text:
Dan more of a Caulfield man
Dandino tunes up for the Spring with a run in the United States over the weekend
Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock (ATB) managing owner Darren Dance might have lost last year's Emirates Melbourne Cup placegetter Jakkalberry to injury over the weekend, but his Spring Racing Carnival hopes remain high thanks to exciting international Dandino.
Set to line up in the American St Leger (2700m) at Arlington Park in the United States on Saturday, Dance told RSN he expects the Marco Botti-trained six-year-old to prove hard to beat on the back of his last-start runner-up finish in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes (2400m) at Royal Ascot (UK).
"He travelled well and he's eaten up. It's a field that, with all due respect, is not as strong as what the Hardwicke Stakes was, when he ran a really good second," Dance said.
"He's probably going to be one of the favourites in that race, but at the end of the day, you've still got to compete and be good to win.
"We go there excited and confident and hopeful."
After his run in the St Leger on Saturday, Dandino returns to the UK where he will go into quarantine before arriving on September 28 among the first batch of international raiders to hit the Australian shores this year.
Among the first nominations last week for the BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m), Dance said he believes the distance of the Caulfield feature may prove more suitable for Dandino than that of the Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m).
"He's going to be a chance in the Caulfield Cup I think," he said. "There's a question about the two miles, it's still to be determined, this weekend over 2700 will give us some guide."
"At this stage I'll be thinking he's a strong Caulfield Cup horse more than Melbourne Cup horse just on what he's done in the past."
With leading UK rider Ryan Moore set to take the ride on the weekend, Dance said he is yet to make a decision as to who will partner the son of Dansili during his Melbourne Spring campaign.
Though disappointed to lose Jakkalberry for the Spring Racing Carnival, Dance said injury wasn't career threatening with the seven-year-old to be aimed at the Dubai World Cup meeting in March 2014.
"The injury had been coming along really good while he was on the treadmill but once we started riding him out over the last three or four weeks there was just a slight deterioration that was saying he's just not coping with that work at the minute.
"It was just decided in the best interests of everyone we'd be better off to back off him and get him ready for Dubai in March next year."
By Ben Asgari
12/8/2013 A fall and four winners for Nunes
Plucky jockey Manoel Nunes could not have bounced back from a race fall in Friday's last race at Kranji in more emphatic fashion when he rode the winners from the first four events of Sunday's meeting – three of which were New Zealand bred mounts.
After landing the first Leg of the double aboard favourite American Vision (Yes It's True) in a grinding blanket finish in the $35,000 Class 5 Division 1 race (1200m), Nunes again had to dig deep into his bag of tricks to steer Inspire (NZ) (Keeper) to a half-length victory from favourite Verglatica (Verglas) in the $65,000 Initiation race over 1700m.
He then had an easier time aboard his third Leg winner, the favourite Bourbon Goldman (NZ) (Gallant Guru) in the $55,000 Class 4 Division 2 race (1200m) who split the pack apart like a hot knife through butter to score by two lengths from the fast-finishing Green Tracer (Dane Shadow). Far from being done for the day, the hungry jockey won his fourth race aboard another favourite Dr Octopus (NZ) (Perfectly Ready) in the $65,000 Initiation race over 1000m.
Savouring his impressive haul, Nunes was, however, quick to acknowledge the fine line between tragedy and success in that peculiar job full of occupational hazards that a jockey has.
"I'm very lucky I did not get hurt last Friday. It was a very bad fall and unfortunately Santana broke three ribs," said Nunes.
"Things happened so quickly. I just saw Santana's horse fall over and mine could not avoid him and fell as well.
"I hit the ground pretty hard but got up okay. But the next day, I felt sore and I was not sure if I could ride on Sunday.
"Luckily, I am okay today and well, nothing like four winners to get me back in business!"
Inspire (inner) and Manoel Nunes capture the second at Kranji on Sunday
12/8/2013 Al Strada Hong Kong Bound
Promising three-year-old Al Strada (NZ) (Perfectly Ready) has been sold and will do his future racing from the Casper Fownes stable in Hong Kong.
Owned by trainer Jason Price and his wife, the son of Perfectly Ready won two of his five starts as a two-yearold while also securing Group One placings in both the Haunui Farm Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie and The Oaks Stud Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes at Awapuni in March.
Sold to Hong Kong interests shortly after his Awapuni run Al Strada has been back in work for around six weeks and will head to his new home in early September.
11/8/2013 Cavallo's consistency continues with strong win from new stable
Consistent galloper Cavallo adds another win to his record, this time for new trainer Sam Chua and apprentice jockey Pregasam Dellorto.
Singaporean trainer Sam Chua enjoyed a red-letter National Day when he brought home a hat-trick of wins on Friday, sealed by new stable transfer Cavallo (NZ) (Testa Rossa) in the 1000 metre S$75,000 Kranji Stakes C. Previously trained by Michael Freedman, Cavallo arrived in Chua's yard on the back of two consecutive seconds in April and June and duly obliged at his very first outing for his new handler.
Ridden by Chua's apprentice jockey Pregasam Dellorto, the four-year-old did not begin all that smartly from his inside gate, but quickly mustered speed to settle into a midfield spot on the fence, brushed off a slight check at the top of the straight before being peeled off across heels to set sail for the winning post.
Well ridden by Dellorto, Cavallo pulled away for a 1¼-length win in a useful Polytrack time of 59.01 seconds.
Chua said Cavallo was acquired by the Beverly Hill Stable from the Freedman yard through a private deal. "Some of the owners in Beverly Hill also have shares in Nandowra. The deal was to leave Nandowra with Michael and I got Cavallo," said Chua. "He came to us in good form and all I did was to just take over and maintain his form. Today, I told Dellorto to just take a sit if they go crazy in front and he listened to instructions.
"I'm still learning about the horse myself, but he's obviously got ability and I hope we can have more fun with him."
Dellorto said Cavallo was always travelling on the bit and when asked the question answered with a decisive turn of foot.
"He's definitely one of the better horses I've ridden here," said the Kuala Lumpur-born apprentice jockey. "Coming to the corner, he was checked, but luckily he recovered and once I pulled him out for a clear run he quickened very well.
I rode him hands and heels in the last bit as he was hanging in a little towards the end, but he did a good job to win the race."
A model of consistency, Cavallo has now brought his overall statistics to four wins and six placings from twelve runs for prizemoney edging close to the S$220,000 mark.
Race Singapore TC Kranji C S. 1000m
Winner Cavallo (NZ) 2009
Owners Beverly Hill Stable
Trainer Sam Chua (Kranji)
Breeding by Testa Rossa (Aus) out of Indovina (Aus) by
Elusive Quality (USA)
Breeder G Harvey
Sales 2011 Ready to Run Sale; V: Lyndhurst Farm, P:
Mr M Freedman & Mr M Wallace; $130,000
9/8/2013 Nunes to ride Speedy Cat
Speedy Cat will be ridden by Manoel Nunes in the Sgp3 S$200,000 Woodlands Handicap (1200m) at Kranji tonight
Manoel Nunes will ride the Alvin Tan-trained Speedy Cat (NZ) (Scaredee Cat) in the Sgp3 S$200,000 Woodlands Handicap (1200m) at Kranji on Friday.
There had been some confusion regarding the ride as it was originally reported that Nunes would ride Huka Falls (NZ) (Align) for Laurie Laxon, however Danny Beasley will ride Huka Falls.
Speedy Cat is the topweight in this evening's feature race and will carry 59kg, giving a minimum of 6.5kg away to his rivals. He comes into this race off a last start third placing behind Makkura (NZ) (Falkirk) in the Sgp3 Paititi Gold Trophy (1200m) on July 14.
"He is giving away quite a bit of weight to horses like Huka Falls, Valevole and Rapido Star and it's a concern to me that the other horses have such lightweights," said Tan.
"It is also tough carrying 59kg to win on the Polytrack and because of that I will be asking Nunes to try and ride him a bit closer to the speed with that weight as it will take away his speed at the finish."
Following Friday evening's race, Tan said he would look to the Sgp3 Jumbo Jet Trophy (1400m) on September 1 and further down the track aim at the Sgp1 Kranji Mile (1600m) on October 6.
"After Friday I think I will have to start looking for the setweights races for him," said Tan.
"The Jumbo Jet over 1400m could be a good option and I think the Kranji Mile could also be a good option.
By Scaredee Cat from Lane Cove, Speedy Cat has proven a good money spinner for Tan, returning more than $800,000 in prizemoney from his 21 starts.
Singapore Turf Club
5/8/2013 Force could still be Spring bound
Lethal Force (pictured winning the Darley July Cup)
Despite his defeat in France overnight, Melbourne trip still on the agenda for Lethal Force
Patinack Farm Classic possible Lethal Force was foiled in his bid for a third European Group 1 success as Moonlight Cloud landed a hat-trick of wins in the Prix Maurice de Gheest (1300m) atDeauvillein France on Sunday evening.
Trainer Clive Cox is still mulling over a trip to Melbourne for the Spring Racing Carnival with his speedy grey, who recently added to his Diamond Jubilee Stakes victory when making all in the Darley July Cup (1200m).
The four-year-old headed off to picturesque northernFrancein search of another top-flight success but his winning run came to an end at the hands of an outstanding mare.
Adam Kirby soon had Lethal Force bowling along in front in the 1300-metre event and slowly but surely the majority of those in behind started to crack.
However, Thierry Jarnet was always travelling comfortably on the victorious Freddy Head-trained five-year-old and she surged past Lethal Force in the closing stages for an impressive one-and-three-quarter-length victory.
Lethal Force was bidding to become the first British-trained sprinter since Dayjur in 1990 to win three successive Group 1 races, but that recent busy campaign may have taken its toll and even accounted for him uncharacteristically lugging to his right through the final 400 metres.
Cox said: "All credit to the winner. I am still very pleased with the performance of my horse and I was happy to bring him here after his July Cup win.
"He was in good form after that race but maybe he peaked that day and Adam felt he was flat compared to that day.
"It was run in a course record time and the ground was only just good so he's run a very brave race.
"At the end he was just beaten by a very good filly who was winning the race for the third time.
"As I have always said, we are taking it one race at a time and we will continue to do so. It is an honour to have been invited toAustraliabut it is an enormous ask for the horse and we will wait and see how he comes out of this before making plans."
Moonlight Cloud, who famously got closer to Black Caviar than any other horse in the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot, claimed the De Gheest for the third time, collecting a fourth Group 1 win having also landed the Prix du Moulin last September when she beat Godolphin's Farahh.
And she may try for anther win at that level next weekend with Head, who described Moonlight Cloud as 'the best mare in Europe', considering turning her out for the Prix Jacques le Marios when the likes of Intello and even Dawn Approach could be in opposition.
He commented: "She's a very special filly and that was one of her best performances. Hopefully this will leave her in the right place for next Sunday and the plan remains the same – to run the Marios."
Moonlight Cloud and Lethal Force pulled three-quarters-of-a-length clear of the staying-on Gordon Lord Byron and trainer Tom Hogan is eyeing a return toFranceon Arc weekend for a repeat win in the Prix de la Foret.
By Martin Kelly
5/8/2013 Orakei Korako scores on debut
Orakei Korako (outer) holds on to score a winning debut
Punters had their hearts in their mouth in the final stages of the $65,000 Initiation Stakes (Div. 1) over 1200m on the Polytrack on Sunday.
The favourite Orakei Korako (NZ) (Any Suggestion), ridden by Joao Moreira, had looked all set for a comfortable victory after heading the leader and rank outsider Black Bean (With Distinction) early in the straight.
After gaining a comfortable margin with 200m to run, Black Bean rallied and with every stride began to cut into Orakei Korako's lead and even just shy of the winning post looked to get his nose in front.
But Orakei Korako then rallied himself and on the line held a head margin over Black Bean. Silver Fly (Al Samer) was a further two-and-a-quarter lengths back in third place in a time of 1 min 12.74 secs.
Having his first start, Orakei Korako was purchased out of New Zealand by trainer Laurie Laxon for NZ$110,000 on the recommendation of Phil Cataldo who has been a regular contact for Laxon over his years as one of Singapore's best ever trainers.
"Phil Cataldo spotted him in New Zealand and suggested he might be a good horse for up here," said Laxon.
"I got him for $110,000 and have kept him for myself.
"I've had a lot of success with Phil over the years and hopefully this horse will be another one that will keep going forward.
"He's a big strong horse that will continue to improve as it was only his first race start today, although the time was a bit ordinary.
"I think what happened was when he got to the front he thought his work was done and he switched off, but he got there in the end and that's all that matters."
A four-year-old New Zealand-bred by Any Suggestion from Breaker Dawn, Orakei Korako picked-up almost $35,000 in prizemoney for Laxon's Silver Fern Racing Stables with his debut win on Sunday.
4/8/2013 Charger's record still perfect on the Polytrack at Kranji
Classy galloper Perfect Charger (NZ) (One Cool Cat) maintained a perfect record on the Polytrack when taking out the S$65,000 Graduation Stakes over 1100 metres at Singapore's Kranji racetrack on Friday night.
Sent out an odds-on favourite, Perfect Charger scored by 2¼ lengths from Captain Kirk (Falkirk) with Listen (Iffraaj) 1¼ lengths away third in an all Kiwi-bred finish.
Trainer Alvin Tan said he would keep Perfect Charger to the Polytrack for the time being after Friday night's victory made it three wins from as many starts on the surface.
"He's very much an up-and-coming horse and hopefully he will keep on improving and become a Group horse for my stable one day. I was quite impressed with the time he ran."
Jockey Oscar Chavez had been content to follow Captain Kirk into the straight before unleashing the four-year-old with his run and the gelding quickly put paid to the others.
With victory secured, Chavez allowed Perfect Charger to cruise over the final 50 metres, running a smart 1:04.64 for the journey.
"He jumped well but when Captain Kirk came across I was happy to let him cross me and to take the sit," said Chavez.
"He travelled so well throughout the race and pulled me into the race. When I asked him to sprint at the top of the straight he just took off. We went at a very easy gallop but he just made it look easy and I must say that he was much fitter for this race."
With this win, Perfect Charger has now topped the S$100,000 in prizemoney for connections Perfect Racing Stables.
Oscar Chavez has Perfect Charger under a tight hold as they pass the post clear winners
Race Singapore TC Graduation S. 1100m
Winner Perfect Charger (NZ) 2009
Owners Perfect Racing Stable
Trainer Alvin Tan (Kranji)
Breeding by One Cool Cat (USA) out of Dawninsky by
Stravinsky (USA)
Breeder Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan
Sales 2011 National Yearling Sale, Select Session; V:
Cambridge Stud, P: Asian World Racing Ltd;
3/8/2013 Panther strikes at Goodwood
Brown Panther races away to win the Goodwood Cup
English soccer star turns attention to the Melbourne Cup after Goodwood Cup glory
One horse considerably enhanced his Spring Carnival prospects at Glorious Goodwood - but it was not the one many expected.
While last year's Emirates Melbourne Cup fifth placegetter Mount Athos could only finish eighth of the 14 starters in the Group 2 Artemis Goodwood Cup (3200m), the Tom Dascombe-trained Brown Panther can now be aimed for Australia after a clear-cut success.
Brown Panther was bred, as well as part-owned, by legendary footballer Michael Owen and the England star was quick to map out future plans.
There have been disappointments along the way, but the galloper had started this season on a winning note at Pontefract and was trying 3200 metres for just the second time in his life.
He was kept close to the speed by Richard Kingscote and made a telling move at the 200 to clear three and a half lengths away from Ahzeemah and Altano.
"It's a real honour to win this. To breed the winner and, with the heritage of the race, it's fabulous," said Owen, who retired after the end of the last season after spells with the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester United.
"He's such a consistent horse and Richard has given him a great ride. We kept him near the lead just in case there was no pace and because he's packed with stamina.
"The plan was to come here, and as long as he didn't bomb out today, then go for the Irish St Leger and the Melbourne Cup.
"We thought about the Melbourne Cup last year and we were thinking about it again this year and there's no change this time around, we plan to do it.
"He's a relatively young horse who hasn't been over-raced so we are thinking about it."
While Saeed Bin Suroor's former Ascot Gold Cup winner Colour Vision was disappointing in seventh, he can look ahead towards the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury ((2,671m) with Ahzeemah.
German raider Altano came from a long way back for third, and Christa Germann, representing trainer Andreas Wohler, said: "We could go for the Prix du Cadran and the German St Leger four weeks later."
Undoubtedly the frustrating performance came from Luca Cumani's Mount Athos, who has the Melbourne Cup as his top priority.
He went off the 3-1 favourite but had a huge amount of ground to make up at on the final bend and there was not enough of a response even when Jamie Spencer angled him for a challenge. The jockey could not offer an excuse afterwards.
2/8/2013 Godolphin's Glorious Moment
Lost In The Moment
Seasoned Australian visitor heads proven Spring Racing Carnival pointer
There may not be any of Luca Cumani's Emirates Melbourne Cup prospects in the Coutts Glorious Stakes (2400m) this time around but at least one recognised Spring Carnival performer is in the line-up at Goodwood on Friday.
Cumani has collected the 2400-metre Group 3 three times in the past six years, including the last two with Drunken Sailor and My Quest For Peace, but his most notable winner was Purple Moon in 2007, who rolled on to a heart-breaking defeat by Efficient at Flemington that November.
The seasoned Australian visitor this time is Saeed Bin Suroor's Lost In the Moment, who was beaten just three lengths when sixth to Dunaden in the 2011 Cup.
He tried again last year but missed the cut and contested the Flemington consolation prize of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, finishing fifth.
Encouragingly for the now six-year-old entire is that he returned to British racing with a victory in the Listed Fred Archer Stakes (2400m) in late June, where he beat three rivals including this week's impressive Goodwood handicapper Harris Tweed.
Bin Suroor's Godolphin colleague, the recently promoted Charlie Appleby, is represented by the fascinating Masterstroke.
With Andre Fabre in France through last season, where he beat the subsequent Geelong Cup hero Gatewood with a three-year-old allowance at Deauville, Masterstroke's final outing was by some way his best as he took third in the European showpiece, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
"He picked up an injury after he had an accident in the stalls in Dubai," said Appleby. "It was a small setback but he's ready for a run now and we're looking at an autumn campaign for him."
Gatewood's former trainer John Gosden provides another of his notable owner-breeder George Strawbridge's gallopers, the sparingly-raced Aiken.
The son of Selkirk rose right through the ranks to a 2400-metre Group 2 at Chantilly last summer and stepped up to 3200m on his concluding outing when running European staying champion Rite Of Passage to a neck on British Champions Day at Ascot.
Forgotten Voice, who had been trained over hurdles by Nicky Henderson, made a stunning comeback on the level by taking the Wolferton Handicap (2000m) at Royal Ascot, where he beat one of David Simcock's two runners Sheikhzayedroad.
The Newmarket trainer has also declared Dr Marwan Koukash's Montaser, who could not back up his earlier York victory when fifth in the valuable John Smith's Silver Cup (2800m).
"I took Montaser out earlier in the week because of the ground and he'll need it to dry up," said Simcock.
"I'm not sure he truly stays a mile and three-quarters, so this trip should suit him better. He's in the Ebor, but I'm preferring Sheikhzayedroad for that, and this is his Ebor trial. He's in good form."
The talented but sometimes unruly Mijhaar represents his near-neighbour Roger Varian.
Spring hopefuls line up in Goodwood Cup
Group 2 event provides contest for Spring Racing Carnival hopefuls
Competition for Spring Racing Carnival places steps up a gear this week with the likes of Mount Athos, Brown Panther and Glen's Diamond lining up for the Artemis Goodwood Cup (0.15am, Friday).
Luca Cumani may rely on only Mount Athos in an attempt to break his Emirates Melbourne Cup drought and this Group 2 event represents the first time Dr Marwan Koukash's galloper has stepped up to 3200 metres since his running-on fifth at Flemington last November.
An impressive winner on comeback at Chester, he filled that same position last time at Royal Ascot in the Hardwicke Stakes (2400m) and will face a stern examination of his stamina here.
Trainer Tom Dascombe and owner and retired superstar footballer Michael Owen touted the Cup for Brown Panther last month and while the five-year-old is not the most consistent, he produced a pleasing performance on his seasonal return by defending a 2400-metre Listed race title at Pontefract Racecourse in Yorkshire.
