Black Type Win For Eximius
- Saturday, 10 November 2012 09:31
EximiusThe ninth Inglis yearling sale graduate to win at stakes-type level over the four-day Flemington carnival was Eximius, which won the $150,000 Listed Hilton Hotel Stakes over 1400m on the final day.
The son of Exceed And Excel was a winner at Flemington in May, but this Saturday's win at black-type level came as somewhat of a surprise to trainer Mick Price.
"The fact that he won surprised me to be honest because I think he is still a bit immature. It was a nice Listed race for (owners) Geoff and Jill Guest," said Price.
Raced by the Rockmount Syndicate (Mgr: G D Guest, Mrs J Kewish & D Murphy) and Mrs L Richards, Eximius was purchased for $100,000 from the draft of Supreme Thoroughbreds at the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Now that he has made the step into stakes company Price and the Guests are expected to aim higher with the three-year-old in the autumn.
"I just think he will be a better horse in the autumn because he is one of those high, nervous energy horses that needs to settle down," Price added.
"I think he will get a mile in the autumn but it will be interesting to see what we do with him now because these black type races drop off now and his rating is going to be a bit higher so it might be a nice, opportune time to have a break when there's beautiful weather and have him in the autumn."
"He is a lovely, sound horse that will keep getting better as he gets older."
Photo: Quentin Lang
William Inglis Media Release
Mental Saves The Best For Last In Classic
- Saturday, 10 November 2012 06:16
Mental wins from Sea SirenClearly the most enjoyable aspect of Peter Snowden's job as head trainer for Darley Australia is preparing winners.
A less pleasing task is saying goodbye to them when they become good enough to catch the attention of his boss, Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum.
Mental, the winner of Saturday's Group One Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington fits into both categories.
The son of Lonhro will leave Snowden's stable this week to go into quarantine before being shipped off to Dubai for the northern hemisphere winter and then travel to Britain to join Sheikh Mohammed's European team.
"It's a bit sad seeing them go, but it's part of my job," Snowden said.
Snowden said Mental ranked as the best horse he'd sent to the Sheikh, which is a measure of his opinion of the horse whose Patinack win was his seventh from 12 starts.
Previous exports from the Snowden stable include Sepoy and Helmet who failed to run up to their excellent Australian form, while comparative lesser lights like Soul and Retrieve have scored important victories.
Mental"I've probably sent them 15 or 20 horses so far, but I think this is the best of them," Snowden said.
Mental ($7) responded stylishly to jockey Kerrin McEvoy's riding to score by three-quarters-of-a-length from the $4 favourite Sea Siren with Hallowell Belle ($14) three lengths away third.
The win reversed the Manikato Stakes result from two weeks ago when Sea Siren scored at Moonee Valley, but it didn't surprise Snowden.
"He was good in Brisbane last season and he's been stepping up a level almost every run he's had," he said.
Sea Siren again provided the sternest opposition, staying close to Mental from the jump.
But when McEvoy applied the pressure 300m out, Jim Cassidy on Sea Siren had to ride hard to go with the winner.
Hallowell Belle got a long way out her ground early and did the best of a tired-looking bunch behind the first two.
Photos: Quentin Lang
Mental Qualifies For Overseas Trip
- Saturday, 10 November 2012 04:18
Mental gets the better of Sea SirenHis mission accomplished in Australia, Patinack Farm Classic Group 1 winner Mental is off to Dubai in a month to show the rest of the world what a good sprinter he is.
Mental ($6.00-$7.00) took advantage of a great tactical ride from Kerrin McEvoy which saw him stalking race favourite Sea Siren ($4.20-$4.60-$4.00F) all the way down the Flemington straight. With 100 metres to go, McEvoy made a lunge at Sea Siren and Mental gained a half length advantage. Despite Jim Cassidy's best efforts on Sea Siren, Mental went on to win by three quarters of a length.
The pair streeted the opposition, with the Gai Waterhouse trained Hallowell Belle ($14-$15-$14) coming third, three lengths behind the leaders.
"He really bought his A-game here today so I'm very pleased with the result", said winning trainer Peter Snowden.
Mental"He sweated on the run of the favourite (Sea Siren) and everywhere Jimmy (Cassidy) went he (McEvoy) was right beside him and when Jimmy started to come off the bridle at the 300m we were still going well."
"She dug deep, she didn't give in and he had to work really hard to get there."
McEvoy who has been on board Mental for 6 of his seven wins, was thrilled to win a Group 1 race on the horse.
"He is a great horse and it's a pleasure to be a part of his career."
"Pete (Snowden) picked this race out as the earmark for the spring because he thought he would be well suited down the straight."
At his last start, Mental ran an excellent second to Sea Siren at Moonee Valley in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes.
McEvoy was unsure before the race whether to follow the speedy Buffering or something else but he quickly realised that Sea Siren was the horse to follow.
