Funtantes Not Certain For Melbourne

Friday, 23 September 2011 05:45

Trainer Rob Heathcote is rethinking plans to send Funtantes to Melbourne as his emotional roller-coaster ride continues.

Heathcote has been enjoying a great run and will be in Melbourne on Saturday hoping to land his first Group One win with Woorim in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield.

In Brisbane, Heathcote has a team of seven runners engaged at Doomben including Funtantes who will line up in The Pink Ribbon Race For Research Hcp (1350m).

Heathcote is hoping history will be repeated after landing a two-state double when Woorim won a 1200-metre Open Handicap at Moonee Valley on September 10, the same day Funtantes was successful at Doomben.

While Heathcote has experienced the highs of racing lately the premier trainer is also embroiled in a running and handling inquiry.

Stewards questioned Heathcote and jockey Larry Cassidy after short-priced favourite Trump was beaten into third place at Doomben last Saturday.

The inquiry is set to resume on Monday afternoon.

"I haven't lost any sleep over the inquiry," Heathcote said.

"The stewards have a job to do and it's only proper they inquire into any race when an odds-on chance is beaten."

Connections of Funtantes are keen to chase black-type in Melbourne with the five-year-old mare but Heathcote is not convinced.

"Funtantes is getting into a zone where it hurts and weight stops trains," Heathcote said.

"She's got 59 kilos tomorrow and she's not a very big horse.

"It's not 100 per cent certain she's going to Melbourne but I'm leaning to her going. There's still some decent races for her here as well."

Heathcote is confident both Woorim and Funtantes can win again.

"I'm getting a little excited as I think Woorim can win the Sir Rupert Clarke," he said,"

"Funtantes is the class runner in her race and her main danger looks to be Risk Aversion."

Stablemate Our Lukas is also on trial for a Melbourne trip in the DLA Partners Hcp (1350m)

The eight-year-old is having his first start since finishing third to Victorian Gold In Dubai in the Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) on June 18.

"I doubt he can win first-up with his big weight (63.5kg) but I'm expecting him to run well," Heathcote said.

"If he does run well he'll go down to defend the (Listed) Seymour Cup he won last year.

"He won't be running in any of the bigger races when he goes away and I'll just keep him to middle distances."

Byrne Helps Get Bribie Home

Wednesday, 21 September 2011 07:45

A copybook ride by Jim Byrne helped four-year-old Bribie live up to his promise and break his maiden status at Doomben.

Bribie was a costly failure for punters at his previous two starts, but those who took the short odds of $1.85 on Wednesday had few worries.

Byrne positioned the gelding in the box seat, in behind the leader.

On the point of the home turn a split came and Byrne darted the flashy grey through to give chase to leader Equales.

The issue was quickly put beyond doubt and Bribie had 1-3/4 lengths to spare in the Asteron Life Maiden (1200m).

Equales ($12) battled on well for second and the winner's stablemate Samski ($3.20) made up ground for third.

"He's a nice horse this bloke and that's the way to ride him. He only has a short sharp sprint and he let down beautifully today," trainer Rob Heathcote said.

Heathcote labelled the four-year-old a good horse.

The Show A Heart gelding is a brother to his smart sprinter Woorim.

Heathcote said Bribie always showed promise as a youngster but had to be sent to the paddock in October last year after sustaining a slight fracture in his off-side knee.

"I'm happy he's finally broken through and Jimmy rode a perfect race," Heathcote said.

"I knew he could gallop but when horses come back after injury there is always that worry.

"We'll step him up to Saturday class now and I'm sure that he's more than capable of being competitive in that grade."

The win gave Byrne a winning double after he scored on the Patinack Farm three-year-old Strip Show.

Meanwhile, talented apprentice Mitchell Wood is struggling with weight issues and is deciding on his future.

Wood did not take rides on Wednesday and said if a concerted effort to reduce over the next few weeks failed, he would consider a career in the army.

Amber's Crown On Trial For Melbourne

Friday, 23 September 2011 02:45

Firmly entrenched as one of Queensland's best young trainers, Steve O'Dea hopes his promising filly Amber's Crown can make an early impression in her spring comeback at Doomben.

