Magic Millions Hopes For Star

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 06:31

Trainer Gillian Heinrich hopes to add Confident Star to her Magic Millions carnival team following the three-year-old's slashing victory at Doomben.

Confident Star set a new class record leading all the way for a decisive 1-1/4 length win over Viking Heart in Wednesday's www.brc.com.au Handicap (1200m).

The son of Danzero clocked 1min 09.67secs, which shaved 0.82s off the previous mark set in June by the John Thompson-trained Save Yourself.

Heinrich's husband Hoss, who paid $150,000 for Confident Star at the Magic Millions yearling sale last year, is hopeful the gelding can earn enough prizemoney to qualify for the $1 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 14.

The Heinrich stable, which won the Magic Millions Classic with Military Rose in 2010, plans to have a strong presence at the Gold Coast feature meeting in January.

Pure Whisper heads Heinrich's Magic Millions Classic charge while stablemates Sunset Affair and Military Bride will attempt to qualify when they clash in the Coca Cola Amatil Handicap (1020m) at Doomben on Saturday.

"Confident Star goes really good but it's taken him a long time to get here," Heinrich said.

"He's shown us promise all the way along but he's been very green and went shin sore a couple of times.

"He's a big boy who only had his first start on Melbourne Cup day when he ran third but I'm very happy with him now."

Confident Star is a half-brother to the well performed South Australian Zodiac Queen who won six times from 24 starts.

Zodiac Queen won up to 1600 metres and was Group Three placed when runner-up to Moment In Time in the Auraria Stakes at Cheltenham in 2008.

Trainer Bryan Guy is likely to heed the advice of jockey Glen Colless and bypass the Magic Millions Guineas with Manzano despite the colt's impressive 1-3/4 length win in the Hidden Dragon@Lyndhurst Class Three Plate (2060m) on Wednesday's program.

Guy was in two minds over whether to freshen Manzano for the Magic Millions Guineas or put the son of Red Dazzler in the paddock to prepare for the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm next year.

"He's still really a two-year-old and it's amazing what he's doing now as he doesn't turn three until the end of the month," Guy said.

"I've got plenty of options with him including the Magic Millions Guineas, or I could put him away for the Derby next year.

"I spoke to Glen and he said he'll stay all day but if he was to run in the Magic Millions he'd be still on the corner when the others were passing the winning post."

Spechenka To Be Rested Until Winter

Sunday, 13 November 2011 05:31

Queensland stayer Spechenka has gone for a break and will be set for next year's Brisbane Cup with his spring campaign taking its toll.

Trainer Ben Ahrens sent the six-year-old for a spell after he failed to make the Melbourne Cup field at Flemington earlier this month.

Spechenka gave Ahrens the biggest win of his short training career with an upset win in the Group Three Summer Cup (2400m) at Randwick last year.

Ahrens toyed with the idea of defending that race but decided on a long break for Spechenka whose next mission will be the Group Two Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm in June.

"He felt the hard tracks a bit in Melbourne and jarred up," Ahrens said.

"For some reasons he just didn't cope with the hard surface and we only just missed by about three places of getting a Melbourne Cup start."

"I gave a bit of thought to taking him to Sydney again for the Christmas Cup and Summer Cup but I've decided to give him a long spell.

"I'll see how he spells first but the plan at this stage is to bring him back in work in time for the Brisbane Cup.

"He hasn't had a decent break for a long time and he felt the effects of the spring in Melbourne."

Ahrens, a former physiotherapist, dreamed of having his first Melbourne Cup runner with Spechenka and persevered the horse failing in the Group Three Newcastle Cup (2300m) in September and Group One The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick in October.

Spechenka had his first Victorian start when seventh to subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden in the Group Three Geelong Cup (2400m) on October 19 before a disappointing 10th to Niwot in the Group Three The Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington 10 days later.

In his latest appearance, Spechenka tailed the field behind Ironstein in the Group Three Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington on November 5.

Ahrens feels Spechenka's form in Melbourne was deceiving as he also had a few leg issues.

"There was no major concern but he missed a bit of work before the Geelong Cup when he needed a few stitches after cutting his leg in the swimming pool," he said.

"He also had a stone bruise while he was away."

Secrets Untold Aims Up In Listed Feature

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 05:16

Veteran Secrets Untold will make his third attempt on the Listed Brisbane Handicap being run at Doomben for the first time on Saturday.

The 1630m feature has traditionally been staged at Eagle Farm where Secrets Untold ran second to Our Lukas two years ago.

The nine-year-old is the oldest runner and finished fourth in the 2010 running of the race.

Trainer Phillip Cox is not concerned about Secrets Untold being the elder statesman and is confidenthe will acquit himself well again.

