19/11/08 New product fee model for Victorian Thoroughbred racing

The Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) Board today resolved to introduce a new regime for charging interstate totalisators, bookmakers and betting exchanges for betting on Victorian thoroughbred racing for the current racing season.
Under the new policy interstate wagering operators will be charged product fees on gross revenue rather than the current method of turnover on the following basis:
• A base rate of 10% of revenue less GST (ie. gross profits - bets taken less bets paid or commission generated on a betting exchange) for races outside of the
Spring Racing Carnival; and
• A premium rate of 15% of revenue less GST for races conducted in Victoria during the months of October and November each year.
This will replace RVL’s current economic contributions policy used for the approval of interstate wagering operators to publish and use Victorian thoroughbred race fields. Under the current policy, bookmakers and betting exchanges are charged up to 1 per cent and totalisators up to 3 per cent of assessable turnover. The current policy provides for a reduction in these fees payable to RVL by interstate operators in recognition of economic contributions made to their local racing industry. The new policy does not permit these RVL will notify interstate totalisators, corporate bookmakers, on-course bookmakers and betting exchanges of the new policy which will be implemented over the coming months.
The policy will be reviewed prior to the start of the 2009/10 racing season.

19/11/08 Carlton Draught Railway Stakes Barrier Draw

The Gai Waterhouse trained Bank Robber has shot into outright favouritism after drawing barrier 2 at this morning’s Breakfast with the Stars barrier draw at Ascot Racecourse for Saturday’s Million dollar Carlton Draught Railway Stakes.

The four-year old is into $4.50 on TABSportsbet ahead of Rightfully Yours at $5.00 who also drew well in barrier 4.

Local favourite Marasco has drawn outside in barrier 14 and has drifted out to $6.50, along side stablemate Grand Nirvana in 13.

CARLTON DRAUGHT-RAILWAY STAKES

Group I - 3 YEARS OLD & UPWARDS

Of: $1,000,000 (and trophies valued at $10,000); 1st: $622,500 (inc. trophies); 2nd: $200,000; 3rd: $90,000; 4th: $40,000; 5th: $20,000; 6th: $12,500; 7th: $12,500; 8th: $12,500
1600 Metres Minimum 50 kg
No. Horse Bl St Br Wgt Rtg Rider Trainer
1 MARASCO 14 57.5 WILLIAM PIKE FRED KERSLEY
2 NICONERO 8 56 BRAD RAWILLER DAVID HAYES
3 SNIPER'S BULLET * 5 55 MICHAEL RODD TRACEY BARTLEY
4 BANK ROBBER 2 54 BLAKE SHINN GAI WATERHOUSE
5 THE FUZZ(NZ) * 7 52.5 BRAD PARNHAM DAVID HAYES
6 ACTION PAK B 15 52 SHAUN O'DONNELL JUSTINE ERKELENS
7 ANNENKOV(IRE) 1 52 LUKE NOLEN PETER MOODY
8 BEAT THE STORM B 10 52 LUCAS CAMILLERI ROSS PRICE
9 FAMOUS ROMAN * 11 52 JASON WHITING KEN WILLIAMSON
10 GILDED VENOM 9 52 PATRICK CARBERY STEVE WALLACE
11 HARTLEYS DREAM 17 52 TROY TURNER PETER GIADRESCO
12 MAJESTICAL(NZ) 6 52 WAYNE HOKAI MATTHEW ENRIGHT
13 PILLAR OF HERCULES 12 52 GLEN BOSS PETER MOODY
14 RIGHTFULLY YOURS 4 52 CRAIG NEWITT MICK PRICE
15 TARZI 3 52 STEVEN PARNHAM NEVILLE PARNHAM
16 GRAND NIRVANA 13 50 PETER KNUCKEY FRED KERSLEY
17 I COMMAND B E1 16 52 JEREMY EASTHOPE

Group 1 $1,010,000 CARLTON DRAUGHT-RAILWAY STAKES (1600m)
ASCOT — SATURDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2008
Quality Handicap For Three-Years-Old & Upwards
FORM INDICATORS
YEAR WINNER JOCKEY TRAINER SECOND THIRD WT TIME NO SP BR FAVOURITE SP FP
1988 MARWONG 4.B.H S. MARSHALL G.T. MURPHY BOWIE CONGRESSMAN 52.5 1.33.73 8 $21 16 BOWIE $2.20 2nd
1989 BETTER LOOSEN UP 4.B.G M.A. CLARKE D.A. HAYES MARWONG DUAL'S BRUTE 55.5 1.34.42 1 $2.75 11 BETTER LOOSEN UP $2.75 1st
1990 MEDICINE KID 6.B/Br.G J.J. OLIVER R.W. PRICE CENTURY GOD JUNGLE HERO 55.0 1.35.41 2 $17 16 NIRAN $3.50 12th
1991 M'LADY'S JEWEL 6.Ch.G M.A. CLARKE K.W. LEAVER BARROSA BOY YILGANGIE GOLD 52.5 1.34.64 6 $3.75 16 M'LADY'S JEWEL $3.75 1st
1992 WELCOME KNIGHT 6.B/Br.G T.J. JACKMAN R.W. PRICE DOUBLE DIGNITY COLONIAL SPIRIT 53.5 1.34.54 4 $9 14 PLANET RULER $5.50 10th
1994 ZAPARRI 7.Br.G S. MARSHALL S.R. MCKINNON SIR TINKA ASIAN INCLINE 53.5 1.35.14 5 $9 1 ASIAN INCLINE $5.50 3rd
1994 ISLAND MORN 4.Br.H DAVID OLIVER L.P. LUCIANI CLASSY DRESSER CALYPSO 51.0 1.35.66 8 $5 8 BOLD EXTREME $5 8th
1995 JACKS OR BETTER 4.Br.G D.D. GUNDRY G.E. DALY FOREMAN WABASSO 53.0 1.35.22 2 $17 10 FOREMAN $4.75 2nd
1996 BOLD EXTREME 7.Ch.G T. STUBBERFIELD W.J. MITCHELL CENTURY BLAZER BRADSON 51.0 1.34.80 8 $5.50 5 BOLD EXTREME $5.50 1st
1998 WILLOUGHBY 7.B.G P.J. HARVEY M.W. PATEMAN BAR DREAMER SPOOK 53.5 1.34.50 8 $4 8 WILLOUGHBY $4 1st
1998 MACHINE GUN TOM 6.B.G P.J. CARBERY M. CAMPBELL JACKS OR BETTER ON A SWING 50.0 1.36.42 12 $17 13 PENNYWEIGHT POINT $2.25 8th
1999 SLAVONIC 4.Br.G B.L. PREBBLE M.G. PRICE SISTER PATRICIA CORPORATE BRUCE 51.0 1.34.81 11 $2.60 8 SLAVONIC $2.60 1st
2000 NORTHERLY 4.B.G D.R. MILLER (SNR.) F.R. KERSLEY OLD COMRADE LIZZY LONG LEGS 51.0 1.35.88 15 $7 12 UMRUM $3 5th
2001 OLD COMRADE 4.Br.G P.J. HARVEY L. SMITH MR. TANZANIA FINITO 53.5 1.37.61 4 $6 8 NORTHERLY $2.20 11th
2002 OLD FASHION 5.Br.G S.J. MILLER V.A. BROCKMAN HARDRADA CORPORATE BRUCE 54.5 1.35.67 3 $6.50 1 HARDRADA $4 2nd
2003 HARDRADA 4.B/Br.G J.S. WHITING L.P. LUCIANI EARLY EXPRESS MAPPERHOLIC 54.0 1.35.78 5 $9.50 13 MAPPERHOLIC $4.20 3rd
2004 MODEM 6.Br.G P.J. HARVEY T.M. ANDREWS MR SANDGROPER BLINDED 55.0 1.35.94 1 $6 7 ELLICORSAM $2 5th
2005 COVERTLY 4.Br.M L. CAMILLERI S.R. BATES EARLY EXPRESS BLINDED 51.0 1.34.86 15 $9.50 2 AVENIDA MADERO $3.90 13th
2006 BELLE BIZARRE 5.B.M P. KING R.R. BYNDER CONFECTIONER NICONERO 54.0 1.34.45 4 $10 6 SCENIC SHOT $4.20 4th
2007 EL PRESIDENTE 4.B.G T.K. TURNER B.V. WATKINS HARTLEYS DREAM MANSION HOUSE 55.5 1.34.72 8 $2.80 4 EL PRESIDENTE $2.80 1st

