All photos appearing on Racingwrap.com are under copyright to Dan Costello Racing unless otherwise stated.
WEBSITE NEWSIt is with apologies again to report that the resumption of this website has been put on hold due to work commitments.
Until then my photos and stories are appearing on the following websites ; justracing.com.au, brisbaneracing.com.au, horseracing.com.au & puntersparadise.com.au Thanks to all the fans of this site for your patience. |  |
METRO TREBLE FOR WILLIAMS GRADUATES 11/7/11 Magic Millions Media Release Photos Dan Costello
The value of buying from the Williams family's Hudson Conway draft at Magic Millions auctions was highlighted on Saturday when three previous graduates were city winners.
Module kick started the day when he went two for two for new connections with a powerful win in the Rising Stars Final (1800m) at Flemington.
Now prepared at Moe by Peter Gelagotis, Module was sent out the well supported favourite following a strong win in Adelaide on debut for the stable recently.
A five-year-old son of Reset, Module sat midfield early before coming with a well timed run under Ashley Thompson to win impressively.
Module ($2.50-$3-$2.30 fav) pulled clear over the concluding stages to beat Conquering Journey ($9-$10-$6.50) by a length, while Prizum ($7.50-$9.50-$9) was another length back in third place.
Gelagotis' brother Manny "specced" Module and had Victorian based agent Cameron Cooke buy him when he was offered without reserve at this year's Magic Millions January Racehorse Sale.
The Gelagotis stable went to $70,000, through Cooke, to secure the five-year-old.
At his previous run prior to the sale Module ran third behind the highly regarded Gelagotis trained black type performer Belgietto - a Magic Millions National Horses in Training graduate.
From two runs for his new connections, Module has already earned $65,750 - just shy of his purchase price with a bright future ahead.
"We knew he had the ability and we haven't improved him or anything like that," Manny Gelagotis said.
"We're just thankful that the Williams family give others a chance of buying a proven racehorse with a good future."
"I rang Cameron Cooke who was up at the sale in Queensland at the time and I specced him for $70,000," he added.
Strumming made it a double for Hudson Conway graduates when he impressively won over 1500 metres at Eagle Farm in Brisbane.
A five-year-old gelded son of Iglesia, Strumming notched career win five when he led throughout at juicy double figure odds to win for Gerald Ryan and Jason Taylor.
Strumming ($21) cruised to the line to beat Zippy Lou ($4.20-$5) by three parts of a length, while fellow Williams Gold Coast sold graduate Hume ($8.50-$9-$8) was a similar margin back in third place.
"He is a genuine sort of horse who's now won in Sydney and Brisbane for us," Ryan said.
"We'll have some more fun with him that's for sure."
The gelding is one of three horses trained by Ryan for Glenn Makauskas and his family.
Another, the Snitzel galloper Alvitas, another Magic Millions graduate, won a $100,000 feature on the same Eagle Farm card.
Makauskas went to $72,000 to secure Strumming from the Hudson Conway draft at the Gold Coast in 2009 and since the purchase he's earned over $92,000 and that figure will continue to rise into the future.
Hume who ran third in the same race is another successful Williams Racing sold runner at the Gold Coast. He's earned $296,075 for his new connections who paid just $22,000 for him in 2009.
The metropolitan treble was completed when the quality three-year-old Hampden made it three wins from four starts in the $50,000 three-year-old event at Eagle Farm.
Hampden ($7-$4.40-$4.60) got to the line in the 1400 metre race to beat the Tamworth trained runner Mujahu ($21) by a half length. Fellow MM graduate Fire Up Fifi ($8) was another short head back in third place.
A three-year-old gelded son of Savabeel, himself a MM graduate who won the Cox Plate, Hampden notched a treble for former Rockhampton based horseman Darryl Hansen.
"I gave him a great chance," Hansen told reporters. "I threw him in the deep end and he swam."
Hampden, who'd raced just once in Victoria when sold at the Gold Coast in January, is raced by Michael Milford.
Milford paid $36,000 for Hampden and in just six months he's already earned $51,250 with his new charge.
The gelding looks one of the more progressive in South East Queensland and he is sure to have that earnings figure grow over the coming months and seasons.
Stay tuned for the next annual dispersal from the Williams family's Hudson Conway team to be conducted by Magic Millions on the Gold Coast.
Module kick started the day when he went two for two for new connections with a powerful win in the Rising Stars Final (1800m) at Flemington.
Now prepared at Moe by Peter Gelagotis, Module was sent out the well supported favourite following a strong win in Adelaide on debut for the stable recently.
A five-year-old son of Reset, Module sat midfield early before coming with a well timed run under Ashley Thompson to win impressively.
Module ($2.50-$3-$2.30 fav) pulled clear over the concluding stages to beat Conquering Journey ($9-$10-$6.50) by a length, while Prizum ($7.50-$9.50-$9) was another length back in third place.
Gelagotis' brother Manny "specced" Module and had Victorian based agent Cameron Cooke buy him when he was offered without reserve at this year's Magic Millions January Racehorse Sale.
The Gelagotis stable went to $70,000, through Cooke, to secure the five-year-old.
At his previous run prior to the sale Module ran third behind the highly regarded Gelagotis trained black type performer Belgietto - a Magic Millions National Horses in Training graduate.
From two runs for his new connections, Module has already earned $65,750 - just shy of his purchase price with a bright future ahead.
"We knew he had the ability and we haven't improved him or anything like that," Manny Gelagotis said.
"We're just thankful that the Williams family give others a chance of buying a proven racehorse with a good future."
"I rang Cameron Cooke who was up at the sale in Queensland at the time and I specced him for $70,000," he added.
Strumming made it a double for Hudson Conway graduates when he impressively won over 1500 metres at Eagle Farm in Brisbane.
A five-year-old gelded son of Iglesia, Strumming notched career win five when he led throughout at juicy double figure odds to win for Gerald Ryan and Jason Taylor.
Strumming ($21) cruised to the line to beat Zippy Lou ($4.20-$5) by three parts of a length, while fellow Williams Gold Coast sold graduate Hume ($8.50-$9-$8) was a similar margin back in third place.
"He is a genuine sort of horse who's now won in Sydney and Brisbane for us," Ryan said.
"We'll have some more fun with him that's for sure."
The gelding is one of three horses trained by Ryan for Glenn Makauskas and his family.
Another, the Snitzel galloper Alvitas, another Magic Millions graduate, won a $100,000 feature on the same Eagle Farm card.
Makauskas went to $72,000 to secure Strumming from the Hudson Conway draft at the Gold Coast in 2009 and since the purchase he's earned over $92,000 and that figure will continue to rise into the future.
Hume who ran third in the same race is another successful Williams Racing sold runner at the Gold Coast. He's earned $296,075 for his new connections who paid just $22,000 for him in 2009.
The metropolitan treble was completed when the quality three-year-old Hampden made it three wins from four starts in the $50,000 three-year-old event at Eagle Farm.
Hampden ($7-$4.40-$4.60) got to the line in the 1400 metre race to beat the Tamworth trained runner Mujahu ($21) by a half length. Fellow MM graduate Fire Up Fifi ($8) was another short head back in third place.
A three-year-old gelded son of Savabeel, himself a MM graduate who won the Cox Plate, Hampden notched a treble for former Rockhampton based horseman Darryl Hansen.
"I gave him a great chance," Hansen told reporters. "I threw him in the deep end and he swam."
Hampden, who'd raced just once in Victoria when sold at the Gold Coast in January, is raced by Michael Milford.
Milford paid $36,000 for Hampden and in just six months he's already earned $51,250 with his new charge.
The gelding looks one of the more progressive in South East Queensland and he is sure to have that earnings figure grow over the coming months and seasons.
Stay tuned for the next annual dispersal from the Williams family's Hudson Conway team to be conducted by Magic Millions on the Gold Coast.
Main Photo & Above Centre : Jason Taylor on Strumming. Above Left & Right Paul Hammersley on Alvitas & Hampden
MORE GLORY AS ROCKET FIRES AGAIN 8/7/11 Magic Millions Media Release Photos Dan Costello
The country Queenslanders struck at Eagle Farm on Saturday when quality youngster Rocket to Glory stormed to victory in the $250,000 QTIS 600 Geon Group Plate (1200m) on Saturday.
In a magnificent result for Raheen Stud and their resident sire Shovhog, Rocket to Glory made it four feature juvenile wins in succession when he beat home Gold Coast youngster Noisy Ocean.
The gelding was saddled up in his latest rich race by in form Sunshine Coast based horseman Darryl Hansen - a former Rockhampton based trainer who the youngster was transferred to by original trainer and his yearling sale purchaser John Manzelmann.
Manzelmann had the reins when Rocket to Glory won his previous three starts in the $25,000 Great Northern Prelude and $100,000 Great Northern Plate at Townsville and the $150,000 QTIS 600 Plate at Rockhampton.
His wife Stacey shares ownership in the exceptional young moneyspinner with a group of Longreach owners. The group is enjoying the ride of their life.
Hansen said Rocket to Glory was an exciting young galloper who, after some earlier issues were fixed, has been a revelation.
"One of his testicles was bigger than the other and it affected him when he galloped," Hansen said.
"But once we gelded him he came good and he's a very special horse."
Hansen, who rounded out the day with a treble, said Rocket to Glory had earned a spell. He is also hoping the youngster will return to his stable after that break for another Brisbane campaign.
"He'll now go for a spell but I'm hoping he'll stay with me when he comes back," Hansen added.
Rocket to Glory, a graduate of Queensland's historic Raheen Stud, was purchased by John Manzelmann for $20,000 at last year's Magic Millions QTIS 600 Yearling Sale.
From 11 career outings to date he's earned over $400,000 - to rank himself as one of the country's highest grossing juveniles of the season.
Crossing from a wide barrier early in the race, Rocket to Glory ($5.50) was able to lead throughout, dash clear on straightening and then hold out the Gold Coast youngster Noisy Ocean ($5) to win by two and a quarter lengths.
Both the winner and runner-up are by Danehill's stakes winning and siring son Shovhog - a resident of Raheen Stud.
A full brother to the smart four time country Queensland winner Rocket on By, Rocket to Glory is one of three winners from three to race for the unraced Dodge mare English Summer.
She in turn is a daughter of the five time winning Crown Jester mare Go Madge.
It's the same family as stakes winners Apollua, Sam Sung a Song, I'm Scarlet, Big Scope and Tumberlua.
Winner: Rocket to Glory
Breeding: Shovhog-English Summer (Dodge)
Race: $250,000 BRC Beon Group 2YO Plate (1200m)
Sold for: $20,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions QTIS 600 Yearling Sale
Vendor: Raheen Stud
Buyer: John Manzelmann
Earnings: $402,900
Owner(s): Mrs SA Manzelmann, M Luck, Miss CA Luck, Mrs JA Harrison, AR Harrison, GA Crawford, Mrs CJ Crawford, GM Roberts, Mrs L Roberts & Dr DA Walker
Trainer: Darryl Hansen (Sunshine Coast)
In a magnificent result for Raheen Stud and their resident sire Shovhog, Rocket to Glory made it four feature juvenile wins in succession when he beat home Gold Coast youngster Noisy Ocean.
The gelding was saddled up in his latest rich race by in form Sunshine Coast based horseman Darryl Hansen - a former Rockhampton based trainer who the youngster was transferred to by original trainer and his yearling sale purchaser John Manzelmann.
Manzelmann had the reins when Rocket to Glory won his previous three starts in the $25,000 Great Northern Prelude and $100,000 Great Northern Plate at Townsville and the $150,000 QTIS 600 Plate at Rockhampton.
His wife Stacey shares ownership in the exceptional young moneyspinner with a group of Longreach owners. The group is enjoying the ride of their life.
Hansen said Rocket to Glory was an exciting young galloper who, after some earlier issues were fixed, has been a revelation.
"One of his testicles was bigger than the other and it affected him when he galloped," Hansen said.
"But once we gelded him he came good and he's a very special horse."
Hansen, who rounded out the day with a treble, said Rocket to Glory had earned a spell. He is also hoping the youngster will return to his stable after that break for another Brisbane campaign.
"He'll now go for a spell but I'm hoping he'll stay with me when he comes back," Hansen added.
Rocket to Glory, a graduate of Queensland's historic Raheen Stud, was purchased by John Manzelmann for $20,000 at last year's Magic Millions QTIS 600 Yearling Sale.
From 11 career outings to date he's earned over $400,000 - to rank himself as one of the country's highest grossing juveniles of the season.
Crossing from a wide barrier early in the race, Rocket to Glory ($5.50) was able to lead throughout, dash clear on straightening and then hold out the Gold Coast youngster Noisy Ocean ($5) to win by two and a quarter lengths.
Both the winner and runner-up are by Danehill's stakes winning and siring son Shovhog - a resident of Raheen Stud.
A full brother to the smart four time country Queensland winner Rocket on By, Rocket to Glory is one of three winners from three to race for the unraced Dodge mare English Summer.
She in turn is a daughter of the five time winning Crown Jester mare Go Madge.
It's the same family as stakes winners Apollua, Sam Sung a Song, I'm Scarlet, Big Scope and Tumberlua.
Winner: Rocket to Glory
Breeding: Shovhog-English Summer (Dodge)
Race: $250,000 BRC Beon Group 2YO Plate (1200m)
Sold for: $20,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions QTIS 600 Yearling Sale
Vendor: Raheen Stud
Buyer: John Manzelmann
Earnings: $402,900
Owner(s): Mrs SA Manzelmann, M Luck, Miss CA Luck, Mrs JA Harrison, AR Harrison, GA Crawford, Mrs CJ Crawford, GM Roberts, Mrs L Roberts & Dr DA Walker
Trainer: Darryl Hansen (Sunshine Coast)
Above Left : Chris Whiteley brings Rocket To Glory back to scale. Centre: Stacey Manzelmann & Darryl Hansen Right : Rocket To Glory owner's celebrate.
TOMBOY THRASHES THEM AGAIN 7/7/11 Magic Millions Media Release Photos Dan Costello
Rising Brisbane talent Tomboy enhanced her record to four wins from eight runs when she scored a brilliant win at Doomben on Wednesday.
A member of Robert Heathcote's powerful Eagle Farm stable, Tomboy made it back to back outstanding Brisbane wins when she strolled home to win by a widening three and a half length margin.
With Heathcote in Canada on holiday, stable foreman Melissa Leitch was left to represent the stable at Doomben.
"She has always shown well above average ability and we haven't been surprised with her past couple of wins," Leitch reported.
"But in saying that she couldn't have been more impressive. She was still able to go away and win easily after covering ground at her past couple of runs."
A daughter of Murphy's Blu Boy, Tomboy was originally purchased from the draft of Baerami Thoroughbred for $10,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Shaun Dwyer.
The former Brisbane horseman is now based at Bendigo and she was initially put into training there before heading back to Victoria after being injured.
"She is still owned by the same group and they still have horses with Shaun. I know she (Tomboy) showed Shaun good ability - but apparently she was hurt when she played up in the tie up stalls."
"Her owners sent her up to Queensland to have a break and they decided to leave her up here and they have her to Rob."
"She's been a bit of a hot headed filly and she's taken a good deal of time to settle down - but she is much better now."
Since joining the Heathcote stable, where she has been for all of her race starts, Tomboy has quickly established herself as one of the most progressive fillies in the state.
"She's won four of her eight starts and she's been unlucky in a couple of others - she could easily have won six of her starts."
Tomboy ($1.90 fav) raced clear over the concluding stages to race away from her rivals. The second horse home Our Triple Treat ($10) was three and a half lengths behind.
Sophie's Spirit ($4.40), jumped the third favourite, and ran third, a further half length behind the runner-up.
Connections have a good opinion of Tomboy - a filly they feel is up to stakes class.
"Definitely. She's always shown she's got the ability. I don't doubt she could measure up (to stakes races)."
Leitch said Tomboy was showing no sign of her recent performances affecting her condition.
"She's loving her racing. At this stage will race next in a QTIS three-year-old race over 1500 metres at Eagle Farm on July 23."
"She's not a QTIS horse but she will be well suited in three-year-old company," she added.
Tomboy is a daughter of former Queensland juvenile sensation Murphy's Blu Boy and is from the unraced Jeune mare Tomber.
Tomber, who is a daughter of the Group Three winning juvenile Autumn Leaves (Salmon Leap), is a three quarter sister to the Melbourne and Adelaide group winner Autumn Jeuney.
It is also the family of the Perth Cup winning the WA Derby placed Crown Prosecutor - a winner of seven races and over $400,000.
Winner: Tomboy
Breeding: Murphy's Blu Boy-Tomber (Jeune)
Race: BRC QARDSS Handicap (1350m)
Sold for: $10,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Baerami Thoroughbreds (As Agent)
Buyer: Shaun Dwyer
Owner(s): PR Barnes, AG Gavin, MC Tsin, Mrs JA Barnes & Mrs K Kutija
Earnings: $33,900
Trainer: Robert Heathcote (Eagle Farm)
A member of Robert Heathcote's powerful Eagle Farm stable, Tomboy made it back to back outstanding Brisbane wins when she strolled home to win by a widening three and a half length margin.
With Heathcote in Canada on holiday, stable foreman Melissa Leitch was left to represent the stable at Doomben.
"She has always shown well above average ability and we haven't been surprised with her past couple of wins," Leitch reported.
"But in saying that she couldn't have been more impressive. She was still able to go away and win easily after covering ground at her past couple of runs."
A daughter of Murphy's Blu Boy, Tomboy was originally purchased from the draft of Baerami Thoroughbred for $10,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Shaun Dwyer.
The former Brisbane horseman is now based at Bendigo and she was initially put into training there before heading back to Victoria after being injured.
"She is still owned by the same group and they still have horses with Shaun. I know she (Tomboy) showed Shaun good ability - but apparently she was hurt when she played up in the tie up stalls."
"Her owners sent her up to Queensland to have a break and they decided to leave her up here and they have her to Rob."
"She's been a bit of a hot headed filly and she's taken a good deal of time to settle down - but she is much better now."
Since joining the Heathcote stable, where she has been for all of her race starts, Tomboy has quickly established herself as one of the most progressive fillies in the state.
"She's won four of her eight starts and she's been unlucky in a couple of others - she could easily have won six of her starts."
Tomboy ($1.90 fav) raced clear over the concluding stages to race away from her rivals. The second horse home Our Triple Treat ($10) was three and a half lengths behind.
Sophie's Spirit ($4.40), jumped the third favourite, and ran third, a further half length behind the runner-up.
Connections have a good opinion of Tomboy - a filly they feel is up to stakes class.
"Definitely. She's always shown she's got the ability. I don't doubt she could measure up (to stakes races)."
Leitch said Tomboy was showing no sign of her recent performances affecting her condition.
"She's loving her racing. At this stage will race next in a QTIS three-year-old race over 1500 metres at Eagle Farm on July 23."
"She's not a QTIS horse but she will be well suited in three-year-old company," she added.
Tomboy is a daughter of former Queensland juvenile sensation Murphy's Blu Boy and is from the unraced Jeune mare Tomber.
Tomber, who is a daughter of the Group Three winning juvenile Autumn Leaves (Salmon Leap), is a three quarter sister to the Melbourne and Adelaide group winner Autumn Jeuney.
It is also the family of the Perth Cup winning the WA Derby placed Crown Prosecutor - a winner of seven races and over $400,000.
Winner: Tomboy
Breeding: Murphy's Blu Boy-Tomber (Jeune)
Race: BRC QARDSS Handicap (1350m)
Sold for: $10,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Baerami Thoroughbreds (As Agent)
Buyer: Shaun Dwyer
Owner(s): PR Barnes, AG Gavin, MC Tsin, Mrs JA Barnes & Mrs K Kutija
Earnings: $33,900
Trainer: Robert Heathcote (Eagle Farm)
Above left and centre, Ashley Butler on Tomboy while on right Melissa Leitch (left) joins the winning connections.
WOORIM GOES BACK TO BACK IN GLASSHOUSE 2/7/11 Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
Quality sprinter Woorim rounded out a successful winter campaign when he went back to back in today's listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast.
After a luckless run in the Stradbroke Handicap, Woorim was able to produce his customary flying finish to reel in the leaders and race clear for a strong victory.
With winning trainer Robert Heathcote currently overseas on holidays it was left to stable representative Melissa Leitch to greet the winner following the event.
"It's a team effort (while Robert's been away) and everyone has put in and the horse put in another great effort today," she said.
"The (wet) track was the big condition we were worried about. Before the rain came we were confident."
"The horse had done so well (since the Strabroke Handicap) and pulled up so well and his work had been fantastic but when the rain came and the track was heavy I was on the phone to the owners and also on the phone to Rob - what do we do, what do we do."
"When it was upgraded to a slow 7 this morning we decided we'd have a go," she added.
"When I saw him come out at the top of the straight I thought this was it - here he comes, look out and it was all over!"
Owner Ross Cutts, who also raced Woorim's sire Show a Heart, was thrilled to see his current star return to the winner's stall.
"What a horse he is," Cutts told AAP. "I am always worried when he gets so far back during the race but he finishes so brilliantly."
"I'd love to win a Group One race with him and he'll get his chance in the spring in Melbourne," Cutts added.
Winning rider Damian Browne, one of the most inform riders in the country, was in awe of Woorim's latest sensational effort.
"It was great," he said. "Just imagine what he would have done on top of the ground."
"He struggled through a lot of the ground, but he was the class horse and he really picked up and hit the line strong."
A graduate of the 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Woorim sent his earnings soaring past $560,000 following today's win - not bad considering he could have been yours for $75,000.
Woorim is a son of Glenlogan Park's leading sire Show a Heart - sire of Group One winners Toorak Toff and Heart of Dreams and MM Classic winner Mimi Lebrock.
He is one of two stakes performers produced by the Brisbane winning Canadian Silver mare Wabble.
Wabble, a winner of five in all, is a half sister to the stakes placegetter Indiana Storm and her other stakes galloper is Woorim's full brother My Limit - a six time winner and earner of over $360,000.
Winner: Woorim
Breeding: Show a Heart-Wabble (Canadian Silver)
Race: SCTC Glasshouse Handicap (1400m)
Passed for: $65,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale
Vendor: Glenlogan Park (As Agent)
Reserve: $75,000
Owner(s): Showtime Breeding Pty Ltd Synd (Mgr: R Cutts)
Earnings: $560,750
Trainer: Robert Heathcote (Eagle Farm)
After a luckless run in the Stradbroke Handicap, Woorim was able to produce his customary flying finish to reel in the leaders and race clear for a strong victory.
With winning trainer Robert Heathcote currently overseas on holidays it was left to stable representative Melissa Leitch to greet the winner following the event.
"It's a team effort (while Robert's been away) and everyone has put in and the horse put in another great effort today," she said.
"The (wet) track was the big condition we were worried about. Before the rain came we were confident."
"The horse had done so well (since the Strabroke Handicap) and pulled up so well and his work had been fantastic but when the rain came and the track was heavy I was on the phone to the owners and also on the phone to Rob - what do we do, what do we do."
"When it was upgraded to a slow 7 this morning we decided we'd have a go," she added.
"When I saw him come out at the top of the straight I thought this was it - here he comes, look out and it was all over!"
Owner Ross Cutts, who also raced Woorim's sire Show a Heart, was thrilled to see his current star return to the winner's stall.
"What a horse he is," Cutts told AAP. "I am always worried when he gets so far back during the race but he finishes so brilliantly."
"I'd love to win a Group One race with him and he'll get his chance in the spring in Melbourne," Cutts added.
Winning rider Damian Browne, one of the most inform riders in the country, was in awe of Woorim's latest sensational effort.
"It was great," he said. "Just imagine what he would have done on top of the ground."
"He struggled through a lot of the ground, but he was the class horse and he really picked up and hit the line strong."
A graduate of the 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Woorim sent his earnings soaring past $560,000 following today's win - not bad considering he could have been yours for $75,000.
Woorim is a son of Glenlogan Park's leading sire Show a Heart - sire of Group One winners Toorak Toff and Heart of Dreams and MM Classic winner Mimi Lebrock.
He is one of two stakes performers produced by the Brisbane winning Canadian Silver mare Wabble.
Wabble, a winner of five in all, is a half sister to the stakes placegetter Indiana Storm and her other stakes galloper is Woorim's full brother My Limit - a six time winner and earner of over $360,000.
Winner: Woorim
Breeding: Show a Heart-Wabble (Canadian Silver)
Race: SCTC Glasshouse Handicap (1400m)
Passed for: $65,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale
Vendor: Glenlogan Park (As Agent)
Reserve: $75,000
Owner(s): Showtime Breeding Pty Ltd Synd (Mgr: R Cutts)
Earnings: $560,750
Trainer: Robert Heathcote (Eagle Farm)
EASY SUCCESSFUL IMPRESSIVE IN CLASSIC 2/7/11 Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
Quality youngster Easy Successful gave trainer Bryan Guy more reason to celebrate when he scored a dashing win in the Bruce McLachlan Classic (1200m) at the Sunshine Coast today.
Guy, still on a high after the birth of his first grandchild 10 days ago, was all smiles in the winner's stall following the win of the talented Easy Successful.
"He went very well this horse," Guy said. "He showed a bit of form before."
"We had to race at the (Gold) Coast to come to town. In his first start in a race he was three deep and he ran a nice race."
"Then the other day he was probably a little bit stiff, he got stuck in behind them and Chris said he probably should have won the race," Guy added.
"We came here today a little bit confident. But then I seen the (original) 17 barrier and that hurt for a while."
"He's done a very good job today. He had to run along after getting across from the 13 barrier and he held them all off - so he's done a great job."
A $32,000 Gold Coast purchase, Easy Successful ($5.50) cruised home to beat Internal Revenue ($3.40-$3.50 fav) by three parts of a length, while Denwood ($15) rounded out a Magic Millions trifecta by running third, a further neck back.
Easy Successful was purchased by Guy at the last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale on behalf of long time client, Hong Kong businessman Stanley Chan.
The young colt is a son of popular Wattle Brae Stud based sire Easy Rocking - a sire who's progeny are renowned for handling tracks with give.
He is the first named foal for the six time winning and stakes performed Danzero mare Brilliant Jewel.
A four time Melbourne winner, Brilliant Jewel earned black type when she ran third, beaten just half a length, in the listed Wylie Handicap at Morphettville in 2004.
As well as being a black type galloper, Brilliant Jewel is a blood sister to the two time Sydney stakes winner Vionneto.
It is the same family as fellow Australian based stakes winners Fashion News, Cheverny, Academe, La Chasseuse and Vionnet.
Winner: Easy Successful
Breeding: Easy Rocking-Brilliant Jewel (Danzero)
Race: SCTC Bruce McLachlan Classic (1200m)
Sold for: $32,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Wattle Brae Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: Bryan Guy
Owner(s): Mr HB Chan
Earnings: $61,500
Trainer: Bryan Guy (Gold Coast)
Guy, still on a high after the birth of his first grandchild 10 days ago, was all smiles in the winner's stall following the win of the talented Easy Successful.
"He went very well this horse," Guy said. "He showed a bit of form before."
"We had to race at the (Gold) Coast to come to town. In his first start in a race he was three deep and he ran a nice race."
"Then the other day he was probably a little bit stiff, he got stuck in behind them and Chris said he probably should have won the race," Guy added.
"We came here today a little bit confident. But then I seen the (original) 17 barrier and that hurt for a while."
"He's done a very good job today. He had to run along after getting across from the 13 barrier and he held them all off - so he's done a great job."
A $32,000 Gold Coast purchase, Easy Successful ($5.50) cruised home to beat Internal Revenue ($3.40-$3.50 fav) by three parts of a length, while Denwood ($15) rounded out a Magic Millions trifecta by running third, a further neck back.
Easy Successful was purchased by Guy at the last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale on behalf of long time client, Hong Kong businessman Stanley Chan.
The young colt is a son of popular Wattle Brae Stud based sire Easy Rocking - a sire who's progeny are renowned for handling tracks with give.
He is the first named foal for the six time winning and stakes performed Danzero mare Brilliant Jewel.
A four time Melbourne winner, Brilliant Jewel earned black type when she ran third, beaten just half a length, in the listed Wylie Handicap at Morphettville in 2004.
As well as being a black type galloper, Brilliant Jewel is a blood sister to the two time Sydney stakes winner Vionneto.
It is the same family as fellow Australian based stakes winners Fashion News, Cheverny, Academe, La Chasseuse and Vionnet.
Winner: Easy Successful
Breeding: Easy Rocking-Brilliant Jewel (Danzero)
Race: SCTC Bruce McLachlan Classic (1200m)
Sold for: $32,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Wattle Brae Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: Bryan Guy
Owner(s): Mr HB Chan
Earnings: $61,500
Trainer: Bryan Guy (Gold Coast)
Day of 1st's at Eagle Farm Story & Photos Dan Costello
An ordinary midweek meeting at Eagle Farm (29/6/11) turned out to be a day of milestones for quite a few of racing's young guns.
Starting with Race 1 Priscilla Schmidt set the scene for the day when she recorded her 1st Metropolitan win, courtesy of 2 YO gelding Psychodelic trained on the Sunshine Coast by Ted Harden.
More photos of Priscilla's win are featured below along with wins posted by Apprentices Brad Wallace, Ashley Butler and former jockey come trainer Kelly Purdy who also trained her first metro winner
Above Left & Centre : Brad Wallace returns to the enclosure after registering the first leg of his double for the day on top weight Simply Smart.
Simply Smart is trained by former jockey Kelly Purdy (pictured far right in centre photo) and the win gave Kelly her first metropolitan win as a trainer.
Above Right: Brad Wallace recorded his double when piloting home Bingo Rose in race 5. That filly is prepared by David Kelly and will now probably head to David's home town to contest a race over the Grafton carnival.
Simply Smart is trained by former jockey Kelly Purdy (pictured far right in centre photo) and the win gave Kelly her first metropolitan win as a trainer.
Above Right: Brad Wallace recorded his double when piloting home Bingo Rose in race 5. That filly is prepared by David Kelly and will now probably head to David's home town to contest a race over the Grafton carnival.
Above Left : Ashley Butler rode Tomboy from the Rob Heathcote stable to take out race 4 . And then in driving rain celebrated his first city double taking out the last event on Ruse De Guerre for visiting Mornington trainer Pat Carey. (Above centre & right)
The Sun Shines (finally) on the Casella Wines Murwillumbah Cup Day Stories, Captions & Photos Dan Costello
The weather gods finally smiled on Murwillumbah (26/6/11) after previous meetings hosted by the Tweed River Jockey Club over the last few months ended in abandonment or cancellation and the locals turned out in numbers to support the annual event.
The Cup Day proudly sponsored by Casella Wines (Home of the famous Yellow Tail Wines) really is a family outing with every one catered for at all levels.
The day is one huge social event that should not be missed by any thoroughbred enthusiast that lives within cooee of Murwillumbah and the racing was action packed from the first to the last race.
A wrap up of the day follows.
It was a welcome to return to the winners circle for jockey Laura Cheshire who took out the 1st event " Yellowtail - Murwillumbah Golf Club 2YO on the Mark Sims (pictured extreme left of photo above) trained Witches Wonder.
Only one week ago Laura returned to race riding after sustaining injuries in a horrific fall at Ipswich on Christmas eve last year.
Only one week ago Laura returned to race riding after sustaining injuries in a horrific fall at Ipswich on Christmas eve last year.
Above left and centre: Scott Seamer's lucky number was 8 when he made it a winning double for the day taking out Race 2 Poolwerx Elanora Tweed Heads Maiden on the Danny Bowen trained Wayne's Command and returned in the last race "Riverview Hotel Class 3 to salute on the Bill Pholi trained Ladros.
Above Right : Matthew Paget (outside) gets one up on recent Group 1 winning jockey Jason Taylor when he rocketed home to win Race 4 the "Poinciana Hotel Class 2" on Casino based trainer Leo Clapham horse Yabbra.
Above Right : Matthew Paget (outside) gets one up on recent Group 1 winning jockey Jason Taylor when he rocketed home to win Race 4 the "Poinciana Hotel Class 2" on Casino based trainer Leo Clapham horse Yabbra.
Above Left : Race 3 was the Larkin Electrical Maiden & Jockey Sheree Drake and trainer Greg Cornish along with owners Mr & Mrs Warraner were photographed with the winning horse Zaha Secret.
Above Centre : Priscilla Schmidt has certainly been on the crest of a wave recently and today was no exception when she piloted home Urnfield to win the the Melaleuca Station Memorial Gardens Tyalgah Cup. Urnfield is prepared by Ballina trainer Stephen Lee.
Above Right: The Tweed River Jockey Club has longest serving Race Club Chairman in Australia and probably the world for that matter. Bernie Quinn was photographed dressed in the Yellow Tail colours.
Above Centre : Priscilla Schmidt has certainly been on the crest of a wave recently and today was no exception when she piloted home Urnfield to win the the Melaleuca Station Memorial Gardens Tyalgah Cup. Urnfield is prepared by Ballina trainer Stephen Lee.
Above Right: The Tweed River Jockey Club has longest serving Race Club Chairman in Australia and probably the world for that matter. Bernie Quinn was photographed dressed in the Yellow Tail colours.
Above Left : Jockey Paul Hammersley (left) and trainer Stephen Jones (right) stock up on Yellow Tail wines after Naynay won the WHK - Sky racing Gold Murwillumbah Newmarket.
Above Centre & Right: Paul Hammersley made it back to back wins by taking out the feature race of the the day " Casella Wines Murwillumbah Cup" on Warrior Within for his father in law and Gold Coast trainer Bruce Hill.
Above Centre & Right: Paul Hammersley made it back to back wins by taking out the feature race of the the day " Casella Wines Murwillumbah Cup" on Warrior Within for his father in law and Gold Coast trainer Bruce Hill.
O'Brien Trifecta In Group 1 Irish DerbyThe win gave trainer Aiden O'Brien his 6th consecutive win in the Derby. The Queens horse Carlton House started 5/4 fav and finished 4th. 1st Treasure Beach (GB) C O'Donoghue A O'Brien 7/2 2nd Seville (GER) S Heffernan A O'Brien 5/1 3rd Memphis Tennessee J O'Brien A O'Brien 10/1 Margins 3/4 Length x 1 Length |
OAKS NEXT AS FILLY BEATS THE BOYS Magic Millions Media Release Photos Dan Costello
Fillydelphia burst into contention for the Group One Queensland Oaks when she beat the boys in the Group Three Rough Habit Plate (2020m) at Doomben. (14/5/11)
Trained by Robert Heathcote, Fillydelphia unleashed a powerful burst in the straight to feel in the leaders and then establish a winning break.
For Heathcote the win gave him great satisfastion, knowing the filly had always possessed well above average ability,
"I've been saying for a fair while now that she's got it," Heathcote said moments after the win.
"She's always been a potential Oaks horse."
"I probably feel a little for Larry (Cassidy, former rider)," Heathcote added.
"He's done a lot of work on her. After her last couple of runs I had to make a really tough decision."
"I took the blinkers off of her and took Larry off her. I told him it was nothing against his riding - it's just we need to change our luck."
"We knew how well she was going," Heathcote summed up.
A daughter of Swettenham Stud's regally bred Danzig sire Bianconi, Fillydelphia is the 16th stakes winner for her sire.
She is the sole runner to date for her dam, the once winning Encosta de Lago mare Edel Vanessa.
Fillydelphia is now a five time winner from just 14 starts and she's earned her connections over $167,000 - not bad for a filly who could have been yours for just $18,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Bianconi has two yearlings catalogued for June's National Yearling Sale - one them a three quarter sister to his multiple stakes winner Classiconi.
Winner: Fillydelphia (Bianconi-Edel Vanessa)
Race: BTC Rough Habit Plate G3 (2020m)
Passed for: $14,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Wattle Brae Stud
Reserve: $18,000
Earnings: $167,800
Owner(s): Mr FG Wolber & Ms PM Stephens
Trainer: Robert Heathcote (Eagle Farm)
Trained by Robert Heathcote, Fillydelphia unleashed a powerful burst in the straight to feel in the leaders and then establish a winning break.
For Heathcote the win gave him great satisfastion, knowing the filly had always possessed well above average ability,
"I've been saying for a fair while now that she's got it," Heathcote said moments after the win.
"She's always been a potential Oaks horse."
"I probably feel a little for Larry (Cassidy, former rider)," Heathcote added.
"He's done a lot of work on her. After her last couple of runs I had to make a really tough decision."
"I took the blinkers off of her and took Larry off her. I told him it was nothing against his riding - it's just we need to change our luck."
"We knew how well she was going," Heathcote summed up.
A daughter of Swettenham Stud's regally bred Danzig sire Bianconi, Fillydelphia is the 16th stakes winner for her sire.
She is the sole runner to date for her dam, the once winning Encosta de Lago mare Edel Vanessa.
Fillydelphia is now a five time winner from just 14 starts and she's earned her connections over $167,000 - not bad for a filly who could have been yours for just $18,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Bianconi has two yearlings catalogued for June's National Yearling Sale - one them a three quarter sister to his multiple stakes winner Classiconi.
Winner: Fillydelphia (Bianconi-Edel Vanessa)
Race: BTC Rough Habit Plate G3 (2020m)
Passed for: $14,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Wattle Brae Stud
Reserve: $18,000
Earnings: $167,800
Owner(s): Mr FG Wolber & Ms PM Stephens
Trainer: Robert Heathcote (Eagle Farm)
ROSE BLOOMS AS SALE DATE APPROACHES Magic Millions Media Release Photos Dan Costello
Star filly Military Rose emphasised her status as one of the star lots of the upcoming Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale with a classy all the way win in the Group Three Gold Coast Guineas (1200m).
Back racing at her home track for the first time since her win in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic last year, Military Rose replicated that performance with a strong on speed victory.
The daughter of General Nediym appreciated the improving slow track and under the urgings of leading local rider Daniel Griffin she still held a half length margin on the line over runner-up and fellow Gold Coast purchase Celtic Dancer.
Trainer Gillian Heinrich was all smiles after notching another feature race victory on her home track.
"I'm absolutely rapt," Heinrich beamed. "She is back!"
"I was a little bit worried about four weeks ago when she started down there in Sydney."
"But I think she is the sort of filly, that if you let her lead she is comfortable and she doesn't fight and doesn't choke down."
"Everything works out better for her (when she leads) and obviously Dan rode her like that today and she's back."
Heinrich had Military Rose in Sydney for some of their carnival features but returned home frustrated after continual rain left Sydney's tracks drenched.
"We stayed in Sydney ticking her over for about six weeks and it just rained and rained. We put her in everything and just kept scratching and scratching."
"Eventually we brought her home for this race. This morning they said (the track was) a slow 6 and I just hoped it would pick up by this afternoon."
Heinrich is unsure whether the filly will race again prior to go under the hammer at the National Broodmare Sale in June.
"This was really the race for her. She's going to sales in June for a broodmare. There are those 1350s coming up, but if she can get the 1350, that's another thing."
"We'll just have to see after today and have a think about what we're going to do with her," Heinrich summed up.
The filly has been an extraordinary money spinner for connections following her purchase by the Heinrich team for $155,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
With six wins and a placing from 11 starts her earnings currently sit at an imposing haul of $1,626,900.
Military Rose is catalogued as lot number 733 and she is one of eight quality lots consigned by Heinrich Bloodstock.
Also in the draft is Swiss Rose - third placegetter in today's Silk Stocking at listed level. She is already a proven stakes winner.
Winner: Military Rose (General Nediym-Bella Maddelena)
Race: GCTC Gold Coast Guineas G3 (1200m)
Sold for: $155,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Middlebrook Valley (As Agent)
Buyer: Heinrich Bloodstock
Earnings: $1,626,900
Owner(s): Heinrich Bloodstock Syndicate
Trainer: Gillian Heinrich (Gold Coast)
Back racing at her home track for the first time since her win in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic last year, Military Rose replicated that performance with a strong on speed victory.
The daughter of General Nediym appreciated the improving slow track and under the urgings of leading local rider Daniel Griffin she still held a half length margin on the line over runner-up and fellow Gold Coast purchase Celtic Dancer.
Trainer Gillian Heinrich was all smiles after notching another feature race victory on her home track.
"I'm absolutely rapt," Heinrich beamed. "She is back!"
"I was a little bit worried about four weeks ago when she started down there in Sydney."
"But I think she is the sort of filly, that if you let her lead she is comfortable and she doesn't fight and doesn't choke down."
"Everything works out better for her (when she leads) and obviously Dan rode her like that today and she's back."
Heinrich had Military Rose in Sydney for some of their carnival features but returned home frustrated after continual rain left Sydney's tracks drenched.
