings.
Prior to Monday’s race against older horses, Our Baby Bonus was unbeaten from four starts with over $200,000 in prizemoney.
Picture: Fiona Tomlin
Injury Worries For Whobegotyou
- Monday, 14 June 2010 05:45
Trainer Mark Kavanagh has genuine concern for Whobegotyou, the beaten Stradbroke Handicap favourite who was badly cut when unplaced in the rich sprint.
The four-year-old finished 11th to Black Piranha in Saturday's Group One Brisbane feature but returned to scale with lacerations to his hind legs.
"He has got some bad cuts on his back legs and has ripped the meat away from the tendon," Kavanagh said.
"The tendon is unaffected but we just have to wait and see how he goes."
Kavanagh said he wouldn't know until the end of the week whether Whobegotyou would race in the spring.
He said had seen similar injuries in the past but didn't want to elaborate.
"I don't want to discuss it because it got pretty ugly," Kavanagh said.
"I don't know how it will be until the end of the week when we pull the bandages off and have a decent look and see what's happened in there.
"We have an anxious week to see how it knits.
"Sometimes they all go back together and don't move and sometimes there are complications."
The Stradbroke was Whobegotyou's second run this campaign after an eye-catching second to Hot Danish in the Group One Doomben 10,000 (1350m) on May 29.
Whobegotyou has won seven of his 21 starts including the Caulfield Guineas at three and the Yalumba Stakes last spring.
He started favourite in last year's Cox Plate but pulled up sore in his hindquarters and back after finishing sixth to So You Think.
Countess Delago A Little Too Good
- Monday, 14 June 2010 14:00
The Colin Little trained Countess Delago lived up to her stylish Caulfield debut with a comfortable win in the $15,000 Chisholm Petroleum SV 2YO Fillies Maiden Plate (1115m) at Geelong.
Countess Delago ($2.50,$3) relaxed well off a solid tempo for Damien Oliver, standing the leaders as much as five lengths during the middle stages of the event.
For a few strides nearing the home turn it appeared Oliver would be pocketed behind the tiring front-runners but quick thinking by the premier jockey had the filly in clear running and she proved too classy, hitting the line strongly to score by more than a length from Rossan ($8,$11,$9.5) with the tiring Exceed And Excite ($2.50,$2.90) a further length away third.
Having just her second start the two-year-old raced greenly down the stretch but was still far too good leading Little to believe there is bigger and better things in store.
"She looks like a nice filly," said Little.
"I would like to take her to the city but there just isn't any 1200m fillies races around at the moment.
A full sister to the Group 2 winning mare De Lago Mist, Little is hoping his eye catching grey filly can replicate some of the early form shown by her silver counterpart.
"We might have to tip her out and I'm sure she will be even better next time in," he added.
The daughter of Encosta De Lago is a success story for connections who have made a conscience effort to increase the quality of their racing stock by spending more on better bred thoroughbreds said Little.
"I'm very pleased for connections," he said.
"They are having a real crack at putting some money into nicely bred fillies and it is paying dividends."
Photo by Quentin Lang
Gai Set For More Melbourne Raids
- Monday, 14 June 2010 05:15
Talented two-year-old Someday Somehow is likely to lead the way for other Gai Waterhouse-trained horses to shuttle to Melbourne during the winter after an impressive Moonee Valley win.
After two encouraging Sydney runs, the Statue Of Liberty filly was dominant as she broke through for her first win in Monday's Tattsbet.com Handicap (1000m).
Her victory helped ease the disappointment of last Saturday when stablemate Anniversary made her Melbourne debut at Flemington and finished last of four runners.
Travelling foreman Steve Dennett said it was possible Waterhouse would continue to shuttle young horses to Melbourne for similar races in the coming weeks.
She has 12 boxes at Flemington but until now has mainly used them for the spring and autumn carnivals.
Dennett said the Sydney stable was overloaded with two-year-olds and it was counter-productive having two or three runners in the same race.
"We have a fairly big team of two-year-olds on the go at the moment so we could end up coming back down in a fortnight with another couple," Dennett said.
"We missed out Saturday and got the win today so we might be back."
Dennett said Someday Somehow had good speed and the stable was confident she would run well.
"We always thought this filly would suit Moonee Valley the way she rails like a greyhound," Dennett said.
Ridden by Steven King, Someday Somehow, the $3.20 favourite, was on the pace all-the-way and dominated the finish scoring by two lengths from Sussuro ($4) with Ruby Royal ($8) another three lengths away third.
"She is improving all the time and we are taking it race-by-race," Dennett said.
Dennett said much more was expected from Anniversary at Flemington after she had won her race debut over 1300 metres at Randwick.
"We thought 1400 metres was up her alley but she did nothing," Dennett said.
He said Anniversary would head back to Sydney with Someday Somehow on Tuesday.
Pictures: Fiona Tomlin