Boss To Ride Clueless Angel
- Wednesday, 18 November 2009 03:45
The winner of last Saturdays $252,000 Group 2 SKY Racing-WA Guineas (1600m) has performed so well at home in the past four days, that Smith has decided against sending the classy three year old to the spelling paddock.
"She is jumping out of her skin. I would not be taking any chances with her and the way she worked this morning, she wants to keep racing," Smith told Perth Racing
"If she performs up to her work on Saturday, the late entry of $10,000 will be paid for her to start in the Kingston Town Classic (1800 metres)."
"They do not get that weight (49.5 kg) in a Group 1 too many times in their careers and the way she is racing, she deserves to be in the field."
The winner of the WA Guineas is exempt from ballot from the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic and Smith would rather race the filly week to week now and allow Clueless Angel two weeks before the Kingston Town Classic.
"I have booked Glen Boss for the ride because Alan (Kennedy) had committed to ride on Inarticulate for Adam Durrant"
"The race on Saturday looks a better option to me then the Jungle Dawn a week later. There are some pretty smart fillies' and mares going around in that series and the Carbine Club may just have a few horses that are coming down the other side of the hill engaged."
Smith was also buoyed that Lambton Castle had muscled his way into the Carlton Draught Railway Stakes with the scratching of Kasabian.
"That's unlucky for Darren and his connections because that horse looked a live chance. Lambton Castle can bowl along at the rear of the field from his wide barrier and hopefully he will erupt down the outside late in the race, similar to Hartleys Dream a few years ago for Peter Giadresco."
"It will be nice to go the races and have a starter in a Group 1 race and not feel any pressure for a change. I am looking to enjoy a great days racing on Saturday." Smith said.
Media Release - Perth Racing
Gold Salute Popular After Railway Draw
- Tuesday, 17 November 2009 06:30
Victorian galloper Gold Salute dominates the betting for the Group One Railway Stakes in Perth after a favourable barrier draw.
The Mark Riley-trained six-year-old, who has been Group One-placed at his last two starts, on Tuesday drew gate seven of the 16 runners and two emergencies, sparking a flood of bets for him to win Saturday's 1600m feature at Ascot.
Centrebet reported that after the draw nearly $10,000 was outlaid on Gold Salute, including one bet of $4,500 at $5, trimming his quote to $4.80.
Similarly TAB Sportsbet put up Gold Salute at $4.50 but that was soon knocked down to $4.40.
At his last two starts Gold Salute has drawn wide, finishing a long neck second to Allez Wonder from barrier 16 in the Group One Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield and 2-3/4 length third from barrier 12 to All American and So You Think in the Group One Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
Damien Oliver will ride Gold Salute.
Corey Brown's mount All American remains the biggest danger to Gold Salute after drawing barrier two and is solid at $6.50 with Centrebet and $7 with TAB Sportsbet.
Mornington trainer Tony Noonan confirmed crack four-year-old Ortensia would run in the Railway despite drawing poorly in barrier 13 and drifting in Centrebet's market from $7 to $8.50.
Noonan conferred with the mare's owners before giving her the green light to run.
"She will definitely take her place in the Railway," Noonan said.
"The barrier is not that bad as she likes to be held up for a run."
Last winter Ortensia was a Group Two winner of the QTC Cup (1200m) in Brisbane before a slashing third to Black Piranha in the Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).
Last start she was a luckless second to Strawberry Field in the Listed Herald Sun Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day.
"I expect her to be very hard to beat in the Railway and do not be surprised if she starts in the (Group Two) Winterbottom the following week," Noonan said.
Noonan, who has just taken up the lease on an Ascot property with 20 available boxes, has massive confidence in his Testa Rossa mare.
"The way she is going she is capable of winning both races," Noonan said.
Craig Williams takes the reins on Ortensia who has won seven of her 14 starts.
Local star Grand Nirvana is just inside Ortensia in gate 12 and has drifted from $8.50 to $9.
Kasabian, who has won his last six starts including the Group Three Asian Beau Stakes (1400m), drew barrier five and has firmed from $11 to $9 with Centrebet.
Tarzi, who was second to Idyllic Prince in the Group Two Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) on November 7, has barrier four and has firmed from $15 to $13.
