Dubleanny Does It Again

Saturday, 22 May 2010 06:39

Mick Price has an exciting mare in the making with Dubleanny who even surprised him with the way she extended her winning run with a super-charged last to first performance at Caulfield.

The three-year-old was caught flat-footed at the start of Saturday's Sportsbet.com.au Thing Handicap (1200m) but reeled off winning sectionals as she swooped around the field.

"It certainly wasn't our plan to be out the back," Price said.

"I was a little bit concerned early but she made a long sweeping run and had them covered.

"She had to do it a little bit hard but I'm really pleased with her."

Dubleanny has won four of her eight starts and made it three in a row after posting Flemington wins on Anzac Day and May 8.

On Saturday she made her winning move in the 200 metres between the 600m and 400m which she ran in 11.4 seconds and she was the only runner to break 23s for the last 400 metres, running 22.83s.

The Peter Moody-trained Doubtful Jack finished 1-1/4-lengths second and Miss Octopussy made up a lot of ground to finish third three-quarters of a length away.

Price said Dubleanny would return to Flemington for her next start in the Listed Creswick Stakes (1200m) on June 12 in the hope of landing her first feature win.

"She is just flying," Price said.

"She will go to the Creswick and then have a break because I think she will be a nice four-year-old mare."

Jockey Craig Newitt said it was hard to know the depth of Dubleanny's ability.

"I ride her 90 per cent of her work and keep saying to Mick every time I get off her that I can't believe how much she keeps improving," Newitt said.

"Today we wanted to be more positive with her but she didn't step away that well and we sat back.

"I knew you can sit wide here with cover and get a drag into it and that's what I did and she was too classy for them."

Price has had good success with sprinting mares in the past including most recently with Bel Mer and Velocitea who won the Group One Goodwood in Adelaide earlier this month.

Another mare in the stable making her mark is Royal Charades who returned from a spell to land Saturday's ALH Group Plate (1000m).

The winner of eight of her 16 starts, the Royal Academy mare was ridden by Glen Boss and charged through to score in a blanket finish by a half-neck, with less than a half-length separating the first six horses over the line.

Galbraith held on for second while Broken was just a nose way third.

Price said Royal Charades, who hadn't raced since failing at her two starts in the spring, needed soft tracks to do her best.

"You probably have to space her runs and be a bit careful with her as she is one of those Royal Academy mares that doesn't cop a lot of work," he said.

Pictures: Colin Bull

Chasm To Fill Winter Gap Before Spring

Friday, 21 May 2010 08:45

Stakeswinning five-year-old Chasm will mount an attack on the Winter Championship series as a bridge to contesting better races in the spring.

Trainer Heath Conners said Chasm was on the comeback trail from injury and would launch a three-race winter campaign in Saturday's Jimjoca Plate (1400m) at Caulfield.

Last spring Chasm was diagnosed with a hamstring strain after losing form with four unplaced runs but Conners is confident he has the Umatilla gelding back to his best after a barrier trial this week.

"If the track is not biased at Caulfield on Saturday and he can get out before the 400 metres I think he will win," Conners said,.

"He has done well enough for me to say that."

Chasm has won eight of his 23 starts and been stakes-placed seven times including notable victories in the 2008 Group Three Sandown Stakes (1500m) and the Listed Auckland Racing Club Handicap (1610m) at Flemington on Anzac Day last year.

He looked set for an exciting spring campaign and was a courageous Group Three third to Swift Alliance and Gold Salute when resuming in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1200m).

His hamstring injury was traced back to his next run when beaten less than two lengths when seventh to Turffontein in the Group One Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

"He got injured in the early stages when he nearly went through the fence and was never the same for the rest of his campaign," Conners said.

"We put him out for three months and with a bit of treatment he seems to have back very well."

Chasm had his first try on heavy ground last Monday in a Cranbourne barrier trial and his third to Our Smoking Joe convinced Conners he was ready to kick off his winter campaign at Caulfield.

The gelding is noted for his first-up ability with two wins and two placings from five starts and Conners believes the biggest problem for him on Saturday will be getting a clear run from barrier three.

"He would have been better off drawing barrier 12," Conners said.

"I don't want him getting stuck in traffic from the 600 metres as he needs to be winding up then so he can finish the race off."

Conners said the Winter Championship would give Chasm a foundation for next spring and that after Saturday he would try to qualify him for the 1600-metre final at Flemington on July 10 via two Flemington heats on June 12 and June 26.

"He is going to run in the series mainly because we didn't want him to be six months out going into the spring," Conners said.

"It is a good series for a horse like him."

Creswick Clash Awaits Dubleanny

Saturday, 22 May 2010 04:31

Dubleanny will get the opportunity to add precious black type to her record after her dominant victory in the $90,000 Sportsbet.com.au Thing (1200m) for three-year-olds at Caulfield this afternoon.

