Canberra Cup Attracts Strong Nominations

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/canberra/39900-canberra-cup-attracts-strong-nominations.html layout=standard image= desc=Sunday's Listed Canberra Cup has attracted the interest of some of the country's biggest trainers with Peter Snowden, Gai Waterhouse,... size=small}

Sunday's Listed Canberra Cup has attracted the interest of some of the country's biggest trainers with Peter Snowden, Gai Waterhouse, Mark Kavanagh and Chris Waller all nominating runners.

The Snowden-trained Spinney heads weights for the $200,000 feature with 58kg following his strong last-start victory in the Gosford Cup.

Both placegetters in that race, the Graeme Rogerson-prepared Barlagarney and Enzedex Eagle for Glenn Moore, have also been entered for Canberra.

Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Kavanagh will be hoping Itstheone can become the second Victorian-trained horse to win in as many years following the victory by Blutigeroo 12 months ago.

The gelding has 56.5kg and will be chasing his second consecutive win in a country Cup after downing Kiwi Gallions Reach to take out the Listed Ballarat Cup (2200m) on November 18.

Waterhouse, who won the Canberra Cup (2000m) five years ago with So Assertive, has nominated the lightly-raced Emotional Outburst following his determined victory over the same distance at Rosehill last Saturday.

Other notable entries include the in-form Aristocratico from the Gary Portelli stable and the Waller-trained Bright Mind, while local Vintage Rock will be out to go two better than last year when he finished third to Blutigeroo and Imvula.

The Myer Fashions On The Field Open Hcp (1200m) has also attracted strong entries headed by stakeswinner Wasted Emotions, topweight with 63kg, along with Gergis and Voice Commander who each have 61kg.

Olive Finding His Voice

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/canberra/39895-olive-finding-his-voice.html layout=standard image= desc=Nick Olive has made a heady start to the season and there could be bigger things to come with the... size=small}

Nick Olive has made a heady start to the season and there could be bigger things to come with the return of stable star Voice Commander.

Olive, who is based in Canberra, sits atop the combined NSW provincial and ACT trainers' premiership with 28 winners and is in the top 10 in the overall state title led by Darley's Peter Snowden.

It is some feat considering Olive only has around 32 horses in work at any one time.

"It's been a bit quiet for the last couple of weeks but we've had a great start to the season," Olive said.

"We've had 29 winners (at all venues) so it has been a bit of a whirlwind start."

Things could be about to get even better for Olive who has welcomed back stable stalwart Voice Commander.

The dual-listed winner is one of 15 nominations for an 1150-metre Open Handicap at Randwick's Kensington track on Saturday.

He has 57kg in that race and 61kg in the Myer Fashions On The Field Open Hcp (1200m) at his home track a day later.

Olive is still weighing up his options but is favouring the assignment closer to home.

"I'm leaning towards starting him at Canberra, just to save travelling," Olive said.

"His first run is not normally his best run so it would be good to kick him off in that company."

Apprentice Ben Moffatt, who claims two kilos, has been booked to ride him at Canberra while his regular jockey Tye Angland will jump aboard stablemate Grand Rhumba.

Voice Commander, who won the Weetwood Handicap at Toowoomba during the winter carnival, has not raced since finishing a sound sixth to Trusting in the Group Two Warwick Stakes in August.

Olive spelled him after that run with a view to next year's Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast.

Voice Commander finished third to Masai Pride and subsequent Stradbroke Handicap winner Black Piranha in the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) this year and Olive again has his sights on the $500,000 race.

"He was still going quite well when we put him out but we wanted to get him ready for Queensland," Olive said.

"The Magic Millions Cup is his main aim this campaign, it's a half-million dollar race and it's restricted to Magic Millions horses."

Voice Commander has an established pattern as an on-pace runner but at times has been over-keen.

Olive said he had returned with a more relaxed attitude and hoped that would transfer to the racetrack.

"He's a lot more settled this preparation, not that we're going to start riding him back but hopefully he might settle better in some of his races," he said.

Cookie Monster A Big Chance For Dale

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/canberra/38680-cookie-monster-a-big-chance-for-dale.html layout=standard image= desc=Matthew Dale is 12 months into rebuilding his training career after taking a break from the sport and is hoping... size=small}

Matthew Dale is 12 months into rebuilding his training career after taking a break from the sport and is hoping to again make an impact in town, this time with unbeaten filly My Cookie Monster.

Dale had established himself as one of Canberra's brightest young talents when he decided to wind up his stable and take an indefinite break two years ago.

He had enjoyed his share of success in town with the likes of three-time metropolitan winner Happy Finish but figured if he didn't take leave from the rigours of his chosen profession then, he never would.

