Waterhouse 2yo Winner At The Valley

Monday, 14 June 2010 04:01

Gai Waterhouse trained her first Melbourne two-year-old winner of the season after Someday Somehow secured a soft victory in the $50,000 TattsBet.com Handicap (1000m) at Moonee Valley on Monday.

Ridden by Steven King, Someday Somehow bounced out of the gates quickly to gain an uncontested lead before cruising through the middle stages of the event and claiming victory with handy a turn of foot.

The outcome of the race was never in doubt.

Someday Somehow ($1.90-$3.20 fav) defeated Sussuro ($3-$4.40-$4) by two lengths with Ruby Royal ($5-$8) a further three lengths adrift.

Sussuro settled in fourth position before making ground while Ruby Royal weakened over the concluding stages.

Stable representative Steve Dennett said they had bought Someday Somehow along with Anniversary down from Sydney late last week.

“We always thought this filly would suit Moonee Valley, the way she rails like a greyhound,” Dennett said.

“At this stage she looks like she could be a sprinter.

“She’s still improving all the time so we will just take it race by race from here,” he added.

King was complementary of the daughter of Statue Of Liberty.

“It was an easy job from my point of view, she jumped had good gate speed and controlled the tempo,” King said.

“When I asked her to quicken, she did and I didn’t have to do much on her really.”

Someday Somehow finished fifth on debut behind Elimbari at Rosehill in January before finishing second at Canterbury behind Slater on May 19 when grabbed right on the line.

Someday Somehow has now accumulated over $38,500 in prizemoney.

Pictures: Fiona Tomlin

Dubleanny Does It Again

Saturday, 12 June 2010 06:44

Quality filly Dubleanny extended her outstanding record to five wins from just seven starts when she powered home to win today's $125,000 AR Creswick Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.

The Dubleo filly, sold by Magic Millions as both a weanling and yearling, went into the race after a string of wins and she extended that streak with a valuable first time stakes victory.

The filly is prepared at Caulfield by Mick Price and after getting back in the field she was able to reel in her rivals and win by a widening long head margin.

Price said the performance of Dubleanny was outstanding considering she was a touch slow and then was badly chopped out by runners

"She could be half a length slow but she doesn't need to be sandwiched like that, especially fillies carrying 57kgs."

"I was a bit concerned, I was glad it was every bit of 1200 metres put it that way."

"I just think that it was really gusty with 57kg, to find plenty over the last 200 metres."

Dubleanny had earned a break according to Price.

"She’ll go to the paddock, she's done her job as a three-year-old filly."

"She's had a good solid sort of prep."

"I think 1400 metres will be fine for her."

"She be racing in black type from now on, but there’s no target (next prep) yet."

Winning rider Steven Arnold was suitably impressed with the performance.

"She didn't begin brilliant away and the outside (horse) jumped in a little bit and the inside (horse) got out a bit and she copped a bit of a check, but she probably ended up in a similar spot to where I wanted her."

"Darren Weir’s horse really kicked hard inside the final furlong but I thought it was a great effort overall."

"She sustained a big couple of furlongs today so it was a top effort," Arnold summed up.

Dubleanny ($2.30-$3.50-$3.40 fav) got home under Steven Arnold to beat Broken ($4-$4.20-$3.90) by a long head.

Another three and three quarter lengths back in third place was the David Hayes trained runner Alkhafif ($15-$18).

Dubleanny was first offered to the public at the 2007 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale when she was snapped up out of the Torryburn Stud draft for $34,000.

Offered by Murrulla Stud at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale she was purchased by the Vinery Stud team for $65,000.

As it stands her outstanding record reads out at five wins and a placing from just seven starts with earnings of over $225,000.

A member of the first crop of Southern Halo's group winning sire son Dubleo, Dubleanny hails from a family renowned for producing high quality fillies.

Dubleanny's dam Uncanny Lady, an unraced daughter of Canny Lad, is from an unraced Bluebird sister to Race Master and half sister to VRC Oaks winner November Rain and group winner Star Style Girl.

At stud November Rain has thrown the South African Oaks heroine Stormy Hill - she in turn is the dam of the Melbourne and Brisbane stakes winner Bridal Hill.

Star Star Girl, who won stakes races in Adelaide and Melbourne, is the dam of the Group One winning New Zealand based sire San Luis.

Pictures: Fiona Tomlin

Slow And Steady Wins The Race

Monday, 14 June 2010 03:25

The Mark Kavanagh trained Believe'n Achieve bought up win number seven from just eleven starts in the $50,000 Hoyts Foods Handicap (1600m) at Moonee Valley.

Believe 'n Achieve ($1.80,$1.65,$1.80) was given the run of the race by Mark Zahra who showed patience to avoid an early challenge by Illusionary ($15,$17) when Craig Newitt circled the field at the 600m mark.

