Two of the biggest stars over the Melbourne carnival would have to be Winx winning her third Cox Plate in a dramatic finish and the success over the Flemington week of the deceased stallion, High Chaparral . Winx broke her own track record at Moonee Valley and did it, sitting three wide most of the journey as Hugh Bowman put her in clear galloping room as a safety net, to ensure, the win. To start the Flemington carnival, the Sydney colt, Ace High stamped his authority on the staying three year olds with a convincing win in the Derby. Then we saw in the Melbourne Cup the European three year old Rekindling, get the job done in the 3200m Melbourne Cup for the O'brien's with Corey Brown giving him a perfect ride. This gave the stallion High Chapparral the staying double and on the Thursday in the Oaks, two High Chapparral fillies, Bring Me Roses and Hyaam would attempt to complete the treble but they could'nt run down, a gutsy Pinot who missed the start but still was able to hold on for the Waterhouse/Bott and Steve Baster combination. Pinot is by Pierro who is really transferring his talent on the track through to his sons and daughters.
Winx and the 2017 Cox Plate
High Chapparral Story
The six time Group 1 winning son of Sadler's Wells had just 13 starts over his two year racing career, winning 10 of those and never finishing out of a place. His G1 tally, which included two Breeders’ Cup Turf victories, resulted in High Chaparral being awarded the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Male Turf Horse in 2002 and 2003, as well as being named England and Ireland’s top-rated middle distance 3-year-old, and Ireland's top-rated older horse. His European wins included the G1 Racing Post Trophy (2001), the G1 Epsom Derby (2002), the G1 Irish Derby (2002) and the G1 Irish Champion Stakes (2003). He earned almost £3.5million in his racing career.
High Chaparral''s success in the Northern Hemisphere was soon to extend to Australia where he stood his first Southern Hemisphere season as a replacement for his paternal brother, Montjeu at Windsor Park Stud in New Zealand in 2005. High Chaparral’s first Southern Hemisphere crop included the horse that many predict will be his greatest legacy, the globetrotting superstar So You Think. So You Think won his first of two G1 Cox Plates, Australia’s most historic weight-for-age contest, as a 3-year-old about a month before his true third birthday in 2009, and after sitting out the autumn he added four more Group 1s, including a Cox Plate repeat, before finishing third under top weight in the G1 Melbourne Cup. So You Think was then taken overseas where he collected three European Group 1s in his first Northern Hemisphere campaign, including the G1 Coral-Eclipse and the G1 Irish Champion Stakes. So You Think repeated it in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup the following May and finished off an illustrious career with a decisive win in the G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot. Like his sire before him, So You Think now stands in both Coolmore Ireland and Coolmore Australia.
So You Think
Flemington Carnival
The Derby opened proceedings on the Saturday here we saw his son from his second last crop Ace High a emphatic victor coming with a run down the centre of the track to record an easy victory. Then the biggest day on the Australian calendar the Melbourne Cup we saw his son from his second last crop in the northern hemisphere Rekindling, win the Cup from Johannes Vemeer who is by another High Chaparral paternal brother, Galileo.
It was a great days racing on Saturday with the initial running of the 10 million dollar Everest and the Caulfield Guineas meeting from Melbourne. Redzel was successful in the Everest and the flashy Not A Single Doubt colt, Mighty Boss got up at 100/1 to win the Guineas. We also saw the retirement of the five time group one winner Lankan Rupee who is now heading for a life of showjumping.
Redzel --The Snitzel colt, raced by the Triple Crown Syndicate and trained by the Snowden's added the inaugural running of the 10 million dollar Everest to his growing tally of victories. The upfront bias of the Randwick track set it up for the Keiron Mcevoy ridden Redzel who sat on the speed and kicked clear after straightening to win convincingly from Vega Magic and a fast finishing Chautauqua who weaved a passage on the inside of gallopers.
The Everest
Not A Single Doubt and Mighty Boss -- What a brilliant day for the Not A Single Doubt family on Saturday. In the showpiece event at Caulfield we saw the Mick Price trained Mighty Boss and his flashy mane, get a run up along the inside for Michael Walker, to score in the 2 million dollar, Caulfield Guineas. He is out of a Encosta De Lago mare, Bullion Mansion. There were three earlier winners of Not A Single Doubt at Caulfield and Randwick with Qafila, winning the two year old race to open the day at Caulfield and at Randwick, we saw the 3yo filly Torville in the listed Reginald Allen Quality win as well as Lord Condor, score in the second event.
Mighty Boss Caulfield Guineas
Classic Uniform --Good to see the Gary Moore trained, Al Maher gelding get another win on the board in the 2000m Craven Plate on saturday. Tim Clarke rides him well and he is a gutsy little fighter when he leads them up. Happy Clapper tried hard all the way down the straight but just could'nt reel him in.
I Am Invincible and Invincibella -- Another top ride by Tim Clarke
for Chris Waller saw the I Am Invincible mare, record another win, in the
Star Mile. She is out of Abscond, a mare by the amazing Galileo and this
was one of the light bulb moments over the weekend. His broodmares are
producing the goods worldwide. On Sunday, Folkswood was successful in
the Cranbourne Cup and is likely to head for the group ones and a possible clash with Winx, over the
carnival. He is also out of a Galileo mare. In the group 3 Thoroughbred
Stakes saw the Bott/Waterhouse trained filly explode from the barriers ,
cross the field and lead all the way with Steve Baster in the saddle. In the Schweppes Hcp 1050m at Morphetville, Invisible Girl won under Joe Bowditch's riding for Lloyd Kennewell. She is out of a More Than Ready mare.
