Mosheen Bounces Back With Blazer Win

Saturday, 06 October 2012 06:16

MosheenA week ago owner Phil Sly underwent cancer surgery, on Friday night he was at Moonee Valley cheering home a winner and a day later he has celebrated the stunning return to form of Mosheen at Flemington.

For Sly, his co-owners and trainer Robert Smerdon, Mosheen's win in the Group Two Blazer Stakes (1410m) ended a worrying six weeks during which the mare's racing future was in the balance.

Mosheen, the VRC Oaks winner of last spring and the champion filly of the autumn, had throat surgery to correct a respiratory problem in late August.

The problem caused connections to abandon Cox Plate plans and set the mare for the Group One Myer Stakes (1600m) on Derby Day.

But that goal looked almost futile after Mosheen disappointed in her first two runs this time in.

"Nick Hall had one word for me after her last start at Caulfield," Smerdon said.

Mosheen"It was: `concerning'.

"But you do what you think is right."

But Smerdon stuck to his training plan and produced Mosheen ($4.60) in near-perfect order to score by 1-1/4 lengths from Bonaria ($41) with a short-head to Miss Stellabelle in third place.

Mosheen will have her next run in the Group Two Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in two weeks and then the Myer Stakes a fortnight later.

For Sly, the win had special significance.

"I just hope I can be as tough as her," he said.

"They cut a couple of holes in my back and took at some lumps of lung.

"But I feel terrific now."

Photos: Quentin Lang

Snitzerland Wins Again

Friday, 28 September 2012 11:16

Trainer Gerald Ryan hesitated at putting his star filly Snitzerland at the top of his personal list after her Champagne Stakes (1200m) win at Moonee Valley.

SnitzerlandBut there was a sense that he is preparing to promote her.

Snitzerland ($1.40) led throughout to make the Group Three event her fifth win from eight starts, by 1-3/4 lengths from Hoss Amour ($9), setting the scene for a spring that could leave her as one the stars of Australian racing.

Ryan said he rates Snitzerland among the best he's trained, but wasn't prepared to put her on a par with his champion mare Melito.

"I'd say she's more precocious, more professional than Melito was at the same age," Ryan said.

"But I can't put her in front of Melito yet. She won Group One races against older horses, she was very special.

"But this filly has just as much potential."

Snitzerland will run in the Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield in two weeks before rounding off her spring campaign in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.

As comprehensive as her victory appeared, jockey Corey Brown said Snitzerland had been distracted by the track lighting and would be improved by the run.

"The lights took her focus away a bit ... she'll give a lot more next time."

Runner-up to Pierro in the Golden Slipper, Snitzerland is undefeated in three starts as a three-year-old.

Photos: Quentin Lang

Cup Plans For Tanby

Saturday, 06 October 2012 04:39

TanbyNick Williams and his parents won their second stakes race in an hour with the victory of Tanby in the Bart Cummings at Flemington this afternoon.

Earlier at Randwick they had collected the Group 3 Craven Plate at Randwick with Mourayan winning his first race since last year's Bart Cummings, making it back to back wins in that race for the stable.

"We've always had a big opinion of this horse and he's come through the grades well as we all know", Williams said after the race.

Tanby started favourite at  $3.60 after the late scratching of Exceptionally which was withdrawn after co-trainers Terry and Katrina O'Sullivan became alarmed at the hardness of the Good 3 rated track.

Ridden well back by Damien Oliver who rarely rides in the Williams navy blue and white armbands colours, Tanby waited until well into the straight to make his winning run.

TanbyCharging home strongly, Tanby ranged up on the outside of Sky Raider who had tried valiantly to lead all the way. The Pat Carey trained Dame Claire rolled to the inside of Sky Raider and threw out a challenge to Tanby.

Closing late, Maluckyday put in his best run since the 2010 Melbourne Cup to finish second, but still not enough to qualify him for a run in this year's Cup. Dame Claire held on well for third place.

Oliver was impressed with his first ride for the Williams stable since 2008 and his first win for them since Incumbent at Caulfield in March 2007.

"I was quite impressed with him because he got there and he still doesn't know how to put the race away", he said.

"It's nice to get onto one of Lloyd Williams' team because they are always very fit horses and stay very well."

