Almohad a Shooting Luciani Star
- Friday, 01 January 2010 13:34
Champion trainer Lou Luciani made his thoughts exactly clear after his untapped galloper Almohad proved too good for his rivals, in the $50,000 Auto Classic Handicap (1800m) at Ascot on New Years Day.
Lou Luciani was incensed that one of the form horses in the state Almohad ($4.00) was made first emergency for the $400,000 BMW Perth Cup, and RWWA Handicapper’s did not use their discretionary powers available to them.
Almohad was positively ridden by big race hoop Jason Whiting, finding the one, one trailing position before making his bid for victory on the turn for home and drawing away for a dominant win over the race favourite Inarticulate.
Luciani passionately declared that he believed Almohad would have done a similar job if he contested the Perth Cup later in the afternoon.
Almohad will now be freshened before being set for the south west cups circuit, with the Pinjarra and Bunbury Cups looking well within his reach.
Inarticulate got a long way back with 58.5kg and was unable to reel in the lighter weighted Almohad, but lost no admirers with his defeat.
What they said “It is a pretty hollow feeling. It’s nice to see the horse go out and win like he did. That’s exactly what the horse would have done in the Perth Cup.” Winning trainer Lou Luciani said following the win
Numbers 6-2-3-9-1 Margins 2 x 1 ¾ x 2 ½ Time 1.47:59 (35.34)
Winners Breeding – Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE) – Princess D’or (Dieu D’Or)
Ma Ma Machine Scorchers Rivals in Schweppes Summer Scorcher
- Friday, 01 January 2010 13:32
Explosive sprinter Ma Ma Machine finally lived up to what he has always promised, blowing away a top self line-up of short course speedster’s in the $100,000 Schweppes Summer Scorcher (1000m) at Ascot on New Years Day.
Ma Ma Machine ($8.40) flew the barriers, but was unable to cross Revolition, so Bio-John Frank Treen Medallion leader Alan Kennedy kept his head, allowing his mount to cruise outside the speed.
In the straight Ma Machine exploded away from the chasing pack to record one of the most impressive Summer Scorcher wins in history.
Ma Ma Machine a bargain buy as weanling by Geoff Durrant, father of Adam has now taken in his stake earnings to in excess of $300,000.
Adam Durrant has always had faith in Ma Ma Machine despite several mental hic-cups early in his career.
Ma Ma Machine has now won two Listed races in the last six months, winning the Listed Beaufine Stakes in July at Belmont, followed by this New Years Day triumph.
Proart made it a Durrant quinella, working to the line well for second place, a valiant effort considering he was dropping back from the 1400m of the Scahill Stakes three weeks prior.
The feature race success gives young rider Alan Kennedy an unassailable lead in the 2009/10 Bio-John Frank Treen Medallion.
What they said “He began good today. His run two weeks ago was extra good and he has always promised to win a big one and what a great feeling to win a race like this on Perth Cup day.” Winning trainer Adam Durrant said following the win.
Margins 3 ½ x nose x head Time 57.19 (33.26)
Winners Breeding – Sir Laurence (NZ) – Mam’selle Gina (Naturalism)
Lords Ransom Still Perth Cup Favourite
- Tuesday, 29 December 2009 07:09
Local star Lords Ransom remains the solid favourite for Friday's Group Two Perth Cup after drawing ideally in barrier two.
The Adam Durrant-trained six-year-old was $3.60 with TAB Sportsbet for the 2400m feature following Tuesday's draw.
Lords Ransom stormed into favouritism with his fast-finishing 1-3/4 length win over Cup rival Largo Lad in the Group Two CB Cox Stakes (2100m) at Ascot on December 19.
Another local stayer, Gondorff, was second favourite for the $400,000 Cup at $7 after coming up with gate six in the field of 16 plus four emergencies.
South Australian-trained Right Fong, a last-start Flemington winner over 2000m, was third pick at $7.50 despite drawing out in 17.
The big drifter in the market was Largo Lad who eased from $9.50 to $12 after coming up with gate 19.
The Paul Perry-trained Newport, winner of the 2008 Metropolitan Handicap at Randwick, was steady at $10 after drawing the inside stall.
Newport was a last-start ninth to Lords Ransom in the Cox Stakes after being posted wide throughout.
Outsider Hadabeclorka ($51) drew the outside alley.
Click here to view the complete Perth Cup barrier draw.
