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Tuesday, 2 February 2010
By Mark RyanIrishman Dermot Weld intends to have another crack at winning the Melbourne Cup in November.
Dermot Weld intends to be back for a crack at winning his third Melbourne Cup when Australia’s iconic horse race is run for the 150th time on November 2.
Weld played his part in helping make the Melbourne Cup international when he became the first northern hemisphere trainer to win the race with Vintage Crop in 1993.
The only European trainer to win the race, the Irishman won it for a second time with Media Puzzle in 2002.
Weld, who has also had placings with Vintage Crop, third in 1995, and Vinnie Roe, runner-up to Makybe Diva in 2004, is looking at running Profound Beauty in her second Melbourne Cup.
Profound Beauty finished fifth to Viewed in 2008 and Weld and owner Walter Haefner, who turns 100 in September, are keen for the mare to run in the Cup again.
Weld named stablemate Casual Conquest, third in the 2008 English Derby and runner-up in the Irish Derby, as a possible Cup starter.
"I’ve got a nice horse called Casual Conquest. He was a Group One horse last year, he’s rated 121," he said.
"He’s a nice horse and he’s a possibility because I believe you need a high-rated horse to win this year’s Melbourne Cup."
Weld and the now-retired champion Irish jockey Mick Kinane, who rode Vintage Crop to victory in the Cup, were at Flemington on Tuesday as guests of the Victoria Racing Club which launched a calendar of events to celebrate the Melbourne Cup anniversary.
Weld has great admiration for Vintage Crop.
"He was a stayer with speed, that sums it up," Weld said.
"It was a huge challenge in those days because it was the first time it had been done and we had a lot to overcome.
"It was one of those special days. It’s been an amazing race because that internationalised the Melbourne Cup.
"But then when I won it with Media Puzzle, for a different reason with Damien Oliver and the loss of his brother which brought a lot of trauma to the race, that was one of the special days of my training career."
Owner Lloyd Williams, whose thirst for Melbourne Cup victories is yet to be quenched despite three wins, will target this year’s race with 2007 winner Efficient and one of his recent overseas purchases, Alandi.
Williams said Irish St Leger and Prix Du Cadran winner Alandi arrived in Australia in late December and could have one run before a spring campaign.
"We’ve got to put some speed in his legs," Williams said.
"He’s by Galileo, he’s not very big."
Also in attendance was Japanese trainer Katsuhiko Sumii who took home the quinella with Delta Blues and Pop Rock in 2006, as well as Australia’s Singapore-based 1985 Cup-winning trainer John Meagher.
Others at the launch included Delta Blues’ rider Yasunari Iwata and local Cup-winning jockeys Damien Oliver, Michael Rodd, Glen Boss, Steven King, Pat Hyland, Jim Johnson and Midge Didham.
And Pop Rock, who was nosed out by his longshot stablemate Delta Blues in the 2006 Melbourne Cup, could be brought out of semi-retirement for the big one. Pop Rock hasn’t raced since finishing 14th in the Tenno Sho in November 2008.
Pop Rock’s trainer, Katsuhito Sumii, said through an interpreter yesterday that he was after the Cup and Pop Rock could be in his squad.
I could still get my Triumph March cigar.
- Total Posts 17716
Dream Journey
– My Japanese contacts say this horse is too small for a twenty four runner cavalry charge and unlikely to come to Oz for a handicap given his current mark.
Mourayan
– A real shame he’s joined the Lloyd Williams buthers block. No fan of the owner and he’s a massive impost on anyone who "trains" his horses. Stewards should have stood up to Williams years ago and forced him to get his own trainers ticket.
Doctor Freemantle
– No surprise to see he’s on the Cox Plate mission.
Hug’s Dancer
was no flier in the UK and yet he managed a 1600m Gr2 WFA victory downunder. You just never know how any animal will react to the climate/environment change until they settle in.
You wouldn’t have exactly described Speed Gifted as a Gr1 horse in Europe either and at one stage last Spring one or two Aussie scribes were calling him "The best horse in Oz".
The list of so called UK plodding exports goes on and on.
