Tide Doesn’t Turn For Moody & Moodie
- Saturday, 12 June 2010 03:42
Trainer Peter Moody extended his lead in the Melbourne Trainers’ Premiership while owner David Moodie continued his excellent association with two-year-olds this season as Riptide won the $70,000 Bruce Gadsden Handicap (1400m) at Flemington this afternoon.
Ridden by Ben Melham, Riptide settled outside the leader Seventh Bullet who only set a slow tempo.
When favourite Anniversary ($1.80-$2.70 fav) made a move in the early portion of the straight, the pace quickened appreciably.
However the Gai Waterhouse-trained runner soon faded to weaken out of contention.
As that occurred, Riptide got the better of Seventh Bullet upon entering the final furlong to win and consign Seventh Bullet to another second placing.
Riptide ($5.50-$7-$5) defeated Seventh Bullet ($4.20-$4.60-$3.70) by three quarters of a length with outsider of the four-horse field Decry ($13-$17) a further length and three-quarters away in third.
A maiden from five starts prior to today, Riptide was unquestionably fit for today’s assignment, having her fifth start this preparation.
“She had them sorted a long way out didn’t she,” Melham said upon returning to scale.
“Obviously Peter Moody had her very fit and she had the benefit of a few starts that the other runners didn’t.
“We were really able to control the race from where we were.
“It was a small field, they didn’t go quick early and we were able getting going when we wanted to and it was a good win.
“But (she was) just too fit and too strong,” Melham added.
The major query coming into the race was whether Riptide would be able to handle heavy going, something she had failed to do at Sandown Lakeside two starts back.
However her admirable performance at Cranbourne last start and today’s authoritative win has quashed those fears.
By Exceed And Excel, Riptide is out of the dam River Express who has produced dual stakes winner Cross Current.
Cross Current was also owned by Moodie, finished fourth in the 2003 VRC Sires Produce (1400m) and 2004 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) whilst in the care of Mathew Ellerton.
Peter Moody has now won 70 races this season in the Melbourne metropolitan area.
Pictures: Fiona Tomlin
Gelagotis Has Savquaw Flying
- Saturday, 12 June 2010 03:21
The Peter Gelagotis trained Savquaw is in career best form fighting his way to victory in the $75,000 LV Lachal Handicap (1700m) at Flemington today.
Savquaw ($2.70,$2.90,$2.70) dictated terms in front for apprentice Nathan Rose who rated the gelding astutely, quickening at the right times to avoid pressure from the on pace opposition.
When Trustus ($6,$8) ranged up to Savquaw upon straightening and the two settled down the fight the affair out with the latter clearly taking the honours on the line, winning by the best part of a length with Sea Skye ($7,$8.50) a close third three quarters of a length away.
Despite being challenged strongly in the straight Savquaw always looked liked prevailing something Gelagotis attributes to his 'fighting' attitude.
"He loves the going and is a bulldog of a horse, he is a real street kid and enjoys a fight," said Gelagotis.
"I have always had a lot of faith in this horse and there is no denying that he is the best horse in the stable and my favourite horse."
Gelagotis was thrilled to get the win at headquarters and praised the ride of Rose who he believes has been a big factor in the five-year-olds recent form.
"He has won three midweek races in town this horse and now he has finally cracked it for a Saturday win," he said.
"The horse just clicks with Nathan and he has won the two times he has ridden him now."
A winner of the Moe Cup in 2009, Gelagotis confirmed the race would once again be a goal for Savquaw.
"Long term the Moe cup is our goal with horse, that's the biggest day for our stable and I want to produce this horse at his best again" he said.
Rose, who continues to make a name for himself in Victoria, believed that a light weight and race fitness were two big factors in the gelding notching up his first Saturday city win.
"He hasn't been this far down in the weights for a long time and he was trained to the minute today," said Rose.
The win was the eighth of Savquaw's career and took his prizemoney to almost $300,000.
Photo by Fiona Tomlin.
Our Baby Bonus Scratched From Creswick
- Friday, 11 June 2010 02:42
As expected, three-year-old Our Baby Bonus has been scratched this morning from the $125,000 Listed A.R Creswick Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Trainer Mick Price gave more than a suggestion of his intentions when he spoke to the AAP yesterday.