Wednesday's Strathablyn Races Report
- Friday, 01 January 2010 11:30
It was the second double in a fortnight at the Southern track for the Nornmanville based O'Leary. The first of O'Leary's winners came when the apprentice Kate Dyson ridden Dujac $10 was the nose winner of the 2050 metre sixth race.
From the New Regent mare Skyward and sired by imported English bred Jeune, Dujac came from last to defeat the Richard Croser mentored apprentice Mick Engleson ridden Ari's Yacht $31. Meadows Staar $41 was a further one and a quarter lengths away third for Jim Sim and apprentice Melanie Tyndall.
O'Leary said that he may take Dujac to Port Lincoln and give him a crack at the Port Lincoln Cup on Thursday March 4.
The three quarters of a length win of the Staaraq sired Adoptme Two brought up O'Leary's double and gave jockey Chad Lever his second winner in race seven which was run over 1600 metres.
Starting the $2-70 public elect and being from the Snaadee matron Adopted, Adoptme Two settled third before drifting back to sixth but mustered enough speed later in the event to go on and record a three quarters of a length win over By Sea $20 for trainer Carole Gellard and Kate Dyson. Another one and a quarter lengths away third was Akhameela $6 for Fred Meuring and David Tootell.
Adoptme Two may be seen in 0/75 event in the City in the near future.
The win of the John Macmillan prepared Unicus, one of four horses to win carrying the number four ten saddlecloth, gave jockey Chad Lever the first leg of a double in the 1200 metre third race.
The $1.50 punter's choice and the third favourite in three races to win, the Fantastic Light sired Unicus, from the Lyphard matron Riverly, was well placed and scored a three quarters of a length win over Cyber Warrior $4.60 for trainer Emma Hubbard and rider Simon Price. Kelport $9 was another long neck away third for David Halliday and Jeffrey Maund.
Punters were the first out of the bocks when the Mark Minervini trained Ryan Plumb piloted Hellacious, the $1-65 favourite, was the five and a half length winner of the 1350 metre opening event.
From the Zoffany mare Prodigious and sired by Face Value, Hellacious was an all the way winner and beat the Stephen Brown trained Chad Lever piloted Miss Endeavour $4.20. A farther one and a half lengths away, filling minor placing, was Quick Plan $4 for Mick Whittle and Matthew Neilson.
Winning her first race from five starts the three year old filly Space Star gave her trainer Peter Jolly and jockey Simon Price an eight and three quarter length win in 1200 metre second race.
Starting the $1.70 favourite and being the daughter of Blevic and Twinkles, whose sire is Quick Score, Space Star was another all the way winner and beat the Byron Cozamanis prepared Paul Gatt mount Giggling Dollar $12. The $151 chance Notonmatchday was a farther three and a quarter lengths away third for Ray Moore and Melanie Tyndall.
Space Star is likely to have her next start in a similar type event in the city.
Wearing the number ten saddle cloth Zenton $5 gave her trainer David Hayes and his apprentice Omer Ay a three and a half length win in race four which was run over 1600 metres.
Being out of the Zabaleta mare Pluton and fathered by Zentsov Street, Zenton came from a mid field position to beat the Ken Sweeny trainer Matthew Neilson guided Perfect Crown, the $1.60 public elect. Another long neck away third was Spirit Of Umtali $4-60 for John Macmillan and two kilogram claiming apprentice Claudia Lions.
Supporters of the $2.80 favourite Brute Bernard were well pleased with themselves when the Byron Cozamanis prepared Troy Baker mount was the half length winner of the fifth race which was run over 1350 metres.
The progeny of Taimazov and the Don't Say Halo mare Chatsey, Brute Bernard was well placed and beat the David Halliday cared for Libby Hopwood ridden Snaamar $3. Emmooki Street $6 was a farther one and a quarter lengths away third for Mick Whittle and Matthew Neilson.
The $4-60 chance Ruined Castle was the three quarters of a length winner of the 1200 metre final event for trainer Stuart Padman and jockey Paul Gatt.
Sired by Rubiton from My Diamond Hope, a daughter of Vain Kariol, Ruined Castle raced mid field before going on to beat the $2.80 punter's choice Miami Ink for Scott Trenowden and jockey Ryan Plumb. Portrait Dane $21 was another two and a half lengths away filling the minor placing for Liz Garrick and Tamara Zanker.
Perth Cup - Final Field & Barriers
- Tuesday, 29 December 2009 05:45
Topweight Newport has drawn kindly in barrier one for this Friday's $400,000 Group Two BMW Perth Cup (2400m).
The Paul Perry trained galloper will have the services of recently married jockey Brad Rawiller in the saddle.
