News

Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux scores at York overnight

Last year’s Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux returned to the winner’s list overnight winning the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup (2800m) at York racecourse in England.

The British-trained stayer was ridden by Tom McLaughlin and after reigning in race favourite and early leader Harris Tweed in the straight, the 6yo gelding proved too strong on the line to defeat the fast finishing Glen’s Diamond, who ran home strongly for second.

Montjeu gelding Harris Tweed held on for third in a game run by the New Zealand galloper.

Red Cadeaux scored his first win of the season taking out the York feature race and is certain to come under the handicapper’s eye for the Flemington two-miler on the first Tuesday in November.

He may now head to the Coronation Cup at Epsom or the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot next month, before embarking on another Australian campaign this coming spring, with the ultimate goal being the 2012 Melbourne Cup at Flemington.

A number of international races are taking place this weekend with a few horses going around who may come over to contest feature races during the Spring Racing Carnival in Melbourne.

York & Newbury – Saturday 19th May 2012

York (UK)
JLT Aston Park Stakes (Listed – 2600m)
Luca Cumani’s Ibicenco steps out in this race and may be here for the spring.
SKY Racing 2 & SKY World at 11.00pm

Newbury (UK)
Lockinge Stakes (Group 1 – 1600m)
The much talked about Frankel goes around in this race and plenty of interest to see how he performs.
SKY Racing 2 & SKY World at 12.40am Saturday night.

Navan & Kranji – Sunday 20th May 2012

Navan (Ireland)
Vintage Crop Stakes (Listed – 2400m)
Interest around Fame And Glory, last year’s Ascot Gold Cup winner, and Sense Of Purpose from the Dermot Weld stable.

Kranji (Singapore)
Krisflyer International Sprint (Group 1 – 1200m)
Dubai Golden Shaheen winner Krypton Factor, Secret Asset and and Mr Big could make their way to our shores.
On TVN, SKY Racing 2 & SKY World at 9.50pm on Sunday night

Singapore Airlines International Cup (Group 1 – 2000m)
Cox Plate interest around the likes of Zazou, Thumbs Up, Chincon, City Style, Dream Peace and California Memory.
On TVN, SKY Racing 2 & SKY World at 10.40pm Sunday night

Visit IASbet here for the latest International odds

Join IASbet through the ATB website and claim a $200 Free Bet once you deposit $100 or more!

Picture courtesy of Sportinglife website

Saturday 19th May 2012

ATB’s Crackerjack purchase for Cox Plate

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock now has a horse for the three Spring Racing Carnival majors following last week’s purchase of Crackerjack King.

The Darren Dance-led operation acquired 50 percent of the Italian four-year-old, who has won seven of his eight starts including last Sunday’s Group 1 Premio Presidente Della Repubblica (2000m) in Rome.

He will be set for the $3 million Sportingbet Cox Plate, leaving half-brother and fellow recent ATB purchase Jakkalberry to fly the ATB flag in the $2.5m BMW Caulfield Cup and $6.2m Emirates Melbourne Cup.

“Because he’s by Shamardal he’s probably not a two-mile horse, so we’re looking at the Cox Plate with the back-up probably the Mackinnon Stakes,” Dance said.

“I’m not sure if he’ll run at Ascot, he might even run at the Sandown meeting in July, but the view is to bring him out with Jakkalberry.”

Crackerjack King was trained by Endo Botti but has since been transferred to his cousin, Marco Botti, who prepares Jakkalberry.

Crackerjack King’s explosiveness is his key asset according to Dance, as demonstrated last weekend when he settled towards the rear, cruised into the race from the 800m before taking charge of the race in the final 400m.

“He settles back in the field and he’s got an unbelievable turn of foot and he’s not frightened to charge through the pack, which he’s done his last two starts,” Dance said.

“(On Sunday) he went from running second last of a slow speed to pushing through the middle of the pack and then just running away.”

Dance also reported that Jakkalberry had done well since his third behind Cirrus de Angles and St Nicholas Abbey in the Sheema Classic (2400m) on Dubai World Cup night and would add another Australian element to Royal Ascot.

“He’s gone back to Marco’s stable in the UK,” Dance said. “He’s going to run at Ascot in the Hardwicke (Stakes), the same day as Black Caviar is running over there, and then hopefully he’ll come to Australia for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.”

Jakkalberry, a son of Storming Home, has won nine of his 22 starts including the Gran Premio di Milano (2400m).

Article & photo courtesy of Racing Victoria website

Thursday 17th May 2012

Black And Bent suffers serious tendon injury

The jumps season has been dealt a blow with news that drawcard jumper Black And Bent has injured a tendon and will not race again in 2012.

The champion six-year-old’s part-owner Mike Symons revealed the news via Twitter.

Symons said that the Robert Smerdon-trained gelding has hurt the same leg that caused him to miss almost 12 months’ racing in 2010/11 and was set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

“Black And Bent has injured his tendon – near fore, same (as) last time – and will not race again this season,” Symons said. “Hopefully he can bounce back in 2013.”

The news comes less than a fortnight after the son of Black Hawk equalled Lots Of Time’s Australian record of nine consecutive jumps victories with a strong win over Gotta Take Care in the Galleywood Hurdle and just three days after being passed fit to contest steeplechase races.

Black And Bent’s most recent Galleywood win was his second in that race, having also won the 2010 edition. He also won the Australian Hurdle in 2010 and last year won the Grand National Hurdle in between wins in the Kevin Lafferty Hurdle and J.J. Houlahan Hurdle.

A winner of seven races on the flat, Black And Bent has won 12 of his 18 starts over jumps and $643,830 of his $936,236 in earnings has come via hurdle events.

While a blow for fans of jumps racing, his absence has opened up the remaining legs of this year’s J.J. Houlahan Jumps Championship.

Black And Bent was to have had his next start in either the $100,000 Jack Dow Memorial Hurdle or the $100,000 Great Southern Steeplechase at Mornington this Sunday before being set for the Grand Nationals.

Article & photo courtesy of Racing Victoria website

Tuesday 15th May 2012

$50,000 Bonus for 2012 Winter Series

ATB's Luckyi'mbarefoot aiming for Winter Series

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) announced a $50,000 cash bonus will be offered in the 2012 TROA/Luxbet Winter Championship, which begins this tomorrow (Sunday) at Cranbourne and concludes with the series final at Flemington on Saturday, 7 July.

The $50,000 cash bonus will be paid to connections of the series points leader should it also win the Listed TROA/LUXBET Winter Championship Series Final.

Horses will accrue points according to place results in seven series heats over distances from 1300m to 1600m at:

• Cranbourne - Sunday 13 May 2012
• Flemington Sat 19 May 2012
• Sale - Thu 31 May 2012
• Flemington - Saturday 9 June 2012
• Bendigo - Thursday 17 June 2012
• Flemington - Saturday 23 June 2012
• Warrnambool - Sunday 1 July 2012

Connections of the leading points scorer will rewarded with a catered corporate suite for 24 people on Sofitel Girls’ Day Out at Flemington on Saturday, 8 September.

Provincial heats will offer $40,000 in prizemoney, rising to $70,000 for the three Flemington heats and $152,000 for the Flemington series final.

Sunday’s series premiere features 14 acceptances, including the Dean Saxon-trained Riceman – second in the 2011 series final – and former heat winner Jungle Ruler, a winner of its last start at the Tabcorp Warrnambool May Racing Carnival.

Flemington based training partnership Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra have two runners engaged in the first heat at Cranbourne.

“The Winter Championship Series provides owners of progressive types such as Prussian Storm and Java Jack with the opportunity to race for excellent prizemoney. We are hopeful with the points based balloting system we can reach the final and be in line for the $50,000 bonus,” Mathew Ellerton said.

ATB’s Matthew William-trained galloper Luckyi’mbarefoot has been entered for the Flemington heats on Saturday 19th May 2012 and the Undoubedtly 4yo will be looking to go one better than last time out when he just failed to nail veteran galloper Jungle Ruler in the last race of the three-day Warrnambool carnival held earlier in the month.

Tuesday 15 May 2012

Michelle Payne ‘feared for the worst’

Jockey Michelle Payne has revealed she feared the worst in the moments immediately after her horror fall at Donald on Sunday.

The 26-year-old was left with five fractured vertebrae and a couple of broken ribs when her mount El Divine, trained by Darren Weir, knuckled at the start and tipped her from the saddle.

It was at this point, lying on the turf, that Payne’s heart sank.

“When I first fell I didn’t think I could move my legs and I was really worried,” she told The Courier yesterday.

“After it felt like a couple of minutes I could wiggle my feet and that was such a relief.”

Payne was rushed to a local hospital in Donald, before being transported to the Ballarat Base for further observations. She was released and spent the night with father Paddy in Ballarat, then returned to Melbourne yesterday.

Doctors have advised Payne, who also has a fat lip and some facial bruising, that the fractures in her back are stable, and the best mode of recovery is rest.

“I can get from A to B, but really slowly. I’m doing as least movement as possible because it’s really painful,” she said.

“It’s pretty serious. It’s the spine and that’s a scary thought, but it’s not too hard, it just a bit painful getting around. I just feel lucky that it wasn’t worse.”

Payne, who is aiming for a racetrack return before the start of spring, rated the fall as one of the worst of her career. She fractured her skull in an accident in 2004, and sustained a minor neck fracture early last year.

“(Last year) was really scary because it was so close to my artery and was in a bad spot.

‘‘Those two were the most serious I’ve had.

‘‘This one comes behind them two,” she said.

Sunday’s fall has cost Payne the chance to ride Andrew Noblet-trained Sistine Angel in the upcoming Tiara at Eagle Farm, a race she won last year aboard Yosei. That victory was her third group 1 success aboard the mare, who also won the Sires Produce Stakes and Thousand Guineas in 2010.

Payne won her only other race at the top level on Bart Cummings’ Allez Wonder in the 2009 Toorak Handicap. The injuries also mean she will not travel to Berlin next month to ride in a race for Arabian horses, which she was invited to attend.

Article & Photo courtesy of Tim O’Connor from ‘The ‘Courier’ website in Ballarat.

Tuesday 15 May 2012

Crackerjack King lands Group 1 win on route to Newmarket

Crackerjack King (Shamardal) will move to Newmarket to join the stable of Marco Botti with a Group 1 win in his bag.

Last year’s Gr.2 Derby Italiano winner scored impressively in yesterday’s Premio Presidente della Repubblica at Capannelle, beating an international field in a very good style and could head for an autumn campaign in Australia according to Stuart Boman, the bloodstock agent representing the new partnership that owns the four-yearold Shamardal colt.

“The Cox Plate could be a nice target for him, said Boman.

The grey colt, more relaxed than usual in the preliminaries, had a perfect lead behind the Luca Cumanitrained Afsare (Dubawi), who took over the running in the early part of straight when the initial pacesetter Estejo faded.

Jockey Fabio Branca waited until the last 400 metre pole to make his move and Crackerjack King quickened well to pull clear in the final furlong and score by two and half lengths over Afsare, with the gallant mare Quiza Quiza Quiza (Golden Snake) holding the challenge of the German raider Waldpark (Dubawi), who was a bit unlucky in running, for the third place.

The final time of 2.01.30 on ground described as good is not especially fast, but Crackerjack King was clocked at 42.73 in the last half mile.

” If the time for last 800m is right- he will smash everyone. 42.73 seconds is unheard of “

Crackerjack King’s only defeat came last year in the Gr.1 Prix Du Jockey-Club at Chantilly.

“This is an emotional moment because Crackerjack King is leaving the yard,” said Stefano Botti. “He ran the best race of his life and I think he has room for improvement.”

Matteo Cumani, assistant to his father Luca, was not disappointed by the second place: “The slow pace played against Afsare. He ran well but he turned into an easy target for Crackerjack King.”

Monday 14th May 2012

ATB secure Italian Derby winner Crackerjack King for Cox Plate tilt

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock’s latest overseas acquisition Crackerjack King scored a decisive victory in the Group 1 Premio Presidente della Repubblica over 2000 metres at Capannelle racecourse in Italy on the weekend.

Last year’s Italian Derby winner Crackerjack King was ridden by Fabio Branca and had two and a half lengths to spare from the Luca Cumani-trained Afsare as they crossed the line.

Crackerjack King won all seven starts in Italy, with his only defeat taking place in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly in June, when nothing went right for the Shamardal colt.

>>> Watch Crackerjack King win the Premio Presidente della Repubblica here

His owner Felice Villa, who races under the name Scuderia Effevi, will now own Crackerjack King in partnership with Darren & Liz Dance of Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock.

The 4yo will most likely head to Ascot in June before making the trip to Australia in the spring to tackle the $3,000,000 Group 1 WS Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in October.

Crackerjack King is a 4yo colt by Shamardal (USA) out of Claba Di San Jore (Barathea IRE) and was bred by Azienda Agricola Allevamento Deni.

The grey colt won the Group 2 Italian Derby as a three-year-old and is a younger half-brother to 2009 Italian Derby placegetter Jakkalberry (Storming Home), who is also raced in Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock interests.

Crackerjack King Pedigree

2008 Grey Colt – 8 Starts, 7 Wins, 0 Places – Career Earnings: € 457,300

Monday 14th May 2012

Michelle Payne injured in Donald fall

Leading female rider Michelle Payne has been left with four fractured vertebrae and broken ribs in the aftermath of a fall at Sunday’s Donald race meeting.

She was later transferred to her home town hospital at Ballarat where the fractures were confirmed on Sunday night along with bruising and a laceration to her face.

Payne was in good spirits,using twitter to tell her supporters of her injuries.

“Thanks everyone for your msg’s. 4 stable fractured vertebrates and maybe a crack in my collar bone. Not as bad as it sounds!” Payne said later adding: “Just found out a couple of ribs too, explains why moving is so painful!”

Payne is the youngest member of the famous Victorian racing family and the eighth of 11 children to become a jockey.

Her brother Patrick is now a successful trainer after a stellar career in the saddle which ended due to weight problems and included a Cox Plate aboard Northerly.

Now 26, Michelle Payne rode her first winner at her first ride at the age of 15 for her trainer father Paddy.

Her family tried to convince her to give up riding after a March 2004 fall which left her with a fractured skull and bruising to her brain.

She recovered from those injuries and has gone on to win four Group 1 races on Allez Wonder and Yosei.

Article courtesy of AAP racing

Monday 14th May 2012

21st consecutive win for Black Caviar

Black Caviar will head to England with her unbeaten record in tact following a soft win in yesterday’s $500,000 Group 1 The Goodwood at Morphettville in Adelaide.

The champion mare made it 21 straight victories when she cruised home by just over a length from We’re Gonna Rock at her final start before heading to England for the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on 23 June.

It wasn’t the most dominant performance of her unprecedented career, but she was never out of “second gear” in a performance that left trainer Peter Moody and jockey Luke Nolen satisfied.

“Luke looked after her,” Moody said. “He was kind on her and we’re happy with where we’re at. It’s just good to get another one behind us.

“She’s done a good job, she’s where we want her and as along as she pleases us the next three weeks we’re on the plane to England.