"He's been a great old horse and he doesn't know he's nine," Cox said.

"He's got no problems and he just loves racing.

"I take him to the track most mornings and he thrives on it. That's why he's been racing so well."

Secrets Untold found his best form two starts ago scoring over 2020 metres at Doomben in September before finishing ninth to Fillydelphia over 1350 metres on the same track on November 5.

Cox, who paid $22,000 for Secrets Untold at the Magic Millions sales, was far from disappointed with the gelding's last start defeat.

"It was too short for him last start and he was having his first run for nearly two months," he said.

"He was beaten around six lengths but he had been out in the paddock for two weeks following his Doomben win."

Secrets Untold needs to finish in the first three on Saturday to break through the $500,000 prize money barrier.

"It doesn't matter the race is at Doomben this year as he likes both Brisbane tracks," Cox said.

"I've got no thoughts of retiring him and that won't happen until his form really drops off.

"It's not a real strong race this year and I'm sure he'll be hard to beat again.

"Fillydelphia looks to be his biggest danger again but she has to carry a lot more weight this time."

Secrets Untold meets Fillydelphia two kilos better at the weights and has drawn barrier one while she will jump from gate four.

Heathcote Stakes Summer Series Claim

Saturday, 12 November 2011 07:31

Trainer Rob Heathcote staked a serious claim to win all three legs of the Doomben summer series after Work The Room's upset win at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Work The Room ($10), having his first start since August, stormed home from second last on the home turn to outclass stablemate Excellantes ($1.80 fav) by 1-1/4 lengths in the Better Build Constructions Handicap (1200m).

Audacious Spirit ($3.60) was a half-head away third.

Work The Room, a half-brother to former top stayer Zipping, and Excellantes are part of a strong team Heathcote has headed for the summer series which begins with the Group Three George Moore Stakes (1200m) on December 10.

Heathcote was surprised with the ease of Work The Room's win.

"I thought Excellantes would beat him over 1200 metres," Heathcote said.

"He wasn't the punter's pal last preparation but he's never missed a place first-up in his life.

"He's a very good horse but he's had a few hoof issues and he can be susceptible to catching bugs.

"His mission will be the Bernborough."

The Listed Bernborough Handicap (1615m) on December 31 is the final leg of the summer series and follows the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m) two weeks earlier.

Only one horse, the Gordon Yorke-trained Natural Destiny, has won all three legs of the summer series when successful in 2006-07 but Heathcote is hopeful of winning the series with different horses.

"I was happy with Excellantes' run but statistics don't lie. He's never won first-up," he said.

"He'll race again in two weeks and then go for the George Moore and Lough Neagh before the Magic Millions Cup in January."

Earlier, Gold Coast three-year-old Morning Captain booked a long-range Brisbane winter carnival campaign after landing successive city wins in the Bill Mullen Handicap (1400m).

Morning Captain, who won at Doomben last month, held on to score by three-quarters of a length over the fast-finishing Playtime with Tehuti a short half-head away third.

Trainer Kelly Doughty won't be tempted to step Morning Captain up in class to the Doomben summer series which begins next month and will spell the son of Danbird ahead of a winter campaign.

"This is still his first preparation and he'll go for a spell now to get ready for the Brisbane winter carnival," Doughty said.

Doughty doubts Morning Captain will measure as a prospect for the Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June and may keep him to shorter winter races.

"I've always thought he'd make the grade and he's a horse who can lead or take a sit," she said.

"A race like the (Listed) Queensland Day Plate over 1350 metres in the winter would be an ideal race for him."

Sydney Start An Option For Havatryst

Tuesday, 15 November 2011 05:00

Trainer Barry Baldwin is leaving all options open, including a hit-and-run Sydney trip, ahead of Havatryst's summer campaign.

Havatryst has won his only two starts this campaign in restricted grade but Baldwin wants to step him up in class to the Doomben summer series which starts with the Group Three George Moore Stakes (1200m) on December 10.

The second leg, the Listed Doomben Stakes (1350m), will be run on December 24, a fortnight before the final leg, the Listed Bernborough Handicap (1615m).

However, Baldwin has reservations with Havatryst in the George Moore Stakes.

"I've got my doubts he's a genuine 1200-metre sprinter and he might find the George Moore field too hot," Baldwin said.

"I think the longer Summer Stakes and Bernborough Handicaps are right up his alley but there's not many suitable races around for him before those races.

"He'll have his next start in the Keith Noud Quality at Eagle Farm on Saturday week and that race will decide what we do with him.

"I've looked at a couple of alternatives in Sydney next month but I won't decide about them until we see how he goes next start."

