Florida Was at His Top But Will Improve: Payne
- Monday, 12 August 2002 00:00
Leading Melbourne based heavyweight rider Patrick
Payne revealed that Star of Florida had nothing more to give, despite appearing to have a
lapful of horse in Saturday's Group Two San Domenico Stakes.Payne said the gelding was getting tired at the end of Saturday's race, but he felt the gelding would improve significantly at his next start.
Star of Florida, who'd made a dynamic start to his career in his home state of Queensland, was having his first start in Sydney in the San Domenico.
Payne reported yesterday that the Pat Duff trained three-year-old was one of the brightest prospects he had ridden for some time.
"He's a very exciting horse, there's little doubt about that," Payne said. "He worked hard right from the start of the race on Saturday and he was entitled to get a little tired near the finish."
"He was at his top at the finish," he added.
Meanwhile, Payne sent a warning to weight-for-age rivals that the Bob Thomsen trained Shogun Lodge was set to return to racing in great style.
Payne rode the talented gelding in an exhibition gallop between races in Sydney and he was impressed with the way he went.
"He's in really good shape," Payne said. "I'm really looking forward to riding him in the near future."
Shogun Lodge has been nominated to return in Saturday's Group Two $141,200 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill, while Star of Florida is expected to next step out the Group Two $151,400 Up and Coming Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday week. Star of Florida's connections have the option of sending the youngster to Melbourne for the Group Two $351,500 Ascot Vale Stakes at Flemington, two weeks after the Up and Coming.
PIC - Quentin Lang.
Cassidy Quizzed over Involvement in Bloodstock Deal
- Monday, 12 August 2002 00:00
Jockey Jim Cassidy was today questioned by NSW TRB
Stewards relative to an article which appeared in the Business Section of the Daily
Telegraph newspaper, on Thursday, 27 June 2002.The article reported that Jim Cassidy had collected a $10,000 cash cheque for bloodstock agent Mr Malcolm Ayoub from Mr Karl Suleman, which was delivered by Mr Sulemans uncle, Mr Alex Odisho.
Written evidence was provided to the inquiry from Mr Odisho, and Mr Ayoub was questioned by teleconference.
Mr Ayoub undertook to provide the inquiry with copies of documentation which supported that the $10,000 cheque had been a commission for his business in the sale of horses and that Jim Cassidy had facilitated the receipt of that transfer of funds by meeting with Mr Odisho when he (Malcolm Ayoub) was not available due to ill health.
Jim Cassidy was advised that whilst there appeared to be no wrongdoing, under the Rules of Racing in respect of this matter, nevertheless, at all times he should be mindful of his conduct as a jockey and the perception that actions of this nature might create.
The Stewards will peruse the documentation from Mr Ayoub when it is presented next week.
PIC - Quentin Lang.
Media Release - NSW TRB
Wellbeing Guns Down Sakhee in France
- Monday, 12 August 2002 00:00
Last year's European champion racehorse has not been sighted since flopping in the Dubai World Cup in March and was expected by connections to win this Group III contest enroute to a crack at the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown next month.
However, they hadn't reckoned on a revitalised Wellbeing, a Group III winner in England, who relished the soft ground and powered away from a below-par Sakhee to win by a length.
Godolphin had been aiming the five-year-old by Bahri for a repeat bid in the Arc in October, but are now considering retiring him.
This was Wellbeing's second start of the term since moving from Henry Cecil to Chantilly-based Pascal Bary.
Out of Charming Life (Sir Tristram), and a half-brother to the Ashwell Farm, Cambridge, sire Kingfisher Mill, he had posted four wins from 11 starts in the UK, however was transferred to France where he is more likely to get the soft ground conditions he needs to be seen to best effect.
Adding to the NZ flavour of the contest was the inclusion of Andre Fabre-trained Sangreal (Celtic Swing-Grosvenor Gardens, by Grosvenor) in the field. The four-year-old however looked ill at ease on the very soft ground and finished well adrift.
Kingfisher Mill (by Riverman) stands at Ashwell Farm for NZ$5,500 plus GST.
Media Release - TNZ
Haraka Heartbreak - Kasi Loses Her Life at Flemington
- Monday, 12 August 2002 00:00
It was a day of mixed emotions for Lindsay Park's
trainer Tony McEvoy at Flemington yesterday.The Angaston based horseman was enjoying the thrills of the game when the top class galloper Fields of Omagh made a stunning return to win the Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m) beating a top class field.
That win had erased a bit of the heartache after he lost one of the stable's promising youngsters Kasi Haraka two races earlier.
A half sister to former talented Group One performer Nina Haraka, the grey four-year-old mare was having her first run this preparation in the Ansis Dizgalvis Sprint (1000m).
Weakening badly to the finishing post the former sale topping filly appeared to have suffered a heart attack when she dropped dead just a couple of hundred metres after crossing the line in last position.
McEvoy said the loss of the promising mare was a great shame.
"She'd shown us plenty of ability back at home (Lindsay Park)," a dejected McEvoy said. "She didn't have the same amount of natural ability as Nina Haraka, but she was still going to win her share of races."
Kasi Haraka, who was raced by Ted Cockram and the Winners Circle Club No 3 Syndicate, was sold for a record yearling price at the 2000 Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale for $230,000. She was knocked down to the late Peter Hayes after a bidding bonanza in the Morphettville auditorium.
PIC - Quentin Lang.
Kerford's Frustrating Run Finally Ends
- Monday, 12 August 2002 00:00
Kerford had ridden 70 horses in the city since his last winner before the South Eastern raider scored in a driving finish in the Redbank Handicap (2048m).
The talented Adelaide rider was also having a serious case of bad luck off the track when he was assaulted by an unknown man near his home on June 30.
After more than a month out of the saddle Kerford made his city return at the season's first meeting last weekend, but finished without a winner from three rides.
Kerford is as hungry as ever to return to the top of the riding list according to his manager Mal James.
"The Bulldog (as Kerford is commonly known) has not lost his hunger for winners," James said. "He's really looking forward to riding more winners in the near future."