The Clayton family and trainer Richard Fahey mentioned Australia after the gutsy victory of Glen's Diamond in the Yorkshire Cup (2800m), although the gelding could not back up over the same trip in the Curragh Cup, when hammered by Aidan O'Brien's Ernest Hemingway.
"I've had Melbourne in the back of my mind, but he'll need to bounce back from the Curragh," said Fahey.
"He has two ways of running, unfortunately. We saw the good Glen's Diamond at York, and the bad one at the Curragh."
A number of Europe's premier stayers are among the surprisingly large field of 14, including last year's winner Saddler's Rock.
The John Oxx representative was a distant eighth in the Ascot Gold Cup and will need to turn around form from the Royal meeting with Colour Vision (fourth) and Altano (fifth).
"The race was run to suit him in the Gold Cup but he ran a bit flat," said Oxx.
"He has had a good break so hopefully he can get back to his best at a track he likes."
Caucus was second to Estimate on his first start of the year at Ascot before Sir Michael Stoute's filly progressed to Gold Cup glory, and he gained his own victory in the Coral Marathon (3200m) at Sandown.
Along with last year's Gold Cup winner Colour Vision, Godolphin and Saeed Bin Suroor have a further two runners.
One will be familiar to Australian viewers in the veteran Cavalryman, who was 12th behind Green Moon.
A horse with one of the most well-used passports in racing, Cavalryman has performed respectably in several outings since returning from the Dubai Carnival.
Godolphin's third runner is Ahzeemah, beaten at far more favourable weights by Cavalryman back at Meydan, but well ahead of him at levels on his British return in the Princess Of Wales's Stakes (2400m) at Newmarket.
Marcus Tregoning has welcomed the rain falling at Goodwood at the start of the Glorious meeting for his old stager Askar Tau, last year's runner-up.
"It's going to be a right slog out there, but my horse seems to prefer softer ground as he gets older," he said.
The Goodwood Cup dates back to the early 1800s, and since the internationalisation of the Melbourne Cup, a handful of the best known northern hemisphere stayers have competed in both, such as Double Trigger, Yeats and Persian Punch.
31/7/2013 Glorious Goodwood on Sky Racing
Sky Racing is bringing all the racing action from arguably the world's most picturesque racecourse to Australian viewers this week with extensive Glorious Goodwood coverage.
Day 1 kicks off with live racing coverage on Tuesday 30 July on Sky Racing 1 and Sky Racing World from 10pm through to 3am. Coverage will then resume for days 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the carnival on Sky Racing 2 and Sky Racing World from 10pm – 3am each evening.
International racing expert Andrew Le Jeune will front the studio coverage. Martin Kelly will be trackside, bringing viewers mounting yard information and pre and post-race interviews.
Viewers can catch a review of the previous day's racing on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8.30am, Saturday at 7.30am and Sunday at 11.30am on Sky Racing World.
Sky Racing's Chief Operating Officer, Brendan Parnell said Australia's interest international racing continues to grow and is pleased to bring viewers the most extensive Goodwood coverage.
"The Australian racing industry continues to take great interest in English racing and our coverage from Glorious Goodwood is set to deliver great racing from one of the most picturesque racetracks in the world," Mr Parnell said.
Racing Round the World will also feature a special on Glorious Goodwood on Sky Racing World on Tuesday 6 August at 6.30pm.
31/7/2013 Grandeur heading for Arlington Million after big York run
The classy Grandeur, a battling runner-up to the smart Mukhadram at York in the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes, looks all set to return to a former happy hunting ground and head Stateside for a crack at the Arlington Million on August 17, writes Elliot Slater.
Jeremy Noseda's charge had been nicely backed in the racing live betting prior to the York contest and was sent off a 6/1 chance to lower the colours of the hot favourite. For a few moments inside the final quarter mile he looked as though he might well pull off a surprise, creeping into contention under the stands rail under Frankie Dettori while the main action was taking place in the centre of the course.
A fine piece of riding from Paul Hanagan though saw the Liverpudlian move Mukhadram across to eyeball Grandeur on the nearside, and once his mount realised he still had some running to do he stayed on well to get the better of the four-year-old by just three-quarters-of-a-length.
For Grandeur, on only his second spell back in action in Britain having been campaigned last term in the US under the guidance of Patrick Gallaher – for whom he landed the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup and the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita, sent off at the rewarding price of 53/10 in the horse racing betting on the latter outing – this was a big effort, and Noseda clearly feels he now has a sporting chance of landing the Arlington Million.
Explaining that he had chosen the two races in England specifically as warm-up for the feature US contest, Noseda added that in his opinion Grandeur had run the race of his life to be a close second at York to a very smart horse and he couldn't have been happier with the performance of the Yvonne Jacques-owned gelding.
29/7/2013 War Affair scores in juvenile feature
War Affair (rail) holds on to win the Sg3 Juvenile Championship
War Affair (NZ) (O'Reilly) cemented his status as Singapore's undisputed two-year-old champion after he landed Sunday's Group 3 Juvenile Championship (1200m) two months after he won the only
other juvenile feature at Kranji, the Group 2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe (1200m).
Despite resuming from a 72-day break after his resounding win in the last Leg of the Singapore Golden Horseshoe series on May 17 and running up against some of the finest two-year-olds (five last-start winners from the other seven), the New Zealand-bred by O'Reilly had garnered plenty of confidence in the market, being backed down to the very short odds of $7, especially with regular partner Joao Moreira up.
Though the result went to script, a weakening War Affair nearly saw his colours lowered by second favourite Desert Fox (Not A Single Doubt) who flew home late on the outside to, however, fall short by a head.
Probably a little on the underdone side after such a long spell, War Affair noticeably shortened strides in the final 100m after coming off a cosy trail in third on the fence to hit the front at the 400m.
Trainer Mark Walker was breathing a huge sigh of relief after the photo finish swung in his favour by a slender margin.
"After his last win, we have kept him fresh and he even trialled nicely two weeks ago," said the Kiwi mentor. "He might have switched off in the last bit. The second horse was coming pretty quickly, but luckily he held on.
"He's a typical New Zealand Horse who came to us from Karaka and it's David Ellis (Te Akau Racing supremo) who bought him.
"Whatever he did today, he will just keep improving as a racehorse. He's probably looking for 1400m or 1600m now."
War Affair has now recorded three wins from four starts for stakes earnings in excess of $330,000 for the Warplan Racing Stable.
29/7/2013 Gray has high hopes for Kate's Keeper
Kate's Keeper breaks maiden status at Kranji on Sunday
After finishing in the money at his first three placings, Kate's Keeper (NZ) (Keeper) broke his maiden status in the $65,000 Any Humour Restricted Maiden over 1200m on Sunday.
Ridden by Ivaldo Santana, Kate's Keeper scored by twoand- three-quarter lengths from Brahms And Liszt (NZ) (Coat's Choice) with Rock Show (Fastnet Rock) the same margin back in third place.
Trainer Stephen Gray has been having a quiet 2013 season and Kate's Keeper was his 17th winner of the season and just his third since April.
"The horses have been racing well but unfortunately there have been a lot of second placings along the way," said Gray.
"It's certainly good to get another winner on the board."
Gray believes Kate's Keeper will continue to develop and will appreciate getting out to a longer journey in time. "He's a pretty good horse," said Gray. "He'd drawn wide at his previous two starts and just had to work a bit early to get across. "We wanted to ride him a bit quieter today, but when we looked at the speed there didn't look to be any and that's when we decided to go forward.
"I think he'll be a better horse ridden behind the speed and allowed to finish off and he should develop into a lovely miler (1600m) to 2000m horse.
"It wasn't the strongest field today but it's certainly nice not to run second for a change."
Gray said Kate's Keeper was purchased out of New Zealand as a trial winner for St George Stable owner Paul Hickman who landed his second winner in a week following the victory of Kallisan (NZ) (Stratum) the previous Sunday.
"Paul's been a long time supporter of my stable," said Gray. "We bought this horse out of New Zealand as a trial winner and it's great to get another winner for him."
A three-year-old by Keeper from Stage Fright, Kate's Keeper took his prizemoney to around the $65,000 mark with his victory on Sunday from just four career starts.
29/7/2013 Just a natural born fighter
Natural Nice (middle) scores another game win by a narrow margin
Gutsy galloper Natural Nice (NZ) (Towkay) bounced back from his last-start defeat in the Group 3 Yew Tee Classic Stakes (1800m) to score in his usual last-stride fashion on Sunday.
The Towkay four-year-old looked tight for room at the 200m but under a persuasive ride by Joao Moreira, kept on between two runners to put his nose in front on the line and deny race-leader Petrenui (Bletchley Park)) a three-in-a-row in the $95,000 Top Spin 2008 Stakes Open Benchmark 83 race over 1200m.
The V-Day Stable-owned gelding was tested over more ground in the Yew Tee three weeks ago, but failed to stay to run sixth to Nandowra (NZ) (Savabeel), more than six lengths away.
With the benefit of hindsight, trainer Laurie Laxon decided to drop him back to something easier and shorter, and was spot-on in his judgment.
"It was probably a mistake to have raced him over 1800m,"
said the 1,003-time winning trainer, who is always first to point the finger at himself if he has erred.
"But you never know (how they will go) until you try. His pedigree suggests he is a sprinter anyway, and I will now keep him to sprints, not over 1400m.
"He sure knows where the winning post is. He never wins by a lot and he's done it again this afternoon."
Natural Nice has now registered seven wins from 26 starts, with the last four wins (including Sunday's) scored by combined margins not exceeding one length. His stakes
earnings have now edged close to the $360,000 mark.
28/7/2013 Laurie labels Daniel's debut as the best since Better Than Ever
Having discarded his goggles "to see how good he was", Joao Moreira coasts home on the low-flying Daniel.
Newcomer Daniel (NZ) (Guillotine) turned in the run of the night when he carved up the field to romp in by more than seven lengths in the S$65,000 Initiation over 1100 metres at Singapore's Kranji racetrack on Friday night.
Though the two-year-old had won one barrier trial, there was no real inkling in the pre-race talks he would be so dominant at his racing debut, though trainer Laurie Laxon was probably a bit more bullish than most.
"He won a nice barrier trial two weeks ago. I expected him to race well tonight," said the Kiwi handler.
"I did tell CK (owner Phua Chian Kin) he would run well and I hope he had a good bet. The last time I saw a first-timer win so easily was probably Better Than Ever," Laxon added, referencing one of his all-time greats.
Daniel was bred by Oscar Racing Stable supremo Phua, out of his Danasinga broodmare Tina. Phua and Laxon go back a long way – since Laxon's first Singapore winner Streisand in 2000 – and recently sealed their enduring partnership with Laxon's historical thousandth Singapore winner last Friday.
"I name my horses after famous actors and actresses and Daniel was named after Daniel Day-Lewis, who has won three Oscars for best actor," Phua said. "I hope the horse keeps on winning as well."
The way Daniel obliterated his rivals on Friday night can give owner and trainer reasons to hope there will be more to come.
Breaking from an outside gate, Daniel was sooled forward by Joao Moreira to take up a prominent spot early and it was mission accomplished fairly easily as the grey gelding found the rails after less than 200 metres to dictate the terms.
Moreira set a steady tempo before really upping the ante at the point of turn, where he lowered his goggles and let rip.
In the blink of an eye, Daniel cleared out to a big break before easing down to a 7¼-length win in a very smart 1:4.58, only 0.27 seconds outside the course record.
"I had eased down on him a hundred metres from the winning post and he still clocked a very good time," a clearly excited Moreira said. "This horse will definitely win more races.
"Laurie's Plan A was to sit third or fourth, because of his wide gate, but he got to the front so easily. I didn't want to get caught wide but even if he had not gone forward he would still have won.
"He was just enjoying himself being up there and was doing it ever so easily. When we got to the home turn, I pulled down my goggles as they got foggy and I wanted to see how good he was.
"He just changed strides by himself and was off and gone.
He's a very good horse and I sure would love to ride him again."
28/7/2013 Sand Lane flying in Singapore
Trainer Cliff Brown still pigeonholed progressive sort Sand Lane (NZ) (Sandtrap) as a "typical 1000 metre speed type" even after he raced away to score by a widening margin in the S$75,000 Kranji Stakes C over 1000 metres in Singapore on Friday. The four-year-old had the race all sewn up a long way out after he landed in front soon after the start to dictate his own terms to
the race. He did waver a little in the home straight, but jockey Joao Moreira kept punching him out to the line for an easy 3¼-length victory.
"He's just a 1000m horse. I won't push my luck at this stage," said Brown. "In saying this, I have to say he won very well tonight and I was pretty impressed with the way he hit the line. He seems to have really come together now and I think we'll have some more fun with this horse."
Moreira said his original intention was to take a sit but Sand Lane showed such blistering speed that he did not want to impede him. "He was so quick out of the gates, I had to let him go," said the Brazilian jockey. "This is a horse who will win more races here."
Out of the Lowell mare Tivoli Lane and a $20,000 buy at the Festival Session of the 2010 National Yearling Sale at Karaka, Sand Lane has now brought up his second win from seven starts for stakes earnings in excess of S$110,000 for owners, the Sand Lane Stable.
Race Singapore TC Initiation P. 1100m
Winner Daniel (NZ) 2010
Owners Oscar Racing Stable
Trainer Laurie Laxon (Kranji)
Breeding by Guillotine out of Tina by Danasinga (Aus)
Breeder C K Phua
27/7/2013 Spring Racing Carnival contenders in action abroad
The countdown to the Spring Racing Carnival continues both locally and abroad, with two UK races this weekend that could have a significant bearing on who arrives in Melbourne later this year.
The highlight of the international action is the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2400m) at Ascot on Saturday night (AET).
Headed by French hero Cirrus Des Aigles, the race features the reappearance of Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux who is being prepared for his third straight Spring Racing Carnival appearance.
The Group 2 York Stakes (2000m) is the other must watch race with Cox Plate invitee The Apache, clashing with rising star Mukahadram who has shot into Cox Plate calculations this season.
Following are the Australian broadcast times for the two races, together with comments from Racing Victoria's International Recruitment Officer, Leigh Jordon, on who to watch from a Spring Carnival viewpoint;
- York (UK) – G2 York Stakes (2080m) – Broadcast live on SKY 2 & SKY Racing World at 12.30am (AET) Sunday morning
Leigh Jordon's Comment – Afsare ran second in this race last year and then made the trip to Australia for the Cox Plate but was unfortunately injured and unable to take his place in the field. This year's running is a strong edition of the race. The Mike de Kock-trained The Apache is a Cox Plate invitee and hasn't started since the Dubai Duty Free in March so it will be interesting to see how he has progressed. Mukhadram is Group 1 placed at his last two, has a high cruising speed and can kick strongly off a turn. For mine he would be an ideal Cox Plate horse so we're watching him closely.
- Ascot (UK) – G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2400m) – Broadcast live on SKY 2 & SKY Racing World at 12.50am (AET) Sunday morning
Leigh Jordon's Comment - This is a top quality Group 1 event as evidenced by last year's win of Prix de l'Arc de Triopmhe champion Danedream. Cirrus des Aigles is the favourite, but I'll be watching Red Cadeaux, who is the outsider of the field, ahead of his return to Melbourne, possibly for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. Another interesting runner is Sheema Classic placegetter Very Nice Name as his connections have shown some interest in coming to Melbourne. Princess of Wales Stakes winner Universal could be a Spring contender and is another to watch closely.
26/7/2013 Two-Year-Old honours on the line
The Mark Walker-trained War Affair (NZ) (O'Reilly) can assure himself of Champion Two-Year-Old honours with victory in the Sgp3 S$200,000 Juvenile Championship (1200m) on Sunday.
War Affair showed his class when successful in the Sgp2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe (1200m) on May 17 before going for a break.
The son of O'Reilly has had just three starts, winning his last two in impressive fashion.
He will have the services of champion jockey Joao Moreira on Sunday.
War Affair showed continued improvement at his initial campaign. After a debut fourth – where he made a stack of ground to finish fourth behind Peace No War (War Pass) over 1200m on April 21 – he came out and won over 1200m on May 3 from Bringithome (Lucky Owners).
It was then on to the Aushorse Golden Horseshoe where he toyed with his rivals, scoring a two length victory on May 17 and in the process broke the 1 min 10 sec barrier for the victory.
Walker gave the two-year-old a freshen up following that win and the gelding was seen on the track when finishing third behind Yin Jie (NZ) (Gold Centre) in a 1000m barrier trial on July 16.
"We sent him up the hill to the resting stables for three weeks after his win in the Golden Horseshoe," said Walker.
"He had a nice quiet trial last week with Joao on him. He's not a horse that you have to do a lot with as he's a cleanwinded sort of horse.
"The small field (there are just nine nominations) will also suit him. There was a full field of 16 in the Golden Horseshoe and he was good winning that.
"This is better for him with the small field and he seems very well within himself."
The New Zealand-bred two-year-old has already topped the S$226,000 mark in prizemoney from his three race starts for Warplan Racing Stable with the promise of more to come.
Singapore Turf Club
War Affair could seal Champion Two-Year-Old honours this Sunday in Singapore
26/7/2013 Better Than Ever Retired
High-class galloper Better Than Ever (French Deputy) has been retired
Te Akau principal David Ellis has announced the retirement of top-class international performer Better Than Ever (French Deputy).
A star in Singapore, the son of French Deputy was awarded both the Champion Three and Four-Year-Old titles after winning his first 12 races when prepared by Laurie Laxon.
Transferred to the care of Jason Bridgman following a bleeding attack in May last year, Better Than Ever was placed at Group One level on two occasions and went out on a winning note with a resounding victory in the Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m).
Bred by the Bax family's Blandford Lodge, Better Than Ever established a record of 17 wins from 31 starts for stakes earnings of NZ$3.1 million. In Singapore, he recorded four Group One wins: Kranji Mile (1600m) twice, Raffles Cup (1800m), and Patron's Bowl (2200m), one Group Two, and seven Group Three.
Returned to work with a spring preparation in mind, a decision was made to retire the horse sound following routine X-rays.
"The wear and tear of racing at the elite level has seen him at a point now where there is a high risk of injury and given the risk factor it was decided, in the best interests of the horse, to retire him," Bridgman said.
"He is happy and sound, but it is saddening that we see the end to the career of this terrific horse."
Arc on the radar after Chicquita wins classic
- Date July 22, 2013
London. Talented but wayward filly Chicquita has given her Australian owner Paul Makin victory in the Irish Oaks despite a dramatic sideways shift inside the final stages of the classic.
A maiden before Saturday, the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained Chicquita would have been an easy winner at Saint-Cloud in May but for hanging badly before colliding with a hedge and falling.
She was also awkward when second in the Prix de Diane at her last start and gave Johnny Murtagh plenty to think about at The Curragh, finishing virtually on the stands side.
Her drift started at the 200m mark but such was her turn of foot she was still able to prevail in a blanket finish from Venus De Milo, despite crossing in front of her close to home.
A stewards' inquiry was called after the half-length success but the placings remained unaltered.
''It is quite different to my last winner of this race, Shawanda, because she was unbeaten and this one, she had never won before,'' said de Royer-Dupre, the French trainer who prepared Americain to win the 2010 Melbourne Cup.
''Her temperament is very interesting because she is very quiet in training, she never does anything wrong and in the afternoon sometimes she goes to the left and she wants to come back too early, she is quite tricky to ride in a race.
''Johnny Murtagh did well as she is not easy to ride. He got her relaxed and I told him when he asked her, to do it gently and not to surprise her. She's a great filly, she is the best filly I have in my yard. That's why I decided after she fell back in Saint-Cloud to go straight away to the Prix de Diane because I know she has talent.
''I'll never know why she flew into the hedge at Saint-Cloud that day, I think she wanted to come home too early. She will probably go now for the Prix Vermeille and then maybe the Arc.''
Makin has enjoyed European group 1 success in the past with 2004 Australian Derby winner Starcraft, which won the 2005 Prix Du Moulon at Longchamp before beating Dubawi in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Newmarket.
Starcraft now stands at Scone's Arrowfield Stud.
22/7/2013 Rusty keeps the Brown colours flying
Rusty Brown is home for his group of dedicated owners
The Men in Brown were out cheering at the winner's circle again on Sunday, except it was not Ronnie Brown who had saluted, but a second purchase of theirs, Rusty Brown (NZ) (Darci Brahma), who scored second-up in the $65,000 Open race for Two-Year-Olds over 1200m.
