Japan Horses Cleared For Melb Cup Return
Racing Victoria confirmed this morning that Japanese horses have been cleared for travel to Australia in time for the 2010 Spring Racing Carnival. The Federal Government & Australian Quarantine Inspection Service last night approved 2 pre-export quarantine facilities in Japan "paving the way for a Japanese tilt at the historic 150th anniversary Melbourne Cup". Japanese horses have been banned from travelling to Australia since Equine Influenza outbreaks in both countries in 2007; when they last competed in Australia, stable-mates Delta Blues & Pop Rock landed the quinella in the 2006 Melbourne Cup. Racing Victoria general manger racing operations Leigh Jordon commented: "This now paves the way for Japanese horses to travel to Australia. The approval of the pre-export facilities at Tokyo & Nakayama was the final piece in the jigsaw puzzle, with Tokyo the preferred venue for Spring Racing Carnival aspirants." Jordon added that top stayers Jaguar Mail & Meiner Kitz (1st & 2nd in May's Gr1 Tenno Sho, Japan's premier 2-mile handicap) "are eager to target the Melbourne Cup & are now favoured to travel to Australia". The Noriyuki Hori-trained Jaguar Mail (owned in the same interests as Delta Blues & Pop Rock) was ridden by Australian jockey Craig Williams in the Tenno Sho & he has already been booked for his Melbourne campaign.
(Jul 29)
Phar Lap Heads Field In "Greatest Melb Cup Never Run"
Legendary galloper Phar Lap (who won the 1930 Gr1 Melbourne Cup before leaving to race in the US) heads the field of 24 champions selected by Racing Victoria handicapper Greg Carpenter for inclusion in the "Greatest Cup Never Run" as part of the 150th Melbourne Cup celebrations. Carpenter was asked to select the best 24 winners of the Melbourne Cup for inclusion in the book "The Story of the Melbourne Cup, Australia's Greatest Race" which was unveiled at a ceremony in Melbourne yesterday. Carpenter explained he "used the handicapping principles of the modern era to compile the field & assessed the best horse to win the Melbourne Cup & worked down from there". Carpenter rated Phar Lap worthy of a 60kg weight in the hypothetical Melbourne Cup for his win in 1930, 1kg ahead of the 1890 winner Carbine. The triple Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva was given 58kg, along with the dual-winner Peter Pan (who won in 1932 & 1934). Bart Cummings has won the Melbourne Cup 12 times & 4 of his victors (Galilee 57kg, Saintly 53kg, Light Fingers 52.5kg & Think Big) were included in the final field. The result of the "Greatest Cup Never Run" will be revealed on Melbourne Cup day (Tuesday 2 November) when the race is "run" via a digital simulation. The field is:
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Phar Lap (Harry Telford-Jim Pike) 60kg
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Carbine (Walter Hickenbotham-Bob Ramage) 59kg
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Makybe Diva (Lee Freedman-Glen Boss) 58kg
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Peter Pan (Frank McGrath-Darby Munro) 58kg
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Galilee (Bart Cummings-John Miller) 57.5kg
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Poseidon (Ike Earnshaw-Tom Clayton) 57.5kg
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Rising Fast (Ivan Tucker-Jack Purtell) 57kg
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Rain Lover (Mick Robins-Jim Johnson) 56kg
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Comic Court (Jim Cummings-Pat Glennon) 55.5kg
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Grand Flaneur (Tom Brown-Tom Hales) 55.5kg
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Might And Power (Jack Denham-Jim Cassidy) 55kg
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Archer (Etienne De Mestre-Johnny Cutts) 54kg
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Vintage Crop (Dermot Weld-Mick Kinane) 54kg
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Delta (Maurice McCarten-Neville Sellwood) 53.5kg
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Malua (Isaac Foulsham-Alick Robertson) 53.5kg
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Nightmarch (Alex McAulay-Roy Reed) 53.5kg
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Poitrel (Harry Robinson-Ken Bracken) 53.5kg
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Saintly (Bart Cummings-Darren Beadman) 53kg
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The Barb (John Tait-William Davis) 53kg
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Dalray (Clarrie McCarthy-Bill Williamson) 52.5kg
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Hall Mark (Jack Holt-Jack O'Sullivan) 52.5kg
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Light Fingers (Bart Cummings-Roy Higgins) 52.5kg
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Doriemus (Lee Freedman-Damien Oliver) 52kg
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Think Big (Bart Cummings-Harry White) 52kg
(Jul 29)
Bart Books Boss For Faint Perfume In 2010 Melb Cup
Trainer Bart Cummings (chasing a record 13 Cup victories) revealed at yesterday's book launch that he has booked 3-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Glen Boss to ride dual Gr1-winning 3YO filly & early favourite Faint Perfume (Shamardal-Zona, by Zabeel) in this year's 150th anniversary renewal. Boss enthused: "There's a fair bit of water to go under the bridge, but she's a 4YO mare (from the beginning of the new season on Sunday) trained by Bart - it's a fair start!"
(Jul 29)
Melb Cup Contender Shoot Out "Ready To Fire 1st-Up"
Fellow trainer John Wallace declared his star Melbourne Cup contender & this season's Gr1 AJC Australian Derby winner Shoot Out (High Chaparral-Pentamerous, by Pentire) "is so versatile he could win Saturday's Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield 1st-up" in his Melbourne racing debut, reported The Herald-Sun. Shoot Out hasn't raced since the Derby win at Randwick on April 10, but Wallace "sharpened the gelding for his return with a 900m trial at Doomben on July 13" & noted: "We headed down to Melbourne soon after. He's been here more than a week & settled in really well at Russell Cameron's (Flemington) stables. He worked 1000m in even time on Tuesday & quickened home the last 400m. He's right where I want him. Nothing would surprise me with this horse. He's so versatile it would not surprise me at all if he came out & won. Realistically, I'd be happy if he was working home strongly at the finish, but he has won a good race over 1200m (Gr2 Royal Sovereign Stakes at Randwick in February)." Wallace summed up: "A lot of the really good stayers have been versatile enough to win much shorter races. But the Melbourne Cup is the target. With the plan I've mapped out, he will go into it at his 6th run this campaign, having covered about 11km in his 5 lead-up races."
(Jul 29)
O'Shea Aims Jessicabeel & Zabrasive At Melb Cup
Meanwhile Randwick trainer John O'Shea confirmed he will aim star stayers Jessicabeel (who won both April's Gr1 Sydney Cup over 3200m & Gr2 Chairman's Handicap over 2600m at Randwick) & Zabrasive (who won March's Gr1 Rosehill Guineas over 2000m) at this year's Melbourne Cup. The 4YO mare Jessicabeel (Zabeel-More Diamonds, by Straight Strike) will begin her campaign in Sydney & O'Shea told Radio Sport 927: "We gave her a short break & then brought her back in & gave her another short break, she had done so well. She's put on an enormous amount of weight & developed tremendously - hopefully not too much. We're very happy with her & will have a campaign just targeted at the Cup. She'll have 3 runs in Sydney, then come down & run in the Caulfield Cup, then probably have another run before the Melbourne Cup." And 3YO gelding Zabrasive (Zabeel-Danasia, by Danehill) will begin his campaign in Melbourne in the Memsie Stakes & have 3 lead-up runs into the Caulfield Cup, prior to the Melbourne Cup.
(Jul 29)
Mr Charlie Joins Moody For Melb Cup Campaign
Exciting NZ 4YO entire Mr Charlie (Golan-Timpani, by Maizcay) has been sent across the Tasman to join the stable of Victorian trainer Peter Moody for a Caulfield-Melbourne Cups campaign. Mr Charlie blitzed his rivals by 6.25-lengths in March's NZ St Leger Stakes (2500m) at Trentham & Moody told racenet.com.au: "He's a real eye-catcher to look at & hopefully he can live up to his looks. His form in New Zealand is excellent & with natural improvement, he can be a definite staying prospect in the Spring. He's been with us a few weeks now & he's going nicely. We'll enter him for everything & see how & where he measures up."
(Jul 29)
1st Metro Win For $1m Encosta Filly
Regally-bred 3YO filly Shawnee Girl (Encosta de Lago-My Moccasin, by Belong To Me) notched her 1st metropolitan win (following last start's maiden success at Newcastle on July 10) with victory over 1550m at Canterbury Park in Sydney yesterday for trainer Chris Waller. Shawnee Girl (a 3/4-sister-in-blood to Gr1-wining & dual track record-setting Widden Stud stallion Northern Meteor) was a $1 million yearling consigned by Widden & purchased by Ingham Bloodstock at the 2008 Easter Sale in Sydney.
(Jul 29)
4th Win For $750k Danehill Dancer Son
High-priced 5YO gelding Dancing Havana (Danehill Dancer-Professionelle, by Centaine) notched his 4th win with victory over 2200m at Murray Bridge in South Australia yesterday for trainer Karen Byrnes. Dancing Havana was a $750,000 yearling consigned by Widden Stud & purchased by Katsumi Yoshida at the 2006 Easter Sale in Sydney.
(Jul 29)
Winning Debut For $310k Commands Filly
Expensive 2YO filly Classics (Commands-Ancient Song, by Canny Lad) led all-the-way to score by 4.25-lengths on debut over 1200m at Canterbury yesterday for trainer Peter Snowden. Classics was a $310,000 yearling consigned by Turangga Farm & purchased by Darley at the 2009 Easter Sale in Sydney.
(Jul 29)
Commands Leads Aust Individual Winners Table On 141
Meanwhile yesterday's debut victory by Classics highlighted the current top spot for Gr3-winning & multiple Gr1-placed former Woodlands Stud & now Darley stallion Commands (Danehill-Cotehele House, by My Swanee) as leading sire by individual winners in Australia this season with 141.
(Jul 29)
Inglis Race Series Entries Close Tomorrow
Entries close tomorrow (Friday 30 July 30) for 2010 yearling purchases nominations to the Inglis Race Series. A minimum of 20 Inglis graduate races & bonuses have been scheduled with $2,600,000 on offer for 2YOs & 3YOs throughout NSW, Victoria & ACT. All nominations paid into the series are guaranteed to be dispersed as prize-money, with a $50,000 Trainers Bonus for the most wins in the series.
(Jul 29)
Race caller Ron Papps “Tried To Smother Wife”
In South Australia, the Supreme Court heard former top race caller Ron Papps "tried to smother his wife with a pillow, before chasing her down a corridor" reported The Advertiser. Judy Papps ran to a neighbour's house for help following the attack & police subsequently arrested Ron Papps & charged him with attempted murder. That charge was later dropped, with Papps pleading guilty this week to endangering his wife's life at their Port Lincoln home. Yesterday Justice Ann Vanstone sentenced Papps, 65, to 2 years in prison, but suspended the jail term on the condition he enter a 2.5-years $100 good behaviour bond. Vanstone noted Papps had threatened his wife with "words to the effect that 'I am going to get you this time, I have been wanting to do this for a long time'." Papps (a former Vietnam War veteran) was previously a race caller for 30 years; Vanstone noted he "suffered post-traumatic stress disorder & often drank to excess, but now abstained from alcohol".
(Jul 29)
NZTR To Reallocate Avondale Black-Type Races
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing issued a statement last night correcting an earlier media release from Avondale Jockey Club president Ron Murphy which announced: "No Avondale Cup, Avondale Guineas or Concorde Handicap for 2010-11 Season". NZTR declared that Avondale's black-type races (currently known as the Avondale Cup, Avondale Guineas & Concorde Handicap) "will be run in the 2010-11 season at venues & on dates to be determined by NZTR". The brouhaha follows Avondale's announcement on May 24 that it was relinquishing all its licences for the 2010-11 racing season. NZTR emhasised that "in accordance with the Guiding Principles of the Graded Stakes Committee, NZTR can reallocate the races" & "will announce the placement of these 3 black-type races in the 2nd week of August".
(Jul 29)
Canford Cliffs Wins UK Gr1 Sussex Stakes
In the UK overnight, trainer Richard Hannon described Canford Cliffs (Tagula-Mrs Marsh, by Marju) as the best horse he has trained in 40 years with a licence when the boom Irish-bred 3YO colt notched his 3rd successive Gr1 triumph by defeating older rivals in the £300,000 (A$516,000) Gr1 Sussex Stakes (8 furlongs) at Goodwood. Canford Cliffs (ridden by Richard Hughes for trainer Richard Hannon) scored by a neck from Coolmore's Ballydoyle-trained Irish-bred 4YO entire Rip Van Winkle (Galileo-Looking Back, by Stravinsky) who won this race last year & US-bred 6YO entire Premio Loco (Prized-Crazee Mental, by Magic Ring). Canford Cliffs was a €46,000 (A$66,000) weanling at the 2007 Goffs November Sale & later a £50,000 (A$86,000) yearling at the 2008 Doncaster August Sale. Canford Cliffs now has 5 wins (also including June's Gr1 St James's Palace Stakes over 8 furlongs at Royal Ascot & May's Gr1 Irish 2000 Guineas over 8 furlongs at The Curragh, plus 2009's UK Gr2 Coventry Stakes over 6 furlongs at Royal Ascot) & 3 placings (in May's UK Gr1 2000 Guineas over 8 furlongs at Newmarket & April's Gr3 Greenham Stakes over 7 furlongs at Newbury, plus 2009's French Gr1 Prix Morny over 1200m at Deauville) from 8 starts.
(Jul 29)
Canford Cliffs Half-Brother At UK Tatts October Sale
The half-brother to last night's Gr1 Sussex Stakes winner Canford Cliffs (Tagula-Mrs Marsh, by Marju) is catalogued for sale in Book 1 of the upcoming UK Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. The colt (consigned from Jim Murphy's Kilkenny-based Redpender Stud in Ireland) is by dual Gr1-winning European freshman sire & Coolmore shuttler Holy Roman Emperor (Danehill-L'On Vite, by Secretariat). He is the 3rd foal out of unraced Marju mare Mrs Marsh, whose 2 other foals are 4-time winner Zeeran & now 3-time Gr1-winner Canford Cliffs.
(Jul 29)
Oratorio Adds UK Gr2
Also in the UK overnight, triple European Gr1-winning Coolmore shuttler Oratorio (Danehill-Mahrah, by Vaguely Noble) added a juvenile group success when Sir Robert Ogden's Irish-bred colt King Torus (Oratorio-Dipterous, by Mujadil) notched his 2nd successive stakes win when he blitzed his rivals by 6-lengths in the £80,000 (A$138,000) Gr2 Vintage Stakes (7 furlongs) for 2YOs at Goodwood. King Torus (also ridden by Richard Hughes for trainer Richard Hannon) defeated fellow Irish-bred colt Stentorian (Street Cry-Nomistakeaboutit, by Affirmed) & another colt Major Art (Compton Place-Rosewood Belle, by Woodman). King Torus was a €30,000 (A$43,000) yearling at Ireland's 2009 Goffs Million Sale. Overall he now has 3 wins (also including last start's Gr2 Superlative Stakes over 7 furlongs at Newmarket on July 9) from 4 starts.
(Jul 29)
Gibraltar Filly Wins In France For Aust Owner Sayers
In France, Western Australia's Yarradale Stud principal Ron Sayers notched a winner when his 3YO filly Chantilly Rock (Rock Of Gibraltar-Banakill) scored over 1100m at Dieppe for trainer Pascal Bary. Belmont Bloodstock's Damon Gabbedy purchased Chantilly Rock (a half-sister to Gr2-winner Obrigado & Gr3-winner Coupe De Champe) for Sayers for €145,000 (A$209,000) at the 2008 Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale. She now has a win & 2 placings (at Saint-Cloud & Chantilly) from 3 starts.
(Jul 29)
US Trainer Charged With "Race Fixing"
In the US overnight, Pennsylvania police charged trainer Darryl Delahoussaye, 47, with "trying to rig races at Penn National Race Course by injecting horses with performance-enhancing drugs," reported bloodhorse.com. Delahoussaye was charged with "rigging a publicly exhibited contest, administering drugs to racehorses, tampering with evidence & theft" after a "grand jury investigation concluded Delahoussaye gave horses banned substances, including snake venom & an anti-inflammatory drug, before they raced at Penn National". The trainer was banned from Penn National earlier this year.
(Jul 29)
US Stonebridge Farm Owner Named In Madoff Suit
In New York, prominent Saratoga-based Stonebridge Farm's owner Jeffrey Tucker "is named in a lawsuit filed by the court-appointed trustee" overseeing the headline-hogging liquidation of disgraced Ponzi scheme boss Bernard Madoff's investment group, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Tucker "is 1 of 43 defendants recently added to a suit filed in the US Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan". Court-appointed trustee Irving Picard "is seeking more than US$3.6 billion against Tucker & other defendants who he says helped Madoff with his US$65 billion Ponzi scheme". Tucker "is a co-founder of Fairfield Greenwich, which allegedly funnelled billions to Bernard Madoff Investment Securities". Tucker's farm (just outside Saratoga Springs in Northumberland) was the 1st track in New York state to install an artificial surface. Shortly after Madoff's scheme became public, the farm "went on the market for US$10 million but has not been purchased; horses continue to board & train at the farm."
(Jul 29)
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July 30th, 2010
