Angel Nabs Guineas For Aussie Oratorio
- Sunday, 15 November 2009 00:45
In continuing the outstanding run for Mungrup Stud based stallion Oratorio, Clueless Angel earned herself a well deserved spell with her latest stakes victory.
Winning trainer Lindsey Smith was proud of the effort of the locally bred, sold and owned filly.
"It was a good, courageous win," Smith said moments after the victory.
"I thought when that horse headed her we might have been going to run second."
"But she's always been a fighter and she showed it again today."
Smith said it was an honour to win the Guineas for the filly's owner, leading WA breeder and businessman Ron Sayers.
"It's a good bloke who owns it - he's a better bloke than this horse is a horse. He's a champion bloke and it's a great thrill to win for Ronny."
Connections said the filly would head for a deserved spell following back to back stakes successes.
"That's definitely it," Smith confirmed. "She'll probably come back for something like the Champion Fillies (Stakes) and I'd say she'd probably go to stud next year."
For Sayers the win meant plenty.
"Lindsey has done a fantastic job with this horse. The horse has been up for 45 weeks off and on - the horse has never left his stable."
"The unfortunate thing was I didn't breed it, I had to buy it."
Clueless Angel ($9) found enough under the urgings of Alan Kennedy to get up and beat the favourite Thorn Dancer ($4 fav) by a head.
In a driving finish The Corporation ($4.20) was a further short head back in third place.
Clueless Angel, purchased from the Perth Sale by renowned bloodstock agent John Chalmers, is the highest priced yearling by Oratorio sold at auction, so far.
She was knocked down for $130,000 - a bargain price considering she's already earned over $300,000 and her worth as a broodmare prospect is anyone's guess.
Clueless Angel is one of two winners from her dam - the city winning Marooned mare Petite Angel.
A winner at 1400 metres, Petite Angel is a half sister to two stakes performers including the Group Three Easter Stakes winner Mogul.
Also in the family, one of Western Australia's best, are the likes of Group One winner Old Nick and his stakes winning half sisters Lady Belvedere and Lady Belgrave.
A half brother to Clueless Angel by exciting young Scenic stallion Due Sasso is set to go under the hammer at January's 2010 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
The colt will be offered by Mungrup Stud and he has been catalogued as lot number 190.
Media Release - Magic Millions
Festival of Perth Racing Super Stables Competition
- Wednesday, 11 November 2009 11:59
Pick any five gallopers racing during the Festival of Perth Racing from Saturday November 21st culminating on Perth Cup day January 1st 2010.
Add these horses to your stable and the highest accumulated points tally in the above period will be adjudged the winner of this super prize. (competition rules can be found under competition info)
1st prize is a Super Stable Race Day Package valued at $2500!
Table for 6 People at Flying Colours Restaurant - Gourmet Luncheon & Beverages
3 x $200 Betting Vouchers
3 x Overnight accommodation Burswood Intercontinental Hotel
Limousine transfer from Burswood to Ascot return.
It's the Ultimate Raceday!
Plus, every week, Perth Racing will give away 2 tickets to the BMW 2010 Perth Cup for the highest performing stable for the week.
Entries close at 12pm Thursday November 19th WST.
Media Release - Perth Racing
Miller Disqualified For A Year Over Modified Whip
- Monday, 26 October 2009 14:30
Miller, 17, fronted RWWA stewards late yesterday and pleaded not guilty to two whip related charges.
The particulars of the first charge being that Miller carried and used a whip which had weighted objects in the padded section of the whip.
The second charge was for carrying a whip which was not in a satisfactory condition.
After taking all evidence and Miller's not guilty plea into consideration, stewards disqualified the young hoop for 12 months, with his ban commencing from the 4th of October earlier this year.
Stewards discovered Miller with a modified whip at Belmont on October 3, after closely examining all the whips of riders engaged at the meeting.
News of Miller's modified whip spread to other racing jurisdictions where stewards at Morphettville and Warwick Farm on Monday the 5th of October put the whips of every rider through a metal detector.
Today was the fourth hearing into the matter and more evidence was submitted by Miller, his mother Sharon, trainer Neville Parnham, and Miller's legal representative Ms Belinda Lonsdale before arriving at their decision.
In sanctioning Miller, stewards took into consideration several factors such as the seriousness of the charge, the prejudicial image of racing, the welfare of the animal and the fact Miller is still an apprentice.
Miller was disqualified for 12 months under the first charge of improper practice while his six month ban for using a whip in an unsatisfactory condition will be served concurrently.