I have to agree about Lloyd Williams, he has some nice types at the moment, he’s had two maidens who are being compared to Efficient at the same stage (names are
Linton
and
Bolton
). But his arrogance annoys me. There was an incident last year involving one of our racing channels, TVN, where one of the presenters criticised him because he refused to let the new trainer, Robert Hickmott, talk to the media. Instead, he said that they were only to talk to his son. Because of the criticism, he then told his son and jockey Michael Rodd not to talk to TVN when Zipping won his 3rd Sandown Classic. Ridiculous!!!!!
What do people reckon to
Highland Glen
?
I’m a bit hesitant to get him added to the market, because we could end up with 20 Godolphin horses in the market, and only a couple of them entered.
Also if he has had stalls problems, would he also have other quirks, and might not take to travelling??? Yeah, I know, he must have travelled to get to Dubai.
Is Saeed trying to mark our card here?
Suroor said: "He is an interesting prospect who goes on Tapeta and turf and stays further than this [1m3f]."
Could Halicarnassus come down?
Just wondered exactly the same.
Very versatile horse too
Mick Channon is from Wiltshire too, so he’ll enjoy the sheep.
http://www.mickchannon.tv/index.php
posted by, Mick Channon | Thu 21st, Jan 2010 15:50
DUBAI BOUND TRIO GALLOP AT LINGFIELD – VIDEO ONLINE
As we stand, West Ilsley is still under some 6-8 inches of snow meaning that our Dubai bound horses were sent to Lingfield this morning to have a stretch on the all-weather surface. HALICARNASSUS, covered a mile and a quarter with MONTAFF and they were accompanied by the unraced three year old filly Nadinska in a steady but progressive piece of work.The third Carnival bound horse is RILEYSKEEPINGFAITH. Riley was a real shining light as a two year old, winning four times including his maiden at Newmarket and two Conditions races at Salisbury and Ascot. He was also fourth in the Horris Hill and looked to be a real three year old prospect in the making, but a series of setbacks meant he didn’t see the track last year. He worked with Lockentanks and Nadeen leaving Mick looking forward to his reappearance in far sunnier climes,
"I’m thrilled with Rileyskeepingfaith. He had his setbacks which meant we couldn’t get him going so we had him gelded and gave him all the time he needed. He’s a lovely big horse who gives us options of competing in six and seven furlong contests and I wouldn’t be against trying him over a mile. He needs plenty of work still, but hopefully we can make up for lost time with him in 2010.
"Montaff finished a head behind Age of Aquarius in the Lingfield Derby trial last season and we thought we had a proper horse on our hands. It turned out to be a disappointing year from there on in but I don’t feel he’s shown of his best. He’s one of those immature Montjeu types who has the ability, he just needs to show us as a four year old.
"Halicarnassus is Halicarnassus, there are no secrets with him. He’s been around the world and is as sound and fit as ever. He’ll take in similar handicaps as he did last year with the long term target being the mile and a half Group Two on Super Thursday. He trains himself these days – he even books his flights himself online!"
Our fourth Dubai bound horse YOUMZAIN heads out in mid-February with the same race itinerary as he had last season.
Work can be seen on the Latest Gallops Page. Apologies for the shaky camera, the pillock filming the work left the tripod in the office.
Would Nadinska be worth keeping an eye out for, domestically?
Ooh, she’s due to run on Saturday evening at Wolverhampton.
- Total Posts 17716
Could Halicarnassus come down?
He could but I wouldn’t back him in either Cups race with your cash.
Attention all you long range Ante Post punters
What odds Rite Of Passage for this years Melbourne Cup?
Sorry for the delay in responding – computer problems.
If you add him to the betfair market, you’ll probably be able to get £10-£20 on at between 100 and 200.
Weld mentions needing a highly-rated contender this year, so he might not be thinking of Rite Of Passage.
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
By Mark RyanIrishman Dermot Weld intends to have another crack at winning the Melbourne Cup in November.
Dermot Weld intends to be back for a crack at winning his third Melbourne Cup when Australia’s iconic horse race is run for the 150th time on November 2.
Weld played his part in helping make the Melbourne Cup international when he became the first northern hemisphere trainer to win the race with Vintage Crop in 1993.
