Several Jockeys Injured On The Sidelines

Monday, 11 April 2011 23:45

The list of jockeys sidelined due to injured has swelled in the past week with several horror accidents across Australia.

A nasty three-horse fall in the final event on Narrogin Cup Day on Sunday saw leading Western Australian rider Jason Whiting and apprentice Rayce Nielsen injured while Craig Staples fortunately walked away unscathed.

Whiting suffered a rib fracture and was complaining of neck and back pain at Perth hospital after the fall while Nielsen sustained an injury to his leg.

Meanwhile in Tasmania, both Ronan Keogh and David Pires will be sidelined after separate falls.

Pires fell after his mount Captain Dodo collapsed after the winning post and broke his arm at Hobart on April 3. He will not be able to ride for eight weeks.

Keogh suffered a broken collarbone after a trackwork fall at Seven Mile Beach last Monday. He will also be sidelined for six weeks.

Picture: Colin Bull

Prebble Booked For WA Star In Guineas

Monday, 28 February 2011 04:45

Hong Kong-based jockey Brett Prebble has secured the prized Australian Guineas mount on Playing God.

Trainer Neville Parnham was seeking a replacement rider for the star West Australian colt after his son Steven was injured in a Bunbury race fall last Thursday.

Parnham said Prebble's agent rang for mount on Saturday night.

"He (Prebble) is a world-class jockey and I am only too happy to have him on," Parnham said.

"He is aware of the horse and that he has a good turn of foot and has beaten the older horses."

Parnham said he was unconcerned it was unlikely Prebble would be unable to gallop Playing God before the Guineas.

"He knows what he's doing and doesn't need to ride him before the race," Parnham said.

"He is a bit of studier of form and I am sure he will watch the replays."

Parnham said Playing God had settled in well since arriving at Flemington last week and would have a fast gallop on Tuesday morning.

"It is all coming to together nicely," Parnham said. "I'm more than happy with him."

A winner of six of his 10 starts, Playing God is chasing his fifth win in a row in the Group One 1600m feature at Flemington on Saturday.

Late last year he won the Group Two WA Guineas (1600m), Listed Aquanita Stakes (1800m) and Group One weight-for-age Kingston Town Classic (1800m) before an easy first-up victory in the Magic Millions 3YO Trophy (1400m) at Ascot on February 12.

Playing God has long been a leading fancy for the Guineas but was shunted down a line in updated TAB Sportsbet betting after connections of Under The Eiffel paid a $41,250 late entry fee for the feature on Monday.

New Zealander We Can Say It Now is $6.50 favourite ahead of Under The Eiffel ($7.50), Southern Speed ($8) and Playing God ($9).

A winner of four of her eight starts, We Can Say It Now resumed with a close fifth to King Mufhasa in the Group One Waikato Draught Sprint (1400m) on February 12 after Group One 1600m victories in the Levin Classic and the weight-for-age Captain Cook Stakes late last year.

Craig Williams will ride the Starcraft filly, co-trained by Murray and Bjorn Baker.

The Tony Vasil-trained Under The Eiffel emerged as Guineas contender this campaign when, after a 12-month layoff, he returned with two impressive wins at Sandown in January.

He convinced connections they should pay the late entry after an eye-catching second to Dusty Star in the Group Two Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 12.

Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas co-train unbeaten filly Southern Speed and they will also run Spirited Eagle ($17) in the Guineas.

Dreamaway Wins WATC Derby

Sunday, 03 April 2011 02:45

Dreamaway is being hailed as a wonder filly after she extended her winning sequence in the WATC Derby on Saturday.

Continuing an amazing run for owner Bob Peters, Dreamaway made it five victories on end when she beat the males in the Group One classic.

Her 1-1/2 length victory over topline colt Playing God came seven days after she won the WA Oaks against her own sex.

Playing God looked to have the Derby in his keeping when he swept up as the widest runner.

But Dreamaway's jockey William Pike found room between horses and his mount produced a dazzling burst of speed to overhaul Playing God.