RACE FACTS
*The Railway Stakes has been run over three distances since being first held in 1887. 1987-1921 over 1¼miles
(2000m), 1922-1951 over 1mile (1600m), 1952-1982 over 7½ furlongs (1500m), 1982-present over 1600 metres.
*The Railway Stakes race record time of 1:33.73 was recorded by Marwong in 1988. It also remains the state
1600-metre record.
*The 1970 Railway Stakes was decided in the Stewards’ Room with the second past the post Kilrickle (John Miller)
successfully protesting against La Trice (Frank Treen).
*The greatest weight carried to win the Railway Stakes over the last 50 years was Tudor Mak in 1967 who carried
9lb.8oz (61kg), when recording the second of his consecutive wins. Four horses have won with only 46.5kg, the
latest being Royal Spring in 1971.
*In the last 50 Railway Stakes barrier 8 has been the most successful, with the winner jumping from that gate on
six occasions.
*Only seven three-year-olds have won the Railway Stakes over the last 50 years, including the fillies La Trice
(1968), Millefleurs (1972) and Jungle Dawn (1987).
*Four-year-olds have won 20 of the last 50 Railway Stakes.
*Since 1970 two horses have won at an odds-on price: Starglow (1973) $1.90 and Asian Beau (1979) $1.90.
*Four sires have thrown multiple Railway Stakes winners in the last 50 years. They included Makarpura (Tudor
Mak 1966 & 19676), Marooned (Island Morn 1994 & Hardrada 2003), Metal Storm (Old Fashion 2002 & Covertly
2005) and Wateringbury (Aquanita 1959 & Blue Spring 1965).
*In the last 11 years Paul Harvey has ridden three Railway Stakes winners.
*Four horses have completed the Railway Stakes/Kingston Town Classic double: Better Loosen Up (1989), Island
Morn (1994), Old Comrade (2001) and Modem (2004).

19/11/08 Cummings not going - Tinkler's Warwick Farm offer fails to convince trainer
by Craig Young and John Schell

ANTHONY CUMMINGS has knocked back an offer to head Nathan Tinkler's Warwick Farm training operation. Tinkler has spent more than $150 million on bloodstock, stables and breeding farms in less than a year, with the electrician turned mining magnate applying for 140 boxes at Warwick Farm.

"I've declined the offer to move to Warwick Farm," Cummings said yesterday.

Cummings joined forces with Tinkler's Patinack Farm earlier this year at New Zealand's premier yearling sale. Tinkler stunned the Karaka sale ring when outlaying $6.9m on 29 yearlings, but that was made to look like pocket money weeks later, when racing's 'Whale' outlaid $19m on 59 youngsters at the Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast.

Not long after, he spent $3.5m on 24 yearlings at a William Inglis sale in Melbourne.

At the William Inglis and Son Easter Yearling Sale, Cummings outlaid $7.635m on 18 youngsters, with the majority picked up by racing's latest benefactor.

"I'll finish up training 20 of their [Patinack] top colts, and that will be me," Cummings said.

Cummings will remain at Randwick, where he has 70 boxes, while his satellite operation in Melbourne will be trimmed. Cummings has a base at Caulfield and expanded the operation to take in another stable complex, but that has been wound up.

"[Trainer] Mick Price will be given 50 [Patinack] horses to train in Melbourne," Cummings said. "I had two stables at Caulfield and I've given him one of them. I had taken on extra stables in Melbourne because they [Patinack] needed the extra room. My Melbourne operation will be smaller … I'll concentrate on Sydney."

Cummings said a couple of his Caulfield staff were expected to follow the Patinack horses to the Price stable. In recent months, Melbourne trainer Patrick Payne fell out with Tinkler, with 30 horses leaving the former champion jockey's stable.

The Australian Jockey Club's executive director of racing, Richard Freedman, told the Herald Tinkler and his racing manager, Rick Connolly, had "preliminary discussions" about taking boxes at Warwick Farm.

"To do the job required at Warwick Farm means I would have to be here every day," Cummings said. "I owe a lot to Nathan, but also to those owners that I've had at Randwick for years, so I don't want to lose my standing out there."

Cummings had just emerged from a Racing NSW stewards' inquiry at Warwick Farm races yesterday, at which he was fined $400 for sending the wrong Patinack-owned horse to trial at Warwick Farm last Friday.Due to a delay in receiving registration cards, Cummings started Miss Cutie in a two-year-olds' trial, believing it to be Newborn. "I'm happy to pay as long as I can find out where the Christmas party is when you spend it," Cummings told stewards.

McEvoy becomes a dad

Kerrin McEvoy's winning week got better yesterday when wife Cathy gave birth to their first child, Charlie Patrick. McEvoy rode a feature-race treble at Sandown last Saturday for Darley, which employs him as stable rider. Darley's head Australian trainer, Peter Snowden, said yesterday that "both mother and baby are doing well".

McEvoy is set to ride at Ballarat today and Seymour tomorrow before taking a short break to spend time with his family.

19/11/08 Angland suspended from Warwick Farm
RACE 6: Carramar Handicap 1600m:
T Angland (Lou’s Princess) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under AR137(a) in that on straightening he permitted his mount to shifted out from behind the heels of Oui Bubbly, resulting in Heatherload being tightened onto the hindquarter of Thebe, resulting in that runner being turned in across the running of Heatherload, causing Heatherload to be checked. T Angland’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period to commence on 24 November 2008 and expire on 4 December 2008, on which day he may ride.

19/11/08 RWWA rule on jockey Daniel Staeck

RWWA Stewards yesterday concluded the inquiry into the reason for LE BON JEUNE (P. Knuckey) and WESTERN FORCE (D. Staeck) bumping and buffeting on several occasions near the 200m with LE BON JEUNE being restrained and becoming unbalanced in Race 3 the Quality Produce International Handicap (1400m) run at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday, 15 November 2008.

Further evidence was taken from Jockeys’ P. Knuckey and D. Staeck.

Jockey Daniel Staeck was found guilty to a charge of improper riding under ARR137(a) in that when riding WESTERN FORCE in Race 3 the Quality Produce International Handicap (1400m) run at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday, 15 November 2008, near the 200m, he deliberately rode his horse inwards, leaned to the nearside, raised and extended his left arm to pocket LE BON JEUNE. WESTERN FORCE and LE BON JEUNE buffeted heavily and shortly after LE BON JEUNE restrained inwards across the heels of AMIANAN (Jarrad Noske). In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of:

The seriousness of the charge
The riding of Jockey Staeck was intentional and deliberate
The dangerous position riders’ and horses’ were placed in
Jockey Staeck’s record – this being a first offence for improper riding
Personal circumstances
Jockey Daniel Staeck was suspended from riding in races for a period of two months effective immediately and to expire Saturday,17 January 2009.

18/11/08 Trio Clears Away In Bart Cummings Medal
By Mark Brassel

Leading trainer Gai Waterhouse and jockeys Corey Brown and Hugh Bowman have broken clear in Racing NSW's Bart Cummings Medal.
Gai sits on 68 points, eight points clear of Corey Brown with Hugh Bowman not far off the pace on 54 points.
Gai continues her great form, having prepared the opening two winners at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday - Turf Express and Swift Alliance.
Following the first three there is a yawning gap of 28 points to the next competitor, jockey Glyn Schofield.
However, Schofield has been the big mover coming from 10th position to now be in fourth spot. The latest point score (as at 18th November) is:-

Jockey/Trainer Points
Gai WATERHOUSE 68
Corey BROWN 60
Hugh BOWMAN 54
Glyn SCHOFIELD 26
Anthony CUMMINGS 25
Daniel GANDERTON 23
Kris LEES 22
Jeff LLOYD 22
Chris WALLER 21
Gerald RYAN 20
Kevin MOSES 19
Peter SNOWDEN 19
Nathan BERRY 15
Bart CUMMINGS 12
Kerrin McEVOY 12
Blake SHINN 12
Grant BUCKLEY 11
Dan NIKOLIC 11
David PAYNE 11
Peter ROBL 10
Tim CLARK 9
James INNES 9
Jamie QUINNELL 8
Peter WELLS 8
Paul MURRAY 7

*Participants with 7 points or more

18/11/08 Fast Facts - Ballarat BMW Ballarat Cup (2200M)

First run in 1946, notable winners of the Ballarat Cup include Western Waters (2003), Royal Caliph (1998 and 2000), Mercator (1991), Reputed (1987), Warri Symbol (1982-83), Kip (1981), Royal Symbol (1958-59) and Great Queen (1952-53).

