Dreams Realised as Wolfe Nabs MM 2YO Classic
- Saturday, 14 February 2009 00:00
The Karrakatta Plate is the next mission for star Perth juvenile Wolfe Dreams after he scored a brilliant win in today's $250,000 BMW Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic at Ascot.
A winner at his only start at Ascot prior to today's rich feature, Wolfe Dreams was able to race clear late and win by a length.
The win was a great thrill for Albany based trainer Steve Wolfe who thinks the promising Sequalo gelding is destined for more big things.
"He's the real deal this horse," Wolfe said. "Right from the start he has shown above average ability."
"I was confident he would run a big race today. He was one of the fittest horses out there."
"Full credit to Shaun - it was a brilliant ride. It's a great result for everyone as well at the stable."
Wolfe said the $22,000 yearling sale bargain buy was picked out by son and senior part owner Brett Wolfe.
"He (Brett) is a boilermaker and he told me when he was at the sales that he'd found one for me to buy."
"I told him - look I'm the horse trainer, just leave it to me," he added with a laugh.
Brett Wolfe, who accepted the trophy on behalf of connections, races Wolfe Dreams with Murray French.
The unbeaten youngster will now head to Perth's tradition juvenile feature, the Group Two Karrakatta Plate.
"He could have another run between now and then. Or we might go straight in to the Karrakatta."
"We'll just see how he pulls up and go from there," Wolfe summed up.
A $22,000 purchase by Noel Carter's Commercial Bloodstock on behalf of connections, Wolfe Dreams has already earned over $180,000.
The Belmont Park sales ring as a yearling wasn't the only time Magic Millions had the honour of selling Wolfe Dreams.
As a yearling he made $10,000 at the National Weanling Sale on the Gold Coast.
At the Gold Coast he was sold by Eureka Thoroughbreds and in Perth he was a member of the Mogumber Park draft.
Wolfe Dreams is one of three winners from the lightly raced Rory's Jester mare Marchen.
Marchen is a half sister to the five time winner and Randwick stakes placegetter Star of the Seas.
PICS - Greg Irvine.
MM Perth Raceday - Results and Pictorial
- Saturday, 14 February 2009 00:00
Race 1 - Become a Perth Racing Member Today Hcp - 1600m
1st KALEIDO (Miss JL Shenton, WG Walker, BE Barnicott, BE Barnicott Jnr, CB Solly & DE Martin's bay or brown gelding 6 years Agnes World-Visual Displays by Scenic) Brad Parnham for Neville Parnham
2nd CALLER ONE - Patrick Carbery for Neville Parnham
3rd FIELD COMMANDER - Troy Turner for Colin Webster
Margins: Nose x 2 lengths. Time: 1 minute 36.53 seconds
1st MISSION CONTROL (Neville Parnham, WG Walker, GJ Taylor & Smartnet Investments Pty Ltd Syndicate Mgr PG Cooke's brown or black gelding 4 years Key Business-Josie's Villa by Old SPice) Brad Parnham for Neville Parnham
2nd BROOME TIME - Patrick Carbery for Alan Matthews
3rd ON THE CARPET - William Pike for Sharon Miller
Margins: Short neck x Long neck. Time: 1 minute 8.95 seconds
Race 3 - Selangor Turf Club Trophy - 1200m
1st STAR LASER (Kentville Pty Ltd Mgr RJ Hart's bay gelding 8 years Euclase-Noted Star by Karioi Star) Jarrad Noske for Jim Taylor
2nd SAFFRON FIRE - Lucas Camilleri for John Lugg
3rd ELECTRIC GENERAL - Taz Salleh for Neville Parnham
Margins: Short neck x 1/2 length. Time: 1 minute 9.52 seconds
Race 4 - Singapore Turf Club Trophy - 1600m
1st PHORMIUM (Bukerup Syndicate Mgr: GE McKeown & Beachside Syndicate Mgr: GE McKeown's bay mare 6 years Xaar-Ashes by Ideal Planet) Alan Kennedy for Adam Durrant
2nd FEINT - Jarrad Noske for Lindsey Smith
3rd CLASSIC DROP - Shaun O'Donnell for Jeff Hollamby
Margins: 2 1/2 lengths x Head. Time: 1 minute 36.26 seconds
Race 5 - Westspeed 3YO Handicap - 1200m
1st HAY LIST (TJ & Mrs EA Davenport, Misses Jane & Katie Davenport and Peter Davenport's bay or brown gelding 3 years Statue of Liberty-Sing Hallelujah by Is It True) Jason Brown for Jim Taylor
2nd JASABIAN - Jason Whiting for Darren McAuliffe
3rd COOL AS HEL - Paul Harvey for Rebecca Nairn
Margins: 1 1/2 lengths x 2 3/4 lengths. Time: 1 minute 9.16 seconds
Race 6 - BMW Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic - 1100m