“I know tomorrow there’ll be the naysayers there (saying), ‘she’s beat We’re Gonna Rock a length-and-a-half this and that’, but we’re happy.”

The daughter of Bel Esprit was allowed to do as she pleased in the 1200-metre event. While she only jumped moderately from her wide barrier, the reluctance of any of her rivals to push forward left Nolen sharing the lead in what was a slow tempo.

Nolen took Black Caviar to the front rounding the home bend, but unlike previous races when he has put a gap on his rivals before easing her down, he just let her idle in front.

At the line the $1.04 favourite had 1-1/4 lengths to spare over a gallant We’re Gonna Rock with Stirling Grove back in third spot.

Nolen said he didn’t ask any more than required of the five-year-old, who has now won 11 Group 1 races and lifted her earnings to $5,770,550.

“Armchair easy it was,” Nolen said. “We were never out of second gear. She travelled strongly, I kept her happy, simple as that.

“Here the other day, she wasn’t the same horse, but obviously today she was back to the machine she was.”

Black Caviar’s win was part of a stellar day at Morphettville for Victoria. Among the other winners was 2011 Australian Cup runner-up Linton, who made a dream debut for Flemington trainer John Sadler.

The grey gelding, who was formerly raced by Lloyd Williams, was a strong winner of the Group 3 R.A. Lee Stakes (1600m) at his first run since finishing failing to beat a runner home in last year’s Turnbull Stakes.

The Robert Smerdon-trained Red Typhoon won the Group 3 South Australian Fillies Classic (2500m), while Dance With Her backed up her Warrnambool Cup win in the Listed Centaurea Stakes, Finiguerra claimed the Listed Port Adelaide Cup and Peter Morgan’s Lucky Penny made it three wins from as many starts in the Listed Laelia Stakes.

Four-year-old ATB gelding Faltastic disappointed in the listed Port Adelaide Cup at Morphettville, finishing last of the ten runners in race three.

Stepping up to 2500 metres for the first time, Faltastic failed to stay the trip.

Closer to home ATB had two runners from the Darren Weir stable go around yesterday at Caulfield in Melbourne and both gallopers finished fourth in their respective races.

Strategic filly Platelet overraced early in the Barbara Booth Handicap (Race 5)  against her own age and the 3yo finished just under 2 lengths behind the John Hickmott-trained Classy Chloe over 1200 metres.

Later in the day at Caulfield classy Rubiton mare Rue Maple tackled the Gail Jackson Handicap (Race 7) and after crossing to the lead from her wide gate she found the track too firm and failed to let down in the straight.

Both gallopers will be fitter for the outing and expect both of them to be very hard to beat when they next step out.

Black Caviar article and picture courtesy of Racing Victoria website

Sunday 13th May 2012

Platelet $3.70 into $3.00 at IASbet

ATB’s Darren Weir trained filly Platelet has been backed into clear favouritism for the Barbara Booth Hcp (Race 5) at Caulfield on Saturday 12 May 2012, and after opening at the juicy odds of $3.70 on Wednesday at IASbet, she is now into $3.00.

It may be coincidence, but TVN’s Jason Richardson declared ATB’s star filly one of his best bets of the day at Caulfield on Kevin Bartlett’s Friday morning program on SEN.

A continual flood of money has seen Platelet’s odds firm from $3.70 into $3.30, then $3.20, into her current price of $3.00 at the time of writing.

The Strategic three-year-old is likely to come in even further on race day and if you missed out on the great early odds of $3.70 at IASbet, then you can at least bet with the knowledge that you’ll receive a guaranteed better dividend than any of the three TABs courtesy of IASbet’s City SuperPrice.

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A winner of the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes over this same course & distance prior to a spell, Platelet has the ideal draw to make her the one to beat in this race.

Her main danger appears to be last start winner Classy Chloe from the John Hickmott stable who had early backing from $4.40 into $4.00 at IASbet, but has since eased out to $4.50 after the money arrived for Platelet.

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BTC Cup Bonus Bet Offer!

Place your very first bet of Saturday 12th May on Race 2 (CITY Superprice or Fixed Price) at Doomben and if it wins, IASbet will match your bet with a Bonus Bet up to $100 on the BTC  Cup (Race 7 at Doomben).

>>> Click here to view Doomben Race 2 Odds

IASbet will be paying a guaranteed better dividend than any Australian TAB on Doomben racing on Saturday!

Friday 11th May 2012

2012 Brisbane Winter Carnival Feature Races

The 2012 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival should be another cracking couple of months of feature group racing during May & June in Brisbane, Queensland, highlighted by the $1,000,000 Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap in early June at Eagle Farm racecourse.

City racing in Brisbane is administered by the Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) who hold race meetings at both Doomben and Eagle Farm race tracks.

The Doomben racing carnival takes place on three consecutive Saturday meetings in May (12th, 19th & 26th) and features three Group 1 races, including the $400,000 BTC Cup (1200m), the $500,000 Doomben Cup (2020m), and the feature Doomben winter sprint, the $650,000 Doomben 10,000 (1350m).

Eagle Farm is home to five Group 1 races over three Saturday meetings in June (2nd, 9th & 23rd), headlined by the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), one of the toughest sprint races on the racing calendar each year.

Other Group 1 races held at Eagle Farm include the $500,000 The TJ Smith (1200m), the $500,000 Queensland Derby (2400m), the $400,000 Queensland Oaks (2400m), and the $500,000 Winter Stakes (1400m).

For ‘guaranteed better odds‘ than any of the three Australian TABs during the Brisbane winter carnival make sure you have an IASbet account where you can also take advantage of ATB & IASbet’s exclusive $200 Free Bet offer. more info here…

This year’s edition of the BTC Cup is taking place this Saturday 12th May 2012 at Doomben and Robert Heathcote’s Newmarket Handicap runner-up Buffering is the ruling $2.70 favourite at premier horse racing bookmaker IASbet, from Sea Siren $7.00, Beaded $9.00 and Neeson $9.00.

The 2012 BTC Cup is set to jump at 3.50pm in the afternoon and is Race 7 at Doomben.

Saturday 12th May 2012 – Doomben

The BTC Cup is the first Group 1 race of the Brisbane winter carnival and three group races are held on the day.

Saturday 19th May 2012 – Doomben

Seven group races the following Saturday on the second day of the Doomben carnival and the Group 1 Doomben Cup is the feature race on a huge day of racing.

Saturday 26th May 2012 – Doomben

The final day of the three-day Doomben carnival features three group races, highlighted by the first of the feature winter sprints in Brisbane, the Group 1 Doomben 10,000.

Saturday 2nd June 2012 – Eagle Farm

The following week feature racing turns to Eagle Farm where five group races are up for grabs, headlined by the fillies classic, the Group 1 Queensland Oaks.

Saturday 9th June 2012 – Eagle Farm

Five group races are scheduled for Stradbroke Day on the second day of the Eagle Farm carnival, where the feature Brisbane winter sprint takes centre stage with the running of the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap. The Group 1 TJ Smith and Group 1 Queensland Derby take place on the same day and provide wonderful support acts to the feature race.

Saturday 23th June 2012 – Eagle Farm

The final day of the Eagle Farm & Brisbane winter carnival takes place two weeks later and has three group races on the card, including the last Group 1 race of the Brisbane winter carnival, the Winter Stakes for mares.

Feature race previews courtesy of Horse Racing Info website.

Thursday 10th May 2012

Faltastic to step out at Morphettville

Faltastic is in Race 3 at Morphettville on Saturday

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock’s Mark Kavanagh-trained stayer Faltastic will line up in the listed Port Adelaide Cup (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday 12th May 2012 and leading online bookmaker IASbet is offering $26 about the four-year-old’s chances.

Faltastic has been racing very honestly over in Adelaide this campaign, scoring a win and two placings in three 0-75 handicap races before stepping up to open company last time out Morphettville (2000m), where he ran 7th after always being well back in the run.

The Falbrav gelding will tackle the 2500 metres distance for the first time on Saturday but races as though the trip will suit and looms as a sound each-way chance.

If you want the best odds for your bet then make sure you have an IASbet account to enjoy guaranteed better odds than any TAB on city racing.

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Champion mare Black Caviar will also be going around at Morphettville in the $500,000 Group 1 Goodwood over 1200 metres.

Visit IASbet for the latest 2012 Goodwood odds.

Race 3 – PORT ADELAIDE CUP – 2500m – 1.43pm (2.13pm AEST)

Of $100000 and $400 trophy. 1st $63650 and trophy of $400, 2nd $17100, 3rd $8550, 4th $3800, 5th $1900, 6th – 10th $1000.
Quality Handicap – Listed

#4 Hurdy Gurdy Man & # 10 Miss Phromilly have both been scratched and Faltastic is now around $17.00.

Visit IASbet for the latest Race 3 odds at Morphettville
Join IASbet and deposit $100 to claim a $200 Free Bet on this race

Rue Maple and Platelet to race at Caulfield on Saturday

ATB gallopers Rue Maple & Platelet from the Darren Weir stable will be racing at Caulfield on the same day in Melbourne.

• Platelet – Caulfield – R5 – 2.21pm
• Rue Maple – Caulfield – R7 – 3.35pm

Visit our ‘Platelet and Rue Maple set for Caulfield‘ post for more info on their races.

Thursday 12th May 2012

Platelet & Rue Maple set for Caulfield

Platelet

ATB’s Darren & Liz Dance will be at Caulfield this Saturday to see their Group 3 winning filly Platelet and Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes runner-up Rue Maple go around at the Heath.

Darren Weir-trained Platelet will step out in Race 3 at Caulfield on Saturday 12th May 2012 in the Barbara Booth Handicap (1200m) and looks very nicely placed with only 3.5kgs over the minimum,  following the 2 kilo claim for jockey Jacob Rule.

Platelet resumed with a fast finishing third behind Tres Vite & Vatican at Flemington in April and the latter horse has since come out and beaten the talented Zamorar to frank the form.

The 3yo Strategic filly likes to race up on the pace and from barrier three she should be able to get all the favours and is the class filly of this field.

At her current price of $3.70 at leading online bookmaker IASbet, Platelet appears very much over the odds against these.

Race 5 BARBARA BOOTH HANDICAP – 1200m – 2.21pm

Of $70000. 1st $42700, 2nd $12600, 3rd $6300, 4th $3150, 5th $1750, 6th – 10th $700.

For Three-Years-Old. This race carries a SUPER VOBIS Nominators Bonus of $7,000 and a SUPER VOBIS Owners Bonus of $23,000 for qualified horses.

Visit IASbet for the latest Race 5 odds at Caulfield
Join IASbet and deposit $100 to claim a $200 Free Bet on this race

Rue Maple

ATB’s Classy Rubiton mare Rue Maple, also trained by Darren Weir, has drawn out wide in barrier 11 in Race 7 on the program at Caulfield and once again Damian Lane takes the ride, claiming 1.5kgs, to give the five-year-old only 2.5 kilos over the minimum.

Rue Maple returned to racing with an authoritative first-up win at Caulfield three weeks ago, when she sat on the pace from a wide gate before careering away in the straight for the easiest of wins.

After a string of second placings last time in, her excited owners, who include Darren & Liz Dance from Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, Mr Neville Gereaux, Mr Shannon Gereaux & Mr Gavin Gereaux, were most relieved to finally greet the judge first with the the talented galloper.

She appears very hard to beat again over this course & trip and after opening at $3.20 at IASbet, Rue Maple is now showing $3.40 following some specking for the Alderson-trained Miss Bindi.

Platelet & Rue Maple Double – $12.58 at IASbet!
The Platelet & Rue Maple fixed price double is currently $12.58 at IASbet and both gallopers will certainly give you a great run for your money at those great odds!

Race 7 GAIL JACKSON HANDICAP – 1200m – 3.35pm

Of $70000. 1st $42700, 2nd $12600, 3rd $6300, 4th $3150, 5th $1750, 6th – 10th $700.
For Four-Years-Old and Upwards Mares.

Visit IASbet for the latest Race 7 odds at Caulfield
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Faltastic to step out in Adelaide on Saturday at Morphettville

ATB also has Mark Kavanagh-trainer stayer Faltastic racing at Morphettville on the same day in Adelaide.

• Faltastic – Morphettville – R3 – 2.13pm AEST

Visit our ‘Faltastic to step out at Morphettville‘ post for more info on his race.

Thursday 12th May 2012

ATB trainer Darren Weir set for big collect

Darren Weir snares 3 winners on first day of 2012 Warrnambool carnival

Thursday’s $200,000 Listed TAB Sportsbet Warrnambool Cup has the potential to provide a massive pay day for Darren Weir and connections.

The Ballarat trainer equalled Robert Smerdon’s feat of training three winners on Day 1 of the three-day extravaganza and two of his winners – Magnifique Soleil and Hurdy Gurdy Man – are now live chances at the Carnival’s two most lucrative bonuses.

The Callaghan Motors Trainer’s Bonus is the most famous bonus on offer during the Tabcorp May Racing Carnival, offering a $42,500 Mercedes-Benz to any trainer who can prepare four winners across the week including one of the majors, but also on offer is the OTI Owner’s Bonus.

That offers $50,000 to the connections of any horse who can complete the City Of Warrnambool Handicap-Warrnambool Cup double.

Magnifique Soleil made himself eligible with a dominant win in the $40,000 event. The four-year-old was given a gun ride by Dean Yendall and responded with a two-length win, his fifth from six starts this campaign.

His victory completed a double for Weir, who prepared the quinella in the first flat race of the day – the $20,000 Fishtales Café Plate (1200m) – with Zeditex and Eudoxia.

Weir rounded out his treble when Hurdy Gurdy Man strolled home by 2-1/4 lengths in the $22,500 George Taylor’s Stores Showcase Handicap (2350m) for the benchmark 78 performers.

The talented four-year-old is third emergency for the 2350m Warrnambool Cup, in which Magnifique Soleil is guaranteed a start, and Weir said both are a chance of taking their place.

“If he gets a run and he pulls up all right we might just roll the dice and see how he goes,” Weir said of Hurdy Gurdy Man, a winner of four of his 12 starts.

“He (Magnifique Soleil) has pulled up really well. I guess the little query with him would be whether he can stay the trip, but he ran fourth in the Derby Trial as a three-year-old not beaten far.”

Weir could already have the Trainer’s Bonus in the garage by then, however, with Wealth Princess his runner in tomorrow’s $125,000 Listed Midfield Group Wangoom Handicap, which is one of the four designated majors.

Weir also has Gotta Take Care in the $100,000 Sungold Milk Galleywood Hurdle, but that doesn’t qualify as part of this year’s bonus as it hasn’t attracted a field of at least 10 runners.

That clause is also why Robert Smerdon, who won the three jumps races on opening day, is ineligible. Smerdon, who has $1.40 favourite Black And Bent in the Galleywood, is not represented in the Wangoom, Grand Annual or Warrnambool Cup.

Darren Weir trains a high number of racehorses for Darren Dance at Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, including Group 3 winner Platelet and recent Caulfield winner and Group3 Bletchingly Stakes runner-up Rue Maple.

