More Stars Out to Play This Weekend
- Wednesday, 07 August 2002 00:00
In Melbourne the Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington on Sunday will hold plenty of interest with a good field of both proven and promising gallopers set to clash for top prize money.
Among the nominations for the Flemington feature on Sunday are Prince Rubiton, Fields of Omagh, I Rock My World, Magical Miss, Dash for Cash, Pantani, Tuscanos, Sir Anabaa, Fritz, Flavour and Tears Royal.
In Sydney some rising stars of the turf are set to clash in the San Dominico Stakes for three-year-olds. Calaway Gal, Eastwest Success and Star of Florida.
Also on the same day a number of other handy performers are among the entries. They include Fair Embrace, Faith Hill, Faiza, Nanny Maroon, Oomph, Winona and Native Jazz.
There will also be some attention to the meeting in Adelaide when the unbeaten Leon Macdonald trained Great Glen runs in the listed Wylie Handicap at Morphettville.
At the Sandown meeting in Melbourne on Saturday the entries include stakes performers Cyberiad, The Secondmortgage, La Lagune, Manang and the former European Enzeli for Myles Plumb.
Meanwhile, there will also be eyes in New Zealand when the Mackinnon Stakes heroince La Bella Dama and proven kiwi Tit for Taat both step out on the track in different races at different tracks.
Three More Internationals Nominate for Spring Features
- Tuesday, 06 August 2002 00:00
French-based Englishman John Hammond has entered high class middle distance performer Execute and Group 3-placed Mocham Glen for the Carlton Draught Cox Plate.
Execute, a 5yo son of Suave Dancer has won eight of its 16 career starts and been placed in seven others. He is a winner at Group 2 level in France this season and was also 2nd in the Group 1 Prix Ganay.
Mocham Glen, a 5yo by Midyan has won two races and been placed in seven others from 10 starts.
John Hammond previously campaigned in Australia with Mont Rocher which was unplaced in the 2000 Caulfield Cup and Mackinnon Stakes. He has been keen to return since then and has been waiting for the right horse. Hammond is perhaps best known as the trainer of the brilliant Montjeu, winner of the 1999 Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe.
The Tooheys New Melbourne Cup has also been boosted by the late entry of the Alan Jarvis-trained Jardine's Lookout, last start winner of the Group 2 Goodwood Cup in track record time.
Media Release - Racing Victoria
Nine Races Likely for San Domenico Stakes Day
- Tuesday, 06 August 2002 00:00
The club intends to stage an additional race on the program if their are sufficient acceptors.
The ninth race will be conducted as a consolation race for $20,000 prizemoney, and will be conducted for any horses which miss out on a start in the Rajah or Garcon Handicaps.
Therefore, the bottom horses in balloting order for the Rajah Handicap (4yo & Upwards 1SC / 1YR, 1400m) and Garcon Handicap (Fillies & Mares Open, 1200m), will be eligible for the consolation race - a 4yo & Upwards Transitional Handicap (1300m).
To be eligible, a horse must be an emergency or have been balloted from either of the above races.
Media Release - NSW TRB
Fields of Omagh Ready for Return
- Tuesday, 06 August 2002 00:00
Talented galloper Fields
Of Omagh will kick off his spring campaign in Sunday's $100,000 Aurie's Star Handicap
(1200m) down the straight at Flemington.The five-year-old hasn't raced since last spring, having injured a suspensory ligament. Prior to the injury, though, he was being touted as racing's most improved horse, winning six races on-end culminating in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown last November.
"We gave him a long time off, including the entire autumn, but he's good as gold now," trainer Tony McEvoy said.
"He's ready to return and the Aurie's Star looks a nice starting point for the spring. He does have a bit of form at 1200m but it was in restricted class. He's likely to find this a bit sharp and it's a serious race."
Nominations for the event include VRC Oaks winner Magical Miss, Dash For Cash, SA Derby winner Pantani, Prince Rubiton, Fritz, Flavour and Gypsy Lad.
McEvoy has nominated Fields Of Omagh for the Cox Plate and Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
"I'm hopeful to get
him to the Caulfield Cup," McEvoy said.
"The way he finished off the Eclipse (2119m) he should get the distance no problems. His best distance, though, may be the mile-and-a-quarter, so maybe he'll run in the Cox Plate. It's a long way to go to those races and he has to measure up first."
McEvoy also has Singapore winner North Boy and Melbourne Triple Crown winner Elegant Fashion nearly ready to start their respective spring campaigns.
"Both horses are great," McEvoy said.
"North Boy is ticking along nicely and will begin the spring in the Manikato Stakes on September 14. Elegant Fashion is a bit different. I really don't want her to run into Sunline first-up. She'll either resume in the Cockram Stakes, the Liston Stakes or the Memsie Stakes. Her main aim will be the Caulfield Cup. She ran a great race in the AJC Oaks where she fought on really well but she has a bit of brilliance as well."
McEvoy is hoping to give her an exhibition gallop along with stablemate Pompous between races at Morphettville this weekend.
PICS - Quentin Lang.
Media Release - Jason Hickson (TRSA)
20 Years On, Cummings Wants Another Oaks
- Monday, 20 February 0705 00:00
Promising staying filly Very Grand will attempt to give master trainer Bart Cummings his second Queensland Oaks, 20 years after he won his first with Round The World.
Very Grand put herself in the mix for the Group One race on June 2 when she finished the day as the punters' pal with victory in the Jim Beam and Oyster Bay Hcp (1550m) at Canterbury.
Backed into $1.85 favouritism after $2.50 was on offer, Very Grand travelled nicely throughout and went to the line strongly under Blake Shinn to beat Piercing by 1-1/2 lengths.
"The idea is to take her to the Queensland Oaks," Cummings said.
"I think the distance (2400m) will suit.
"She finishes off her races pretty well so we will aim for the Group One."
Cummings' other Group One aspirants over the winter carnival will include Empires Choice who is bound for the Queensland Derby and Imagining who will be aimed at the Stradbroke Handicap.
Accumulate, who won his first race for two years at Rosehill on Saturday, will be set for the Group Two Brisbane Cup.