Havatryst had a two-start campaign in Sydney last summer, winning at Randwick on Boxing Day before finishing third at the same track on January 8.

Baldwin also fears a bad barrier in the Listed Keith Noud Quality (1200m) could further upset Havatryst's summer program.

"If he happened to draw the outside in the Keith Noud then he probably wouldn't run and that would be a worry for the Doomben Stakes and Bernborough Handicap," he said.

"He'll need to run somewhere if he doesn't run Saturday week so Sydney could still be a possibility."

Baldwin's long-range goal with Havatryst is the Brisbane winter carnival next year.

Meanwhile, the Lawrie Mayfield-Smith-trained Shooting Scene was the only late nomination for the $80,000 Listed Brisbane Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.

Racing Queensland extended nominations until Tuesday after a disappointing total of 10 horses were originally entered for the 1630-metre feature.

Shooting Scene finished eighth to Fillydelphia at Doomben on November 5 in the eight-year-old's first start since failing in the Townsville Cup in July.

Munce Chasing Another Magic Millions

Saturday, 12 November 2011 04:31

Jockey Chris Munce was talking up his prospects of claiming a fourth Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast in January following Sizzling's brilliant debut win at Eagle Farm.

Sizzling, a $260,000 buy, never looked in danger of defeat before scoring by six lengths over Dansonate in Saturday's Tyquin Speech And Reading Handicap (1000m).

A son of Group One Oakleigh Plate winner Snitzel, Sizzling set a class record with his time of 57.43 seconds, 0.07 seconds inside the previous record set by Green Lagonda in 2004.

Munce has won the Magic Millions three times on Sunblazer (1989), Excellerator (2001) and Dance Hero (2004).

He missed out on another Magic Millions victory on Brave Warrior after being involved in a fall in one of the feature's lead-up races in 1994 and was replaced by the late Neil Williams.

Trainer Kelso Wood declared Sizzling was his best hope of erasing the horror memories of losing the 1988 Magic Millions when Molokai Prince successfully protested against his former star sprinter Prince Regent.

"He's the best chance I've had of winning the Magic Millions," Wood said.

"I'll see how he pulls up but we'll probably give him another run in the BJ McLachlan.

"He was very impressive and I wasn't concerned when he was under some pressure in the early stages.

"It was actually a good sign as he'll be better once he gets to 1200 metres."

Munce rated Sizzling favourably to Brave Warrior who was trained by his former boss, the late Eric Kirwan.

"From the first day he stepped out onto the track I drew a lot of comparisons with him and Brave Warrior," Munce said.

"He's not in the same class yet as Dance Hero who went on to win at Group One level but he's on par with Brave Warrior.

"Brave Warrior used to do a few things wrong but this bloke is foolproof."

Munce wasn't concerned when Sizzling looked to be under pressure early behind leaders Dansonate and Default.

"I wanted him to get into a good spot and not be back in the ruck," he said.

"It'll be interesting when I give him one around the tail one day and he'll be better suited once he gets to 1200 metres."

Heathcote Makes Right Call With Funded

Tuesday, 15 November 2011 03:46

The "no vacancy" sign was up when part-owner Peter Price rang to ask trainer Rob Heathcote if he had room in his stable for former Victorian galloper Funded.

Heathcote initially rejected the caller's offer but is now thankful Price, who runs a navy supplies company, never hung up.

Funded will make his Queensland debut in the Kedron Wavell Services Club Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on Wednesday with Heathcote hopeful of a strong showing.

"I had never spoken to or heard of Peter when he rang asking me if I had room to train Funded," Heathcote said.

"I told him the only way I could take him was if I stacked a few of my horses on top of each other.

"But once he told me Funded had just won a Geelong maiden by four lengths and was a son of Zabeel which he bought off Lloyd Williams for $60,000, I soon made room."

Heathcote believes Funded's new owners are in for a fun time once the four-year-old steps up further in distance in Queensland.

Funded began his career with Robert Hickmott and finished a creditable fourth on debut in a 1400-metre maiden at Bendigo on August 4 before stepping up to 2100 metres in his easy maiden victory at Geelong on August 26.

"He's a nice horse and I've only had him for 10 weeks," Heathcote said.

"I barrier trialled him at Doomben last week and he'll probably find this trip a little short.

"He'll be doing his best work at the end of this race but I'd like to think he can go through the grades here.

"I'm still on a learning curve with him but he should be competitive."

Heathcote has five runners engaged at Doomben and rates Fire Up Fifi in the IPCG Handicap (1350m) as one of his best chances.

Fire Up Fifi dead-heated with Raise Up to score first-up over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm last month before finishing a close fifth to Skating On Ice in a strong race over 1200 metres at Doomben on November 5.