In 1993, two years after winning the Ballarat Cup, Mercator ran third in the Melbourne Cup behind Vintage Crop. After winning the 1981 Ballarat Cup, Kip went on to win the 1982 Group 1 Australian Cup at Flemington.

Last week’s Patchwood Imports Bendigo Cup (2400m) winner Banana Man backs up again and is aiming to become the eighth horse to win both Cups in the same year. The last to complete the double was Western Waters in 2003.

This year's Ballarat Cup field includes three last start country cup winners; Kyneton Cup winner Who’s Ya Daddy, Ararat Cup winner Sylvan O’Reilly and Bendigo Cup winner Banana Man.

Four horses have won back to back Ballarat Cups with Warri Symbol being the last to complete the feat in 1982-83. The Robbie Laing-trained Sentire will aim to become the fifth horse this year.

Ballarat born and bred jockey Michelle Payne, will aim to become the first of her eight siblings to ride a Ballarat Cup winner when she partners Banana Man. Remarkably, no member of the Ballarat-based Payne family has ridden a Ballarat Cup winner.

18/11/08 Ballarat Cup draws curtain on carnival

The final feature race of the 2008 Spring Racing Carnival, the $121,000 Ballarat BMW Ballarat Cup (2200m) will be run on Wednesday and has attracted a capacity 18 horse field.

Heading the weights is 2005 BMW Caulfield Cup winner Railings; one of two Cup runners for trainer Mike Moroney. Moroney is also represented by bottom weight Deraismes, which has finished second at its past five starts.

Railings hasn’t won a race since his Caulfield Cup success but showed another win might not be too far away with a close-up fifth in the Cup Day Plate (1800m) behind Annenkov on Emirates Melbourne Cup Day.

Last week’s Patchwood Imports Bendigo Cup (2400m) winner Banana Man backs up again and is aiming to become the eighth horse to win both Cups in the same year. The last to complete the double was Western Waters in 2003.

The race also includes two other last start country cups winners; Kyneton Cup winner Who’s Ya Daddy and Ararat Cup winner Sylvan O’Reilly.

Last year’s winner Sentire will also take his place on Wednesday.

However perhaps the Cups most interesting runner is Australia’s two-time champion jumper Some Are Bent.

The Robert Smerdon-trained six-year-old has returned from a spell in stunning form.

He ran a brave first-up third behind Reputable on Schweppes Thousand Guineas Day at Caulfield and was then responsible for a herculian performance when a half-length fourth behind Who’s Ya Daddy in the Kyneton Cup.

Race 8 CLEAR 4:00 PM EST BALLARAT BMW CUP 2200 Metres $121,000.00
No. Name Jockey Wg Career Trainer Last 10 Rtg
1 railings(9) greg childs 57 39-7-4-3 Michael Moroney 0000-87-05 102
2 ista kareem(11) danny brereton 56.5 52-10-3-7 Colin Little 453103-055 101
3 tacit agreement(10) mark zahra 55 24-7-1-1 Darren Weir 7111-09-96 98
4 forest knight(2) luke nolen 54.5 61-11-6-5 Fran Houlahan & Brian Johnston 7357-03008 96
5 banana man(6) 54 14-5-2-1 Michael Kent 214-519831 95
6 sentire(14) craig williams 54 38-5-4-5 Robbie Laing 1-900-6070 95
7 who's ya daddy(3) damien oliver 54 28-4-6-3 John McArdle 5215-41241 95
8 ready to lift(17) kerrin mcevoy 53 23-6-4-0 Gerald Ryan 141-500219 95
9 keepthedreamalive(12) craig newitt 53 28-5-2-3 John Hickmott -871436115 94
10 daka's gem(1) peter mertens 53 77-14-11-5 David Brideoake 9540-72466 90
11 testa grande(15) stephen baster 53 29-4-0-7 Mark Kavanagh 157-063705 89
12 doubly sure(16) nicholas hall (a) 53 17-3-1-3 Tony Vasil 195132-004 87
13 sylvan o'reilly(7) steven vella 53 18-6-2-3 Barry James 41132-2351 87
14 britomart(4) dwayne dunn 53 23-5-1-3 Rick Hore-Lacy 1-48690903 86
15 methodical boy(13) dale smith 53 67-17-11-5 Michael O'Leary 9176481628 86
16 chiefcomingfirst(5) darren gauci 53 22-3-3-1 Bevan Laming X80-082860 76
17 some are bent(8) ben melham 53 53-12-9-5 Robert Smerdon 0041241-34 76
18 deraismes(18) dean yendall 53 17-2-5-1 Michael Moroney -090022222 72

18/11/08 Rawiller ripe for Railway return
by Ernie Manning

MELBOURNE jockey Brad Rawiller is confident his group 1 warhorse Niconero will be hard to beat in Saturday's $1 million Carlton Draught Railway Stakes - and is aiming to make the Perth carnival his launching pad for a lucrative international campaign.

Rawiller yesterday said his glamour mount, Weekend Hussler, was booked to race overseas and he would retain a booking on him.

Trainer Ross McDonald is aiming Weekend Hussler for the World Cup meeting in Dubai in March.

Rawiller, who plans to ride at all the main Ascot carnival meetings, also has a strong affinity with David Hayes's $1.8m stakes-earner, Niconero. The seven-year-old ran third in the Railway Stakes and won the Fruit 'N' Veg Stakes when Rawiller rode him at Ascot's carnival two years ago.

"The horse … absolutely thrives at Ascot," Rawiller said. "I worked him this morning and he felt as good as when here in 2006." Hayes has booked Perth jockey Brad Parnham to ride the stable's No.2 Railway runner, The Fuzz, one of eight interstate acceptors.

17/11/08 Melbourne Racing Club's Betfair deal is unfair

The Victorian Off Course Agents Association (VOCAA) wish to express its disappointment with the announcement this week of a sponsorship deal between Betfair and the Melbourne Racing Club.
As proprietors of Victoria’s network of local TAB Agencies VOCAA feels that the decades of effort in supporting all codes of Wagering and their participating clubs has been undermined by this self centered decision. Its ninety four member agents and their hundreds of staff fear their small businesses may eventually be lost through harmful disunity within the racing industry.
The Victorian Racing Industry rightfully can boast that it provides the best racing product in Australia and that position is, in no small part, due to the strength of the joint venture between the racing industry and Tabcorp.
Comments attributed to Melbourne Racing Club CEO Warran Brown saying, “We don’t see Betfair as being in opposition to Tabcorp” are naive and show a distinct lack of understanding of the industry.
VOCAA acknowledges the rights of an individual racing club to obtain sponsorships outside the parameters of the joint venture. VOCAA does however question the wisdom of potentially jeopardising the far greater benefits of the massive levels of funding that is provided constantly through Tabcorp. Currently Tabcorp contributes more than one hundred times the amount of funding to race clubs than all corporate bookmakers combined.
VOCAA sees that a racing industry without a major all round contributor such as Tabcorp, if that was to happen would mean the loss of the vital agency network that connects the race clubs with their bread and butter clients.
Any introduction of new funding partners must be on an equal basis to promote true and fair competition. That is the level of takeout from betting turnover to be contributed to the racing industry by Tabcorp, Corporate Bookmakers and Betting Exchanges must be consistent for all parties.

17/11/08 Shinn express is westward bound
by John Schell

STILL basking in the glory of a Melbourne Cup victory, Sydney's leading jockey Blake Shinn heads to Perth this week to ride for the first time in the $1 million Railway Stakes.

Shinn will partner the Gai Waterhouse-trained Epsom Handicap runner-up Bank Robber in Saturday's Ascot feature, and the 21-year-old jockey said he was looking forward to the experience.

"I'm very excited," Shinn said yesterday. "It will be my first time riding in Perth, and it is a big carnival that will be good to be a part of.

