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LOL. Don’t be silly Gerald. You’re on a roll just stick to what you’re doing. I also backed Squamosa – An unbeaten fit and fast Gai horse in an early season 3yo race looked a steal at 2/1. I think the second horse looked a reasonable Guineas type.
Yes Shamoline Warrior failed to handle the going at all. He was also involved in scrimmages with the winner which left Shoot Out’s rider with a suspension. Little was expected fom SW first up and the real surprise was him being plunged into 9/1 ( I layed 9.8 just before the jump ). Shamoline Warrior raced quite fresh throughout and will improve significantly for a step up in trip on firmer ground.
Excellent win to SW’s half brother Rebel Raider who did little more than he would have in a barrier trial. Many Aussie trainers believe "You might as well race rather than trial because one option has prizemoney".
When does the "hype machine" allow me to lay Squamosa safely? Caulfield Guineas, I hope, but the race timings may stop that. Golden Rose with the 1400m looks perfect for the horse.
I’m trying to lay off my Squamosa stake for the Golden Rose at the moment, but no one’s biting.
RACE:Melbourne next for Rebel Raider
By Caryl Williamson
SYDNEY, Aug 16 AAP – Rebel Raider’s breathtaking return to racing has prompted a change of plans in his Melbourne Cup build-up and his next run will be in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.
Adelaide trainer Leon Macdonald originally had the Penny Edition Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville on August 28 pencilled in for the dual Derby winner’s first start for the season.
The horse was doing so well he brought his race return forward to Saturday’s Spring Stakes and Rebel Raider put in a dashing performance to win the 1200m sprint.
"He’s pulled up a treat and will go to Melbourne for the Makybe Diva early next month," Macdonald said.
"That probably fits in better than the Penny Edition because it will then give him two weeks between races going towards the Cups and the Cox Plate.
"I don’t want to get carried away with what he did because he will be going up a class in Melbourne but I think he’s going better than ever and his action looks so much better."
The Group Two Makybe Diva (1600m) is at Flemington on September 4.
It will be Rebel Raider’s first trip to Flemington since his upset win in the 2008 Victoria Derby.
He failed in a subsequent Sydney campaign but back home racing in his preferred left handed direction, scored a devastating win in the South Australian Derby.
That propelled into early favouritism for last year’s Melbourne Cup but that dream was shattered in early September when he pulled up sore from trackwork.
He subsequently underwent successful surgery on a hind fetlock and had two starts in the autumn.
Last week, bookmakers reported heavy interest in Rebel Raider for the Melbourne Cup and he was as short as $18 on Monday.
With Rebel Raider to miss the Penny Edition, stablemate Majestic Music will represent the stable in the race before she too heads to Melbourne where she won two races last spring.
Monday, 16 August 2010
By Warwick BarrMetal Bender and Triple Honour, two horses central to trainer Chris Waller’s major spring plans, are ready to open their campaigns after competing in separate barrier trials.
After watching them go through their paces at Warwick Farm on Monday morning, Waller declared both horses on target to resume when Saturday racing returns to the outer Sydney track this week.
Metal Bender went to the line under a tight grip from jockey Tim Clark and, similarly, Triple Honour was unextended in his heat.
"It’s just what I was looking for," Waller said.
Waller said while it wouldn’t be an ideal scenario, he was almost certain to have three runners in the $175,000 Warwick Stakes (1400m).
"It’s a shame they all have to clash. It’s not perfect for a trainer but there are owners to consider," he said.
"I’ve nominated Triple Honour for the Show County just to keep some options open."
Stablemate Danleigh joins Metal Bender and Triple Honour as Warwick Stakes entries with Hugh Bowman, who won last season’s George Ryder Stakes on the sprinter-miler, continuing his association with the seven-year-old.
Bowman rode Metal Bender when the three-time Group One winner won a recent Rosehill trial.
He was also in the saddle when the five-year-old won the Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast earlier this year but Clark takes over on Saturday.
