Guymer Makes The Most Of Darley Ride

Saturday, 05 November 2011 04:00

Apprentice Shaun Guymer made the most of his first opportunity for the powerful Darley team with a well-judged ride to win on Haut Normandie at Randwick on Saturday.

Guymer, 19, was happy to allow Haut Normandie to assume the frontrunning role after expected leader Startreusse was slowly away and raced at the tail of the field.

Haut Normandie ($3) controlled the race from the front and with the advantage of Guymer's three-kilogram claim the colt kicked strongly in the straight to defeat Subarc ($2.60 fav) by 2-1/4 lengths with a long neck to Shadow Line ($8) in third place.

"Whether or not today went the way it did, it was always going to be great to ride for Mr (Peter) Snowden," Guymer said.

"And for the horse to run like he did made it even better. It was a tremendous effort from the horse and it's great that it turned out well."

The victory was Guymer's fifth success in the metropolitan area and he hopes the victory on the Snowden-trained runner leads to more opportunities from Sydney stables.

"Hopefully this gives me a nice kick along," he said after the Bacardi Handicap (1600m).

Jockey Christian Reith replaced the injured Jim Cassidy on Startreusse ($5) and told stewards his intentions were to lead but the colt didn't want to go early.

He finished at the tail of the field.

"The intentions were to lead but the horse didn't want to go early," Reith said.

"I saw no point in digging the horse up then and getting him overracing, so I just tried to get him to relax as good as I could to give him a chance to get the mile and get home."

Stable representative Peter Muscutt said Startreusse would be heading for a spell and consideration would be given to having the colt gelded.

Driefontein Set For Winning Debut

Friday, 04 November 2011 05:00

Strong trial form and a good attitude are reasons jockey Tommy Berry is confident of a debut win by two-year-old Driefontein at Randwick on Saturday.

Berry partnered the Gai Waterhouse-trained Pure Hustle to win on debut at Rosehill last Saturday but is even more upbeat about the prospects of his stablemate Driefontein in the Woods Bagot Handicap (1000m).

"She was a very impressive trial winner the other day," Berry said.

"You've seen the horse that won last Saturday (Pure Hustle) and I think she's a couple of lengths better than him.

"That's really putting my hopes up for Saturday."

Driefontein, a daughter of Fastnet Rock out of Follow Gold, finished second in her first barrier trial appearance before coming out and winning a Randwick trial by two lengths recently.

In her first trial the Waterhouse-trained runner split Darley-owned fillies Applegate and Meidung.

Applegate scored a stakes win on debut at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day while Meidung was an impressive Rosehill winner on debut two weeks ago.

"Her trial form does look good," Berry said.

"Even in her trial the other day I was pretty kind to her and Gai actually told me I should have done a bit more on her.

"Gai is not afraid to show what her horses can do. With the form around her and going on her trial the other day she should be right there.

"She hasn't gone backwards since her trial and I'm very happy with her."

Berry, who is one of Waterhouse's stable riders, has done a bit of work with the filly in preparation for her debut in trackwork and is confident she has the attitude to get it right on raceday.

"She's one of the ones that has come together really quickly," he said.

"Everything we've asked her to do she has done after the first time. With two-year-olds they usually take two or three times to perfect something but she perfects it straight away.

"If she doesn't (race professionally) I'd be a bit disappointed. Like I said though, I didn't put her under much pressure in her trial so it will be interesting to see what she can produce when she is under pressure."

Driefontein was the $2.10 favourite with TAB Sportsbet on Friday.

Patinack Farm-owned filly Varanasi, who was second to Driefontein in the 734m Randwick trial on October 21, and the David Payne-trained Empress Elect are next in betting at $6.

Cassidy Stood Down At Randwick

Saturday, 05 November 2011 03:00

A clearly distressed Jim Cassidy was stood down from the remainder of his rides at Randwick on Saturday as soon as he returned to scale after winning the opening event on Merchandise.

The champion jockey grimaced with pain from a rib injury as he walked back to the jockeys' room after partnering the talented stayer to a soft win in the Jim Beam Handicap (2400m).

The imported Merchandise was far too good for his rivals as he swept past stablemate Old Bill, and he had to be as Cassidy was restricted in what he could do as the gelding went to the line under hands and heels riding.

"I just said to Jim when he came back, 'You're out of business', and there was no arguments from him," chief steward Ray Murrihy said.

"He aggravated a rib injury at the trials yesterday and thought he would give it a go today.

"It was pretty clear he was restricted in what he could do on the horse. We had him checked by the doctor before the races and it was a type of injury where only the individual knows what they could tolerate. He had to see whether he could do it or not. Clearly he couldn't.

"He was very distressed getting off the horse."

Despite struggling with the injury, Cassidy still commented on Merchandise's prospects after dismounting.

"He's a nice staying horse going somewhere," Cassidy said.