1st WOLFE DREAMS (BR Wolfe & MW French's chestnut gelding 2 years Sequalo-Marchen by Rory's Jester) Shaun McGruddy for Steve Wolfe
2nd XAARAVID - Jason Whiting for George Daly
3rd DINO MAK - Patrick Carbery for Wally Mitchell
Margins: 1 length x Head. Time: 1 minute 3.91 seconds
Race 7 - R.M.Williams Magic Millions Perth 3YO Classic - 1400m
1st FLIGHT PATH (Anita Vale Stud Syndicate Mgr: RJM Anderson's brown or black filly 3 years Bletchley Park-Sweepshot by Dr. Grace) Shaun O'Donnell for Len Morton
2nd BRAVA FORTUNE - Brad Parnham for Neville Parnham
3rd ALMOHAD - Jason Whiting for Lou Luciani
Margins: 3/4 length x Long head. Time: 1 minute 23.39 seconds
No further coverage of the meeting
PICS - Greg Irvine.
Moveover Takeover: Spirited One Stars for Wagg
- Sunday, 30 November 2008 00:00
Takeover Target's host Paula Wagg rounded out a massive day for her boutique stable at Ascot yesterday when Spirited One scored a sensational win in the listed Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m).
Last on the corner and pulled out deep, Spirited One unleashed a paralysing burst to reel in the entire field before racing away for a brilliant win.
Wagg was bubbling in the winner's stall when interviewed by on course by Wes Cameron.
"It gave me goosebumps all over," she said. " Just like when Takeover Target won."
"I haven't recovered from his win (40 minutes earlier) yet!"
Wagg thought an outside barrier could be a major stumbling block for Spirited One.
"I did say to the owners, don't go getting too excited about today - she's drawn 16 and anything can happen - not always the best horses can win these races."
"Shaun rode a patient race and I feel the best filly won the race, the best mare won the race."
"She just keeps on improving this mare - which is just sensational.
The win topped off an memorable day for the in form Perth horsewoman following the memorable win of eastern state raider Takeover Target in the Winterbottom Stakes.
Wagg's stable has played host to Takeover Target since arriving in Perth earlier in the month.
"He is opposite Spirited One and they eye ball each other from time to time and I told him to tell her that you have to win as well."
Wagg, a former jockey, is doing a magnificent job with her small team.
Her two runners Spirited One and Locus Standi both earned black type today not bad considering she has just six horses in work at her Ascot stables.
So fast was Spirited One ($7) finishing that she had a half length to spare of Egatrice ($26).
A similar margin back in third place was the favourite Black in Time ($4).
Her final last 600 metres of 33.18 was the second fastest for the day and significantly quicker than both Apache Cat (33.39) and Takeover Target (33.60).
Meanwhile, Wagg said the stable's other current star Locus Standi performed to distinction under a significant weight in the Aquanita Stakes.
"She just found the weight a little too much the last 50 metres," Wagg noted. " She will go for a break now."
PICS - Greg Irvine.
Promising Filly Takes Flight in MM Feature
- Saturday, 14 February 2009 00:00
Flight Path looked a stakes winner in the making as she romped to victory in today's $125,000 R.M.Williams Magic Millions Perth 3YO Classic (1400m).
A daughter of star WA sire Bletchley Park, Flight Path got home to defeat a gallant Brava Fortune in the inaugural running of the feature Magic Millions graduate only event.
The race attracted an outstanding field and in the end it was the Len Morton trained Flight Path who came out on top.
"She is a very good filly and there are plenty of more wins in store for her," Morton said.
"We've had a few issues with her in the past, mainly with her temperament, but we're getting there and this win was certainly worth it."
Morton said the filly, who is a half sister to the outstanding Scenic Shot (trained by son Danny Morton), would be aimed at earning her owners - the Anita Vale Stud operation - some valuable black type.
While the ride today was the first for Shaun O'Donnell aboard Flight Path, it certainly wasn't the first for the stable.
"It was a great ride from Shaun who never lets us down."
"Shaun was apprenticed to me and we had a lot of success together. It's nice to win a big race today."