Metal Bender was originally pencilled in for a 1200-metre trial but a postponement from Thursday forced Waller to tweak the galloper’s Warwick Stakes lead-up.
Metal Bender lined up over 800 metres and finished at the rear of a seven-horse heat won by McClintock.
Waller said there was no need to give the Doomben Cup winner additional gallops during the week.
"That’s it now," he said. "If we hadn’t have come to the trials today he would have had a hard gallop on Tuesday.
"Then more than likely he would have galloped hard again on Thursday.
"Trackwork can be just as hard on a horse so I was happy to come here today and keep him up to the mark."
Veteran jockey Jim Cassidy, meanwhile, has a Warwick Stakes booking for Triple Honour.
Triple Honour was on the wrong end of the three-way finish in the Doomben Cup before winning the Eagle Farm Cup at his most recent start.
The six-year-old is on a Caulfield Cup trail while a firm spring target for Metal Bender won’t be finalised until after next month’s Group One Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.
Underwood Stakes day on September 18 is likely to be the first Melbourne meeting Waller will target during the spring with Stryker, another trialist on Monday nominated to resume on Saturday, being set for the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m).
There were 20 Warwick Stakes nominations when entries closed with Gai Waterhouse matching Waller in the numbers game.
Evergreen weight-for-age galloper Theseo heads the Tulloch Lodge entry which also includes AJC Australian Derby placegetter Descarado.
Monday, 16 August 2010
By Warwick BarrSydney stayer Zabrasive will travel to Melbourne on Monday night as planned to signal the countdown to the start of a Cups campaign.
John O’Shea, yet to train a Caulfield or Melbourne Cup runner, said the Rosehill Guineas winner was ready to resume in Saturday week’s Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.
"It’s all systems go for Zabrasive," O’Shea said.
Zabrasive will renew acquaintances in the Memsie, a 1400-metre weight-for-age race, with Australia’s boom galloper Shoot Out.
They clashed three times during the Sydney autumn carnival with Shoot Out holding a 2-1 edge courtesy of his Randwick Guineas and AJC Australian Derby wins.
However, Zabrasive momentarily grabbed autumn three-year-old bragging rights with his heart-stopping Rosehill Guineas win before running fourth in the Derby.
The Derby was Zabrasive’s fourth run in and O’Shea is relying on the same timing to bring a lucrative spring result.
"He’ll only want three runs into the Caulfield Cup," the Randwick trainer said.
The Underwood Stakes and the Turnbull Stakes, run over 1800 and 2000 metres respectively, will round out Zabrasive’s Caulfield Cup lead-up program.
Zabrasive occupies the fourth line of Caulfield Cup betting at $16 while he is a $21 chance in early Melbourne Cup betting.
A son of Zabeel, Zabrasive surprised O’Shea with his sharpness as he went to the line under restraint when placed in an 850-metre Randwick barrier trial on August 6.
Craig Newitt will have the Memsie ride as he reunites with O’Shea after they combined to win this year’s Sydney Cup with Jessicabeel.
Jessicabeel, an $18 chance in latest Melbourne Cup betting, is expected to resume in the Tramway Handicap at Randwick early next month.
Darley Sun has been declared for the Ebor, so there can’t be too much wrong with it. I’ve stepped in and taken the £9.15@480 for November.
Suroor says that Darley Sun has lost his confidence. Not too sure I’d run a horse in a 20 runner h’cap if that was the case.
Anyway, they’re the experts, and we’re learning off them.
Cumani’s Stable Tour in today’s Weekender:-
No mention of Bauer.
Becqu Adoree
She was a Listed winner in France before joining us. She has had four runs for us and showed improved form last time out in a Listed race at Newbury over 1m4f. She has an entry in the Galtres at York on Thursday [not accepted] but may miss that and wait for next week at Goodwood where there is a Listed fillies’ race. I am pleased with her progress.
