Omagh to Bounce Back and Down Feehan Field
- Friday, 13 September 2002 00:00
In form trainer Tony McEvoy is quietly confident
that brilliant gelding Fields of Omagh can turn the tables on Magical Miss in tomorrow's Group Two $253,000 John F Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.Fields of Omagh's string of 8 consecutive wins was broken last start when gunned down in the Memsie Stakes by the Bart Cummings trained mare, but McEvoy is sure his gelding is again the horse to beat tomorrow.
Since his last start, when he beat subsequent Craiglee Stakes winner Northerly, the son of Rubiton has impressed connections.
"I'm very pleased with his progress since his
last start," McEvoy reported. "He has trained on super."
"He will be much better this start," the trainer confidently predicted.
McEvoy is expecting Fields of Omagh to be settled just off the pace in the Feehan.
"We should be able to get a nice run," he reported. "There should be good speed with Le Zagaletta and La Bella Dama and he will be able to race in his normal position."
Despite having not galloped or started in a race at the sometimes tricky Moonee Valley track, McEvoy is not at all concerned.
"The good horses can all handle it," he said of the Moonee Valley circuit.
"Elegant Fashion didn't gallop at the track before she won the Oaks earlier in the year."
Meanwhile, McEvoy has described as
"devastating" the fact the stable was forced to abandon plans to run
classy sprinter North Boy in Saturday's Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) on the same
card.
"He's had a sore heel and I want to be able to have him right before he kicks off," Lindsay Park's head trainer said.
"At this stage we will go fresh into the Schillaci (Stakes) and go from there," he added.
The Group Two $202,000 Schillaci Stakes will be run at Caulfield on October 12, the same day as the million dollar Group One Caulfield Guineas for three-year-olds.
PICS - Quentin Lang.
Country Trainer Gunning for Super Saturday Success
- Friday, 13 September 2002 00:00
When John Gunning gets that "gut feeling" you must take
notice. The last time the Pakenham based trainer got a similar feeling, the bookmakers in the Moe ring were left shaking after the heavily backed favourite Scarlet Ruby scored an all the way win just a fortnight ago."It’s funny as I have a gut feeling about Saturday," Gunning told Cyberhorse. "And the last time I had that feeling was when Scarlet Ruby led all the way at Moe."
While Gunning doesn’t claim to be as good as or have the profile of other trainers at tomorrow’s "Super Saturday" meeting like Cummings, Freedman, Hawkes, McEvoy, Hanlon or Moroney, he will feel like the king of the Valley if Miss La La can win the Group Three WH Stocks Stakes (Group 3) over 1600 metres.
Gunning is getting "the feeling" about the talented bargain mare Miss La La, who as a yearling was snapped up for just $1,500. In her subsequent 15 starts she has netted connections over $114,000 and on Saturday she has a great chance of boosting that level when she runs in the mares feature.
Gunning, who has just four horses is work, has spent a life around horses.
"Right from my schooling days I have always been around horses," Gunning turned back the clock. "I used to go to pony club, tried my hand at a bit of hunting and also some show jumping."
Like many people close to the noble beast, Gunning found he had horses in his blood and he decided to take up training "about fifteen years ago". He even competed in some point to point events before taking up training.
Despite only having trained a small team of horses, which has
decreased over the past six months, Gunning has a top strike rate and he also has had his
share of classy performers including Londolozi.
And if Miss La La wins tomorrow’s Stocks Stakes it won’t be Gunning’s first win in the race. Incredibly he won the same race in 1997 when Londolozi led throughout to beat Will Fly and Gliding Light.
"She wasn’t the most attractive weanling at the sale, in fact nobody wanted her," Gunning recalled of a young Rancho Ruler filly who he snapped up for a bargain price. "At an early age she went through a fence and she had scars all over the front of her."
Gunning realises it is hard for anyone buying horses to find themselves a top money spinner, but in this case he found himself a little filly who is now one of the better mares racing in Victoria.
