Beethog On Trial For Melbourne

Friday, 26 August 2011 02:59

Talented mare Beethog's performance will come under the microscope at Doomben with connections considering a Melbourne spring campaign.

Beethog hasn't raced since beating just one horse home in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1000m) won by Trusted Partner at Eagle Farm on June 11.

Trainer Les Kelly is eyeing black-type fillies and mares races in Melbourne for the five-year-old who will be ridden by three kilogram-claiming apprentice Ashley Butler in Saturday's Bruce Thomas Lawyers Handicap (1010m).

If not for chronic feet problems, Kelly believes Beethog should have a far superior record than her four wins from 15 starts.

Kelly dismissed Beethog's Lightning Handicap failure when considering the daughter of Shovhog's prospects first-up.

"She had had enough by the time she ran in the Lightning," Kelly said.

"We were hoping she would get into the Stradbroke the same day and I had trained her to go 1400 metres."

Beethog showed during the winter she was up to the best of her sex when she claimed the Listed Silk Stocking (1200m) at the Gold Coast in May.

Kelly has been forced to delay Beethog's return following a minor setback a few weeks ago.

"She's been in work for about seven weeks but I haven't been able to barrier trial her," Kelly said.

"She had a minor setback. She's had chronic feet problems all her career."

Kelly hopes Beethog will appreciate a drop in grade after competing at Listed level at her past five starts.

Despite lacking a barrier trial, Kelly is confident Beethog can put in a strong performance.

"She'll be very competitive," Kelly said.

"It's an average field considering what she's been racing in.

"But she's paid the penalty with 59 kilos that's why we've gone for a claim."

Butler has been riding in good form recently and was successful aboard Sevenspanishangels at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

He will also ride The Sixties in Saturday's Channel Seven Brisbane Handicap (1200m)and Hyde Park in the Brisbane Fire Protection Handicap (1350m).

Fantastic Blue Books Newcastle Cup Start

Saturday, 20 August 2011 06:15

Jockey Chris Munce gave Fantastic Blue his stamp of approval to contest next month's Group Three Newcastle Cup following the gelding's hard fought win at Doomben.

Fantastic Blue, burdened with topweight of 58 kilograms, held on for a nose win over the fast-finishing Loves A Challenge in Saturday's Channel Seven Handicap (2200m).

After Fantastic Blue won his previous start at Doomben, Munce declared the five-year-old needed to go to another level to be a genuine contender for the Newcastle Cup (2300m) on September 15.

"When he won last time at Doomben he did so on ability alone and wasn't fit," Munce said.

"To go to Newcastle he had to improve and he's a lot fitter now.

"I was in a lovely position at the 800 metres when some speed was injected into the race.

"He suddenly was off the bit and had to do some donkey work and get going again with 58 kilos."

Paul Nolan, 73, has been training for more than half a century but has only ever taken one horse interstate.

That was with Laurie's Folly who won a $20,000 maiden at Lismore in 2002.

"We'll see how he pulls up but it looks like we're going to Newcastle," Nolan said.

"It's a good effort to win anywhere with 58 kilos.

"I know what it's like carrying weight. I've had to lose 20 kilos."

Meanwhile, Gold Coast trainer Alan Bailey will push on towards the Newcastle Cup with Frozone despite the gelding's narrow defeat in the Lyndhurst Stud Open Handicap (1615m).

The six-year-old powered home to go under by a neck to the Kelso Wood-trained Elusive Port with Ausworld a further length away third.

"That run was just what we wanted," Bailey said.

Frozone is set to head south for the Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) on September 2 before the Newcastle Cup.

Wood has no plans to spell Elusive Port just yet although he is giving the summer series some consideration with the seven-year-old.

Elusive Port cheated death last campaign when he came down with a serious leg infection.

"He's a very tough horse but he's a kicker," Wood said.

"His hock blew up one day and at one stage we thought we might have to put him down.

"While he's winning like this he'll stay in work and we'll find more of these types of races for him."

Elusive Port is owned by one of Wood's longest-term supporters, Noel Fuller, whose best horses include an Ipswich Cup winner, Awesome Weather.

Epsom Countdown Begins For Rothera

Thursday, 25 August 2011 05:45

A decision not to roll the dice during the Brisbane winter carnival could pay off in the spring for connections of Rothera who makes his comeback at Doomben on Saturday.