"I don't know that you would want to be slugging it out with the three-year-olds with 59 kilos," Price said.
"But I want to have a good look at the final acceptances for both races before I make my final decision.”
Our Baby Bonus is expected to take his place in the sixth heat of the All Victorian Sprint Series at Moonee Valley on Monday in the $50,000 Simpson Construction Hcp (1000m).
The grey gelding will be ridden once again by Jason Maskiell on Monday who will claim 1.5 kilos to reduce his weight to 52.5kg.
The withdrawal of Our Baby Bonus ensures stablemate Dubleanny is a solid $2.50 favourite with TAB Fixed Odds for tomorrow’s race.
Undeniably is second pick at $3.90 while Broken and Tan Tat Brav are on the next line of betting at $4.80 and $6 respectively.
Picture: Fiona Tomlin
Cyndiana Stars At Flemington
- Saturday, 12 June 2010 02:04
The importance of race experience and fitness was clearly evident in Cyndiana Star's barrier to box win in the $70,000 Birthday Handicap (1000m) at Flemington.
Cyndiana Star ($19,$21) left the gates well and quickly asserted herself with a two length lead which apprentice Jordan Mallyon maintained throughout.
Sticking to the inside of the Flemington straight Cyndiana Star was never challenged by the main group, headed by Storm Burst ($3.50,$6) down the middle of the course, holding on strongly to score by almost a length with Melted ($4.60,$5.50) a further length and a quarter away third.
With the majority of the field unraced, punters rallied to exposed wet track form and Cyndiana Star's failure on a heavy surface at Sandown left her friendless in the betting ring.
Troy Portelli, younger brother of the horse's trainer Gary Portelli, highlighted the difference in the Flemington surface despite the heavy rating.
"The heavy at Sandown was just too heavy for her," said Portelli.
"Flemington might be rated a heavy nine but there is still a bottom to it," he added.
Portelli confirmed that the fillies owners had decided to claim with the lightly framed daughter of Johannesburg, a decision that paid dividends.
"She is only a small filly and the owners agreed an apprentice would give her the best chance of winning," he said.
"She really likes to roll along and Jordan rode her well, sticking to the inside as instructed, and getting home."
Mallyon, who bought up his thirteenth city winner on the filly, claimed the win was full of merit and expected continued improvement from the two-year-old.
"We were rolling along quite quick but that's just her temperament at the moment, but she did a great job to keep finding," said Mallyon.
"She still has a lot to learn and I'm sure she will be a lot better horse for it next preparation."
Photos by Fiona Tomlin.
Undeniably He Is A Creswick Chance
- Friday, 11 June 2010 02:40
Despite a nine length defeat at his last outing the Mark Kavanagh trained Undeniably is now a clear second pick for Saturdays $125,000 A.R. Creswick Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
Sent out an odds-on favourite in the Open Three-Year-Old Handicap (1410m) on the 8th of May, Undeniably appeared to be travelling well prior to straightening but was severley hampered when The Fugitive clipped heels and fell.
Undeniably failed to run on but Kavanagh is hoping a post race vet check which revealed the gelding had been galloped on and his hind legs stripped, was the cause of the poor performance.
"I'm hoping that the fact he got galloped on was the reason he ran so poorly," said Kavanagh at track-work this morning.
"It stands to reason that would be the case."
Whilst Undeniably currently sits as a $4 second favourite for the straight six dash Kavangh admitted that the Creswick was not the main option for the son of Fastnet Rock this time in.
"I originally had intended to take him to Queensland for some races up there," Kavanagh said.
"But after he got galloped on and missed quite a bit of work I had to change plans."
Notwithstanding the change of plans Kavanagh isn't disappointed with the way things have panned out, confident the Creswick will suit the half brother to Group One winning mare Sky Cuddle.
"The race should suit him because he comes back to the 1200m and has won down the Flemington straight before," he said.
"After the run we will tip him out and bring him back for the Spring."
Kavanagh boasts a number of chances around Australia this Saturday, including stable star Whobegotyou in the Stradbroke Handicap, but is quietly confident of little known two-year-old Gunawati's chances in the $70,000 Bruce Gadsen Handicap (1400m) at Flemington.