Peter Snowden & Kerrin McEvoy"I didn't know where they would get situated during the run, whether they would go out towards Buffering or where the race was going to be generated from so I just went out with an open plan to try to get into the clear when I needed to."
"We were confident he could settle a bit closer in the run today and he let go when i pressed the button, he really exploded."
Snowden pointed out that Mental is one of the most improved horses in his stable, coming from a Benchmark 85 race at Hawkesbury in May to winning a million dollar Group 1 at Flemington six months later.
"This preparation he has improved out of sight", he said.
Mental"He put the writing on the wall at Moonee Valley and there wasn't much between them. Straight racing really suited this bloke."
Snowden has high hopes for Mental when he races overseas.
"He probably wouldn't have to improve much more to be competitive over there.""He is probably the best horse we've sent there and he's going there in the best form."
"He is still on the way up which is the best thing about him, he still hasn't reached his peak."
While Mental excels as a sprinter in Australia, being by Lonhro he may be competitive in Europe over a longer distance.
"He could possibly get a mile (1600m) but seven furlongs (1400m) is probably his best trip", Snowden suggested.
"He is just a tougher horse now and he copes with his racing really well."
Mental goes to quarantine next Thursday and will leave for Dubai on the 17th of December.
Photos: Quentin Lang
Kavanagh Lands Timely Win In Matriarch
- Saturday, 10 November 2012 06:00
Midnight MartiniConsistent mare Midnight Martini provided trainer Mark Kavanagh's spring carnival with a glimpse of life with her win in the Group Two Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
In a race that proved more notorious for the failure of the favourite Silent Achiever, Midnight Martini ($8) added immensely to her stud value, scoring a comfortable three-quarter length win over Lake Sententia ($7.50).
Crafty Irna ($8) held third place a long head further away.
For the favourite Silent Achiever, however, the Matriarch turned into a mystery over the final 400m.
Silent Achiever ($2), last season's New Zealand Derby winner, scored impressively in open company at Moonee Valley at her previous start and had been expected to do the same against her own sex in the Matriarch.
But after enjoying an easy run she showed no dash in the run home, finishing fourth.
Midnight MartiniJockey Hugh Bowman could offer no explanation, saying the mare travelled well and pulled up without any sign of trouble.
"There was nothing there when I asked for it," Bowman said."
Trainer Roger James was similarly perplexed.
"It's the first time she's ever let me down," James said.
"I have no excuses whatsoever."
Midnight Martini gave Kavanagh only his third Melbourne winner for the season.
The only previous city winners this season for the trainer who has so often played a pivotal role with Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate wins in recent springs had been the Group Three Bobbie Lewis in September with We're Gonna Rock and the Group Two Mitchelton Vase last month with Super Cool.
Photos: Fiona Tomlin
Mental Wins The Patinack Farm Classic
- Saturday, 10 November 2012 03:46
Mental gets clear of Sea SirenDarley sprinter Mental has signed off from Australian racing with a Group One win in the $1 million Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington.
Mental, trained by Peter Snowden, will be one of seven horses from Australia to join Sheikh Mohammed's famous Godolphin operation.
"This was going to be his swansong," Snowden said.
"He's delivered for us today so he's going (overseas) a winner in our best company."
With Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle, Mental sat in the middle of pack and tracked his Manikato Stakes conqueror Sea Siren into the race.
They gained control at the 300m mark and, after a brief struggle, Mental forged clear for a decisive victory.
Sea Siren, a contender for next month's Hong Kong Sprint, held down second place with Hallowell Belle making late ground to take the minor placing.
Peter Snowden & Kerrin McEvoyMcEvoy said Mental, now a seven-time winner from 12 starts, would do well under the Godolphin banner.
"He's got a great turn of foot so you never know he might win a good sprint over there in Europe somewhere," McEvoy said.
Among the unplaced division was the Queensland star Buffering.
Buffering raced solo on the grandstand side of the track but was a beaten horse when Mental and Sea Siren made their bids.
Photos: Quentin Lang
Oliver In Group One Form Despite Woes
- Saturday, 10 November 2012 05:31
Happy Trails (centre) wins the Emirates StakesChampion jockey Damien Oliver won momentary respite from the greatest crisis of his career and provided trainer Paul Beshara with the thrill of his life with the victory of Happy Trails in the Emirates Stakes at Flemington.
Oliver shook off his troubles to produce a classic ride to land Happy Trails ($13) by a short half-head and collect a Group One victory that may yet attain even greater significance.
With an investigation into alleged improper betting threatening his career, Oliver has been under tremendous pressure this spring, having lost the ride on Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon, among others.
But the eight-time premier jockey has put the controversy aside to ride three Group One winners over the Melbourne spring carnival.
"I'm just grateful to get these rides," Oliver said.
For Beshara, the win was reward for his faith in both horse and jockey.