"He won with a bit of authority today."

Trainer Chris Waller's assistant Peter Muscutt said Merchandise would head to the paddock with a view to the autumn carnival staying events, including a possible tilt at the Group One Sydney Cup.

"He's a lovely horse and does everything right," Muscutt said.

"I think probably that (Sydney Cup) is the way Chris is looking to head. He's the sort of horse that's going through his grades and the further he goes the better he's going get."

Merchandise ($2.80 fav) defeated Old Bill ($5) by three-quarters of a length with 2-1/4 lengths back to Shezahotshot ($4.80) in third place.

Price Right For One Way Ticket

Friday, 04 November 2011 03:46

Trainer Robert Price is renowned for his ability to rehabilitate and manage horses with problems and Saturday's Randwick hopeful One Way Ticket certainly falls into that category.

The eight-year-old has overcome two major injuries and it is testament to Price, who has a beachside set-up on the NSW south coast, that the gelding is still racing.

"He had a life-threatening tendon injury but we brought him back from that," Price said.

"Then he had a career-ending suspensory injury.

"The vets said he wouldn't race again but we brought him back and while he's a day-by-day proposition he is sound at the moment.

"If he didn't have the touch of ability he's got then I probably would have retired him but he does a lot of swimming and beach work, all the therapeautic things we've got here."

One Way Ticket has not won for more than three years, although in fairness he suffered his major injuries during that period.

His most recent victory was in October 2008 over 1400 metres at Randwick - as is his assignment on Saturday in the Future Music Festival Handicap.

The gelding was given a let-up after finishing runner-up to Othello over 1600 metres in August before returning with a midfield effort to Somepin Anypin in a leader-dominated affair at Rosehill when he lost a shoe in the run.

Apprentice Chad Schofield, fresh from a treble at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day, takes the ride while fellow junior rider Sam Clipperton will be aboard stablemate Purring Flyer in the Fitzpatrick & Partners Handicap (1200m).

The lightly-raced mare strung together consecutive wins at Nowra last campaign and was spelled after finishing three-quarters of a length second to the smart Brightest at Kembla Grange in May.

She resumed with a sound second at Nowra on October 23 and will have her first test in city company on Saturday.

"She flew the gates first-up and went forward which is not really her go but you're reluctant to drag them back when they jump well," Price said.

"It was an even run but I think she's up to city class."

Purring Flyer is nicely bred being a daughter of Golden Slipper winner Catbird and a half-sister to Listed winner Nediyms Dream.

Price also has Tonk in the final event but he is a doubtful starter.

Outstandingly After Second Randwick Win

Friday, 04 November 2011 06:16

Outstandingly, a horse who has raced at numerous tracks from Strathalbyn to Birdsville, will be out to claim a second career win at Sydney's racing headquarters on Saturday.

Now in the care of trainer Tracey Wolfgram at Toowoomba, five-year-old Outstandingly will be lining up for his 25th start in the Tony Patramanis Handicap (1100m) at Randwick.

In a career which began in a Strathalbyn maiden in May 2009, Outstandingly has since raced at 15 other racetracks in four states, with seven wins at places as far and wide as Bairnsdale, Donald, Doomben, Eagle Farm, Randwick, Birdsville and Mt.Isa.

Wolfgram, who has only trained Outstandingly for one start, said the current owner is based in Mt. Isa and purchased the horse earlier this year to target the $75,500 Cleveland Bay Handicap (1200m) at Townsville which was run in July.

Outstandingly was then trained by Jay Morris and finished a luckless seventh in the Cleveland Bay.

Two starts later he won at the famous Birdsville races in far western Queensland.

Wolfgram said she was "in the right place at the right time" when given the chance to train the horse.

"The owner was looking to send him down for a break to spell in Toowoomba," Wolfgram said.

"A couple of our horses had been transferred up to the owner in Mt. Isa. There was a race in Brisbane so he asked would I like to take him on."

Wolfgram described Outstandingly as a lovely horse to train.

"Nothing fazes him, I think all the travelling helps with that," Wolfgram said.

"He's been there and done that. He's an old hat at travelling."

The gelding, a son of Exceed And Excel, finished third over 1000m in an Open Handicap at Eagle Farm on October 22 at his first start for his new trainer which pleased Wolfgram.

Wolfgram was looking towards a race in Brisbane next weekend until the owner spotted a lack of nominations in the Benchmark 80 event in Sydney.

"The horse is in work and going nicely, and you never know if you don't go," Wolfgram said.

Outstandingly won a Benchmark 70 on the Kensington track in January when trained by Robert Heathcote.

Schofield To Keep Winning Run Rolling

Friday, 04 November 2011 02:46

Apprentice Chad Schofield is confident his first ride for Sydney's premier trainer Chris Waller at Randwick on Saturday will be all the spark he needs to continue his recent run of winning form.

