Inform Newsletter - June 2008

In This Months Edition

• The Month That Was
• July Sporting Dates
• Sales and Breeding News / Horse Sale Dates
• Ken King Thoroughbreds
• Ratings - June Edition

June 2008 The Month That Was

Read all the racing news from June including the Brisbane carnival wrap up, the last Group One race of the year and Randwick horses on an exodus to Warwick Farm.

Horses

Riva San backed up from her Queensland Oaks success to become only the fourth filly to secure the Oaks-Derby double and her trainer Peter Moody has his sights set firmly on the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. "She's one of the toughest horses I've trained and she's also a dual Group One winner which makes her very special," Moody said. "I thought the Oaks was a stronger race and when she did so well during the week I was confident she could win the race (Derby)." Riva San is only the fourth filly after Analie (1973), Bravery (1988) and Royal Magic (1992) to win both the Queensland Oaks and Derby.

Riva San wins the Queensland Derby
Image: AAP Image

The Melbourne combination of trainer Danny O'Brien and jockey James Winks took out the final Group One race of the season when star filly Absolut Glam prevailed in the Winter Stakes at Eagle Farm. Absolut Glam will continue her march towards further Group One glory during the spring following her stunning victory at the elite level in the Winter Stakes at Eagle Farm. Absolut Glam ($4.40 fav) cruised to an easy 1-1/4 length win over Newcastle mare Fritz's Princess ($6.50) in the 1400-metre feature to give jockey James Winks his first Group One victory since he began riding six years ago. Absolut Glam's win was the third Group One success this season for trainer Danny O'Brien who claimed his three-year-old should have won the $1 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm at her previous start. The Winter Stakes was O'Brien's ninth at the elite level, which included last year's Caulfield Cup with Master O'Reilly, and his second Winter Stakes.

The Irish-trained Haradasun, a Group One winner in Australia, has battled on gamely on the rails to win the Group One Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) by a head at the Royal Ascot meeting. Haradasun won the 2007 George Ryder Stakes and Doncaster Handicap when he was trained in Australia by Tony Vasil. Starting as 5-1 second favourite in a farewell appearance, Haradasun was ridden to victory by Johnny Murtagh and trained by Aidan O'Brien. As Haradasun returned to the winner's circle, a small chant of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi" could be heard as owner Frank Tagg congratulated jockey Johnny Murtagh and Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien. "Obviously it's the highlight of this horse's career without doubt and for us as owners." Tagg told reporters after accepting the winner's trophy from former Australian cricket captain and commentator Richie Benaud. "It's just a wonderful occasion. We are just so, so proud of the horse. He dug really deep today and I think he proved just what a great horse he really is." Tagg sold a half share in Haradasun, who won the 2007 George Ryder Stakes and Doncaster Handicap, for a reported $22 million to Irish stud Coolmore in April last year.

Champion sprinter Takeover Target could have made his final appearance on a British, and possibly Australian racetrack after a lacklustre finish in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. The nine-year-old gelding was the 4-1 favourite for the 1200m Group One race but could only manage to finish in fourth place after apparently jarring up towards the finish line. Trainer Joe Janiak, who met the Queen in the Royal Box shortly before the race, had planned to enter the rags-to-riches galloper in the July Cup at Newmarket next month before flying him home to Australia. However he will now wait for a vet to examine the horse before making a decision about what the future holds for Takeover Target, who finished a gallant second five days ago in the Group One King's Stand Stakes (1000m).

One of Australia's most popular horses, Subzero, has been retired from raceday duties by clerk of the course Graham Salisbury but will continue in his capacity as a Racing Victoria ambassador. Salisbury said the 1992 Melbourne Cup winner, a rising 20-year-old, worked his last race meeting at Moonee Valley earlier this month. "They don't go forever. He's been doing this for 15 years and a hell of a lot of horses don't even live that long," Salisbury said. "He's taught a lot of babies (two-year-olds) to be racehorses and helped a lot of horses to the barrier over the years." Trained by Lee Freedman and ridden by Greg Hall to win the 1992 Cup, Subzero appealed to Salisbury as a potential clerk of the course's horse right from his days as a yearling. He was bred and bought to win a Golden Slipper but ended up as a gun stayer winning three Group One races including the 1992 South Australian Derby and Adelaide Cup as a three-year-old.