Article courtesy of Racing Vic website

Wednesday 2 May 2012

Three ATB runners on Warrnambool Cup Day

ATB mare Forever Here resumes with an easy victory at Stawell last month, her 4th win on the trot

Local trainer Matthew Williams will saddle up three runners for Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock on the third and final day of the 2012 Warrnambool Racing Carnival on Thursday 3 May 2012.

Choiciti (R5-1.30pm), Forever Here (R9-4.15pm) and Luckyi’mbarefoot (R10-4.55pm) all have good chances in their respective races at Warrnambool and ATB’s Darren & Elizbeth Dance will be on hand to see their charges go around.

Choisir two-year-old Choiciti will tackle the Simon’s Waterfront Inglis Bonus 1200 (1200m) on Thursday at Warrnambool.

She finished 2nd on debut at Hamilton last month and has shown considerable improvement since that run.

Choiciti will will jump from the outside barrier in the 2yo sprint event and jockey Ben Melham will be aboard.

Forever Here will be searching for her 5th win in a row when she steps out in the Schweppes F&M BM82 Handicap (1400m) at Warrnambool.

The Dehere mare resumed from a 10-week let-up to score an easy 2.5L victory at Stawell last month and she has drawn very nicely in gate two with Dean Yendall to ride.

She will likely find this a tougher affair than recent outings but in her current vein of form she has the ability to figure in the finish again.

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Undoubtedly 4yo Luckyi’mbarefoot resumed with a fast finishing second at Hamilton in April and he appears set to make his presence felt in the final race of the day at Warrnambool.

Luckyi’mbarefoot will jump from barrier seven in the Mercedes-Benz Handicap (1400m) and has the services of jockey Dwayne Dunn.

The Grand Annual Steeplechase and Warrnambool Cup are the feature races on a huge 10-race final day card at Warrnambool, with the first race to commence at 11.10am.

Visit IASbet for the latest 2012 Warrnambool Cup Day odds.

Join IASbet through links on the ATB website and claim a $200 Free Bet for Warrnambool Cup Day!

Wednesday 2 May 2012

ATB’s Spike to debut at Warrnambool

ATB 4yo Spike to have his first race start in the opening race at Warrnambool on Wednesday

ATB’s Statue Of Liberty 4yo Spike is all set to make his racetrack debut at Warrnambool on Wednesday 2 May 2012 on the second day of the three-day Warrnambool racing carnival.

Spike has drawn barrier 14 in the Bidmade Plastering Maiden Plate (1000m), the first race of the day at 11.30am, and leading jockey Dean Yendall takes the ride.

The son of Twiggs Joy (Kinjite) is a big, strong type and has done everything right in preparation for his first race start on Wednesday.

Although he’s drawn wide, that may be a benefit after a full day of racing the previous day and he appears a solid each way chance in this race.

The 2012 Galleywood Hurdle is the feature jump race of the day at Warrnambool  and is set run as Race 6 on the program at 2.30pm.

Robert Smerdon’s Black And Bent is currently a hot $1.35 favourite at premier horse racing bookmaker IASBet, while Anthony Freedman’s Above Average is next in betting at $7.70, and the only other runner under double figure odds.

Talented ATB filly Platelet missed out on a run in the listed Wangoom Handicap feature sprint which is Race 7 on the card at 3.15pm.

Her stablemate Wealth Princess is the ruling $3.60 favourite at IASbet and she is a classy galloper on her day.

The Darren Weir-trained mare has not started since finishing runner-up behind top galloper Melito in the 2010 Winter Stakes (Group 1) at Eagle Farm in Brisbane and if she is anywhere near right she’ll take some beating.

Visit IASbet for the latest 2012 Warrnambool Racing Carnival odds.

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Tuesday 1 May 2012

Ready’s Image off the mark with Leinan

First season American sire Ready’s Image, a son of More Than Ready, got off to a good start as a stallion when Leinan scored an exciting debut win at Keeneland in the US last Friday.

Racing in a 900m event, the Josie Carroll-trained filly proved much too good for her opposition, winning by 5 lengths in an outstanding first-up performance.

Leinan is out of Golden Mirage, an Irish-bred daughter of Green Desert who won the 1997 Marble Hill Stakes.

ATB's Ready's Image * Mystic Chantry 2010 colt

Ready’s Image stands at Walmac Farm in Lexington for a fee of $5,000 and his first crop of yearlings are proving very popular with buyers.

Darren & Liz Dance from Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock recently syndicated a lovely Ready’s Image colt out of the Chanteclair mare Mystic Chantry, and the shares were snapped up in a matter of minutes.

Mystic Chantry had 5 wins from 1200m to 2400m, including victory in the Western Australian Oaks in Perth, and Darren Dance has high hopes for the son of Ready’s Image, who is showing plenty of early promise at Manningtree Park.

To be trained at Dowling Forest in Ballarat by leading country trainer Darren Weir, ATB’s Ready’s Image * Mystic Chantry colt is likely to make his debut during the 2012/2013 racing season.

Ready’s Image * Mystic Chantry 2010 Colt

Sire: READY’S IMAGE (More Than Ready * Clever Phrase)
Dam: MYSTIC CHANTRY (Chanteclair * Glitter Star)

Ready’s Image * Mystic Chantry – Full Pedigree Info

A brilliant 2yo in the US, Ready’s Image had 4 wins and 2 placings from 10 starts, earning more than $350,000 in prizemoney.

His trainer Todd Pletcher described him as “the best two year old I’ve ever trained”.

Ready’s Image is by leading sire More Than Ready (Southern Halo * Woodman’s Girl) out of the dam Clever Phrase (Clever Trick * Turn a Phrase).

Monday 30 April 2012

Black Caviar claims 20th successive win

Black Caviar wins her 20th consecutive race at Morphettville

Champion mare Black Caviar gave South Australian racegoers what they flocked to Morphettville to see when she registered a historic 20^th consecutive win in Saturday’s $400,000 Group 1 Sportingbet Classic in Adelaide.

The Peter Moody-trained five-year-old maintained her unbeaten record when she made light work of a field of female rivals in front of a sell-out crowd of 30,000.

The daughter of Bel Esprit eclipsed an almost-century-old Australasian metropolitan record for consecutive wins, previously held by Gloaming and Desert Gold, and bettered the modern-day world mark for wins achieved from debut, set by Zenyatta and Peppers Pride earlier this millennium.

Black Caviar did it just as easily as she had at any of her previous 19 wins at her South Australian debut, but Moody was still relieved to see her notch the 20^th success.

“It’s tremendous, isn’t it,” Moody said. “It’s great to get that (20^th win) behind us. She had a nice gallop, it’s happy days.

“She hasn’t let us down yet. It’s just fabulous to see the people here enjoy today.”

The win was Black Caviar’s 10^th at the highest level and the $254,600 first prize lifted her career earnings to $5,450,150.

Bar for uncustomarily beginning best, the Sportingbet Classic played out much the same way as most of Black Caviar’s races.

Regular partner Luke Nolen allowed her to settle just off the speed before taking control rounding the home bend and kicking clear early in the straight before being eased down over the concluding stages.

At the line the $1.05 favourite held a 4.5-length advantage over fellow Victorian Sistine Angel ($31), with Power Princess ($51) a half-head away third, just in advance of $17 second favourite Lone Rock.

Nolen, who often jokes he won’t return to scale if Black Caviar does one day get beaten, said it was fantastic that the big crowd got what they came to see.

“It feels bloody awesome,” Nolen said. “It was going to be too far to ride her home if she got beat, there’s a lot of people here to see Black Caviar, and she didn’t let anyone down.”

Black Caviar’s shot at equalling Queensland galloper’s Picnic In The Park’s mark of 21 straight wins is likely to also come in Adelaide, in the $500,000 Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) on 12 May.

That will be her final start before heading to England for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, where victory would see her equal the all-time record for an Australian thoroughbred of 22 straight wins, set by country Queensland horse Miss Petty between 1985-89.

Nolen had to settle for second placing in the other Group 1 event on the Morphettville card, denied by the Clarry Conners-trained Invest in the $400,000 Schweppes Australasian Oaks (2000m).

Nolen’s mount, the Mick Kent-trained Our Miss Jones, couldn’t reel in Invest, who capitalised on a crack Peter Mertens ride to register the second win of her 13-start career.

The victory marked a welcome return to the Group 1 winner’s stall for veteran Victorian hoop Mertens, whose previous elite-level success came aboard the Bart Cummings-trained Sirmione in the 2008 Australian Cup.

Article & picture courtesy of Racing Victoria website

Sunday 29 April 2012

ATB nominate 7 horses for Warrnambool

A total of 1148 nominations, including seven from Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, have been entered for the three-day 2012 Warrnambool Racing Carnival set to commence on Tuesday, 1 May 2012 at the picturesque Warrnambool racecourse on Victoria’s south-west coast.

The Warrnambool Racing Carnival is widely considered to be the biggest country racing spectacle in Australia and features three huge days of racing, highlighted by the running of the famous Grand Annual Steeplechase over 5500 metres, with 33 jumps for participants.

The three race days of the 2012 Warrnambool Racing Carnival will be held on Tuesday, 1 May (Brierly Day – 385 entries), Wednesday, 2 May (Galleywood & Wangoom Day – 377 entries), and Thursday 4 May 2012 (Grand Annual & Warrnambool Cup Day – 386 entries).

ATB have nominated seven runners for Warrnambool including locally trained mare A City Girl, from the Matthew Williams stable, who has been nominated for the Choices Flooring by Swintons 0-62 Handicap (1100m) on the opening day of the carnival, Brierly Day.

The Exceed And Excel 4yo will be hoping the current wet conditions remain for day one at Warrnambool as she prefers the sting out of the ground.

ATB’s Group 3 winning filly Platelet, from the Darren Weir yard, has been entered for the $125,000 Midfield Group Wangoom Handicap (1200m) on the second day of the carnival and will step out much fitter following her first-up third at Flemington earlier this month.

The Strategic three-year-old got to the line very nicely when resuming and should acquit herself well in the feature Warrnambool sprint on day two of the carnival.

Two ATB runners trained by the Matthew Williams have been entered alongside Platelet for day two at Warrnambool, including Spike in the Bidmade Plastering Maiden Plate (1000m), and Luckyi’mbarefoot in the Duncan’s Liquor Showcase BM72 Handicap (1400m).

On Warrnambool Cup day ATB have three Matthew Williams gallopers entered for for the final day of the carnival.

Choiciti has been nominated for the Inglis Bonus 1200 (1200m), Forever Here for the Fillies and Mares BM82 Handicap (1400m), while both Forever Here & Luckyi’mbarefoot have also been entered for the Open Handicap (1400m).

Below are the ATB runners and races they are entered for during the 2012 Warrnambool racing carnival.

Tuesday, 1 May 2012

2012 Warrnambool Racing Carnival Day 1 – Brierly Day

Wednesday, 2 May 2012

2012 Warrnambool Racing Carnival Day 2 – Wangoom Day

Thursday, 3 May 2012

2012 Warrnambool Racing Carnival Day 3 – Grand Annual Day

2012 Warrnambool Racing Carnival Nominations – Day 1 – Day 2 – Day 3

Thursday 26 April 2012

Black Caviar draws gate 3 in Sangster Stakes

Champion mare Black Caviar will face nine opponents when she steps out in the $400,000 Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday.

Set to run as the Sportingbet Classic over 1200 metres on Saturday, 28 April 2012 at Morphettville racecourse in Adelaide, Black Caviar will be attempting a 20th straight victory and an Australasian record.

The outstanding Peter Moody-trained galloper should have little trouble scoring her 20th successive win under the weight-for-age conditions of the race.

The unbeaten five-year-old scored her 19th consecutive victory in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington in February, equalling the long standing record held jointly by Desert Gold (1916) and Gloaming (1921).

Leading online bookmaker IASbet opened up Black Caviar at $1.04 after the release of the barrier draw this morning.

Black Caviar will jump from barrier three in the Sangster Stakes with her main rival, Lone Rock, in gate five.

Lone Rock, trained by Robert Smerdon, won the Group 1 Goodwood Handicap at this track last year and his most recent outing was a fourth-place finish in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley last month.

The South Australian Jockey Club is expecting a crowd of more than 30,000 people to descend on Morphettville this Saturday to hopefully witness the superstar mare create another slice of history by claiming the feature race of the day.

For a ‘guaranteed better dividend‘ than any Australian TAB at Morphettville on Saturday head over to IASbet, where you can also take advantage of a $200 joining offer when you open a new account through the ATB website. more info here…

The 2012 Sportingbet Classic is race 7 at Morphettville and is scheduled to start at 3.53pm local time.

The $400,000 Group 1 Australasian Oaks will also take place on the same day at Morphettville and Bart Cummings filly Empress Rock is the ruling $3.60 favourite at IASbet.

2012 Sportingbet Classic – 1200m

Track: Morphetttville Date: Saturday, 25th April 2012 When: Race 7 @ 3.53pm (3.23pm AEST)
Purse: $400,000 Conditions: Fillies & Mares – Weight for Age Status: Group 1

(registered as Robert Sangster Stakes)

Field averages courtesy of Horse Racing Info website.

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Flemington honours ANZACs on Wednesday

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) will pay tribute to our courageous service men and women at the traditional ANZAC Day racemeeting on Wednesday, 25 April at Flemington.

Long an ANZAC Day tradition, the Flemington raceday will host a moving ceremony in the Mounting Yard led by RSL State Vice President George Logan.

CEO Dale Monteith said the VRC remains proud to be involved in the year’s most important national occasion.

“The VRC is humbled to honour our returned service men and women and remember those who lost their lives serving our nation,” Mr Monteith said.

Current and returned service men and women will be offered free admission and can enjoy a free drink at any bar on-course between 1 pm and 2 pm (upon presentation of an RSL Badge, RSL (Service) Membership Card, Return From Active Service Badge, ADF ID, or Medals).

On the track, the time honoured VRC St Leger (2800m) for three-year-olds – a race older than the Emirates Melbourne Cup – highlights an exciting eight-race program.

Since 1857, even in wartime the VRC St Leger has been run each year, enduring as a beacon of hope during the nation’s darkest times.

There is an exciting range of free kids’ activities that will take place on the public lawn in front of the winning post, including pony rides, face painting, tug of war, soccer and craft activities.

For further information or to enquire about dining options, call Flemington Customer Service on 1300 727 575 or visit www.flemington.com.au

General Admission
Full: $12
Concession/student: $10
Concession/pensioner: $7
Children 15 and under: FREE
Current and returned service men and women: FREE

Article courtesy of VRC website

April 23rd 2012

Rue Maple resumes with top win at Caulfield

Rue Maple returned to racing with a comfortable victory at Caulfield on Saturday

Consistent Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock mare Rue Maple broke a frustrating winning drought when she scored a deserved first-up win in Saturday’s $70,000 Story Landscaping Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield.

The Darren Weir-trained five-year-old hadn’t won since registering back-to-back wins at Moonee Valley in July 2010, but had figured in the placings eight times in 12 subsequent runs.

One of seven seconds placings in that time was a luckless effort behind Miss Octopussy in the corresponding race last year and Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock’s Liz Dance was thrilled to see Rue Maple break through.

“She’s been a marvellous horse, she certainly knows how to run a place, so it was lovely to see her win so convincingly today and it was a terrific ride as well,” the part-owner said.