Amber's Crown, winner of the $150,000 QTIS600 Plate at Ipswich at her last appearance on May 2, makes her return in Saturday's Mears & Jeffs Handicap (1020m).

The daughter of Excites has started only six times in her career but has an impressive record with four wins and a placing.

O'Dea settled in Brisbane just over three years ago after arriving as an unknown from Townsville in north Queensland.

A grey named Kiss Me Katy put O'Dea on the map when he ventured south with the filly who won three of her first four starts in Brisbane in 2009.

O'Dea's "visit" turned into a permanent stay and he couldn't be happier.

"It wasn't my plan initially to stay here when I came down with Kiss Me Katy," O'Dea said.

"But when she went so well I had a chat with her owner who had other horses with me and we decided to bring them all down and most of my other owners sent down their horses as well."

O'Dea is looking for a strong showing from Amber's Crown who has been in work for more than 10 weeks.

"This is a big race for her first-up and if she happens to win she could go to Melbourne," O'Dea said.

"There's a Listed race on Melbourne Cup day which looks enticing."

O'Dea had the chance to send Amber's Crown into the rich Brisbane winter carnival juvenile races but preferred not to rush her because of her size.

"She had five runs last preparation and did the job well," he said.

"She could have gone on to the winter races but she's only a light filly and I didn't want to overtax her.

"Unfortunately the program isn't very suitable and she has to kick off against older horses tomorrow but she's on the minimum weight."

O'Dea would have preferred a better barrier than 10 for Amber's Crown but he's confident she'll be highly competitive.

"I would have liked a better gate but she'll get back and will be hitting the line strongly," he said.

Amber's Crown was a $14,000 weanling purchase and already has accumulated $222,000 in prize money.

Weight The Worry For Funtantes

Wednesday, 21 September 2011 04:15

Leading Brisbane trainer Rob Heathcote concedes talented mare Funtantes faces a huge task in Saturday's The Pink Ribbon Race For Research Quality at Doomben.

Heathcote is concerned Funtantes has to carry topweight of 59 kilograms over 1350m, a distance at which she is yet to win.

However, with few other options Heathcote decided to press ahead with a start.

"She won with 58kg last start, but this is a Quality," Heathcote said.

"It's a decentimpost and a big weight for any horse to have to carry and win.

"She's not a big mare and doesn't have a good record over this distance and I'm not confident by any means, it's going to be tough for her to win."

The Easy Rocking mare was an impressive winner earlier this month at Doomben over 1200m.

Provided the five-year-old performs well, Heathcote is likely to send her to Melbourne to join last-start winners Woorim and Buffering.

The premiership-winning trainer will chase his first Group One win with Woorim in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

"It's really a case of having to run Funtantes at Doomben because there is nothing else on for her," Heathcote said.

"I'll probably have to travel her south because good horses in Brisbane get weighted out and there might be some better options there."

Funtantes drew poorly in gate seven in the eight-horse field, but her pattern of racing is to get back.

She should be suited as trainer Barry Baldwin indicated another last-start winner, Paris Blu, would again attempt to lead all the way.

Baldwin said Paris Blu was facing her toughest task, but agreed with Heathcote that weight could work against the likely favourite.

Four-year-old Paris Blue won over 1350m at Doomben by 2-1/4 lengths on September 10.

"My mare is racing well and weight has to catch up with Funtantes at some stage," Baldwin said.

"She'll be going to the front again and if we can get a soft lead, we expect her to race very well again."

Trainer Michael Lakey is hoping promising mare Risk Aversion can remain unbeaten this preparation in the Quality.

She also steps up in grade but the Encosta De Lago four-year-old should be suited by the longer journey.

She won well over 1030m first-up at Doomben last month and over 1200m at Eagle Farm last start, coming from well back on both occasions.

Lakey said he doubted the mare would be sent to Melbourne for the spring and may give her a short break after Saturday's race.

Unassuming Lakey Not Looking For Credit

Thursday, 22 September 2011 05:15

Trainer Michael Lakey won't be looking for any special recognition if promising mare Risk Aversion completes a winning hat-trick at Doomben.

