Marshall "Surprised" With Star of Florida Call Up
- Thursday, 15 August 2002 00:00
Comeback jockey Simon Marshall has been
rewarded for his hard work and excellent early form by being sought out for the ride
aboard the outstanding young sprinting prospect Star of Florida when that gelding runs
next weekend.Marshall admitted today he was "a bit surprised" when he answered his phone late yesterday afternoon and Queensland based trainer Pat Duff was on the line. Duff offered the ride, expected to be only (at this stage) a once off partnership, to Marshall and the rider didn't have to think twice before saying yes.
"I certainly wasn't really expecting the call from Pat," Marshall told Cyberhorse today. "But it's a great pick up ride."
In fact Marshall went a step further by saying the youngster, a last start winner of the San Domenico Stakes in Sydney, is similar to a former champion he rode to numerous big race wins, Hareeba.
"He is a bit like him," Marshall said. "Obviously he still has a long way to go to be as good as Hareeba, but they both have plenty of early brilliance and a high cruising speed."
The heavyweight hoop said the Telesto gelding had a bright future and he was looking forward to riding him in Saturday week's Up and Coming Stakes in Sydney.
"Star of Florida is a lovely horse," he said. "He's got a heap of natural ability and he should be able to shine in these early three-year-old races of the season."
Marshall has made a positive return to the saddle. At his first meeting on the Gold Coast two weeks ago he rode two winners from just three rides. And to continue the great return he rode a winner from three rides at his first metropolitan meeting in Sydney yesterday.
"I couldn't really have asked for
much more at this stage," Marshall said. "I'm really happy with the way I have
come back and I'm looking forward to the next few months."
On Saturday in Sydney Marshall will have his first stakes race ride for over five years. He will be riding the promising staying prospect Kaapgun, a Group Two winner last preparation, in the Premiere Stakes.
"You'd think he'd need a couple of runs at this stage, but Noel Mayfield-Smith is a very astute trainer," Marshall reported.
In the immediate future Sydney will be Marshall's base, but he is hoping to be riding in Melbourne over the upcoming Spring Carnival.
"It just depends if I can get some rides there (Melbourne)," he said. "I've been offered a couple of rides but at the weights I'm no chance of being able to ride them."
Marshall will get down to 56 kilograms to ride Star of Florida next weekend, but he will be reluctant to take rides under 56.5 in the future.
"I just want to be able to put everything into it. Strength is needed in the saddle and I need to be at my best."
For Marshall the early results he's been enjoying in the saddle in recent weeks gives the rider the ammunition he has needed to throw at the doubters.
"It's great just to show the skeptics up," he said. "You can just put it down to hard work, I've really worked my butt off to get back."
PICS - Quentin Lang.
Action Planned for Premiere Stakes Day
- Thursday, 15 August 2002 00:00
This race has been won by such turf greats as Kingston Town (1981), Emancipation (1983), and Campaign King (1987).
The line up includes multiple Group winners Shogun Lodge, Century Kid and Padstow; along with other stakes winners including Dress Circle, Sportsbrat, Kaapgun, Hosannah and Ancient Song.
Race 5 is the Fairfield RSL Club Grey Stars Handicap, an annual event on the Sydney Turf Club calendar. The Rosehill trained Cariboo will be attempting to continue his unbeaten run in what should be an entertaining spectacle.
All uniformed SES workers, and those with appropriate accreditation, will receive FREE entry to Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.
Other highlights this Saturday include live entertainment from midday till 4.30pm with Face Value and Vogue performing in the Owners & Trainers Bar from 4.30pm till 7.00pm.
Regular features of a day at Rosehill Gardens are also available, such as the popular childrens entertainment, including FREE mini train rides, jumping castle and pony rides, all located behind the JR Fleming Stand, plus the Giant screen featuring live interstate racing. Gates open at 11am.
Media Release - STC
Brew Making Good Progess in Return
- Thursday, 15 August 2002 00:00
Reborn racehorse Brew is making excellent progress in the coutdown to a return to the track
Retirement was put on hold for the 2000 Melbourne Cup winner when he proved unsuitable for a planned police horse career.
The exercise regime he had been put through during
that process had benefitted him however, to the point that his former ligament problems
had disappeared, resulting in a revision of his racehorse future.
Part-owner Paul Moroney reports that Brew came through his second recent jumpout, at Flemington on Tuesday morning, pleasingly and will be entered for the JJ Liston Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday week.
"His jockey Steven Arnold said that he felt great in the jumpout," Moroney told ThoroughbredNews.
"He had a good blow and will gallop between races at Werribee next Wednesday prior to racing at Caulfield."
PICS - Quentin Lang.
Media Release - TNZ
Embargo on SA Stable Lifted After Strangles Outbreak
- Thursday, 15 August 2002 00:00
Chairman of Stewards, Graham Loch, advises:
"Our Veterinary Surgeon Dr. R. C. Robinson visited the Trainers property today and is satisfied that the Trainer can move stock."
"Both the Trainer and their Veterinary Surgeon have cooperated and the prompt isolation of the affected case from the rest of the stable has been integral to controlling this outbreak."
"However, I would urge Trainers not to drop their guard."
"We have not been able to ascertain with certainty where the disease came from, therefore other cases may still be in the horse population."
Dr. Robinson advises that the following recommendations are the best measures to be taken for Trainers to keep Strangles out of their stables:
The disease spreads predominantly by direct horse to horse contact, but can also occur indirectly via contaminated transports, gear and tack, buckets, feed, stables, flies, pasture, water troughs and stable hands. Isolation therefore means no physical contact with other horses, but stable and personal hygiene are obviously important as well.
All isolated horses or suspicious cases should be attended and fed last in the daily routine, with staff disinfecting hands and footwear between such horses.
Symptoms to look for include -
- Purulent nasal discharge.
- Painful swelling (abscess formation) of the lymph nodes in the throat, head and jaw areas.
- These abscesses ultimately mature and rupture, discharging purulent material to the exterior.
- Increased body temperature > 38.5°C.
- Loss of appetite.
All new horses to the stable should be isolated for a minimum of three weeks and observe them daily for any symptoms. Ideally this includes taking temperatures every day and using separate gear and tack on all isolates.
Healthy horses may be vaccinated.
This involves three doses of vaccine two weeks apart initially and single annual booster dose thereafter until 5-6 years of age.
Improve fly control around stables, which includes careful manure disposal and covered manure storage.
Trainers looking to obtain more information may contact Dr. Robinson at TRSA on 08/8179 9823.
Media Release - TRSA
Mornington Winner Disqualified After Losing Lead Bag
- Thursday, 15 August 2002 00:00
Stewards had no option but to overlook the winning performance of the Jim Marconi trained Royal Rule, who had originally won the first race by three quarters of a length.
It is understood the lead bag fell out of the horse's gear during the middle stages of the Super Vobis 3YO Colts and Geldings Maiden Plate (1200m) after the saddle had shifted in the early stages of the race.
Young rider Lonagan Milham could only look on in dispair as he weighed in one and a half kilograms light and he was still a touch more than half a kilo short when the bridle was added to the saddle.
Bounty Beat, the original runner up in the race, was elevated to the winners position, while all other placings were lifted by one.
The unusual occurence isn't totally rare. Only yesterday a horse in New Zealand who'd finished third was disqualified after is was found the lead bag had been left out of the horse's gear when it was being saddled at the Rotorua meeting.
That horse's rider had weighed in 2.25 kilograms light and even if the bridle had of been called for, it would have still been well short of its carded weight.