"We stayed in Sydney ticking her over for about six weeks and it just rained and rained. We put her in everything and just kept scratching and scratching."
"Eventually we brought her home for this race. This morning they said (the track was) a slow 6 and I just hoped it would pick up by this afternoon."
Heinrich is unsure whether the filly will race again prior to go under the hammer at the National Broodmare Sale in June.
"This was really the race for her. She's going to sales in June for a broodmare. There are those 1350s coming up, but if she can get the 1350, that's another thing."
"We'll just have to see after today and have a think about what we're going to do with her," Heinrich summed up.
The filly has been an extraordinary money spinner for connections following her purchase by the Heinrich team for $155,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
With six wins and a placing from 11 starts her earnings currently sit at an imposing haul of $1,626,900.
Military Rose is catalogued as lot number 733 and she is one of eight quality lots consigned by Heinrich Bloodstock.
Also in the draft is Swiss Rose - third placegetter in today's Silk Stocking at listed level. She is already a proven stakes winner.
Winner: Military Rose (General Nediym-Bella Maddelena)
Race: GCTC Gold Coast Guineas G3 (1200m)
Sold for: $155,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Middlebrook Valley (As Agent)
Buyer: Heinrich Bloodstock
Earnings: $1,626,900
Owner(s): Heinrich Bloodstock Syndicate
Trainer: Gillian Heinrich (Gold Coast)
STRADBROKE MISSION FOR BEETHOG Magic Millions Media Release Photos Dan Costello
Stradbroke Handicap plans for Beethog were given a boost when the classy mare scored a gutsy all the win in the listed Silk Stocking Handicap (1200m) at the Gold Coast Saturday 7th May.
Prepared at the track by Les Kelly, Beethog was sent across the field from a wide barrier early by Joe Bowditch and from there they wouldn't be headed - beating out fellow Magic Millions graduate Casholet in a driving finish.
An emotional Kelly said after the race that Beethog had always shown connections loads of ability and she would be tested at racing's elite level in the coming weeks.
"From there (the outside draw) we had to go forward," he said. "She's just so small - but she's pretty good."
"She's very hard to handle and I think that is why Greg (Ryan, senior part owner) gave her to me," Kelly added with a chuckle.
"It's just great to win this race here on our home track - especially year to year."
Kelly has trained a number of classy gallopers including Black Ink and Devil and he has a very good opinion of Beethog as well.
"I've had some real good horses and this is a good filly as well."
"She's going to the Stradbroke," he summed up. "She had a foot injury after she won the Guineas and she's only had four starts since then."
Beethog, now a multiple stakes winner, is doing a great job for her connections.
On this card last year the four-year-old daughter of Shovhog won the Gold Coast Guineas for comeback jockey Justin Stanley - who ironically won the previous race at Ipswich just minutes earlier.
Beethog's impressive record reads out at four wins and four minor placings from just 13 starts and earnings of $235,650 - not bad considering the Raheen Stud offering could have been yours for just $10,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
One of six winners, from six to race, for the unraced Alquoz mare Gypsy Ahlee, Beethog is a half sister to the Sydney stakes performed five time winner Gypsy Mai.
The race's third placegetter Swiss Rose, already a proven stakes winner, is catalogued for June's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Winner: Beethog (Shovhog-Gypsy Ahlee)
Race: GCTC Silk Stocking Handicap LR (1200m)
Passed for: $8,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale
Vendor: Raheen Stud (As Agent)
Reserve: $10,000
Earnings: $235,650
Owner(s): Mr GR Ryan, Mr GF Lanham, Mrs BV Lanham & Mrs LA Ryan
Trainer: Les Kelly (Gold Coast)
Prepared at the track by Les Kelly, Beethog was sent across the field from a wide barrier early by Joe Bowditch and from there they wouldn't be headed - beating out fellow Magic Millions graduate Casholet in a driving finish.
An emotional Kelly said after the race that Beethog had always shown connections loads of ability and she would be tested at racing's elite level in the coming weeks.
"From there (the outside draw) we had to go forward," he said. "She's just so small - but she's pretty good."
"She's very hard to handle and I think that is why Greg (Ryan, senior part owner) gave her to me," Kelly added with a chuckle.
"It's just great to win this race here on our home track - especially year to year."
Kelly has trained a number of classy gallopers including Black Ink and Devil and he has a very good opinion of Beethog as well.
"I've had some real good horses and this is a good filly as well."
"She's going to the Stradbroke," he summed up. "She had a foot injury after she won the Guineas and she's only had four starts since then."
Beethog, now a multiple stakes winner, is doing a great job for her connections.
On this card last year the four-year-old daughter of Shovhog won the Gold Coast Guineas for comeback jockey Justin Stanley - who ironically won the previous race at Ipswich just minutes earlier.
Beethog's impressive record reads out at four wins and four minor placings from just 13 starts and earnings of $235,650 - not bad considering the Raheen Stud offering could have been yours for just $10,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.
One of six winners, from six to race, for the unraced Alquoz mare Gypsy Ahlee, Beethog is a half sister to the Sydney stakes performed five time winner Gypsy Mai.
The race's third placegetter Swiss Rose, already a proven stakes winner, is catalogued for June's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Winner: Beethog (Shovhog-Gypsy Ahlee)
Race: GCTC Silk Stocking Handicap LR (1200m)
Passed for: $8,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale
Vendor: Raheen Stud (As Agent)
Reserve: $10,000
Earnings: $235,650
Owner(s): Mr GR Ryan, Mr GF Lanham, Mrs BV Lanham & Mrs LA Ryan
Trainer: Les Kelly (Gold Coast)
Dragon flames again in thrilling APQEII Cup Story & Photos courtesy Hong Kong Jockey Club
HKG1 Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby winner Ambitious Dragon, already clear leader in the ratings search for Hong Kong’s most improved racehorse of the 2010/11 season, proved himself a marvel of durability as well as an international G1 performer of the highest class when producing the blazing finish that has become his trademark and blow away the opposition in the 2011 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup.
The Tony Millard-trained champion, ridden by Douglas Whyte for owner Johnson Lam Pui Hung, won by three quarters of a length from the fast finishing Tony Cruz-trained California Memory with one of the John Moore quartet of runners, Mighty High, staying on well for third. But as in all his recent victories, it was the devastating effect of his acceleration that stuck in the memory rather than the margin of victory.
“They call this one of the glamour events,” said Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, “and it’s certainly lived up to that billing today. This was a fantastic meeting and we’ve had fantastic support and coverage from the media. I know our sponsors are once again very pleased with their day.
“What’s really impressive though is the way in which our younger horses have come through. We have exceptionally good and talented four-year-olds. The acceleration of Ambitious Dragon was astonishing, and also that of California Memory who perhaps was even a little unlucky.
“Turnover on the race itself was up to HK$124 million from HK$102 million last year reinforcing our strategy of promoting international races. The day’s turnover was HK$1,069 million. And the total turnover on the two meetings, last Monday and today, was up despite the fact that we lost HK$36.5 million with the late scratching of the favorite in Race 2. But this isn’t just about turnover, it’s about the sports, competition and atmosphere, which I think it was good. It’s also about one of the most exciting horses we’ve had in Hong Kong for quite a long time.”
Ambitious Dragon provided champion jockey Whyte with his third APQEII Cup win after victories on London News and Oriental Express in 1997 and 1998 respectively.
“It all went so sweetly in the race,” said Whyte, who took over the mount from Maxime Guyon after the young Frenchman had been unable to come to Hong Kong because of obligations at home. “The only bit of aggro came in the stalls when he wanted to put his head down once, then did it again just before they opened. In fact he could almost have lost the race at the gate. But after he’d come out a bit more slowly than the others he did everything right, and when I asked him to go he was in front in a matter of about three strides.
“I suppose I have to thank Monsieur Andre Fabre for asking Maxime Guyon to stay in France,” joked the champion jockey, “but when you’re looking for good rides it’s every man for himself! It was great to ride another APQEII Cup winner for another South African trainer too because I started my career here by winning this race on London News. I think I had the whole of South Africa behind me then.”
The race was another triumph for trainer Tony Millard who admitted he had feared the campaign, which began back in October, might have been too long for his star performer who has now equalled the Hong Kong record of seven wins in a season established last year by Entrapment: “I was very worried in the weeks from the Derby to here because I felt we’d really squeezed him for the Derby. But he’s come back up again, and to get left at the start as well, it just shows how good he is. The horse comes first and he’ll take a break now. We’ll look at the local races first next season before we start thinking about races overseas, because I think this horse could be around at the top for another two or three years if we look after him properly.”
Asked about Ambitious Dragon’s spectacular improvement, Millard added: “We knew what he was doing wrong and we knew that if we got that right he would start to improve, but we couldn’t have guessed by how much.”
Owner Johnson Lam echoed the sentiment: “When I bought him I thought he’d be a good horse but I never imagined he’d be as good as this.”
While the winner deserves every bit of the praise lavished on him, the second, California Memory, ran a mighty race in defeat and will now go on, said trainer Tony Cruz, to contest the Singapore Airlines International Cup this month. California Memory surged through from the rear, weaving between horses, and was certainly not losing any ground to Ambitious Dragon in the last 50m as he produced a stunning 21.42 final quarter on ground that had taken a fair bit of rain in recent days. His jockey Matthew Chadwick felt that: “We were just about two lengths too far back when starting the run, that’s all it was.”
John Moore contenders Mighty High and Irian filled third and fourth positions with the stable’s old hero the great Viva Pataca, running for the sixth time in a race he has won twice, certainly not disgraced in fifth place - just a length and three quarters behind the brilliant winner.
The Tony Millard-trained champion, ridden by Douglas Whyte for owner Johnson Lam Pui Hung, won by three quarters of a length from the fast finishing Tony Cruz-trained California Memory with one of the John Moore quartet of runners, Mighty High, staying on well for third. But as in all his recent victories, it was the devastating effect of his acceleration that stuck in the memory rather than the margin of victory.
“They call this one of the glamour events,” said Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, “and it’s certainly lived up to that billing today. This was a fantastic meeting and we’ve had fantastic support and coverage from the media. I know our sponsors are once again very pleased with their day.
“What’s really impressive though is the way in which our younger horses have come through. We have exceptionally good and talented four-year-olds. The acceleration of Ambitious Dragon was astonishing, and also that of California Memory who perhaps was even a little unlucky.
“Turnover on the race itself was up to HK$124 million from HK$102 million last year reinforcing our strategy of promoting international races. The day’s turnover was HK$1,069 million. And the total turnover on the two meetings, last Monday and today, was up despite the fact that we lost HK$36.5 million with the late scratching of the favorite in Race 2. But this isn’t just about turnover, it’s about the sports, competition and atmosphere, which I think it was good. It’s also about one of the most exciting horses we’ve had in Hong Kong for quite a long time.”
Ambitious Dragon provided champion jockey Whyte with his third APQEII Cup win after victories on London News and Oriental Express in 1997 and 1998 respectively.
“It all went so sweetly in the race,” said Whyte, who took over the mount from Maxime Guyon after the young Frenchman had been unable to come to Hong Kong because of obligations at home. “The only bit of aggro came in the stalls when he wanted to put his head down once, then did it again just before they opened. In fact he could almost have lost the race at the gate. But after he’d come out a bit more slowly than the others he did everything right, and when I asked him to go he was in front in a matter of about three strides.
“I suppose I have to thank Monsieur Andre Fabre for asking Maxime Guyon to stay in France,” joked the champion jockey, “but when you’re looking for good rides it’s every man for himself! It was great to ride another APQEII Cup winner for another South African trainer too because I started my career here by winning this race on London News. I think I had the whole of South Africa behind me then.”
The race was another triumph for trainer Tony Millard who admitted he had feared the campaign, which began back in October, might have been too long for his star performer who has now equalled the Hong Kong record of seven wins in a season established last year by Entrapment: “I was very worried in the weeks from the Derby to here because I felt we’d really squeezed him for the Derby. But he’s come back up again, and to get left at the start as well, it just shows how good he is. The horse comes first and he’ll take a break now. We’ll look at the local races first next season before we start thinking about races overseas, because I think this horse could be around at the top for another two or three years if we look after him properly.”
Asked about Ambitious Dragon’s spectacular improvement, Millard added: “We knew what he was doing wrong and we knew that if we got that right he would start to improve, but we couldn’t have guessed by how much.”
Owner Johnson Lam echoed the sentiment: “When I bought him I thought he’d be a good horse but I never imagined he’d be as good as this.”
While the winner deserves every bit of the praise lavished on him, the second, California Memory, ran a mighty race in defeat and will now go on, said trainer Tony Cruz, to contest the Singapore Airlines International Cup this month. California Memory surged through from the rear, weaving between horses, and was certainly not losing any ground to Ambitious Dragon in the last 50m as he produced a stunning 21.42 final quarter on ground that had taken a fair bit of rain in recent days. His jockey Matthew Chadwick felt that: “We were just about two lengths too far back when starting the run, that’s all it was.”
John Moore contenders Mighty High and Irian filled third and fourth positions with the stable’s old hero the great Viva Pataca, running for the sixth time in a race he has won twice, certainly not disgraced in fifth place - just a length and three quarters behind the brilliant winner.
Xtension outstretches his opponents in BMW Champions Mile Story & Photos Courtesy Hong Kong Jockey Club
Xtension scored his first Hong Kong win at Sha Tin and did so by going straight to the very top, claiming victory over a star-studded field in the international G1 BMW Champions Mile, the third leg of Asian Mile Challenge.
In a slowly run race the four-year-old son of Xaar, trained by John Moore who has now won three of the last five renewals of the event, beat Lucky Nine by half a length, with Musir, the UAE representative trained by Mike De Kock, another short head away in third.
Moore and jockey Darren Beadman combined for the second year in succession for Champions Mile glory, having won the race in 2010 with Able One, who with a preparation shortened by a hairline fracture of the tibia, could not get involved this time. Beadman and Moore crowned a magnificent day with victory in the last three races, of which Xtension’s BMW Champions Mile was the first leg.
Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges hailed another successful big race day which saw Hong Kong runners extend their dominance in an event they have captured every year since it was opened to overseas competition in 2005, but added: “I was very pleased to see horses who had performed well in Dubai also able to perform well here today. The Hong Kong four-year-old milers have shown they are really of top class international quality, but the Dubai aspect of the event was very encouraging too.”
In the first year in which the Champions Mile, now under BMW sponsorship, has been run on a different day from the Audemars PiguetQueen Elizabeth II Cup, Engelbrecht-Bresges went on to point out: “We had a great atmosphere and the sponsors were really delighted. Turnover on the race was up too from HK$100 million in 2010 to HK$117 million this year.”
In this HK$12 million race, Beauty Flash and Gerald Mosse dictated a fairly sedate pace in front, as they had done in two winning G1s over the same course and distance, starting with the Hong Kong Mile in December. But although the Tony Cruz trained chestnut fought on in his usual game fashion he was unable to resist the trio of four-year-olds who packed too much punch for him in the finish.
Xtension, runner-up last time to Ambitious Dragon in the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby, paid that winner a huge compliment as he defeated a talent-packed field that included the 2011 Dubai Duty Free winner Presvis, the 2010 UAE Derby winner Musir and the 2010 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile winner Beauty Flash. Lucky Nine, winner of the 2011 MBHK Hong Kong Classic Mile the last time he tackled the 1600m trip, also franked the Derby form, if indirectly, as Ambitious Dragon had defeated him in the HKG1 Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Cup.
“He acclimatized very well after coming here from England,” said Moore of Xtension. “But he’s always found one or two too good for him on the day until now. This time thanks to a great ride from Darren he’s delivered.”
“What a great day we’ve had,” said Beadman. “He had the perfect trail into the race. We got onto the right horse’s back in the run home, and my bloke was just too strong
for them.”
Moore feels a trip to Royal Ascot for a tilt at the G1 Queen Anne Stakes might be a possibility for the BMW Champions Mile winner, and also, thinking longer term, said he was considering a visit to Australia in October for his home country’s most prestigious weight for age race, the Cox Plate. “I’d like to have a go at the Ascot race,” said Moore. “Maybe the likes of Canford Cliffs and Goldikova will stretch him, but it would be good to go for the atmosphere and the occasion.”
Smiling Owner Steven Lo Kit Sing, invited to give his approval, said: “I think I will leave all decisions on the horse to my trainer.”
The absence of speed early in the race, which was completed in 1.34.71, perhaps proved the undoing of Musir and Presvis, both of whom were making ground at the finish but too late for them to get in blows at the winner, and the other overseas contender Royal Bench failed to make an impact after a check early in the straight, finishing eleventh of the 14 runners.
But nothing can detract from the performance of the winner who, after his fourth in last year’s 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, has now shown himself a full member of the top flight in Hong Kong too. If any other horse has been able to open his Hong Kong account with victory in a G1 of such stature his identity has escaped the notice of all historians.
In a slowly run race the four-year-old son of Xaar, trained by John Moore who has now won three of the last five renewals of the event, beat Lucky Nine by half a length, with Musir, the UAE representative trained by Mike De Kock, another short head away in third.
Moore and jockey Darren Beadman combined for the second year in succession for Champions Mile glory, having won the race in 2010 with Able One, who with a preparation shortened by a hairline fracture of the tibia, could not get involved this time. Beadman and Moore crowned a magnificent day with victory in the last three races, of which Xtension’s BMW Champions Mile was the first leg.
Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges hailed another successful big race day which saw Hong Kong runners extend their dominance in an event they have captured every year since it was opened to overseas competition in 2005, but added: “I was very pleased to see horses who had performed well in Dubai also able to perform well here today. The Hong Kong four-year-old milers have shown they are really of top class international quality, but the Dubai aspect of the event was very encouraging too.”
In the first year in which the Champions Mile, now under BMW sponsorship, has been run on a different day from the Audemars PiguetQueen Elizabeth II Cup, Engelbrecht-Bresges went on to point out: “We had a great atmosphere and the sponsors were really delighted. Turnover on the race was up too from HK$100 million in 2010 to HK$117 million this year.”
In this HK$12 million race, Beauty Flash and Gerald Mosse dictated a fairly sedate pace in front, as they had done in two winning G1s over the same course and distance, starting with the Hong Kong Mile in December. But although the Tony Cruz trained chestnut fought on in his usual game fashion he was unable to resist the trio of four-year-olds who packed too much punch for him in the finish.
Xtension, runner-up last time to Ambitious Dragon in the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby, paid that winner a huge compliment as he defeated a talent-packed field that included the 2011 Dubai Duty Free winner Presvis, the 2010 UAE Derby winner Musir and the 2010 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile winner Beauty Flash. Lucky Nine, winner of the 2011 MBHK Hong Kong Classic Mile the last time he tackled the 1600m trip, also franked the Derby form, if indirectly, as Ambitious Dragon had defeated him in the HKG1 Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Cup.
“He acclimatized very well after coming here from England,” said Moore of Xtension. “But he’s always found one or two too good for him on the day until now. This time thanks to a great ride from Darren he’s delivered.”
“What a great day we’ve had,” said Beadman. “He had the perfect trail into the race. We got onto the right horse’s back in the run home, and my bloke was just too strong
for them.”
Moore feels a trip to Royal Ascot for a tilt at the G1 Queen Anne Stakes might be a possibility for the BMW Champions Mile winner, and also, thinking longer term, said he was considering a visit to Australia in October for his home country’s most prestigious weight for age race, the Cox Plate. “I’d like to have a go at the Ascot race,” said Moore. “Maybe the likes of Canford Cliffs and Goldikova will stretch him, but it would be good to go for the atmosphere and the occasion.”
Smiling Owner Steven Lo Kit Sing, invited to give his approval, said: “I think I will leave all decisions on the horse to my trainer.”
The absence of speed early in the race, which was completed in 1.34.71, perhaps proved the undoing of Musir and Presvis, both of whom were making ground at the finish but too late for them to get in blows at the winner, and the other overseas contender Royal Bench failed to make an impact after a check early in the straight, finishing eleventh of the 14 runners.
But nothing can detract from the performance of the winner who, after his fourth in last year’s 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, has now shown himself a full member of the top flight in Hong Kong too. If any other horse has been able to open his Hong Kong account with victory in a G1 of such stature his identity has escaped the notice of all historians.
Milestone win for Justin Wood
Justin Wood riding Underthebonnet for his master Steele Ryan landed his 100th winner at Ipswich on Friday.
Noted as having barrier issues, Underthebonnet again stood flat footed at the start placing Wood at a disadvantage and tailing off the field. Wood however, was unfazed and weaved his way through the field to score by a short head in a thrilling finish over Glen Colless on Kiss Me Deadly.
Wood capped off the day in the last race winning on Mary Tee for Oakey trainer Roger Milne.
Justin currently leads the Apprentice Jockeys Premiership from his brother Mitchell.
A short interview with Justin can be listened to by clicking on the icon below
Impressive First Winner for Collate Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
For the second time this season, leading young Brisbane horseman Steven O'Dea has kicked away a freshman sire with his first winner.
Late last year his stable provided the first winner for promising first season sire Excites and on Saturday he kicked away the account for Collate.
Callan Park, who was city placed in her debut in late February, made history when she came from well back on the corner to win in great style. ( PICTURED LEFT in Red Colours )
Sent out at $26, Callan Park flew home under in form apprentice Mitchell Speers to beat Black Cash in a thrilling photo finish.
O'Dea took a shine to Callan Park at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and went to $7,000 to secure her from the Burwood Stud draft.
"I've tipped her out for a couple of weeks in the paddock for a freshen up and she'll come back and be set for a couple of QTIS 600 races during June and July," O'Dea reported.
"She has a great attitude and constitution and is good to do anything with," he added.
In winning on Saturday the filly earned $74,000 - bringing her career earnings to $77,100 from just four starts.
She is the first runner to date for her dam - the winning King of Kings mare Royalties.
Royalties is from the Perth based juvenile stakes winning Protos mare Count the Cash.
Callan Park's sire Collate, a son of Catbird, was a quality racehorse who won six races from 1100 to 1400 metres and earned over $300,000 in stakes money.
He won two group races - the Group Three Frederick Clissold Stakes and the Group Three Cameron Handicap at Newcastle.
The promising young sire is a resident of Queensland's Burwood Stud.
Late last year his stable provided the first winner for promising first season sire Excites and on Saturday he kicked away the account for Collate.
Callan Park, who was city placed in her debut in late February, made history when she came from well back on the corner to win in great style. ( PICTURED LEFT in Red Colours )
Sent out at $26, Callan Park flew home under in form apprentice Mitchell Speers to beat Black Cash in a thrilling photo finish.
O'Dea took a shine to Callan Park at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and went to $7,000 to secure her from the Burwood Stud draft.
"I've tipped her out for a couple of weeks in the paddock for a freshen up and she'll come back and be set for a couple of QTIS 600 races during June and July," O'Dea reported.
"She has a great attitude and constitution and is good to do anything with," he added.
In winning on Saturday the filly earned $74,000 - bringing her career earnings to $77,100 from just four starts.
She is the first runner to date for her dam - the winning King of Kings mare Royalties.
Royalties is from the Perth based juvenile stakes winning Protos mare Count the Cash.
Callan Park's sire Collate, a son of Catbird, was a quality racehorse who won six races from 1100 to 1400 metres and earned over $300,000 in stakes money.
He won two group races - the Group Three Frederick Clissold Stakes and the Group Three Cameron Handicap at Newcastle.
The promising young sire is a resident of Queensland's Burwood Stud.
Quality QTIS Sale Fast Approaching Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
The best incentive thoroughbred sale in Australasia - the Magic Millions QTIS 600 Yearling Sale - is fast approaching.
The Gold Coast complex will come alive with an outstanding line up of racetrack prospects going under the hammer on April 17 and 18.
Past sale graduates continue to race with great distinction and on Saturday another of these, the Robert Heathcote trainer Excellantes was an impressive winner in Brisbane. (Pictured Left)
A half brother by Falvelon to Group Two winner Funtantes, Excellantes is from a city winning mare by Just Awesome.
He cost $105,000 when purchased from the draft of Lyndhurst Stud at the 2009 QTIS 600 Yearling Sale by New Zealand based agent Paul Willetts.
Heathcote has had great success buying from the QTIS 600 Sale - stable star Buffering a sale graduate purchased for $22,000 and earner of over $600,000.
The two day 2011 QTIS 600 Yearling Sale has attracted a catalogue of 545 yearlings which are eligible for over $16 million in added stakes and restricted races with the QTIS 600 and Magic Millions series'.
The Gold Coast complex will come alive with an outstanding line up of racetrack prospects going under the hammer on April 17 and 18.
Past sale graduates continue to race with great distinction and on Saturday another of these, the Robert Heathcote trainer Excellantes was an impressive winner in Brisbane. (Pictured Left)
A half brother by Falvelon to Group Two winner Funtantes, Excellantes is from a city winning mare by Just Awesome.
He cost $105,000 when purchased from the draft of Lyndhurst Stud at the 2009 QTIS 600 Yearling Sale by New Zealand based agent Paul Willetts.
Heathcote has had great success buying from the QTIS 600 Sale - stable star Buffering a sale graduate purchased for $22,000 and earner of over $600,000.
The two day 2011 QTIS 600 Yearling Sale has attracted a catalogue of 545 yearlings which are eligible for over $16 million in added stakes and restricted races with the QTIS 600 and Magic Millions series'.
Dubai World Cup winner Victoire Pisa arrives to prepare for APQEII Cup HKJC Media Release
Last Week saw the arrival at Sha Tin of Japanese star Victoire Pisa, winner of the Dubai World Cup on 26 March, who is here to prepare for the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup on 1 May. The son of Neo Universe (by Sunday Silence), out of the G2 winning and G1 placed British mare Whitewater Affair, is the first winner of the world’s richest horserace to attempt to follow up in the APQEII Cup. Following Matsurida Gogh in 2008, he is also the second winner of Japan’s end of season championship, the Arima Kinen, to make the APQEII Cup bid. The four-year-old is the winner of eight of his 13 races and has not been defeated in three starts since his third in the Japan Cup last November.
Ambitious Dragon Breathes Fire Into Derby Media Release & Photo HKJC
Under a ride full of panache from Maxime Guyon, hot favourite Ambitious Dragon, trained by Tony Millard for owner Johnson Lam Pui Hung, delivered exactly what his fans have come to expect of him when coming with a strong late run to overpower the leaders and win the HK$16 million HKG1 2011 Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin today. The John Moore-trained Xtension kept on well for second three quarters of a length behind the winner, with Let Me Handle It, trained by Caspar Fownes almost four more lengths behind in third and another John Moore horse, Jacobee, a full six lengths behind the winner in fourth.
Although the winning margin was less than a length Ambitious Dragon always seemed to have the measure of the runner-up in the last 200m and with such a long gap back to the remainder of his rivals he gave the distinct impression in this, his fourth consecutive victory and his second HKG1, that he may be a Derby winner of unusual quality. It can hardly be called a triumph without problem as Guyon had to find a way to victory from the outside gate, but the Frenchman accomplished his task without mishap as the class of the son of Pins helped him through.
“I am very, very happy,” said the winning jockey, who had flown from France for the ride, through an interpreter. “He was a big favourite but he did everything I asked. I am so happy with him and so full of confidence too for future races. I only had to whip him once and I think he is sure to be an international G1 horse of the future.”
“I didn’t worry about the draw,” said a jubilant Millard afterwards, although no horse had won the Derby from Gate14 since the race distance was changed to 2000m at the start of the millennium. “I just worried about the horse. But after the draw I went to look at him and he looked so well I had no doubts. You get a horse like this just once or twice in a lifetime and I just feel lucky to have him. Maxime rode him an absolute treat. At one point he was blocked too, but the horse was good enough in spite of that. He’s one of those you just dream about.
“It’s been a tough time,” added the South African, referring to the stable’s shortage of big race success since his previous 2000 Derbywinner Keen Winner, a horse he rates much inferior to today’s victor. “We’ve had a long time in the wilderness, and I just hope people will start believing in us now as we’ve always believed in ourselves.”
Millard was keen to share the credit with his staff: “Particularly Carol Yu who is a very, very good assistant trainer and is 110 per cent dedicated. Ambitious Dragon will definitely go for the (Audemars Piguet) QE II Cup on 1 May now and after that he’ll have a spell. He’s earned it, hasn’t he. Not many horses progress from Class 4 to win the Derby, but he’s done that.”
Not only has he done that, but he’s become the first horse in Hong Kong to score six times this season. If he now goes on to further triumph in the APQEII Cup, he will have equalled the Hong Kong seasonal record of seven victories set last year by Entrapment.
A combined total of 46,566 attended to watch Ambitious Dragon’s moment of glory, an increase of almost 7,000 on attendance for the same event in 2010.
Although the winning margin was less than a length Ambitious Dragon always seemed to have the measure of the runner-up in the last 200m and with such a long gap back to the remainder of his rivals he gave the distinct impression in this, his fourth consecutive victory and his second HKG1, that he may be a Derby winner of unusual quality. It can hardly be called a triumph without problem as Guyon had to find a way to victory from the outside gate, but the Frenchman accomplished his task without mishap as the class of the son of Pins helped him through.
“I am very, very happy,” said the winning jockey, who had flown from France for the ride, through an interpreter. “He was a big favourite but he did everything I asked. I am so happy with him and so full of confidence too for future races. I only had to whip him once and I think he is sure to be an international G1 horse of the future.”
“I didn’t worry about the draw,” said a jubilant Millard afterwards, although no horse had won the Derby from Gate14 since the race distance was changed to 2000m at the start of the millennium. “I just worried about the horse. But after the draw I went to look at him and he looked so well I had no doubts. You get a horse like this just once or twice in a lifetime and I just feel lucky to have him. Maxime rode him an absolute treat. At one point he was blocked too, but the horse was good enough in spite of that. He’s one of those you just dream about.
“It’s been a tough time,” added the South African, referring to the stable’s shortage of big race success since his previous 2000 Derbywinner Keen Winner, a horse he rates much inferior to today’s victor. “We’ve had a long time in the wilderness, and I just hope people will start believing in us now as we’ve always believed in ourselves.”
Millard was keen to share the credit with his staff: “Particularly Carol Yu who is a very, very good assistant trainer and is 110 per cent dedicated. Ambitious Dragon will definitely go for the (Audemars Piguet) QE II Cup on 1 May now and after that he’ll have a spell. He’s earned it, hasn’t he. Not many horses progress from Class 4 to win the Derby, but he’s done that.”
Not only has he done that, but he’s become the first horse in Hong Kong to score six times this season. If he now goes on to further triumph in the APQEII Cup, he will have equalled the Hong Kong seasonal record of seven victories set last year by Entrapment.
A combined total of 46,566 attended to watch Ambitious Dragon’s moment of glory, an increase of almost 7,000 on attendance for the same event in 2010.
Record average price at 2011 Hong Kong International Sale HKJC Story & Photo
Lot 2, (pictured right) a bay son of O’Reilly out of a Centaine mare, knocked down to Tommy Yeung Kin Wing, currently owner of Fascinating Smile, made the highest price at a highly successful Hong Kong International Sale of 2011, at which the 20 lots fetched a record average of HK$4,705,000. The O’Reilly colt’s price of HK$7.5 million itself equalled the sale record for an individual.
“We are delighted with the results of the sale as you would expect,” said Hong Kong Jockey Club Executive Director of Racing, William A Nader afterwards. “The record average reflects the fact that the lots were beautifully presented and all looked terrific, and in that respect I think the prices paid were a compliment to the Club. But there is another aspect too, which is that people do recognize that we vet horses very carefully to make sure they are worthy of their place in the sale; and this knowledge gives buyers reassurance. Last year there were just 19 horses in the sale. This year it was 20 after we had withdrawn three because we felt they were not ready for this sale. The high prices paid also reflect buyers’ confidence in the Club and its vigilant vetting procedures.”
Other notable purchases at a sale conducted with wit and vigour by auctioneer John O’Kelly, were Lot 24, a son of Fastnet Rock who made HK$7 million; Lot 8, a son of Hawk Wing who made HK$6 million; and Lot 18, a grey son of Cape Cross who went for what may well have been a bargain HK$5.2 million.
The 2011 average was almost exactly HK$1 million up on the average for the most recent HKIS held in December 2009, and the median up HK$600,000. “With the lowest price of HK$3 million and the highest HK$7.5 million this has been a strong sale by any criterion,” added Nader. “But it’s not just about profit and loss or about the record average. It’s about how these horses contribute to the world classstandards of Hong Kong racing by their performances on the racecourse. We appreciate Owners great support and we hope they will be rewarded by their horses’ success, but the real test for us is that these outstanding young horses should be able to contribute to the highest standards set here in Hong Kong.”
“We are delighted with the results of the sale as you would expect,” said Hong Kong Jockey Club Executive Director of Racing, William A Nader afterwards. “The record average reflects the fact that the lots were beautifully presented and all looked terrific, and in that respect I think the prices paid were a compliment to the Club. But there is another aspect too, which is that people do recognize that we vet horses very carefully to make sure they are worthy of their place in the sale; and this knowledge gives buyers reassurance. Last year there were just 19 horses in the sale. This year it was 20 after we had withdrawn three because we felt they were not ready for this sale. The high prices paid also reflect buyers’ confidence in the Club and its vigilant vetting procedures.”
Other notable purchases at a sale conducted with wit and vigour by auctioneer John O’Kelly, were Lot 24, a son of Fastnet Rock who made HK$7 million; Lot 8, a son of Hawk Wing who made HK$6 million; and Lot 18, a grey son of Cape Cross who went for what may well have been a bargain HK$5.2 million.
The 2011 average was almost exactly HK$1 million up on the average for the most recent HKIS held in December 2009, and the median up HK$600,000. “With the lowest price of HK$3 million and the highest HK$7.5 million this has been a strong sale by any criterion,” added Nader. “But it’s not just about profit and loss or about the record average. It’s about how these horses contribute to the world classstandards of Hong Kong racing by their performances on the racecourse. We appreciate Owners great support and we hope they will be rewarded by their horses’ success, but the real test for us is that these outstanding young horses should be able to contribute to the highest standards set here in Hong Kong.”
Rocket Man Crowned Singapore Horse Of The Year Magic Millions Media Release Photo courtesy HKJC
Champion international sprinter Rocket Man was the big winner at Singapore's Horse of the Year Awards at a glittering 'night of the stars' held at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel last night.
The popular galloper, who is preparing for the big sprint at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night, won three awards including the night's major gong.
As well as being crowned the Horse of the Year, Rocket Man was also recognised as the region's Champion Sprinter and Champion Four-Year-Old.
A $60,000 Magic Millions National Yearling purchase for Andy Williams' World Wide Bloodstock outfit, Rocket Man was recognised for an outstanding 2010 calendar year in which his domentic record in Singapore remained faultless.
Another big winner on the night was Risky Business, another Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase ($90,000).
That Steven Burridge trained gekding was crowned the Champion Older Horse as well as Champion Stayer after winning the Singapore Gold Cup.
Burridge was rewarded for his outstanding year with the Champion Trainer award while Joao Moreira, Mark Ewe and the Jupiter Stable were the respective winners of the Champion Jockey, Apprentice Jockey and Owner awards.
Rounding out a memorable night for Magic Millions graduates, $30,000 bargain buy Gingerbread Man was a runaway victor of the Champion Two-Year-Old category.
A son of Shamardal, Gingerbread Man was purchased by Magic Millions Bloodstock Consultant James Dawson on behalf of Joe Singh.
Magic Millions Acting Managing Director David Chester was on hand at the awards and thrilled six of the nine horse awards were presented to graduates of his company.
"Last night's award reconfirm Magic Millions' status as the premier source of star gallopers in Singapore," Chester commented.
"Magic Millions has a wonderful relationship with the owners and trainers of Singapore and with horses like Rocket Man, Gingerbread Man and Risky Business this success is sure to continue into the future."
"I only flew into Singapore yesterday from the Adelaide Yearling Sale where a large contingent of Singapore clients were extremely active."
"Our Singapore representative Wade Burridge worked hard in assembling buyers for Adelaide and I know we sold dozens of yearlings to Singapore."
"With the success of Magic Millions graduates in Singapore, we've already had great bookings from clients for our upcoming sales starting at the Gold Coast for the QTIS 600 Yearling Sale next month."
The popular galloper, who is preparing for the big sprint at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night, won three awards including the night's major gong.
As well as being crowned the Horse of the Year, Rocket Man was also recognised as the region's Champion Sprinter and Champion Four-Year-Old.
A $60,000 Magic Millions National Yearling purchase for Andy Williams' World Wide Bloodstock outfit, Rocket Man was recognised for an outstanding 2010 calendar year in which his domentic record in Singapore remained faultless.
Another big winner on the night was Risky Business, another Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase ($90,000).
That Steven Burridge trained gekding was crowned the Champion Older Horse as well as Champion Stayer after winning the Singapore Gold Cup.
Burridge was rewarded for his outstanding year with the Champion Trainer award while Joao Moreira, Mark Ewe and the Jupiter Stable were the respective winners of the Champion Jockey, Apprentice Jockey and Owner awards.
Rounding out a memorable night for Magic Millions graduates, $30,000 bargain buy Gingerbread Man was a runaway victor of the Champion Two-Year-Old category.
A son of Shamardal, Gingerbread Man was purchased by Magic Millions Bloodstock Consultant James Dawson on behalf of Joe Singh.
Magic Millions Acting Managing Director David Chester was on hand at the awards and thrilled six of the nine horse awards were presented to graduates of his company.
"Last night's award reconfirm Magic Millions' status as the premier source of star gallopers in Singapore," Chester commented.
"Magic Millions has a wonderful relationship with the owners and trainers of Singapore and with horses like Rocket Man, Gingerbread Man and Risky Business this success is sure to continue into the future."
"I only flew into Singapore yesterday from the Adelaide Yearling Sale where a large contingent of Singapore clients were extremely active."
"Our Singapore representative Wade Burridge worked hard in assembling buyers for Adelaide and I know we sold dozens of yearlings to Singapore."
"With the success of Magic Millions graduates in Singapore, we've already had great bookings from clients for our upcoming sales starting at the Gold Coast for the QTIS 600 Yearling Sale next month."
Bobby's Big Day Out Story & Photos By Dan Costello
Bobby El-Issa was the punters pin up after booting home 3 winners on the card at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
El-Issa opened up proceedings in Race 4 with a perfect ride on topweight Acquired prepared by premiership winning trainer Robert Heathcote.
Carrying the famous Morton colours (below left & right) the pair cruised to an easy 2 3/4 length win.
El-Issa's second leg of his treble came in Race 5 when he piloted home the Barry Baldwin trained Paris Blu (bottom left) in a driving finish to the line.
The trifecta of wins was concluded aboard the inform Toowoomba horse Lucky Leak.
The charismatic El-Issa who had already worked the patrons up with his antics on his previous 2 winners returned to the enclosure to a tremendous reception. (left)
A legion of fans had also taken up residence in the Members Bar proclaiming it the "Bobby El-Issa Stand" for the day. (bottom right)
El-Issa opened up proceedings in Race 4 with a perfect ride on topweight Acquired prepared by premiership winning trainer Robert Heathcote.
Carrying the famous Morton colours (below left & right) the pair cruised to an easy 2 3/4 length win.
El-Issa's second leg of his treble came in Race 5 when he piloted home the Barry Baldwin trained Paris Blu (bottom left) in a driving finish to the line.
The trifecta of wins was concluded aboard the inform Toowoomba horse Lucky Leak.
The charismatic El-Issa who had already worked the patrons up with his antics on his previous 2 winners returned to the enclosure to a tremendous reception. (left)
A legion of fans had also taken up residence in the Members Bar proclaiming it the "Bobby El-Issa Stand" for the day. (bottom right)
LETHAL COMBO STRIKE AGAIN WITH EUREKA DUBAI Magic Million Media Release Photo Dan Costello
The lethal trainer-jockey combination of Steven O'Dea and Ryan Wiggins struck again at Eagle Farm today when talented filly Eureka Dubai won in brilliant fashion.
Raced by her trainer, Eureka Dubai raced clear of her rivals in the straight to romp home in her maiden success - but by the ease of her victory it certainly won't be her last.
The daughter of Dubawi was sent out one of the major players at her first run for the campaign after an impressive barrier trial win at Doomben in mid-February.
The filly had shown good ability at her previous starts - placed in three of her six runs and never having missed a cheque.
"She's an honest little filly," O'Dea commented. "She always tries very hard."
O'Dea said he came to today's meeting quietly confident on the strength of her eye catching trackwork and impressive trial win a couple of weeks ago.
"She trialled nice the other day and hit the line really well in the trial."
The win was the 7th from the past 16 runners for O'Dea - Wiggins has ridden all of those winners from the 13 rides over the same period for the stable.