Super Cash -- To finish the day in the Schillaci Stakes saw Kate Mallyon get up on Super Cash with a strong ride just falling in for victory. Earlier in the day I think she just misjudged her run on the international horse Johannes Vermeer. The Written Tycoon, 5yo mare is certainly on the ball, fresh.
Lord Fandango -- The winner of the Herbert Power Stakes will now head to the Melbourne Cup and being out of a Monsun mare. I would'nt be at all surprized if he ended up winning the big one. He is by Lord of England who stands in Germany. Lope De Capio and Lope De Vega -- Durbridge Stakes a listed race over 1200m, saw another win for Lope de Capio and another good ride by Joe Bowditch. Vega Magic is the standout right now for this breed and was unlucky not to score a win in the Everest but there are plenty of others making their mark, like this gelding, who is out of the Danzero mare, Dance of the Ocean.
This was another legendary Winx weekend. The legend of the great mare just keeps growing and we are all on the ride. Strong success for the High Chapparal and Snitzel''s over the weekend. Ace High has lifted his profile the last month and is now well in contention for the Derby's.
Winx -- The Turnbull Stakes at Flemington turned into a track gallop for the wonder mare on Saturday as they turned for home she was jogging and left her rivals covered in dust down the straight. In my opinion she has to rank as nearly the best of all time. They go on about her not beating much but i never see her out of second gear no matter her opposition.
Winx winning the Turnbull Stakes
Bring Me Roses and High Chapparall -- In the Group 2 Edward Manifold for the fillies we saw a storming finish by Bring Me Roses. The Tony Mcevoy trained, Luke Currie ridden filly was way too strong for them and the breed also had the runner up in Hyaam. The High Chapparal's really do love the big tracks. While in Sydney, the Group 1 Champion Stakes over 2000m was run and the breed were to the fore again with the promising derby prospect, Ace High, leading all the way. He is trained by David Payne and was ridden by Tye Angland. After the race, Tye said " he was on empty but he got the job done". Across to Adelaide and we find another High Chapparal successful at Morphetville for the in form Mcevoy/ Jamie Kah combination with Dollar for Dollar winning the 1600m event.
Ace High Champion Stakes Group 1
Main Stage and Reliable Man -- This is my highlighted stallion of the week, Reliable Man.The grey stallion who stands at Westbury Stud in New Zealand continues to get winners everywhere and on saturday, Main Stage in the UCI Stakes continued that winning streak with a powerful finis down the flemington straight. The 3yo gelding was ridden by Michael Walker for the Busuttin/Young yard. Just keep an eye out for this breed a major win is close. Hugh Bowman on Reliable Man, "I've ridden some good horses and when Reliable Man won the Queen
Elizabeth that was an amazing victory. It's just great to be riding such
a supreme athlete - it's something you dream of as a jockey."
His first foals were on the ground in 2014 check them out !
Snitzel -- An epic start of the day for the Snitzel's with a double in the first two at Flemington and a win by the 3yo colt Goodfella, in the first at Randwick.The Hayes/Dabernig trained Nomothaj opened the day for the breed and then the Weir/ Yendal combination won with Snitzepeg in the Listed Antler Stakes in the second. This continued a golden couple of weeks for jockey Dean Yendal after being injured earlier this season Dean had been struggling for the winners but right now he is on song.
Jockeys to Follow -- Dean Yendall is a prolific rider of winners in Victoria and became known
for being especially dominant in country areas. He waited more than 30
years for his first Group I win which came when Yankee Rose won the 2016
Spring Champion Stakes. Yendall also won another Group I in 2016, on I
Am A Star in the Myer Classic. Last season Dean Yendall rode 145 winners
and the most successful stable partnership in the past year has been
Darren Weir followed by David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.
Jamie Kah is on fire in Adelaide right now with her winning connection with the Tony Mcevoy stable as well as being an enormously skillful rider. If you watch her during a race you can see this young lady is going places . Justin Huxtable is a young apprentice in Adelaide showing heaps of promise and I have noticed the last couple of weeks he is beginning to get some quality rides . Definately a jockey too follow.
Happy Clapper and Teofilo -- There could'nt have been a more popular win on the weekend, than when Happy Clapper saluted in the Group 1 Epsom Hcp. Perfectly ridden by Blake Shinn the 7yo Teofilo gelding finally broke his duck after regularly running into the mighty mare, Winx and after fifty years, trainer Pat Webster finally got his long awaited group one.Tom Melbourne got out late and chased hard but the race was really never in doubt. The Galileo stallion, Teofilo is out of a Danehill mare. His 3yo colt Ataraxia was successful in the earlier run Dulcify Quality to make it a double for the breed at Randwick and gave James Cummings and Godolphin a great day out with Azilee given him his first group 1 for the stable.
2017 Epsom Happy Clapper
Classic Uniform -- After
a frustrating run of seconds the Al Maher gelding led them up, in a jog
and kept finding, to score in the Group 2 Hill Stakes, ridden by
Michael Walker . Gary Moore, said "he got it easy in front and that
probably helped his cause but never the less it was a good victory". Alizee -- In the group 1 Flight Stakes on Saturday saw victory go to the James Cummings trained and Glyn Schofield ridden well bred filly by Sepoy out of Exceed and Excel mare, Essaouira . She came from last to beat Champagne Cuddles, once again, the bridesmaid .She is half sister to last years star colt, Astern. Lope de Vega and Santa Ana Lane -- In the 1400m Group 1 Rupert Clarke we saw a breakneck speed which suited the Tony Freedman trained Santa Ana Lane, as jockey Dean Yendal sat back and waited for the last shot at the sitting duck and that duck was Mr Sneaky who shot clear on straightening only to be run over, on the line. The Lope de Vega gelding is out of the Fastnet Rock mare Fast Fleet. The breed have had a red letter week and tend to love sitting off the pace and swooping late . In Adelaide in the 1100m listed Wiley Hcp we saw the unbeaten Desert Lashes get run over late by Lope de Capio who made it 7 wins from 23 starts. The owners of the stallion ceased shuttling to Australia in 2015 because they rated him to valuable commodity.