The filly from the Mick Price stable is expected to run in the $125,000 Listed A.R Creswick Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on June 12 and in doing so, set up a clash with exciting Falbrav colt Tan Tat Brav.

Ridden by Craig Newitt, Dubleanny profited from a solid tempo set by War Ends who failed to cross over to the rails ahead of Arnoux.

War Ends ran the first 600m in a time of 34.24 and that effort told in the end as Dubleanny motored late down the middle of the track to win comfortably.

Dubleanny ($5-$6-$5) defeated Doubtful Jack ($3.60-$4.40) by a length and a quarter stopping the clock at 1:08.99 for the six furlong scamper.

Doubtful Jack lost no admirers with his effort, sitting close to the hot speed only to rally in the concluding stages to hold down second.

“I think there was more speed on then we thought and it certainly was not our plan to be out the back but she just takes 200 metres before she gets into stride and starts to get into the bridle,” Price said post-race.

“I was a little bit concerned early but I know she’s the first horse today to be the widest and make a long sweeping run and have her covered.

“I think she’s just flying,” he added.

Miss Octopussy ($8-$12) overcome early interference to finish strongly down the outside for third, two lengths from the winner while  War Ends ($2.05-$2.80-$2.70 fav) battled on bravely for fourth.

Mont Fleuri ($15-$17) made ground along the rails after missing the start hopelessly to finish fifth.

Dubleanny, who is by Dubleo out of Uncanny Lady, was purchased for $65,000 at the 2008 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

Uncanny Lady is the dam of six named foals of which four have raced and all have won.

Dubleanny boasts an imposing record of four wins and a placing from six starts and subsequently earned over $149,000 in prizemoney.

Pictures: Colin Bull

Vision Not So Clear For Stayer

Friday, 21 May 2010 08:45

Placing stakeswinning stayer Light Vision has become a headache for trainer Robert Smerdon.

Smerdon said the six-year-old, who at last start finished third to Hissing Sid in the Warrnambool Cup, was "in limbo" as he tried to find winnable winter races for him.

Light Vision will line up in Saturday's Responsible Gambling Cup (2000m) at Caulfield, but has paid the price for his 11 wins and 12 placings in 45 starts which have netted connections nearly $660,000.

A dual stakeswinner, he has also been placed another eight times in Group and Listed races and at this time of the year being topweight has become a common theme for him.

On Saturday, he was assigned 59.5kg but gets some relief after the three-kilo claim for apprentice Jack Hill.

Smerdon said Light Vision's best form was probably behind him and that as he gets older it would be harder for him to maintain form with big weights.

"It is an awkward time for him," Smerdon said. "He's sort of in limbo.

"Races he would be competitive in he's weighted out of and the races where he is weighted reasonably well they are too tough."

Smerdon said Hill would give Light Vision every chance of notching his 12th win but stepping up to 2500 metres at Flemington in two weeks for the second heat of the Banjo Paterson series would not afford the gelding the luxury of a claim for an apprentice rider.

"It makes it hard," Smerdon said. "He will run Saturday and then at Flemington and then we will have to see where we go from there."

Light Vision was given a smarten up last Monday when he won a Cranbourne barrier trial over 1550 metres and is among the main chances at $8.50 with TAB Sportsbet in a open betting race on Saturday.

The Darren Weir-trained Oak Heart is $5 favourite to add to his last-start win at Flemington over 2000 metres just ahead of the talented Mick Price-trained mare Vivid Vixen ($5.50) who is chasing her fourth win a row.

Vivid Vixen's stablemate Old Jock is also fancied at $7.50 while former New Zealander Zoomin is just ahead of him at $7.

Avenius Could Emerge As Spring Contender

Saturday, 22 May 2010 04:15

Cranbourne trainer Mark Webb is on the verge of mapping out a spring campaign for improving mare Avienus.

Ridden by Kane Bradley, the four-year-old underlined her will to win when she chased hard and was rewarded with her fourth victory in 14 starts in Saturday's appropriately-named The Chase Hotel Handicap (1700m) at Caulfield.

"She just knows how to find the line," Webb said.

"She is just a very good chaser whether it is in her work, trials or races.

"I was a bit concerned when she got a little squeeze coming into the straight but to her credit and Kane's credit he took the right path today."

Avienus railed though to score by short neck from Marchelle Belle and Belscenica and will step up to 2000 metres at her next start with a view to taking on Group-class mares in the spring.

"I have a couple of things in the back of my mind for her in the spring but I want to see how she goes at 2000 metres next start before we map that out," Webb said.