Damien OliverHappy Trails had been one of the form horses of the spring before an unfortunate run in the Cox Plate when he finished 10th behind Ocean Park.
"It wasn't fair in the Cox Plate," Beshara said.
"More Joyous laid all over him the whole way and he never got any rhythm going.
"Damien was able to ride him properly today and you can see what he's capable of.
"I'm glad he could win for Damien. He's done a great job for me, always available to ride the horse in his work and help me out whenever I needed him."
Happy Trails landed a string of big bets, including one of $300,000 to $20,000 with his last gasp defeat of the favourite Fawkner ($4.80).
Secret Admirer ($14) finished a short head further back in third place.
The win ended a campaign for Happy Trails that began with a Group Three success in Adelaide, featured a Group Two win at Moonee Valley and finally produced a top-level success.
It also prompted Beshara to declare him the best "miler" in Australia, an opinion that he hopes to confirm in the Doncaster Mile in Sydney in the autumn.
Photos: Quentin Lang
Experience Counts For Direct Charge
- Saturday, 10 November 2012 02:16
Direct Charge (inside) beats Crack A RoadieTrainer Robbie Laing has maintained his impressive strike rate in early-season juvenile races with the win of Direct Charge in the Group Three Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) at Flemington.
The most experienced runner in the field, Direct Charge ($18) fought off two challenges, finally outlasting the equal favourite Crack A Roadie ($4.20) to score by a half-head.
"I've won a two-year-old race at the Melbourne Cup carnival for three of the past four years," Laing said.
"Not bad for a jumps trainer."
Direct Charge had been just behind the placegetters at his first two starts and showed great speed down the straight course to lead almost every step of the way.
The winner was only headed when third placegetter Shamus Award edged clear inside the 200m, but he fought back to score narrowly.
Direct ChargeLaing bought the horse at the Inglis sale in Melbourne earlier this year and he will set him for the rich series of races sponsored by the sales company.
"I wouldn't be too sure about Blue Diamonds and Golden Slippers, but the Inglis race has a bit of money on offer for horses they sell," he said.
While he is renowned as a trainer of jumpers, Laing said he enjoyed preparing two-year-olds.
"They're easy - most of them are shinsore at this time of year," he said.
"If you keep the weight of their backs and keep them fresh you can win a few races."
Photos: Quentin Lang
Doncaster Target For Emirates Winner Happy Trails
- Saturday, 10 November 2012 05:21
Finish of the Emirates StakesThe magic continued for Paul Beshara, trainer of bargain priced Group 1 winner Happy Trails when he won the Group 1 Emirates Stakes at Flemington this afternoon.
"I've never felt this good in my life", Beshara said.
When we won the Dato (Tan Chin Nam Stakes) it felt good but this is the best."
Today's success came after a hard run in the Group 1 WS Cox Plate, where Happy Trails finished a luckless tenth of the fourteen runners.
"He got laid on in the Cox Plate and it wasn't fair when everyone rubbished him and said he shouldn't have been there because he should have been there", Beshara said.
"Every horse that goes into the Cox Plate, they deserve their place there, they earn it."
Happy Trails and Paul BesharaIn today's race Happy Trails ($15-$16-$13) proved conclusively that he was a Group 1 horse, prevailing in a tough finish from race favourite Fawkner ($4.80-$5.50-$4.80F) and the consistent Solzhenitsyn ($7.50-$10).
Winning jockey Damien Oliver collected his third Group 1 for the week with a well judged ride on Happy Trails.
"I wanted to be a little closer but there was a bit of pressure early so I just let the horse be comfortable", he said.
"I knew I was on a fit horse so I started to move into it a little early and Secret Admirer and Fawkner came to him but he just outstayed them and was too strong."
Beshara sang the praises of Happy Trails, the star of his tiny Adelaide based stable, for which he paid only $11,000 as a yearling.
"This horse is a really honest horse and he just gives you 150%, that's all he does."
"He's always there but today is his day and he deserves it."
"That's what he does when he gets into his rhythm, he wins and today is his Group 1."For Oliver embattled by claims that he bet illegally, today's win on Happy Trails was his first in the Emirates Stakes.
"It's eluded me for a long time this race so it's nice to finally get it, and nice to get it for such lovely people in Paul Beshara and Dickmann family."
Oliver has only been aboard for one of Happy Trails four wins before today, but has ridden him to a number of places in Group races.
Damien OliverBeshara said:
"Today Damien rode him how he should be ridden and he just wins."
Beshara's mind is now filled with plans for what could be an exciting Autumn for Australia's latest Group 1 winner.
"Nick Williams (part owner of runner up Fawkner and Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon) said the other day that he is the best miler in Australia and I felt really good then but now I feel even better", Beshara said.
"He will go out to the paddock now and we'll bring him back in the autumn so he can have a go at the Doncaster".