“She was certainly the best horse in the race, it was just whether she needed this run under her belt to do it, but she certainly did it ok today.”

Rue Maple followers never had any cause for concern with apprentice jockey Damian Lane able to assume the spot outside the leader from barrier eight in the 10-horse event.

The daughter of Rubiton took over soon after straightening and quickly put a gap on her rivals, which she was able to maintain over the final 200m. At the line she had 2-1/4 lengths to spare over $20 chance Silkstone Special with Delabombell ($5) a length back third.

Lane agreed that she looked the best horse in the race and was always confident she would justify that once she found the spot outside the leader.

“On paper she looked the best horse in the race and it was all going to depend on the run she got from the awkward barrier,” Lane said. “She got a nice one at that, we landed outside the leader travelling comfortably and she won like she was the best horse in the race.”

Rue Maple has plenty of scope for improvement and a black type race in Adelaide might be next on the agenda for the Rubiton mare.

Race 3 – 1:20PM Story Landscaping Handicap (1100m)

Of $70,000.1st $42,700, 2nd $12,600, 3rd $6,300, 4th $3,150, 5th $1,750, 6th-10th
Mares Handicap – (Weights raised 1.5kg)

Track Condition: Dead 5 Time: 1:03.88 Last 600m: 0:34.24

Article courtesy of Racing Victoria website

April 23rd 2012

It’s $6 the field for the 2012 Doncaster Mile

Brilliant mare More Joyous remains favourite for the 2012 Doncaster Mile despite a heavy track

It’s Doncaster Day tomorrow at Randwick racecourse in Sydney and leading online bookmaker IASbet has Gai Waterhouse mare More Joyous a $6.00 favourite for the feature race of the day, the 2012 Doncaster Mile.

Set to jump as race 7 on the Randwick card at 3.35pm, IASbet’s racing analyst Gerald Twomey previews the 2012 Doncaster Mile for ATB.

With a heavy track virtually guaranteed for Randwick on Saturday, punters should be looking at fit horses down in the weights for the winner of this year’s Doncaster renewal.

The tempo should only be moderate with Fast Clip $31.00 finding the front from Niagara $8.50 , More Joyous $6.00 and Centennial Park $81.00.

Three year olds have an excellent record in this race, having won 6 of the last 13 editions, as well as Whobegotyou being a tragedy beaten behind Vision and Power in 2009.

The Waterhouse trained Niagara is the only three year old competing this year, he has returned a bigger stronger colt this preparation – as evidenced by his demolition of the Ajax Stakes field.

He reportedly didn’t handle the seven day back up when unplaced in the George Ryder. He should sit outside the leader and appears good value at double figure odds.

Current favorites More Joyous and Secret Admirer $7.00 face tasks. More Joyous is not as well suited under handicap conditions as she is at weight for age, and from barrier 22 Secret Admirer will have to come from last in her quest to complete the Epsom Doncaster Double in the same racing season.

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Hurtle Myrtle $10.00 brings the same profile as last year’s winner Sacred Choice, having won the Group One Myer Classic on Derby Day on a soft track and Matthew Smith is sure to have her peaking third up.

If the track is a bog, last year’s Oaks winner Absolutely $26.00 could be suited on the seven day back up.

Of the higher weighted gallopers Shoot Out $7.50 is racing in top form for his new stable and with the blinkers going back on is sure to be finding the line late.

Sincero $8.00 is ready to peak at his third run back, however barrier 6 may be no luxury for this long striding galloper as Craig Williams will be trying to get him to the outside in the straight.

Wall Street $21.00 has improved at each of his three runs for new trainer Mike Moroney, has the blinkers going back on, is a specialist at 1600m and has handled the heavy in New Zealand.

>>> Latest 2012 Doncaster Mile odds can be found here.

Tough race! No wonder it is $6 the field for this year’s Doncaster Mile!

Race 7 – DONCASTER MILE – 1600m – 3.35pm

Field averages supplied courtesy of Horse Racing Info website

#4 Rekindled Interest, #12 King’s Rose and #20 Single are early scratchings from the 2012 Doncaster Mile.

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Friday 20 April 2012

ATB’s Rue Maple set to resume at Caulfield

Consistent ATB mare Rue Maple is all set to resume in Race 3 at Caulfield on Saturday

Consistent Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock galloper Rue Maple resumes in Race 3 at Caulfield on Saturday and connections will hoping for a change of luck when she makes her welcome return to the race track.

The Darren Weir trained mare was most consistent in her last campaign, finishing runner-up 7 times and finishing 3rd, 5th, 6th & 7th in her other four starts, earning more than $127,000 prizemoney along the way.

Although Rue Maple failed to find the winner’s stall last time in, the daughter of Maple Rose ran some mighty races, including a Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes second placing behind smart mare Mid Summer Music at Caulfield in July.

She also ran a terrific 5th in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes behind the brilliant Sepoy at Moonee Valley in September, finishing just over 2 lengths behind the likes of champion mare More Joyous & Group 1 Newmarket Hcp runner-up Buffering, showing she is capable of mixing it with the best.

Owned by Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock’s Darren & Liz Dance, Mr N. Gereaux, Mr S. Gereaux & Mr G. Gereaux, Rue Maple has started 21 times for 4 wins and 11 placings, with prizemoney earnings of $314,372.

The Rubiton five-year-old returns to racing in the Story Landscaping Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday 21st April 2012 and has been allotted 58 kilograms, with apprentice Damian Lane to ride.

Jockey Lane has a 1.5kgs apprentice allowance for this race and with the weights being raised, Rue Maple gets into the race with 56.5 kilograms, just one kilo above the minimum.

Rue Maple opened up $5.50 at online bookmaker IASbet, who will be paying a ‘guaranteed better dividend‘ than any of the three tabs for Caulfield races on Saturday- latest race odds here…

Stablemate Spartini is the ruling IASbet favourite at $2.90, from Barbara Joseph & Paul Jones mare Delabombell, while Rue Maple is next in betting and these three gallopers are the only horses under double figure odds.

Race 3 at Caulfield is scheduled to start at 1.20pm on Saturday and we highly recommend Australia’s premier horse racing bookmaker IASbet to ensure the best odds for your bet.

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April 18th 2012

Spring Racing Carnival a winner for Victoria

Victoria has emerged as the big winner from the Spring Racing Carnival with Minister for Racing Denis Napthine today revealing that the world-renowned event delivered more than $578 million for the state in 2011, an 8.4 per cent increase on the previous year.

Figures released today by Dr Napthine and Racing Victoria (RV) show a significant increase in expenditure for retail, hospitality and accommodation, along with a boost to raceday attendances across the Spring Carnival period.

“An economic impact study of the Spring Racing Carnival has once again proved this is one of Victoria’s biggest sporting and entertainment events, and a major economic driver for the state,” Dr Napthine said.

“It is fantastic to see attendances at Spring Racing Carnival events increase to 692,000 in 2011 compared with 664,000 in 2010.

“This massive increase has translated into a major boost for Victorian businesses, with racegoers splashing out and spending millions of dollars across a broad range of industries including spending almost $44 million on fashion items and $37 million on food and beverages,” Dr Napthine said.

Other highlights from the economic impact study include:

- $32 million spent on accommodation by out-of-state visitors
- $9.43 million spent on personal grooming
- The sale of more than 70,000 hats or fascinators*
- The sale of nearly 60,000 pairs of shoes*
- $9.06 million spent on transport

(*only includes items purchased in Victoria for the purpose of wearing to the Spring Carnival)

Dr Napthine said the Spring Racing Carnival not only hosted some of the highest quality racing to be seen anywhere in the world, but also delivered a fantastic festival atmosphere in Melbourne and a range of regional cup events including Bendigo, Geelong and Ballarat.

“Last year 78,000 out-of-state visitors travelled to Victoria to attend a Spring Carnival meeting and spent $113.1 million while they were here,” Dr Napthine said.

“This is a great way to simultaneously showcase our state and bring in massive amounts of tourism dollars.”

RV Chief Executive, Rob Hines, said the Spring Racing Carnival was the envy of all states and the 2011 event had further enhanced its international profile.

“The Spring Racing Carnival is a world renowned event that is an iconic and pivotal component of Victoria’s sporting, entertainment and cultural landscape,” Hines said.

“The 2011 Economic Impact Study has again highlighted the significant contribution that the Spring Racing Carnival makes to the Victorian economy and its importance to many businesses and communities right across the state.

“With record international participation in 2011, the Spring Racing Carnival commanded an increased global audience which furthered the promotion of the state and profile of Victorian racing on the world stage.”

Fancy having a horse running around during the spring racing carnival? Check out our latest syndications here…

Article courtesy of Racing Victoria website

April 17th 2012

ATB all set for the Warrnambool May Carnival

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock is set for a big Warrnambool Carnival in May with at least six runners starting over the 3 day carnival.

Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes winner Platelet looks set to run in the $125,000 listed Wangoom Handicap on the second day of the carnival, a race we won last year with the ill fated Uxorious.

The Darren Weir trained three-year-old filly resumed with a fast finishing third at Flemington last Saturday and looks set for a big campaign this time in.

Four-year-old mare Forever Here, trained by Matthew Williams at Warrnambool, is a winner of her past 4 starts and will line up in the open 1400m event during the carnival, while stablemates Luckyi`mbarefoot, Choiciti, Spike, and A City Girl are also likely starters.

The Warrnambool May Racing Carnival is the biggest country racing carnival in Australia and home to three huge days of racing, including the famous Grand Annual Steeplechase which is longest race in Australia being run over 5500m, and with 33 jumps, has the most obstacles of any race in this part of the world.

If your coming to Warrnambool for the races let us know so we can catch up for a drink.

2012 Warrnambool Three Day Carnival

Warrnambool Carnival Day 1 – Tuesday 01 May 2012
Tuesday of the carnival sees the running of the $100,000 Brierly Steeplechase, run over 3450m. It’s also ladies day, with the popular Ladies Luncheon held on this day.

Warrnambool Carnival Day 2 – Wednesday 02 May 2012
Wednesday of the carnival sees the running of the $100,000 Galleywood Hurdle over 3200m and the listed $125,000 Wangoom Handicap over 1200m.

Warrnambool Carnival Day 3 – Thursday 03 May 2012
Thursday of the carnival sees the running of the $250,000 Grand Annual Steeplechase over 5500 metres and the $200,000 listed Warrnabool Cup over 2350 metres.

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Four ATB runners going around this weekend

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock will have four runners making their way to the races this coming weekend, with three racing at Flemington & Hamilton in Victoria, and one at Morphettville in South Australia.

First to go around is Choisir filly Choiciti, from the Citidance mare Citidevil, who will be making her race track debut at Hamilton on Saturday 14th April 2012 at 12.15pm.

Trained by Matthew Williams at Warrnambool, the two-year-old filly has drawn barrier 5 in the Silverneedle Hospitality SV 2YO Maiden Plate (1100m) which is Race 1 on the program.

A capacity field of 14 runners has accepted for the race and eleven of those horses will be racing for the first time, which makes it a hard race to assess, especially with so many unknown quantities involved.

Choiciti will carry 54kgs for her first race start, after the 2 kilo claim for her jockey Jackie Berriman, and we expect her to run well on what she has shown us at home. Check out the latest odds for Choiciti at IASbet.

ATB's Faltastic scheduled to run in Race 3 on Saturday at Morphettville in Adelaide

Next up for ATB on Saturday is Mark Kavanagh trained gelding Faltastic who is engaged in Race 3 at Morphettville in the Centrebet Handicap (1800m) at 1.20pm local time (1.50pm AEST Melbourne time).

Faltastic has drawn barrier one in a field of 14 runners and jockey Mark Pegus is down to ride.

The Falbrav four-year-old won over 1550 metres two starts back at Morphettville, before running third to My Ex mate over 1800 metres at the same track last time out.

Faltastic looks nicely placed here to run a big race and IASbet will be paying a guaranteed better dividend than any TAB on his race.

Talented filly Platelet resumes from a spell in Race 4 at Flemington on Saturday in the Taralye Gets Deaf Kids Talking (1100m) at 2.35pm and looks a great chance first-up.

The flying Strategic three-year-old will jump from barrier 8 down the Flemington 1100 metres straight course against 15 opponents and Michelle Payne will be aboard.

Platelet has not started since taking out the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes over 1200 at Caulfield last October and is the class runner in her race on Saturday.

Check out the latest odds for Platelet at IASbet and receive a guaranteed better win dividend than any TAB.

On Sunday 15th April we have Luckyi’mbarefoot going around in Race 8 at Hamilton in the Ace Radio 3HA Hensleigh Handicap (1200m) at 5.10pm

Dean Yendall takes the ride on the Undoubtedly four-year-old and will exit from barrier 12 in the last race of the day.

Luckyi’mbarefoot is in good shape for his return to racing and has one win and one second placing from three fresh runs we expect him to make his presence felt come Sunday. Visit IASbet for the latest Luckyi’mbarefoot odds.

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April 12th 2012

Platelet to resume at Flemington on Saturday

ATB's Group 3 winner Platelet resumes at Flemington on Saturday in Race 4 at 2.35pm

ATB’s talented Strategic filly Platelet makes her long awaited return to the racetrack on Saturday 14th April 2012 at Flemington racecourse in Melbourne when she tackles the Taralye Gets Deaf Kids Talking (1100m) down the straight course.

Prepared by Darren Weir at Ballarat, Platelet had an outstanding first preparation during July to October last year, culminating in Group 3 success at just her sixth race start, winning the Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in October.

Platelet defeated The Fairy’s Kiss by 0.8L to claim her first black type race on Guineas Day last spring, running the 1200 metre trip in a time of 1:10.20.

With a record standing at two wins, two seconds and two thirds from just six career starts to date, Platelet has earned prizemoney of $131,175 for her excited group of owners which include the Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock Syndicate (Mgr: Mr D. Dance), Mr G. Holt, Mr G. Forbes, Mr J. Macdonald, Mr P. Brittain, Mr B. Fellows, Mr A. Downing, Enjoy The Ride Syndicate, ATB Bloodline Syndicate & Inas Racing Syndicate.

Platelet steps out as #3 saddlecloth in Race 4 on the program at Flemington and start time is scheduled for 2:35pm.

Jockey Michelle Payne takes the ride and the three-year-old will carry 59kgs in the handicap event, five kilos above the limit weight of 54kgs, although she is the class horse of this field and certainly entitled to her big weight.

On what she showed us on her first prep, Platelet looks very hard to beat at her first outing since last October.

Australia’s premier horse racing bookmaker IASbet has opened Platelet at $6.50 in early markets, with Mick Price’s Tres Vite the ruling race favourite at $4.00.

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Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock have two more runners going around on Saturday, including Choiciti who is engaged in Race 1 at Hamilton at 12.15pm, and Faltastic who is racing at Morphettville in Race 3 at 1.20pm local time (1.50pm AEST).

On Sunday 15th April we have Luckyi’mbarefoot contesting Race 8 on the card at Hamilton at 5.10pm.

