Kingston Town Classic - Final Field

Monday, 30 November 2009 12:59

The final field for the $500,000 Group 1 Go For 2&5 - Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot on Saturday was released on Monday evening with local galloper Scenic Shot to carry the number one saddlecloth. 

Scenic Shot won the $752,000 Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington last month and will be looking to complete a rare double.

Sniper's Bullet will be looking to make a clean sweep of Perth's Group 1's by winning this Saturday's race after impressively winning the Carlton Draught - Railway Stakes (1600m) a fortnight ago. 

Paul Harvey is without a ride in the Kingston Town Classic (1800m) currently however that might change quickly as he has ridden the winner of the race four times in the last nine years.

Ascot (Saturday)

$500,000 Go For 2&5 - Kingston Town Classic (1800m)
Group 1 - 3yo&Up - Weight For Age

Picture - Fiona Tomlin

Waratah's Secret New Favourite For Ascot

Friday, 27 November 2009 04:45

Unbeaten Waratah's Secret is the new favourite for Saturday's Group Two Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot in Perth following the scratching of Lucky Secret.

Trainer Tony Vasil told Perth Racing on Friday that Lucky Secret would not be travelling west after suffering from a respiratory problem.

Vasil informed authorities that the threat of travel sickness was the determining factor in the six-year-old not being loaded on a plane.

Lucky Secret will now be aimed at New Zealand's January sprint features, the Railway Stakes and the Telegraph Handicap.

The David Harrison-trained Waratah's Secret is now the $3.60 TAB Sportsbet favourite for the $500,000 weight-for-age 1200-metre Winterbottom.

Ortensia remains the second pick for the race in the newly-framed market but has tightened from $5 in to $4.20.

Idyllic Prince is the $5 third favourite ahead of Kid Choisir at $6.50.

Waratah's Secret and Kid Choisir will be out to improve the record of three-year-olds in the feature.

Since filly Belinda's Star won the race in 1975 only one three-year-old, Hardrada in 2002, has been successful.

Waratah's Secret made it four straight wins by scoring in the Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on October 31 and won a Lark Hill 950m barrier trial by seven lengths last Monday week.

The Oratorio gelding drew barrier nine and will be ridden by Paul Harvey who won the Winterbottom aboard French Sound in 1996.

Kid Choisir from the Frank Maynard stable has won five of his eight starts.

The colt won the Listed Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) at Ascot last Saturday with Damien Oliver in the saddle.

Lucky Secret was the $3.40 popular elect before he was scratched while Waratah's Secret was locked with Ortensia for second favouritism in the first markets at $5.

The $NZ200,000 Railway Stakes (1200m) is at Ellerslie on January 1, while the $NZ1 million Telegraph Hcp (1200m) is held at Trentham on January 23.

Newport Hits West For Campaign

Monday, 30 November 2009 08:45

Perth Cup contender Newport has arrived safe and well in Western Australia ahead of a two-race campaign.

Trainer Paul Perry said the gelding coped with Friday's flight from Melbourne to Perth with no problems.

The gelding will run in the $250,000 Group Two Cox Stakes (2100m) on December 19 before tackling the $400,000 Group Two Perth Cup (2400m) on New Year's Day.

"He arrived safely, he travelled over beautifully," Perry said.

"He's one of those old horses with a great nature. He doesn't do anything wrong.

"Hopefully Brad Rawiller will ride him in both races and I think he has to be a big chance in both races."

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.

He had a few problems in the autumn when he dumped Danny Nikolic at the start of the Ranvet Stakes and subsequently showed a tendency to veer left at the beginning of his races.

Those antics left Perry bewildered as the seven-year-old had never acted up in the past.

"He is such a gentle old horse, I can't explain it," he said.

"He doesn't seem to have those problems in Melbourne so hopefully it will be the same in Perth."

Although the Newcastle-based Perry has travelled horses to Melbourne, Adelaide, Hong Kong, New Zealand and most famously, Royal Ascot, Newport will be his first runner in Perth.

The Perry-trained Choisir won two races at Royal Ascot in 2003 to set a new standard for Australian sprinters.

Perry is most famous for his speedsters, notably Group One winners Notoire, Fastnet Rock, Dantelah and Golden Slipper winner Stratum as well as Choisir.

"This is the first time I've taken a horse to the west and I think he's the right horse for the Perth Cup," Perry said.

"The 2400 metres is probably his best distance and I'm looking forward to him racing well."

Williams Puts Faith In Noonan's Judgment

Thursday, 26 November 2009 05:30

Craig Williams is putting his faith in trainer Tony Noonan's judgment when he rides Ortensia who backs up in Saturday's Group Two Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot.

Williams' only ride for the day is Ortensia who ran a good race under him when a 2-1/2 length sixth to Sniper's Bullet in the Group One Railway Stakes last Saturday.

Noonan said the Testa Rossa four-year-old didn't run out the 1600m at her first try at the trip and Williams agreed.

"We had the perfect run but the mile was just beyond her on the day," he said.

