Melbourne Trip In The Line For Poor Judge

Friday, 16 September 2011 05:45

A trip to Melbourne with Poor Judge is on trainer Wayne Nugent's agenda after the six-year-old runs at Doomben on Saturday.

The Toowoomba based Nugent abandoned Epsom Handicap plans for Poor Judge following the gelding's first-up defeat at Eagle Farm on September 3.

Poor Judge runs in the Jim Beam Handicap (1110m) at Doomben with Nugent eyeing the Group One Emirates Stakes as a Melbourne target.

Poor Judge finished fifth to Anyways over 1200 metres at his second start for Nugent following his transfer from Norm Hilton.

"At first I was disappointed when he was beaten at Eagle Farm first-up but he's pulled up well and has shown some encouraging signs since," Nugent said.

"He loomed up but ran out of condition and that's why he didn't get to the line as strongly as I had hoped.

"The Epsom is off now as we've run out of time to get him ready but there's a chance he could go to Melbourne if he runs well this time.

"He'd be in Sydney tomorrow for the Bill Ritchie if he was heading to the Epsom."

Nugent has again decided to claim three kilograms on Poor Judge by engaging apprentice Ashley Butler who replaces fellow junior rider Brad Wallace.

A farrier by trade, Nugent believes Poor Judge's opposition may prove too slick over the 1110 metres.

"I would have preferred it to be 1200 metres but you can only go with the cards you've got and dropping back in distance isn't ideal," Nugent said.

"He's a year older now and is taking longer to come to hand so he'll probably find this a shade short.

"I've got my bucket list goal for him which is for nothing to go past him in the straight and I want to see him finding the line strongly."

Nugent has yet to finalise a Melbourne campaign for Poor Judge but the Group One Emirates Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in November is high on the agenda.

"I think he'll run a lot better this time even though it's only 1110 metres," Nugent said.

"His coat has improved a lot since his last run and his demeanour is a lot better.

"I'm not sure he can win over this distance but will be happy if he runs in the first three."

Poor Judge's only other start for Nugent was when he finished last in the Listed Weetwood Handicap at Toowoomba in March shortly after moving from Hilton.

Under Hilton, Poor Judge won last year's Weetwood Handicap and later earned a Melbourne trip, finishing third in the Group One Toorak Handicap at Caulfield before claiming the Group Three Chatham Stakes on a heavy track at Flemington in October.

Luminous Harmony Heading To Magic Millions

Tuesday, 13 September 2011 04:45

Former Victorian mare Luminous Harmony will take a small step towards being part of Magic Millions day in January if she can break through for her maiden Queensland win at Doomben.

Luminous Harmony will line up for her seventh start under Gold Coast trainer Bryan Guy in Wednesday's Queensland Council Of Unions Handicap (1350m).

The five-year-old began her career in Melbourne with Mick Price before placing once in four starts for Andrew Noblet.

Luminous Harmony has been ridden for pace throughout most of her career but Guy may have found the key to riding the daughter of Fastnet Rock who has been allowed to find her own rhythm in the early stages.

Luminous Harmony, who is eligible for a class three, was ridden quietly at her last two starts in class six company when a solid-finishing sixth over 1350 metres at Doomben on August 6 and a fast-finishing third to Catashee under similar conditions a fortnight later.

"She's a nice filly who has been finding the line well since we've ridden her back in the field," Guy said.

"I was a bit disappointed with her when she was ridden for speed so we changed things around a little and it's worked."

Guy, who has booked Larry Cassidy to replace apprentice Mitchell Wood, is confident Luminous Harmony can break through for her first win in Queensland and her fourth in a 19-start career.

"Her last run when she finished third was in a Saturday class six and she drops to a class four at the midweeks," Guy said.

"If she goes well she'll run next in a 1350-metre race for fillies and mares in 10 days then she'll go for a short break to get ready for the big fillies and mares race on Magic Millions day."

Guy won't just be relying on Luminous Harmony as he also has strong claims with Whispering Gap in the BERT/CIPQ Handicap (1350m) and Executive Offer in the United Voice Plate (1200m).

Whispering Gap will need to overcome a horror barrier 12 if the four-year-old is to continue his recent good form.

The son of Arena has won three of his past four starts including his last start win in a 1300-metre class three at Eagle Farm on August 24.

"He's got a bad alley but it's a good start at the 1350 metres so hopefully it won't be too bad," Guy said.

"He was given 57 kilos again but he comes in well at the weights with the three-kilo claim for Priscilla Schmidt."

Guy conceded Executive Officer will need luck go his way after drawing the outside barrier 16 in the final race.