O'Dea purchased the filly for just $15,000 from the Lyndhurst Stud draft at the 2009 Magic Millions QTIS 600 Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.
She is by Dubai Millennium's outstanding Irish Two Thousand Guineas winning son Dubawi - the sire of Australian bred, Magic Millions sold, South African based Group One winner Happy Archer.
His other Australian bred stakes winners include Secret Admirer, Cellarmaster, Golden Millennium and Zubbaya.
Dubawi's international stars including Makti, Poet's Voice, Lucky Nine, Worthadd and Monterosso.
Eureka Dubai is from a two-year-old winning mare by influential broodmare sire Semipalatinsk.
Eureka Tiara, as the mare is known, is a full sister to the Kewney Stakes winner Eureka Jewel (the dam of Sermon) and the city winner Kisses of Gold (dam of stakes winners Spurred On, Live Theatre-Asali).
Raced by her trainer, Eureka Dubai raced clear of her rivals in the straight to romp home in her maiden success - but by the ease of her victory it certainly won't be her last.
The daughter of Dubawi was sent out one of the major players at her first run for the campaign after an impressive barrier trial win at Doomben in mid-February.
The filly had shown good ability at her previous starts - placed in three of her six runs and never having missed a cheque.
"She's an honest little filly," O'Dea commented. "She always tries very hard."
O'Dea said he came to today's meeting quietly confident on the strength of her eye catching trackwork and impressive trial win a couple of weeks ago.
"She trialled nice the other day and hit the line really well in the trial."
The win was the 7th from the past 16 runners for O'Dea - Wiggins has ridden all of those winners from the 13 rides over the same period for the stable.
O'Dea purchased the filly for just $15,000 from the Lyndhurst Stud draft at the 2009 Magic Millions QTIS 600 Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.
She is by Dubai Millennium's outstanding Irish Two Thousand Guineas winning son Dubawi - the sire of Australian bred, Magic Millions sold, South African based Group One winner Happy Archer.
His other Australian bred stakes winners include Secret Admirer, Cellarmaster, Golden Millennium and Zubbaya.
Dubawi's international stars including Makti, Poet's Voice, Lucky Nine, Worthadd and Monterosso.
Eureka Dubai is from a two-year-old winning mare by influential broodmare sire Semipalatinsk.
Eureka Tiara, as the mare is known, is a full sister to the Kewney Stakes winner Eureka Jewel (the dam of Sermon) and the city winner Kisses of Gold (dam of stakes winners Spurred On, Live Theatre-Asali).
ROCKET MAN BLASTS BACK AT KRANJI Magic Millions Media Release Photo Courtesy HKJC
Rocket Man, one of the world's best sprinters on the international circuit, showed he was on track for Dubai's US$2 million Golden Shaheen with a brilliant fresh win this evening at Kranji.
The champion galloper showed his usual speed and under Barend Vorster he cruised to the line five and three quarter lengths clear of his nearest rival Capablanca.
From an inside barrier Rocket Man sat just off the speed set by Dr Lemon before hitting the front on straight and streaking away for the easiest of wins.
Trainer Patrick Shaw said Rocket Man was in great shape for his Dubai mission.
"I said to Barend if the circumstances permit to try and tuck in behind Dr Lemon early in the race and then let him open up once in the straight," Shaw said.
"It was important to try and get him to settle. He did it beautifully and we know he is spot on now looking forward to Dubai."
"We'll get him x-rays, as we always do, before he goes. With horses like him you just hope they come back sound."
Vorster couldn't have been more impressed with the performance - saying the champion felt great during the race.
"He just felt superb in himself today," a bubbling Vorster reported after the race.
"I had goosebumps when I got on him as he was bouncing around in the back yard, but he eventually switched off and was nice and relaxed."
"They went quite quickly in the early part and I just let him go through his paces. From the 600 (metres) he just picked it up himself and worked his way through."
"In the straight it was important to give him a good hitout and keep his mind on what he was doing, not have him twitching his ears and having a look around."
"Everything is 100% with him. His weight is spot on so all we can do now is touch wood and keep our fingers crossed."
A $60,000 purchase for Andy Williams' World Wide Bloodstock outfit at the 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Rocket Man is raced by South African businessman Fred Crabbia.
He passed the magical S$3 million barrier with the win tonight - his 13th from 17 starts. He was second, beaten no more than a neck at his other four outings at international Group One level.
A son of WA based sire Viscount, Rocket Man is a half brother to the South African Group One winner Our Giant.
The champion galloper showed his usual speed and under Barend Vorster he cruised to the line five and three quarter lengths clear of his nearest rival Capablanca.
From an inside barrier Rocket Man sat just off the speed set by Dr Lemon before hitting the front on straight and streaking away for the easiest of wins.
Trainer Patrick Shaw said Rocket Man was in great shape for his Dubai mission.
"I said to Barend if the circumstances permit to try and tuck in behind Dr Lemon early in the race and then let him open up once in the straight," Shaw said.
"It was important to try and get him to settle. He did it beautifully and we know he is spot on now looking forward to Dubai."
"We'll get him x-rays, as we always do, before he goes. With horses like him you just hope they come back sound."
Vorster couldn't have been more impressed with the performance - saying the champion felt great during the race.
"He just felt superb in himself today," a bubbling Vorster reported after the race.
"I had goosebumps when I got on him as he was bouncing around in the back yard, but he eventually switched off and was nice and relaxed."
"They went quite quickly in the early part and I just let him go through his paces. From the 600 (metres) he just picked it up himself and worked his way through."
"In the straight it was important to give him a good hitout and keep his mind on what he was doing, not have him twitching his ears and having a look around."
"Everything is 100% with him. His weight is spot on so all we can do now is touch wood and keep our fingers crossed."
A $60,000 purchase for Andy Williams' World Wide Bloodstock outfit at the 2007 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Rocket Man is raced by South African businessman Fred Crabbia.
He passed the magical S$3 million barrier with the win tonight - his 13th from 17 starts. He was second, beaten no more than a neck at his other four outings at international Group One level.
A son of WA based sire Viscount, Rocket Man is a half brother to the South African Group One winner Our Giant.
California dreamtime in Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup Story & Photos Courtesy HKJC
In what many fans will have thought of as a huge boilover in the Sha Tin spring sunshine the HKG1 Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup, second leg of the Triple Crown, was won in emphatic fashion by the largely unconsidered California Memory, trained by Tony Cruz and ridden by Matthew Chadwick for Owner Howard Liang Yum Shing. But Cruz was possibly the least surprised man on the course as he had planned the route for the son of Highest Honor who was not only contesting a HKG1 for the first time but stepping up to 2000m for the first time in Hong Kong.
“It was always in our plans,” said Cruz. “We believed in this horse and believed this was the distance for him as he’d run well in 2000m race in France before coming here. Now after this performance I think this is a serious horse and one to be looked on as the next big horse inHong Kong. We’ll definitely go to the QE II (the G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup) with him on 1 May and the (HKG1 Standard Chartered) Champions & Chater Cup, and some international races too.”
If Cruz was unamazed, so too was Matthew Chadwick who held the five-year-old grey gelding up at the back of the field with complete aplomb before pulling him out to mow down his rivals and win going away. Chadwick was completing a consecutive race treble with his first ever HKG1 victory and was understandably jubilant about the result. “It’s a great feeling,” said the 20-year-old “and hopefully there’ll be more to come. The bad draw didn’t help, but he was always travelling. I was expecting him to close off well, but really he just came home like a bullet!”
The victory was a poignant one for Owner Howard Liang as the horse had been owned in the early part of the season by his father Thomas Liang, a great supporter of racing and an extremely popular racing man. “He loved racing and I‘m very proud to see this horse winning today” said his son.
Until California Memory appeared on the scene it had looked likely that the Sean Woods-trained King Dancer, for the ride on whom Ryan Moore had travelled from Dubai, would take the prize. But in a finish reminiscent of the one Moore himself conjured out of Snow Fairy in the G1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup in December, Chadwick and California Memory swooped to deprive the partnership. “He ran a great race,” said Moore of King Dancer. “I think the winner’s pretty good” he added, which is a solid endorsement from a man who specializes in understatement.
The John Moore pair of Mighty High and veteran Viva Pataca finished third and fourth respectively. But this was not to be the year for the trainer who has farmed the race for the last three seasons, with Viva Pataca twice and then Collection, as the strongly supported Irian could finish no closer than sixth.
There was no semblance of fluke about today’s result as the winner came home in the smart time of 2.01.63 in a true run race. In finishing the final 400m in a blistering 21.63 he even surpassed Snow Fairy whose 21.97 brought her home in front on 12 December. California Memory was being trained for the HKG1 Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby last year before suffering a setback. Perhaps only now has been able to show his true potential over the Derby course and distance.
Jet Spur's Are Soaring Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
Leading Glenlogan Park stallion Jet Spur continued his impressive run of form when two of his progeny won juvenile races in Queensland today.
And both wins provided timely boosts for their yearling relations heading to April's Magic Millions QTIS 600 Yearling Sale.
Kahui (pictured left) led the way when he led home a Magic Millions trifecta result in the Fox Hotel 2YO Handicap (1300m) at Eagle Farm.
Trained by master horseman Pat Duff, Kahui sat just behind the leaders before grounding down Miss Leibert in the straight for a well deserved success.
The Jet Spur filly had run second at her two previous outings and had already earned her connections $52,500.
With a win and QTIS bonus added to her record her earnings have swept to $94,500.
Kahui, who is from the unraced Carnegie mare Tessa Bianca, was purchased by Duff for $54,000 from the draft of Glenlogan Park at last year's Magic Millions QTIS 600 Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.
Her yearling half brother by Ringa Ringa Rosie's sire Bradbury's Luck is catalogued as Lot 496 for Clear Summer Lodge at April's QTIS 600 Yearling Sale.
Meanwhile, the Jet Spur juvenile streak continued shortly after at the Gold Coast when the Paul Nolan trained Tragedy scored impressively on debut over 900 metres.
A $16,000 purchase from the draft of Moranjee Stud at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Tragedy was given a strong chance following a trial win at his hometrack of Toowoomba on February 15.
Tragedy is the first winner for his dam, the winning Octagonal mare Kylie Girl - she being a half sister to the Black Opal Stakes winner Fraud.
A full sister to Tragedy is being prepared by the team from Moranjee Stud for April's QTIS 600 Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.
Jet Spur, a former outstanding sprinting son of Flying Spur, has made his mark since retiring to Glenlogan Park Stud.
On Wednesday Jet Spur was represented by the impressive debut winner and Magic Millions Yearling Sale graduate Tabassi.
The leading young stallion has 41 youngsters catalogued for April's QTIS 600 Yearling Sale.
And both wins provided timely boosts for their yearling relations heading to April's Magic Millions QTIS 600 Yearling Sale.
Kahui (pictured left) led the way when he led home a Magic Millions trifecta result in the Fox Hotel 2YO Handicap (1300m) at Eagle Farm.
Trained by master horseman Pat Duff, Kahui sat just behind the leaders before grounding down Miss Leibert in the straight for a well deserved success.
The Jet Spur filly had run second at her two previous outings and had already earned her connections $52,500.
With a win and QTIS bonus added to her record her earnings have swept to $94,500.
Kahui, who is from the unraced Carnegie mare Tessa Bianca, was purchased by Duff for $54,000 from the draft of Glenlogan Park at last year's Magic Millions QTIS 600 Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.
Her yearling half brother by Ringa Ringa Rosie's sire Bradbury's Luck is catalogued as Lot 496 for Clear Summer Lodge at April's QTIS 600 Yearling Sale.
Meanwhile, the Jet Spur juvenile streak continued shortly after at the Gold Coast when the Paul Nolan trained Tragedy scored impressively on debut over 900 metres.
A $16,000 purchase from the draft of Moranjee Stud at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Tragedy was given a strong chance following a trial win at his hometrack of Toowoomba on February 15.
Tragedy is the first winner for his dam, the winning Octagonal mare Kylie Girl - she being a half sister to the Black Opal Stakes winner Fraud.
A full sister to Tragedy is being prepared by the team from Moranjee Stud for April's QTIS 600 Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.
Jet Spur, a former outstanding sprinting son of Flying Spur, has made his mark since retiring to Glenlogan Park Stud.
On Wednesday Jet Spur was represented by the impressive debut winner and Magic Millions Yearling Sale graduate Tabassi.
The leading young stallion has 41 youngsters catalogued for April's QTIS 600 Yearling Sale.
Allen Performs At The Roxy, Murwillumbah Story Stephen Senise Photo Dan Costello
It’s not often the racing public gets to gaze at a thoroughbred as stunningly good looking as it is speedy, but last Monday's race meeting at Murwillumbah racecourse provided one such opportunity.
In the sixth of the day, the Destination Tweed benchmark 60 handicap over 1200m, big grey gelding At The Roxy ($6.00) came out of the widest barrier to give his rivals quite a galloping lesson.
Striding three wide with the leaders for most of the trip, apprentice Anthony Allen held his mount steady until the 600 metre mark. In a dash of tactical flair Allen made his move relatively early, quickly wearing down his fellow leaders and managing to corner clear.
As the backmarkers came into it down the straight and gave chase, At The Roxy had already pinched a commanding break, holding on nicely on the line to take out the event by a neck to Youthful Blues ($11.00), with Ephraim Warrior ($6.00) a further half length away.
The win takes the Maryann Brosnan trained grey’s career earnings to over $130,000. In the process he adds to his good record at Murwillumbah where he has now won twice and been placed twice in four starts.
Tweed River Jockey Club chairman Bernie Quinn said the meeting was well attended despite the sweltering conditions early in the day, and forecasts of early evening thunderstorms.
“It went very well and the crowd seemed to enjoy themselves,” he said.
“We even managed to get the last of the day in before the storm hit.”
“Our focus now is on the next meeting, Casella Wines race day in three weeks time, on the 14th of March.”
“Casella Wines race day is always one of the big meetings of the year, but this time it will also serve as a good lead-in to our famous Anzac Day meeting which will fall during the Easter period.
In the sixth of the day, the Destination Tweed benchmark 60 handicap over 1200m, big grey gelding At The Roxy ($6.00) came out of the widest barrier to give his rivals quite a galloping lesson.
Striding three wide with the leaders for most of the trip, apprentice Anthony Allen held his mount steady until the 600 metre mark. In a dash of tactical flair Allen made his move relatively early, quickly wearing down his fellow leaders and managing to corner clear.
As the backmarkers came into it down the straight and gave chase, At The Roxy had already pinched a commanding break, holding on nicely on the line to take out the event by a neck to Youthful Blues ($11.00), with Ephraim Warrior ($6.00) a further half length away.
The win takes the Maryann Brosnan trained grey’s career earnings to over $130,000. In the process he adds to his good record at Murwillumbah where he has now won twice and been placed twice in four starts.
Tweed River Jockey Club chairman Bernie Quinn said the meeting was well attended despite the sweltering conditions early in the day, and forecasts of early evening thunderstorms.
“It went very well and the crowd seemed to enjoy themselves,” he said.
“We even managed to get the last of the day in before the storm hit.”
“Our focus now is on the next meeting, Casella Wines race day in three weeks time, on the 14th of March.”
“Casella Wines race day is always one of the big meetings of the year, but this time it will also serve as a good lead-in to our famous Anzac Day meeting which will fall during the Easter period.
Dragon breathes fire in Mercedes-Benz HK Classic Cup HKJC Media Release & Photos
Beforehand, with so many of Hong Kong’s best young horses in opposition, the HKG1 Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Cup promised to be one of the pivotal races of the season. After its completion there was no need to revise that assessment.
Ambitious Dragon, trained by Tony Millard and ridden by Maxime Guyon for Owner Johnson Lam Pui Hung, decisively outgunned thefavourite Lucky Nine who had appeared to be coasting early in the straight. The victory confirmed the remarkable improvement of the winner who had started the race on a rating of 93 to Lucky Nine’s 122. There were no excuses for the odds-on chance as Ambitious Dragon challenged with him in mid straight and simply produced the better finishing kick in the last 200m, delivering at 23.41 seconds for the last 400m the fastest final section for the fifth time in his last seven races.
“They don’t know what their rating is,” commented a smiling Millard. “They just know when they’re feeling really well on the day. He’s just kept improving. We had one little hiccup when we got the riding tactics wrong, but he’s a relaxed straightforward horse and a high grade one who can really turn it on.”
Guyon who gave his fans a triumphant farewell before his return to France tonight by completing a treble when taking the final race with the appropriately named Fat Choy Oohlala and so winning the Jockeys’ Challenge with 42 points, was just as confident of Ambitious Dragon as Millard. “He has to be among the favourites for the Derby now if he remains in today’s form,” exclaimed the Frenchman (in French), “and I will definitely be back to ride him.”
Ambitious Dragon’s trainer has one Derby winner to his credit already in Keen Winner and the South African has no doubt that this year’s Classic Cup winner is a better horse than the 2000 Hong Kong Derby champion. “Keen Winner was really a Class 2 horse who I just managed to get absolutely right on the day. But I’ve always thought this one (Ambitious Dragon) is a top class horse. He’s just improved and improved and he’s not scared of anything now. Maxime understands him so well and rode him a treat today.”
Asked whether he thought the relatively slow pace (the final time for the 1800m was 1.48.03) helped the cause of the Australian-bred son of Pins, Millard said: “If they’d gone faster, I think he would have won more easily.” And asked whether there was any worry about the extra 200m of the HKG1 Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby itself, he replied: “I’ve no doubt that he’ll get the Derby distance. I’ve looked at his pedigree and there’s enough stamina there.”
There must be a doubt in some minds, however, about whether the brilliant Lucky Nine is ideally suited to 2000m after having been given every chance to match strides with today’s winner at 1800m before going down by a length and three quarters. But his trainer CasparFownes remains undaunted. “He’s going to go for the Derby,” said Fownes. “We’re going forward. I’ll need to look at the race a few times, but the jockey (Brett Prebble) is happy with him and he ran a very good race today.”
Third in the Classic Cup - which until this year was known as the Derby Trial - beaten two and three quarter lengths by the winner was another Fownes’ runner Let Me Handle It, about whom as a stoutly bred son of High Chaparral there should be no stamina doubts, and fourth was the John Moore-trained Xtension who ran on well enough to give plenty of hope for the big event on 20 March.
MELITO BACK WITH A BANG Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
Melito showed she was on track for a successful campaign when she thumped Hot Danish to win today's $251,150 Group Two Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill.
Perfectly ridden by Brenton Avdulla, Melito sat on the outside of Hot Danish for much of the race before striking the front and striding clear in her first run since November.
The blue blooded Redoute's Choice mare, already a multiple Group One winner, looks on track to win more of racing's elite races prior to being retired to stud.
Trainer Gerald Ryan went into the race confident his star mare was ready to run well after a brilliant barrier trial win earlier in the week,
"I let her tell me when she was ready (to kick off)," Ryan said. "Her trial on Tuesday morning was sensational."
"That (trial) was the first time Brenton had sat on her back and he put her to sleep and I told him to give her a squeeze and I was surprised how quickly she quickened."
"She'd done a treat since Tuesday and she did a great job today."
"She was able to ping out and get across outside the leader and that was the plan," he added. "Otherwise we would have been stuck out (three deep) where Love Conquers All was."
"You had one of the best judges of pace in front - Tim Clark riding Hot Danish - and I said to Brenton if you're right there don't go before the 300 metre mark before it's 1400 metres first up."
"Brenton rode her sensational," Ryan added.
Ryan took a shine to Melito when she was offered for sale at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He bid to $600,000 to secure his filly of the sale.
As it stands her outstanding record reads out at five wins and 11 placings from just 21 starts and her earnings continue to rise - they now sit at an imposing $1,767,050.
"It's amazing this racing industry," a delighted Brenton Avdulla said. "On Tuesday morning I was going to the trials to do one for Grahame Begg in the first."
"I got a phone call from Gerald Ryan saying - I've got a horse in on Saturday and she's trialling in the first trial and if you ride it you can have the ride."
"I said which one and he said Melito!"
"I went straight to Grahame and he said no worries. I do a lot of riding for Grahame and he understands."
"So I had the ride on the mare and she trialled super and Iwas quite confident coming here today."
"The little trick was the alley - but we covered that in the first 50 metres," Avdulla added.
Melito, by champion Arrowfield Stud sire Redoute's Choice, is one of three stakes performers produced by the stakes winning Marauding mare Cloister.
A winner of the Debutante Stakes at two, Cloister is a three quarter sister to Unison as well as the dam of Flying Alpha.
Winner: Melito (Redoute's Choice-Cloister)
Race: ATC Apollo Stakes G2 (1400m)
Sold for: $600,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Reavill Farm
Buyer: Gerald Ryan
Earnings: $1,767,050
Owner(s): Reavill Racing Syndicate (Mgr: J Rippon)
Trainer: Gerald Ryan (Rosehill)
Perfectly ridden by Brenton Avdulla, Melito sat on the outside of Hot Danish for much of the race before striking the front and striding clear in her first run since November.
The blue blooded Redoute's Choice mare, already a multiple Group One winner, looks on track to win more of racing's elite races prior to being retired to stud.
Trainer Gerald Ryan went into the race confident his star mare was ready to run well after a brilliant barrier trial win earlier in the week,
"I let her tell me when she was ready (to kick off)," Ryan said. "Her trial on Tuesday morning was sensational."
"That (trial) was the first time Brenton had sat on her back and he put her to sleep and I told him to give her a squeeze and I was surprised how quickly she quickened."
"She'd done a treat since Tuesday and she did a great job today."
"She was able to ping out and get across outside the leader and that was the plan," he added. "Otherwise we would have been stuck out (three deep) where Love Conquers All was."
"You had one of the best judges of pace in front - Tim Clark riding Hot Danish - and I said to Brenton if you're right there don't go before the 300 metre mark before it's 1400 metres first up."
"Brenton rode her sensational," Ryan added.
Ryan took a shine to Melito when she was offered for sale at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He bid to $600,000 to secure his filly of the sale.
As it stands her outstanding record reads out at five wins and 11 placings from just 21 starts and her earnings continue to rise - they now sit at an imposing $1,767,050.
"It's amazing this racing industry," a delighted Brenton Avdulla said. "On Tuesday morning I was going to the trials to do one for Grahame Begg in the first."
"I got a phone call from Gerald Ryan saying - I've got a horse in on Saturday and she's trialling in the first trial and if you ride it you can have the ride."
"I said which one and he said Melito!"
"I went straight to Grahame and he said no worries. I do a lot of riding for Grahame and he understands."
"So I had the ride on the mare and she trialled super and Iwas quite confident coming here today."
"The little trick was the alley - but we covered that in the first 50 metres," Avdulla added.
Melito, by champion Arrowfield Stud sire Redoute's Choice, is one of three stakes performers produced by the stakes winning Marauding mare Cloister.
A winner of the Debutante Stakes at two, Cloister is a three quarter sister to Unison as well as the dam of Flying Alpha.
Winner: Melito (Redoute's Choice-Cloister)
Race: ATC Apollo Stakes G2 (1400m)
Sold for: $600,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Reavill Farm
Buyer: Gerald Ryan
Earnings: $1,767,050
Owner(s): Reavill Racing Syndicate (Mgr: J Rippon)
Trainer: Gerald Ryan (Rosehill)
AUSSIE BRED STARS AGAIN IN DUBAI Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
Australian bred and sold star War Artist ( pictured during trackwork at Shatin ) has shown his class with a strong finishing win in the US$175,000 Corporate Banking Turf Handicap (6f) at Meydan in Dubai overnight.
A former Group One winner in South Africa, War Artist continues to show his class with his ninth win in just 27 starts.
The Orpen gelding is one of the world's most versatile sprinter having won group races in South Africa, Germany, France and Dubai.
A graduate of Attunga Stud, War Artist was purchased for his initial South African connections by Andy Williams' World Wide Bloodstock for $57,500 at the 2005 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
War Artist is now trained by Robert Collet and he was ridden again by champion international rider Olivier Peslier who was impressed with the victory.
"On his day he is a very good sprinter as he has shown on many occasions," Peslier said.
"It all went right today with a good fast gallop suiting him," he added.
One of four winners produced by his dam, the twice winning Brocco mare Royal Solitaire, War Artist is a half brother to the former classy Brisbane mare Sashenka.
Royal Solitaire is a daughter of the Sydney winner All Kisses, making her a half sister to the Adelaide stakes winner Calming.
His sire Orpen, a son of Lure, won two races at two including the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville. He is the sire of 59 stakes winners worldwide.
A former Group One winner in South Africa, War Artist continues to show his class with his ninth win in just 27 starts.
The Orpen gelding is one of the world's most versatile sprinter having won group races in South Africa, Germany, France and Dubai.
A graduate of Attunga Stud, War Artist was purchased for his initial South African connections by Andy Williams' World Wide Bloodstock for $57,500 at the 2005 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
War Artist is now trained by Robert Collet and he was ridden again by champion international rider Olivier Peslier who was impressed with the victory.
"On his day he is a very good sprinter as he has shown on many occasions," Peslier said.
"It all went right today with a good fast gallop suiting him," he added.
One of four winners produced by his dam, the twice winning Brocco mare Royal Solitaire, War Artist is a half brother to the former classy Brisbane mare Sashenka.
Royal Solitaire is a daughter of the Sydney winner All Kisses, making her a half sister to the Adelaide stakes winner Calming.
His sire Orpen, a son of Lure, won two races at two including the Group One Prix Morny at Deauville. He is the sire of 59 stakes winners worldwide.
Richard Gibson visits Hong Kong and meets the media HKJC Media Release & Photo (Dr Dino Photo Grant Peters)
L-R Steve Railton, William A Nader, Richard Gibson & Kim Kelly
At a press briefing at Happy Valley this afternoon HKJC Executive Director, Racing, William A Nader, accompanied by Chief Stipendiary Steward Kim Kelly and Stipendiary Steward & Secretary, Licensing Committee Steve Railton, introduced to the racing media the latest addition to Hong Kong’s training ranks, Richard Gibson. The French-based Englishman is on a flying visit to what, from this summer, will be his new home, before returning to France and then travelling to Australia where he will be looking at horses as he prepares for his arrival here.
Gibson, already familiar to local racing fans through his exploits with globe-trotting middle-distance star Doctor Dino (pictured below), winner of the G1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase in both 2007 and 2008, begins training in Hong Kong at the start of the 2011/12 season. Before that he will supervise the transfer of his full 55-horse stable at Chantilly, where he has trained for the Aga Khan as well as for famed Hong Kong owners the Alan Li family and Ronald Arculli.
The 41-year-old Gibson, one of racing’s true internationalists who learnt his profession with some of France’s finest trainers as well as with Bill Mott and Gary Jones in the USA, declared himself excited by the challenge provided by his move to Hong Kong. “It’s a great honour to start a new page in my career here and to join the great group of trainers in Hong Kong,” he said.
“Everyone in Europe regards Hong Kong and the way racing is organized here as the envy of the racing world.” Gibson added. “Really it’s every trainer’s dream to be invited to come and train here.”
In welcoming Gibson, EDR Nader said: “We’re looking forward to adding Richard to the great roster of trainers we have in Hong Kong. We’re all familiar with his outstanding CV and it will make the new season just a little bit more exciting to have a trainer of his calibre joining the ranks.”
Before completing the transfer of his French stable to Mikel Delzangles, Gibson will be aiming Mores Wells, narrowly beaten in the G1 Pattison Canadian International, with this year’s Vase runner-up Redwood just behind, at the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup night.
Gibson, already familiar to local racing fans through his exploits with globe-trotting middle-distance star Doctor Dino (pictured below), winner of the G1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase in both 2007 and 2008, begins training in Hong Kong at the start of the 2011/12 season. Before that he will supervise the transfer of his full 55-horse stable at Chantilly, where he has trained for the Aga Khan as well as for famed Hong Kong owners the Alan Li family and Ronald Arculli.
The 41-year-old Gibson, one of racing’s true internationalists who learnt his profession with some of France’s finest trainers as well as with Bill Mott and Gary Jones in the USA, declared himself excited by the challenge provided by his move to Hong Kong. “It’s a great honour to start a new page in my career here and to join the great group of trainers in Hong Kong,” he said.
“Everyone in Europe regards Hong Kong and the way racing is organized here as the envy of the racing world.” Gibson added. “Really it’s every trainer’s dream to be invited to come and train here.”
In welcoming Gibson, EDR Nader said: “We’re looking forward to adding Richard to the great roster of trainers we have in Hong Kong. We’re all familiar with his outstanding CV and it will make the new season just a little bit more exciting to have a trainer of his calibre joining the ranks.”
Before completing the transfer of his French stable to Mikel Delzangles, Gibson will be aiming Mores Wells, narrowly beaten in the G1 Pattison Canadian International, with this year’s Vase runner-up Redwood just behind, at the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup night.
Mornington Cup Heads West Photos by Taron Clarke (www.taronclarke
West Ausralian galloper, Guyno trained by Lou Luciani made amends for his home town defeat in the Perth Cup by taking out the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on Wednesday. After racing without cover for most of the journey Guyno ridden by Jason Whiting gradually wore down race favourite, Cedarburg (Michael Walker) to score by the barest of margins.
Results:
1st Guyno Jason Whiting Lou Luciani $16
2nd Cedarberg Michael Walker $2.70 Fav
3rd Shewan Glen Boss $8
4th Macedonian Luke Nolan $8
The other feature event on the program was the Listed Hareeba Stakes, taken out by Zedi Knight ridden by Craig Williams for trainer Brendan McCarthy.
Photographer Taron Clarke was on hand and he has supplied the following photos of the 2 main races.
Guyno Photos Top Line, Zedi Knight Photos Bottom Line
Results:
1st Guyno Jason Whiting Lou Luciani $16
2nd Cedarberg Michael Walker $2.70 Fav
3rd Shewan Glen Boss $8
4th Macedonian Luke Nolan $8
The other feature event on the program was the Listed Hareeba Stakes, taken out by Zedi Knight ridden by Craig Williams for trainer Brendan McCarthy.
Photographer Taron Clarke was on hand and he has supplied the following photos of the 2 main races.
Guyno Photos Top Line, Zedi Knight Photos Bottom Line
TYPHOON TRACY RETIRED Photo by Taron Clarke (www.taronclarke.com)
Days after notching her 6th Group 1 victory, the mighty mare Typhoon Tracy has been retired.
Trainer Peter Moody (pictured below centre) reported that the 2010 Australian Horse Of The Year had still not recovered from her gut busting run 72 hours after winning her 2nd C.F. Orr Stakes a feat only achieved by couple of racing legends including Vo Rogue and Manikato.
The Red Ransom mare recorded her first Group 1 win back in 2009 when winning the Coolmore Classic at Rosehill. Typhoon Tracy finished with 11 wins from just 20 starts.
On reflection Peter Moody said his biggest regret while racing the mare was his decision not to start her in last years Cox Plate.
In another blow for Moody Camp, Blue Diamond Prelude winner One Last Dance has been withdrawn from the Blue Diamond. Moody stated that the filly had simply come to the end of this preparation.
Trainer Peter Moody (pictured below centre) reported that the 2010 Australian Horse Of The Year had still not recovered from her gut busting run 72 hours after winning her 2nd C.F. Orr Stakes a feat only achieved by couple of racing legends including Vo Rogue and Manikato.
The Red Ransom mare recorded her first Group 1 win back in 2009 when winning the Coolmore Classic at Rosehill. Typhoon Tracy finished with 11 wins from just 20 starts.
On reflection Peter Moody said his biggest regret while racing the mare was his decision not to start her in last years Cox Plate.
In another blow for Moody Camp, Blue Diamond Prelude winner One Last Dance has been withdrawn from the Blue Diamond. Moody stated that the filly had simply come to the end of this preparation.
CATAPULTED IMPRESSIVE IN RUBITON RETURN Magic Millions Media Release Photos Taron Clarke (www.taronclarke.com)
Short course Group One races will be on the cards for star sprinter Catapulted following his awesome first up win in Saturday's Group Three $125,750 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
Positioned just behind the leaders for much of the race, the only concern for connections was Catapulted getting a run over the concluding stages of the race.
When he did finally get a run on the inside of Reward for Effort, Catapulted unleashed a paralysing burst to reel in the leaders, hut the front and then surge away impressively.
The winner was the second on the card for Melbourne Cup winner trainer Mark Kavanagh following on from Rain Shadow's (PICTURED BELOW CENTRE) victory earlier on the card.
Catapulted, racing for the first time since finishing ninth in the Salinger Stakes in late October, could run next in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.
"It was a good win," Kavanagh said. "It was a pretty strong field and he did it well."
"It was a pretty tough effort all round," he added. "He's Group One placed - he's a nice horse and it looks like he's in for a nice autumn."
"He could well be (an Oakleigh Plate style horse) - we'll just wait and see where we sit. We might have a couple of horses for the race."
"The Oakleigh Plate is a handicap and he might be better suited down the line in something else," Kavanagh added.
Successful rider Michael Rodd said it was nice to see the Kavanagh stable back in form with the major autumn carnival races approaching.
"He had to earn it," Rodd reported. "He had a nice, soft run."
"I knew all he had to do was get out. He's a pretty classy horse."
"He'd been a bit stiff running into Hay List a couple of times," he added. "He's a quality horse and he always tries his best."
"He's come back great and Mark hasn't got him totally tuned up yet - so it's looking good," Rodd summed up.
Catapulted, a graduate of South Australia's Mill Park, was purchased by Kavanagh for $90,000 from the 2007 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale at Morphettville.
His brilliant record reads out at 10 wins and four second placings from just 19 starts. His earnings have raced past $600,000.
The Rubiton Stakes is the fifth stakes race won by Catapulted, who was a close runner-up to Velocitea in last year's Group One The Goodwood in Adelaide.
A son of Danehill's Golden Slipper winning son Catbird, Catapulted is one of two winners produced by the winning Umatilla mare Siren Miss.
Successful over 1400 metres, Siren Miss is a full sister to the Perth stakes winng Umatune - the dam of Gimcrack Stakes and Magic Millione Perth 2YO Classic winner Jestatune.
Umatune is also the dam of the group performed gallopers Saxon Palace and Ihtsatune.
Winner: Catapulted (Catbird-Siren Miss)
Race: MRC Rubiton Stakes G3 (1110m)
Sold for: $90,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale
Vendor: Mill Park
Buyer: Mark Kavanagh
Earnings: $605,470
Owner(s): I Kavanagh, A Taylor, G Small, J Purdey, D Moriarty, WTR Synd (Mgr: P Gunner), W Glynn, J Gitsham & J Dollman
Trainer: Mark Kavanagh (Flemington)
Positioned just behind the leaders for much of the race, the only concern for connections was Catapulted getting a run over the concluding stages of the race.
When he did finally get a run on the inside of Reward for Effort, Catapulted unleashed a paralysing burst to reel in the leaders, hut the front and then surge away impressively.
The winner was the second on the card for Melbourne Cup winner trainer Mark Kavanagh following on from Rain Shadow's (PICTURED BELOW CENTRE) victory earlier on the card.
Catapulted, racing for the first time since finishing ninth in the Salinger Stakes in late October, could run next in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.
"It was a good win," Kavanagh said. "It was a pretty strong field and he did it well."
"It was a pretty tough effort all round," he added. "He's Group One placed - he's a nice horse and it looks like he's in for a nice autumn."
"He could well be (an Oakleigh Plate style horse) - we'll just wait and see where we sit. We might have a couple of horses for the race."
"The Oakleigh Plate is a handicap and he might be better suited down the line in something else," Kavanagh added.
Successful rider Michael Rodd said it was nice to see the Kavanagh stable back in form with the major autumn carnival races approaching.
"He had to earn it," Rodd reported. "He had a nice, soft run."
"I knew all he had to do was get out. He's a pretty classy horse."
"He'd been a bit stiff running into Hay List a couple of times," he added. "He's a quality horse and he always tries his best."
"He's come back great and Mark hasn't got him totally tuned up yet - so it's looking good," Rodd summed up.
Catapulted, a graduate of South Australia's Mill Park, was purchased by Kavanagh for $90,000 from the 2007 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale at Morphettville.
His brilliant record reads out at 10 wins and four second placings from just 19 starts. His earnings have raced past $600,000.
The Rubiton Stakes is the fifth stakes race won by Catapulted, who was a close runner-up to Velocitea in last year's Group One The Goodwood in Adelaide.
A son of Danehill's Golden Slipper winning son Catbird, Catapulted is one of two winners produced by the winning Umatilla mare Siren Miss.
Successful over 1400 metres, Siren Miss is a full sister to the Perth stakes winng Umatune - the dam of Gimcrack Stakes and Magic Millione Perth 2YO Classic winner Jestatune.
Umatune is also the dam of the group performed gallopers Saxon Palace and Ihtsatune.
Winner: Catapulted (Catbird-Siren Miss)
Race: MRC Rubiton Stakes G3 (1110m)
Sold for: $90,000
Sale: 2007 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale
Vendor: Mill Park
Buyer: Mark Kavanagh
Earnings: $605,470
Owner(s): I Kavanagh, A Taylor, G Small, J Purdey, D Moriarty, WTR Synd (Mgr: P Gunner), W Glynn, J Gitsham & J Dollman
Trainer: Mark Kavanagh (Flemington)
DUSTY STAR FLIES TO GUINEAS Magic Millions Media Release Photos Taron Clarke (www.taronclarke.com)
Dusty Star raced into contention for the Group One Australian Guineas with an incredible win in the Group Two D'Urban Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield this afternoon. (SAT 12/2/11)
A son of Magic Millions favourite General Nediym, Dusty Star plaqyed up pre-race, over races badly and still easily held out his rivals for a strong win.
The three-year-old gelding, who missed a start in January's $1 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, hadn't raced since winning at Flemington on Magic Millions raceday on January 15.
Trainer Peter Morgan (pictured below), like all on track, was impressied with the victory after his charge established a huge lead during the middle stages of the race.
"He's a better horse in front but we're always worried something will take him on," Morgan said. "I think Craig had that in mind."
"We'll certainly be looking at the Guineas now yes," he added.
"I think he will (run the mile). With the sting out of him a bit I think he will settle a bit better."
"We've always thought he would get a mile and beyond even though he is a General Nediym."
The win was the second in the first three races on the Caulfield card for proven big race rider Craig Williams (pictured below).
"He went a bit too hard," Williams said. "Stepping up to this grade I thought he raced a bit too keen."
"He was probably entitled to get beaten," he added. "He really fought it out strong."
"He went through the race without relaxing at all. He was all grunt and all muscle today."
Dusty Star was purchased on behalf of connections by leading New Zealand based bloodstock agent Dean Hawthorne for $230,000 from the Widden Stud draft at the 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The gelding was also sold by Magic Millions for $130,000 when Vin Cox bought him from the draft of Glenmore Park at the 2008 National Weanling Sale at the Gold Coast.
He boasts the impressive record of four wins and seven placings from just 13 starts and earnings of over $218,000.
The chestnut gelding is one of two winners from two to race for the Snippets mare Forever Midnight.
A winner of two races at 1400 metres, Forever Midnight is a half sister to four winners including the stakes placed Crestfallen.
Winner: Dusty Star (General Nediym-Forever Midnight)
Race: MRC D'Urban Stakes G2 (1400m)
Sold for: $130,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale
Vendor: Glenmore Park
Buyer: Vin Cox Bloodstock
Sold for: $230,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Widden Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock
Earnings: $218,855
Owner(s): BL & Mrs JA Mathieson, R Smith & REYM Syndicate
Trainer: Peter Morgan (Kilmore)
A son of Magic Millions favourite General Nediym, Dusty Star plaqyed up pre-race, over races badly and still easily held out his rivals for a strong win.
The three-year-old gelding, who missed a start in January's $1 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, hadn't raced since winning at Flemington on Magic Millions raceday on January 15.
Trainer Peter Morgan (pictured below), like all on track, was impressied with the victory after his charge established a huge lead during the middle stages of the race.
"He's a better horse in front but we're always worried something will take him on," Morgan said. "I think Craig had that in mind."
"We'll certainly be looking at the Guineas now yes," he added.
"I think he will (run the mile). With the sting out of him a bit I think he will settle a bit better."
"We've always thought he would get a mile and beyond even though he is a General Nediym."
The win was the second in the first three races on the Caulfield card for proven big race rider Craig Williams (pictured below).
"He went a bit too hard," Williams said. "Stepping up to this grade I thought he raced a bit too keen."
"He was probably entitled to get beaten," he added. "He really fought it out strong."
"He went through the race without relaxing at all. He was all grunt and all muscle today."
