Hobart Cup Winner's Ideal Draw for Launceston Feature

Friday, 18 February 2005 00:00

It was a mixture of good and bad news for the connections of interstate invaders entered for the 2005 AAMI Launceston Cup after today’s official barrier draw in the Launceston City Mall.

The Tony Vasil-trained pair Under The Bridge and Bondy did well drawing barriers five and seven respectively and the Peter Moody-trained and Tasmanian-owned Highclere also drew ideally in barrier three.

However, New Zealand gelding Burning Platform, prepared by John Wheeler, fared poorly with barrier 19 and South Australian mare Dakasha will start from gate 13.

The Tony Noonan-trained Pattie Royale will start from near the middle of the field in gate nine while the Tony McEvoy-trained You Little Beaut fared better than he did in the AAMI Hobart Cup drawing barrier eight.

It is unlikely that fourth emergency Roman Thunder, from the Robert Smerdon stable, will gain a start but if he does the gelding will start from barrier one.

AAMI Hobart Cup winner Our Dashing Dane drew barrier 11 but will start from gate nine if the third and fourth emergencies (Yomee and Roman Thunder) fail to gain a start. Since 1914, barrier 11 has been the most successful gate with 12 winners, while barrier nine is third best with eight wins (behind 12 with 11).

The Keith Horobin-trained mare Wild Rapid drew barrier two and Surge Of Power, who was third in last Monday’s AAMI Hobart Cup (2100m) also fared well with barrier four.

Vasil was more than pleased with how his two candidates fared at the draw and confirmed Bondy a definite starter but the jury was still out on Launceston Cup top weight Under The Bridge, who ran second to Our Dashing Dane in the AAMI Hobart Cup.

“At the moment both horses are heading to Launceston but Under The Bridge is also nominated for the Mornington Cup next Wednesday,” Vasil said.

FINAL FIELD

7-4.13 AAMI LAUNCESTON CUP 2400 M
Of $195000 Of $192500 and $2500 trophies. First $125000 and trophies of $1900 to owner $300 to trainer $300 to jockey, second $37500, third $15000, fourth $10000, fifth $5000. (GROUP 3). No allowances for apprentices. Field Limit: 16+4 EM
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1 UNDER THE BRIDGE Tony Vasil G Childs 5 57
2 BONDY Tony Vasil K G Sanderson 7 56
3 DREAM QUEST Barry Campbell H Bowman 15 54
4 OUR DASHING DANE Jason Clifford B McCoull 11 53
5 YOU LITTLE BEAUT Tony McEvoy G Childs 8 53
6 SURGE OF POWER Winston Pilgrim Ms L Goodrick 4 53
7 HIGHCLERE Peter G Moody J Benbow (a) 3 53
8 MIDNIGHT ESCAPADE Charlie Goggin M Ball (a) 12 52.5
9 DAKASHA Leon Macdonald Ms C Lindop 13 51.5
10 ALMOST SPRING Terry Roles K Dodge 10 51.5
11 STAR JEUNE Paul E Jones C Kingston 14 51.5
12 LIQUID LUNCH Chris Hyland Ms S Wynne 16 51.5
13 CHARZARD John Luttrell D Pires 18 51.5
14 PATTIE ROYALE Tony Noonan Ms C Puls 9 51
15 WILD RAPID Keith Horobin D Yendall 2 51
16 BURNING PLATFORM (NZ) John Wheeler 19 51
17E SWEETWATER RIVER Terence Evans Ms J Cameron 17 51
18E ALL POINTS WEST Michael Trinder 20 51
19E YOMEE Gary White 6 51
20E ROMAN THUNDER Robert Smerdon B Cross (a) 1 51

Media Release - AAMI Launceston Cup

Oliver Booked for You Little Beaut in Cup

Monday, 07 February 2005 00:00

Leading Victorian jockey Damien Oliver has been confirmed as the rider of the Tony McEvoy-trained You Little Beaut.

Oliver has partnered You Little Beaut at his past two starts and if the gelding is triumphant in the AAMI Hobart Cup it will give Oliver his first win on the Elwick track.

Caulfield trainer Tony Vasil confirmed Under The Bridge would line up in the AAMI Hobart Cup.

Under The Bridge is top weight with 57kg and Vasil said the four-year-old had recovered well from his last-start sixth at Flemington.

“I am very pleased with my horse’s progress so it’s all systems go for the trip to Hobart,” Vasil said.

