Clueless Angel Impresses For Oratorio

Wednesday, 15 July 2009 00:00

With an easy win and two unlucky third placings on the board, Clueless Angel was sent out the odds on favourite and she proved her class with a strong finish in the straight to win.

Winning trainer Lindsey Smith went into today's juvenile event at Belmont with some confidence.

"She drew a decent barrier this time," Smith commented. "I was confident she would be hard to beat."

"She's a pretty nice prospect who's still putting it all together."

"I think she is going to make into a lovely three-year-old," he added.

Raced by well known local breeder and businessman Ron Sayers, Clueless Angel is the highest priced youngster by her sire Oratorio sold at auction.

She made $130,000 at last year's Perth Yearling Sale when offered by Alwyn Park Stud.

Clueless Angel ($1.70 fav) cruised to the line a length and a quarter clear of Gotham City ($9), while Zester ($7) was another half length back in third place.

The runner-up Gotham City, a $90,000 graduate from the same sale as the winner, ran boldly on debut for the Donna Riordan stable.

Ironically Gotham City, a colt from Honeymoon Smile, is the highest priced youngster by State City sold at auction in Australia.

Clueless Angel is a half sister to eight time Malaysian winner Impact (Eternity Range).

She is from a city winning Marooned mare who's a half sister to two stakes performers including the Group Three Easter Stakes winner Mogul.

Other members of her famous WA based family include stakes winners Old Nick, Lady Belvedere and Lady Belgrave.

The winner's sire Oratorio, not be confused with the Coolmore Stud shuttler, was an outstanding young galloper by Stravinsky who's highlight win came in the Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic at Morphettville.

Since retiring to Mungrup Stud, Oratorio has attracted strong books of mares and his outstanding first season figures have been achieved with just 14 runners!

Prospective buyers at this month's Magic Millions Perth Mixed Thoroughbred Sale at Belmont will be sure to inspect the five lots in the sale by Oratorio.

Media Release - Magic Millions

God Has Spoken Roars Home to Win Sires'

Saturday, 11 April 2009 00:00

God Has Spoken, described as a "top three-year-old in the making," gave his connections an early big race success to his career when he rattled home to win the 99th running of the Group Three $202,000 WA Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday.

Aided by a sensational ground saving ride from Perth's perennial champion hoop Paul Harvey, God Has Spoken rattled home to beat fellow Magic Millions graduate Wolfe Dreams in a great performance.

One of three runners in the big race for the state's busiest trainer Neville Parnham, God Has Spoken successfully backed up after scoring an emphatic win at the track seven days ago.

Specked late in betting to start as a $9.50 chance with bookmakers, God Has Spoken flew late, grabbing Wolfe Dreams ($4.40 fav) in the shadows of the post and then streaking away to win by a length.

A similar margin back in third place was the winner's stablemate Bridgestone ($14).

Of the other fancied runners Don'trocktheboat was tenth, Tribulus eleventh and Karrakatta Plate winner Gold Rocks twelfth.

For the premiership leading Parnham the win of God Has Spoken provided him with back to back victories in the Sires'. He won last year with Brava Fortune, who ran a gallant fifth in the WA Derby just over half an hour later.

"He has hit the line strongly at all his starts despite being run off his feet," Parnham said after the win. "It was a matter of just getting him here (to the Sires'), this was his main goal."

"He was aided by a great ride from Paul."

"The plan was to let him find his feet and then ride for luck. I thought if he was going to be able to find the splits he would be right in the finish."

"The blinkers going on have really made the difference. It was a great win."

Parnham is expecting the Sires' Produce Stakes winner to develop further as he matures and he suggested the Group One WA Derby on this day next year could be a possible long range goal.

"I've always thought he (God Has Spoken) would make into a lovely three-year-old. He should just continue to improve."

A $41,000 purchase from last year's BMW Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, God Has Spoken was bred and then sold by famous WA nursery Durham Lodge Thoroughbred Stud.

He is another classy performer by Durham's resident Danehill sire Blackfriars and is from their good producing Rubiton mare Dolly Will Do.

A stakes performer and triple Sydney winner, Dolly Will Do has produced seven winners - among them the Brisbane winner Bombay Sapphire, the dam of recent Sandown winner Agarkar.

The effort of the Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Wolfe Dreams to run second after using up petrol early to cross from a horror barrier draw was first class.