"It’s nice to be able to actually fluke buying one so cheap once in a while," Gunning said. "I could tell you about all of those that have cost me more and returned virtually nothing," he added with a laugh.
A winner at the distance and on the track, Miss La La is aiming for her first Group win and a chance to boost her stud value when she retires from the track.
Vlad Duric, one of the state's most under rated
hoops, will again be in the saddle tomorrow.
Over the years racing has been characterised by a number of top producing partnerships. There was Smith and Moore, Cummings and Higgins and Hayes and Clarke and in recent years Freedman and Oliver, on Saturday the little known Gunning will again be employing the services of capable Victorian jockey Vlad Duric.
"Vlad has done everything right on her, so why change the combination," Gunning asked. "Over the years a number of leading riders have wanted to ride my horses when they are racing well, but I’d rather stick to a jockey who I know will stick by you and not jump straight back to someone else."
"He (Duric) has done a lot of riding for me and I know he will probably be the hungriest jockey in the race," he added.
While admitting the race is a classy affair Gunning feels Miss La La has an undeniable chance of delivering him another Group victory and Vlad Duric with a well deserved feature race win.
"I’m just dreaming that we can win the race, it would be great if she can," Gunning said.
While many racegoers will be at Moonee Valley on Saturday to watch the likes of Bel Esprit, Mistegic, Magical Miss, Fields of Omagh and La Bella Dama, we must remember that every horse, every jockey and every trainer, no matter how little known they are, have their own wonderful story and will be out there giving their all.
And if Miss La La can win the Stocks Stakes, sure she isn’t going to get the reception of the Manikato Stakes winner earlier in the afternoon, but her trainer will be just as excited about winning and can probably take more from that win than any other trainer will for the day.
PICS - Quentin Lang.
Sixty Seconds Ready to Resume
- Friday, 13 September 2002 00:00
The Gr. 3 $A100,000, WFA W.H Stocks Stakes, 1600m
at Moonee Valley will see the return to the race track of the Roger James-trained Group
One winner Sixty Seconds (NZ) (Centaine).Sixty Seconds (ex Fifteen Reason) won a 1300m trial by two lengths at Bendigo on August 30, but James believes that the mare will improve with the run on Saturday.
James said: "Sixty Seconds is well, but this is first up and I would expect her to make ground nicely over the 1600m and to improve with the run."
Sixty Seconds stable mate, Piper Star (NZ) (Kaapstad) also runs in the race, her second of her spring campaign, and she has won three times over the distance.
"Piper Star has a run under her belt and this is her pet distance, " said James.
The Gr. 2 $A253,000 Feehan Stakes, 1600m, also at Moonee Valley includes kiwi breds; Sky Heights (NZ) (Zabeel), The A Train (NZ) (Blues Traveller), and multiple Group 1 winning mare La Bella Dama (NZ) (Desert Sun).
La Bella Dama, trained by Graeme Rogerson, has won four times over the Feehan Stakes distance.
PIC - Quentin
Lang.
Media Release - NZTM
Bendigo (Vic)
- Friday, 13 September 2002 00:00
Weather: Fine
Rail: Out 9m entire circuit
Riding Changes:
| Race | Horse | Rider | Replaced By | Reason |
| 1 | Overtrump | L. Milham | B. Rawiller | Unavailable |
| 8 | Pleasing Sequence - 2nd Emerg. | J. Da Rose | M. Payne | Unavailable |
Race 1 - Morey & Hurford Maiden Plate (1) - 1300 metres:
No report.
Race 2 - Oakford Thoroughbred Farm Maiden Plate (2) - 1300 metres:
Shortly after the start Naturistic was hampered when tightened for room between Superb Melody and Praised (NZ), which was taken out by Imposing Gallo, which shifted out.