Trainer Ben Currie has pencilled in an ambitious program for Rothera who will be ridden by former Melbourne apprentice Jarrod Fry in Saturday's Channel Seven Brisbane Handicap (1200m).

Currie is aiming Rothera for the Group One Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on October 1 and hasn't ruled out extending his campaign to Melbourne for the Group One Caulfield Cup (2400m) or Flemington's Group One Emirates Stakes (1600m).

"At this stage we're looking at the Epsom with him and after this run he'll go to Sydney and run in the Bill Ritchie," Currie said.

"So long as he runs well in the Epsom he may go back to Melbourne.

"It's a bit of a dream to get there but I've always thought he's looking for longer and it would be a thrill to have a Caulfield Cup runner, especially if the track is wet.

"If he doesn't go for the Caulfield Cup he'll probably be set for the Emirates."

Rothera rocketed Currie into prominence when the gelding won the Group Three Betfair Stakes on a heavy track at Caulfield last October.

Currie was tempted to send Rothera to Sydney for an autumn campaign following his last-start win in the Listed Tattersall's Member's Cup (1600m) at Eagle Farm in March.

However, he resisted the temptation to concentrate on the winter carnival but then had second thoughts about competing during the winter months.

"He wasn't quite right for some reason last campaign," Currie, who is in his final year of a university journalism degree, said.

"I don't think he quite got over his campaign in Melbourne but we were looking at taking him to Sydney for the Ranvet in the autumn.

"When he pulled up a little sore after his Member's Cup win we decided to spell him and look at the spring with him.

"We were planning to run him in the Hollindale Stakes duringthe Brisbane winter carnival but you can't run them if they're not right."

Toowoomba-based Currie floated Rothera to Brisbane for an 800-metre barrier trial at Eagle Farm two weeks ago and wasn't disappointed when he ran last in the five-horse field.

"He's not a flash trackworker at the best of times but he needed to have a trial," Currie said.

"He's been in work for three months and he should race well especially if we get a wet track.

"I'm not sure if he can win but I'll be very happy to see him hit the line well."

Peppered Black Delivers For Looker

Saturday, 20 August 2011 04:45

Promising colt Peppered Black delivered a timely win for apprentice Ben Looker at Doomben on Saturday.

Looker made amends for his unlucky second on Peppered Black at Doomben earlier this month when the three-year-old scored a commanding win in Saturday's www.brc.com.au Handicap (1615m).

Trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith was critical of Looker's ride when Peppered Black was beaten by The Inventor at his previous start and gave him specific instructions on how to get back in the trainer's good books.

"He probably should have won last start had he got a run down the back straight," Mayfield-Smith said.

"Ben probably went a bit early than I wanted him to do and I said I'd throttle him if he got boxed in again today."

Looker has been riding in good form lately and forecast a a bright future for Peppered Black who Mayfield-Smith bought cheaply.

"He let down like a really nice horse and I think he'll get 2000 metres," Looker said.

"He's got a laid-back attitude and looks to have a promising future over further ground."

Mayfield-Smith bought Peppered Black for $30,000 at the QTIS600 sale ring.

"He's a half-brother to Star Folly who was placed at Listed level in the Silk Stocking," Mayfield-Smith said.

"I expected to pay around $50,000 for him but I got him cheaply for only $30,000."

Mayfield-Smith trained Star Folly early in her career before she was transferred to Kembla's Gwenda Markwell.

Star Folly won four of her 16 starts but one of her best performances was when she was runner-up to the Rex Lipp-trained Au Chocolat in the Listed Silk Stocking at the Gold Coast in 2005.

Mayfield-Smith said Peppered Black was a "bit of a boy" in his younger days and it was lucky he was still a colt.

"He was a rig when I bought him and wouldn't stretch out," he said.

"I had him booked in for a gelding operation but when I put my hand down there the other one (testicle) dropped down."

Dunn Hopes For First City Treble

Thursday, 25 August 2011 03:45

Matt Dunn is hoping for a track upgrade to boost his prospects of training his first city treble at Doomben on Saturday.

Dunn, 38, is in his second stint as a full-time trainer and has landed a treble only once in his career, at Ipswich.

Dunn trained for several years at the Gold Coast before he was chosen to head Gerald Ryan's stables at Rosehill when the Sydney trainer was based at the Gold Coast.