Zahra balanced the hot favourite and proved too strong for the colts scoring by almost two lengths on the line to Bombay Sling ($5.50,$7) with a further three quarters of a length away to Stoneblack ($3,$3.30,$2.90) third.

Having won seven of her past eleven starts one might expect Kavanagh to gloat about the fillies incredible ability but his post race comments were anything but.

"She is a remarkable filly this one," said Kavanagh before adding, "because she does absolutely nothing on the training track."

Kavanagh admitted he wasn't quite sure how to handle connections enquiries into the fillies track-work as it simply isn't very impressive.

"The owners keep asking me how she is going and I have to tell them she ran her last 600m in about two hours on Tuesday morning," Kavanagh joked.

But track-work aside Kavanagh believed the run was full of merit with the three-year-old daughter of Beautiful Crown defeating the colts despite carrying the top weight of 58.5kgs.

"I was worried about the weight she would carry against some handy colts today but in the end it all depends on the motor, and she has a very good record," he said.

"We will give her a rest and aim her at a mares race later in the spring," Kavanagh added.

Zahra was clearly impressed with the consistent filly predicting bigger and better things down the track for the former South Australian

"She gave me a really good feel today," said Zahra.

"As soon as I put one around her tail she really found the line"

"I think she can step up to black type races now," he added.

Pictures: Fiona Tomlin & Colin Bull

Dubleanny Looks Set For Big Spring

Saturday, 12 June 2010 06:15

Exciting filly Dubleanny will be aimed at the top mares' races in the spring after underlining her class with a last-to-first win in the Listed Creswick Stakes at Flemington.

Chopped out at the start when sandwiched between Undeniably and Pivotal Moment, the three-year-old had no favours on Saturday racing at the tail of the field on the heavy track, but sustained a wonderful finish over the last 400 metres.

Jockey Steven Arnold said he was expecting Dubleanny to die on her run over the last 50 metres and was impressed with her endurance to score by a long head from Broken with Alkhafif 2-3/4 lengths away third in the 1200m feature.

"She's a beauty," Arnold said after his first ride on the filly.

"Darren Weir's horse (Broken) kicked really hard inside the furlong (200m) so it was a great effort to get there.

"She was entitled to feel it the last 50 metres but she sustained a good gallop for a good couple of furlongs today."

He said Dubleanny's effort was all the more meritorious given she suffered a "prat" at the start while trainer Mick Price admitted he feared she had lost her winning chance.

"It got a bit messy early and she was there to be beaten," Price said.

"She can be a half-length slow but she doesn't need to be sandwiched like that especially being a filly and with 57kg.

"I was a bit concerned and glad it was every bit of 1200 metres.

"It was pretty gutsy with 57kg to find plenty over the last 200 metres."

Arnold replaced regular jockey Craig Newitt who was riding in Queensland and who rates Dubleanny as good as Bel Mer who was a Group One winner of the Robert Sangster Stakes.

Arnold wasn't about to disagree.

The daughter of Dubleo has won five of her seven starts and will now go for break unbeaten in four runs this campaign.

Price said the timing of the Creswick Stakes could not have been better for Dubleanny and the victory had opened the door for her heading into the spring.

"She has done her job as a three-year-old filly," Price said.

"Her rating is going to go up hugely and being a Listed race winner she now has the luxury of running in any race you like.

"I haven't got a specific Group One target in mind but she will run in the Group races in the spring and 1400 metres will be fine for her.

"All I want to do is keep improving her pedigree."

Pictures: Fiona Tomlin

Month Suspension For Lyon

Sunday, 13 June 2010 22:34

Jason Lyon has been suspended for a month after providing a sample in excess of the 0.02% allowed alcohol limit at Swan Hill on Saturday.

Lyon, who has been based in the western districts of Victoria in recent times, reportedly blew 0.068% on the breath analyser test.

Despite the result of that test, Lyon was permitted to fulfil his six engagements after producing a sample below the limt on Sunday.

Lyon will commence his suspension after Wednesday’s meeting at Ballarat and will be free to ride on July 17.

Impressive Win By Vesper

Saturday, 12 June 2010 06:06

Nick and Lloyd Williams Zabeel gelding Vesper proved a class horse in the making when he made a last to first run in the Rod Johnson Handicap at Flemington this afternoon.

Under 3kg claiming apprentice Jack Hill, Vesper was back last until the 800m mark in the 2000m race.

At that point Hill clicked up the long striding Zabeel gelding and he started to move right round the outside of the field.

Taking the home turn very wide Vesper wobbled a bit but Hill obeyed instructions and gave him plenty of time to get balanced before asking for a finishing effort.