Exceed and Excel winning the 2003 Rupert Clarke
Bonneval -- Another group one win for this mare by Makfi, out of the Zabeel mare, Imposingly. It brings her tally now to six in a row and her Caulfield campaign is well on target. There was heaps of pace on, in the Underwood Stakes which set it up for the back markers and even though Hartnell, come off her back . He was no match for the mare and she looks almost assured of more spring glory. Bonneval's is a dual Oaks winner and was recently voted New Zealand, Horse of the Year, Three-Year-Old of the Year and Stayer of the Year.
Foundry -- The 8 year old gelding by Galileo won the group one Metropolitan Hcp at Randwick. Its been a long wait for the Williams camp but it could well give them another runner in the big ones this spring.
Galileos most famous son Frankel
Perast -- The Snitzel colt is now got the Caulfield Guineas on his radar, after a good win in the prelude. He came off the back of summer Passage, the other snitzel colt to grab victory with unbeaten Royal Symphony chasing back in fourth. Trainer Paul Perry believes the extra 200m of the Guineas should be no worries.
Not quite the quality weekend compared to last week but still some good gallopers at Caulfield and Rosehill with only, the one,Group 1 event. The Golden Rose in Sydney being staged. It was won by a Snitzel colt to get the breed off to a strong start in the new season. Just this week the Snitzel stallion Spill The Beans has been shuttled to the UK. The first of the dynasty to head to the Northern Hemisphere. There were some surprisers from up and comers on the weekend like Bons Away and the stayers, Harlem and Ace High but I was really impressed by the courage of the Commands colt, Bandipur . It was a gutsy win, the old Danehill stallion with the Eight Carat female side, still has some quality in his final crops.
Leather'n'Lace --The Street Cry mare is really putting it together with another runaway victory at Caulfield on Saturday in the Pinchapoo Stakes. The Darren Weir trained and ridden at all his starts by Damian Lane now has three wins of 4 starts. Victoria's premier trainer has penciled in the Group Two Edward Manifold Stakes 1600m at Flemington as the filly's next start on October 7.
Commands and Bandipur --This Godolphin runner by Commands continues to get the job done for the stable and in the Foundation Plate on Saturday was caught wide but Damian Lane or frosty as he his known, didnt panic and kept the colt balanced, until straightening when he let him go. It was a hard fought victory but this guy is a winner and is now looking to add the Group 3 Blue Sapphire at Caulfield to his Lightning Stakes Morphetville victory back in July to his tally, in a fortnight. At Rosehill on Saturday we saw the Gerald Ryan, trained, Washington Heights prove his last win was no fluke, with a convincing win in the Shannon Stakes and is now heading for the Epsom Hcp. In the 1500m event he was ridden well back in the field by Kerrin Mcevoy but came with a strong run to finish over the top of them.
Bandipur winning the Group 1 Lightening in July.
Bons Away -- In the Testa Rossa Stakes, it was thought Brave Smash would continue on his winning way but a talented Bon Hoffa gelding ridden by Linda Meech put a spoke in the works with a big finish down the outside under strong riding. The favorite did cop a solid bump on turning so there was excuses but you cant take anything away from Bons Away. The Ciaron Maher trained 4yo landed his fifth win from nine starts on Saturday.He had recorded consecutive victories at Sale, Mildura and Seymour and managing part owner Ken King, who bred the gelding, said the road trips were all about for Bons Away’s maturity.“He had a few issues as a two and 3yo and he missed a fair bit of racing at that stage,” King said.“Ciaron just wanted to build his confidence and get him through the grades."
Harlem -- On Saturday, Harlem repaid only a fraction of his purchase price by winning the $150,000 MRC Foundation Cup at Caulfield. He cost $890.000 at the Newmarket sale in England last year. The stayer is guaranteed a start in the $3 million Caulfield Cup and after a penalty is in with just 51.5 kilograms. The David Hayes believes that Harlem, who has just 51 kilograms in the Melbourne Cup, will be better suited at 3200 metres as the horse has all of the staying potential required to win Australia's most important handicap. His most important weapon is his turn of foot that surprised most at Caulfield on Saturday. Harlem is by the Danehill stallion Champs Elysees.
Canford Cliffs -- Cliffs Edge is a 3yo colt ridden on Saturday by John Allen for Darren Weir. He is out of the Snaadee mare Simulation which is the Danzig line. Winning the 3yo hcp over 1600m now gives him 3 wins from 6 starts. I wanted to highlight the breed because they have been getting plenty of quality winners lately.
High Chaparall and Ace High --In the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes, the High Chaparral colt led them up and never looked like getting caught in front. Ridden by Tye Angland over the 1800m distance which was a perfect trip after a previous start at 1600m. He may have only won 2 of ten but there is plenty of talent with him.He is out of the Redoutes Choice mare Come Sunday.
Trapeze Artist -- The win in the Golden Rose Group 1 at Rosehill on Saturday by Trapeze Artist put enormous value on the Snitzel colt and also earned him a trip to Melbourne, for the Caulfield Guineas. He was ridden by Tye Angland who gave the colt a good run off the hot speed to race away with the race halfway down the straight. Now the winner of three races and close to a million dollars in prizemoney. The Gerald Ryan trained colt is out of the dam Treppes who is by Domesday .