Dusty Star was purchased on behalf of connections by leading New Zealand based bloodstock agent Dean Hawthorne for $230,000 from the Widden Stud draft at the 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The gelding was also sold by Magic Millions for $130,000 when Vin Cox bought him from the draft of Glenmore Park at the 2008 National Weanling Sale at the Gold Coast.
He boasts the impressive record of four wins and seven placings from just 13 starts and earnings of over $218,000.
The chestnut gelding is one of two winners from two to race for the Snippets mare Forever Midnight.
A winner of two races at 1400 metres, Forever Midnight is a half sister to four winners including the stakes placed Crestfallen.
Winner: Dusty Star (General Nediym-Forever Midnight)
Race: MRC D'Urban Stakes G2 (1400m)
Sold for: $130,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale
Vendor: Glenmore Park
Buyer: Vin Cox Bloodstock
Sold for: $230,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Widden Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock
Earnings: $218,855
Owner(s): BL & Mrs JA Mathieson, R Smith & REYM Syndicate
Trainer: Peter Morgan (Kilmore)
Baby Boom Wash Up Racing Queensland Stewards Report
Racing Queensland Limited (RQL) today (7/2/11) held an inquiry to determine charges levelled against Mr John Nikolic and licensed trainer Ms Annalaise Moir relating the bona fides of the ownership of the registered thoroughbred Baby Boom between the period of March 10, 2010 to June 11, 2010. Whilst the matter was investigated some time ago the hearing was delayed until another matter was determined which considered the stewards jurisdiction. In recent time the hearing was again delayed due to the availability of the parties to attend.
After considering the evidence gathered by RQL investigative stewards, together with evidence heard at an inquiry on October 5, 2010, stewards issued two charges against Mr John Nikolic. The first under AR56B which reads:
Any person who, in the opinion of the Stewards, fails to declare any share or interest, misrepresents or provides any misleading or inaccurate information regarding the ownership of a horse, or is a party to any breach of this rule, may be penalised by the Stewards and the horse may be disqualified.
The specifics of the charge being that Mr John Nikolic did fail to declare an interest regarding the ownership of the registered racehorse Baby Boom by indicating on the Transfer of a Racehorse document dated March 10, 2010 that he was an outgoing owner when in fact he maintained an interest in the ownership of the registered thoroughbred Baby Boom.
The second charge was issued under AR175(q) which reads:
The Committee of any Club or the Stewards may penalise;
(q) Any person who in their opinion is guilty of any misconduct, improper conduct or unseemly behaviour
The specifics of the charge being that on June 1, 2010 during a phone conversation between Mr John Nikolic and licensed trainer Annalise Moir regarding her provision of information to RQL investigative stewards, Mr John Nikolic did misconduct himself by verbally abusing Annalise Moir.
Mr Nikolic pleaded not guilty to both charges.
After carefully considering all of the evidence stewards found Mr Nikolic guilty of both charges.
In respect to the positive finding on first charge under AR56B stewards disqualified Mr John Nikolic for one year to commence immediately and to expire at midnight February 7, 2012.
Mr Nikolic was advised that Baby Boom would be disqualified from its first placing at the Gold Coast Turf Club on May 27, 2010.
In respect to the positive finding on the second charge under AR175(q) stewards issued a fine of $3000.
Stewards levelled two charges against licensed trainer Ms Annalise Moir the first being under AR175A which reads:
Any person bound by these Rules who either within a racecourse or elsewhere in the opinion of the Committee of any Club or the Stewards has been guilty of conduct prejudicial to the image, or interests, or welfare of racing may be penalised.
The specifics of the charge being that Ms Annalise Moir as the trainer of the registered thoroughbred Baby Boom for the period March 30, 2010 to May 27, 2010, did engage in conduct prejudicial to the interests of racing by failing to inform stewards that she had formed the view during this period that Mr John Nikolic was the bona fide owner of Baby Boom and not Priscilla Duffus as listed.
The second charge under AR175(gg) which reads:
The Committee of any Club or the Stewards may penalise;
(gg) Any person who makes any false or misleading statement or declaration is respect of any matter in connection with the administration or control of racing.
The specifics of the charge being that Ms Annalise Moir made a false statement to RQL investigative stewards during an interview conducted on Monday, May 31, 2010 concerning the location of a gathering involving yourself, Mr and Mrs Nikolic and Ms Duffus on the evening of Thursday, May 27, 2010.
Ms Annalise Moir pleaded not guilty to the first charge and guilty to the second charge.
After carefully considering all the evidence stewards found Ms Annalise Moir guilty of the first charge under AR175A.
In respect to the positive finding on first charge under AR175A stewards disqualified Ms Annalise Moir for three months to commence immediately and to expire at midnight May 7, 2011.
In respect to the positive finding on the second charge under AR175(gg) stewards issued a fine of $500.
Ms Moir was advised that Baby Boom would be disqualified from its first placing at the Gold Coast Turf Club on May 27, 2010.
Stewards issued one charge against Ms Pricilla Duffus under AR56B which reads:
Any person who, in the opinion of the Stewards, fails to declare any share or interest, misrepresents or provides any misleading or inaccurate information regarding the ownership of a horse, or is a party to any breach of this rule, may be penalised by the Stewards and the horse may be disqualified.
The specifics of the charge being that Ms Pricilla Duffus did provide misleading information regarding the ownership of the registered racehorse Baby Boom by indicating on the Transfer of a Racehorse document dated March 10, 2010 that she would hold a 100 per cent share of Baby Boom when in fact Mr John Nikolic described on the document as an outgoing owner did retain an interest in the ownership.
As Ms Duffus declined to attend the inquiry or make submissions in defence of this charge, stewards acting under the powers of LR115 determined the charge in the absence of Ms Duffus and found Ms Duffus guilty.
Ms Duffus was disqualified for one year to commence immediately and to expire at midnight February 7, 2012.
After considering the evidence gathered by RQL investigative stewards, together with evidence heard at an inquiry on October 5, 2010, stewards issued two charges against Mr John Nikolic. The first under AR56B which reads:
Any person who, in the opinion of the Stewards, fails to declare any share or interest, misrepresents or provides any misleading or inaccurate information regarding the ownership of a horse, or is a party to any breach of this rule, may be penalised by the Stewards and the horse may be disqualified.
The specifics of the charge being that Mr John Nikolic did fail to declare an interest regarding the ownership of the registered racehorse Baby Boom by indicating on the Transfer of a Racehorse document dated March 10, 2010 that he was an outgoing owner when in fact he maintained an interest in the ownership of the registered thoroughbred Baby Boom.
The second charge was issued under AR175(q) which reads:
The Committee of any Club or the Stewards may penalise;
(q) Any person who in their opinion is guilty of any misconduct, improper conduct or unseemly behaviour
The specifics of the charge being that on June 1, 2010 during a phone conversation between Mr John Nikolic and licensed trainer Annalise Moir regarding her provision of information to RQL investigative stewards, Mr John Nikolic did misconduct himself by verbally abusing Annalise Moir.
Mr Nikolic pleaded not guilty to both charges.
After carefully considering all of the evidence stewards found Mr Nikolic guilty of both charges.
In respect to the positive finding on first charge under AR56B stewards disqualified Mr John Nikolic for one year to commence immediately and to expire at midnight February 7, 2012.
Mr Nikolic was advised that Baby Boom would be disqualified from its first placing at the Gold Coast Turf Club on May 27, 2010.
In respect to the positive finding on the second charge under AR175(q) stewards issued a fine of $3000.
Stewards levelled two charges against licensed trainer Ms Annalise Moir the first being under AR175A which reads:
Any person bound by these Rules who either within a racecourse or elsewhere in the opinion of the Committee of any Club or the Stewards has been guilty of conduct prejudicial to the image, or interests, or welfare of racing may be penalised.
The specifics of the charge being that Ms Annalise Moir as the trainer of the registered thoroughbred Baby Boom for the period March 30, 2010 to May 27, 2010, did engage in conduct prejudicial to the interests of racing by failing to inform stewards that she had formed the view during this period that Mr John Nikolic was the bona fide owner of Baby Boom and not Priscilla Duffus as listed.
The second charge under AR175(gg) which reads:
The Committee of any Club or the Stewards may penalise;
(gg) Any person who makes any false or misleading statement or declaration is respect of any matter in connection with the administration or control of racing.
The specifics of the charge being that Ms Annalise Moir made a false statement to RQL investigative stewards during an interview conducted on Monday, May 31, 2010 concerning the location of a gathering involving yourself, Mr and Mrs Nikolic and Ms Duffus on the evening of Thursday, May 27, 2010.
Ms Annalise Moir pleaded not guilty to the first charge and guilty to the second charge.
After carefully considering all the evidence stewards found Ms Annalise Moir guilty of the first charge under AR175A.
In respect to the positive finding on first charge under AR175A stewards disqualified Ms Annalise Moir for three months to commence immediately and to expire at midnight May 7, 2011.
In respect to the positive finding on the second charge under AR175(gg) stewards issued a fine of $500.
Ms Moir was advised that Baby Boom would be disqualified from its first placing at the Gold Coast Turf Club on May 27, 2010.
Stewards issued one charge against Ms Pricilla Duffus under AR56B which reads:
Any person who, in the opinion of the Stewards, fails to declare any share or interest, misrepresents or provides any misleading or inaccurate information regarding the ownership of a horse, or is a party to any breach of this rule, may be penalised by the Stewards and the horse may be disqualified.
The specifics of the charge being that Ms Pricilla Duffus did provide misleading information regarding the ownership of the registered racehorse Baby Boom by indicating on the Transfer of a Racehorse document dated March 10, 2010 that she would hold a 100 per cent share of Baby Boom when in fact Mr John Nikolic described on the document as an outgoing owner did retain an interest in the ownership.
As Ms Duffus declined to attend the inquiry or make submissions in defence of this charge, stewards acting under the powers of LR115 determined the charge in the absence of Ms Duffus and found Ms Duffus guilty.
Ms Duffus was disqualified for one year to commence immediately and to expire at midnight February 7, 2012.
Winning Return For Palmer Photo Dan Costello
After a long time on the sidelines with a hand injury, Matthew Palmer returned to the saddle last week and it didn't take him long to return to the winners stall.
Palmer was legged aboard the Col Williamson trained Red Husserati for the final race at the Sunshine Coast last Sunday and he led the field home winning by a length and three quarters.
A clearly excited Palmer saluted as he returned to the enclosure and the Racing Wrap camera was there to capture the moment.
Returning to the Metropolitan winners enclosure is now the next step for Matthew Palmer.
Queensland prizemoney distribution review QROA Media Release
The Queensland Racehorse Owners Association will approach Racing Queensland Ltd with a view toinitiating a review by the control body of current prizemoney levels.
"This is a proactive step by the Queensland Racehorse Owners Association on behalf of all racehorse owners in Queensland," said QROA president Grant Morgan.
"We can no longer wait for new revenue from the corporate bookmakers that may or may not eventuate.
"QROA will make practical recommendations on how it sees better utilisation of the current pool of funds available for prizemoney.
Among the key areas of focus should be midweek metropolitan and provincial prizemoney.
"The QROA has expressed concern for some time that the level of midweek Metropolitan and provincial prizemoney needs an injection to stabilise the confidence of owners.
"In particular we have highlighted in the past a need to boost Maiden and Class 1 prizemoney.
"Unless there are some positive moves made in this area very soon we fear many Queensland owners are going to start sending their money and horses to the Southern states.
"Reduced owners means less horses, smaller field sizes, diminishing turnover and ultimately further downward pressure on prizemoney.
Another key part of the study should be the analysis of prizemoney distribution to black type racing and other quality events in Queensland.
"These races carry a significant slice of the current prizemoney pool.
"Clearly we need to protect our black type showcase races, but only as long as the grass roots of the industry are being fed enough to stay alive.
The review should also closely analyse the level of industry funds currently being utilised in the QTIS and QTIS 600 schemes.
"Both schemes are fabulous if you are an owner with an eligible horse. But many owners in Queensland may not be in that position.
"Part of the study will analyse these figures and find out just how many owners in Queensland don't have access to this restricted prizemoney, whilst also clearly identifying the level of industry funds that are currently being committed in this area," said Morgan.
The QROA would like to be positioned to have the results of the review by March 2011, and would like the opportunity to discus the findings of this analysis directly with Racing Queensland Ltd.
"This is a proactive step by the Queensland Racehorse Owners Association on behalf of all racehorse owners in Queensland," said QROA president Grant Morgan.
"We can no longer wait for new revenue from the corporate bookmakers that may or may not eventuate.
"QROA will make practical recommendations on how it sees better utilisation of the current pool of funds available for prizemoney.
Among the key areas of focus should be midweek metropolitan and provincial prizemoney.
"The QROA has expressed concern for some time that the level of midweek Metropolitan and provincial prizemoney needs an injection to stabilise the confidence of owners.
"In particular we have highlighted in the past a need to boost Maiden and Class 1 prizemoney.
"Unless there are some positive moves made in this area very soon we fear many Queensland owners are going to start sending their money and horses to the Southern states.
"Reduced owners means less horses, smaller field sizes, diminishing turnover and ultimately further downward pressure on prizemoney.
Another key part of the study should be the analysis of prizemoney distribution to black type racing and other quality events in Queensland.
"These races carry a significant slice of the current prizemoney pool.
"Clearly we need to protect our black type showcase races, but only as long as the grass roots of the industry are being fed enough to stay alive.
The review should also closely analyse the level of industry funds currently being utilised in the QTIS and QTIS 600 schemes.
"Both schemes are fabulous if you are an owner with an eligible horse. But many owners in Queensland may not be in that position.
"Part of the study will analyse these figures and find out just how many owners in Queensland don't have access to this restricted prizemoney, whilst also clearly identifying the level of industry funds that are currently being committed in this area," said Morgan.
The QROA would like to be positioned to have the results of the review by March 2011, and would like the opportunity to discus the findings of this analysis directly with Racing Queensland Ltd.
Dim Sum On The Menu For Chinese New Year Group 1 HKJC Media Release & Photos
In perfect sunny weather for the first meeting of the Year of the Rabbit, a vast crowd of 96,000, the biggest Chinese New Year Meeting attendance for nine years, basked in the warm sunshine and relished the various entertainments. Betting turnover today reached an enormous HK$1,261 million, the highest for a CNY meeting since 2001 and an increase of 8.6 per cent on the same meeting in 2010. Betting duty paid to the government amounted to HK$153 million, with another HK$58 million retained by the Club for operating expenses and charity contributions.
HKJC CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges welcomed the meeting’s success. “The racing programme was good. The whole entertainment package was good, and the atmosphere on course was just fantastic,” he said. “This was the best CNY meeting I’ve seen in Hong Kong. It’s a really great start to the Year of the Rabbit.”
If a party atmosphere prevailed throughout, Sha Tin’s featured HKG1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize, second leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series, however, went a little differently from the way most people expected, with top favourite Sacred Kingdom denied in his attempt to equal the 18-victory winning record of the great Silent Witness. The horse who failed to read the script was the relatively unheralded Dim Sum, trained by John Moore and ridden by Olivier Doleuze, who held the champ’s surge from the rear and was in fact going away again in the last few metres before the post arrived.
To many, though, Dim Sum’s success was no cause for astonishment as the seven-year-old was repeating his Chairman’s Sprint Prize victory of 2009 when Sacred Kingdom again finished behind him in third. Trainer John Moore insisted that he wasn’t one of those amazed by Dim Sum’s victory. “He always surprises me even when he doesn’t get the soft ground he likes,” said the trainer. “He’s been running so well, and when he was able to hold onto Sacred Kingdom after being headed in the 1000m race last month (the HKG1 Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup, first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series) you had to give him a real chance in this race.
“He won it two years ago and he’s won it again today,” said Moore. “Thanks to David [owner Pong Chun Yee] and Olivier Doleuze who gave him a great ride. The plan was that we should let Ultra Fantasy lead this time and so give Dim Sum a chance to finish off, and you’d have to say the tactics worked because when Sacred Kingdom came at him he held the challenge.”
Moore joked with owner David Pong Chun Yee that “He’s given you so much prize money now you can afford to buy another one even better, although finding a better one than Dim Sum might be a tough job.”
“John and his family have been training for my family for three generations,” responded the smiling owner, “and we hope they will continue to do so for three generations more.”
Of Moore’s other runners the more strongly fancied Let Me Fight appeared not quite to go through with his effort and “might be a little bit doggy” in his trainer’s estimation, although he was still good enough to finish third with Moore’s third contender One World, who had to overcome a check and finished only a length and a quarter behind the winner in fourth, perhaps a shade unlucky.
But the trainer had further reason for delight later on when the horse he calls “about the most consistent in Hong Kong” , Sunny King, showed tremendous fortitude under Gerald Mosse to hold the challenges of less burdened rivals to carry top weight to victory in The Chinese New Year Cup.
Racegoers had plenty to enjoy apart from some sensational racing. Of the nearly 90,000 packing the Sha Tin stands and more than a few will have certainly come for the supplementary events as much as for the action of the track.
The party started well before the first race with a Lion’s eye-dotting opening ceremony and a lavish variety show in the Parade Ring at which HKSAR Financial Secretary John Tsang was officiating guest in company with the Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson, Club Stewards and CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. Artistes appearing included TV stars Susanna Kwan, Johnson Lee and Ella Koon and feng shui master James Li shared his New Year perceptions.
HKJC CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges welcomed the meeting’s success. “The racing programme was good. The whole entertainment package was good, and the atmosphere on course was just fantastic,” he said. “This was the best CNY meeting I’ve seen in Hong Kong. It’s a really great start to the Year of the Rabbit.”
If a party atmosphere prevailed throughout, Sha Tin’s featured HKG1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize, second leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series, however, went a little differently from the way most people expected, with top favourite Sacred Kingdom denied in his attempt to equal the 18-victory winning record of the great Silent Witness. The horse who failed to read the script was the relatively unheralded Dim Sum, trained by John Moore and ridden by Olivier Doleuze, who held the champ’s surge from the rear and was in fact going away again in the last few metres before the post arrived.
To many, though, Dim Sum’s success was no cause for astonishment as the seven-year-old was repeating his Chairman’s Sprint Prize victory of 2009 when Sacred Kingdom again finished behind him in third. Trainer John Moore insisted that he wasn’t one of those amazed by Dim Sum’s victory. “He always surprises me even when he doesn’t get the soft ground he likes,” said the trainer. “He’s been running so well, and when he was able to hold onto Sacred Kingdom after being headed in the 1000m race last month (the HKG1 Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup, first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series) you had to give him a real chance in this race.
“He won it two years ago and he’s won it again today,” said Moore. “Thanks to David [owner Pong Chun Yee] and Olivier Doleuze who gave him a great ride. The plan was that we should let Ultra Fantasy lead this time and so give Dim Sum a chance to finish off, and you’d have to say the tactics worked because when Sacred Kingdom came at him he held the challenge.”
Moore joked with owner David Pong Chun Yee that “He’s given you so much prize money now you can afford to buy another one even better, although finding a better one than Dim Sum might be a tough job.”
“John and his family have been training for my family for three generations,” responded the smiling owner, “and we hope they will continue to do so for three generations more.”
Of Moore’s other runners the more strongly fancied Let Me Fight appeared not quite to go through with his effort and “might be a little bit doggy” in his trainer’s estimation, although he was still good enough to finish third with Moore’s third contender One World, who had to overcome a check and finished only a length and a quarter behind the winner in fourth, perhaps a shade unlucky.
But the trainer had further reason for delight later on when the horse he calls “about the most consistent in Hong Kong” , Sunny King, showed tremendous fortitude under Gerald Mosse to hold the challenges of less burdened rivals to carry top weight to victory in The Chinese New Year Cup.
Racegoers had plenty to enjoy apart from some sensational racing. Of the nearly 90,000 packing the Sha Tin stands and more than a few will have certainly come for the supplementary events as much as for the action of the track.
The party started well before the first race with a Lion’s eye-dotting opening ceremony and a lavish variety show in the Parade Ring at which HKSAR Financial Secretary John Tsang was officiating guest in company with the Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson, Club Stewards and CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. Artistes appearing included TV stars Susanna Kwan, Johnson Lee and Ella Koon and feng shui master James Li shared his New Year perceptions.
 |
SPINHRO CONTINUES SIRE'S WINNING RUN Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
Lonhro's winning run continued at Doomben today when his promising juvenile Spinhro won the in the Sky Racing 2YO Handicap (1010m).
On the speed throughout under Jason Taylor, Spinhro got going late in the straight to reel in the leaders and win impressively.
The colt was sent out one of the leading chances after an eye catching debut when sixth, beaten just two lengths by the likely type Noisy Ocean.
Spinhro was purchased by his trainer Norm Stephens for $81,000 from the Robyn Wise draft at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He led home a trifecta result for Magic Millions graduates with the minor placegetters Slysera ($40,000 QTIS 600 Yearling Sale) and Punch On ($16,000 QTIS 600 Yearling Sale) also sold at the Gold Coast.
The runner-up Slysera, a youngster by Hidden Dragon, is trained by Ron Macrae at Toowoomba and won't be a maiden long after an impressive debut.
The winner's sire Lonhro, who won a staggering 26 races during an illustrious racing career, is one of the country's hottest sires.
A resident of Darley, Lonhro is the sire of stars including Denman, O'Lonhro, Renaissance, Beaded, Trim, Parables, Deer Valley and Dysphonia.
Spinhro is the first winner for the 1400 metre New Zealand winner Comeinspina.
A daughter of Spinning World, Comeinspina is a half sister to the Group Three winner and Group One placegetter Groundless Threats.
Further back it is the same family as star kiwi based Group One winners La Mer and Zepherin and South African star Timber Trader.
Meanwhile, Demanding Miss continued the winning run for Mitchell Wood when she steamed home to win the Sky Racing Handicap (1615m) around half an hour later.
A three-year-old daughter of Commands, Demanding Miss was having her second start since finishing ninth in the $1 million Gold Coast Magic Millions Guineas last month.
Prepared by Barry Baldwin, Demanding Miss was purchased for $50,000 from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
A winner of three races and six minor placings from just 15 starts she has earned over $325,000.
On the speed throughout under Jason Taylor, Spinhro got going late in the straight to reel in the leaders and win impressively.
The colt was sent out one of the leading chances after an eye catching debut when sixth, beaten just two lengths by the likely type Noisy Ocean.
Spinhro was purchased by his trainer Norm Stephens for $81,000 from the Robyn Wise draft at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He led home a trifecta result for Magic Millions graduates with the minor placegetters Slysera ($40,000 QTIS 600 Yearling Sale) and Punch On ($16,000 QTIS 600 Yearling Sale) also sold at the Gold Coast.
The runner-up Slysera, a youngster by Hidden Dragon, is trained by Ron Macrae at Toowoomba and won't be a maiden long after an impressive debut.
The winner's sire Lonhro, who won a staggering 26 races during an illustrious racing career, is one of the country's hottest sires.
A resident of Darley, Lonhro is the sire of stars including Denman, O'Lonhro, Renaissance, Beaded, Trim, Parables, Deer Valley and Dysphonia.
Spinhro is the first winner for the 1400 metre New Zealand winner Comeinspina.
A daughter of Spinning World, Comeinspina is a half sister to the Group Three winner and Group One placegetter Groundless Threats.
Further back it is the same family as star kiwi based Group One winners La Mer and Zepherin and South African star Timber Trader.
Meanwhile, Demanding Miss continued the winning run for Mitchell Wood when she steamed home to win the Sky Racing Handicap (1615m) around half an hour later.
A three-year-old daughter of Commands, Demanding Miss was having her second start since finishing ninth in the $1 million Gold Coast Magic Millions Guineas last month.
Prepared by Barry Baldwin, Demanding Miss was purchased for $50,000 from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
A winner of three races and six minor placings from just 15 starts she has earned over $325,000.
Millions Form Standing Up Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
The strength of the $4.3 million Magic Millions raceday was evidenced this week when no fewer than four Brisbane races were won by horses who raced at Queensland's richest race meeting earlier in the month.
Merryanna and Spirit of Boom were impressive winners on Australia Day, while Flammable and Celtic Dancer (Pictured at left) did likewise in Brisbane on Saturday.
The strength of the field for the recent $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic, won in brilliant style by the unbeaten filly Karuta Queen, has been emphasised through the efforts this week of Merryanna and Flammable.
Both fillies finished down the track in the Classic after jumping from outside barriers.
On Australia Day Merryanna strolled to a two and a quarter length in her Eagle Farm event for Michael Cahill and Maryann Thexton.
A $5,000 bargain buy, Merryanna was ninth on the Gold Coast but bounced back brilliantly last Wednesday.
The Stratum filly has already earned black type and her stakes earnings have raced past $48,000.
Later on the same card it was the turn of quality three-year-old Spirit of Boom to score a brilliant length and a half win.
A member of the Tony Gollan stable, Spirit of Boom ran fifth in the $1 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) at his previous outing.
The Toowoomba based gelding, who cost $90,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions QTIS 600 Yearling Sale, has won four of his 12 starts and already earned $312,650.
He is a half brother to the Myer Magic Millions Sprint winner Temple of Boom.
The winning streak of runners from the MM raceday continued at Doomben on Saturday when both Flammable and Celtic Dancer were victorious.
Flammable, a $21,000 purchase from last year's QTIS 600 Yearling Sale, showed great fighting abilities when she won the juvenile race in impressive fashion.
Trained from Toowoomba by Mark Webb, Flammable is a daughter of Ferocity and after a torrid run in the recent MM Classic she wound up in 13th place.
Celtic Dancer, meanwhile, showed plenty of fight when she won a quality three-year-old event later on the card when sent out the popular elect with both on and off course punters.
With Joe Bowditch in the saddle, the Noel Doyle trained daughter of Choisir proved too classy.
The $40,000 Gold Coast Yearling purchase led up the field in the recent $1 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas and hung on for fourth in the big race behind Torio's Quest.
Merryanna and Spirit of Boom were impressive winners on Australia Day, while Flammable and Celtic Dancer (Pictured at left) did likewise in Brisbane on Saturday.
The strength of the field for the recent $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic, won in brilliant style by the unbeaten filly Karuta Queen, has been emphasised through the efforts this week of Merryanna and Flammable.
Both fillies finished down the track in the Classic after jumping from outside barriers.
On Australia Day Merryanna strolled to a two and a quarter length in her Eagle Farm event for Michael Cahill and Maryann Thexton.
A $5,000 bargain buy, Merryanna was ninth on the Gold Coast but bounced back brilliantly last Wednesday.
The Stratum filly has already earned black type and her stakes earnings have raced past $48,000.
Later on the same card it was the turn of quality three-year-old Spirit of Boom to score a brilliant length and a half win.
A member of the Tony Gollan stable, Spirit of Boom ran fifth in the $1 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) at his previous outing.
The Toowoomba based gelding, who cost $90,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions QTIS 600 Yearling Sale, has won four of his 12 starts and already earned $312,650.
He is a half brother to the Myer Magic Millions Sprint winner Temple of Boom.
The winning streak of runners from the MM raceday continued at Doomben on Saturday when both Flammable and Celtic Dancer were victorious.
Flammable, a $21,000 purchase from last year's QTIS 600 Yearling Sale, showed great fighting abilities when she won the juvenile race in impressive fashion.
Trained from Toowoomba by Mark Webb, Flammable is a daughter of Ferocity and after a torrid run in the recent MM Classic she wound up in 13th place.
Celtic Dancer, meanwhile, showed plenty of fight when she won a quality three-year-old event later on the card when sent out the popular elect with both on and off course punters.
With Joe Bowditch in the saddle, the Noel Doyle trained daughter of Choisir proved too classy.
The $40,000 Gold Coast Yearling purchase led up the field in the recent $1 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas and hung on for fourth in the big race behind Torio's Quest.
Toowoomba Businessman Has Sponsorship Terminated
Who would have thought that in the current economic climate a race club would turn down a long standing sponsorship.
Well that is exactly what has happened between the Toowoomba Turf Club and previous sponsors Jewels Of The Range.
The following is a press release from Managing Director of Jewels Of The Range, Anthony Burke and wait for it, for those who are not aware. Anthony is also a Director of the Toowoomba Turf Club.
Pictured left is a sample of one of the historical rings that have pride of place in trophy cabinet of many outstanding trainers and jockeys who have previously won the Weetwood Handicap and Toowoomba Cup.
· THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF JEWELS OF THE RANGE, ANTHONY BURKE WISHES TO ADVISE THAT ON MONDAY JANUARY 31, 2001 HE RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM CHIEF OF MANAGEMENT AARON CLANCY ADVISING THE BELOW DETAILS.
· Director Anthony Burke said “We have been advised that the TTC (Toowoomba Turf Club) has decided to end the current sponsorship agreement that ends in February 2011, as it holds no bottom line advantage to the club and its members and it is a commercial business decision.” Mr Clancy went on to say in the phone conversation that the four $3000 diamond set one off winners rings for the winning trainer and jockey of both the Weetwood Hcp and Toowoomba Cup may add Prestige and History to the winning trainer and jockey but no advantage to the TTC.
· Director, Anthony Burke of Jewels of the Range, said he was disappointed that he was given no indication that the deal would not continue and already spent $1000 and had the Computer Design and Sterling Silver Samples made in preparation for the 2011 event.
· Anthony Burke stated that he has had no contact from the new chairman Mr Bob Frappell since taking the chairmanship back in October 2010, in regards to his company’s sponsorship of the rings for 2011. Burke states that it took a letter to Mr Aaron Clancy and Mr Bob Frappell on January 20, 2011 voicing his dissatisfaction with this lack of contact in regards to the future sponsorship.
· Mr Burke received an email today Tuesday February 1, 2011 from Toowoomba Turf Club Chief of Management Aaron Clancy which said to Mr Burke “that all detailed communication to you will be via face to face or over the phone, and all current sponsorship agreements in place with the Toowoomba Turf Club, will not be renewed in their current form.”
· Mr. Burke, would like to thank the previous Chairman Neville Stewart, his committee, and Secretary Gavin McEvoy who initiated the historical rings that were the first of their kind in Australian Racing History and now hold pride of place with other prestigious trophies in the homes of Trainers Rex Lipp (twice), Mick Mair, Nick Olive, Norm Hilton and Kath Carroll, and Jockeys Tye Angland, Anthony Pattillo, Ken Pope, Chris Munce, Shane Scriven and the late Stathi Katsidis.
Well that is exactly what has happened between the Toowoomba Turf Club and previous sponsors Jewels Of The Range.
The following is a press release from Managing Director of Jewels Of The Range, Anthony Burke and wait for it, for those who are not aware. Anthony is also a Director of the Toowoomba Turf Club.
Pictured left is a sample of one of the historical rings that have pride of place in trophy cabinet of many outstanding trainers and jockeys who have previously won the Weetwood Handicap and Toowoomba Cup.
· THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF JEWELS OF THE RANGE, ANTHONY BURKE WISHES TO ADVISE THAT ON MONDAY JANUARY 31, 2001 HE RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM CHIEF OF MANAGEMENT AARON CLANCY ADVISING THE BELOW DETAILS.
· Director Anthony Burke said “We have been advised that the TTC (Toowoomba Turf Club) has decided to end the current sponsorship agreement that ends in February 2011, as it holds no bottom line advantage to the club and its members and it is a commercial business decision.” Mr Clancy went on to say in the phone conversation that the four $3000 diamond set one off winners rings for the winning trainer and jockey of both the Weetwood Hcp and Toowoomba Cup may add Prestige and History to the winning trainer and jockey but no advantage to the TTC.
· Director, Anthony Burke of Jewels of the Range, said he was disappointed that he was given no indication that the deal would not continue and already spent $1000 and had the Computer Design and Sterling Silver Samples made in preparation for the 2011 event.
· Anthony Burke stated that he has had no contact from the new chairman Mr Bob Frappell since taking the chairmanship back in October 2010, in regards to his company’s sponsorship of the rings for 2011. Burke states that it took a letter to Mr Aaron Clancy and Mr Bob Frappell on January 20, 2011 voicing his dissatisfaction with this lack of contact in regards to the future sponsorship.
· Mr Burke received an email today Tuesday February 1, 2011 from Toowoomba Turf Club Chief of Management Aaron Clancy which said to Mr Burke “that all detailed communication to you will be via face to face or over the phone, and all current sponsorship agreements in place with the Toowoomba Turf Club, will not be renewed in their current form.”
· Mr. Burke, would like to thank the previous Chairman Neville Stewart, his committee, and Secretary Gavin McEvoy who initiated the historical rings that were the first of their kind in Australian Racing History and now hold pride of place with other prestigious trophies in the homes of Trainers Rex Lipp (twice), Mick Mair, Nick Olive, Norm Hilton and Kath Carroll, and Jockeys Tye Angland, Anthony Pattillo, Ken Pope, Chris Munce, Shane Scriven and the late Stathi Katsidis.
"SINGO" & HARVEY PART COMPANY Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
Prominent Australian businessman and thoroughbred breeder Gerry Harvey today announced that he and his family have purchased the entire Magic Millions Sales company.
"At a meeting held last night my family and I agreed to acquire the interests of John Singleton and Rob Ferguson, to own 100 per cent of Magic Millions, for an undisclosed figure," Harvey stated.
"As a result of this development, Dr Stephen Silk has resigned from his position as Managing Director of Magic Millions effective immediately."
"David Chester will act as interim Managing Director for the company, until such time as a new Managing Director is appointed. The search for a new Managing Director is underway."
Harvey said it was business as usual for the leading thoroughbred sales company.
"We have a great team at Magic Millions and we are focussed on our upcoming yearling sales in Perth, Tasmania and Adelaide as well as the rescheduled QTIS 600 Yearling Sale in April."
"At a meeting held last night my family and I agreed to acquire the interests of John Singleton and Rob Ferguson, to own 100 per cent of Magic Millions, for an undisclosed figure," Harvey stated.
"As a result of this development, Dr Stephen Silk has resigned from his position as Managing Director of Magic Millions effective immediately."
"David Chester will act as interim Managing Director for the company, until such time as a new Managing Director is appointed. The search for a new Managing Director is underway."
Harvey said it was business as usual for the leading thoroughbred sales company.
"We have a great team at Magic Millions and we are focussed on our upcoming yearling sales in Perth, Tasmania and Adelaide as well as the rescheduled QTIS 600 Yearling Sale in April."
Brave Beauty’s Stewards’ Cup proves CXHK Mile was no flash in the pan HKJC Media Release & Photo
In a resounding confirmation of the improvement he showed when winning the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile, Beauty Flash, owned by Kwok Siu Ming, trained by Tony Cruz and ridden by Gerald Mosse, won the HKG1 Stewards’ Cup, first leg of the Triple Crown, at Sha Tin on Sunday 30/1/11.
In doing so the chestnut son of Golan had a much tougher test than that given him by his international rivals on 12 December. In fact he had to call on all his new-found resolution to resist the late challenges of first G1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup runner-up Irian, and then of Irian’s less fancied John Moore stablemate, the ultra consistent Sunny King, who ran the race of his career to go down by just a neck in a gallant bid to collect himself a first Group One.
Hard though Sunny King challenged however, he found it impossible to get past Beauty Flash, who had taken the lead early in the straight then kept finding what was needed, and by the line the neck margin between the two was, if anything, beginning to extend once more. Mosse paid tribute afterwards to his mount’s battling qualities: “A Group One is never an easy race to ride,” said the Frenchman, “But what I asked him to do, he did. Tony said to me ‘Give him a chance to breathe and he will turn the engine on himself’, and he was right. At the 200m there were horses going faster than me and I didn’t want to use the whip because he doesn’t like that. But he has such a big heart he kept quickening and fought them off.”
Cruz attributed the five-year-old’s improvement this year to the fact that his lungs are cleaner now than they were last season. “Last year,” said the trainer “he had blood in the trachea almost every time he raced or trialled. This year he’s scoping much cleaner and I put that down to his being stronger now than he was as a four-year-old.”
Last season Beauty Flash seemed not to get the 2000m of the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby, but while emphasizing that “the (1800m) Dubai Duty Free at Meydan is his main target now” Cruz did not rule out the possibility of another crack at 2000m in the second leg of the Triple Crown, the HKG1 Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup on 27 February.
If he does go for that race he will find himself again up against Irian whose trainer will feel optimistic about turning the tables. “They just didn’t go fast enough for him today and he didn’t have that turn of foot to catch them,” said Moore of Irian, “but it was a nice prep for the Gold Cup and I would think he’ll be the horse to beat in that.”
Behind Beauty Flash today Sunny King of course covered himself with glory. Moore pointed out that “The early pace suited him and you just know that when they go as steady as that at a mile he’s going to come flying,” although the overall time of 1.34.92 suggested the race was hardly a complete crawl. There were encouraging performances too from Special Days who ran his best race of the season to finish fourth, while Champion Stayer Mr Medici ran exceptionally well to take fifth just in front of the veteran Good Ba Ba, who looked a real danger half way up the straight and still ran on well enough to show that even at nine he may have enough talent left to be a competitor in the top class.
In doing so the chestnut son of Golan had a much tougher test than that given him by his international rivals on 12 December. In fact he had to call on all his new-found resolution to resist the late challenges of first G1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup runner-up Irian, and then of Irian’s less fancied John Moore stablemate, the ultra consistent Sunny King, who ran the race of his career to go down by just a neck in a gallant bid to collect himself a first Group One.
Hard though Sunny King challenged however, he found it impossible to get past Beauty Flash, who had taken the lead early in the straight then kept finding what was needed, and by the line the neck margin between the two was, if anything, beginning to extend once more. Mosse paid tribute afterwards to his mount’s battling qualities: “A Group One is never an easy race to ride,” said the Frenchman, “But what I asked him to do, he did. Tony said to me ‘Give him a chance to breathe and he will turn the engine on himself’, and he was right. At the 200m there were horses going faster than me and I didn’t want to use the whip because he doesn’t like that. But he has such a big heart he kept quickening and fought them off.”
Cruz attributed the five-year-old’s improvement this year to the fact that his lungs are cleaner now than they were last season. “Last year,” said the trainer “he had blood in the trachea almost every time he raced or trialled. This year he’s scoping much cleaner and I put that down to his being stronger now than he was as a four-year-old.”
Last season Beauty Flash seemed not to get the 2000m of the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby, but while emphasizing that “the (1800m) Dubai Duty Free at Meydan is his main target now” Cruz did not rule out the possibility of another crack at 2000m in the second leg of the Triple Crown, the HKG1 Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup on 27 February.
If he does go for that race he will find himself again up against Irian whose trainer will feel optimistic about turning the tables. “They just didn’t go fast enough for him today and he didn’t have that turn of foot to catch them,” said Moore of Irian, “but it was a nice prep for the Gold Cup and I would think he’ll be the horse to beat in that.”
Behind Beauty Flash today Sunny King of course covered himself with glory. Moore pointed out that “The early pace suited him and you just know that when they go as steady as that at a mile he’s going to come flying,” although the overall time of 1.34.92 suggested the race was hardly a complete crawl. There were encouraging performances too from Special Days who ran his best race of the season to finish fourth, while Champion Stayer Mr Medici ran exceptionally well to take fifth just in front of the veteran Good Ba Ba, who looked a real danger half way up the straight and still ran on well enough to show that even at nine he may have enough talent left to be a competitor in the top class.
WOOD MILESTONE AS RYAN'S BEST STARS Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
A unique family milestone was completed at Doomben on Saturday when highly rated mare Cariad steamed home to win the listed $100,000 Nudgee Handicap (1200m).
The win was the first at black type level for talented apprentice Justin Wood and it came just hours after his younger brother Mitchell did likewise at the Sunshine Coast last night.
Mitchell scored his biggest win last night when he partnered the outsider Dalzar to a thrilling photo finish victory in the listed $100,000 Sunshine Coast Cup.
Wind the clock forward about 18 hours and it was the turn of big brother Justin to star - with a cool ride aboard Cariad being rewarded in Brisbane's feature race over the weekend - also carrying a $100,000 purse.
Prepared by master Steele Ryan, Cariad sent her value soaring when she broke through for a valuable stakes success in emphatic style.
Ryan has for 12 months felt the lightly raced mare was a star.
"I've been telling people for 12 months she is the best horse I've trained," he told AAP.
"You can throw in horses like Chinchilla Rose and the others. She's the best."
"She had a lot of problems in the head early on and it's been a hard grind to get her right."
"This was only her 10th start and she jumped several grades to win a listed race," Ryan added.
Ryan said the mare would run in a similar race in a fortnight before being set for feature races during the Winter Carnival culminating with a crack at the Group One Winter Stakes in June.
A $30,000 purchase from the 2008 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Cariad is the 16th individual stakes winner for popular Queensland based sire Sequalo.