April 12th 2012

ATB’s Forever Here wins 4th race in a row

ATB's Forever Here scores an easy win at Stawell

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock mare Forever Here returned to racing at Stawell yesterday to score her fourth win on the trot with an easy win in the QLS Logistics Country Showcase 0-72 Handicap over 1300 metres.

Trained by Matthew Williams at Warrnambool, the Dehere four-year-old’s latest victory took her record to 4 wins and 4 placings from nine starts with total prizemoney of $67,182 along the way.

Forever Here stepped out in Race 5 on the program and after jumping nicely from the gates she settled in second position behind the early leader De Mars from the Jim Lake stable and was always travelling nicely in the run.

Ron Gravett’s Sirius About You made a move mid race to go up and take on the leader which increased the race tempo and they kicked around three lengths clear of Forever Here before the turn, but jockey Dean Yendall rated her perfectly in the run to have her right in the firing line approaching the home turn.

Upon entering the straight Sirius About You dropped off the pace to leave De Mars alone in front and kicking, with Forever Here looming up ominously to head out after the leader.

Inside the final 200 metres she quickly stamped her authority on the field to run away for a very comfortable 2.5 length victory from De Mars, who fought the race out well to finish a clear second, while Darren Weir’s 4yo mare Champagne Espirit was a further 6.25 lengths away in third place in a time of 1:18.50.

Having her first start since dead-heating with Condahussler over 1400 metres at Werribee in January, Forever Here started at odds of $2.90, but only paid $2.40 for a win on SuperTab in Victoria.

Those smart punters who backed her at IASbet received $2.54 for the win.

Forever Here is destined for more wins in coming months and if you’d like to race a horse with ATB and join in the fun & excitement of winning at the races then check out our Racehorse Syndication page and get some friends together now to come along for the ride.

April 9th 2012

2012 Golden Slipper Day feature races

Sydney’s biggest race day of the year will be held on Saturday 7th April 2012 at Rosehill racecourse where Australia’s richest day of racing will take place, featuring the $3,500,000 Group 1 AAMI Golden Slipper for two-year-olds.

The Golden Slipper is raced over a distance of 1200 metres for two-year-old gallopers at level weights and always attracts the best youngsters in the land aiming to snare the richest 2yo race in the world.

Mick Price’s Blue Diamond winner Samaready heads betting for the 2012 Golden Slipper at leading online bookmaker IASbet at $2.60, from Gai Waterhouse’s Pierro $5.50, and Peter Snowden’s Epaulette $9.00.

Brilliant colt Sepoy won last year’s Golden Slipper when he proved too good on the day for classy filly Mosheen who finished second, with smart filly Elite Falls in third place.

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The 2012 Golden Slipper will jump at 3.50pm in the afternoon and is Race 7 on the program at Rosehill.

Slipper day also features the weight-for-age $2,250,000 Group 1 The BMW for stayers over 2400 metres, along with three more feature Group 1 events and another four Group races in what should be a fantastic meeting.

Golden Slipper Day feature races at Rosehill

A total of nine race will take place on Golden Slipper Day and gates open at 9:30am for Members and 10:00am for General Admission. The first race is at 11:45am and the last Race at 5:10pm.

Feature race previews courtesy of Horse Racing Info website.

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2011 Golden Slipper Day Race Results

R1: The Schweppervescence (1400m) – 1. Do You Think 2. Cocky Raider 3. Satirical Boy
R2: Tulloch Stakes (2000m) 1. Fast Clip 2. I Think I Do 3. Shootoff
R3: Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1500m) – 1. More Joyous from 2. Melito 3. Happy Hippy
R4: Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) – 1. Mirjulisa Lass 2. Fibrillation 3. Brazilian Pulse
R5: The BMW (2400m) – 1. Cedarberg 2. Mourayan 3. Linton
R6: George Ryder Stakes (1500m) – 1. Rangirangdoo 2. Love Conquers All 3. Triple Elegance
R7: Golden Slipper (1200m) – 1. Sepoy 2. Mosheen 3. Elite Falls
R8: Queen’s Cup (2000m) – 1. Syreon 2. Beijing Boy 3. Base
R9: Sebring Stakes (1100m) - 1. Swift Alliance 2. News Alert 3. Cardinal Virtue

The full results for 2011 Golden Slipper day can be found here.

2012 Randwick Autumn Racing  Carnival

The $1,500,000 AJC Australian Derby is the feature attraction on the first day of the Randwick carnival on Saturday 14th April, while $2,000,000 Group 1 Doncaster Handicap on Saturday 21st April is the highlight on the second day of the carnival.

On Saturday 28th April, the final day of the Randwick & Sydney autumn racing carnival will take place, featuring four Group 1 races, headlined by the $500,000 Sydney Cup.

Apr 6th 2012

ATB Filly Choisance 4th on Debut at the Bool

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock filly Choisance in the mounting yard pre race at Warrnambool

Matthew Williams trained filly Choisance made her race track debut in the flourescent yellow colours of Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock at her home track of Warrnambool yesterday.

After blowing the start with a slow getaway she recovered nicely to finish a very encouraging fourth place.

Lining up as #5 in the Darrian Office Choice SV 2YO Maiden Plate (1000m) from barrier four, the Choisir two-year-old was slow to jump as the gates opened and she was then hampered trying to go forward in the field, which resulted in her losing all momentum just after the start.

Choisance managed to get going again shortly thereafter and stretched out nicely to tack on to the end of the field behind second last horse Divine Reign, with the well backed race favourite and eventual race winner Gold Medals setting a merry pace up front.

Approaching the home turn jockey Ben Melham was able to take advantage of a rails opening upon entering the straight where Choisance showed a good turn of foot to loom up momentarily along the inside rail to make a challenge, before her effort eventually told and she weakened in the final 50 metres to finish only 3.4L from the winner.

Gold Medals ran 59.27 (race record 57.66 Netra) for the 1000 metres and Choisance did a great job to finish so close after basically losing all chance at the start with her tardy getaway.

With that run under her belt and more race experience at the track, ATB look forward to some fun times ahead with this lovely Choisir * Hultarani filly.

The form from this race appears likely to hold up moving forward as the race winner Gold Medals, trained locally by Bill & Symon Wilde, looks very smart and scored a most impressive debut victory, while second placegetter Champagne Tales, from the Anthony Cumming’s yard, previously ran third on debut behind a couple of smart types who have gone to town and been more than competitive.

Race 3 – Darrian Office Choice SV 2YO Maiden Plate (1000m)

Of $12,000. 2yo Maiden – Set Weights – Track Condition: Dead 5

Margins: 2.25 len, 3/4 len
Time: 0:59.27

ATB’s Darren Weir trained filly Evens will go around in the Schweppes Handicap (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday 4th April 2012 which is Race 2 on the program. Set to jump at 1.30pm in the afternoon, jockey Dean Yendall is scheduled to ride.

Evens opened $4.00 at online bookmaker IASbet and they will be paying a guaranteed better dividend than any of the three TABs at Sandown on Wednesday.

April 3rd 2012

Jakkalberry 3rd in Gr1 Dubai Sheema Classic

Cirrus Des Aigles ridden by Olivier Peslier takes out the 2012 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock’s 2012 Melbourne Cup hopeful Jakkalberry ran third in the Dubai Sheema Classic on Saturday night in Dubai, while last year’s ATB Melbourne Cup runner Unusual Suspect failed to run a place in Dubai Gold Cup held earlier in the night at the same meeting.

ATB’s Darren & Liz Dance were on hand to witness their two international gallopers go around at the prestigious Dubai World Cup meeting, held at the picturesque Meydan racecourse in Dubai.

In the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic over 2410 metres Marco Botti trained Jakkalberry settled at the back of the field before making his run as they entered the straight.

Under the urgings of jockey Ryan Moore, the Storming Home 6yo worked home nicely in the final 200 metres to finish 3.75L behind winner Cirrus Des Aigles, ridden by Olivier Peslier, while race favourite St Nicholas Abbey ran second.

Cirine Barande Barbe became the first female trainer to ever saddle up a winner at a Dubai World Cup meeting.

>>> Watch ATB’s Darren Dance talk about Jakkalberry’s third in Dubai with TVN’s Bruce Clark <<<

Corey Nakatani rode ATB’s Unusual Suspect in the 2012 Dubai Gold Cup over 3200 metres and the Unusual Heat 8yo led the field into the straight before weakening in the run to the line to finish in 8th place.

The 2012 Dubai Gold Cup was marred by the tragic injury to Godolphin owned stayer Fox Hunt who had to euthanised after falling early in the race.

The race was initially halted after Fox Hunt’s injury forced the race to be abandoned, and in the rerun held later in the evening Frankie Dettori rode Mahmood Al Zarooni trained 6yo Opinion Poll to victory by 0.75L from Marco Botti’s Joshua Tree second, with Mike de Kock’s Zanzamar a close-up third.

Paul Messara mare Ortensia stormed home late to score a top win for Australia in the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint, defeating Sole Power and favorite Joy And Fun, while Helmet, Sepoy and So You Think all finished unplaced in their respective feature races.

Closer to home, Mark Kavanagh trained gelding Faltastic travelled to Adelaide on Saturday afternoon to represent ATB and contested the Fred Vella Tyres & Crash Handicap at Morphettville racecourse where he finished a game third behind Peter Blanch’s My Ex mate.

A winner over 1550 metres at the same track at his previous outing, the Falbrav four-year-old stepped up to 1800 metres this time round and after settling just off the pace in the run, he loomed up large in the straight to look a winning chance inside the 200m mark, before eventually going down by 2.2 lengths in a very honest effort.

Faltastic will likely step out over more ground in coming weeks and is one to keep an eye on.

ATB have two Matthew Williams trained runners going around at Warrnambool on Monday 2nd April 2012, with Choisance making her debut in Race 3 with Ben Melham aboard, and A City Girl who is engaged in Race 8 with apprentice Thomas Sadler to ride.

April 1st 2012

2012 Dubai World Cup Night Race Fields

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock’s Darren & Liz Dance will be heading to Dubai this weekend to watch recent stable acquisitions Jakkalberry and Unusual Suspect go around in feature races at the prestigious Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan racecourse on Saturday 31st March 2012.

More than $27,000,000 (USD) in prize money will be up for grabs across the meeting and the feature race of the night is the $10,000,000 Dubai World Cup where dual WS Cox Plate winner So You Think is engaged.

ATB's latest acqquisition Jakkalberry to line up in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic in Dubai

Storming Home 6yo Jakkalberry will line up in the $5,000,000 Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic over 2410 metres and will be ridden by Ryan Moore.

Jakkalberry resumed with a solid third placing in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy earlier in the month at Meydan where he ran home strongly to finish 3.75L behind Fox Hunt over 2810 metres.

With that run under his belt ATB’s latest acquisition looks capable of figuring in the finish on Saturday night.

Unusual Suspect will tackle the $1,000,000 Group 3 Dubai Gold Cup over 3200 metres on Dubai World Cup night and Corey Nakatani will be aboard.

The Unusual Heat 8yo has been disappointing in his three Dubai runs to date but has had his excuses and we expect him to show considerable improvement this time round, especially over this trip.

Many Australians will be keen to see former Bart Cumming’s galloper So You Think strut his stuff in the $10,000,000 Group 1 Dubai World Cup over 2000 metres, while a number of quality Aussie gallopers have also headed over to Dubai for the rich spoils on offer.

Brilliant Australian gallopers Sepoy and Helmet are also racing in Dubai on Saturday night, Sepoy in the $2,000,000 Group 1 Golden Shaheen over 1200 metres, and Helmet in the $2,000,000 Group 2 UAE Derby over 1900m, while smart Paul Messara mare Ortensia will run in the $1,000,000 Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint over 1000 metres.

Below are the main feature race fields for Dubai World Cup night at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday night.

Race 3 – Dubai Gold Cup – Group 3 – 3200m

5:45pm local time (12.45am Sun 01 Apr AEST Melbourne time)

Fancied runners – Fox Hunt $4.20 and Opinion Poll $4.20 are equal favourites from Mikhail Glinka $6.00 and Barbican $10.00, Unusual Suspect is $17.00.

>>> Visit IASbet for the latest Dubai Gold Cup odds <<<

Race 4 – UAE Derby – Group 2 – 1900m

6:25pm local time (1.25am Sun 01 Apr AEST Melbourne time)

Fancied runners – Wrote $4.50, Helmet $7.00, Mickdaam $7.00, Daddy Long Legs $8.00.

>>> Visit IASbet for the latest UAE Derby odds <<<

Race 5 – Al Quoz Sprint – Group 1 – 1000m

7.00pm local time (2.00am Sun 01 Apr AEST Melbourne time)

Fancied runners – Sole Power $7.00, Ortensia $8.00, Regally Ready $9.00 & Joy And Fun $9.00.

>>> Visit IASbet for the latest Al Quoz Sprint odds <<<

Race 6 – Golden Shaheen – Group 1 – 1200m

7.35pm local time (2.35am Sun 01 Apr AEST Melbourne time)

Fancied runners – Rocket Man $3.00, Sepoy $3.50, Lucky Nine $5.00, The Factor $9.00

>>> Visit IASbet for the latest Golden Shaheen odds <<<

Race 8 – Dubai Sheema Classic – Group 1 – 2410m

9.00pm local time (3.00am Sun 01 Apr AEST Melbourne time)

Fancied runners in early Dubai Sheema Classic markets – Cirrus Des Aigles $3.50, St Nicholas Abbey $3.50 and Beaten Up at $5.50 and Jakkalberry $26.00

>>> Visit IASbet for the latest Dubai Sheema Classic odds <<<

Race 9 – Dubai Gold Cup – Group 1 – 2000m

9.40pm local time (3.40am Sun 01 Apr AEST Melbourne time)

Fancied runners – So You Think $4.00, Smart Falcon $6.00, Game On Dude $8.00, Zazou $11.00

>>> Visit IASbet for the latest Dubai Gold Cup odds <<<

2012 Dubai World Cup fields are courtesy of www.sportsandracing.com.au

March 29th 2012

Double Dipper Offer at Sandown Wednesday

Our preferred online bookmaker IASbet has a DOUBLE DIPPER Special Offer available for Sandown racing on Wednesday!

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Backing a winner at $5 or more is not easy to do, and when you do, leading online bookmaker IASbet believe you deserve more than a pat on the back.

So, when the winner of a selected race pays $5 or more at Fixed Priced odds, they’ll sweeten your win with a matched Double Dipper bonus bet on another race.

The Double Dipper Special Offer at Sandown

Place a win only bet at Fixed Price odds on Race 3 or Race 4 at Sandown on Wednesday, 28th March 2012 and if your bet selections wins the race and pays $5 or more, IASbet will match your stake with a Double Dipper bonus bet up to $50 on Race 7 at the same meeting later in the day!

1. Double Dipper – Sandown Race 3
2. Double Dipper – Sandown Race 4

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March 27th 2012

Warrnambool’s May Carnival to host 3 legs of the JJ Houlahan Championship

Warrnambool to host three legs of the J J Houlahan Championship during May Carnival

Warrnambool’s historic May Carnival will host three legs of the J J Houlahan Championship.

An enhanced J.J. Houlahan Jumps Championship was launched today with more races, prize money and host venues to be showcased during 2012.