"She's racing very well and it was a good effort behind Skating On Ice last start when she was beaten only two lengths," Heathcote said.

"This is a drop back in class for her but the step up in distance is in her favour.

"She's got a bit of weight with fifty-seven and a half kilos but hopefully barrier one will offset that to some degree."

Wood Praises Stradbroke Winning Rider

Saturday, 12 November 2011 04:00

Trainer Kelso Wood paid tribute to Jason Taylor after the Gold Coast rider completed a hat-trick of wins aboard Seek And Find at Eagle Farm.

Ridden patiently off a dawdling speed, Taylor waited until rounding the home turn before making a winning move on Seek And Find who downed Ready To Rip by a long neck in Saturday's Height 4 Hire Handicap (1000).

Wood believes Taylor, who scored his biggest victory aboard Sincero in the Group One Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm in June, is riding in career-best form.

"He doesn't get enough accolades for my liking," Wood said.

"Jason has got a very good strike rate on my horses and he rode this horse perfectly."

Wood now plans to set Seek And Find for the Magic Millions Sprint (1000m) at the Gold Coast in January.

"He's the classic story of a horse racing well after maturing late," Wood said.

"There's a 1000-metre race on Magic Millions day which I'll aim him for but I'll have to see whether he may need another run beforehand.

"He's done a good job to win his last three starts for Jason and I don't want to bust him before the Magic Millions race."

Runner-up Ready To Rip produced a brilliant performance at only his second start back from a break after failing in the Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June.

Trainer Andrew Williamson felt Ready To Rip was unlucky not to win after having a run close on him in the straight.

"It was a great run considering they walked early and then sprinted from the 800 metres," Williamson said.

"A gap he tried to get through didn't open quick enough and then it closed suddenly on him.

"He was a victim of circumstances and should have won."

Williamson always feared the 1000-metre trip would prove too short for Ready To Rip who will step up in distance next start to the Listed Keith Noud Quality (1200m) at Eagle Farm in two weeks.

"He'll improve after this run and 1200 metres will be right up his alley next start," Williamson said.

Ready To Rip is being aimed at the Group Three George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on December 10 and the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 14.

Jockey Dies After Fall In Outback Qld

Monday, 14 November 2011 01:46

Queensland jockey Corey Gilby has died from injuries he suffered in a fall on Saturday.

Gilby suffered the injuries when he fell from a horse he was galloping after the last race at Julia Creek in mid north Queensland.

He was placed on life support at Townsville Base Hospital where he died on Sunday night.

A stewards' inquiry is underway into the incident with reports claiming the horse came down and rolled on Gilby.

Doyle Stumped By Dancer's Flop

Friday, 11 November 2011 05:46

Trainer Noel Doyle is still searching for answers behind Celtic Dancer's uncharacteristic last-start failure and is hoping blinkers will spark a form turnaround at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Doyle is also hoping a return to apprentice Tim Bell, who replaces Scott Galloway, on Celtic Dancer will boost the four-year-old's claims in the Better Build Constructions Handicap (1200m).

Doyle went back to the drawing board in search of a reason for Celtic Dancer's dismal 10th to Poor Judge over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm on October 22.

"It's still a mystery what went wrong," Doyle said.

"I had the vet go all over him and there's nothing wrong with him and his blood count has come back good.

"He's been in perfect order since the run."

Doyle decided not to start Celtic Dancer when he nominated him for Doomben last week and instead experimented with blinkers in a 1000-metre barrier trial at the Gold Coast on Tuesday.

"I put the blinkers on him to try to smarten him up and it worked a treat," Doyle said.

"He won the trial by a couple of lengths and he did what he should have done last start.

"It's not the first time he's worn blinkers. I had them on him early in his career but I took them off when I thought he no longer needed them."

Doyle is hoping Bell, who is the Queensland stable rider for Patinack Farm, can encourage the best out of Celtic Dancer ahead of his summer campaign.

"Some horses go better for certain jockeys and Tim did a good job on him at his previous start when he ran third at Eagle Farm," Doyle said.

"I thought his run that day behind Falino was enormous and he's done well since."

Doyle believes Celtic Dancer's assignment could be pivotal to where he heads during the summer carnival.

"I'll see how he goes on Saturday but I'm not sure where he's headed at the moment," he said.

"Ultimately I'd like to run him in the Magic Millions Cup in January but he may run in the first two legs of the summer series races at Doomben."

The Doomben summer series kicks off next month with the Group Three George Moore Stakes (1200m) followed by the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m) and Listed Bernborough Handicap (1615m).

Doyle is confident the addition of blinkers will see Celtic Dancer produce a vastly-improved performance and rates the Rob Heathcote-trained Excellantes as the main threat.