Launceston (Tas)

Wednesday, 26 February 2003 00:00

* Jockey K Ring will be advised he must tender a Medical Certificate of fitness prior to riding in trackwork, trials or races.

** Stewards found Jockey Brendon McCoull guilty of a charge under AR 120 (b), overweight, the particulars of the charge being that he was unable to draw the weight allotted to KONISHIKI (Race 3). Jockey McCoull was fined the sum of $250. Jockey McCoull has the right of appeal.

RACE 1 - SOUTHERN CROSS CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 1200 METRES - 14 RUNNERS

ALLEY CHAT (L Goodrick) and AVENGEFUL (K Sanderson) were slow to begin.

TWIN TUB (S Maskiell) jumped out at the start and contacted with DIVOROY (J Borrett).

Approaching the 800m mark MCBAIN (A Spiteri) commenced to over-race and was awkwardly placed on the heels of runners in front. As a result Jockey Spiteri restrained his mount and lost some ground on the field. At the same time AVENGEFUL (K Sanderson) shifted out and contacted with ROMAN ECLIPSE (C Newitt (a)) to it’s outside which also hampered MCBAIN.

ROMAN ECLIPSE (C Newitt (a)) laid in in the straight

BRAGANZA (J Nevin (a)) shifted outwards under pressure over the concluding stages.

A post race Veterinary inspection of EMPEROR NAPOLEON revealed no obvious abnormalities.

RACE 2 - ALUMINATES CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES CLASS 2 HANDICAP - 1100 METRES - 11 RUNNERS

PROFFONIER is now trained by Mr Mick Burles and not as indicated in the racebook. Stewards established that the horse had entered Trainer Burles’ stable after being accepted for this race. Stewards were satisfied with the bona fides in relation to this matter.

A swab sample was taken of the winner of the event MESTINOS (Trainer Gary White).

RACE 3 - ONESTEEL CLASS 4 HANDICAP - 1100 METRES - 10 RUNNERS

Approaching the 800m mark MYRAYOV (S Maskiell) shifted in slightly and tightened KONISHIKI (J Borrett) to its inside and as a result STRATHMORE LASS (D Pires (a)) became crowded between this gelding and the inside running rail and contacted the rail. Jockey Maskiell was shown the video of the incident and advised to take far greater care when shifting ground in future.

A post race Veterinary inspection of STRATHMORE LASS revealed this mare had cast her near fore plate in running and sustained a small laceration to the front of the near stifle.

RACE 4 - TOLL TASMANIA CLASS 2 HANDICAP - 1600 METRES - 10 RUNNERS

SIR RODGER (C Newitt (a)) and DEVON RELAY (K Cook) were slow away.

RACE 5 - CARLTON DRAUGHT TASMANIAN OAKS (LISTED) - 2100 METRES - 9 RUNNERS

Pre-race blood samples were taken from FRACAS (Trainer John Blacker), VENUS A GO GO (Trainer Ian Hay), FLAG OF PRIDE (Trainer Tony McEvoy), ALL STEALTH (Trainer Gary White), DREI (Trainer Charlie Goggin), LADY QUEST (Trainer Jack Green), IONACOLUMBA (Trainer Charlie Goggin), LA SUPREME (Trainer Charlie Goggin) and GOLDEN SHOW (Trainer Leon Macdonald).

The announcement of correct weight was delayed when Apprentice C Newitt the rider of the third placed runner LA SUPREME wished to view the film with a view to lodging a protest. After viewing the film Apprentice Newitt elected not to lodge a protest and correct weight was announced at 2.57 p.m.

It was established that shortly after straightening FLAG OF PRIDE (S Baster) commenced to shift ground outwards under pressure which resulted in LA SUPREME (C Newitt (a)) becoming crowded for galloping room and having to switch out over the heels of FRACAS (K Sanderson) to obtain a clear run.

FLAG OF PRIDE (S Baster) over-raced in the early and middle stages of the event.

Jockey S Maskiell (IONACOLUMBA) was found guilty of a charge under AR 87 the particulars of the charge being that he removed his skull cap on return to scale whilst mounted on this filly. Stewards fined Jockey Maskiell the sum of $100. Jockey Maskiell has the right of appeal.