Racing under the Mummify Stable, the group of expatriate racing enthusiasts turned heads with their brown jackets complete with hats whenever Ronnie Brown (NZ) (Darci Brahma) ran, win or lose. The same dress code was of course in order on Sunday as Rusty Brown, who ran third at his debut in a 1100m race two weeks ago, came off a one-out one-back position to score by half-a-length from Rikioh (Due Sasso) with Fantastic News (Publishing) third another 1 ½ lengths away.
Besides both having Michael Freedman as their trainer, Rusty Brown shared another similarity with Ronnie Brown on the breeding side, but Freedman pointed out it was more of a coincidence that both "Browns" are by popular New Zealand stallion Darci Brahma.
"It was more of a coincidence he was by Darci Brahma as well," said Freedman. "It's actually the dam side that drew my attention as the mare Lacango was trained by my brother Lee in Melbourne.
"I saw him at the breeze-ups in New Zealand and he really caught my eye. He had a very nice action.
"The boys told me to just buy a second horse for them without specifying the sire. But obviously, they must be pleased having another Darci Brahma after the success they enjoyed with Ronnie Brown."
From 12 starts, Ronnie Brown, who is a three-year-old, has won five races and has been placed three times for a handy prizemoney record in excess of $240,000.
Their new ward is only at his first win paycheque, but from the way he hit the line strongly, Freedman was confident the owners would have a lot of fun with him as well.
"Ronnie Brown was a speed type, but I think this one can be stretched over further as Lacango was a city performer over 1400m (one win) and 1600m from memory," said Freedman.
"He got a little held up at the top of the straight, but he then let down really well in the home straight. There is definitely plenty of scope about him."
Freedman said that first run under the belt had done a power of good to Rusty Brown, his 39th winner for the year.
22/7/2013 Te Akau's Mark Walker hits 1000 career wins
Te Akau Singapore trainer Mark Walker celebrated a career milestone on Sunday at Kranji when his 1000th winner saluted the judge.
It was appropriate too that the milestone was set through the win by a One Cool Cat gelding named My Tricia (NZ), who was bought for a Singapore client from the Karaka Sale by Te Akau Principal David Ellis Ridden by Shafiq Rizuan, My Tricia scored by a neck from Lucky Lion (Lion Heart) with Sacred General (General Nediym) a length-and-three-quarters back in third place.
My Tricia was having only his seventh start on Sunday and Walker said maturity was what had been holding the gelding back in the early stage of his career.
"This horse is getting stronger now," said Walker. "I know this horses family well and a lot of them don't come good until they are four, five or six-year-olds.
"This horse will keep improving with age and maturity and he's also just starting to come right."
Walker had considerable success in New Zealand and Australia before moving to Singapore at the end of 2010 and that success has continued as he currently heads the Trainers
Premiership Table with 43 winners so far in 2013.
"It's been a long time coming," said Walker of his career milestone. "It's a certainly a great thrill to get that number of wins under the belt."
Named New Zealand Trainer of the Year on four occasions, and winning five New Zealand Trainers' Premierships, Walker recorded a number of elite level successes in during his time
with Te Akau in New Zealand. This included breaking the long standing record of training wins in a season held by Dave and Paul O'Sullivan amongst the numerous records he set during
his New Zealand training career.
Walker relocated to Singapore in 2010 to establish Te Akau Singapore together with David Ellis – and hasn't looked back.
He burst out of the blocks in the early stages of the 2013 season before the winners have slowed up in recent weeks.
"A lot of the horses are probably half-a-grade too high," said Walker. "They are slowly coming back to be at a competitive stage and hopefully there might be a few more winners coming up."
My Tricia provided Mark Walker with his 1000th training success
Good Baby romps home in Malaysian Group One
Tuesday, 16 July, 2013
Star Malaysian galloper Good Baby added another feature race win to his outstanding record on Sunday when he demoralised his rivals in the Group One Sprint Trophy (1400m).
Wide and midfield during the early and middle stages of the race, Good Baby unleashed a powerful sustained burst from the 400 metre mark to race away and beat his rivals by four length.
The win was the fourth at black type level among 10 victories from 24 starts and earnings of over Rgt1.8 millon (approx. A$570,000).
Prepared by Kevin Coetzee, Good Baby was full of running to the line and when he flashed past the post he held a four length margin over King Empire, while stablemate Good Sight was doing his best work late under Noel Callow to grab third, a further half length back.
A son of Cornerstone Stud based sire success Hussonet, Good Baby is raced by Richard Beh's Golden Knight Stable.
He is one of the nation's best horses with big race wins already in the Selangor Gold Cup, Malaysian Magic Millions Classic and Sultan Gold Vase.
"Mr Beh has been a long time client of ours and we're delighted that Good Baby has won another Group One for him," Magic Millions Sales Director David Chester said.
"It is great to see that Good Baby has continued the great record of Malaysian Magic Millions Classic winners by racing on with great distinction at the highest level."
"It was also great to see that King Empire, a son of Minardi, ran second. He was purchased for just $6,000 from our National Horses in Training Sale on the Gold Coast," Chester added.
A graduate of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where offered by Robyn Wise, Good Baby was originally purchased by Blue Sky Thoroughbreds for $110,000 at the National Weanling Sale.
He is one of four winners produced by the five time winning Danehill mare Secret Haze - a mare whose five wins all came on metropolitan tracks in either Melbourne or Adelaide for Swettenham Stud.
Secret Haze, a winner at distances up to 1500 metres, is a three quarter sister to stakes winning sire Springsteen and the stakes producer Email Me (dam of Latin News).
She is also a half sister to the Group Three winner Voodoo Beat and hails from the family of Golden Slipper winner Marauding and Tasmanian Magic Millions Classic winner Triple Asset.
Photos courtesy of Penang Turf Club.
15/7/2013 Weight edge pays off for Makkura
Makkura takes out the Paititi Gold Trophy in brilliant style
A big pull in the weights paved the way to victory for Makkura (NZ) (Falkirk) in the Gr. 3 $200,000 Paititi Gold Trophy over 1200m on Sunday.
Ridden by Saifudin Ismail, Makkura scored by a lengthand- three-quarters from Mr Big (Elusive Quality) with Speedy Cat (NZ) (Scaredee Cat) a neck away third.
Weighted at just 50kg, Makkura was in receipt of 9kg from the gallant runner-up who tried his heart out after racing on a hot speed.
The 1200m journey was run in 1 min 08.85 secs.
The victory was a welcome change of luck for Saifudin who had been sidelined through the 2013 season with a series of suspensions and injuries.
He said he got a big surprise when he received a phone call from Laurie Laxon's assistant-trainer Shane Ellis on Monday afternoon offering him the ride.
"I've only ridden for about four months this year," said Saifudin. "I've had time out with suspensions and injuries so this win is a big thrill.
"It was a big surprise to get the call on Monday after the handicaps came out to see if I wanted to take the ride.
"I have to thank Laurie for giving me the opportunity to ride this mare. I rode her on Tuesday morning and she gave me a really good feel and I was confident in the race where we were."
Laxon said Makkura was a versatile mare that handles both the turf and the Polytrack and is also at home over a mixture of distances.
"She broke very well today and was always travelling, much better than what she was last time," said Laxon.
"She had the lightweight today and Saifudin gave her the perfect ride.
"She's also very versatile, having proven herself on the turf and the Polytrack but she's also very moody. She has to go out onto the track first as she plays up in the parade ring and
might hurt herself one-day, but once she gets to the tunnel she's OK.
"We'll probably look at running her over 1400m in a fortnight's time. Barend Vorster who has ridden her of late thinks the 1400m trip will suit her."
After winning her first start in New Zealand, Makkura, a five-year-old by Falkirk from Electric Dream, has won eight of her 18 starts in Singapore with a further eight minor placings
and has accumulated around $500,000 in prizemoney for her owners, Toast Trust No 27 and Stephen Crutchley Stable.
15/7/2013 Just For J causes a boilover on debut
Just For J caused a massive boilover on debut
Debutant galloper Just For J (NZ) (Falkirk) caused a boilover when he took out the $65,000 Hello Poland Stakes, a restricted maiden over 1200m on Sunday.
Ridden by Alan Ng, Just For J returned a win dividend of $618 in scoring a two-and-a-quarter length victory from another debutant Bangladesh Tiger (Sebring) with Blossoms Sequel (Royal Academy), another first starter, a length-andthree- quarters away in third place.
Jumping smartly from barrier four, Ng took Just For J to the head of affairs where he stacked the field up until the hometurn. After balancing for home Ng asked Just For J to quicken and that he did in the fashion of a smart horse, making a lie of his starting price.
Trainer David Kok revealed the New Zealand-bred gelding had spent the best part of 12 months standing in his box at the stable overcoming a nagging foot problem.
Just For J trialed in preparation for a racecourse debut in June 2012 but didn't reappear at the trials until June 26 this year, finishing in third position over 1000m.
Kok was surprised with the victory of Just For J but also added the gelding had a lot of potential.
"He's stayed in his box for around 12 months," said Kok."He had a hoof problem, a soft foot, and we couldn't do anything with him.
"He had always shown us plenty of ability and that is why I have been so patient with him.
"When he finally got over his problem we started work on him slowly. We started him walking then eventually got him to track, to the trials and now to the races.
"It is a lucky win and a big surprise but it is good for the owner who has been very patient with this horse."
A rising four-year-old, Just For J is by Falkirk from Dubai Century and is raced by the Spade Stable.
Shamexpress's July Cup bid fails
- Date July 14, 2013 - 7:45AM
Australian sprinter Shamexpress's bid to become the first southern hemisphere trained sprinter to win Europe's top short course race, the July Cup, foundered in sweltering conditions at Newmarket when Danny O'Brien's colt finished seventh of 11 behind all the way winner Lethal Force.
Shamexpress, ridden by Derby winning French jockey Mickael Barzelona, raced in mid division but found little when asked for his effort on the undulating 1200 metre course with a stiff uphill finish.
He eventually came home five lengths adrift of the winner, who set a new track record on ground officially described as good to firm.
The Australian sprinters, often so dominant in their northern hemisphere raids, have thus drawn a blank this year.
Shamexpress also finished out of the frame in the Kings Stand Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot in June, while the John O'Shea trained mare Sea Siren was unplaced in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at the Royal meeting, a race also won, co-incidentally, by Lethal Force.
O'Brien is due back in Australia early Monday morning, but despite his lack of success with a horse who is still a three year old to southern hemisphere time the Flemington based handler has not been deterred from trying again.
''The jockey felt on a flat track he probably finishes the race off and puts himself right in the finish, but just that rise over the last 100 is obviously pretty tough.
''We always knew to come here as a three year old with the jump in weights he was going to have step up a bit. They are very hard races to win. You have got to go somewhere with them, and it was either this or Queensland and I have certainly got no real dramas about coming here.
''He will have a break here, go back into work at Newmarket, then travel out with the Cups horses and be ready for Melbourne Cup week for the sprints there. I am more than happy to have come here.''
12/7/2013 Dan not the man for Newmarket
Dandino was impressive at Royal Ascot when runner-up behind Thomas Chippendale in the Hardwicke Stakes
Australian-owned stayer Dandino opts for American St Leger over Newmarket feature as Spring Carnival warm-up
Newmarket's Princess Of Wales's Stakes was robbed of some of its Australian interest with the defection of Melbourne-bound Dandino but a tight field of seven now face the starter for the 2400-metre Group 2 prize.
Broadcast live on Sky Racing at 11.40pm (AET), the race was won last year by Fiorente, who went to finish an excellent runner-up in the Emirates Melbourne Cup on debut for Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse.
Dandino, who is owned by Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, was second to the ill-fated Thomas Chippendale in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes (2400m) at last month's Royal Ascot Carnival and trainer Marco Botti is aiming him for the American St Leger (2700m) at Arlington on 17 August.
"He's still bouncing after Ascot but the Arlington race is worth a lot of money and we'll keep him for that," Botti said.
"The Melbourne Cup has always been the big aim and Arlington fits well into his schedule."
Mark Johnston's Universal, who has proved himself a tough character in a busy campaign, heads some markets.
A winner of several 2400m Group races already this season, he took third in the Hardwicke and Johnston says "he has never been in better form".
Danadana, who represents regular Melbourne visitor Luca Cumani, has been competing over 2000 metres this season.
While he won the Group 3 Huxley Stakes at Chester, he appeared to suffer on softer ground when trying to back up at Sandown.
Cumani said: "Fast ground will be in his favour and while he's stepping up to a mile and a half, he seems like he'll get the trip."
Lady Cecil's Wild Coco looked a staying filly with a very bright future last season, particularly in the Park Hill Stakes (3000m) at Doncaster last September but she has already been ruled out of engagements this summer due to quick tracks and it may be the case again here.
Godolphin run both 2012 Spring Carnival raider Cavalryman and the progressive Ahzeemah, first and second in the Dubai Gold Cup (3200m) back at Meydan in March while the seasoned traveller Wigmore Hall, who is likely to head back to America and Canada over the next couple of months, reappears after a break with a rare British start.
He was third to Universal in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes (2400m) but jockey Jamie Spencer pointed out: "He'll have his race here, he hasn't got a Group One penalty, so that makes it a good bit easier.
"It doesn't look the strongest race so he has a chance as long as he's fit enough to do himself justice."
Grandeur, who rose through the ranks for Jeremy Noseda last year and had a successful spell in America culminating in success in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup in December, has returned to his former trainer and makes his comeback here.
12/7/2013 McDonald to ride in Singapore
Globetrotting kiwi jockey James McDonald will ride on Singapore Derby day at Kranji this Sunday.
McDonald has been engaged for nine of the eleven races on the card and will ride Feisty Leo (Blackfriars) for trainer Mark Walker in the Sgp1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m).
Elusive City gelding City Lad (NZ), trained by Desmond Koh, looks to be the best NZ-bred chance in the Derby this year with Singapore Gold Cup winning mare Better Life (Smaty Jones) considered the horse to beat.
McDonald will be visiting Kranji for a sixth time, having flown in mostly as a guest rider on short-term stays, with his latest invitation coming as recently as May on Singapore Airlines International Cup night.
10/7/2013 Shamexpress seat filled
New rider found – again – for Australia's July Cup hope
Mickael Barzalona will ride Australian sprinter Shamexpress in Saturday's Darley July Cup (1200m) at Newmarket.
The classy colt's trainer Danny O'Brien confirmed this morning that the Godolphin stable jockey had been secured for the ride and the Frenchman would acquaint himself with the three-year-old tomorrow morning UK time.
"Mickael Barzalona will ride Shamexpress in a gallop on the July course on Tuesday morning and take the ride on Saturday in the July Cup," O'Brien tweeted.
O'Brien was forced to look for a new rider for the Newmarket Handicap winner after Craig Newitt, who partnered the son of O'Reilly into ninth place behind Sole Power in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, advised he would be staying in Australia this weekend.
O'Brien thought he had found his man when Richard Hughes was booked for the ride, but the star local then jumped off to take the ride on the Clive Cox-trained Reckless Abandon.
The July Cup, which was won by Starspangledbanner in 2010, is the final British leg of this year's Global Sprint Challenge and will be run in the early hours of Sunday morning Melbourne time.
By Brad Bishop
8/7/2013 Red Beard keeps growing back in strength
Smart galloper Red Beard (NZ) (Zenno Rob Roy) confirmed his recent revival with an impressive winning display in the $125,000 Open race over 1400m on Sunday.
A progressive sort whose form went on the wane after running last in the Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) last year, he suddenly got a new spark for racing since moving to trainer Shane Baertschiger last April.
After running a first-up fourth to Masthead over a trip not made to suit on Singapore Airlines International Cup night on May 19, Red Beard did not take long to frank that rejuvenated form with a win as the $14 favourite in a Kranji Stakes.
Again ridden by Corey Brown in Sunday's event, the five-year-old son of Zenno Rob Roy started as the top elect, but was this time more overwhelmingly backed down to the short odds of $8 in the small six-horse field, and duly lived up to the tag.
Baertschiger said he went into the race with a very flexible plan given the small size of the field.
"With the small field, we knew it would be very tactical.
I wasn't sure who would lead, but if nobody was keen, we would have been happy to lead," said Baertschiger.
"But as it turned out, we were quite happy to sit on the leader Rapido Star. I would have probably preferred to sit a bit more quiet at the back as is his normal pattern, but he was travelling relaxed for Corey.
"He probably hit the front early, but he hit the line good and won a nice race.
"I haven't picked out any specific race. I'll just take it as they come, more so when it will be all Polytrack races in August. I'll probably wait for September to bring him back."
Owned by the Auric Stable, Red Beard has now amassed stakes money in excess of $420,000 from his record of eight wins and two placings from 16 runs. Prior to his two wins under Baertschiger, his six previous wins were recorded when he was under the care of trainer Bruce Marsh.
Red Beard scores his eighth career win in the hands of Corey Brown
8/7/2013 Got Luck does it tougher this time
Got Luck makes it two from two at Kranji
It was a lot tougher second time around but Got Luck (NZ) (Danroad) recorded back-to-back victories when successful in the $55,000 Class 4 Div. 1 Stakes over 1000m on the Polytrack at Kranji on Sunday.
Ridden by Oscar Chavez, Got Luck scored by a length from Smart Samurai (Haradasun) with Volkov (Bletchley Park) a length-and-three-quarters back in third place.
Got Luck had made a huge impression with his debut victory on June 16 when successful in an 1100m Initiation Stakes when he was throttled down to win by three lengths after leading throughout.
Trainer Alvin Tan said he felt there was extra pressure leading into Sunday's race as the contest was a tougher test than his debut victory.
"He was eased down in his last 200m last time but he had to do it a lot tougher today," said Tan.
"There was extra pressure today. This was certainly a tougher race than what he raced in last time and I said to the owners before the race that I thought he was well up to it.
"I think in time that this horse is capable of winning a Group race. I think he's a similar sort of horse as Perfect Charger (NZ) (One Cool Cat) but still needs to learn how to race.
"I will keep him over the shorter distances at the moment as he is very fast and can sprint, but he's also still green as he showed today."
Purchased out of New Zealand as a trial winner, Tan said he had trouble selling Got Luck when he arrived in Singapore.
"It took me about a month to sell him," said Tan. "Luckily for the owner he has won his two starts and hopefully there are more to come."
A New Zealand-bred three-year-old by Danroad from Malika, Got Luck has won around $65,000 for connections– Eight Eight One Stable.
8/7/2013 Perfect Plan victorious at second outing
Perfect Plan (NZ) (Captain Rio) made light of his wide draw, greenness and a history of shin soreness to score his maiden win at his second start on Sunday.
Well ridden by jockey Corey Brown, the New Zealand-bred gelding by Captain Rio jumped smartly from his outermost alley in the 10-horse field of the $65,000 Initiation race over
1100m on Polytrack before taking a sit outside Gangnam Style (NZ) (Rusty Spur) with the rest of the field fairly well strung out.
Though still very gangly in his action, Perfect Plan kept up a solid gallop before hitting the front upon straightening up, but started to drift out wide under pressure. Better-fancied
stablemate Dr Octopus (NZ) (Perfectly Ready) looked like he could capitalise on that waywardness as he ran on strongly through the wide-open passage on the inside, but Perfect
Plan had saved enough petrol in the reserve tank to hold on by one length.
Winning trainer Mark Walker was certainly encouraged by the way the Warplan Racing (who also races his top juvenile War Affair) owned gelding has opened his account after being
beset by his leg issues.
"He's been shin-sore a few times and that's why we've just been hanging out a bit with him," said the Kiwi handler.
"He's still green but he certainly has got some potential.
He still needs more time as he's a big strong sort of a horse, which can be a problem with his shin soreness.
"He was drawn on the outside and still did a bit wrong, but he's got potential and won well in the end."
Brown agreed that Perfect Plan has plenty of upside going forward.
"I was told he was heavy on his shins. The more I tried to steer him in a straight line, the more he rolled out," said Brown.
"In the home straight, he just kept drifting out wide. My arms were dead, I couldn't keep him straight anymore.
"But he's got lots of upside to him. He's only lightly-raced and once he puts it together, he'll be a much better horse."
Prior to his maiden success, Perfect Plan had only one start under the belt, in a 1000m Initiation race last April when he ran fifth to Smart Samurai.
Perfect Plan is out wide but home for his maiden victory
7/7/2013 Nandowra slams jockey, blows start - but still gets stakes win
After a length of the home straight battle, Nandowra (nearest camera) gets the better of fellow Kiwi-bred Ready To Strike in Singapore's Yew Tee Classic Stakes on Friday night.