Even before the Railway, Noonan had it in mind to back up Ortensia in the $500,000 weight-for-age Winterbottom (1200m).

"Tony has been over with the horse in Perth for the whole time and if he thinks she's right to run then I have full faith in his judgment," Williams said.

"For him to back her up in the circumstances then he must be really happy with her.

"I'm looking forward to going over to ride her on Saturday."

Williams has built up a good record on Ortensia having ridden her at her past 10 starts for four wins, two seconds and a third.

During the winter she won the Group Two QTC Cup (1300m) before running third to Black Piranha and Danleigh in the Group One Stradbroke Hcp (1400m), both at Eagle Farm.

Three starts back she was beaten a length when fourth to Apache Cat in the Group Two AJ Moir Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

Before going to Perth, Ortensia was sent out odds-on favourite but was beaten a half-length by Strawberry Field in the Listed Herald Sun Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day.

Ortensia and the Jim Taylor-trained Black In Time are the only mares in the 15-horse field.

Mares to have won the Winterbottom in the last decade are Ellicorsam (2004) and Miss Andretti (2005).

The Tony Vasil-trained Lucky Secret, who will be flown from Melbourne on Friday, is $3.40 favourite with TAB Sportsbet ahead of Ortensia ($4.80), Waratah's Secret ($5), Idyllic Prince ($6.50), Kid Choisir ($9.50) with Black In Time next at $12.

Picture - Sportpix

Derby Mission For God Has Spoken

Saturday, 28 November 2009 13:59

A member of the powerful Neville Parnham stable, God Has Spoken relished the step up in the trip as he cruised home to beat expensive stablemate Red Hot Choice comprehensively.

"He was always going to appreciate the extra 200 metres," Parnham said moments after the race.

"I felt he was desperately unlucky in the Guineas. He's been plagued by bad barriers and it's cost him dearly."

"From a good draw today he had a nice run."

Parnham said he came into the race with a good deal of confidence - knowing he had one of the main chances.

"He's been working the place down. He was crying out for a decent gate and this distance today."

The Blackfriars colt will have one more run before connections plan to spell him with the Group One blue riband of Western Australia firmly in their sights.

"We'll head to the St Leger with him now and then put him away for the Derby."

Steven Parnham, riding the winner for his father, feels God Has Spoken has what it takes to develop into the state's leading contender for the WA Derby.

"He had to bullock his way through the field and was very strong to the line," Parnham Jnr reported.

"He is a top Derby chance," the winning rider added.

God Has Spoken ($3.90) stormed home from the main pack of the field to beat stablemate Red Hot Choice ($17) by three parts of a length.

Another short half head back in third place was the well backed favourite Ranger ($2.70).

God Has Spoken is turning out to be a great money spinner for the Cockatoo Ridge Syndicate after being purchased by the stable for $41,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

With his second group win added to his impressive record, God Has Spoken has sent his earnings soaring past the $300,000 barrier.

Not surprising Parnham purchased his full brother at the 2009 sale last February for $27,000. The young performer, now two, is yet to race.

By Danehill's Victoria Derby winning son Blackfriars, God Has Spoken is one of seven winners from the good producing mare Dolly Will Do.

A daughter of Rubiton, Dolly Will Do was a quality galloper in her own right. She won five races - four of them on Sydney tracks - and was second in a listed Birthday Card Handicap.

Dolly Will Do is a half sister to eight winners including Anything Red, the winning dam of Mooball - an eight time winner and stakes winner at Caulfield.

Some 33 yearlings by Blackfriars have been catalogued for January's Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

Among them is a three quarter brother to his group winning star Mansion House, a half brother to the multiple Group One winning star Scenic Shot and a half sister to stakes winning mare Kia Ora Miss.

Another of his stand outs in the colt from the Group Two winner Prime Again. The colt is therefore a half brother to the stakes winners Expunge and Lady Knockout.

Media Release - Magic Millions

Noble Steed To Make Comeback At Ascot

Wednesday, 25 November 2009 05:59

For trainer Dixie Solly the wait has been worth it to see former star galloper Noble Steed on the verge of making his racetrack return in the Group Two Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot.

Solly, who trains at Albany southeast of Perth, feared the worst when Noble Steed limped off the track after finishing second last to Beat The Storm at Belmont in the Listed Birthday Stakes on October 4 last year.

"It was one of the darkest moments of my life," Solly recalled.

"I thought he was finished."

The winner of nine of his 26 starts including the Listed Cyril Flower Stakes (1200m), the seven-year-old had improved every campaign until scans revealed he had cracked a pedal bone.

Solly took hope from veterinary advice that Noble Steed would race again but the biggest part of his recovery would be time.

The horse's welfare was paramount and Solly has rejoiced with every step Noble Steed has taken to make it back.

"His recuperative powers were amazing," Solly said.

"He was full weight-bearing in a month and with the help of my farrier Tony Ward, who worked on his feet every month, he was soon on the road to recovery."

Saturday's Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) is the strongest race Noble Steed has contested but Solly believes he is ready for the challenge.