She is a three quarter sister to her nine time winning and twice stakes performed stablemate Steel Lips - an earner of over $274,000.
Cariad is also a half sister to the South African group winner Polished Steel (King of Danes) - meaning their dam, the Sydney winning Comet Shine mare Shower of Steel is two runners for two stakes winners.
Winner: Cariad (Sequalo-Shower of Steel)
Race: BRC Nudgee Handicap LR (1200m)
Sold for $30,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale
Vendor: PM Ballard
Buyer: Ken Turner
Owner(s): Mrs GM Ryan, JP Ryan, Mrs RP Taylor, JC Hartmann & TR Schmidt
Earnings: $111,350
Trainer: Steele Ryan (Deagon)
The win was the first at black type level for talented apprentice Justin Wood and it came just hours after his younger brother Mitchell did likewise at the Sunshine Coast last night.
Mitchell scored his biggest win last night when he partnered the outsider Dalzar to a thrilling photo finish victory in the listed $100,000 Sunshine Coast Cup.
Wind the clock forward about 18 hours and it was the turn of big brother Justin to star - with a cool ride aboard Cariad being rewarded in Brisbane's feature race over the weekend - also carrying a $100,000 purse.
Prepared by master Steele Ryan, Cariad sent her value soaring when she broke through for a valuable stakes success in emphatic style.
Ryan has for 12 months felt the lightly raced mare was a star.
"I've been telling people for 12 months she is the best horse I've trained," he told AAP.
"You can throw in horses like Chinchilla Rose and the others. She's the best."
"She had a lot of problems in the head early on and it's been a hard grind to get her right."
"This was only her 10th start and she jumped several grades to win a listed race," Ryan added.
Ryan said the mare would run in a similar race in a fortnight before being set for feature races during the Winter Carnival culminating with a crack at the Group One Winter Stakes in June.
A $30,000 purchase from the 2008 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Cariad is the 16th individual stakes winner for popular Queensland based sire Sequalo.
She is a three quarter sister to her nine time winning and twice stakes performed stablemate Steel Lips - an earner of over $274,000.
Cariad is also a half sister to the South African group winner Polished Steel (King of Danes) - meaning their dam, the Sydney winning Comet Shine mare Shower of Steel is two runners for two stakes winners.
Winner: Cariad (Sequalo-Shower of Steel)
Race: BRC Nudgee Handicap LR (1200m)
Sold for $30,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale
Vendor: PM Ballard
Buyer: Ken Turner
Owner(s): Mrs GM Ryan, JP Ryan, Mrs RP Taylor, JC Hartmann & TR Schmidt
Earnings: $111,350
Trainer: Steele Ryan (Deagon)
NOISY OCEAN MAKES IT $170,000 FOR THE WEEK Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
Quality Brisbane juvenile Noisy Ocean made it two wins and $170,000 in earnings for the week when he finished too well for his rivals and win the $150,000 QTIS 600 Plate (1200m) at the Sunshine Coast tonight.
Prepared by Bryan Guy, Noisy Ocean sat on the speed throughout and was able to ground down Kahui to win in good style.
The son of Shovhog was sent out an odds on favourite with on and off course punters after an impressive win at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Guy, in Hong Kong on business, was delighted with the victory.
"He's done a great job winning $170,000 in a week," Guy said. "Not bad for a horse we paid just $15,000 from Raheen Stud at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale."
Noisy Ocean was first emergency for the recent $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic and was left in his stable when he failed to gain a start.
But that could have been a blessing for his connections as the exciting juvenile has notched consecutive wins since missing a Millions start.
"He'll go straight to the paddock now," Guy noted.
"We'll look at a winter campaign with races like the (QTC) Sires' (Produce Stakes) and TJ Smith in mind."
"He should appreciate those sort of distances. I think he's got a nice future."
A graduate of Queensland's famed Raheen Stud, Noisy Ocean is a son of Danehill's proven sire son Shovhog.
He is one of four winners produced by the unraced Sir Tristram mare Hepburn Rose - a half sister to Buriton and daughter of Penny Row.
It was a memorable night for the youngsters with 17-year-old apprentice Mitchell Wood scoring his biggest ever win in the preceding race when Dalzar won at cricket score odds in the listed Sunshine Coast Cup.
"I thought I might have been beaten (by Dual Chamber) on the line - but we got there and it was a big thrill," Wood said.
Prepared by Bryan Guy, Noisy Ocean sat on the speed throughout and was able to ground down Kahui to win in good style.
The son of Shovhog was sent out an odds on favourite with on and off course punters after an impressive win at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Guy, in Hong Kong on business, was delighted with the victory.
"He's done a great job winning $170,000 in a week," Guy said. "Not bad for a horse we paid just $15,000 from Raheen Stud at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale."
Noisy Ocean was first emergency for the recent $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic and was left in his stable when he failed to gain a start.
But that could have been a blessing for his connections as the exciting juvenile has notched consecutive wins since missing a Millions start.
"He'll go straight to the paddock now," Guy noted.
"We'll look at a winter campaign with races like the (QTC) Sires' (Produce Stakes) and TJ Smith in mind."
"He should appreciate those sort of distances. I think he's got a nice future."
A graduate of Queensland's famed Raheen Stud, Noisy Ocean is a son of Danehill's proven sire son Shovhog.
He is one of four winners produced by the unraced Sir Tristram mare Hepburn Rose - a half sister to Buriton and daughter of Penny Row.
It was a memorable night for the youngsters with 17-year-old apprentice Mitchell Wood scoring his biggest ever win in the preceding race when Dalzar won at cricket score odds in the listed Sunshine Coast Cup.
"I thought I might have been beaten (by Dual Chamber) on the line - but we got there and it was a big thrill," Wood said.
No luck needed for Lucky Nine in Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Mile HKJC Media Release & Photo
The Irish-bred Lucky Nine, trained by Caspar Fownes and ridden by Brett Prebble, turned in an awe inspiring performance in the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Mile at Sha Tin this afternoon to demolish a high class field of four-year-olds and in doing so declare himself a potential champion of the future.
It wasn’t so much the distance he put between himself and his rivals. In fact he only had a length and a quarter to spare over the closingXtension, who ran a tremendous lead-up for Derby in second. But the immediacy of his acceleration, and the speed with which he settled the result when Prebble asked him to quicken halfway up the straight, marked him as obvious championship material, and both Fownesand Prebble were happy to sing his praises for his first outing at 1600m after a previous campaign at sprint distances.
“He is such an exciting horse,” said Prebble, “and I’m just very honoured to be on him.” Asked whether he thought there was a possibility that the compact but powerfully built son of Dubawi and a Green Desert mare might in time be able to get further than the mile, Prebblereferred the question to the trainer. But the Australian did say that at points during the race Lucky Nine was “really saving energy” which seemed a favourable sign. “Wherever he goes anyway,” joked the jockey, “it’ll take a crowbar to get me off him.”
Fownes was relatively relaxed in comparison to the man who had physically shared the Lucky Nine experience. “It was pretty much what I expected,” said the trainer. “This was the plan for the horse, and he’s completed it as we thought he would and as the ratings said he should. That was a very good run by John’s horse in second but it was a confidence ride by Brett. This is a very exciting horse. He’s certainly an international Group One horse of the future. It’s very good for Hong Kong racing that we’ve got a horse like this around.”
If that didn’t quite answer the question of whether the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby would now be on the four-year-old’s agenda the enquiry was also put to Lucky Nine’s delighted owner, Dr Chang Fuk To, who came up with an answer that win a Most Diplomatic Statement by an Owner Award if such a thing existed. “As a child you always need to listen to your father and as an owner it’s always best to listen to your trainer,” Dr Chang said.
In second place was the John Moore-trained Xtension who finished with a fine flourish to uphold the form he showed before his arrival in Hong Kong when fourth in the English 2000 Guineas. “That was a fantastic run,” said John Moore “and a fantastic Derby trial. He must have run much the fastest final 200m.”
A length and a half further back came the Tony Millard-trained Treasure Lands who also raised eyebrows with the strength of his finish – a remarkable leap in form from the son of Selkirk who came into the race with the lowest rating in the 12-runner field.
But this was Lucky Nine’s day. Fownes has always said that he would reach his true potential only when he stepped up in trip to 1600m, and already he looks like a miling champion in waiting.
The next two races in the four-year-old series are the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Cup on 20 February, and the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby itself on 20 March.
ASIAN MILE CHALLENGE REVAMP HKJC Media Release
The world’s richest mile series of thoroughbred races, the Asian Mile Challenge, has been revamped for the 2011 season. The composition of the four-race series remains unchanged. It continues to comprise the Futurity Stakes, the Dubai Duty Free, the BMW Champions Mile and the Yasuda Kinen. The distance of the Futurity has, however, been changed from 1600 to 1400 metres.
26 Feb 2011 Futurity Stakes 1400m Caulfield AUD 500,000 US$496,000
26 Mar 2011 Dubai Duty Free 1800m Meydan USD 5,000,00 US$5,000,000
25 Apr 2011 BMW Champions Mile 1600m Sha Tin HKD 12,000,000 US$1,543,000
5 Jun 2011 Yasuda Kinen 1600m Tokyo JPY 208,000,000 US$2,512,000
In addition to prize money of over US$9 million for the four series races, a new bonus structure will be implemented this season for both owners and trainers. The first Owner to succeed in winning two Asian Mile Challenge races in the same year with the same horse will be given a luxury automobile at a value of US$100,000 as an additional reward for accomplishing this remarkable feat.
Trainers will also compete for a luxury automobile at a value of US$100,000 based on an AMC points system which awards double points to trainers whose horses feature prominently in races for which they travel overseas. Points will be awarded back to sixth place, with values doubling for overseas races. Trainers must score points in two or more countries to be eligible, and the trainer with the highest points total will officially be named 2011 AMC Champion after the running of the Yasuda Kinen. A trainer may compete for points with different horses in the bonus format.
In the event of a tie, the trainer with the highest number of overseas points will be named the winner. If a tie still exists, the winner will be determined by calculation of the highest average finishing position of horses which have accumulated points. If a tie still exists, the winner will be drawn by lot by officials of the Japan Racing Association.
Sacred Kingdom Repeats 2010 Group 1 Victory News Relaease HKJC Photo Dan Costello
To the astonishment of nobody, Sacred Kingdom ( pictured with Brett Prebble winning HKJC International Srint 2009) repeated his 2010 victory in the HKG1 Kent and Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup, first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series, and in doing so reasserted his Hong Kong sprinting supremacy at Sha Tin today. The seven-year-old may not be quite the force he was, and jockey Brett Prebble admitted that this time “he never got on the bridle”. But at the minimum trip he still has far too much finishing speed for any of the pretenders to his championship crown, and he picked up his front-running rivals with very little fuss to complete victory by what was in the end a comfortable three quarters of a length.
“I asked him at about the 400, and he picked up and gave me a nice turn of foot,” said the old champ’s regular partner Brett Prebble, who punched the air in glee as he passed the post on the day he returned from suspension. “He may not be quite what he was as a five-year-old, but he’s in great form; he’s got a great heart, and he’s always doing his best.”
“We won the first leg and now we’re looking forward to the second,” said Ricky Yiu referring to the HKG1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize over 1200m on 5 February. But, obviously sharing the thought that the shorter trips are now those which suit Sacred Kingdom best, the trainer hesitated to commit himself to a tilt at the final leg over 1400m. “We’ll give it some thought,” he said when asked whether the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup on 6 March was also on the agenda.
The John Moore-trained Dim Sum set a fast pace in the Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup but was headed 300m out by SacredKingdom’s stablemate, Ultra Fantasy, all the way winner in October of the G1 Sprinters Stakes in Japan. In the final 200m however neither horse had any answers to Sacred Kingdom’s turn of foot, which brought him home in a time of 56.52 seconds for the 1000m. Dim Sum rallied to take second place. The Gary Ng-trained Sweet Sanette stayed on well to finish third, a length and a quarter behind the winner, with the Michael Chang-trained Vital Flyer a short head behind her in fourth.
Today’s triumph, his seventh G1, puts Sacred Kingdom just one victory behind the great Silent Witness on a total of 17 wins, and the Encosta de Lago gelding, who has only recently relinquished the position he held for three years at the top of the world sprint rankings, will join in number of wins the all time Hong Kong record holder and horse against whom all local sprinters are measured if he can take the second leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series in three weeks time.
“I asked him at about the 400, and he picked up and gave me a nice turn of foot,” said the old champ’s regular partner Brett Prebble, who punched the air in glee as he passed the post on the day he returned from suspension. “He may not be quite what he was as a five-year-old, but he’s in great form; he’s got a great heart, and he’s always doing his best.”
“We won the first leg and now we’re looking forward to the second,” said Ricky Yiu referring to the HKG1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize over 1200m on 5 February. But, obviously sharing the thought that the shorter trips are now those which suit Sacred Kingdom best, the trainer hesitated to commit himself to a tilt at the final leg over 1400m. “We’ll give it some thought,” he said when asked whether the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup on 6 March was also on the agenda.
The John Moore-trained Dim Sum set a fast pace in the Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup but was headed 300m out by SacredKingdom’s stablemate, Ultra Fantasy, all the way winner in October of the G1 Sprinters Stakes in Japan. In the final 200m however neither horse had any answers to Sacred Kingdom’s turn of foot, which brought him home in a time of 56.52 seconds for the 1000m. Dim Sum rallied to take second place. The Gary Ng-trained Sweet Sanette stayed on well to finish third, a length and a quarter behind the winner, with the Michael Chang-trained Vital Flyer a short head behind her in fourth.
Today’s triumph, his seventh G1, puts Sacred Kingdom just one victory behind the great Silent Witness on a total of 17 wins, and the Encosta de Lago gelding, who has only recently relinquished the position he held for three years at the top of the world sprint rankings, will join in number of wins the all time Hong Kong record holder and horse against whom all local sprinters are measured if he can take the second leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series in three weeks time.
Mother Russia Takes Group OneMother Russia takes out the 150th running of the 2011 L'Ormarins Queens Plate over 1600 Metres at Kenilworth, Capetown, South Africa.
|
ALL ROADS LEAD TO BALLINA 23/1/11
This will be the fourth running of the Coolmore Iris Nielsen Ladies Invitation race and it is certainly going to be an exciting day. The prize money for the feature race was increased last year to $50,000. This year we are proud to announce a supporting race on this day which is a Benchmark 70 race 1000m race with prize money of $20,000.
Leading lady riders from around Australia will be travelling to Ballina to compete in this prestigious race and take their place in history.
The Ballina Jockey Club will also be making two new inductions into the Lady Jockeys Hall of Fame. The inductees this year are Bev Buckingham and Bernadette Cooper. The following pages of this release detail some of the achievements of these two outstanding Lady Jockeys who join Linda Jones, Pam O’Neill and the late Iris Nielsen on the Honour Board of the Hall of Fame. Linda Jones and Pam O’Neill will be attending this year’s event.
The whole racing industry has embraced this event, and the Hall of Fame itself, as a celebration of the achievements of all pioneering lady riders throughout Australia and New Zealand who have provided such a positive example to the many young lady riders who perform as top class athletes today in one of the most exciting and demanding sports in Australia.
Once again the Naval Association will be sponsoring the rest of the card. They will be coming along in force with members and guests for an exciting day at the races. The Ballina Jockey Club will be decorated with flags and naval cadets will be at the entrance to greet patrons onto the course. It will certainly be a colourful addition to this feature day.
This will be a great days racing with nine races and quality fields especially for the feature race. The best lady riders around competing for great prize money and even some time for fashions in the field and champagne!
Pictured above are the Invitational Riders from 2010
Back Row: (L-R) Allison Threadwell, Jesse Whipp, Libby Hopwood, Sheree Drake, Laura Cheshire, Tasha Collett, Kristy Banks, Sam Spratt, Rhonda Seymour.
Bottom Row: (L-R) Claire Lindop, Kylie Cunningham, Lorna Cook, Robyn Freeman, Tracy O'Hara.
Racing Wrap will be covering the entire meeting on Sunday and photos from the day will appear in Racing Review early next week.
Leading lady riders from around Australia will be travelling to Ballina to compete in this prestigious race and take their place in history.
The Ballina Jockey Club will also be making two new inductions into the Lady Jockeys Hall of Fame. The inductees this year are Bev Buckingham and Bernadette Cooper. The following pages of this release detail some of the achievements of these two outstanding Lady Jockeys who join Linda Jones, Pam O’Neill and the late Iris Nielsen on the Honour Board of the Hall of Fame. Linda Jones and Pam O’Neill will be attending this year’s event.
The whole racing industry has embraced this event, and the Hall of Fame itself, as a celebration of the achievements of all pioneering lady riders throughout Australia and New Zealand who have provided such a positive example to the many young lady riders who perform as top class athletes today in one of the most exciting and demanding sports in Australia.
Once again the Naval Association will be sponsoring the rest of the card. They will be coming along in force with members and guests for an exciting day at the races. The Ballina Jockey Club will be decorated with flags and naval cadets will be at the entrance to greet patrons onto the course. It will certainly be a colourful addition to this feature day.
This will be a great days racing with nine races and quality fields especially for the feature race. The best lady riders around competing for great prize money and even some time for fashions in the field and champagne!
Pictured above are the Invitational Riders from 2010
Back Row: (L-R) Allison Threadwell, Jesse Whipp, Libby Hopwood, Sheree Drake, Laura Cheshire, Tasha Collett, Kristy Banks, Sam Spratt, Rhonda Seymour.
Bottom Row: (L-R) Claire Lindop, Kylie Cunningham, Lorna Cook, Robyn Freeman, Tracy O'Hara.
Racing Wrap will be covering the entire meeting on Sunday and photos from the day will appear in Racing Review early next week.
Wyong satellite stable for Trevor Bailey
Gold Coast trainer Trevor Bailey will open a satellite stable at the New South Wales Central Coast track of Wyong next week. The 15 box stable will be managed by former Paul Perry foreman Keyren Forbes.
Bailey is no stranger to the area after growing up in Wyong at a time when his father Alan Bailey was a leading trainer at the track before relocating to the Gold Coast in the eighties.
"Wyong is an ideal location being within an hour of most of the major tracks around Sydney," said Bailey who finalised plans for the stable this week. "It also has good access for our Queensland clients with direct flights to Newcastle from both Brisbane and the Gold Coast. "The Wyong Club has been very receptive to the new stable and I have been very impressed with the facilities. "The track is in great condition and I'm looking forward to training there."
With the big wet continuing to besiege Queensland, the new Wyong stable may provide welcome relief for some members of Bailey's team in need of firmer tracks.
Bailey will continue to prepare a 30 horse team from his main Gold Coast base
Meanwhile, Bailey has targeted the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate with promising sprinter Faster Son. (pictured above)
Faster Son has won 6 of his 7 outings, with his most recent win at Caulfield on October 13 in the $100,000 Mittys Cup (1200m).
Faster Son is set to trial at the Gold Coast next Tuesday and is scheduled to resume racing at Caulfield on February 5 in the Listed JRA Stakes (1000m).
The Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) is run at Caulfield on February 26.
Bailey is no stranger to the area after growing up in Wyong at a time when his father Alan Bailey was a leading trainer at the track before relocating to the Gold Coast in the eighties.
"Wyong is an ideal location being within an hour of most of the major tracks around Sydney," said Bailey who finalised plans for the stable this week. "It also has good access for our Queensland clients with direct flights to Newcastle from both Brisbane and the Gold Coast. "The Wyong Club has been very receptive to the new stable and I have been very impressed with the facilities. "The track is in great condition and I'm looking forward to training there."
With the big wet continuing to besiege Queensland, the new Wyong stable may provide welcome relief for some members of Bailey's team in need of firmer tracks.
Bailey will continue to prepare a 30 horse team from his main Gold Coast base
Meanwhile, Bailey has targeted the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate with promising sprinter Faster Son. (pictured above)
Faster Son has won 6 of his 7 outings, with his most recent win at Caulfield on October 13 in the $100,000 Mittys Cup (1200m).
Faster Son is set to trial at the Gold Coast next Tuesday and is scheduled to resume racing at Caulfield on February 5 in the Listed JRA Stakes (1000m).
The Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) is run at Caulfield on February 26.
CAPTAIN SONADOR RED HOT FOR MM CUP Magic Millions media release Photo Dan Costello
Captain Sonador showed he was on track for this month's $400,000 R.M.Williams Magic Millions Cup with a brilliant first up win in today's listed Goldmarket Handicap (1300m) at the Gold Coast.
Prepared by highly regarded Toowoomba horseman Roger Milne, Captain Sonador sat handy to the leaders throughout before coming with a strong run in the straight for an easy win.
Milne, who doubled as the horse's strapper on the day, said he didn't need any accolades for the win.
"He's a good horse," Milne told reporters. "You don't have to be a good trainer to trainer a good horse."
Winning rider Glen Boss, who also teamed up with the promising Queenslander to win last year's Group One Epsom Handicap, said he was looking forward to the Magic Millions Raceday.
"It was a good win," Boss beamed. "It wasn't explosive - but it was a good, workmanlike win."
"He was going to win a long way out."
"I rode him a bit too close - and he'll be better suited ridden further back and you'll see that next time."
"A race like the Magic Millions Cup will suit him a lot."
"He's a nice horse and I've liked him for a long time. He's going to develop into a nice stallion," Boss summed up.
Boss won last year's R.M.Williams Magic Millions Cup aboard the Brett Partelle trained Walking or Dancing.
Captain Sonador is trained from the private property of owner Gregg Wagner, outside Toowoomba.
Wagner purchased his star galloper for just $30,000 from the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The four-year-old entire now boasts the impressive record of six wins and seven placings from 26 starts and earnings just $500 shy of $700,000.
At the post Captain Sonador ($8) held a length margin over a gallant Steel Lips ($21), while former star juvenile Phelan Ready was another three parts of a length back third.
Of the others, the proven stakes winner Fifteen Carat ($21) caught the eye, flying home to grab the favourite Zero Rock ($3.20 fav) in fourth place.
Magic Millions graduates dominated the time honoured feature race - the first five horses over the line all graduates of the leading thoroughbred sales company.
Captain Sonador, Phelan Ready, Fifteen Carat and Zero Rock are all among the entries for the $400,000 R.M.Williams Magic Millions Cup (1400m) run at the same track on January 15.
A son of leading Darley shuttler Shamardal, Captain Sonador is one of two runners and two winners produced by the multiple Adelaide winner Pushing Daisies.
By Kenny's Best Pal, Pushing Daisies is a half sister to the former outstanding racemare Umaline.
Umaline is now making her name as a broodmare - being the dam of stakes winner Fasline and stakes placed Adelaide galloper Furline
Winner: Captain Sonador (Shamardal-Pushing Daisies)
Race: GCTC Goldmarket Handicap LR (1300m)
Sold for: $30,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Mill Park
Buyer: Gregg Wagner
Earnings: $699,500
Owner(s): GP Wagner
Trainer: Roger Milne (Toowoomba)
Prepared by highly regarded Toowoomba horseman Roger Milne, Captain Sonador sat handy to the leaders throughout before coming with a strong run in the straight for an easy win.
Milne, who doubled as the horse's strapper on the day, said he didn't need any accolades for the win.
"He's a good horse," Milne told reporters. "You don't have to be a good trainer to trainer a good horse."
Winning rider Glen Boss, who also teamed up with the promising Queenslander to win last year's Group One Epsom Handicap, said he was looking forward to the Magic Millions Raceday.
"It was a good win," Boss beamed. "It wasn't explosive - but it was a good, workmanlike win."
"He was going to win a long way out."
"I rode him a bit too close - and he'll be better suited ridden further back and you'll see that next time."
"A race like the Magic Millions Cup will suit him a lot."
"He's a nice horse and I've liked him for a long time. He's going to develop into a nice stallion," Boss summed up.
Boss won last year's R.M.Williams Magic Millions Cup aboard the Brett Partelle trained Walking or Dancing.
Captain Sonador is trained from the private property of owner Gregg Wagner, outside Toowoomba.
Wagner purchased his star galloper for just $30,000 from the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The four-year-old entire now boasts the impressive record of six wins and seven placings from 26 starts and earnings just $500 shy of $700,000.
At the post Captain Sonador ($8) held a length margin over a gallant Steel Lips ($21), while former star juvenile Phelan Ready was another three parts of a length back third.
Of the others, the proven stakes winner Fifteen Carat ($21) caught the eye, flying home to grab the favourite Zero Rock ($3.20 fav) in fourth place.
Magic Millions graduates dominated the time honoured feature race - the first five horses over the line all graduates of the leading thoroughbred sales company.
Captain Sonador, Phelan Ready, Fifteen Carat and Zero Rock are all among the entries for the $400,000 R.M.Williams Magic Millions Cup (1400m) run at the same track on January 15.
A son of leading Darley shuttler Shamardal, Captain Sonador is one of two runners and two winners produced by the multiple Adelaide winner Pushing Daisies.
By Kenny's Best Pal, Pushing Daisies is a half sister to the former outstanding racemare Umaline.
Umaline is now making her name as a broodmare - being the dam of stakes winner Fasline and stakes placed Adelaide galloper Furline
Winner: Captain Sonador (Shamardal-Pushing Daisies)
Race: GCTC Goldmarket Handicap LR (1300m)
Sold for: $30,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Mill Park
Buyer: Gregg Wagner
Earnings: $699,500
Owner(s): GP Wagner
Trainer: Roger Milne (Toowoomba)
Purton's Great Start For New Year Photo Courtesy HKJC
Zac Purton kicked off the New Year in brilliant style when taking out the first black type event for 2011 in Hong Kong.
Zac riding Little Bridge for local trainer Danny Shum edged past Let Me Fight (Darren Beadman) to win the Hong Kong Group 3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin Racecourse on New Years Day.
Zac riding Little Bridge for local trainer Danny Shum edged past Let Me Fight (Darren Beadman) to win the Hong Kong Group 3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1400m) at Sha Tin Racecourse on New Years Day.
Barrier Draw Changes For Magic Millions Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
Tayla Heinrich drawing the number 4 barrier for Military Rose last year, making her mum Gillian very happy.
Connections will be in the driver’s seat when the all important barrier draw is conducted for next month's $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
Instead of the usual pressure of choosing the "right" barrier by chance when their horse is called, connections will get to select the barrier they like of those remaining at the time.
The connections of the first horse chosen by Racing Queensland Chief Steward Wade Birch at the barrier draw will get first choice in the field of 16 (plus five emergencies). It will then continue until the last horse is drawn and it is allotted the remaining spot on the "starting stalls" display.
When drawn by Birch the nominated representative of the horse will take its jockey board provided and place it on the "starting stalls" where they desire. If a representative for a horse hasn't been registered prior to the draw the horse will receive the lowest remaining barrier number at the time that horse is drawn.
The draw will be held in the Boardroom at the Gold Coast Turf Club on the Wednesday preceding the race day and will be conducted by well known race caller and Sky Racing personality David Raphael.
Magic Millions Managing Director Stephen Silk said the new draw would put the power back into the hands of connections.
"Now instead of a barrier by chance - the connections will get to choose what barrier they would like from what is available at the time they are drawn by the steward."
"This is particularly important for a race like the BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic as some horses not appreciate an inside or an outside gate."
"However a horse with great gate speed will obviously want the shortest way home," Silk added.
Gold Coast Turf Club Chief Executive Officer Grant Sheather said preparations were well underway for what will be the best Magic Millions raceday yet.
"The Club has worked hard in conjunction with Magic Millions to provide racegoers with an outstanding selection of options for the raceday," Sheather said.
"The Gold Coast comes alive for the BMW Magic Millions Raceday each year and 2011 is set to the be the biggest and best yet."
Meanwhile, Magic Millions is also delighted to announce that the Sony Foundation is the 'official charity partner' for the 2011 BMW Magic Millions Carnival and Race Day.
This partnership provides an exciting platform to promote Sony Foundation's youth cancer initiative, You Can, is working improve the odds for young people with cancer.
Sony Foundation offers to race owners the option to donate 1% of the $2 million prize earnings from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic or any of the other races on the day.
Representatives of Sony Foundation and Magic Millions will be available on the race-day to assist any owner wishing to support the Sony Foundation.
The barrier draw for the $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) will take place in the Boardroom, at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Wednesday January 12 between 9am and 10.30am.
The barrier draws for all of the eight remaining races will be conducted randomly as usual by racing officials.
The first session of the 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale will follow at 11am that same morning.
Instead of the usual pressure of choosing the "right" barrier by chance when their horse is called, connections will get to select the barrier they like of those remaining at the time.
The connections of the first horse chosen by Racing Queensland Chief Steward Wade Birch at the barrier draw will get first choice in the field of 16 (plus five emergencies). It will then continue until the last horse is drawn and it is allotted the remaining spot on the "starting stalls" display.
When drawn by Birch the nominated representative of the horse will take its jockey board provided and place it on the "starting stalls" where they desire. If a representative for a horse hasn't been registered prior to the draw the horse will receive the lowest remaining barrier number at the time that horse is drawn.
The draw will be held in the Boardroom at the Gold Coast Turf Club on the Wednesday preceding the race day and will be conducted by well known race caller and Sky Racing personality David Raphael.
Magic Millions Managing Director Stephen Silk said the new draw would put the power back into the hands of connections.
"Now instead of a barrier by chance - the connections will get to choose what barrier they would like from what is available at the time they are drawn by the steward."
"This is particularly important for a race like the BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic as some horses not appreciate an inside or an outside gate."
"However a horse with great gate speed will obviously want the shortest way home," Silk added.
Gold Coast Turf Club Chief Executive Officer Grant Sheather said preparations were well underway for what will be the best Magic Millions raceday yet.
"The Club has worked hard in conjunction with Magic Millions to provide racegoers with an outstanding selection of options for the raceday," Sheather said.
"The Gold Coast comes alive for the BMW Magic Millions Raceday each year and 2011 is set to the be the biggest and best yet."
Meanwhile, Magic Millions is also delighted to announce that the Sony Foundation is the 'official charity partner' for the 2011 BMW Magic Millions Carnival and Race Day.
This partnership provides an exciting platform to promote Sony Foundation's youth cancer initiative, You Can, is working improve the odds for young people with cancer.
Sony Foundation offers to race owners the option to donate 1% of the $2 million prize earnings from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic or any of the other races on the day.
Representatives of Sony Foundation and Magic Millions will be available on the race-day to assist any owner wishing to support the Sony Foundation.
The barrier draw for the $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) will take place in the Boardroom, at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Wednesday January 12 between 9am and 10.30am.
The barrier draws for all of the eight remaining races will be conducted randomly as usual by racing officials.
The first session of the 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale will follow at 11am that same morning.
JET FLIES IN MILLIONS LEAD UP Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
Pepper Jet will head to the $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic with an unbeaten record after winning in impressive style at the Gold Coast today.
Prepared by top Brisbane horseman Liam Birchley, Pepper Jet got through the slow track conditions well and cruised home in a stylish performance.
"It was a nice win and he'll head to the Magic Millions (2YO Classic) now," Birchley said. "He did a lot wrong at his first start and he was much better today." "He's always shown a lot of ability and he should be suited by the 1200 metres in the Magic Millions." "He'd be one of the nicest two-year-olds I've had," Birchley summed up.
Birchley, through the Aquanita Racing banner, purchased Pepper Jet for $80,000 from the draft of Glenlogan Park at the 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He burst onto the scene recently when on debut he appeared green but still demoralised his rivals at the Sunshine Coast. He showed good natural improvement again today and will now head to Queensland's richest race with two wins from as many starts.
Winning rider Damian Browne described Pepper Jet as a "very exciting horse."
Pepper Jet is son of Glenlogan Park based sire Jet Spur - a former top sprinting son of Flying Spur. His dam Athenee Francais was unraced and is a daughter of the champion international sire Sadler's Wells. Her dam in turn is from a Nureyev sister to champion mare Miesque - the dam of stars East of the Moon, Kingmambo and Miesque's Son.
Glenlogan Park has a draft of 23 yearlings for the upcoming Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale - eight of them by Jet Spur.
Earlier Kate's Message staked early claims for the Queensland Oaks with a strong win in the $100,000 Starcraft Quality (2200m) on the same card.
The daughter of Greenwood Lake cruised home to beat Princess Forse by a length and three quarters, while Always Loyal was another length back in third place.
A $100,000 purchase from the 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Kate's Message is the first winner for her dam Betty Blockbuster - an unraced full sister to Group One winner Inaflury.
Trainer Kelly Schweida said Kate's Message would be set at the Group One Queensland Oaks in the Winter Carnival. "She might have another run or two this preparation," Schweida said. "But we'll look at the Oaks in the winter."
Kate's Message is a graduate of Queensland's Racetree operation - they have a six horse draft heading to the 2011 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Prepared by top Brisbane horseman Liam Birchley, Pepper Jet got through the slow track conditions well and cruised home in a stylish performance.
"It was a nice win and he'll head to the Magic Millions (2YO Classic) now," Birchley said. "He did a lot wrong at his first start and he was much better today." "He's always shown a lot of ability and he should be suited by the 1200 metres in the Magic Millions." "He'd be one of the nicest two-year-olds I've had," Birchley summed up.
Birchley, through the Aquanita Racing banner, purchased Pepper Jet for $80,000 from the draft of Glenlogan Park at the 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He burst onto the scene recently when on debut he appeared green but still demoralised his rivals at the Sunshine Coast. He showed good natural improvement again today and will now head to Queensland's richest race with two wins from as many starts.
Winning rider Damian Browne described Pepper Jet as a "very exciting horse."
Pepper Jet is son of Glenlogan Park based sire Jet Spur - a former top sprinting son of Flying Spur. His dam Athenee Francais was unraced and is a daughter of the champion international sire Sadler's Wells. Her dam in turn is from a Nureyev sister to champion mare Miesque - the dam of stars East of the Moon, Kingmambo and Miesque's Son.
Glenlogan Park has a draft of 23 yearlings for the upcoming Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale - eight of them by Jet Spur.
Earlier Kate's Message staked early claims for the Queensland Oaks with a strong win in the $100,000 Starcraft Quality (2200m) on the same card.
The daughter of Greenwood Lake cruised home to beat Princess Forse by a length and three quarters, while Always Loyal was another length back in third place.
A $100,000 purchase from the 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Kate's Message is the first winner for her dam Betty Blockbuster - an unraced full sister to Group One winner Inaflury.
Trainer Kelly Schweida said Kate's Message would be set at the Group One Queensland Oaks in the Winter Carnival. "She might have another run or two this preparation," Schweida said. "But we'll look at the Oaks in the winter."
Kate's Message is a graduate of Queensland's Racetree operation - they have a six horse draft heading to the 2011 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
"CANNA" Lives Up To Namesakes Reputation. Canatelli Photo courtesy Grant Peters (Trackside Photography)
When well known owners Kevin & Tanith O'Brien acquired a yearling by Bel Esprit out of New Zealand mare Carnlough they thought long and hard about naming their latest addition. With all the attributes of a potential "star" they decided to name their horse Canna.
Canna was named after the one and only Bruno Canatelli, the globe trotting equine photographer and socialite. Bruno who features more regularly in front of the lens than behind it these days was absolutely stoked that a horse was named after him.
After 2 unplaced runs in Bruno's home state of Victoria, Canna was transferred to Queensland and is now in the hands of Toowoomba trainer Neville Saunders. When Canna finished 2nd at his first start for his new stable, the jet-setting Canatelli was covering the Hong Kong International Series and listened to the race over the internet.
Keen to see how his namesake faired last Thursday at Toowoomba, Canatelli organised to listen to the call over the phone live from the track. Canatelli was overwhelmed when Canna starting as the $2.50 favourite scored by 5 1/4 lengths.
Pictured below left is Canna recording his impressive win at Toowoomba, while on the right is Canna (again in front of the camera) recording an impressive win over a plate of fresh crabs while dining in Hong Kong.
Canna was named after the one and only Bruno Canatelli, the globe trotting equine photographer and socialite. Bruno who features more regularly in front of the lens than behind it these days was absolutely stoked that a horse was named after him.
After 2 unplaced runs in Bruno's home state of Victoria, Canna was transferred to Queensland and is now in the hands of Toowoomba trainer Neville Saunders. When Canna finished 2nd at his first start for his new stable, the jet-setting Canatelli was covering the Hong Kong International Series and listened to the race over the internet.
Keen to see how his namesake faired last Thursday at Toowoomba, Canatelli organised to listen to the call over the phone live from the track. Canatelli was overwhelmed when Canna starting as the $2.50 favourite scored by 5 1/4 lengths.
Pictured below left is Canna recording his impressive win at Toowoomba, while on the right is Canna (again in front of the camera) recording an impressive win over a plate of fresh crabs while dining in Hong Kong.
Ocean & Beyond Stars In Indian Group 1 The 2010 Group 1 Casino Royale 2000 Guineas was held last weekend at the Mahalakshmi Racecourse, Mumbai, India.
The race was taken out by the 5/2 favourite, Ocean And Beyond (Kingsala) ridden by English jockey Richard Hughes. It was a double celebration for owner Rakesh Wadhwan who not only recorded his 1st his group 1 win but also quinelled the event with runner up Star Future. 1st Ocean & Beyond Richard Hughes S.K. Sunderji 2nd Star Future 3rd Beautiful Starnger Margins: 1/2 x 1 Time: 1.35.70 Race Video opposite |
MILLIONS NEXT AS FIVE O'CLOCK ARRIVES ON TIME Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
Five O'Clock booked his place in the field for January's $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic with an impressive win at Doomben today.
The juvenile son of Dane Shadow got well back in the field, but came with a barnstorming run to reel in the highly fancied Noisy Ocean and win brilliantly.
The gelding, a $50,000 purchase at January's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, looks a youngster with a future for master trainer Alan Bailey.
After winning (on protest) on debut, Five O'Clock had excuses when he finished third at Playtime on a wet track at his most recent run.
"He wanted to hang the other day (when third)," Bailey told AAP after the win. "He's still very immature and doesn't know what it is all about yet." "I put some new gear on him on Tuesday and he worked brilliantly so I decided to go with it today." "Glen rode him quietly as I told him and he hit the line really strongly."
Bailey said Queensland's richest race would be Five O'Clock's next run and his last effort before a spell. "I don't like overtaxing young horses so he'll have one more start in the Magic Millions and then go for a break." "He'll need to draw an alley in the Magic Millions as it's the type of race you can't afford to give them a start."
The $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) will be run at the Gold Coast on January 15.
Five O'Clock is a gelded son of Dane Shadow - the sire of the Group One Galaxy Handicap winner and Magic Millions graduate Shellscrape.
His dam, the unraced Catrail mare Curtail, is a half sister to seven winners including the Hong Kong group winner Fibber - a winner of four races and over $600,000 in Aussie dollars.
Her other half sisters including the city winners Bermaise, Dr Freeze and Turbanator and Hong Kong winners Spokesman and Hong Kong Lad.
The juvenile son of Dane Shadow got well back in the field, but came with a barnstorming run to reel in the highly fancied Noisy Ocean and win brilliantly.
The gelding, a $50,000 purchase at January's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, looks a youngster with a future for master trainer Alan Bailey.
After winning (on protest) on debut, Five O'Clock had excuses when he finished third at Playtime on a wet track at his most recent run.
"He wanted to hang the other day (when third)," Bailey told AAP after the win. "He's still very immature and doesn't know what it is all about yet." "I put some new gear on him on Tuesday and he worked brilliantly so I decided to go with it today." "Glen rode him quietly as I told him and he hit the line really strongly."
Bailey said Queensland's richest race would be Five O'Clock's next run and his last effort before a spell. "I don't like overtaxing young horses so he'll have one more start in the Magic Millions and then go for a break." "He'll need to draw an alley in the Magic Millions as it's the type of race you can't afford to give them a start."
The $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) will be run at the Gold Coast on January 15.
Five O'Clock is a gelded son of Dane Shadow - the sire of the Group One Galaxy Handicap winner and Magic Millions graduate Shellscrape.
His dam, the unraced Catrail mare Curtail, is a half sister to seven winners including the Hong Kong group winner Fibber - a winner of four races and over $600,000 in Aussie dollars.
Her other half sisters including the city winners Bermaise, Dr Freeze and Turbanator and Hong Kong winners Spokesman and Hong Kong Lad.
Brazil Quinella's South America's Biggest RaceBrazilian-bred horses finished 1st & 2nd in the G1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini, at Buenos Aires.