Consistent galloper Nandowra (NZ) (Savabeel) overcame a less than perfect start to go on and score a narrow win in Friday night's S$150,000 Sgp-Group Three Yew Tee Classic Stakes at Singapore's Kranji racetrack to give trainer Michael Freedman something to cheer about following the untimely loss to injury of his stable star Super Easy this week.
But from the way the race got underway, it looked as if Freedman would have to wait for another occasion to get his yard back on track.
A very honest sort with a solid record of eight wins from 27 runs, second favourite Nandowra seemed to have blown his chances when he shanghaied out of the gates, unbalancing his rider Manoel Nunes for a number of strides.
Fortunately, Nunes quickly regained control to sit outside the Laurie Laxon-trained, Alan Munro-ridden favourite Ready To Strike (NZ) (Colombia), who had used the inside gate to take
the early lead in the 1800 metre event.
The pair remained in that order till the top of the straight where both Munro and Nunes gave their mounts their heads.
With both horses well renowned for their tough-as-nails tenacity, they unsurprisingly did not give each other an inch inside the final furlong as they waged a titanic battle, Nandowra eventually finding more to earn the verdict by a head.
Freedman described Nandowra as a bulldog who never shirks a fight, and said he was glad he had secured another feature race after landing the Polytrack Mile Championship in March, especially at a time when the stable needed it the most.
"The stable was dejected after losing our number one horse last Sunday, but this win will be a nice tonic," said Freedman.
"The thing about this horse is he never wins by big margins and he's done it again. He always waits for the other horses and seems to like getting down to a bit of a scrap.
"He's very competitive in this type of race. I'll probably give him a freshen and look for a similar weight-for-age race over 1600 or 1800 metres later in the year."
Nunes thought he was in deep trouble when his shoulder was slammed against the barrier gate during the awkward start.
"For some reason, he jumped straight to the outside and my right shoulder hit the side of the gates," he said. "I almost lost my foot from the stirrups and I was also grabbing his neck to not fall over.
"Alan's horse was the one to beat and I was happy to stay close to him. In the home straight, I went with him when he quickened and it was just a matter of wearing him down right on the line."
Nandowra has now chalked up nine wins from 28 starts to bring up his stakes earnings past the S$620,000 mark for the Results Stable, better known for winning the Longines Singapore Gold Cup with Risky Business in 2010.
Race Singapore TC Yew Tee Classic Sgp-3 1800m
Winner Nandowra (NZ) 2007
Owners Results Stable
Trainer Michael Freedman (Kranji)
Breeding by Savabeel (Aus) out of Fabaz by O'Reilly
Breeder G J Chittick
Sales 2009 NZ National Yearling Sale, Premier
Session; V: Waikato Stud Ltd, P: Mr P Moody;
7/7/2013 Mulan home in tight finish
A fast pace and a drop in distance saw five-year-old mare Mulan (NZ) (Savabeel) back in the winner's circle in the S$75,000 Open Benchmark 74 Stakes at Kranji on Friday night, scoring a short-head victory from Savannah Dancer (NZ) (Savabeel) in a smart 1:09.71 for the 1200 metre journey.
"She's getting a bit older now and back to the 1200 metres helps her," said winning trainer Hideyuki Takaoka. "She had a good draw and was able to save ground on the rails. She can be very moody but tonight she was switched on and concentrated."
Jockey Alan Munro said Mulan was a determined mare who digs deep in her races and often wins in tight finishes. "She travelled really well and finished the race off good," he said. "The fast pace tonight really suited her. She has a bit of a habit of winning tight finishes and she proved that again tonight."
Mulan has won six of her 33 starts and with eight minor placings has edged her way close to S$300,000 in earnings.
5/7/2013 Shamexpress pleases in gallop
The Danny O'Brien-trained New Zealand-bred colt Shamexpress (NZ) (O'Reilly) has had a work-out at Newmarket ahead of his tilt at the Gr.1 Darley July Cup on Saturday week.
The son of O'Reilly was ridden by regular rider Paul Koumis, who reported that the horse had handled the undulating course well.
"He worked terrific and I'm very pleased with him. He handled the track really well and had no problem with the undulations," Koumis said.
"He has come on from Royal Ascot. We missed four or five days with him when he first came over and he ran a bit like that in the King's Stand Stakes.
"I'm not saying he would have won but he would have been third or fourth.
"I think the 1000 metre (five furlongs) trip takes him out of the comfort zone and six furlongs will suit him better.
"He'll work again on Tuesday and we'll see if we can get Richard Hughes to have a sit on him."
Champion British Jockey Richard Hughes will ride the entire in the Group One sprinting feature.
5/7/2013 Laxon not nervous as milestone looms
Kiwi Laurie Laxon is set to crack the 1000 winner mark in Singapore soon.
In cricketing circles trainer Laurie Laxon is in the 'nervous nineties'.
For a batsman in cricket a century (100 runs) is a big feat, but batting their way through the 90's can be a nerve racking experience for some.
Laxon is close to achieving a remarkable milestone himself – training 1000 winners at Kranji – a feat he didn't think would be manageable when he kicked off training in Singapore back in 1999.
The seven time premiership winning trainer doesn't subscribe to the 'nervous nineties' theory, instead preferring to focus on when his 1000th winner will be achieved.
"It will be an achievement when the 1000th winner at Kranji is posted but I'm not really even thinking about it," said Laxon.
"I'm not in the nervous nineties. I'll get that 1000th winner at some stage. It may not be this weekend, although I've got some nice chances, but it will happen.
"There's nothing to be nervous about. When you have runners in a Melbourne Cup, that's when you get nervous as that's the pinnacle for a lot of us trainers."
Laxon has been training racehorses for more than 40 years and it was when he transferred to Singapore in 1999 that his career really took off.
A carpenter by trade in New Zealand, Laxon dabbled as an amateur rider before taking out a training license, preparing more than 600 winners in a career that saw him win many feature races in his native country as well as travelling abroad to Australia and Hong Kong.
After arriving in Singapore in October 1999, Laxon trained his first Kranji winner the following year and hasn't looked back since.
"When I got to the 800 or 900 mark that is when I thought 1000 winners was achievable," said Laxon.
"There are so many trainers out there that have better records than what I have winners wise, but I don't think there would be too many with 1000 winners on the one track.
"The secret to my success is that I have a lot of good people working for me and when I do go away the show goes on.
"It is a military operation our training regime. Very regular and not erratic and we get things done. I've also had a very good client basis as well.
"The racing here is so efficient and you don't have to travel.
"After I won the (1988) Melbourne Cup with Empire Rose I could have gone to Hong Kong but I declined but decided to come here after I had a good look at the facilities that were nearing completion.
"I was born a country kid and grew up on a farm but I love the city of Singapore and the lifestyle and I've got no intentions of retiring just yet.
"This is what I love doing and I want to keep on turning out winners."
5/7/2013 Stallion career beckons for retired Super Easy
Multiple Singapore Group One winner Super Easy (NZ) (Darci Brahma) has been retired following his impressive victory in the Patron's Bowl on Sunday.
"He's suffered an injury to his near foreleg and while he could have come back, his trainer Michael Freedman discussed the situation with his owners and they all feel it's a fitting way to end a great
career," said Cambridge bloodstock agent Michael Wallace, who is now looking to place the four-year-old at stud.
"We feel he's got plenty to offer as a stallion so we're currently canvassing options."
Super Easy returned to scale on Sunday with swelling in his near foreleg, which a scan and X-ray revealed to be a tear in his suspensory ligament.
Super Easy has retired as the winner of 15 of his 23 starts from 1000- 1600 metres and was the champion three-year-old and Horse of the Year in 2012. His earnings topped NZ$2.1 million.
1/7/2013 Super Easy reigns supreme in Patron's Bowl
Super Easy (centre) heads for victory in the Patron's Bowl on Sunday
Singapore Horse of the Year 2012 Super Easy (NZ) (Darci Brahma) regained his mantle as one of Kranji's best gallopers in the best possible fashion when he rebounded from his last two defeats with a deserving win in the $500,000 Sgp Gr. 1 Patron's Bowl (1600m) on Sunday.
Barring his resounding win in the Gr. 1 Lion City Cup (1200m) last April, success at the highest level has eluded the Darci Brahma four-year-old since his amazing unbeaten
run of 12 wins came to a grinding halt in last October's Gr. 1 Panasonic Kranji Mile (1600m).
In his four post-Hong Kong runs, the previous Singapore Three-Year-Old Triple Crown winner was twice defeated in third place by Speedy Cat (NZ) (Scaredee Cat), first-up in the
Gr. 3 Merlion Trophy (1200m) and more recently in the first Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge (of which the Patron's Bowl is the second Leg), the Stewards' Cup (1400m).
In between, he went into the G. 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint as the leading local hope, but found the overseas form too rich, running third (again) to Lucky Nine (Dubawi).
But trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Joao Moreira never lost faith in the entire, more so when they felt the Stewards' Cup run could have yielded better results had he
drawn a more inside gate.
He has certainly not lost his admirers either, given the way he was punted down to start as the odds-on favourite ($9) in the 13-horse field.
Freedman said Super Easy may have lost his a bit of gloss, but his two victories at Gr. 1 level put things in a different perspective.
"He's won two Gr. 1 races this prep. I wished every horse in my yard could do that," said the Australian conditioner.
"He was probably off his game in the KrisFlyer and went a bit flat out at his last run and to line up at the top level and win just goes to show what a great horse he is.
"I'll see how he pulls up before deciding if we press on to the Derby. Whether he can stay or not I'm not sure, but I can tell you that whenever good horses are tested over more
ground, they can beat the other horses on class sometimes."
The $1.15 million Gr. 1 Emirates Singapore Derby (2000m) is the last Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge and will be run in two weeks' time on July 14. Super Easy has
never raced beyond 1600m in 20 starts that have now seen him collect 14 wins and four placings for prizemoney that has edged past the $2.1 million mark.
1/7/2013 First Tothelign makes it three from three
First Tothelign makes it three in a row at Kranji
Popular grey galloper First Tothelign (NZ) (Align) stretched his unbeaten record to three from three, but not without giving his connections and legion of backers some heart flutters in the home straight on Sunday at Kranji.
The Shane Baertschiger-trained gelding took a sit in third in the $55,000 Dreyfuss 2004 Stakes Open Benchmark 67 (1200m) instead of dictating terms as he did at his first two
all-the-way successes, but the end-result was as his name suggests, still first past the line, but it did look iffy at the 300m mark.
Ridden by jockey John Powell, who was replaced by Corey Brown at the second start when he was stood down after wasting too hard to meet the allotted 54kgs, First Tothelign,
who was handicapped at 59kgs this time, looked a moral to put paid to his rivals when he was set alight at the top of the straight, especially as Jet Pace (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) who had set a frantic pace was already showing the white flag.
But despite Powell's urgings, the grey three-year-old by Align was not drawing clear as expected. If anything, Faretti (Tale Of The Cat) was looming large one length behind, but
the big engine roared into full throttle in the end to score rather comfortably by three parts of a length from the muchimproved Faretti.
Baertschiger said the lugging bit he has applied to the MA Racing Stable-owned gelding seems to have done the trick.
"He's always loafed around in the straight before. I think the lugging bit helped him focus a lot better today," said Baertschiger.
"We took a sit today as he had 59kgs on his back and we knew Jet Ace would be quicker. He still won by a length, which is all good.
"Obviously halfway in the straight, I got a bit worried, but he ran on in the end. He's looking for 1400m and that's where he is heading soon."
With that latest success, First Tothelign, who cost NZ$160,000, has already amassed earnings just a tick below $100,000 for his connections.
29/6/2013 Cazals' long-term Spring plan
California Memory will not contest this year's Cox Plate. Image: HKJC
Hong Kong trainer Tony Cruz eyeing 2014 Spring Racing Carnival with gifted stayer
Hong Kong-based trainer Tony Cruz is thinking long term about the 2014 Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) with his exciting staying prospect Willie Cazals.
A champion trainer and, in his time, a champion jockey in the Asian racing hub, Cruz has had in his care the likes of Silent Witness – who won all of his first 17 starts and was twice Hong Kong Horse of the Year – and Group 1 Hong Kong Mile winner Lucky Owners.
Willie Cazals, by the American sire Aussie Rules out of the Irish mare Secrete Marina, began his racing career in Italy and achieved Listed race success twice in his first three starts.
The now five-year-old gelding defeated Sneak A Peek, currently trained by Peter Moody, by five lengths in the Listed Premio Merano (2000m) in 2011 before moving to Cruz's yard.
"He had a core lesion injury last year and he has come back well but we are going to stick to the Hong Kong program and look to the Melbourne Cup in 2014," said Cruz who currently sits second in the Hong Kong trainers premiership with 62 winners.
Having had only seven career starts to date, Cruz is keen for Willie Cazals to conquer the local scene before heading abroad.
"First he needs to prove himself in Hong Kong. Our local program is very important and he can win some very good prize money", Cruz said of the gelding who finished a last start second to stablemate California Memory in the Group 1 Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin.
"If he is successful (in Hong Kong in the 2013/14 season) then he will come, that's for sure."
Four-time Group 1 winner California Memory was eligible for a full subsidy of travel expenses to Melbourne for the Group 1 Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) in October, courtesy of the Moonee Valley Racing Club, but Cruz has decided not to accept the lucrative invitation.
"California Memory will stick to the Hong Kong races as he is not a sound horse", Cruz explained of the constant foot issues that have delivered consistent training challenges.
"Last year we tried running him in Singapore and Dubai but the horse pulled up sore so it is too risky to travel with him."
As for shooting for a first and successful attempt at Australian feature racing, hopefully it all falls into place for Tony Cruz in 2014.
If that does happen, he believes that "Willie Cazals will probably be the one".
29/6/2013 Athos on Target for second Melbourne Cup Bid
The Luca Cumani-trained Mount Athos, currently 9/1 second-favourite in the bet365 racing betting list for November's Melbourne Cup at Flemington, remains on course for the 'race that stops a nation', despite failing to hit the frame recently when only fifth in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The talented stayer was strongly fancied to win by those who chose to watch racing online, and the mile-and-a-half contest at Royal Ascot proved particularly dramatic, race leader, Ektihaam, slipping up at halfway when leading and seemingly travelling powerfully.
The eventual Lady Cecil-trained winner, Thomas Chippendale, collapsed and died just a couple of strides after crossing the winning line in a scene that understandably reduced his connections and many racing fans to tears.
In amongst all the drama of the contest, Mount Athos – nine-length winner of the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester on his previous start - ran a fine trial for a second assault on the Melbourne Cup, coming off worst in a barging match two furlongs from home that knocked him to the rear of the field.
He recovered his composure to finish with a flourish into fifth, suggesting that his winning turn might not be at all far away.
Cumani has had a repeat trip to Australia in mind for the six-year-old since his fine run in last year's big race, where he also finished with plenty of purpose into fifth place behind Green Moon.
Rather like his Royal Ascot run, the Dr Marwan Koukash-owned stayer failed to get the run of the race at Flemington and hopes are high that the Cumani team might at last manage to get their hands on the coveted prize, having gone so close on a number of occasions in recent years in the world's richest two-mile contest.
28/6/2013 Chase Me back in action tonight
Singapore Derby winner Chase Me will return from injury at Kranji tonight
Singapore Derby winner Chase Me (NZ) (Storm Creek) will make his long awaited return at Kranji tonight.
The Storm Creek gelding has not raced since landing the Sgp2 Chairman's Trophy on July 29 last year. He was then sidelined with a leg injury and given plenty of time to recover.
He has since been unplaced in two trials this time in and trainer Desmond Koh believes he is ready to make a raceday return.
"Nothing beats a real race to put the fitness back on a horse," he said. "I could have trialled him more, but I thought I might as well just race him to knock him back in shape. All he needs is the mileage and I think he's fit enough to have his first start."
Chase Me is expected to be out sprinted in Friday's 1200m race against proven speedsters Makkura (NZ) (Falkirk) Goal Keeper (Untouchable) and Masthead (Written Tycoon), with middle distances his forte.
Koh has not fashioned any specific campaign for Chase Me, preferring to just take each race as it comes, but he is excited about the return to racing of the horse who catapulted him to his biggest win of his ten-year training career.
In order to make Chase Me's first-up run as untaxing as possible, Koh has bypassed his Derby and Chairman's Trophy-winning partner Joao Moreira in favour of his twokilo
claimer Tengku Rehaizat just to shave some weight off the top impost of 59.5kg.
Singapore Turf Club
O'Shea learns that fresh is best after Sea Siren fails to fire
- Date June 24, 2013
Cups contender: Dandino, right, was brave in defeat. Photo: Getty Images
You can't burn the candle at both ends - unless, perhaps, you have a superhorse. And good as she might be, John O'Shea's gallant group 1-winning mare Sea Siren is not a superhorse.
The daughter of Fastnet Rock finished eighth in a field of 18 in the group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday, beaten about 6.2 lengths by all-the-way winner Lethal Force, and in retrospect O'Shea ruminated that calling her to perform at the highest level in Sydney, then Brisbane, then on the other side of the world in the space of a couple of months might have been too big an ask.
''[Winning at Royal Ascot) is a very doable thing if you get a horse at the right stage of its preparation,'' O'Shea said after his mare had unsaddled alongside the beaten brigade. ''Obviously the horse has done well here. We have been very happy with her. She raced probably a little below her best.''
He felt that ground conditions in Brisbane, particularly the heavy track at Eagle Farm, had taken its toll. But in future, as in the past, the best hope for success at Royal Ascot lay in preserving a horse for the trip and probably bypassing most of the autumn riches on offer in Australia.
''I think, had she got a dry track in the BTC Cup she probably wouldn't have gone to the [Doomben] 10,000,'' O'Shea said. ''She had a very hard run in the 10,000 [when she was runner-up to Epaulette] and she had to come back to Sydney then go to Melbourne.
''That's something else we need to look at, why we need to fly out of Melbourne when we have got an airport in Sydney. She's had a very hard run in Brisbane, another 24 hours on the float and then another plane over here, all that sort of stuff going forward is something we need to assess.
''If you look at the Australian horses that perform here, that's what they have done. Maybe Sydney, but definitely not Brisbane … I think they have to have fresh legs and come here on an upward spiral.''
Sea Siren ran in the colours of the all powerful Coolmore group, which had bought her before the race, and will transfer to Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien for the rest of the European summer campaign. She could be aimed at the July Cup at Newmarket next month.
While the O'Shea camp might have been a bit despondent about the result, another group of Australians were delighted with the showing of their Caulfield and Melbourne Cup candidate.
The Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock syndicate's Dandino showed he was right on course for a tilt at Australia's most famous races later this year with a sterling second in the group 2 Hardwicke Stakes. Ridden by Frankie Dettori for Newmarket-based Italian trainer Marco Botti, Dandino was beaten a length by Thomas Chippendale, which collapsed and died shortly after the winning post.
It was an eventful race as the favourite, Ektihaam, slipped and fell on the greasy surface, forcing his rider, Paul Hanagan, to give up the rest of his rides for the day.
Darren Dance, the boss of ATB, was confident that the son of Dansili would be right in whatever he contested in Melbourne. ''That was a terrific run, he is right on course, we are happy with that,'' Dance said.
Dandino will be on the first shipment of European horses to arrive in Victoria for the carnival.
Deep Pockets (outer) scores in a desperate finish
Trainer Cliff Brown could not conceal his delight when one of his stable stalwarts, Deep Pockets (NZ) (Lucky Owners), returned to winning ways on Sunday.
Lined up in the $125,000 Open race over 1800m, Deep Pockets, who last ran 10th to Military Attack in the Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m) on May 19,
delivered a heart-stopping duel with another beaten SIA Cup runner, Ready To Strike (NZ) (Colombia), before outslugging the gallant Laurie Laxon-trained gelding by a short head.
Ready To Strike, who finished 11th but seven lengths behind Deep Pockets in the International showpiece, found a second wind as he customarily does under the kosh, after
being headed by Deep Pockets at the 300m mark, but jockey Alan Munro, threw his all at Deep Pockets, who responded gamely to cling on for dear life.
Deep Pockets has now brought his record to six wins and eight placings from 32 starts for prizemoney close to $835,000.
"Obviously the SIA Cup was a different class for him, but he's come through well from that race," said Brown.
"It's been a while since his last win (June 6, 2012), but that was really good. He fully deserved to win today as he's always run well even when he didn't win.
