Extreme Choice Has A Look At The Valley
- Tuesday, 30 August 2016 08:29
Mick Price has taken advantage of giving his Blue Diamond Stakes winner an early look at the Moonee Valley circuit in preparation for his return to racing.
Extreme Choice is being aimed for a first-up tilt at the Group One Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 30.
Price said Tuesday's workout was the colt's first piece of serious work since rejoining his Caulfield base earlier in August.
Extreme Choice defeated stablemate Flying Artie in the Blue Diamond Stakes before heading to Sydney finishing eighth to Capitalist in the Golden Slipper at Rosehill.
"He came home from the Slipper and had four months off," Price said.
"He did some pre-training at Rockmount and has been at Caulfield ever since.
"This is the first reasonable little gallop that he's had and he's a bit stimulated by it all."
Price is considering a jumpout at Caulfield on September 13 followed by a Cranbourne trial on September 19 for Extreme Choice.
He plans to take the colt back to Moonee Valley to slot in more practice before the Moir Stakes.
Extreme Choice has added bulk to his frame after weighing in about 417kg when he ran in the Golden Slipper.
"He's about 460 kilos at the moment," Price said.
"I think the horse has made a progression into his three-year-old year and he won't lose too much weight now."
Price said success in the Moir, in which he will tackle Chautauqua, among others, would enhance the colt's value at stud.
Plans following the Moir include contesting the Blue Sapphire at Caulfield on October 12 and the Group One Coolmore Stakes at Flemington on October 29.
"I could place him in lesser races against his own age but it's not going to achieve much," Price said.
"If he won the Moir and the Coolmore, his stud fee would be pretty healthy."
MV Gallops For Dato Tan Chin Nam Pair
- Tuesday, 30 August 2016 08:29
Two Dato Tan Chin Nam contenders took advantage of a trip to Moonee Valley to have a gallop before the Group Two contest.
Miss Rose De Lago and Awesome Rock went to the track on Tuesday to prepare for Saturday's 1600m weight-for-age contest.
Miss Rose De Lago galloped solo under race rider Damien Oliver, while Awesome Rock had race partner Stephen Baster aboard in a workout with Mr Individual.
Miss Rose De Lago trainer Danny O'Brien said the mare had galloped at the track in the lead-up to previous races there, with good results.
"She's been here a couple of times to gallop before races and enjoys it," O'Brien said.
Miss Rose De Lago had a tough first-up victory in the PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield, but O'Brien said three weeks between runs was ideal.
"We didn't do much with her for a week or so after the race, but she's a big, strong mare that cops work and racing really well," O'Brien said.
"She'll improve coming into Saturday and 1600 metres second-up is perfect."
O'Brien expects a tough contest on Saturday.
He said the Lawrence Stakes was the starting point for a number of spring contenders and the fields became stronger with every passing week.
Oliver said Miss Rose De Lago appears to be holding her form and was happy with her workout on Tuesday.
Awesome Rock finished a first-up 10th behind Miss Rose De Lago at Caulfield on August 13 and Troy Corstens, who trains in partnership with his father Leon, said the step up in distance to 1600m was ideal.
Corstens expects good pace in Saturday's race in what might prove a spring-defining race for the five-year-old.
"I think it's imperative that he gets to the outside and he'll hit the line a bit better," Corstens said.
"After Saturday we'll decide whether we stay on the Group One weight-for-age path or we find something a touch easier as we're very mindful that he is a stallion and it would be nice to win one of those Group One's.
"He's won one before although his record doesn't say it, so we've got to try and win one again."
Maximum 11 Rivals For Winx In Chelmsford
- Monday, 29 August 2016 08:08
Winx's triumphant return in the Warwick Stakes settled some of her trainer's nerves but Chris Waller admits they are likely to surface again ahead of her next assignment.
Winx headlines Saturday's Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick with 11 others entered for the Group Two race.
Of those, only Prized Icon is judged any kind of threat with the three-year-old colt the only other horse in single figures at $8 while the champion mare is at $1.20 with the TAB and shorter elsewhere.
"Her Warwick Stakes win was a relief because it told us where we are with her," Waller said.
"She has had a good week and I'm happy going to the Chelmsford but I'm sure the nerves will be there again as they always are with a horse like her."
The odds-on favourite to be named last season's Horse of the Year next month, Winx hasn't been beaten since her second to Gust Of Wind in the 2015 Australian Oaks.
Since then she has 10 starts, six at Group One level including the Cox Plate and Doncaster Mile, and although she can never lay claim to being unbeaten like Black Caviar, Waller says he understands the pressure of training a great mare.