This is South America’s biggest race and is contested at the San Isidro track on turf over 2400 metres. The winner Xin Xu Lin by Wondertoss led from start to finish (See video opposite) with two lengths being the margin from Send Inthe Clowns (Know Heights). Argentiniun horse Fuego e Hierro (Pure Prize) finished 3rd. Xin Xu Lin at his last start won the G1 Derby Paulista at Cidade Jardim in Sao Paulo. Xin Xu Lin is trained by Estanislau Petrochinski at Cidade Jardim and was ridden by his regular jockey Antonio C. Correia da Silva. The time for the event was 2:31.20. The horse will now stay in Argentina but will be trained by Jose Alves and his next run should now be in the G1 Gran Premio Asociacion Latinoamericana de Jockey Clubes e Hipodromos next March. |
Snow Fairy triumphs with brilliant Cup win HKJC Media Release & Photo
The 2010 running of the HK$20 million Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup produced the sort of finish that would quicken any pulse. Ryan Moore is justly famous for his taciturnity, but the brilliant jockey was positively voluble by his standards after Snow Fairy’s thrilling victory.
“At the top of the bend I thought I had no chance,” said Moore. “But fortunately they just came back to me. She’s a machine really. She has such a brilliant turn of foot. She did what we thought she could, and she surpassed it.”
That was an eloquent summing up of the performance of a three-year-old filly who has now added Hong Kong’s premier race to a collection of G1 victories gathered in four different countries. “She’s not the biggest filly in the world but she’s got the biggest heart,” said trainer Ed Dunlop. “Hopefully she’ll come back for this race again next year because she’s going to stay in training as a four-year-old.”
Snow Fairy has emerged as one of the finest of her age and sex in an era of great fillies worldwide, and it seems incredible now that the 1,800 Euros buy-back purchase as a yearling had to be supplemented for her first G1 outing because she hadn’t even been entered in The Oaks. Asked about that omission, Patrick Cooper, racing manager to the Snow Fairy’s owners Anemoine Ltd, joked: “Perhaps we didn’t know what we were doing!”
Half way up the straight after Brett Prebble had booted Irian into the lead it looked as though a Hong Kong horse was going to claim the day’s major prize. But Snow Fairy’s astonishing acceleration proved decisive and she cut him down with less than 50m to go to snatch victory by a neck.
Snow Fairy, dubbed the “Queen of the Orient” after her victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup in Japan, has now confirmed that title.
Hong Kong veteran Packing Winner ran another terrific race in defeat to finish third, running on bravely after making most of the running to keep last year’s Cup winner Vision d’Etat out of the first three.
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup post-race quotes
1st – Snow Fairy - Ryan Moore
“I thought she had no chance when we were turning in but she quickened up so well. She’s got a marvelous turn of foot. Absolutely fantastic to have done that day. She is very special – a machine.”
2nd - Irian – Brett Prebble
“He’s run a super race again. It’s taken a really good one to beat him.”
3rd – Packing Winner – Olivier Doleuze
“He’s a very brave horse. Never gives up. He kept on going to the end.”
4th – Vision d’Etat – Olivier Peslier
“He missed the start and I had to settle in an awkward position. He did not accelerate as well last year.”
5th – Planteur – Frankie Dettori
“He’s had a long season. I was there to win my race but he just emptied out on me. This is a tough race for a three-year-old. He’s still a good horse and will show it next year.”
“At the top of the bend I thought I had no chance,” said Moore. “But fortunately they just came back to me. She’s a machine really. She has such a brilliant turn of foot. She did what we thought she could, and she surpassed it.”
That was an eloquent summing up of the performance of a three-year-old filly who has now added Hong Kong’s premier race to a collection of G1 victories gathered in four different countries. “She’s not the biggest filly in the world but she’s got the biggest heart,” said trainer Ed Dunlop. “Hopefully she’ll come back for this race again next year because she’s going to stay in training as a four-year-old.”
Snow Fairy has emerged as one of the finest of her age and sex in an era of great fillies worldwide, and it seems incredible now that the 1,800 Euros buy-back purchase as a yearling had to be supplemented for her first G1 outing because she hadn’t even been entered in The Oaks. Asked about that omission, Patrick Cooper, racing manager to the Snow Fairy’s owners Anemoine Ltd, joked: “Perhaps we didn’t know what we were doing!”
Half way up the straight after Brett Prebble had booted Irian into the lead it looked as though a Hong Kong horse was going to claim the day’s major prize. But Snow Fairy’s astonishing acceleration proved decisive and she cut him down with less than 50m to go to snatch victory by a neck.
Snow Fairy, dubbed the “Queen of the Orient” after her victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup in Japan, has now confirmed that title.
Hong Kong veteran Packing Winner ran another terrific race in defeat to finish third, running on bravely after making most of the running to keep last year’s Cup winner Vision d’Etat out of the first three.
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup post-race quotes
1st – Snow Fairy - Ryan Moore
“I thought she had no chance when we were turning in but she quickened up so well. She’s got a marvelous turn of foot. Absolutely fantastic to have done that day. She is very special – a machine.”
2nd - Irian – Brett Prebble
“He’s run a super race again. It’s taken a really good one to beat him.”
3rd – Packing Winner – Olivier Doleuze
“He’s a very brave horse. Never gives up. He kept on going to the end.”
4th – Vision d’Etat – Olivier Peslier
“He missed the start and I had to settle in an awkward position. He did not accelerate as well last year.”
5th – Planteur – Frankie Dettori
“He’s had a long season. I was there to win my race but he just emptied out on me. This is a tough race for a three-year-old. He’s still a good horse and will show it next year.”
Cruz & Mosse combine with a Beauty HKJC Media Release & Photo
There was a sensation before the start of the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile when hot favourite and reigning Hong Kong champion miler – a lame Able One was withdrawn by order of the stewards.
In the opinion of many, Hong Kong’s hopes of victory left with him, but they reckoned without Beauty Flash, trainer Tony Cruz and jockey Gerald Mosse (Pictured Left) who combined to produce exactly the performance that had been expected of the champion, kicking early in the straight and then holding his lead against all comers.
Sight Winner and Douglas Whyte had been allowed to set a dawdling pace with Beauty Flash unhurried behind him and ready to strike when required, and after Mosse made his request of the chestnut there were few worries for his supporters. French challenger Royal Bench ran on well from far back to get within three quarters of a length at the line, with his compatriot Sahpresa another half length behind in third.
“It’s all a matter of timing,” said Cruz afterwards. “Sometimes you can’t push a horse too hard when you’re riding him or training him, but sometimes you know when to ask him and he’d been so well in the last few weeks I was very confident that he must finish in the first three.”
“I felt the horse pick up by himself and he ran on like a superstar,” said Mosse who was completing his full house of international events in Hong Kong.
“I’d like to take this horse overseas to race,” said Cruz, whose faith in Beauty Flash which had persuaded him to bid for the Yasuda Kinenin the summer was finally being repaid. “Take him to Dubai, Japan. Some of the biggest mile races in the world.”
With Japan Mile Championship winner A Shin Forward behind Beauty Flash in a dead heat fourth, and Sahpresa a very close fourth in the same race in Japan, the plan looks a lot more than casually optimistic.
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile post-race quotes
1st – Beauty Flash - Gerald Mosse
“It’s good to be here and win for Hong Kong because Hong Kong does a lot for the races. I knew Beauty Flash had won a Group one going forward so we took a good start and even though I couldn’t actually lead, I was happy to be camped on the speed. The more I asked of him, the more he gave.”
2nd - Olivier Peslier – Royal Bench
“We were pushed wide on the home turn and yet the horse finished like a train. It shows how good he is and I think his connections will have good fun with him in the next few months. I hear he could be headed to Dubai.”
3rd – Sahpresa – Christophe Lemaire
“We hit the front a bit too soon and I knew then she’d find it hard to find the line. But she ran very well and I am pleased with her.”
Joint 4th – A Shin Forward – Yasunari Iwata
“I was boxed in turning for home but he had his chance.”
Joint 4th – Rajsaman – Davy Bonilla
“We have got everything wrong. First, we didn’t start well so we didn’t get a good position. Then he started to pull and hit a flat spot at the worst moment of the race getting into the last stretch. That makes his performance a great one and I think he has earned his ticket to the International Milers division.’
In the opinion of many, Hong Kong’s hopes of victory left with him, but they reckoned without Beauty Flash, trainer Tony Cruz and jockey Gerald Mosse (Pictured Left) who combined to produce exactly the performance that had been expected of the champion, kicking early in the straight and then holding his lead against all comers.
Sight Winner and Douglas Whyte had been allowed to set a dawdling pace with Beauty Flash unhurried behind him and ready to strike when required, and after Mosse made his request of the chestnut there were few worries for his supporters. French challenger Royal Bench ran on well from far back to get within three quarters of a length at the line, with his compatriot Sahpresa another half length behind in third.
“It’s all a matter of timing,” said Cruz afterwards. “Sometimes you can’t push a horse too hard when you’re riding him or training him, but sometimes you know when to ask him and he’d been so well in the last few weeks I was very confident that he must finish in the first three.”
“I felt the horse pick up by himself and he ran on like a superstar,” said Mosse who was completing his full house of international events in Hong Kong.
“I’d like to take this horse overseas to race,” said Cruz, whose faith in Beauty Flash which had persuaded him to bid for the Yasuda Kinenin the summer was finally being repaid. “Take him to Dubai, Japan. Some of the biggest mile races in the world.”
With Japan Mile Championship winner A Shin Forward behind Beauty Flash in a dead heat fourth, and Sahpresa a very close fourth in the same race in Japan, the plan looks a lot more than casually optimistic.
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile post-race quotes
1st – Beauty Flash - Gerald Mosse
“It’s good to be here and win for Hong Kong because Hong Kong does a lot for the races. I knew Beauty Flash had won a Group one going forward so we took a good start and even though I couldn’t actually lead, I was happy to be camped on the speed. The more I asked of him, the more he gave.”
2nd - Olivier Peslier – Royal Bench
“We were pushed wide on the home turn and yet the horse finished like a train. It shows how good he is and I think his connections will have good fun with him in the next few months. I hear he could be headed to Dubai.”
3rd – Sahpresa – Christophe Lemaire
“We hit the front a bit too soon and I knew then she’d find it hard to find the line. But she ran very well and I am pleased with her.”
Joint 4th – A Shin Forward – Yasunari Iwata
“I was boxed in turning for home but he had his chance.”
Joint 4th – Rajsaman – Davy Bonilla
“We have got everything wrong. First, we didn’t start well so we didn’t get a good position. Then he started to pull and hit a flat spot at the worst moment of the race getting into the last stretch. That makes his performance a great one and I think he has earned his ticket to the International Milers division.’
South African Star Lands In Hong Kong HKJC Media Release & Photo
The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint promised to be one of the best 1200m races run anywhere in the world this year and it did not disappoint in the slightest, developing into an epic three way battle between arguably the three fastest horses on the planet. In the end it was the sheer toughness of South African champion JJ The Jet Plane that enabled him to prevail over Singapore champion Rocket Man and Hong Kong’s Sacred Kingdom - winner of two of the last three runnings of the Sprint.
It completed an astonishing turnaround in fortune for the South African JJ The Jet Plane who ended a sequence of 11 consecutive victories for Australian breds in Hong Kong’s premier sprint. Last year he had only a moderately successful campaign in Britain but the return to his homeland was the signal for a complete renaissance, and today was his third G1 in succession: a victory too over two of the horses who, with the mare Black Caviar, were the main contenders for the world sprinting crown.
His trainer Michael “Lucky” Houdalakis deserves most of the credit for the transformation as the horse seemed to have left his career behind him this time last year. Jockey Piere Strydom’s great strength in the finish also played a major part in today’s success and he remains unbeaten on JJ The Jet Plane in eight races. “We had a great run,” said Strydom. “He was always travelling. When we eased out on straightening I was happy to go after Rocket Man because I didn’t want him to get away. My bloke gave me everything and we got there on the line.”
Beaten a short head was Rocket Man who once again battled on with extreme gameness only to find himself denied in an international G1 for the fourth time in a row, with the margin of the only four defeats he has suffered in his lifetime totalling less than a length between them.
Sacred Kingdom, now a seven-year-old, lost very little in defeat, but once again his run just flattened out in the last few strides, just as it had in the CX Jockey Club Sprint on 21 November, and he finished three quarters of a length back with the young Hong Kong horse Let Me Fight fourth.
The winning time was 1.08.84 on ground officially Good.
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint post-race quotes
1st – JJ The Jet Plane – Piere Strydom
“We had a great run. Always travelling well. When we eased out on straightening I was happy to go after Rocket Man early as I didn’t want him to get away. My bloke gave me everything and we got there on the line. It’s brilliant to win and I really want to thank the owners for being loyal to me as there’s plenty of good jockeys here they could have chosen.’
2nd – Rocket Man – Felix Coetzee
“What can I say. We just have to accept it. Thought we had it but he’s run so well again.’
3rd – Sacred Kingdom – Brett Prebble
“Fantastic effort again. It’s hard to stay on top forever. He had his chance but just died on his run in last bit. He probably can’t quite push himself trough the pain barrier like he once could but he ran super. There’s plenty of good domestic Group 1’s at least left in him.”
4th – Let Me Fight – Darren Beadman
“He ran very well but perhaps he just wasn’t quite seasoned enough to beat these horses.’
5th – Ortensia – Craig Williams
“Great run. When they backed off the speed mid-race it didn’t advance her cause. She found the line. Terrific.’
It completed an astonishing turnaround in fortune for the South African JJ The Jet Plane who ended a sequence of 11 consecutive victories for Australian breds in Hong Kong’s premier sprint. Last year he had only a moderately successful campaign in Britain but the return to his homeland was the signal for a complete renaissance, and today was his third G1 in succession: a victory too over two of the horses who, with the mare Black Caviar, were the main contenders for the world sprinting crown.
His trainer Michael “Lucky” Houdalakis deserves most of the credit for the transformation as the horse seemed to have left his career behind him this time last year. Jockey Piere Strydom’s great strength in the finish also played a major part in today’s success and he remains unbeaten on JJ The Jet Plane in eight races. “We had a great run,” said Strydom. “He was always travelling. When we eased out on straightening I was happy to go after Rocket Man because I didn’t want him to get away. My bloke gave me everything and we got there on the line.”
Beaten a short head was Rocket Man who once again battled on with extreme gameness only to find himself denied in an international G1 for the fourth time in a row, with the margin of the only four defeats he has suffered in his lifetime totalling less than a length between them.
Sacred Kingdom, now a seven-year-old, lost very little in defeat, but once again his run just flattened out in the last few strides, just as it had in the CX Jockey Club Sprint on 21 November, and he finished three quarters of a length back with the young Hong Kong horse Let Me Fight fourth.
The winning time was 1.08.84 on ground officially Good.
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint post-race quotes
1st – JJ The Jet Plane – Piere Strydom
“We had a great run. Always travelling well. When we eased out on straightening I was happy to go after Rocket Man early as I didn’t want him to get away. My bloke gave me everything and we got there on the line. It’s brilliant to win and I really want to thank the owners for being loyal to me as there’s plenty of good jockeys here they could have chosen.’
2nd – Rocket Man – Felix Coetzee
“What can I say. We just have to accept it. Thought we had it but he’s run so well again.’
3rd – Sacred Kingdom – Brett Prebble
“Fantastic effort again. It’s hard to stay on top forever. He had his chance but just died on his run in last bit. He probably can’t quite push himself trough the pain barrier like he once could but he ran super. There’s plenty of good domestic Group 1’s at least left in him.”
4th – Let Me Fight – Darren Beadman
“He ran very well but perhaps he just wasn’t quite seasoned enough to beat these horses.’
5th – Ortensia – Craig Williams
“Great run. When they backed off the speed mid-race it didn’t advance her cause. She found the line. Terrific.’
Godolphin claims the Vase HKJC Media Release & Photo
No great meeting is complete without representation from Godolphin, and the “Boys in Blue” made their presence felt very early in the 2010 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International races when Mastery, trained by Saeed bin Suroor and superbly ridden by the ever popular FrankieDettori, routed the opposition in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase.
Dettori had the son of Arc winner Sulamani perfectly poised throughout just off the pace set by Mighty High and when he sent the 2009 St. Leger winner on there was never much likelihood that he would be beaten. The Barry Hills-trained, Michael Hills-ridden Redwood emerged from the pack to give chase but Dettori always had things under control and the Group 1 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes winner was making no ground on the leader as the post arrived.
Americain, winner last month of the 150th Melbourne Cup, and unbeaten in his last five outings, kept on stoutly at the end to take third place, but dropping back in trip from two miles to 2400m, and on quick ground, the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained stayer could make no real inroads on Mastery’s lead, and the victory in the end could only be described as comfortable. “The pace of the race was too slow for him especially at the last bend,” said Royer-Dupre of Americain. “He’s a very good horse, but it’s impossible to catch these faster runners under such conditions. I’m confident he will eventually succeed over 12 furlongs (2400m) and with a faster pace, perhaps the Japan Cup could be a race for him next year.”
“Saeed [bin Suroor] told me the horse has been flying the last couple of days,” said the jubilant Dettori, “and he was going so well as they came into the straight I knew when I pulled him out that nothing was going to outsprint me from there. For a four-year-old he’s had very little racing and the fresh legs have definitely helped.”
Both bin Suroor and Dettori saw the Dubai Sheema Classic at next March’s Dubai World Cup meeting as the probable next target for the two-and-a-half length Vase winner. “And as he will stay in training we may be able to come back and try and win this race again in 2011,” added the trainer.
The Japan Cup fourth Jaguar Mail filled the same spot in the CXHK Vase - four and a quarter lengths astern with the G1 Gran Premio diMilano winner Jakkalberry fifth and King Dancer doing best of the Hong Kong horses in sixth.
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase post-race quotes
1st – Mastery – Frankie Dettori
“He was travelling so well coming into the straight. When I eased him out I knew he was going so well that he would outsprint all of them.”
2nd – Redwood – Michael Hills
“It was a really lovely run. Couldn’t believe how well I was going the whole way. Don’t worry, my bloke quickened at the end but the winner was just too good. He ran a super race.”
3rd – Americain – Gerald Mosse
“The pace was way too slow for him. I could not get him to start faster than he did and then they stopped. I pushed him early on to avoid being outpaced but he does not have the turn of foot to catch these horses. He probably will gain in speed with time and should prevail under more testing conditions. He gave me everything he had and tried so hard. He’s a wonderful horse.”
4th – Jaguar Mail – Craig Williams
“The pace was against him but he ran very well. Fantastic effort to recover from a tough run in the Japan Cup and back up here.”
5th - Jakkalberry - Christophe Lemaire
“The pace was slow but he ran on well. A faster pace and he would have been closer.”
Dettori had the son of Arc winner Sulamani perfectly poised throughout just off the pace set by Mighty High and when he sent the 2009 St. Leger winner on there was never much likelihood that he would be beaten. The Barry Hills-trained, Michael Hills-ridden Redwood emerged from the pack to give chase but Dettori always had things under control and the Group 1 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes winner was making no ground on the leader as the post arrived.
Americain, winner last month of the 150th Melbourne Cup, and unbeaten in his last five outings, kept on stoutly at the end to take third place, but dropping back in trip from two miles to 2400m, and on quick ground, the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained stayer could make no real inroads on Mastery’s lead, and the victory in the end could only be described as comfortable. “The pace of the race was too slow for him especially at the last bend,” said Royer-Dupre of Americain. “He’s a very good horse, but it’s impossible to catch these faster runners under such conditions. I’m confident he will eventually succeed over 12 furlongs (2400m) and with a faster pace, perhaps the Japan Cup could be a race for him next year.”
“Saeed [bin Suroor] told me the horse has been flying the last couple of days,” said the jubilant Dettori, “and he was going so well as they came into the straight I knew when I pulled him out that nothing was going to outsprint me from there. For a four-year-old he’s had very little racing and the fresh legs have definitely helped.”
Both bin Suroor and Dettori saw the Dubai Sheema Classic at next March’s Dubai World Cup meeting as the probable next target for the two-and-a-half length Vase winner. “And as he will stay in training we may be able to come back and try and win this race again in 2011,” added the trainer.
The Japan Cup fourth Jaguar Mail filled the same spot in the CXHK Vase - four and a quarter lengths astern with the G1 Gran Premio diMilano winner Jakkalberry fifth and King Dancer doing best of the Hong Kong horses in sixth.
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase post-race quotes
1st – Mastery – Frankie Dettori
“He was travelling so well coming into the straight. When I eased him out I knew he was going so well that he would outsprint all of them.”
2nd – Redwood – Michael Hills
“It was a really lovely run. Couldn’t believe how well I was going the whole way. Don’t worry, my bloke quickened at the end but the winner was just too good. He ran a super race.”
3rd – Americain – Gerald Mosse
“The pace was way too slow for him. I could not get him to start faster than he did and then they stopped. I pushed him early on to avoid being outpaced but he does not have the turn of foot to catch these horses. He probably will gain in speed with time and should prevail under more testing conditions. He gave me everything he had and tried so hard. He’s a wonderful horse.”
4th – Jaguar Mail – Craig Williams
“The pace was against him but he ran very well. Fantastic effort to recover from a tough run in the Japan Cup and back up here.”
5th - Jakkalberry - Christophe Lemaire
“The pace was slow but he ran on well. A faster pace and he would have been closer.”
BEYONCE STARS IN SWANSONG Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
Beyonce's Star bowed out of racing in style with a victory in driving rain in today's (SAT 11/12/10) listed Just Now Quality (1300m) at Eagle Farm.
A member of the Bryan Guy stable, Beyonce's Star kicked strongly in the straight to hold out Irish Dream and win by a long neck.
The win was a timely and valuable one for the Nolan family of Raheen Stud who purchased the six-year-old mare at June's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. The mare was knocked down to leading Sydney based bloodstock agent Vin Cox who acted for the Nolans. She cost $40,000.
Since her purchase the mare has won almost $140,000 and importantly today registered a first time stakes success. All up the consistent mare has five wins and 22 minor placings from 43 runs and earned $296,910.
The mare retires to the breeding barn in the best possible way with the stakes win. She is in foal to Toorak Toff's sire, the Glenlogan Park based star Show a Heart.
Beyonce's Star is one of five winners from the former top class and well related Pompeii Court mare Concert Star. Concert Star won 11 races at sprint trips and is a half sister to the Melbourne stakes winner Solo Show - the dam of former classy group winner Toast of the Coast.
It is also the family of stakes winners including Rock Show, Solo Performance, Clout and Suzanne.
Beyonce's Star is the 20th individual stakes winner for her sire, Mt. Livermore's Group One winning son Orientate- but just his second in Australia.
His other Aussie stakes winner is Marveen - while he also produced the Group One placegetter Sashenka.
Winner: Beyonce's Star (Orientate-Concert Star)
Race: BRC Just Now Quality LR (1300m)
Sold for: $40,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale
Vendor: Lees Racing Pty Ltd
Buyer: Vin Cox Bloodstock
Earnings: $296,910
Owner(s): BM Nolan, Mrs DM Nolan & BG Nolan
Trainer: Bryan Guy (Gold Coast)
A member of the Bryan Guy stable, Beyonce's Star kicked strongly in the straight to hold out Irish Dream and win by a long neck.
The win was a timely and valuable one for the Nolan family of Raheen Stud who purchased the six-year-old mare at June's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. The mare was knocked down to leading Sydney based bloodstock agent Vin Cox who acted for the Nolans. She cost $40,000.
Since her purchase the mare has won almost $140,000 and importantly today registered a first time stakes success. All up the consistent mare has five wins and 22 minor placings from 43 runs and earned $296,910.
The mare retires to the breeding barn in the best possible way with the stakes win. She is in foal to Toorak Toff's sire, the Glenlogan Park based star Show a Heart.
Beyonce's Star is one of five winners from the former top class and well related Pompeii Court mare Concert Star. Concert Star won 11 races at sprint trips and is a half sister to the Melbourne stakes winner Solo Show - the dam of former classy group winner Toast of the Coast.
It is also the family of stakes winners including Rock Show, Solo Performance, Clout and Suzanne.
Beyonce's Star is the 20th individual stakes winner for her sire, Mt. Livermore's Group One winning son Orientate- but just his second in Australia.
His other Aussie stakes winner is Marveen - while he also produced the Group One placegetter Sashenka.
Winner: Beyonce's Star (Orientate-Concert Star)
Race: BRC Just Now Quality LR (1300m)
Sold for: $40,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale
Vendor: Lees Racing Pty Ltd
Buyer: Vin Cox Bloodstock
Earnings: $296,910
Owner(s): BM Nolan, Mrs DM Nolan & BG Nolan
Trainer: Bryan Guy (Gold Coast)
HEINRICHS CHASE ANOTHER MILLIONS CLASSIC Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
The Heinrich family's dream of going back to back BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic next month was given a tremendous boost when quality filly Military Grace won the $100,000 listed Calaway Gal Stakes (1000m) at Eagle Farm Saturday 11th December.
Last year it was Military Grace's stablemate Military Rose who was the toast of racing when she won Queensland's richest race - the $2 million Classic. Now trainer Gillian Heinrich and her husband Hoss are eyeing off another win in the big race.
Military Grace was sent out the odds on favourite on the strength of her first run - when second in stakes company behind fellow Magic Millions graduate Spectrolite at Flemington.
In today's race the filly sat off the speed before coming with a powerful run in the straight where she dashed to the front. The $1.70 chance then held out fellow Magic Millions graduates Midnight Minx ($6) and Flying Jet ($4.60). The margins were a long neck and two lengths.
"It's nice to win this race two years in a row with a filly by the same sire (General Nediym)," Heinrich told AAP. "She's a good filly and Michael Rodd still says had he not gone too soon she would have won that day she ran second at Flemington in the spring." "Mentally and physically she's very similar to Military Rose."
The Heinrichs purchased Military Grace from the draft of Baramul Stud for $100,000 at January's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She will now run in the BJ McLachlan Stakes at Eagle Farm on December 26 prior to the BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
"I don't think she's a 1000 metre horse and she'll go a lot better over 1200 metres," Heinrich summed up.
Military Grace by former Magic Millions Classic winner General Nediym is the first named foal for the Belong to Me mare Searchlights. Unraced, Searchlights is a half sister to the Blue Diamond Preview winner and Blue Diamond Stakes placegetter World Peace. Both Searchlights and World Peace were produced by the triple group winning Rory's Jester mare Light Up the World.
Winner: Military Grace (General Nediym-Searchlights)
Race: BRC Calaway Gal Stakes LR (1000m)
Sold for: $100,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Baramul Stud
Buyer: Heinrich Bloodstock
Earnings: $82,000
Owner(s): Heinrich Bloodstock
Trainer: Gillian Heinrich (Gold Coast)
Last year it was Military Grace's stablemate Military Rose who was the toast of racing when she won Queensland's richest race - the $2 million Classic. Now trainer Gillian Heinrich and her husband Hoss are eyeing off another win in the big race.
Military Grace was sent out the odds on favourite on the strength of her first run - when second in stakes company behind fellow Magic Millions graduate Spectrolite at Flemington.
In today's race the filly sat off the speed before coming with a powerful run in the straight where she dashed to the front. The $1.70 chance then held out fellow Magic Millions graduates Midnight Minx ($6) and Flying Jet ($4.60). The margins were a long neck and two lengths.
"It's nice to win this race two years in a row with a filly by the same sire (General Nediym)," Heinrich told AAP. "She's a good filly and Michael Rodd still says had he not gone too soon she would have won that day she ran second at Flemington in the spring." "Mentally and physically she's very similar to Military Rose."
The Heinrichs purchased Military Grace from the draft of Baramul Stud for $100,000 at January's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She will now run in the BJ McLachlan Stakes at Eagle Farm on December 26 prior to the BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
"I don't think she's a 1000 metre horse and she'll go a lot better over 1200 metres," Heinrich summed up.
Military Grace by former Magic Millions Classic winner General Nediym is the first named foal for the Belong to Me mare Searchlights. Unraced, Searchlights is a half sister to the Blue Diamond Preview winner and Blue Diamond Stakes placegetter World Peace. Both Searchlights and World Peace were produced by the triple group winning Rory's Jester mare Light Up the World.
Winner: Military Grace (General Nediym-Searchlights)
Race: BRC Calaway Gal Stakes LR (1000m)
Sold for: $100,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Baramul Stud
Buyer: Heinrich Bloodstock
Earnings: $82,000
Owner(s): Heinrich Bloodstock
Trainer: Gillian Heinrich (Gold Coast)
I'M THE ONE A MAGIC YOUNGSTER Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
Plans to send I'm the One to the paddock look shelved after the promising youngster scored an impressive win in the listed $100,000 Phelan Ready Stakes (1000m).
Chinchilla horseman Mark Goodwin (Pictured left with Scott Gallowaysaid the $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic on January 15 was a temptation hard to ignore.
Goodwin took a shine to I'm the One at June's Magic Millions National Yearling Sale and he paid $6,500 for him from the draft of Oaklands Stud. "At $6,500 he certainly is a bargian," Goodwin told AAP. "We were thinking of putting him out in the paddock to let him develop more but maybe we'll go again to the Magic Millions now."
In the run to the line I'm the One came through under Scott Galloway to beat Internal Revenue and the preciously unbeaten Double Impact. All three placegetters were purchased from Magic Millions Yearling Sales.
Gillian Heinrich, who prepared the runner-up Internal Revenue, wasn't too disappointed running second - as the winner is a milestone winner for a stallion she trained and is still heavily linked. "I don't mind getting beaten this time. The winner is by All Bar One and it was his first city winner and it came in a listed race," she said.
All Bar One, a son of Hennessy and Magic Millions graduate, made history - the first freshman sire in Australia to this season register a stakes winner. During his racetrack career, All Bar One won nine races and earned over $548,000. He won in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne during his illustrious career.
I'm the One is one of eight winners produced by the three time winning and Sydney placed Rory's Jester mare Halcyon Daze. The latest yearling from Halcyon Daze, a bay filly by Redoute's Choice's son Break the Vault, is being prepared for the 2011 Magic Millions Central Queensland Yearling Sale at Rockhampton on April 8.
Winner: I'm the One (All Bar One-Halcyon Daze)
Race: BRC Phelan Ready Stakes LR (1000m)
Sold for: $6,500
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale
Vendor: Oaklands Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: Mark Goodwin
Earnings: $70,000
Owner(s): J Forde, T Stewart, B Gleeson, D Berigan, R Lee & M Goodwin
Trainer: Mark Goodwin (Chinchilla)
Chinchilla horseman Mark Goodwin (Pictured left with Scott Gallowaysaid the $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic on January 15 was a temptation hard to ignore.
Goodwin took a shine to I'm the One at June's Magic Millions National Yearling Sale and he paid $6,500 for him from the draft of Oaklands Stud. "At $6,500 he certainly is a bargian," Goodwin told AAP. "We were thinking of putting him out in the paddock to let him develop more but maybe we'll go again to the Magic Millions now."
In the run to the line I'm the One came through under Scott Galloway to beat Internal Revenue and the preciously unbeaten Double Impact. All three placegetters were purchased from Magic Millions Yearling Sales.
Gillian Heinrich, who prepared the runner-up Internal Revenue, wasn't too disappointed running second - as the winner is a milestone winner for a stallion she trained and is still heavily linked. "I don't mind getting beaten this time. The winner is by All Bar One and it was his first city winner and it came in a listed race," she said.
All Bar One, a son of Hennessy and Magic Millions graduate, made history - the first freshman sire in Australia to this season register a stakes winner. During his racetrack career, All Bar One won nine races and earned over $548,000. He won in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne during his illustrious career.
I'm the One is one of eight winners produced by the three time winning and Sydney placed Rory's Jester mare Halcyon Daze. The latest yearling from Halcyon Daze, a bay filly by Redoute's Choice's son Break the Vault, is being prepared for the 2011 Magic Millions Central Queensland Yearling Sale at Rockhampton on April 8.
Winner: I'm the One (All Bar One-Halcyon Daze)
Race: BRC Phelan Ready Stakes LR (1000m)
Sold for: $6,500
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale
Vendor: Oaklands Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: Mark Goodwin
Earnings: $70,000
Owner(s): J Forde, T Stewart, B Gleeson, D Berigan, R Lee & M Goodwin
Trainer: Mark Goodwin (Chinchilla)
New look Global Sprint Challenge HKJC Media Release Photo Dan Costello
The internationally acclaimed Global Sprint Challenge (GSC) has been enhanced for 2011 with the addition of Singapore’s premier turf sprint, the KrisFlyer International Sprint. The introduction of the 1200-metre Group 1 event, to be held at Kranji Racecourse on 22 May, takes to nine the number of races forming the $US10.8 million series.
The GSC also boasts a further enhancement in 2011 with all races carrying Group 1 status following the substitution of one of two races held in Japan. September's Group 2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) at Hanshin Racecourse has been replaced by the Group 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) on 27 March. The Takamatsunomiya Kinen is held annually at Japan’s Chukyo Racecourse, but with the track under renovation in 2011, the sprint will be held next year at Hanshin.
The announcements were made today following a meeting of member bodies ahead of the final leg of the 2010 series in Hong Kong on Sunday.
First conducted in 2005, the GSC is the world’s richest sprint race series taking in races across Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and now Singapore.
GSC Chairman, Leigh Jordon, said, “The Global Sprint Challenge is continuing to grow in stature and it is with pleasure that we announce an expansion of the series to nine races in 2011.
“The KrisFlyer International Sprint has proven itself world class during a truncated history with winners from France, Australia and Hong Kong including Global Sprint Challenge stalwarts Takeover Target ( Pictured Left with trainer Joe Janiak) and Sacred Kingdom.
“The switch of races in Japan achieves the members’ desire for uniform Group 1 races whilst providing a better flow of races throughout the calendar year with the Takamatsunomiya Kinen an attractive target in March.
“These changes further enhance the Global Sprint Challenge which has made the world a smaller place for the connections of our very best sprinters, providing them with unique experiences and the opportunity to test their horses on the world stage.
“We are excited about the future of the Global Sprint Challenge and believe the 2011 series will only serve to promote the brand with nine super sprints across five countries.”
The 2011 GSC will once again carry a lucrative bonus for any horse that can excel across multiple jurisdictions.
Any horse that can win three races in three different countries outside their own racing jurisdiction will collect a $US1 million to be split 75% to the owners and 25% to the trainer.
The 2011 GSC commences with the first of two Australian legs, the Coolmore Lightning Stakes (1000m), at Flemington Racecourse on 19 February.
It then moves to Japan and Singapore respectively for the two new legs, before converging on the United Kingdom for a trio of straight track races.
First is the King’s Stand Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot on 14 June, then comes the Golden Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at the same venue four days later, en route to the Darley July Cup (1200m) at Newmarket Racecourse on 9 July.
The GSC returns to Japan on 2 October for the coveted Sprinters Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama Racecourse, before making its second stop at Australia’s Flemington Racecourse for the running of the Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) on 5 November.
The series will again reach its culmination in Hong Kong on 11 December for the running of the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin Racecourse.
The GSC also boasts a further enhancement in 2011 with all races carrying Group 1 status following the substitution of one of two races held in Japan. September's Group 2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) at Hanshin Racecourse has been replaced by the Group 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) on 27 March. The Takamatsunomiya Kinen is held annually at Japan’s Chukyo Racecourse, but with the track under renovation in 2011, the sprint will be held next year at Hanshin.
The announcements were made today following a meeting of member bodies ahead of the final leg of the 2010 series in Hong Kong on Sunday.
First conducted in 2005, the GSC is the world’s richest sprint race series taking in races across Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and now Singapore.
GSC Chairman, Leigh Jordon, said, “The Global Sprint Challenge is continuing to grow in stature and it is with pleasure that we announce an expansion of the series to nine races in 2011.
“The KrisFlyer International Sprint has proven itself world class during a truncated history with winners from France, Australia and Hong Kong including Global Sprint Challenge stalwarts Takeover Target ( Pictured Left with trainer Joe Janiak) and Sacred Kingdom.
“The switch of races in Japan achieves the members’ desire for uniform Group 1 races whilst providing a better flow of races throughout the calendar year with the Takamatsunomiya Kinen an attractive target in March.
“These changes further enhance the Global Sprint Challenge which has made the world a smaller place for the connections of our very best sprinters, providing them with unique experiences and the opportunity to test their horses on the world stage.
“We are excited about the future of the Global Sprint Challenge and believe the 2011 series will only serve to promote the brand with nine super sprints across five countries.”
The 2011 GSC will once again carry a lucrative bonus for any horse that can excel across multiple jurisdictions.
Any horse that can win three races in three different countries outside their own racing jurisdiction will collect a $US1 million to be split 75% to the owners and 25% to the trainer.
The 2011 GSC commences with the first of two Australian legs, the Coolmore Lightning Stakes (1000m), at Flemington Racecourse on 19 February.
It then moves to Japan and Singapore respectively for the two new legs, before converging on the United Kingdom for a trio of straight track races.
First is the King’s Stand Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot on 14 June, then comes the Golden Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at the same venue four days later, en route to the Darley July Cup (1200m) at Newmarket Racecourse on 9 July.
The GSC returns to Japan on 2 October for the coveted Sprinters Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama Racecourse, before making its second stop at Australia’s Flemington Racecourse for the running of the Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) on 5 November.
The series will again reach its culmination in Hong Kong on 11 December for the running of the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin Racecourse.
Ryan Moore Keeps The Brits In The Winning Mood HKJC Media Release & Photos
Ryan Moore, who shared last year's Cathay Pacific International Jockeys' Championship in a three-way tie, was crowned champion on his own with 24 points this year with two thrilling wins in the four-race competition on Wednesday night.
Moore, a three-time champion in Britain and fresh from winning the World Super Jockeys Series in Japan last month, was seen at his brilliant best on both his winners. He got off to a dream start when producing the Tony Millard-trained Something Special with a storming run under a power-packed ride on the outside of the field, running down the Olivier Peslier-ridden Jolly Wongchoy by three-quarters of a length.
Moore had to wait until the final leg to clinch the title on the well named Fearless. Drawn in what looked a tough position in 12, the pair came wide and late on the outsider Fearless to collar the Douglas Whyte-ridden Ho Wongchoy. In the process Moore snatched the title away from Whyte, who was second on 18 points.
A delighted Moore said: "It is really nice to win this event, on my very own this time. Especially good as I didn't think I held much chance coming into it. I was delighted to find the trainer [Tony Millard] was confident when it came to the first race, and the horse won well."
"This is a nice warm up for the big races at Sha Tin on Sunday [CXHKIR], which is the last big meeting of the season for me. I have some excellent rides in all four races, on Paco Boy, Snow Fairy, Crystal Capella and Kingsgate Native, not necessarily in that order!"
Whyte, 10 times champion jockey in Hong Kong, won the third leg with an inspired ride on Alex Wong-trained My Goal. They were quickly out of the stalls from a wide berth to hold a handy position behind the pacemaker Good Luck Win. Whyte kicked on when reaching the straight to open up a lead that the fast-finishing second Nordic Star was unable to close.
The other leg was won by Australian star Nash Rawiller, who celebrated his 36th birthday by making all the running to take the second leg on the Me Tsui-trained Record High. He finished third on 12 points on his first visit to Happy Valley.
Below Left: Nash Rawiller on Record High
Below Centre: Douglas Whyte on My Goal
Below Right: Ryan Moore on Fearless
All systems go for French pair HKJC Media Release & Photo
Melbourne Cup winner Americain is pleasing his big race jockey Gerald Mosse in the lead up to Sunday’s CXHK Vase.“He is in very good form,” said Mosse. “He just did a canter this morning but I rode him again yesterday morning and he feels fine. He did 1800m, same as last week but maybe a bit faster. He’s back in full gear and very fluent. I’m not too worried about the drop in trip from the Melbourne Cup. Maybe the further he goes the better, but I think he should be OK. It’s not something he’s never done before. He did a proper job at 2400m in Geelong on a tiny track and I believe this bigger track at Sha Tin will help him.
Americain is pictured left during a trackwork session on Tuesday at Shatin
CXHK Cup candidate Reggane raised some eyebrows as she galloped over the turf with Mosse up. She also pleased her connections, including the stable’s travelling head lad Serge Renee: “I reckon it is very odd but she’s now better here than at home. She’s more relaxed. It will be very interesting to see her tackle the colts in the Cup. This could be a decider for the rest of her career. If she was to fare well on Sunday, she could very well remain in training next season. It is quite an important test for Reggane.” The Haras de la Perelle homebred filly could become a “new Pride” then. Trained by Royer Dupre, Pride finished second in the 2005 CXHK Cup and won the 2006 renewal.