He remained with Ryan after the Gold Coast operation was closed and eventually moved to Murwillumbah to head up a satellite stable for his former boss.

However, they went their separate ways when the Northern Rivers operation was shut down.

"I was foreman for Gerald for about 10 years after I initially trained for about four years on the Gold Coast," Dunn said.

"I've only been training on my own this time for about three months and I've got a stable of 45 in work."

Dunn believes all three of his Doomben starters have strong claims but wants the weather to clear and hopes for a track upgrade from its current slow rating.

"I think my three horses all have good chances but we don't want any more rain," he said.

Chew The Fat will be Dunn's first runner in the Iceworks Restaurant, Bar & Lounge Hcp (1200m) followed by Mington in the Austcover Hcp (1200m) and Seventh Heart in the Brisbane Fire Protection Hcp (1350m).

Dunn rates Seventh Heart, a Glen Colless mount, as the pick of his trio.

"He's had five starts this campaign and has had no luck in any of them," he said.

"They'll go fast in this race which should suit him as he's got a good sprint."

Chew The Fat is backing up after winning in three-year-old class at Ipswich last Friday and Dunn is confident he can handle the task.

"I know he has to back up and there's not much of him," Dunn said.

"But it was a good win at Ipswich and the time he ran was also good.

"He's still learning but he's a nice horse with a good future.

"What he is doing nowis on natural ability. When he matures he'll make a good horse."

Mington is coming off a second to G'day Old Mate in a 1200-metre class six at Eagle Farm on August 13.

Dunn is more concerned about a wet track for the four-year-old after he finished 11th at his only attempt on a heavy track at the Gold Coast in January.

"I took him to Sydney after that run looking for a dry track but he only had one start down there when he ran fifth at Rosehill," he said.

Dunn hasn't ruled out a return to Sydney during the spring with Mington.

"His run last start was very good considering he sat three wide and if he steps up in his next couple of runs there's a chance he might have a go in Sydney again," he said.

Nolan Keen To Get Munce's Advice

Friday, 19 August 2011 06:15

Veteran trainer Paul Nolan will be an attentive listener when Chris Munce gives a Newcastle Cup assessment of Fantastic Blue at Doomben on Saturday.

Munce told Nolan the Group Three Newcastle Cup (2300m) on September 15 was well within Fantastic Blue's scope but he needed to take another step up from his last-start win over 2200 metres at Doomben on August 6.

Fantastic Blue and Munce will team up again in Saturday's Channel Seven Handicap (2200m) in which the grey gelding will carry 4.5 kilograms more than last start.

"The handicappers haven't missed him and I thought about claiming on him," Nolan said.

"I don't listen to many jockeys but I'll listen to Chris.

"The way Chris is riding he deserves to be listened to.

"I've dealt with quite a few jockeys in my time and I always listened to Darren Beadman who pleaded with me to take Paul's Folly to Sydney for the Epsom one year.

"Unfortunately, the owners decided against it. These jockeys are at the top for a reason."

Nolan, 73, has been training for more than half a century but has only ever taken one horse interstate.

That was Laurie's Folly who won a $20,000 maiden at Lismore in 2002.

"I've been to Newcastle a couple of times but not with a horse," Nolan said.

"It's a track which should suit Fantastic Blue but he won't be going there unless he wins or runs very well tomorrow."

Nolan is pleased with how Fantastic Blue has trained on following his last-start victory and will keep him in his own environment for as long as possible if the Newcastle Cup assignment is confirmed.

"I'm really happy the way he's going but he's got to stand up tomorrow," he said.

"The handicapper obviously doesn't want to see him race here but if he goes away he won't go down until a day or two before the race.

"I'd prefer to keep him at home in his own environment for as long as possible. He's got a paddock here which he can roam around in."

Munce was originally dual-booked for the race with trainer Rob Heathcote engaging him for Eureka.

"There was a bit of a misunderstanding and Larry Cassidy will be riding Eureka," Heathcote said.

Eureka has been down on form with three failures from as many starts this campaign which has Heathcote a little worried.

"I've had all the checks done on him and we can't find anything wrong," Heathcote said.

On his day, Eureka is capable of winning in this type of company but the gelding needs to improve sharply after finishing last in a field of 12 to Lake George at Doomben on August 6.