Now in its seventh year, the Championship encompasses the premier hurdle and steeplechase races in Victoria and South Australia throughout the jumps racing season.

It celebrates the horse, trainer and jockey who excel by accumulating the most points – which are issued on a 12-8-6-4-2 basis – across those races carrying a minimum $100,000 in prize money.

Previously a 14-race series, this year’s Championship has grown to 18 events with the addition of two feature races at Mornington on Sunday, 20 May and Bendigo on Sunday, 17 June.

Both host a new $100,000 open hurdle, whilst prize money for the Greater Southern Steeplechase at Mornington and Mosstrooper Steeplechase at Bendigo has been increased to $100,000.

This year’s Championship, which will be conducted in a more condensed format from April to July, collectively offers $2.26 million in prize money – an increase of more than 25% on 2011.

The races featured within the 2012 J.J. Houlahan Jumps Championship are;

- Saturday, 7 April, Oakbank (SA) – $100,000 Von Doussa Steeplechase (3250m)
- Monday, 9 April, Oakbank (SA) – $160,000 Great Eastern Steeplechase (4950m)
- Monday, 9 April, Oakbank (SA) – $100,000 Yalumba Classic Hurdle (3600m)
- Tuesday, 1 May, Warrnambool – $100,000 Brierly Steeplechase (3450m)
- Wednesday, 2 May, Warrnambool – $100,000 Galleywood Hurdle (3200m)
- Thursday, 3 May, Warrnambool – $250,000 Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m)
- Sunday, 20 May, Mornington – $100,000 Greater Southern Steeplechase (3300m)
- Sunday, 20 May, Mornington – $100,000 Open Hurdle (3300m)
- Saturday, 2 June, Sportingbet Park – $100,000 Australian Hurdle (3400m)
- Saturday, 2 June, Sportingbet Park – $100,000 Australian Steeplechase (3900m)
- Sunday, 17 June, Bendigo – $100,000 Mosstrooper Steeplechase (3600m)
- Sunday, 17 June, Bendigo – $100,000 Brendan Dreschler Hurdle (3200m)
- Sunday, 1 July, Warrnambool – $100,000 Kevin Lafferty Hurdle (3600m)
- Sunday, 1 July, Warrnambool – $100,000 Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m)
- Sunday, 15 July, Sandown – $200,000 Grand National Hurdle (3900m)
- Sunday, 15 July, Sandown – $100,000 Crisp Steeplechase (3900m)
- Sunday, 29 July, Sandown – $250,000 Grand National Steeplechase (4500m)
- Sunday, 29 July, Sandown – $100,000 JJ Houlahan Hurdle (3400m)

The Eric Musgrove-trained Famous Prince, winner of the Yalumba Classic Hurdle and a placegetter in four other heats, collected 40 points to take out last year’s champion horse award from joint second placegetters Black And Bent and Vindicating (36).

Famous Prince’s mentor Musgrove (70 points) scored a memorable win over Robbie Laing (58) in the trainer’s award, while champion jockey Steven Pateman (102) amassed almost double the points of his nearest rival when securing back-to-back wins in the rider’s category.

Article courtesy of Racing Victoria website

Saturday Colac meeting transferred to Terang

Racing Victoria has announced that tomorrow’s Colac meeting has been transferred to Terang following an inspection of the Colac track this afternoon  found the track unsafe for racing.

All Victorian tracks are inspected by a Racing Victoria steward the day before a meeting and today’s inspection found that a section of the Colac track was too wet for the safe conduct of tomorrow’s meeting and would not dry in time given prevailing weather conditions.

The transfer of the meeting to Terang will see the distance of Race 1 reduced from 2000 to 1850 metres, with the remaining races unchanged.

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock 3yo filly Curley Sue is engaged to make her debut in Race 3 on the program over 1200 metres.

The daughter of Exceed And Excel is trained out of the Peter Moody yard and has drawn barrier eight in the Sungold Milk SV 3YO Maiden Plate (1200m) at 2.15pm.

Jockey Daniel Stackhouse is scheduled to ride Curley Sue in the maiden event.

The seven-race TAB card commences at 12.55pm and retains the same race times as scheduled, with the Terang track currently rated a Slow 6.

ATB mare Keltara set to strike at Ballarat

Keltara winning easily at Ballarat over this track & trip in Dec 2010

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock’s Darren Weir-trained mare Keltara will have her second run from a spell today at her home track of Ballarat in the Ryan & McDonald Homes 0-72 Handicap (1000m).

Set to run in Race 5 on the card at 4.29pm in the afternoon, the Exceed And Excel five-year-old has drawn ideally in barrier one to take advantage of her early speed with jockey Dean Yendall taking the ride.

Keltara resumed earlier in the month over 1000 metres at Pakenham (0-72) on a slow track and after showing plenty of early speed, she eventually weakened in the run home to finish a 3.75L eighth behind My Survivor.

She led the field into the straight at Pakenham before running out of steam in the final stanza.

With that run under her belt the ATB galloper looks nicely placed here over the same course & distance as her last victory at this track in December 2010.

On that occasion Keltara was also second-up and she led from barrier to post to score a 3.3L victory over Pity the Fool and Them’s The Rules, running 59.50 for the 1000 metres.

Obviously racing second-up agrees with Keltara, as she has produced two wins and a third placing from three second-up runs, and she ticks plenty of boxes for today’s race.

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ATB filly Evens in at Sandown on Wednesday

ATB filly Evens

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock will be represented by Darren Weir-trained filly Evens at Sandown on Wednesday 21st March 2012 when she goes around in the first race on the card, the Ricoh Plate over 1200 metres.

The 2yo Get Square filly had little luck at her most recent outing at Echuca when she was hampered a number of times in the straight before eventually finishing just under five lengths from the winner Brantz.

The ATB galloper came to Sandown last month at just her second race start and did a great job to finish just two lengths behind Nicskioffski in a 2yo Maiden event after racing on the pace.

From barrier four with Dean Yendall aboard Evens looks nicely placed in this event and should run well.

Her main dangers appear to be last start winners Flirtatious trained by Anthony Freedman and Mareeza from the Peter Moody stable.

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Rank outsider wins Golden Mile at Bendigo

Flying Spur 8yo Syreon lined up for his second run in the fluorescent yellow colours of Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock at Bendigo on Saturday when he tackled the 2012 Yalumba Golden Mile over 1600 metres, finishing 4.4 lengths astern of rank outsider Dance With Her in the feature race of the day.

Syreon at Bendigo

After being tightened for room at the start Syreon settled better than midfield in the run, but raced ungenerously in the middle stages of the race which did not help his chances.

Approaching the turn he loomed up wide to be within touch of the leading bunch at the 400 metre mark, before his lack of recent racing began to tell and he ran out of steam in the run to the line.

Punters were left lamenting in the $125,000 Yalumba Golden Mile when David Brideoake & David Feek  mare Dance With Her defied all challengers to score an upset win at the huge odds of $103.10 for the smart punters who backed her at IASbet, much better odds than the $93.10 dividend tote punters got at SuperTAB.

Under the urgings of jockey Jake Noonan, the 5yo daughter of Al Maher found plenty in the straight to hold out Peter Moody gelding Testascana by a long head, with a further length back to Paul Meshara 4yo Happy Trails in third place.

Syreon showed a marked improvement on his first-up run at Flemington on Australian Guineas Day and is likely to head back to town for his next start, at either Caulfield next week or Mooney Valley the week after.

2012 Yalumba Golden Mile result

Track Condition: Dead 4 – Margins: 0.2L, 1.0L Time: 1:35.91

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Big Fields for Bendigo on Saturday

ATB's Syreon has drawn barrier 4 in the Yalumba Golden Mile at Bendigo racecourse on Saturday

Outstanding fields have been assembled for Victoria’s first standalone country Saturday meeting

Racing Victoria’s standalone country meeting experiment has proven popular among owners and trainers with big fields assembled for the feature events on this Saturday’s historic meeting at Bendigo in central Victoria.

The Yalumba Golden Mile has attracted a full field of 16 plus four emergencies, while at least 14 runners were paid up for in the day’s three key support events.

Last year’s Victoria Handicap winner Red Colossus heads the field for the $125,000 Golden Mile (1600m).

The Greg Eurell-trained gelding will carry the 59kg topweight in the event that will play host to an outstanding field of Black Type performers, even accounting for the early scratching of Dao Dao.

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock’s Darwin Cup project horse Syreon (56kg) has placed at Group 1 level and will contest the Golden Mile on Saturday.

The Flying Spur 8yo opened up $31.00 at leading online bookmaker IASbet and he’s a second-up winner who has three victories over 1600 metres to his credit.

Group 1-placed Chasm (56kg), Group 2 winners Sound Journey (57kg) and Folding Gear (54kg) and last year’s Heatherlie Handicap winner Testascana (58kg) join Life To The Full (58kg), a four-time Listed winner in Tasmania, in the race that also boasts a string of high-profile country cup winners.

My Bentley (57.5kg), the 2010 Ballarat Cup champion, will continue his campaign alongside the likes of last spring’s Cranbourne Cup winner Boom N Zoom (56.5kg) and Seymour Cup hero Tiakinui (55.5kg), while 2010 Benalla Cup victor Playwright (57kg) is also engaged.

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The Yalumba Golden Mile is the headline act on a nine-race card that also includes a couple of new $90,000 features; the Bendigo Bank Guineas for the three-year-old colts and geldings and the Cattanach’s Jewellers Gold Bracelet for the females.

Sandown Guineas winner So Swift and last-start Autumn Classic victor Upbeat head the field for the 1400m Guineas, which includes Caulfield Guineas placegetter Huegill, progressive trio Umadeeus, Shanghai Warrior and Festina Lente and former top juvenile filly Holdontayahorses.

Classy mare I’m Discreet, runner-up in the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes two start ago, is the 60.5kg top weight in a Gold Bracelet that also includes well-performed Ky’s The Limit (55.5kg), the classy Princess Narine (54.5kg), talented Tasmanian Sorrell Miss (54.5kg) and last-start city winner Desatin (54kg).

The day’s other key event is the $75,000 Centrebet Stayers Gold Final (2400m) in which last-start Listed placegetter Rowland is the 60kg top weight.

They are the features on a card that also includes a competitive $50,000 Bendigo Community Telco Handicap (1000m), featuring City Of Song and Jessica Rose, and a strong $50,000 Hotel Shamrock Bendigo Handicap (1300m) in which Faster Son, Éclair Surprise and Del Palio are engaged.

The historic Bendigo program is scheduled to commence at 12.05pm with fields for all races available via this link.

Article courtesy of Racing Victoria website. 

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2012 Golden Mile Day at Bendigo on Saturday

The goldfields of western Victoria are set to come alive on Saturday 17th March 2012 in Bendigo when the inaugural premier Saturday meeting will be held at Epsom racecourse, offering a total of $770,000 in prize money and bonuses on what should be a wonderful day of racing.

ATB's Darwin Cup project horse Syreon is all set to tackle the 2012 Golden Mile at Bendigo on Saturday

Nine races will take place at the Bendigo meeting, with the $125,000 Yalumba Golden Mile (1600m) the feature race of the day.

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock’s Darwin Cup project horse Syreon will contest the the 2012 Yalumba Golden Mile in preparation for this year’s Darwin Cup to be held at Fannie Bay racecourse in August.

The Flying Spur 8yo had his first run in ATB colours on Australian Guineas Day at Flemington, where he finishing unplaced on a heavy track behind Rockpecker in a listed class race over 1400 metres.

Syreon will be all the better for his Flemington outing, his first for almost six months, and will appreciate the step up to 1600 metres at Bendigo.

Taking place alongside the the Golden Mile is the $90,000 Bendigo Bank Bendigo Guineas (1400m), which is sure to attract plenty of attention for connections of three-three-year-old gallopers, with $80,000 in bonuses up for grabs.

Inglis Bloodstock is offering a $50,000 bonus if the Guineas winner is a graduate of their sales, and the first three placegetters will share in $30,000 worth of Super VOBIS bonuses if qualified.

Other feature races on the day include the $90,000 Catanachs Jewellers Gold Bracelet (1400m) for fillies & mares and the $75,000 Centrebet Bendigo Gold 0-82 Stayers Final (2400m) for which heats will be held across the state.

The Golden Mile meeting at Bendigo will replace the regular metropolitan meeting in Melbourne for the next three years which is fantasic news for the region.

2012 Golden Mile Raceday feature races are as follows;

1. Yalumba Golden Mile (1600m) – $125,000 -
2. Bendigo Bank Bendigo Guineas (1400m) – $90,000 + $50,000 Inglis bonus + $30,000 Super VOBIS bonus
3. Catanachs Jewellers Gold Bracelet (1400m) – $90,000
4. Centrebet Gold Stayers Final (2400m,) – $75,000
5. Bendigo Golden Nursery (1100m,) – $50,000 + $30,000 Super VOBIS bonus
6. 0-72 Handicap (1100m,) – $50,000 + $30,000 Super VOBIS bonus
7. 0-72 Handicap (1600m) – $50,000
8. 0-78 Handicap (1100m) – $50,000

Admission Prices for Golden Mile Day

Adult: $20
Members Reserve Crossover: $50
Concession: $15 (Aged pensioners, TPI, Seniors & Disability Card Holders, Students)
Children Under 15 are free when accompanied by an adult.

More information can be found at the Bendigo Jockey Club website at Country Racing Victoria.

Faltastic scores Top Win at Morphettville

ATB's Faltastic travelled to Adelaide yesterday to win at Morphettville Parks

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock’s Mark Kavanagh trained gelding Faltastic travelled to Morphettville Parks in Adelaide yesterday to score a most authoritative win in the last race on the programme, the $25,000 Pagel Glass Handicap (1550m).

Never far away in the run, the Falbrav 4yo always had the race in his control in the 0-62 event.

When jockey Mark Pegus made his move approaching the home turn and Faltastic was called upon for his effort, he quickly ran to the lead to put the race beyond doubt in just a few strides.

The four-year-old ran 1:34.42 for the 1550 metres trip and finished 1.3L ahead of second placegetter Roman Eye, with a further 0.5L to Just a Giggle in third place.

Faltastic started at the good odds of 10/1, although the smart punters who took advantage of City SuperPrice at IASbet received $12.05 for the win thanks to their ‘guaranteed better than TAB’ dividend!

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ATB’s other Kavanagh runner Here De Speaker also went around at Morphettville Parks yesterday and ran a very competitive race to finish fourth Behind Magic Milady over 1250 metres in Race 7 on the card.

After drawing wide the Dehere filly showed plenty of speed to settle in the leading bunch where she was able to herself in the race at the right time but her ended inside the final 15 metres and she finished 3.2L astern as they crossed the line.

On the same day in Echuca our 2yo Get Square filly Evens contested the first race on the programme, the Lynn’s Florist SV 2YO Handicap over 1200 metres.

After enjoying a good run on the pace Evens was buffeted from pillar to post when trying to find an opening in the straight and she lost all momentum in the run to the line. The run is best forgotten and there’s a race out there for her in due course.