After covering many more lengths than the rest of the field, Vesper ($2.50-$3.50F) got up in the last stride to beat Far To Go ($14-$18-$17) by a short half head, while Pennon ($13-$14) was a half length away in third place.

"He was a little bit slow last start and we wanted him to switch off today and just relax out the back and not over race which he did quite well", Hill explained.

"He's a big striding Zabeel horse and the plan was to give him plenty of room in the straight and bring him out as wide as I needed to."

"He wanted to get in a bit, so I gave him one with the left hand and he straightened up."

"I didn't want to overdo it with the whip because he's a baby and a bit raw still."

"I'd have to say in my short career he's one of the nicest horses I've ridden."

By Zabeel, Vesper is out of the top class race mare Sylvaner, winner of 6 stakes races in a career which yielded $606,790 in prizemoney. Perhaps her best win was the Group 2 Sunline Stakes at Moonee Valley, but Sylvaner also won two other Group 2 races and three times at Listed level.

Vesper was sold for $300,000 to the bid of Nick Williams at the 2008 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

Photos: Fiona Tomlin, Quentin Lang

Cheap Mare On Championship Trail

Sunday, 13 June 2010 06:15

A mare bought as a low cost replacement for a syndicate will be on trial at Moonee Valley for a tilt at the Winter Championship.

The obscurely bred Shysta has been a revelation to trainer Greg Eurell and is unbeaten in three runs this campaign heading in to Monday's Aquanas Foods Handicap (1600m).

A Hancox Bloodstock syndication, Shysta is by lightly raced Japanese bred stallion Yasey who is best known as the brother of Group One winner and sire Fuji Kiseki.

Shysta's dam Shyla won five races and is related to three stakes winners in a pedigree that led to Shysta being offered at Melbourne Autumn Yearling sale in 2007.

Despite her humble breeding Shysta has had three wins and two seconds from her six starts and is improving with every run.

She bounced off a first-up maiden win at Sale in April with victory at Kilmore and last start scored in a photo finish at Sandown.

"It is her first time to a mile (1600m) on Monday but I think she will handle the extra distance after winning over 1300 metres last start," Eurell said.

"She handles the wet tracks very, very well and she is in good order."

Eurell said Shysta was only small and Craig Newitt would ride her at 53kg on Monday.

"The races are getting harder and this run will sort her out and tell us where she is at," Eurell said.

He said keeping weight off her back was important and that a belated run at the Winter Championship series could suit her.

"She is a good winter horse and if she runs really well at Moonee Valley we might look at one of the (Winter Championship) heats," Eurell said.

Unbeaten Dash For Cash gelding Our Baby Bonus will take on the older horses for the first time in the Simpson Construction Handicap (1000m) after being scratched from Saturday's Listed Creswick Stakes at Flemington.

Our Baby Bonus will carry only 52.5kg after the 1.5kg claim for apprentice Jason Maskiell and has won two of his four starts at the Valley, including his most recent when he led all the way first-up.

The grey got tired in the closing stages but Price said he had trained on well and he was looking forward to ramping him up in class in the coming weeks towards the Listed Monash Stakes (1100m) at weight-for-age at Caulfield on July 17.

Pictures: Colin Bull

Flemington Track Not Too Bad: Jockeys

Saturday, 12 June 2010 05:45

Ben Melham was not perturbed about the state of the Flemington track after he guided the Peter Moody-trained Riptide home a winner in a depleted field on Saturday.

Flemington had it's first heavy track since the reconstruction of the surface in 2007 due to an invasion of cockchafer beetles which have eaten the roots of the grass, leaving the track heavy and shifty.

After rain on Saturday morning, adding to the 31.4mm during the week, Flemington track manager Mick Goodie rated the track a heavy (9) for Saturday's meeting.

"It's heavy but it's not as bad as I first thought it would be. It's just a genuine heavy," Melham said after the second event, the Bruce Gadsden Hcp (1400m).

"She (Riptide) had them sorted a long way out.

"Obviously Peter Moody had her very fit and we were able to control the race from where we were and with the small field they didn't go very quick and we were able to get going when we wanted to.

"It was a good win."

After five scratchings from the race on Saturday morning, topweight Jaggers also came out behind the barrier after veterinary stewards reported that the gelding had hit his head, leaving a field of only four runners.

Michelle Payne, who guided Platinum Passion to come from last and win the Hilton Nicholas Hcp (1400m), came back to scale spattered with sand which was kicked back from runners ahead of her during the event.

"It's quite sandy and they are getting into it a bit, but I'd probably say it's more slow than heavy," she said.

Picture: Fiona Tomlin

Jungle Rules Winter Championship Heat

Saturday, 12 June 2010 07:15

Jungle Ruler had conditions to his liking when he ploughed through the heavy going to win the third heat of the 2010 Winter Championship Series at Flemington.