Rio Dane held third place from The Tenby Friar and Veracious.

Pike, who also rode Bliss to victory in the Group Three Sires' Produce, receieved a 14-day suspension over his Derby ride.

The ban was the last thing on his mind as he prepared to celebrate the victory with Peters and trainer Grant Williams.

"When you ride a filly as exciting as she is it makes you smile," he told Perth Racing TV.

Dreamaway has now won six of her 10 starts and more than $740,000 in stakes.

Pike said the race unfolded as he planned until the field turned into the straight.

"I actually had a beautiful run but it went a bit pear-shaped turning for home," he said.

"(Luckily) she's got that turn of foot ... it gets her out of trouble."

Camilleri Magic As Fever Wins Millions

Sunday, 13 February 2011 00:14

The Karrakatta Plate is on the cards for quality filly Western Fever after she zoomed home to win the $251,600 Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic (1200m) at Ascot yesterday.

Courtesy of a faultless rail hugging ride from Lucas Camilleri, Western Fever was able to reel in the favourite Night War who nosed out Internationalist and Velvet Assassin in a busy finish.

So fast was the Flying Pegasus filly finishing against the rail she held an increasing length and a quarter margin over her rivals.

Raced by a large team of locals, Western Fever earned her place in the field when she scored an impressive win at Pinjarra late last month.

The filly is trained at Lark Hill by David Harrison - a horseman who not surprisingly was thrilled with the victory.

"It's fantastic," Harrison said.

"It was a good win the other day (at Pinjarra) and she still did a few things wrong but she won well and she could have won by further."

"Lucas rode her a treat," he added.

"She's been a bit wayward the last couple of starts. Being covered up like that against the paint was great and once she got the run there she sprinted through."

"I thought she did it really well at the end (of the race)," Harrison added.

"The race experience held her in good stead today and we've picked up some good money."

"I don't like giving two-year-olds too many runs in their first prep but its only a month to the Karrakatta and she'll tell us in the feed bin tonight."

"If she's well we'll push on to there, if not she can go straight to the paddock," Harrison summed up.

Winning rider Lucas Camillieri told connections after the race that he was always confident of winning after turning for home.

"The run was always going to come - it was just a matter of waiting," Camilleri said. "She was also travelling well."

The Group Two $500,000 Karrakatta Plate will be run at Ascot over 1200 metres on March 19.

While Western Fever cruised home by over a length, the judge had his work out splitting the second, third and fourth placegetters.

In the end, the race favourite Night War held on for second - a nose ahead of Internationalist, with fourth placegetter Velvet Assassin another breath back in third place.

A $26,000 purchase by part owner Ryan Fuller from the draft of Alwyn Park at last year's Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, Western Fever has already earned her connections over $155,000.

Western Fever is a fdirst crop daughter of the exciting young Western Australian based sire Flying Pegasus.

She is from the three time winning Honour and Glory mare Western Sunset.

Western Sunset, who is from the WA Oaks winner Reflected Image, is a half sister to the stakes winner New Image.

Western Fever's third dam Superb Prospect was a stakes winner in the United Stakes and other members of the family include Eastern States stakes winners Stormcat Academy and Facile Tigre and Malaysian star Fighter Jet.

Dreamaway Wins WA Derby

Saturday, 02 April 2011 09:13

The amazing winning run of Bob Peters and his horses continued in the Schweppes WATC Derby when the wonder filly Dreamaway, scythed her way through the field to score a runaway win in the Group 1 Classic for the three year olds.

Following on from her dominant victory in last weeks WA Oaks, Dreamaway continued her amazing winning sequence which extended to five wins all at Group or listed level.

The race was full of intrigue and it certainly didn’t fail to deliver, with the best horses in the race filling the first five placing’s.

View The Stars led the race from the outset but the moves were coming before the home bend, with Veracious the first of the fancied runners to make his claim along with Rio Dane and The Tenby Friar.

But it was Playing God who looked to have the Derby in his keeping when he swept up as the widest runner but then Pike found room between horses and Dreamaway’s dazzling closing sprint was too much for Playing God to cope with.