The AAMI Hobart Cup barrier draw will take place in the city mall at noon on Wednesday and most of the Cup candidates will be on show at Elwick the following morning where they will gallop on the grass during the AAMI Breakfast with the Stars.

PIC - Quentin Lang.

Media Release - AAMI Hobart Cup

Our Dashing Dane On Double Mission in Launceston Cup

Tuesday, 15 February 2005 00:00

The 2005 AAMI Hobart Cup produced a fairytale result for young Cradoc trainer Jason Clifford when his lightly raced five-year-old Our Dashing Dane scored a convincing win in the Group 3 race over 2100m at Elwick on Monday.

Our Dashing Dane outgunned the favourite Under The Bridge in the home straight to defeat that horse by more than a length with Surge Of Power a fast-finishing third.

Now Clifford has set his sights on snaring the double as Our Dashing Dane heads to the $200,000 AAMI Launceston Cup at Mowbray next Wednesday (February 23).

Our Dashing Dane was first emergency and only gained a start at Elwick when Riley Redwing bowed a tendon four days before the race, paving the way for Clifford’s talented gelding to gain a start.

It was a dream come true for Clifford who has only been training for four years and Our Dashing Dane (Ladoni-Royal Theme) is the first horse, which he bought for a modest $2500 as a yearling to launch his training career.

“This is unbelievable. At one stage it looked like we would miss out and while I feel for the owners of Riley Redwing, I’m rapt things worked out as they did,” Clifford said.

“I genuinely believed he would finish in the top four because his previous start in the St Leger was great at weight-for-age and he dropped to 51kg today.

“I started to look at this race after he won a Class 2 handicap in Launceston last year and I was just hoping and praying he’d get a start.”

It also was a momentous occasion for Victorian jockey Christine Puls who gave Our Dashing Dane the run of the race.

“I was so thrilled when Jason (Clifford) called me to confirm the horse had gained a start because I thought he’d be a real chance,” Puls said.

“His run in the St Leger was full of merit because he was gone 200 metres out but refused to lay down and he again showed that courage, only this time he had a distinct weight advantage.

“This is my biggest win and I am really looking forward to riding him in the AAMI Launceston Cup,” she said.

Our Dashing Dane has incurred a two-kilogram penalty for the AAMI Launceston Cup but Clifford believes his stable star is still well in with 53kg.

“I knew he’d get a penalty and expected two kilograms but this horse will handle the weight rise and it’s not too significant,” he said.

Our Dashing Dane is owned and raced by the Rocky Affair Stud syndicate of which the trainer is manager with one of the other major shareholders being Mrs Beverley Keating and her husband Maurice who is one of Tasmania’s leading harness racing identities.

Clifford, 32, who trains only a small team of six at his property at Cradoc, took out a trainer’s licence on a whim.

“My Dad (Wayne) had suffered a broken back in a work accident and he was hanging about waiting for a pay-out so I thought I’d buy him a horse to cheer him up,” Clifford said.

“I got him a mare and she wasn’t much good but she produced a horse called Devon Affair that won a race so I guess my interest started back then.

“I bought this horse at the Tasmanian yearling sales and I almost conned my way into getting a trainer’s licence.

“I have never been afraid to ask questions and I’ve had some help from some good people in this industry along the way,” he said.

The connections of Under The Bridge must decide whether to target the AAMI Launceston Cup or stay at home and tackle the $175,000 Mornington Cup over 2000m on the same day.

Under The Bridge’s rider Kelvin Sanderson said the gelding is probably better suited over 2000m and that stablemate Bondy is more likely to represent the stable in the AAMI Launceston Cup.

Media Release - AAMI Launceston Cup

Griffiths Chasing Hobart Cup With Lightweight

Monday, 07 February 2005 00:00

Cranbourne trainer Robbie Griffiths is looking to realise a long-range plan with his talented mare Porto Douro in the $200,000 Group 3 AAMI Hobart Cup (2100m) at Elwick next Monday (February 14).

Griffiths targeted the AAMI Hobart Cup for the mare three months ago and when the four-year-old won an open handicap for fillies and mares at Caulfield over 1950m on Boxing Day he declared the Hobart feature as her main mission.

“I’ve stretched her out in distance since the start of this preparation back in October and she has pleased me with every run,” Griffiths said.

“She won well at Sandown over 1800m five starts back. She followed up with a good win at Caulfield on Boxing Day when she carried 55.5kg and her past three runs have been very pleasing,” he said.

At her latest outing, Porto Douro finished a creditable sixth behind another AAMI Hobart Cup candidate Special Scene in the Gurner’s Lane Handicap over 2540m at Flemington last Saturday week.