"Having a good ride in a $1m race is great, and to be going there for Gai Waterhouse and ride a Star Thoroughbreds horse makes it even better."

Shinn has been aboard Bank Robber in four of its five wins from just nine starts, and the gelding ran well when a last-start fourth to All Silent in the Emirates Stakes at Flemington on the final day of Melbourne Cup week.

"Bank Robber's Emirates run was very good," Shinn said. "It was his first run for a month, and he is only going to improve on it.

"It was also his first time going the Melbourne way of going, and that's the same way they race in Perth, so the experience that way is only going to do him the world of good."

Bank Robber is expected to gallop on the course proper at Ascot tomorrow morning, along with the likes of Marasco, Rightfully Yours and Sniper's Bullet, at the Breakfast with the Stars session.

West Australian star Marasco's part-owner Judith Kersley, wife of the horse's trainer Fred Kersley, said the six-year-old was likely to run in the Railway Stakes despite the gelding's weight of 57.5 kilograms being a "big concern"."The concern is not so much what he is carrying but more so what the others aren't carrying," Judith Kersley said. "The horse is going well but the record shows that horses just don't carry more than 55.5kg and win the Railway."

Willie Pike is expected to ride Marasco, which was a last-start winner of the Lee Steere Stakes. Pike partnered the Joe Janiak-trained star sprinter Takeover Target in an exhibition gallop at Ascot at the weekend in which it comfortably beat Australian sprinter of the year Apache Cat.

Takeover Target and Apache Cat are due to clash in the Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot on November 29, with regular rider Jay Ford returning from Singapore to ride Takeover Target.

Michael Rodd, who was the star jockey of the Melbourne spring, will partner the Tracey Bartley-trained NSW raider Sniper's Bullet in the Railway Stakes. Rodd plans on taking a holiday with partner Cara following his trip to Ascot for the Railway but Shinn said there would be no stopping him with a trip to Japan looming.

"I'm off to Japan on the 30th of this month to get ready to ride there on the 5th and 6th of December in a world riders' series," Shinn said. "That will be a good experience for me, too. I've never ridden there before so I can't wait for that trip to come around."Shinn said that after he returned from Japan his attention would turn towards the Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast in January where he is confident Waterhouse, for whom he is stable rider, will play a big hand.

"Gai has got some nice horses on target for the Magic Millions," Shinn said. "Millennium Express, which won her only start late last season, is being aimed at the Magic Millions Trophy [for three-year-olds], while Horizons looks to be a good two-year-old and she will go to the Magic Millions Classic. Apart from those two, Gai's team is looking strong all over so it is going to be an exciting time."

Shinn isn't the only Australian jockey set to take part in overseas riding events over the next month with two-time Melbourne Cup winner Damien Oliver off on his own world tour.

Oliver returns from a careless riding suspension on Wednesday and will bypass the Perth carnival to instead travel to South Africa on Saturday.

"I've got a big few weeks ahead, and it will be good to get back into things," Oliver said yesterday. "I go to South Africa for a week and then Mauritius for another week before rounding out the trip with a week in Hong Kong for international week there.

"I'll be riding in world jockeys' challenges in each country so will be hoping for a bit of luck. The Hong Kong jockeys' series has been good to me before so it would be nice to make an impact again there."

Tinkler looks to Warwick Farm
by John Schell November 17, 2008
NATHAN TINKLER'S Patinack Farm operation is in the process of securing up to 140 boxes at Warwick Farm racecourse.

Australian Jockey Club executive director of racing Richard Freedman said yesterday Tinkler and his racing manager Rick Connolly had "preliminary discussions" with the AJC about setting up another training base.

Tinkler has his horses spread around several trainers, including Anthony Cummings at Randwick and Jason Coyle at Broadmeadow. Both of those trainers are tipped to be under consideration to prepare a Patinack team at Warwick Farm.

"We've had discussions with Nathan Tinkler and Rick Connolly about them taking a significant number of boxes at Warwick Farm but it is only early stages at the moment," Freedman said. "I wouldn't know who would be training the Patinack horses at Warwick Farm if they proceeded to secure some stables there."

16/11/08 Caymans all class in Sandown Guineas win
by Patrick Bartley at Sandown

SYDNEY three-year old Caymans yesterday ended a luckless Melbourne spring carnival when he won the group 2, $350,000 Sandown Guineas.

The strength of the win could underpin a successful autumn carnival for the youngster, with trainer Peter Snowden confident the gelding can be competitive at the highest level next year."He's a very nice horse whose just had little luck and he's really just been finding his way," Snowden said. "We always knew he had plenty of class.

"Sure, he's been wayward, and I put a tongue tie on him today because the other day he just sort of locked his jaw when he came to the turn and that ruined all his chances."

A warmly supported $3.20 favourite, Caymans stormed down the outside to win but again showed his customary greenness by running in sharply with 100 metres to go.

"He went pretty crooked in the last 200m but he's a big boy with a big frame to build into, and it will be exciting when he is at his peak," jockey Kerrin McEvoy said.

"It is basically just raw talent, and Peter has trained him to perfection. I think we'll probably see the best of Caymans next autumn."

Snowden said Caymans would be set for next year's Canterbury and Rosehill Guineas after yesterday's impressive victory."Look, his last run was totally out of character, and the tongue tie has probably made all the difference, but he's slowly learning and I think he's a high-quality horse.

"I'm just not sure whether he'd make a race like the Australian Derby, but those lead-up races in the Guineas will be perfect for him. He'll go away now for a spell and he'll come back hopefully for a successful autumn."

It was a successful day for Snowden, as earlier he had scored with three-year old filly Yesterday in the Le Pine Funeral Stakes (1400m).

Caymans scored by a 1¾ lengths from Marveen,, with Lucky Thunder 2¼ lengths away in third.Marveen dashed up on the inside and looked the winner with 100m to go but she was unable to stave off the finishing burst of the winner.

The unlucky runner of the race was Lucky Thunder, which seemed to be baulked for a run with 200m to go. It seemed the early pacemakers might have hampered the horse's winning burst, and the three-year old's trainer, Danny O'Brien, said it had been a disappointing outcome."I've had him set for this race all spring and it's disappointing for something like that to happen, especially as this was his clear spring target," O'Brien said.Stokehouse and Arjuna set a muddling early pace and the pair moved away at the top of the straight. Once placed under pressure they both struggled.Caymans is likely to be spelled, as will Lucky Thunder. A final decision on Marveen, however, will be made early next week.

Classic Rodd shows plenty of zip at the right time
by Patrick Bartley at Sandown
November 16, 2008

ONE of Australia's most powerful owners, Lloyd Williams, yesterday told jockey Michael Rodd not to "panic" before his veteran weight-for-age galloper Zipping claimed the $350,000 Sandown Classic.Rodd showed nerves of steel in a tough situation as Zipping, still lengths off the leading division with 300 metres to go, grabbed victory right on the line.

The favourite looked anything but his $2 quote when Douro Valley hit the lead in the last 60 metres."I told Michael I'm not going to over-instruct you, the horse does have some flat spots, so be patient, you know his best work is always late and there's a 550 metre run in at Sandown," Williams said.

"Use your judgement, and then work him into the race when you feel confident."Zipping had his chances ruined in this year's Melbourne Cup when he struck severe interference during the running, before finishing ninth.

"It was very sad - that was his chance," Williams said.

"He ran home in better sectionals than most horses in the race, but that's how racing goes."

Zipping will now be spelled and is likely to have only one start in the autumn before being set for a spring campaign."I think we will do a Fields Of Omagh," Williams said. "He kept running in Cox Plates till he got older, and Zipping will be eight next year and we'll specifically look at that race."For Rodd, it was a lucky break, as Danny Nikolic, who rode Zipping in the Melbourne Cup, was suspended last week, as was stable jockey Steven Arnold."I was a little bit concerned the way the pace of the race was," Rodd said. "There were few in front of me that I didn't think would be there, but he's a wonderful horse who's best part of the race is his final furlong."Lloyd reminded me that Zipping knows Sandown very well, as he's had many gallops there, so I had a bit on my side. But I must say the only time in the straight that I was generally confident was right on the line.

"I looked across when we hit the line and I could see my body was ahead of James's [Winks] and I know he's got a big long neck on him, Zipping, so I was pretty confident that we'd got the money."