Jockey News

Sebastian Murphy aboard
Mr Baritone after victory in
the Group 1 Stradbroke
Handicap
Image: AAP Image

Champion Victorian apprentice Sebastian Murphy emulated his father by claiming his first Group One victory in the $1 million Stradbroke Handicap aboard Mr Baritone at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Murphy, last season's leading apprentice in Victoria, snatched victory on the six-year-old, who started at $31, by a half-head over Queenslander Hard To Catch ($51) in the 1400-metre feature. Murphy's win was the first by an apprentice since Greg Hall won the Stradbroke on Innisfree in 1978. Murphy, who has only been riding for three years and is apprenticed to Ballarat trainer Darren Weir, said the victory was an emotional moment and easily the highlight of his brief career. Murphy's father Gary won the 1990 Stradbroke Handicap on the Noel Kelly-trained Plush Embassy in a race which ironically was also run on a badly rain-affected track. "He's only young but he's a very, very good rider and he's one of the best young riders in Australia," said Moroney who continued his great recent run in majors this season.

The battle for the Sydney apprentices' premiership intensified, with Peter Wells booting Illuminates home to reclaim his one-win advantage over Mitchell Beadman. The 1.5kg-claiming Wells moved to 21 winners for the season with the win after Beadman, who claims 2kg, drew level earlier in the day when he steered the John Hawkes-trained Daily Draw to victory in the MTA Apprentices Plus Handicap (1200m).

Trainers

Group One racing has ended for the season with Bart Cummings stranded on a much-publicised 249 career wins at the elite level. But the least concerned about the milestone is the master trainer himself who is looking forward to the spring and an assault on the early features. "It is there to happen," Cummings said. The magic number could well come up in the first Group One for 2008-09 with Mimi Lebrock to be aimed at the Manikato Stakes on September 13 at Moonee Valley. Cummings, who has had to relocate many of his horses from Randwick to Warwick Farm for the duration of the World Youth Day preparations, plans to take a large team to Melbourne sooner rather than later. Mimi Lebrock and rising three-year-old Related will be among the advance guard along with Sirmione who gave Cummings Group One wins number 248 and 249 in the Mackinnon Stakes and Australian Cup. Brisbane Cup winner Viewed and Queensland Derby placegetter Moatize will join Sirmione on the Cox Plate trail and possibly press on to the Melbourne Cup. "I've got some nice stayers but whether Sirmione can get 3200 metres is a question mark," Cummings said. "But I think Moatize looks like a real staying type and who knows?" Cummings has won the Melbourne Cup 11 times and thinks he's due for number 12. "That's a nice even number." he said.

Michael Freedman has wasted little time getting his training career off to a winning start in Singapore. Ntini, winner of an 1100m Class Three race at Kranji, was just Freedman's third runner and scored a 3-1/2 length victory with Gavin McKeon aboard. The youngest of the Freedman brothers, 40-year-old Michael arrived in Singapore in April and quickly set about getting his team working in the hope of establishing his name quickly. He has 18 horses in work and produced Teskara for a first-up third on June 1 before Stedman finished in the same position five days later. "It's nice to get up here and to get an early winner." Freedman told the Singapore Turf Club. "I'm really thrilled to have broken through."

Hall of Fame trainer John Hawkes continued his winning momentum when Daily Draw scored at Rosehill to take the week's tally to four. Hawkes is in a rebuilding phase after leaving the Woodlands Stud operation late last year and moving from Warwick Farm to Rosehill. His ex-foreman Peter Snowden is now training for Sheikh Mohammed who bought the Inghams' Woodlands operation while Hawkes and his son Michael are in the process of strengthening their team. "We had to start from ground zero and we are starting to warm up," Michael Hawkes said. "It has taken a while but we have some lovely horses and our owners have been very patient. It has been a good week with two winners at Canterbury on Wednesday and one at Sandown and now this filly today."

The temporary influx of Randwick horses to Warwick Farm will mean changes to the training regimen which many trainers hope will be permanent. With more than 1,000 horses being stabled at Warwick Farm while Randwick is in the hands of World Youth Day organisers, trackwork will be in shifts. Resident Warwick Farm trainer Peter Snowden has the biggest team in work and said on Saturday morning was the first time the extra horses had been sighted. "It started out as a really quiet morning and then all of a sudden just after six, it was like when they cut the ribbon for the City to Surf race," Snowden said. "All these horses just started coming up out of the tunnel and the whole atmosphere changed." The Australian Jockey Club (AJC) has made major renovations to Warwick Farm after receiving funds from the state government to help with the relocation. The horse population at the Sydney Turf Club's Rosehill facility has also swelled by around a hundred with David Payne and Graeme Rogerson moving their teams on Sunday morning. Randwick will be handed back to the AJC on August 24 but just when racing and training can return there will depend on how much damage has been done. The main tracks will be covered with flooring to help minimise the effects of around 300,000 people walking on them. Racing will not be held at Warwick Farm until August 23 with Rosehill, Canterbury and provincial tracks Kembla Grange, Newcastle and Wyong to host AJC meetings over the next two months.