Risk Aversion will be ridden by Ric McMahon in Saturday's The Pink Ribbon Race For Research Quality (1350m).

Lakey, 44, goes about his business quietly, the trademark of his two former bosses, Deagon trainer Geoff Burns and his late brother Des Burns who was a successful trainer for many years at Dalby on Queensland's Darling Downs.

"I used to be a jockey and worked for both Des and Geoff Burns," Lakey said.

"When I rode for Des I knew I was always on a good horse."

One of Des Burns' biggest wins was with Sea Cabin in the 1988 Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast.

Lakey began training at Beaudesert, south of Brisbane, in 1998 before moving to Deagon nine years ago.

During his career Lakey has prepared several useful sprinters but is still looking for a big-race victory.

"Two of my best horses were Uncle Shamos which won a (Listed) Goldmarket at the Gold Coast and Butch Weston which won 10 races and was good enough to go to Sydney," Lakey said.

"Butch Weston was placed in the Listed Carrington Stakes at Warwick Farm (in 2001)."

Lakey is hopeful Risk Aversion could be the horse to take him to the top if the mare's connections get their wish.

The four-year-old is owned by Gold Coast businessman John Hutchins who is keen to target next year's Group One Coolmore Classic in Sydney if she measures up.

Hutchins' former star Typhoon Tracy won the Coolmore Classic in 2009 for trainer Peter Moody.

Lakey has had to treat Risk Aversion with kid gloves since the mare developed suspensory problems early in her career.

She has only started four times for three wins, including her last victory over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm on September 3, and a close second.

Lakey is confident Risk Aversion will handle another step up in grade and her first attempt past 1200 metres.

"She took a while to get over her last run but she's bounced back well and is up on her toes again," Lakey said.

"She's only an ordinary eater and this is a step up again for her but she should run well in the small field.

"I'll probably give her 10 days out in the paddock after this and bring her back for some black-type races coming up here later on."

Woorim A Better Chance Than His Brother

Tuesday, 20 September 2011 05:45

Trainer Rob Heathcote holds out more hope of claiming his first Group One with Woorim at Caulfield on Saturday than he does of winning a maiden with the sprinter's younger brother at Doomben.

Woorim continues to please Heathcote ahead of the six-year-old's assignment in the Group One Sir Rupert Clark Stakes (1400m) while sibling Bribie is striving to win his first race in Wednesday's Asteron Life Maiden Plate (1200m).

Heathcote is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to train a winner at the elite level and will fly his own farrier to Melbourne on Thursday to check over Woorim's troublesome feet.

"The secret to Woorim's success is having his feet in order so I'm flying my farrier down on Thursday to shoe him and check him over," Heathcote said.

"It's a tough race with a horse like Smart Missile against us but he (Smart Missile) still needs to take the next step."

Woorim and Bribie are both sons of multiple Group One winner Show A Heart out of the five-time winner Wabble.

Ross Cutts, who raced Show A Heart, also owns both Woorim and Bribie.

Heathcote was hoping Bribie could follow in Woorim's footsteps but has had to lower the bar significantly with the four-year-old.

Bribie has started only four times in his career for two placings including his latest third to Patinack Farm's promising Found The One in a 1000-metre maiden at Eagle Farm two weeks ago.

"Bribie is on notice tomorrow," Heathcote said.

"He was first-up last time but he was very disappointing.

"He never found the line like I expected he would and he put the white flag up too early."

Heathcote will also saddle up former Victorian Samski who will be having his first start for the stable in the same race.

Samski, a Larry Cassidy mount, was placed in seven of his 14 starts for previous trainer Russell Cameron but hasn't raced for nearly a year since finishing 10th in a maiden at Kyneton on October 1.

"Samski has been coming along well since he came to me but he's got the outside barrier, 10, while Bribie has drawn two," Heathcote said.

"I favour Bribie from the barrier but he'll need to do a lot better after being towelled by more than six lengths by the Patinack Farm horse last start."

Doughty To Get Sydney Guide For Captain

Thursday, 22 September 2011 04:15

Queenslander State Of Wealth's performance at Rosehill on Saturday may serve as a useful guide for trainer Kelly Doughty whether to send Morning Captain interstate following the three-year-old's Doomben assignment.