Bookmakers took a set against the horse yesterday, pushing the seven-year-old's price from $1.90 to $2.15 before it firmed at the close of betting to $2.05.

Connections of the runner-up, Douro Valley, hope to take their horse to Hong Kong next month and would have been pleased with his performance.

Douro Valley ($11) was in second spot until the home turn when he rolled to the front and beat off earlier pacemaker Red Ruler. The gelding looked set for victory until Zipping arrived to score.

Red Ruler, which started at $7.50, fought on tenaciously in the straight but could not withstand the pressure in the final 30 metres and finished a brave third.

Coniston Bluebird impressive at Rosehill
November 16, 2008

PROMISING stayer Coniston Bluebird was a popular winner at Rosehill yesterday, both with punters and his trainer, Bede Murray.Heavily supported from $3.70 to his starting price of $2.80, Coniston Bluebird sustained a powerful finishing run to win the Nivea Visage Handicap (1500m) by a half-neck from Togha.

Coniston Bluebird is a son of Scenic, the sire of Melbourne Cup winner Viewed and Murray's 2001 AJC Australian Derby winner Universal Prince, and the win was his second from 11 starts."I thought about taking him to Melbourne for the Sandown Guineas but decided this was a better option," Murray said.

"The autumn will be his time. I never intended to go further in distance this spring."He is still maturing and this was a nice win today."

Earlier, Sequinella ($8) made up for a frustrating run of outs when she claimed her first win since January in the Bacardi Breezer Handicap (1800m).

The David Payne-trained mare was given a heady ride by apprentice Daniel Ganderton, who brought her up the inside of the track to beat $2 favourite Raise by three-quarters of a length.Payne is holidaying in his native South Africa, leaving foreman Chris O'Carrigan to celebrate."A few things have gone wrong for her but her consistency has finally paid off," O'Carrigan said.

"She has been in training for about eight months and likes this track, so today was her day."

Sequinella has won three of her 24 starts and has eight minor placings to her name.
Meanwhile, promising youngster Big Tony looks set to give Caloundra trainer Trevor Miller his first runner in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast in January following a commanding win at Eagle Farm yesterday.Big Tony led throughout to hold off his challengers for a 1.5 length win over Craiglea Scorcher in the Bill Mullen Handicap (1000m).

Winning jockey Ken Pope was full of praise for the Antonious Pius colt, which led on a long rein before the home turn before he started to feel the pinch 100m out.

"He's got a lot of improvement but he kept fighting, which is the main thing," Pope said.Big Tony will now have a short break before Miller gives him one more run ahead of the Magic Millions Classic (1200m) on January 10."This is still his first preparation after he was broken in, so he's done a good job," Miller said. "I've never had many two-year-olds good enough for the Magic Millions and he'll be my first one if everything goes to plan."

Big Tony was bought for $40,000 at last year's Magic Millions yearling sale by Brisbane businessman Sel Guy, who races the colt with a syndicate of six.

Miller agreed with Pope's assessment after the victory and has no doubts Big Tony will run further.

"He's got a lot of improvement to come and he's not a 1000-metre horse and will get a lot further," he said. "He's got a long way to go yet, though."Big Tony was having only his second start after being beaten by almost five lengths when making his debut - he came fourth to Powerful Light over 1010m at Doomben a fortnight ago."He should nearly have won his first start," Miller said. "He was very unlucky. He jumped too quickly at Doomben and got down on his nose after he knuckled over."

Mudgee's marvel does it again
by John Schell at Rosehill
November 16, 2008

A TEAM of owners from Mudgee roared in the mounting yard as their horse Theophorus made it three wins on the trot in the PCS Australia/NEC Handicap yesterday.The Gary Nickson-trained Theophorus ($3.70 favourite) made it win No.7 from just 10 starts when rocketing home out wide in a fast-run under jockey Rod Quinn.Nickson's nephew Daniel was on track representing his uncle and declared the best was to come from Theophorus, which may be set for the Villiers at Randwick next month.

"He just keeps improving, keeps stepping up to the mark," Nickson said. "It's good for the owners, they are a good group of people, and it's good for Gary [Nickson] too."

Theophorus scored at Warwick Farm when second-up from a spell this preparation then backed up with a Rosehill win two weeks ago.

"The owners follow him everywhere," Nickson said.

"They are all Mudgee boys and they never miss a race. They are very loyal to their horse."

Theophorus's regular rider, the sidelined Mark Lister, thinks the gelding is "better ridden from behind"."He showed today that he can come from back off a fast pace but, in saying that, he is a versatile type of horse that can also race on the speed," Nickson said.

Quinn was impressed with Theophorus, which came away to win by a length from Strat's Flyer ($6.50), with Testimonial ($6.50) 1¾ lengths further astern in third."He's a winner, this horse," Quinn said.

16/11/08 Debut Win for Turf Express

Exciting prospect Turf Express (2c Danehill Dancer x Newscaster, by Marscay) will be given one more start before being put away for the autumn after making a winning debut at Rosehill on Saturday.

Having been hyped as among the Gai Waterhouse stable’s best, the colt was sent to the post a very short-priced favourite and, after giving his supporters brief cause for concern, was too strong in winning the open juvenile event over 1100 metres by three quarters of a length from Icedginger (2f Tale of The Cat x Broccacia, by Brocco).

“In a few months this will be a good Golden Slipper form race,” said Waterhouse afterwards.

“What I love about him is even when he had every excuse to be beaten – he found again and that’s the sign of a good two-year-old, he excites me.

“There is still plenty of improvement in the colt and I’ll probably run him again and then put him away for the autumn.”

Raced by his breeder, Henry Cojuangco, brother to Gooree Stud boss Eduardo, Turf Express is the second foal of the moderately performed Marscay mare Newscaster who has since produced a Choisir yearling filly but was not served last season.

He was the second juvenile winner of the season for Danehill Dancer, who also has the promising Dancescape, placed in all three starts at stakes level in Victoria.

14/11/08 Change in distance to Mornington Cup
Mornington Racing Club has increased the distance of its feature race - the T’Gallant Mornington Cup - to 2400m.
By increasing the distance of the $200,000 T’Gallant Mornington Cup by 400m, winning horses will now pass the ballot clause for the Melbourne
Cup, which is winning a Listed race of 2300m or further.
“The increase in distance will provide up and coming horses with the perfect avenue to qualify for the Melbourne Cup,” Mornington Racing
Club Chairman Rod Fenwick said.
“The quality of our Cup fields has been exceptional in recent years and this creates another reason for trainers to target our feature race.”
The T’Gallant Mornington Cup will kick start the proposed Summer Staying Series that will feature a minimum of three races of 2400m or more, each
carrying prizemoney of $150,000 or more.
"We're looking at whether we join the Mornington Cup, Night Cup and Roy Higgins Quality so at least a horse can come out of the autumn fully
qualified and having enough weight to gain a run in the Melbourne Cup," Racing Victoria Limited General Manager Racing Operations Leigh
Jordon said.
The 2009 T’Gallant Mornington Cup Race Day will be held on Wednesday 18 February 2009 and is one of the largest race meetings outside of the
metropolitan area. With attendances of up to 18,000 people and prizemoney of more than $420,000 on offer for the day, the T’Gallant Mornington Cup Race Day has become a must attend event on the Victorian racing calendar.
For more information, please contact the Chief Executive of the Mornington Racing Club Fraser Bayne on 03 5975 3310 or visit www.mrc.net.au

14/11/08 Gear change boosts Caymans hopes
by John Schell

PAUL SNOWDEN is confident a change of gear for wayward gelding Caymans will pay off in Saturday's $350,000 Sandown Guineas.

Snowden is in charge of the Melbourne stables of his father Peter Snowden, who is head trainer for Darley and based in Sydney.

"Caymans is as good as gold," Paul Snowden said on Thursday.

"We've added a bit of gear to him to try and get him to mend his ways. A tongue-tie should do the trick."

Caymans was sent out as one of the top chances in the Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington two weeks ago when ridden by Corey Brown, but the three-year-old hung out badly throughout and finished fourth behind Dr Doutes.

"We don't understand why he did what he did in that race," Snowden said. "He has never given any indication of doing it in his work or in his previous races.

"The tongue-tie will help him, and the horse is very fit and most importantly has drawn a good gate which is what we were after."