"I started to train when I was 20 years old and it had been a hectic five years," Dale said.

"I decided to have a break and pursue a few different interests, take some holidays."

Despite his time away, Dale said he always knew he would return.

After travelling overseas, Dale returned as assistant trainer to Randwick's John O'Shea for a few months before heading back to Canberra where he now has 15 boxes.

"Once it's in you, it's in you," Dale said.

"I was always going to come back, although it probably happened sooner than I anticipated.

"It hasn't been too hard (starting over). A lot of my old owners came back on board and I got a couple of my old horses and some new clients."

Since his return Dale has celebrated a metropolitan victory with Gathering Light who scored at Canterbury in June.

He is hoping My Cookie Monster can deliver him his second when she lines up in the Denham Court Hcp (1100m) at Warwick Farm on Tuesday.

The filly has won her only two starts at Gundagai and Wagga and while Warwick Farm will be another level again, Dale says the three-year-old is on the rise.

"She's had two starts for two wins so she's shown a bit of natural ability," Dale said.

"She's done a bit wrong in both starts so there is still improvement in her.

"She has been tardy from the barriers both times but she is against her own age and sex tomorrow so I expect her to run a bold race."

My Cookie Monster has drawn poorly in barrier 14 but if the four emergencies don't gain a start she will jump from gate 11 with apprentice Tommy Berry to ride.

Her rivals will include Cortina Gal, a last start runner-up to champion sprinter Silent Witness' half-relation Sister Madly at Randwick, and well bred Patinack Farm debutante Drivel.

A $600,000 buy as a yearling, Drivel is by super sire Redoute's Choice out of 2002 Australasian Oaks winner Tully Thunder and finished fifth at the most recent of her two barrier trials.

O'Brien Makes Interesting Chess Move

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/canberra/39674-obrien-makes-interesting-chess-move.html layout=standard image= desc=Canberra trainer Steve O'Brien has made an interesting move with handy sprinter Chess by targeting the $50,000 Snake Gully Cup... size=small}

Canberra trainer Steve O'Brien has made an interesting move with handy sprinter Chess by targeting the $50,000 Snake Gully Cup first-up at Gundagai on Friday.

On the same day 12 months ago Chess scored a strong win in the Snake Gully Flying (1000m) giving O'Brien his first win at Gundagai.

"He was nominated for the Sprint again this year but he's shown in his work he might want further now he's older and more mature," O'Brien said.

"I've brought him up slowly this time, haven't put any pressure on him, even when he had a jumpout recently.

"He hasn't been showing that lightning speed he's got and after discussions with the owners, we decided to have a crack at the 1400 metres first-up.

"Chess has drawn good (barrier three), he's well weighted (55.5kg) and is going well. The only question is 1400 metres first-up."

Chess arrived at O'Brien's stables following his maiden win for Tony Sergi.

The six-year-old gelding, raced by Darren Williams, his father Harold, close friend Adam Teer and O'Brien's partner Jodi Hamilton, has won nine races from 31 starts and more than $130,000 in prizemoney.

"He's been a darn handy horse for us. We got him after he'd won a maiden at Queanbeyan after 14 starts," O'Brien said.

"And it's the first horse Darren, Harold and Adam have raced.

"He's won some handy country races including the Camarena at Canberra and we're hopeful there are more wins to come."

Chess has an excellent fresh record with three wins and a second from six first-up attempts.

The Strategic gelding is capable of either leading or taking a sit.

"He does most things right," O'Brien said.

"You can either lead with him or he can relax, take a sit and switch on when asked.

"With tomorrow's draw he should be able to take a sit handy to the lead.

"As I said earlier, first-up over the 1400 metres is the question mark but I'm happy with how he's going."

O'Brien said fellow Canberra-trained gallopers Asquick Aszariz and Happy Finish were the horses to beat.

"Asquick Aszariz will put himself in the race handy and Matthew Dale's horse Happy Finish is obviously going well," O'Brien said.

"It's the horses like them down in the weights and possibly (first reserve) Trescorpioni, if he gets a start, I fear most."

Ban 'Dictator' From Cup: Greens

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/canberra/38667-ban-dictator-from-cup-greens.html layout=standard image= desc=A "blood-soaked" dictator must be stopped from running a horse in the Melbourne Cup, the Greens say.Chechnyan President Ramzan Kadyrov... size=small}

A "blood-soaked" dictator must be stopped from running a horse in the Melbourne Cup, the Greens say.

Chechnyan President Ramzan Kadyrov is preparing his gelding Mourilyan for the Melbourne Cup, outraging activists who object to his human rights record.