"Last year, he ran second in the Derby and just before the SIA Cup, he ran good (fourth) in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (last April).
"All being well, I will probably set him for the Chairman's Trophy now."
The Group 2 weight-for-age race over 1800m will be run on July 28, and was captured last year by Chase Me (NZ) (Storm Creek) backing up two weeks after his Emirates
Singapore Derby win.
22/6/2013 Spring hopefuls head to Hardwicke
Mount Athos is again on a path to Melbourne
Mount Athos and Victorian-owned Dandino among a host of spring hopefuls stepping out in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot
Several live Emirates Melbourne Cup contenders grace the final day of Royal Ascot with both Mount Athos and Dandino lining up in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes over 2400 metres on Saturday.
The pair represent Newmarket's two Italian-born trainers, Luca Cumani and Marco Botti, both of whom have made a strong impression at the Spring Racing Carnival before.
Botti, who prepared Jakkalberry for an excellent third to Green Moon last November, now trains three horses for Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock with the Cups in mind again.
Dandino has very recently been joined at the purpose-built Prestige Place stable by ex Mick Kent galloper Tac De Boistron but only the Hardwicke runner is in strong work at present.
The six-year-old is with his fourth trainer now, having won a handicap over the same distance for Lincolnshire-based James Given at the 2010 Royal meeting before failing to make it as a jumper with Nicky Henderson.
James Fanshawe oversaw Dandino last year, where his best effort was second to former Botti inmate Joshua Tree in the Grade 1 Canadian International, and he was beaten a quarter of a length by the re-opposing Universal on his first start for ATB in last month's Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes (2400m).
"I think he has a very good chance," said Botti. "Good to firm ground is what he wants, so hopefully it will be right for him here, and the mile and a half is his best trip."
Owner Dr Marwan Koukash is equally desperate to make it back to Flemington and after nine-length victory in a weak renewal of the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester (2650m), the pair will be picking and choosing their way through the British season.
Cumani said: "It was only an exercise canter at Chester, I don't think he beat a lot there but it was more the way he did it that we were pleased with. He looks to have a solid chance."
None of the nine runners can be overlooked for this event, which is off at 0.05am Sunday, as Lady Cecil's pair Thomas Chippendale and Noble Mission, as well as Roger Varian's Ektihaam all have good course form.
And Sir Michael Stoute, a seven-time winner of the race already, supplemented Sir John Hawkwood for £40,000 after two strong handicap wins in May.
22/6/2013 Simenon for Melbourne Cup
Simenon (outside) is narrowly defeated by Estimate in the Ascot Gold Cup
Irish trainer Willie Mullins targeting "the best race in the world" with brave Ascot Gold Cup runner-up
Simenon booked his ticket to the 2013 Emirates Melbourne Cup with a gutsy effort behind The Queen's Estimate in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot overnight.
Trainer Willie Mullins travelled Holy Orders to Flemington 10 years ago on a fruitless mission, but the multiple champion Irish National Hunt trainer is keen to return to Australia and capture one of the world's most prestigious flat races.
Simenon had been a decent horse in his younger days for Andrew Balding but the six-year-old has blossomed in Mullins' County Carlow base in Ireland and scored twice at the Royal meeting last year when winning the Ascot Stakes and the Queen Alexandra.
Johnny Murtagh's mount advertised his Gold Cup credentials when flashing home from an unfavourable draw in the Chester Cup last month and put in the effort of his life in the 4000-metre feature on day three of the meeting.
Simenon was only beaten a neck by Estimate, and Mullins said: "He ran so well and I wasn't disappointed to be second – maybe for the first time in my life.
"Our horse ran well above his form – a career best for him I am sure. It was the perfect race to be in and it is special to be involved in a win for The Queen. This is a great day for racing.
"The plan this year had been to take him to the Melbourne Cup and I always said that if I had a horse good enough to run there then I would love to go back.
"We had a runner there a few years ago but he had a few of his own ideas about how he should train!
"This horse loves these staying races and I think the Melbourne Cup would suit him really well.
"I think the Melbourne Cup is the best race in the world, and it is the world's best party, so that is where we will be heading.
"The plan is to keep the horse sound between now and then, and if we do go then I would like to get him out there early and give him a prep run somewhere beforehand."
Mullins has dominated Irish jump racing in recent years and his Midas touch has extended across to the UK and the Cheltenham Festival with Hurricane Fly this year winning a second Champion Hurdle, Quevega a fifth Mares' Hurdle and Sir Des Champs taking second in the Gold Cup.
But anyone doubting Mullins' ability to travel horses need look no further than April's Nakayama Grand Jump in Japan when his Blackstairmountain claimed a famous success under jockey Ruby Walsh.
The $6.2 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) will be run at Flemington on 5 November.
The Mullins-trained Holy Orders finished 17th in 2003 Melbourne Cup behind Makybe Diva.
21/6/2013 July Cup likely for Shamexpress
New Zealand-bred sprinter Shamexpress (NZ) (O'Reilly) failed to fire at Royal Ascot with veteran Sole Power (Kyllachy) claiming the Gr.1 King's Stand Stakes on the opening day of the Royal meeting.
The Danny O'Brien-trained colt could only finish ninth in the 1000-metre Royal Ascot dash, four and a-quarter lengths astern of the Irish-trained winner Sole Power and South African raider Shea Shea (National Emblem).
"He was only average today," said the Flemington trainer. "He has not been beaten out of sight - three or four lengths. He was probably a bit soft in the last 100 (metres).
"He chased Shea Shea, but was just average in the last furlong. We will probably stay, we are here now and the horse is in good order, and try him over six furlongs in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket."
21/6/2013 Kazeem Al class at Ascot
Al Kazeem (outside) gets the better of Mukhadram
Cox Plate all but ruled out for Al Kazeem after impressive Prince of Wales's Stakes win over fellow invitees
Al Kazeem has the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as his end-of-term objective after kick-starting a remarkable treble for jockey James Doyle in the Group 1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes (2000m) on day two of Royal Ascot.
Moonee Valley Racing Club have extended an invite to Roger Charlton's vastly improving five-year-old for the Sportingbet Cox Plate but the trainer is favouring a crack at Europe's premier middle-distance (2400 metres) championship on the first Sunday of October.
Having been sidelined with injury following his impressive successful comeback last season, Al Kazeem has now won all three of his starts this campaign.
After a pipe-opener in a Group 3 event at Sandown, he lowered the colours of last year's two-time Derby winner Camelot for a maiden Group 1 success in Ireland's Tattersalls Gold Cup and again had that rival behind when winning the 2000-metre feature.
This Group 1 win was a first visit to the Royal Ascot winner's enclosure for Doyle and he wasted no time adding to it by capturing the next two races aboard Belgian Bill and Rizeena.
Charlton said: "I thought for a minute we weren't going to get there, but James seemed confident.
"We had to be patient with him last season and he has progressed further than I ever thought he would.
"There are a lot of lovely races and without discussing with the owners I don't know where next.
"Like most people I'd love to have a runner in the Arc and if we go there maybe the King George would be next.
"I do think the Arc is the best race and would love to win it.
"I am very privileged to be invited to the Cox Plate. It is a great invite but it is a big ask for the horse and I am not Luca Cumani with his record at travelling horses. As I say, it is an honour to be asked, but I don't think we will be going."
Al Kazeem just reeled in the front-running Mukhadram to post victory by a neck, with the pair pulling over three lengths clear of the third-placed The Fugue.
John Gosden's filly was making her seasonal debut in the colours of owner and musical impresario Andrew Lloyd-Webber and was one of five runners in the field extended an invite to the Cox Plate on October 26.
Gosden said: "I have not discussed with her owners where she will run for the rest of the season – we wanted to get today out of the way first and take it from there."
Camelot, another Cox Plate invitee, took fourth place with 2011 Emirates Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux failing to display the requisite dash over a trip short of his best and finishing a well-beaten ninth of the 11 runners.
His trainer Ed Dunlop commented: "It was perhaps one run too many after his world tour. He'll have a break now but we don't have any further plans at this stage."
20/6/2013 No joy for Shamexpress
Shamexpress looked well prior to the race but could only manage ninth place
Aussie raider Shamexpress failed to fire at Royal Ascot with veteran Sole Power claiming the King's Stand Stakes
It was not to be for Australian hopes of another victory in the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes as Danny O'Brien's Shamexpress could only finish ninth in the 1000-metre Royal Ascot dash overnight.
With the field spread all over the track, Craig Newitt's mount made good headway from the rear but was four and a quarter lengths behind the Irish-trained winner Sole Power.
Last seen landing the Lexus Newmarket Handicap at Flemington in March, O'Brien is keen to return the four-year-old to 1200 metres for a rematch with Sole Power in next month's Darley July Cup – the seventh leg of the Global Sprint Challenge.
"He was only average today," said the Flemington trainer.
"He has not been beaten out of sight - three or four lengths. He was probably a bit soft in the last 100 (metres).
"He chased Shea Shea, but was just average in the last furlong. We will probably stay - we are here now and the horse is in good order - and try him over six furlongs in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket."
South African ace Shea Shea went off favourite and put in a bold show on the far side of the Royal Ascot straight, but he was cut down late on the stands rail and defeated a neck by Sole Power, who has travelled the world with trainer Eddie Lynam.
A 100-1 winner of the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York in 2010, Sole Power had finished behind Shea Shea twice at the Dubai Carnival, including in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint.
It was the third straight King's Stand appearance for 32-start veteran Sole Power who improved off eighth (2011) and third (2012) placings to claim a thrilling win.
Lynam said: "I'm very proud of him. I thought if we could beat Shea Shea, he was going to win, but I didn't think he could beat Shea Shea.
"He'll go on now for the July Cup. He's a year older so I think he'd have a better chance of staying the extra distance.
"Then he'll go for the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, then the Prix de l'Abbaye and on to the Hong Kong Sprint. He might have a couple of weeks off after that!"
Lynam was asked if he could possibly even run Sole Power in the $1 million Patinack Farm Classic at the Spring Racing Carnival, but he smiled, "We know what we can do, and we know what we can't. I know how good those Australian sprinters are, so we won't go there."
With his victory last night, Sole Power became eligible for a $600,000 bonus if successful in the Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington this November.
Shea Shea's jockey Christophe Soumillon felt his mount could have done with more company, but trainer Mike De Kock did not rule out a possible return on Saturday for another cosmopolitan sprint, the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes (1200m).
"We'll see how he pulls out in the morning and may take our place on Saturday, but the door's open," he said.
17/6/2013 Sham's sights on Shea at Ascot
Shamexpress impressed during a Newmarket gallop late last week
South African star Shea Shea poses biggest challenge to Shamexpress' Kings' Stand Stakes aspirations
Australian sprinters have set the benchmark when it comes to the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes and Danny O'Brien is aiming to continue the trend set by Choisir, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti and Scenic Blast when Shamexpress goes to post at Royal Ascot in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The Newmarket Handicap winner faces 18 rivals in the 1000-metre dash due off at five minutes past midnight and bids to become the fifth Australian winner in the last 11 years.
And that tally could have risen even higher had O'Brien's Star Witness not found Prohibit half-a-length too strong when beaten into second two years ago.
O'Brien said of this year's challenger: "We had a barrier trial at Flemington and the horse who finished second, Linton, went on to win the Stradbroke Handicap so Shamexpress's form leaving Australia was very good.
"He took the trip really well which is obviously the big thing. It is a long time travelling but he seemed to handle it.
"We were close enough when running second with Star Witness to know that we had got most of the preparation right. We are sticking to a similar formula and hoping we can go one better.
"Star Witness was the champion two-year-old and three-year-old - a very precocious horse. This guy is getting there a bit later in his career but is equal to him now if not better.
"I think Shamexpress is coming here at the right time of his career - he is nowhere near as seasoned as some of the Australian horses who have run at Royal Ascot such as Takeover Target and Black Caviar because he is only a three-year-old.
"He's a horse in a really good space and I think he is still improving - on an upward spiral. I expect him to show that on Tuesday and his next few runs should be the best of his career."
Star Witness had finished second in the $1m Patinack Farm Classic in the spring before his UK adventure and VRC have put up a $A600,000 bonus for any Global Sprint Challenge international leg winner who can supplement their win with success in that race at Flemington in Melbourne Cup week.
Favourite for the King's Stand is Mike de Kock's Shea Shea – a South African Grade One winner who scored twice in Dubai this year with the second leg of his double his Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1000m) success, achieved in a course-record time.
De Kock said: "I always knew he was good but I think his performance on World Cup night inDubaiwas special. He stepped up again there.
"There is the weight and the pressure of a nation on him. We will be doing our best and he will be doing his best - if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen.
"I have a few Royal Ascot runners and this is one meeting any trainer would like to have a winner at."
Sole Power, third in the race last year and second to Shea Shea in the Al Quoz trial, tries his luck again in the race for Irish trainer Edward Lynam, who said: "If Shea Shea brings his Dubai form to Ascot it won't matter what the rest of us do.
"The first time we met him at Meydan he broke the track record, then he went and smashed it the second time. We actually broke the old track record both times but one time we were only fourth.
"If he turns up like that at Ascot I can't see him getting beat but we'll give it a go, our horse is in good form."
Click here for the full field, form and draws for the Kings' Stand Stakes.
By Martin Kelly
Monday 17 June 2013 Ascot Action on Sky Racing
Sky Racing is bringing Royal Ascot action to Australian viewers first, with the most comprehensive coverage of the five day carnival.
On the back of Black Caviar's success at Royal Ascot in 2012, Australian-trained thoroughbreds will again be seeking Royal Ascot glory with Shamexpress contesting
the King's Stand Stakes on Day 1 and Sea Siren to run in the Diamond Jubilee on Day 5. Viewers will also be keen to watch the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes on Day 1
with interest around majority Australian-owned and hot favourite, Animal Kingdom.
Coverage kicks off on Sky Racing World (Channel 521 on FOXTEL) at 8pm each night of the carnival with leading UK racing broadcaster and Sky's sister station
AtTheRaces providing an extensive preview program. International racing experts Shane Anderson and Andrew Le Jeune will front the studio coverage.
Sky Racing viewers can expect to have access to the most extensive coverage of the famous carnival. Courtesy of AtTheRaces the Sky Racing World programing will also
feature a comprehensive review of overnight Royal Ascot races at 8.30am on Wednesday – Friday, 7.30am on Saturday and 10am on Sunday.
Live racing coverage will commence at 10.30pm each evening on Sky Racing World and Sky Racing 2 will join at 11.30pm. UK form expert, Martin Kelly will be trackside
bringing viewers mounting yard information and pre and post-race interviews.
Sky Racing's Chief Operating Officer, Brendan Parnell said Australia's interest in the Royal Ascot Carnival is growing year on year and is pleased to bring viewers
comprehensive coverage.
"The Australian racing industry continues to take great interest in one of the world's great racing carnivals and Sky Racing viewers will be able to enjoy the entire carnival live on Sky Racing World," Mr Parnell said.
Sky Racing World programs Off the Rails, Racing Retro and Bred to Win will also feature the Royal Ascot Carnival this week.
Royal Ascot Carnival – Sky Racing Coverage Overview and Program Guide
**All times AEST**
Andrew Le Jeune and international form expert, Shane Anderson, bring you all the action from
Day 1 – Day 5 of Royal Ascot on Sky Racing World. UK form expert, Martin Kelly, will be
trackside to provide mounting yard information and pre and post-race interviews.
DAY 1 – Tuesday 18th June
20:00 – 21:00 Sky Racing World – At The Races - Royal Ascot Day 1 Preview
22:30 – 3:00 Sky Racing World – Royal Ascot Coverage Day 1
23:30 – 3:00 Sky Racing 1 – Royal Ascot Coverage Day 1
DAY 2 – Wednesday 19th June
Royal Ascot Day 1 Review
08:30 – 09:00 Sky Racing World – At The Races – Royal Ascot Review Day 1
20:00 – 21:00 Sky Racing World – At The Races - Royal Ascot Day 2 Preview
22:30 – 3:00 Sky Racing World – Royal Ascot Coverage Day 2
23:30 – 3:00 Sky Racing 2 – Royal Ascot Coverage Day 2
DAY 3 – Thursday 20th June
Royal Ascot Day 2 Review
08:30 – 09:00 Sky Racing World – At The Races – Royal Ascot Review Day 2
20:30 – 21:30 Sky Racing World – At The Races - Royal Ascot Day 3 Preview
22:30 – 3:00 Sky Racing World – Royal Ascot Coverage Day 3
23:30 – 3:00 Sky Racing 2 – Royal Ascot Coverage Day 3
DAY 4 – Friday 21st June
Royal Ascot Day 3 Review
08:30 – 09:00 Sky Racing World – At The Races – Royal Ascot Review Day 3
20:00 – 21:00 Sky Racing World – At The Races - Royal Ascot Day 4 Preview
22:30 – 3:00 Sky Racing World – Royal Ascot Coverage Day 4
23:30 – 3:00 Sky Racing 2 – Royal Ascot Coverage Day 4
DAY 5 – Saturday 22nd June
Royal Ascot Day 4 Review
07:30 – 08:00 Sky Racing World – At The Races – Royal Ascot Review Day 4
20:00 – 21:00 Sky Racing World – At The Races - Royal Ascot Day 5 Preview
22:30 – 3:00 Sky Racing World – Royal Ascot Coverage Day 5
23:30 – 3:00 Sky Racing 2 – Royal Ascot Coverage Day 5
Sunday 23rd June
Royal Ascot Day 5 Review
10:00 – 10:30 Sky Racing World – At The Races – Royal Ascot Review Day 5
Cox Plate a chance for Animal Kingdom
- Date June 17, 2013
Caryl Williamson and Chris Roots
Joel Rosario on Animal Kingdom. Photo: AFP
John Messara, the Racing NSW chairman and Arrowfield Stud boss, says it will be tempting to defer superstar Animal Kingdom's stud career if he wins at Royal Ascot this week - and he has even put the Cox Plate on the agenda.
The Dubai World Cup winner is odds-on to win the Queen Anne Stakes - the first race of the Royal meeting on Tuesday.
Messara bought a controlling share in Animal Kingdom, the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner, before his World Cup victory in March, with the intention of standing him at his Arrowfield Stud in NSW in the spring.
Sheikh Mohammed bought into the five-year-old after the World Cup - with Messara now holding 50 per cent, the sheikh's Darley 29 per cent and Team Valor 21 per cent.
''At this stage of the game we've declared he will be retired after the race,'' Messara told Sydney's Sky Sports Radio. ''I know there's going to be a lot of pressure on [that happening] if he wins.
''We'll have to sit down and think about it after the race, but we've just got to win it first.
''But if he wins he'll probably be the highest rated horse in the world and there are a lot of nice races … the Breeders' Cup, the Coral Eclipse here in England and even perhaps the Cox Plate.
''But we have already set a service fee for him and the present intention is to retire him.''
Animal Kingdom's announced service fee is $38,500 and he will serve the northern hemisphere season at Sheikh Mohammed's Jonabell Farm in Kentucky.
Meanwhile, the Royal Ascot dreams of Flemington trainer Danny O'Brien remain unfulfilled. He took Star Witness to England two years ago when he narrowly lost the King's Stand Stakes.
O'Brien returns for another crack at the 1000-metre sprint with Newmarket Handicap winner Shamexpress.
"We have planned to have Shamexpress very fit when he got here and have just the one gallop, and it was very good,'' he said.
"The preparation has gone without any problems, so I would expect him to run a very good race on Tuesday.'' Shamexpress is likely to stay on in England for the July Cup next month.
The final Australian contender for Ascot is Sea Siren, recently purchased by Coolmore and trained by John O'Shea. She will run in Saturday's Diamond Jubilee, which Black Caviar won last year.
"To have a good sprinter you want to go over there and have a go at this meeting, but you need everything to go [right],'' O'Shea said. ''I think any trainer anywhere in the world would say to win at Royal Ascot would be a career highlight."
With AAP
17/6/2013 Got Luck looks another smart type for Tan
Singapore trainer Alvin Tan seems to have unearthed another quality sort in Got Luck (NZ) (Danroad) who made a demolition job at his debut run on Sunday.
A three-time barrier trial winner, including one at Te Aroha in New Zealand before he was snapped up by Tan to race at Kranji, Got Luck reproduced that form in the $65,000 Initiation
race over 1100m on the Polytrack, toying with the opposition from the start to romp in by three lengths easing down.
