Inform Newsletter - January 2008

In This Months Edition

• The Month That Was
• February Sporting Dates
• Super 14 Preview
• Sales and Breeding News / Horse Sale Dates
• AAP Product News
• Race Club Promotions

January: The Month That Was

By Peter Klein, AAP Racing

January 2008 - The Month That Was

Whoever said January was supposed to be a quiet month for racing? Usually the Christmas break whets our appetite for the autumn racing carnival coming up. But this month racing was rarely out of the headlines. AAP's InForm takes a look at the month that was in January.

Jockey News

Brad Rawiller - on target for a
personal best of 200 winners
this season.
Image: AAP Image

Top apprentice Sebastian Murphy continued to enjoy a sensational run which saw him outride his metropolitan allowance recently at Sandown. Murphy who turned 18 on New Year's Day, celebrated by landing a winning double at Flemington including Publishing in the G3 Standish Handicap.

Meanwhile, Damien Oliver won his first Perth Cup on the favourite Cats Fun at Ascot in a race marred by a spectacular six-horse fall. And Brad Rawiller is ahead of schedule to become the first Victorian jockey to ride 200 winners in a season.

And speaking of great jockeys, racing was mourning the death of the great George Moore who died on Tuesday aged 84. Moore was arguably Australia's best ever jockey and his record of 119 G1 winners still stands almost 40 years after his retirement. At his funeral service, Moore rode one last lap at Randwick, not on the back of a horse, but in the back of a hearse on a stately final circuit of the track he once dominated like no other. Cheers went up as he entered the home straight, and his family waved goodbye as he passed the winning post for the final time.

Trainers

Graeme Rogerson became the most successful New Zealand horse trainer ever when he racked up his 1,878th win in New Zealand with Minno Noir who won at a Wairarapa picnic meeting at Tauherenikau. It surpassed the previous record of 1,877 wins set by the now retired Dave O'Sullivan.

Family and friends bid farewell to champion
jockey George Moore as he completes a final
lap of Randwick.
Image: AAP Image

The Horses

Takeover Target lost the G2 Villiers Stakes on protest, when Honor In War was declared the winner.

Punters staged a rowdy demonstration in front of chief steward Ray Murrihy, but the protest was upheld when Takeover Target was deemed to have shifted out and taken Honor In War's running.

Multiple Group One winner Desert War is ready to commence racing again in the in the major autumn races. He was ruled out of the spring due to injury and of course the outbreak of equine influenza disrupted his plans. If he's anywhere near his best, he'll be competitive in any race he contests.

Other horses set to resume include Gai Waterhouse's G1 winners Meurice, Bentley Biscuit and Sliding Cube, all recent Randwick trial winners. If you're looking for horses to follow, then bear in mind that Waterhouse-trained gallopers won seven of the 26 trials, with 12 heats going to the Graeme Rogerson stable. Meurice may campaign in both Melbourne and Sydney, while Bentley Biscuit will be aimed at the Doncaster Handicap.

Crowd favourite Eremein, made a successful return to racing in the Festival Stakes. Like so many others, his spring plans had to be put on put on hold due to equine influenza. Trainer Allan Denham said; "To carry 61 kilos here on a heavy track and beat them as he did, well he made them look second rate."

On a sadder note, El Segundo faces an uncertain future with scans confirming he had suffered a tendon injury. And top New Zealander Xcellent injured a leg in winning the G3 Trentham Stakes at Trentham, Wellington. Xcellent has had 13 starts for eight wins and ran third to Makybe Diva in the 2005 Melbourne Cup.