Schofield has claimed an impressive nine city wins so far this season, including bagging a treble at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day.

The son of internationally-experienced jockey Glyn Schofield said he was looking forward to riding for the Rosehill-based trainer, especially given the success his father has enjoyed aboard Waller-trained horses.

"I'm looking forward to my first ride for Chris Waller on Old Bill in the first race," Schofield said.

"Obviously my Dad rides for him a lot but it's my first ride for him and hopefully I can ride it well.

"I'm riding lots of winners at the moment and getting a lot of support as well, which is great."

Waller trained 117 metropolitan winners in Sydney last season - only the fifth trainer in history to break the 100-mark - as he claimed his first Sydney trainers' premiership.

Schofield, 17, said he was full of confidence backing up from his big day on Tuesday, and was targeting the apprentices' premiership which he leads by one win from Sam Clipperton.

"Melbourne Cup day was great. Nine rides, three winners, two seconds and a third - it was a good day," he said.

"(The apprentices' premiership) is a target, whether this year or next, but I'll be sure giving it a good go."

But he conceded it would probably be hard to beat last season's apprentice champion, Josh Adams, who returns from a lengthy suspension on Saturday.

"He (Josh Adams) has obviously got three years (experience) on me, but next year he won't be an apprentice and I will. So next year is probably more of a go," Schofield said.

"But if I can win it this year, I want to."

Secret Admirer To Take On The World

Friday, 04 November 2011 06:00

Europe might produce the best stayers and Australia the best sprinters but Grahame Begg would like to take on the world with his middle distance star Secret Admirer.

Whether it happens next year or 2013, Begg believes the winner of two Group One races over a mile (1600m) can measure up.

But first she has business to attend to over her pet distance in Saturday's Emirates Stakes, a race Begg has won twice from three attempts.

Bonanova won in 1999 and All Silent claimed the race three years ago with Telesto an unlucky fourth in 1993.

Secret Admirer was doing her best work late when fifth in the Cox Plate won by Pinker Pinker who finished second to her rival in the Epsom Handicap.

"I was pleased with how she went in the Cox Plate given that the race didn't pan out the way we expected," Begg said.

"Glass Harmonium missed the start and it changed the complexion of the race as he looked like the leader.

"Hopefully things work out better tomorrow and she can get her third Group One.

"The owner John Muir is very keen to race her overseas.

"Whether next year is the right thing to do or whether we wait for the year after hasn't been decided.

"I'd like to hold off until the end of next year and maybe take her to Hong Kong then later to Dubai and Royal Ascot for a race like the Queen Anne.

"I think she can achieve a lot more here at weight-for-age before she goes away."

Australian middle distance horses have performed with distinction in Europe after being transferred to northern hemisphere trainers.

Starcraft won two Group One mile races in 2005 in the care of Luca Cumani, Haradasun the 2008 Queen Anne when prepared by Aidan O'Brien who has also trained So You Think to two Group One wins at around 2000 metres this year.

Muir tried to sell Secret Admirer at the 2009 Classic sale but when she failed to maker her $40,000 reserve, he kept her to race.

Her nine starts have so far produced Group One wins in the Flight Stakes and the Epsom and yielded more than $750,000.

Secret Admirer is the $7 equal second favourite for the Emirates behind New Zealand star and Cox Plate runner-up Jimmy Choux ($4.50).

Unlike most trainers who would be more than happy with barrier four, Begg would have liked the backmarker to have drawn a little wider.

"She's got to be ridden quiet so I'd prefer her to have drawn out a bit," he said.

"I don't expect her to get too far back. She'll probably be no worse than midfield."

Begg admitted the talented mare had not always been the easiest horse in the stable to train.

"She's learning to relax herself but she hasn't been easy," he said.

"She's easy enough in a race but early doors trackwork she was still a little bit difficult.

"That's why we've had to be a bit careful, a bit measured with her, all the way through.

"She tends to overdo things in her work that's why we've picked the races the way we have and we have tailored the program around her."

Lonhro's Little Sister To The Fore

Thursday, 03 November 2011 08:16

Lonhro's little sister Shannara claimed the Darley team's third straight win in the Ladies Day Cup at Hawkesbury on Thursday, winning the Listed event in race record time.

The five-year-old mare's 2-/1-2-length victory over favourite Title in the 1300m event also brought up jockey Christian Reith's second straight success in the race after partnering the Peter Snowden-trained Kanzan to victory last year.

Group One winner Beaded claimed the race in 2009.

Reith also maintained a perfect winning record on Shannara having ridden the daughter of Octagonal to victory in the Listed Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone in May.

Shannara settled back in the field with Title taking up the running, but Reith was able to sneak up along the fence approaching the home turn to be on the favourite's back.

The split came at the top of the straight and Shannara pounced to win running away.