Near the 1100 metres Imposing Gallo, which began to race ungenerously, became unbalanced, shifted out and tightened Superb Melody on to the hind quarters of Jade's Hero, resulting in both those horses becoming unbalanced. As a result of this Just Send Kash (NZ) and Clearly The Best, which were following, were hampered and as a result General Booth (NZ) had to be checked off the heels of Clearly The Best, which shifted in.
Rounding the home turn Praised (NZ) commenced to hang out. Also rounding the home turn Clearly The Best was held up when unable to obtain a clear run.
Near the 200 metres Imposing Gallo was hampered and became unbalanced when forced out by Praised (NZ), which was hanging out.
Janet Collins trainer of Praised (NZ), was notified that a warning was placed on the gelding for hanging out today and should it perform in a similar manner in future, some action may be taken against it.
Race 3 - Asian Bazaar Imports F & M Maiden Plate - 1600 metres:
When the start was effected Miss Meliss (NZ) stood flatfooted and lost considerable ground. Mr. A. Galateley, foreman for J.B. Cummings trainer of the mare was notified a warning would be placed on the mare for her behaviour today and should she perform in a similar manner in future she may be suspended from racing for a period.
Race 4 - AAPT Class 3 Handicap - 1500 metres:
No report.
Race 5 - Ten Victoria SV 3YO Maiden Plate (1) - 1100 metres:
Free Me was slow to begin.
Stewards questioned D. Taggart rider of Free Me as to the reason why he did not take a run at the entrance to the straight between Misscando and Gold And Fame when in the opinion of the Stewards there was a run there for him to do so. D.Taggart stated that the filly was having its first start and was racing a little greenly and added that it was his intention to get to the outside of Misscando to give his mount an uninterrupted run in the straight and had committed his mount to the outside of Misscando as the run inside that filly became available.
Lacryma Hope had a tendency to lay out in the straight.
Race 6 - De Araugo & Lea Electrical SV 3YO Maiden Plate - 1100 metres:
Approaching the 900 metres Bush Honey had to be checked off the heels of Reigning Reality, which shifted out slightly.
Throughout the event Porrento (NZ) hung out badly. Mr. R. Cameron trainer of Porrento (NZ) was notified a warning was being placed on her for her hanging out today, and should she perform in a similar manner in future she may be suspended from racing for a period.
Approaching the 600 metres Royal Thunder had to be checked off the heels of Bush Honey (A. Findlay), which initially shifted in away from Reigning Reality, which shifted in slightly, before shifting in further. A. Findlay was reprimanded and notified to exercise more care when shifting ground in future.
Race 7 - Tooheys New Open Handicap - 1000 metres:
No report.
Race 8 - 3BOFM Class 1 Handicap - 2400 metres:
Near the 800 metres Calcavecchia, which was pulling hard, had to be checked off the heels of Manntari Rox (NZ).
Approaching the 700 metres Manntari Rox (NZ) was hampered when tightened for room between Crombie and No Ticket No Start, which shifted in slightly.
Approaching the 400 metres Fabulous Fishcreek was hampered when tightened for room between No Ticket No Start and Crombie, which shifted out.
On the latter part of the home turn and for the early part of the straight Calcavecchia was held up when unable to obtain a clear run.
Race 9 - Sutton Grange Stud Class 2 Handicap - 1300 metres:
Acting on a confirmed telephone call from Brian Mayfield-Smith trainer of Times Ripe, that the gelding was suffering from an elevated temperature and was unfit to run, the Stewards withdrew Times Ripe from the event at 9.30 a.m. Mr.Mayfield-Smith has submitted a Veterinary Certificate in respect of the gelding being unfit to start.
Rounding the home turn and until near the 200 metres Redding's Hope was held up when unable to obtain a clear run.
Near the 200 metres B. White rider of Smytzer's Smytzer (NZ) accidentally dropped his whip.
Race 10 - Pentax SV 3YO Class 1 Handicap - 1400 metres:
Near the 800 metres Da Capo, when being steadied off the heels of Red October, shifted out and hampered Dance On Wood and Gold Commander.