"He was just starting to wander but he had plenty to give."

Start of the Bart Cummings

"The way things have been going this year I'm sure this horse will be penalised."

"He is down in the order a little bit but the way he won today I'm sure Mr (Greg) Carpenter will be fixing that up first thing Monday morning."

Oliver thought that Tanby would be better suited over a longer trip this Spring.

"I think the Melbourne Cup is more suitable for him but I was quite taken by him, he will stay and he's beaten the Melbourne Cup runner-up today so you can't ask for much more than that."

Williams is very conscious of what can go wrong with a Melbourne Cup campaign, having retired top stayer Efficient during the week following the re-occurrence of an old leg injury.

Tanby"The Melbourne Cup is still a month away and anything can go wrong. We were going pretty well at this time last year."

"With these stayers, unlike sprinters, you've got to put so many miles into their legs and it's so easy for something to go wrong so we are just hoping the team can keep him together and with a bit of luck we can feature in those bigger races later on."

Williams expects that Tanby will have his next start in either the Caulfield Cup or the Moonee Valley Cup depending on how he pulls up after racing on today's hard track.

Photo: Quentin Lang

Aerobatics Swoops

Friday, 28 September 2012 09:59

AerobaticsThe Peter Snowden trained mare Aerobatics was too good for a field of moderately performed competitors at Moonee Valley tonight in the Michelton Wines Handicap.

Starting $5.50 favourite, Aerobatics, ridden by stable jockey Kerrin McEvoy stormed home after being last early to win by three quarters of a length from Rosie's Reward ($13) with a nose to Arctic Flight ($6.00) in third place.

"She was very well placed", said Paul Snowden after the race.

"It was a good run first up."

"She finished right on the inside of Rain Affair who is a good quality sprinter."

Aerobatics ran a great first up fifth behind Tiger Tees at Warwick Farm in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes three weeks ago. In fact she has performed creditably in black type races in her previous 5 starts, without success and appreciated the drop back to mares class tonight.

Kerrin McEvoy"That's the type of filly she is, very tough and very honest but the barrier won her the race because she was in the right spot", Snowden observed.

Winning rider McEvoy explained that horses kicking up outside Aerobatics allowed him to drop out of the race, reserving her energy for a powerful finishing burst.

"They had to do a bit of work on the horses drawn out wide so we were left with a sitting shot", he said.

"She was very strong late."

McEvoy also highlighted the fact that Aerobatics had a few things against her tonight.

"I think its the first time this way of going and probably hasn't run under lights so its a little bit new for her", he said.

By Darley stallion Exceed and Excel, Aerobatics is owned by Darley's Sheikh Mohammed and brings her earnings over the quarter million dollar mark with tonight's win.

Darley Strike An Early Blow With Kuroshio

Saturday, 06 October 2012 03:31

Kuroshio Beats RockfordThe worldwide Darley racing operation produced an early winner from its latest generation of gallopers when Kuroshio claimed the Listed Herald Sun Superracing Stakes (1000m), the first Melbourne juvenile race of the season, at Flemington.

Kuroshio ($6.50) is the most prominent survivor of the first squad of two-year-olds trainer Peter Snowden sent to Melbourne this season - and the forerunner of many more to come.

"I sent eight horses down from Sydney about three weeks ago," Snowden said.

"This one held together best, so he went to the races."

Kuroshio showed speed and tenacity to race on the pace and then hold off runner-up Rockford ($5.50) to score by a long head.

Excitable Boy ($26) also displayed speed and hung on well for third, three-quarters of a length further back.

Glen BossSnowden said it was too early to predict any future for Kuroshio, a son of Exceed And Excel and a brother to the Group Three winner Believe `n' Succeed.

As well as striking an early blow for the Darley team, Kuroshio got his jockey Glen Boss off to the sort of start he's getting used to.

At the last two Melbourne weekend meetings Boss has ridden a treble of winners.

Photo: Quentin Lang

Lady Of Harrods Stages Upset

Saturday, 22 September 2012 06:31

Lady Of HarrodsLady Of Harrods produced a barnstorming sprint to squeeze out hot favourite Commanding Jewel in Saturday's Group Three Thousand Guineas Prelude at Caulfield.