"The expectation is there that she will keep winning," he said.
Waller's other runners are likely to be Melbourne Cup-bound Grand Marshal and Who Shot Thebarman, European imports Spiritjim and Storm The Stars, and four-time Group One winner Preferment.
The other Chelmsford entries are Bring Luck, Entirely Platinum, Hartnell and Jacquinot Bay.
Suavito, Entirely Platinum and Jacquinot Bay are all nominated for the
Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Restricted class five-year-old Bring luck also holds an entry for a benchmark 78 race at Randwick while Champagne Stakes winner Prized Icon is nominated for the Listed Ming Dynasty for three-year-olds.
Chaquinta Looking For Winning Swan Song
- Tuesday, 30 August 2016 08:29
While winning a picnic race win was Chaquinta's target, she has far exceeded those expectations as she heads to Canterbury for her final start.
The mare won a midweek city race on a heavy track at Warwick Farm over 2200m last week.
She will have the chance to retire to stud with back-to-back wins if she can emerge victorious from the Myboycharlie @ Vinery Handicap (2700m) at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Trainer Joe Cleary is confident Chaquinta will handle the one-week back up.
"I've been doing a lot of bush walks with her and put her over a few hurdles to put some variation into her work and she seems to have thrived," Cleary said.
Chaquinta had three starts for Melbourne trainer Mick Price before arriving at Cleary's Queanbeyan base.
"I was asked by the owners to win a race at the picnics with her which I did," Cleary said.
That goal was achieved at Orange in January and since then the mare has won at Canberra before graduating to city grade last week.
"I said `why don't we have a throw at the stumps to try to make a city placegetter?'," Cleary said.
"From the picnics to the city, she's done a bloody good job."
Cleary said jockey Tommy Berry was keen to retain the ride on Chaquinta after winning on her last week.
While Canterbury was rated in the slow range on Tuesday, any further rain would help the five-year-old's cause.
"I thought we'll have one more throw at the stumps before she goes to stud," Cleary said.
While there are only five other horses entered for Wednesday's staying contest, Cleary believes the John Sargent-trained Paragon will provide the stiffest competition.
"I've got a very healthy respect for Paragon. He'll stay out the 2700 metres," Cleary said.
"John Sargent is a great trainer of stayers but we're in form and when mares are in form anything can unfold."
Paragon will carry 59kg after Deanne Panya's claim as he drops back in grade from a last-start Saturday win at Randwick on August 20, while Chaquinta will have 56kg on her back.
Xtravagant To Miss Moonee Valley Run
- Monday, 29 August 2016 08:08
New Zealand star Xtravagant's first Australian start for the season has been delayed and he will not run at Moonee Valley.
Te Akau Racing said the four-year-old left some feed on Sunday morning and had a slight temperature.
He was treated and back to normal by Monday but connections decided he would miss Saturday's Listed Chandler Mcleod Stakes (1200m) and wait a week for the Group Two Bobbie Lewis at Flemington.
Affectionately known by the stable as Blake, Xtravagant has not raced since he won the Group Three Breeders' Stakes at Te Rapa on April 30 after his disappointing eighth as favourite in the Australian Guineas.
"... we do not think it is in Blake's best interests for us to gallop him tomorrow morning. Be assured that this is a disappointment not a serious problem just a frustration and an untimely one!" Te Akau said.
"He will remain on target. Instead of having three weeks until his next race after his fresh-up run he will have a fortnight which should not have any significant impact at all."
Xtravagant is a $26 chance in early markets for the Cox Plate with Winx the $2.50 favourite to defend her title.
Bart Cummings To Be Honoured With Statue
- Monday, 29 August 2016 08:08
A permanent memorial honouring the legendary Bart Cummings is to be built at Randwick Racecourse.
Marking the first anniversary of the death of the great trainer, the Australian Turf Club has unveiled plans for a statue of Cummings at the track where he spent 40 years at Leilani Lodge.
It will be placed in one of the most public areas of the course so racegoers can pay their own tributes.
Trainer Bart Cummings
One of Australia's most successful trainers, Cummings transcended racing and endeared himself to the broader community which knew him as the Cups King for his unparalleled 12 wins in the Melbourne Cup.
"The ATC is committed to building an appropriate and significant memorial to commemorate the legend of Bart Cummings," ATC chief executive Darren Pearce said.
"We want to take some time to work with the family to make sure all the details are in line with history and the wider community."
In consultation with the Cummings family, the ATC will call for tenders to design and construct the project, with the cast statue of the trainer as the central feature.