Meanwhile South Australian visitor, Right Fong, will start from barrier 17.
Right Fong has won two of his last three starts, with both of those wins recorded at Flemington.
Elsewhere, winner of the C.B Cox Stakes (2100m) Lords Ransom drew gate two while runner-up in the same race, the David Hayes trained Largo Lad, was allocated gate 19 at this afternoon's barrier draw.
Ascot (Friday)
$400,000 Group Two BMW Perth Cup (2400m)
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Br | Kg | Hcp Rating |
| 1 | Newport | BRAD RAWILLER | PAUL PERRY | 1 | 57 | 105 |
| 2 | Largo Lad | STEVEN PARNHAM | DAVID HAYES | 19 | 56.5 | 104 |
| 3 | Lords Ransom | ALAN KENNEDY | ADAM DURRANT | 2 | 55.5 | 102 |
| 4 | Star Encounter | BRAD PARNHAM | ADAM DURRANT | 3 | 54.5 | 99 |
| 5 | Gondorff | DANIEL STAECK | MARK B. REED | 6 | 52.5 | 96 |
| 6 | Right Fong | MARK PEGUS | DAVID BALFOUR | 17 | 52.5 | 96 |
| 7 | Friar's Touch | SHAUN MEERES | PETER GIADRESCO | 12 | 52 | 90 |
| 8 | Geyser Peak | JASON BROWN | FRANK MAYNARD | 18 | 52 | 89 |
| 9 | Great Destiny | SHAUN MC GRUDDY | ADAM DURRANT | 15 | 52 | 91 |
| 10 | Hadabeclorka | CLINT HARVEY | BRENT LARSSON | 20 | 52 | 93 |
| 11 | Lambton Castle | JARRAD NOSKE | LINDSEY SMITH | 10 | 52 | 87 |
| 12 | Le Bon Jeune | PAUL KING | SHANE EDWARDS | 14 | 52 | 83 |
| 13 | Ma Chienne | PETER HALL | ADAM DURRANT | 13 | 52 | 91 |
| 14 | Makus Maximus | LUKE NOLEN | PETER MOODY | 5 | 52 | 93 |
| 15 | New Spice | PETER KNUCKEY | ELVA VAN MERWYK | 4 | 52 | 94 |
| 16 | Sentenza | SHAUN O'DONNELL | IVAN HAGGERTY | 16 | 52 | 86 |
| Emergencies | ||||||
| 17 | Almohad | JASON WHITING | LOU LUCIANI | 8 | 52 | 78 |
| 18 | Truckin Tobie | DAVE CASEY | 7 | 52 | 78 | |
| 19 | Esroh | MARK B. REED | 9 | 52 | 74 | |
| 20 | Neige | PATRICK CARBERY | KRISTY CASEY | 11 | 52 | 71 |
Picture - Sportpix
Lords Ransom Claims Perth Cup
- Friday, 01 January 2010 09:59
Popular elect Lords Ransom has lived up to his billing with victory over his Adam Durrant-trained stablemate Ma Chienne in the Perth Cup at Ascot.
The $3 favourite was always handy and took the lead in the straight to hold off a determined challenge from Ma Chienne ($8) by half a length.
Largo Lad ($13) led in the eastern states raiders when he finished third, 1-1/2 lengths from the runner-up.
The Group Two Cup (2400m) brought up the fourth win on the feature program for Durrant's stable jockey Alan Kennedy, and his third for the trainer.
"It's fantastic to run one-two," Durrant said.
"It's a great feat for the whole stable.
"This is a turning point for Durrant Racing.
"Alan is the stable rider and I'm very proud of him and proud to say he has come through as my apprentice."
Lords Ransom had been the dominant favourite since his win in the C B Cox Stakes.
Once touted as a eastern states Cups horse, Lords Ransom has had his share of problems which have restricted the six-year-old's career to just 18 starts, nine of which he has won.
Picture - Perth Racing
Perth Cup - Final Field
- Monday, 28 December 2009 12:15
The final field for Friday's $400,000 Group Two BMW Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on Saturday was announced on Monday afternoon.
Trainer Adam Durrant will be represented by four horses in the first major Australian staying race of 2010 while Newport will be topweight in the absence of Scenic Shot and will carry 57kgs.