Rawiller Secures Top Railway Ride
- Sunday, 15 November 2009 13:59
Fresh from riding two winners at Sandown Hillside on Saturday, Nash Rawiller has been booked to ride the Tracey Bartley trained Sniper's Bullet in this Saturday's $1 million Group One Carlton Draught-Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot. Rawiller is no stranger to riding in the Railway Stakes. It will be his second ride in the race after he partnered the David Hayes trained Confectioner into second behind Belle Bizarre back in 2006.
"The owners ended up selecting Nash (Rawiller) for the ride and I am happy to have him on board," Bartley told Perth Racing.
Sniper's Bullet finished second behind the ill-fated Gilded Venom in last years Railway Stakes and has failed to win a race since the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) in June 2007.
The six-year-old son of Bite The Bullet has been ridden by Michael Rodd at his past three starts over the Melbourne Spring Carnival with the latest of those a fifth placing in the $1 million Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
In other news, Corey Brown has already been booked to ride Emirates Stakes winner All American, Damien Oliver will ride Gold Salute and local hoop William Pike will return from Hong Kong to partner lightweight hope Keytomoney.
Picture - Sportpix
Railway Stakes - Final Field & Barriers
- Tuesday, 17 November 2009 00:59
All American will have every opportunity to add a second Group One to his name in as many starts after drawing barrier two for Saturday's $1 million Carlton Draught Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot. All American (pictured) won the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 7.
The barrier draw was conducted after Breakfast With The Stars at Ascot this morning where many of the leading chances, including All American and Ortensia, were put through their paces.
Other fancied runners from the eastern states Gold Salute (7) and Largo Lad (10) faired well from the barrier draw while the same cannot be said for last years Railway Stakes runner-up Sniper's Bullet, who will jump from barrier 14 while Ortensia will start from gate 13.
Ascot (Saturday)
$1,000,000 Carlton Draught Railway Stakes (1600m)
Group 1 - No Claims - Quality Handicap
| # | Horse | Kg | Br | Jockey | Trainer |
| 1 | MEGATIC | 57 | 11 | Patrick Carbery | Albie Beckett |
| 2 | SNIPER'S BULLET | 56.5 | 14 | Nash Rawiller | Tracey Bartley |
| 3 | ALL AMERICAN | 56 | 2 | Corey Brown | David Hayes |
| 4 | GOLD SALUTE | 55.5 | 7 | Damien Oliver | Mark Riley |
| 5 | LARGO LAD | 54 | 10 | Glen Boss | David Hayes |
| 6 | ORTENSIA | 53.5 | 13 | Craig Williams | Tony Noonan |
| 7 | TARZI | 53 | 4 | Paul Harvey | Neville Parnham |
| 8 | COLOUR CORRECT | 52 | 17 | Ross Price | |
| 9 | ELLIOTTO | 52 | 1 | Neville Parnham | |
| 10 | FAMOUS ROMAN | 52 | 3 | Jason Whiting | Ken Williamson |
| 11 | GRAND NIRVANA | 52 | 12 | Daniel Staeck | Fred Kersley |
| 12 | KASABIAN | 52 | 5 | Shaun O'Donnell | Darren Mc Auliffe |
| 13 | KEYTOMONEY | 52 | 16 | William Pike | Michael Lane |
| 14 | LORDS RANSOM | 52 | 8 | Alan Kennedy | Adam Durrant |
| 15 | OROYA GOLD | 52 | 15 | Daniel Morton | |
| 16 | SPIRITED ONE | 52 | 6 | Peter Knuckey | Paula Wagg |
| Emergencies | |||||
| 17 | LAMBTON CASTLE | 52 | 18 | Lindsey Smith | |
| 18 | COCONUT GROVE | 52 | 9 | Tony Noonan | |
Picture - Quentin Lang
Spell For Hay List
- Sunday, 15 November 2009 13:45
Excellent Western Australian sprinter Hay List will be sent to the paddock after finishing sixth in the $200,000 Group Three Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Moonemia loses win: Stewards open inquiry
- Monday, 16 November 2009 12:45
This finding was verified by the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory in NSW.
Evidence was taken from Mr Robert Harvey (Jnr) Trainer of MOONEMIA, Mr Harvey's Legal Representative Mr B Havilah, Veterinary Surgeon Dr Julia Vines, Chem Centre Manager Mr Charles Russo, RWWA Veterinarian Dr Peter Symons and RWWA Investigator Mr Geoff Johnson.