Drunken Sailor
http://www.theracingforum.co.uk/horse-racing-forum/chat/img/emoticons/favorite.png
He came to me this year and won two races at Meydan. In England he has acquitted himself very well in three races, including coming second in the Northumberland Plate. However, his mark of 112 is too high for the Ebor and he will now run in the March Stakes at Goodwood later this month before going into quarantine for the Melbourne Cup. I have had two runners-up in this race in the last three years and I would say he is the right type, we just need a lot of luck along the way.Manighar
He really excelled with some give underfoot in France, where he won the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay at Longchamp on Arc weekend before joining me. He’s still a bit of a puzzle to us but it’s possible the ground has been too quick for him in his three runs so far. We are waiting for softer ground now and hope that is the key to him.
Man Of Iron
He is an exeptionally well bred colt who won the Breeders’ Cup Marathon on Polytrack last year at Santa Anita. He came to me this year and ran a pleasing debut at Newmarket, but was a little disappointing last time. We are giving him a break and starting over again, but he’ll miss the Breeders’ Cup as i don’t think he would act on dirt.
Presvis
He has been a remarkable horse for us, winning eight races including the QEII Cup at Sha Tin last year. The only poorish run he has put in recently was at Royal Ascot in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, but he had been on the go for a long time and in retrospect needed a break. He has enjoyed his summer holidays [ffs, he’s been cavorting with chasers] and he is back now. The plan will be very similar to last year in that he will go to Hong Kong, Dubai and Singapore, but he will probably have one or two runs in England. The Champion Stakes is a possibility.
Purple Moon
. . . Last time in the Goodwood Cup he was hampered at a key time.
Sadly he picked up an injury there and is out for the rest of the season.
Summit Surge
He came to me from Ger Lyons and won the Group 2 York Stakes from Bushman, who is a fair yardstick , on his first run for us in Britain. He relishes quick ground and he goes for the Arlington Million this weekend. He doesn’t have the credentials of my 1983 winner Tolomeo [round about when Big Buck’s was born??] , but he is in excellent form, is tough and consistent, and the trip of 1m2f is perfect. I’m very happy with him.
Do you think King of Wands and Illustrious Blue will come down here? I thought that the pace was too slow for them to make up much ground, still thought Illustrious Blue was a little disappointing.
I’m not an expert, and this is just a personal opinion, but I’ve never been convinced that King of Wands would come down.
Illustrious Blue finished the race off well, after being outpaced 1-2 furlongs earlier.
There was an item on him yesterday on the sportinglife site (or maybe attheraces), which convinced me to have a bet on him at 160. [Concentrating on horses that I think will be in the final field.]
Can’t find it anymore.
Knight said that the owners were onside (and him), and if he ran well in the Lonsdale, the passage was booked.
As he finished the race well, though was well beaten earlier in the race, would that mean they’d give it a go, as they ought to get their money back by finishing in the first 10?
I hope he does come.
Have to say, I’d be shocked if anything came from out of the Ebor. Sopranist perhaps, but the rest just didn’t do anything.
Found it. Not as definite and positve as had got ingrained in my brain. Another score down the drain.
RACING NEWS
William Knight could not be happier with Illustrious Blue.
The Goodwood specialist has been given a new lease of life this season stepped up in trip, so much so that connections are leaning towards a tilt at the Melbourne Cup.
"He came out of Goodwood very well and we just hope there’s isn’t too much rain," said Knight.
"He’s bouncing, I’ve never really known him better.
"He looks fantastic and is moving well. And while we are shouldering a penalty, there are not that many races for him so it is the obvious race for him.
"The Melbourne Cup is still very much a strong possibility but there are still various things in the melting pot and there is the question of whether we go for the Caulfield Cup beforehand.
"To be honest, we are moving more towards going straight for the big one because it’s the chance of a lifetime – it’s fantastic prize-money and the owners are considering it very seriously."
Efficient a Melbourne Cup uncertainty
* Adrian Dunn
* From: Herald Sun
* August 20, 2010 12:00AMEFFICIENT, winner of the 2007 Melbourne Cup and a last-minute withdrawal from last year’s race, is doubtful to contest this year’s 150th anniversary Cup.