Morning Captain was runner-up to State Of Wealth over 1110 metres at Doomben last start and will be attempting to break through for his first win in three starts in Saturday's Industrial & Protective Coatings Qld Handicap (1200m).

The Brian Smith-trained State Of Wealth arrived in Sydney last week for the Group Two Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) which will determine if the three-year-old proceeds to next month's Group One Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in Melbourne.

Smith believes State Of Wealth would be better off spelling to prepare for the Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast in January but has bowed to connections' wishes to chase their Group One dream in Melbourne.

Doughty hopes to use State Of Wealth's performance against Group One Golden Rose winner Manawanui as a guide to her three-year-old's ability.

"My horse is still only a maiden but he's a very good racehorse," Doughty said.

"He went close to winning last time but unfortunately he ran into State Of Wealth.

"Morning Captain is eligible for BOBS races in Sydney and I may send him down there for those types of races if he runs well on Saturday.

"But I'll be interested to see how State Of Wealth goes and I'll see what he does first before I finalise anything for my fellow."

Morning Captain, a son of Danbird, was a cheap $3,500 buy for Vince Dickson who owns a Brisbane advertising company and has already paid for himself with $13,000 in prize money courtesy of his two placings at Caloundra and Doomben.

Doughty has no reason to doubt Morning Captain's ability to step up to 1200 metres for the first time and acknowledged drawing barrier one would be an advantage.

"He normally races a bit handy but from the rails he'll probably lead," Doughty said.

Doughty is confident Morning Captain has the class to prevail but fears Smith could again prove to be her nemesis.

"Brian's horse, Venture On, has won his only two starts and he looks to be our biggest danger," she said.

Venture On, a Ric McMahon mount, made a strong debut when scoring easily in a 1200-metre maiden at Caloundra last month before a similar impressive win in an Open three-year-old race at the same venue on September 1.

Rothera In Stable Switch To Moody

Tuesday, 20 September 2011 03:45

Studies and work commitments have prevented young Toowoomba trainer Ben Currie from returning to Melbourne with Rothera who has figured in a stable switch to Peter Moody.

Currie rocketed into prominence as a teenager in Melbourne last spring when Rothera won the Group Three Betfair Stakes (1400m) on a heavy track at Caulfield in October.

Currie, 20, is nearing the end of his studies for a journalism degree after receiving special permission to defer exams last year to accompany Rothera to Melbourne.

Those studies and a team of 10 horses in work at Toowoomba, plus the financial responsibility of sending a horse interstate, have forced Currie to transfer Rothera to Moody's stables at Caulfield for his spring campaign.

"It's disappointing to lose him but I've only got one semester to go in my studies and I've got 10 other horses to look after here," Currie said.

"I was going to take him to Sydney last week for the Bill Ritchie at Rosehill but it wasn't wet enough for him.

"I spoke to his owner Steve Goodair, who is a good friend of the family and has horses with my father (Mark), and it was a mutual agreement to send him to Peter Moody.

"I'm not sure if I'll ever get him back. It depends how good he goes down there with Peter."

Currie had nominated Rothera for next month's Group One Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Group One Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley but he's unsure what plans Moody has in mind for the six-year-old.

Rothera produced a performance well below expectations when the gelding finished last in a seven-horse field to veteran sprinter Anyways in a 1200-metre Open Handicap at Eagle Farm on September 3.

It was his first run for six months since winning the Listed Tattersall's Members' Cup (1600m) on a heavy track at Eagle Farm.

The son of Tobougg and fellow Queenslander Phelan Ready received 57.5 kilograms in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Phelan Ready hasn't won since the 2009 Golden Slipper at Rosehill but showed during the winter, when second to Varenna Miss in the Group Two QTC Cup (1300m) and third to Woorim in the Listed Glasshouse (1400m), that he could be on the way back.

Trainer Jason McLachlan was delighted with Phelan Ready's first-up effort when a close fourth to Lone Rock in the Group Three Bobbie Lewis (1200m) at Flemington on September 3.