With the words "exciting prospect" being bandied around, Tan was, however, quick to put things in perspective.
"That was a good win, better than I thought. Oscar was cantering with him and he even joked with Mr Chua he could lose some weight and ride him too," said Tan who recently won the Group 2 Stewards' Cup with his stable star Speedy Cat.
"I'm just a bit concerned by the timing, but it was his first run and Oscar had already stopped riding from a long way.
"I spotted him at the breeze-ups in New Zealand and spent a bit of money for him after he won a trial.
"On his breeding, he's more of a sprinter and the furthest he will probably go is 1400m. I will also keep him to Polytrack races for now."
Chavez said he was oozing confidence before the race after he rode Got Luck to his two barrier trial wins at Kranji in May.
"He's too good for this field. From the jump, he just relaxed for me and I knew from a long way he'd be hard to beat," said
Chavez. "From his trials, I expected him to win easy today, but he will have to go through his grades now."
Got Luck streets his rivals on debut at Kranji
17/6/2013 All in the Steed's breeding says Walker
After just missing out by a whisker at his last run, Golden Sand Steed (NZ) (Pins) was rewarded for his sheer consistency with a hard-fought win in the $75,000 Kranji Stakes C race over 1100m on Polytrack on Sunday.
The Pins three-year-old was notching up his fourth success from only 12 starts after coming from New Zealand as an unraced two-year-old last year. Raced by the ST Resources
Stable, Golden Sand Steed only finished out of the placings twice, with his worst performance coming in the Gr. 3 Magic Millions Juvenile Championship (1200m) when finishing
down the course a long way from the winner Rising Empire.
Walker, who consolidates his top spot in the Singapore trainer's premiership with that 38th win, five clear of Michael Freedman, said Golden Sand Steed had already the makings
of a good horse from his prolific lineage.
"He's from a top-class sire in Pins and anything that comes from the Waikato Stud has to give you a headstart," said the Kiwi conditioner.
"David Ellis (Te Akau Racing principal) buys and breeds really good horses and the results are showing on the track. "Our job is simple really – just put a saddle on them and
make sure they stay sound and healthy.
"He (Golden Sand Steed) was second-up from a break today and the freshness was probably gone, but he's a good consistent sort who just keeps improving all the time.
"He missed out very narrowly at his last run. There was nothing in it, but anyway, we got it today."
Golden Sand Steed gets home narrowly out wide despite the deceptive camera angle
16/6/2013 Captain Kirk to be given a spell
Undefeated three-year-old Captain Kirk (NZ) (Falkirk) is heading for a break following his victory on Friday night in the S$65,000 Novice Stakes over 1100 metres on Polytrack at Singapore's Kranji racetrack.
Captain Kirk won his debut outing over 1200 metres on the turf back on May 17 and trainer Leslie Khoo believes the gelding is better suited on that surface even though he didn't have too much difficulty in Friday's half-length victory.
Sent out a short-priced favourite, Captain Kirk jumped the fastest of the seven runners and was able to cross from his outside draw and lead the field on settling down. Jockey Harry Kasim kept Captain Kirk under a tight rein until the home turn before asking for an effort and the gelding quickly opened up a winning break on his rivals, holding on bravely as the margin was whittled back.
Following the debut win, Khoo elected to give Captain Kirk a barrier trial under the lights on June 6. When the gelding finished second, Khoo revealed the gelding was feeling his shins and he backed off on the three-year-old in the lead-up to Friday night's race.
"I'll give him a break now for six to eight weeks," said Khoo. "I didn't push him after his trial last week as he was feeling his shins afterwards.
"I thought he may have been feeling them a bit again tonight as he changed stride late in the race and I just think also that he might be a better horse on the turf as well.
"He was very fast at the start and then the other horse came up and pressured him. He's a nice lovely horse and has a bit of a future."
Kasim also believes Captain Kirk has a bright future after making it back-to-back victories.
"I think he has a good feature race win in him," he said. "He's a lovely strong horse and I'm sure he will keep getting better. He jumped very well but then the other horse came up to him and didn't really give him any chance to relax.
"He showed a good turn of foot when I asked him and although he was getting tired on the line I think he was entitled to a bit after being pressured."
Captain Kirk's two wins have brought in just shy of S$70,000 in prizemoney for his owners, the Captain Stable.
Harry Kasim raises his whip in triumph as Captain Kirk holds on to score at Kranji on Friday night.
Race Singapore TC Novice S. 1100m
Winner Captain Kirk (NZ) 2009
Owners Captain Stable
Trainer Leslie Khoo (Kranji)
Breeding by Falkirk out of Chiming by Star Way (GB)
Breeder Windsor Park Stud Ltd
Sales 2011 National Yearling Sale, Select Session;
V: Windsor Park Stud, P: Chequers NZ Ltd;
2011 Ready to Run Sale, V: Chequers Stud, P:
Mr L Khoo; $65,000
12/6/2013 Legendary trainer Sir Henry Cecil dies
Sir Henry Cecil with his champion horse Frankel (image: Racing Post)
Peter Moody pays tribute to legendary trainer Sir Henry Cecil
Victoria's premier trainer Peter Moody has paid tribute to legendary British trainer Sir Henry Cecil following his death at the age of 70 in the UK overnight.
Cecil, who trained world champion Frankel to an unbeaten 14 career victories and prepared a record 25 British Classic winners among a stellar career, succumbed to a long battle with stomach cancer.
Moody, who spent time with Cecil in the UK last year when campaigning Black Caviar at Royal Ascot, described the gifted horseman "as one of the greats of world racing".
"It's certainly a tragic loss to the industry," Moody said.
"I was fortunate enough to spend a day with Sir Henry Cecil last year when he had Frankel lining up at Royal Ascot and we had Black Caviar.
"I've mentioned it previously and not just in his passing, it was one of the more special moments of my whole trip to see how such a great horseman appreciated my great horse and his care and attention to detail with his great horse Frankel.
Moody said it was a fitting way for Cecil, who trained a record 75 Royal Ascot winners, to finish his training career on the back of the Frankel's success.
"I may be corrected but I think he was the most successful trainer at Royal Ascot of all time and that on its own is a phenomenal achievement," he said.
"To finish his training career with one of the finest horses that any of us have ever seen in Frankel, what a great way to go out.
"I'm not suggesting that I'd like to follow suit after Black Caviar and I'm looking forward to meeting him again another day, but hopefully a few years down the track."
Cecil trained his first Classic winner with Bolkonski in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in 1975 before going to win the Epsom Derby four times, the Epsom Oaks on eight occasions and the 1000 Guineas six times among his 25 Classic triumphs and over 100 Group 1 victories.
Hall Of Fame trainer Lee Freedman described Cecil as one of his "lifetime heroes".
"Sir Henry Cecil a champion trainer, but more importantly a great gentleman," Freedman said.
By Ben Asgari
MM Graduates shine abroad
Wednesday, 12 June, 2013
Magic Millions graduates raced with great success internationally over the weekend.
The winning run in feature races in South Africa of recent months continued on Saturday night with yet another stakes double - both purchased by one of the region's leading judge.
Readytogorightnow (More Than Ready-Storm Fronts) added a second stakes win to his impressive race record when he cruised to victory in the Group Three Winter Classic at Kenilworth.
With Glen Hatt in the saddle, the well bred three-year-old cruised to victory, a length and a quarter ahead of his rivals.
From just 11 starts, Readytogorightnow has notched four wins and also been a minor placegetter on three other occasions.
His dam Storm Fronts, an unraced daughter of Hurricane Sky, is a half sister to Miss Minden - the stakes winning dam of stakes gallopers Miss Danehill, Pentastic and Point Made - and the dam of group winning sire Primus.
Prepared by Justin Snaith, Readytogorightnow was purchased by leading Sydney based bloodstock agent James Bester for $85,000 at the 2011 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale from the Yarraman Park Stud draft.
The win was also celebrated by the Wentwood Grange team from New Zealand who bought his dam Storm Fronts for $50,000 at the corresponding 2011 National Broodmare Sale.
Exciting juvenile filly Mohave Princess extended her unbeaten run to two when she won Saturday night's Devon Air Stakes at Clairwood.
The first Australian bred stakes winner for Rock of Gibraltar's son Mount Nelson, Mohave Princess is prepared by Gavin Van Zyl and was ridden to her length and a half win by Brandon Lerena.
Mohave Princess was purchased for $18,000, also by James Bester, at the 2011 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale from the draft of Glastonbury Farms.
She is one of two winners from two named foals for the Melbourne winning Fusaichi Pegasus mare Our Mohave - a daughter of Sydney stakes winner Mohave Dancer.
That makes Our Mohave a half sister to three stakes performers including $1.25 million earner and sire Natural Blitz.
Both Readytogorightnow and Mohave Princess are part owned by well known South African businessman Hassen Adams.
Meanwhile, in Macau last year's Magic Millions National Yearling Sale top selling filly made the best possible start to her racing career with a strong win.
Yu Long Bao Ma, a $160,000 purchase for Nicholas and James Moore Bloodstock from the Tyreel Stud draft, debuted for the Peter Leyshan stable and won brilliantly.
Raced by Ma Ching, Yu Long Bao Ma is by outstanding Darley sire Lonhro and from the beautifully related mare Paris Tryst.
An unraced daughter of Fusaichi Pegasus, Paris Tryst is a daughter of Caulfield, Melbourne and Australian Cup winner and Horse of the Year Let's Elope and is thus a half sister to three stakes performers including group winning sire Ustinov.
Other international winners for Magic Millions graduates over the weekend included:
- Zac Spirit (Flying Spur-Kidman) - $95,000, 2010 National Weanling Sale, Newhaven Park - winner in Singapore
- Mr Vain Marceau (Helenus-Corymbia) - $3,000, 2010 Perth Winter Mixed Sale, Korilya Stud - winner in Malaysia
- Good Good Luck (Magic Albert-Our Impala) - $14,500, 2006 National Weanling Sale, Pine Lodge Thoroughbreds - winner in Malaysia
- Golden Lark (King Cugat-Abbey Lady) - $11,000, 2008 National Yearling Sale, Baramul Stud - winner in Singapore
- Happy Surpriser (Delzao-Sheer Nonsense) - $15,000, 2008 National Horses in Training Sale, Oakwood Farm - winner in Malaysia
- Buena Vista (Tayasu Tsuyoshi-Minstrel Show) - $8,000, 2009 Adelaide Yearling Sale, Caithness Breeding - winner in Malaysia
- Birralee Road (Tough Speed-Aliandra) - $7,000, 2009 Tasmanian Yearling Sale, BM & PR Armstrong - winner in Malaysia
- Happy Amigo (Falvelon-Miss Lehaar) - $20,000, 2011 Perth Yearling Sale, Robyn Wise - winner in Malaysia
- Just Blessed (Trade Fair-Rain Squall) - $18,000, 2011 Perth Yearling Sale, Bellbridge Park - winner in Singapore
- Tomorrows Dreams (Snippetson-Relativity) - $40,000, 2011 Adelaide Yearling Sale, Little Hills Pastoral Co - winner in Singapore
- Kaiser Bright (Spinning World-Raheebah) - $40,000, 2011 National Horses in Training Sale, Nolen Racing - winner in Singapore
- Young Happy (Dane Shadow-Miss Bijou) - $17,000, 2009 National Yearling Sale, Fairview Park Stud - winner in Hong Kong
PICS - Gold Circle and Macau Jockey Club.
10/6/2013 Speedy Cat atones in Stewards' Cup
Speedy Cat scores narrowly in the Gr. 2 Steward's Cup over 1400m
Trainer Alvin Tan crept ever so closer to a maiden Gr. 1 success when Speedy Cat (NZ) (Scaredee Cat) took out the opening Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge on Sunday.
Speedy Cat gave Tan his first 'Black Type' success when taking out the Gr. 3 Merlion Trophy in March and he bettered that when victorious in Sunday's G. 2 $300,000 Stewards' Cup over 1400m.
Tan will be hoping Speedy Cat can provide him with that elusive first Gr. 1 success in the second leg of the Four-Year- Old Challenge, the $500,000 Patron's Bowl over 1600m on
June 30.
Ridden by Manoel Nunes, Speedy Cat scored by a head over El Milagro (Red Dazzler) with the favourite Super Easy (NZ) (Darci Brahma) a neck away third. Speedy Cat recorded a time of 1 min 21.69 secs for the 1400m journey.
After winning his first 12 starts in Singapore, Super Easy first tasted defeat at the hands of Better Life in Gr. 1 Kranji Mile last October before heading to Hong Kong but this year Speedy Cat has inflicted two defeats on last year's Singapore Horse of the Year.
Super Easy did turn the tables on Speedy Cat in the Gr. 1 Lion City Cup, but the 1400m of Sunday's race was a more suitable assignment.
Speedy Cat was coming into the Stewards' Cup off an unlucky sixth in the Gr. 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint over 1200m on May 19.
"His run in the KrisFlyer was very good," said Tan. "He got checked and the jockey almost fell off, but he got going again.
"This distance was much more suitable for him. I was happy with where he was in the run and he finished off strongly.
"This is the biggest prizemoney that we have won with him and we are now getting closer to a Gr. 1 win.
"We will now head to the second leg with him. That race is three weeks away which is perfect for him."
A four-year-old New Zealand-bred by Scaredee Cat from Lane Cove, Speedy Cat has won eight of his 19 starts for the Alwin Stable and accumulated more than $750,000 in prizemoney.
9/6/2013 Shamexpress settles in well after 34 hour trip to the UK
Jockey Craig Newitt conducts the cheering as Shamexpress returns to the Flemington mounting yard after his win in this year's Group One Newmarket Handicap.
After a 34-hour trip across the globe to England, trainer Danny O'Brien is hoping his star colt Shamexpress (NZ) (O'Reilly) showcases his talents to the world at the famed Royal Ascot and Newmarket carnivals.
O'Brien confirmed the winner of Flemington's Group One Newmarket Handicap was well settled in at his new surrounds at Abington Place Racing Stables in Newmarket this week following his arduous trek.
"You always worry that the horse handles the flight across, but from our experience travelling horses it appears he has handled the flight without any worries," O'Brien said.
"He is looking bright and well and eating up in his stall so we will give him a few quiet days before getting him ready to take on the best at Royal Ascot."
The 14-time Group One winning trainer also announced that New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing will sponsor the horse in the UK as the colt promotes the Kiwi breeding industry.
"We have had a lot of luck with New Zealand-breds,"
O'Brien said, "winning races such as the Caulfield Cup, AJC Derby, Australian Guineas and Newmarket, Salinger and Goodwood Handicaps. So hopefully this colt can add another
chapter to that by winning on the world stage."
The O'Reilly colt's colours will carry the NZTM logo on the chest throughout his European campaign, which will include the Kings Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 18 and the July
Cup at Newmarket on July 13.
9/6/2013 1100M Track record to Makkura
Falkirk mare Makkura scoots past the winning post a decisive winner of Friday night's open sprint at Kranji.
Improving mare Makkura (NZ) (Falkirk) broke the 1100 metre track record when taking out the S$125,000 Open Handicap at Kranji racetrack in Singapore on Friday night,
stopping the clock at 1:04.31 to clip 0.14 seconds off the previous best.
Trainer Laurie Laxon said Makkura, in the hands of Barend Vorster, had developed into a "good strong mare" after recording two wins on end, her previous success coming
three weeks ago when ridden by the Kiwi trainer's apprentice Koh Teck Huat.
"She was in her right race tonight," said Laxon. "She's a good tough mare but she also had a light weight which made her task a lot easier.
"She's run a record and I think there's still more to come from her."
Vorster said Makkura had been "erratic" previously but on Friday night she gave him a "beautiful ride".
"I rode her during the week on the big track and she felt nice and relaxed," said Vorster. "When some of the other jockeys get on her at the races she can be a real handful, so tonight I just told the syces to let her go and let me handle her.
"She gave me a beautiful ride and really was on her best behaviour.
"The pace was perfect for her and it was a matter of timing the run right on her. She let down really well and is right up there at the top now after that win.
"Laurie's got her going really well and if she can maintain this form then I'm sure she'll be winning again."
A five-year-old mare by Falkirk, Makkura is from the Centaine mare Electric Dream, a daughter of crack sprinter Westminster's half-sister Starlight Express. She has now won
seven of her sixteen starts in Singapore and accumulated around S$375,000 in prizemoney for her owners.
Laxon notched up a winning double when Natural Nice (NZ) (Towkay) took out the following race, the S$75,000 Class 3 Stakes over 1400 metres.
Race Singapore TC Open H. 1100m
Winner Makkura (NZ) 2007
Owners Toast Trust No 27 & Stephen Crutchley Stable
Trainer Laurie Laxon (Kranji)
Breeding by Falkirk out of Electric Dream by Centaine
Breeder S K K Goh; Mrs J P & L D Wallace
Sales 2009 NZ National Yearling Sale, Festival
Session; V: Poseidon Bloodstock, P: Mr S G
Crutchley; $12,000
7/6/2013 Speedy Cat has Nunes aiming high this Sunday
Speedy Cat and Manoel Nunes on their way to victory in the Group 3 Merlion Trophy in March.
Jockey Manoel Nunes is looking forward to Sunday's feature race, the Gr. 2 $300,000 Stewards' Cup over 1400m.
The race kicks-off the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge and Nunes will partner the Alvin Tan-trained Speedy Cat (NZ).
The New Zealand-bred son of Scaredee Cat (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat) was a last start sixth in the International Gr. 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint over 1200m on May 19 and Nunes believes the gelding was unlucky not to have finished in the placings.
He said a check on entering the straight put an end to his chances in that race and believes the gelding was lucky not to fall.
"I got sandwiched between the Japanese horse (Dasher Go Go) who was weakening and the Australian (Bel Sprinter) horse that ran second and was lucky not to fall," said Nunes.
"My horse was travelling very well at the time and the way he finishes his races off I am confident that he would have run into the placings.
"He was knocked down and by the time I picked him up, balanced him up and got going again it was too much of a task."
Nunes gave Speedy Cat his final gallop for Sunday's race on the main Polytrack on Tuesday morning and said the gelding felt in great order.
"He felt happy and fresh and I was very pleased with how he galloped on Tuesday morning," said Nunes.
"He runs his best races when his runs are spaced and it will be three weeks since he last ran in the KrisFlyer."
Speedy Cat claimed his biggest success and provided his trainer with his first win in a 'Black Type' race when he took out the Group 3 Merlion Trophy over 1200m on the
Polytrack in March.
4/6/2013 Lucky Nine targets Spring
Lucky Nine, pictured here winning the Krisflyer International Sprint last month. Image: Singapore Turf Club
International sprint star confirms Spring Racing Carnival plans
Hong Kong trainer Caspar Fownes has confirmed multiple Group 1-winning international sprinter Lucky Nine will be targeted at the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival.
A dominant winner of the Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m) at Kranji in Singapore last start, the son of Dubawi boasts five Group 1 victories at distances ranging between 1200m-1600m.
Speaking after another of his horses, Helene Spirit, finished 16th behind Lord Kanaloa in the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) in Japan on Sunday, Fownes confirmed Lucky Nine would target both the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 25 as well as the Group 1 Patinack Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 9.
"I've wanted to go there for a few years now, but it comes at the wrong time for us because we look forward to our international races, but he's already won one of them so we can play around with him," Fownes said.
"He is in great form, you can be confident to travel with him and you're not going to get any egg on your face.
"He doesn't know how to run a bad race, the only time he ever runs a bad race there is a problem with him."
Having already claimed a leg of the Global Sprint Challenge (GSC) with his victory in the KrisFlyer, should Lucky Nine also pick up the Patinack Classic he would then become eligible for the US $1 million bonus in the Group 1 Hong Kong International Sprint (1200m) in December.
The GSC bonus is available to any horse that can win three legs of the series in three different countries.
By Ben Asgari
3/6/2013 Nunes claims an early double with Bogart
Bogart scores easily at Kranji on Sunday
Jockey Manoel Nunes claimed an early double at Kranji on Sunday when Bogart (NZ) (Darci Brahma) took out the $65,000 Initiation Stakes over 1200m.
Nunes had taken the opening race on the card aboard the Sam Chua-trained Double S which also led throughout.
"He is a nice horse who will keep on developing," said
Nunes. "He drew a bad barrier on the international weekend and got a squeeze at the start but still ran a good race (when third behind Captain Kirk).
