Perth Trainer Guilty Of Assault

Sunday, 09 January 2011 08:15

Perth Cup winning trainer Shane Edwards will learn his fate on Tuesday after being found guilty by stewards of serious charges of assault on a track rider and possession of an illegal electrical device.

The inquiry by West Australian stewards was preceded by police charges laid against Edwards on December 7 over the assault and the imitation mobile phone which is reported to act like a taser gun.

Track rider John Anderson was found guilty of misconduct after admitting to kicking a horse on the stomach and hitting another which Edwards' legal adviser said provoked the trainer into the assault.

Edwards pleaded guilty to having in his possession an electronic apparatus designed to deliver an electric shock and to using force on Anderson.

The Edwards-trained Guest Wing won the Group Two Perth Cup on New Year's Day.

Racehorse Killed On Highway

Thursday, 23 December 2010 07:38

A racehorse was fatally stuck by a car on the Great Eastern Highway in Perth this morning.

The horse, who’s identity is unknown at this stage, was one of three horses that broke free from handlers on the outskirts of Ascot racecourse at around 7am local time.

After being hit by a car, a veterinary surgeon was forced to euthanise the horse due to head injuries resulting from the impact.

The occupant of the vehicle was unharmed.

The other two horses were recaptured without injury.

Guest Wing Wins Perth Cup

Saturday, 01 January 2011 11:09

Ascot trainer Shane Edwards was rewarded for his faith in rising staying talented Guest Wing when that horse delivered a famous victory in the $400,000 Group Two Perth Cup (2400m) today.

The gelding's part owners Lex Piper and Richie Green were both keen to "move on" the gelding, but Edwards urged them to keep the gelding and the rest is history.

In winning his third race in Perth's most famous race, Guest Wing boosted his earnings up over $315,000.

The gelding has turned out a great money spinner for connections. Edwards purchased him from the draft of Mungrup Stud for $40,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

The win was the first in the Perth Cup for the trainer, owners and rider Brad Parnham - who capped a memorable summer carnival for his family.

Parnham had ridden well during the carnival - but hadn't tasted the big race success of his training father Neville and jockey brother Steven. Today though was Brad's day.

"Richie told me to sell him and Mr Piper told me to sell him and I talked them out of it and here we are today," a delighted Edwards said.

Edwards said Guest Wing had really developed over recent times and had turned into a real racehorse.

"He was doing a few things wrong - calling out in his races - it was just a maturity thing."

"This time in you can't fault his form."

"Coming to the corner I thought he was too deep and too far back, but he rounded them up and got the money," Edwards added.

Winning rider Brad Parnham said he was delighted to be able to get into the big race winning form of his father and brother.

"It's always been a big dream to win a Perth Cup," Parnham said. "Only a month ago I didn't have a ride in the Cup - I was lucky to pick up a ride."

"It's very special - a big day!"

"It had pretty much been Steve and Dad's carnival - they had a really good run and winning the Kingston Town and the Guineas."

"I've just been chipping away - I'm so glad to get one," Parnham added.

Parnham said he came to the races today thinking Guest Wing had a great chance in the Cup - his form had been strong and he knew he was trained up for a big performance.

"His run last start was really good. He only went down by a neck."

"I just thought to myself - he had a really good turn of foot in that race but he probably just peaked on it."

"So today I just held him up as long as I could and waited to have one last crack at them," he added.

Guest Wing is the first stakes winner for his sire - In the Wings' group winning son Right Wing.

Right Wing won 11 races during his European career at distances from 1600 to 2000 metres.

His dam Lacienne raced just twice. She is a full sister to three group performers - Kalatiara, Kentiara and Antique - the latter being the dam of recent stakes winner Broadway Belle.

The latest yearling from Lacienne, a bay filly by exciting Danehill stallion Danehill Express, will go under the hammer at February's Magic Millions 2011 Perth Yearling Sale.