"I've been out of the scene for the while as Danny was establishing himself, but it's nice to be back with a promising filly," he added.
Both Flight Path and Brava Fortune could be clashing in next Saturday's Champion Fillies Stakes at Ascot, provided they both pull up well and please connections during the upcoming week.
"I've got no doubt she'll be winning plenty more races," Morton said of Flight Path. "She looks to have a bright future."
"She's always shown plenty of ability and now she is maturing things are really starting to click with her."
Flight Plan is the latest promising galloper for the former smart Dr Grace mare Sweepshot.
A placegetter in the Group Three Hyperion Stakes, Sweepshot has also produced the triple Group Two winner and million dollar earner Scenic Shot.
PICS - Greg Irvine.
Venom is Lethal in Railway
- Saturday, 22 November 2008 00:00
Gilded Venom confirmed his place as one of Australia's most promising racehorses when he withstood an interstate invasion to win today's Group One million dollar Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot.
Ridden to perfection by star local rider Patrick Carbery, Gilded Venom got home in a driving finish to beat four interstaters - Sniper's Bullet, Annenkov, Niconero and Bank Robber.
"Awesome," Carbery beamed after the race.
"I just got the best run into the race of all time," he noted. "Turning for home I thought this was ours."
"They came at us and he responded well," Carbery added.
Steve Wallace, the trainer of Gilded Venom, was thrilled with the performance.
"It doesn't get much better than this," he told a throng of media after the race. "I am absolutely stoked."
“I thought the run last week may have been too hard, but it topped him off nicely."
Provided he comes through today's win in good style Gilded Venom will have another Group One race on his agenda.
"If he pulls up fine we will go to the Kingston Town (Stakes).”
The $505,000 Group One Kingston Town Stakes, over 1800 metres, will be run at Ascot on December 6.
Today was Gilded Venom's seventh career win from just 18 starts.
He raced into contention for the Railway with a brilliant win in the Group Three Asian Beau Stakes at Ascot on November 1.
And in his final lead up last Saturday he was beaten in a nail biting photo finish by fellow Magic Millions graduate Famous Roman in the Group Three RJ Peters Stakes.
Gilded Venom is turning out an incredible money spinner for connections after being purchased by senior part owner Neil Wholagan for $22,000 at the 2005 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
That $22,000 has already multiplied many times - right now it sits at $870,000! Who knows what it will be by the time he eventually heads to the retirement paddock.
Gilded Venom, the first ever Group One winner for Victorian based sire Golden Snake, is one of four winners from the grand producing mare Daughter's Charm.
A Group One placegetter and six time winner in her own right, Daughter's Charm is also the dam of Melbourne Group winner Caulfield Guineas runner-up Scenic Blast.
Entries Closing for Perth's Magic Millions Features
- Friday, 06 February 2009 00:00
Entries for the two feature Magic Millions races to be run at Ascot in Perth next Saturday close on Tuesday.
Trainers are required to enter and declare their prospects by 9.30am (WA time) on Tuesday with the Trainers Service Centre.
For the first time two races eligible for Magic Millions graduates will be run at Ascot - with the inaugural running of the $125,000 R.M.Williams Magic Millions Perth 3YO Trophy.
The details of the two big Magic Millions races on offer at Ascot are as follows:
- $250,000 BMW Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic - 1100m
- $125,000 R.M.Williams Magic Millions Perth 3YO Trophy - 1400m
The races are restricted to eligible Magic Millions Yearling Sale graduates.
Anyone requiring further information should contact David Hunter (08 9455 5279) at RWWA or Ross McKeown (0404 490 726) at Magic Millions.
Liquidation All Class in Placid Ark
- Saturday, 22 November 2008 00:00
Liquidation confirmed his place as one of the more promising three-year-olds in Perth with an exciting win in the $75,000 listed Placid Ark Stakes (1200m).
A member of the Darryn Pateman stable, Liquidation gave Victorian apprentice Andrew Mallyon his black type victory with his exciting Railway Stakes Day win.
It was a winning double for the Pateman and Mallyon combination following the brilliant debut win of Don'trocktheboat.
“It is nice to have a winning double on such a big day," Pateman said. "This horse is thriving."
"The horse has progressed so much this preparation. He's come forward. We looked after him - we didn't rush him back for the Guineas or anything - and now it's starting to pay a few dividends."
Pateman said it was disappointing that regular rider, Melbourne apprentice Andrew Mallyon, was returning home to further his riding career.