RSPCA spokesman Richard Barry applauded RWWA's strong stance and denounced Miller's actions.
"We're very happy that an individual who has been bludgeoning these horses, more than a hundred of them over a three month period, will no longer be able to mount a horse and whip it with what amounts to an improvised mace," Mr Barry told ABC Perth.
Miller has 14 days to appeal the decision.
Corey Brown Sticking With All American
- Wednesday, 11 November 2009 04:30
Corey Brown has the chance to add to his Melbourne Cup carnival tally of three Group One wins in Perth later this month and Hong Kong next month aboard Emirates Stakes winner All American.
Brown has been confirmed as the rider of the David Hayes-trained All American in the $1 million Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on Saturday week.
After winning the Victoria Derby on Monaco Consul and the Melbourne Cup on Shocking, Brown capped off his highly-successful Flemington carnival by winning the Emirates Stakes on All American last Saturday.
It was only the second time Brown had ridden the entire after finishing fourth on him in the 2008 Golden Rose at Rosehill.
All American hadn't won since his two-year-old season when he won three races including the Group Three Skyline Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in March last year.
He went 18 starts without a win but had performed well over the spring without luck until storming home to beat Cox Plate winner So You Think by 2-1/2 lengths in the Emirates, running the 1600m trip in 1:33.98 which was only 0.49s outside the course record set by Scenic Peak in winning the 2002 Emirates.
The Red Ransom four-year-old this week received an invitation to run in the Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on December 13.
All American, stablemate Largo Lad, Emirates third placegetter Gold Salute, Sniper's Bullet and Ortensia were all flown to Perth on Tuesday.
Damien Oliver has been engaged to ride Gold Salute in the Railway which trainer Mark Riley said would be the Testa Rossa six-year-old's only run in Perth.
Riley said Oliver would also ride Gold Salute in the Hong Kong Mile if the gelding gained an invitation.
Gold Salute has been ridden by Mark Pegus at six of his last seven starts for three wins and three placings but Riley opted for local knowledge in booking West Australian-born Oliver.
Oliver is unbeaten in two rides on Gold Salute including this year's Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Flemington.
Trainer Tony Noonan, who was hoping Ortensia would receive an invitation this week to run in the Hong Kong Mile, will start the Testa Rossa four-year-old mare in either the Railway or the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) on November 28.
Picture - Quentin Lang
Dark Day For Racing As Star Sprinter Dies
- Saturday, 24 October 2009 13:45
Trained by Chris Stelmach, the five-year-old gelding by Danetime suffered a heart attack post-race as he was being led back to his horse stall following the running of the $125,000 Group 3 Prince Of Wales (1200m) at Ascot on Saturday.
The prolific winner finished an uncharacteristic last in the ten-horse field behind Idyllic Prince.
Previous to today, Dark Target had only finished worse then fourth on only one occasion and that came in the Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) when clearly unsuited by the longer journey.
A winner of eight from 19 starts and with earnings just shy of $400,000 Dark Target's last win was ironically recorded in last year's edition of the Prince Of Wales.
Five Fly To Perth
- Wednesday, 11 November 2009 02:59
Ortensia, Gold Salute, All American, Largo Lad and Sniper's Bullet all boarded a flight from Melbourne to Perth late yesterday afternoon in order to contest the $1 million Group One Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot next Saturday. Amberino could join that quintet after running in this Saturday's $100,000 Listed TBV Summoned Stakes (1500m) at Betfair Park Sandown Hillside however gaining a flight to Perth in time could pose a problem if trainer John Moloney opts to head west.
The Mick Price trained Rightfully Yours will not make his second trip to Perth in as many years.
Local galloper Megatic heads the weights with 57kg while last year's runner-up of the Railway Stakes and third placegetter in the Kingston Town Classic (1800m), Sniper's Bullet will carry 56.5kg.
After the Railway, it is expected All American and Ortensia will travel to Hong Kong to join the likes of All Silent and Scenic Blast as Australian horses competing at Sha Tin on December 13.
All American has been already been invited to Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Mile (1600m) based on the strength of his win in the Emirates Stakes (1600m) last Saturday, while connections of Ortensia are waiting to receive an invite for either the HK Sprint or HK Mile in the next 48 hours.