He said the Group Two Matriarch Stakes (2000m) during the Melbourne Cup carnival was an option for her.

Webb said a couple of setbacks this preparation had extended her campaign.

"I have always said 2000 metres-plus she is probably going to be a much better horse," Webb said.

"She is a smart enough mare and it might be worth having a crack at Group Two or Three mares' races with her."

Trainer Peter Moody is also planning a late spring for Paparazzi Dreamer who was an impressive debut winner of the Catanach's Jewellers Handicap (1100m).

The Exceed And Excel filly jumped straight to the front and was untroubled to score by 2-1/4 lengths from last-start Geelong winner Like A Guest and Metallic Grey who charged home from last.

Moody said Paparazzi Dreamer had been a slow-maturing filly, throwing more to her Zabeel dam Showzeel, and lacked the strength at this stage to train on to the Queensland carnival.

"She's a filly who could come back later in the spring," Moody said.

Super Jumps Sunday At Pakenham

Friday, 21 May 2010 06:15

Webb, Bradley & Avienus Strike Again

Saturday, 22 May 2010 03:44

It’s hard to recall the last time Avienus ran a bad race, or if she ever has, and today she was rewarded for her consistency winning the $70,000 Chase Hotel Handicap (1700m) at Caulfield.

Avienus ($2.50,$3.30) was given the run of the race by Kane Bradley who positioned the mare on the rails behind the leader and travelled sweetly to the home turn.

With not a lot of moves the race looked to be in the lap of Marchelle Belle ($4.60,$5.50,$4.40) but the Freedman mare was only able to kick a half length clear, not enough to hold Avienus off  the latter scoring by a short neck with almost a length to Belscenica ($11,$12) third.

It was the second Saturday win in less than a month for the Mark Webb, Kane Bradley and Avienus combination a team that have stayed strong throughout the preparation.

According to Webb the mare knows exactly what to do on race days and although he has Spring on his mind he wants to learn a bit more about the lightly races four-year-old first.

“She just knows how to win, she knows how to find the line and to her credit she chased very well today,” said Webb.

“This is the furthest she has ever gone but I have always thought she would be a much better horse at 2000m and beyond so we will step her up next time round”

“If she handles the rise in distance next time round we will be able to better plan a spring preparation for her,” he added.

Bradley was confident his regular mount would be too good but admitted he was fortunate to obtain such a good run turning for home.

“From the barrier draw today, and on her present form, she just had to win and she was too good in the end,” said Bradley.

“I was quite fortunate at the top of the straight as I got a nice split and she just finished too strong for them”

“She is as tough as they come,” Bradley added.

Pictures: Colin Bull

Neville Wilson Medal Launched

Friday, 21 May 2010 06:09

Country Racing Victoria (CRV) has today announced the introduction of the Neville Wilson Medal to honour Victoria’s premier country jockey.

The Medal will be presented annually to the winner of the Victorian Country Jockeys’ Premiership commencing with the winner of the 2009-10 title.

The Medal honours the revered Western Districts jockey, affectionately known as “Nifty”, who is still competing at the tender age of 63 after 48 years in the saddle and over 20,000 race rides.

CRV Chief Executive, Scott Whiteman, was thrilled to make the announcement at today’s race meeting at Colac in Western Victoria, not far from Wilson’s home at Camperdown.

“Neville is known throughout Australia as a great racing person and has unbelievable respect amongst the jockey ranks. For that reason alone we are sure that the Neville Wilson Medal will be one of the most sought after awards for Victorian jockeys,” Whiteman said.

Wilson, who started riding in July 1962, was typically modest in response.

“I am honoured that the leading country jockey will be recognised with this award. I believe that the country jockey is an often unsung hero of racing and sport in general and any award that helps increase their profile I support”, he said.

Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA) Chief Executive, Des O’Keefe, said the award was a fitting honour for a man who’s made an indelible contribution to the sport in Victoria both on the track as an elite rider and off it as the long serving VJA President.

“He has made an amazing contribution to racing and all jockeys acknowledge the role he has played in leading the VJA and improving the entire situation for jockeys,” he said.

“I think that the recognition associated with this medal is just reward for Neville’s contribution and on behalf of all jockeys I wish to congratulate Neville as he truly deserves such an honour”.

Wilson’s list of achievements within the sport is amazing and represents a lifetime commitment to racing, particularly throughout country Victoria.

He has ridden over 2000 winners, including five Group 1 races, three aboard former star sprinter Redelva and one each aboard Black Rouge and Preserve.

A dual winner of the Victorian Country Jockeys’ Premiership, Wilson has amassed 16 jockey premierships in the state’s south west.

In 2009, he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in recognition of his contribution to racing, including a 16 year stint as VJA President where he’s championed the cause of jockey welfare issues.