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

RACE 6 - LILS GOLD SOVEREIGN STAKES (LISTED) - 1200 METRES - 10 RUNNERS

SANTABURY was a late scratching at 3.23 p.m. by order of Stewards acting on Veterinary advice. Prior to the announcement of correct weight, Stewards ordered all monies invested on SANTABURY to be refunded in full on all bets made prior to the withdrawal time of 3.23 p.m. and no deductions in any other bets. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this gelding was shin sore. Stewards advised Trainer Jim Taylor that a Veterinary Certificate of fitness must be tendered prior to SANTABURY’s next race start.

GEHENNA (S Snell) jumped in at the start and contacted with TAN QUEST (B McCoull) and BRAINPOWER (D Parish) jumped inwards onto MANCHA (S Maskiell).

At about the 700m mark QUIRK (J Borrett) appeared to lose its footing behind and became unbalanced. When questioned about the incident Jockey Borrett stated that this horse slipped behind for no apparent reason, and as a result she thought there was something amiss with this filly and did not persevere with her riding for some distance. She stated that thereafter the filly travelled a little better and she rode it out hands and heels to the line. Stewards inspected the track in the vicinity where this horse lost its footing.

A post race Veterinary inspection of QUIRK revealed this filly had pulled up sore in the off hind. Trainer John Blacker was advised that a Veterinary Certificate of fitness was required prior to QUIRK’s next race start.

A swab sample was taken from the winner of this event SNIP ATTACK (Trainer Peter G Moody).

RACE 7 - AAMI LAUNCESTON CUP (GROUP 3) - 2400 METRES - 16 RUNNERS

Pre-race blood samples were taken from JEUNE’S MARK (Trainer Tony McEvoy), ASCANA (Trainer Louise Bonella), LIQUID LUNCH (Trainer Pat Hyland), SATURDAY FEVER (Trainer Tony McEvoy), ARENA VALADORA (Trainer David Hall), THE MIGHTY LIONS (NZ) (Trainer Michael Moroney), COCORICO (Trainer Barry Barnes), ALMOST SPRING (Trainer Terry Roles).

ALMOST SPRING (D Pires (a)) was crowded on jumping between ARENA VALADORA (L Currie) and ST ANDREWS (N Callow).

Approaching the winning post for the first time COCORICO (D Short) when racing in tight room to the outside of ARENA VALADORA (L Currie) became unbalanced when ARENA maintained its position and made contact with this horse. As a result of this incident MURPHYS MAGIC (M Gatt) and THE MIGHTY LIONS (J Didham) were inconvenienced for a number of strides.

Jockey N Callow (ST ANDREWS) was found guilty of a charge under AR 87 the particulars of the charge being that he removed his skull cap on return to scale whilst mounted on this gelding. Stewards fined Jockey Callow the sum of $100. Jockey Callow has the right of appeal.

Shortly after the winning post Jockey Callow (ST ANDREWS) stood up in the irons and made a celebratory gesture and whilst doing so permitted ST ANDREWS to shift inwards in front of ARENA VALADORA (L Currie) forcing this horse to ease off his heels. Jockey Callow was shown the video of the incident and Stewards advised him in the strongest terms not to allow his mounts to shift ground without consideration for his fellow riders.

A post race Veterinary inspection of ARENA VALADORA revealed this gelding had sustained a small laceration to the outside of it’s off hind fetlock.

A post race Veterinary inspection of GLITZY GURU revealed this mare had sustained minor abrasions to both hind legs.

A post race swab sample was taken from the winner of the event ST ANDREWS (Trainer G E Blacker).

A post race swab sample was taken from the second placed runner in the event ARENA VALADORA (Trainer David Hall).

RACE 8 - FEDERAL HOTELS QUEEN OF THE TURF STAKES - 1400 METRES - 12 RUNNERS

SILVER LASER (S Snell) was held up for a clear run in the early part of the straight.

A swab sample was taken from the winner of the event DRAGILA (Trainer Ian Hay).

RACE 9 - THE EXAMINER HANDICAP - 1400 METRES - 9 RUNNERS

VAIN EDITION (C Newitt (a)) was eased down by its rider entering the home straight. It was subsequently revealed in a post race Veterinary examination that this gelding had bled from both nostrils. As this was this gelding’s second bleeding attack Trainer David A Miller was advised by Stewards of the provisions of AR 53A (5) which specify that this gelding is now ineligible to start in any race.