EI Update

Security enforce quarantine procedures at the
height of the EI outbreak.
Image: AAP Image

Queensland Racing believes the state could be free of equine influenza (EI) by May based on a steady decline in the number of properties infected. Horse flu shut down the Queensland racing industry on August 25, and at its peak in mid-November the number of EI-infected premises in the state's south-east reached almost 2,200. Queensland Racing Ltd chief operations manager Malcolm Tuttle said the number of infected properties had plummeted to the "low 500s". In Victoria, Biosecurity measures at all Victorian race meetings have been removed after authorities decided the threat of horse flu has eased. In a further piece of good news, Dr Andy Carroll, Australia's chief veterinary officer, reported that less than 1,000 properties were now considered infected premises adding that there had been no new outbreaks of EI since December 22. It finally looks like racing can get back to normal after the worst disruption to the industry ever known.

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FEBRUARY 2008 Sports Calendar

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Super 14 Preview

The commencement of the domestic rugby union season is nearly upon us with the first round of the 2008 Super 14 season starting on February 15. Last year was a significant one for South African rugby. Winners for the first time in Super12/14 history with the Bulls and of course they took the honours at the International stage with victory in the World Cup. So can the Bulls make it a repeat in 2008? Here is the Sportingbet Australia preview of the contenders for this season.

Once again the Canterbury Crusaders will start favourite for the Super 14's title. They have opened $3.50 with Sportingbet Australia and have already attracted considerable interest from the punters. Although they didn't win the title last year the Crusaders have been the dominant force in this competition for a number of years now. They have practically half the All Blacks side running around and of course they are coached by new Wallaby mentor Robbie Deans. The New Zealand Rugby Union board have put in place an agreement that Deans is to have no involvement with the Wallabies until the end of the Super 14 season so perhaps his new appointment won't be that big of a distraction. Expect the Crusaders to be invincible at home fixtures and once again be a top four side.

ACT Brumbies player, George Gregan, in action
during the 2007 season.
Image: AAP Image

The Auckland Blues will start second favourite for this season at $4.00. The Blues have been slowing getting closer and closer to the top in the last few seasons. The Blues were the dominant force of the initial Super 12's winning the first two years in 96 and 97. They have struggled to regain that dominance ever since. However Sportingbet Australia has a feeling that this could well be the year for the Blues and clearly one punter agrees placing $5000 on them at $4.25. The Blues are well coached by fellow Aussie David Nucifora and made the play off's last year. Watch them closely in 2008.

The New South Wales Waratahs are considered the best of the Australia teams to win the title in 2008 starting at $7.50 with Sportingbet Australia. Ewen McKenzie's boys will need to improve dramatically on last year's poor effort. At no stage did the Waratahs look like repeating their outstanding 2006 form and they will be hoping that the introduction of Timana Tahu into the backline will be the catalyst for a big 2008. While Tahu is expected to make a big difference the loss of Peter Hewett to England will hurt the Tahs. There has been a lack of support for the Tahs with Sportingbet Australia.

The Bulls are the reigning champions and start the new campaign at $7.50 with Sportingbet Australia. This price represents great value in our eyes and they should be just as strong as last year if not stronger. The Bulls are one of the toughest sides in Super 14 and teams struggle to break them down over the 80 minutes. Throw into the mix Bryan Habana in the back line and you can see why the Bulls will push hard to retain the crown in 2008.

The next two teams in the betting with Sportingbet Australia are the Chiefs at $9.00 and last years losing finalist the Natal Sharks at $11.00. The Sharks had a remarkable home record last year and will need to reproduce that home form again this season as they face a tough away draw in 2008. They have also lost key players Percy Montgomery and John Smit. Despite this one punter has placed $3000 @$11.00 on the Sharks with Sportingbet Australia.

The Waikato Chiefs are an interesting side. They are one of those sides who look great on paper but don't often produce that form on the field. They finished 2007 as strong as any side and just missed the finals. If they can improve their away form in 08 then the Chiefs are a side to watch.

Of the rest, the Hurricanes $13.00 and the Western Force at $26.00 look the best rough chances. The Force improved dramatically last season and under the guidance of former All Black coach John Mitchell they have become a well drilled side. One punter has had an early nibble on the Force at $34.00 pushing their price into $26.00.