The filly is catalogued as lot 454 and she will be offered during the early lots of the fourth session of the sale on February 13.

She is being prepared by Remba Park All Equestrian from Baldivis as gent for Mungrup Stud clients.

Tranquility Wins La Trice Classic

Thursday, 23 December 2010 00:15

Redoute's Choice mare Tranquility proved too classy for her rivals in the $80,000 Listed Schweppes-La Trice Classic, denying Premardal the Geisel Park Stud $100,000 bonus on offer for any mare that could win three of the four fillies and mares races.

Tranquility was perfectly ridden by William Pike, who settled the Grant Williams trained mare in an ideal trailing position, not allowing Premardal to get too far out of her sights in the lead.

As the field swung for home, Pike released the hand-brake on Tranquility and she let down with a good finishing burst putting pay to Premardal, who fought on doggedly for second position.

It was the second leg of a winning double for Grant Williams, who is likely to step Tranquility up to the 2400m distance of the Perth Cup at her next start.

"We had a good run and I probably didn't need to go when I did, but I wanted to make sure I was right on top of Premardal when the whips were cracking," Pike said.

Wide Barrier Eases Ranger For Perth Cup

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 06:15

WA St Leger winner Ranger remains Perth Cup favourite despite an awkward barrier draw.

The son of Testa Rossa on Wednesday eased marginally with TAB Sportsbet from $3.80 to $4 after he drew gate 12 in the field of 16 plus one emergency for Saturday's 2400-metre Group Two feature.

Market firmers were second favourite Western Jewel ($6.50 to $6) and Tranquility ($8.50 to $7.50) after drawing barriers three and seven respectively.

Third favourite Colour Correct drew barrier six but eased from $6.50 to $7.

Guyno tightened from $9 to $8 to emulate his 2009 Perth Cup win after drawing favourably in barrier four.

God Has Spoken in barrier two ($14 to $12), Mega Steel in barrier five ($26 to $21) and Guest Wing in barrier eight ($31 to $26) were other firmers.

Admiring, who was beaten in a photo-finish by Colour Correct last start in the CB Cox Stakes, drew the outside of the 17 acceptors and eased from $9 to $12.

The emergency Kawatiri drew barrier one but it made no difference to his $81 quote.

WA Handicapper Sacked

Thursday, 23 December 2010 00:12

Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA) have sacked Handicapper Bernie Ryan.

Ryan, 29, was sacked yesterday after RWWA principal investigator Phil O’Reilly had conducted an internal investigation which commenced at the start of this week.

The internal investigation allegedly uncovered that $50,000 had been stolen in fees paid by the industry into the thoroughbred department over two separate periods, dating back to 2007 and reoccurring more recently this year.

"We have terminated his (Ryan's) employment and handed the matter to the CCC (Corruption and Crime Commission)," RWWA Chief Executive Richard Burt told the West Australian.

"It is up to them as to how the matter is progressed."

Burt also claimed that their internal investigation had shown that three Western Australian based jockeys were caught up in the alleged fraud.

BMW Perth Cup: Final Field & Barriers

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 01:19

The barrier draw for Saturday's $400,000 Group Two BMW Perth Cup (2400m) has been released with some of the leading chances drawing poorly.

Trainer Grant Williams will saddle up three horses for owner Bob Peters in the race with favourite Ranger set to jump from barrier 12.

However his two lesser hopes of Western Jewel (gate 3) and Tranquility (gate 7) have drawn more kindly.

The lone interstate runner in the race, Tara Man, will have to contend with barrier 13.

Of the others, Colour Correct drew barrier six, Guyno barrier four and God Has Spoken barrier two.

Below is the final field for the BMW Perth Cup.

Ascot (Saturday)

$400,000 Group 2 BMW Perth Cup (2400m)

Picture: Jenny Barnes

Scenic Shot Pleases In Workout

Sunday, 19 December 2010 08:15

Dual Group One winner Scenic Shot pleased trainer Dan Morton with a searching track gallop between races at Ascot on Saturday ahead of his return to racing next month.