Executive Officer has started nine times for two wins and three placings but hasn't raced since finishing sixth in a class three Plate at the Gold Coast on June 4.

"He's coming along well and has had a jump out to prepare him first-up but he'll need a lot of luck from his bad alley," Guy said.

Baqaba Set For Doomben Comeback Run

Thursday, 15 September 2011 05:15

Toowoomba trainer Steve Tregea calls Baqaba "a little bulldozer" and will be happy if his accident-prone sprinter completes his Doomben assignment without incident on Saturday.

Tregea is not confident Baqaba is ready to produce his best in the Jim Beam Open Handicap (1110m) in only his second start this campaign following a lengthy break from racing.

Baqaba, a Gary Geran mount, resumed after having more than a year off with injuries following his second to Shuffle The Cash in the Rockhampton Cup (1600m) in June last year.

"He won the Goldmarket Handicap at the Gold Coast in January last year but then lost all form in his next preparation," Tregea said.

"I still can't put my finger on why his form was off but he was 10 lengths below his best.

"I took him to Rockhampton after he failed in last year's the Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich and he was a different horse.

"He won the Rocky Newmarket over 1300 metres so well I backed him up two days later in the Rocky Cup and he ran a good second."

Tregea discovered Baqaba was proppy in his action while inspecting the gelding during his spell following his Rockhampton campaign and x-rays revealed he had a fractured pelvis.

"He had to have almost six months off to get over his pelvis injury but just as he was getting ready to go again he had another accident on the track here at Clifford Park," Tregea said.

"He shied at a marquee a few days out from Weetwood Handicap day in March and slipped under the running rail.

"He had a hole in his stifle which was so big you could put your fist in and had to have another couple of months off."

Tregea doesn't doubt Baqaba's toughness but expects the son of Easy Rocking to find his Doomben assignment a shade short.

"He's tough and has no fear, that's why he keeps crashing into things," he said.

"He's a like a little bulldozer."

Tregea hopes Baqaba's performances this campaign will earn him a shot at Brisbane's summer series which begins with the Group Three George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben in December.

"I was getting him ready for the series last year when he hurt himself again and missed the series," Tregea said.

"He loves Doomben and has a good record there but this race on Saturday may be too short."

Baqaba, who didn't start racing until he was a four-year-old, has started five times at Doomben for two wins and as many placings.

State Of Wealth Earns Sydney Trip

Saturday, 10 September 2011 07:45

Talented colt State Of Wealth will be sent to Sydney to further test his Caulfield Guineas credentials following another impressive victory at Doomben.

State Of Wealth cruised to a 1-1/4-length win over Morning Captain in Saturday's The Rohrig Group Handicap (1110m) and will now head to the Group Two Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill in two weeks.

Jockey Ric McMahon felt State Of Wealth's winning margin could have been greater had it not been for astrong westerly headwind.

"The wind was really strong out there and as soon as it hit his face when he got to the front he wanted to pull up," McMahon said.

"He's got loads of ability but he doesn't know what it's all about yet.

"He's still a colt and a bit of a cheeky bugger."

Trainer Brian Smith has a big opinion of the son of American sire Ad Valorem, whose win took his record to two wins from three starts.

The three-year-old was ultra-impressive breaking through for his maiden victory at Eagle Farm last month and had no trouble stepping up to Saturday grade.

Smith believes State Of Wealth is still green and immature but will give him every opportunity to earn a trip to Melbourne for next month's Group One Caulfield Guineas (1600m).

"He travelled nicely and won well but he's still only a baby," Smith said.

"They put some pressure on him early but Ric did a good job holding him together.

"He's doing everything we've asked of him so far and he'll go down to Sydney for the Stan Fox next.

"That's over 1500 metres and will tell us whether he's up to the Caulfield Guineas."

Meanwhile, Funtantes provided trainer Rob Heathcote with a two-state treble and earned a Melbourne trip following her narrow win in the Ormiston College Handicap (1200m).

The Heathcote-trained Buffering won the Group Three McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley before Woorim later claimed the Become A MVRC Member Handicap (1200m).

Funtantes bungled the start and was last early before producing a whirlwind finish to edge out Alberton Park by a neck for her sixth career win.

It was the final leg of a winning treble for jockey Jim Byrne who earlier scored aboard Mington in the BOQ Class 6 Handicap and Topping in the Ormiston College Old Collegian Handicap.

Glen Colless was suspended for seven meetings until September 23 after pleading guilty to a careless riding charge aboard The Barracks in the BOQ Handicap (1200m).

Stewards claimed Colless allowed The Barracks to shift in causing interference at the 800 metres.