Stable jockey Kerrin McEvoy returns from a careless-riding suspension to partner Caymans and will also be aboard the Snowden-prepared Marching in the Sandown Stakes.

Marching was unlucky when ninth behind Sea Battle in the Jayco Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley at his latest start when he struck severe interference.

"The horse is in top order but is just racing without luck," Snowden said.

"He should have run first or second the other day but just never got clear.

"We thought he would have been a chance in the Emirates [Stakes] last weekend, but he was fourth emergency and never got a start. So we are out for a consolation prize on Saturday."

Snowden's only concern with Marching is the outside gate of 11.

"The horse must have done something to someone, he just can't draw an alley," Snowden said.

Sparingly raced filly Yesterday represents the Snowden team in the Le Pine Funerals Stakes and a forward showing is predicted.

"She ran a good third to a subsequent group 1 winner in Northern Meteor when she resumed at Randwick then we brought her to Melbourne and she was on the wrong side of the track, the outside which was slower, in a straight race at Flemington over the carnival," Snowden said.

"She ran well to get third that day and the step up to 1400m looks perfect for her this weekend."

Stable veteran Posadas is Snowden's other runner at Sandown, in the Kevin Heffernan Stakes."He has drawn barrier one and will be ridden positively out of the gates," Snowden said. "He hasn't won yet this campaign. He always seems to win at least one race a preparation so we are hoping this is it."

Pride ready to mark Warwick Farm shift with winning run
by John Schell
November 14, 2008

THE early morning travel from Randwick to Warwick Farm and back again is over for trainer Joseph Pride.

Pride and his wife Kylie bought a property at Warwick Farm and the move was completed this week.

"It was driving me mad, the travel," Pride said.

The trainer heads to Rosehill on Saturday with Raise running in the Bacardi Breezer Handicap and Michelin Star in the TAB.Mobi Handicap. Luigi The Brave runs in the first at Kembla Grange.

"Should be a good day," Pride said. "Raise has been pretty unlucky this preparation, nothing has gone her way, hasn't drawn an alley but she has one on Saturday.

"Michelin Star has had three runs back, placed twice, she is ready to do her best and has won at Rosehill before."

Luigi The Brave was purchased by Pride on behalf of a group of mates. "Very expensive horse, too, he cost $9000," Pride joked. "We've had to wait a long time, but he has grown into a nice horse and we should have some fun with him."

Moses adopts new boy

Kevin Moses has no doubt North Coast youngster Jamie Quinnell has a future in the saddle. The pair combine again at Rosehill on Saturday, and Moses expects My Sweet Cookie to sprint well fresh in the Jacob's Creek Sparkling Handicap.

The duo combined to win with Causeyacan at Randwick last Saturday and debutant Mine In Time continued the victory roll at Canterbury on Wednesday.

"I really, really like him [Quinnell]," Moses said. "He spent a few days with me. I like his attitude, like his work ethic, the other thing is you can have a joke with him."

Quinnell, who turns 19 in a couple of weeks, started the apprenticeship with his father Phil at Ballina but needed to join a bigger stable and moved to Coffs Harbour trainer Brett Bellamy before linking with Moses.

"Kev is great, gives me a go, I couldn't ask for a better boss," Quinnell said. "Hopefully, I can end up making it here and end up living in Sydney."

Mazuka well placed

Gerald Ryan has opted to start Mazuka in the Nivea Visage Handicap at Rosehill after nominating the three-year-old for four races at Rosehill on Saturday.

"We can get Blake Shinn for him," the trainer said in regard to the latest Melbourne Cup-winning jockey. "I went through the races and thought this one suited him."

Opposing Mazuka will be stablemate Sta Volando. "He [Sta Volando] has always had good ability but has been a bit wayward," Ryan said. "He goes up a kilogram for running second in a four-horse race last start."

Another dual nomination was Blackbriar and Ryan has accepted in the Rosehill Gardens Event Centre Handicap.

"I've freshened him up," Ryan said. "I always thought he would run a mile but I found out last start that he doesn't.

"He has never run up to what he has shown at home on the track. Maybe I was training him the wrong way, I'll train him as a sprinter now."

Ryan's Rosehill-based stable has been enjoying a solid run of late and the trainer is confident it can continue. In the opening event, Ryan will start Miss Vee. Tommifrancs and Flaming will contest the PCS Australia/NEC Handicap.

"Tommifrancs spelled in Queensland and has had two trials," Ryan said. "He had an interrupted program last time, kept striking wet tracks. The first time he got a good one he won the Wagga Cup."Flaming ran very good first-up from a long break but was then very disappointing. He is down in weight with the claim for Kody Nestor and we'll roll forward over the 1500 metres."

Equable goes around in the TAB.Mobi Handicap and Ryan is warming to the galloper's chances. "Ran into Fist Of Fury first-up and hasn't had much luck at its past two," he said.

Dracs back on track

Dracs Back returns to racing at Sandown on Saturday. The one-time cups contender will start for new trainer Rebecca Standen, who takes over from the Ballarat-based Darren Weir.

Standen's parents Leann Lupson and Steve Standen purchased Dracs Back for $10,000 as a weanling. The now seven-year-old has won six from 24 starts and placed eight times for winnings of $252,925.

"It will be too short for him but he's come back very well and we'll be looking for him to finish off," Standen said.

13/11/08 Can Zipping win another Classic ?

Trainer John Sadler and owner Lloyd Williams will be hoping grand galloper Zipping can finally enjoy a change of luck this spring, in Saturday’s Group 2 Sandown Classic (2400m).

The seven-year-old, chasing back-to-back wins in the Classic, finished second in the Tatts Cox Plate behind Maldivian, a race which jockey Danny Nikolic claimed he should have won, before finishing an unlucky ninth in the Emirates Melbourne Cup.

Zipping was also placed in the Group 1 Patinack Turnbull Stakes earlier in the spring.

Only one horse has won the Sandown Classic twice and that was Second Wind in 1930-31.

Zipping will be ridden on Saturday by the star of the spring, Michael Rodd, who re-unites with the Sadler-Williams camp after winning last year’s Melbourne Cup on Efficient.

This year’s Sandown Classic looms as a much tougher assignment for Zipping that twelve months ago.

Among his rivals are Group 1 Yalumba Stakes winner Douro Valley, outstanding New Zealand gallopers Boundless, Red Ruler and last Saturday’s impressive Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Capecover, and consistent locals Light Vision and Baughurst.

Trainer Danny O'Brien is eyeing a trip to Hong Kong with Douro Valley should he win on Saturday.

Saturday’s other feature is the Group 2 Betfair Sandown Guineas (1600m) for three-year-old’s

Champion trainer David Hayes has two runners including impressive last-start Flemington winner Stokehouse.

13/11/08 Banana Man wins Bendigo Cup
Jockey Michelle Payne has continued a wonderful family tradition, winning the Patchwood Imports Bendigo Cup (2400m) aboard Banana Man.

Payne followed in the footsteps of her sister Therese and brother Patrick to guide the Mick Kent-trained stayer to a heart-stopping win over Imvula and Butwaitheresmore.

“It’s great. I don’t think I was even born when Therese won on dad's horse but it’s great to win,” said Payne.

Therese won the 1987 Bendigo Cup on Flying Eskimo and that success was followed by Patrick’s win aboard Ice Doctor in 1994.

Banana Man prevailed in a tight photo finish to announce himself as a stayer of the future, while Imvula was again relegated to the runner-up position after finishing second behind Mandela in the Werribee Cup at his previous start.

“I did actually (think he’d won), I just had to keep him going, keep persisting. He toughed it out well,” said Payne.

Banana Man was backing up from his third behind Road To Rock at Flemington last Saturday.

“He’s very backward and will be even better next year. We’ve done our best with him,” said Payne.

Banana Man's win completed a race-to-race double for the Payne-Kent combination, who also scored in similarly narrow circumstances with Cheddington.

Mott tests positive for cocaine
November 13, 2008

JOCKEY Jamie Mott has landed in trouble again following two recent costly weighing indiscretions with the 20-year-old yesterday informed he must attend an inquiry into a positive drug test for cocaine.