Near the 200 metres Delabee had to change course to obtain a clear run to avoid the heels of Miss Tuppy.
SWAB SAMPLES:
Random swab samples were taken from the following winners - Calante Lad (Race 1), Intuition (Race 5), Red October (Race 10)
Swab samples were taken from the following winners - Superb Melody (Race2), Boy's Talk (Race 7)
SUMMARY |
|
| HORSE ACTIONS: | Praised (NZ) - warning Miss
Meliss (NZ) - warning Porrento (NZ) - warning |
Cranbourne (Vic)
- Thursday, 12 September 2002 00:00
Amended to Good at 1.47 p.m. after Race 3.
Penetrometer: 4.23
Weather: FINE
Rail: + 7M
Riding Changes:
| Race | Horse | Rider | Replaced By | Reason |
| 7 | Duke of Wellington | M. Goring | W.Davis | overweight |
Race 1 - JAYCO MAIDEN PLATE - 1200 metres:
After being placed in its starting stall "Champion Blitz (NZ)" became cast. It was examined by the Club's Veterinary Surgeon, who reported that the gelding was unfit to start. Acting on this advice the Stewards withdrew "Champion Blitz (NZ)" at 12.30 p.m.
Subsequently the Stewards ordered that all monies bet on "Champion Blitz (NZ)" be refunded, and that all successful bets on horses prior to the time of withdrawal of "Champion Blitz (NZ)" be subject to the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of the ticket: Win Bets: Nineteen cents: Place Bets: Sixteen cents; Winning Concession Bets: Eighteen cents, and Doubles Bets: Nineteen cents. All monies bet after the Stewards' declaration of withdrawal were ordered to be paid at face value of the ticket.
"Our Gigolo" knuckled on jumping away.
Approaching the home turn and then in the early part of the straight "Van Nistleroy" was held up for a run. Rounding the home turn "Balletamis" hung out.
Subsequent to the event the Club's Veterinary Surgeon reported that "Balletamis" was lame in the off fore leg.
Race 2 - PLASTA MASTA HALLAM SUPER VOBIS 3YO MAIDEN PLTE - 1400M :
On jumping away "Partiro" shifted out and bumped "Star Serenade".
Near the 800 metres "Nero's Fiddle" was eased off the heels of "Psycho Cowboy", which shifted in slightly.
Near the 500 metres "Phantom Run" was tightened for room between "Juggle" and "Shenandoah (W. Davis), which shifted out. Wayne Davis was notified to exercise more care when shifting ground in future.
Over the concluding stages of the race "Psycho Cowboy" had some difficulty in obtaining a run between "Shenandoah (NZ)" and "Secret Passion".
Dale Short, rider of "Outlying", was severely reprimanded for failing to ride his mount out to the end of the race.
Race 3 - ADVAL AUSTRALIA MAIDEN PLATE - 1600 metres:
Near the 900 metres "Tan Tat Joy", when racing greenly, was checked off the heels of "Honey Trap".
Race 4 - PLASTA MASTA HALLAM F & M CLASS 2 HANDICAP - 1600 metres:
After being placed in its starting stall "Runalot Lass" became fractious and reared. It was examined by the Club's Veterinary Surgeon, and passed fit to run.
Rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight "Dressed to Impress" was held up for a run. In the straight "Traminer Miss" laid in.
Over the concluding stages "Hot Potato" pig-rooted after being struck with the whip, which resulted in Sally Wynne, its rider, almost being dislodged and becoming unbalanced.
Race 5 - JAYCO CLASS 5 HANDICAP - 1400 metres:
"Space Recruit" knuckled at the start.
Rounding the home turn "Timbergrove (USA)" was held up for a run. Also rounding the home turn "Little Miss Quick (NZ)" was held up, and passing the 200 metres was disappointed for a run between "Bellered" and "Timbergrove (USA)", which shifted out.
Race 6 - JAYCO CLASS 2 HANDICAP - 2025 metres:
"My Zena" jumped away awkwardly.