"It's a shame. He just told me he's on a plane at 5 o'clock tomorrow to go home. We won't see him again, that's no good to me the way we've hit a bit of form."
"But good luck to him in his future endeavours."
And what's the plan with Liquidation now?
"He will run in the Lee Steere Classic in a fortnight," Pateman commented. "And hopefully I can talk Andrew into coming back to ride him again."
Mallyon was rightly impressed by the performance of the rising sprinting talent.
“He is a very nice horse," the apprentice beamed after the race.
"The penny hasn’t dropped with him yet and once it does he will make the grade.”
Connections have always held a good opinion of Liquidation, so much so when as a lightly raced two-year-old he contested the Karrakatta Plate.
At the post in today's event Liquidation ($3.80-$5) had a short neck margin over the in form youngster Destino ($6-$5).
Another three parts of a length back in third place was Revolition ($3.20-$4.80 fav).
The result was a clean sweep for Magic Millions graduates - all three of the placegetters in the stakes event being graduates of the Belmont Park ring.
Pateman purchased the Liquidation, a son of Giant's Causeway for just $45,000 as a freshly turned yearling from the Astrik Pty Ltd Dispersal Sale held during the Magic Millions in Perth Thoroughred Sale in August, 2006.
He is from the beautifully related Danehill mare Artel.
Unraced, Artel is a three quarter sister to stakes performer Proart and half sister to WA St Leger winner Imaginaire.
Artel's dam is none other than Beaux Art - a daughter of Nomrood who won nine races including the WATC Derby, AJC St Leger, John F Feehan Stakes, WA Oaks and two other listed events in Perth.
Beaux Art is also well remembered for running third in both a Caulfield and Sydney Cup.
Jockey Misses Riding Card by a Neck
- Friday, 26 December 2008 00:00
Top country rider Russell Hanson went within a neck of riding the card at today's Boxing Day fixture at Esperance in Western Australia.
Hanson won five of the six races and on the card - and was only denied of the rare feat in the third race of the day by one time Melbourne based apprentice Shane Gilchrist.
All five of Hanson's winners were prepared by leading local horsewoman Sally Roworth.
The winners in racebook order for the pair were Keys to Windsor (R1), Alabama (R2), Danger Money (R4), Grand Academy (R5) and Home Front (R6).
The other winner Serene Dancer, with Gilchrist aboard, is trained by Brendan Corver. Ironically Corver also trained the runner-up Dancing Granada which was partnered by Hanson.
Hanson's five winners this afternoon have taken his season tally to 18 from just 85 rides.
According to the Virtual Formguide's extensive jockey statistics, Hanson rode 46 winners last season from 205 rides at an exception win strike rate of 22.4 per cent.
Mighty M is the Man
- Thursday, 20 November 2008 00:00
The much-loved six-year-old is currently on the third line of betting at $6.50 but a wave of local money is likely to see him firm sharply into near-favouritism on raceday.
Much lesser horses than Marasco can boast a victory at racing's highest level and the Fred Kersley-trained superstar gets his chance to join the exclusive Group 1 club in the Railway Stakes this Saturday.
A winner of almost $1.4 million in prizemoney, Marasco has raced in five Group 1s previously with his best performances being second behind El Segundo in the 2007 C.F. Orr Stakes, second behind Pompeii Ruler in the 2007 Australian Cup and third behind Rubiscent in the 2007 Underwood Stakes.
He has still managed to chalk up an impressive list of victories, including three Group 2s, three Group 3s and three listed races.
Marasco will be ridden by 22-year-old wonder hoop William Pike who has already notched major race triumphs in the 2005 Perth Cup aboard Crown Prosecutor as well as the 2006 and 2008 WATC Derby aboard Cats Fun and Grand Journey respectively.
The Pontiff to provide change of luck
Talented five-year-old Doyoudare's luck must be ready to change and trainer Frank Maynard has engaged The Pontiff himself to get the job done in this Saturday's listed $75,000 Tattersall's Cup (2200m) at Ascot.
Champion rider Paul "The Pontiff" Harvey replaces Shaun McGruddy aboard the son of Langfuhr after two straight luckless outings in the Northam and Ascot Gold Cups, when unable to get clear at any stage in the straight on both occasions.
Doyoudare is heading towards the Group 2 $400,000 BMW-Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on New Year's Day, the same race he won with another son of Langfuhr, Black Tom, in 2006.