Sydney trainer Tony Wildman will be remembered as a wonderful character and a gifted horseman after losing his long battle with illness. The popular 60-year-old died at home on Monday morning almost two years after being diagnosed with cancer of the bowel and liver. Close friend and fellow Warwick Farm trainer Paul Cave said racing had lost a good horseman and a wonderful bloke. "He was a very good horseman and he loved all equine sports, I introduced him to hunting 24 or 25 years ago and he loved it. He also enjoyed watching good showjumping and he loved his racing. He was a horseman through and through and a great character." Wildman was forced to close down his Warwick Farm stables shortly after being diagnosed with cancer in May 2006. A benefit day was held for his family a few months later and in a measure of his popularity, more than 750 people attended and raised in excess of $450,000. A renowned trainer of fillies and mares, Wildman operated a boutique stable at Warwick Farm before being forced to shut his doors when he was diagnosed with the disease. His best gallopers included Gentle Genius, who was runner-up to champion Sunline in the 2002 Coolmore Classic, and Timbourina who claimed the 2003 Wakeful Stakes and was third to Special Harmony in that year's Group One VRC Oaks. He also prepared Cinque Cento to win the 2005 Doomben Roses and Charmview to win the Winter Stakes in the same season.

Industry News

The racing industry always suspected Australia's lax quarantine system was behind the equine influenza (EI) outbreak, Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'Landys said on Thursday. He said Former High Court judge Ian Callinan's report released on Thursday into how the virus escaped Australia's quarantine system last August contained few surprises for the industry devastated by the outbreak to the tune of more than $1 billion. Justice Callinan found that in all probability the virus was brought to Australia by a shipment of horses from Japan, some of which were offloaded in Melbourne and taken to Spotswood quarantine centre with the others travelling to Sydney and then to Eastern Creek. The inquiry was unable to determine just how it got out of Eastern Creek and into the general horse population in NSW and Queensland but was most likely to have been taken out by a person or equipment which was not subjected to the correct biosecurity measures. The commissioner was scathing in his criticism of procedures at Eastern Creek but made no findings on legal liability. From the outset the racing industry reserved the right to claim compensation if a breakdown of quarantine protocols was responsible. V'Landys and Thoroughbred Breeders' Australia chairman, John Messara, said they would take time to study the report before considering legal action. However, Gold Coast-based legal firm Attwood Marshall Lawyers on Thursday confirmed a class action was "imminent". Attwood Marshall partner Jeff Garrett said his firm had received more than 350 inquiries from potential claimants from 164 towns and cities across the country. Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke on Thursday announced the Rudd government would adopt all 38 recommendations made in the report. V'Landys agreed the recommendations were welcome but wanted more."(They) should be introduced immediately but we want to go one step further and have a risk management policy and have all thoroughbred horses and competition horses vaccinated," V'Landys said. "We can't go through this again." The Australian Racing Board will continue its push in the next few weeks to ensure ongoing vaccination takes place.

Werribee Racing Club fears Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) has abandoned it as it tries to salvage its future with a new racecourse. Club chief executive David Horsburgh said he was disappointed with the RVL response to the club's plight at a meeting this week and will now seek government assistance independent of the racing industry to raise $4.5 million for a new track. Werribee Racing Club has been unable to race since November because of the unsafe nature of the racetrack which urgently needs a reconstruction 24 years after work was last carried out on the track. Werribee was formerly classed as a metropolitan club as far back as the 1950s but as a provincial club since the 1960s is now allocated 10 meetings and eight Victoria Racing Club meetings each year. The future of Werribee Racing Club has become increasingly bleak in recent months with talk of the racecourse being transformed into a quarantine centre or super training-track venue.