Rounding the home turn "Cinderella Café (NZ)" was eased when tightened for room between "Kohinstad (NZ)" and "Let's Remember", which shifted out.
Race 7 - ADVAL AUSTRALIA CLASS 3 HANDICAP - 1200 metres:
Ricky Debono, rider of "Fairy Flash", fourth placegetter, was found guilty of a charge of having failed to ride his mount out to the end of the race. The Stewards suspended Ricky Debono from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on Sunday, 15thSeptember, and to expire at midnight on 29th September. In arriving at this penalty the Stewards took into account that it was their opinion that Ricky Debono's actions affected the result of the race, and they also took into account that he was an inexperienced apprentice jockey. During the inquiry evidence was also taken from Mr. Gerard Moloney, employer of Ricky Debono.
Race 8 - CRANBOURNE CUP, 9TH OCTOBER CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 1400 metres:
When the gates opened "Look to Monaco" was slow to begin.
Near the 1200 metres "Aquasition (NZ)" had to be checked to avoid the heels of "Vettori Gold", which shifted out to avoid the heels of "Officer Basrbrady" which, in turn, was taken out by "Curie", which shifted out.
Near the 400 metres "Look to Monaco" had to be eased to avoid the heels of "Pure Velocity", which shifted in slightly. At the entrance to the straight "Vettori Gold" was tightened for room between "As She Does" and "Pure Velocity", which was taken out by "Curie". Shortly after this "As She Does" then had to be eased to avoid the heels of "Ivory's Choice".
SWAB SAMPLES were taken from the winners of the following races: "Regal Strategy" - Race 1 ; "Next Of Kin"-Race 3, "Vitaminnie" - Race 4; "Tru Glo" - Race 7;
A random swab sample was taken from "Sovereign Don", which ran unplaced in Race 6.
Six horses were pre-race blood tested for post-race analysis.
Shades on For Flying Schumpeter
- Friday, 13 September 2002 00:00
Leading trainer Peter Moody has elected to add the
blinkers to the in form three-year-old Schumpeter for tomorrows $71,000 Carlton
Draught Quality (1600m) at Moonee Valley.A son of Encosta de Lago, Schumpeter has scored impressive back to back metropolitan wins and is again expected to prove the horse to beat.
Moody, whos recent city winners have also included Karamazou and Currency Rep, has been impressed with Schumpeter and he is again looking forward to tomorrows event.
"He just keeps stepping up to the plate," Moody said. "Each time we have asked him for something extra he has delivered, so we are hoping he does that again in this race."
The man who put the polish on last seasons VRC Derby winner Amalfi said he couldnt be happier with his charge leading into tomorrows event.
"I couldnt be any happier with him," Moody added. "Hes trained on really well and Im confident he should run well."
Scobie Breasley medallist Damien Oliver will again
be aboard Schumpeter tomorrow and Moody is predicting the gelding will be positioned just
off the pace.
"Although he has led in the past, he doesnt have to lead in his races," Moody reported. "With the blinkers on he should be able to settle and easier for the jockey to handle him during the races."
Schumpeter has eight rivals in the 1600 metre event including the impressive last start Caulfield winner Nul Autre, whos impressed her trainer David Brideoake.
"Shes racing well and hopefully she can put another win on the board," Brideoake said. "She has an ordinary draw and out there (barrier nine) is certainly not a good place to be."
Brideoake decided to run Nul Autre at Moonee Valley after he was unable to arrange suitable travel arrangements to send the filly to Adelaide to contest the listed Lindsay Park Guineas on the same day.
PICS - Quentin Lang.
Dandy Kid and Villella Face Biggest Test
- Thursday, 12 September 2002 00:00
Moonee Valley specialist Dandy Kid and promising
young apprentice Fabian Villella will be facing their biggest test to date according to
the gelding's trainer Robbie Griffiths when they team up in Saturday's Visy Closed Loop
Handicap (1500m).A top class performer on the strathayr at the Valley, Dandy Kid will have to overcome a distance rise, a large weight and an unsuitable firm track if he is to win on the weekend.