"Gunawati was a bit unlucky on debut and win lose or draw we will be putting her away after Saturday for the Spring Carnival," said Kavanagh who is expecting big things down the track from the Galileo filly.
Gunawati was highlighted in the Virtual FormGuide's 'Horses To Follow' on debut.
Photo's by Sportpix
Beetle Infestation Not A Problem
- Friday, 11 June 2010 08:40
Racing Victoria Limited stewards don't see the beetle infestation that has damaged the Flemington track as a problem for Saturday's races, unless it rains during the meeting.
Deputy chairman of stewards Allan Reardon said the worst-affected area of the track, which is rated a heavy (8), was between the winning post and the 2000m mark.
The longest race on Saturday's eight-race program is 2000m so horses will not race over that area.
"Fortunately we don't have to race over that section, it's just pulling up (the horses after the race)."
A month ago Flemington track manager Mick Goodie found that the cockchafer beetle had infested the track's root system and was causing havoc with the course, leaving it shifty and heavy.
Reardon said he and other stewards inspected the track on Friday morning with Goodie.
In an effort to protect the worst-affected area as much as is practical, jockeys will be asked to keep their mounts wide going to the barrier and on pulling up and returning to scale.
"Obviously some horses aren't going to be able to do that. It's not unsafe, but it's very heavy compared to the other sections of the track," Reardon said.
Reardon said visibility could be a problem for jockeys if it rained during the meeting.
"Obviously if we get conditions like we did in the last race last Saturday when Glen Boss and Brian Park said they just couldn't see, visibility would be the main issue," he said.
The forecast is for showers on Saturday morning.
Goodie said there had been 31.4mm of rain this week.
"Anyone who knows anything about cockchafers will tell you that that's (rain) the last thing I need because I've got no root system to drag it through so it's very puggy," Goodie told Sport 927.
"I expect the junction coming out of the straight to really divot and from the 600 metres to the 400 metres and the last 200 metres. All in all it's going to divot."
Victoria Racing Club chief executive Dale Monteith said the club had got to the problem early enough to ensure it would not affect the track come spring carnival time and the 150th running of the Melbourne Cup.
"I am sure the spring carnival won't be affected," he said.
"But it will be a problem over the next couple of months.
"It's obvious the track is not racing as well as it should. We haven't had a heavy track at Flemington since we rebuilt it (in 2007).
"It's only heavy because the root structure is not there to hold it together.
"It's a problem we haven't had here for 30 years."
The rail will be out 6m for Saturday's meeting after being out 3m last Saturday.
The next Flemington meeting is on June 26, followed by Winter Championship Final day on July 10 .
The first Flemington meeting of the new season is Aurie's Star Stakes day on August 7.
Armytage Fondly Remembered
- Friday, 11 June 2010 02:28
Former chairman of the Victoria Racing Club, Peter Armytage, will be remembered as one of racing’s finest administrators.
Sadly he passed away on Tuesday at the Penshurst Hospital. His health had been failing over recent months, he turned 87 in April.
His period as chairman, from 1986-91, showed him as a great leader when he took on the Labor Government in 1989.
He was not going to be dictated to by the Government, or its bureaucrats, when it was announced that $21.2 million would be taken from TAB coffers, which was under the control of racing at that time.
Without Peter’s wise leadership the take out would have been on going leaving racing high and dry without a feather to fly with.
Racing was a great part of his life, he loved it whether it was Flemington or some outback country track.
There was no grandeur or discrimination about Peter, he treated all with the same courtesy and a wide smile.
Peter Armytage will be long remembered in many ways, not the least the bronze statue of the great Phar Lap, as we enter Flemington Racecourse.
Picture: Jack Styring
New Stakes Mission For Alkhafif
- Friday, 11 June 2010 06:30
Three-year-old Alkhafif has revived stable hopes that he can score a feature race win in the Listed Creswick Stakes at Flemington.
Trainer David Hayes was almost resigned to the gelding being nothing more than a 1000-metre horse but has decided to give him his second chance at a stakes event on the back of encouraging thirds at his three runs this campaign.