Jockey Steve Arnold whittled back a handy lead in the home straight to edge past the unbeaten three-quarter sister to Atlantic Jewel and snatch a half head win in the 1400m event.

Molto Bene, a Group Three winner in Adelaide, was another long neck away third with Craig Williams aboard.

Commanding Jewel, ridden by Damien Oliver, started a $3.20 favourite and led until the closing stages when Arnold pushed Lady Of Harrods past.

It was the filly's second straight win after her victory second-up in the Group Three McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield three weeks ago.

Trainer Russell Cameron said Lady Of Harrods, who started a $10 chance, was in better shape this time out.

Lady Of Harrods On Terms With Commanding Jewel"She was much fitter today," Cameron said.

"We've been trying to teach her to settle a bit and in hindsight, we really wanted her to lead but there was too much pace so we just sat back."

Cameron said he would now prepare the three-year-old for the Group Two Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on October 6.

"We'll go to the Edward Manifold and see what happens and press on," he said.

Arnold said Lady Of Harrods had been forced to play catch-up after a less than perfect start.

"I thought I might lead but Ollie (Damien Oliver) came across pretty quick and then she took just a furlong to come back and then came back really nicely."

Arnold said there was a "little query" over Lady Of Harrods going into the Manifold but it was the next logical step for the filly.

"If she gets that same gate and same good run there's no reason she couldn't hit the mile," he said.

Photos: Fiona Tomlin & Quentin Lang

Philippi Breeder's Faith Rewarded

Saturday, 06 October 2012 03:20

Philippi Wins From HvasstanBreeder Rick Jamieson was so impressed with the Host foal from his mare Soorena that he showed him to Swettenham Stud principal Adam Sangster three times as a youngster.

"Rick always said he had tremendous presence and he brought me round to the farm three times to come and have a look at this colt", Sangster said.

Today at Flemington, the colt now named Philippi confirmed Jamieson's faith in him by cleverly winning the Listed UCI Stakes over 1800 metres, maintaining an unbeaten win record.

Ridden by Brad Rawiller, Philippi settled well back in the field and looked hemmed behind a wall of runners on the home turn.

But Rawiller weaved his way between runners looking for clear space and when an opening appeared towards the inside rail, Philippi ($4.40-$5.00) had the presence of mind to accelerate through the gap to get a length or so advantage.

From left Jimando, Hvasstan and PhilippiThe unlucky Hvasstan ($6.50-8.00-$7.50) came home strongly in the final stages but failed by three quarters of a length after missing the start.

His trainer Peter Gelagotis said that the starter pressed the button four times before the gates opened and Hvasstan over anticipated the start, going backwards when the barriers eventually opened.

Third was the consistent Jimando ($14-$13-$15) who just faded on his run after hitting the lead at the 200 metre mark.

"It was a good strong race", observed winning trainer Mick Kent.

"He was in an awkward spot on the home turn, but he's always been strong late and he was again today".

Kent pointed out that today was only Philippi's third race start and he wanted to see how he progresses before making the decision to continue to the $1.5 million AAMI Victoria Derby on the 3rd of November.

"Its his first prep and we're very mindful of that."

Philippi and Brad RawillerKent predicted that Philippi would progress to the Derby through the 2000 metre Norman Robinson Handicap at Caulfield in preference to the AAMI Vase at Moonee Valley.

"If he pulls up OK we'll go that way", he said.

Kent was enthusiastic about the prospects of Swettenham Stud stallion Host, currently leading second season sire.

"Isn't he going well the sire", Kent marvelled.

"We hope this horse goes on well for him and that's his first stakes winner."

"Bookings are going strongly after Philippi and Hosting won at Mornington and obviously they are going to improve again after his first stakes winner", Sangster observed.

Jamieson was not disclosing the secret to Philippi's breeding but did let slip that he liked the mare after racing her and liked Host as a stallion.

Long before Philippi set foot on a racetrack, Jamieson booked Soorena back into Host last year, the mating producing a full brother to Philippi just a month ago on the 4th of September.

Photos: Quentin Lang, Fiona Tomlin

Ocean Park Claims Underwood Stakes

Saturday, 22 September 2012 06:16

Ocean ParkOcean Park staked his claims for the Cox Plate with a dashing Underwood Stakes victory at Caulfield while favourite Manighar finished a disappointing sixth.