The winner of the 2009 Doomben Cup and Mackinnon Stakes, Scenic Shot has not raced for 12 months.

After he was unplaced in last year's C B Cox Stakes, Morton decided he needed a long rest.

The trainer was more than pleased with what he saw in the exhibition gallop where Scenic Shot gave galloping companion Sound Barrier a four length start before making up the ground in the straight.

"He had a good blow after his gallop, but I was very happy with his work," Morton told perthracing.com.au.

"Scenic Shot spent six months in the paddock and he is feeling as good as he has for a while.

"A few weeks ago he bucked Troy Turner off coming back from working two strong laps of Ascot so he really is feeling injury free at the moment.

"I'll find a race for him here in mid January and then we will look at suitable options in Melbourne with the Australian Cup his main goal."

Morton will also welcome Scenic Blast back to his stable in the new year after the 2008-09 Horse of the Year's winless sojourn in the United States.

The winner of the 2009 Lightning Stakes-Newmarket Handicap double, Scenic Blast went on to win the King's Stand at Royal Ascot.

He bled during the International Sprint in Hong Kong a year ago and was sent the California where he raced on the anti bleeding medication Lasix and was placed twice at Group Three level.

Scenic Blast entered quarantine in the US earlier this month and will fulfil another three weeks at Sydney's Eastern Creek.

He is expected to be released in mid to late January and Morton plans to prepare him for the major sprint races at the Brisbane winter carnival.

Capacity Field For Perth Cup

Monday, 27 December 2010 07:15

A capacity field will line up in the $400,000 Perth Cup on Saturday.

Sixteen acceptors and one emergency were declared on for the 2400m feature with Colour Correct the 57kg topweight.

Tara Man, trained by Tony McEvoy, will be the only interstate representative in the Group II race.

The five-year-old was a Morphettville winner over 1950 metres on November 20 before finishing second over 2600 metres there on December.

Leading Adelaide jockey Simon Price, who has ridden Tara Man in his past two starts, keeps the mount.

Price is wasting to ride Tara Man at 52kg.

"At first we were unsure if Simon would be able to make the weight, but he has spoken to Tony and is confirmed to ride him in the Cup," travelling foreman Warren Hughes told Perth Racing.

Tara Man is a $14 chance in latest TAB Sportsbet betting with WA St Leger winner Ranger the $3.80 favourite.

The barrier draw will be held on Wednesday.

Colour Correct Wins Cox Stakes

Saturday, 18 December 2010 12:10

Brilliant gelding Colour Correct showed his liking for the longer distances when he took out the $225,000 2100m Cox Stakes at Ascot today.

The son of High Yield had been slightly disappointing on face value in the Railway Stakes and Kingston Town Classic after starting well in commission in both races but co-trainer Ross Price was satisfied with the runs, knowing the longer journeys would suit.

“I thought his run in the Kingston Town was very good and the Railway really wasn’t run to suit," Price said.

"Owner Frank Fiore initially wanted me to try him over the longer distances anyway and all being well he will head to the Perth Cup.”

Champion jockey Paul Harvey had his mount behind leader and favourite Impressive Jeuney throughout, before peeling off heels and shooting for home in the straight, eventually holding off late challenges from outsiders Admiring and Big Ted.

Colour Corrects family has history in this race with his dam Never Blue winning the event back in 2001.

Admiring ran a great race for trainer Michael Grant, proving to be the only horse to make any ground from the rear.

Big Ted also continued his consistent campaign with another placing, his fourth at his last five starts.

Race favourite Impressive Jeuney led comfortably throughout but didn’t give much of a kick when asked by rider Shaun O’Donnell in the straight.

She faded to finish sixth, beaten two and a half lengths.

Perth Cup fancies Ma Chienne and God Has Spoken were both disappointing, finished well beaten after racing rearward throughout.