Rio Dane held third place from The Tenby Friar and Veracious.

Pike was overjoyed and saluted with plenty of enthusiasm as he hit the line with the knowledge that his filly had created some sort of history with her winning streak.

Sure the fillies have had a great record in the WATC Derby with Grand Journey and Honor Lap both annexing the Oaks and the Derby in recent years but Dreamaway has also scored wins in the Group 3 Champion Fillies Stakes, the 1000 Guineas and the Natasha Stakes.

The daughter of More Than Ready is out of the Danehill mare Legal Consent who is also the dam of Black type winner New Spice and was bred by Bob and Sandra Peters.

Playing God almost took out his second Group 1 victory in the past six months but couldn’t resist Dreamaway over the concluding stages but his effort would’ve lost few admirers.

Full marks must be paid to trainer Grant Williams and wife Alana who between them have formed a formidable partnership with Pike and Peters and their future in the racing game is assured for many years to come.

William Pike enjoyed another profitable day in the saddle earning big money with his Derby and Sires Produce wins and increasing his tally of city wins to 50.5, well clear from Paul Harvey on 39.

Playing God To Battle Country's Best

Sunday, 13 February 2011 00:12

Playing God will be tested against the country's best of his age after scoring a brilliant fresh win in Saturday's $126,100 R.M.Williams Magic Millions Perth 3yo Trophy (1400m) at Ascot.

Ridden confidently by Steven Parnham, Playing God cruising home to beat Luckygray in a quinella result that was tipped by most.

Saturday's run was the first for the classy three-year-old since he beat the older horses in the Group One Kingston Town Stakes at the same track in early December.

Parnham and the colt's owner Colin Loxton are set to send their stable star east for the Group One Australian Guineas at Flemington in three weeks.

"It was a pretty good win," Parnham said. "He may have been feeling it a bit on the line."

"Steve was able to get him into a perfect position particularly with the conditions favouring the on speed runners."

"He put him right into the race at the corner and he was always going to win the race from that point on."

"Pre-race we thought we might have even been out three deep punching the breeze but it was a good ride from Steve and he was able to get him into a great position to win the race."

"He found a few lengths very quickly coming to the turn and he won as he liked."

"He had a gallop here on the grass on Saturday morning and it was sensational work."

"It's always easy to stay on your home turf - but he's an entire and if you don't have a go at these opportunities you'd probably do yourself an injustice."

"He's done enough in Western Australia to be a nice entire for someone to stand. But if was able to go to and win a race like the Australian Guineas it would take him to another level."

As well as the Australian Guineas, Playing God holds an entry for the Group One Australian Cup - a race in which he would be well suited at weight-for-age.

Parnham said if the colt did perform well in the Guineas there was also an option to head north to Sydney for a possible crack at the AJC Derby.

In winning, the Blackfriars colt sent his earnings soaring past the $700,000 barrier with his sixth win at start number 10.

He's turned out a great money spinner for his connections after being purchased by Neville Parnham for Colin Loxton's Cockatoo Ridge Syndicate for just $27,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

A graduate of Durham Lodge, Playing God is a full brother to the group winner and fellow Parnham trained star God Has Spoken.

Night War Rules In Karrakatta Plate

Saturday, 19 March 2011 12:51

Outstanding filly Night War confirmed her status as Perth's best juvenile with a stunning win from an outside barrier in today's $500,000 Group Two Karrakatta Plate (1200m) at Ascot.

One of two runners in the race for Aquanita trainer Simon Miller (the other Single Spice ran fourth at big odds), Night War produced a share sprint over the concluding stages to hit the front and then out her rivals for a great win.

The effort was first class considering she jumped from barrier 13 in a field of 16 in the state's premier race for juveniles.

"I just can't believe it - I'm speechless," a delighted Simon Miller said moments after the race.

Miller said he was confident he had his two runners in good shape for the Karrakatta but admitted to having that confidence dented with the barrier draw earlier in the week.