The only European trainer to win the race, the Irishman won it for a second time with Media Puzzle in 2002.
Weld, who has also had placings with Vintage Crop, third in 1995, and Vinnie Roe, runner-up to Makybe Diva in 2004, is looking at running Profound Beauty in her second Melbourne Cup.
Profound Beauty finished fifth to Viewed in 2008 and Weld and owner Walter Haefner, who turns 100 in September, are keen for the mare to run in the Cup again.
Weld named stablemate Casual Conquest, third in the 2008 English Derby and runner-up in the Irish Derby, as a possible Cup starter.
"I’ve got a nice horse called Casual Conquest. He was a Group One horse last year, he’s rated 121," he said.
"He’s a nice horse and he’s a possibility because I believe you need a high-rated horse to win this year’s Melbourne Cup."
Weld and the now-retired champion Irish jockey Mick Kinane, who rode Vintage Crop to victory in the Cup, were at Flemington on Tuesday as guests of the Victoria Racing Club which launched a calendar of events to celebrate the Melbourne Cup anniversary.
Weld has great admiration for Vintage Crop.
"He was a stayer with speed, that sums it up," Weld said.
"It was a huge challenge in those days because it was the first time it had been done and we had a lot to overcome.
"It was one of those special days. It’s been an amazing race because that internationalised the Melbourne Cup.
"But then when I won it with Media Puzzle, for a different reason with Damien Oliver and the loss of his brother which brought a lot of trauma to the race, that was one of the special days of my training career."
Could get a bit more than 200 – Hebridean is currently 230 and Scintillo is 240, even though Scintillo has been confirmed as being aimed at the race.
If no one puts any money on in the next few months, Rite Of Passage could drift to 400 or 500 by the Summer.
Only just read this:-
Luca Cumani takes on Melbourne Cup hope
BY TONY ELVES 4:12PM 19 FEB 2010
FRENCH Group race winner Manighar has been bought in a new jointventure between American owner Earle Mack and Australian-based OTI Racing and has joined Luca Cumani in Newmarket.
The four-year-old son of Linamix has won six of his eight starts and, following victory in the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay at Longchamp on Arc weekend, went onto to finish third to older horses Ask and Schiaparelli in the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak on his return to Longchamp later in October when trained by Alain de Royer Dupre for the Aga Khan.
The Melbourne Cup is likely to figure his on the agenda of Manighar as Mad Rush finished seventh in the race for Mack when favourite for the race in 2008 and he has been on the lookout for a similar type for the "Race That Stops A Nation" since.
Mad Rush was injured in the Group 3 Curragh Cup at the end of June but a return trip to Australia was not really on the agenda for him and he is now back in light training with Cumani.Mack said: "I met Terry Henderson (OTI Racing) in Australia when our horses ran in the 2008 Melbourne Cup and I am really looking forward to our new association.
"Manighar is settling in nicely at Bedford House Stable but we will be in no hurry with him and he probably won’t be seen out until midsummer."
For casual readers, there is a fair chance that if the 2010 MC winner is already on Australian soil, then it is running within the next 12 hours. Quite a few nice races, but none of them beyond 9-10f.
I saw a video of one of Rebel Raider’s victories last year, after Fist highlighted it. Already on him this time. I quite like my portfolio at the moment, so I’ll publish it before it gets ruined:-
£13 @ 100 Rebel Raider
£7.30 @ 100 Hume
£10 @ 100 Dream Journey
£7.57 @ 202.64 Moatize
£7.75 @ 160 Naval Escort
£46.39 totalRaider to resume at Morphettville
Monday, 22 February 2010
By Caryl Williamson
One-time Melbourne Cup favourite Rebel Raider has passed his first test since being sidelined through injury, coming through an exhibition gallop with flying colours.Trainer Leon Macdonald took the dual Derby winner to Morphettville on Saturday where he exercised with a stablemate in preparation for his comeback in the Matrice Stakes.
"He pulled up terrific," Macdonald said.
"Obviously a 1200 metre race will be too short for him but he has performed well first-up in the past.
"He will then go to Melbourne for the Blamey Stakes and we’ll decide after that whether he has another run.