The rider of SUPER HENRY (NZ) (R Bradley (a)) accidentally dropped her whip at about the 150m mark.

A swab sample was taken of the winner of the event MATRIX HUNTER (Trainer Max Wood).

RACE 10 - LOCAL INDEPENDENT LIQUOR STORES CLASS 4 HANDICAP - 2100 METRES - 12 RUNNERS

The announcement of correct weight was delayed when Jockey S Tsaikos the rider of the fifth placed runner SWEETWATER RIVER wished to view the video with a view to lodging a protest. After viewing the video Jockey Tsaikos elected not to lodge a protest, and correct weight was announced at 6.23 p.m.

JONES (N Callow) reared as the gates opened and consequently was slow to begin.

ASA MAC (J Borrett) ran off the track at about the 700m mark and thereafter raced wide throughout.

Just prior to passing the winning post for the first time CHOKITO (L Goodrick) when switching off the heels of HONOR BELLE ((NZ) (C Kingston) shifted out and made contact with JUST LU (L Currie) resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced for a number of strides.

Approaching the home turn I’LL GET BY (J Nevin (a)) shifted in slightly and carried HONOR BELLE (NZ) (C Kingston) inwards at the same time JONES (N Callow) shifted out slightly which resulted in JUST LU (L Currie) becoming crowded for room between these two horses, having to be checked by its rider, and as a consequence lost it’s position.

Apprentice C Newitt (TOLDO NZ) was found guilty of a charge under AR 137 (a), careless riding, the particulars of the charge being that when rounding the home turn he allowed his mount to shift inwards when insufficiently clear of SWEETWATER RIVER (S Tsaikos) causing this gelding to be checked and shift ground outwards to obtain a clear run and as a result of SWEETWATER RIVER’s movement outwards HONOR BELLE (NZ) (C Kingston) had to be checked by it’s rider. Stewards suspended Apprentice Newitt from riding in races for two Tasmanian race dates commencing midnight Friday 28th February 2003 to expire midnight Sunday 9th March 2003. Apprentice Newitt has the right of appeal.

A post race Veterinary inspection of ASA MAC revealed no signs of lameness or soreness, and no mouth lesions were evident.

GENERAL

CORRECTION - TTC 23/2/03 - Race 4

Should read

"A swab sample was taken from the winner of the event MATICHELLO (Trainer B Ryan)"

Launceston (Tas)

Sunday, 23 February 2003 00:00

* Jockey K Bandy advised Stewards prior to the running of today’s first event that he was injured after falling in trackwork. He was advised to tender a medical certificate declaring him fit to ride, before riding any trackwork, trials or races.

** Inquiry into reasons adjourned to date to be fixed.

*** See report in Race 5 in relation to TERVORT and Jockey K Ring, and also report in relation to Jockey K Cook.

Trainer John Luttrell advised Stewards that Trainer R Seymour would be in charge of his Apprentice Jockey David Keating and his runners at today’s racemeeting.

RACE 1 - GEOFFREY HARDMAN HURDLE - 2600 METRES - 5 RUNNERS

ROCK THE WOK (J Bowles) fell on landing after negotiating the 3rd last hurdle. As a result REDITUDE (K Whelan) had to take evasive action.

I"LL GET BY (A Trinder) had a tendency to run out at the hurdles and thereafter this horse had a tendency to shift ground outwards under pressure carrying BUNDALAGUAH (B Williams) wider on the track over the concluding stages after contacting the last hurdle and becoming unbalanced on landing.

Stewards inspected Jockey J Bowles’ skull cap and after viewing the video footage of the fall decided not to confiscate his skull cap. He was examined by an on course Ambulance Attendant who declared him fit.

On return to scale it was reported to Stewards that I’LL GET BY cast its near fore plate in running.

A post race Veterinary inspection of FLASH CROWN revealed this gelding had sustained a small laceration to the off hind cannon.

A post race Veterinary inspection of I’LL GET BY revealed this gelding had sustained a small laceration to the off hind cannon.

A post race Veterinary inspection of ROCK THE WOK revealed no obvious abnormalities.