Carry Me Bluey In Doomben Distance Test

Thursday, 15 September 2011 03:30

Carry Me Bluey can put himself in contention for a Sydney autumn campaign if he passes a distance test at Doomben on Saturday.

Carry Me Bluey will be chasing successive wins in the Origin Kebabs Handicap (1615m) following the gelding's impressive victory over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago.

Hilton, who lost stable star Bold Glance for the spring, has a good opinion of Carry Me Bluey who took his record to four wins and eight placings from 14 starts with his last start victory.

"He's stepping up past 1400 metres for the first time but I haven't got any doubt about him getting the trip," Hilton said.

"Chris Munce rode him last time when he won and he's of the opinion he'll run further."

With Munce riding in Sydney, Toowoomba jockey Kristy Banks will be given the opportunity for a rare city win.

"Kristy knows the horse very well and has won on him but more importantly she rides him in all his trackwork," Hilton said.

Hilton campaigned Bold Glance in Sydney during the autumn where he was placed in the Group Three Doncaster Prelude (1400m) Randwick before finishing third to Sacred Choice in the Group One Doncaster Mile at the same venue in April.

Bold Glance returned for the Brisbane winter carnival but failed in both the Group Three BTC Sprint at Doomben and Group One Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm.

"We always knew he had some wear and tear issues and it surfaced during the winter," Hilton said.

"He's out spelling after having surgery to remove some small bone chips in his front fetlocks."

Bold Glance is unlikely to return to the track until December, around the same time he plans to run Carry Me Bluey in the Brisbane summer series.

"Carry Me Bluey will run on Saturday and then go out for a break to prepare for the summer series," Hilton said.

"Depending how he goes next campaign I'd like to take him to Sydney with Bold Glance next autumn.

"Bold Glance will be going back for the Doncaster and probably the George Ryder and I'm hoping Carry Me Bluey will be there with him.

"I'm not sure what races he'd go down for but this race on Saturday will give us a guide if he can run a mile (1600 metres).

"He ran 1400 metres out very strongly last start and he was still winding up on the winning post so I can't see why he won't get the distance."

Trip Away Not Out Of Question For Topping

Saturday, 10 September 2011 04:15

Toowoomba trainer Michael Nolan will keep all options open for Topping following the entire's narrow victory at Doomben.

Topping, aided by a rails run from jockey Jim Byrne, edged out Rockdale by a neck in Saturday's Ormiston College Old Collegian Handicap (1615m).

They Won't Last filled the minor placing a further 1-1/2 lengths away.

Nolan blamed a lack of suitable programming for being forced to back-up Topping after the five-year-old was runner-up to Racing Heart over 1500 metres at Eagle Farm seven days ago.

"Last week he was second-up from a spell and was a little flat," Nolan said.

"He's a good horse and I wouldn't rule out taking him away.

"But for the moment he'll stay here and we'll see what is available for him.

"We beat the Sydney horse (Russian Jar) who ran fourth fairly convincingly so it shows our form here isn't that bad."

Topping went from winning a Class 3 race to finishing second in the Listed Toowoomba Cup on his home track in March during his last campaign.

Nolan praised Byrne who never panicked in the early stages when Sommersea Drive set up a solid tempo in front.

"It's good to have jockeys like Jim Byrne and Chris Munce on your horses," Nolan said.

"You don't have to tell those sort of jockeys how to ride them."

Topping has proved to be a great money-spinner for connections who paid only $2000 for the son of Top Echelon as a yearling at the QBBS sales in Brisbane.

His victory was his sixth win from 25 starts and took his prizemoney to more than $148,000.

Russian Jar proved a major disappointment in finishing fourth after playing up in the enclosure and on his way to the barriers.

Trainer Chris Waller sent Russian Jar and stablemate Our Cannavaro to run at Doomben on Saturday but had no joy with his first runner.

Waller, who won his first Sydney trainers' premiership last season, has a stable of 100 in work most times of the year and plans to have a bigger involvement with his team in centres outside Sydney.

RQL Issues Control Body Direction

Thursday, 15 September 2011 00:09

Racing Queensland Limited (RQL) yesterday announced that it had issued a Control Body Direction to the Gold Coast Turf Club (Club).

The Club had previously been provided with an opportunity to address what RQL believes is a breach of the Racing Act 2002 arising from the payment by the Club of the legal costs arising out of the disciplinary proceeding and subsequent appeal by the Club’s former chairman.