Bogart was a NZ$155,000 yearling purchase by trainer Michael Freedman and is another of the Darci Brahma stock to show his wares in Singapore.
The trainer has a good record with horses by Darci Brahma including Super Easy (NZ), Chateauneuf Dupape (NZ) and Ronnie Brown (NZ) to name just a few.
Freedman said he had considered scratching Bogart because of the wide draw but was certainly delighted he resisted the temptation to do so.
"He had to do a fair amount of work early in the race to get across to the front and during the race I thought that if he could finish in the first three then he's done a very good job," said Freedman.
"To keep going like he did and win I thought was a very good effort and he looks like developing into a nice horse.
"I said on Friday night that even though these two-yearolds get weight off the older horses they still have to be good to win.
"This horse is going to keep improving and his pedigree says that he will be better off once he gets up to a mile and possibly even further."
16/2013 Cups quest a Pleasure
Only A Pleasure could be a factor in Melbourne this spring
OTI Racing set to unveil another of their spring prospects in France this weekend
OTI Racing Director Terry Henderson is hoping another of the team's promising international gallopers can put his name forward as a Melbourne spring contender when he resumes in France on Sunday.
Four-year-old entire Only A Pleasure steps out for French maestro Andre Fabre in Sunday's Group 2 Grand Prix de Chantilly (2400m) and while Henderson isn't expecting a first-up win, he hopes the son of Montjeu can justify his Melbourne aspirations.
A winner of three races in his six-start career, including the Listed Prix Michel Houyvet (3000m) at Deauvuille in August, Only A Pleasure could tackle the likes of French Derby hero and fellow Cups prospect Saonois, Alain de Royer Dupre pair Lago Minto and I'm Your Man and progressive four-year-old Now We Can.
"It's a fairly tough race and he won't be suited by the ground but Andre Fabre believes he needs the run," Henderson said.
"There are no expectations from us this weekend because he is certainly not as his best last weekend."
"What we're looking for is a run that will bring him on further for later on as he heads towards Melbourne."
The Grand Prix de Chantilly, contested last year by 2011 Melbourne Cup and 2012 Caulfield Cup winner Dunaden, plays second fiddle on the Chantilly card to the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) featuring some of Europe's top three-year-old staying prospects.
While the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups are the focus with Only A Pleasure and OTI's untapped three-year-old Kitten On The Run, who is due to step out over 2000 metres at Royal Ascot, Henderson said the Cox Plate was still on the radar for the Luca Cumani-trained Mobaco.
Despite finishing at the tail of the field in last Saturday's Listed Festival Stakes (2000m) at Goodwood, Henderson said Mobaco would take great improvement from the run and was likely to back up in the Group 3 Tercentenary Stakes (2000m) at Royal Ascot.
"His run was satisfactory and he'll be improved for his first up run," Henderson said.
"He goes to Ascot on the Thursday for another 2000m run."
By James Tzaferis
1/6/2013 International #Springwatch
Defending BMW Caulfield Cup and 2011 Emirates Melbourne Cup hero Dunaden will face only four rivals when he returns to the track on Saturday night (AET) in a classy renewal of the Group 1 Coronation Cup (2400m) at Epsom Downs (UK).
A Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival favourite, the seven-year-old is in ominous form and boasts close-up efforts behind St Nicholas Abbey in the Group 1 Sheema Classic (2400m) and Pastorius in the Group 1 Prix Ganay (2100m) at his two most recent appearances.
While the Mikel Delzangles-trained star is likely to chase the Group 1 Prix de Arc de Triomphe (2400m) in his own backyard instead of making a third trek to Melbourne, some of his rivals on Saturday could feature down under during the spring.
Of his four rivals, the Aiden O'Brien-trained St Nicholas Abbey will chase his third consecutive win in the weight-for-age feature, while globetrotting talent Joshua Tree will make his second appearance for new trainer Ed Dunlop, the man who prepared 2011 Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux.
Run on a massive Epsom Derby card, the Coronation Cup is just one of the weekend races that could offer a guide to the Spring Racing Carnival.
Following is the broadcast time for the international races to watch together with comments from Racing Victoria's international recruitment officer, Leigh Jordon, on who to watch from a Spring Carnival viewpoint;
- Epsom (UK) – Group 1 Coronation Cup (2400m) – Broadcast live on SKY 2 & Racing World at 11.40pm (AET) Saturday night
Leigh Jordon's Comment: Only a small field but an intriguing race with some familiar names lining up. Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden is likely to stay in Europe and contest the Arc this year, but we would love to see him back in Melbourne over the spring for a race like the Cox Plate and won't shut the door just yet. The Aidan O'Brien-trained St. Nicholas Abbey is a class horse and the favourite shooting for three straight. Joshua Tree is having his second start for Ed Dunlop and I will be keen to see how he progresses as his profile suggests the spring Cups could be within his reach.
- Chantilly (FR) – Group 2 Grand Prix de Chantilly (2400m) – Broadcast live on SKY 2 & Racing World at 1am (AET) Monday morning
Leigh Jordon's Comments: Dunaden was an unlucky third last year before winning the Caulfield Cup. The final field is not yet known, but I'm particularly interested in last year's French Derby winner Saonois who possesses a slick turn of foot and would be an ideal Cups horse. Melbourne-based OTI Racing has already confirmed their spring intentions with Only A Pleasure so he's a big watch. Alain de Royer Dupre has two runners in the race including last start Listed winner I'm Your Man, who is owned in similar interests to Sydney G1 winner Reliable Man. The other runner for Aussies to watch closely is Now We Can.
31/5/2013 Shamexpress (NZ) Ready for Royal Ascot
Shamexpress (NZ) produced a winning trial performance down the Flemington straight this morning, pleasing his connections ahead of his trip to the Royal Ascot meeting in England.
The winner of Australia's premier sprint race this season, the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap, Shamexpress (O'Reilly x Volkrose) is being aimed at the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes (1000m) on the first day of the Royal Ascot Meeting on Tuesday 18 June.
Shamexpress will be looking to make it a winning double for New Zealand in the Gr.1 King's Stand Stakes.
The three-year-old's trainer Danny O'Brien has outlined that the King's Stand Stakes could be the first race of a UK campaign which could also see the son of O'Reilly target other races including the Group 1 July Cup.
Shamexpress leaves for England next Wednesday and O'Brien was very happy with his final trial earlier today.
"It was great to get him on the course proper and see him open up a bit down the straight," commented O'Brien.
"The horse really needs to be race fit when he gets on the plane and that will bring him right up to the mark. We missed the Sydney and Queensland Carnivals so we could have him 110% focused on England and everything has gone to plan so far so we just need to get the traveling out of the way now.
"He will arrive in England 13 days before the race so for the first week he will just find his feet and acclimatise and I will give him a serious piece of work four or five days before the race."
O'Brien is no stranger to the pressure of Royal Ascot having taken Glamour Puss and Star Witness to the famous meeting and believes that experience can help him capture an elusive royal win.
Should Shamexpress win the King's Stand Stakes, it would complete a winning double for New Zealand with Little Bridge (NZ) (Faltaat) winning the race last year in a spectacular performance.
New Zealand also celebrated Royal Ascot success last year with So You Think (NZ) (High Chaparral) when he won the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes just a day after Little Bridge's history-making Group 1 win.
Shamexpress was purchased as a yearling by Danny O'Brien from Richard Rutherford's Beltana Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock's 2011 Karaka Premier Sale for $130,000.
31/5/2013 International Spring prospects on show
Cavalryman (pictured) is one to watch at Sandown (UK) tonight
Racing Victoria International Recruitment Officer Leigh Jordon gives his insight into tonight's UK racing action
Racing Victoria International Recruitment Officer Leigh Jordon will be watching tonight's racing action from Sandown in the UK with a keen eye on potential Spring Racing Carnival visitors.
Jordan nominated both the Group 2 Henry II Stakes (3300m), which jumps at 4.15am Melbourne time, as well as the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes (2000m, 4.50am), as races that could feature possible Spring raiders.
In the Henry II Stakes, Jordan said Times Up as well as the Godolphin pair of Cavalryman and Colour Vision were the main horses to watch from a Cups point of view.
"Cavalryman obviously contested last year's Emirates Melbourne Cup and actually ran the fastest last 1000 metres in the race," Jordon said.
"He won the Group 3 Dubai Gold Cup (3200m) in March and we'll be watching him and his stable mate Colour Vision for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
"Times Up has his first start for Ed Dunlop, he was previously trained by his father John who retired last year.
"He won both the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup (3300m) and the Group 2 Doncaster Cup (3600m) last season and we will be watching him from a Melbourne Cup perspective."
In last year's Henry II Stakes, the now Peter Moody-trained Ibicenco finished second for his previous trainer Luca Cumani before making the trip to Melbourne for a Spring campaign that included a win in the Listed Sandown Cup (3200m).
While the focus in the Henry II Stakes is from a cups point of view, attention shifts to Australasia's weight for age championship the W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) when watching tonight's Brigadier Gerard Stakes.
Last year's Brigadier Gerard was won by Carlton House who went on to run second behind So You Think in the Group 1 Prince Of Wales Stakes (2000m) at Royal Ascot, before moving to Gai Waterhouse's Sydney stable.
Jordon said the horses to watch tonight were the David Lanigan-trained Main Sequence and Luca Cumani's Danadana.
"Main Sequence ran second in the Epsom Derby (2400m) last year behind Camelot and we're watching him as a possible Cox Plate contender," Jordan said.
"Danadana was very impressive winning last start at Chester, he's got a good strike-rate and is an improving type."
27/5/2013 Walker nets one win as Bazinga storms home
Bazinga and Shafiq Rizuan storm home to claim victory
Despite having strength in numbers with as many as 18 runners fielded over 10 of the 12 races on offer on Friday, trainer Mark Walker had to endure a long wait before Bazinga (NZ) (Fastnet Rock) saluted at long odds in the third-last race, the $75,000 Kranji Stakes C race over 1200m on the Polytrack.
With his best showing being two second placings from Mr Bean (Race 1) and Manny Pacuaio (Race 5), Walker was staring down the barrel of a winless day until his 14th runner for the
day, Bazinga, ridden by stable apprentice Shafiq Rizuan, saved the day.
Walker's second runner and slightly better-fancied Fighter Jet also looked a chance halfway up the home straight, but the Alvin Tan-trained Imacruiser split the pair to pinch second place by a nose from Fighter Jet.
Raced by the Remarkable Stable in the familiar orange Te Akau Racing silks, Bazinga (ex-Macau) has now registered seven wins from 27 starts at Kranji, six of which were scored with Shafiq up.
"Shafiq seems to have an affinity with this horse. The only other time he won with someone else was with Vlad Duric at his second win," said the Kiwi conditioner.
Shafiq admitted his level of confidence going into the race was not exactly sky-high, but the New Zealand-bred gelding has again risen to the occasion when the least was expected.
"I was not very confident before the race. I reckoned it was a bit tough for him," said the 2011 Singapore champion apprentice jockey whose last win incidentally came aboard
the same Bazinga on April 21.
"From the 800m, I kept waking him up and he just kept going. Those who went fast early and were in front were dropping back and that was when he finished very strongly."
25/5/2013 Array of Carnival contenders abroad
As if quality racing in our own backyard isn't enough this weekend, Australian punters can delight in an array of international feature racing that could have significant bearing on the Spring Racing Carnival.
French stayer Shahwardi, a devastating winner of the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield last Spring, returns to the track for the first time this year in Sunday's Group 2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (3100m) at Longchamp.
The French staying test – in which Dunaden finished second two years ago en route to his Emirates Melbourne Cup success – has attracted a class field, and punters looking for a guide to the Melbourne spring should also keep a close eye on Shahwardi's stablemate and defending Vigier champion Ivory Land.
A string of other Spring Carnival targets will campaign in feature races across the UK, Hong Kong and Japan this weekend.
Following are the must watch international races, including their Australian broadcast times, together with comments from Racing Victoria's International Recruitment Officer, Leigh Jordon, on who to watch from a Spring Carnival viewpoint;
- Goodwood (UK) – Listed Festival Stakes (2000m) – Broadcast live on SKY 1 & SKY Racing World at 11.05pm (AET) Saturday night
Leigh Jordon's Comment - This race was won by Jet Away last year who has since won impressively in Australia for David Hayes. Second last year was Fiorente who was subsequently exported to Australia with Gai Waterhouse nearly pulling off a great training feat with his second in the Melbourne Cup. I am interested in the two Luca Cumani-trained runners, with Afsare resuming after he was injured preparing for the Cox Plate last year. He looks the class runner. Melbourne-based OTI Racing's new addition Mobaco also kicks off his campaign after winning his last two starts including a Group 3 win over 2000m.
- York (UK) – Listed Grand Cup (2800m) – Broadcast live on SKY 1 at 11.20pm (AET) Saturday night
Leigh Jordon's Comment – Godolphin's Cavalryman won this race last year before finishing 12thin the Melbourne Cup. They have Songcraft, a horse I have been following with interest over the past 12 months, engaged this year so keep your eye on him. The other interesting runner is Dr Marwan Koukash's Address Unknown who won the Chester Cup last start. Marwan commented afterwards that the Melbourne Cup may be an option, but he'll need to keep progressing through the grades to lift his rating so watch him closely too.
- Goodwood (UK) – Listed Tapster Stakes (2400m) – Broadcast live on SKY 2 & SKY Racing World at 1.05am (AET) Sunday morning
Leigh Jordon's Comment – Last year's edition more so than this year's may prove an interesting form reference for this Spring. Sea Moon, who is now in Australia after being purchased by Lloyd Williams, won while Dandino, who has been purchased by Victorian-based Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, ran second and is being aimed at the Cups too. Of this year's runners, Noble Mission trained by Sir Henry Cecil is the one to beat, with Genzy and Moment In Time interesting runners. Genzy is trained by Ian Williams who prepared Munsef to run 12th in the 2009 Melbourne Cup behind Shocking.
- Tokyo (JAPAN) – G2 Meguro Kinen (2500m) – No live broadcast on Sunday afternoon
Leigh Jordon's Comment: This race was won by Pop Rock in 2006 before coming to Australia and running second to Delta Blues in the Melbourne Cup. I will be watching Admire Rakti, to be ridden by Yasunari Iwata (Delta Blues' Cup winning jockey), closely after his strong finish in the Group 1 Tenno Sho over 3200m in late April. A sound run in this race will hopefully set him up for a trip to Australia to compete in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. I will also be watching Desperado (9thTenno Sho), Lelouch with Craig Williams aboard and last year's winner Smart Robin from a Spring viewpoint.
- Sha Tin (HK) – G1 Champions and Chater Cup (2400m) – Broadcast live on SKY 2, SKY Racing World & TVN at 6.05pm (AET) Sunday night
Leigh Jordon's Comment - Dominant trained by ex-pat John Moore and ridden by ex-pat Zac Purton ran third in this race last year and was impressive last start winning the Group 3 Queen Mother over 2400m. A win in this race could see him target the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup. For mine, I think he would be an ideal horse for the Caulfield Cup. I will also be watching Willie Cazals, to be ridden by Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Gerald Mosse, who was finishing hard last start behind Dominant in the Queen Mother and may be a spring prospect.
- Longchamp (FRA) – G1 Prix d'Ispahan (1850m) – Broadcast live on SKY 2 & SKY Racing World at 11.40pm (AET) Sunday night
Leigh Jordon's Comment – This race is still at entries stage. Planteur trained by Marco Botti ran third in this race last year and interestingly, recent Randwick Group 1 winner, Reliable Man, ran sixth. Planteur is in great form running third in the Dubai World Cup in March, and I will be keen to see how he performs from a Cox Plate perspective. This is a high class field with the 2012 French Derby winner Saonois lining up and Maxios, a close last start second to Pastorious in the Group 1 Prix Ganay over 2100m, also engaged. Alain de Royer Dupre has Mandour, who has been very lightly raced but has plenty of ability, entered.
- Longchamp (FRA) – G2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (3100m) – Broadcast live on SKY 2 & SKY Racing World at 12.10am (AET) Monday morning
Leigh Jordon's Comment: This race is a great guide to the Cups. Brigantin won two years ago, with subsequent Cups winner Dunaden second. Last year's winner Ivory Land lines up again for trainer Alain de Royer Dupre and I think he has the right profile for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup, I just need to convince the owner! I will be particularly interested in Alain's other two runners Shahwardi, who won the Group 2 Herbert Power at Caulfield last year. He's on trial to start in the Ascot Gold Cup next, and then hopefully a return to Melbourne. The other is Verema, an up and coming stayer who was beaten a head by Last Train in the Group 3 Barbeville (3200m) last start. I am also keen to see how Now We Can performs for Nicholas Clement, lightly raced with 4 wins in a row from 5 starts, he shows a smart turn of foot.
- The Curragh (IRE) – G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup (2100m) – Broadcast live on SKY 1, SKY 2 & SKY Racing World at 12.20am (AET) Monday morning
Leigh Jordon's Comment: So You Think won the 2011 and 2012 runnings of this Group 1 feature and Aidan O'Brien is looking to continue success in this race with his superstar Camelot. I am keen to see if Al Kazeem, trained by Roger Charlton can test Camelot, as he was super impressive first up winning the Group 3 Gordon Richards after being off the scene through injury for nearly 12 months and would be ideal horse for the Cox Plate. Dermot Weld's mare Princess Highway is the other to watch from a Spring viewpoint. She is owned in the same interests as Profound Beauty and had excuses first-up when in season.
24/5/2013 Shamexpress on target for Royal Ascot
A jump-out at Flemington today is the next step for Shamexpress in his Royal Ascot preparation
A jump-out this week will be the first of two important tests for three-year-old Shamexpress (NZ) (O'Reilly) before he departs for his Royal Ascot assignment.
Trainer Danny O'Brien confirmed the Group One Newmarket Handicap winner would have a jump-out at Flemington today, and again the following week before he
leaves for England on June 5.
Shamexpress is being aimed at the Group One King's Stand Stakes (1000m) on June 18 at Royal Ascot, with plans for the colt to also stick around and contest other races
during the European summer such as the July Cup.
"Everything has been spot on," O'Brien said of the sprinter's preparations.
"He's going to trial this Friday and the Friday after.
"You have them ready to race when they get on the plane and then you don't have to do much when you get there."
Craig Newitt has already had success at Royal Ascot partnering Miss Andretti to victory in the 2007 King's Stand Stakes and is looking forward to heading back there to ride
Newitt won the Newmarket on Shamexpress at Flemington in March and will be back aboard him in today's jump-out.
"I saw him the other day when I was at Danny's stables and he looks a bigger, stronger colt than what he was on Newmarket day," Newitt said.
O'Brien has previously taken Glamour Puss and Star Witness to England to race at Royal Ascot.
Glamour Puss was unplaced in both the King's Stand and Golden Jubilee Stakes in 2006 while Star Witness was second in the King's Stand and third in the Golden Jubilee in 2011
before being unplaced at his final start in the July Cup.
21/5/2013 Moore planning Plate Attack
Zac Purton posts a soft win on Military Attack
Cox Plate a distinct possibility for Singapore Airlines International Cup winner Military Attack
The John Moore-trained Military Attack, arguably the most improved horse on the world racing stage, overnight scored a commanding win in the $3 million Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m) and may now be bound for the Moonee Valley Racing Club's showpiece, the Group 1 Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m).
"The Cox Plate would be a nice race for him now," said Moore after breaking his International racing duck with the gelding who posted his fourth consecutive win on a night which belonged to Hong Kong with Lucky Nine having earlier won the KrisFlyer and Moore also claiming second in the Cup with Dan Excel.
"He'll have a break now and I'll be seriously looking at the Cox Plate. I know the Moonee Valley Racing Club has sent all the details to (owner) Steven Lo and I'll have a good talk to Steven about it. This is a serious horse now, he's kept progressing and we probably have to keep raising the bar.
"It will be a challenge to do both - to take on the Cox Plate and also the Hong Kong (International) Cup in December but it might be manageable. The horse has shown now that he thrives on travel and he's good fresh so we can train him that way," he said.
Moore said he was delighted to have the international monkey off his back after a number of major race seconds when abroad, including with Zaidan in last year's Singapore Cup. "It's great to have that out of the way and my next target is to win a Group 1 race in Australia," he said.
Military Attack won the 2000 metres feature by 3.25 lengths from his stablemate Dan Excel and ran near course record time in a performance which jockey Zac Purton described as "phenomenal". The victory followed his success in the APQEII Cup on 28 April.
