Unbeaten Filly Stars In Magic Millions

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:02

Time to Climb will be freshened and set for the Karrakatta Plate after she extended her unbeaten run with a blistering win in the $251,600 Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic at Ascot today.

One of two runners in the race for top trainer Trevor Andrews, Time to Climb was sent out the favourite and didn't give her supporters any reason to worry as she cruised to victory.

Swiftly out of the barriers, Time to Climb was allowed to cruise along in front by Patrick Carbery and she skipped clear of her rivals in the straight and always looked the winner.

At the post she held a length and three quarter brother over the Dan Morton trainer Nediyms Ruler, while well fancied youngster Leamington was another head back in third place.

A daughter of Taunton Vale's exciting young freshman sire Bearcat, Time to Climb was purchased from the draft of that stud at last year's Perth Yearling Sale for $75,000 by renowned local agent John Chalmers.

Not surprisingly Chalmers secured her full brother at this week's sale for $120,000.

Winning trainer Trevor Andrews was delighted with the win and said the filly would now be hunting the half million dollar Karrakatta Plate.

"She's a very professional little filly," Andrews commented. "She'd trained on really well since her last start and she drew well."

"I said to Patty (Carbery) to ride her forward and try to control the race."

"It looked like she got a bit of a soft lead - but they ran super time so she was obviously running along at a good clip."

"She quickened up nicely in the straight and it was a very, very good effort."

"The other filly ran huge as she was off the track throughout, but full credit to this filly - she's been the ultimate professional and she keeps on improving."

"I'm really happy. It's great for (the connections) Paul and Janelle Harvey and the Hoddy's who've been great supporters of the stable - it's nice to win a super race like this."

Andrews said Time to Climb was a filly who didn't do a lot at home, but really stepped up the job when at the races.

"She's not a great track worker. She's very relaxed. She doesn't give you that much enthusiasm."

"I wasn't unhappy with her but you never get overawed with her because her temperament is so relaxed. But that is a sign of a good horse."

Andrews said the top youngster was likely to have her next run in the Gimcrack Stakes prior to her next big goal in the Karrakatta.

"She's got a really good pedigree. She's a half sister to a Karrakatta Plate winner. She's a pretty valuable filly now."

Time to Climb, by exciting first season sire Bearcat, is the latest star performed from the top producing mare True Roman.

A city winning daughter of Is It True, True Roman has produced three winners including the Karrakatta Plate winner Roman Time.

Time to Climb is unbeaten in three runs and has already earned her connections a lofty $249,100.

Andrews purchased eight lots during the recent first three sessions of the 2010 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale - unfortunately for him none were by the sire of Time to Climb.

"The Bearcats were hard to buy at the sales (this year) and they'll only get stronger I think," Andrews pointed out.

Bearcat has made a dream start to his career as a sire. The four time Hong Kong winner is by Danehill and is a brother to former top Hunter Valley sire Catbird.

Perth Magic Millions 2yo Classic - Order Of Entry

Tuesday, 19 January 2010 13:15

Please see below the order of entry for the Perth Magic Millions 2YO Classic as at 18 January 2010.

Ascot (Saturday, 30 January)

Magic Millions Perth 2yo Classic (1200m)

For Your Eyes Only Stars In Millions Trophy

Saturday, 30 January 2010 08:59

For Your Eyes Only confirmed her status as the best three-year-old filly in Perth with an easy win in the $125,850 R.M.Williams Magic Millions Perth 3YO Trophy (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday.

Ridden perfectly by Troy Turner, For Your Eyes Only sat just off the leaders before racing up to Fleming Son in the straight and racing away to win by a length and three quarters.

The result was a great one for star local stallion Bletchley Park who sired both the winner and the runner-up.

The win of the Paul Jordan trained For Your Eyes Only was celebrated by Rob and Jodie Gray of Rangeview Stud, who bred and sold the youngster for $23,000 from the 2008 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

Her impressive record now reads out at seven wins and two minor placings from just 12 starts. Her earnings have shot to an imposing $408,525.

The filly is raced by a large group headed by Harvey Crossman's Lima Syndicate.

"I guess she was never going to lose once she got out," Crossman said. "She was ridden a treat by Troy."

"We were probably just a big concerned how she would get out of the barriers, but she flew the barriers and he had the options to do what he wanted."

"He took the sit and she got out. It was very good."

Crossman went into the race confident his representative could win - but didn't think she was a certainty like many people on track.

"Weights and measures maybe - but you still have to get out there and do the job."

"Everyone has to be congratulated - Paul has done a great job as well as the stable staff - it's great."

The win gave star local jockey Troy Turner with another reason to celebrate on the day.

"It's great for Troy (Turner) - it's his 10th wedding anniversary today and it's a great present for him," Crossman summed up.