The in-form rider, who last month won the group 3 David Jones Cup at Caulfield on Baughurst, has been stood down from riding for more than a week after the initial test of a urine sample last month was positive. He gave the sample at the Horsham races on October 19. The analyst reported the presence of Benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.

Hopwood emerges victorious in first shot at the big time
by Craig Young
November 13, 2008

SHEIK MOHAMMED'S famed Darley colours had the heart of South Australian apprentice Libby Hopwood beating fast.

The Sheik's trainer, Peter Snowden, legged Hopwood aboard Norteno in the final race at Canterbury yesterday, and her mind was racing. "I had to pinch myself," she said. "It is phenomenal … I was giggling on the flight over."

Hopwood arrived from South Australia and carted off the second leg of the National Apprentice Series. It was a daring ride, too. Norteno struck trouble throughout the race but Hopwood stuck to the rails and secured a run to victory inside the final 100 metres.

Left in her wake was West Australian apprentice Chloe Chatfield on Bentley Ess while Mitch Beadman finished third on The Fangsta. Asked what Snowden had said to her on dismounting, she replied: "Well done. Coming from Peter Snowden, I'll take that any day."

Snowden thought Hopwood's effort was tremendous, with the trainer pointing out the youngster had not been to Sydney before, had not ridden at Canterbury and not ridden a race in the clockwise direction.

Hopwood admitted to stumbling into race riding. She was working for trainer Michael O'Leary, and one morning the stable was short a work rider so Hopwood jumped on board. "I was a stable hand, trying to get some money for uni," she said.

She intended studying archaeology and forensic science at university, and admitted: "Now I'm picking up horse poo." But the jockey caper has resulted in 42 winners, with the youngster having just over two years to go on her apprenticeship.

Hopwood takes advice from South Australia's leading jockey Clare Lindop, who last Saturday week became the first woman to ride a Victoria Derby winner when scoring on the $101 shot Rebel Raider. Hopwood reckons Lindop has been known to give fellow female jockeys a cuff around the ear when they talk about women not being given a fair go in the racing game.

The advice from Lindop amounts to: get off your butt and do some work. Hopwood admitted to being "stuck in a little Adelaide zone" when the call came through on Monday that she was riding for the Sheik. "I couldn't believe it," she said.

Asked when she would be returning to Sydney, the apprentice replied: "I'm riding for Peter Snowden next week!"

Fellow apprentice Daniel Ganderton, who was lured from Tasmania by Gai Waterhouse, did not have a ride in the invitational race but rode the winner of the first, hotpot Rangirangdoo, although his ride earned a reprimand from stewards. Four races later, Ganderton was found guilty of careless riding on Inspired Choice and suspended for a week. Senior steward Allan Reardon was on the panel that outed Ganderton but won't be as of next month.

The 56-year-old former Queensland Racing chief steward is joining Racing Victoria on January 5 as the deputy chief to Terry Bailey

"I don't get too thrilled but I'm excited about the move," Reardon said yesterday.

12/11/08 'Mum's The Word' For Karalee At Wyong
By Grahame Timbrell

Mother-to-be, Karalee, will be on trial for a trip to Brisbane when she starts in the CAD Group Class Two (1100m) at Wyong tomorrow (Thursday).

Karalee, a daughter of O'Reilly, is in foal to Choisir but connections would like to see her win another race and more particularly, a Black Type race before she is retired.

She came close when a half neck second to Throne Inn in the Group Three-Birthday Card (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens in April and soon after was switched to Kris Lees at Newcastle.

She was sent to him to be specifically set for the Dark Jewel at Scone but she was a disappointing 13th and retired to be sent to stud.

However, it was later decided to put her back into work and aim at one of the fillies and mares races during the summer series in Brisbane.

Karalee resumed with an eighth in the Hurricane at Newcastle in September, was despatched to stud then returned to continue her racing career for a short time. She has not started since.

"The trip to Brisbane hinges on how she goes at Wyong," Lees said. "She can be inconsistent and she does have a lot of weight so this will be a good test."

Karalee has 62kg and apprentice Blake Spriggs has been engaged to take advantage of his 3kg claim. If Karalee races as well as Lees hopes, she will go north for the Listed-Carlton Draught Classic (1200m) for fillies and mares at Eagle Farm on November 29.

If she wins she may well stay in Brisbane for another leg of the summer series: "She has only just gone into foal so we have a bit of time before she has to finally be retired," Lees said.

12/11/08 Owners - World Youth Day Compensation

Racing NSW is pleased to advise that owners of horses trained by Randwick trainers which were relocated to other training facilities as a result of World Youth Day are to receive a credit of $700 per horse.

Racing NSW has separately paid specific expenses such as transport costs for World Youth Day relocation to avoid those costs being passed through to owners. This additional credit recognises the disruption caused by the relocation to training preparation of those horses.

The arrangements have been developed by Racing NSW working with Mr Stephen van Eyk and the NSW Racehorse Owners Association and following consultation with the NSW Trainers Association.

The credit will be funded from the World Youth Day Compensation Fund administered by Racing NSW.

Payments are being made from that fund to Randwick trainers, who are to either pay or credit the allowance to the owners of the eligible horses. The terms attaching to the payment require that the benefit be passed on to owners within one month.

Horses Eligible for the Credit

The credit allowance of $700 per horse (approximately one week's training fees) is being paid for:-

• each horse which was in work at Randwick and was relocated by a Randwick trainer to the Randwick trainer's primary alternative training venue (i.e. Warwick Farm, Rosehill, Hawkesbury or Sunshine Coast) on or about 13 June 2008 at the start of the World Youth Day relocation period;

• each horse which was in work at the Randwick trainer's primary alternative training venue and which was relocated with the trainer back to Randwick in late August 2008 at the end of the World Youth Day relocation period.

If a horse falls in both categories (i.e. it was relocated from Randwick at the start of the relocation period and back to Randwick at the end) the allowance is payable for both relocations, making the total allowance for that horse $1,400.

In general, other than stable ponies (in respect of which no allowance is payable), a horse will be eligible for the allowance if, but only if, the Randwick trainer was reimbursed by Racing NSW from the World Youth Day compensation fund for the transport costs of relocating the horse.

12/11/08 Peter Wells Inquiry (Penrickson) - Adjourned

Racing NSW Stewards today continued an inquiry into the reasons for Apprentice Peter Wells, rider of third placegetter, Penrickson, returning to scale 1 kilogram below his allotted weight, which resulted in Penrickson being disqualified from this event.

Evidence today was taken from licensed trainer Mr Graeme Rogerson, stable foreperson Ms E. McMahon, Apprentice Peter Wells, Clerk of Scales Mr Liam Prior and Hawkesbury Race Club's official starter, Mr B. Evans.

A charge under AR143(b) was issued against Apprentice Wells in that, after failing to verify his weight at scale when weighing out for this event, he then returned to scale 1 kilogram below his allotted weight of 59.5 kilograms.

The inquiry was adjourned to a date to be fixed to allow Mr Rogerson, who represented App. Peter Wells at this inquiry, to seek further advice in relation to the charge.

12/11/08 A new era in Tasmanian racing

A new Tasmanian Racing Board and Integrity Assurance Board will be formed under legislation to be introduced in State Parliament today to reform Tasmania’s racing industry.

The Minister for Racing, Michael Aird, said the racing industry, both nationally and internationally, had changed dramatically in recent years and the reforms would allow the industry in Tasmania to grow and flourish.

“The racing industry wants change and to do nothing has the potential to hamstring the industry to the point where it will stagnate,” Mr Aird said.

“The Government has listened as the industry has told us that from both a commercial and integrity perspective it must adapt and evolve in order to grow.

“The proposed governance reform will deliver a framework that fundamentally strengthens both the commercial and integrity sides of Tasmanian racing.

“It will position the industry to overcome the inter-code rivalry that has constrained commercial development for decades and help pursue a clear and unified vision.

“Racing is on the verge of an exciting new era and these reforms will provide the industry with a new level of business and customer focus, which will see the development of better products with greater appeal to punters locally, nationally and globally.”

Mr Aird said under the Racing Regulation Amendment (Governance Reform) Bill 2008 a new Tasmanian Racing Board will take over the powers and functions of TOTE Tasmania in relation to governance and administration.

“The seven-member Tasmanian Racing Board will allow the racing industry to take control of its own destiny and will be an independent, skills-based commercial board,” he said.