He had the audacity to skip clear on straightening, after being eyeballed by Gold Rocks, and he was only caught when he ran out of gas near the post.

"We were forced to work very hard early and it was a big effort," his rider Shaun McGruddy reported.

Horses who have filled the first and second placings in recent runnings of the Sires' have a habit of training on to feature in big races later in their career.

This is evident from the previous performers having included the likes of Bomber Bill, Hardrada, Old Nick, Covertly and last year's quinella-getters Brava Fortune and Cassandara Shadow who were both placed in last week's WA Oaks.

PICS - Greg Irvine.

Ruler Bows Out in Style in Perth Feature

Saturday, 13 June 2009 00:00

Universal Ruler rounded out his racetrack career with a bang when he scored a fighting win in today's Group Three Belmont Sprint (1400m) at Belmont.

The stud bound four-year-old son of Scenic was able to hold out a late charge from Roman Time to score narrowly, but impressively.

"A lot of hard work has gone into that," winning trainer Darren McAuliffe told Perth Racing immediately after the race.

An exceptionally talented galloper, who cost $42,000 at the 2006 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, Universal Ruler has always been held in high regards by connections.

But along the way not everything has gone to plan and the classy performer has been hampered by a string of setbacks.

"It was probably my own fault. I talked him up a lot early on and he's had a lot of problems during his career - but I've always stated that his ability is unquestionable."

He also talked down his efforts to get the lightly raced star to win at his final ever race start.

"My job is pretty easy when you get horses like him."

McAuliffe praised renowned Perth senior rider Paul Harvey for his handling of Universal Ruler from his outside barrier.

"Full credit to Paul (Harvey) for a wonderful ride today."

Universal Ruler showed early in his career he was a galloper blessed with plenty of ability.

As a two-year-old after winning by eight and a half lengths he beat Scenic Blast in the listed Perth Stakes.

At three he won two more stakes races - the listed Bunbury Stakes and listed Easter Stakes.

Universal Ruler, now four, retires to stud with the record of six wins from just 11 start and stakes earnings of over $314,000.

By former champion Durham Lodge based sire Scenic, Universal Ruler is sure to prove a popular addition to the sire ranks in Western Australia.

He is a three quarter brother to the seven time winning and stakes placed galloper Sports Freak.

His dam Rulings, a winner of two races up to 1200 metres, is a daughter of the Group One AJC Sires' Produce Stakes winner Rhythmic Charm.

The recent Group Three Grand Prix Stakes winner Saint Minerva, a filly from the Alan Bailey stable, is a new recent stakes winner for the family.

PICS - Greg Irvine.

Ascot Races - Derby Day Results and Pictorial

Saturday, 11 April 2009 00:00

Race 1 - Schweppervescence Handicap - 1800m

1st CAT IN A HAT (Geisel Park Pty Ltd Syndicate Mgr: EG Rigg, Mrs Joanne Andrews, DJ Shillington & the Long Lunch Syndicate Mgr: SP Yeo's brown gelding 8 years Gold Fever-Reverse Charge by Vain) Shaun McGruddy for Trevor Andrews
2nd STAR ENCOUNTER - Alan Kennedy for Adam Durrant
3rd FOREST FROLIC - Peter Hall for Jack Cockell

Margins: 1 1/4 lengths x 1/2 length. Time: 1 minute 51.76 seconds

Race 2 - Smart Energy Handicap - 1800m

1st SKY MARSHALL (Mrs KAJ Tomich, KC Regan, WA Adams & GJ Tomich's brown gelding 6 years Key Business-Power in Flight by Beau Sovereign) Takahide Ikenushi for Allan Macpherson
2nd BIARA ROSE - Alan Kennedy for Sharon Miller
3rd JEUNES KNIGHT - Lucas Camilleri for Simon Miller

Margins: Short head x Half head. Time: 1 minute 50/.65 seconds

No Show For Midnight Mustang

Monday, 25 May 2009 00:00

The five year old gelding by Val Royal created a huge impression with his last start win in the Listed Straight Six Handicap at Flemington on May 16 and would have been a big draw card for local racegoers.

Continuing conjecture regarding Midnight Mustang gaining a flight across to Perth was incorrect, according to Australia Air Horse Transport spokesman Chris Calthorpe.