"I expected him to go close but of course I was surprised that he was able to blow them away like that," said Purton.
Last year's Doomben Cup winner Mawingo returned to something like his best form, at his first run for local trainer Michael Freedman, when he finished a head behind Dan Excel in third place.
The Australian Bloodstock-owned German import, formerly trained out of Victoria by Freedman's brother Anthony, was closing late and could well have grabbed second in a few more strides.
"He's run one hell of a race. He did have a dream run and couldn't match the winner but he was just pipped for second. He ran very well," said jockey Hugh Bowman.
"I've only ridden him a couple of times and that was by far his best run under me and probably his best since last year's Doomben Cup."
The 2011 Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux finished eighth and found the trip "too short" according to jockey Gerald Mosse, after having competed at 3200 metres in Japan at his previous run.
21/5/2013 Sprinter denied in Singapore
Brett Prebble crosses the line on Lucky Nine
Victorian galloper Bel Sprinter far from disgraced after runner-up placing in Singapore's Krisflyer International
Hong Kong's Lucky Nine denied Australia's Bel Sprinter in tonight's $1 million Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m) in Singapore and in the process a major sprint rivalry may well have begun which could continue throughout 2013.
Lucky Nine provided trainer Caspar Fownes with a second win in the Singapore spring feature, having won in 2010 with former Australian galloper Green Birdie, and the trainer immediately declared that he was "ten to one on" to campaign a horse in Australia and that Lucky Nine could well be the one to blaze that trail.
"I am ten to one on to get there at some stage. It's something I'm very keen to do. The Aussies are so passionate about their racing and I want to be part of it one of these days. Obviously we'll look at the Melbourne spring program among the many options for the horse," he said.
The Melbourne option is obviously the Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m), a leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, with Lucky Nine now eligible for the VRC $600,000 bonus which would mean a $1.2 million first prize should he win. The Sprinters Stakes in Japan is also a possibility as is Royal Ascot but Fownes said a UK trip was only a "maybe" at this stage.
And, aside from all those possibilities, the Group 1 Hong Kong International Sprint (1200m) in his own backyard in December is probably the race definitely locked in all being well and that could well see a rematch with Jason Warren's Bel Sprinter.
"I'll look forward to seeing him again if December, if not sooner," Warren said, referring to Lucky Nine after Bel Sprinter charged late to be beaten a margin of three lengths which was not a true reflection of the margin between the two horses.
Warren hadn't met Fownes but introduced himself immediately after the race and was among the first to congratulate the winning trainer. Fownes returned the goodwill gesture by labelling Bel Sprinter a "gun".
While Lucky Nine enjoyed the run of the race, Bel Sprinter had to come from the tail and overcome a severe bump on the home turn.
"He copped one hell of a bump on the home turn," said jockey Hugh Bowman, "It may not have been the difference between winning and losing but he should have been closer.
"He's run a terrifically good race. He struggled to get into a rhythm early but he eventually got balanced, at least before the prat on the turn and he did produce a finishing burst."
Warren said he was happy rather than disappointed. "He's run so well you have to be happy. I've been around racing too long to dwell on running second. He was on his wrong leg for the first 400 metres. He's come from those two runs in Sydney and gone back to going left handed. That might have thrown him early.
"It got a bit rough for him on the corner but he hit the line enormous. He's done a super job. He's done Australia proud. He's still learning this horse. He's had 15 starts and done something wrong in just about every one of them but he'll come on from this experience and I think we're in for a good spring," Warren said.
The winner was, of course, ridden by Hong Kong based Australian Brett Prebble who'd previously won the race on Sacred Kingdom in 2009.
"My confidence grew from six to ten when the horse began well," Prebble said, "he had his mind on the job and ran right up to his very best which is very bloody good especially when you consider all the issues he has."
Fownes said the win was "satisfying" and a great relief. "You can't imagine the pressure I felt leading into this race with the horse's internal issues, his feet problem and just for good measure we discovered a chip in a fetlock joint when we x-rayed him recently. Who knows how good his record would be but for all his little problems," Fownes said.
By Steve Moran
20/5/2013 Cool double for trainer in hot form
Cool Customer scores easily on debut.
After landing the spoils with Supernova on Guineas night last Friday, trainer Bruce Marsh continues to enjoy a great month of May as he saddled a winning double with debutant Cool Customer (NZ) (One Cool Cat) and roughie Smart Idea (NZ) (Keeninsky) on Singapore Airlines International Cup day on Sunday.
The Kiwi conditioner has now brought up his sixth winner since May 5 to take his overall tally to 19 wins and sneak up to sixth place on the ladder, 15 wins behind current leader, fellow countryman Mark Walker.
Jockey Danny Beasley, who combined with Marsh aboard Cool Customer, for one praised the trainer's astuteness behind the impressive debut win.
With the benefit of having ridden the One Cool Cat threeyear- old at his two barrier trials at Kranji, Beasley was certainly in a good position to give Marsh his feedback in mapping out
the one-time New Zealand trial winner's career at Kranji.
Two races were under consideration, a 1200m race on Friday night and a 1400m race on Sunday, but Beasley said Marsh had already made up his mind Cool Customer would be better suited by Sunday's race for Restricted Maidens Division 1, the $65,000 Singapore Airlines A380 Hong Kong Stakes.
"Full credit must go to Bruce. He picked the seven-furlong race when he could have gone for the six-furlong race on Friday night," said Beasley.
"I think it was a masterstroke from Bruce as he thought the 1200m would be too sharp for him. He preferred today's race and he was right on the money.
Beasley said he had initially planned to settle off the speed, but had to improvise when Cool Customer showed a bit more dash than anticipated.
"I wanted to be third or fourth, but we ended up leading," said the Australian hoop. "He began a lot quicker than I thought.
"I knew I was on the best horse in the field. I rode him out at the 300m and he gave me a very good strong kick to the line."
The Kiwi handler said he was happy with Cool Customer's debut win, especially after he was vindicated by his decision to elect for a 1400m race first-up.
"The 1200m is a bit sharp for him. He's a big, long striding sort of horse and I thought the 1400m would suit him better," said Marsh.
20/5/2013 Virtual horse racing
Virtual horse racing is something you probably either love or hate – or maybe you're completely indifferent?
But whatever your view of them, you have to admit that they're improved beyond all recognition in recent years – particularly in terms of their graphics, sound effects and the overall feeling of reality they seem to be able to generate. The very recent three dimensional versions take this further still.
OK, they don't look likely to replace the real thing any time soon – but for a bit of harmless fun, they can be quite interesting.
The lasts fad is for racing to appear in various fun online casino games. These, of course, can be played on mobile devices as well as by slot machines (whether real or virtual) and on your PC.
There are several virtual horse racing casino games around now from different software developers licensed out to many different online gaming companies. They all appear slightly different and offer various bonus rounds, races and multifarious features to make them more interesting. The more sophisticated of these games allow punters to select their horses based on form, weighing the odds etc.
For example, the "Virtual Race book" game by Betsoft takes place in a three-dimensional world with amazingly realistic horses, sound, and special effects. Each of the horses has a different off-beat name and players can make up to ten bets per race.
Similarly, the graphics and the sound effects in the well-known "Golden Derby" game are also superb. This is a superior game, on the whole, to most others in that it allows gamers to study previous form and weigh the odds accordingly. There's also a progressive jackpot available which gradually builds form a small proportion of each punter's stake until one lucky winner scoops the lot – and these can run into serious amounts of money. Players are given jackpot numbers at the start of the race - and if all eight entrants finish in the order of your jackpot list, you win it.
A third well-liked game is Playtech's virtual racing game, "Derby Day Horse Racing". This sees six horses per race with each being worth a certain number of points. Here again, each horse's previous wins and places are listed, together with information concerning the horse, jockey and appropriateness of the track conditions for each runner.
Of course, the serious gamblers out there may allow themselves a little bit of a sneer at virtual racing. This is a "mug's game" etcetera, and perhaps it is; no-one is going to suggest that you're likely to come out ahead gambling on virtual racing. But there are three factors to bear in mind here. The first is that it's harmless fun as long as the stakes involved are throwaway money only. The second thing to remember is that you can play all these games for free with your chosen provider on mobile devices, so it can be a fun way of passing the time while you're on a journey or waiting around somewhere – whether or not you actually gamble for any real cash.
But perhaps most significantly of all; punters should bear in mind that almost all the online casinos and gaming companies give newly registering players free bonus sign-up money – so you can at least have a few virtual racing bets for free.
19/5/2013 War Affair's win gives him status of Singapore's leading juvenile
The opposition is well astern as War Affair gallops away with the two-year-old feature at Kranji on Friday night.
Hot favourite War Affair (NZ) (O'Reilly) stamped himself as the best two-year-old in Singapore when he defeated a capacity field for a commanding win in the Group Two S$325,000 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe on Friday night, taking home around S$170,000 stakes money for the Warplan Racing Stable, headed by Mr and Mrs Ong.
Settled in midfield by jockey Joao Moreira, War Affair came sailing home once he saw daylight at the top of the straight to score by an impressive two lengths, with third another 2¼ lengths away, finishing the 1200 metres in just a tick under 1:10.
As the winner of the Inglis Sydney Juvenile Stakes a fortnight ago, at just his second start, War Affair became the only juvenile to have claimed more than one leg of the six-race Singapore Golden Horseshoe series. "He's a pretty exciting horse," said trainer Mark Walker. "He's kept improving with age and he's got an exciting future in Singapore. Being by O'Reilly, who is a great sire, I think he'll go over more ground here.
"Two runs ago, he was not quite mature as an individual. He's a big scopy sort and whatever he does now, he will improve for sure. He will have two weeks out and I will the map out a programme for him.
"David Ellis bought this horse. We had a budget of $100,000 and he went for less. He's proven a good buy.
"I'd also like to thank Mr and Mrs Ong, who have been great supporters of mine from day one."
Jockey Joao Moreira said his confidence level was at an all-time high during the race seeing how well he was travelling with cover behind the speed.
"Things just panned out beautifully for him. All I had to do is keep him out of trouble," said the three-time Singapore champion.
"I could have been a little closer to the pace and he would still have won. It was good to be there, give him a chance to learn how to run between runners.
"At his first start, he was very green, but credit to Mark for having brought him to his best in the last two runs.
"This is a very promising horse with a bright future here, especially if we step him up in distance."
Race Singapore TC Aushorse Golden Horseshoe
Sgp-2 1200m
Winner War Affair (NZ) 2010
Owners Warplan Racing Stable
Trainer Mark Walker (Kranji)
Breeding by O'Reilly out of Kristique (USA) by Kris S
Breeder Trelawney Thoroughbred Ltd
Sales 2012 National Yearling Sale, Premier Session;
V: Trelawney Stud Ltd, P: Mr D C Ellis; $70,000
17/5/2013 Warren satisfied with Sprinter draw
Bel Sprinter during trackwork at Kranji this morning. Image: Singapore Turf Club
Bel Sprinter camp remain confident despite wide draw for Singapore sprint feature
Victorian trainer Jason Warren remains upbeat about Bel Sprinter's prospects in Sunday's Group 1 KrisFlyer International Sprint despite his charge drawing barrier 10 in a field of 11 in the Singapore leg of the Global Sprint Challenge.
"I'm more than happy (for him) to be out there. He'll be loaded late which is a plus and they tell me there's plenty of speed so he'll be likely to settle back in any case," Warren said.
Local sprinters Emerald Hill, Goal Keeper and Mr Big are the likely go forward runners and given that they've drawn 11, 8 and 7 respectively it's hard to imagine that the KrisFlyer will be run at anything other than a fast tempo.
"Hopefully he can run over the top of them like he did in the Galaxy," said Warren who plans to have the horse a 'fraction underdone' for Sunday's assignment.
"That's where he is at the moment and where I'd like to have him fresh. He'll only trot and canter over the next couple of mornings. He's never been beaten fresh and I'm happy to have him fresh for Sunday," he said.
Bel Sprinter, this morning, worked at three-quarter pace from the 800 metres on the outside rail of the polytrack. He was timed to run his last 600m in 41.4 seconds.
"We didn't want him to do any more than that; it was just a light workout," Warren said.
The five-year-old did sweat up under saddle this morning but is handling the humidity well enough according to the stable.
"He's usually a free sweater so that's no great concern and he, felt good," said Carley Thomas who has looked after the horse since day one at Warren's stable.
"The heat hasn't affected his appetite, he's licked the bin out here.
"He ate up well in Sydney but he's done even better here."
Warren said that Bel Sprinter would return to Melbourne - 'win, lose or draw' - after his Singapore assignment. 'He won't go to England. He's a gelding and there's no attraction for me to take him there. There's better prizemoney to be won in Melbourne and, in the absence of Black Caviar, that's the logical move.
"We'd look at the Manikato Stakes and probably a run either side of that and, all being well, head to Hong Kong in December," he said.
Australian Michael Freedman, now training in Singapore, will be represented by Super Easy and Mr Big in the KrisFlyer. His pair ran one-two in the recent Lion City Cup in Singapore with Super Easy recording his 14th career win.
Freedman was satisfied with drawing 6 and 7 for his two sprinters with Super Easy one slot nearer the inside. 'I'm usually a shocker at these barrier draws but it was OK today. Both horses are fine from their respective draws. The pace looks good enough if some of the locals take up their customary roles and my two should get every chance,' Freedman said.
Corey Brown, now based in Singapore before his intended July move to France, will ride Mr Big while Joao Morreira steers Super Easy. Glyn Schofield and High Bowman fly in from Sydney to ride Kavanagh and Bel Sprinter respectively while ex-pat Danny Beasley rides Goal Keeper and Hong Kong based Brett Prebble is aboard Lucky Nine.
Hong Kong based Australian trainer John Moore fared best of the visitors when it came to the draw for the Singapore Airlines International Cup with his APQEII Cup winner Military Attack drawing barrier four and his Champions Mile winner Dan Excel snaring gate one.
"It's a dream really. I'm ecstatic. I wanted them to both draw in. They can go forward and make their own luck and I'm sure they're both great chances," Moore said.
The 2011 Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux, who's since performed well at Gr 1 level in Hong Kong, Dubai and Japan, drew the middle pin gate seven in the Cup field of 13.
"That's perfect," said trainer Ed Dunlop's assistant Robin Trevor-Jones, "somewhere between four and nine was what I was looking for. Anywhere around there was going to suit me. That's where the winners usually draw in this race." The past four winners of the Cup have, indeed, drawn between four and nine.
Four of the past five winners of the KrisFlyer have drawn 3 or better but Rocket Man did overcome barrier nine to win in 2011.
16/5/2013 Ready to Go in Singapore
Mawingo, pictured here during trackwork at Kranji this morning. Image: Singapore Turf Club
Freedman hoping drop back to 2000m will suit Singapore International Cup hope Mawingo
The drop back to 2000 metres may be the key to the German bred, Australian owned and now Singapore trained Mawingo turning around a last start BMW failure in Sunday's Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji.
That is the hope of Singapore based trainer Michael Freedman who has taken over the training of the five-year-old from his Melbourne based brother Anthony.
"The form card shows that his runs at 2000m have simply been better than those at 2400m and I recall Craig (Williams) saying that he didn't really stay after the BMW," Freedman said.
Mawingo's four wins have come from 1600m to 2080m and while he was placed at 2400m in last year's Brisbane Cup it was a performance which rated well below his Doomben Cup win, at 2000 metres, just three weeks earlier.
The son of Tertullian was a labouring 9th in the BMW which promoted this post race comment from Williams: "He didn't see out the 2400 (metres, the way the race was run," said the jockey who'll be replaced by High Bowman, who also rides Bel Sprinter, in Singapore.
His previous effort was a satisfactory closing fourth in the Ranvet behind Foreteller and Fiveandahalfstar who've run well since and he beat home the likes of Silent Achiever, Kellini and Sangster who've won or placed, at Group level, since.
Freedman is also hopeful that Mawingo will "pick up" after a couple of days to settle in to a steamy Singapore.
Now a registered Malayan Racing Association (MRA) galloper, the entire was required to pass a barrier test prior to accepting for Sunday's race with Freedman pleased with his performance when jumping from the barriers in the 1800m chute and cantering a lap of the turf track with track rider William Stewart aboard.
"He's been a touch off his feed but nothing yet to cause great alarm. Hopefully he will spark up a little over the next few days," he said.
"At least I know that he can jump out of the barriers but he won't be doing too much before the race on Sunday."
Mawingo won't, of course, be the first German bred winner of the Singapore feature race nor the first winner trained by a Freedman. Epalo won for the Germans in 2004 and the following year, Lee Freedman prepared Mummify to a memorable win in the race.
Michael Freedman might also be encouraged by the fact that while Mawingo's current form looks less than spectacular nor was Mummify's anything to write home about. He came off a fifth placing in a minor handicap at Caulfield and had been placed once in six starts of his campaign leading into Singapore.
"The horse looks to have travelled up very well and that always a key," said Freedman after Mawingo arrived on Sunday night, "And I think having the other horse (Bel Sprinter) with him certainly made the trip a lot easier. I doubt we'll have to do a lot with him."
Mawingo may have a long term future in Singapore and a win on Sunday would be the realization of a relatively long term goal. "The Singapore Cup would be a lovely race to target," former trainer Anthony Freedman said as early as January this year.
Plans are to spell the horse following the SIA Cup and then aim at the G1 Singapore Triple Crown Series at the end of year which incorporates the Kranji Mile (1600m), the Raffles Cup (1800m) and the Longines Singapore Gold Cup (2200m).
"I talked to the owners in Sydney at the yearling sales and they felt the horse had met his mark in Australia," Michael Freedman said, "they take a keen interest in racing in Singapore and asked me to put forward some options for them to consider following the SIA Cup."
14/5/2013 Singapore duo arrive safely
Bel Sprinter arrived at Changi Airport on Sunday night. Image: Singapore Turf Club
Victorian gallopers Bel Sprinter and Mawingo jet into Singapore ahead of Group 1 targets on International Raceday
Australia's two representatives at this weekend's Singapore International Race meeting flew into Singapore overnight ahead of their respective Group 1 targets on May 19.
Jason Warren-trained Bel Sprinter and Group 1-winning Freedman import Mawingo arrived on Sunday night and have settled in well to their new surroundings in the quarantine complex at the Singapore Turf Club.
13/5/2013 Polytrack the ideal surface for Tim
Tim makes it two in a row at Kranji last Friday
Consistent galloper Tim (NZ) (Elusive City) landed back-to-back victories when he took out the $55,000 Class 4 Stakes over 1000m on the Polytrack at Kranji last Friday night.
Successful on April 26, Tim, ridden by Joao Moreira, backed up that success with a three-quarter length victory over Black Unicorn with Flag Of Command a length away third.
Moreira said a lot of the credit for Tim's victory should go to trainer Laurie Laxon's assistant Shane Ellis who helped guide the jockey to victory.
"Shane not only does a lot of work in the stable but also a lot of form and he got this race down perfect," said Moreira.
"He said there would be good pace and that we would get a good trail and he read the race perfectly."
Moreira said Tim was an "honest" horse who was well suited to the Polytrack.
"I still think he's got some room for improvement," said Moreira. "He's made improvement from his last run and I think he can make some more.
Laxon said Tim loved the Polytrack, having had all ten starts to date on the surface, and said he had picked out another race in a couple of weeks for the gelding.
"He loves the Polytrack," said Laxon. "And finally he's drawn a couple of decent barriers and has strung together a couple of wins.
"He's small but he's a tough little bugger. There's another nice race for him in a couple of week's time that should fit nicely into his benchmark."
Tim has now had ten starts in Singapore registering three wins and three minor placings, all on the Polytrack, for just on $130,000 in prizemoney for his Oscar Racing Stable owners.
Mufhasa career in doubt
6th May 2013
The career of dual New Zealand Horse of the Year Mufhasa (NZ) (Pentire) could be over after he finished a long last in the Champions Mile at Sha Tin last night.
After making a good start to sit outside the leader, it was obvious on the home turn that Mufhasa was labouring and the ten-time Group One winner was eased out of the race by jockey Michael Rodd.
"We got to the half mile (800m) and he was trying to clear his wind," Rodd said afterwards. "His breathing obviously wasn't right and he was struggling soon after. There's a problem, it's a shame."
A post-race veterinary report from the Hong Kong Jockey Club stated that Mufhasa was lame in his left front foreleg as well as having "substantial" blood in his trachea.