Despite his veteran status, Wilson, who rode a winner at Mt Gambier yesterday and took a book of four rides at Colac today, has no plans to retire just yet according to his wife Carol.

"When the day comes, he'll know - he'll just pull the pin," she said."He just loves it so much."

Wilson admits the younger riders delight in light-heartedly sledging him by telling him to ‘get your pension grandpa’.

"But I give plenty back" he said. "It keeps me going really, all the bull and camaraderie that goes on in the jockeys' room. I love it.”

The Neville Wilson Medal will be presented for the first time at the Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Awards at Crown on Sunday, 8 August 2010.

The Medal winner will also be recognised at the Victorian Country Awards at Betfair Park (Sandown) on Sunday, 15 August 2010.

With the 2009-10 season to conclude on 31 July, Linda Meech enjoys a healthy lead in the race for the inaugural Neville Wilson Medal.

Meech has piloted 79 country winners for the season, 15 more than Brad Rawiller. Just four wins separates Rawiller and the ninth placed rider meaning the race to secure the Medal is far from over.

Picture: Greg Irvine

Paparazzi Dreamer Has Big Upside

Saturday, 22 May 2010 03:36

Trainer Peter Moody kicked off the winners at Caulfield today with the lightly framed first starter Paparazzi Dreamer taking out the $70,000 Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1100m) for two-year-olds.

Paparazzi Dreamer ($3.30,$3.80) was taken straight to the front by Linda Meech and after a furlong of racing relaxed well dictating terms throughout and travelling sweetly approaching the turn.

Race favourite Like A Guest ($3.80,$5.50,$4.40) was locked away behind the leader and only obtained a run once the bird had flown, a bird that was too good, Paparazzi Dreamer winning by more than two lengths with Metallic Grey ($9,$16) running home strongly to finish just under two lengths away third.

Eye catching in the mounting yard for all the wrong reasons, Paparazzi Dreamer could only be described as a project player in AFL lingo and Moody admitted the filly had a lot of maturing to do.

“In the parade here today she was dwarfed strength wise by her opposition,” said Moody after the win.

“She is very backward, very immature and throws more to her grand-sire Zabeel in physique than her sire Exceed And Excel so you would like to think there is nice upside when she matures up.”

Moody had been impressed by the daughter of Exceed And Excel’s attitude throughout her preparation despite her slab sided appearance and was excited by her long term potential.

“Her work, jump-outs and trials seems to suggest she has strength at the end of everything she does and it belies her physical condition and looks at the moment,” Said Moody.

“I’m looking forward to the latter part of the Spring when she has had time to mature up”

Meech attributed the education that Moody provides to his two-year-olds as the main factor in the professionalism of the fillies win.

“Like most of our two-year-olds they get a lot of ground work before they come to the races and it makes my job a hell of a lot easier,” said Meech

“She travelled really nicely and hit the line well and I think if anything had of challenged her she would have fought it off too.”

It wasn’t the field that she beat or the way that she did it but the natural improvement that only time can provide the lightly framed filly that makes you think that this girl is one serious race horse.

Pictures: Colin Bull

Work Begins On International Centre

Friday, 21 May 2010 06:02

Work has commenced this week on Victoria’s new $1.4 million International Horse Quarantine Centre at Werribee Racecourse ahead of the 2010 Spring Racing Carnival.

The Centre will serve as the home for international racehorses that campaign in Victoria, assuming the role from the decommissioned quarantine centre at Betfair Park (Sandown) which has served the industry for the past 17 years.

It will house up to 24 horses across two compounds and is due for completion by August in time to accept the first internationals targeting Melbourne’s spring riches.

Visiting horses will enjoy first class training facilities with the entire Werribee circuit resurfaced and the revolutionary Mawsafe plastic running rail installed as part of a $5 million upgrade.

Both projects have been jointly funded by the State Government, Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) and Country Racing Victoria (CRV) under the auspices of the Regional Racecourse Infrastructure Fund.

“The industry-owned and administered International Horse Quarantine Centre at Werribee is a critical tool in attracting international horses to Victoria to compete in our premier races,” RVL General Manager – Racing Operations, Leigh Jordon, said.

“With this year’s Spring Racing Carnival featuring the historic 150th Emirates Melbourne Cup we are expecting to house a strong contingent of international horses at our new state-of-theart facility at Werribee.

“Importantly, the upgraded track provides a first class racing surface not just for the  international horses, but for the conduct of race meetings when racing resumes at Werribee next season.”

Once racing resumes at Werribee on Saturday, 4 December, 2010, it will cease annually between September and November and be devoted exclusively to the international horses.

Like its predecessor though, the Centre has been built such that it can house international horses in quarantine year round whilst race meetings are conducted.