The ACT Brumbies are at $21.00 with Sportingbet Australia and you would expect them to struggle with the loss of their generals George Greegan and Stephen Larkham. The Queensland Reds start 2008 at $67.00 and Sportingbet Australia has received a few small loyal bets on them. They should be a better outfit then last year but are still in the process of rebuilding.

The Lions are the rank outsiders with Sportingbet Australia at $201.00.

Super 14 2008 Champions

For the latest Super 14 news, visit http://www.aapracing.com.au/sports/news/rugby-union.

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Sales and Breeding News / Horse Sale Dates

By Scott Gooley, AAP Racing

MAGIC MILLIONS HORSES IN TRAINING SALE

An Anabaa filly topped the Magic Millions Horses in training sale held January 15. The filly was knocked down to Wadham Park Bloodstock for $280,000.00. The filly is out of the Zedative mare Zefta who was unplaced in 8 starts at Sydney provisional and metropolitan tracks.

Three other lots reached the $100,000.00 mark. Those being -

• Giant's Causeway x Supernal (Chief's Crown) colt. $125,000.00
• Tale of the Cat x St Florent (Thunder Gulch) filly. $125,000.00
• Sequalo x Razor Edge colt. $100,000.00.

Over $1.64 million was traded on the sale with the average price at $33,648.00

BID ONLINE IN REAL TIME

William Inglis in association with Live Global Bid, announced this month that they will launch live internet bidding during thoroughbred auctions. Inglis will be the first thoroughbred company outside of the USA to introduce this type of service.

Inglis have trialled the system and have achieved almost instant receipt of bids in the auctioneers box from around the world, using staff in the USA, UK and NZ as trial bidders.

The service will be launched for the Autumn Thoroughbred Sale held at Sydney's Newmarket complex on the 17th March.

For more information, visit www.inglis.com.au and select the Online Bidding Preview link.

TATTERSALLS AND INGLIS WORKING TOGETHER

Tattersalls Ltd, Europe's leading bloodstock auctioneers, announced on the 22nd January that it has taken a significant minority in William Inglis and Sons Ltd. The two companies will continue to operate autonomously but will work closely in areas of potential mutual development.

Mark Webster, Managing Director of William Inglis and Son Ltd, commented;

"We regard the Tattersalls investment in William Inglis and Son as a wonderful endorsement of the company and the Australian bloodstock industry. Tattersalls is a company respected throughout the global thoroughbred community and their financial commitment to William Inglis and Son reflects a genuine synergy between two companies which share very similar values and goals."

KARAKA SALES KICK OFF STRONG

Sellers went home very happy from the first day of the Karaka yearling sale as buyers were forced to go very deep into their pockets to buy horses they wanted.

Trainer Paul Moroney simply said "it's too much for me, I'm being blown away" midway through the day, while chief New Zealand buyer David Ellis also said it was tough going for buyers.

"This is the strongest sale I have attended in the southern hemisphere since I began coming to sales in 1988," he said.

The important median price, the best indicator of the strength of the market throughout the sale, was $NZ155,000, well up on last year's median for the whole sale of $NZ110,000 and nearly 100 per cent up on the 2006 median of $NZ80,000.

The average was $NZ205,616, also well up on last year's total sale figure of $NZ156,567.

Alastair Bull.

For all the latest news on breeding, sales results and information - pay regular visits to http://www.aapracing.com.au/breeding-news

HALF SISTER TO GR 2 WINNER / COMMERCIALLY BRED WINNER IN FOAL TO BOOM YOUNG SIRE

This beautifully proportioned winner of two races is half sister to multiple Gr 2 winner Love Comes To Town as well as stakes performer Cup of Cheer, Listed. Other siblings are producers including Hail Mary, Listed and With a Chance, Listed. Very solid family of black type winners throughout three generations. In foal to the very exciting young sire Not a Single Doubt, who won two stakes races at two years, and is leaving stock that are athletic, well balanced and precocious 2 year old types. His first crop of weanlings in 2007 averaged $43,000 (a nice return on a $12,500 service fee), and were snapped up by some of Australasia's best judges. Genuine value for breeders or traders alike.
LSD: 7/10/07. $57,500 + GST.