The Black Opal winner salutes in the Golden Rose Saturday
The weekends racing promised so much and delivered more, with brilliant three year olds, Catchy and Royal Symphony confirming their talent. While the old brigade Almandin,Winx,Hartnell all performed true to form. There were also a couple of eye opening runs for the future , Redzel and Humidor. What an epic Spring Carnival we are in for, this year.
Royal Symphony -- The Domesday colt now heads to the Caulfield Guineas as favorite, after saturdays, stunning victory in the Pin and Win Stakes. Jockey, Dwayne Dunn looked to be in a lot of trouble at the tail of the field and with no where to go but somehow, wound his way through the middle of them and with a scintillating finish got the job done, right on the line.
Royal Symphony winning the Pin and Win Stakes
Almandin -- Last years Melbourne Cup winner was ridden by Damien Oliver in the Japan Racing Association Plate, over 2500m. He carried 61kg and after Damien gained a rails run in the straight, he left his rivals in his wake. It was enough to send him to the top of the betting for this years cup. Damien has now had three rides on him for three wins.
Catchy -- What a gem of a finish by the Fatnet Rock filly in the Danehill Stakes. The race named after her grand sire. The champion two year old filly has come back better than ever as a three year old and trainers Hayes nd Dabernik are looking at taking on the colts, in the Caulfield Guineas. The three year olds this year, look exceptional. The unbeaten Fastnet Rock filly, Shoals and colt, Merchant Navy are putting the quality of the breed to the fore front.
Redkirk Warrior -- A convincing win by Redkirk Warrior down the straight at Flemington. David Hayes has always had a high opinion of the seven year old gelding but said "he won way better than I thought he would on Saturday ". When speaking to racing.com yesterday said, "he had secured a spot in the Everest with Vega Magic and Redkirk Warrior. Redkirk Warrior will trial the Sydney way of going at Lindsay Park until then and go to Sydney on the week of the Everest.We will keep him fresh until the big race. We raced him Saturday mainly to secure the spot."
Humidor -- The wayward Humidor is finally straightening out and the promising 5 year old by Teofilo could well be the X factor this spring . Since winning the Australia Cup earlier this year he has been showing a lot of maturity and Saturday in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes saw a highly polished professional racehorse give Hartnell wind burn and jump to Caulfield Cup favouritism.
Humidor Australian Cup 2017
Redzel -- In the group 2 Shorts at Randwick we saw the Snitzel gelding continue his winning form by setting a track record against English and other Everest contenders including the mighty Chautauqua who motored home over the last 100 metres of the event, in an eye catching return. The Snowden trained Redzel already had secured a slot n the big race but after today looks like the one to beat.
Winx -- The amazing mare added another group 1 to her tally in the George Main Stakes on Saturday.At the 800m she looked to be in a bit of trouble but once she ignited the after burners, the doubts disappeared. Within a few strides she seems to put a race away and that was the case at Randwick. There is something special about the mare where on the post she seems to do it so easily.
The weekends racing saw the very best in Australasian thoroughbreds return to racing and one young sprinter i have a good respect for is Russian Revolution. The son of Snitzel has an awesome consistent record and a huge desire to win. While we also saw the return of the talented females like Bonneval and Egg Tart making super returns.
Russian Revolution -- The Snowden trained Russian Revolution is almost assured a position in The Everest with a convincing win in the Mcewan Stakes on Saturday at Moonee Valley. After sitting on the speed he exploded clear on straightening, to defeat Heatherly. The 4 year old son of Snitzel has come back better than ever.
Russian Revolution winning his first group 1 in the Galaxy
Shoals -- The talented three year old filly Shoals maintained her unbeaten record in the listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes. The Hayes Dabernick trained, Mark Zahra ridden, Fastnet Rock filly sat outside the leader, Blondie until turning where she applied the pressure to pull away on the line for a good win. It was a good performance by both fillies with Shoals now heading to the Thousand Guineas where she is second favorite. While the Reward For Effort filly Blondie is still on the up and bound to find a good race.
Bonneval -- An impressive win in the Dato Tan Stakes by Bonneval on Saturday.The race qualifies her for a start in the Cox Plate but hearing what her trainer Murray Baker said yesterday "she would only go there if Winx dropped out, we will be targeting the Caulfield Cup" were his words. Winners of this race that went on to win the Cox Plate were Sunline,Northerly, Better Loosen Up and Fields of Omagh.
Bonneval winning the Group 2 Dato Tan Stakes
Sebring -- The star filly Egg Tart returned on Saturday and although she was runner up in the Theo Marks Stakes, breaking her picket fence. Im sure the spring is going to bring plenty of riches to this daughter of Sebring. There were two other victories for the breed, earlier in the day at Rosehill. One being in the Kari Stan Fox Stakes with Gold Standard getting the money and in the opening event, bm76 saw a great Blake Shinn, front running ride, get Positive Problems, home first. Sebring, the More Than Ready stallion and winner of the 2008 Golden Slipper and sire of Criterion. His son now stands at Newgate Farm in New Zealand. Criterion is the highest Stakes earner to ever stand at stud in Australasia , the winner of $7,280,000.
Deploy -- This gelded son of Fastnet Rock is flying right now and with Josh Parr riding, hit the ground running when they jumped in the 1300m Theo Marks Stakes and never looked like being headed even though Egg Tart ran on well. There is more wins in store for him this spring.
Ravi -- The Redoutes Choice five year old daughter has always showed talent even as a two year old and in the Sheraco Stakes over 1200m at Rosehill on saturday with Kerrin Mcevoy riding. She sat just off the speed until turning then shot clear, to win easily.