A daughter of the four time winning Key Business mare Communique, For Your Eyes Only is one of the most valuable horses in Perth.

Among her six wins is one at black type level in the Gimcrack Stakes - one of four races she won as a two-year-old.

Her dam, who won three on Perth tracks, is a half sister to the group performed five time winner Dead Eye Dick.

Racing Industry Stalwart Sadly Missed

Monday, 18 January 2010 13:35

Perth Racing sadly records the sudden passing of Norm Parnham JP, a former Chairman, Vice Chairman and long serving Committeeman of The Western Australian Turf Club on Saturday 16th January.

Norm joined as a Member in 1972, was first elected to Committee in 1988, elected as Vice Chairman in 1994 and Chairman in 1996.

He resigned as Chairman and a Committee member in December 1996. During his time on Committee, Norm served on various sub-committees and held various external portfolios including positions on the TAB, Racecourse Development Trust and Betting Control Board.

As part of one of the most respected racing families in the state, Norm was a distinguished member of the thoroughbred community and will be sadly missed. Norm’s membership spanned 38 years but his involvement in thoroughbred racing was almost his lifetime of 82 years.

Norm was an astute horseman who achieved considerable success with horses he bred, owned and trained himself.

The Chairman, Committee and staff send our deepest sympathy to his wife Lillian, his children and grandchildren on their loss.

Magic Millions Perth Classic - Final Fields & Barriers

Wednesday, 27 January 2010 02:59

Earlier today, the final field and barriers were released for the $250,000 Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic (1200m) to be staged at Ascot on Saturday.

The race has attracted a capacity 14-horse field with David Harrison and Trevor Andrews boasting two runners each.

The race is restricted to sales graduates from last years' Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

Also on the eight-race card at Ascot this Saturday is the $125,000 R.M Williams Magic Millions Perth 3YO Classic (1400m) and the $75,000 Listed Detonator Stakes (1800m), which is a handicap event for all gallopers - irrespective of sale of purchase - over the age of three.

Ascot (Saturday)

$250,000 Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic (1100m)

2yo - Set Weights

Jockey Oliver's Mum Injured In Crash

Wednesday, 13 January 2010 02:59

The mother of champion jockey Damien Oliver is understood to have been taken to a West Australian hospital after being involved in a car crash that claimed two lives.

Oliver's mother Pat Rudland is believed to be one of four people involved in a two-car collision on the Forrest Highway, near Lake Clifton, south of Perth, on Tuesday afternoon.

Police would not confirm Ms Rudland's involvement but said the cars, each carrying two people, crashed about 3.15pm (WST) at the intersection of the Forrest Highway and Old Coast Road.

"It was a car versus car and one of the cars rolled over," police spokesman Samuel Dinnison said.

A 78-year-old man and a 71-year-old woman from Busselton were critically injured and died at the scene.

Mr Dinnison said a 72-year-old woman from Ascot, in Perth's east, was taken to the Peel Health Campus in Mandurah with serious injuries, along with a second woman in the car who was not seriously injured.

A hospital spokeswoman could not confirm if either of the injured women was the mother of the two-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey.

Oliver was scheduled to ride at Melbourne's Sandown racetrack on Wednesday but stood himself down from those commitments to fly to Western Australia.

He will also miss the Moonee Valley meeting on Friday night and his manager Mark Van Triet is unsure if Oliver will return in time to ride at Flemington on Saturday.

Van Triet said the leading jockey had flown to Perth for personal reasons.

Oliver rode Doriemus to a Melbourne Cup win in 1995 and Media Puzzle to victory in the 2002 Melbourne Cup.

His 2002 Cup ride came just days after his brother Jason was killed in a track accident at Perth's Belmont racecourse.

Oliver's father Ray, also a jockey, was killed after falling from a horse in 1975 and he was raised by his mother.

Picture: Fiona Tomlin

Williams Property On Market

Wednesday, 27 January 2010 02:49

Another picturesque thoroughbred property has appeared on the market, with the showpiece training establishment owned by Grant and Alana Williams at 153 Stakehill Road in Karnup going for sale at $1.75 million.

The Williams are headed to bigger stables closer to Pinjarra and astute investors will be pleasantly impressed with the Karnup property.

“This is an ideal property for thoroughbred training and is situated just a minute from Lark Hill and five minutes from the freeway.” Alana Williams told perthracing.com.au.

“I have been here for almost seven years and we have invested considerable amounts of time and money into this property.”

“Both Grant and I have decided we need a bigger property and being closer to Pinjarra in a great advantage.”

The 9.3 acres of parkland is zoned semi-rural and features a country style house, two sand tracks, Avalon Barn and many more features.