$1,000,000 Carlton Draught Railway Stakes (1600m)
Saturday 21 November @ Ascot
Weights & Provisional Order of Entry as of Monday 9th November
1. MEGATIC BECKETT, A.F. 57.0 (111)
2. SNIPER'S BULLET BARTLEY, T. 56.5 (110)
3. VIGOR (NZ) O'BRIEN, D.T. 56.5 (110)
4. ALL AMERICAN HAYES, D.A. 56.0 (109)
5. NICCONI HAYES, D.A. 56.0 (109)
6. GOLD SALUTE RILEY, M.A. 55.5 (108)
7. EAGLE FALLS HAYES, D.A. 55.0 (107)
8. RED LORD CUMMINGS, A.J. 55.0 (107)
9. RIGHTFULLY YOURS PRICE, M. 54.5 (106)
10. LARGO LAD HAYES, D.A. 54.0 (105)
11. ORTENSIA NOONAN, A. 53.5 (104)
12. TARZI PARNHAM, N.D. 53.0 (103)
13. STAR ENCOUNTER DURRANT, A.G. 52.5 (102)
14. AMBERINO MOLONEY, J.F. 52.0 ( 94)
15. BRAVA FORTUNE PARNHAM, N.D. 52.0 ( 78)
16. COCONUT GROVE NOONAN, A. 52.0 ( 78)
17. COLOUR CORRECT PRICE, R.W. 52.0 ( 81)
18. DANTE'S BANQUET COCKING, O.J. 52.0 ( 95)
19. DELTA GEE GRANT, M.J. 52.0 ( 76)
20. DOYOUDARE MACPHERSON, A.R. 52.0 ( 94)
21. ELLIOTTO PARNHAM, N.D. 52.0 ( 95)
22. EMBLEM OF LIBERTY (SAF) FREEDMAN, D.L. 52.0 ( 93)
23. FAMOUS ROMAN WILLIAMSON, K.W. 52.0 (101)
24. GRAND NIRVANA KERSLEY, F.R. 52.0 ( 99)
25. HADABECLORKA LARSSON, B.R. 52.0 ( 95)
26. HAWKEYE MORT MORTIMER, A.H. 52.0 ( 86)
27. INARTICULATE DURRANT, A.G. 52.0 ( 85)
28. JINX KING MATHEWS, A.D. 52.0 ( 92)
29. KASABIAN MC AULIFFE, D.T. 52.0 ( 95)
30. KENS DOUBLE PARNHAM, N.D. 52.0 ( 90)
31. KEYTOMONEY LANE, M.L. 52.0 (101)
32. LAMBTON CASTLE SMITH, L. 52.0 ( 88)
33. LONDON WHITE, D.S.J. 52.0 ( 96)
34. LORDS RANSOM DURRANT, A.G. 52.0 (100)
35. LUCKY THUNDER O'BRIEN, D.T. 52.0 ( 89)
36. MARKUS MAXIMUS (NZ) MOODY, P.G. 52.0 ( 95)
37. MESSENGER CUMMINGS, A.J. 52.0 ( 85)
38. MY CENTRAL (ITY) EURELL, G. 52.0 ( 93)
39. NEW SPICE VAN MERWYK, MRS E.A. 52.0 ( 93)
40. OROYA GOLD MORTON, D.L. 52.0 ( 91)
41. ROMAN TIME KERSLEY, F.R. 52.0 ( 97)
42. RUSSIAN PLAYMATE DURRANT, A.G. 52.0 ( 88)
43. SEA SKYE (USA) LAMING, S.B. 52.0 ( 75)
44. SOUND OF NATURE (USA) FREEDMAN, D.L. 52.0 ( 91)
45. SPIRITED ONE WAGG, MISS P.D. 52.0 ( 93)
46. STREETFIGHTER MATHRICK, T.G. 52.0 ( 95)
47. TUDOR LAD PRICE, R.W. 52.0 ( 88)
48. VON COSTA DE HERO HAYES, D.A. 52.0 ( 95)
49. WALKING OR DANCING (NZ) PARTELLE, B. 52.0 ( 95)
50. WEST RIVER CHARLEY NOSKE, MRS J.M. 52.0 ( 91)
51. ZUYTDORP HANNA, E.J. 52.0 ( 77)
52. DINO MAK MITCHELL, W.J. 50.0 ( 68)
53. GOD HAS SPOKEN PARNHAM, N.D. 50.0 ( 75)
54. THE CORPORATION ANDREWS, T.M. 50.0 ( 70)
Kennedy Milestone As Oratorio Run Continues
- Wednesday, 21 October 2009 07:45
Promising apprentice Ben Kennedy notched his first winner at Ascot this afternoon when he teamed up with promising three-year-old filly Clueless Angel to win the Westspeed 3YO Handicap (1400m).