"I'm really pleased in his condition," Griffiths told Cyberhorse. "But I guess there are three questions marks this time around."
"The first is Elkabayo," he said
referring to the natural Mick Price trained speedster who could make things hard for Dandy
Kid. "He could annoy the racing style of my bloke."
"The second query will be the 1500 metres, and the final one is the dry track. He liks to have a track with some give in it. The strathayr will help, but it still could be too dry for him," he added.
Saturday's 1500 metre event will give connections a better idea about where the gelding is headed after the weekend.
"If he was to handle the trip we'd look at a race like the Waterford Crystal Mile, which is at Moonee Valley - the track he really does love," Griffiths commented.
Griffiths added that he had been pleased with the way young apprentice Fabian Villella had ridden Dandy Kid in recent times.
"He's ridden him very well earlier in the
shorter races," Griffiths said.
"But in those kinds of races there is less time to be able to get into trouble."
"This race is going to be the biggest test for both the horse and rider. I'm just hoping things go our way."
Dandy Kid's major opposition could come from the classy David Hall trained Pentastic, who caught the eye when resuming recently at Caulfield.
Bidaily is proven at Moonee Valley and is always thereabouts, while Old Man, Chattanooga, Adolescence and Marlie all have reasonable winning hopes in an open event.
PICS - Quentin Lang.
Emma Boling Wins Racing Woman of the Year Award
- Friday, 13 September 2002 00:00
Prominent breeder Emma Boling was today named Racings Woman of the Year
for 2002 at a gala luncheon at Crown Palladium to celebrate the outstanding achievements
of women in the Victorian racing industry.
Emma was recognised for her outstanding contribution to racing and in particular her commitment to the ongoing success of Victorias breeding industry. A director of The Pines Stud, a boutique broodmare property on the Mornington Peninsula, Emma is one of Victorias few women at the elite level of the breeding industry.
Her profile has seen her become a prolific advocate for the Victorian breeding industry, promoting the success of the local industry through her weekly radio spot on Sport 927 and her monthly article in Inside Racing,
Emma is also well known as a successful racehorse owner, having managed The Pines Racing Syndicate for the past seven years. During this period, Emma has achieved outstanding results with the likes of Catnipped, Lady of the Pines and Speedy Kids.
She is also a Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria Board Member, a committee member of the Moonee Valley Racing Club, a member of the Racing Victoria Equine Research Fund and was recently appointed Chairman of the fundraising committee for the Werribee Equine Centre.
Racings Woman of the Year was established in 1993 to recognise the achievements and contribution of women in thoroughbred racing and to encourage further involvement by women in the racing industry.
Boling joins an exclusive club of women to have previously won the award since its inception, including Victoria Armstrong, Robyn Levett, Shelley Hancox, Joanne Spears, Ann Dizzy Carlyon, Helen Cantwell, Kerry Gillespie and Jean Purcell.
Also honoured on the day was 23 year old Marnie Holloway who was named Racings Young Achiever of the Year for 2002.
Marnie began her racing career as a strapper before deciding to broaden her knowledge of running a stable. She spent the next two years with trainer Pat Hyland learning about vet care and how to ride track work but quickly moved up the ranks to become stable foreman.
Eager to learn more about racing, Marnie enrolled in a course to achieve a Certificate IV in Racing and was soon offered a job by successful Cranbourne trainers, Bruce and Jean Purcell where she became a primary vet carer, treating all injuries and wounds as well as assisting the vet with procedures.
Marnie now undertakes a wider variety of roles in the stables, at track work and on racedays, which involves saddling, transporting the horses, organising staff, feed orders and booking riders. She is also given the responsibility of looking after the daily operations of the stable when Bruce and Jean are away.