The grey earned a start in the Listed $200,000 Final (1600m) of the series at Flemington on July 10 when he landed his fifth win from 11 heavy track starts and his 11th victory over his favourite journey, 1400 metres.

"He grows another leg when he sees it (heavy going). It's unfortunate what's happened to the track but it made it for us today," trainer Peter White said.

An infestation of cockchafer beetles has eaten into the roots of the grass making it heavy and shifty with plenty of sand kickback.

Ridden by Darren Gauci, Jungle Ruler ($6.50) sat outside the free-going leader Dr Doute's ($7) but quickly grabbed him in the straight and went on to score by a length from Offenders ($6) with Dr Doute's three-quarters of a length away third.

Gauci said the track was "not too bad".

"It felt like there was a heavy spray of sand more than anything else, just as though it was raining," he said .

Gauci said he thought Jungle Ruler was travelling a bit too well coming to the turn as he was galloping so keenly and he was worried Dr Doute's had set too fast a pace.

"He's a tough horse," Gauci said of Jungle Ruler.

The Lion Hunter entire, now rising seven, is a winner at 15 of his 71 starts and Gauci has been aboard him in five of those, three at Caulfield and the Peninsula Cup at Mornington.

"Gauci's probably one of the best front running riders in Australia I think and he loves the horse and knows him," White said.

Gauci took over the reins from Dan Brereton who rode Jungle Ruler when he carried 60.5kg to win on a heavy track in a 1400m Winter Championship heat at Cranbourne at his previous start on May 30 and the horse dropped two kilograms to 58.5kg on Saturday.

White said Jungle Ruler was a "very naughty horse" earlier in his career but had settled down with maturity.

"He surprises me lately how even tempered he is. He's starting to become like a pet dog," White said.

Pictures: Fiona Tomlin

Last To First For Platinum Passion

Saturday, 12 June 2010 03:58

Beautifully bred filly Platinum Passion showed her class at Flemington today, when she overcame a tardy start to win the Hilton Nicholas Handicap.

Fractious in the stalls, Platinum Passion gave rider Michelle Payne some worries when she reared as the gates opened, costing her three lengths.

Settling at the tail of the field, Payne was able to keep race favourite Winged Charm in her sights as it settled second last under Brent Evans.

"I had to go to Plan B", Payne explained.

"I was happy to follow Winged Charm. I thought she was the one to beat."

Coming to the 400 metre mark, both horses made their runs, but while Payne was able to steer Platinum Passion ($7-$10) through an opening, Evans elected to haul his horse off the heels of the horse in front, losing several lengths in the process.

Platinum Passion's uninterrupted run proved to be a winning move as while Winged Charm ($3.50-$3.80-$3.70F) ran home strongly, she failed by 1¼ lengths to run down the leader. Third was Mont Fleuri ($5.50-$6.50-$6.00) only a nose behind Winged Charm.

"She really surprised me when she put paid to them at the 400", Payne said.

"When the runs came she got to them really quickly and I thought it was a really good win."

Coming off a first up win at Geelong, when ridden by stable jockey Mark Zahra, Platinum Passion maintained her unbeaten record with today's win.

"Michelle didn't panic", said Anthony Feroce, stable foreman for Platinum Passion's trainer Mike Moroney.

"She just let her find her feet and weaved her way through. A very sensible ride."

"At Geelong, Mark said she was very green, she just didn't know what she was doing so he thought he'd go forward and when she got to the front she just got lost."

"We always thought she was a better chaser and she proved that today."

Payne was awake to that advice, saying:

"It seemed to really suit her riding her cold."

"I was worried about getting to the front too soon then because she was so new."

Raced now by Auckland based Consolidated Bloodstock, Platinum Passion was purchased by Moroney's brother Paul for $300,000 at the 1998 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

Platinum Passion's dam, Stella Artois is a daughter of multiple Group 1 winning mare Horlicks, making her a half sister to Melbourne Cup winner Brew.

The relationship does not end there with Platinum Passion being by Zabeel, a son of Brew's sire Sir Tristram.

Moroney trained Brew and has more recently also had success with Victoria Derby winner Monaco Consul, another from the same family.

Feroce predicted a staying future for the rising four year old.

"Mike's always had a big opinion of the filly", he said.

"The first couple of preps she showed us nothing but was just getting better and better all the time."

"She'll make a lovely staying mare. Looks like she's got a bright future."

With Spring just around the corner, it is likely that Moroney will want to give Platinum Passion a short let up.

"We'll just have to sit down and see what we're going to do", Feroce said.

"We might give her another one just to get her rating up and then find a race for her in the Spring."

Photos: Fiona Tomlin