Menari -- In the Run For The Roses, the son of Snitzel was given a peach of a ride by Josh Parr. He had him positioned just behind the leaders and on turning let him go, to out pace Pariah who tried hard without ever looking like beating him.
Silent Command -- In the Listed Morphetville Guineas over 1600m on Saturday Silent Command became the third stakes winner from the Danehill stallion, Commands final crop,this year. Bandipur was successful in the Lightning Stakes in May while Melody Belle won the Group 1 Sires earlier in the year. Commands past on, in 2014, but has left a lasting dynasty with his broodmares producing many top line gallopers.
Super racing at Caulfield and Randwick this weekend with plenty of highlights. Jockeys, Kerrin Mcevoy, who had five winners and Mark Zahra who got three home at Caulfield were outstanding riding performances. We had Winx performimg her heroics with jockey Josh Parr on Red Excitement giving a brilliant riding display forcing the champion mare to pull out another legendary run to keep her winning streak in tact with a win in the Chelmsford Stakes.While Merchant Navy the top three year old colt kept his picket fence in tact as well in the Mcneil Stakes and we cant forget the in form sprinter of the moment Vega Magic who now looks a strong, Everest prospect.
Vega Magic --- The Hayes/Dabernick trained Lope De Vega 5 year old gelding is now into second favouritism for the Everest after another devastating win in the first Group 1 of the season. The 1400m Memsie Stakes was never in doubt as Craig Williams drove the gelding clear, in the straight.
Vega Magic winning the Group 1 Memsie Stakes
Merchant Navy -- The Fastnet Rock colt, stamped himself on Saturday, as possibly the gun three year old this year. He is unbeaten in four starts and improving all the time. He is out of the Snippets mare, Legally Bay, so what a stallion prospect he is for the future. If he can win one of the classic three year old events this spring, he may well have his pick of the ladies on retiring. Ridden by the in form Mark Zahra, he looked strong at the end of the 1200m Mcniel Stakes.
Merchant Navy making it 4 in a row in The Mcneil Stakes
Voodoo Lad -- The consistent and classy Weir trained, I Am Invincible gelding ridden by Brad Rawiller. Brad had a battle trying to keep the galloper under control midway through the 1100m event but when he let him go, at the top of the straight, there was no chance for any other galloper. He put them to bed quickly, surely he deserves a group 1 this prep, just for consistency.
Mr Sneaky -- In the benchmark 78 we saw another great ride by Mark Zahra. The 4 year old, High Chapparal gelding won in style, racing clear from a battling Answer My Friend, another High Chaparral gelding who had to be used up early from his wide gate and was a sitting duck for Mr Sneaky, both galloper''s are worth following.
Kerrin Mcevoy -- The 36 year old jockey was inducted into the South Australian Racing Hall of Fame on the weekend after celebrating with five winners on Saturday at the Randwick meeting. He was on some really promising horses with wins on Formality the Hayes /Dabernick trained filly who won the Furious Stakes with a fighting performance. In the Concord Stakes he controlled the race on the Snitzel gelding Redzel who skipped clear on straightening for a good win. The 5 year old gelding is now heading for the Everest. The best ride of the day had to be in the last on Washington Heights where he gained a late opening to win the 1400m benchmark 95 on the 6 year old Commands gelding.
Winx -- When i watched the Chelmsford i saw a few things which stood out to me. The great front running ride by Josh Parr on the 8 year old Red Excitement who is in career best form. The pure champion qualities of Winx as she chased the runaway leader on her own, to run him down and add another epic victory to her legendary stats. To me she looked like she could have gone another 400 metres at the pace she was travelng and this is what stands her apart from other horses. Her ability to maintain a top pace for a considerable distance. All hail the queen !
Winx in the Chelmsford Stakes
Redzel -- The Snitzel gelding who won the Doomben Ten Thousand in Brisbane is now going to take on the best sprinters in the Everest. It was an easy victory for the Snowden trained galloper who is out of the Rubiton mare Millrich. He led all the way with a confident Mcevoy, in charge !
Other Highlights --Oregans Day put up a good effort to win the Chandler Mcleod Plate over 1400m. He is one of the many promising Domesday progeny . The High Chaparral gelding Embley trained by Blorn Baker won the Jockey Trust Mile at Randwick . The Webster trained Happy Clapper recorded another win in the Tramway Stakes. The honest 7 year old Teofilo, gelding was held up for the last run at them and won well defeating Tom Melbourne who had done all the work and was left vulnerable near the finish.
This saturday we saw another great day for Fastnet Rock progeny at Moonee Valley with excellent victories for Miss Rock and Roomooz. This is after last weeks treble at Randwick for the breed. The I Am Invincible's also had a great weekend with wins in all three states. Miss Rock -- The Fastnet Rock mare was unlucky in the group 1 Goodwood Hcp at the end of the Autumn Carnival and made amends on Saturday, after digging deep to get up and beat Heatherly right on the line in the listed Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley. She is out of that top Strategic mare Miss Judgement. Earlier in the day we saw Roomooz another of the Fastnet Rocks storm home and get up on the line in the 1200m Johnnie Walker Plate.Ridden by Luke Currie and out of the Keiron Mcevoy yard, the Fastnet Rock filly held off the fast finishing Tulip.