In the original 20 horse field Night War drew 16 and Single Spice 19.

"Tuesday I was absolutely shattered," Miller commented. "I really have to pay tribute to Deane Lester - a mate of mine from Melbourne."

"We're really tight and he did a speed map - spent four or five hours, watched every two-year-old race and emailled me an overhead view of where we were going to be and I just flicked it onto the boys and said this is what we're going to be doing."

"They were mesmerised by it and everyone had a clearer picture of what we had to do. He's a whiz Deano and it turned out as he thought - he's a star."

"The other filly Single Spic run super with the shades on. I was really shattered for her when she drew the outside alley because she's going so well but having no luck."

"But then again you look at Night War's run and she's had no luck at all - she just keeps bouncing back."

"We knew she in the zone - ready to play ball," Miller added.

"I must thank the big team behind me - the stable foreman - Jess Hill as well does all the work with this filly - there's so many in the team and I think it's going to be a long night tonight."

Night War will most likely head to the paddock - although Miller said he could entertain a Golden Slipper run if connections wanted to pay a late entry fee.

"Single Spice will probably head onto the Sires' (Produce Stakes) and hopefully draw a barrier."

"I think with Night War we'll probably stop and put her out - but if the boys want to pay the late entry fee for the (Golden) Slipper who knows."

"They were having a bit of a laugh about that - I will leave it up to them."

Today's Karrakatta Plate win was just what Miller was looking for as he continues to establish himself as one of the city's newer, but most successful trainers.

"We came in pretty quiet here and had a bit of luck with some tried horses and last year was the first time I really bought up and had a crack at the babies and these are really the first two-year-olds."

"It's very rewarding. We've had another roll at the stumps this year - so hopefully next year is good as well."

Winning rider Patrick Carbery said the performance from Night War was nothing short of first class.

"I didn't use the stick on her much. She's one of those horses who always tries their best."

"She's done her job, through and through - this was her Grand Final."

As well as thanking the stable staff, Carbery praised his fiancee Jessica Hill for her work with Night War.

"My beautiful fiancee Jess rides this horse every single day - the two little rangas are a little team. The only time I get to ride her is on race day and a lot of credit goes to her."

Night War capped a memorable day for Gerry Harvey and his Baramul Stud operation.

Earlier Harvey celebrated the brilliant win of his home bred Aloha in the Group One Coolmore Classic at Rosehill.

Harvey bred Night War and sold the daughter of General Nediym for $90,000 at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

She is now raced in partnership by former Fremantle Dockers AFL star Peter Bell and business partner Ray Meadowcroft.

A daughter of County Tyrone's city winning half sister Samar (Secret Savings), Night War has earned connections over $375,000 already from just four starts.

Perth Racing Cuts Prizemoney

Tuesday, 01 February 2011 13:44

Perth Racing has announced a realignment of stake levels to ensure the Club meets it’s budgetary requirements for the 2010/2011 financial year.

This measure is both prudent and necessary as a result of a set of circumstances which is placing the racing industry under considerable stress given the fact that the racing industry business model no longer adequately underpins industry funding requirements.

“The continued growth in corporate bookmakers turnover which delivers only a fraction of the return to stakeholders provided by the offcourse TAB network will continue to erode stake levels as we know them today. To illustrate this point turnover in the Northern Territory alone now exceeds $5.5 billion," reflected Chairman of Perth Racing Ted van Heemst.

In addition to this the recently enacted legislation to cater for the introduction of the racing bets levy tax has resulted in the Club no longer receiving its traditional income stream from bookmaker’s turnover tax.

During the past decade income derived from on course bookmakers’ has reduced from $3.3 million to $0.5 million for the 2009/2010 year, which will be followed by a further significant reduction in the current trading year.

The Club has also found it increasingly difficult to fund industry needs, particularly with respect to the provision of training facilities at Ascot which is costing the Club in excess of $1.9 million this year. Whilst RWWA recognise this burden only minimal financial support has been provided to this point of time.

