Aussies Claw Back Ground in Jumps Series
- Sunday, 11 August 2002 00:00
In a rather fitting result Craig Durden (Calcavecchia) and Brett Scott (Bold Impulse) finished first and second. Those two riders dominated the Melbourne city riding premiership during the season just completed.
Ireland won both jumping races in Adelaide yesterday and the international team racked up a huge points tally.
After today's race the Aussies have narrowed the gap to 18 points, the equivalent of a first and second placing.
There are still plenty of more opportunities for points for both teams. The series heads to Warranmbool tomorrow for two races, before one at Sandown on Wednesday and the Steeple at Moonee Valley on Saturday is the series ender.
Calcavecchia continued a great run in recent jumps races for Robert Smerdon.
Smerdon, who was at the Warracknabeal races today, leaves next week to train his jumping star Zabenz in America.
Smerdon's stable foreman Pat Cannon said the runaway Grand National Hurdle winner had blossomed since arriving just over a week ago.
"He's arrived in great shape by all reports," Cannon said. "Robert will be heading over next week."
Fields Of Omagh Makes Stunning Return
- Sunday, 11 August 2002 00:00
Lindsay Park's head trainer Tony McEvoy was
nearly speechless after the dynamic win of his talented gelding Fields of Omagh in this
afternoon's Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington.McEvoy was expecting Fields of Omagh to finish powerfully in today's 1200 metre feature event but not quite as much as he did.
"What a sensational return," McEvoy said. "We expected him to finish strongly and maybe finish in a place, but I'm really thrilled with that effort."
It was a sizzling return for Fields of Omagh who'd been off the scene after an injury scare since winning the Group Three Eclipse Stakes.
"He had damaged his suspensory ligament and
because he was such a promising horse we decided it was best to get him fully recovered
before returning," McEvoy reported.
A gelding by Australia's hottest sire Rubiton, Fields of Omagh has now won seven consecutive races and he's on track for a lucrative spring.
"We'd be aiming him at the Caulfield Cup later on, but the immediate plans will probably have to change now after his win today," McEvoy added.
Lindsay Park had planned to run Fields of Omagh in a "couple of handicaps" in the lead up to the big ones in the spring, but he was now most likely heading for a weight-for-age event.
"There's a couple of weeks to decide but we could head to the Memsie or the Liston with him now. He would get weighted out of handicaps otherwise."
In the run to the line Fields of Omagh booted clear to beat the grey Pindi Ridge by a length and a quarter. Gypsy Lad was the first horse home on the inside of the track finishing third, a further neck back.
The other runner to catch the eye was Magical
Miss, who rattled home on the outside for fourth. She was having her first start since her
runaway win in the Victoria Oaks in November.
The well fancied favourite Prince Rubiton was up there in the lead on the inside division and finished in fifth place. He was second home on the inside behind Gypsy Lad.
It was a welcome change of luck for McEvoy who was shattered after the tragic death of the promising four-year-old mare Kasi Haraka.
A former sale topper as a yearling, by Rory's Jester and a half sister to Nina Haraka, the grey collapsed shortly after the finishing line from a suspected heart attack.
"It's a great shame," a dejected McEvoy said. "She was performing so well at home and she had a lot of ability."
PICS - Quentin Lang.
The Chief Does it For Brave John
- Saturday, 10 August 2002 00:00
The gallant gelding's trainer John Ledger has been laid up in the past three weeks suffering from a serious foot infection. The infection came about after the likable Wangaratta trainer accidentally shot himself in the foot with a shotgun some 34 years ago.
The thoughts of Brave Chief's owner Frank Vodusek were clearly with Ledger, who was home in bed watching on television.
"He (Brave Chief) really did win if for John," Vodusek said. "It was really fantastic, he's such a brave horse."
"Our thoughts are definitely with John, we just hope everything turns out okay."
While his trainer is in poor health, for Brave Chief it was a welcome return to the winner's stall and the track where he scored his greatest career victory.
During the 2000 Spring Carnival, the son of Hula Chief blitzed his rivals in a track record breaking win in the Group Two Sandown Classic.
Brave Chief was well named as a youngster. Not long after his Sandown triumph the bold front runner suffered a severe twisted bowel on the eve of travelling to Sydney.
"It was about Easter time and he was due to go to Sydney and he suffered a twisted bowel," Vodusek recalled. "And since then he's need two operations and today is just a great result. We couldn't have dreamed of it happening."