MissRock ridden by Ben Melham
Overshare -- The I Am Invincible colt is out of the Hawkes yard and ridden by Dwayne Dunn got the job done in the 1200m Mckenzie Stakes. He is out of the Redoutes Choice mare Savannah's Choice. Savannah’s Choice being out of the Sadlers Wells mare Kirov Premiere makes her a half sister to six other winners including Champion 3YO Filly, Cesario, in turn the dam of Japan Cup winner, Epiphaneia and another Group One winner in Leontes. Wayne Hawke's says he is a much more mature horse this time in and he settled so well in front today and was never headed. Mariquita won the benchmark 74 at Rosehill, the 5 year old mare has a Danehill line mum. While at the Gold Coast a third I Am Invincible made it a great day for the clan with a win in the 1100m open event. Whypeeo the 3 year old gelding ridden by Jeff Lloyd won well.
Oak Door -- In the benchmark 90 over 1200m, the Commands gelding ridden by young Ben Thompson sat on the pace and kicked clear on straightening to continue his impressive form from last preparation. He has now won $294,000 in prizemoney for his connections.
Raquel Clarke -- The young lady jockey from Tasmania is really making her mark in South Australian racing right now. She arrived there back in March and recorded 52 winners last season. After picking up a treble Saturday gives her ten winners already this season. She scored on the 3 year old filly Unscopable in the maiden,followed by 7 year old gelding, Danouli. Then in the second last race, she rode a patient race to get up on the 7 year old Hard Spun gelding Counter Spin for Leon Mcdonald in the benchmark 70. What I did notice on saturday was her riding technique and by gee she has some talent. Horses just seem to want to put in for her, she is able to get the best out of them and has a mature, patient riding style. Follow this talented lady this year and I'm sure you will come out on top.
Raquel Clarke
Pariah -- The valuable Redoutes Choice three year old colt, ridden by Blake Shinn for the Snowden camp, scored in the 1100m Group III San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill. Jockey Blake Shinn wound his way through the field and had control of the race 200m out . He is now being sprouted as the number one three year old this season.
Bonny O'reilly -- The five year old mare made easy work of her opponents in the last race of the day, over 1200m. The Bjorn Baker trained mare has now scored four wins in a row. She is out of a Pins broodmare and was ridden by Tim Clarke.
Highlights -- Spunlago, the 6yo Hard Spun gelding was ridden perfectly by Jye Mcneil to win the 1600m BM 78 at Moonee Valley.
The return of the quality thoroughbreds for the Warwick and P.B.Lawrence Stakes this weekend. We saw the A list two year olds return as three year olds and a promising group they are with Jukebox,Catchy and Formality just to name a few. The return of the older A listers as well with Hartnell, Blackheart Bart and the mighty mare Winx. Here is our rundown of the weekend and the talented thoroughbreds looming on the horizon.
Hartnell -- It was Hartnells day in the sun on Saturday at Caulfield, landing the P.B.Lawrence after battling away on the wrong leg for most of the race. He was still far too good for his opposition. It really pointed to a correct move by the Godolphin stable to avoid Winx, this campaign, after the autumn, where he was continually running into her behind.
Hartnell wins the 2017 P,B,Lawrence Stakes
Jukebox -- In the Vain Stakes at Caulfield we saw a good win by the Snitzel colt, Jukebox. The two year old who promised so much but struggled to produce, due to feet problems. Showed a good turn of foot to storm over top of Plutocracy. The colt could well be in for a big spring carnival.
Vega Magic -- In the 1200m listed Regal Roller Stakes saw Vega Magic the group 1 Goodwood Hcp winner continue on his winning way. Ridden by Damien Oliver the Lope De Vega gelding from the Hayes /Dabernick stable shot clear on turning and held off a strong finis from the Japanese horse Brave Smash who probably just peaked on his run in the last 50 metres.
Fastnet Rock --The Danehills son, Fastnet Rock continues to produce winners across the globe and on Saturday, at Randwick, they stood out with three of his progeny being successful. He opened the day in the Silver Shadow when Formality, his three year old filly returned to racing, with a good win. Coming Through the four year old entire won the benchmark 90 for Michael Walker and Chris Waller combination and in the Show County Hcp over 1200m, Brendan Avdulla got Deploy home, a Fastnet Rock 5 year old gelding.
Winx -- The Champion mare returned to the track and she really wanted to catch everyones attention when she played up in the barrier as she always does but this time a barrier attendant had just grabbed her bridle to straighten her as the gates open. This caused her to rear in the air brushing the barriers and missing the start by 4 lengths. Her jockey Hugh Bowman balanced her up and was able to get her home in the last stride.It took awhile to obtain her brilliant sectionals ,she had recorded because when she hit the barriers they had smashed the timing device attached to her.
Winx Warwick Stakes
Sunday, August 6, 2017
After last weeks warning about Snitzel and Street Cry progeny for the spring we saw more signs of that domination at Flemington this Saturday. Its a pity i didnt have a few dollars on Nozomi at 150/1. Her win may have been a bit of a fluke but be alert for a good campaign from Eureka Street.He did it tough on the outside of the leader in the last and did well to find plenty to win. Probably the race of the day was between the two Weir trained Raise the Flag horses which saw Yogi give Irishman John Allen his first win at headquarters. It was an epic battle all the ay down the Flemington straight.
Ben Thompson and Crown Witness -- The 3yo Star Witness filly, Crown Witness won the 100m Winter Lodge Hcp at Flemington ridden by Ben Thompson who had a mixed day in the saddle with a couple of winners and a couple of near misses. Star Witness has had a big week with 7 winners in the last week. The first event at Doomben in the 1600m Aquis Farm Hcp saw Arrestar ridden by Jim Byrne get the job done. The 3yo gelding is out of the Encosta De Lago mare Involve.