"Once Jeff Penza (on Brilliant Light) peeled off before the corner, I got in behind the favourite and I knew she was going to get home over the top of them," Reith said.

"This is the second year in a row I've won this race so it's good.

"I really like this mare. She's been very well placed and when she's ridden quiet she's got an explosive finish."

Meanwhile, apprentice Jake Noonan copped his second suspension in Sydney in the space of a week after pleading guilty to careless riding aboard the Snowden-trained Kawanishi in an earlier race.

Noonan will ride on Emirates Stakes day in Melbourne on Saturday before starting a suspension incurred at Rosehill last weekend.

His three-meeting suspension from Hawkesbury will follow on from that ban and he is free to return to the saddle on November 17.

Fans Urged To Send Off 'old' Randwick

Friday, 04 November 2011 06:00

Sydneysiders have been urged to head to Randwick on Saturday as the curtain comes down on the "old" racecourse before a major transformation.

Randwick is about undergo a $150 million redevelopment with work to start after Saturday's 'Grandstand Finish' meeting.

Australian Turf Club chief executive Darren Pearce is hoping for a 15,000-strong crowd.

"It's a special promotion, we've done a lot of incentives to get people trackside and we're certainly making it a day that members and guests will want to be here to celebrate the final day at Randwick before it's redeveloped," Pearce said.

"We're hopeful of a crowd north of 10,000. Our wish is 15,000."

Not only will it be an historic day at Randwick, but the action at Flemington and Black Caviar's attempt at 16 straight wins in the Patinack Farm Classic will be shown on giant screens which could also have a positive impact on the Sydney roll-up.

"I've noticed that when Black Caviar races, that even in Sydney there's a number of people if they can't get to Melbourne that they'd still rather be at a racetrack environment to cheer her on with a crowd," Pearce said.

Part of Saturday's celebrations will be the burying of a Royal Randwick time capsule in the racecourse grounds, with the capsule containing memorabilia including Saturday's racebook.

The capsule will be opened in 50 years' time.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell and racing minister George Souris will be at Randwick and Souris has called on Sydneysiders to flock to the course.

"I encourage absolutely everybody, especially those who may never have been to Royal Randwick, to take part in the `Grandstand Finish' race day and bid farewell to the old racecourse," Souris said.

The transformation includes a state-of-the-art multi-purpose grandstand and the creation of a "Theatre of the Horse" parade ring behind the stand.

The Theatre of the Horse will accommodate 4500 spectators to watch the pre-race parade before the horses head through a tunnel and out onto the track.

Redevelopment works will continue through to autumn 2013.

During the redevelopment the ATC will still stage 17 meetings at Randwick including the major race days at next year's autumn and spring carnivals.

The ATC is also embarking on the first steps of a $285 million, five-year master plan at Warwick Farm in Sydney's southwest and work has also begun on part of a $24 million upgrade of access facilities to Rosehill.

Somepin Anypin To Chase Bigger Prizes

Thursday, 03 November 2011 07:16

Gary Portelli may bypass next month's Villiers Stakes and look at a bigger prize during the autumn carnival after watching stable star Somepin Anypin race to another dominant win in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup.

Somepin Anypin, who broke the 1400m track record at Rosehill last month and is described as potentially the best horse Portelli has trained, passed his first challenge at 1600m with an emphatic four-length all-the-way win in Thursday's $150,000 Group Three feature.

The four-year-old gelding, who started the $1.60 favourite, defeated the Guy Walter-trained Willy Jimmy ($4.60) who struck trouble shortly after the start and did a great job to come from the tail of the field for second.

Renewed Vitality ($12) was another head away third.

Portelli said he would talk to the owners in the next few days to decide whether to progress to the Group Two Villiers (1600m) or tip Somepin Anypin out with the view to target the Group One Doncaster Mile (1600m) in the autumn.

"Potentially he could be the best horse I have had," Portelli said.

"He can stretch his distances - he sprints and then he can get up to a mile (1600m). Them sort of horses you can have a lot of fun with.

"Hopefully it's all ahead of him. I think he's still developing and still learning and the funny thing about him is that he doesn't look to be going fast.

"When he opens up in the straight he just lengthens stride and good horses come off the bridle."

The Villiers is run at Warwick Farm on December 17 and Portelli admitted it might be hard to keep Somepin Anypin up to a peak for that long.

"We'll have a talk with all the boys when the dust settles," the trainer said.

"A few of them I think want to go to the Villiers and I'm happy to go with which way they want to go.

"But my option would be to go for a break and come back for the carnival, but that's up to the owners."

Winning jockey Jim Cassidy also believes the gelding can develop into a Doncaster horse.

"I've always said I thought he was a Doncaster horse, that he could turn into one," Cassidy said.

Rod Quinn said Willy Jimmy "got slammed" at the start and rated it a "huge effort" to finish where he did.