"There have been no problems flying horses into Perth over the past few weeks," Calthorpe said.

"A top standard bred and thoroughbred has flown into Perth in the past fortnight and Scenic Blast will be leaving on Tuesday as planned."

Fun Spice Rattles Home for McGruddy Double

Saturday, 11 April 2009 00:00

Fun Spice won his fourth race and second in town when he upstaged the hot favourite Shock Value in today's Westspeed 3YO Handicap (1200m) at Ascot.

Trained on the track by accomplished horsewoman Donna Riordan, Fun Spice came from last on the corner to get up and win in a tight finish.

It gave popular Perth senior rider Shaun McGruddy an early double following the first race success of Cat in a Hat.

Raced by Dennis Rainer, Fun Spice was able to bounce back into the winner's stall at his second run since a break.

The gelded son of former WA based Real Jester had earlier started his career in a blaze of glory with three wins from as many starts.

After winning back to back races at Pinjarra, he went to town and cruised to victory at Ascot in November last year.

"He is a very promising, honest horse," McGruddy said following the exciting win. 

"From the barrier with the speed on I was happy to go back, but I was worried when he was off the bridle at the 450m."

"But he showed his toughness and was bale to get over the top of them," he summed up.

Riordan said Fun Spice was a "pleasure to train" and she was looking forward to the remainder of his latest campaign.

In the run to the line Fun Spice had a half head margin over Smokin Dragon in the middle and Russell Road, a head further back, was on the fence and placed third.

The latter skipped clear on straightening and looking like giving the retiring Alana Williams (formerly Sansom) a fairytale result on her last day in the saddle.

Meanwhile, Trevor Andrews and the connections of Cat in a Hat have reason to celebrate the rest of the Easter weekend after their evergreen galloper won the Schweppervescence Handicap.

In winning his tenth race at start number 73, Cat in a Hat was able to boost his earnings to over $350,000 with the length and a quarter victory.

Rider Shaun McGruddy was able to control the speed from the front and kick away his mount in the straight. It was a winning move.

The hot favourite Star Encounter, under highly regarded apprentice Alan Kennedy, was unable to peg back the leader in the run to the line.

PICS - Greg Irvine.

Thrilling Bolton Sprint Goes to Grand Nirvana

Saturday, 16 May 2009 00:00

It was the Fred Kersley trained Grand Nirvana who put his nose in front right where it counts, scoring at his first run back from a spell.

Gran Nirvana was settled in third position throughout from rider Daniel Staeck, tracking the Jim Taylor pair, Vain Raider and Idyllic Prince.

Once the field had fully straightened for home, Staeck eased Grand Nirvana into the clear to make his run and he looked like he would go straight by them.

It wasn't that easy, both Vain Raider and Idyllic Prince gave there absolute all, with top weight Megatic bursting through on the fence for William Pike, who was searching for his fourth win on the day.

Fred Kersely, who is the trainer of Grand Nirvana made it his third successive win in the H.G. Bolton Sprint, following wins in 2007 with Is Amazing, and last year it was taken out by stable star Marasco.

Runner up Megatic performed exceptionally well under his impost of 60kg and the son of Danetime appears to be right back to his brilliant best.

The powerful Jim Taylor duo Vain Raider (3rd) and Idyllic Prince (4th) lost no admirers with there tough performances and wins are just around the corner for the classy pair.

Hadabeclorka finished in fifth position, but never threatened the leading quartet.

What they said - "His form when last in work was outstanding. This was a classy field today, so it was a good measuring stick to see where we were at with our bloke. Full praise to Dan Staeck, he's riding in sparkling form at the minute. Where he goes from here is up to Dad (Fred Kersley). Stable representative Karen Kersley said following the win.

Results: Numbers: 7-1-11-3-2 Time: 1.09.92 (34.19) Margins: Nose x Short ½ Head x Nose

Winners Breeding: Scenic - Paradise Park (Bletchley Park)

Media Release - Perth Racing

Victorians Strike in WA Derby

Saturday, 11 April 2009 00:00

The locals were left licking their wounds and a major question mark was placed over the form of the WA three-year-olds when Melbourne maiden performers Markus Maximus and Berlioz quinellaed today's Group One Schweppes WATC Derby (2500m) at Ascot.