Poor Judge On Trial For Trip Away

Wednesday, 24 August 2011 05:15

Toowoomba trainer Wayne Nugent will weigh up a Sydney or Melbourne campaign with Group winner Poor Judge if the six-year-old rediscovers his best form in his comeback at Doomben on Saturday.

Nugent has only trained Poor Judge for one start after the gelding was transferred from fellow Toowoomba trainer Norm Hilton.

Under Hilton, Poor Judge won last year's Listed Weetwood Handicap at Toowoomba 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.

The son of Royal Academy lost form in his next campaign finishing last in three successive starts including his last appearance in the Weetwood Handicap in March.

"I only had him for 10 days before the Weetwood. He didn't fire and raced like a tired horse," Nugent said.

"I've noticed a big difference with him this time. His work has been outstanding and he seems to be more content and a lot happier.

"I'm not sure why he lost form under Norm. He's like most horses of his age and has some wear and tear issues but I can't put my finger on it.

"Maybe it was because he started off on two heavy tracks last time before he had a hard campaign in Melbourne."

Nugent, 44, a former amateur jockey, is a farrier by trade and juggles work commitments with preparing a team of six.

Poor Judge has won more than $520,000 in prize money from 13 wins in a 30-start career.

Nugent is confident Poor Judge will acquit himself well in his return in the Channel Seven Brisbane Handicap (1200m) which will decide whether he goes to Sydney or Melbourne.

"He's been in work for three months and won a barrier trial nicely earlier this month," he said.

"I was really pleased with the trial win and he raced like his old self.

Nugent has booked apprentice Brad Wallace whose three-kilogram claim will offset the gelding's 60kg handicap.

But the weather could play a major hand before Nugent confirms a start for Poor Judge

"I don't want to start him off on a heavy track again like he did last campaign so the track condition will decide if I run him or not," Nugent said.

"If he does run and goes as well as I expect I've got three options with him.

"The first is the Epsom and that's the likely path for him.

"If not he can stay here for a while yet or he could go straight to Melbourne for the Toorak again and the Waterford Crystal Mile."

Nugent will use the Group Three Tramway handicap (1400m) at Randwick on September 3 or the Group Three Bill Ritchie (1400m) at the same track a fortnight later as Poor Judge's Epsom lead-up.

The Group One Epsom Handicap (1600m) will be run at Randwick on October 1.

Frozone To Be Cherry Ripe For Trip South

Friday, 19 August 2011 04:15

Trainer Alan Bailey is confident of having Frozone cherry ripe for an interstate country Cups campaign next month.

Frozone will have his final run in the Lyndhurst Stud Handicap (1615m) at Doomben on Saturday before heading south for the Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) on September 2.

The Wyong Cup is part of a spring campaign Bailey has pencilled in for the six-year-old before contesting the Group Three Newcastle Cup (2300m) on September 15.

The Group One Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 1 could also be on Frozone's agenda if his form warrants it.

"The Wyong Cup is a good stepping stone to the Newcastle Cup," Bailey said.

"I know I originally had my doubts about him over 2000 metres or more but he's older and more mature now.

"I always thought he was suspect at a middle distance until he ran second in the Ipswich Cup and then ran second in the Grafton Cup (last year).

"Now is the time to aim him for these sort of races as he can't handle the heat in the hotter months."

Frozone produced his customary strong performance last start when third to Lake George and Elusive Port over 1630 metres at Doomben on August 6.

It followed his previous third to Work The Room in the Listed Tattersall's Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm on July 23, a fourth at Randwick over 1800 metres on July 9 and his win in the Listed Tattersall's Racing Club Mile at Eagle Farm on June 25.

Bailey had nominated Frozone for the Listed Taree Cup (2000m) on Sunday but preferred to stay home with him.

"The Taree Cup looked a nice race but he drops in weight and looks better suited at Doomben," Bailey said.

"The tracks in Sydney have been too wet for him lately and I'm just hoping the rain they're getting down in Sydney will be gone by the time he goes away."

Topweight Spechenka is the interesting runner at his first start since finishing fifth to Warrior Within in the Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) on July 14.

Trainer Ben Ahrens gave Spechenka a few days off after the six-year-old jarred up following the Grafton Cup.

"The Grafton Cup didn't suit him as it was a stop-start affair and I found later he jarred up on the hard track," Ahrens said.