Trained by Gary Hennessy in New Zealand, Ocean Park settled just behind the speed set by import Voila Ici.

While it the the latter's Peter Moody-trained stablemate Manighar who was expected to be hard to beat, roughie Voila Ici gave a strong kick on the corner and almost pinched victory.

It was left to Ocean Park to reel him in with Voila Ici a fighting second and December Draw game in defeat for third.

"He's a very athletic horse, he won't take much work," triumphant jockey Glen Boss said.

"What you see is what you get.

"He's got an electric turn of foot."

Gary HennessyOcean Park is being prepared for the Cox Plate and Hennessy says Saturday's victory indicates they are on the right path.

"He's pretty special. He's been a pretty special horse all the way along," Hennessy said.

"I think we're heading in the right direction."

Manighar appeared to enjoy a good run in the 1800m race but didn't show his customary dash at the finish.

Reigning Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed was doing her best work late to run fourth.

Photos: Quentin Lang

Pierro Brings His Class To Melbourne

Friday, 28 September 2012 12:45

PierroSydney's super colt Pierro confirmed his standing as the best of his age in Australia with a consummate victory in the Group Two Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.

And the ease and brilliance of his win suggested he would be back in a month to prove himself the best of any age.

Pierro ($1.06 fav) cruised to a 4-3/4 length win with jockey Nash Rawiller being as kind as he could be.

Carringbush Jack ($71) held on for second after leading to the 300m to finish 2-1/2 lengths in front of Jimando ($13).

"It was just a galloping lesson," said trainer Gai Waterhouse.

" We're very privileged to see a colt as good as this."

After winning the start Rawiller settled Pierro behind Carringbush Jack until his patience ran out and he eased around the leader and strolled to the front before straightening.

"I wanted to be as soft as possible, but still get the job done," Rawiller said.

While the $132,000 Pierro picked up for his win made it worth the effort, the more significant reason for the visit to Moonee Valley was to rehearse for the $3 million Cox Plate at the same track on October 27.

BianmickFor that purpose the night was a resounding success.

"He handled it as though he's been here a hundred times," Rawiller said.

"He'll be even better when he comes back."

Pierro immediately firmed in to $3.80 favouritism for the feature weight-for-age contest and is at $1.70 for his next engagement, the Group One Caulfield Guineas on October 13.

The night's other major spring carnival guide, the Group Three JRA Cup (2040m) went to Bianmick ($21) who led home a field full of disappointments, including Precedence, Excluded and Alcopop.

A noted wet tracker, Bianmick proved to be equally at home on firmer going, scoring his fifth win from his past seven starts.

His trainer Michael Brady has a stable of one and has entered his horse in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

Photos: Fiona Tomlin

Veewap Scores Despite Betting Drift

Saturday, 22 September 2012 05:16

VeewapFew trainers in Melbourne know their horses better than Tony Vasil.

For that reason the trainer was mystified by the betting drift that preceded the Caulfield win of Veewap.

"I couldn't believe it, I was wondering what I must have missed," Vasil said.

He missed nothing.

Aided by a patient Damien Oliver ride, Veewap defied the lack of betting ring confidence, racing up to his excellent recent form to win the Dream Thoroughbreds Plate (1400m) by three-quarters of a length from Testascana ($13).

Early leader Dusty Star ($5.50 fav) fought on for third a half neck further back.

After opening at $4.80, Veewap eased to a starting quote of $7.

Veewap"I ride him every day in his work and I've never known him to be in better shape," Vasil said.

"Even when he's been in form in the past his coat is always dull, but this time he looks fantastic.

"And his form has been terrific - you didn't have to be Einstein to think he'd win."

Veewap benefited from the hot pace set by Dusty Star, but appeared to be in a difficult position at the 400m when third last on the fence.

But Oliver pushed his way off the rail and then took a split between runners at the 150m to put the result beyond doubt.

The betting movements around Veewap were the opposite to those surrounding Menados who had support from $12 in to $8.

The Nigel Blackiston-trained runner had no luck, finishing a close fourth.

Photos: Quentin Lang