Trainer Mr Robert Harvey (Jnr) pleaded guilty to a charge under AR 175(h)(ii) for administering the product Amicar to MOONEMIA prior to that gelding winning Race 3 the playeronline.com.au Handicap (1650m) at Belmont on Wednesday, 2 September 2009 resulting in the detection of aminocaproic acid, a prohibited substance under the Rules of Racing.
The inquiry was adjourned until a time and date to be fixed to allow Stewards to consider a submission from Mr Harvey (Jnr) in regard to penalty.
Acting under the provisions of AR177, MOONEMIA was subsequently disqualified from the above race and the placings amended to:
1st NIKE HEIR (P Hall)
2nd CLASSCHASER (S Parnham)
3rd ETERNAL POWER (S O'Donnell)
4th ROCKING THE BLUES (P King)
5th SARACEN KING (D Staeck)
Media Release - RWWA
Devotion Triumphant in Jungle Mist Classic
- Sunday, 15 November 2009 00:59
Royal Devotion was ideally ridden by Harvey, who had her in a midfield position, before un-launching a powerful finishing burst to claim victory.
The Ross Price prepared mare was coming off a strong win over 1000m last start and she should continue to improve during the Festival Of Perth Racing Fillies and Mares Features.
The four-year-old galloper, who is owned by new Perth Racing sponsor Frank Fiore, is out of former C.B. Cox Stakes winner Never Blue, which Fiore is the new sponsor of. The race is now called the Landscape Development C.B. Cox Stakes.
In second place was Versarc, who fleetingly looked the winning after the field had straightened for home, but she just ran out of puff late, after settling right on top of the hot speed.
Of the others, Dance Across ran her usual race when finishing in third place at massive each way odds and she seems to be in for another consistent campaign.
"Paul (Harvey) said after her last start win, she will be better suited when ridden a little more patiently and that is exactly what he did today," winning trainer Ross Price said following the race.
"I gave him no instructions; he knew what he wanted to do.
"I have no concerns about her stepping up to 1400m as she has won over the distance before," Price added.
Media Release - Perth Racing
Waratah's Burns Turf At Lark Hill
- Monday, 16 November 2009 12:45
His trainer David Harrison was happy with the way Waratah's Secret had trialled in the winkers but added that he would most likely apply the blinkers back to his gear on race day.
"I'll probably put the blinkers back on for the Winterbottom. He ticked all the boxes today, but it is a half million dollar race and I want to make sure he is at his top!" Harrison told Perth Racing.
Paul Harvey rode the strapping three year old son of Oratorio and only flicked him with the whip in his left hand over the concluding fifty metres.
The $500,000 Group 2 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) will be at Ascot on November 28.
Media Release - Perth Racing
Elliotto Sneaks Into Railway Stakes
- Sunday, 15 November 2009 00:59
Elliotto put the writing on the wall with his super closing sectional behind Kasabian in the Asian Beau Stakes last start and he was able to repeat the dose on Saturday.
The Neville Parnham prepared five-year-old has been somewhat of a surprise packet this campaign, but he surely will be right up the top end of the market for the Railway Stakes on November 21.
It was a two horse tussle up the home running, with Colour Correct, who was also trying to gain a start in the Railway Stakes, fighting on powerfully after racing three deep throughout.
Elliotto was able to fight back, after clearly been headed by Colour Correct and score a short head victory.
It was the biggest win to date for Elliotto, who took his prize earning past the $400,000 region.
Colour Correct, who finished a game second, is still a small chance of gaining a start in the Carlton Draught Railway Stakes, but that all depends of who accepts for the Group One feature.
"That run will certainly help his cause, but we will have to see what accepts for the event. He is a still a chance, but nothing is certain" Chief Handicapper David Hunter said following the win.
The race favourite Grand Nirvana had to weave his way through traffic for Daniel Staeck, when finishing in third position and his effort was certainly eye-catching.
"He proved he was up to them last start and Steven gave him a good ride today," trainer Neville Parnham said.
"We will push forward for the Railway and I think we have a good chance."