Timeous to take up the slack
The Albie and Sandra Beckett training combination was this week forced to pull up stumps on stable star Megatic's Railway Stakes campaign however full brother Timeous looks like providing some consolation in the listed $75,000 Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) at Ascot this Saturday.
The sparingly-raced three-year-old trialled impressively before breaking through first up from a spell over 1000 metres against his own age at Ascot on Saturday November 8.
Timeous, a son of the ill-fated Danetime, will be partnered by big-race rider Paul King who is returns from a 15-day suspension this Saturday.
King has previously won the Placid Ark Stakes aboard Dancing Pago (2001) and Kim Storm (2002).
Warriors ready for battle in Winterbottom
In only just over a week champion gallopers Takeover Target and Apache Cat will go head-to head in the Group 2 $400,000 SGIO-Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.
Two of Australia's best and most popular thoroughbreds galloped between races at Ascot last Saturday with Takeover Target clearly shading Apache Cat.
However, the baldy-faced Apache Cat looked much sharper when working on the course proper at Tuesday morning's Breakfast with the Stars.
The Winterbottom Stakes is likely to include the last-start Ascot 1200-metre state record smasher Danny Beau and the dream line up would be complete should Marasco's connections chose to butter up following his Railway Stakes run.
Media Release - RWWA
Gilded Venom Strikes Again
- Wednesday, 17 December 2008 00:00
The Group One winning son of Golden Snake earned a well deserved spell when he cruised home to beat Annenkov in a powerful display.
Connections won't be tempted by the Group Two Perth Cup on New Year's Day with trainer and part owner Steve Wallace ruling out the 2400 metre contest.
His Cox Stakes triumph rounded out a lucrative campaign for the five-year-old who graduated from a 0-89 Handicap in August to a Group One success in just five starts.
He continues to build on his already incredible record - eight wins and eight minor placings from just 20 runs. He's missed a cheque just once in his racetrack career.
Gilded Venom's earned some $1,131,985 - quite impressive when you consider senior part owner Neil Wholagan paid just $22,000 for him as a yearling at the 2004 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale at Belmont.
Wallace was a little concerned how Gilded Venom would go in the Cox Stakes after he appeared a little mentally "spent" in the lead up to the race.
But he needn't had worried. Like the top horses do - he didn't let that worry him - sitting on the speed throughout before cruising home under Patrick Carbery to win easily.
"I was a bit surprised he was up that close," Wallace said after the win. "Paddy rode him positive from the start."
"He was left out there and seemed to settle really well. It was a concern hitting the front so soon because he's a better chaser."
"Mentally the horse was worrying me (leading into the race)," he said. "Physically the horse was fine."
"Like even before the race he wouldn't go in the swab box for a pre-race swab. He's just saying he's had enough."
Gilded Venom would have about a month in the paddock before returning to work and connections are yet to map out his next campaign - but it will be on the other side of the Nullarbor.
"We're looking that way," Wallace said of a raid to the Eastern States. "But we have no idea what we're doing yet."
"I'll give him a month off and then see where we are from there."
Staeck Banned for Two Months Over Improper Riding
- Tuesday, 18 November 2008 00:00
RWWA Stewards yesterday concluded the inquiry into the reason for LE BON JEUNE (P. Knuckey) and WESTERN FORCE (D. Staeck) bumping and buffeting on several occasions near the 200m with LE BON JEUNE being restrained and becoming unbalanced in Race 3 the Quality Produce International Handicap (1400m) run at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday, 15 November 2008. Further evidence was taken from Jockeys' P. Knuckey and D. Staeck.
Jockey Daniel Staeck was found guilty to a charge of improper riding under ARR137(a) in that when riding WESTERN FORCE in Race 3 the Quality Produce International Handicap (1400m) run at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday, 15 November 2008, near the 200m, he deliberately rode his horse inwards, leaned to the nearside, raised and extended his left arm to pocket LE BON JEUNE. WESTERN FORCE and LE BON JEUNE buffeted heavily and shortly after LE BON JEUNE restrained inwards across the heels of AMIANAN (Jarrad Noske). In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of:
- The seriousness of the charge
- The riding of Jockey Staeck was intentional and deliberate
- The dangerous position riders' and horses' were placed in
- Jockey Staeck's record - this being a first offence for improper riding
- Personal circumstances
Jockey Daniel Staeck was suspended from riding in races for a period of two months effective immediately and to expire Saturday,17 January 2009.
PIC - Greg Irvine.
Media Release - RWWA Stewards