A swab sample was taken from the winner of the race BUNDALAGUAH (Trainer Terry Roles).

RACE 2 - CARLTON DRAUGHT WATCHFUL SUPERVOBIS TWO-YEARS-OLD MAIDEN PLATE - 1100 METRES - 9 RUNNERS

ELLIPSE (L Goodrick) over-raced in the early stages of the event and made contact with the inside running rail at about the 750m mark.

Shortly after straightening PALACE FAIRY (J Borrett) switched out over the heels of OUR BOY GEORGE (D Keating (a)) to obtain a clear run, thereafter OUR BOY GEORGE commenced to lay in and shifted ground inwards. OUR BOY GEORGE continued to lay in throughout in the home straight.

WINDIAN (D Pires (a)) was momentarily inconvenienced at about the 100m mark when GORDON HIGHLANDER (S Snell) who was racing greenly at the time shifted inwards and KATS CLAUSE (B McCoull) shifted outwards.

RACE 3 - JACKSON MOTOR COMPANY MAIDEN PLATE (DIVISION 1) - 1400 METRES - 14 RUNNERS

Trainer John Luttrell was charged $27.50 for the use of the Club colours on PRINCE ON PARADE.

Stewards inquired into the reasons for Jockey P Michaelides not being able to make the allotted weight on BEBE. Stewards found Jockey Michaelides guilty of a charge under AR 120 (b) for being overweight, and fined him the sum of $350. In coming to this decision Stewards took into account Jockey Michaelides’ record in this regard.

AT ST GEORGES (D Keating (a)) was squeezed out at the start as this colt became buffeted between runners.

DENON (L Goodrick) over-raced in the early and middle stages of the event and thereafter was awkwardly placed on the heels of DAJARRA (K Sanderson) for a number of strides from about the 750m mark. When questioned by Stewards Jockey Goodrick stated that DENON clipped the heels of DAJARRA (K Sanderson) at about the 750m mark.

At about the 600m mark MY ELLY MAY (S Snell) shifted out and made contact with HEARTLESS (C Burt) to its outside and carried this gelding a little wider on the track.

DENON (L Goodrick) was held up for a clear run for a number of strides rounding the home turn and thereafter had to switch out over the heels of runners at about the 150m mark to obtain a clear run.

BEBE (S Tsaikos) was inconvenienced over the concluding stages when CHARMING PRETENDER (B McCoull) rolled in slightly. As a result Jockey Tsaikos had to steady his mount.

A swab sample was taken from the winner of the event DENON (Trainer Chris Crook).

RACE 4 - JOHN DAKIN FINANCIAL SERVICES MAIDEN PLATE (DIVISION 2) - 1400 METRES - 14 RUNNERS

CAMILLERI (P Michaelides) over-raced in the early and middle stages of the event.

At about the 1000m mark WELLOUIE (D Keating (a)) was awkwardly placed on the heels of runners in front and had to be steadied.

A swab sample was taken from the winner of the event MATICHELLO (Trainer B McCoull).

RACE 5 - MARK GORING MEMORIAL CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 2100 METRES - 15 RUNNERS

BEACHLEY (K Cook) reared as the gates opened and consequently lost ground at the start.

MY LOVER (C Kingston) was slow at the start.

COOL VILLA (B McCoull) jumped out at the start, contacted TERVORT (K Ring) who in turn shifted out on to ASA MAC (D Keating (a)) and SINODAL (D Pires (a)).

On return to scale Jockey K Cook (BEACHLEY) reported to Stewards that as a result of TERVORT (K Ring) falling in front and her having to take evasive action her horse threw its head back and struck her in the face. After being examined by the Course Medical Officer Jockey Cook was stood down from her remaining engagements. Stewards advised Jockey Cook she is to tender a medical certificate of fitness prior to riding in trackwork, trials or races.

TERVORT (K Ring) pulled hard in the early stages and was difficult to restrain and thereafter shortly after leaving the 1400m mark, broke down, fell and dislodged Jockey Ring. As a result of this horse falling EVENING SPIRIT (L Goodrick), POPULAIRE (S Snell), DR BARRETT (D Parish), WITH A PURPOSE (J Borrett), MY LOVER (C Kingston), WEST WINGS (S McFerran), OUR GIRL THROB (J Holder), BEACHLEY (K Cook) were inconvenienced.