Spechenka, winner of last year's Group Three Summer Cup at Randwick and the Listed Caloundra Cup in July, is also being aimed at the Newcastle Cup and possibly The Metropolitan.

Mason Out Of Luck After First City Win

Tuesday, 23 August 2011 05:59

Ben Mason can vouch for training racehorses being a fickle caper.

Two days after preparing his first metropolitan winner with Waranga at Eagle Farm earlier this month, Mason broke his left leg which resulted in him losing half his stable of six horses.

At Eagle Farm on Wednesday, Mason is hoping to turn his luck around with Cachaca in the Coca-Cola Amatil Handicap (1840m).

Mason, a son of former Racing Queensland Integrity Services Manager Bob Mason and a great-nephew of fellow Deagon trainer Pat Duff, is only in his second year training after previously working as a concreter and musterer.

Mason's mustering days were in Georgetown in the Gulf country in far northwest Queensland while he worked as a concreter in Kilcoy, northwest of Brisbane.

"On the Friday after I won my first city race I broke my leg and I've just come out of hospital after having it pinned and wired," the 36-year-old said.

"I break in my own horses and do a lot of education with horses and ride them up until they're ready to do fast work.

"I'm no jockey and I leave it up to the jocks to ride once my horses reach fast work.

"I used to have six horses in work but I'm down to three after breaking my leg."

Mason believes Cachaca has strong claims and deserves to break through for the first time since winning at Caloundra in March.

"She's an honest mare who has run second 11 times," Mason said.

"I'd love to see her win again but I wouldn't like to see her on a heavy track."

Mason appreciates training at Deagon alongside his great-uncle Duff.

"Pat's always open for advice and often I get an idea or two off him," he said.

Cachaca has been placed four times from eight attempts on slow tracks while her only start on a heavy track resulted in a failure at Doomben in March.

Mason wasn't disappointed with Cachaca's last-start sixth in a Class Three over 1640m at Doomben on August 10 and has retained little-known rider Ray Hancock.

"Ray is an experienced jockey but does most of his riding in the bush," Mason said.

"He rides a lot of work for me as well as for Pat (Duff) and Steele Ryan."

Hancock has had 15 rides without success since riding his last winner Love That Chick at Nanango on August 6.

Hansen Prepared To Travel With Hussonator

Thursday, 18 August 2011 05:45

Beleaguered trainer Darryl Hansen is prepared to do more travelling with Townsville Cup winner Hussonator if the controversial mare is successful at Doomben.

Hussonator was disqualified from her Mackay Cup win on July 9 after returning a high bicarbonate reading.

The five-year-old subsequently claimed the Townsville Cup (2100m) on July 23 and is a strong chance to extend her record under Hansen in Saturday's Channel Seven Benchmark 90 Handicap (2200m).

Hansen is training on a stay of proceedings pending an appeal against a six-month disqualification and a $10,000 fine on two separate positive swab charges.

The fine was incurred after his star sprinter Essington tested positive to a corticosteroid in his Rockhampton Newmarket Handicap victory in June.

Hansen has since been fined a further $500 over comments he made last week on Radio TAB which stewards deemed to be "conduct prejudicial" to the image of racing.

He strenuously denies any involvement in the two positive swabs and has vowed to clear his name.

Hansen has emerged as one of Brisbane's top trainers since he moved from north Queensland where he claimed both the Townsville and Mackay training premierships two seasons ago.

He is a regular traveller with horses and won't rule out targeting another country Cup, the Group Three Newcastle Cup (2300m) next month, if Hussonator holds her current form.

"I'll see how she goes but if she wins again who knows where she'll head next," Hansen said.

"Her owners asked me to nominate her for the Caulfield Cup after she won in Townsville but I'm not sure if she'll still be around by then.

"While she's racing good I won't be spelling her and she could end up going anywhere.

"I don't mind travelling so long as I take away a good horse."

Hussonator has done plenty of travelling herself over the past few months.

After winning four of her first six starts since being transferred from Gerald Ryan, Hansen floated the daughter of Hussonet to Mackay where she won over 1500 metres in June, prior to the Mackay Cup.

She was then back on a float heading north where she easily claimed the Townsville Cup last start.

"It's a month between runs for her. So long as she hasn't had enough she'll be very competitive again," Hansen said.

"I've given her a barrier trial to bring her back to where I want so I'm confident she's ready."