Porto Douro (Encosta De Lago-Special Brew) will appreciate her lightweight of 51.5kg in the AAMI Hobart Cup, given she carried 56.5kg in an open handicap at Sandown two starts back when a gallant third behind Repute and Burning Platform.

It was the performance at Sandown that convinced Griffiths he had a genuine AAMI Hobart Cup prospect.

Griffiths has yet to finalise a jockey for the race but said Luke Nolan was being considered even though he has never ridden the mare.

“I don’t think we’ll have any trouble securing a suitable rider but we’ll be looking at finalising a jockey by Tuesday and travel arrangements also will be confirmed by then,” he said.

Travel arrangements to Tasmania for last-start Caulfield winner Party Pie are locked in with the lightly raced four-year-old booked on the Spirit of Tasmania on Wednesday and star apprentice Blake Shinn is confirmed as the rider.

Party Pie was an impressive winner over another AAMI Hobart Cup candidate You Little Beaut in an open handicap over 2000m at Caulfield on Australia Day.

Party Pie’s trainer Gerard Moloney said he couldn’t be happier with the promising young stayer.

“The horse has done extremely well since his Caulfield win and he will go into the Cup at his peak,” Moloney said.

“I galloped him on the steeple grass at Caulfield on Saturday morning and he worked a treat so everything is ticking along nicely,” he said.

Party Pie has only had 10 starts of which seven have been in this preparation.

The Brocco-Surreal Thing four-year-old broke his maiden status on debut in May last year at Benalla (1200m) and backed up a fortnight later with a strong win in a Class 1 at Seymour.

Moloney then tried him in the city but the gelding finished last in a 3YO handicap (1528m) after which he was spelled.

He resumed at Sale in late October to just miss a place in a Class 2 handicap but the gelding has gone from strength to strength since winning a Class 6 handicap over 1600m at Ballarat on December 12.

“The Hobart Cup will tell us if he’s as good as I think he is,” Moloney said.

Media Release - AAMI Hobart Cup

Hobart (Tas)

Monday, 14 February 2005 00:00

TRACK:   GOOD
WEATHER:   FINE
RAIL:  TRUE – ENTIRE CIRCUIT

Trainer C Goggin advised Stewards at 10.15 am that Apprentice B Shinn’s Manager had contacted him to notify him that Apprentice Shinn would be unable to fulfil his riding engagements at today’s racing programme due to transport difficulties.
 

RACE 1 –  CASCADE DRAUGHT CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 1600 METRES

LIBERAL LOVER (D Yendall) cast a plate in the mounting yard when the gelding was fractious.  As the plate was unable to be re-attached, the plate from the other hind leg was removed and Stewards permitted LIBERAL LOVER to race barefoot behind.  A public announcement to this effect was made prior to the start of the race.

IRISH GREY (R McLeod) was fractious in the barriers.

DESERT ROMEO (S Maskiell) stumbled on jumping

I’M A BANDIT (D Pires) over-raced in the early and middle stages.

STAR OF PERSIAN (GB) (B McCoull) was held up from leaving the 500 metres until entering the home straight.

At approximately the 300 metres, I’M A BANDIT (D Pires) was hampered and had to be momentarily steadied by its rider when TANGLED (S Gates) shifted ground outwards.

At approximately the 200 metres, TANGLED (S Gates) was inconvenienced when STAR OF PERSIAN (GB) (B McCoull) shifted ground outwards under pressure and PARKLEA (C Puls) laid in.  As a result I’M A BANDIT (D Pires), which was following, had to change course.  Jockeys C Puls and B McCoull were shown the video of the incident and reminded of their obligations when allowing their mounts to shift ground in future.

PARKLEA (Trainer Jim Taylor) returned to scale with blood in both nostrils.  The Club’s veterinary surgeon conducted a post-race veterinary inspection and could find no sign of injury.  Therefore, Stewards advised Trainer Tim Taylor of the provisions of AR-53A (4) in that PARKLEA may not be trained, exercised or galloped on any racecourse for a period of two months and the mare may not start in any race for a period of three months effective 14/02/2005, whereafter it is to satisfactorily trial over at least 1000 metres in the presence of a Steward.

A swab sample was taken from the winner of the race DESERT ROMEO (Trainer Darryl Howlin).

RACE 2 – SCANIA AUSTRALIA MAIDEN PLATE (3-Y-O & UPWARDS – SET WEIGHTS) 1100 METRES

The Club’s veterinary surgeon inspected DON CORLEONE (S Snell) prior to the start and passed the gelding fit to take its place with the field. 