ASA MAC (D Keating (a)) raced wide on the home turn and into the straight and thereafter shifted ground outwards up the straight when it commenced to lay out. Apprentice Keating (ASA MAC) accidentally dropped his off side rein at about the 150m mark and did not regain it for the remainder of the event.

SINODAL (D Pires (a)) laid in in the straight.

A post race Veterinary inspection of TERVORT revealed this colt had sustained a severe compound fracture of his near fore cannon bone and was subsequently euthanased.

RACE 6 - MCKILLOP INSURANCE BROKERS FILLIES AND MARES CLASS 2 HANDICAP - 1400 METRES - 11 RUNNERS

The announcement of correct weight was delayed when Jockey C Kingston the rider of the DRY WHITE the 5th placed runner lodged a protest against the 4th placed runner SOMETHING GORGEOUS (B McCoull) on the grounds that approaching the home turn Jockey McCoull took a run to his inside and bumped DRY WHITE which consequently became unbalanced and lost ground after hearing all the evidence the protest was dismissed and correct weight was announced at 3.34 p.m.

It was established that rounding the home turn ISLE OF EASE (C Burt) shifted out slightly at the same time SOMETHING GORGEOUS (B McCoull) had elected a run between this horse and DRY WHITE (C Kingston) to its outside, as a result SOMETHING GORGEOUS became crowded for galloping room, shifted out and made contact with the hindquarters of DRY WHITE which in turn resulted in this horse becoming unbalanced. It was also established that DRY WHITE had shifted in slightly prior to the interference taking place.

SOMETHING GORGEOUS (B McCoull) was slow away at the start.

RACE 7 - TATTERSALL’S GEORGE ADAMS PLATE (LISTED) 1600 METRES - 7 RUNNERS

Rounding the home turn THE FLEA (D Parish) was buffeted for a number of strides between NOBLE SENSATION (S Snell) who took a tight run to the outside of MR SOHO (D Keating (a)) and UMRUM (J Holder) which rolled in marginally.

A post race Veterinary examination of THE FLEA exhibited blowing and an elevated heart rate a half hour after the race from suspected heat stress. Subsequently recovered after time being hosed down.

A swab sample was taken from the winner UMRUM (Trainer Leon MacDonald).

RACE 8 - TARGET CLASS 4 HANDICAP - 1600 METRES - 15 RUNNERS

PHILANTHROP was declared a late scratching at 8.20 am when Stewards were advised that the gelding sustained an injury. Trainer Graeme McCulloch advised a Veterinary Certificate would be forwarded.

Stewards reprimanded Jockey S Snell for weighing out without his irons for his ride on SURGE OF POWER. In reaching this decision Stewards took into account Jockey’s Snell good record in relation to offences of this nature.

As there were no riders available for FAMILIAR TYCOON and PLANE SIMPLE Stewards gave permission for Jockey K Sanderson to ride FAMILIAR TYCOON 3kgs overweight and Jockey P Michaelides to ride PLANE SIMPLE 4.5kg overweight. In coming to this decision Stewards considered the circumstances as exceptional and would like to point out that by granting this indulgence no precedence has been set in this regard.

NEMRAC (C Burt) jumped awkwardly at the start, made contact with the outside barrier gate and as a result Jockey Burt became unbalanced and was dislodged from her mount. Jockey Burt was examined by the on course medical staff and declared fit.

LUMINOUS PRINCE (R Bradley (a)) threw its head up as the start was effected and raced ungenerously for a number of strides.

Approaching the home turn FAMILIAR TYCOON (K Sanderson) shifted out slightly, made contact with CARRINGTON STAR (D Keating (a)) and carried this gelding outwards and in turn MAPS (S McFerran) was also carried a little wider on the track.

A post race Veterinary inspection of FAMILIAR TYCOON revealed this gelding had sustained a small wound to the outside of near fore pastern.

RACE 9 - DON HEADS CLASS 6 HANDICAP - 2100 METRES - 7 RUNNERS

Stewards gave permission on Thursday 20th February 2003 for Jockey J Holder to ride FLY GEORGIE at 1.5kg over the weight allotted to this mare.