Nominations for Racings Woman of the Year were scrutinised by a judging panel that was chaired by Racing Victoria Limited Board Member, Sue Carter and included IER Strategic Planning Managing Director, John Kroeger and 2001 Racing Woman of the Year, Jean Purcell.
Peta Credlin, General Manager of Public Affairs and Communications for Racing Victoria was delighted by the quality of nominations for the award.
"In the nine years since its inception, the Racing Woman of the Year award has grown substantially in stature and has firmly established itself as one of the Victorian racing industrys most credible and prestigious annual awards.
The Award has contributed to highlighting women whose passion for thoroughbred racing has broken barriers in a male-dominated industry as jockeys, trainers, breeders, veterinarians and administrators," she said.
It has also highlighted the need for women to come together to provide the support and encouragement to other women wanting to become involved in this exciting and challenging industry,".
Hosted by Channel 7 personalities Jennifer Adams and Jim Wilson, the event was complemented this year by a spectacular fashion parade showcasing some of Melbourne Centrals leading designers and a stunning floral display courtesy of the National Flower Centre.
Guests were also treated to a magnificent hat auction supplied by Melbournes finest milliners, with all proceeds from the auction being donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
PIC - Quentin Lang.
Media Release - Racing Victoria
Another Noonan Galloper to Groove to Stakes Win
- Thursday, 12 September 2002 00:00
Super Groove can prove himself as one of the
bargain buys of the year by winning Saturday's Group Three $101,000 CS Hayes Stakes
(1200m) at Moonee Valley.Group One winning trainer Tony Noonan purchased the half brother to his talented mare Purple Groove for just $13,000.
Noonan, who saddled up Purple Groove win a stakes race (the Let's Elope Stakes) at Flemington last Saturday, said the ghostly grey three-year-old was a very exciting proposition.
When asked whether Super Groove's debut performance was in fact his best since the sizzling first start by the former top liner Show No Emotion Noonan said "that's a pretty fair call."
"It was a very good debut," he added. "I was in New Zealand at the time, but he did it pretty softly."
Noonan added his barnstorming Moonee Valley debut win was no real surprise.
"He has always shown us plenty at home," he said. "It was a bit of a concern being Moonee Valley, having not had a gallop there, but he handled it really well."
Noonan is confident the grey will be more than
competitive on Saturday, but he is aware this event is going to be much tougher to win as
compared to his last outing.
"I'm expecting him to race very well," Noonan told Cyberhorse. "But I realise it's a bit jump up from a 1MW (one metro win) to a Group race."
"The field on Saturday is much hotter. A horse like Yell, who has been chasing home Bel Esprit and has very good form, is going to be very hard to beat."
Meanwhile, Noonan reported plans to back Purple Groove up at Moonee Valley this weekend were shelved after her Let's Elope Stakes win.
"We've decided to hold her over and head to the Dubai Racing Club Cup on the following weekend," Noonan said referring to the Group One race over 1400 metres known last year as the Eat Well Live Well Cup.
PICS - Quentin Lang.
Brideoake's Fillies Aim for Race to Race Double
- Friday, 13 September 2002 00:00
The recent run of success for former star show
jumper David Brideoake in the thoroughbred racing scene looks set to continue at Moonee
Valley tomorrow when he saddled up two strong chances on the "Super Saturday"
card.Last start Caulfield winner Nul Autre leads the Brideoake charge in the $71,000 Carlton Draught Quality (1600m).
The filly looked set to travel to Adelaide to contest tomorrow's listed Lindsay Park Guineas, but plans were shelved and she is instead staying in Victoria.
"It was a very tough decision between the two," Brideoake said of the races in Adelaide and Melbourne. "But in the end we weren't able to arrange stuiable transportation to Adelaide, so we are off to Moonee Valley instead."
Andrew Findlay retains the ride on Nul Autre, who
is by the in form shuttler Belong to Me (the sire of another of tomorrow's strong chances
Before too Long), came up with a terrible barrier at yesterday's draw.