Spiralling government charges, compliance, insurance and other costs are also having a severe impact on the business as the magnitude of these increases are far outstripping any potential growth in income streams.

The final nail in the coffin which made it imperative to reduce our stake levels has been the impact on our core business activities of a less than buoyant economy. For the first six months of the 2010/2011 racing year there has been a significant reduction in oncourse patronage and wagering which has had a negative impact on the income streams of all racing jurisdictions in the country of between 10 – 15%. From a Perth Racing perspective this has left us with no alternative but to amend our stake levels for the remainder of the racing year.

Whilst these reductions are modest they represent a sign of things to come unless the key issues which underpin the broken business model are addressed. The amended stake levels will be effective from Wednesday 9th February, and it is important to recognise that whilst less than desirable Perth Racing is still returning in excess of 100% of its offcourse TAB distribution to stakeholders.

Current Stakes Amended Stakes
Prime Saturday $50 000 - Now $45 000
                        $40 000 - Now $40 000

Midweek 0-64 $15 000 - Now $15 000
Midweek 0-68 $17 500 - Now $17 000
Midweek 0-72 $20 000 - Now $19 000

Perth Racing Announce Super Saturday

Wednesday, 02 March 2011 22:00

Compressing feature carnivals and creating ‘Super’ racedays is far from a new phenomenon in Australia.

Perth Racing is the latest racing body to follow the trend with a ‘Super Saturday’ meeting planned for November 19 at Ascot.

The Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and Group 2 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m), both races at weight-for-age for three-year-olds and older, will be on the same card as the Group 2 Western Australian Guineas (1600m) for three-year-olds.

Previously the Winterbottom Stakes was held a week after the Railway.

A significant change to the programme favours participation for three-year-old fillies in the Railway or WA Guineas with the Group 3 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) scheduled a week before Super Saturday on November 12 along with the Group 3 RJ Peters Stakes (1500m) and Listed Ascot Gold Cup.

“Following consultation with the industry we believe the new program will attract stronger race fields and deliver an exciting racing proposition for the Western Australian community,” said Perth Racing Chairman Ted van Heemst in a statement.

“There was overwhelming support for the introduction of a Super Saturday and the switch from a three day carnival to a two day model.

“Our vision is to provide a first class racing offering to support the industry and continue to enhance the profile of our Spring Summer racing season.”

Edwards Earns Stay Of Proceedings

Tuesday, 25 January 2011 10:49

Mister Moneypenny will run in tomorrow's $100,000 Listed Sportingbet Zeditave Stakes (1200m) after his trainer Shane Edwards was granted a stay of proceedings by Racing Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) stewards.

Earlier today, RWWA stewards concluded their inquiry into the recent police charges laid against Edwards in relation to the possession of an imitation mobile phone - which is designed to deliver an electric shock - and the assault of a stable employee.

Edwards was fined $1,000 for “forcibly holding” trackwork rider John Anderson by the neck and pushing him backwards after Anderson admitted to kicking an Edwards-trained horse in the stomach and striking another.

Anderson was fined $1,000 for his misconduct.

However, Edwards was disqualified for 12 months - with immediate effect - for possession of the imitation mobile phone which was deemed to be an “electrical contrivance.”

Edwards then asked for a stay of proceedings and RWWA stewards accepted his request shortly after 5pm (WA Time) with Edwards able to train until February 4.

Had Edwards not been given a stay of proceedings, Mister Moneypenny would almost be a certain non-starter in the Zeditave Stakes.

Mister Moneypenny has raced seven times in Western Australia for five wins.

The son of Special Bond is currently rated a $6 equal second favourite with TAB Fixed Odds joined by last year's Group 1 Caulfield Guineas winner Anacheeva. Eclair Mystic is a $2.80 favourite

Over the years Edwards has trained the winner of prestigious Western Australian races such as the Group 2 Karrakatta Plate with No Questions in 2005, the Group 3 WA Oaks with Westerly Breeze in 2007 and only weeks ago the Group 2 Perth Cup with Guest Wing.