"Bart Cummings was an icon in the world of horse racing and a household name in Australia, so we want to ensure this project is in complete keeping with his legend," Pearce said.
"The ATC will fully fund the project and look to locate the commemoration in one of Royal Randwick's most visible public spaces.
"We will take as long as possible to ensure the statue and its image are in step with the wishes of Bart's wife Valmae and the Cummings family."
Cummings' record of 266 Group One wins and another two in partnership with his grandson James is second only to the late TJ Smith in Australia.
Bart's son Anthony, who also trains at Randwick, says the family is honoured and pleased to be involved in the memorial.
"Randwick was Dad's home base for many decades, and we are grateful and proud to be involved in this project which will forever honour his great record and legacy to Sydney and Australian racing," he said.
The Virginian To Run In Restricted Race
- Monday, 29 August 2016 08:08
Stradbroke Handicap placegetter The Virginian is set to make his return in a restricted class race at Eagle Farm.
At his fourth race start, the then three-year-old ran third behind Under the Louvre and Black Heart Bart in the Group One Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on June 10.
Black Heart Bart resumed on Saturday at Caulfield to win the Group One Memsie Stakes (1400m) with Under The Louvre running a close second in the Group Three Heath (1100m) at the same meeting.
The Virginian is set for a more low-key return.
As the winner of two of his four starts, he is still eligible for the Class 3 Plate (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Virginian won a barrier trial at the Gold Coast last week and was an easy winner in 58.42 seconds, the fastest of the seven 1000m trials on the morning.
Trainer Toby Edmonds was happy with the hit-out but wants to see the gelding back on the racetrack before committing him to anything bigger.
"Helen Page had a couple of speedy horses in his trial and they got along a bit. But he sat off them and was too strong at the finish," Edmonds said.
"At this stage he will be in the Class Three Plate and then we will see about Sydney or Melbourne."
The Virginian, one of 24 nominations for the 1000m-race taken on Monday, is by Hinchinbrook and is raced by Stuart Ramsay.
His fellow Group One-placed stablemate Sagaronne will not be seen this spring after having a minor knee chip operation.
"It is nothing major but we will give her a good break and she can come back for next winter," Edmonds said.
Sagaronne ran second to Press Statement in the 2015 J J Atkins.
Awesome Rock To Work At Valley Ahead Of G2
- Monday, 29 August 2016 08:08
Trainer Leon Corstens is convinced Awesome Rock has improved from his first-up run as he prepares to take on a quality field in the Group Two Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes.
Saturday's weight-for-age race at Moonee Valley has attracted 16 nominations including five Group One winners while popular gelding The Cleaner is entered for his shot at winning the race for the third-straight year.
The Cleaner, now in the care of Moe trainer Peter Gelagotis, led all the way to win the past two editions when trained in Tasmania by Mick Burles.
Awesome Rock was beaten 3-1/2 lengths by Miss Rose De Lago when 10th in the P B Lawrence Stakes and is one of three Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes entrants scheduled to gallop at Moonee Valley on Tuesday in preparation for Saturday's race.
Awesome Rock, who lost the Australian Cup on protest, was entered for last Saturday's Memsie Stakes but connections decided to wait for Moonee Valley.
"I think he's looking for the mile," Corstens, who trains in partnership with his son Troy, said.
Corstens was pleased with Awesome Rock's P B Lawrence run and said he ran into trouble in parts of the race which he believed cost him a closer finish.
"I think he looks very well in himself. I think the horse has improved and I expect him to run a big race in the Dato," Corstens said.
But he said if it happened to be a wet track they could wait for the Makybe Diva Stakes.
The TAB has the Darren Weir-trained Mahuta as the $5.50 favourite in its all-in market ahead of stablemate Tosen Stardom at $6.
Jameka, The United States and Miss Rose De Lago are at $6.50.
The winner earns a ballot exemption into the Cox Plate.
The Ciaron Maher-trained Jameka and Set Square are two of the Group One winners entered along with the Nigel Blackiston-trained Suavito and Robert Hickmott-trained The United States.
Australian Derby winner Tavago is also nominated but is likely to be saved for the Makybe Diva Stakes the following Saturday.
The Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes is named in honour of the Malaysian businessman and prominent racehorse owner whose success in Australian racing includes four Melbourne Cups with horses trained by the late Bart Cummings.
Miss Rose De Lago After Another G2 Win
- Sunday, 28 August 2016 08:16
The decision to miss the Memsie Stakes with Miss Rose De Lago could reward her connections with another Group Two win.