Australian Greens leader Bob Brown called on prime minister Kevin Rudd to ban Mr Kadyrov - and his horses - from the country.

Mr Kadyrov was a brutal dictator who had overseen the torture and suppression of his opponents, Senator Brown said.

"Can you imagine the appalling prospect of Governor-General Quentin Bryce being asked to hand a Melbourne Cup to the blood-soaked hands of Mr Kadyrov?" Senator Brown asked reporters in Canberra.

"The very thought of him coming to the Melbourne Cup runs a shiver up my spine."

Senator Brown said Australia's leaders should stand up now and declare that neither Kadyrov nor his horses would be allowed into the country.

Mourilyan is trained by England's Gary Moore. Mr Kadyrov has another horse in preparation for the spring carnival, the stallion Bankable listed for the Mackinnon Stakes.

Double Hit At Home Track Cup For Smith

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/canberra/39615-double-hit-at-home-track-cup-for-smith.html layout=standard image= desc=Several months ago Queanbeyan trainer Mick J Smith hatched a plan to finally win the Two Stubbies Cup on his... size=small}

Several months ago Queanbeyan trainer Mick J Smith hatched a plan to finally win the Two Stubbies Cup on his home track.

Smith and his close mate of 45 years, Greg Bourke, co-managers of the Two Stubbies Racing Syndicate, are major sponsors of Monday's Benchmark 60 Handicap of 2000m.

Smith will saddle up Deejay Brahms and Star Hawk.

"Through our racing company we've sponsored this day for about four years," Smith said.

"It's a chance for our clients to come to the races and help out the race club.

"Our previous formline mightn't look too good, we've only won one race on the day and that was last year, but this time around I've specifically set a couple of horses for the Two Stubbies Cup.

"And I reckon I've got the bases covered.

"One horse (Star Hawk) that likes to run along and the other (Deejay Brahms) that comes from off the pace.

"I've had this race picked out for them both for some time.

"Wouldn't it be nice to have the quinella?"

Six-year-old gelding Deejay Brahms will be ridden by stable rider Michael Travers.

"He's my preferred runner," Smith said.

"He's been specifically set for this.

"Ideally he likes a bit of cut out of the ground but he's in perfect shape.

"He worked sensationally on Tuesday. I had to double check his time.

"He can be a lazy worker, not on Tuesday though. He's really come on in the past three weeks.

"Last start at Queanbeyan we rode him a bit differently - forward early - to try and sharpen him up.

"Tomorrow he'll get back a bit and hopefully finish the race off too well for them."

Deejay Brahms finished three lengths fifth to Sellout over 1600m on October 12.

Star Hawk, a lightly-raced five-year-old gelding bred by Smith and Bourke, is coming off a disappointing sixth to Bepina over 2000m at Canberra on November 9.

Smith, however, said he would disregard the performance. Prior to his past two failures Star Hawk's form was solid for a race of this nature.

"He got taken on continually in the lead, went too hard and led until the 200 metres," Smith said.

"He was entitled to stop after that.

"Tomorrow hopefully he can have an easier time up front."

Typhoon To Outrun Lightning In Opal

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/canberra/6671--sp-842208748.html layout=standard image= desc=Trainer Gary Portelli is confident Typhoon Fury can topple boom filly De Lightning Ridge in the Black Opal Stakes on... size=small}

Trainer Gary Portelli is confident Typhoon Fury can topple boom filly De Lightning Ridge in the Black Opal Stakes on Sunday and give him his third victory in the Canberra feature.

Down The Wicket, who now races in Hong Kong, gave Portelli his second Black Opal (1200m) two years ago following the 2001 win of Coral Salute.

"De Lightning Ridge will be very hard to beat but I'd imagine that my bloke would have won that last race she did in Canberra just as easily," Portelli said.

"He (Typhoon Fury) should get a dry track on Sunday and I think he's a live hope of winning the race, especially if they go hard early.

"He'll benefit from a truly run race, he needs the speed on and to be able to sit there three or four off them and then power home."

The Keith Dryden-trained De Lightning Ridge is undefeated after two starts but hasn't raced outside Canberra due to complications with travel restrictions in the wake of equine influenza (EI).

She is the $12 third favourite with TAB Sportsbet for the $3.5 million Golden Slipper on April 26.

Typhoon Fury finished 2-3/4 lengths second to the Gai Waterhouse-trained Montana Flyer in an 1100m race run in torrential rain at Rosehill on February 9.

Montana Flyer is currently the $10 Slipper favourite for the Golden Slipper at $10 with her stablemate Sebring at $11.