Kennedy, 17 next month, has grown up in the industry and is the younger brother of Alan, who recently graduated to become a senior jockey in Perth.
Prior to today he'd won a handful of races in Perth, but all of them had come at Belmont.
Kennedy allowed the filly to settle off the speed and after getting her into clear ground in the straight she rounded up the leaders before strolling clear.
At the post the Lindsey Smith prepared Clueless Angel ($2.15 fav) held a two length margin over Avonmore Terrace ($26).
Completing a Magic Millions trifecta was Flashy Doll ($4.20) who was another half length back.
As well as notching up a milestone for Kennedy, Clueless Angel extended an incredible run for his sire, Oratorio.
A former star Magic Millions graduate, Oratorio has emerged as one of Australia's hottest young sires and on Saturday his unbeaten three-year-old Waratah's Secret romped home in the Belgravia Stakes.
Magic Millions Perth Manager Murray Tillett said Oratorio had made the best possible start to his stud career.
Tillett said no young stallion had made such an impact with his early runners than Oratorio in West Australia for as long as he could remember.
"In his first crop he won the Karratta Plate with a filly, he's got a superstar in Waratah's Secret, another stakes galloper in Dawinner and Clueless Angel looks a black type galloper as well."
He said Oratorio's early success with his runners was being reflected in WA breeding circles.
"His book was closed about six months ago. And that's no surprise - what an impression he's made already."
"And it really looks like his progeny will continue to improve as they develop."
There's no doubt that the efforts to date of Oratorio's runners are being noticed around the country.
"I'd be staggered if there's not some good eastern state interest in his yearlings at our next sale."
"There's nothing more a stallion can do. His yearlings are good looking and they are sure to impress those who haven't seen any as yet."
"And people all around the country remember what a tough two and three-year-old Oratorio was when trained by Lee Freedman."
"He proved his class in a number of states and has now let down to be a magnificent stallion."
Tillett said over 30 yearlings by Oratorio would be catalogued for the 2010 Perth Yearling Sale - which will kick away on January 27.
Another highlight of the Perth Sale will be the half brother to Clueless Angel, by exciting freshman sire Due Sasso.
The cracking youngster will be one of the stand outs from a quality packed draft for Mungrup Stud at the top producing Belmont based auction.
Media Release - Magic Millions
Million Dollar Mission For Kasabian
- Sunday, 01 November 2009 04:59
In winning his sixth straight race in a powerful on speed performance Kasabian showed he was one of the horses to beat in the Railway Stakes - WA's richest race.
Trainer Darren McAuliffe said the Railway Stakes was always the major ambition this preparation for Kasabian.
"It was always the plan and everything is working out so far," McAuliffe reported after the win.
The $1 million Group One Railway Stakes (1600m) will be run at Ascot in three weeks time, November 21.
"His next start will be in the Railway (Stakes)," McAuliffe said. "He doesn't need anything in between."
He said his instructions to rider Shaun O'Donnell prior to the Asian Beau Stakes were simple.
"I didn't give him many instructions - I just say go out there and lead."
Lead he did. And headed he wouldn't be. Home he went to the line.
At the post Kasabian ($4.40) had a head margin on the line over Elliotto ($14), while Grand Nirvana ($6.50) was a further length and three quarters behind.
The favourite Colour Correct ($3.20 fav) wound up in sixth placed under Paul Harvey who was attempting to win all three stakes races on the Ascot card.
Winning rider Shaun O'Donnell can't wait to ride Kasabian at his next start in the Railway Stakes.
"He's a good horse," O'Donnell said. "It is three weeks to the Railway - I can't wait!"
Kasabian is turning out a great money spinner for connections who purchased him as a yearling from the dispersal of stock from Astrik Pty Ltd at the 2006 Magic Millions Spring Thoroughbred Stud.
He cost $30,000 and as it stands now he's earned $317,675 from just 12 starts.
The ever consistent four-year-old has now won seven races and he has missed a place just once in his career.
Kasabian's group victory was a timely boost for his half sister heading to January's 2010 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale at Belmont.
Catalogued as lot 226, the bay filly is a member of the first crop of exciting WA based Danehill sire Saxon.
The Saxon filly is the latest attractive yearling from the grand producing mare Safety Valve.
An unraced daughter of Air de France, Safety Valve is the dam of five winners including three stakes winners.
Aside from Kasabian she is the dam of listed race winners Belarus (Bunbury Cup) and Safety Outlet (Singapore Stewards' Cup).