While the Peter Moody trained Markus Maximus and David Hayes' Berlioz had won in Victoria, neither had previously won a metropolitan race.

Phenomenons, one of three runners in the blue riband for Shane Edwards, was sent out the favourite and ran a close up third. Things didn't improve for connections when a protest fired in by his rider Troy Turner against the winner was dismissed like lightning.

Markus Maximus was sent across to Perth after his last start second to Big Col at Caulfield last start. The form was marked questionable by many punters after Big Col could run only 11th in the AJC Derby earlier in the day.

But that counted for nothing and it was one of Victorian racing's most lethal combinations - Nolen and Moody - who would take the honours in the Perth based Derby.

Moody wasn't at Ascot to cheer home his latest Group One winner. Nolen was left to enjoy the win momentarily after the dismissed protest before departing the track quickly for a flight home to Melbourne.

"We're not too disappointed in taking home some of the Perth money," Nolen quipped.

Nolen said everything went pretty well for he and Markus Maximus after somewhat of a tardy getaway.

"He was a bit slow into stride. He never built to his top until we crossed the post for the first time."

"We went at a farcical temp in the middle stages. It probably suited me a bit, but I would have preferred they rolled along a bit more."

"Being by Pentire he is very dour."

Nolen said he did have some concerns when approaching the business end of the race when it appeared his mount would be hard pressed to sprint home and win.

"He was only going average (at the 600 metre mark). He does take a bit of convincing to win - just because he's a pretty relaxed sort of horse, a bit like his jockey."

"I found myself there (at the head of the field) a long way from home. But I knew he was fit and the run at Caulfield three weeks ago topped him off nicely for this one."

Nolen, like the other Victorians on course for today's Derby, had a bit of a sweat up following the big race. Perth's maximum today of 31 was nine degrees more than Nolen's home in Melbourne peaked at this afternoon.

"When I left home it was snowing. I had to come over here and see the sun again - it was a bit of a shock to the system."

"I wish I could take some of the weather home," Nolen summed up.

Last Saturday's Golden Slipper winning jockey Brad Rawiller, rider of runner-up Berlioz, was delighted with the performance of the David Hayes trained son of Zabeel.

"It was a terrific run," Rawiller said. "I had my chance to pick the winner up at the 100 metre mark, but he wasn't quite good enough."

A $60,000 yearling purchase from the Karaka Yearling Sale in 2007, Markus Maximus becomes the second stakes winner for his dam Shafty Lady.

An unraced daughter of Last Tycoon, Shafty Lady had before today already produced the Group Three Manawatu Cup winner Nanjara.

As well as being the dam of two group winners. Shafty Lady is a nicely bred mare. She is a daughter of the Adelaide Hill-Smith Stakes winner Yankee Gold - therefore being a half sister to three time New Zealand stakes winner Joan's Best.

PICS - Greg Irvine.

Scenic Shot Flies East

Tuesday, 21 April 2009 00:00

His trainer Dan Morton could not have been happier with his fast finishing third in Saturday's listed Grandstand Cup (1400 metres) at Ascot behind Megatic.

"He has pulled up super and I could not be happier with his effort. Shaun (O'Donnell) was rapt with the run and he is going as good this year as he was before flying out last year." Morton told perthracing.com.au.

Scenic Shot had run second to Marasco in the Hyperion Stakes at Ascot on April 6, before flying out to Sydney and finishing fifth in the George Ryder Stakes to Weekend Hussler, prior to his stunning win in the Hollindale Cup at the Gold Coast on May 3 last year.

"We will head straight into the Hollindale Cup on May 2 and then decide after that run which races he will contest."

Media Release - Perth Racing

Ascot Races - Results and Pictorial

Wednesday, 08 April 2009 00:00

Race 1 - Firing Range Handicap - 2400m

1st GOLD SABRE (Shaun Miller, Mrs SA Catarino, JJ Hume, J & M Paice, MJ & Mrs AJ Millington & Mr BJ Ball's chestnut gelding 5 years Made of Gold-Comroyale by Comeram) Danny Miller for Shaun Miller
2nd TIMBERLANDS - Jason Brown for Neville Parnham
3rd URBAN WALTZ - Patrick Carbery for Rebecca Nairn

Margins: Long head x 3/4 length. Time: 2 minutes 33.26 seconds