"The idea is to give him a break and get him back mid to late May to begin his Melbourne Cup preparation.
"But because he is so well, we didn’t want him in the paddock all through the autumn."
The four-year-old underwent surgery to remove a bone chip after he was found to be lame following trackwork a day after Cup weights were released last year.
At the time he was the equal favourite for the Cup alongside Efficient who also missed the race due to injury.
Rebel Raider’s rehabilitation has been aided by the installation of South Australia’s first equine water walker at Morphettville.
"It is great for the horses, it gives them a bit of a workout" Macdonald said.
"Rebel Raider has spent a lot of time on it. He went there after he galloped on Saturday."
The Listed Matrice Stakes (1200m) on Saturday attracted 13 entries with the Group Two Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington three weeks later.
There is also the option to extend Rebel Raider’s campaign to three starts in the Group Three Easter Cup (2000m) on April 3.
Capecover, the $6 favourite for the Adelaide Cup on March 8 in TAB’s first markets, will also be in action at Morphettville on Saturday where he will contest the Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) along with his Patrick Payne-trained stablemate Kerdem.
Thanks – had Manighar down as a horse to watch this year Gerald, just failed to get home in the Royal Oak against older horses last year so hoped he’d go for the Chaudenay and other two mile-ish races this year but looks a no go now
2m on turf in Dubai could be relevant – however, if a horse runs well, it could ruin its mark for the Melbourne Cup! With Age Of Reason having a MC entry last year, and well fancied for this, I’m thinking it brings him to the fore of the Godolphin possibles. Now need it to run badly, and have an excuse for running badly.
Godolphin mob-handed in DRC Gold Cup
BY JASON FORD 4:20PM 24 FEB 2010
Preview: UAE, Thursday
DRC Gold Cup Sponsored By Meydan (Conditions) 2m, turf, 3yo+
A MAXIMUM field of 12 line up for the second running of the 2m DRC Gold Cup, with Saeed Bin Suroor set to saddle four runners.
Dettori partners Age Of Reason, already a Carnival winner this season (as well as last), with Ajtebi on Mojave Moon, who was a head behind when Age Of Reason scored.
Montaff, trained by Mick Channon, was running on in that same race and the extra 2f this time may suit him.Ted Durcan rides Bin Suroor’s third runner, Whispering Gallery, who also has a Meydan victory to his name and Mikael Barzalona takes the mount on Sabotage.
De Kock saddles 2008 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner Frozen Fire, who will be having his third start for the trainer, and Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen combine with Princess Taylor.
What they say. . .
Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Age of Reason, Mojave Moon, Sabotage and Whispering Gallery
"All four are pleasing us at home and we believe will be suited by the trip.Age of Reason is a horse I really like as he is tough and consistent.
He won well last time, as well as at last year’s Carnival and then in Qatar.
"Both Mojave Moon and Sabotage were not far behind Age of Reason last time and should go well again having improved from the outing, while Whispering Gallery was very pleasing when winning on his first UAE start. This is a step up in grade and trip but he deserves to take his chance."
Mike De Kock, trainer of Frozen Fire
"He is a horse we are still learning about and we need the step up in trip to bring around a revival infortunes."Antonio Cintra Pereira, trainer of Lignon’s Hero
"He is a real stayer and will have needed his comeback. This is a tough race but hopefully he can run well."Richard Mullen, jockey on Pompeyano
"He ran very well in the trial and was not suited by a slow gallop last time. It is a decent contest but I would be hopeful of a good effort."Manfred Hofer, trainer of Titurel
"He showed us he stays this far in the trial race and the trip was probably too short last week. We have a bit of ground to make up but we hope he can go close."Pat Smullen, jockey on Princess Taylor
"She is a nice consistent mare who will have come on a lot for her run on opening night. It is a tough race and on ratings shehas something to find but hopefully the step up in trip will suit her."Alan Munro, jockey on Montaff
"He has thrived since arriving in Dubai, both physically and mentally and was running on in the trial race so hopefully his stamina will not be an issue."That run has brought him forward certainly so hopefully he can run a big race in a competitive field."
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