Media Release - Magic Millions
Untapped, Unbeaten, Unbelievable: Waratah's Star
- Sunday, 18 October 2009 00:30
The three-year-old gelding by Mungrup Stud based sire Oratorio bounbed out of the barriers well and sat on the speed for much of the race before striding clear of his rivals in the straight for the easiest of wins.
In a breathtaking performance, Waratah's Secret stopped the click in a blistering 1 minute 8.13 seconds for the 1200 metres - smashing the race record by 2.19 seconds!
Already being touted as the new "freak" of WA racing, Waratah's Secret was sent out as the long odds on favourite and he didn't let his connections or supporters down.
And judging by the ease of the win and the domination of his rivals it appears the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale graduate has bigger and better wins in store.
Waratah's Secret ($1.40 fav) raced clear in the straight to beat Romida ($31) by three and three quarter lengths.
Dawinner ($51) was a further length back in third place.
Trainer David Harrison, who purchased the young star for $43,000 at last year's Belmont based sale, is already looking forward to Waratah's Secret's next run.
"The track is very fast today, but they still have to run (the time) I suppose," Harrison said.
"It was a fantastic win."
"He won in a hand canter really. He over raced a little bit early. He's probably still got a fair bit to learn."
Harrison thinks the gelding will be even more effective one he is able to sit behind a leader.
"I'll probably try and settle him in the Fairetha (Stakes) in a couple of weeks."
"Step his work up a little bit," he added. "I think he will be a better horse chasing one."
"If he comes through the Fairetha in flying colours we'd head to the Guineas."
"If he comes through that in flying colours we might go to the Kingstown Town (Stakes)."
"And if he doesn't we'll just go back in distance."
If you missed seeing Waratah's Secret in the Belgravia or at his previous two runs - which he won by six and six and three quarter lengths respectively - do yourself a favour and not miss his next.
Oratorio, an Australian bred son of Stravinsky and the sire of Waratah's Secret, was a former top class juvenile who won feature races in numerous stakes including the Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic.
Prepared by Hall of Fame horseman Lee Freedman he trained on at three to win the Group Three CS Hayes Stakes at Moonee Valley.
His freshman crop, two last season and of which Waratah's Secret is a member, has done a remarkable job already and he looks destined for a bright future at stud.
An outstanding selecting of yearlings by the sire are set to go under the hammer at January's 2010 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
Waratah's Secret wasn't the only Magic Millions graduate to impress at Ascot's opening meeting of the 2009/10 racing season.
Geyser Peak, Snug Buggles, General Albert, Moonlight Drive and Bodgie Business were all impressive winners - but none could match Waratah's Secret for grabbing the headlines.
In fact of the eight races run at Ascot today - six were won by Magic Millions puchases. The other two were WA homebreds.
Media Release - Magic Millions
Perth Apprentice Disqualified
- Tuesday, 27 October 2009 01:45
Perth apprentice Duncan Miller has been disqualified for 12 months at the conclusion of an inquiry into his use of a whip weighted with lead.
After four hearings of the inquiry which began on October 3, stewards found Miller guilty of two charges on Monday of using the modified padded whip between August 1 and October 3.
Miller pleaded not guilty to both charges.
In determining the penalty, stewards took into account the seriousness of the charges, the damage to the image of racing and horse welfare.
Along with restrictions on their use, the lighter padded whips were introduced on August 1 to lessen the impact on horses.
Miller Charged Over Padded Whip
- Friday, 16 October 2009 08:45
Further evidence was taken from Apprentice Miller, Host Trainer Mr Neville Parnham, Mrs Sharon Miller (mother of Duncan Miller), Apprentice Duncan Miller's legal advisor and Principal Investigator Mr Phil O'Reilly.
Apprentice Miler was charged under ARR 175 (a) with an improper practice. The particulars of the charge being that Apprentice Miller carried and used in races and trials, in the period between 1st August 2009 and 3rd October 2009, a whip which had weighted objects in the padded section of the whip.
Further, Apprentice Miller was charged under ARR 137A(1)(b) for carrying in races and trials in the period between 1st August 2009 and 3rd October 2009, a whip which was not in a satisfactory condition and which had been modified by weighted objects being fitted into the padded section of the whip.
Apprentice Miller pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Apprentice Miller's Legal Advisor requested and was granted an adjournment to provide submissions in answer to the charges.
The inquiry was adjourned until 11am Tuesday 20 October 2009 in the RWWA Stewards Room, Ascot Racecourse.
Media Release - RWWA