Approaching the 50m mark WILLOW SPRINGS (D Parish) shifted out to obtain a clear run and in doing so brushed with MOCCA to its outside.

A swab sample was taken from the winner of the event SUPER CLASSIC (Trainer B Campbell)

GENERAL

TRC Racemeeting, 10th February 2003

Stewards found Stable Employee Mr S Brunton guilty of a charge under AR 175 (p), failing to obey a direction from a Steward, the terms of the charge being that on the 10th February 2003 at the meeting of the TRC he failed to obey a direction by Stewards to attend an inquiry. He was fined the sum of $100.

Moody Launches Successful Attack on Tassie Juvenile Feature

Wednesday, 26 February 2003 00:00

Moody a previous winning trainer of a Tasmanian Derby with Moonah Brooke, showed his talents as a trainer weren't restricted to distance performers with the juvenile stakes sucess.

The Caulfield based horseman is also best known as the trainer of the Victoria Derby winner Amalfi.

Snip Attack was sent out a hot odds on favourite in today's feature Tassie juvenile event following his eye catching fourth behind Hammerbeam and Murphy's Blu Boy in the Group Three Blue Diamond Prelude for colts and geldings.

As a yearling Snip Attack was "spotted" at the 2002 QBBS Yearling Sale in Queensland and Moody went to $60,000 to buy the young flashy chestnut colt (now gelding).

Melbourne based apprentice Craig Newitt got the gelding across to the rail early in the race after the youngster shot out of the barriers in great style.

From that point Newitt just "sat" on the gelding and he cruised to the straight and quickly slipped away from his rivals for a soft win.

Snip Attack gave exciting young sire General Nediym his second stakes winner. Ra Sun was the former sprinter's first black type winner when he proved too classy in the Group Two Maribyrnong Plate.

General Nediym, who this season will be relocated from Victoria to New South Wales, is also the sire of this year's Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Regimental Gal.

PIC - Quentin Lang.

Craig Booked for Liquid Lunch

Friday, 21 February 2003 00:00

Newitt’s manager Bruce Clark confirmed the apprentice, now indentured to top Victorian trainer Lee Freedman, would partner Liquid Lunch, who was a luckless seventh in last week’s AAMI Hobart Cup with Luke Currie in the saddle.

Currie opted to forego the ride on Hyland’s gelding in the AAMI Launceston Cup due to a commitment to ride last-start Flemington winner Arena Valadora, from the David Hall stable.

Newitt rode Careyes in the AAMI Hobart Cup but when that horse was sent for a spell, Newitt’s manager was quick to clinch the ride on Liquid Lunch, the horse Newitt was originally booked to ride in the AAMI Hobart Cup.

AAMI Hobart Cup winner Jeune’s Mark has done a treat since his emphatic win at Elwick last Monday week and his trainer Tony McEvoy is confident the gelding has what it takes to emulate top Tasmania stayer St. Andrews and win the AAMI Hobart and Launceston Cups double.

McEvoy also will saddle up his promising four-year-old Saturday Fever in the AAMI Launceston Cup and has booked top Tasmanian jockey Stephen Maskiell for the assignment.

However, Maskiell threw a scare into the McEvoy camp when he was hauled in by the stewards at the Launceston meeting last Sunday after causing interference in the two-year-old race.

Stewards charged Maskiell with careless riding but only suspended him for one meeting, which left the door open to take the ride on Saturday Fever in the AAMI Launceston Cup.

Talented mare The Mighty Lions remains on target to return to Tasmania next Wednesday to try and go one better in the AAMI Launceston Cup after finishing a luckless second in the AAMI Hobart Cup.

…/2

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The Mighty Lions’ trainer Mike Moroney confirmed the mare had pulled up well from her Hobart assignment and provided she comes through a solid track gallop tomorrow morning she will return to the Apple Isle for the AAMI Launceston Cup.

Moroney has provided minor placegetters in the past two AAMI Hobart Cups with Imax last year and The Mighty Lions this year. Imax finished a gallant third in last year’s AAMI Launceston Cup behind St. Andrews and Bondi Iceberg.

While most of the focus will be on the AAMI Launceston Cup next Wednesday, the feature two-year-old race, the $100,000 Gold Sovereign Stakes, is likely to boast at least two promising juveniles from interstate.