His only other stakes-race attempt was last August when he finished fourth to Carrara in the Listed McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley over Saturday's distance of 1200m.
The Exceed And Excel gelding has raced 10 times but his only win was at his Caulfield debut in July last year when he shocked the stable with a barnstorming run from well back in a 16-horse field to score over 1000 metres at $41.
Hayes had hoped Alkhafif would have trained on last spring but an operation for a breathing problem derailed his campaign.
Stable manager Gary Fennessy said normally the stable would have "moved on" a horse like Alkhafif but he had been racing consistently.
"He is a good, genuine, tough horse but he had a wind operation and that probably took a length or two off him," Fennessy said.
"This race on Saturday is about his mark now."
Alkhafif's last-start third at Sandown was as mystifying as it was encouraging and ignited hopes that the gelding may yet win beyond 1000 metres.
"We thought he might be a 1000-metre horse but last start he looked like he needs 1200 metres," Fennessy said.
"He was running third coming down the hill but by the time he straightened up he was running eighth.
"He just lost his position for whatever reason but the last 100 metres he started to get going again and finished it off well."
Brent Stanley will ride Alkhafif for the first time but, like the gelding's race debut, the three-year-old is easy in early markets.
TAB Sportsbet rates him a $15 chance behind $2.50 favourite Dubleanny who has won four of her six starts, including her three runs this campaign.
The Mark Kavanagh-trained Undeniably ($3.90) and Darren Weir's Broken ($4.80), who is racing in blinkers for the first time, are considered best of the rest.
History Repeats Itself For Freyer At Flemington
- Friday, 11 June 2010 01:45
Saturday’s win with Leica Larrikin in the Provincial Plate, was like a trip down memory lane for trainer Richard Freyer.
He recalls the day, 52 years ago when still a schoolboy, standing proudly in the mounting yard at Flemington while his dad Jack received the trophy after the win of Tauri.
There was a lot of significance associated with that win, as it was the first city winner for Roy Higgins, the boy wonder from the Riverina township of Deniliquin.
Racing has changed a lot since then and so has the conditions of the Provincial Plate, once known as the country people’s day out at Flemington.
Formerly the race was run in divisions. On one occasion it was divided into three heats with Bob Smerdon, from Ballarat, winning the three with Warm Feeling, Harpoon and Sendok.
Visiting horses coming to the city to race were usually stabled at the sales complex in Epsom Road opposite the member’s drive.
When Jack and Richard arrived they were asked, who was riding Tauri? “R Higgins” said Jack.
Those nearby thought he had taken leave of his senses putting up a claiming apprentice in a non claiming race, one who had never ridden a city winner.
Jack had great faith in the ability of Higgins and let it be known when the time came to respond after receiving the trophy.
He paid Higgins the ultimate compliment when he said, “mark my words this boy will be the successor to Scobie Breasley, Jack Purtell and Bill Williamson”
No truer words were ever spoken. Up until he died, Jack always declared that Higgins was the best jockey he had ever seen.
They established a formidable combination throughout the Riverina until Higgins left to ride full time in the city.
Pictures: Fiona Tomlin & Jack Strying
Flemington Finals Day - Progressive Leaderboards
- Friday, 11 June 2010 02:59
With Flemington Finals Day fast approaching on July 10, the Virtual Formguide has crunched the numbers to produce progressive leaderboards for the five series finals scheduled for the second Saturday in July.
The series finals include:
- $200,000 Listed VRC/CRV Winter Championship Series Final (1600m)
- $150,000 All Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m)
- $150,000 Banjo Paterson Series Final (2500m)
- $100,000 Slickpix Sliver Bowl Series Final (1600m) 3yo
- $100,000 Rivette Series Final (1600m) 3yo Fillies
Below are the latest tables and statistics for each series.