"The race was run to suit for Montana Flyer, she was allowed to dictate terms in front and had it all her own way," Portelli said.

"My bloke was caught behind the leaders in third with mud spraying in his face but he still managed to come again and run second.

"The winner was far too good on the day but I think if we had a fair dinkum run race things could have been different.

Typhoon Fury, a Hurricane Sky gelding who cost $75,000, will be Portelli's only Black Opal runner after he decided against starting Over The Wicket, a full brother to Down The Wicket.

"I've nominated him for a 1100 metre race at Canterbury on Saturday but I've been told he could have to carry 58kg, so I might save him up for another week," Portelli said.

"He (Over The Wicket) wasn't allowed to go to Canberra without some form of quarantine and I don't think he needs to go through that as a young horse."

Over The Wicket was Monday at $26 for the Golden Slipper with Typhoon Fury a $51 chance.

Portelli confirmed three-year-old Absent Friends would run in the Canberra Guineas (1600m) on Sunday.

Flighty Warrilla Set For Another Wins

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/canberra/39238-flighty-warrilla-set-for-another-wins.html layout=standard image= desc=Canberra trainer Keith Dryden fielded a phone call last year urgently requesting he return to the track following an accident."The... size=small}

Canberra trainer Keith Dryden fielded a phone call last year urgently requesting he return to the track following an accident.

"The message I got from a track official was `Get down here quickly, one of your horses has come down and killed itself'," Dryden said.

As fate would have it the dire prediction proved unfounded and the horse in question, Warrilla, lived to race again.

At Bathurst on Friday the now four-year-old Magic Albert mare lines up in the Kelso Class 2 Handicap (1400m) seeking back-to-back wins.

Warrilla's near career-ending accident happened when the mare was coming home from trackwork.

"She's a highly-strung filly and coming off the track a couple of horses went past her, she got upset, took fright, reared and slipped right over," Dryden said.

"It took us about ten minutes to eventually get her up, she was a mess, and another twenty minutes to get her back to the stables.

"Initially we thought she'd broken her shoulder and wither but fortunately nothing was broken. She eventually came good. I turned her out for a long spell."

Warrilla, who made her debut with an encouraging second to Bab Al Shams at Goulburn on November 21 last year, spent 44 weeks sidelined from racing.

The mare resumed over 1200m at Moruya two starts back on September 25 with high expectations.

"We had a few bob on her but she was unlucky. The saddle slipped and Kev (jockey Kevin Sweeney) nearly fell off," Dryden said of Warrilla's last of 14 to Aunt Lilly.

"She's a mare that can play up a bit and last start at Gundagai we sought permission from stewards to send her straight onto the track instead of parading in the enclosure.

"She's got a mind of her own. She's no angel I can tell you.

"If she decides she doesn't want to go she just stands there and refuses to budge but once you get her going she's fine.

"Her win at Gundagai was good and we'll try and seek permission to do the same thing (go straight onto the track) at Bathurst."

Warrilla scored her maiden win by a long head over 1000m at Gundagai and the quick jump to 1400m is in her favour, Dryden believes.

"She's wanted to settle in her races and I'm sure she'll be better suited over 1400 metres," he said.

"I've been happy with her work.

"She'll be very competitive."

Vet On Leave As Horses Wait For EI Shot

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/canberra/31980--sp-184417748.html layout=standard image= desc=The only veterinarian qualified to administer the equine influenza (EI) vaccine in the ACT is on holiday just as 700... size=small}

The only veterinarian qualified to administer the equine influenza (EI) vaccine in the ACT is on holiday just as 700 Canberra horses have been cleared to receive the shots.

A group of racing officials, vets and ministers on Monday agreed to supply the vaccine to all thoroughbreds, harness horses and some equestrian horses in the ACT.

"It was ministers that took the decision that we should protect, essentially for economic reasons I have to say, those industries that are continuing and actually maintain the economic activity within the horse and harness racing industries," Chief Minister Jon Stanhope told ABC Radio on Tuesday.

The injections would be available within the next 24 hours, but the ACT's chief vet Will Andrew is on holiday.

"It is a difficulty. There are vets, but at this moment Dr Andrew - the government vet - is the only accredited vet," Mr Stanhope said.

"We'll have to work through this."

Mr Stanhope said that could mean accrediting other vets to provide the injection.

But he said it was a significant change to allow the vaccine into the ACT, which has so far avoided the virus.

"We've got the vaccine, we will be vaccinating all thoroughbreds, all harness horses and some equestrian horses. It's a great step forward," he said.