Victorian trainer Robbie Laing confirmed his colt Cannyopra would line up in the Gold Sovereign and he might also send his other top two-year-old Dress Code for a two-pronged attack on Tasmania’s premier two-year-old event.

And Peter Moody also has booked a berth on the flight into Launceston for his highly promising youngster Snip Attack.

Newitt has been booked to ride Snip Attack, who is part owned by the apprentice jockey’s manager, Bruce Clark.

Media Release - AAMI Launceston Cup

St. Andrews Takes Third Launceston Cup

Wednesday, 26 February 2003 00:00

The George Blacker owned and trained gelding had previously won the Launceston Cup in 2000 and 2002, while he finished second in 2001.

Thanks to a lovely ride from underrated Victorian based jockey Noel Callow, St. Andrews was able to hold out Arena Valadora while the one paced South Australian stayer Saturday Fever tried hard in third place.

"He has been a great horse to us and done a great job out there again today," winning trainer George Blacker said.

"He's a great stayer and he's very easy to train."

"A couple of horses came over with a big reputation and they run into a horse like this," Blacker added.

Last year St. Andrews won both the Hobart and Launceston Cups, not bad for a horse who cost his connections a mere $200.

Blacker sent his son John to buy St. Andrews as a weanling when he was offered in 1995. At the time George was in Queensland on holidays and the youngster was offered at a dispersal following the death of George's owner Peter Burleigh.

Thanks to today's win St. Andrews' prize earnings shot to over a half a million dollars. From 47 starts, the gelding is the winner of eleven races as well as having 16 minor placings for stakes of $592,921.

St. Andrews only hit the track as a four-year-old after a career as a lead pony for the Blacker stable. The gelding by Aliocha showed promise as a leady pony and Blacker decided to throw the unknown quantity into work.

Last start Hobart Cup winner Jeune's Mark had little luck after being trapped wide for much of the race and weakened over the concluding stages.

The Mike Moroney trained The Mighty Lions got back a little worse than midfield and failed to run on well enough to ever loom as a chance of finishing in the top three placings.

Leading Adelaide rider Jason Holder described the run of Glitzy Guru in the Cup as "disappointing." The well bred mare had to be used up a little earlier that wishes, but she failed to go with the placegetters at the finish to knock up in a midfield position.

PIC - Quentin Lang.

Launceston Cup Trivia and Facts

Tuesday, 18 February 2003 00:00

Sharon Gotts is the only female trainer to have won the AAMI Launceston Cup.

Gotts prepared the mare Rich Dreams to win the race in 1994 with former Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michael Clarke having the ride.

This year’s AAMI Launceston Cup has attracted acceptances from Victorian female trainers Louise Bonella (Ascana) and Rhonda Mangan (Terouge).

Good and bad barriers

Since 1914, the barrier positions one, four and 19 have failed to produce an AAMI Launceston Cup winner.

The most successful barrier has been 11 with 12 winners, followed by barrier 12 with 11 winners. The next best is barrier nine with eight winners.

In the past six years, the barrier 20 has produced two winners – Ticking Away (1997) and St Andrews (2000).

Sixty years since 3YO winner

The 1943 winner Entitle is the last three-year-old to take victory in the AAMI Launceston Cup. The race has not attracted many three-year-olds in recent years.

Two dead-heats

There have been two dead-heats in the history of the AAMI Launceston Cup. In 1902, Cordon and The Sirdar could not be separated. Their respective owners, S M Wilson and Bill Clare, trained the horses. In 1910, Clare again featured with another horse he owned, Drumreagh, dead-heating with Lliad (trainer J Cripps).

St Leger guide

The Tasmanian St Leger (2100m) is a fairly good guide to the fortunes of AAMI Launceston Cup starters. Last Sunday, the John Blacker-trained Dartington gained ballot free entry into the cup after winning the St Leger for the second successive year.

In 2001, St. Andrews and Naucho dead-heated in the St Leger and both were placed in the AAMI Launceston Cup behind Full Of Rhythm with St. Andrews second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Naucho.

Dartington finished fifth in last year’s cup won by St. Andrews and was an encouraging sixth in this year’s AAMI Hobart Cup (2400m) won by Jeune’s Mark at Elwick on February 10.