UPCOMING SALES

Magic Millions - www.magicmillions.com.au

February Monthly Sale - Gold Coast, Queensland
February 8

2008 Perth Yearling Sale - Perth, Western Australia
Sale Sessions 1, 2 and 3
February 15, 16 and 17

Sale Sessions 4 and 5
February 21 and 22

Select Yearling Sale - Launceston, Tasmania
February 25

General Yearling Sale - Launceston, Tasmania
February 26

Brisbane Bloodstock - www.brisbanebloodstock.com.au

2008 $1 Million Bonus Yearling and 2yo Sale
RNA Showgrounds February 17

Inglis - www.inglis.com.au

Premier Yearling Sale - Oaklands, Melbourne
March 2, 3, 4 & 6

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AAP Product News

By Scott Gooley, AAP Racing

PEDIGREE

AAP Racing is pleased to announce that Arion Pedigrees has joined our comprehensive stable of services and will provide all Pedigree information to AAP subscribers.

Arion Pedigrees was formed in 1996 and are the leading independent provider of thoroughbred pedigrees in Australia and New Zealand.

Comprehensive reports such as 3 Generation Pedigrees, Sire Statistics, Dam's Progeny, Theoretical Pedigrees and more are available online 24 hours a day.

AAP's Pedigree access is the perfect tool for Vendors, Buyers and Bloodstock Agents and gives you that inside running on finding the next potential champion at any sale in Australia and New Zealand.

More information on AAP's Pedigree service is available at - http://www.aapracing.com.au/products/pedigree

FASTFORM RATINGS

As the racing starts to hot up leading into this year's Autumn Carnival, it pays to have AAP's Fastform Five ratings on your side.

Each runner is assessed based on a combination of factors including class, weight, race time and sectional time factors and awarded a FastForm Five Numerical Rating and Ratings are calculated as soon as acceptances are received.

Here's some of the winners Fastform Five have identified for AAP clients over the past fortnight -

• Whisper Bay - Flemington, 19-Jan - won $6.10
• Britomart - Flemington, 19-Jan - won $3.80
• Electorstatic - Flemington, 19-Jan - won $4.00
• Road to Athens - Flemington, 19-Jan - won $3.10

• Kettledrum - Kensington, 23-Jan - won $10.50
• Absent Friends - Kensington, 23-Jan - won $3.30

• Tease Me - Sandown, 23-Jan - won $7.50
• Arevalo - Sandown, 23-Jan - won $7.70

• El Maroo - Randwick, 26-Jan - $9.70

• Lucky Diva - Caulfield, 26-Jan - $8.00
• Bundle O' Gold - Caulfield 26-Jan - $3.60

Fastform Five ratings allow you to make your own changes and allowances for Jockey and/or Trainers and compliment your own form analysis.

Fastform Five ratings are available 48 hours before and for, every TAB in Australia and New Zealand - wet or dry conditions.

To find out how to obtain your own copy of Fastform Five ratings today, visit - http://www.aapracing.com.au/products/form-analyser, or call 1800 811 358.

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Race Club Promotions

By Scott Gooley, AAP Racing

Do you just want to have fun? Then round up the girls, shop for a frock and organise your tickets to Girls' Day Out at Eagle Farm Racecourse on Saturday, 1st March.

Socialise with friends. Let your hair down. Place your bets. Cheer home a winner... you're guaranteed all this fun and more on this raceday.

The Tote Lounge - For the young, and young at heart, The Tote Lounge is the only place to be on Girls' Day Out. Don't battle the crowds or queues - enjoy all the raceday activity in this very stylish and exclusive bar!

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