Media Release - Perth Racing
Ortensia Gallop To Determine Race Call
- Monday, 16 November 2009 07:45
Craig Williams will ride Ortensia in a track gallop at Ascot on Tuesday morning which will determine whether she runs in Saturday's Group One Railway Stakes or is reserved for the Group Two Winterbottom Stakes a week later.
Williams, who was suspended for causing interference to Daffodil on his mount Leica Ding early in the straight in the Melbourne Cup, rode at the Cranbourne trials on Monday before flying to Perth.
The gallop is vital to Williams who may resume race riding at Sandown on Saturday if Noonan decides to miss the Railway (1600m) with Ortensia and waits for the weight-for-age Winterbottom (1400m).
"She going to gallop at Ascot in the morning. Craig Williams will ride her in her work and we'll make a decision from there whether to go to the Railway or the Winterbottom," Noonan said.
The leading jockey has been offered rides in the Group Three Sandown Eclipse Stakes (1800m) including the Noonan-trained Rose Syrah.
Rose Syrah flashed home from second last on the home turn to finish third behind Strawberry Field and Ortensia in the Listed Herald Sun Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
She again came with a strong late run from well back when runner-up to Dane Julia in the Listed Summoned Stakes (1500m) at Sandown on Saturday.
"If I'm happy with her recovery in the Eclipse she will run in the Eclipse, but I probably won't make that decision until later in the week," Noonan said.
Ortensia, who won the Group Two QTC Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm before finishing third to Black Piranha in the Group One Stradbroke Hcp (1400m) at the same track, is the $7 second pick in the betting with TAB Sportsbet in the Railway.
Damien Oliver's mount Gold Salute is $5 favourite with Emirates Stakes winner All American and Grand Nirvana at $8 with Sniper's Bullet next best at $10.
Ortensia is on the third line of betting at $6.50 with Nicconi for the Winterbottom behind Waratahs Secret at $5.50 and Apache Cat and Idyllic Prince at $6.
There were 28 entries for the Eclipse including last Saturday's Summoned Stakes winner Dane Julia and Tintern, who won the 1700m event at the Hillside meeting.
The highest rated runners are 2007 BMW winner Blutigeroo, whose last win was in the Canberra Cup last November; Jungle Ruler, who was runner-up to Nine Tales in the Group Three Race-Tech Stakes (1500m) at Sandown on Saturday; and Dane Julia, a Group One winner in South Africa and New Zealand.
Revolition Pops Hay List Bubble In Style
- Sunday, 15 November 2009 00:45
WA sprinter Hay List had his bubble burst when beaten by Revolition and four other runners in a memorable edition of the Group Three $202,000 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Sent out at the $1.50 favourite after eight unbeaten runs, Hay List found the step up to group company too much and after leading into the straight he weakened to finish sixth.
While Hay List sent punters into a sweat the story couldn't have been more different to the loyal supporters of Revolition.
The Paul Jordan prepared four-year-old was able to notch up his seventh win at start number 16 with a strong win.
Managing part owner Harvey Crossman, the President of the WA Racehorse Owners Association, was all smiles in the winner's stall.
"It was a great win," Crossman said. "He'd never been beaten at 1100 (metres), but we didn't really fancy our chances today."
"Jimmy and Jason were so confident (with Hay List) we thought we might have been racing for second or third."
"We originally nominated him for the other 1000 metre race today and when they called for extra noms for the Colonel Reeves we just chucked him in there."
"Brad has ridden him a treat."
Crossman said the gelding had turned into an incredible money spinner for his connections.
"He only cost $25,000 at the sale two of three years ago and I think he's up to $380,000 now and $120,000 in Westspeed bonuses - we keep pinching ourselves."
A son of leading WA sire Key Business, Revolition was purchased by Jordan for just $25,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
The Rangeview Stud offered youngster is the third stakes winner from his dam - the grand producing Silver Prospector mare Prospect Sky.
A stakes winner of the Burgess Queen Stakes, Prospect Sky has produced the Winterbottom Stakes winner Noble Sky and Revolition's older full brother, the Belmont Guineas winner Volition.
A quality line of yearlings from Rangeview Stud are heading to the 2010 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale at Belmont.
Rob and Jodie Gray and the Rangeview team have a draft of 19 yearlings heading to the sale - 11 by Revolition's sire Key Business.
Media Release - Magic Millions