“Reggane is very well,” confirmed Mosse. “She arrived on Sunday and she’s in very good form. She won quite easily in the G1 in Canada(E P Taylor Stakes) and she’s come here fresh and happy. She loves to travel. Her best form is always when she’s been travelling. I’ve ridden her many times in her races so I know her very well, and I couldn’t be happier with her. She’ll prefer a solid pace, not a slow one and she acts on any ground.”
Americain is pictured left during a trackwork session on Tuesday at Shatin
CXHK Cup candidate Reggane raised some eyebrows as she galloped over the turf with Mosse up. She also pleased her connections, including the stable’s travelling head lad Serge Renee: “I reckon it is very odd but she’s now better here than at home. She’s more relaxed. It will be very interesting to see her tackle the colts in the Cup. This could be a decider for the rest of her career. If she was to fare well on Sunday, she could very well remain in training next season. It is quite an important test for Reggane.” The Haras de la Perelle homebred filly could become a “new Pride” then. Trained by Royer Dupre, Pride finished second in the 2005 CXHK Cup and won the 2006 renewal.
“Reggane is very well,” confirmed Mosse. “She arrived on Sunday and she’s in very good form. She won quite easily in the G1 in Canada(E P Taylor Stakes) and she’s come here fresh and happy. She loves to travel. Her best form is always when she’s been travelling. I’ve ridden her many times in her races so I know her very well, and I couldn’t be happier with her. She’ll prefer a solid pace, not a slow one and she acts on any ground.”
Playtime for Boys from the Bush Media Release Magic Millions Photo Dan Costello
Country Queensland roared on Saturday when Barcaldine prepared filly Playtime upstaged a quality line up of Brisbane juveniles in a $110,000 QTIS 600 2YO Handicap at Eagle Farm.
Over 1,100 kilometres from home, Playtime (Outside in photo) showed she was worthy of a campaign toward the $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January when she beat out Crazy Mamma in a driving finish.
The win by Playtime was the first in Brisbane for her country based trainer Todd Austin - who on the same day prepared three winners at a non-TAB meeting on his home track.
Austin, a former jockey, was delighted with the performance and said the filly would be aimed at Queensland's richest race following her latest win - the second from three starts.
"I might only get one go at a race like the Millions - that is if she gets there - so I have to Playtime every chance," Austin said.
"She has pulled up very well from the run and I'll give her a week off now. Then all going well she will start on Boxing Day (in the Bruce McLachlan Stakes) which will give us an idea of how she would measure up in the Magic Millions."
Playtime is raced by central Queensland grazier Ralph Russell who purchased her for $36,000 at March's Magic Millions QTIS 600 Yearling Sale.
"Right from the start when she was broken in out in the bush at Barcaldine she showed she had some good ability," Russell recalled.
"She has taken everything we've asked of her really well - and she's never given us any trouble - she's a lovely filly."
Russell purchased four yearlings at March's QTIS 600 Yearling Sale and he is already looking forward to the 2011 edition is just over three months time.
Playtime, a product of Turangga Farm, is one of eigth winners produced by the well bred and top producing Centaine mare Boganvillia.
She is therefore a half sister to the group race placegetters Stormpede and Cinderella Man - both of whom are now in Hong Kong and known by their new names of Nordic Star and All Time High respectively.
Playtime's yearling half brother by Red Dazzler is set to go under the hammer at March's 2011 QTIS 600 Yearling Sale.
The colt is an attractive type who is sure to impress buyers when he is presented at the famous Bundall sale ring.
Over 1,100 kilometres from home, Playtime (Outside in photo) showed she was worthy of a campaign toward the $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January when she beat out Crazy Mamma in a driving finish.
The win by Playtime was the first in Brisbane for her country based trainer Todd Austin - who on the same day prepared three winners at a non-TAB meeting on his home track.
Austin, a former jockey, was delighted with the performance and said the filly would be aimed at Queensland's richest race following her latest win - the second from three starts.
"I might only get one go at a race like the Millions - that is if she gets there - so I have to Playtime every chance," Austin said.
"She has pulled up very well from the run and I'll give her a week off now. Then all going well she will start on Boxing Day (in the Bruce McLachlan Stakes) which will give us an idea of how she would measure up in the Magic Millions."
Playtime is raced by central Queensland grazier Ralph Russell who purchased her for $36,000 at March's Magic Millions QTIS 600 Yearling Sale.
"Right from the start when she was broken in out in the bush at Barcaldine she showed she had some good ability," Russell recalled.
"She has taken everything we've asked of her really well - and she's never given us any trouble - she's a lovely filly."
Russell purchased four yearlings at March's QTIS 600 Yearling Sale and he is already looking forward to the 2011 edition is just over three months time.
Playtime, a product of Turangga Farm, is one of eigth winners produced by the well bred and top producing Centaine mare Boganvillia.
She is therefore a half sister to the group race placegetters Stormpede and Cinderella Man - both of whom are now in Hong Kong and known by their new names of Nordic Star and All Time High respectively.
Playtime's yearling half brother by Red Dazzler is set to go under the hammer at March's 2011 QTIS 600 Yearling Sale.
The colt is an attractive type who is sure to impress buyers when he is presented at the famous Bundall sale ring.
INDUSTRY INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN OFFERS A WIN FOR RACING IN QUEENSLAND
Racing Queensland Limited (RQL) today released its Industry Infrastructure Plan as a blueprint for the revitalisation of all three codes of racing - thoroughbred, harness and greyhounds.
RQL Chairman Bob Bentley said the multi-million dollar plan is about using existing industry venues more strategically, creating new multi-use facilities and modernising racing operations.
“Should this Industry Infrastructure Plan be implemented it would provide the single biggest capital injection into the Queensland racing industry,” Mr Bentley said. “We are asking industry participants to back themselves by supporting the creation of new multi-use venues and embracing moves to make strategic use of other long-held facilities. “For some, this change will be too difficult to even contemplate, let alone embrace. While it is impossible to please everyone, doing nothing is not an option.”
Mr Bentley said the racing industry in Queensland currently contributes $1.44 billion to Gross State Product and employs around 30,000 people but the current trading conditions do not allow clubs to undertake massive infrastructure upgrades.
“In the short time that Racing Queensland Limited has been in operation (since July 1, 2010) it has had the unique opportunity to look at the industry as a whole,” he said. “As part of the amalgamation of the three codes, Racing Queensland Limited has undertaken a review of all racing venues in order to make better use of the available facilities for the benefit of the entire industry and to secure the future of racing in Queensland.” If implemented, the Industry Infrastructure Plan would deliver an upgrade of facilities located in key racing areas.
“The Board of Racing Queensland Limited has been mindful to include decentralised proposals so that the benefits would be truly State-wide,” Mr Bentley said. “Hundreds of jobs would be created across the State, especially in regional Queensland, as RQL works to ensure Queensland has some of the finest facilities in the country.”
Highlights of the proposed Industry Infrastructure Plan include:
$58 million for a new purpose built co-located home for greyhound and harness racing at Deagon with a back to back structure ensuring the tracks retain their own identity with first class viewing of the racing for both codes. This precinct would be complete with stabling facilities, kennels, tie up stalls, a new racing science centre, plus a jockey rehabilitation and industry training facility.
$30 million to develop a multi-use three code racing and training facility at the Ipswich Turf Club.
$49 million to redevelop racing facilities at the Bundall Racecourse on the Gold Coast.
$24 million to upgrade racing and training facilities in Beaudesert as well as stabling to return it to TAB status.
$18 million to totally redevelop Ooralea Racetrack in Mackay. It would include 80 oncourse stables and upgraded public and member facilities.
$15 million to redevelop Cluden Park in Townsville and relocate Greyhounds to the racetrack as well as new training and stabling facilties.
$6 million for Cairns for a multi-use greyhound and thoroughbreds facility as well as training.
A further $4 million on top of the $6 million already spent to further upgrade Callaghan Park in Rockhampton.
$900,000 for Country Racing to assist clubs reach minimum Occupational, Health and Safety Standards.
$200,000 to assist greyhound clubs in Cairns, Bundaberg and Capalaba to provide improved facilities, while also improving training and trialling facilities throughout the State.
$100,000 to address infrastructure concerns at Redcliffe and Marburg harness racing facilities.
Mr Bentley said a key plank of the plan was to transform Deagon into a purpose built venue for harness and greyhound racing. “The greyhound and harness public facility would consist of a back-to-back structure complete with grandstand, restaurant and administration. This would mean the greyhound racing tracks would not be located inside the harness racing track as was the case at Albion Park,” he said. “This would allow the tracks to retain their own identity with first-class race viewing available for both codes. “The Deagon facility would enable both codes of racing to act independently of one another.”
Mr Bentley said the 1400 metre harness racing track proposed for Deagon would ensure reduced interference, more competitive racing with long straights and sweeping turns and greater horse comfort when racing. “Racing on a track of this size lends itself to television and would reduce the number of odds-on favourites, which in turn means better wagering conditions,” he said. “This 1400m circuit has proven extremely successful at Menangle in Sydney and would mean Queensland would have only the second track of this type in the Southern Hemisphere. “A 1000m track at Ipswich and a 1400m track at Deagon would also provide good diversity within the product.”
Mr Bentley said implementation of the Plan would rely on securing funds from a number of sources including the $80 million in redirected wagering tax already committed by the Queensland Government, the scrapping of the proposed Logan greyhound facility and the sale of Albion Park Raceway.
The Plan has been based on industry views about future priorities after meeting with various clubs and stakeholders from all three codes throughout July,” he said. “If the racing industry in this State is to succeed into the future, we must collectively shift our focus from internal to external. The industry must unite and pursue common outcomes and not continue to operate independently, in many cases competing with each other. “The plan doesn’t favour one code or one club over another it ensures all clubs and codes work together to improve racing across the State.”
Mr Bentley said for each of these proposed developments to take place RQL and the club involved must be in a partnership arrangement. “The partnership agreement will see RQL run the racing side of the business taking on all costs. The agreements will free up clubs to place greater focus on their members and driving revenue through non-race day activities,” he said. Mr Bentley said now that this proposal document had been publicly released, an Industry Infrastructure Plan Working Group would obtain further feedback via individual meetings with relevant industry and community stakeholders throughout the State. This feedback process will be held over a two-week period until 22 December 2010. Additional information provided during this process will be used to finalise Racing Queensland Limited’s Plan on or before 31 December 2010. This will form the basis on which Racing Queensland Limited will seek to secure additional funding resources.
RQL Chairman Bob Bentley said the multi-million dollar plan is about using existing industry venues more strategically, creating new multi-use facilities and modernising racing operations.
“Should this Industry Infrastructure Plan be implemented it would provide the single biggest capital injection into the Queensland racing industry,” Mr Bentley said. “We are asking industry participants to back themselves by supporting the creation of new multi-use venues and embracing moves to make strategic use of other long-held facilities. “For some, this change will be too difficult to even contemplate, let alone embrace. While it is impossible to please everyone, doing nothing is not an option.”
Mr Bentley said the racing industry in Queensland currently contributes $1.44 billion to Gross State Product and employs around 30,000 people but the current trading conditions do not allow clubs to undertake massive infrastructure upgrades.
“In the short time that Racing Queensland Limited has been in operation (since July 1, 2010) it has had the unique opportunity to look at the industry as a whole,” he said. “As part of the amalgamation of the three codes, Racing Queensland Limited has undertaken a review of all racing venues in order to make better use of the available facilities for the benefit of the entire industry and to secure the future of racing in Queensland.” If implemented, the Industry Infrastructure Plan would deliver an upgrade of facilities located in key racing areas.
“The Board of Racing Queensland Limited has been mindful to include decentralised proposals so that the benefits would be truly State-wide,” Mr Bentley said. “Hundreds of jobs would be created across the State, especially in regional Queensland, as RQL works to ensure Queensland has some of the finest facilities in the country.”
Highlights of the proposed Industry Infrastructure Plan include:
$58 million for a new purpose built co-located home for greyhound and harness racing at Deagon with a back to back structure ensuring the tracks retain their own identity with first class viewing of the racing for both codes. This precinct would be complete with stabling facilities, kennels, tie up stalls, a new racing science centre, plus a jockey rehabilitation and industry training facility.
$30 million to develop a multi-use three code racing and training facility at the Ipswich Turf Club.
$49 million to redevelop racing facilities at the Bundall Racecourse on the Gold Coast.
$24 million to upgrade racing and training facilities in Beaudesert as well as stabling to return it to TAB status.
$18 million to totally redevelop Ooralea Racetrack in Mackay. It would include 80 oncourse stables and upgraded public and member facilities.
$15 million to redevelop Cluden Park in Townsville and relocate Greyhounds to the racetrack as well as new training and stabling facilties.
$6 million for Cairns for a multi-use greyhound and thoroughbreds facility as well as training.
A further $4 million on top of the $6 million already spent to further upgrade Callaghan Park in Rockhampton.
$900,000 for Country Racing to assist clubs reach minimum Occupational, Health and Safety Standards.
$200,000 to assist greyhound clubs in Cairns, Bundaberg and Capalaba to provide improved facilities, while also improving training and trialling facilities throughout the State.
$100,000 to address infrastructure concerns at Redcliffe and Marburg harness racing facilities.
Mr Bentley said a key plank of the plan was to transform Deagon into a purpose built venue for harness and greyhound racing. “The greyhound and harness public facility would consist of a back-to-back structure complete with grandstand, restaurant and administration. This would mean the greyhound racing tracks would not be located inside the harness racing track as was the case at Albion Park,” he said. “This would allow the tracks to retain their own identity with first-class race viewing available for both codes. “The Deagon facility would enable both codes of racing to act independently of one another.”
Mr Bentley said the 1400 metre harness racing track proposed for Deagon would ensure reduced interference, more competitive racing with long straights and sweeping turns and greater horse comfort when racing. “Racing on a track of this size lends itself to television and would reduce the number of odds-on favourites, which in turn means better wagering conditions,” he said. “This 1400m circuit has proven extremely successful at Menangle in Sydney and would mean Queensland would have only the second track of this type in the Southern Hemisphere. “A 1000m track at Ipswich and a 1400m track at Deagon would also provide good diversity within the product.”
Mr Bentley said implementation of the Plan would rely on securing funds from a number of sources including the $80 million in redirected wagering tax already committed by the Queensland Government, the scrapping of the proposed Logan greyhound facility and the sale of Albion Park Raceway.
The Plan has been based on industry views about future priorities after meeting with various clubs and stakeholders from all three codes throughout July,” he said. “If the racing industry in this State is to succeed into the future, we must collectively shift our focus from internal to external. The industry must unite and pursue common outcomes and not continue to operate independently, in many cases competing with each other. “The plan doesn’t favour one code or one club over another it ensures all clubs and codes work together to improve racing across the State.”
Mr Bentley said for each of these proposed developments to take place RQL and the club involved must be in a partnership arrangement. “The partnership agreement will see RQL run the racing side of the business taking on all costs. The agreements will free up clubs to place greater focus on their members and driving revenue through non-race day activities,” he said. Mr Bentley said now that this proposal document had been publicly released, an Industry Infrastructure Plan Working Group would obtain further feedback via individual meetings with relevant industry and community stakeholders throughout the State. This feedback process will be held over a two-week period until 22 December 2010. Additional information provided during this process will be used to finalise Racing Queensland Limited’s Plan on or before 31 December 2010. This will form the basis on which Racing Queensland Limited will seek to secure additional funding resources.
John Moore likes his chances HKJC Media Release Photo Dan Costello
Few trainers will be looking forward to Sunday’s Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races with as much enthusiasm as John Moore who, on a perfect Monday morning with a hot sun shining brightly, was full of optimism about his team which has strength in depth in every one of the four G1s.
His pair for the G1 CXHK Cup, Irian and Collection, are both pleasing Hong Kong’s all time leading trainer, with Irian in particular raising hopes that he may be capable of even better form than he showed when winning the G2 Cathay Pacific Jockey Club Cup on 14 November. “He’s just beginning to fulfil his potential as a racehorse after his gelding operation,” said Moore. “He’s becoming a more relaxed racehorse. Brett (Prebble) rode him this morning and said ‘You couldn’t get him any fitter’. The horse does have a tendency to get excited before his races and sometimes he’ll leave the race behind before the start. He’s a quirky horse, but if he’s not getting too agitated beforehand I’d have high hopes for him on Sunday.
Irian ran 1200m on the all weather in 1 minute 17.5 seconds this morning closing with a 22.9 seconds final 400m.
Collection, too, has been impressing his trainer in his work, and last year’s CXHK Cup runner-up is primed for another crack at Vision D’Etat who got the better of him last year in Hong Kong’s main event. “Vision D’Etat made Collection look pretty ordinary last year, but the way Collection has been going he’s going to have to be at his best to do that again. In fact he’s going to have to be at his best to beat either of mine. Both are peaking right now”
Moore is at least as confident of Hong Kong’s reigning champion miler in the CXHK Mile. “I’ve seen Paco Boy many times in Europe and there’s no doubt that he is an outstanding individual,” he said. “But we have home advantage, and with no obvious front runner in the race we also have the advantage that our horse can sit or take up the running. As long as we get a good gate I do think Able One will be the one to beat.”
And the upbeat reports continued with One World, Dim Sum and Let Me Fight in the Sprint. Of the three, Let Me Fight drew what may have been the most significant endorsement. “He’s got so much improvement in him,” said the trainer. “He’s going to be one of my top sprinters in the future. He just got half checked as he came out last time (in the G2 CX Jockey Club Sprint) but then he closed off very well and in my view, with a clear run he would have finished very close to Little Bridge (third behind dead heaters Rocket Man and One World). If people are looking for a roughie in the Sprint he could be the one, because there’s such an upside to this horse. ”
“Of course Darren (Beadman) rides One World though and he’d have to be my main chance. If he draws a reasonable gate this time, he’s going to be very hard to beat.”
Paul O’Sullivan, too, was hopeful of his HKG1 Stewards’ Cup winner Fellowship who worked a leisurely 800m in 52.4 seconds. “He worked nicely this morning,” said the trainer, “But we didn’t have to ask him to do too much. We just wanted to get him off the bridle at the end of a half mile. Zac (Purton) said his defeat last time (in the G2 CX Jockey Club Mile) was pace related. They just didn’t go fast enough for him.”
But the New Zealander was worried about where the pace might be coming from in the G1 CXHK Mile itself, and asked whether there might be a European to keep Able One from getting the sort of easy lead he enjoyed in the G2 CX Jockey Club Mile. The absence of an obvious alternative front runner did not increase his optimism.
His pair for the G1 CXHK Cup, Irian and Collection, are both pleasing Hong Kong’s all time leading trainer, with Irian in particular raising hopes that he may be capable of even better form than he showed when winning the G2 Cathay Pacific Jockey Club Cup on 14 November. “He’s just beginning to fulfil his potential as a racehorse after his gelding operation,” said Moore. “He’s becoming a more relaxed racehorse. Brett (Prebble) rode him this morning and said ‘You couldn’t get him any fitter’. The horse does have a tendency to get excited before his races and sometimes he’ll leave the race behind before the start. He’s a quirky horse, but if he’s not getting too agitated beforehand I’d have high hopes for him on Sunday.
Irian ran 1200m on the all weather in 1 minute 17.5 seconds this morning closing with a 22.9 seconds final 400m.
Collection, too, has been impressing his trainer in his work, and last year’s CXHK Cup runner-up is primed for another crack at Vision D’Etat who got the better of him last year in Hong Kong’s main event. “Vision D’Etat made Collection look pretty ordinary last year, but the way Collection has been going he’s going to have to be at his best to do that again. In fact he’s going to have to be at his best to beat either of mine. Both are peaking right now”
Moore is at least as confident of Hong Kong’s reigning champion miler in the CXHK Mile. “I’ve seen Paco Boy many times in Europe and there’s no doubt that he is an outstanding individual,” he said. “But we have home advantage, and with no obvious front runner in the race we also have the advantage that our horse can sit or take up the running. As long as we get a good gate I do think Able One will be the one to beat.”
And the upbeat reports continued with One World, Dim Sum and Let Me Fight in the Sprint. Of the three, Let Me Fight drew what may have been the most significant endorsement. “He’s got so much improvement in him,” said the trainer. “He’s going to be one of my top sprinters in the future. He just got half checked as he came out last time (in the G2 CX Jockey Club Sprint) but then he closed off very well and in my view, with a clear run he would have finished very close to Little Bridge (third behind dead heaters Rocket Man and One World). If people are looking for a roughie in the Sprint he could be the one, because there’s such an upside to this horse. ”
“Of course Darren (Beadman) rides One World though and he’d have to be my main chance. If he draws a reasonable gate this time, he’s going to be very hard to beat.”
Paul O’Sullivan, too, was hopeful of his HKG1 Stewards’ Cup winner Fellowship who worked a leisurely 800m in 52.4 seconds. “He worked nicely this morning,” said the trainer, “But we didn’t have to ask him to do too much. We just wanted to get him off the bridle at the end of a half mile. Zac (Purton) said his defeat last time (in the G2 CX Jockey Club Mile) was pace related. They just didn’t go fast enough for him.”
But the New Zealander was worried about where the pace might be coming from in the G1 CXHK Mile itself, and asked whether there might be a European to keep Able One from getting the sort of easy lead he enjoyed in the G2 CX Jockey Club Mile. The absence of an obvious alternative front runner did not increase his optimism.
Ebony Flyer Takes Out G1 Cape Fillies GuineasThe undefeated Ebony Flyer a filly by Jet Master defeated an Australian bred filly by Galileo named Igugu in the Group 1 Avontuur Estate Cape Fillies Guineas at Kenilworth in South Africa on Saturday 4th December.
Ebony Flyer"s half-sister Captain's Lover just happened to win the same race previously before heading overseas and winning the Group 3 Matchmaker in the United States. |
Karuta Queen On Way To Gold Coast Story : Magic Millions Media Release
Karuta Queen continued her march to the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January with a brilliant win in the $200,000 Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Stakes (1000m) this afternoon.
An explosive filly, Karuta Queen extended her unbeaten run to three when she strolled home in the feature juvenile race.
A $30,000 bargain buy from January's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Karuta Queen is prepared at Queanbeyan by Neville Layt. She has already earned a staggering $274,000.
The filly was sent out the second favourite after two impressive Rosehill wins from as many starts during October. She scored a trial win at Canberra on November 15 to sharpen her up for today.
In the run to the line Karuta Queen ($3.50-$6.50-$6) held a two and a quarter length victory over the speedy first starter Schiffer ($7-$8).
The favourite, last start Gimcrack Stakes winner Defiant Dane ($1.45-$1.50-$1.40 fav), was another two and a half lengths back under Corey Brown.
Purchased by owner Glenn Williams from the draft of Turangga Farm, Karuta Queen is a son of former outstanding Magic Millions graduate Not a Single Doubt. "We didn't think she would be this good when he bought her, we bought her on speck," Williams said. "We sent her down to Neville to train and she's done nothing but bloom since," he added.
Winning rider Tommy Berry has been aboard Karuta Queen in each of her three runs to date and he's looking forward to continuing his association with the speedster when she heads north.
The $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) will be run at the Gold Coast on January 15.
Karuta Queen is the second winner, from two to race, for the former group winning juvenile Card Queen. Card Queen, a daughter of Final Card, won five races, including two as a juvenile - a Group Three Blue Diamond Prelude one of them. She was also placed in four other stakes events prior to her retirement to stud.
A half brother to Karuta Queen, by Toorak Toff's sire Show a Heart, is being prepared by Durham Lodge for February's 2011 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Card Queen is now in Western Australia after being purchased by the Smith family's Durham Lodge for $55,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
The colt by Show a Heart heading to next year's sale is a quality individual according to Magic Millions Perth Manager Murray Tillett.
"He's a lovely, lovely colt," Tillett said. "He's a real flashy individual and he'll certainly take the eyes of buyers.
Winner: Karuta Queen (Not a Single Doubt-Card Queen)
Race: Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Stakes (1000m)
Sold for: $30,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Turangga Farm
Buyer: Glenn Williams
Earnings: $274,000
Owner(s): Mr GR & Mrs VC Williams
Trainer: Neville Layt (Queanbeyan)
An explosive filly, Karuta Queen extended her unbeaten run to three when she strolled home in the feature juvenile race.
A $30,000 bargain buy from January's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Karuta Queen is prepared at Queanbeyan by Neville Layt. She has already earned a staggering $274,000.
The filly was sent out the second favourite after two impressive Rosehill wins from as many starts during October. She scored a trial win at Canberra on November 15 to sharpen her up for today.
In the run to the line Karuta Queen ($3.50-$6.50-$6) held a two and a quarter length victory over the speedy first starter Schiffer ($7-$8).
The favourite, last start Gimcrack Stakes winner Defiant Dane ($1.45-$1.50-$1.40 fav), was another two and a half lengths back under Corey Brown.
Purchased by owner Glenn Williams from the draft of Turangga Farm, Karuta Queen is a son of former outstanding Magic Millions graduate Not a Single Doubt. "We didn't think she would be this good when he bought her, we bought her on speck," Williams said. "We sent her down to Neville to train and she's done nothing but bloom since," he added.
Winning rider Tommy Berry has been aboard Karuta Queen in each of her three runs to date and he's looking forward to continuing his association with the speedster when she heads north.
The $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) will be run at the Gold Coast on January 15.
Karuta Queen is the second winner, from two to race, for the former group winning juvenile Card Queen. Card Queen, a daughter of Final Card, won five races, including two as a juvenile - a Group Three Blue Diamond Prelude one of them. She was also placed in four other stakes events prior to her retirement to stud.
A half brother to Karuta Queen, by Toorak Toff's sire Show a Heart, is being prepared by Durham Lodge for February's 2011 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Card Queen is now in Western Australia after being purchased by the Smith family's Durham Lodge for $55,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
The colt by Show a Heart heading to next year's sale is a quality individual according to Magic Millions Perth Manager Murray Tillett.
"He's a lovely, lovely colt," Tillett said. "He's a real flashy individual and he'll certainly take the eyes of buyers.
Winner: Karuta Queen (Not a Single Doubt-Card Queen)
Race: Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Stakes (1000m)
Sold for: $30,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Turangga Farm
Buyer: Glenn Williams
Earnings: $274,000
Owner(s): Mr GR & Mrs VC Williams
Trainer: Neville Layt (Queanbeyan)
Americain leads largest French team ever Story & Photo HKJC Media Release
The French team at the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races meeting is probably the largest ever gathered abroad: 10 invited Gallic thoroughbreds will line up in three of the four international Group 1 races.
They did not fly on the same plane though as those horses come from all parts of the world. Most will fly from Europe, but Cirrus des Aigles and Sahpresa came from Japan while Americain was amongst the very first visitors on duty at Sha Tin, boasting a brand new Melbourne Cup tag on his tack case.
Americain is a very special horse to French sportsmen. On 2 November, he became the first French horse to win the Melbourne Cup at Flemington. He also was the first challenger flown from France to line up in the “race that stops a nation”.
His trainer, Alain de Royer Dupre, is a long time acquaintance of the Hong Kong fans. He likes the international meeting more than any other French trainer and has become a master in getting his horses fit for the December extravaganza since Pride finished second in the 2005 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup, only to win the prize a year later.
Yet, the Melbourne Cup was something of a new challenge to him as the quarantine to race in Australia is pretty strict for visiting horses. “It was quite a trek as the horse had to remain two weeks in Britain and three weeks in his quarantine barn in Australia. For a trainer, it is a bit difficult too as you are away most of the time and cannot monitor the situation as well as at home. Thankfully, the two girls who take care of him, his morning rider Louise and his lass Stephanie, are both very gifted and dedicated,” said Royer Dupre.
Americain arrived in Hong Kong with a star status he hardly could boast on his way Down Under. Now that he’s won one of the hardest races in the world, the story is completely different and he surely will not start at such long odds – he paid 12.30 at the Flemington tote. “I think he’s still maturing,” noted Royer Dupre. “He’s five years old but I think there is plenty to come.”
They did not fly on the same plane though as those horses come from all parts of the world. Most will fly from Europe, but Cirrus des Aigles and Sahpresa came from Japan while Americain was amongst the very first visitors on duty at Sha Tin, boasting a brand new Melbourne Cup tag on his tack case.
Americain is a very special horse to French sportsmen. On 2 November, he became the first French horse to win the Melbourne Cup at Flemington. He also was the first challenger flown from France to line up in the “race that stops a nation”.
His trainer, Alain de Royer Dupre, is a long time acquaintance of the Hong Kong fans. He likes the international meeting more than any other French trainer and has become a master in getting his horses fit for the December extravaganza since Pride finished second in the 2005 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup, only to win the prize a year later.
Yet, the Melbourne Cup was something of a new challenge to him as the quarantine to race in Australia is pretty strict for visiting horses. “It was quite a trek as the horse had to remain two weeks in Britain and three weeks in his quarantine barn in Australia. For a trainer, it is a bit difficult too as you are away most of the time and cannot monitor the situation as well as at home. Thankfully, the two girls who take care of him, his morning rider Louise and his lass Stephanie, are both very gifted and dedicated,” said Royer Dupre.
Americain arrived in Hong Kong with a star status he hardly could boast on his way Down Under. Now that he’s won one of the hardest races in the world, the story is completely different and he surely will not start at such long odds – he paid 12.30 at the Flemington tote. “I think he’s still maturing,” noted Royer Dupre. “He’s five years old but I think there is plenty to come.”
Paco Boy's Final Fling Story & Photo HKJC Media Release
Richard Hannon's brilliant miler Paco Boy will have one final run in Hong Kong in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile on 12 December before being retired to the Highclere Stud in England.
The Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs on 6 November had intended to be the day the curtain would come down of the son of Desert Style's glittering career but the five-year-old returned from his American trip in such good form Hannon felt he should have his swansong inHong Kong.
Hannon said on Monday (29 Nov): "He is remarkable this horse. He has been on the go since April - run endless great races against the best milers in the world. Without the great Goldikova he would have two more Group Ones to his name. He seems to have come home from the US in even better nick than when he went out so as a result I rang John Warren (owner of Highclere Stud) and said we ought to seriously consider going to Sha Tin.
"He wasn't suited to the tight turns at Churchill Downs and he was far better than his finishing position in fourth. His finishing time in the straight there was reported to have been a record. He has never been the best mover in his slower paces but he was moving better than I have ever seen him this morning (Monday), despite the temperature well below freezing.
Paco Boy, with a rating of 124 and earnings so far of over £1 million, won three Group Ones, including the Lockinge Stakes in England at Newbury this year, the 2009 Queen Anne Stakes and the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp in France 26 months ago, in a career that has spanned 23 races. He has finished out of the first four only thrice
It is the first time Paco Boy has travelled to the Far East but Hannon is not worried about his charge taking well to the trip. He said: "He is such an easy horse to travel. Although he is unlikely to catch the eye in his slow work in the mornings it is in his races in the afternoon that he gets the pulses pumping.
"It will be a sad day for me watching him run his final race. He has given us so many marvellous days and we will all miss him."
The Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs on 6 November had intended to be the day the curtain would come down of the son of Desert Style's glittering career but the five-year-old returned from his American trip in such good form Hannon felt he should have his swansong inHong Kong.
Hannon said on Monday (29 Nov): "He is remarkable this horse. He has been on the go since April - run endless great races against the best milers in the world. Without the great Goldikova he would have two more Group Ones to his name. He seems to have come home from the US in even better nick than when he went out so as a result I rang John Warren (owner of Highclere Stud) and said we ought to seriously consider going to Sha Tin.
"He wasn't suited to the tight turns at Churchill Downs and he was far better than his finishing position in fourth. His finishing time in the straight there was reported to have been a record. He has never been the best mover in his slower paces but he was moving better than I have ever seen him this morning (Monday), despite the temperature well below freezing.
Paco Boy, with a rating of 124 and earnings so far of over £1 million, won three Group Ones, including the Lockinge Stakes in England at Newbury this year, the 2009 Queen Anne Stakes and the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp in France 26 months ago, in a career that has spanned 23 races. He has finished out of the first four only thrice
It is the first time Paco Boy has travelled to the Far East but Hannon is not worried about his charge taking well to the trip. He said: "He is such an easy horse to travel. Although he is unlikely to catch the eye in his slow work in the mornings it is in his races in the afternoon that he gets the pulses pumping.
"It will be a sad day for me watching him run his final race. He has given us so many marvellous days and we will all miss him."
Ortensia, Australia's Sole Representative Story & Photo HKJC Media Release
Victorian trainer Tony Noonan not only enjoyed racetrack success on his first international foray to Dubai in 2007 but it also led to the acquisition of his top class mare Ortensia who arrived in Hong Kong early last week (photo left) in preparation for the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint on 12 December.
Noonan was the first Australian trainer to target the "support" races at the Dubai World Cup carnival and won three races there in February 2007 with Benedetti and Smart And Mighty. But perhaps more significantly, it was on that trip that he met Ortensia's owners Alister Fraser and Emma Ridley.
The next month, Ortensia was purchased for A$50,000 as a yearling at the Melbourne Premier Sale and Noonan was entrusted with her training. The now five-year-old mare has won eight races and more than A$1 million in prizemoney and looms as one of the main rivals to the locals in Hong Kong's major sprint.
Ortensia was first past the winning post in the Group 1 Galaxy at Randwick in April only to subsequently lose the race.
The mare is definitely capable of winning in Hong Kong given that she's fresh and will have a likely fast pace to suit plus the fact that she's probably at her best racing right handed. Not to mention that she comes off a last start third behind the world's joint-top-rated sprinter Black Caviar and Star Witness, who is the best 3YO sprinter in Australia.
Ortensia worked impressively between races at Sandown the weekend before last and importantly travels to Hong Kong without having been jaded by a long spring campaign in Melbourne. "She's a no fuss horse who takes most things in her stride and she travels well. I certainly think she can win if all goes smoothly with her," said Tony Noonan.
Noonan was pleased with her final gallop before her departure to Hong Kong.
"She needed a strong hitout and that's exactly what she had. She worked really well and I couldn't be happier with her. She was looking around a bit but she doesn't work in the blinkers, we save them for raceday.
"She'll arrive in Hong Kong a fit horse and probably have just the one serious gallop there. It's not going to be easy. We're taking on some very good Hong Kong sprinters who are all well seasoned and used to the local environment but my mare has had a perfect preparation and she's not had a hard campaign which I think is terribly important," Noonan said.
Regular rider Craig Williams has secured a release from his current commitments in Japan to ride Ortensia in Hong Kong. "I'm looking forward to getting back to Hong Kong and this is a great opportunity as she really is a top class mare," Williams said. Williams believes his years in Hong Kong were the making of him as a man and a jockey. He says he became tactically smarter and became a stronger, more physical rider in a tight finish.
''I became physically much stronger in Hong Kong. I had a really good friendship with [French jockey] Eric St Martin. He would come to my place and work with me on my mechanical horse. That really helped me to develop a very strong style.''
Williams has ridden about 200 winners outside Australia including 112 in Hong Kong. He's also won in England, Dubai, France, Italy andJapan and won Group 1 races in Australia, England, France and Japan.
Noonan was the first Australian trainer to target the "support" races at the Dubai World Cup carnival and won three races there in February 2007 with Benedetti and Smart And Mighty. But perhaps more significantly, it was on that trip that he met Ortensia's owners Alister Fraser and Emma Ridley.
The next month, Ortensia was purchased for A$50,000 as a yearling at the Melbourne Premier Sale and Noonan was entrusted with her training. The now five-year-old mare has won eight races and more than A$1 million in prizemoney and looms as one of the main rivals to the locals in Hong Kong's major sprint.
Ortensia was first past the winning post in the Group 1 Galaxy at Randwick in April only to subsequently lose the race.
The mare is definitely capable of winning in Hong Kong given that she's fresh and will have a likely fast pace to suit plus the fact that she's probably at her best racing right handed. Not to mention that she comes off a last start third behind the world's joint-top-rated sprinter Black Caviar and Star Witness, who is the best 3YO sprinter in Australia.
Ortensia worked impressively between races at Sandown the weekend before last and importantly travels to Hong Kong without having been jaded by a long spring campaign in Melbourne. "She's a no fuss horse who takes most things in her stride and she travels well. I certainly think she can win if all goes smoothly with her," said Tony Noonan.
Noonan was pleased with her final gallop before her departure to Hong Kong.
"She needed a strong hitout and that's exactly what she had. She worked really well and I couldn't be happier with her. She was looking around a bit but she doesn't work in the blinkers, we save them for raceday.
"She'll arrive in Hong Kong a fit horse and probably have just the one serious gallop there. It's not going to be easy. We're taking on some very good Hong Kong sprinters who are all well seasoned and used to the local environment but my mare has had a perfect preparation and she's not had a hard campaign which I think is terribly important," Noonan said.
Regular rider Craig Williams has secured a release from his current commitments in Japan to ride Ortensia in Hong Kong. "I'm looking forward to getting back to Hong Kong and this is a great opportunity as she really is a top class mare," Williams said. Williams believes his years in Hong Kong were the making of him as a man and a jockey. He says he became tactically smarter and became a stronger, more physical rider in a tight finish.
''I became physically much stronger in Hong Kong. I had a really good friendship with [French jockey] Eric St Martin. He would come to my place and work with me on my mechanical horse. That really helped me to develop a very strong style.''
Williams has ridden about 200 winners outside Australia including 112 in Hong Kong. He's also won in England, Dubai, France, Italy andJapan and won Group 1 races in Australia, England, France and Japan.
2011 Magic Millions catalogues now online Media Release Magic Millions - Photo Dan Costello
The quality packed Book 1 catalogue for January's 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale is now online.
Comprising the first five sessions of the sale, to be held from Janaury 12 to 16, the catalogue includes the progeny of over 100 different sires.
The catalogue includes (at least) half relations to Group One winners including Bel Esprit, Calaway Gal, Casino Prince, Danni Martine, Dash for Cash, Eremein, Juste Momente, More Joyous, Onemorenomore, Racing to Win, Shoot Out, Sirmione, Starspangledbanner, Stratum, Universal Prince and Zipping and dozens more.
Also preparing to go under the hammer are yearlings from Group One winners including Ancient Song, Cheeky Choice, Cinque Cento, Covertly, Elevenses, Ellicorsam, Kenbelle, Lady Jakeo, Miss Andretti, Our Egyptian Raine, Portland Singa, Skating, Slight Chance, Sunday Joy and Universal Prince.
There are no fewer than 220 stakes performed mares with yearlings catalogued for the famous 2011 January sale.
Champion international sire More Than Ready is the most represented stallion during the first five sessions of the sale with 43 lots - 25 colts and 18 fillies. Encosta de Lago (39), Fastnet Rock (36), General Nediym (34) and Show a Heart (26) are also amongst the most represented.
To view the online catalogue follow the link from the homepage of the Magic Millions website.
Comprising the first five sessions of the sale, to be held from Janaury 12 to 16, the catalogue includes the progeny of over 100 different sires.
The catalogue includes (at least) half relations to Group One winners including Bel Esprit, Calaway Gal, Casino Prince, Danni Martine, Dash for Cash, Eremein, Juste Momente, More Joyous, Onemorenomore, Racing to Win, Shoot Out, Sirmione, Starspangledbanner, Stratum, Universal Prince and Zipping and dozens more.
Also preparing to go under the hammer are yearlings from Group One winners including Ancient Song, Cheeky Choice, Cinque Cento, Covertly, Elevenses, Ellicorsam, Kenbelle, Lady Jakeo, Miss Andretti, Our Egyptian Raine, Portland Singa, Skating, Slight Chance, Sunday Joy and Universal Prince.
There are no fewer than 220 stakes performed mares with yearlings catalogued for the famous 2011 January sale.
Champion international sire More Than Ready is the most represented stallion during the first five sessions of the sale with 43 lots - 25 colts and 18 fillies. Encosta de Lago (39), Fastnet Rock (36), General Nediym (34) and Show a Heart (26) are also amongst the most represented.
To view the online catalogue follow the link from the homepage of the Magic Millions website.
Hiroyuki Uchida: the modest champion takes over at the top Story & Photo HKJC Media Release
Yutaka Take has ruled Japanese race-riding for most of the last two decades. Only twice in that time has he relinquished his grip on the JRA jockeys’ championship. So the man who has most recently taken the title from him deserves all the attention he is getting, and he would do so even if his own racing history were not so exceptional in its own right.
Hiroyuki Uchida, the JRA’s reigning champion jockey, is a quiet friendly man in private life, and like many of his countrymen one with a very high regard for good manners and personal modesty. But in the saddle he is a fierce opponent and his record is in its way as remarkable as that of the man he has replaced at the top of the Japanese tree.