With three kilogram claiming apprentice Michelle Payne in the saddle the spritely nine-year-old led throughout in the Carlton Draught Lincoln Handicap (2175m).
Recent Sandown winner Freegold ranged up on the outside in the middle stages of the home straight but he was unable to grab Brave Chief, and at the post the Group Two winner's class was too much. Natch was a handy third.
Star Duo to Gallop in Adelaide
- Friday, 09 August 2002 00:00
Two stakes winners from the Tony McEvoy stable
will take part in an exhibition gallop at the Morphettville meeting in Adelaide tomorrow.Moonee Valley Oaks winner and Australian Oaks runner-up Elegant Fashion will join unbeaten stakes winning stablemate Pompous as they stride out in between races.
Elegant Fashion rose from an unknown to one of the country's best last preparation and McEvoy is hopeful she will take the next step.
"She has to take the next step against some of the country's best now," McEvoy said. "But there's no reason she shouldn't be able to. I'm optimistic!"
McEvoy reported the now four-year-old mare was going "super," and she would head on a traditional Cups lead up during the early spring.
"She'll kick off in the Liston (Stakes) and the ultimate aim would be the Caulfield Cup," Lindsay Park's head trainer said.
"I'm very pleased with the way she is going
so far. She's a top, top filly."
The other stablemate who will gallop tomorrow is the impressive debut stakes winner Pompous.
By the Lindsay Park based stallion Jeune, Pompous has not raced for about 18 months after injury problems.
"He had major pedal bone problems after his win," McEvoy reported.
McEvoy is hopeful Pompous can make a successful return to the track after his leg problems.
"The next two weeks will be the key," he said. "He's above himself and after the gallop he'll have a couple of trials before we make a decision."
Meanwhile, McEvoy reported the international star North Boy would go straight into the Group One Manikato Stakes next month without a run.
"He's going very good as well and the Manikato will be his first run," McEvoy said. "Hopefully we can get a good spring out of him."
Tomorrow is shaping as a great opportunity for locals to Adelaide to see some high class horse flesh.
As well as both Elegant Fashion and Pompous in exhibitions gallops, the exciting Great Glen steps out in the day's feature.
And to top of a great day Gold Guru's half sister by the champion Danehill, Gucci Guru, will be gunning for her first win and a springboard to feature events in Melbourne in the coming months.
PICS - Quentin Lang.
Louth Next On The Outback Racing Trail
- Friday, 09 August 2002 00:00
"The air fleet weve got coming includes a couple of old DC3s on their way from Sydney carrying enthusiasts for the seven-race meeting which carries $51,000 in prize money and trophies," says Louth Turf Club chief, Don LeLievre. "People are coming in from Wagga Wagga, Tamworth, Cunnamulla and all places in between," he added.
"Theres even a 19-member pipe band flying in from Newcastle. The support is unprecedented and the success we are looking at would not have been possible without our sponsors, including Cathay Pacific which donated two return tickets to Hong Kong for a raffle the prominent pastoral company, Clyde Agriculture, the Land newspaper, countryenergy, Cobar Toyota, the Ramsay health care group and Wesfarmers and the Elders group."
The "Trail" promises an event to suit every Outback traveller and the racing is a real rollcall of great Outback towns Louth, Nyngan, Enngonia, Collarenebri, Bourke, Warren, Broken Hill and Brewarrina.
The series of race meetings finishes at Brewarrina on November 16.
"This is a wonderful opportunity during this Year of the Outback for people who may never have been bush before to combine that experience with a great day at the races," says Brian Judd, Chief Executive, NSW Country Racing Council.
"People can choose the meeting that most suits them and take in some of the great Outback scenery and historic towns at the same time.
"Why not work in a fishing trip to the Menindee Lakes with a trip to the Silver City meeting, for example?"
Running across all races at Outback Racing Trail events will be the "King of the Outback Series."
Sponsored by the Bourke Bowling Club, the series will carry bonuses of $3,500 - $2,000 for first, $1,000 for second and $500 for third - for the most successful horse on an aggregate points score over the eight meetings of the Outback Racing Trail.
And more of these great meetings are on the way.
Brian Judd says the "Trail" is part of a concept of theme meetings" the CRC is focusing on developing through its seed funding programme throughout the State during the next 12 months.
"We are showing that racing can be a great family day out and also show what our Outback areas can offer."
Media Release - NSW CRC