Callow To Ride At Queanbeyan

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/canberra/39043-callow-to-ride-at-queanbeyan.html layout=standard image= desc=Internationally experienced jockey Noel Callow will be a surprise visitor to Queanbeyan on Monday thanks to a long time friendship... size=small}

Internationally experienced jockey Noel Callow will be a surprise visitor to Queanbeyan on Monday thanks to a long time friendship with Joe Cleary and his father, Golden Slipper winning trainer Frank Cleary.

The multiple Group One winning rider who has ridden in Hong Kong, Macau, Mauritius and Singapore where he became the first jockey to ride 100 winners in a season, is fresh from his success aboard Madibagold for trainer David Payne at Rosehill on Saturday.

He will partner aptly named Medadwonaslipper for Joe Cleary in the Girls Day Out October 31st Benchmark 55 Hcp (900m) and Gypsy Jack for Frank Cleary in the Queanbeyan Rural Supplies Maiden (1100m).

Callow's other rides are Draw for Matthew Dale in the Queanbeyan & Karabar TAB Class 1 (1600m) and Pass The Plate for Andrew Bourke in the Queanbeyan Racing Club Function Centre Benchmark 68 Hcp (1600m).

"Noel and I have been mates for many years and I even stayed in touch a lot when he was in Singapore," Joe Cleary said.

"Last week I got the ball rolling, told him we had a couple of horses ready to win, they'd be at his weight and to come on up.

"He eventually said okay let's do it. Just a couple of old bush boys catching up, doing some work then partying."

"Nick Davis, the former Sydney Swans player, is a part-owner of Medadwonaslipper and a good mate of Noel's.

"Noel actually rode Ta Ta Tatiana for me and won a Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich and a Thunderbolt here (Queanbeyan).

"Hopefully he can get the job done tomorrow and it's a fruitful visit."

Medadwonaslipper, by Frank Cleary's 1999 Golden Slipper winner Catbird, is resuming from a five month break.

"He's won first up over 900 metres before and while he's only a little nuggetty fella, (he) goes pretty good," Joe Cleary said.

"He's a dead ringer for his old man.

"He's had a couple of jump outs. I'm happy with him."

Gypsy Jack, a three-year-old colt by French Deputy, has three seconds from six starts and is poised to break through.

The colt resumed with an encouraging neck second to Rustyroller over 1100m on his home track on September 27 when he made good ground in the run home.

Canberra's New Track To Be Unveiled

{SCPinterestShare href=https://www.virtualformguide.com/racing-news/canberra/15508--sp-927966461.html layout=standard image= desc=A new-look course proper will be unveiled at Canberra on Saturday, and leading local trainer Barbara Joseph can't wait.The refurbished... size=small}

A new-look course proper will be unveiled at Canberra on Saturday, and leading local trainer Barbara Joseph can't wait.

The refurbished track has been 18 months in the making and Saturday will be the first time Canberra has raced on grass since April 21 last year.

Since the reconstruction work began, all racing has been on the synthetic Acton surface.

The refurbished grass track was supposed to be tested at a non-TAB meeting but because of the equine influenza (EI) crisis, Saturday's eight-race program will be a TAB fixture.

Joseph will have 13 runners and while she is thrilled the new surface is finally ready, she also had a word of warning for punters.

"We're all doing cartwheels, it's been a long time coming but well worth the wait," Joseph said.

"We've had a few gallops on it and two official trials last week and they went really well, the camber is great.

"But this week, it's not on the synthetic track so it's all different.

"You won't be ale to go on recent form.

"I've got some horses having their first starts who have never been on grass, they're going to be stepping out and wondering `what's this?'."

The last time Canberra raced on grass Joseph trained two winners and she is quietly confident she can strike a couple of blows on Saturday.

The star of her team will be Group Three winner A Country Girl in the John `Koko' Mullane Memorial Open Hcp (1300m).

Joseph is hoping the mare will be inoculated against EI after the second batch of vaccines arrive in Australia on Friday, giving her a slim chance of competing at the Melbourne spring carnival.

The five-year-old has topweight of 60kg on Saturday and Joseph said if Victoria did not open its border she would spell A Country Girl and set her for the autumn.

"I'd love to get her to Melbourne," Joseph said.

"There is a nice mares' race on Melbourne Cup day and another one a week after that or on Oaks day.

"But I can't see them letting us over the border.

"It's a shame. If nothing happens in the next couple of weeks I'll put her back out for four or five weeks and bring her back for the autumn.

"I don't want to let her keep lugging big weights down here."

Joseph rated A Country Girl one of her better chances along with Vintage Rock in the All Bar Nun Hcp (1600m) and Seldom Sober in the John McGrath Ford Hcp (1000m).