Owner Lloyd Williams yesterday rated Efficient as no better than a "20-80" chance to run in the $6 million race.
Williams said he was mindful of punters taking Efficient in early Cups doubles.
"I’m worried about him. It might take until the autumn to see him," Williams said.
"He’s got problems in his off front (leg). He’s not bad, not lame or anything like that.
"My difficulty is that I fall in love with them. I could not bear one of those horses to go to the races and break down."
Efficient is rated as a $23 chance with Sportingbet in latest Melbourne Cup markets. Now a seven-year-old, Efficient has not raced since he won the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington last October.
He was withdrawn from the 2009 Melbourne Cup on Derby Day with persistent leg issues.
Williams said he had become bothered by the progress of Efficient, tentatively scheduled to resume in tomorrow week’s Memsie Stakes, in the past week.
He stressed there was "absolutely nothing major wrong" with Efficient, but with the work to be poured into the horse in trackwork there was a lingering doubt.
"I don’t think we’ve given him enough time. I think the Australian Cup might be a more appropriate race for him," Williams said.
"He won the Turnbull Stakes over 2000 metres at Flemington, and by the first week of March we will have him properly conditioned.
"I don’t think we would be doing him justice by getting him to the Melbourne Cup. I don’t want to scratch him from it, but I don’t want people backing him in pre-post betting. I think he’s highly doubtful."
Grand Ducal
, one of nine European horses Williams bought in a bid to win the Melbourne Cup, has his first Australian start at Moonee Valley tomorrow.
At his last start, Grand Ducal contested the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, one of the world’s most famous races at Longchamp.
Stable favourite
Zipping
, winner of the Australian Cup, a triple Sandown Classic winner and placed in the past two Cox Plates, is expected to have his first-up start in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 11.
Mastery
Kirklees younger half brother.
Likes a firm track but I can’t find any news about him anywhere.
Has anyone heard how he is tracking and if he is likely to come down under?
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I think he’s fallen into the Black Hole of Dubai Snoop. Look elsewhere mate.
As for Efficient being a likely non runner – You would have to be insane to back him for anything prior to him ever entering the barriers.
I’ve taken a bit of interest in another one of Lloyd’s, Martial Law. Was balloted out of the 1500m race at the Valley tomorrow, but is nom’d for 1800m at Sandown next Wednesday.
I think he’s fallen into the Black Hole of Dubai Snoop.
Look elsewhere mate.
As for Efficient being a likely non runner – You would have to be insane to back him for anything prior to him ever entering the barriers.
That would explain it
Must be something in the nom though.
Saeed bin Suroor’s comments before the running of last years cup still ring in my ear.
"I won’t bring a horse that is likely to get injured on a firm track again" or words to that effect. This was in the press conference when announcing the withdrawal of Kirklees.
Crime Scene ran second so I am sure Saeed knows the Cup is his with the right horse.
Quote’s from the Godolphin site
Mastery broke through for his first Group One win in the best possible fashion when running out the convincing winner of the Ladbrokes St Leger Stakes, the final Classic of the English season, at Doncaster on September 12. The least fancied of the two Godolphin runners, behind favourite Kite Wood, there was still stable
confidence in Mastery who it was thought would appreciate the fast ground.
Mastery ran above expectations when fifth on his 2010 seasonal debut in the US$10million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline at Meydan on Saturday, March 28. Dropping back to ten furlongs in the world’s richest race run on Tapeta may not have seemed ideal to start off his 2010 campaign but Mastery acquitted himself well. Frankie Dettori was always close to the pace and never further back than fourth as the field turned into the straight. Keeping on really well to the finish he only lost fourth spot on the line and was beaten less than two lengths by the winner.
The question is
A) Did Mastery get an injury after that run or
B) Did they decide that Mastery is the perfect MC type and put him away for this race.
Not having read any news of an injury I am leaning towards B. Godolphin keep their cards close to their chest don’t they.
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