"Things will be a bit tough from the outside barrier (of nine), but she's in good form and hopefully she is the one to beat."
A race earlier the promising stablemate Raven Protector will carry Brideoake's hopes in the $40,000 Karcher Clean Sweep Handicap (1200m).
Tested at stakes level last start the three-year-old chased home the subsequent Ascot Vale Stakes winner Innovation Girl in the listed Quezette Stakes at Caulfield.
"She went particularly well last start in a strong race and she was beaten by a good one," Brideoake said.
Andrew Findlay will also be aboard Raven Protector, who will jump from barrier eight in the ten horse field.
The hardest for her to beat appear to be the last start Sandown winner Lady Sophia, the consisent Romantic Flyer who is backing up after a fourth at Flemington last Saturday and stakes performing fillies Regal Tess, Bella Vichy and Che Bella Mia.
PICS - Quentin Lang.
Bel Esprit Ready for Crowning at the Valley of Champions
- Thursday, 12 September 2002 00:00
They call it the place where legends are made. And on Saturday the
captive crowd at Moonee Valley will witness the crowning of a new king of the turf.Over seventy years ago the "big red" Phar Lap galloped to glory in the Cox Plate, a race which has since been given the distinction of being the only Aussie feature to be a race in the World Championship.
As well as Phar Lap, many of Australia’s champions of the turf have run and won at Moonee Valley.
Tulloch, Tobin Bronze, Sunline, Bonecrusher, Manikato, Super Impose, Better Loosen Up, Might and Power, Dulcify, Flight, Hydrogen, Gunsynd, Chatham, Octagonal, Northerly, Rising Fast, Vo Rogue and Durbridge – all champion and all feature race winners at Moonee Valley.
While the time honoured Group One WS Cox Plate meeting in October is regarded as Moonee Valley’s best this Saturday’s Manikato Stakes raceday must rank a close second.
Four feature Group events will be run – including the Group One
Manikato – and they will be major springboards to many gallopers and their spring
carnival aspirations.
Losing two wildcards in the lead up to any feature raceday would normally send that meeting to the doldrums. Saturday’s meeting lost two stars – Sunline and North Boy – but Saturday is still very much "super." From the young excitement machines with loads of untapped potential, to the proven big race performers – Saturday has it all.
In 48 hours time the racing world will be adding another horse’s name to Australia’s champions of the turf. Widely regarded as one of the most exciting horses to have been unearthed in Victoria for 50 years, the John Symons trained bargain buy Bel Esprit gets his chance to add his name to an illustrious honour roll of brilliant gallopers to star at the Valley.
It’s rather ironic that most of Australia’s former and current champions were bargain buys.
You would not have had to part with much cash to get your hands on the likes of Phar Lap, Manikato, Kingston Town, Sunline, Super Impose or Bel Esprit. All were purchased for "chicken feed" when they were offered and sold at sales in Australia and New Zealand or purchased privately from a lonely paddock. In the case of Kingston Town – that ugly black colt didn’t even reach his reserve and Sunline was picked up a steal in New Zealand.
When John Symons inspected the yearlings at last year’s Classic
Yearling Sale in Sydney he liked two youngsters. One of them was this
"not-so-prefect" Royal Academy colt, a colt we now know as Bel Esprit. The other
is the exciting Filante filly Macedon Lady – a filly with Oaks ambitions.
On Saturday Bel Esprit will clash with nine rivals in the $357,000 Cleanevent Manikato Stakes over 1200 metres. He is set to start the favourite ahead of the outstanding Sydney sprinter Mistegic, who resumed recently at Moonee Valley to win in the McEwen Trophy.
As we speak Fred Fox (Moonee Valley’s dedicated Racing Manager) is polishing the champion’s crown in his office – let’s hope it's made to measure for Bel Esprit.
You wouldn’t want to be anywhere else on Saturday afternoon. Forget the football finals Moonee Valley racecourse is THE place to be for the crowning of a new champion.
PICS - Quentin Lang.