Below is the final field:
Ascot (Friday)
$400,000 Group Two BMW Perth Cup (2400m)
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Kg | Hcp Rating |
| 1 | Newport | BRAD RAWILLER | PAUL PERRY | 57 | 105 |
| 2 | Largo Lad | STEVEN PARNHAM | DAVID HAYES | 56.5 | 104 |
| 3 | Lords Ransom | ALAN KENNEDY | ADAM DURRANT | 55.5 | 102 |
| 4 | Star Encounter | BRAD PARNHAM | ADAM DURRANT | 54.5 | 99 |
| 5 | Gondorff | DANIEL STAECK | MARK B. REED | 52.5 | 96 |
| 6 | Right Fong | MARK PEGUS | DAVID BALFOUR | 52.5 | 96 |
| 7 | Friar's Touch | SHAUN MEERES | PETER GIADRESCO | 52 | 90 |
| 8 | Geyser Peak | JASON BROWN | FRANK MAYNARD | 52 | 89 |
| 9 | Great Destiny | SHAUN MC GRUDDY | ADAM DURRANT | 52 | 91 |
| 10 | Hadabeclorka | CLINT HARVEY | BRENT LARSSON | 52 | 93 |
| 11 | Lambton Castle | JARRAD NOSKE | LINDSEY SMITH | 52 | 87 |
| 12 | Le Bon Jeune | SHANE EDWARDS | 52 | 83 | |
| 13 | Ma Chienne | PETER HALL | ADAM DURRANT | 52 | 91 |
| 14 | Makus Maximus | LUKE NOLEN | PETER MOODY | 52 | 93 |
| 15 | New Spice | PETER KNUCKEY | ELVA VAN MERWYK | 52 | 94 |
| 16 | Sentenza | SHAUN O'DONNELL | IVAN HAGGERTY | 52 | 86 |
| Emergencies | |||||
| 17 | Almohad | JASON WHITING | LOU LUCIANI | 52 | 78 |
| 18 | Truckin Tobie | DAVE CASEY | 52 | 78 | |
| 19 | Esroh | MARK B. REED | 52 | 74 | |
| 20 | Neige | PAUL KING | KRISTY CASEY | 52 | 71 |
Right Fong On Song For Perth Cup
- Thursday, 31 December 2009 06:54
Victorian jockey Mark Pegus believes Right Fong is spot-on for the $400,000 Group Two Perth Cup at Ascot on New Year's Day.
Pegus and the David Balfour-trained Right Fong have proven to be a successful combination, winning two of their last three starts together.
The South Australian-trained six-year-old comes into the 2400-metre feature after rocketing home to beat Playwright by a short neck at Flemington over 2000 metres on December 12.
"His work here in Perth has been exactly what we wanted and with a bit of luck, Right Fong should be right in the finish," Pegus told perthracing.com.au.
"The way he hit the line defeating Playwright was very impressive.
"We will come into barrier 13 and David was hoping to draw out toward the middle of the track. Hopefully I can slot in somewhere and come with a late run."
Two starts back Right Fong was fourth to Road Worker over 1800 metres at his home track of Morphettville on November 21.
That run came a few weeks after he scored at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day in the Listed Johnnie Walker Stakes (1800m).
"After he won on Melbourne Cup day at Flemington, we didn't have him completely right at Morphettville," Pegus said.
"It had been really hot in Adelaide and David was mindful of his next start at Flemington and also had the Perth Cup in the plan.
"We had to ride him too close to the pace and he hit the lead too early at Adelaide."
On Cup day, Pegus was able to give Right Fong a quiet ride and the horse subsequently powered to the line.
"I was able to get him into the three-wide line with cover and held him up for the last run at them," Pegus said.
Pegus walked the track on Thursday and is booked for a couple rides for trainer Anthony Oram leading up to the Cup.
"By race time I will have a handle on the track and I am looking forward to riding in such a famous race," Pegus said.
TAB Sportsbet has Lords Ransom as its fixed odds favourite at $3.50 ahead of Gondorff at $7 and Ma Chienne and Right Fong at $7.50.
The Paul Perry-trained 2008 Metropolitan Handicap winner Newport is rated a $10 chance.
Picture - Quentin LangNewport Thriving Ahead Of Perth Cup
- Monday, 28 December 2009 07:32
Newcastle trainer Paul Perry has raced horses all over the world but the far west of his own country is a new experience.
Perry arrived in Western Australia on Monday to oversee the final preparation of Perth Cup topweight Newport ahead of his New Year's Day assignment.
The trainer's foreman son Shannon has been looking after Newport for the past few weeks.
"Everything is coming along nicely," Perry said.
"I've been to Perth before but I've never raced a horse here.
"Newport galloped on the course proper at Ascot this morning before I got here but all reports are that he went well and seems to be enjoying himself over here."