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In other Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock racing news, our Melbourne Cup project horse Unusual Suspect raced in Dubai overnight and finished unplaced in the US$250,000 Group 2 Dubai City Of Gold over 2410 metres at Meydan racecourse.

The Mick Kent trained stayer was always well back in the field and made little headway in the run to the line, finishing 14th in the 16 horse field.

The Unusual Heat 8yo has the US$10 million Group 1 Dubai World Cup in his sights on Saturday 31st March 2012 at Meydan.

Our Matthew Williams filly A City Girl resumed from a spell last Friday at Ararat in the Dale Bell Fencing 0-62 Handicap (1100m) and after showing plenty of pace during the race, she eventually run out of puff to finish 3.2L from the winner Grassy.

The Exceed And Excel 4yo mare will derive plenty of benefit from the run and will improve with more racing.

Unusual Suspect to tackle Group 2 Dubai City Of Gold on Saturday night

Our Melbourne Cup project horse Unusual Suspect will be on a seven day back up when he takes his place in the US$250,000 Group 2 Dubai City of Gold at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday 10th March, 2012 in Dubai.

Unusual Suspect will tackle the Group 2 Dubai City Of Gold at Meydan racecourse in Dubai on Saturday

A capacity 16 horse field will line up in the 2410 metre distance event and Unusual Suspect will be looking to improve on his two Meydan runs this time in after failing to make much of an imprint at his first couple of Dubai outings.

The Unusual Heat 8yo will tackle the Dubai City of Gold on his way to his ultimate aim this autumn, the US$10 million Group 1 Dubai World Cup on Saturday 31st March 2012 at the same track.

Jamie Spencer will ride the Mick Kent trained stayer and he should be getting to the line strongly over this distance.

Saturday’s race is dominated by trainers Saeed bin Suroor and Mahmood al Zarooni who have seven of the 16 entries in the field, with Group 1 winners Campanologist and Cavalryman leading the way.

Four-time Group 1 winner Campanologist took out the Preis Von Europa (Gr1) in Germany and the Gran Premio Jockey Club Italiano (Gr1) in Italy last year and his most recent outing was a 5th placing in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase behind Dunaden in December.

Kieren Fallon will be aboard the Kingmambo 7yo in his first run for over three months.

Cavalryman is a Group 1 winner back in 2009 when he captured the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris in France, although he has not been in the winner’s stall since September of the same year.

The Halling 6yo had his last start in the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp last October where he finished 5th behind Be Fabulous and Olivier Peslier is down to ride.

Impressive Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort winner Viscount Nelson disappointed last start when 7th in the Zabeel Mile at Meydan and expect improvement from the Giant’s Causeway 5-year-old who will be lining up for his fourth run this campaign.

Unbeaten Godolphin 4yo Songcraft has to respected in his stakes race debut and has the services of Silvestre de Sousa in the saddle. The gelding is a winner of his past two starts at Meydan over staying trips.

The 2012 Dubai City of Gold is Race 6 on the card at Meydan and scheduled to start at 7.3pm local time (2.30am Melbourne time).

Visit IASbet for the latest Meydan racing odds in Dubai.

Five ATB Runners on Friday & Saturday

Here De Speaker wins at Ballarat last month and she steps out again in Race 7 in Adelaide on Saturday.

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock has five runners going around over the next couple of days and first cab off the rank is the Matthew Williams trained A City Girl who will contest the Dale Bell Fencing 0-62 Handicap (1100m) on Friday 9th March 2012 at Ararat racecourse.

The Exceed And Excel mare has not raced since June where she finished 8th on a heavy track at Warrnambool.

She has drawn nicely in barrier two for her return to racing and Billy Egan takes the ride in Race 7 at 4.40pm.

Promising Darren Weir trained filly Evens steps out in the Lynn’s Florist SV 2YO Handicap (1200m) which is the first race of the day at Echuca on Saturday 10th March and she appears nicely placed, although not ideally drawn in gate 13 in the 14 horse field.

Evens finished second on debut at Bendigo before heading into town for her second outing where she got to the line nicely to finish two lengths behind Nicskioffski in a 2yo Fillies race at Sandown.

Damian Lane will be aboard the Get Square two-year-old and race time is set down for 12.25pm.

On the same day in Adelaide we have two Mark Kavanagh runners engaged in the last two races at Morphettville Parks, Here De Speaker & Faltastic.

Here De Speaker has drawn barrier nine in the second last race (Race 7), the Rob Hodge Handicap (1250m) which is scheduled to jump at 4.35pm (5.05pm AEST).

The Dehere filly scored a top Ballarat win last start when she settled on the pace all the way over 1200 metres before kicking away in the straight to defy all challengers.

Ronnie Stewart is down to ride on Saturday and although drawn wide, a repeat of her last start effort will see her challenging strongly at the business end.

Unusual Suspect racing in Dubai on Saturday night.

Mark Pegus will ride 4yo gelding Faltastic in the Pagel Glass Handicap (1550m) which is the final race of the day at Morphettville (Race 8).

Faltastic drops in grade here but has also fared poorly at the barrier, drawing the visitor’s gate of 11 for his third run this time in.

He finished 8th over 1600 metres at Ballarat at his most recent outing and will strip fitter for the run to give him each-way hopes in this.

On Saturday night in Dubai (Sunday morning 2.30am for us) Unusual Suspect will tackle the Gr 2 Dubai City Of Gold over 2410 metres at Meydan Racecourse.

The Unusual Heat 8yo will appreciate the extra distance here and expect him to be putting in the big strides late.

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2012 Sydney Autumn Carnival feature races

Sepoy winning the 2011 Golden Slipper at Rosehill

With the Melbourne autumn carnival almost over, feature racing action will turn to the 2012 Sydney autumn racing carnival in New South Wales where the jewel in the crown is the $3,500,000 Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill in April.

The Australian Turf Club has scheduled eight Saturdays of exciting Group 1 racing action at Warwick Farm, Rosehill and Randwick racecourses during March and April in Sydney.

The $350,000 Chipping Norton Stakes is the first Group 1 race of the carnival on Saturday 10th March 2012 at Warwick Farm racecourse.

Rosehill holds the first day of its three-day racing carnival on Saturday 24th March with the $600,000 Group 1 Coolmore Classic and $400,000 Ranvet Stakes the highlights of the day, while the $500,000 Group 1 Rosehill Guineas headlines the second day of the carnival the following week.

Slipper Day ends the Rosehill three-day carnival on Saturday 7th April, culminating with the running of the nation’s richest two-year-old event, the Golden Slipper Stakes, for the nation’s best young gallopers.

Mick Price’s Blue Diamond winner Samaready is the current Golden Slipper favourite at leading online bookmaker IASbet at $4.00, from Gai Waterhouse trio Pierro $6.00, Raceway $8.00 and No Looking Back at $9.00.

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At the conclusion of the Rosehill carnival the attention turns to Randwick for a big three weeks of racing, highlighted by the $2,000,000 Group 1 Doncaster Handicap on Saturday 21st April, the second day of the carnival.

The $1,500,000 AJC Australian Derby is the feature attraction on the first day of the Randwick carnival on Saturday 14th April, while the $500,000 Group 1 Sydney Cup is one of four group one races on Saturday 28th April, the final day of the Randwick & Sydney autumn racing carnival.

Saturday 10th March 2012 – Warwick Farm

The Chipping Norton Stakes is three group races at Warwick Farm to kick off Group 1 racing Sydney during the autumn.

Saturday 17th March 2012 – Randwick

Four group races at Randwick on Guineas Day and headlined by the Group 1 Randwick Guineas for three-year-olds.

Saturday 24th March 2012 – Rosehill

The first day of the three-day Rosehill autumn racing carnival features six group races, including two Group 1 races, the Coolmore Classic for mares and the Ranvet Stakes at weight-for-age.

Saturday 31st March 2012 – Rosehill

The Group 1 Rosehill Guineas is the feature race of the day on the second day of the Rosehill racing carnival and offers a total of seven group races on the day.

Saturday 7th April 2012 – Rosehill

Nine group races take place on Slipper Day which is the biggest raceday of the Sydney autumn, with five Group 1 races on the card, headlined by the two-year-old dash for cash, the Golden Slipper Stakes, ably supported by the Group 1 The BMW for stayers.

Saturday 14th April 2012 – Randwick

Group one racing returns to Randwick for the first day of their three day carnival where nine group races are scheduled and the Group 1 AJC Derby is the featured event on a huge day of racing action. Other Group 1 races on the day include the TJ Smith Stakes for sprinters and the AJC Sires produce Stakes for two-year-olds.

Saturday 21st April 2012 – Randwick

The middle day of the Randwick carnival features three Group 1 races and headlined one of the toughest mile handicap races on the yearly calendar, the Doncaster Handicap. Also on the programme is the AJC Oaks for fillies and The Galaxy for sprinters.

Saturday 28th April 2012 – Randwick

Six group races on the final day or the Randwick Carnival and four of those are Group 1 races, with the Sydney Cup the feature event of the day. Rounding out the Sydney autumn carnival alongside the Cup are the Queen Elizabeth Stakes for stayers, the All Aged Stakes for sprinters, and the Champagne Stakes for two-year-olds.

Provincial Feature Races
Provincial race clubs also hold a couple of reasonable quality Group 3 races during the Sydney autumn with the $125,000 Newcastle Newmarket Hcp sure to attract a top field on Wednesday 21st March at Newcastle, while three-year-old fillies will be making their way to Kembla Grange on Sunday 25th March to tackle the $150,000 Keith F Nolan Classic.

Feature race previews courtesy of Horse Racing Info website.

Wednesday 7th March 2012

$18.7M Prizemoney increase for next season

ATB owners have reason to celebrate with $18.7 million prizemoney increase for 2012/13 season!

ATB owners will be racing our horses for more prizemoney for next season after Racing Victoria recently announced an $18.7 million prizemoney increase for racing in this state, with 63% to be distributed to country racing.

The increase to minimum prize money levels will commence from August 1st 2012 which is the start of the new 2012/2013 racing season.

In an exciting move for Victorian racehorse owners, a standard metropolitan meeting will have at least 2 races worth a minimum of $100,000 and six races a minimum of at least $80,000.

Plus, minimum prize money for country meetings in major racing timeslots on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday has been increased from $15,000 to $17,500.

Over two-thirds of Victoria’s listed races will jump from $100,000 up to $120,000 whilst more than 50% of the state’s Group 3 events will increase from $125,000 to at least $150,000.

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The Underwood Stakes, Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and Toorak Handicap will all have prizemoney increases to at least $400,000 (up $50,000).

Racing Victoria announced the following prizemoney changes for the 2012/2013 season.

Country Minimums
Standard - rises from $12,000 to $15000
Showcase - rises from $22,500 to $30,000
Non-TAB – rises from $7,000 to $8,000

Metropolitan Minimums
Saturday - rises from $7000 to $80,000 plus 2x $100,000
Midweek - rises from $30,000 to $35,000
Standard Friday Night – rises from $30,000 to $35,000

2012/2013 Victorian Racing Season Prizemoney Increases

*Day meetings held when no Friday night meeting follows
**Day meetings held when a Friday night meeting follows Day of the Week

Information courtesy of Racing Victoria

One ATB runner today at Pakenham

Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock has Keltara returning from a long spell today at Pakenham and the Darren Weir-trained mare will most likely need the run after not having raced since June last year.

Keltara starts her new campaign in the Cardinia Club 0-72 Handicap (Race 7) over 1000 metres and has drawn very nicely in the number one alley for her race return.

Yet to place in three first-up runs to date, Keltara will improve on whatever she does today and often performs better second-up, where she has two wins and one placing from three starts.

Dean Yendall will ride the Exceed And Excel 5yo and she will be having her first outing since last June where she finished 4th of eight (0-72)  over 1300 metres at Ararat on a heavy track.

Keltara is currently showing $5.75 fixed odds at IASbet and #12. Candy Man, #13. Justice Fighter, #14. He’s Ready & #15. Primo Lago have all been scratched from her race today.

The Pakenham track has been declared a Slow 6 with a Penetrometer reading of 5.5.

The ever consistent Rossa May was set to tackle the Pakenham Telstra Store Cup 25 March F&M 0-62 Handicap (Race 8) over 1000 metres but has been scratched from the race.

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Unusual Suspect finishes 9th in Dubai

Mick Kent-trained Unusual Suspect had his second run this campaign in the 2012 Al Dana Wealth over 2000 metres in Dubai last night where he finished 9th in a field of twelve behind Godolphin’s Simon de Montfort.

Unusual Suspect settled towards the back of the field in the run and stayed there until the home turn where he started to stretch out nicely entering the straight.

He made up some ground in the run to the line but wasn’t able to make much of an impression racing second-up over an unsuitable trip, finishing around 11 lengths astern of the the winner Simon de Montfort, who came home very strongly to score by 1.0L from Mikhail Glinka second, with a further 2.25L to Anaerobio in third place.

The Unusual Heat eight-year-old will derive plenty of benefit from last night’s run and is expected to tackle either the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold (2400m) or the Group 3 Dubai Gold Cup (3200m) at his next outing.

Unusual Suspect finished 6th in last year’s Caulfield Cup (2400m) behind Southern Speed, before running 9th in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) behind Dunaden and will appreciate stepping out to a more suitable distance when he next races in Dubai.

Video of the 2012 Al Dana Wealth from Meydan.

2012 Al Dana Wealth Result

Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, Saturday, 03 March 2012
2000m – Turf – USD 175,000
Track Condition: Good – Rail Position: Out 15m

Margins: 1 len, 2.25 len Time: 2:03.93

Race odds are courtesy of leading online bookmaker IASbet.

Jakkalberry runs 3rd in Dubai overnight

March 2nd 2012: ATB’s newly purchased Melbourne Cup hopeful Jakkalberry hit the line strongly to run a promising third placing overnight in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy over 2810 metres at Meydan racecourse in Dubai.

With Ryan Moore in the saddle and jumping from barrier five, Jakkalberry settled worse than midfield in the run and was patiently ridden along the rails before taking full advantage of as inside opening as they approached the turn, where Jakkalberry responded to Moore’s urgings and swept out to the middle of the track to make his move.

In the run to the line the Storming Home six-year-old stretched out very nicely for a horse aiming for the big Flemington two-miler in November and he finished four lengths from the winning post in a clear third place, although no match on the night for the winner Fox Hunt (M Al Zarooni – Lanfranco Dettori) and second placegetter Opinion Poll (M Al Zarooni – Mickael Barzalona).

The race winner Fox Hunt finished a close seventh (beaten 2.8L) behind Dunaden in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup last November (one length ahead of last year’s ATB Melbourne Cup project Unusual Suspect 3.8L), and the 5yo also scored an easy victory in the Group 3 Deutsches St Leger at Dortmund, Germany, in September.

Wearing the colours of Sheikh Mohammed’s son Sheikh Hamdan, Fox Hunt raced on the pace and proved much too strong on the night for stablemate Opinion Poll, with Jakkalberry third.

Jackkalberry will derive plenty of benefit from the run and will race again later in the month in Dubai.

Video of the 2012 Nad Al Sheba Trophy on you tube.

Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy Result

Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, Thursday, 01 March 2012
2810M(a14F) – Turf – USD 200,000
Track Condition: Good – Rail Position: Out 15m

Margins: 2.75 len, 4 len Time: 03:01:09

Race odds courtesy of online bookmaker IASbet.

Syreon set to make debut for ATB at Flemington on Saturday

February 29th 2012: ATB’s Darwin Cup project horse Syreon is set to have his first run in the famous fluorescent yellow colours of Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock in a listed event at Flemington on Saturday.

A winner of $429,250 in prizemoney from 6 wins and 8 placings from his 31 career starts, Syreon will make his ATB debut in Race 5 on the programme, the Listed VIC TAB Guaranteed $2m Quaddie over a distance of 1400 metres.

Darren Dance of Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock secured the classy stayer from the Chris Waller stable last year to target the 2012 Darwin Cup, which will be run on Monday 6th August 2012 in Darwin.

Syreon will make his ATB debut on Australian Guineas Day at Flemington on Saturday

Warrnambool trainer Matthew Williams will guide Syreon through his autumn campaign in Melbourne, before the stayer is transferred to Jason Manning’s Darwin stables for the traditional lead up races to the Darwin Cup.

A good fresh performer, Syreon has had one win and five placings from eight previous first-up runs and should put in a forward showing on Saturday.

The Flying Spur 8yo had his last run in Sydney last October when unplaced in the Listed City Tattersalls Club Cup over 2400 metres at Randwick.

In his 2011 autumn campaign Syreon won the Group 3 Queens Cup over 2000 metres at Rosehill, before heading to Randwick and running a terrific fourth in the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap over 1600 metres, followed by a third in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000 metres.

The VIC TAB Guaranteed $2m Quaddie is Race 5 on the card at Flemington on Saturday 3rd March 2012 and Syreon will carry 56 kilograms in the race.

Drawn barrier 13 in a capacity field of 16 runners, Syreon will be ridden by Steven Arnold in the listed event.

A huge contingent of ATB owners who have brought into Syreon will be making their way to Flemington on Saturday to cheer him home in his debut run for the stable.

Visit IASbet for the latest Flemington odds for Saturday’s Australian Guineas meeting.

ATB purchase European Group 1 winner for 2012 Melbourne Cup assault

February 28th 2012: Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock’s Darren Dance has negotiated the purchase of a 50% share in European Group 1 winner Jakkalberry with Bloodstock.com.au agent Chris Blomeley, in conjunction with Stuart Boman of Blandford Bloodstock in the UK .

The six-year-old is ATB’s latest acquisition for an assault on the race that stops a nation, the 2012 Melbourne Cup, to be run on Tuesday, 6th November 2012 at Flemington racecourse in Melbourne.

ATB's 2012 Melbourne Cup hopeful Jakkalberry

Performing best on good tracks, Jakkalberry appears to be ideally suited to spring racing in Melbourne.

He is the winner of the Group 1 Gran Premio di Milano over 2400m in Italy and the Champion Older Horse in Italy in 2010, while being a half-brother to two Italian Derby winners in Crackerjack King and Awelmarduk.

The son of Storming Home (Machiavellian), he shares the same sire as Group 1 VRC Derby and Underwood Stakes winner Lion Tamer.

Jakkalberry has qualified for both the Melbourne and Caulfield Cups and his most recent outing saw him run competitively without luck in Hong Kong against last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden, after doing the same in the same race the previous year against Americain.

Jakkalberry is trained in Newmarket, England by multiple Group 1 winning trainer Marco Botti. The immediate future for Jakkalberry holds two starts in Dubai, ideally culminating in a run on Dubai World Cup night.

“Jakkalberry’s purchase is the culmination of three month’s work compiling the results of three years’ worth of international Group staying races” said Blomeley of the purchase.

“Now that Jakkalberry is secured we are looking to act on the next on our list for Darren and his clientele.”

His trainer Marco Botti said, “We are delighted to have Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock as a new owner in the stable. Jakkalberry is training well in Dubai and we look forward to the challenge of training him for Australia’s greatest race.”

Regular users of the industry’s most prolific online sales website, Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock purchased the 40% share in Melbourne Cup runner Unusual Suspect in October as well as the now stakes winner Platelet via Bloodstock.com.au.

Here De Speaker scores at Ballarat

Here De Speaker winning at Ballarat

Tuesday 28th February 2012: Impressive Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock filly Here De Speaker defied a wide gate to score a top all the way victory in the Tracy the Placement People F&M Maiden Plate over 1200 metres at Dowling Forest racecourse in Ballarat last Friday.

Trained by Mark Kavanagh at Flemington and wearing blinkers for the first time, the daughter of Dehere was forced to work early from barrier 12 but jockey Michael Rodd was able to find the lead quickly after the start and from there he was able to rate her perfectly.

When Rodd popped the question in the straight, she bounded away inside the 200 metres to show her rivals a clean pair of heels in the run to the line to score a memorable win for her excited owners.

Danny O’Brien filly Hollywood ran home late to finish 0.3L away in second place, with Robert Smerdon’s Ooma Zooma finishing a close-up third.

Here De Speaker was having just her third race start for ATB and showed a welcome return to form after finishing unplaced at her previous start at Moonee Valley earlier this month. Prior to that she had run second on debut at this track in January.

The blinkers obviously did the trick for Here De Speaker and she looks set for a bright future.

ATB were also represented by Rossa May (2nd) & Faltastic (8th) at Ballarat on Friday.

The Darren Weir-trained Rossa May was ridden by Brad Rawiller and after being pushed wide on the home turn she managed to finish a close-up second behind Bambina in the Associated Fibrous Plasterers F&M 0-62 Handicap over 1000 metres.

Michael Rodd rode Here De Speaker’s stablemate Faltastic into 8th place in the Transport Tyres 0-68 Handicap over 1600 metres.

Melbourne Cup 2012

December 1st 2011:We are deep in negotiations with our agent to secure a new horse to contest the 2012 Melbourne cup. We have identified a suitably qualified horse with great 2400m turf form who has already passed several qualifying conditions for the Melbourne Cup. Should you be interested in registering your interest to have a share in a horse aimed at the 2012 Melbourne cup then email us now. We will be offering shares from 1% to 10% ranging from $6000 to $60,000 per share nd registered parties will have first right of refusal.

Our 2011 Melbourne Cup horse was Unusual Suspect who ran a good 9th and was unlucky and only beaten some 3.5 lengths. He will now head to Dubai in February March and could be back for the 2012 Melbourne Spring

ATB secure Syreon for tilt at Darwin cup in 2012

November 30th: Atb have secured high class stayer Syreon to target next years Darwin cup to be run in August 2012. Syreon a winner of 6 races and over $400,000 in prizemoney to date has been secured from the Chris Waller yard in Sydney to be trained in Darwin with Jason Manning. Syreon will move to the beach at Warrnambool to be trained by Matthew Williams for an autumn campaign in Victoria before transferring to Jason Mannings Darwin stables for the traditional leadup races to the Darwin Cup.
Syreon who has been fully syndicated and we will spend one week in Darwin with all of the owners and we will make it a trip to remember.

ATB horses fire at Warrnambool

Set Me Straight

Luckyimbarefoot & Jeune Baby Jeune

In the very next race both of our horses contested the finish with Luckyi’mbarefoot proving too strong to win very well after being well back and wide.

 We have only had this horse for his last 3 runs which have returned 2 wins and a second. Matthew Williams has done a terrific job with this horse who will now go to Flemington for a 2000m race before being spelled and set for the winter.

Our other runner in the race Jeune Baby Jeune who finished a nice 3rd at his 2nd run in this time and his condition may have just given out in the last 100m over the 1700m.

He is racing very well this time in and will go to Werribee next start in two weeks time and will be very competitive.

Wallington Flyer

Our final runner was Wallington Flyer who contested the 0-62 after winning his maiden last start at Donald and ran a super 3rd with 59kgs and was just beaten.

He has only had 4 starts and to date is yet to miss a place and we think that he will be even better next time in work. He will have one more start this time in and will then be spelled.

Very few horses win a 0-62 race coming off a maiden win as they are both up in class and usually carry top weight of 58 or 59kgs, so its a tough ask.

Upcoming runners- Eleve( Seymour), Flying Hula ( Moonee Valley), Fitoussi ( Caulfield)

ATB Syndicate secures 45% interst in Melb Cup runner

October 26th 2011: Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock this week secured a 45% interest in the Melbourne Cup entrant Unusual Suspect for next Tuesadys $6 million 3200m Group One Event. The Mick Kent trained 8 yr old was an eye catching run in the Caulfield Cup and when we saw it advertised on the inglis bloodstock site- Bloodstock.com.au, we decided to get our clients together and bid on the share. We have been a big fan of  Bloodstock.com.au, the sight where we secured our Group3 winning filly- Platelet as a yearling. From 6 starts she has now won in excess of $130,000 and is a vaulable filly.

The group that join us with Unusual Suspect will live the dream next Tuesday that most of us racing fans harbour – to have a Melbourne cup runner. Our syndication business allows us to make this dream a reality for 9 more Australians this year, including ourselves. Our new partners have interests ranging from 1% to 10% and live in WA, NSW , QLD and Victoria. I dont think it has sunk in yet that we will have a runner next week in Australias biggest race and l know that our group are getting pretty excited about it all.

The fact that Unusual Suspect is a stallion gives us some residual value as l sure that he will be in demand to stand at stud in Japan, USA, New Zealand or maybe even in Australia. Unusual Suspect is currently quoted at $31 with most betting agencies and l am sure that he is a top 6 chance in the race.

Platelet wins Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes at Caulfield

October 8th 2011:Consistent Strategic filly Platelet broke through for her first Black Type victory when she proved too good in the Group III MRC Thoroughbred Club Stakes over 1200 metres.

Prepared by Darren Weir, Platelet is still in her first preparation, progressing all the way from a debut second at Echuca on August 1 to a valuable Group win.

She settled in fourth place for regular rider Michelle Payne and accelerated in the straight to defeat well fancied The Fairy’s Kiss by three-quarters of length, her overall record now an impressive two wins, two seconds and two thirds from six starts with prizemoney of $131,175.

Raced by a big group of owners including the Australian Bloodstock Syndicate, Platelet (pictured Taron Clarke Photography) is another recent stakes-winner who owes her origins to the old Woodlands Stud, her dam Bloodline a Woodlands bred mare that was sold in foal to Strategic at the 2008 Inglis Broodmare Sale for just $6,000 with Platelet the result of that mating.

Platelet is the fourth winner, but first stakes-winner for the Dracula mare Bloodline, a close relation to Group II winning sprinter Hockney.

Bloodline has a yearling filly by Econsul and was covered last spring by Bianconi (USA).

Platelet is the 24th stakes-winner for veteran Darley sire Strategic, who stands at their Victorian base at a fee of $11,000.

Article written by Tara Madgwick October 8th 2011.

Caulfield – Saturday, 8 October 2011
Track:Dead
Race 2 Thoroughbred Club Stakes
Group 3 1200m
Time: 1:10.20.(0:35.18 (600m)
Open
Prizemoney: $125,000 – 1st: $75,000 2nd: $22,500 3rd: $11,250.
1 Platelet D K Weir Ms Michelle Payne $4.50 55.0
3f Strategic x Bloodline (Dracula)
Not Offered
2 0.8 The Fairy’s Kiss M G Price C Newitt $4.50 55.0
3f Elusive Quality (USA) x Ballet Society (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Not Offered
3 6.0 Hollyweird G A Ryan C W Brown $6.50 55.0
3f Snitzel x Last Blaze (JPN) (Narita Brian (JPN))
Lot 216 2010 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale $140,000
4 Not A Dancer Matthew Dale Chris Symons $8.50 55.0
5 Emerald Downs A J Cummings N Rawiller $5.50 56.5
6 Pontington T J Hughes Jnr D Nikolic $21 55.0
7 Offer Heath Conners D Yendall $26 55.0
8 To Be Honest J P Salanitri S Baster $81 55.0
9 Miss Rendina S R McKinnon A Mallyon $9 55

Group 3 Spring Stakes to Uxorious

August 8th: The talented Matthew Williams sprinter took out Saturdays Spring Stakes Group3 at Morphetville with a dominate win over the 1200m on slow ground. Uxorious (Choisir- Shiny Mai ( Keltrice) took his impressive record to 7 wins from 13 starts and over $275,000 in prizemoney. Uxorious provided the young Warrnambool trainer with his first Group 3 win in his short training career and he and his team were delighted with Saturdays result. Williams plans to give Uxorious a 10 break before taking on the sprinters at Caulfield in late Septmber in the Testa Rossa Stakes. Williams heaped praise on stand in rider Ryan Maloney( replacing the suspended Dean Yendell). It was Ryans first Group winner as well and l am very pleased for him as rides alot for the stable and is always happy to ride trials for us -anywhere. He rode him a treat Williams said.

Syndicators Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock syndicated Uxorious as a yearling and have an unraced half brother to him by Bel Esprit in their team. He will also be trained by Matthew Williams.

Set Me Straight strikes first up in Swan Hill

July 25th: The Jarod McLean trained Set Me Straight was an impressive winner 1st up yesterday at Swan Hill, winning by one and three quarter lengths in a strong maiden. This son of Fastnet Rock from the Red Ransom mare- Playmoney was having his 4th race start after running three second placings from as many starts in his first preparation and again was piloted by Matthew Pumpa who has been on him at every start. Pumpa said that he had made good improvement and was bigger and stronger now, but still learning and did  few things wrong in the race today but was just too good. Bred by John and Margaret Rayner, this is the second winner from Playmoney who is in foal to the Coolmore young sire – Holy Roman Emperor and is booked to the exciting young sprinting sire- Magnus. Mclean said that Set Me Straight was on the right track and is open to improvement at his next couple of starts and is a very honest and exciting young horse.

Rue Maple runs 2nd in the Sir John Monash

Jockey Michelle Payne believes Rue Maple is capable of stretching out up to seven furlongs after her brave performance at Caulfield on Saturday.

Payne was riding the Darren Weir-trained four-year-old mare for the first time and was impressed how the daughter of Rubiton overcame a horror run in transit to still hit the line with gusto in the Listed $100,000 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m).

“She ran terrific on the weekend as we had no luck from the barrier,” Payne told Virtual Formguide.

“We wanted to settle in the one-one position but Secret Flyer got up into that position because I could get there.

“So I just had to travel where I was, I couldn’t come back to settle towards the rear as it was too late in the race to do so, so I went forward.

“She travelled well outside the leaders and they went steady for most of the race.

“She quickened up good but not as well as the others off the sluggish speed and I thought she was going to run fourth at the top of the straight.

Rue Maple

“But then she really dug deep to get into second and was making ground on the winner (Secret Flyer). It was a really good effort.

“I said to Darren (Weir) that based on that run she’d be able to get 1400 metres,” she added.

Rue Maple, who has never raced beyond six furlongs before, is likely to contest the $125,000 Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on July 30 with the $125,000 Group 3 W.W. Cockram Stakes (1200m) for fillies and mares at the same venue a fortnight later.

Pictures: Fiona Tomlin & Colin Bull. Written by Carl Di Iorio