Wednesday's Balaklava Races Report

Thursday, 24 November 2011 10:45

Jockey Simon Price scored the first leg of a quartet of winners when he guided the Mujahid sired Mark Minervini cared for Andronica to a one and three quarter length win in the 2200 metre opening race at Balaklava on Wednesday.

Starting at $7 and mothered by the Encosta de Lago matron Mycedes, Andronica came from the middle of the field to beat the one time tear-away leader Goldstinger $3 for his carer Ken Sweeney and rider David Tootell.

Asso Bello $4.60 was a long neck away third for Dennis O’Leary and Matthew Neilson.

The Cape Cross fathered Dubai Me Roses gave Simon Price his second winner and gave the geldings trainer Mark Kavanagh the first of three winners in race two which was run over 1600 metres

From the daughter of the Irish bred Curravilla, Repeat Me Not, the $2.20 public elect Dubai Me Roses settled well and went on to record a two and a quarter length winning margin over the Paul Gatt mount, the Ken Sweeney cared for Fossicking $4.40.

Nic’s Buddy $17 was a father short head away filling the minor placing for John Dunn and Matthew Nielson.

Trainer Tony McEvoy and jockey Matthew Neilson combined in the first leg of a double when the $1.60 favourite Assertive Eagle was the six length victor of the 1200 metre third event.

Owned by world renowned wine maker Wolf Blass, the progeny of Danewin and the Lure mare Wedgetaail Eagle, Assertive Eagle was well placed and beat the Ryan Balfour cared for Todd Pannell piloted Shaabam $21. Rich Pride $10 was another long neck away third for John Hickmott and Shayne Cahill.

Simon Price was back among the winners when the Kylie Huxtablee trained first starter Bowerbird $4.80 recorded a two length winning margin in the 1050 metre fourth race.

Mothered by the Clay Hero mare Pieta and sired by Catbird, Bowerbird was well back early and came with a strong run over the concluding stages to beat the Tony McEvoy trained Matthew Nielson ridden American Trilogy $4. Starting a $7 chance Jimmy The Butch was a farther one and a quarter lengths away third for Stuart Padman and Justin Potter.

The sire Catbird brought up a race to race double and Simon Price landed win number four when the Jon O’Connor trained Lady Dynamo $3.30 was the head winner of the 1050 metre fifth event.

From the Deputy Governor mare Governing Spirit, Lady Dynamo came from a rearward position on the home turn and, getting a rails run, went on to beat the Bill Bogarts trained Libby Hopwood ridden Heavens Halo $6.

After being last in the early stages Little Sip, the $3 favourite, was a farther long head away third for the Frew team of Kevin, Heather and son Jordon.

The $2.40 favourite Beautiful Soul gave her mentor Daniel Clarken and rider Paul Gatt a short half head win in race six which was contested over 1600 metres.

A four year old daughter of Encosta de Lago and the Redoute’s Choice mare Ravishing Choice, Beautiful Soul came from well back and defeated the Lisa Ryan prepared Matthew Neilson piloted The Catcher $10.

Glden Schnaps $26 was a farther one and three quarter lengths away third for Trevor Day and Libby Hopwood.

Mark Kavanagh and Matthew Neilson brought up their respective doubles when Strum Cha, the $3.40 favourite, was the one and a half length winner of race seven when was run over 1300 metres.

From the Zabeel mare Dim Sim the Stratum sired Strum Cha came from a rearward position and beat the Simon Casey prepared Simon Price mount Uma Wave $4.20.

Ken Sweeney and Jordon Frew combined when Bicker $9 was a farther long neck away third.

Matthew Neilson rode his third winner and Tony McEvoy completed his double when the $2.60 punter’s choice Secret Vintage was the one and three quarter length winner of the 1200 metre final event.

Sired by Secret Savings from the Desert Prince mare Vintage Duchess, Secret Vintage beat the Peter Macdonald cared for Michael Hoppo piloted Sachse $16 who finished two lengths ahead of Steely Resolve $5 for Jon O’Connor and Todd Pannell.