The Danny O'Brien-trained mare won the Group Two P B Lawrence Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield on August 13 and chases another in Saturday's Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
She won the Sunline Stakes over the course and distance during the autumn and O'Brien was convinced she would be better suited defending the race than running in the Memsie over 1400m against a quality field.
Black Heart Bart was a convincing winner of the Memsie, the first Group One race of the season on Saturday.
"She's a mare we believe is very much a mile, maybe even 2000 metre mare," O'Brien said.
"She's not particularly sharp, but the way the race set up for her the other day with so much tempo on, it made it a really solid 1400.
"Over a mile she's much more suited."
O'Brien said Miss Rose De Lago could head to Moonee Valley on Tuesday for a gallop in preparation for Saturday's weight-for-age race.
"She's come through her first-up win very well," he said.
"It was a pretty solid race first-up and she had to be pretty forward to win which she was.
"She had a quiet week the first week after the race and has had a couple of gallops in the past week which were both excellent.
"Last time she went to the Valley in the Sunline Stakes over a mile she was super. She won that in very dominant fashion so we're hoping if she brings a similar game to next Saturday that she can win again."
Damien Oliver rode Miss Rose De Lago to win the P B Lawrence and will be aboard again.
O'Brien said Miss Rose De Lago was likely to get her Group One opportunity next month if she was successful on Saturday.
"If she won the Dato she would more than likely run in the Underwood Stakes because she's so good at Caulfield and 1800 metres is almost a perfect distance for her," he said.
Options In Two States For I Am A Star
- Monday, 29 August 2016 08:08
I Am A Star is a likely dual acceptor for stakes races in Sydney and Melbourne with trainer Shane Nichols leaning towards running her in the Furious Stakes at Randwick.
Mornington-based Nichols also has the talented filly entered for Saturday's Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Moonee Valley, also over 1200m.
I Am A Star has won three of her four starts including the Group Three National Stakes in Adelaide during her juvenile season.
She returned to win her first start as a three-year-old in the Group Three Quezette Stakes at Caulfield.
"We'll probably accept in both and then just have a look at the opposition, with a slight leaning to Sydney," Nichols said.
The Atlantic Jewel is a Listed race run under set weights plus penalties conditions while the Group Two Furious is set weights.
"It's probably as valuable to run a place in Sydney as what it is to win in Melbourne but obviously we're not going to try to run a place, we're going to try to win," Nichols said.
"She has travelled well to Morphettville before and won, so she is a good traveller."
Nichols said barrier draws and weather would also be considerations.
Steven King will ride I Am A Star wherever she runs.
"I think he's pretty keen to not let anyone else get on her," Nichols said.
The Atlantic Jewel Stakes has 28 nominations including unbeaten West Australian filly Whispering Brook.
The Chris Waller-trained Omei Sword, an impressive winner of the Silver Shadow Stakes earlier this month, headlines the 25 entries for the Furious.
Nichols plans to take I Am A Star to the Thousand Guineas Prelude after Saturday and if she performs well over 1400m she will go to the Group One Thousand Guineas (1600m) for which she is an $11 chance.
Buffering Nearing Defining Work-out
- Sunday, 28 August 2016 08:16
The immediate racing future of star Brisbane sprinter Buffering will be decided in an upcoming public hit-out.
Buffering was injured when unplaced in the Group One Chairman's Prize in Hong Kong in May, raising talk of retirement.
The nine-year-old gelding, who recently won his fifth straight Queensland Horse of the Year Award, has been back in Robert Heathcote's stables for the past six weeks.
Australian horse Buffering
The trainer is hopeful Buffering will stand up to another campaign and says the signs are positive.
"He is going along OK but I will get a better idea when we give him a jump out-or trial on September 6," Heathcote said.
"At this stage we are looking at the Moir Stakes (September 30). It is the perfect race for him but I will let him tell me he is right to go."
"The Moir looks like being one of the races of the spring with several of Australia's top sprinters already targeting it."
Buffering has won three of the past four runnings of the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley and finished second to Samaready in 2013.
Heathcote is confident jockey Damian Browne will also be back in time to partner Buffering on Tuesday week.
"He has had his holiday so I am expecting him to be ready for Buff," Heathcote said.
Browne took a month off at the end of the season and recently returned from a cruise with his family.
The season has started well for Heathcote who has a one-win advantage over Tony Gollan who has won the past three Brisbane trainers' premiership.
Jopa's Doomben win on Saturday gave Heathcote his ninth metropolitan winner since August 1.