The Australian Jumping Racing Association (AJRA) has strongly defended its sport in the wake of what is seen as a renewed push for it to be banned. The issue again raised its head when Racing Minister Rob Hulls wrote to Racing Victoria Ltd chairman Michael Duffy requesting a meeting after the current racing season ends on July 31. AJRA chairman Rodney Rae said the new modular jumps used in Victoria since 2005, which are smaller than the old style, had been responsible for a big reduction in falls and fatalities. "In terms of safety in jumping racing for rider and horse, Victoria is a world leader," Rae said. "Our fall rates at the moment are half what they are in the UK. The incidence of falls has decreased by 34 per cent and fatalities have decreased by 21 per cent over the last four years in comparison to the previous four years when we didn't have them (modular jumps). People can have their opinions on the jumps, that there is not enough brush or they are not tall enough, but I think we need to take a deep breath and focus on the facts and the facts are that since we've instituted these new modulars we've had a considerable improvement in falls and in fatalities."

Sydney's two race clubs have been given two weeks to reach an agreement on the best format for next year's autumn carnival. Officials from the Australian Jockey Club (AJC) and Sydney Turf Club (STC) met with Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'Landys to discuss the programming of Sydney's 2009 showpiece. In the past the carnival dates have revolved around the timing of Easter but it was pushed back several weeks this year as a result of the equine influenza outbreak. The delay reignited debate over whether the major autumn races should be held on fixed dates each year or continue to be programmed according to when Easter fell. V'Landys confirmed the AJC and STC held conflicting views on the matter. "The AJC and STC currently, no doubt, have a difference of opinion but I believe they should come jointly to us and if they can't come to a joint decision then we'll have to make a decision ourselves," V'Landys said. V'Landys said Racing NSW did not have any "predetermined ideas" but stressed it was important the major races in Melbourne, such as the Australian Cup which is usually held at Flemington in March, did not clash with feature race days in Sydney.

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July 2008 Sporting Fixtures

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Sales and Breeding News / Horse sale dates

4th JULY - WINTER THOROUGHBRED SALE

NEWMARKET, SYDNEY

Nominations are closing soon for the William Inglis $2.5million Race Series, with the program of races now finalised and set to begin on October 25.

The series is open to all graduates of 2008 William Inglis Yearling Sales.

It also includes a $50,000 bonus for the trainer who scores the most series wins.

For graduates of the Inglis Easter, Premier and Classic sales, the $2200 payment and nomination is due Monday June 30.

Graduates of the Autumn and HTBA Scone sales have an additional month, to July 31, to make the $1100 nomination to qualify those horses for the series.

Furthermore, passed in lots are also eligible to nominate should vendors choose to pay the additional commission on the final bid price to qualify a yearling as being sold under the Conditions of Sale.

There are 21 races for two and three-year-olds included in the series, 15 of these being bonuses across New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT in non-stakes races.

The bonus races include 10 metropolitan races from Sydney and Melbourne worth $100,000 each, along with five $50,000 provincial bonuses at Canberra, Mornington, Wagga Wagga, Grafton and Seymour.

These bonuses are paid in addition to the stake money in each of those races (and in addition to any BOBS or VOBIS bonuses), should an eligible Inglis graduate win the event.

Magic Millions

11th JULY - JULY MONTHLY SALE

GOALD COAST COMPLEX

24th, 25th and 27th JULY - PERTH MIXED SALE

PERTH MAGIC MILLIONS SALES COMPLEX

A record 327 lots have been catalogued for the sale which will be held at the Magic Millions Sales Complex at Belmont over three days on July 24, 25 and 27.

The sale kicks away on Thursday evening (July 24) with lots 1-72 comprising yearlings and racehorses.

A quality line up of almost 120 weanlings will go under the hammer the following day on Friday July 25.

The sale then wraps up two days later on Sunday July 26 with an outstanding selection of broodmares to go under the hammer.

Youngsters by sires including Bianconi, Bletchley Park, Dante's Fury, Face Value, Ihtiram, Key Business, Lord Dane, Show a Heart, State City etc.

Fillies and mares in this section by sires including Arazi, Danetime, Desert Prince, Ihtiram, Marooned, Metal Storm, Old Spice, Orientate, Royal Academy, Scenic, Volksraad etc.

Weanlings catalogued are by sires including Balestrini, Bianconi, Blackfriars, Bletchley Park, Bradbury's Luck, Canny Lad, Carnegie, Danasinga, Flying Spur, Grandera, Helenus, Ihtiram, Invincible Spirit, Key Business, McFlirt, Octagonal, Oratorio, Reset, Show a Heart, Starcraft, State City, Stormy's Son, Testa Rossa, Tiger Hill, Viscount etc.

Mares catalogued are by sires including Bellotto, Bletchley Park, Canny Lad, Danehill Dancer, Danewin, Don't Say Halo, Encosta de Lago, End Sweep, Is it True, Last Tycoon, Marooned, Nassipour, Old Spice, O'Reilly, Quest for Fame, Salieri, Scenic, Serheed, Sir Tristram, Strategic, Success Express, Thunder Gulch, Umatilla, Zoffany etc.

Mares catalogued have been covered by sires including Balestrini, Bearcat, Bel Esprit, Bianconi, Blackfriars, Bletchley Park, Due Sasso, Flying Pegasus, Helenus, Hurricane Sky, Ihtiram, Lords a Leaping, McFlirt, Natural Blitz, Oratorio, Redoutable, Saxon, State City, Strategic etc.

To view the catalogue follow the relevant links from the home page of the Magic Millions website or click here.

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Ken King Thoroughbreds

A year that contains victories in a Group 1, two Group 3's, a Listed event and a host of further wins on racetracks right across Australia, is successful 12 months by anyone standards.

That's the twelve months Ken King and his team at Ken King Thoroughbreds have experienced.

In February 2006, Belong to Me gelding, Bon Hoffa stepped out at Geelong to make his race debut. Not only did he win comfortably, he showed immense promise by going on to win 4 of his next 6 starts before being spelled.

Bon Hoffa returned in the Spring of '07 to fulfill that early promise by finishing second to the outstanding Apache Cat in both the TS Carlyon Cup (G3) and Blamey Stakes (G2).

However, Ken and owners didn't have to wait long before tasting group success. Last spring, Bon Hoffa won the Group 3 Bobbie Lewis before backing up next start to claim the Group 1 Rupert Clarke. The victory shot his career prizemoney past the $500,00.00 mark. An excellent return for $60,000.00 purchase.

Iglesia x Uncanny Feeling

Whilst Bon Hoffa was recording group victories in Melbourne, an Iglesia gelding, who also sported the Ken King Thoroughbred race silks, was chalking up impressive victories at the Canberra and Albury tracks. That horse - Helideck.

Trainer, Brett Cavanough has guided Helideck's career with precision to date that has seen the 4 year old record 10 wins from his 23 career starts and amass over $280,00.00. Two victories that contributed significantly to this total were his recent feature race wins during the Brisbane Winter Carnival. The Group 3 BTC Sprint and the Listed Prime Minister's Cup.

In an attempt to ensure the success of the past 12 months continues, Ken is sticking with tried and true formula with his latest offering.

"He reminds us a lot like Helideck who has won seven races to date for us. He's a big strong fellow and as tough as they come" states Ken.

"He'll be trained by Brett Cavanough. Brett has stables in NSW and QLD and, has he has done with Helideck, he'll be placed where we think he's best chances are to win."

Dash for Cash x Golden Days

The above yearling is one of just a few that Ken has currently on offer. Progeny representing stallions such as Mossman, Testa Rossa, Anabaa will be given every chance to emulate the success of their 'stablemates' under the tutelage of Group 1 winning trainers such as Gerald Ryan, Colin Little and Wendy Kelly.

Another yearling available is the below colt by Dash for Cash. Ken's giving all visitors to his site - www.kenkingthoroughbreds.com.au, before the 31st August, the chance to win a share in the cracking colt by simply filling in the entry form.

With the wave of success that Ken is currently experiencing, a quick visit to the site could potentially see you, part owner of Ken Kings Thoroughbred's next Group winner!

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Ratings Definition - June edition

Would you like to back winners almost 50% of the time?!

AAP Racing's FastForm Five ratings were doing just that over the Winter Carnival in Brisbane during the month of June!

Over the weekend's of 7th (Doomben), 14th (Ipswich) and 21st (Eagle Farm), 11 winners of the 24 races conducted were rated on top by Fastform Five!

The AAP FF5 Ratings are derived from the original Don Scott performance ratings which have stood the test of time in Australian racing for decades. The ratings are designed to provide you with an accurate rating of past and future performances.

Available for every race meeting in Australia, New Zealand - approximately 48 hours before the event, Wet and Dry track ratings, personal adjustments permitted, adjustable market percentage and rating range.

Don't miss out on your own copy of the most comprehensive ratings service available!

You can visit AAP Racing at http://www.aapracing.com.au/products/form-analyser, call toll free on 1800 811 358 or Dynamic Race Odds at http://www.dynamicraceodds.com/

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