A final field of 16 plus four emergencies was declared on Monday for the Group Two Perth Cup (2400m) with weights raised following the withdrawal of local star Scenic Shot.
Newport will now carry 57 kilograms, 1-1/2 more than Cup favourite Lords Ransom.
"The weight makes it a bit harder," Perry said.
The winner of the 2008 Group One Metropolitan Handicap at Randwick, Newport has finished 10th in the past two Melbourne Cups, collecting more than $100,000 each time.
In the past Perry has travelled horses to Melbourne, Adelaide, Hong Kong, New Zealand and most famously, Royal Ascot where Choisir won two races in 2003 to set a new standard for Australian sprinters.
Local horse Lords Ransom assumed Perth Cup favouritism with his win in the Cox Stakes in which Newport finished ninth after being posted wide all the way.
The Adam Durrant-trained Lords Ransom held off another eastern raider Largo Lad by 1-3/4 lengths to win the Cox.
He was in to $3.60 following final acceptances with Newport a $10 chance on TAB Sportsbet.
Parnham Optimistic Despite Wide Draw
- Wednesday, 30 December 2009 07:34
Jockey Steven Parnham is putting a positive spin on Largo Lad's wide barrier in the Perth Cup.
Parnham said barrier 19 could have its advantages for Largo Lad in the Group Two race on New Year's Day.
The David Hayes-trained five-year-old son of Encosta De Lago has been specifically set for the $400,000 2400m feature at Ascot and impressed with his fast-finishing second to Cup favourite Lords Ransom in the Group Two CB Cox Stakes (2100m) on December 19.
"It's obviously disappointing to draw out wide, but it's better for such a big horse like him than to draw the inside barrier," Parnham told perthracing.com.au.
"We will just see how the race pans out, hopefully we can slot in early, if not we'll have to go back and try and finish over the top of them.
"His work on Tuesday morning was solid enough. He has certainly come forward a fair way since his CB Cox Stakes performance."
Largo Lad eased from $9.50 to $12 with TAB Sportsbet after Tuesday's barrier draw with the Cup market headed by Lords Ransom at $3.60.
Second pick was Gondorff at $7 ahead of at Right Fong and Ma Chienne at $7.50.
The Paul Perry-trained 2008 Metropolitan Handicap winner Newport was on the fourth line of betting at $10.
Proart was the firm favourite for the sprint feature, the Summer Scorcher (1000m), coming in from $4 to $3.60 almost as soon as markets opened.
Picture - Fiona Tomlin
The Impressive Jeuney Continues For Mc Auliffe & O’Donnell
- Saturday, 26 December 2009 13:15
Impressive Jeuney ($3.60 fav) was sent straight to the top by form hoop Shaun O'Donnell and that was the last they saw of her, kicking clear cornering to triumph in dominant fashion.
Both McAuliffe and O'Donnell were glowing in their assessment of the Impressive Jeuney following the race, declaring her top shelf.
"She is an awesome specimen and a high class filly. She will go to the paddock and we will now look for a Group 1 in Melbourne." McAuliffe said post-race.
"She is a good horse, wow she is a good horse!" O'Donnell said beaming after another Festival of Perth Racing feature success.
Impressive Jeuney is by Melbourne Cup winner and ill fated sire Jeune, out of a Rory's Jester mare.
She was another astute purchase by McAuliffe as weanling from the Gold Coast Magic Millions sale for $27k.
The Impressive Racing Team and the fellow owners now have a dual stakes winning filly in Impressive Jeuney, with a nice pedigree and stakes earning's just under $200k.
Rock My Pago ran on strongly to grab second on the line from Broadway Belle who had every possible chance in third place.
McAuliffe could not speak highly enough of O'Donnell, who since teaming up with the Impressive Racing Stable at Ascot has clocked up winner after winner.
Dominicano was a starting point for the partnership earlier in the year, followed by Kasabian and now Impressive Jeuney.
"He has 100% belief in me and the team, he is a great rider!" McAuliffe said about O'Donnell.
O'Donnell has now won four Festival of Perth Racing Listed races in the last three weeks, moving him to equal second place with Jason Whiting in the Bio-John Frank Treen Medallion on eight points, behind current leader Alan Kennedy on nine points with one meeting to go.
Numbers: 16-3-4-1-7 Margins: 2 x ¾ x ½ Time: 1.47:83 (35.24)
Winners breeding: Jeune (GB) - Rego's Girl (Rory's Jester)
Media Release - Perth Racing