Features of Grant & Alana Williams' Property

• 9.8 parkland acres of semi rural land

• Large 3 x 2 country style home with reverse cycle air-con and wood heater

• Outdoor entertaining area with 5 seater spa

• 12 x 10m Shed with double sliding doors and self contained room

• Electric sliding front gate with pin code security

• 2 x 20 000 gallon rainwater tanks

• Avalon Barn with feed and tack room, large work area, cross ties and 4 horse hose bay

• 11 walk in – walk out stables, all reticulated

• 4 large 10 x 20m yards with shelters, all reticulated

• 6 grassed paddocks with shelters, 2 more paddocks under construction, all reticulated

• Majority Horse Rail safety fencing, plus some existing post and rail

• 60 x 20m dressage arena

• 20m round yard / sand roll

• 800m / 1200m sand track, fully reticulated

• New submersible bore

• Soak well with pressure pump

• 5 mins from Kwinana Freeway

• 1 min from Lark Hill Training Complex

Pike Heading Home To Perth

Monday, 11 January 2010 03:45

William Pike has celebrated his first Group victory in Hong Kong but it won't be enough to convince the top West Australian rider to renew his licence with the Jockey Club.

Pike, who has ridden 11 winners in Hong Kong this season, will return to Perth at the end of January to prepare for the birth of his first child.

The winner of the past two Perth jockeys' premierships, Pike was victorious aboard the John Moore-trained Craig's Dragon in the Group Three Bauhinia Sprint Trophy at Sha Tin on Sunday.

"It is making it a bit harder to leave now that I'm finally riding some winners, but at the same time I am leaving Hong Kong in good stead and I can't see why I won't be able to come back at some stage in the future," Pike told the South China Morning Post.

"The best thing for me to do personally at the moment is to head home to Perth, and I might even be able to peg back a few of the boys at home and ride some winners there."

Former Australian trainer John Size continued his climb up the premiership table with a treble, his sixth in the past six weeks.

Size combined with champion jockey Douglas Whyte for wins with National Treasure, Presto and Brave Kid to take his season tally of winners to 24, three behind premiership pacesetter Tony Cruz.

Meanwhile, two separate suspensions for careless riding did little to dull Matthew Chadwick's afternoon at Sha Tin.

The outstanding young talent graduated to the senior jockey ranks in record time when he notched his 70th win aboard Multiglory, achieving the transition just a year and three weeks after beginning his apprenticeship.

The previous benchmark was set by Howard Cheng who took just over two years to graduate from the junior riding ranks to become a senior hoop.

Chadwick began his career in Australia where he spent time with Maryann Thexton at the Gold Coast and Brett Bellamy at Coffs Harbour.

Picture: Greg Irvine

Albany Racing Club Gearing Up For Big Sunday

Wednesday, 20 January 2010 13:00

The Albany Race Club is geared up for a big Sunday meeting, with the track given the all clear by RWWA Stewards on Tuesday.

Following on from the successful Mungrup Sprint meeting at Mt Barker last Sunday, the racing spotlight is firmly on the Great Southern this Sunday and ARC officials are happy with the field sizes for Sunday’s meeting.

“We have eight races on Sunday and the track will present in perfect condition following six trials on Monday.”  ARC Committeeman Shane O’Laughlin told perthracing.com.au.

“To have the numbers of horses racing on Sunday following Mt Barker and the trials on Monday is indicative of the amount of horses in work in the area at the moment.”

“The open sprints are always hard to attract full fields, so to have eight runners is a good result.”

“The main event of the day is the $15.000 Albany Advertiser – Australia Day Handicap (1800 metres) and it looks a good result.”

“One of the highlights of the day will be to follow some of the states most promising apprentices that are in hot form at the minute.”

“Andrew Castle is flying, Kyra Yuill is also riding plenty of winners and Talia Maor has ridden a few winners this season.”

To view form for Sunday's Albany meeting, click here.

Golden Performance Again

Saturday, 09 January 2010 12:41

Alan Kennedy guided the athletic son of Show A Heart into the breeze and raced on the outside of the leader Versarc until the home bend when he couldn’t wait any longer and dashed for home.

The heavily supported odds-on favourite easily held off the late finish from Dance Works with Insurgency having his first start for Jimmy Taylor tracking the winner and holding on strongly for the minor placing.

Destino showed a return to form with a fast finish to run into fourth.

Golden Heart now graduates to open company and Durrant and his owner Brian Nathanson will put some thought into his future preparation which could include a trip east some time this year.

What they said: “I was a little worried about the awkward barrier and I told Alan to go forward and not get caught behind any slow ones.”

“That does not suit his style of racing but he was too good for them today with 58 kg.”  Winning trainer Adam Durrant.

Margins: ¾ x ½ Hd Time: 1.11.55