McLachlan, who also saddles up Absalon (56.5kg) in the Group Three Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) on Saturday, is aiming Phelan Ready at the Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday week.

Phelan Ready was runner-up to Danleigh in the 2009 Manikato Stakes.

Jockey Outed For Betting On Own Horse

Thursday, 22 September 2011 01:26

Stewards today conducted an inquiry into a wager placed by a licensed jockey on the thoroughbred ‘Kahui’ which raced at Doomben on 14 September 2011 and placed second.

CCTV footage obtained from a suburban pub TAB and CCTV footage obtained from a suburban TAB outlet were submitted during this inquiry as well as oral evidence taken from Mr Justin Peter Stanley.

From the evidence presented at the inquiry Mr Stanley was charged with Breaching Australian Rule of Racing 83 (c) which reads:

Every Jockey or apprentice may be penalised:

(c) If he bets, or facilitates the making of, or has any interest in a bet on any race or contingency relating to thoroughbred racing, or if he be present in the betting ring during any race meeting.

The specifics of this charge read as follows:

"That on the 13th day of September 2011 whilst in the Bonny View Hotel, Justin Peter Stanley a licensed jockey with Racing Queensland Limited did place a bet on a thoroughbred race conducted at Doomben on 14 September 2011."

Mr Stanley pleaded guilty to the charge. Stewards took into account that the wager was placed on a horse being ridden by Mr Stanley and that he had pleaded guilty to the charge.

Stewards however were concerned as to the significant amount wagered on the race by Mr Stanley and the financial gain received by Mr Stanley as a result of this wager.

Stewards imposed a penalty of 1 month suspension. The suspension is to commence midnight September 30.

Mr Stanley was advised of his appeal rights.

Cassidy And Heathcote Grilled By Stewards

Saturday, 17 September 2011 07:15

Senior jockey Larry Cassidy and premier Brisbane trainer Rob Heathcote are embroiled in a running and handling inquiry into Trump's third at Doomben on Saturday.

Racing Queensland stewards will inspect all betting activities before reconvening the inquiry.

Cassidy and Heathcote were grilled by stewards in several adjourned inquiries throughout the day after $1.70 favourite Trump finished third to his stablemate Bevico Girl in Saturday's Coolabah TreeCafe Handicap (1615m).

Trump, who was chasing his third successive win, was on trial for a trip to Melbourne for the spring.

Immediately after the race, Heathcote was furious with Cassidy's handling of the three-year-old who was caught three wide.

Stewards took a dim view of Cassidy's handling of Trump shortly after the start when the rider was presented with an opportunity to go forward.

"My chief concern is why you didn't try to improve around them about 100 metres after the start," chief steward Wade Birch told the jockey.

"Instead you unnecessarily restrained him which resulted in you being caught three wide."

Cassidy told stewards Trump raced with his head in the air after the gates opened and wanted to hang badly.

"On paper it was a bad ride but I can tell you why," Cassidy told the inquiry.

"I tried to get him to relax as he can fire up.

"Two horses kicked up on his inside and I was on one rein and couldn't get back in."

Heathcote said his instructions to Cassidy weren't specific as Cassidy knew Trump after riding him previously.

"But there's no doubt it wasn't one of Larry's better rides. It was a poor ride," Heathcote said.

"In the heat of the moment I was bitterly disappointed but Trump still ran a great race to run third."

Heathcote said he did not have a wager on the race but believed connections of Trump and Bevico Girl may have supported their runners.

"Personally, I never had a bet but I do a blog for all my owners," Heathcote said.

"I've made no secret that I think Trump is a very good horse and I'm thinking of taking him to Melbourne."

Outside the inquiry Heathcote said he was still inclined to send Trump south despite his defeat.

The inquiry was adjourned to a date to be fixed to allow stewards to inspect betting activities with corporate bookmakers, Betfair, oncourse bookmakers and TABs around the country.

Heathcote, last season's Queensland Trainer Of The Year, had one of the best days of his career last Saturday, training a double with Buffering and Woorim at Moonee Valley.

Buffering won the Group Two McEwen Stakes (1000m) while Woorim produced a dazzling finish to claim the 1200-metre Open Handicap.

Picture: Fiona Tomlin