‘The Saint’ proves sensational

St. Andrews, a bargain purchase at $200 as a weanling, has amassed more than $450,000 in prizemoney and last year rewrote the record books.

The George Blacker trained gelding became the first galloper since Brallos in 1977 to complete the AAMI Hobart-Launceston Cups double. He also became the first horse in two decades to be placed in the Mowbray feature for the third successive year.

This equalled the achievement of Andrias, who was placed in three successive AAMI Launceston Cups in the early 1980s, including a victory in 1982.

St. Andrews won the race in 2000, was runner-up to Full Of Rhythm in 2001 and was victorious last year.

Fillies and mares fail

Fillies and mares do not have a good record in the AAMI Launceston Cup. Only 22 females have been successful on the 137 occasions of the feature race.

The John Blacker pair Marette and Dartington, Terry Roles’s Almost Spring and Leon Macdonald’s Glitzy Guru are among the mares in this year’s line-up.

Weight carriers

The heaviest weight carried to victory in the AAMI Hobart Cup was 9 stone 7 pound. by Duration in 1886. The lightest weight carried by the winner was 6 stone 7 pound by Strop in 1876 when the 16.1 hands bay was a 14-year-old.

Media Release - AAMI Launceston Cup

McEvoy Hot for Tassie Oaks with Flag of Pride

Monday, 24 February 2003 00:00

Dartington's Cup Chances Boosted by St. Leger Win

Monday, 17 February 2003 00:00

The John Blacker-trained mare won the race last year and went on to finish a luckless fifth in last year’s AAMI Launceston Cup.

Dartington was ridden superbly by in-form jockey Jodi Borrett who had the mare handily placed throughout the race and when let down at the top of the home straight, she powered home to defeat stablemate Undertake and Strait Dash.

The mare went into last Sunday’s St. Leger fresh from an encouraging sixth in the AAMI Hobart Cup at Elwick on February 10.

Dartington’s trainer is supremely confident his charge has what it takes to give him his first success in an AAMI Launceston Cup.

"My mare ran a great race in the AAMI Hobart Cup to be the second Tasmanian horse home in the race and given her recent form, I rate her a big chance to win the AAMI Launceston Cup," Blacker said.

Final acceptances for the AAMI Launceston Cup are on Friday at 9am and the official barrier draw will take place in the Launceston City Mall at noon.

Media Release - AAMI Launceston Cup

Jeune's Mark Hunts the Tasmanian Cups Double

Monday, 24 February 2003 00:00

Bonella Chases First Group Win in Cup

Monday, 17 February 2003 00:00

The AAMI Launceston Cup has been Ascana’s main mission this preparation and Bonella said the gelding has had a faultless preparation going into the race to be run on the Mowbray circuit on February 26.

Ascana has had four starts this preparation and while he has not won, Bonella is adamant the gelding has what it takes to produce her first Group win.

"Ascana has been aimed at the AAMI Launceston Cup from day one of this preparation and I couldn’t be happier with what he’s done at every start heading to the Launceston race," Bonella said.

Ascana will have his final hit-out for the AAMI Launceston Cup in the Mornington Cup on Wednesday and Bonella said the gelding does not have to win that race to earn a trip across Bass Strait.

"I am confident Ascana will run a big race in the Mornington Cup, but he doesn’t particularly have to win it to warrant a trip to Tassie," she said.

Ascana began his career with Brian Mayfield-Smith but after one start for that trainer, a seventh in a maiden, the gelding was transferred to Bonella’s stables.

"The horse had a problem with being boxed in a small confinement, so the owners opted to send the horse to me because of my more open stabling set-up and he won at his first four starts for me.

"He went on to win the Moe Cup, ran second in the Werribee Cup and was second to Hatha Anna in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but he damaged a tendon at his subsequent start in the Warrnambool Cup and was sent to the paddock for six months.

"He has fully recovered from the tendon injury and I can hardly wait for the AAMI Launceston Cup," the trainer said.

Ascana was an encouraging second to Arena Valadora at his most recent start in a 2000m handicap at Flemington last Sunday week and will meet that horse one kilogram better at the weights in the AAMI Launceston Cup for being beaten one-and-three-quarter lengths.

Media Release - AAMI Launceston Cup