FANTA’S RETURN (J Cameron) and PERCEPTIVE (R McLeod) both lost off-hind plates during the running of this event.

BEAUCLOU (S Maskiell) over-raced at the 600 metres and was held up rounding the home turn before shifting wider on the track to obtain a clear run 

Rounding the home turn, DON CORLEONE (S Snell) shifted ground outwards and bumped with REDOUTE’S STAR (D Pires) and forced REDOUTE’S STAR to shift wider on the track.

FANTA’S RETURN (J Cameron) was held up from the 200 metres.

A swab sample was taken from the winner of the race BEAUCLOU (Trainer Charlie Goggin).

RACE 3 – SOUTHERN CROSS TELEVISION CLASS 4 HANDICAP  - 1400 METRES

                  *** Weights Raised 3.0 kg ***

EMPEROR NAPOLEON (G Ryan) was inspected at the barriers by the Club’s veterinary surgeon and the farrier and was subsequently re-plated on his off-hind leg.

EMPEROR NAPOLEON (G Ryan) and STATEVAIN (D Pires) were both a little slow into stride.

At approximately the 1100 metres WHISPERING WARRIOR (C Lindop) which was over-racing, had to be steadied off the heels of CORINDHAP (S Hamer A) which shifted ground inwards.

WHISPERING WARRIOR (C Lindop) laid in in the home straight.

CHIEF CITATION (S Gates) was fractious in the mounting yard and proved difficult to lead out on to the track. 

When questioned, Jockey D Pires (STATEVAIN) stated that his instructions from Trainer Terry Roles were to lead and that he was of the opinion that the gelding may have placed his tongue over the bit during the race and then tired over the concluding stages.  A post-race veterinary inspection of STATEVAIN failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.  Trainer Roles reported that the horse may have “choked down” during the race.

RACE 4 – MARSH CLASS 2 HANDICAP – 1200 METRES

As Jockey C Kingston was overweight, permission was granted for Jockey S Wynne to replace him on MATSONATION (Trainer Rowena Migliorini).  At a subsequent inquiry Jockey C Kingston was reprimanded under AR-120(b) for accepting a ride for which he was subsequently found to be overweight. 

As the start was affected, TALK OF A STAR (J Kehoe) jumped out and made contact with INASNIP (R McLeod).

An inquiry into the reason ASA GREY was hampered shortly after the start was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

Approaching the 1000 metres, BAY ALI (S Maskiell) had to be steadied off the heels of INASNIP (R McLeod) which had rolled in.  As a result ISLE OF EASE (D Oakford) became tightened for racing room and had to be checked by its rider.  MAXLIN STAR (B McCoull) who was racing to its inside was tightened in on to LAKE DOUGLAS resulting in that gelding being checked.    Stewards were unable to establish if any one rider was completely responsible for this incident, however, all riders were reminded of their obligations when shifting ground.

Stewards reprimanded Jockey D Oakford (ISLE OF EASE) under AR-137(a) in that at approximately the 1000 metres when checking his mount over the heels of BAY ALI (s Maskiell), he inconvenienced and bumped heavily with ASA GREY (D Yendall). 

The announcement of correct weight was delayed when Jockey S Gates, the rider of LAKE DOUGLAS requested to view the official films with a view to lodging a protest.  After viewing the official films, Jockey Gates and Trainer G White declined to proceed with an objection and correct weight was declared.

A swab sample was taken from the winner of the race MAXLIN STAR (Trainer Max Wood).

RACE 5 – THORPE TRANSPORT CLASS 1 HANDICAP – 1100 METRES

FLY TIME (K Boxall(a)) was slow into stride.

MILITIA (D Pires) laid in in the home straight.

At the request of Trainer John Luttrell, a post-race veterinary inspection of MILITIA revealed the gelding to have a minor laceration to the near-fore cannon. 

RACE 6 – TATTERSALL’S THOMAS LYONS STAKES  -  WEIGHT FOR AGE – NO CLAIMS  LISTED  -  1400 METRES

At the start, CATBOY (NZ) (G Childs) jumped in on to A DREAMER (B McCoull).  A DREAMER then shifted in and bumped with GOLD MINT (D Oakford).

LORD DANZERO (D Pires) laid in at approximately the 600 metres.

A post-race veterinary inspection of KAI CHOW (Trainer Peter G Moody) revealed the mare to have slight bleeding from its right nostril but no bleeding from its left nostril.  Trainer Moody will be advised that a veterinary clearance must be produced before its next race start.