“It will develop a vision and plan to sell Tasmanian racing to new and emerging markets and make decisions in the best interests of the entire industry.

“The three racing code councils will be abolished with their existing powers and functions transferred to the new Board and the Director of Racing.”

Mr Aird said under the reforms an Integrity Assurance Board would also be created to adjudicate appeals arising from the statutory decisions of the Director of Racing.

“In performing its functions as an independent statutory authority, the Integrity Assurance Board will deliver better checks and balances in the regulatory process as they relate to the integrity and probity of the industry,” he said.

Mr Aird said there would be no change to the present funding arrangements of the industry.

“I can assure the industry that there will be no change to the present funding arrangements.

The Government is committed to providing funding to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the State’s racing industry.

“Over the next 12 months, a long-term funding model, which also looks to future capital requirements, will be developed in close consultation with industry and TOTE.”

He said the industry was keen for the new Tasmanian Racing Board to become a State-owned company and that would happen as soon as practicable.

“The industry has identified that a State-owned company may be a more appropriate model for the Tasmanian Racing Board in the longer term, given its strong commercial focus.”

If approved by Parliament the new racing governance reforms will be effective from 1 January 2009.

12/11/08 Munce back in the saddle at Randwick
by John Schell and Kim Ruscoe

CHRIS MUNCE returned to trackwork at Randwick yesterday after nearly two years out of the saddle, riding five horses in work for top trainer Gai Waterhouse.

Munce said he had "pulled up good as gold", adding: "It was all right, pretty good, in fact.

"I punched a few around and I actually surprised myself. I was not sore at all when I finished the morning. I expected to be a lot worse than I am now."

Munce was released from prison last month after serving a 20-month sentence for conspiracy to accept financial advantages while riding in Hong Kong, where he was hugely successful.

He will front Hong Kong Jockey Club stewards next Monday via a video link at the offices of Racing NSW in Sydney, where he will answer 36 charges in relation to breaking racing's rules, with most concerning the banned practice of jockeys betting on races.

Munce said he planned to ride in barrier trials next week but had no firm date set for his return to race riding, as that depends on how the HKJC stewards' inquiry unfolds.

"Naturally, it will take some time for me to get my race condition back but, in saying that, I'm sure I will come to hand very quickly," he said. "I've been keeping very fit, so it is just a matter of getting the race fitness back now by riding plenty of work and trials."

Meanwhile, top New Zealand jockey Lisa Cropp would be dead if she had taken the amount of methamphetamine indicated by a race-day drug test, a forensic scientist has told racing's Judicial Control Authority.

Cropp allegedly tested positive for the illegal drug known as "P" in a random test at Te Rapa racecourse, Hamilton, on May 5, 2005.A long-running hearing to decide her guilt has been stalled several times, last time while she unsuccessfully appealed against the legality of her test.

The Supreme Court ruled on June 17 this year that the test was valid, and the hearing resumed last month, with Cropp giving evidence before a two-man tribunal.

Cropp denies taking the drug, attempting to avoid providing a urine sample to race authorities and trying to foil the results.

The hearing resumed yesterday, with Cropp's lawyer, Antony Shaw, calling expert witnesses to give evidence on her behalf.

Forensic scientist Ronald Couch, who had reviewed the evidence against her, said he had never before encountered the level of methamphetamine found in her urine (20,000 to 30,000 nanograms per millilitre of urine). Of the 10,000 employment drug tests he had been involved during the past two years, the highest level had been 8300.

He disputed evidence that the level in Cropp's sample was "not unusual", saying his research showed people with such a high concentration of meth-amphetamine in their blood had died.

Cropp's lawyer is expected to conclude his case tomorrow or Friday, with both sides delivering their closing arguments at the end of the month. If found guilty, Cropp could be suspended for up to 12 months and/or fined up to $NZ10,000.Cropp topped the New Zealand jockeys' premiership in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons.

In other news, the Geoff Small-trained and David Butcher-driven Changeover won yesterday's New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington.

Changeover is now expected to be invited to contest the Miracle Mile at Harold Park on November 28 with the Mark Purdon-trained and -driven Auckland Reactor, which maintained its unbeaten record in a Free-For-All yesterday.

The NSW Harness Racing Club issued the opening Miracle Mile invitation to Interdominion champion Blacks A Fake. Victorian Melpark Major has also secured a start in the eight-horse field.

11/11/08 Wealth Of Experience On Show At C'bury
By Phillip O'Brien

A wealth of experience will be on hand when the second heat of the National Apprentice Series is conducted at Canterbury Park tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday 12th November).

Each Australian state will have strong representation in the event, headed by the five-pronged attack from New South Wales.

Mitchell Beadman (riding The Fangsta), Daniel Ganderton (on Irish Key), Nathan Berry (Golden Highway), Patrick Murphy (Regal Celeb) and Peter Wells (Pursuit) make up the local charge as they attempt to head off six well-credentialed interstate rivals.

The interstate make-up is comprised of Libby Hopwood (Sth Australia, on Norteno), William Egan (Victoria, Canadian Ruler), Chloe Chatfield (West Australia, Bentley Ess), Glenn Davis (Nthn Territory, Impressionist), Michael Palmer (Queensland, General Chaos) and Jason Maskiell (Tasmania, Tha' Hab).

Queensland's Michael Palmer, the son of well-known international jockey Gary Palmer, was last season's runner-up in the metropolitan apprentice of the year and has also piloted more than 80 winners during his promising career.

Glenn Davis, from the Northern Territory, has 69 wins to his name including a Mowbridge Cup victory while Western Australia's Chloe Chatfield boasts more than 80 winners to her name as she heads to the east coast.

Victoria's William Egan isn't far from Chatfield in terms of winning experience; having greeted the judge on 79 occasions.

Tasmania's leading apprentice rider Jason Maskiell is sure to add plenty to the mix after some eye-catching wins last season, as well as Libby Hopwood who boasts 41 career wins in South Australia.

Hopwood has an advantage on her interstate rivals as she heads into tomorrow's heat after her fellow jockey Scott Bailey won the National Apprentice Series opener at Western Australia's Belmont Park on October 11 to give South Australia a clear lead.

The second leg of the National Apprentice Series is set for a 4:55pm (local) start at Canterbury Park tomorrow.

Yarn'n Employment, Training and Consulting has proudly covered the costs for accommodation for visiting apprentices, as well as the heat trophy.

State Points

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 7
VICTORIA 5
NEW SOUTH WALES 3
WEST AUSTRALIA 1
QUEENSLAND 1
TASMANIA 1
NTHN TERRITORY 1


10/11/08 Buzz about Bendigo

The Spring Racing Carnival spotlight falls on Bendigo this Wednesday for the $150,000 Patchwood Imports Bendigo Cup (2400m).

The Peter Snowden-trained Imvula ran an unlucky second to Mandela in the Luxbet.com Werribee Cup (2224m) at Geelong on 29 October and now steps up to 2400 metres. The Rock of Gibraltar entire has clocked three wins from just 12 career starts and looks one of the leading chances on Wednesday.

Trainer Mick Kent and jockey Michelle Payne pair up again with promising stayer Banana Man. Banana Man backs up from his third placing to smart galloper Road to Rock in last Saturday’s Chris Isaak Handicap (2000m) at Flemington.

Trainer Robbie Laing has two Cup runners, last year’s Ballarat Cup winner Sentire and Saddler’s Story. In-form hoop Craig Williams takes the ride on Saddler’s Story which ran fourth to Mandela in the Werribee Cup (2224m) while Sentire was a last start seventh in the Group 3 Saab Quality at Flemington behind Moatize.

2007 Bendigo Cup winner Captious lines up again chasing back to back wins, however the seven-year-old has not won a race since his Cup victory last year.

Fast Facts - Listed Patchwood Imports Bendigo Cup (2400M)

First run in 1946, notable winners of the Bendigo Cup include Gallic (2004), Western Waters (2003), Double Take (1995), Magistrate (1981), Most Regal (1952-53) and Skyway (1946).

Captious is aiming to become the third horse to win two Bendigo Cups. Gallic (2004 and 2006) and Most Regal (1952 and 1953) are the only two horses to achieve the feat.

The Bendigo Cup distance was previously 2200m until 1994.

The only two female jockeys to ride Group 1