Photos: Fiona Tomlin Quentin Lang
Five Straight For Sertorius
- Saturday, 10 November 2012 02:14
SertoriusSertorius took his winning sequence to five in a row by leading all the way in the Antler Luggage Handicap at Flemington this afternoon.
With regular rider Ryan Maloney aboard, Sertorius ($2.70-$3.50-$3.30F) made short work of his opposition beating Hoylonny ($3.50-$3.40-$3.50) and Turnitup.
"It's only my third ride of the carnival so it's made it very memorable", Maloney said.
Today was Sertorius first try at a distance greater than 1600 metres but as a son of Epsom Derby winner Galileo, it was always likely that he would get a trip. Virtual FormGuide statistics for Galileo show a 14-16% strike rate in races more than 1600m.
Maloney had his doubts before the race:
"Over that trip he was probably questionable whether he was going to do it but he was never in doubt once I let him go."
Sertorius"When I won on him at Moonee Valley and then at Caulfield I had to put three (cracks of the whip) around his tail to get him going but today when they came at him he just found another gear and was too good."
Pre-race plans saw co-trainer Jamie Edwards leaving the riding tactics up to Maloney.
"The problem was always going to be the speed in the race and when a couple of horses came out we didn't really know what we were going to do so we completely left it up to Ryan and he did a great job."
"That's probably the first time he has actually led a race, he usually has a bunny to follow but it's great to see that he is quite adaptable".
Edwards is not sure whether to press on with Sertorius which has now won more than $300,000 for connections.
"We thought he was at his peak today so whether there is another run left in him we are not really sure", he said.
"He'll either be straight to the paddock or we'll have a look at the Ballarat Cup in a couple of weeks, but we'll just see how he pulls up."
The best performed horse in the Jamie Edwards/Bruce Elkington stable at Freshwater Creek near Geelong.
"He is just a ripper of a horse and I'm just rapt to have a horse going this well over the carnival", Edwards said.
Photos: Quentin Lang
Happy Trails Wins The Emirates Stakes
- Saturday, 10 November 2012 04:46
Happy Trails (centre) with Fawkner (inside) and SolzhenitsynEmbattled jockey Damien Oliver has collected his second Group One win for the Melbourne Cup carnival after Happy Trails prevailed in a three-way finish to the $1 million Emirates Stakes at Flemington.
Oliver has continued to ride amid calls for him to be banned after allegations surfaced in Fairfax Media that he placed a $10,000 bet on a rival horse in a race two years ago.
In spite of his tumultuous spring, Oliver won the Victoria Derby last week on Fiveandahalfstar.
And his heart-stopping victory on Happy Trails on Saturday was his first in the rich mile race.
"This race had eluded me for my whole career so it's great to finally win it," Oliver said as he returned to scale.
Unplaced in the Cox Plate, Happy Trails raced between Fawkner and Secret Admirer in the run to the line.
The South Australian-trained galloper rallied to gain a photo verdict over Fawkner, denying this week's Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams another Group One triumph.
Secret Admirer finished a close third, the same position she filled last year.
Happy Trails' trainer Paul Beshara said the horse would be set for next year's Doncaster Mile at Randwick.
Photo: Fiona Tomlin
Good Value A Stayer In The Making
- Saturday, 10 November 2012 01:46
Good ValueA knee operation proved to be the key to turning around the form of Good Value, winner of the Momentum Energy Trophy at Flemington this afternoon.
Winning trainer Mick Kent explained:
"He is not a bad horse and I really rated him and he should've won the Winter Championship here last year."
"He was always just floating away at the end of his races and we found a bit of gravel in his knee and we cleaned it up and he is racing much better since that happened."
In today's race, Good Value ($10-$14) made a late run from well back in the field on the turn to touch out favourite Galah ($2.50-$3.20F) by a short half head with 1ΒΌ lengths to third placed Strike The Stars ($9-$10).
Originally Luke Nolen was down to ride Good Value after Michael Walker won on him at Bendigo at his last run. Walker got the ride back after Nolen was suspended during the week.
Good Value with Michael Walker"I was very lucky because the horse won good last time and it was good to be back on him and he won good today", Walker said.
"He has had a knee problem and sometime he lays in but he was actually good today and he ran straight and true."
While today's race was for 0-95 class horses, with Good Value rated at 86 before the race, Kent thinks that he is up to stakes class.
"I think he has probably got a stakes race in him, he is a Listed race quality horse and he'd probably get the ten furlongs (2000m)."
"We'll just see whether we go to Sandown next week or whether we back off and go up to Sydney for a Listed race."
Good Value is by Face Value from Jeune's Heart by the staying influence Jeune.
Walker echoed Kent's feelings about Good Value getting a longer trip.
"If anything, the further the horse goes, the better he is going to get", he said.
Photos: Fiona Tomlin