Aloft and Galileo -- It was an impressive win for this six year old
gelding by Galileo, Aloft and ridden well by Ben Melham. He has showed so much promise over the years
but injury has kept him away from the track. Its good to have him back
and trainer Rob Hickmont seems to think this could be his spring and is
not ruling a Melbourne Cup start, out for him. On Sunday at Sandown, Galileos Pearl notched up his third win in a row and is really looking strong. Michael Walker has a good connection with the gelding and more wins could easily be in store.
Eureka Street and Street Cry -- Last week we saw the final two races at Rosehill go to Street Cry progeny and this week it was Flemingtons turn with rank outsider Nozomi at 150/1 holding on to win the 1200m and then the talented gelding, Eureka Street, doing it tough outside the leader pulling clear on the line to win the last. Daniel Moor sat patiently on him for as long as possible on the Smerden trained gelding before giving him his head and going on to win well. Pleased the 4 year old entire ridden by Jim Byrne, won the 1600m BM 70 at Doomben.
Snitzel -- The start of the brand new season saw the opening, 1000m Pavillion Hcp at Flemington go to Azazel. The Mcevoy trained Snitzel colt, ridden by Luke Currie finished strongly to win well. A signal that the breed are going to have a good carnival. While at Randwick the 5yo Snowden, trained gelding made it 5 wins of 8 starts with an impressive win in the benchmark 90 1600m event.
Yogi and Raise the Flag -- It looked a race in two in the 2500m Oliver Street Plate at Flemington and thats exactly how it turned out. Yogi,smarter than your average horse and Chequered Flag both sons of Raise the Flag broke clear on straightening to have an almighty struggle down the straight with Yogi the Sandown specialist prevailing by a slender margin. John Allen on Yogi got everything he could out of the 5 year old gelding. Darren Weir yard, trains both horses and he could be in for a lot of staying success this spring.
Yogi coming back to scale after his Flemington victory.
The first win at Flemington for Irish jockey John Allen
Written Tycoon -- Winners everywhere on the weekend for this stallions
progeny from Shogun Sun in the opener at Randwick to Written Era at
Sandown on Sunday. In the opening event at Morphetville the 1000m,
maiden plate saw the 3yo gelding Wallace Street get the job done for the
Richard Jolly stable.
Invincible Gem and I Am Invincible -- The group 2 1200m, Missile Stakes
was won by Invincible Gem with Corey Brown on her back. She sat on the
back of her highly successful stablemate Le Romain until straightening,
then pulled away down the straight. The I Am Invincible mare is another
great advertisement for her stallion who stands at Yarraman Park Stud.
Trainer, Kris Lees says her next start is likely to be in the Sheraco
Stakes. Corey Brown had only just returned from walking the Kokoda Trail
the day before raising money for brain cancer. His partners in the
quest of the trail were Hugh Bowman, Kathy O'hara and Steve Baster and
Corey said "they all struggled at certain times on the trek. It was an
experience I wont forget."
Ability and Reward For Effort -- A booming finish on a wet Sandown track resulted in another awesome win in the group 3 Bletchingly Stakes, for Ability. Just when it looked like Lankan Rupee was going to return victorious the recently gelded four year old by Reward for Effort dropped from the clouds to make it four in a row. Mick Price on his horse said after the race "that he was very happy with the highly rated sprinters return and thought he had it won but gee the other horse (sic) Ability is right in the zone at the moment.
This Saturday we saw signs of what's to come as the Spring carnival, closes in. Hugh Bowman had a big day out with four winners but lost one on protest . The best jockey in Australia, Hugh .We need to remember that. Street Cry the sire of the brilliant mare Winx, got a double at the end of the Rosehill card, with his progeny. He left us some promising three year olds in his final days, ignore at your peril. The Snitzel's continue to dominate with another big day at Rosehill and there is no reason why with the sheer numbers and quality of this breed they may easily walk away with a treasure trove of Spring Carnival riches.
Hugh Bowman -- A Bowman banquet on Saturday at Rosehill with Hugh riding four to victory only to see his best ride of the day end up in the stewards room and taken off him with Fast'n'Famous. He is the best jockey in this country and its good to see the stewards giving him only a fortnights suspension, which gets him back in time to partner the great mare Winx . He opened the day with a win on DÁrgento.The Waller trained So You Think colt. He is regally bred, being out of a Redoutes Choice mare. The 1500m event was perfect for him and there is plenty of future wins on the horizon for this colt. In the other 1500m race, Hugh won on the Northern Meteor mare Prada Miss. She is out of a Pins mare and i wanted to note the Snippets female line shining through here and in a few other races on the weekend.
Street Cry
-- A warning from the Street Cry's in the last two races at Rosehill on
Saturday with the Spring carnival, nearly upon us. They could be
ready to dominate with their headline act the great mare Winx trialing
brilliantly during the week. No way she is on her own as
there are some very promising three year olds left by Street Cry after his untimely death.The 4 year old gelding, Most Exalted
who is out of that good Danehill mare Queen of the Hill who won 4 of
her 15 career starts was the first winner, scoring in the 1350m event
after his jockey Andrew Adkins filed in a protest against Bowman on
Fast'n'Famous and the stewards ruling in his favour. In the last we saw
Philosophy ridden by Corey Brown for the James Cummings camp win the
1500m event. The Godolphin stable have a couple of good Street Cry
progeny with this four year old mare being out of a Lonrho mare.