VRC/CRV Winter Championship Series
| Pos | Horse | T |
| 1st | Jungle Ruler | 20 |
| 2nd | Georgia's Boy | 10 |
| 3rd | True Tales | 10 |
| 4th | Dr Nipandtuck | 8 |
| 5th | Afterburn | 8 |
| 6th | Offenders | 8 |
| 7th | Kudeta | 8 |
| 8th | Lord Pyrus | 7 |
| 9th | Justsay Sumthink | 7 |
| 10th | Reverberates | 7 |
| 11th | Dr Doute's | 7 |
| 12th | Trustus | 6 |
| 13th | Philda | 6 |
| 14th | Ma Shang | 5 |
| 15th | The Red Emperor | 4 |
| 16th | Cascabel | 4 |
| 17th | Pass Me By | 3 |
| 18th | Lucky Thunder | 3 |
| 19th | Raid The Royals | 2 |
| 20th | Clandon | 2 |
| 21st | Monsieur Feraud | 1 |
| 22nd | Sheedy | 1 |
| 23rd | Our Smoking Joe | 1 |
| 24th | Markus Maximus | 1 |
| 25th | Makeadreamcometrue | 1 |
Upcoming Races
Heat 5: Ballarat, June 24
Heat 6: Flemington, June 26
All Victorian Sprint Series
| Pos | Horse | T |
| 1st | Arch Symbol | 20 |
| 2nd | Stanzout | 12 |
| 3rd | Eight Bills | 11 |
| 4th | Royal Charades | 10 |
| 5th | Philda | 10 |
| 6th | Elusive Touch | 10 |
| 7th | Bocuse | 8 |
| 8th | Galbraith | 8 |
| 9th | Grand Duels | 8 |
| 10th | I'm A Hussy | 7 |
| 11th | Broken | 7 |
| 12th | El Mandon | 7 |
| 13th | O'Reilly's Clock | 7 |
| 14th | Sequallan | 6 |
| 15th | Commanding Hope | 5 |
| 16th | Gran Sasso | 5 |
| 17th | Not A Copy | 5 |
| 18th | Minnesota Shark | 5 |
| 19th | Trustus | 4 |
| 20th | Nuclear Force | 4 |
| 21st | Count To Zero | 4 |
| 22nd | Makeadreamcometrue | 4 |
| 23rd | Bohika | 3 |
| 24th | Centexpress | 3 |
| 25th | Anteros | 3 |
| 26th | Signor Socks | 2 |
| 27th | Devil May Care | 2 |
| 28th | Tolka Rock | 2 |
| 29th | Sermon | 1 |
| 30th | Netra | 1 |
| 31st | Tears I Cry | 1 |
| 32nd | Sheedy | 1 |
| 33rd | Lord Monty | 1 |
| 34th | Uncle Ivan | 1 |
| 35th | Majestical | 1 |
| 36th | it’s a Monty | 1 |
| 37th | Vocalic | 1 |
| 38th | Saddler's Story | 1 |
| 39th | Schawmen | 1 |
| 40th | Arevalo | 1 |
Upcoming Races
Heat 5: Swan Hill, June 11 (Golden Topaz)
Heat 6: Moonee Valley, June 14
Heat 7: Sandown Lakeside, June 19
Heat 8: Flemington, June 26
Slickpix Sliver Bowl Series
| Pos | Horse | T |
| 1st | Agar | 13 |
| 2nd | Midnight Glory | 10 |
| 3rd | Regular Aussie | 10 |
| 4th | Roman Centreman | 9 |
| 5th | Hotham Heights | 8 |
| 6th | Nenagh | 8 |
| 7th | Royal Dalton | 7 |
| 8th | Liberty Tycoon | 6 |
| 9th | Looped | 5 |
| 10th | Peter's Prospect | 4 |
| 11th | Alezzie | 3 |
| 12th | Scarlett Cross | 2 |
Upcoming Races
Heat 3: Swan Hill, June 11
Heat 4: Bendigo, June 20
Heat 5: Echuca, June 28
Rivette Series
| Pos | Horse | T |
| 1st | Madam Prosecutor | 15 |
| 2nd | Winged Charm | 11 |
| 3rd | Connemara Bay | 10 |
| 4th | Mayneda Strategy | 10 |
| 5th | Miss Inform | 8 |
| 6th | Take Hold | 8 |
| 7th | Tiptoe Dancer | 7 |
| 8th | Elly's Spirit | 7 |
| 9th | Princess Rage | 7 |
| 10th | Music In The Park | 6 |
| 11th | Pass The Parcel | 6 |
| 12th | Athenian Girl | 6 |
| 13th | Happy Angel | 5 |
| 14th | Miss Macarthur | 5 |
| 15th | Mega Glamour | 5 |
| 16th | Helena Girl | 4 |
| 17th | Parias | 4 |
| 18th | Diamond Sarah | 3 |
| 19th | Nenagh | 3 |
| 20th | Head Over Heels | 2 |