A swab sample was taken from the winner of the race LONELY SHORE (Trainer George Blacker).

RACE 7 –  FEDERAL HOTELS & RESORTS STRUTT STAKES – 3-Y-O FILLIES – SET WEIGHTS  NO CLAIMS –  LISTED  -  2100 METRES

CHIKKA (S Gates) and NILE PRINCESS (D Taggart) both jumped awkwardly.

PETITE OISEAU (D Yendall) over-raced in the early and middle stages of the event when caught wide.

Rounding the turn at the 1400 metres, CHIKKA (S Gates) laid out on several occasions and bumped with NILE PRINCESS (D Taggart).

OCEANO (S Maskiell) brushed the running rail at the 150 metres when attempting a run to the inside of PARTERRE (N Ryan).

OCEANO (S Maskiell) had to be steadied over the concluding stages when FUN ALLY (L Nolen) rolled in marginally 

NO LAUGHING MATTER (L Goodrick) lost a near-hind shoe in running.

DUCHESS OF HARTS (J Borrett) lost an on-side shoe in running.

A post-race veterinary inspection of NO LAUGHING MATTER (Trainer Charlie Goggin) revealed the filly to have a laceration to the near hind fetlock. 

The on-course ambulance officers examined Jockey S Maskiell following the running of this race and subsequently stood him down from his remaining riding engagement on today’s race programme.  Jockey Maskiell will be advised that he must tender a medical clearance before he next rides in trials or races.

A swab sample was taken from the winner of the race CUNAMULLA LASS (NZ) (G Childs).

RACE 8 – AAMI HOBART CUP – NO CLAIMS – GROUP 3 – 2100 METRES – 2100 METRES

Pre-race blood samples were taken from the following runners:

                   UNDER THE BRIDGE                   Trainer Tony Vasil

                   SURGE OF POWER                   Trainer Winston Pilgrim

                   MIDNIGHT ESCAPADE                   Trainer Charlie Goggin

                   BAY RITZ                                 Trainer David Brunton

                   BRAINPOWER                    Trainer Tommy Young

                   DAKASHA                                Trainer Leon Macdonald

                   PORTO DOURO                        Trainer Robbie Griffiths

                   WIKKI WAWA                     Trainer Gary White

Racing out of the straight on the first occasion, YOU LITTLE BEAUT (D Oliver) shifted ground inwards momentarily, resulting in WIKKI WAWA (S Gates) having to be steadied by its rider.  WIKKI WAWA was over-racing at this stage.

Jockey Puls (OUR DASHING DANE) reported that her horse shied at the winning post and nearly dislodged her. 

A swab sample was taken from the winner of the race OUR DASHING DANE (Trainer Jason Clifford) and the second placegetter UNDER THE BRIDGE (Trainer Tony Vasil).

RACE 9  - HOBART GRAND CHANCELLOR FILLIES & MARES CLASS 2 HANDICAP 1400 METRES

SWAMP BREEZE (J Borrett) was kicked whilst parading behind the barriers.  The Club’s veterinary surgeon inspected SWAMP BREEZE and passed the mare fit to take its place with the field.

BOW SHE GOES (T Atkin) knuckled on jumping and lost considerable ground in consequence.  As a result Jockey Atkin became unbalanced.

SPRY (C Kingston) was slow into stride.

Approaching the 400 metres, BORN A QUEEN (J Cameron) was held up for a clear run.

SPRY (C Kingston) laid in in the home straight.

Over the concluding stages, LUCIBEAR (C Lindop) laid in on to DESIGN ACADEMY (M Ball A).  As a result Jockey Lindop had to stop riding and straighten her mount.  Thereafter SPRY (C Kingston) laid in and momentarily inconvenienced LUCIBEAR (C Lindop) who in turn bumped with DESIGN ACADEMY.    Jockey Kingston was shown the film and reminded of his obligations when allowing his mounts to shift ground in future.

RACE 10  - CADBURY CLASS 6 HANDICAP  -  2100 METRES

CHARLIE RAAMI (G Ryan) over-raced and was held up at the 600 metres.

ALL POINTS WEST (L Goodrick) was held up rounding the home turn and then laid in in the home straight.

A post-race veterinary inspection of  ALVA (Trainer Paul Jones) revealed the gelding to be very sensitive over the lumbar spine.  Trainer Paul Jones was advised that a veterinary certificate must be tendered before ALVA’s next trial or race start.

EXPLANATIONS: