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Thoroughbreds Worldwide

Leonard Marlborough
Editor
Melbourne, Australia.

Thoroughbred horse racing is much more than an excuse for gambling. It is a love for the beauty, grace, and speed of the horse. It can also be an intellectual battle of examining competing facts and trying to formulate the future from results of the past. In some ways it is an investigation, as performed by an eager detective. And in other ways it can be the thrill of a crossword puzzle, with multiple possible responses, but ultimately only one correct answer. It is a thing of passion and beauty, as much as it is a simple matter of commerce.

Featured articles:

Derby Drill?

23/02/2012

photography by Cheryl Ann Quigley

words by Vicki L Vinson

This year marked the 71st running of the Grade II San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita. The race was named for El Rancho San Vicente where early horse races were run on a mesa. The race is currently run at 7 furlongs on the dirt track for a $150,000 purse. The grading and purse money is important for 3 year olds hoping to make the field of this year’s Kentucky Derby. Following the late scratch of two runners and leaving only 4 horses in the field the race failed to answer any questions as fans try to search out the leading contenders heading to the Derby. Many however would love to be in trainer Bob Baffert’s shoes following this weekend. As his horse Drill who won the San Vicente was not the only 3 year old stakes winner for the trainer this holiday weekend. On Monday his horses Castaway and Secret Circle both went on to win their respective divisions of the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park which was split into two divisions this year when 21 horses were pre-entered.

Drill on the outside edges past American Act to win by a nose

After winning the Del Mar Futurity last summer Drill was one of Baffert’s early Derby hopefuls but he had failed to menace in his last four outings and had left his trainer scratching his head. Following the race Bob Baffert said that he felt the horse was more of a sprinter or mile specialist and would be looking for one turn stakes races for him in the future. Drill is a dark bay colt by the Kentucky Derby winner Lawyer Ron out of the Storm Cat mare Cat Dancer. He is owned by a partnership that includes Mike Pegram who won the ’98 Kentucky Derby with Real Quiet. Drill’s regular rider Martin Garcia was up for the win.

Running 2nd in the San Vicente was American Act trained by Jack Carava and ridden by Martin Pedroza. Around the track that afternoon he seemed to be the “buzz” horse and gave effort allowing Drill to get by just before the wire. Third place went to the post time favorite Creative Cause who was making his first start as a three year old following his third place showing in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last November. While beaten just a length after the layoff and looking good in the gallop out following the race he is sure to improve as he stretches out in his next race for trainer Mike Harrington.

What’s a person supposed to do when they leave the house without their camera? A big thanks goes out to Cheryl Ann Quigley for saving the day and allowing me to use a couple of her photos for this story.

Drill and jockey Martin Garcia




The Peak: Son of Pendragon

20/02/2012

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

19/02/2012

The Vanity

photography by Neil Murray

words by Leonard Marlborough

Defeat was not supposed to be an option.

Barely a breath between the three. From the inside: Mosheen (2nd - Nikolic- winkers & white cap). Shopaholic (1st - Dunn - green cap) to her outside. Angel Of Mercy (3rd - Williams - gold cap)

Quality filly Mosheen was expected to add another blacktype victory to her resume when she went around as a heavily supported $1.45 favourite in The Vanity - G3 over 1400 metres at Flemington.

But unlike her devastating 9 length Oaks victory before spelling - and her comfortable 2 length win against the males in the Listed Manfred Stakes when resuming - the tale of The Vanity did not go exactly to script.

Three talented fillies went across the line locked together, with the Danny O’Brien trained Shopaholic a nose ahead of Mosheen (Danny Nikolic) on the line - with Angel Of Mercy (Craig Williams) the same margin behind in 3rd placing.

The disappointment of Mosheen’s defeat all so evident in the face and attitude (bowed head) of her jockey, Danny Nikolic.

Stratcombe

18/02/2012

photography by Neil Murray

words by Leonard Marlborough

Stratcombe was a $200,000 purchase from the 2009 Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Much has been expected from this half-brother to multiple Group-Winner Impaler (Dracula - Catecombe), a winner of the G2 Hobartville Stakes & G2 Challenge Stakes.



The chestnut son of Stratum promised much through his last campaign, winning two races, and being competitive with stakes-winners and stakes-placed horses. But always there was the thought that better was achievable, and the threat of a the most drastic of notified gear changes - that of gelding - was a constant threat from trainer Mick Price.

And after a final atypical, but inglorious display at the end of his last campaign, the threat was carried through.

This campaign Mick Price has placed Stratcombe twice in Moonee Valley night meetings - both times in heats of the Essendon Mazda 55 Second Challenge over the short course of 955 metres.

Extremely unlucky first time when he was interfered with mid-race (no time to recover over this short course), last night stable jockey Craig Newitt rode the gelding hard from the outside barrier and he crossed the field to lead. He was challenged on turning by runner-up Strike The Tiger, but was talented enough to sprint again and he came away for a 1 1/4 length win. Given that Stratcombe worked at both ends of the race - and that this distance is short of his best (1200 to 1400 metres) - it was an effort of application and courage that would greatly please the stable.

Legendary Dragon

17/02/2012

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

Neil Callan has Legendary Dragon well clear of 2nd placed Moneymaker (Douglas Whyte)

Legendary Dragon followed his surprise victory at Happy Valley just one week earlier with an emphatic win in the Police Cup Handicap - this time starting as favourite.

The Ricky Yiu trained son of Holy Roman Emperor now boasts 2 wins from his 3 starts in Hong Kong - showing a distinct liking for the Happy Valley circuit with his only failure being his unplaced debut in Hong Kong at Sha Tin. Legendary Dragon was the second leg of a winning double for Irish jockey Neil Callan.

Previously trained in England by John Best - and then known as St Augustine - Legendary Dragon was three times a winner from 8 starts in England. An interesting aspect being that he won both times he raced on the polytrack at Kempton.

Rave

16/02/2012

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

軍事出擊"(白德民)在港一出即勝, 贏出軍器廠讓賽

Military Attack, former name Rave, won the Arsenal Handicap over 1650 metres under Darren Beadman. - Woody Leung.

Darren Beadman cruises to victory on Military Attack after dashing home along the rail from a midfield position turning for home.

A horse to rave about.

Military Attack debuted for the John Moore stable in Hong Kong with a brilliant victory at Happy Valley in a Class 2 event - The Arsenal Handicap over 1650 metres. The son of Oratorio gives every impression that he will develop into a serious contender for the 2012 Hong Kong Derby.

Military Attack raced as Rave in in England and was the winner of three races - only once unplaced - from his 6 starts. His only failure coming on the polytrack at Kempton on debut. He did appear to be a Group horse in the making in England - as does he now look to be a potential star in Hong Kong.

Katelyn

12/02/2012

words & photography by Neil Murray

At the Moonee Valley night meeting held on the 10th of February, one of the standout wins was that of the Peter Moody trained Encosta de Lago gelding, Hanks. In his previous five starts either stable jockey Luke Nolen or senior jockey Dwayne Dunn had ridden Hanks, but without scoring a win.  This time however, with judicious choice of the race - the Hafele Australia Handicap over 3000 metres - and putting rising star apprentice Katelyn Mallyon on board to claim 3kg, Peter Moody got the combination right.
 
Hanks went out a $5 chance. The favourite at $2.80 was Bunker Boy, a recent winner over the 3000m at Moonee Valley. Despite having to race wide most of the way, Katelyn had Hanks out of trouble and well positioned coming to the home turn. Hanks found plenty and pulled away in the straight to score by 1.5 lengths from Sophistication, with The Southern third.

Katelyn Mallyon has Hanks on the way to a win at the 100 metre mark

 
This win brought up Katelyn's 40th win for the season, 11 of them in town. She heads this season's Victorian apprentice list and has collected over $1 million in prize money for connections. The fact she is getting quality rides from top trainers is a testament to her riding ability.

Hanks hits the front from Sophistication

A smiling Katelyn Mallyon brings Hanks back to scale

The Long Way to Hong Kong: Encosta de Lago via the UK

12/02/2012

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

Indigo Way won the Volunteer's Challenge Cup over 1800 metres under local rider Alex Lai. The son of Encosta de Lago is trained by Manfred Man. - Woody Leung.

The Boss is Back

11/02/2012

words & photography by Neil Murray

Friday night (10 February) at  Moonee Valley, champion jockey Glen Boss rode his first city winner since coming back from  injury. Glen returned to riding on 18 January after four months recovering from a shattered shoulder. Glen injured his left shoulder when Crystal Lily collapsed and died in a jump-out at Flemington late last September -  Glen's shoulder was so badly smashed that he had to have it held together with a plate and screws.
 
But there was no sign of the shoulder hindering  Glen as he booted home two winners at Moonee Valley. The first came with an easy 3.5 length win on Snitzem in the Essendon Mazda 55 Second Challenge Heat over 955 metres.  However,  the second win was not to be so easy. In the last race on the card, the Sportingbet Handicap over 1600 metres, Glen rode Laspiel, an $8 chance. Laspiel led at the top of the straight but was immediately challenged by Oregon Spirit who got its head in front and looked to have the race won; but Boss lifted Laspiel who fought back gamely to just get the verdict by a nose on the line.

The Boss is back: Snitzem blitzes them - well clear of second placed Your Excellency, with Poitier third.




Bel Sprinter

10/02/2012

photography by Neil Murray

words by Leonard Marlborough

The very talented Bel Sprinter added to his building reputation with an impressive victory at Caulfield in the Listed United Arab Emirates (WJ Adams) Stakes over 1000 metres.

So fast, it’s just a blur:
Bel Sprinter (Ben Melham - outside) is about to claim Kulgrinda (Luke Nolen) - with the speedy (but weakening) Definitely Ready (Michael Rodd) compounding after leading the field.

Bel Sprinter now remains undefeated first-up (3 wins from 3 campaigns) - and has 5 wins from his 6 career starts. His only defeat coming at the end of his last preparation when he ran a brave 2nd to the G1 winner Lone Rock in the G3 Bobbie Lewis Stakes (1200 metres) at Flemington.

Trainer Jason Warren has been educating Bel Sprinter to take a sit rather than be a tearaway leader - and last Saturday he settled near last before easily reeling in some talented sprinters. In 2nd placing was Kulgrinda - herself undefeated first-up before losing this time to Bel Sprinter. In 3rd placing was the new acquisition for Mick Price, Faster Son.


A note of interest for breeding enthusiasts:
Bel Sprinter - like Black Caviar - is by Bel Esprit.
The dam of Bel Sprinter, Gavroche, is by Snippets. The grandam of Black Caviar is the stakes-winning Snippets mare, Scandinavia.

Cranbourne Trials: Helmet

words & photography by Neil Murray

8/02/2012

Helmet started his latest campaign with an impressive win in the first of thirteen trials held at the Cranbourne night trials on the 7th of February. Kerrin McEvoy rode the 3yo Exceed And Excel colt in the jump out over 1000 metres. Helmet had 5 lengths to make up on the leader First Course (Craig Williams) at the top of the straight; but by the 100 metre mark had overhauled First Course to go on and win by just over a length in 59.45 sec.



Helmet's mission is the United Arab Emirates Derby over 1900 metres in Dubai in late March. He leaves for Dubai on March 9. He will be accompanied by Sepoy who is being prepared for the Golden Shaheen over 1200 metres. Sepoy was also listed to trial at the Cranbourne meeting but trainer Peter Snowden opted to trial at a later date.

Pinker Pinker ran in the third trial over 1000 metres and ran a fast finishing third behind Octavanus.

A decent crowd of racing fans turned out for the trials. It looks like night racing under lights at Cranbourne will prove popular when it officially gets underway in March.

Best Eleven

7/02/2012

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

夢幻十一"(紀仁安)贏出千二米博愛盃
Best Eleven won the Pok Oi Cup over 1200 metres under Maxime Guyon - Woody Leung.



Best Eleven won his third race in succession when successful on the all-weather-track at Sha Tin on the 5th of February. The Tony Cruz trained son of Charge Forward now has in total four wins in Hong Kong, with Maxime Guyon taking the winning ride at his past three starts. Gerald Mosse was aboard when Best Eleven won at his second appearance in Hong Kong during his first preparation for Cruz.

Best Eleven defeated Rumba King by a head, with City Power a length and a half away in third placing. Riding in his second season in Hong Kong during the European Winter hiatus, Guyon could not replicate the stellar success of his first season. The French jockey was suspended under controversial circumstances on an improper riding charge and now finishes this season with just five wins - quite remarkably, three of these coming on Best Eleven.

Best Eleven was originally trained in Australia, named Piecart, and trained by Gai Waterhouse. He most notably proved far too quick for future star Smart Missile (defeating him by 3 lengths) in his final barrier trial before being transferred to Hong Kong. Further back in third placing was subsequent Group Two winner (Pago Pago Stakes) Salade.

Mosheen makes a Deep Impact

6/02/2012

photography by Neil Murray

words by Leonard Marlborough

Resuming after a stunning 9 length VRC Oaks (2500 metres) victory last Spring, Mosheen easily won the Listed Shadwell Stud Australasia (Manfred) Stakes over 1200 metres at Caulfield last Saturday. Regular jockey Danny Nikolic steered the daughter of Fastnet Rock to a comfortable - ears pricked - 1.8 length victory.

With her recent sale to one of the word’s most prominent racehorse breeders and owners, Katsumi Yoshida, Mosheen’s long-term destiny will find her in Japan - but in the medium term her targets include the G3 Vanity, followed by the G1 Australian Guineas and the G1 Coolmore Classic. Trainer Robert Smerdon estimated that he presented Mosheen only 80% fit for her first appearance this campaign - something that future rivals would not enjoy to learn.

Under the vocal urgings of jockey Danny Nikolic, Mosheen cruises past her rivals with ears-pricked

Mosheen is a blacktype winner from 1200 metres through to 2500 metres. She is G1 placed (Golden Slipper) at 1200 metres, and a G1 winner (VRC Oaks) at 2500 metres.

Katsumi Yoshida is an astute judge of horses and has already made an impact upon Australian racing with his historic Melbourne Cup (2006) quinella with Delta Blues and Pop Rock. It is expected that when Mosheen is retired to stud in Japan she will be mated with the champion Japanese stallion, Deep Impact.

Along with Sarafina, Stacelita, and (a significant share of) the Arc winner Danedream, Mosheen is yet another outstanding mare purchased by the Yoshida (Shadai) enterprise to add to the quality of future crops of Deep Impact. Winning in the present, while planning for the future.

Chasse

6/02/2012

words & photography by Neil Murray

It has been a long time coming for the Octagonal gelding Chasse. But last Saturday at Caulfield Chasse finally broke through for his first metropolitan win. In his previous campaign the Sheikh Mohammed owned 4yo had started nine times for no wins and three placings. After a long spell he came back to place in his last three runs at Flemington. Most notable was his second to Bolton at his last start.

This was Chasse's first start at Caulfield, The Shadwell Estate Co (UK) Plate over 1700 metres. He had a lot in his favour this start - he drew barrier 5, had leading jockey Chris Symons aboard, and was well weighted at 54kg. The short priced favourite was There's Only One, but Chasse had plenty of support at $5. This time it all came together for that elusive win and Chasse got to the line by two lengths from Cannonball with Population third.

Chris Symons drives Chassis ahead of Cannonball (Michael Carson 2nd) with Token Of Honour (Dwayne Dunn - pink & blue -5th)

Hong Kong Snitzel

4/02/2012

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

Snitzel Kid (number 4 - with blue blinkers) flies the flag for his sire Snitzel in Hong Kong

Snitzel Kid won his 3rd race in Hong Kong when successful in the Tiu Keng Leng Handicap over 1650 metres at Happy Valley. Trained by Caspar Fownes - and ridden by Neil Callan - the 4 year old son of Snitzel had a neck to spare from Bumper Strike, with Jolly Wongchong finishing just behind in third placing.

Snitzel Kid is one of only two of the Snitzel progeny currently racing in Hong Kong - and was the first from this sire to be imported into Hong Kong.

Little optimism was held by those at the HKJC who make comment and assessment upon the new arrivals. This was the Overseas Information comment:
(4/10/2010)
SNITZEL KID was trained by JASON WARREN in Australia. In a half-mile (800m) barrier trial at Cranbourne this January, he finished third by two and a half lengths. The winner of that trial, GENERAL TRUCE, is still a maiden after seven official starts, and 2nd- placed SECESSION also winless in five tries – not too reflective a trial to begin with in gauging for this new import.

In fact, this trial was far more impressive than first suggested. Prior to the above-mentioned trial, General Truce was already the winner of the Group Three Maribyrnong Plate - and in the time since has added 3 more wins, plus five additional placings in Group and Listed Company.

Secession (too) had actually won the Listed Merson Cooper on debut - 10 weeks before the trial highlighted by the HKJC. He has since won an additional 2 races, and placed 3rd in a Listed Race at Flemington.

Snitzel Kid was one of a training double for Caspar Fownes, with His Ride On The Fire (Tim Clark) being successful earlier on the program.

His Ride On The Fire

Charity Spirit Finally Excels

3/02/2012

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

多益善"(潘頓)嬴出一千米維多利亞賽馬會錦標

Charity Spirit won the Victoria Racing Club Trophy handicap over 1000 metres under Zac Purton. The son of Exceed And Excel is trained by Danny Shum. The Australian jockey has ridden for the local trainer 14 times in this season with 4 wins, 5 seconds, 2 thirds and a 4th. - Woody Leung.



After two seasons in Hong Kong - and at his second race start for his new trainer Danny Shum - Charity Spirit finally broke through for a win when successful in the Victoria Racing Club Handicap over 1000 metres at Happy Valley.

The imported grey Exceed And Excel gelding - who raced in England as Kingdom Of Light - got to the front halfway down the Happy Valley straight under the urgings of jockey Zac Purton and held on to defeat Flashing Guy (Brett Prebble) by a neck, with Good Boy Boy (Vincent Ho) in third placing.

"I rode him at work the other day and he worked upside down and just went too fast, so it was no guide, but we got the lovely sit behind nice speed tonight and couldn't have had a better race plan,. Around the home turn, I thought he would win pretty easily but he was under pressure late in the race. His action changed and he was paddling. I doubt he wants any further than the 1000m and he might not be easy to place but he got the job done." - Zac Purton, as reported on SCMP.

Exceed And Excel is a Darley shuttle stallion and has produced outstanding horses in both hemispheres. His 2008 crop produced Group One winners Helmet (Caulfield Guineas - 1600 metres); Excelebration (Ascot Queen Elizabeth 11 Stakes - 8 furlongs); and Margot Did (Longchamp Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp - 5 furlongs).

Sun Shines on Sunshine Millions

1/02/2012

words & photography by Vicki L Vinson

In the past the racing format for Sunshine Millions Day was featured as a competition between California vs. Florida bred horses. The card featured 8 races divided evenly between Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park with them alternating to the opposite track each year. The idea never panned out too well as a competition since very few horses from California would ship to Florida for a race. There was little need for Florida-breds to ship to California since there were already plenty on hand racing on the California circuit on a regular basis. Thus the end result was the number of horses representing Florida was two to three times as many as those from California. But the logo and entertainment ideas did stick and thus this year the event continued at both tracks with each one featuring horses from their home state.

Santa Anita came up with a racing card that included three stake events for the Cal-Breds and enhanced the card further with two graded stakes events. The first stakes on the card was the Grade III Santa Ysabel for 3 yr. old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on the dirt track. The winner of the race was the longest shot on the board at 11-1, but she was a Cal Bred (the only one in the field) so she thought she was supposed to win. Willa B Awesome took advantage of the earlier scratch of pace setter Eden’s Moon and lead from gate to wire for jockey Martin Pedroza and trainer Walther Solis.

Willa B Awesome breaks from the 4 hole out of the gate for the Santa Ysabel

One promotion new to Sunshine Millions this year was the promoting of the new HBO series LUCK set to premiere the following night. Signage was everywhere: above the starting gate, in the program, on some of the saddle towels and scattered throughout the facility. Some of the actors and people involved with the show were on hand to present trophies and rub elbows with the crowd of 30,514 on hand to enjoy the rather warm winter day. The LUCK show has been filming for quite some time with a good percent of the filming done right there at Santa Anita so as a promotion by the LUCK producers they sponsored a contest on Facebook and also a special Pick 6 using three races each from both Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park. Other special promotions at Santa Anita included a food truck festival in the infield, a bikini contest and concert after the races.

The first of the Cal-Bred stakes was the Sensational Star run down the hill on the turf at 6 ½ furlongs. The race was won by Compari for trainer Marty Jones and jockey Mike Smith. The next stakes race was the Crystal Water which was won by the seven year old gelding Holladay Road for trainer Julio Canani who ironically is the trainer upon which one of the LUCK characters is based. The third Cal-Bred stakes was the Valentine Dancer named after the filly who actually won the Filly & Mare Turf event twice during previous Sunshine Millions race cards. This race was won by the oddly named Chokecherymary for trainer Gary Mandella and jockey Corey Nakatani.

Holladay Road passes the early leader Macho Dorado to win the Crystal Water

The ninth race on the card was the 55th running of the Grade I Santa Monica for fillies and mares 4 years and up going 7 furlongs on the dirt. The race was won by Home Sweet Aspen a 4 yr. old chestnut filly by Candy Ride out of the Groovy mare My Gal Groovy. Home Sweet Aspen took the lead shortly after the first quarter marker and held the lead through the stretch over a fairly compacted field. She is trained by John Sadler and was ridden by Joel Rosario for the Craig Stables.

Home Sweet Aspen (#4 in white) coming out of the final turn would hold on for the win



Year of the (Ambitious) Dragon

31/1/2012

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

Ambitious Dragon won the Stewards' Cup over a mile under Douglas Whyte. - Woody Leung.

雄心威龍"(韋達)勝出三冠大賽首關董事盃

After failing to win in his first season of racing, Ambitious Dragon has since risen to the pinnacle of the racing rankings in Hong Kong. On Sunday the 29th of January Ambitious Dragon won the HKG1 The Stewards’ Cup (1600 metres) - adding another prestigious victory to his impressive tally of 9 wins from 12 starts in the past two seasons of racing in Hong Kong.

Ambitious Dragon now has a win at Group One - the 2011 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth 11 Cup over 2000 metres - and three wins at Hong Kong Group One level.

It truly is The Year of the Dragon.

HKG1 The Stewards’ Cup (1600 metres)
1st Ambitious Dragon - Douglas Whyte - Tony Millard
2nd Xtension - Jeff Lloyd - John Moore
3rd California Memory - Matthew Chadwick - Tony Cruz




Arabian Valley

30/1/2012

words & photography by Neil Murray

At the Moonee Valley meeting on 27 January 2011, the centre of attention was World Champion sprint mare Black Caviar. She was to race and win the Australia Stakes notching up her 17th consecutive victory.  But as a lead up to the main race program, and to entertain the rapidly expanding crowd, the Moonee Valley Club staged two Purebred Arabian races.  H.H. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan sponsored the races as part of the Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival.
 
Last time the Arabians raced in Melbourne was at Caulfield where they were not allowed to start from the normal barrier stalls, instead they had to start behind the old-style barrier strands. This  decision had unfortunate consequences. Confusion reigned at the start with riders unseated and the field spreadeagled. At Moonee Valley, sense prevailed and the Arabians started from the normal stalls.
 
Consequently, both fields got away without mishap and the crowd was treated to these beautiful animals producing a racing spectacle seldom seen in Australia. In the first race, run over 2040 metres, three horses came around the home turn level-pegging and fought out a great battle down the straight. In the end, Warrawee Naaziq, owned, trained and ridden by Kim Noble got to the line first.  In second place came Franshar Park K Shar, ridden by Loretta Beckman, and third place went to Blakes Heaven Bombora ridden by Catherine Burri from Switzerland.

From the inside, Franshar Park K Shar, Blakes Heaven Bombora, and Warrawee Naaziq do battle in the straight

The second Arabian event was the Ladies Cup over 1600 metres. The seven starters were ridden by seven international lady-riders flown to Melbourne for the event. Ridgecrest Shy Guy, ridden by Jadey Pietrasiewicz from the Netherlands proved dominant and won comfortably. Chardonnay Park Rasheeka ridden by Phillipa Tutty from Great Britain took second place, followed by Wantley Kaliph ridden by Barbara Guenet from France - in 4th place was Aqaba Brown Dirt Cowboy ridden by Victoria Allers from Norway.

Both races were warmly received by the building crowd of Black caviar fans.

Ridgecrest Shy Guy ridden by Jadey Pietrasiewicz from the Netherlands wins the second Arabian event


Sweet Orange

26/1/2012

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

The Frightfully Impressive Go Baby Go

16/1/2012

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

Go Baby Go, won the Pearce Memorial Challenge Cup over 1000 metres under Douglas Whyte. - Woody Leung
跑寶貝跑"(韋達)羸出皮亞士盃


To achieve success a racehorse needs more than just natural ability: confidence and temperament are also major factors needed for racetrack success.

Soon after Go Baby Go arrived at the stable of trainer Dennis Yip he displayed raw ability, but was clearly lacking in temperament.

"When he arrived he was scared of everything. He was sweating a lot and very nervous, but he needed confidence. In the afternoon I have asked the mafoos* and work riders to slowly walk him around everywhere." - Dennis Yip (as reported on SCMP).

After a debut victory over 1000 metres at Sha Tin Go Baby Go repeated the dose with another easy win over the same course - winning on debut by 2 3/4 lengths, and this time by 3 1/2 lengths.

Douglas Whyte cruises to the line aboard the frightfully impressive Go Baby Go

editor’s note:

a mafoo is a Chinese stable boy or groom.

Jake Noonan

22/1/2012

words & photography by Neil Murray

"On jumping away You’rejokingme knuckled badly resulting in its rider J Noonan being dislodged. J Noonan was examined by the Club’s medical officer following the event who reported that he had suffered a minor knee injury and was stood down for his remaining riding engagement. J Noonan will require a medical clearance prior to riding again."

Thus read the steward's report from a Race 7 incident at Cranbourne's twilight meeting held last Friday, 20 January 2011. Talented apprentice jockey Jake Noonan catapulted head-first over the horse's head and managed a double-somersault, before sitting up to miraculously avoided serious injury. In a similar incident at Flemington in May of 2011, Jake was rendered unconscious with serious injuries and was out of racing for five months while recovering.

Testimony to his toughness is the fact that after Friday's fall at Cranbourne Jake got his medical certificate and fronted up the very next day for a busy book of seven rides at Flemington. And he was in good form. He won on Royal Mail as well as taking out a second placing and two thirds. Jake Noonan looks like he has all the physical and mental toughness, as well as the necessary skill, to become a first class senior rider.

above: Royal Mail, just after passing the winning post
below: The Clerk-of Course leads Royal Mail with Jake Noonan aboard. On the way to the start of Race 4, the Life Saving Victoria Race To The Rescue, over 2000 metres.





The Eagle Has Landed (his first Group One)

16/1/2012

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

The HKG1 Kent & Curwen Centenary Cup Sprint over 1000 metres at Sha Tin was won by the course and distance specialist Eagle Regiment, ridden by Olivier Doleuze. Stepping up into elite sprinting ranks for the first time, the Australian bred 4 year old son of El Moxie had a neck to spare at the finish of an exciting and competitive sprint - with just a half-length separating the first five horses past the post.

The field is spread across the track. From inside (closest): Joy And Fun (2nd B Doyle); Eagle Regiment (Winner O Doleuze); Let Me Fight (3rd J Lloyd); Rich Unicorn (4th D Whyte).

The photograph below shows the field hitting the line: with Sacred Kingdom (5th) now the closest to the camera.

Triple World Champion Sprinter Sacred Kingdom loomed up to win but wilted in the final stages - while the resilient high-class sprinter Joy And Fun (who dead-heated for 2nd in the G1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint at his previous start) finished just a neck behind Eagle Regiment after gaining ascendency mid-race and looking the likely winner.

This win was an exceptional performance by Eagle Regiment who was having his first run out of handicap grades, and taking on some highly ranked world sprinters. This was the first Group One winner for trainer Manfred Man.

The Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint is the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series: with the legs to follow being the Chairman’s Sprint Prize over 1200 metres, and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup over 1400 metres.

Happy Valley Champion

15/1/2012

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

The January Cup 1800 metres at Happy Valley
1st Pure Champion Gerald Mosse
2nd Packing OK Jeff Lloyd
3rd Noble Conqueror Zac Purton


Woolamai

12/1/2012

words & photography by Neil Murray

On the 8th of January Woolamai and District Racing Clubs held their first picnic meeting for 2012.  A good crowd, augmented by Christmas holiday-makers enjoyed the overcast but warm weather to witness an interesting six race programme. Three races proved to be neck-and-neck affairs decided by narrow margins. The other three ended up one-horse affairs decided by wide margins.

Angela Bence well clear on La Petite Fille at the 150 metre

The first and biggest margin by a runaway occurred in the first race. Only three runners accepted for the Botanic Homes Open Trophy Handicap over 2008 metres. Rhonda Mangan on King Of Dendy, pulled right away from the others down the straight to hit the line 10 lengths ahead.

Then in the fifth race, the Beveridge Williams Trophy Handicap over 1608 metres , Clayton Douglas booted Fontaines, the $2 favourite, to a  4.5 length win. This completed a double for Clayton, who had already won the second race by a narrow margin on another favourite, Vixenite, at $3.

The third big margin came in the last race, the Bosco Jonson Open Trophy Handicap over 1508 metres. Angela Bence rode the Desert King grey mare, La Petite Fille to a 4 length win, giving lucky punters a $9 dividend.

Rhonda Mangan in the lead on King Of Dendy at the top of the straight




Clayton Douglas looks happy as he pulls away on Fontaines


Pied A Terre

6/1/2012

photography by Neil Murray

words by Leonard Marlborough

Pied A Terre remains undefeated after resuming from a five month spell with an impressive win at the New Year’s Eve night meeting at Moonee Valley. The Darley owned, and Snowden trained son of Ad Valorem, validated his promising Winter campaign with a dominant victory when tested against older sprinters under the Moonee Valley lights.

The 3 year old bay gelding is being set for feature races in the Autumn, with the Group One Australian Guineas (1600 metres at Flemington) being his main target. Expertly handled by Mark Zahra in the 1200 metre Sportingbet Premium Handicap, Pied A Terre came away from the very talented Smokin’ Joey (Steve Arnold) to win by 1.5 lengths. Both winner and runner-up were resuming, with both likely to have strong Summer/Autumn campaigns. Showing the gulf in class between these two and the others, the margin back to 3rd (Swift Bay) was an ever increasing 4 lengths.

Pied A Terre (French) literally means foot on the ground, but in common usage usually implies a ‘secondary residence’ - for either part of the year or part of the working week - for a person of ‘means’ who may need to work some distance from their primary residence.

Ad Valorem - sire of Pied A Terre - is the Latin term for a tax based on the value of real estate, making Pied A Terre a very well-named racehorse.

Slattery's Fine: Maroubra is better

4/1/2012

words & photography by Paul Di Michiel

 Few of us can forget the histrionic celebration of Mickael Barzalona when he stood straight in the irons while still in the process of passing the winning post when victorious in the 2011 Epsom Derby on Pour Moi. So fine a winning margin - so extravagant a gesture.

Barzalona is blessed with the timing and skill of a champion jockey. Glen Boss is also so blessed, and is renowned for his own celebrations as he approaches and crosses the winning post (most memorable on So You Think in the Cox Plate, and Makybe Diva in the Melbourne Cup).

The best of the best celebrating success in a classic race.


But fines and suspensions usually follow such celebrations. A deterrent for emulation.

Away from the pinnacle of world racing there are many reasons for celebration. And the reminder as to why such celebrations are frowned upon by the racing authorities around the globe.

Today I introduce to Thoroughbreds Worldwide Paul Di Michiel. His article and photography illustrate the pitfalls of emulation. - editor.

Thrills – and near spills – of a dramatic win

 
Gosford Race Club recently hosted a picnic meeting on Saturday 17th December 2011.  Five races were scheduled with the feature race being the Gosford Picnic Cup over a mile.  Gosford is a provincial course a one hour drive north of Sydney, and like most provincial courses, hosts horses that are not quite up to city grade.  Nevertheless, it’s a fantastic track that is highly regarded and used by Sydney-based and other trainers for their gallopers.  On this particular Saturday however, the quality of the thoroughbreds racing was – to be kind – a long way off Melbourne Cup or Golden Slipper standard.  The reason?  Picnic racing had come to Gosford and it gave optimistic trainers a chance to have their much-loved steeds look for that elusive moment of glory…along with some prize-money!  It also gave the amateur jockeys – or ‘approved riders’ as they are now known -  a chance to ride on a track that is largely the purview of the professional ranks, including Corey Brown, Jim Cassidy and Nash Rawiller.  The mood at the track was relaxed and the sun occasionally peeked out from behind the high clouds.  It was a week before Christmas and the crowd were in a holiday frame of mind.

Tom Slattery is jubilant at the impending success for Maroubra

 
As I was walking around the stabling area looking for some interesting scenes, I came upon a group saddling a horse for the second race – The De Bortoli Handicap (Class B) over 1200 metres.  The horse in question was called Maroubra – presumably named after the popular Sydney beach –  a 10 year old brown gelding by Nothin’ Leica Dane out of French Vision (by the Irish sire Lorenzaccio) .  Maroubra was readying for his 20th race start…The previous 19 netting zero wins, one second and one third and only $5,600 in stakes.  At his previous start on the 8th December, he’d finished 8th of 13 in a Gosford Maiden behind the Darley owned Soledad - but only beaten 3.2 lengths.  Given that effort, he was certainly some chance in a much weaker event, even though his 5 opponents had all registered wins at some point in their chequered careers. Overall however, the field only had 5 wins from a combined total of 108 starts – Hardly the most inspiring statistic!  Maroubra was allocated the number 1 saddlecloth and looked ready for racing.  He was calm and his coat gleamed with the health of a well-cared for thoroughbred.  I commented in passing that he looked good - hardly looked like a 10 year old - and was ready to race.  The connections seemed hopeful, but not overly optimistic of his chances (presumably based on the rocky road they’d travelled)….
 
I later discovered that Maroubra had only raced once (his 8th to Soledad) since his previous effort in a Gosford maiden in October 2009.  Part of his time out was due to a bleeding attack.  Bleeders in Australia can’t be treated with drugs and continue to race indefinitely as they can be in other parts of the world – They are immediately banned from racing for three months and then have to return to racing under the close scrutiny of the racing authorities.  It’s a case of two strikes – or bleeding attacks - and you are out…For good.  Maroubra had also experienced several other problems over the course of his career and his owners and trainer had to be commended for their persistence, patience – and hope – that one day their horse would repay their faith.
 
Maroubra was to be ridden by Tom Slattery, an amateur rider, who in his previous 30 rides at picnic meetings at places like Cowra, Bong Bong, and Orange, had only registered 3 wins.  Maroubra is trained by Peter Horsnell who has a small team based at Gosford with old Maroubra the ‘favourite’ of the stable.  Like Slattery, Horsnell’s record as a trainer is a universe away from that of Waterhouse, Waller, and company.  Racing NSW’s records indicate that Horsnell had not trained a winner leading up to Maroubra’s race at this picnic meeting.  Another horse called Starscape had won a Gosford trial in February 2011, but otherwise, the closest Horsnell had come to training a ‘real’ winner was with Maroubra who’d run second in a Gosford Maiden back in January 2009 beaten half a length and Starscape who’d finished second – only beaten a long head – in a Newcastle maiden in February 2011.  Surely, the time was right for a win!
 
In the mounting yard, Slattery listened closely to instructions for the race, was legged on board and was led onto the track.  Maroubra was calm and relaxed, taking in the scene around him.  He gave off the aura of a horse who was ready to race – and to hopefully shake off the unwanted title of ‘maiden’.  Given that he was racing against a bunch of ‘kids’ (all being either 4 or 5 years of age) Maroubra was the elder statesman of the field and the sentimental favourite, not just in terms of betting (he started as $1.90 favourite), but also with the racegoers who warmed to a story of a perpetual trier and ‘battler’ who deserved better…Someone who deserved to win. 
 
The five runners arrived at the start and were loaded into the barriers.  Without much delay they were off and racing and the horse in the barrier next to Maroubra (Lindy’s Alanza), shifted out quite severely and gave Maroubra a good whack.  Despite this unwelcome beginning, it wasn’t long before old Maroubra had the lead and coming to turn pulled away from the field of tiring opponents and their whip-flailing jockeys. His jockey Tom Slattery, being caught up in the moment, started to celebrate about 100 metres out from the winning post, rising high in the irons and fist pumping towards the small but enthusiastic crowd. Presumably savouring the victory his trainer, the owners – and himself -  had long hoped for. The outburst of emotion clearly reflected the time, effort, dedication and large dollops of frustration suffered by everyone connected to the old trouper.  This was one victory that was the sweetest of the sweet and should be celebrated accordingly!  Damn the consequences, it will be well worth it! Maroubra swiftly passed the post as the winner, with Slattery beginning to resume his place in the saddle, but more drama was to follow…




 
Shortly after the post Maroubra stumbled slightly and Slattery started to lose his balance.  His cause was not helped by his upright stature and raised arm over a good portion of the finishing straight.  As the horse galloped on past the post, Slattery left the saddle and spent around 50 metres hanging onto the horse's neck for dear life.  His feet were up and his legs struggled to find some traction on the horse to enable him to leverage himself back on board.  If he failed to do so, he faced the rather inglorious consequence of tumbling onto the lush grass rushing by underneath him…and not to mention the embarrassment  he’d suffer in front of a large crowd of well-oiled racegoers only a few metres away.  Fortunately for Slattery he somehow regained his balance, and with the skill of someone who has obviously spent a lot of his life around horses, got his long legs wrapped around Maroubra’s shoulder - eventually his back - and finally planted his backside in the saddle.  Maroubra galloped on for a good distance with Slattery’s feet out of the irons before being pulled up and being escorted back towards the winners enclosure by the clerk of the course.  There’s some conjecture that Slattery may have happily galloped Maroubra right back to his stables given his rodeo-inspired riding past the post! 

 
Slattery’s trot back to the winners enclosure was rife with good-natured cheers and catcalls about his near mishap passing the post.  Slattery was understandably chastened, but took it all in a positive way, with the win of the old horse Maroubra being the main act in the play where he was merely part of the supporting cast.  While thinking the drama was now over, Slattery – quite a tall lad for a jockey - dismounted and was clearly ill and shaky on his feet as a result of wasting to ride Maroubra at 62 kilograms.  Despite this, his fellow jocks continued to give him some good-humoured ribbing over his acrobatics and one jockey feigned goosing Slattery as he went up the tunnel to the jockeys’ room.  Unfortunately for Slattery, the stewards at the track also took a dim view of his joyful celebrations before passing the post and fined him $400 (quite a slug as his riding fee was $90 plus his 5% of the prize-money of $2,100). 
 
One thinks that the near-fall, fine and after-effects of wasting were simply inconsequential on this special day where the battlers became the winners…

General Truce Accepts The Challenge

2/1/2012

photography by Neil Murray

words by Leonard Marlborough

There is no doubt that the quality of horse competing in the Moonee Valley 955 metre ‘55-Second Challenge’ has improved from its inception. General Truce, a Group Three winner and three times Group Two placed, broke the 955 metre track record (running 55.28) at Moonee Valley, placing his trainer Rick Maund in the leading position to win the new Mazda car as the trainer of the fastest horse over the course this season.

General Truce (Ashley Thompson) drives past the tiring Waltzes (Katelyn Mallyon). The second placed Weekend Special (Stephen Baster) is not in this frame and is following General Truce through to give late chase.

The previous record holder, the Mark Kavanagh trained Weekend Special, chased gamely and ran home into second position.

Last year’s winner of the ‘55 Second Challenge’ was the handy Peter Boynton trained mare La Bella Roo, who ran unplaced in a 1000 metre mares event later in the program. With the flying Definitely Ready already a dual winner over 955 metres this season - and smart sprinters such as The Soldier, and Rocking Force, also competing in the series - the quality of the fields has improved to the extent that the illusive 55 second barrier no longer seems to be an impossible mark.

Zenyatta: the quiet moments

1/1/2012

photography by John Kaiser

words by Leonard Marlborough

Life is vastly different now for Zenyatta compared to those days of fierce racetrack competition in her final racing season of 2010.

Instead of preparing for a racing year that would culminate in a Breeders’ Cup appearance, Zenyatta now prepares for foaling. Sometime around late February, or early March of 2012, Zenyatta should be the proud mother of a Bernardini foal. So now, Zenyatta lives a life as close to normal (for a broodmare) as possible: including being turned out at night (unless the weather turns nasty) with her grey companion, Tasty Temptation. She is brought back in the morning for feeding, grooming, and regular vet checks. Special still - but now living the natural life of the broodmare.

Photographer John Kaiser looks back at the career of Zenyatta with a series of captures of Zenyatta in those quiet moments, away from the racetrack and the thunder of hooves.

Straight Gold

29/12/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

郭能策騎大摩馬房新馬"花月佳期",勝出一千米賽事

John Moore's new 3 year old Australian chestnut gelding, Straight Gold, won the 1000 metres Ho Chung handicap under Neil Callan. - Woody Leung.



After winning by 5 lengths on debut, Straight Gold was placed 3rd behind Satin Shoes in the G2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100 metres) at Rosehill. The training partnership of team Hawkes had the son of Stratum for just one more start - a 4th behind Smart Missile and Sepoy - before the horse transferred into the stable of John Moore in Hong Kong. Following a shock failure at Sha Tin at his first Hong Kong appearance, Straight Gold bounced back to his best with a narrow, yet impressive win in the 1000 metre Ho Chung Handicap at Sha Tin. Straight Gold is the son of the stakes-winning mare Golden Delicious and was a $300,000 purchase at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale. - editor.

Santa Anita: Opening Day

29/12/2011

words & photography by Vicki L Vinson

Opening day at Santa Anita Racetrack and the Rose Float Parade on New Year’s in nearby Pasadena are two big reasons people come to Southern California for the holidays. The weather seems to be amazingly perfect for this time of the year nearly every year and this day was no exception as evidenced by the crowd of 44,579 on hand for the festivities. The opener on the card was the California Breeders’ Champion Stakes for 2 yr. old fillies. The 7 furlong race was won in gate to wire fashion by Ismene ridden by fan favorite Mike Smith. This set up things up for a possible return engagement of the “battle of the exes “ when Mike’s former fiancé Chantal Sutherland brought home the winner of the 2nd race What a Rush leaving the twosome in a temporary tie for leading jockey of the meet.

Ismene wins the first race in easy fashion

While the colt division of the California Breeders’ Champion Stakes went to Got Even with Garrett Gomez on board there were two graded stakes races saved for the end of the day. The 12th running of the Sir Beaufort Stakes (Grade II) was a mile on the turf for 3 yr. olds. It was won by Mr. Commons giving Mike Smith his third win on the card and bragging rights for a while as he sits on top of the jockey standings. A return to racing against his own age group for the win shows that Mr. Commons just might live up to the promising career he showed us earlier in the year. Mr. Commons is trained by John Shirreffs and is by the sire Artie Schiller who won the Breeders’ Cup Mile as a 4 yr. old.

The final race of the day and the final Grade I race of the year was the Malibu Stakes traditionally held on opening day. It matches the three year olds against each other one last time before they turn four on the first of the year. Trainer Bob Baffert was determined to win this race and add it to his resume by sending three starters to the gate and win it he did with his colt The Factor who had shown us a lot early in the year but had failed miserably in his last two starts. Bob feels that his loses were in part due to bad post position draws being stuck on the rail. In today’s race The Factor proved that he preferred the outside draw that post 11 offered him. Under jockey Martin Garcia The Factor broke alertly obtaining the lead and prevailing to win by 3 ½ lengths. The Factor is by War Front out of the Miswaki mare Greyciousness and owned by the partnership of Fog City Stable and George Bolton. If Bob decides to stretch The Factor back out his next likely start could be in the San Fernando on Jan. 14th which is the next leg of the Strub Series.

The Factor crossing over the paddock as the sun starts to set



At Moment In Time

24/12/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

Glorious Days

20/12/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

Glorious Days (Douglas Whyte) clears away from his opposition for another impressive victory at Sha Tin

After an effortless debut win in New Zealand the Stephen McKee trained Glorious Days soon found himself sold and off to race in Hong Kong.

Trained now by John Size, the 4 year old son of Hussonet has impressed all who have seen him with his three effortless wins - now remaining undefeated after 4 career starts. At Sha Tin on Saturday Glorious Days gave jockey Douglas Whyte another armchair-ride. It is expected that Glorious Days will keep rising to each new challenge as presented - with the medium term goal being the G1 Mercedes-Benz Classic on January the 25th.

Glorious Days is a half-brother to the stakes-winning Spurcent who won the Listed Gimcrack Stakes and was placed 3rd in the G1 Thousand Guineas.

Glorious Days: still undefeated after 4 starts

Fionn's Treasure

18/12/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

Gerald Mosse won on Fionn's Treasure for Danny Shum in the Griffin Trophy over 1400 metres while Bear Hero ran second under Brett Prebble. - Woody Leung.

"芙蓉之寶"(巫斯義)擊敗"熊英雄"(柏寶)勝出新馬錦標

The defeat of Champion Griffin Bear Hero in the Griffin Trophy (1400 metres) at Sha Tin may at first appear to indicate that Bear Hero will not rise to the heights once expected of him: with his undefeated run of three wins in his debut season now rolling into a new season with three runs without a win.

Brett Prebble appears to look across in surprise as Fionn's Treasure gets the better of Bear Hero.

We can forgive Bear Hero his only unplaced run - his foray into Melbourne and Group One company when pulling up last (injured, and distressed) behind the champion, Sepoy. So this return to racing in Hong Kong was significant - if he was to return to his previous status.

But in time we may be talking not about his surprise defeat - but talking instead in glowing terms about the horse who defeated him.

New Zealand bred 3 year old colt Fionn’s Treasure showed that his debut win a month ago was simply the beginning of an impressive career. Trained by Danny Shum - after discovering him from a New Zealand trial - the bay son of Elusive City put in a display that hints at a rapid rise to the top. With jockey Gerald Mosse aboard, Fionn’s Treasure burst from the gates but was later challenged and passed by the speedy Wah May Star. Soon after Flying Unicorn and Bear Hero moved past him too, and Fionn’s Treasure slipped back to 4th in the 6 horse field. With last season’s Champion Griffin ahead of him it looked as though 2nd placing may be the best outcome. Gerald Mosse - with nowhere else to go but follow the running rail - persevered for a run and eventually squeezed through inside Wah May Star. The opening was narrow and on several occasions Fionn’s Treasure made contact with the rail when tightened up by the two horses to his outside. A valiant 2nd would have been a good result - but when clear of the tiring Wah May Star Mosse urged Fionn’s Star (tight and) inside Bear Hero to claim a narrow (head margin) but impressive victory.

He has nice potential and is a lovely horse. He could be a top one. If everything is OK, he will keep improving and he can go high.He will improve a lot after that, today he was intimidated to come inside through the gap, he didn't want to go there and baulked, but he still came through and won easy. If I'd got wide, we would have won by two. He can get a bit longer, but he needs to gain maturity. Physically he is OK, but he is a big soft, a bit tender." - Gerald Mosse (SCMP).

Below I have a replay of the trial in New Zealand that so impressed Danny Shum.
Fionn’s Treasure: a name to remember.

Goodwill Running for Gruenfeld

13/12/2011

words & photography by Neil Murray

One of three feature races on last Saturday's sand programme at Macau's Taipa Racetrack was the Australian Turf Club Goodwill Trophy held over 1050 metres.
 
Luis Corrales rode the Gary Moore trained gelding Gruenfeld, a bay/brown son of Elvstroem out of  Jewel Theft. Luis positioned Gruenfeld wide, and just off the pace, until reaching the 600 metre mark when he surged to the lead and kicked clear in the straight to win by 4 3/4 lengths. A representative from the Australian Turf Club presented the trophies to the winning connections.

The field heads down the back straight soon after the start


Luis Corrales (black cap) has Gruenfeld well positioned to challenge the leader (not visible in this frame)


Gruenfeld (widest) moving up to take the lead from Ka Wang Fortune

editor’s note:

This was Gruenfeld’s first win in Macau, and the 2nd win of his career.
Gruenfeld was an $80,000 purchase from the 2008 Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Trained in Australia by Mick Price, Gruenfeld was 4th on debut behind subsequent G1 winner Reward For Effort in the Listed 2009 Blue Diamond Prelude (C & G division). Gruenfeld won at his 3rd racetrack appearance in a Ballarat Maiden over 1000 metres - winning by an impressive 8 lengths. That was to be his last win in Australia. After five more starts he found his way to his new home in Macau.

Hong Kong International Race Day

12/12/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

Matthew Chadwick drives California Memory clear to win the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup

Brett Prebble celebrates a narrow victory in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint on Lucky Nine

Craig Williams overcame traffic congestion to drive Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden to another G1 success in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase

Veteran jockey Jeff Lloyd drives fellow veteran Able One to a surprise victory in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile

Hong Kong runners dominated the Group One races on the Cathay Pacific International race day.

Nine year old Able One produced an upset to win the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile - with veteran jockey Jeff Lloyd aboard.

The Hong Kong entries dominated the Cathay Pacific International Sprint, with Lucky Nine (brett Prebble) prevailing in a titanic three-way struggle to the line, just edging out Entrapment and Joy And Fun. This result gives Hong Kong a 9th win from the past 10 renewals.

But the icing on the cake for the locals was the win of the striking grey, California Memory. Matthew Chadwick kept the ride after a less-than-superb ride when beaten on California Memory as favourite last time out - but this time all of the pockets merged into gaps, and riding-for-luck was blessed with clear passage and good fortune. Chadwick became the first homegrown jockey from the HKJC Apprentice Jockeys’ Academy to win an international Group One race in Hong Kong when successful in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup (2000 metres). The faith in Matthew Chadwick shown by trainer Tony Cruz more than repaid with this historic victory.

The only race not dominated by horses from Hong Kong was the Hong Kong Vase, won by the Melbourne Cup winning French horse, Dunaden. The European horses dominate this 2400 metre race - and it was pleasing to find Dunaden validating his win in Melbourne by achieving a feat that Americain was unable to repeat (Melbourne Cup - Hong Kong Vase double) in 2010. This time reunited with Australian jockey Craig Williams who missed the ride on him in the Melbourne Cup through suspension. - editor.

Cangas Can

11/12/2011

words & photography by Neil Murray

Apprentice Filipino jockey, Martin Cangas, got off to a flying start at the sand meeting on Macau's Taipa track last Saturday. First up, Martin rode the Gary Moore trained Viva El Jefe to a one and a half length victory in  The Roscommon Rating over 1050 metres. He followed this up in the second event,  the feature Singapore Turf Club Goodwill Cup over 1600 metres. Martin rode the Y C Fung trained Wonderful Tiger who started at 13/1 and handed out a crushing defeat to the rest of the field winning by seven and a half lengths. Both Viva El Jefe and Wonderful Tiger were sired by Exceed and Excel.


 

Martin Cangas has Viva El Jefe in front with 50 metres to go

Wonderful Tiger coasting to the line a clear winner




Martin Cangas happy with one of his biggest wins to date

editor’s note:

Before going to Macau Wonderful Tiger raced in Australia as Dominguin. The bay gelding was trained by Lee Freedman and won on debut in a Ballarat 2 year old event. His next start was his best performance in Australia when he would run the subsequent stakes-winning Viking Legend to a nose when 2nd over 1200 metres at Moonee Valley. Subsequently his form tapered off, and eventually he found a new home in Macau.

Frankie Dettori Returns Triumphant to Hong Kong

9/12/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

above: Dettori winning on Travel Guide
below: Dettori winning on Regency Winner

Frankie Dettori finished on 30 points (2 winners and one 2nd), defeating New Zealand teenager James McDonald on 18 points (one win and one 2nd); with Christophe Lemaire from France in third position on 12 points (one win).

Other jockeys to ride were (in finishing order):
Matthew Chadwick (Hong Kong)
Andrasch Starke (Germany)
Ryan Moore (England)
Douglas Whyte (South Africa)
Johnny Murtagh (Ireland)
Brett Prebble (Australia)
Maxime Guyon (France)
Luke Nolen (Australia)
Yuichi Fukunaga (Japan)



Mickael Barzalona

6/12/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

The Epson Derby winning jockey Mickael Barzalona got his first win in Hong Kong. The 20 years old boy won on St Didar for David Ferraris in the Carnarvon Handicap over 1800 metres. - Woody Leung.

巴米高首日在港上陣,即憑"聖迪達"取得勝仗

Mickael Barzalona celebrates his first win in Hong Kong

Earlier this year the latest riding prodigy from France, Mickael Barzalona, rode Pour Moi to win the Epsom Derby. And with youthful exuberance and celebration Barzalona stood upright in the irons even before crossing the finish line, even though the margin was barely a head. French flair.

Following the recommendation and guidance of his mentor Andre Fabre (trainer of Pour Moi), Mickael Barzalona has accepted a one-month contract to ride in Hong Kong. Last year in Hong Kong it was fellow French apprentice Maxime Guyon who had a most successful tenure.

Barzalona received only a fine after his celebration when winning the Epsom Derby. The Hong Kong stewards have informed him that a celebratory gesture is acceptable - but only after passing the finish line. They would not be so lenient is he were to be as extravagant under their watch.

True to form it did not take Mickael very long before riding his first winner, winning on St Didar for David Ferraris in the Carnarvon Handicap (1800 metres) at Sha Tin. And he did offer a celebratory gesture - one slightly more sedate, but fitting with the occasion of winning a Class Three event on the all-weather-track.

The very youthful in appearance Mickael Barzalona

"I wanted to make sure that no one forgets my first win in Hong Kong. I'm very happy because today was hard coming to Hong Kong for the first time."

"It's very different riding in Hong Kong and it took three or four races to get used to the speed ... it's very different to the countries I have ridden in previously.” "You have to think more about everything because of the pace. In France you have time to check everything in the race because the pace is slow, and you can do what you want. You can do whatever you want - in Europe you can go in front, stop the race and you can go against orders if you choose. Here, you have no time to change and you have to decide in a second what you want to do." Mickael Barzalona, as reported by the HKJC.

Breeders' Cup Road to the Eclipse

30/11/2011

photography by Amber Chalfin

words by Vicki L Vinson

Is a perfect record of 3 for 3 enough to make Hansen an Eclipse Award winner? Hansen had only two races to his name on an artificial surface prior to running in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on dirt at Churchill Downs. But they were run away wins that were very eye catching as his near white coat cleared his nearest competitor to win in a romp each time. Going into the Breeder’s Cup though people were still asking the question, “But who did he beat?” Hansen is by the sire Tapit out of the Sir Cat mare Stormy Sunday and he is trained by Michael Maker. While the 2nd place finisher in the race Union Rags has been one of the early favorites in the 2 year old colt division and since he was only beaten a head in the Breeders’ Cup he is sure to capture a lot of the votes for the Eclipse.

Hansen in the Churchill Downs paddock

Amazombie won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint beating the 2010 winner of the race and several other top sprinters. He comes from a humble Cal Bred pedigree and a low key trainer Bill Spawr who is not well known outside his home base in California. Amazombie is by Northern Afleet out of the In Excess mare Wilshe Amaze. People may have taken an extra glance at the horse since his jockey was Mike Smith of Zenyatta fame. The story of how the trainer acquired Amazombie along with another horse for a mere $5,000 as a way to help out Amazombie’s previous owner who needed the money made the rounds during Breeders’ Cup week. Under Spawr’s training Amazombie blossomed into a good horse but did he do enough overcome the ever present east coast bias of the Eclipse voters and make them look west for their selection this year?

Amazombie and Mike Smith celebrate their Breeders’ Cup win

Probably the only Breeders’ Cup winner this year that looks to be a shoe in for the Eclipse is My Miss Aurelia who won the Juvenile Fillies race. Her record is a perfect 4 for 4 with three of them coming in stakes races. She is trained by high profile trainer Steve Asmussen and was ridden by jockey Corey Nakatani. My Miss Aurelia is by Smart Strike out of the Sea of Secrets mare My Miss Storm Cat. She had faced top competition in her previous races beating no less than 4 of her competitors that were facing her again in the Breeders’ Cup. The only real question now in a year with few standouts in racing in the United States will the Eclipse voters decide that she also deserves their vote for Horse of the Year?

My Miss Aurelia winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies

Thank you once again to Amber Chalfin for the use of her photos from this year’s Breeders’ Cup.

Thumbs Up

25/11/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

Thumbs Up (Brett Prebble - outside - no.3) looms up to grab Pure Champion (rails - Douglas Whyte - no.10) with 3rd placed Irian (Darren Beadman - no.4) between them. The grey California Memory is just behind these.

It was the Caspar Fownes trained Thumbs Up who caused a minor upset when Brett Prebble steered the 7 year old son of Shinko King to a last-to-first victory in the G2 Cathay Pacific Jockey Club Cup (2000 metres) at Sha Tin on the 20th of November.

The upset not so much at the odds of third favourite Thumbs Up - but an upset in the fact that odds-on favourite California Memory was beaten into 4th placing.

Sometimes an inside barrier draw can be a disadvantage, and back-marker California Memory (Matthew Chadwick) settled near the rear of the field and inside runners. Mid-race there was an opportunity for Chadwick to move California Memory away from the rails and into clear running, but preferring to save him for one final sprint Chadwick opted to stay in the ruck. California Memory did eventually get clear - only to be pushed back into traffic again with Brett Prebble shifting ground on Thumbs Up and forcing California Memory back into restricted ground - a move that has seen Prebble suspended.

Trainer of California Memory, Tony Cruz, was ambivalent about the chances of Matthew Chadwick remaining as jockey when California Memory tackles the Hong Kong Cup and quality international opposition. However, Cruz was very happy with the performance of his Irish acquisition, Pure Champion, who finished just behind winner Thumbs Up. Pure Champion was previously known as Steinbeck, and trained in Ireland by Aidan O’Brien. He was a G3 winner of the Solonaway Stakes over 1600 metres at the Curragh, and 4th placed in the G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas behind Canford Cliffs. - editor.

Maquina: a win, a controversy

22/11/2011

photography by Neil Murray

words by Leonard Marlborough

Maquina has often been a horse of controversy. In 2010 she nearly pinched the Listed Summoned Stakes (1500 metres) at Sandown when she led the field and looked like causing a massive boil-over at the odds of 200/1, only to be caught late and relegated into 3rd position behind Happy Hippy and Ky’s The Limit. And it has been her propensity to miss the start - sometimes quite markedly - that has since been the most remarked upon aspect of her career.

At the top of the straight Maquina (1st - Katelyn Mallyon) looms on the outside of the grey Dashalot (3rd - Steven King). Inside these two we find the weakening 'pacemakers' Serene Tanie (6th - Talia Rodder) and Saint Angers (5th - Jake Noonan) - both about to drop right out. Limerock (2nd - Ashley Thompson) is not in this photo but is about to emerge on the scene late.

Katelyn Mallyon drives Maquina clear for an easy 2.5 length victory in the Corporate Interiors Australia Handicap (1500 metres) at Moonee Valley on the 19th of November, 2011.

Leading up to last Saturday’s race at Moonee Valley, Maquina had only been successful twice from 38 starts. Not an envious record. But this campaign she returned with a very promising first-up 2nd over an unsuitable 1100 metre trip at Ballarat. The improvement shown - and the resulting speedfigures from the run - were enough for me to recommend to clients of Speedratings that Maquina and Hi Belle were the two most likely to fight out the finish of the 2011 Summoned Stakes. Unfortunately for many she had no luck, and along with the inconvenience of losing a fore plate she raced wide with no cover - yet still steamed home from last placing at the top of the straight to narrowly miss 3rd placing (at $15 for the place). Hi Belle was successful.

So it was with some confidence that I recommended Maquina to win at Moonee Valley. The prospect of a solid pace for Maquina appeared evident with the front-running Saint Angers engaged in the race. It appeared to be the ideal race for Maquina to lodge her first win for nearly a year. The controversy does not not (immediately) concern the 2.5 length win by Maquina at $4.60 - but in the fact that the Talia Rodder ridden Serene Tanie, her Robbie Laing trained stablemate, went out hard and made the race a solid test. Stewards have charged Talia Rodder under the provision AR.135(b):

App. Ms T Rodder, rider of Serene Tanie, was issued with a charge under the provisions of AR.135(b) for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure her mount had full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible place in the field, the particulars being that after having ridden her mount to take up a forward position in the early stages that i) from the 1100m to the 800m she failed to make sufficient effort to restrain her mount and/or ii) from the 800m she allowed her mount to stride forward and/or iii) passing the 600m, placed her mount under further pressure by riding it along. As part of the evidence in this inquiry, it was established that the first 1000m was run in 59.59sec and the first 800m in 47.73sec. After taking evidence from the trainer of Serene Tanie, Mr R Laing, who was also representing Ms Rodder’s interests at her request, an application was then received after the issuing of a charge for senior rider C Symons to also represent Ms Rodder in the inquiry. The Stewards, given the amount of evidence that had been taken in the absence of C Symons, adjourned the inquiry for all parties to attend the offices of Racing Victoria at 10.00am on Thursday, 24 November.

If Serene Tanie had not been the stablemate of the winner I seriously doubt whether this charge would not have been brought forward. At her previous Moonee Valley run just two starts back Serene Tanie had similarly attacked the speed when ridden by Roger Booth in a 1600 metre race. In my opinion I have seen many similar rides - though on most occasions one jockey involved in a speed duel will cede the lead and take a sit. Apprentice Rodder was under instructions from Robbie Laing to lead. It is a brave apprentice who defies a trainer’s instructions. Surely the lack of judgement of tempo falls to both jockeys engaged in the speed duel - not just one. Serene Tanie was the only horse to firm in betting on official figures - firming from $17.00 into $15.00 - this not usually the sign of a horse just entered as a pacemaker. And if pacemakers are not to be entertained then it is most unlikely that Moonee Valley could ever accept multiple entries from Aiden O’Brien for a Cox Plate.

It was a weekend of controversy around Australia, with this charge, plus a contentious protest decision in Perth. If , say, Darren Beadman (he too seemed to err when he out very fast on Mighty High - though without a stablemate engaged - in the Caulfield Cup) had ridden Serene Tanie, I wonder if charges would still have been made? The inquiry resumes this Thursday. I hope common-sense prevails.

Postscript:

In a bewildering decision, apprentice Talia Rodder has been suspended for 6 weeks. There will be an appeal.

pps:

The penalty was overturned on appeal. Sanity and justice prevailed.

Maquina
7 year old chestnut mare
by Archway (IRE) out of Machinery Girl
trained by Robbie Laing

At Home on Sand: Golden Star wins Sand Premier Cup

21/11/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

Golden Star revelling in the conditions proves superior on the wet sand of Taipa

Louis Corrales and trainer Gary Moore celebrate after the emphatic victory by Golden Star

"He's an outstanding racehorse and just loves the sand and dirt. I've onlyd him for a month. We hope that win can get us an invite to Dubai." - Gary Moore, as reported by the Macau Jockey Club.

"It's a massive step forward for Macau racing to have the foresight to move into the international sphere. The timing, especially being on a non-turf surface, means we can be a springboard to Dubai. It doesn't put us in conflict with Hong Kong, which is purely for turf horses." - Michael Beattie, Macau Jockey Club Director of Racing.

Fegentri (International Federation of Gentlemen & Lady Riders) comes to Macau

20/11/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

Power More, ridden by Jockey S Leutwiler, won the Fegentri Lady Riders Charity Race Heat 1. Turquoise Profit, ridden by Jockey T Henriksson won the Star River‧Windsor Arch Fegentri Lady Riders Charity Race (Heat 2). - Woody Leung.

由 女 騎 師 羅 莎 拉 策 騎 之「 興 威」勝 出 星 河 灣 ．名 門 世 家FEGENTRI 女 騎 師 慈 善 賽（ 第 一 回 合）

The Macau Jockey Club’s international race night featured two races set aside for amateur lady riders from the International Fegentri Organization. Twelve lady riders took part in the races, with both events being held on the turf track.

The Star-River Windsor Arch Fegentri Lady Riders Charity Race (Heat 1 - over 1200 metres) was won by Sarah Leutwiler (above) on the KH Leong trained Power More. Sarah was one of two representatives from Switzerland, coming into this event with 50 wins to her credit on the flat - and 200 placings from her 350 race rides. Sarah is a lawyer by profession and outside of her native Switzerland she has ridden winners in the USA, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Turkey. Sarah has been licensed to compete since 2002.

The Star-River Windsor Arch Fegentri Lady Riders Charity Race (Heat 2 - over 1500 metres) was won by Tina Henriksson from Sweden (above) on Turquoise Profit - also trained by KH Leong. Tina is last year’s Fegentri World Champion Lady Rider. Tina entered this event with the impressive record of 114 rides on the flat for 38 wins and 27 placings. Twenty-five year old Henriksson is a student of Architecture and Communication, and since being licensed in 2007 she has won major races in seven different countries throughout Europe and the Middle East. - editor.



Background information provided by the Macau Jockey Club:
The Macau Jockey Club’s first international race night on Grand Prix weekend promises to be an occasion to remember, with a star-studded cast of horses, jockeys and trainers from all parts of the world.
Another added attraction to the night of stars will be the Amateur Lady Riders from the International Fegentri Organization based in Cologne, Germany.
Twelve lady riders will take part in two special events on the night to be run on the turf surface.
The Star- River Windsor Arch Fegentri Lady Riders Charity Race (Heat 1), to be run over 1200 metres for horses in the 50–80 rating band is the first event, with the second heat to be run over 1500 metres for horses rated in the 20-50 range.
The jockeys’ mounts will be selected by a draw, with the most successful rider of the night to be determined on a point score basis.
Betting on both events will be as per normal.
The Fegentri Lady Jockeys are not new to Asia. The organisation has competed in Malaysia over a number of years at Selangor, Perak and Penang and proved to be a popular betting medium.
Last year eight Fegentri lady riders competed at the Wuhan International Racing Festival on mainland China.
Fegentri stands for the International Federation of Gentlemen and Lady Riders, and the organisation has a long and colourful history dating back to the mid fifties.
It was founded in 1955 by a handful of enthusiastic amateur riders with original members from France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland.
Their aim was to promote international races world wide for amateur riders, and today the organization has grown to boast a membership list from 25 countries.
Fegentri conducts annual World Championships for lady and gentleman riders, taking in 60 different races from various countries around the world.
The championship for gentlemen riders is staged over both flat racing and the jumps, whilst the ladies championship is restricted to flat racing only.
The Fegentri riders come from a variety of backgrounds, and members of the organisation include bankers, policemen, students, and even a vicar, all united by their passion for horseracing.

Link to the Fegentri website

Double Payne at Pakenham

14/11/2011

words & photography by Neil Murray

At Pakenham on the 11th of November Michelle Payne booted home two favourites to score a double - just missing out on a treble in a photo-finish. Her first win came in Race 1 on Quasistar. The 4yo mare trained by Michelle's brother Patrick went out a $2 favourite and won comfortably by more than two lengths. In Race 2 Michelle went out on another favourite -Supa Dove.  Metres from the line it looked as if Supa Dove was home, but Peter Mertens on Greywin swooped on the line to get the verdict in a tight photo finish. Michelle's next ride came in Race 6 on the Leon Corstens trained, Reigning Lass. The 3 yo filly was very impressive in scoring her third victory in a row, clearing away in the straight to win by five lengths.

Both Reigning Lass and Quasistar were sired by Hussonet (USA).

below: Michelle Payne in cruise control on Reigning Lass at Pakenham

Baitiwu: a racing education

13/11/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Leonard Marlborough

Horse racing is an education. Not only is it a world full of amazing (arcane) jargon and subtle nuance, but it is also a repository of historical references and examples of the best (and sometimes the worst) of the English language. When I was in primary school my teachers were often surprised by my vocabulary, which was quite good for a(n eight, nine, or) ten year old. I could use in sentences such words as shibboleth; uncanny; and intangible. I also knew about Don Juan (probably not expected to know of this until puberty), and Alexander The Great’s (exploits and his) horse Bucephalus - and the whimsical Rocinante, the mighty steed of windmill tilting Don Quixote.

Each word or name researched after discovering same in the name of a thoroughbred. There is much to be learned from horse racing.

Baitiwu (Darren Beadman - red blinkers) on the outside about to claim Great Renown (Douglas Whyte) nearing the finish line at Happy Valley. Gerald Mosse was aboard 3rd placed Real Dragon.

This week Woody Leung not only sent me the brilliant photograph of Darren Beadman scoring a narrow victory on Baitiwu over Douglas Whyte on Great Renown, but also a link to the history of the name Baitiwu. I would have not had any inkling of the history of this name, so I thank Woody for the information (reprinted at the foot of this article).

Baitiwu is a 5 year old son of Keeper and this win is only his 2nd success in Hong Kong. His previous win was at the end of his last campaign - a 6 3/4 length win on the All-Weather-Track at Sha Tin. Even allowing for this, trainer Danny Shum is adamant that the gross gelding is not merely a dirt track specialist - with this win giving credence to his claim. Shum also credits jockey Darren Beadman with this victory as the veteran Hong Kong jockey gave sage advice when devising a plan to ride Baitiwu cold from the tail of the field to win the 1650 metre Los Angeles Handicap on the Happy Valley turf. Previously Baitiwu had either shared the speed or raced no worse than midfield. Smiles all round as the Beadman-Shum combination combined for their 6th shared success this season after Baitiwu stormed home from last to win right on the line by the barest margin.

And now to the history lesson:

Six Steeds of the Zhaoling Mausoleum:

Six Steeds of the Zhaoling Mausoleum are six stone relief sculptures of steeds that were located at the corridors on both sides of the altar on the northern slope of the Zhaoling Mausoleum, where Emperor Taizong, the first emperor of the Tang Dynasty (599-649) and his empress were buried. The six steeds were six precious warhorses of Taizong, on which he fought the battles for the unification of China. The steeds had different horsehair colours, vigorous posture and extraordinary temperament. Emperor Taizong ordered to put the stone carvings of the six steeds right beside the mausoleum when the construction of Zhaoling began, so as to commemorate the horses that were once his sole company in the battles and to remind his posterity of the hardship in initiating undertakings, while displaying his life-time battle achievements.

The names of the six steeds are Telebiao, Qingmajia, Shifachi, Saluzi, Quanmaoju, and Baitiwu. Carved on six slates of 2.5 meters high and 3 meters wide, the six steeds were in high relief, vividly exhibiting their posture and character by a few compact lines and accurate sculpts and telling their soul-stirring stories of galloping on the battlefields with arrows piercing their bodies.

The sculptures are the embodiment of our achievements in carving art in the Tang Dynasty. Resorting to compact and profound technique and the subject of steeds galloping on battleground, the lifelike sculpts later become the gem of stone carving art, as well as the witness of the history of Tang. But unfortunately, the set of stonework was damaged by smugglers in the early 20th century, when two of them were shipped out to the USA in 1914 and are now exhibited in the museum of the University of Pennsylvania. The other four original works were dismembered to several pieces for shipping abroad by secondhand smugglers in 1918, when the crime was deterred during their transference to the northern suburb of Xi'an. Today, the four steeds are exhibited in Shaanxi Provincial Museum. - source: arts.cultural.china.com

Green Zone Sparkled at Sha Tin

10/11/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Leonard Marlborough

When you start your career as a half-brother to a multiple Group One winner, there is always great expectations.

Green Zone is a 5 year old gelding by Elusive Quality out of Sparkling Bounty. Trained by Peter Snowden, and then racing as Sparkled, he registered two win in Australia, winning at Warwick Farm and at Canterbury. He proved a consistent performer and competed with merit against Love Conquers All, and Winter King. Although promising, Sparkled never lived up to the exploits of his half-brother Spark Of Life who was a multiple Group One winner of the Manikato Stakes (twice); and The Galaxy.

Relocating to Hong Kong he resumed for Caspar Fownes some 12 months after his last race start in Australia. Struggling through an unproductive 6 starts over two seasons (with not even a placing to his credit), Green Zone finally broke through on the 5th of November on the All Weather Track at Sha Tin. It was the first time Olivier Doleuze had been aboard, and he ran out a comfortable winner by a length in the 1200 metre Caroline Hill Handicap, defeating What A Heart (Ben So), with Five Clubs (Keith Leung) third.

Green Zone has a reputation as a horse with attitude, and the addition of blinkers has been credited with focussing Green Zone on the task of winning.

Rural Rawiller

9/11/2011

words & photography by Neil Murray

Brad Rawiller has Skimalong very wide, but poised for his run ( second from left in the black and yellow) as they sweep around the home turn

Brad Rawiller didn't win any of the feature races during the Flemington Spring Carnival, but he did have the honour of winning a race on Melbourne Cup Day, scoring on Facile Tigre in the listed MSS Security over 1200 metres. After the hurly burly of that carnival Brad rode at a more leisurely meeting at Mornington on Monday 7 November.   

From four rides, Brad booted home three winners and a third to easily take out the jockey honours on the day. In the first race he scored on the John McArdle trained Kid Kobe. In race 3 Brad picked up a lucky ride on $4.40 favourite Red Rose Bud after Lisa Cropp could not take the ride. The Fran Houlahan & Brian Johnston trained 4yo bay mare got home by nearly three lengths. After running into third place on the favourite God Help Us in the seventh race, Brad bounced back with a one length win on the Darren Weir trained Niello gelding, Skimalong.

Remember California Memory

4/11/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

The dashing grey California Memory returned to racing in the new season with an exciting win in the HKG2 The Sha Tin Trophy (1600 metres). With Matthew Chadwick plotting and picking his way through a wall of horses, the diminutive son of Highest Honor burst through from last to claim a narrow neck victory over Xtension (winner of the 2011 G1 Champions Mile), with the 2010 winner of this race, Thumbs Up, a nose further back in third place.

California Memory finished so quickly that he clocked a faster (22.65) closing 200 metre sectional than did Rich Unicorn (23.02), winner of the HKG2 The Premier Bowl over 1200 metres earlier on the program.

Another exciting season of clashes looms between the cream of thoroughbred talent in Hong Kong. Next start California Memory is set to clash with Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ambitious Dragon in the Jockey Club Cup over 2000 metres. - editor.

The Sha Tin Trophy 1600 metres
1st California Memory - Matthew Chadwick - Tony Cruz
2nd Xtension - Darren Beadman - John Moore
3rd Thumbs Up - Brett Prebble - Caspar Fownes
4th Able One - Tim Clark - John Moore


Taipa Turf Treble: Moore of the same

23/10/2011

words & photography by Woody Leung

above: Care Free Power (L. Corrales)

below: Francis (Stanley Chin)



above: Sure Win (K. F. Choi)

The history of racing in Macau:

The Macau Jockey Club's colourful racecourse on the Island of Taipa had an unusual beginning - it was originally a harness-racing track.

Although harness-racing is popular in North America, Australia and New Zealand, the new concept did not catch on with Asian sporting fans and the venture was closed down in the late 1980s.

But the venue, including a five-storey grandstand with a typhoon-proof enclosure, large computerised videomatrix screen, the most modern totalisator machines and all other necessary facilities, remained intact.

A newly formed consortium later seized the opportunity to transform the failed venture into a track for the far more popular sport of horse-racing.

The original trotting track was expanded and converted for thoroughbred racing, and the first meeting took place on a sand track on the afternoon of September 10, 1989.

An outer turf track was opened in June 1990 and racing is now approximately 56% on turf and 44% on sand.

Trainers and Jockeys come from various parts of the world, and the racehorses mostly were imported from Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

With over 1,000 thoroughbreds now in training and with close to 1,000 owners, the decision to introduce horse-racing to Macau has clearly been well justified. - information courtesy of The Asian Racing Federation.

Goldikova

17/10/2011

photography by Amber Chalfin/AI Wire

words by Vicki L Vinson

Once upon a time a bay filly was born on March 15, 2005 in Ireland her name was Goldikova. No, this is not a made up fairy tale - it really did happen. It is a fairy tale that came to life in the story of one of the greatest race mares ever Goldikova. She was bred by Alain and Gerard Wertheimer, her sire was Anabaa by the great sire Danzig and her dam was Born Gold by the sire Blushing Groom. Running in the blue and white silks of Wertheimer et Frere the training reins were handed over to former jockey Freddy Head and the riding assignment given to jockey Olivier Peslier. As a two year old Goldikova won her first two races at her home base at Chantilly Racecourse in France and that is how her story began.

Goldikova on her way to her first Breeders’ Cup Mile win in 2008

In April now racing as a three year old Goldikova started out with two seconds and a third but then the fairy tale took off and she had three consecutive wins. In her second win the Prix Rothschild she defeated both the French Classic winner Darjina and the British Classic winner Natagora. To show that this was no fluke she beat them again in her next race the Group 1 Prix du Moulin at Longchamp as well as the top Irish colt Henrythenavigator. Her performance for the season earned her a trip to the United States for a run at the Breeders’ Cup Mile at the Oak Tree meeting of Santa Anita. Goldikova got a nice clean break out of the gate in the Breeders’ Cup and ran a stalking trip in third along the rail. When they turned for home she was blocked by horses in front of her and when a hole opened she slipped through and won by 1 ¼ lengths over Kip Deville in 2nd and Whatsthescript in 3rd.

Goldikova and Olivier Peslier win their second consecutive Breeders’ Cup Mile in 2009

After the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Goldikova headed home for a little R&R before heading out on her 4 year old campaign. Her first start of the new season in May she finished a disappointing 7th. The connections now knew their girl did not like a soft turf course. Goldikova came back with a win in her next try at Newmarket Racecourse in July. After a couple more wins at Deauville giving Goldikova a grand total of six Group/Grade I wins she was ready to head to the States again to defend her title in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Breaking from post eleven this time Goldikova was a bit fractious behind the gate before walking in calmly. As the gate sprung open we saw a new Goldikova as she broke last and only had one horse beat going into the first turn. But never fear it wouldn’t be a fairy tale without a little suspense, as the horses came out of the final turn Goldikova swung about five wide and as track announcer Trevor Denman put it “Goldikova is coming home like an express train down the center.” Running 2nd this year was Courageous Cat and getting up for 3rd was Justenuffhumor. The winning margin was a half a length in a hold your breath type finish and it was now two wins in a row in the Breeders’ Cup Mile for Goldikova matching the accomplishment of Miesque in 1987 & 1988 ridden by none other than Goldikova’s trainer then jockey Freddy Head.

Goldikova and Olivier Peslier head back to the winner’s circle again

It was a real treat to race fans everywhere to hear that Goldikova would race again in 2010 at the age of five with a goal to race in the Breeders’ Cup Mile once again. Goldikova started out the year with some much earned R&R again at the Head family’s Haras du Quesnay in Normandy until mid- February then it was back to training at Chantilly. She won her seasonal debut at Longchamp in May while setting a new stakes record in the process. In June she set another stakes record while winning the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. Perhaps as a sign of things to come, Goldikova would next win the Prix Rothschild for the third year in a row. For her final prep in Europe Goldikova would win the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp in doing so she broke the record set by Miesque for the most Group/Grade I wins ever by a European mare.

Then it was time to hop onto the plane and head for the U. S. again, this time the Breeders’ Cup would be run at Churchill Downs in Kentucky after being run two years in a row at Santa Anita. Again Goldikova showed her versatility as she broke a bit slow out of the gate but hurried up on the outside to hit the first turn in a mid-pack position. Then as the field came out of the final turn it was a repeat move from last year with Goldikova swinging wide and making the dash for home. This time finishing 2nd was Gio Ponti and in 3rd was The Usual QT. It was history in the making as Goldikova became the first horse to win three Breeders’ Cup races. Perhaps it’s the firm turf courses in the U.S. or the two turn miles she appreciates, but the fairy tale story has not ended yet as we anticipate the arrival of Goldikova in Louisville again to try for a four peat in the Breeders’ Cup Mile this November. Will the story have a happy ending? We hope so!

Goldikova wins her third Breeders’ Cup Mile

Photos courtesy of Amber Chalfin/AI Wire



Atlantic Jewel

16/10/2011

photography by Neil Murray

words by Leonard Marlborough

Atlantic Jewel continued her rise from obscurity to stardom with an effortless victory in the Group One Thousand Guineas (1600 metres) at Caulfield on Wednesday the 12th of October.




Undefeated after four career starts - and still in her first preparation - the daughter of Fastnet Rock has risen from a lowly Maiden race on the Geelong synthetic track in late August to the pinnacle of Group One success. Her victory in the Thousand Guineas her first appearance in any blacktype event - further illustrating how meteoric a rise it has been for the Mark Kavanagh trained filly. Regular jockey Michael Rodd was back to partner the filly again in the 1000 Guineas.

Some sympathy must be given to the Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra trained Sharnee Rose, who remains a maiden still after 5 starts, but has placed at her last 3 starts behind the superstar filly Atlantic Jewel.

Group One Highlights from Caulfield

14/10/2011

photography by Neil Murray

words by Leonard Marlborough

Three Group One events were run at Caulfield on Saturday the 8th of October. Helmet’s brilliant victory in the $1 million Caulfield Guineas has already been covered in detail by Thoroughbreds Worldwide. The other Group One winners on the day were:

Descarado (Nash Rawiller) trained by Gai Waterhouse, winner of The Caulfield Stakes ($400,000) over 2000 metres.

King Mufhasa (Michael Rodd) trained by Stephen McKee, winner of The Toorak Handicap ($350,000) run over 1600 metres.

Both Helmet and King Mufhasa ($13 into $10) were top rated and recommended selections from Speedratings.

(above) Michael Rodd drives the brave New Zealand gelding (King) Mufhasa clear for his first Australian success.

(above) Nash Rawiller jumped Descarado into the lead from barrier rise and the winner of the 2010 Caulfield Cup went on to record his first victory for nearly a year.

Helmet

11/10/2011

photography by Neil Murray

words by Leonard Marlborough

A large crowd was at Caulfield racecourse last Saturday to see the return to racing of superstar Black Caviar. Not long after the mare won her 14th straight start the crowd were privy to witness one of the great Caulfield Guineas contests in which Helmet would prove supreme in a stirring battle with arch-rival Manawanui. From barrier rise Glyn Schofield on Manawanui was not inclined to allow Helmet an easy lead from his outside gate, making the son of Exceed And Excel work hard up the Caulfield hill to capture the lead. So fast did Helmet go out that his first 800 metres (from a standing start) was run at 47.90 - coming home in 47.46 for the 1600 metres. Kerrin McEvoy on Helmet - believing that he was on the best horse in the race - rode him to dominate his rivals and capitalise on any weakness they might have. It was a correct assumption, with only Manawanui who could match it with Helmet for the entire trip. A field of eight - but the interest always and only on the two horses running the fast fractions out front. The one-time touted best 3 year old, Smart Missile, succumbed to the relentless pressure and was found wanting, dropping out to be a well-beaten 5th. Huegill (Luke Nolen) rallied best of the others to finish some 4 lengths behind Helmet in 3rd placing. Helmet held out Manawanui by a half neck and recorded 1:35.36 for the 1600 metres - a record time for the Caulfield Guineas.

Trainer Peter Snowden has recently used jumping as a way to focus the once-wayward Helmet’s mind on the job of racing. And since schooling he has displayed perfect manners in Melbourne, culminating with two brilliant victories. A fascinating aspect of Helmet’s pedigree emanates from his third-dam, Anna Paola, who was the German Champion 2 Year Old 1980 and German Champion Filly 1981. Helmet’s dam, Accessories, was unraced, but scattered among his close relations are many stakes-winners - and several horses who were successful as hurdlers.

Caviar in Cruise Control

9/10/2011

photography by Neil Murray

Fourteen starts and fourteen wins.

Black Caviar’s G2 Schillaci Stakes (1000 metres) win at Caulfield. No need for a surfeit of words.

Taipa Three Times Two

7/10/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

Fausto Durso steers Dynasty Treasure on to victory at Taipa

CF (Cash) Wong began his apprenticeship in Macau in the 2007/2008 season. He was leading apprentice in Macau in the 2008/2009 season, and again in the 2010/2011 season.

After completing a running double at last Sunday’s turf program at Taipa, Cash Wong now sits second on the Macau Jockeys’ Premiership with 6 wins from 33 rides.

Two other jockeys brought up doubles at the same meeting: leading jockey Stanley Chin moved 2 wins clear with his double and now sits at the top of the table on 8 wins; while Fausto Durso gave his winning tally a big boost and moved into 5th position with a total of 3 wins.

The only other jockey to ride a winner on the 7 race Taipa program was French jockey Jerome Lermyte. This season will be Lermyte’s second season in Macau after a successful debut with 15 winners last season. - editor.

(above) Cash Wong drives Voguish to victory in the first race on the program



The Dragon Returns

3/10/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

Entrapment

2/10/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

Douglas Whyte signals his pleasure as Entrapment holds out Sacred Kingdom (Zac Purton - obscured) by a half-length with Let Me Fight (Jeff Lloyd) two lengths further behind in third placing.

After winning his first seven races in Hong Kong, Entrapment was about to commence a new campaign last October when a mystery injury saw the bay son of Halo Homewrecker dragging his nearside hind leg and unable to control the leg in any way.

Every vet consulted failed to identify the mystery injury/illness. To this very day it remains a mystery.

Trainer John Size presented Entrapment at Sha Tin on Saturday the 1st of October, 2011 - now some 15 months after Entrapment last raced.

Stepping out with regular jockey Douglas Whyte in the saddle in the HKG3 The Sha Tin Sprint Trophy Handicap over 1000 metres, the expectations were that Entrapment would find it difficult to keep up over the short course - but at the midway point Entrapment had pulled his way to the lead from where he would dominate proceedings and hold off the late challenge from champion sprinter Sacred Kingdom.

Entrapment was the Hong Kong Champion Griffin in 2009-2010. His spectacular return to racing augers well for his future prospects as his unbeaten run of wins - now numbering eight - remains intact. - editor.

Familists: a translation and new transition

22/09/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

Night Moves

21/09/2011

words and photography by Neil Murray

In Australia racing at night under lights has largely been limited to the greyhound and trotting industries. Night racing for thoroughbreds has never really been promoted; except at Moonee Valley where there is a short season of twilight meetings during the summer-autumn months.
 
Apart from Asia - where Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore are the bastions of night racing - it is rare to find racing at night in most other overseas precincts. Night racing is an integral part of the year's fixture on the Asian circuit.
 
Hong Kong's Happy Valley would have to be the acme of night racing. Every Wednesday evening crowds of keen locals and inquisitive tourists flock to the picturesque course. And neither does it's popularity appear to be waining. On the opening night for this season, held last Wednesday, betting turnover was the largest for some ten years.
 
Getting photos of night racing under lights is quite a challenge. Then again, the artificial light and the atmospherics it creates can make for some interesting photos. Here are a few examples taken at the Australian and Asian racetracks previously mentioned.

Vlad Duric rides Kipadi to victory at Kranji, Singapore, 14 May 2010



Implied Volatility winning at Happy Valley, Hong Kong, 3 February 2010


 
Luke Nolen on Black Caviar coasting to a win in the William Reid Stakes, Moonee Valley, 25 March 2011



Home turn action at Taipa, Macau, 26 August 2011



Rounding the 600m bend at Taipa, Macau, 26 August 2011

Derek Leung

20/09/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

梁家俊連中三元, 首先於第六場為告達理的愜意小開報捷, 然後在第九場為文家良嬴駔驍駿駒, 最後替蘇保羅勝出奇葩

It may have taken Derek Leung until the third meeting of the new season to ride his first winner - but his treble at Sha Tin last Sunday rocketed him into 2nd position on the Hong Kong Jockeys’ Rankings. Not unexpectedly, Douglas Whyte leads the pack again with 4 winners in total to this stage. Interesting to note that there are no two jockeys in Hong Kong who are busier or more popular with trainers, with both Whyte and Leung having 26 rides this season, more than any other jockey in Hong Kong.

Derek Leung’s first winner was Carthage for trainer Derek Cruz. Carthage was a Listed Race winner and Group 2 placed in France, although this nose victory was his first in Hong Kong.

Carthage (number 2 with shadow roll) charging home from last to score a nose victory at Sha Tin.

Derek Leung followed with another narrow victory aboard the Manfred Man trained Five Clubs. This son of Danbird began his career in Queensland as Nesting, winning a Maiden on debut for trainer Liam Birchley and jockey Stathi Katsidis

Five Clubs (number 9) finishes strongly to catch The Prince and go on and win by a head.

Leung completed his treble in the last race on the program, winning for trainer Paul Sullivan, his former master. Sullivan is pleased to have retained a close alliance with his former apprentice and credits Leung for riding Pizzazz in all of his trackwork and knowing exactly where to place the gelding in running.

Caviar of Another Colour May Not Be Quite So Fast (but he is a winner)

19/09/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

危險大軍在韋達跨下勝出一千米惠州讓賽.


Blue Caviar.

Neither colour-blindness nor typographical error.

Caviar. Blue.



Only a few hours before Black Caviar was anointed as Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year 2010-2011, Blue Caviar was successful in Hong Kong in the Huizhou Handicap (1000 metres) at Sha Tin.

The 4 year old gelding is by Keep The Faith and out of Twisted Bliss. He is a half-brother to multiple Melbourne metropolitan winner Twisted Times. His third-dam is VRC Edward Manifold Stakes winner Rainburst. Trained by Danny Shum - and ridden by Douglas Whyte - Blue Caviar followed up his recent promising trial performance with an impressive 1 1/2 length victory on debut.

Rayson Home in Macau

18/09/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Woody Leung & Leonard Marlborough

The Australian bred Encosta de Lago gelding Rayson was successful in the Magic Millions “Home Of Champions” Trophy on the turf track at Taipa in Macau on Saturday. Ridden by New Zealand jockey Andrew Calder, Rayson held out Wonderful Tiger (apprentice Martin Cangas) to win the 1500 metre feature.



Rayson was previously called Trounce, and raced in Australia under the care of master trainer Peter Moody. He left Australia as a maiden, although 3 of his Australian starts were in Group or Listed Races - his best performance being a 4th in the G2 Champagne Classic over 1200 metres at Doomben in May 2009, finishing just behind Funtantes and Trim. That day Trounce beat home Facile Tigre (a nose 2nd behind the Moody trained Panipique at Caulfield on Saturday) and Sarge In Charge. He also had second placings behind Shellscrape and Gibraltar Moon. Trained in Macau by Peter Leyshan, Rayson’s first season saw him open with two wins before his form tapered off. He failed at his only try on the sand circuit. - editor.

Richard Gibson

15/09/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Leonard Marlborough

Richard Gibson is no stranger to Hong Kong racing after consecutive victories with Doctor Dino in the 2007 and 2008 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase.

In 1997 at age 27 Richard Gibson began training in France and was based at Chantilly. Gibson soon proved successful and has prepared in excess of 500 winners, including success at the highest level with six G1 wins to his credit. With the departure of David Oughton from the Hong Kong training ranks Richard Gibson becomes the first European trainer to arrive at Sha Tin since (German) Andreas Schutz in 2006.



Rather than produce his first runners in Hong Kong at the season-opener at Sha Tin last Sunday, Gibson chose to target the Happy Valley meeting under lights as his first assignment. He presented two starters and after the promising performance of Fantastisch to finish 3rd in race 2, he quickly found the winners stall with the success of Great Renown in race 5, the Shek O Handicap over 1650 metres. Great Renown was ridden by champion jockey Douglas Whyte and was the second leg of his double on the night.

Richard Gibson already has a stable of 37 horses and seems certain to have an impact on the racing scene in Hong Kong.

Douglas Whyte congratulates Richard Gibson on his first win as a Hong Kong based trainer.


Bear Hero Suffers First Defeat

13/09/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Leonard Marlborough

The win of longshot Victory Mascot was not the only surprise at the opening meeting of the 2011-12 Hong Kong racing season.

The first 8 races had seen champion jockey Douglas Whyte without a winner. With just two races remaining, time was running out to join the list of winning jockeys on day one.

Douglas Whyte gets King Mossman home ahead of the favourite Bear Hero

Race 9 saw the return of last year’s Champion Griffin, Bear Hero, who was an odds-on favourite and expected to stretch his unbeaten winning run to four wins. Although a few things were different this time: Bear Hero now a 3 year old now taking on older horses; and after being unbeaten in 3 starts over 1000 metres, trainer David Ferraris setting the son of General Nediym the task of winning over the longer trip of 1200 metres at his first start back from a spell.

And the plot further thickened: after Douglas Whyte had first been asked to ride Bear Hero in the absence of Brett Prebble, the stable made a late change and engaged the 10 pound claim apprentice Alvin Ng instead.

Pre-race Bear Hero paraded hot and sweaty - while overlook jockey Douglas Whyte was cool and calm aboard the John Size trained 4 year old King Mossman - the only horse realistically given any chance to defeat the crowd favourite.

The skill and tactical ability of a champion jockey (11 times over) is worth significantly more than the benefit of any weight claimed by an inexperienced jockey. Douglas Whyte bounced King Mossman from the gates, crossed to the lead, and with Bear Hero snookered behind him the master rider dictated the tempo to suit.

King Mossman ran out a winner by 3/4 of a length from the fast closing Bear Hero.

Not deterred by the defeat, Ferraris has sent Bear Hero into quarantine as the stable still pushes forward with plans to contest the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington over the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Hong Kong: the new season

11/09/2011

photography by Woody Leung

words by Leonard Marlborough

The new racing season is only hours away (as I write) from beginning in Hong Kong. On Sunday the 11th of September, Sha Tin hosts the first meeting of 2011-12. Another year of exciting racing looms.

Trials were held at Happy Valley yesterday with the jockeys preparing themselves - in a multitude of ways - for the rigours and glory of a new racing year.

It is no surprise that bookmakers once again have Douglas Whyte as favourite ($1.65) to win yet another Hong Kong Jockeys’ Premiership - a win this year would make it twelve in succession. Brett Prebble at $2.30 is (once again) considered next best to challenge the irrepressible Douglas Whyte.

Final Saturday At Saratoga

7/09/2011

words by Vicki L Vinson - photography by Sue Rosenbach

A Saratoga crowd of 24,430 welcomed a sunny day for the closing Saturday of the meeting. With three Grade 1 races on the card that could go a long ways in determining end of the year honors the crowd knew there were some great races ahead. First up was the Personal Ensign Invitational Stakes, previously ran as the John A. Morris Handicap, the race name changed in 1997 to honor the undefeated Hall of Fame filly Personal Ensign.

Ask the Moon with jockey Javier Castellano have a clear lead down the stretch

The Personal Ensign was run at a mile and a quarter on the dirt for fillies and mares 3 and up. This year’s edition was won by Ask the Moon a 6 year old daughter of Malibu Moon out of Always Asking. Ask the Moon was recently claimed on June 15th for $75,000 out of an optional claiming race at Belmont Park. Shortly after the claim she was turned over to trainer Martin Wolfson for the new owner Farnsworth Stables. The claim has proven itself a good one indeed as the mare has now wheeled off two Grade 1 wins at the Spa following the claim. Ask the Moon was in charge for the duration of the race going wire to wire to win by 2 ¾ lengths, she drifted out in the lane as she neared the wire with jockey Javier Castellano admitting that she was getting a little tired at the end. Running 2nd in the race was Pachattack followed by Tiz Miz Sue in 3rd . Ask the Moon has already qualified for a ”Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic by winning the Ruffian Handicap in her previous outing and she is well on her way to a showdown with the other fillies and mares in her division.

Jackson Bend is barely visible (maroon cap and shadow roll) as he looks for a spot to get through

Next up was the Grade 1 Forego Stakes named after the American Horse of the Year in ‘74, ’75 and ’76 the great Forego. This race is run at 7 furlongs for a purse of $250,000. After running near the back of the field for most of the race Jackson Bend accelerated coming out of the turn, it took luck and a skilful riding job by jockey Corey Nakatani to weave his way through traffic for the win. Jackson Bend is trained by Nick Zito for owners Robert La Penta and Fred Brei. He is by the son of Carson City, Hear No Evil out of the Tabasco Cat mare Sexy Stockings. Earlier in the meeting Jackson Bend had won the James Marvin Stakes in his first start at a distance less than a mile in almost two years, it looks like he has found his calling now. Closing from fourth to finish 2nd was Jersey Town, a fast closing Aikenite just missed catching him by a head when getting up for 3rd. The next start is kind of up in the air for Jackson Bend as his connections decide whether to shorten him up a furlong to prep for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint or stretch him out a furlong and aim for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

The big race of the day and the one everyone was talking about was the Grade I Woodward Stakes to be contested over 1 1/8 miles on the dirt. It was the second time in the last three runnings of the race that a 3 year old filly would take on the colts in the race. The last filly that ran in the race was Rachel Alexandra in 2009 she became the first filly to win the prestigious race and went on to earn Horse of the Year honors. The question looming in everyone’s mind, could Havre de Grace repeat this feat?

Along the rail is Mission Impazible and on the outside is Flat Out

While front runner Rule led till midway down the stretch others in the race were going nose and nose fighting their way for a better position, as seen here with eventual 2nd place finisher Flat Out and Mission Impazible who would fade to 4th. Passing these two colts and the afore mentioned Rule (who would hold on for 3rd ) was you guessed it the filly Havre de Grace.
Havre de Grace means Harbor of Grace in French this was the first time she had raced against colts. She has been battling Blind Luck the past year for top spot in their division and they have quite a good rivalry going on. Out of six meetings Blind Luck has won 3, Havre de Grace 2, with an additional win going to the now retired Unrivaled Belle where Blind Luck ran 2nd and Havre de Grace ran 3rd in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic. Havre de Grace is a Kentucky bred by Saint Liam out of the Carson City mare Easter Brunette. This was the first Woodward win for both trainer Larry Jones and jockey Ramon Dominguez. Havre de Grace is owned by Rick Porter’s Fox Hill Farm. Mentioned as the next likely race for Havre de Grace is the Beldame Stakes at Belmont Park on October 1st where she will race against fillies and mares again. Ultimate goal will be the Breeders’ Cup where she will be cross entered in both the Ladies Classic and the Classic she could meet her rival again in either of those races.

Havre de Grace with Ramon Dominguez up has one more horse to pass in mid-stretch

Thank you to Sue Rosenbach for the use of her photos in this story.




Jockeys Dash For Cash

6/09/2011

words and photography by Woody Leung

The week prior to the opening of the new racing season in Hong Kong a Pre-Season Carnival is held at the Sha Tin Racecourse. In addition to the barrier trials and pony riding sessions, one of the feature events of the day is the annual Jockey’s Sprint.

Manoel Nunes won the inaugural event in 2007, while in 2008 and 2009 Jacky Tong proved too swift. The winning run of Jacky Tong ended in 2010 when Olivier Doleuze was the winner. In 2011 Jacky Tong was 2nd again - this time behind Brett Prebble. Brett Prebble received a winners cheque for $HK5,000 - editor.

Five Hundred For Fausto

2/09/2011

words and photography by Neil Murray

Brazilian jockey Fausto Durso capped off a successful season in Macau last Friday night booting home two winners. The following day was the final race day of the Macau season. Despite having six rides, Fausto couldn't add to his win tally for the season. Despite that, he could be well satisfied. With his second win on the Friday night he reached a milestone  - 500 winning rides in Macau. 

Fausto Durso (yellow cap) has Natago nicely positioned on the home turn

 
Durso's first winner on the Friday sand meeting, and his 499th in Macau, came in the first race, the Slip Anchor Maiden over 1300 metres.  Fausto rode Captain Genuki, a 4yo bay gelding by Captain Rio out of Genuki, trained by the K.S.Ho/Tony Chan team. The favourite in the race was the Gary Moore trained, Francis. Captain Genuki starting at 4/1. Fausto was caught wide early on Captain Genuki but managed to get across and sit behind the front three who were led by Francis. In the home straight Captain Genuki moved outside the leading group and with a sustained run got past Francis to win by a head.
 
Next win and the milestone 500th in Macau came in the third race on the programme, the Mill Reef over 1050 metres. Fausto rode the 5yo chestnut gelding, Natago, by Hussonet out of Engaged and trained by Peter Leyshan. Fausto positioned Natago just behind and outside the pacemaker, Felsham.  At the top of the straight Fausto made his move and Natago sprinted away to win by a clear four lengths on the line.
 
Fausto Durso's 59 season wins put him in second place on the Macau jockey championship behind fellow-countryman, Manoel Nunes who won with 88 wins.

 
Fausto Dursoo on Captain Genuki (no1) getting the better of Francis ridden by Louis Corrales

Macau Report

30/08/2011

words and photography by Woody Leung

Thoroughbreds Worldwide introduces our first bilingual report. Woody Leung was at the final day of the Macau Racing season for 2010-2011 and reports on all the action. - editor.

Regal Flame, trained by Peter Leyshan and ridden by Wayne Smith, winner of the The Macau Race Horse Owners Association Plate.

獎金達三十五萬之「澳門馬主協會碟」由「富豪福星」奪得錦標, 賽後澳門馬主協會副主席李海元先生、澳門馬主協會執行委員鄧興強先生及澳門馬主協會執行委員麥志文先生分別頒獎予勝出馬匹之馬主代表、練馬師李森及騎師史偉恩

Danpaoshaq, trained by Peter Leyshan and ridden by L Corrales, won The Macau Race Horse Owners Association Bowl.

「澳門馬主協會碗」由「丹寶石」勝出, 賽後澳門馬主協會副主席胡仁華先生、澳門馬主協會執行委員陳明榮先生及澳門馬主協會執行委員鄭俊佳先生分別頒獎予勝出馬匹之馬主代表、練馬師李森及騎師高君濤。

Jockey J Lermyte rode two winners yesterday. He won on Money Come in race 5 for trainer M C Tam . The young French jockey also won The Macau Race Horse Owners Association Cup riding Wealthy Man in race 6 for trainer S Chow.

法國騎師雷名昨日起孖,先於第五場策騎譚文就馬房濃雨勝出, 之後再憑鄒欽華馬房榮華富貴勝出獎金達七十萬之「澳門馬主協會盃」

The Champion Trainer, Jockey and Apprentice in Macau was won by Trainer G W Moore, Jockey M Nunes, and Apprentice C F Wong, respectively.

本季度冠軍練馬師、騎師及見習騎師揭盅. 經過本賽季的激烈爭持後，練馬師摩加利、騎師冼文諾及見習騎師王峻鋒贏得冠軍名銜.

Editor's note: Champion apprentice Cash Wong recently represented Macau in The Asian Young Guns Challenge held at Flemington. Not so successful on this occasion, he was unplaced in two rides, and had a torrid time riding the wayward Bondarenko who would hang so dramatically as to end up finishing against the outside rail. - editor.

Louis Corrales

25/08/2011

words and photography by Neil Murray

Panamanian born Louis Corrales is a product of the Macau Jockey Club's apprentice training school. Since graduating he has ridden regularly in Macau, also returning as the opportunity arises to ride in both Panama and the United States.

Louis Corrales has Trust Me Bet leading the field around the home turn

 
Last Saturday, Louis rode a double at Macau. In the first race he succeeded on the V Chong trained Queen's Castle.  After being placed in three recent runs, the six year old Danehill Dancer gelding broke though for a half length win in The Salford over 1050 metres.
 
Then in the sixth event, The Halifax (1300 metres), Louis had no trouble getting the promising Trust Me Bet home by more than six lengths for its third straight win - much to the delight of the horse's many connections.
 
Louis Corrales now has twenty five wins for the season at a strike rate of 10.6%.

Louis Corrales on Queen's Castle getting past Billingsgate to win the first race

Editor’s note:

Louis Corrales was introduced to Macau by his uncle Jose Corrales who was Macau’s premier jockey in the mid nineties. He was the dominate apprentice in Macau in 1998-1999 and 1999-2000, before being runner-up in the Jockeys Premiership in 2001-2002, and again in 2002-2003.

Louis Corrales has ridden more than 500 winners in the enclave and is the third most successful jockey in the history of the MJC, with only Manoel Nunes and (Australian) John Didham having ridden more winners.

Trust Me Bet is a Gary Moore trained 3 year old son of Kitten’s Joy. He remains undefeated after 3 starts (all on the all-weather track) and Gary Moore is keen on getting the rating of the rising star up so he can compete in the International Sand Premier Cup in November. - editor.

Summer Sand Challenge

23/08/2011

words and photography by Neil Murray

Feature race last Saturday at Macau's Taipa track was the Summer Sand Challenge (Group 3) over 1700 metres.
 
Victory went to the well-fancied, World Fortune, at 2/1. World Fortune is a five-year-old chestnut gelding by Testa Rossa out of Wingin A Prayer. Testa Rossa also sired The Prime, 99/1 winner of the second race on the card.

Fausto Durso and World Fortune: dominant in the Summer Sand Challenge

 
It was a sweet victory for former jockey, now trainer, Y. C. Fung who won this same race last year with Palm Trilogy. Fung also had Palm Trilogy running again in this event, but he could not repeat the performance of last year and was this time unplaced.
 
Brazilian jockey based in Macau, Fausto Durso hugged the rail all the way on World Fortune.  For a while it looked like he would be blocked for a run, but a gap opened and Durso drove through on the inside to score by a length and a quarter from course record holder, Viva Hong Kong.
 
In the next race, The Castleford, over 1500 metres, Durso scored again. He led on the 3/1 favourite Folson to just hold off the fast finishing Turquoise Song and win by a half head. 

Fausto Durso leading on eventual winner Folson with 500 metres to travel

Editor's note:

World Fortune has been transformed from a barrier rogue into one of the best horses in Macau. World Fortune has now seven wins to his credit on the all-weather track, and has earnings close to $HK3 million. Trainer Tony Fung will now give World Fortune a short spell before preparing him for the Macau Sand Premier Cup in November. - editor.

Prime Odds

21/08/2011

words and photography by Neil Murray

Last February, at the first race meeting I ever attended at Macau's Taipa racecourse, I saw and reported on the all-the-way win of a longshot called Hariston. That horse won at what I described then as the mouth-watering odds of 56/1.


 
Well, last Saturday at Macau I saw  a horse top that off. A five year old Testa Rossa chestnut gelding called The Prime surprised everyone to scoot home and win at the rarely seen win odds of 99/1. The Prime had raced seven times since March this year without so much as a placing. At his last start he finished tenth in a field of fourteen, eight lengths behind the winner.
 
Obviously, his form gave punters no confidence that he would get anywhere near them in the second race on Saturday's programme run over 1500 metres on sand. But the Pat Lee trained gelding had a shock in store for them. Jockey P U Wong jumped The Prime straight to the front out of the gate and into an early lead - where the longshot would stay for the entire trip - Wong riding masterfully to control the pace to suit his mount, and in the process make victory impossible for the more favoured runners trailing.
 
The Prime went to the line to win unchallenged by three quarters of a length, although few punters were lucky enough to share the connections delight in the win.

 
 




Speed: an observation


words & photography by Neil Murray

11/08/2011

Thoroughbred racehorses are bred for speed. One of the joys of going to the races is to witness the exciting speed of these superb animals, whether it's a whole field thundering down the straight, or one swooper pouncing on the leaders to flash past and win.
 
It's not surprising that the horse appears to us be such a speed machine. Thoroughbreds are reported to reach speeds in excess of 40 mph. The mighty Secretariat, in the 1973 Belmont Stakes run over one and a half miles, recorded the amazing average speed of 37.5 mph. A world record on dirt which stands to this day.
 
Most photos of racing action simply do not do justice to the horse's speed. Because they show moments frozen in time, they most often don't capture this sense of speed. Occasionally though, with a clear intent by the photographer and with a lot of luck, a photo will convey something of the speed that we witness when watching the action live. Here are a few examples to show what I mean: 

Silver Cat sweeps around the field to win at Woolamai picnic races, 30 December, 2006

"Grey at Dawn" Early morning trackwork at Santa Anita, 4 March, 2007

Pinky leads the way with one lap to go. Pakenham 8 April, 2008

The state of play at the one furlong mark. Caulfield, 2 August, 2008

Questrian chasing eventual winner Sheza Ranga. Woolamai, 21 November, 2009

Matthew Chadwick has Our Lucky Baby three lengths in front. Hong Kong's Happy Valley, 22 April, 2009

Further reading:

http://www.racingwrite.com/mark-denny-maximum-speed-of-a-thoroughbred/

The Herd Instinct

30/07/2011

introduction by Leonard Marlborough
article ‘The Magic Within’ by Kerry Mark Thomas

Sports psychology is an essential component of the sporting life for any athlete.

There can be no doubt that the racehorse, the equine athlete, is as finely tuned and as highly strung as any 100 metre olympic sprinter - and although the physical needs of the racehorse are much catered for, the mental aspect is not given the same priority.

So when champion racehorse trainers Bob Baffert and John Shirreff take the time to listen to theories about the psychology of the racehorse, then perhaps we should listen too.

Kerry M. Thomas has studied horses in their natural environment, and transposed those essential discoverable traits of the horse in the wild (the horse in the herd) to create a technique that can benefit the horse in our artificial ‘imposed herds’ of the stable and the racetrack. With his permission I reproduce below one of his articles - along with a video interview with trainer John Shirreff.

The Magic Within
by Kerry Mark Thomas Equine Ethologist and founder of Thomas Herding Technique

Often mystical are the characteristics and flowing beauty of the horse. For centuries mankind has been infected with the allure, infatuated by the power, and invited by the nature of the horse. Intertwined so effortlessly along the path of life are we. Through many trials, wars and mass migrations, the human spirit so often lifted and propelled by the frequently unnoticed partnership. The horse is indeed the stoic and tireless companion that has been a part of nearly every major human movement, war or event our species has ever undertaken. Longer has the horse been our best friend, than any other creature on earth. In our society today, as in much of history, the truth of the past goes unrecognised, and the story of the horse much forgotten. Ask your average horse owner, horse lover or horse enthusiast how horses got across the ocean on their first trips, or about the migration paths of the breeds into the new world, or if there is an endangered list for breeds of horses, and many will not offer a clue. We see our pretty breeds we have bred, all the wonderful and ever so expensive trappings and accoutrements, the speed on the track, the dance of the dressage, the height of the jump, and we marvel. It is worth marvelling at for sure, but pales in comparison to the accomplishments the horse has made in the past. The war horse who helped shape great nations, the big strong athlete that allowed the fields to get ploughed, the incredible endurance of the horse who carried forth the torch into the prairie, the cannon across miles of land to forge new worlds and new governments, or to sustain an old government and so many other countless achievements that the human alone, generally takes credit for. Imagine the human race and evolution of societies without the horse. It isn’t his beauty in front of the cart, but the spirit each horse has flaming bright inside them, that makes them special. When I go to a battlefield, like the civil war battlefield of Gettysburg, I see the monuments of the great men who fought and died, and I know that alongside many lay or stood a horse. Like so many angels the horse was often seen as a sign of power and safety, a spirited beast standing beside the spirited soul of man as if to guide and assist us along our journey of life. No, it is not the beauty and grace we see and seek today alone that makes the horse so precious, but rather the valour with which he stood by us as we moved along our journey of life. The horse is not a pet, though it seems easier and sweeter to assume so. An animal, who has taken such great care of us so many times, deserves to be treated as a companion to humankind. If you love your horse, or all horses as many of us do, it behooves you to appreciate the history of the equine.

The equine has an ability to draw us in and that streams loosely along a line that could be called a spiritual connection with us. Horses more than most any other animal offer an interactive relationship with all of us without limits or prejudices, and the magic in their large, soft eyes is ever full of expression and curiosity. They often seem as interested in us and the things we are doing, as we are of them; true signs of companionship. Having had the opportunity in my life to socialise horses to work with and tolerate people with various physical and mental challenges, from subtle to extreme, I have witnessed unspoken, enchanting interactions. The fleeting moments of time within the horse’s view of the world offered quick but impressive moments between child and animal that can bring tears to your eyes. The senses of both the horse and the human connecting to reach far beyond the physical expressions we are so used to, breaking boundaries we never knew existed to open the way, offering the person a feeling of being understood. The horse in his new human society may not be as much needed for pushing forth human evolution as before, but the cathartic nature of his presence, will never be out of season. An animal that has given so very much to the human race, deserves from us now a respect that too many never know. Inhumane slaughtering, unchecked wild lands picked clean of the Mustang, is this how living monuments to human history, are to be treated? There are horses on the endangered species list and you should be interested in the preservation of the pure breeds that still exist.

For many years we have looked to the horse to help us along with tasks both spectacular and mundane, and very rarely did he fail us. In our world today, it is the horse that is looking to us for help; help surviving in the wild, and to be properly taken care of and understood on the farm. On a personal level, these considerations are what have led me to develop the Thomas Herding Technique and THT International, The Communicated Equine. There is a feeling of deep and almost spiritual connections with an animal that has been a significant part of human life through the ages. Connecting spiritually is paramount to connecting physically, for the spiritual connection is the higher power that transcends and controls all that follows. I see the horse as a true living, breathing monument in the fields of history. Touching the horse is like touching the past, knowing that the many generations before us would have heard the same sounds, recognised the same smells and all of the characteristics the horse brings to bear. For me it is a direct link, a window into the past, a way to touch a small part of the world that was familiar to times gone by. Reminding me of who we are and how we came to be at this moment in time. Like a spiritual leader offering a supportive hand, a view from the hoof that sees only the good in our midst, forgiving and resolute. If we care to give back just a small bit of what we have taken from the world we can reach beyond what we embrace within our own circle. For there is a mystical gaze reaching out from the horse that seems to invite us all to search the mysteries around us in the hope we can find, the magic within.

Sand Surprise

photography by Woody Leung

27/07/2011

words by Leonard Marlborough

In 2010 Luen Yat Forever won the G1 Macau Star of the Sand Stakes over 1500 metres at Taipa in Macau. Luen Yat Forever is to date the only ever Macau Triple Crown Winner: winning the 2010 Macau Guineas; Macau Derby; and the Gold Cup. He was also (quite naturally) anointed Macau Champion 2010. The 5 year old son of Honors List came to Australia and raced against elite company last Spring, with two fourth placings in feature events: The Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield; and the Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington (beaten on this occasion by just 0.3 of a length). Subsequently he was transferred into the care of champion trainer Peter Moody - his best result to date with his new trainer being a nose 2nd placing in the Listed Sky High Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill in 2011.



In 2011 the G1 Macau Star of the Sand Stakes was won by Golden Gunner, a 4 year old Black Minnaloushe gelding who began his career in Victoria as Carbonel. Trained by Robbie Griffiths, Carbonel won a Warrnambool Maiden over 1400 metres before being purchased by the Sik Lik Racing Syndicate to race in Macau.

Golden Gunner previously had a poor record (two failures) on the all-weather-track at Taipa and accordingly started at 44/1. However, trainer Tommy Tse was not surprised by the victory and believed that the American breeding on both sides of Golden Gunner’s pedigree would eventually kick-in and make him adept on the sand circuit. Coming from last, and ridden for the first time by Louis Corrales, Golden Gunner unleashed a brilliant finishing burst and raced away for an impressive victory over World Fortune (Fausto Durso); with favourite St Peter’s Gift (Peter Ho) finishing third.

Banner photograph used on Thoroughbreds Worldwide courtesy of Cheryl Ann Quigley