As the former chairman was found guilty in the proceedings and in light of the failure of the Club to take, or agree to take, any appropriate action in respect of the payments totalling approximately $65,000, the board of RQL issued the Control Body Direction to the Club which includes the following requirements:

• The Club is directed to immediately and promptly undertake a full and complete investigation of all potential avenues by which the Club might legally seek to recover either the sum of $65,088.21 (amount) that was paid by the Club for legal costs that were primarily incurred by the Club to assist Mr Andrew Eggleston, the former chairman of the Club (chairman) to:

(a)    Defend a charge of unseemly behaviour (as defined under the Australian Racing Rules (AR175(q)) as brought against him by the stewards; and

(b)    Pursue a review of the steward's final decision made against Mr Eggleston before the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Tribunal).

 or an equivalent sum as damages or compensation arising from the payment by the Club of the amount.

• The chief executive officer of the Club, Mr Grant Sheather (chief executive officer) is directed to assume full responsibility for personally managing the conduct of the investigation described in this direction.

• The chief executive officer as part of the investigation that is required to be undertaken pursuant to this direction is to ensure that the potential legal rights of the Club against the following parties are fully, comprehensively and properly investigated being:

(a)    The chairman personally; and/or

(b)    Any current or former director of the Club who participated in the making of (or then ratified) the decision of the board of the Club on  April 29, 2011 in the following terms:

"The board agreed also that the Club would cover the costs in relation to any advice sought by the chairman or any action taken by the chairman in challenging or appealing charges laid against the chairman by Racing Queensland in relation to the incident with HTP and Henry Davis."; and/or

(c)    Any insurer of the Club or of the directors of the Club under any policy of insurance that is maintained by the Club in favour of either the Club or any current or former director of the Club; and/or

(d)    Any professional adviser to the Club (if any) who may have advised the Club on the payment or the recovery of the amount or the conduct of the review proceedings before the Tribunal.

The Club is required to take appropriate legal advice in addressing the various issues and has been given 28 days in which to take the steps set out in the direction.

RQL is disappointed that it has to take this course of action but possible breaches of the Racing Act, particularly those which cause a financial detriment to a club, cannot be ignored.

Lucky Dubai Out To Break Doomben Hoodoo

Friday, 09 September 2011 06:15

Caloundra trainer Kim Craft is hoping a decision to give Lucky Dubai a barrier trial for the first time on her hoodoo track at Doomben recently will lead to a successful comeback on Saturday.

Craft is confident Lucky Dubai will be competitive in Saturday's Ormiston College Handicap (1200m) but would rather see the five-year-old make her return at the roomier Eagle Farm where her record is far better.

Lucky Dubai, an Eddie Wilkinson mount, has been in work for three months preparing for her first start since finishing fourth in the Amateurs Cup at Rockhampton in mid-May.

The daughter of Dubai Destination is yet to be placed in four attempts at Doomben while six of her eight career victories have been at Eagle Farm including four successive wins last spring.

"It it was at Eagle Farm I'd be a lot more confident of her winning first-up," Craft said.

"I don't know why but she hasn't had any luck at Doomben.

"She's never run a decent race there but she barrier trialled there last week for the first time.

"The trial was only on the inside grass but it gives her a bit more experience."

Craft's other concern is her wide barrier in 10 but she's not overly worried.

"She's got a bad barrier but that won't be too bad as she prefers to be on the outside of horses," she said.

Craft said owner Greg Needham had no plans to retire Lucky Dubai to stud in the near future.

"Greg won't send her to stud. He's not into breeding so she'll keep racing for a while yet," she said.

Craft plans to give Lucky Dubai two more starts in Brisbane before deciding if she'll measure up to a possible Sydney trip.

"She's running in a 1350-metre race at Doomben for fillies and mares in two weeks then in a 1600-metre race at Eagle Farm next month," she said.

"She's a lot stronger mare this preparation and if her form is up to it I might take her away."

Trainer Liam Birchley has given punters a lead by choosing to stay on home territory with Alberton Park who was also nominated for Rosehill on Saturday.

Alberton Park resumed with a close second at the Gold Coast on August 6 before going down less than two lengths when fourth to Catashee in a 1350-metre Class 6 at Doomben two weeks later.

Alberton Park competed well at black-type level during the winter with her best performance in that company when runner-up to Jasminka in the Listed Bright Shadow Quality (1200m) at Doomben in April.

The daughter of Thorn Park lived up to her winter performances when winning a Class 6 at Doomben on May 28 but was hampered by a wide barrier when ninth in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich in mid-June.

Staying Future Tipped For Medieval Myth

Wednesday, 14 September 2011 07:45

A feature win may still be some way off but connections of Medieval Myth plan to test the gelding's staying pedigree following his maiden victory at Doomben.