| 21st | Valentine Blues | 2 |
| 22nd | Ballet Point | 2 |
| 23rd | Recorrido | 1 |
| 24th | Well Rounded | 1 |
| 25th | Jetta | 1 |
| 26th | Hostage To Fortune | 1 |
| 27th | Bambina | 1 |
| 28th | Crown Mary | 1 |
| 29th | Illusionary | 1 |
| 30th | Indian Curry | 1 |
Upcoming Races:
Heat 4: Moonee Valley, June 23
Heat 5: Sale, July 1
Banjo Paterson Series
| Pos | Horse | T |
| 1st | Raffaello | 10 |
| 2nd | Black And Bent | 10 |
| 3rd | Reprisal | 8 |
| 4th | Montjeu Madame | 8 |
| 5th | Abitofado | 7 |
| 6th | Bashful Girl | 7 |
| 7th | Oak Heart | 7 |
| 8th | Come On Cugat | 7 |
| 9th | Ishant | 6 |
| 10th | Figure Of Speech | 6 |
| 11th | Vivid Vixen | 4 |
| 12th | Tibooburra Travis | 4 |
| 13th | Light Vision | 3 |
| 14th | Zoomin | 3 |
| 15th | Old Jock | 2 |
| 16th | Only He Knows | 1 |
| 17th | Lazer Sharp | 1 |
| 18th | Mission Critical | 1 |
| 19th | Zarcroona | 1 |
| 20th | Fordee | 1 |
| 21st | Grizz | 1 |
| 22nd | Rusticated | 1 |
| 23rd | Desert Master | 1 |
| 24th | Mazzacano | 1 |
| 25th | Toulouse Lautrec | 1 |
Upcoming Races:
Heat 3: Flemington, June 12
Heat 4: Sandown Lakeside, June 19
Heat 5: Flemington, June 26
Heat 6: Moonee Valley, July 3
Picture: Fiona Tomlin
Plastic Rail Makes Swan Hill Debut Today
- Friday, 11 June 2010 01:20
The revolutionary Mawsafe plastic running rail debuts at another Victoria racetrack today with the commencement of the three-day Swan Hill Cup Carnival.
The Mawsafe plastic rail greatly enhances rider and horse safety with the system last month credited with preventing serious injuries to both in a major fall at Flemington.
Seven Victorian racetracks are now conducting race meetings with Mawsafe plastic running rails in operation at Flemington, Caulfield, Betfair Park (Sandown), Ballarat, Cranbourne, Warrnambool and Swan Hill.
The Mawsafe plastic rail has also been installed at the Geelong synthetic track ahead of its upcoming resumption and at Moe ahead of their next race meeting in July. It will be erected at Bendigo, Geelong (turf), Kilmore and Kyneton over the next six weeks.
Over 60,000 metres of Mawsafe plastic rails is being manufactured and installed by Melbourne-based firm Global Barrier Systems to replace existing steel rails on more than 25 Victorian racetracks over a 12 month period.
The initiative is part of a $2.3 million partnership between Racing Victoria Limited (RVL), Country Racing Victoria (CRV) and the Victorian Government to deliver participants the safest racing environment in Australia.
Designed by Mordialloc plumber Dan Mawby, the Mawsafe plastic running rail has already won acclaim as the Best Design for Workplace Safety at Victoria’s 2009 WorkSafe Awards.
“The Mawsafe plastic running rail is landmark technology in enhancing rider and horse safety and we are pleased to have erected it at Swan Hill in time for their popular three-day Cup Carnival,” RVL Chief Executive, Rob Hines, said.
“An extensive rollout of the Mawsafe plastic rail will continue at major country racetracks throughout the year in a bid to further enhance rider and horse safety in Victorian racing.”
Picture: Colin Bull