Balaklava Cup Report
- Tuesday, 30 August 2011 21:23
After winning the Penny Edition Stakes two years ago Magical Pearl returned to winning races at Listed level when he gave his trainer Dennis O'Leary and rider Damien Oliver a three quarters of a length win in the Listed Balaklava Cup on Wednesday.
Starting at $8 the Keltrice sired Magical Pearl, from Boundary West a Mister Frisky mare, was no farther back than fifth for the entire 1600 metre journey and went on to defeat the $26 chance Candle for mentor Tony McEvoy and hoop Paul Gatt. The Simon Price mount Silent Surround $14 was another short neck away third for trainer William Smart.
A well pleased trainer Dennis O'Leary said that Magical Pearl is likely to concentrate on races over the border such as the Seymour Cup and the Waterford Crystal Mile in the near future.
A pick-up ride for Nicholas Hall saw him ride the Mark Kavanagh prepared Moon Devil $4.60 to a length win in the opening race of 1050 metres.
Sired by King Cugat and being a half brother to the well performed Devil Moon, the Classy Babe mothered Moon Devil came from well back to beat the Tony McEvoy prepared Paul Gatt guided Wildspitze $5.
The $21 chance Social Glow was a farther one and a half lengths away third for Ken Sweeney and Simon Price.
Winning his second race at start number four Le Columbia $41 gave his trainer Jon O'Connor and stable apprentice Nathan Rose a length win in the 1300 metre second race.
From the Kala Dancer mare Alternate Ending and sired by the United States imported stallion California Dane, Le Columbia came from well back and put in a powerful finish to defeat another Jon O'Connor trained runner, the Todd Pannell ridden Von Radetzky $14.
Song of Caesar $6 was another nose away third for Phillip Stokes and Dominic Tourneur.
Jockey Nicholas Hall brought up an early double when the Robert Hickmott trained Lloyd Williams owned Roll, the $1.70 favourite, was the two and a quarter length winner of the 1600 metre third race.
A Savabeel four year old gelding form the Last Tycoon matron Carmel Valley, Roll was well placed and beat the $7.50 chance, the Ken Sweeney prepared Damian Oliver ridden Fossicking.
The combination of Leon Macdonald, Andrew Gluyas and Clare Lindop supplied Forcryingoutloud $6 who was a farther two and a quarter lengths away third.
Combining with trainer Gary Searle, Australia's best cross-country rider Steven Pateman brought Athena Pegasus from last on the home turn to take out the first race in the Australia versus Ireland Jumping Series, a highweight run over 2200 metres.
Starting the $2.40 public elect the Fusaichi Pegasus sired Athena Pegasus, from the Archway mare Aldarch, finished too strongly for the John Hickmott prepared Gavin Bedggood ridden Musty Springs $5.50.
Miami Ink $26 was a farther three quarters of a length away filling the minor placing for John A O'Connor and Emily Taylor.
Trainer Tony McEvoy and rider Simon Price tasted success with the three quarters of a length victory of the eight year old gelding Sea Coral when he won his fifth race from twenty-eight starts in the 1400 metre fifth race.
Sired by Catbird from the Statoblest mare Amphritite, Sea Coral was always well placed and beat the Roy Rogers prepared Dominic Tourneur ridden Exalted Brother $4.
Willego $41 was a farther nose away third for the combination of Shane Oxlade and Justin Potter.
Coming from a midfield position Cadasha gave his trainer Stuart Padman and rider Paul Gatt a long neck victory in race six which was contested over 1600 metres.
A $13 chance the Dash for Cash grey gelding, from the Euclase mare Lapsha, Cadasha beat the Leon Macdonald, Andrew Gluyas trained Clare Lindop ridden Ottana $6.50.
Another Stuart Padman prepared runner, the Jeffrey Maund ridden Ballypatrick $7.50 was a farther three quarters of a length away third.
Commencing his racing career twelve months ago Basil Da Man won his fifth race from six starts in the 1050 metre Maxwell Cooper's Memorial Sprint.
Being under the care of David Jolly and having the services of Justin Potter, the Blevic sired five year old Basil Da Man, the $2.90 favourite, came from a midfield position and recorded a long neck win over the Tony McEvoy mentored Simon Price ridden Too Many Reds $10.
North Beach $12 was another nose away third for Gordon Richards and Dominic Tourneur.
After winning the feature race of the day the Balaklava Cup Damian Oliver brought up a race to race double when he rode the David Hayes prepared Penzevengi $8 to a half neck win in the 1200 metre final event.
A Redoute's Choice six year old gelding, from the Kris mare Aneesati, Penzevengi beat Gold Vintage $8 for horse carer Barry Ewen and apprentice Melanie Tyndall.
Red Ranger $9 was another half length away third for the combination of Dennis O'Leary and Dwayne Dunn.