Medieval Myth gave Toowoomba trainer Tracey Wolfgram only her fourth metropolitan win when the son of Galileo downed Mystic Mahal by three-quarters of a length in Wednesday's Rights On Site Maiden Handicap (1350m).

The five-year-old was having his eighth start for Wolfgram since being transferred from Dale Sutton's stables in Melbourne following his sale by former Toll Holdings supremo, Peter Rowsthorn.

His new owners, who include Brisbane air traffic controllers, Geoff Toholka and Andrea Van De Kraan, paid less than $10,000 for Medieval Myth after he failed to live up to expectations in Melbourne.

"I couldn't believe his breeding when I saw it and I think his previous owner might have sold him too soon," Toholka said.

"He's beautifully bred by Galileo out of a Danehill mare and the Galileo's don't hit their straps until late in their careers."

Medieval Myth, who was ridden by Wolfgram's husband, Phillip, is a grandson of Northwood Plume, the Australasian Three-year-old of the Year in 1994-95.

Northwood Plume was trained by Lee Freedman and won three times at elite level in the VRC Oaks at Flemington and Thousand Guineas at Caulfield in 1994 before claiming the Ansett Australia Stakes at Rosehill the following year.

"He had a few issues before coming to me but he's sound though he still has some niggling problems," Tracey Wolfgram said.

"I think he'll get a lot further and the plan is to step him up in distance from now on."

Meanwhile the Jason McLachlan stable struck form ahead Facile Tigre's bid to win in Melbourne on Saturday when Desert Canny won the Turner Freeman Lawyers Maiden Handicap (1350m).

Desert Canny won a deceptive finish by a nose over the Rob Heathcote-trained Endless Shadow.

"She's been her own worst enemy throughout her career but most of her runs last time in were on wet tracks," McLachlan said.

"Her mother (De Canny) was a handful to train and she's the same."

McLachlan is hoping his luck will continue when Facile Tigre starts in the BMW Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield.

"I've had a bit of luck in Melbourne with horses like Crimson Reign and I've got Facile Tigre, Phelan Ready and Absalon down there for the spring," he said.

"Absalon is getting ready for the Caulfield Guineas and Victoria Derby and Phelan Ready will chase some Group Two and Group three races."

Crimson Reign's best win in Melbourne was in the Listed Thai Airways International Classic (1200m) at Caulfield six years ago.

Purple Patch To Continue For Wood

Friday, 09 September 2011 03:15

Trainer Kelso Wood is confident his recent purple patch can continue when he heads to Doomben on Saturday with four runners.

Wood has the in-form Belltone and veteran Anyways engaged in the Brand & Slater Open Handicap (1350m) along with Lilleelavee in the Ormiston College Handicap (1200m) and Seek And Find in the Ormiston College Sporting Premiers Handicap (1010m).

The experienced trainer has an impressive strike rate with five wins and four placingsfrom his last 10 starters since mid-August.

Wood's great form has coincided with the freakish run from jockey Chris Munce who has ridden a winner at every Saturday race meeting since his return from an overseas holiday in early August.

However, Wood won't have the services of the champion hoop who is riding at Rosehill on Saturday.

Wood was reluctant to separate Belltone and Anyways in their clash and is hopeful of a strong showing from Lilleelavee when she makes her comeback.

"Belltone and Anyways both pulled up well from their last wins and both should be hard to beat," Wood said.

"Lilleelavee is coming along well but she's got an awkward barrier (nine) to contend with first-up."

The six-year-old mare hasn't raced since finishing third at Eagle Farm in November but has been trialling well, winning over 800 metres at Doomben on August 16 before finishing second at the same venue a fortnight later.

Wood is less confident with Seek And Find's chances after the gelding drew barrier 11.

"He's got a shocking barrier and he's only a rough chance from out there," Wood said.

Seek And Find made his comeback this campaign with a handy third to What Happenedhenry in an 1110-metre Class 6 at Doomben last month.

The Sequalo five-year-old has been a slow maturer but Wood feels he's set for a big campaign this spring.

"He used to be tardy at the jump and wanted to hang out in most races early in his career but he seems to have got over that," Wood said.

Belltone looks the best hope for Wood after suffering only one defeat in six starts since entering his stables at the start of the year.

The only loss suffered by the son of Brahms, who was previously prepared by Paul Dawson, was when he went down in a photo-finish to in-form sprinter Solzhenitsyn in a 1400-metre Class 6 Plate at Eagle Farm last month.

Belltone is expected to be spelled shortly before being brought back into work for the summer sprint series in Brisbane.