What makes Uchida unique among Japanese jockeys is the fact that he was previously champion of the less prestigious NAR racing circuit, on which he broke all records as the first to pass 400 winners in a season, then the first to pass 500, which he achieved when setting the current record of 524 in 2006. No other rider who was NAR champion has also taken the JRA title. In his JRA championship year Uchida rode 146 winners at a strike rate of 15%, and the 40 year old has continued his form with victory this year in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) on Eishin Flash.
“When I decided to accept the challenge of moving to the JRA I got so much support and encouragement from so many people,” he says, “and without them I could not have made the transfer. I will always be so grateful for their support. Also I always hope that I am giving a boost to NAR racing because I still feel a lot of loyalty towards it.”
Uchida, who won his 500th JRA winner on Saturday 20 November, is excited about his invitation to the Cathay Pacific International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley on 8 December. “This is my first visit to Hong Kong,” he says “and I am very honoured to be invited to such a big occasion as the CXIJC. As a representative of Japanese jockeys I will do my best.”
“Winning this year’s Tokyo Yushun (Japan Derby),” Uchida adds “is the victory which has given me most pleasure because to win that race was one of my dreams when I transferred to the JRA.”
But he feels nothing but respect and admiration for the man whose title he has taken.
“Take is the one who has supported Japanese racing for so long,” he says with characteristic self-effacement. “He has been the top man in our racing and the person who has given people a clear idea of racing as a sport. His performances not only in Japan but abroad have impressed so many people. I admire Take, both as a jockey and as a man.
And no doubt that admiration is reciprocated.
Hiroyuki Uchida, the JRA’s reigning champion jockey, is a quiet friendly man in private life, and like many of his countrymen one with a very high regard for good manners and personal modesty. But in the saddle he is a fierce opponent and his record is in its way as remarkable as that of the man he has replaced at the top of the Japanese tree.
What makes Uchida unique among Japanese jockeys is the fact that he was previously champion of the less prestigious NAR racing circuit, on which he broke all records as the first to pass 400 winners in a season, then the first to pass 500, which he achieved when setting the current record of 524 in 2006. No other rider who was NAR champion has also taken the JRA title. In his JRA championship year Uchida rode 146 winners at a strike rate of 15%, and the 40 year old has continued his form with victory this year in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) on Eishin Flash.
“When I decided to accept the challenge of moving to the JRA I got so much support and encouragement from so many people,” he says, “and without them I could not have made the transfer. I will always be so grateful for their support. Also I always hope that I am giving a boost to NAR racing because I still feel a lot of loyalty towards it.”
Uchida, who won his 500th JRA winner on Saturday 20 November, is excited about his invitation to the Cathay Pacific International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley on 8 December. “This is my first visit to Hong Kong,” he says “and I am very honoured to be invited to such a big occasion as the CXIJC. As a representative of Japanese jockeys I will do my best.”
“Winning this year’s Tokyo Yushun (Japan Derby),” Uchida adds “is the victory which has given me most pleasure because to win that race was one of my dreams when I transferred to the JRA.”
But he feels nothing but respect and admiration for the man whose title he has taken.
“Take is the one who has supported Japanese racing for so long,” he says with characteristic self-effacement. “He has been the top man in our racing and the person who has given people a clear idea of racing as a sport. His performances not only in Japan but abroad have impressed so many people. I admire Take, both as a jockey and as a man.
And no doubt that admiration is reciprocated.
AUSSIE BRED WINS MALAYSIAN GROUP ONE Magic Millions Media Release Photo Dan Costello
Former classy Singapore galloper Handsome Nic scored the biggest win of his career at his third run in Malaysia when he romped home in yesterday's Group One Sultan Gold Vase (1100m) at Ipoh.
The six-year-old son of Show a Heart (Pictured Left) didn't give his rivals a look in and he led home a Magic Millions one-two in the feature sprint. Handsome Nic, sold by Magic Millions as a weanling, yearling and in-training two-year-old, was formerly known in Singapore as Hansome Jazz.
The gelding raced in Singapore on 23 occasions for six wins and six placings prior to arriving in Malaysia where he's made an immediate impact.
Handsome Nic was purchased from the draft of Quona Cooke's Carinya Park the 2006 Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale by former trainer Don Baertschiger for $39,000. He was previously sold by Toreby Park at the 2006 Perth Yearling Sale after "debuting" at the 2005 National Weanling Sale for the Moran family's Noble Park operation who bred the galloper.
"It was a really dominant win," Magic Millions International Director David Chester reported from Ipoh. "He won by over three lengths." "It was a great result with the winner being sold three times by Magic Millions and the runner-up Triple Happy is a son of Bletchley Park who is a Perth Yearling Sale graduate."
"Handsome Nic is now trained by KP Hoy - who has been a regular at our sales, particularly in Perth and at the Gold Coast."
A half brother to Handsome Nic, by Glenlogan Park's exciting young Flying Spur stallion Jet Spur, is being prepared for January's 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The colt, bred by the Twine family, is being prepared by well regarded Queensland horsewoman Robyn Wise. "He's a lovely colt, a real athlete," Wise said. "He's a real Magic Millions style running type.""I've prepared three yearlings out of the mare and this colt is by far the best of them," Wise added.
Winner: Handsome Nic (Show a Heart-Loopy)
Race: Perak TC Sultan Gold Vase G1 (1100m)
Sold for: $27,500
Sale: 2005 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale
Vendor: Noble Park
Buyer: Magic Millions as agent
Sold for: $40,000
Sale: 2006 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Toreby Park (As Agent)
Buyer: Magic Millions as agent
Sold for: $39,000
Sale: 2006 Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale
Vendor: Carinya Park (As Agent)
Buyer: Don Baertschiger
Earnings: $397,094
Owner(s): KP Hoy
Trainer: KP Hoy
The six-year-old son of Show a Heart (Pictured Left) didn't give his rivals a look in and he led home a Magic Millions one-two in the feature sprint. Handsome Nic, sold by Magic Millions as a weanling, yearling and in-training two-year-old, was formerly known in Singapore as Hansome Jazz.
The gelding raced in Singapore on 23 occasions for six wins and six placings prior to arriving in Malaysia where he's made an immediate impact.
Handsome Nic was purchased from the draft of Quona Cooke's Carinya Park the 2006 Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale by former trainer Don Baertschiger for $39,000. He was previously sold by Toreby Park at the 2006 Perth Yearling Sale after "debuting" at the 2005 National Weanling Sale for the Moran family's Noble Park operation who bred the galloper.
"It was a really dominant win," Magic Millions International Director David Chester reported from Ipoh. "He won by over three lengths." "It was a great result with the winner being sold three times by Magic Millions and the runner-up Triple Happy is a son of Bletchley Park who is a Perth Yearling Sale graduate."
"Handsome Nic is now trained by KP Hoy - who has been a regular at our sales, particularly in Perth and at the Gold Coast."
A half brother to Handsome Nic, by Glenlogan Park's exciting young Flying Spur stallion Jet Spur, is being prepared for January's 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The colt, bred by the Twine family, is being prepared by well regarded Queensland horsewoman Robyn Wise. "He's a lovely colt, a real athlete," Wise said. "He's a real Magic Millions style running type.""I've prepared three yearlings out of the mare and this colt is by far the best of them," Wise added.
Winner: Handsome Nic (Show a Heart-Loopy)
Race: Perak TC Sultan Gold Vase G1 (1100m)
Sold for: $27,500
Sale: 2005 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale
Vendor: Noble Park
Buyer: Magic Millions as agent
Sold for: $40,000
Sale: 2006 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Toreby Park (As Agent)
Buyer: Magic Millions as agent
Sold for: $39,000
Sale: 2006 Magic Millions National Horses in Training Sale
Vendor: Carinya Park (As Agent)
Buyer: Don Baertschiger
Earnings: $397,094
Owner(s): KP Hoy
Trainer: KP Hoy
VICTORIA CRISTAL SHINES AT DOOMBEN Magic Millions Media Release Photos Dan Costello
Beautifully bred filly Victoria Cristal boosted her future broodmare value when she scored a strong win in the Sky Racing Plate (2040m) at Doomben on Wednesday 17/11/10.
In the familiar Shoot Out colours of Graham and Linda Huddy, Victoria Cristal came with a perfectly timed run under talented apprentice Justin Wood to win by a neck.
Victoria Cristal is by Shoot Out's sire High Chaparral and is prepared by John Wallace, the man who puts the polish on the multiple Group One winning star.
Wood allowed Victoria Cristal to find her feet during the early and middle stages before they were able to come with a strong sprint in the straight to win in good style and record a valuable metropolitan success. The ride was the first for Wood since a stint on the sidelines through suspension and he showed he'd lost none of his form and timing with the heady ride.
Graham and Linda Huddy purchased Victoria Cristal for $45,000 from the 2009 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale. She was bred and sold by John Barnes and Joy Mackay of Canning Downs.
Barnes and Mackay are preparing a half sister to Victoria Cristal from the historic Darling Downs property for January's 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The filly, brown in colour, is by former outstanding galloper Haradasun - a Group One winner on both sides of the equator.
"She's a lovely filly," Magic Millions Bloodstock Consultant Barry Bowditch reported. "She is a classic style filly. Each time I've seen her she has developed nicely and she will make into a lovely yearling and then race filly and she has a great pedigree being a half sister to a Group One winner and now an impressive city winner today," Bowditch added.
As well as being a half sister to Victoria Cristal, the sale bound filly is a half sister to the twice New Zealand Group One winner Grout - since a winner in Hong Kong under the name of Raider.
Dam Kaapstad Glamour, a lightly raced daughter of Kaapstad, is a half sister to the stakes placed First Touch as well as the dam of Charles Laird's South African based stakes winner and fellow Magic Millions graduate Curved Ball.
Further back it is the family of the Gold Coast sold Melbourne Cup hero and crowd favourite Subzero.
Meanwhile, the good judges were impressed at Doomben today when the very promising Falvelon galloper Excellantes sizzled home in the second event.
Prepared by Robert Heathcote, Excellentes stopped the clock in the class record time of 1 minute 3.68 seconds for the 1110 metre trip - coming home his final 600 metres in a blistering 33.02 seconds.
Excellentes was a lovely yearling and was purchased from last year's QTIS 600 Yearling Sale for $105,000 by leading New Zealand based agent Paul Willetts
The gelding, a half brother to group winner Funtantes, cruised home by four lengths and looks a progressive young galloper who's up to better class into the future.
Below Left : Yvette Baldwin with Victoria Cristal Below Centre & Right: Excellantes and the winning connections
In the familiar Shoot Out colours of Graham and Linda Huddy, Victoria Cristal came with a perfectly timed run under talented apprentice Justin Wood to win by a neck.
Victoria Cristal is by Shoot Out's sire High Chaparral and is prepared by John Wallace, the man who puts the polish on the multiple Group One winning star.
Wood allowed Victoria Cristal to find her feet during the early and middle stages before they were able to come with a strong sprint in the straight to win in good style and record a valuable metropolitan success. The ride was the first for Wood since a stint on the sidelines through suspension and he showed he'd lost none of his form and timing with the heady ride.
Graham and Linda Huddy purchased Victoria Cristal for $45,000 from the 2009 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale. She was bred and sold by John Barnes and Joy Mackay of Canning Downs.
Barnes and Mackay are preparing a half sister to Victoria Cristal from the historic Darling Downs property for January's 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The filly, brown in colour, is by former outstanding galloper Haradasun - a Group One winner on both sides of the equator.
"She's a lovely filly," Magic Millions Bloodstock Consultant Barry Bowditch reported. "She is a classic style filly. Each time I've seen her she has developed nicely and she will make into a lovely yearling and then race filly and she has a great pedigree being a half sister to a Group One winner and now an impressive city winner today," Bowditch added.
As well as being a half sister to Victoria Cristal, the sale bound filly is a half sister to the twice New Zealand Group One winner Grout - since a winner in Hong Kong under the name of Raider.
Dam Kaapstad Glamour, a lightly raced daughter of Kaapstad, is a half sister to the stakes placed First Touch as well as the dam of Charles Laird's South African based stakes winner and fellow Magic Millions graduate Curved Ball.
Further back it is the family of the Gold Coast sold Melbourne Cup hero and crowd favourite Subzero.
Meanwhile, the good judges were impressed at Doomben today when the very promising Falvelon galloper Excellantes sizzled home in the second event.
Prepared by Robert Heathcote, Excellentes stopped the clock in the class record time of 1 minute 3.68 seconds for the 1110 metre trip - coming home his final 600 metres in a blistering 33.02 seconds.
Excellentes was a lovely yearling and was purchased from last year's QTIS 600 Yearling Sale for $105,000 by leading New Zealand based agent Paul Willetts
The gelding, a half brother to group winner Funtantes, cruised home by four lengths and looks a progressive young galloper who's up to better class into the future.
Below Left : Yvette Baldwin with Victoria Cristal Below Centre & Right: Excellantes and the winning connections
Leparoux: the man who leapt to fame HKJC Media Release & Photo
The Cathay Pacific International Jockeys’ Championship 2010 on December 8 will provide Julien Leparoux with his first trip to Happy Valley. “I can’t wait to be there,” admits the French-born American champion when asked to describe his feelings about his first CXIJC. “It is also my first visit to Hong Kong and I look very much forward to it”.
Leparoux is a very composed as well as extremely talented 27-year-old, and it is quite unusual to hear him express such unqualified enthusiasm. Talent of the extreme variety was what he needed to do what he has done, as, unlike South and Central Americans, Frenchmen are scarce on North American racetracks - even though Jean Cruguet, who rode the 1977 American Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, also rose to fame in America. But what’s remarkable about Leparoux’s fast track to fame is the fact that he never actually rode in a French race, nor in one anywhere in Europe, before becoming American race riding’s latest sensation. The son of an assistant trainer to Jean de Rouälle, he went straight from the Chantilly gallops to American tracks, where he was given his chance to ride work in 2003 for fellow Frenchman Patrick Biancone.
The rest is – already - history. Leparoux won his first race in August 2005 on the scenic Saratoga racetrack, and by 2009 had become, to quote breederscup.com: “the fourth jockey in history to win Eclipse Awards as an apprentice and journeyman when he won the Eclipse Award after earning the honor in 2006. The only other three with the rare double are Steve Cauthen, Kent Desormeaux, and Chris McCarron, who are all in Racing’s Hall of Fame”.
Leparoux’s career really took off on Turfway Park’s new all-weather racetrack in the winter meeting of 2006 when the then apprentice rode no fewer than (a record) 167 winners. He won the overall title in America that year with stunning figures of 403 wins and over US$12 million in prize money, the biggest purse-winning total ever earned by a conditional rider.
He went on to take the 2007 jockeys’ title at Churchill Downs, a feat not achieved by a rookie since 1949, and also the title at Keeneland, becoming the very first apprentice to do so.
Amongst his other big breaks, his “Magnificent Seven” at Churchill Downs on November 11, 2008, tying a 24-year-old record set by Pat Day in 1984, stands out. And just to complete his lightning transition from zero to hero Leparoux also tied Garrett Gomez’s record of three Breeders’ Cup wins in a championship, in the 2009 edition, before claiming his second Eclipse Award – this time as Outstanding Jockey.
Yet progress has not always been perfectly smooth for the soft-spoken Frenchman. His father Robert died in 2003 while he was work riding in California. Some did not understand his decision to leave America at Christmas time in 2009 while he was still leading the jockeys’ championship, which he eventually lost on the very last day by a mere US$10,600 with US$18,560,565 overall. But Leparoux had not visited his home for three years and the call was too strong.
Then in May 2010 at Pimlico Racecourse, he badly hurt his back in a fall and was later diagnosed with a vertebrae compression fracture which sent him to the sidelines for several weeks. Yet he resumed riding soon enough to enable him to again pass US$10 million for the year. He drew a blank at the Breeders’ Cup this season, but was not moved at all by this result: “My horses all had only average chances and they just did what they were supposed to do. I am happy with them.”
Frenchmen are traditionally thought to be voluble and outspoken, but Leparoux has not inherited these characteristics. His natural calm, as well as his extraordinary riding ability, has probably played its part in his success. You’d never hear him utter a bad word about anyone, and even his laughter is soft, almost inaudible.
“It is a great experience for me to ride over there,” says this Frenchman. “I have not seen anything yet, but I am told that the Happy Valley track is sharp. American tracks are all left-handed, but I have already ridden on a right-handed track in Japan. It does not matter. As for night meetings, we’ve also got a few in America, at Turfway Park, and at Churchill Downs every now on then on Fridays. I have participated in a jockeys’ championship in Japan and also one in Peru. It is good fun. It is competitive and I enjoy that, but the pressure is all positive and I am sure it will be a great party.”
Leparoux is a very composed as well as extremely talented 27-year-old, and it is quite unusual to hear him express such unqualified enthusiasm. Talent of the extreme variety was what he needed to do what he has done, as, unlike South and Central Americans, Frenchmen are scarce on North American racetracks - even though Jean Cruguet, who rode the 1977 American Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, also rose to fame in America. But what’s remarkable about Leparoux’s fast track to fame is the fact that he never actually rode in a French race, nor in one anywhere in Europe, before becoming American race riding’s latest sensation. The son of an assistant trainer to Jean de Rouälle, he went straight from the Chantilly gallops to American tracks, where he was given his chance to ride work in 2003 for fellow Frenchman Patrick Biancone.
The rest is – already - history. Leparoux won his first race in August 2005 on the scenic Saratoga racetrack, and by 2009 had become, to quote breederscup.com: “the fourth jockey in history to win Eclipse Awards as an apprentice and journeyman when he won the Eclipse Award after earning the honor in 2006. The only other three with the rare double are Steve Cauthen, Kent Desormeaux, and Chris McCarron, who are all in Racing’s Hall of Fame”.
Leparoux’s career really took off on Turfway Park’s new all-weather racetrack in the winter meeting of 2006 when the then apprentice rode no fewer than (a record) 167 winners. He won the overall title in America that year with stunning figures of 403 wins and over US$12 million in prize money, the biggest purse-winning total ever earned by a conditional rider.
He went on to take the 2007 jockeys’ title at Churchill Downs, a feat not achieved by a rookie since 1949, and also the title at Keeneland, becoming the very first apprentice to do so.
Amongst his other big breaks, his “Magnificent Seven” at Churchill Downs on November 11, 2008, tying a 24-year-old record set by Pat Day in 1984, stands out. And just to complete his lightning transition from zero to hero Leparoux also tied Garrett Gomez’s record of three Breeders’ Cup wins in a championship, in the 2009 edition, before claiming his second Eclipse Award – this time as Outstanding Jockey.
Yet progress has not always been perfectly smooth for the soft-spoken Frenchman. His father Robert died in 2003 while he was work riding in California. Some did not understand his decision to leave America at Christmas time in 2009 while he was still leading the jockeys’ championship, which he eventually lost on the very last day by a mere US$10,600 with US$18,560,565 overall. But Leparoux had not visited his home for three years and the call was too strong.
Then in May 2010 at Pimlico Racecourse, he badly hurt his back in a fall and was later diagnosed with a vertebrae compression fracture which sent him to the sidelines for several weeks. Yet he resumed riding soon enough to enable him to again pass US$10 million for the year. He drew a blank at the Breeders’ Cup this season, but was not moved at all by this result: “My horses all had only average chances and they just did what they were supposed to do. I am happy with them.”
Frenchmen are traditionally thought to be voluble and outspoken, but Leparoux has not inherited these characteristics. His natural calm, as well as his extraordinary riding ability, has probably played its part in his success. You’d never hear him utter a bad word about anyone, and even his laughter is soft, almost inaudible.
“It is a great experience for me to ride over there,” says this Frenchman. “I have not seen anything yet, but I am told that the Happy Valley track is sharp. American tracks are all left-handed, but I have already ridden on a right-handed track in Japan. It does not matter. As for night meetings, we’ve also got a few in America, at Turfway Park, and at Churchill Downs every now on then on Fridays. I have participated in a jockeys’ championship in Japan and also one in Peru. It is good fun. It is competitive and I enjoy that, but the pressure is all positive and I am sure it will be a great party.”
Dead Heat in Inaugural Cathay Pacific Jockey Club Sprint Hong Kong Jockey Club Media release
A sensational race for the inaugural Cathay Pacific Jockey Club Sprint ended in a dead heat between Singapore champion Rocket Man, trained by Patrick Shaw, and the John Moore-trained One World, who came rattling down the outside as the pair finished wide apart. For some minutes before the result was declared, the general opinion followed that of the TV cameraman who focused on One World in the belief that he and Darren Beadman had won. But when the numbers were posted, a great roar of what sounded like approval went up from a sporting Sha Tin crowd which clearly felt neither of the pair deserved to lose.
“I was a little bit concerned when he was a bit green going into the first turn,” said Shaw of Rocket Man who was conceding One World five pounds, “and he wasn’t running as freely as he usually does. He was switching leads and pricking his ears.”
But when he met the straight the horse kept on with great power, and having looked slightly outpaced at one stage as he adapted to racing in the opposite direction from his homeland, got up on the line to share the victory.
Beadman was naturally delighted too, with One World who ran right up to the form that had seen him finish third in the G1 Dubai GoldenShaheen at the Dubai World Cup meeting, in which Rocket Man had finished a slightly unlucky looking runner up. “It’s just in the last week and a half that he’s begun to come back to his old self,” said the jockey, “and that run showed he’s just about there. I didn’t know whether we’d won or not because they were so far apart.”
Just half a length behind the dead-heaters came the Danny Shum-trained Little Bridge, a rising star of Hong Kong racing who battled superbly to protect his unbeaten record in the sixth race of a career which only began on 23 May. “That was a great run,” said Shum, who had been well aware of the leap in class the horse was taking. “We definitely want to run him in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint on 12 December now. It all just depends if he’s selected. When asked if there might still be improvement to come from the relative novice, Shum added, “I think so. He’ll definitely keep improving, but maybe later at 1400m or 1600m.”
Little Bridge was followed in fourth by another John Moore runner, Dim Sum, previously believed even by his trainer to be a horse who must have give in the ground but who ran from the front what may have been the race of his life, and just behind him, beaten a length and a quarter in all, came the champion and favourite Sacred Kingdom whose wide run under Brett Prebble flattened out in the closing stages.
In view of the fact that he was giving weight and failing to stride out freely at the turn perhaps the honours of the race just went to the visiting star, and Rocket Man’s trainer was full of hope afterwards about the CXHK Sprint on 12 December.
“We didn’t expect it to be a walkover,” said Shaw, who had said beforehand that he would be satisfied with a place in the first three in a race he saw as a prep for the CXHK Sprint. “But I’m always confident when this horse runs. I don’t think I can get him any fitter than he is now, but I do think we can do some work in the next few weeks to get him used to the right hand turn.”
Rocket Man’s South African owner Alfredo Crabbia was effusive in his appreciation of his experience of Sha Tin. “That was absolutely fantastic,” said Crabbia. “I flew in last night and I’m just overwhelmed with the racecourse and the welcome we’ve had as well as by the way Rocket Man performed. Yes, he’s the best horse I’ve ever had.”
Earlier, the first running of the G2 Cathay Pacific Jockey Club Mile was won with the minimum of fuss by the John Moore-trained Able One. It was almost by default that the Champion Miler was able to give five pounds and more to his rivals, as Darren Beadman was handed the type of easy lead that makes the son of Cape Cross very nearly invincible these days at his favourite trip.
“I couldn’t believe it when he was just allowed to go out there and dictate like that,” said the winning trainer. “When you give Able One that sort of lead you’ve got a hard job in front of you.”
This was the perfect summing up as, predictably in view of the way the race had been run, Able One kicked at the turn in the style that has become his trademark, and although Thumbs Up ran on very strongly to close the gap to three quarters of a length the winner was never in danger. The winning distance was, however, the same as that by which Thumbs Up had beaten today’s winner when the pair had met with the weights two pounds more in his favour in the HKG3 Mission Hills Sha Tin Trophy over the same course and distance, and considering the way Thumbs Up closed off a slow pace, his trainer was anything but disheartened by today’s defeat. “Beautiful” was Caspar Fownes’ succinct assessment of the horse’s performance, and the stage now looks very much set for the best of three matches between the two on CXHKIR day in three weeks time.
Ridden by visiting British-based Irishman Neil Callan on the first ride of his two-month contract in Hong Kong, the old champion VivaPataca finished fifth, beaten only three lengths by his stablemate, Able One. It was a run that gave John Moore hope of further glory forHong Kong’s record prize money winner’s bid for the CXHKIR. “That was a great first run of the season,” said Moore, “and it should have set him up for his tilt at the [G1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong] Vase.”
Pictured Below Left: Under Rail shot of Rocket Man (Rails) & One World (Outside)
Pictured Below Right: Able One with Darren Beadman taking out the G2 Cathay Pacific Jockey Club Mile. Photos courtesy HKJC
“I was a little bit concerned when he was a bit green going into the first turn,” said Shaw of Rocket Man who was conceding One World five pounds, “and he wasn’t running as freely as he usually does. He was switching leads and pricking his ears.”
But when he met the straight the horse kept on with great power, and having looked slightly outpaced at one stage as he adapted to racing in the opposite direction from his homeland, got up on the line to share the victory.
Beadman was naturally delighted too, with One World who ran right up to the form that had seen him finish third in the G1 Dubai GoldenShaheen at the Dubai World Cup meeting, in which Rocket Man had finished a slightly unlucky looking runner up. “It’s just in the last week and a half that he’s begun to come back to his old self,” said the jockey, “and that run showed he’s just about there. I didn’t know whether we’d won or not because they were so far apart.”
Just half a length behind the dead-heaters came the Danny Shum-trained Little Bridge, a rising star of Hong Kong racing who battled superbly to protect his unbeaten record in the sixth race of a career which only began on 23 May. “That was a great run,” said Shum, who had been well aware of the leap in class the horse was taking. “We definitely want to run him in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint on 12 December now. It all just depends if he’s selected. When asked if there might still be improvement to come from the relative novice, Shum added, “I think so. He’ll definitely keep improving, but maybe later at 1400m or 1600m.”
Little Bridge was followed in fourth by another John Moore runner, Dim Sum, previously believed even by his trainer to be a horse who must have give in the ground but who ran from the front what may have been the race of his life, and just behind him, beaten a length and a quarter in all, came the champion and favourite Sacred Kingdom whose wide run under Brett Prebble flattened out in the closing stages.
In view of the fact that he was giving weight and failing to stride out freely at the turn perhaps the honours of the race just went to the visiting star, and Rocket Man’s trainer was full of hope afterwards about the CXHK Sprint on 12 December.
“We didn’t expect it to be a walkover,” said Shaw, who had said beforehand that he would be satisfied with a place in the first three in a race he saw as a prep for the CXHK Sprint. “But I’m always confident when this horse runs. I don’t think I can get him any fitter than he is now, but I do think we can do some work in the next few weeks to get him used to the right hand turn.”
Rocket Man’s South African owner Alfredo Crabbia was effusive in his appreciation of his experience of Sha Tin. “That was absolutely fantastic,” said Crabbia. “I flew in last night and I’m just overwhelmed with the racecourse and the welcome we’ve had as well as by the way Rocket Man performed. Yes, he’s the best horse I’ve ever had.”
Earlier, the first running of the G2 Cathay Pacific Jockey Club Mile was won with the minimum of fuss by the John Moore-trained Able One. It was almost by default that the Champion Miler was able to give five pounds and more to his rivals, as Darren Beadman was handed the type of easy lead that makes the son of Cape Cross very nearly invincible these days at his favourite trip.
“I couldn’t believe it when he was just allowed to go out there and dictate like that,” said the winning trainer. “When you give Able One that sort of lead you’ve got a hard job in front of you.”
This was the perfect summing up as, predictably in view of the way the race had been run, Able One kicked at the turn in the style that has become his trademark, and although Thumbs Up ran on very strongly to close the gap to three quarters of a length the winner was never in danger. The winning distance was, however, the same as that by which Thumbs Up had beaten today’s winner when the pair had met with the weights two pounds more in his favour in the HKG3 Mission Hills Sha Tin Trophy over the same course and distance, and considering the way Thumbs Up closed off a slow pace, his trainer was anything but disheartened by today’s defeat. “Beautiful” was Caspar Fownes’ succinct assessment of the horse’s performance, and the stage now looks very much set for the best of three matches between the two on CXHKIR day in three weeks time.
Ridden by visiting British-based Irishman Neil Callan on the first ride of his two-month contract in Hong Kong, the old champion VivaPataca finished fifth, beaten only three lengths by his stablemate, Able One. It was a run that gave John Moore hope of further glory forHong Kong’s record prize money winner’s bid for the CXHKIR. “That was a great first run of the season,” said Moore, “and it should have set him up for his tilt at the [G1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong] Vase.”
Pictured Below Left: Under Rail shot of Rocket Man (Rails) & One World (Outside)
Pictured Below Right: Able One with Darren Beadman taking out the G2 Cathay Pacific Jockey Club Mile. Photos courtesy HKJC
Rocket Man arrives in Hong Kong Media Release Hong Kong Jockey Club
Singapore champion sprinter Rocket Man, who is out to avenge narrow defeats by Sacred Kingdom and Green Birdie in the last two runnings of the G1 KrisFlyer International Sprint on his Kranji home turf, worked well at Sha Tin this morning as he began his Hong Kong preparation for both Sunday’s G2 Cathay Pacific Jockey Club Sprint and the G1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint on 12 December.
The five-year-old, ridden by Felix Coetzee who will partner him in both big races, showed the quirk which, apart from his brilliance, has made him a celebrity at home when pausing for as long as he felt like it to take in his surroundings before deigning to begin his exercise. It is a characteristic he shares with another, even more famous Coetzee mount, the great Silent Witness. But both his rider and Jacci deTert, assistant trainer to Patrick Shaw, who was himself watching from the stands, knew better than to hurry the son of Australian sire Viscount who moved off in his usual amenable way as soon as he had seen his fill.
Rocket Man moved with plenty of zest on the artificial surface he clearly enjoys, running a final 400m in 22.1 seconds when Coetzee let him go. “Yes I’m pleased,” said Shaw afterwards. “I’m happy with the blowout there.”
Asked whether he felt the right-hand track might inconvenience his horse on Sunday as this will be the first time he’s raced in this direction, Shaw was cautiously optimistic. “Only Sunday’s race will tell us,” said the South African. “He seemed to cope all right this morning although Felix said he did need a bit of help turning, but until he’s doing it at racing speed we won’t know for sure. He will learn a lot from Sunday’s race but we still expect him to run well. A draw near the inside would be a big help.”
Shaw confirmed that Rocket Man had travelled well from Singapore and seemed content at the Sha Tin quarantine barn. “His weight’s a bit down, but he’s eating well,” said the trainer.
De Tert, who will be with the horse during Shaw’s necessary trips to Singapore, also travelled with Rocket Man to Dubai for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in which he went down by half a length to Kinsale King in the only other defeat of his 14-race career. “I suppose I’ve seen him more relaxed,” she said “but that might just be the change in the weather which is a lot cooler here than it is in Singapore, but I ‘d say he’s very happy here.”
Earlier in the morning Rocket Man’s old rival, Hong Kong Horse of the Year Sacred Kingdom, looked in superb condition as he too worked on the All Weather. “That was good work,” said trainer Ricky Yiu. “He’s feeling ever so well after his last start, and he was really happy to have that gallop. Sunday will still be a bit of a prep, but I’m expecting him to run another very good race.”
The five-year-old, ridden by Felix Coetzee who will partner him in both big races, showed the quirk which, apart from his brilliance, has made him a celebrity at home when pausing for as long as he felt like it to take in his surroundings before deigning to begin his exercise. It is a characteristic he shares with another, even more famous Coetzee mount, the great Silent Witness. But both his rider and Jacci deTert, assistant trainer to Patrick Shaw, who was himself watching from the stands, knew better than to hurry the son of Australian sire Viscount who moved off in his usual amenable way as soon as he had seen his fill.
Rocket Man moved with plenty of zest on the artificial surface he clearly enjoys, running a final 400m in 22.1 seconds when Coetzee let him go. “Yes I’m pleased,” said Shaw afterwards. “I’m happy with the blowout there.”
Asked whether he felt the right-hand track might inconvenience his horse on Sunday as this will be the first time he’s raced in this direction, Shaw was cautiously optimistic. “Only Sunday’s race will tell us,” said the South African. “He seemed to cope all right this morning although Felix said he did need a bit of help turning, but until he’s doing it at racing speed we won’t know for sure. He will learn a lot from Sunday’s race but we still expect him to run well. A draw near the inside would be a big help.”
Shaw confirmed that Rocket Man had travelled well from Singapore and seemed content at the Sha Tin quarantine barn. “His weight’s a bit down, but he’s eating well,” said the trainer.
De Tert, who will be with the horse during Shaw’s necessary trips to Singapore, also travelled with Rocket Man to Dubai for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in which he went down by half a length to Kinsale King in the only other defeat of his 14-race career. “I suppose I’ve seen him more relaxed,” she said “but that might just be the change in the weather which is a lot cooler here than it is in Singapore, but I ‘d say he’s very happy here.”
Earlier in the morning Rocket Man’s old rival, Hong Kong Horse of the Year Sacred Kingdom, looked in superb condition as he too worked on the All Weather. “That was good work,” said trainer Ricky Yiu. “He’s feeling ever so well after his last start, and he was really happy to have that gallop. Sunday will still be a bit of a prep, but I’m expecting him to run another very good race.”
Cathay Pacific International Jockey's Championship 2010 Story : Hong Kong Jockey Club Photo: Dan Costello
Brilliant newcomers promise an enthralling Cathay Pacific International Jockeys’ Championship 2010
The Cathay Pacific International Jockeys’ Championship (CXIJC) is the traditional curtain raiser to the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races (CXHKIR). It is also an event which generates enormous enthusiasm and public support in its own right, as every year on the Wednesday evening before CXHKIR a specially invited group of the greatest names in international race-riding converge on Happy Valley to take part in individual competition with Hong Kong’s finest.
Previous visiting winners have included Frankie Dettori (twice); Christophe Soumillon; Damien Oliver; Olivier Peslier (twice), Andrasch Starke (twice) and Johnny Murtagh, Ryan Moore and Christophe Lemaire who dead heated in 2009. So far, however, Douglas Whyte, champion jockey of Hong Kong for the last 10 years, leads the field with three victories.
This year, the list of invitees is particularly exciting as it features a number of outstanding riders who will be competing in the event for the first time. They include French sensation Julien Leparoux, who has taken US racing by storm in the last few seasons riding more winners (403) in the USA than any other rider in the same year (2006) that he received the Eclipse Award as Champion Apprentice, and last season winning both the Shoemaker Award as Champion Breeders’ Cup Jockey and Eclipse Award as Champion Jockey of the USA. Leparoux is one of those extreme rarities a jockey who has in his time ridden seven winners at a single meeting.
Against him will be Nash Rawiller, winner for the first time of the Sydney Jockeys’ Premiership in 2009/10 and, with nine wins, leading jockey in Australia last season in terms of Group 1 victories. Another newcomer will be Brazilian Joao Moreira, currently sweeping all before him in Singapore where he is all but certain to be champion jockey this year and who, with two months still to go has already passed his century of winners and broken the all time Singaporean record for number of winners ridden in a season.
A fourth outstanding rider making his CXIJC debut will be Hiroyuki Uchida, who last season took the championship of Japan away from 16 times champion Yutaka Take, and become only the second rider to deprive Take of the title since 1992. And a fifth is Anton Marcus, champion jockey of South Africa for the last two seasons, brother of former Hong Kong champion Basil, and winner of 384 races since 2008.
Ranged against these new arrivals however are a group of international superstars at the peak of their riding form, including Ballydoyle stable jockey and multiple Irish champion Johnny Murtagh who has this year won Group 1s on Starspangledbanner and Rip Van Winkle; Belgian Soumillon who has been in his usual rampant form with Group 1 victories on Makfi and Stacelita; Christophe Lemaire who has ridden Group 1 winners in Japan, Britain, the UAE and Hong Kong as well as in his native France, and Ryan Moore, now recognised as the finest jockey in Britain and winner in 2010 of both the Oaks and the Derby at Epsom and the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe. The home defence will once again be led by the formidable Douglas Whyte who will be joined by two leading jockeys from Hong Kong as on 29 November 2010.
In a departure from the previous format, in which only three races counted for the title, an extra race will be added to CXIJC in 2010 thereby giving the competition yet more depth and excitement.
Will local knowledge triumph over the tactical cunning of the invaders? Will fresh talent be a match for the strength and shrewdness of the veterans?
With so many brilliant jockeys riding at the peak of their powers and so many others challenging for the first time, CXIJC 2010 on 8 December promises to be an even more succulent appetizer than usual for the 12 December banquet that is CXHKIR.
The Cathay Pacific International Jockeys’ Championship (CXIJC) is the traditional curtain raiser to the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races (CXHKIR). It is also an event which generates enormous enthusiasm and public support in its own right, as every year on the Wednesday evening before CXHKIR a specially invited group of the greatest names in international race-riding converge on Happy Valley to take part in individual competition with Hong Kong’s finest.
Previous visiting winners have included Frankie Dettori (twice); Christophe Soumillon; Damien Oliver; Olivier Peslier (twice), Andrasch Starke (twice) and Johnny Murtagh, Ryan Moore and Christophe Lemaire who dead heated in 2009. So far, however, Douglas Whyte, champion jockey of Hong Kong for the last 10 years, leads the field with three victories.
This year, the list of invitees is particularly exciting as it features a number of outstanding riders who will be competing in the event for the first time. They include French sensation Julien Leparoux, who has taken US racing by storm in the last few seasons riding more winners (403) in the USA than any other rider in the same year (2006) that he received the Eclipse Award as Champion Apprentice, and last season winning both the Shoemaker Award as Champion Breeders’ Cup Jockey and Eclipse Award as Champion Jockey of the USA. Leparoux is one of those extreme rarities a jockey who has in his time ridden seven winners at a single meeting.
Against him will be Nash Rawiller, winner for the first time of the Sydney Jockeys’ Premiership in 2009/10 and, with nine wins, leading jockey in Australia last season in terms of Group 1 victories. Another newcomer will be Brazilian Joao Moreira, currently sweeping all before him in Singapore where he is all but certain to be champion jockey this year and who, with two months still to go has already passed his century of winners and broken the all time Singaporean record for number of winners ridden in a season.
A fourth outstanding rider making his CXIJC debut will be Hiroyuki Uchida, who last season took the championship of Japan away from 16 times champion Yutaka Take, and become only the second rider to deprive Take of the title since 1992. And a fifth is Anton Marcus, champion jockey of South Africa for the last two seasons, brother of former Hong Kong champion Basil, and winner of 384 races since 2008.
Ranged against these new arrivals however are a group of international superstars at the peak of their riding form, including Ballydoyle stable jockey and multiple Irish champion Johnny Murtagh who has this year won Group 1s on Starspangledbanner and Rip Van Winkle; Belgian Soumillon who has been in his usual rampant form with Group 1 victories on Makfi and Stacelita; Christophe Lemaire who has ridden Group 1 winners in Japan, Britain, the UAE and Hong Kong as well as in his native France, and Ryan Moore, now recognised as the finest jockey in Britain and winner in 2010 of both the Oaks and the Derby at Epsom and the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe. The home defence will once again be led by the formidable Douglas Whyte who will be joined by two leading jockeys from Hong Kong as on 29 November 2010.
In a departure from the previous format, in which only three races counted for the title, an extra race will be added to CXIJC in 2010 thereby giving the competition yet more depth and excitement.
Will local knowledge triumph over the tactical cunning of the invaders? Will fresh talent be a match for the strength and shrewdness of the veterans?
With so many brilliant jockeys riding at the peak of their powers and so many others challenging for the first time, CXIJC 2010 on 8 December promises to be an even more succulent appetizer than usual for the 12 December banquet that is CXHKIR.
2010 GROUP 1 SPRINTERS STAKES (Japan)Japan's premier sprint race, the Group 1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama Racecourse, went to a Hong Kong horse today for the first time since the triumph of the great Silent Witness five years ago. The Hong Kong-trained Ultra Fantasy led all the way to give trainer RickyYiu and in particular youthful rider Alex Lai one of the great days of their lives.
Group 2 Centaur Stakes winner Dasher Go Go finished very fast to take second, and the Group 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen winner Kinshasa no Kiseki, who had looked a possible winner 200m out but just died on his run, ran third. After an enquiry, however, Dasher GoGo was demoted for interference to fourth, which gave Kinshasa no Kiseki second and third going to San Carlo, with Dasher Go Go fourth. Lai was thrilled as he became the first Hong Kong-born rider to win an international Group 1 race overseas on a Hong Kong-based horse, and Ultra Fantasy was the first runner to win a race of this quality for a "Hong Kong team". |