He finished third in a 600-metre barrier trial to Elegancy on October 25 and won another trial over 1000 metre by 10-1/2 lengths in a fast 58.84 seconds to tune him for his first-up assignment.

"He has had two trials and he has looked really good in both of them," Solly said.

"This will be a test at another level, but we are just hoping he comes through it safely and then we can start to plan ahead."

He said the Scahill Stakes over 1400 metres at weight-for-age on December 12 was an option as was the Crawford Stakes (1000m) a week later.

"Undoubtedly this is his big test on Saturday and hopefully he comes through it with flying colours," Solly said.

Link Robertson will reunite with Noble Steed and has the challenge of having to navigate him from barrier 15.

Noble Steed is $301 with TAB Sportsbet to win his comeback race.

Sprint star Lucky Secret heads the market at $3.60 from fellow Victorian Ortensia ($4.60) and unbeaten three-year-old Waratah's Secret ($4.60).

Ortensia Wins Winterbottom Stakes

Saturday, 28 November 2009 08:15

Victorian trainer Tony Noonan came up trumps when classy mare Ortensia stormed to victory in the Group Two Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot in Perth on Saturday.

Noonan backed the four-year-old up in the $500,000 weight-for-age feature after she failed to see out the distance when sixth to Sniper's Bullet in the Group One Railway Stakes (1600m) at the same track last Saturday.

With premier Melbourne jockey Craig Williams again taking the reins, Ortensia settled well back but came with a blistering sprint in the straight to down the Jim Taylor-trained stablemates Idyllic Prince and Black In Time.

It was the Testa Rossa mare's second success at Group Two level after her win in the QTC Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm in May.

The comprehensive victory took her record to eight wins and five placings from 16 starts for prizemoney in excess of $940,000.

Picture - Sportpix

3-year-olds Chasing Winterbottom Stakes

Tuesday, 24 November 2009 06:30

Unbeaten Waratah's Secret and Kid Choisir will be out to improve the record of three-year-olds in the Group Two Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot in Perth on Saturday.

Since the filly Belinda's Star won the race in 1975 only one three-year-old, Hardrada in 2002, has been successful in the $500,000 weight-for-age 1200m sprint.

Waratah's Secret, prepared by David Harrison, made it four straight wins in the Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on October 31 and won a Lark Hill 950m barrier trial by seven lengths last Monday week.

The Oratorio gelding drew barrier nine in the 15-horse field and will be ridden by Paul Harvey who won the Winterbottom aboard French Sound in 1996.

Kid Choisir, prepared by Frank Maynard, drew gate one and has some solid form behind him having won five of his eight starts and finishing further back than second only once.

The Choisir colt won the Listed Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) at Ascot last Saturday with Damien Oliver in the saddle.

However the pair have to contend with some stiff opposition among the older brigade with the likes of Idyllic Prince, chasing his fifth straight win, and eastern states rivals Lucky Secret and Ortensia engaged.

Trainer Tony Noonan is dropping Ortensia back to the 1200m after saying the Testa Rossa mare didn't get the 1600m when sixth to Sniper's Bullet in the Group One Railway Stakes last Saturday.

Ortensia drew barrier six while the Tony Vasil-trained Lucky Secret drew eight.

Idyllic Prince, trained by Jim Taylor, won the Group Two Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at his last start, beating Railway Stakes runner-up Tarzi at Ascot on November 7.

Lucky Secret, who arrived in Perth on Friday, is $3.80 favourite ahead of Ortensia and Waratah's Secret at $4.60, Idyllic Prince ($5.50) with Kid Choisir next best at $9.50.

Lucky Secret Scratched From Winterbottom Stakes

Friday, 27 November 2009 04:45

His trainer Tony Vasil notified Perth Racing that Lucky Secret would not be on a plane on Friday and he would now be aimed for races in New Zealand in January.

Lucky Secret was a $3.40 favourite with the sponsors and with his scratching the new favourite is the three year old Waratah's Secret $3.70, Ortensia $4.30, Idyllic Prince $6.50 and Kid Choisir $7.

It had been touch and go for Vasil as he tried unsuccessfully to get Lucky Secret well enough to make the trip to Perth.

The threat of travel sickness was the worrying and determining factor that ultimately resulted in Lucky Secret being scratched.

Media Release - Perth Racing

Winterbottom Stakes - Final Fields & Barriers

Tuesday, 24 November 2009 00:15

Last start winner Lucky Secret heads the line-up for this Saturday's $500,000 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.

Trained by Tony Vasil, Lucky Secret will be making his first appearance in Western Australia on the weekend after impressively winning the Listed Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1300m) at Sandown a fortnight ago.

Meanwhile sixth placegetter from Saturday's Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m), Ortensia, has also paid-up for the Group 2 sprint.

Trainer Tony Noonan will monitor her condition and will also take into consideration whether she gains an invitation from the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) tomorrow afternoon to compete in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on December 13 before making a decision to run the four-year-old mare in the Winterbottom Stakes.

Ascot (Saturday)

$500,000 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m)
Group 2 - WFA - No Claims

Picture - Sportpix