Here is Street Cry's
awesome daughter Zenyatta winning her 19 starts
Snitzel -- What a stallion he is ! At Rosehill on Saturday it was not only a double for the breed but his progeny produced the quinela. First in the Spring Carnival Hcp then in the benchmark 72. This is a regular occurrence for the Snitzel's. The win of the 3 year old gelding Arbeitsam got the day rolling when he led all the way in the 1400m event. He is trained by Waterhouse/Bott and was ridden by Tim Clarke.He defeated another Snitzel in The Pharoah who battled on into second place. This was followed by the mare Suspenders winning the BM 72. Her jockey Christian Reith sent her down the outside to grab Slumber Party near the line . They are both by Snitzel with Suspenders being out of a General Nedyim mare. At Gosford in the Class 2 over 1200m we saw Irithea ridden by Chad Lever top off, another great day for the breed.
Snippets winning the 1988 Challenge Stakes
Kiwia -- The emerging 3yo staying prospect Kiwia ridden by Damian Lane continued on his winning way at Caulfield in the 150,00 Vobis Gold Stayers race over 2400m. Darren Weir had targeted this race for him and now says he is going for a little freshen up and their new target is the Bendigo Cup in October. The Reset gelding got the win in before the meeting was called off due to strong winds.The Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes will now be held next Sunday at Sandown.
Kiwia winning Vobis Gold Stayers race
with Damian Lane aboard.
Bandipur and Commands -- The last listed race of the season was won by
the Commands two year old colt, Bandipur against the older horses in the
1050m Lightning Hcp at Morphetville with Paul Gatt in the saddle for James
Cummings. It was a positive finish to the season for the Godolphin team.. Bandipur is most likely to head to the Vain Stakes on August 19th.
The 3yo gelding Denbern in the 1600m event at Doomben made it a good
finish for the Commands as well adding another win to their tally.
Denbern is out of a Pins mare.
Another Commands listed winner
his two year old colt Bandipur
Balf's Choice and Written Tycoon -- Balf's Choice continued on his winning way through the grades with Jamie Kah on Saturday winning the Schweppes BM 82 at Morphetville. The Written Tycoon gelding has been in hot form over the past 6 weeks. The breed have been getting plenty of winners as well with Sexy Eyes ridden by Chad Lever for Chris Waller winning the 1100m maiden at Gosford as well.
Honourable Mentions -- Craig Williams won the Melbourne jockey premiership over Beau Mertens and finish the season off with a win on Shamport in the open 1400m event. Shamport by Shamardyl out of a Red Ransom mare swooped down the outside to secure a good win.
Pierro -- This young stallion continues to produce winners and Poseidon''s Pool the 2 year old gelding trained by Darren Weir won the benchmark 64 at Morphetville . He could be one to watch in the future ridden by John Allen.
Galileo -- In the staying races, need to be wary of the Galileo's especially when rain affected. The well backed Kellstorm was another winner for Paul Gatt on Saturday in the 2500m event at Morphetville.
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Well Saturday saw the two jockey premierships take centre stage with Bowman and Avdulla in Sydney and Williams and Mertens in Melbourne battling it out . It was one of these battles that bought out the highlight race of the day ! It was in the Schweppes BM78 over 1200m with the SEbring and Snitzel colts fighting it out . Checkout the days review below.
Sebring -- In the opening race at Randwick on Saturday we saw the Snowden trained, Sebring colt, Assimilate,win the 2 year old event over 1200m in good style. She is out of the Commands mare, Jesters Girl . While later in the day in the Schweppes BM78 we saw the breed come out on top again in an epic battle between the two top Sydney jockeys, Hugh Bowman and Brendan Avdulla showing all their skills.
The Sebring colt Argent Dór seem to have the race won when Avdulla secured an inside run to go past the Snitzel colt Spending to Win but Bowman almost magically got an extra stride out of his mount to go down by a pimple.This put Avdulla back in front in the Jockeys premiership but Hugh
worked his magic, in the second last with Kings of Leon to get The I Am
Invincible gelding home over a gallant Last Witness to draw level again.
The battle continues on Wednesday in the premiership so we are likely
to see more excellent riding skills on show.
Salerno -- The Snitzel gelding Salerno at the good odds of 30/1 saluted
in the Spring Carnival Hcp at Randwick getting home to beat the I Am
Invincible filly Cudabeen. Then in the following race the Bowman ridden
Spending to Win went down narrowly so the Snitzel's were unlucky not to
secure another race to race double. While the I Am Invincible crew were
unlucky not to get a treble as Bowman got Kings of Leon home in the Winx
is Coming BM81 over 1200m. In the last Invincible Knight was swamped
late to finnish runner up .
Pacodali -- The 4 year old gelding trained by Darren Weir and ridden by Mick Dee is building an impressive CV. Notching another staying victory at Flemington on saturday. Once Weiry gets these imported gallopers firing they seem to stay in the zone so next season as a five year old could see some high rated wins by this Paco Boy gelding. He is out of a Dansili mare so the staying blood is certainly dominant.
Craig Williams -- The Williams and young Beau Mertens battle for the premiership continued on Saturday with Craig coming out on top on the day with two victories. One of them being on the impressive 2 year old, High Chaparral filly, Anchor Bid in the Byerly Hcp and Portman by Makfi in the following event. He also had five other placings on the day so he could easily of went further ahead than the two wins and with two meetings left young Beau Mertens has his work cut out for him. Beau may just have to settle for second place with his 72 wins this season, a good effort for an apprentice.
Danehill Dancer -- Danehill Dancers broodmares were producing a good amount of winners over the weekend. On Saturday the mare Caribean Sunset produced a Lonrho gelding Lovani to win the Trainers Trust Hcp at Flemington. While in the open July Sprint at Randwick , the Ron Quinton trained Boss Lane is out of Lyrical Works and Argent Dór's mum is La Goulue both Danehill Dancer mares. Danehill Dancer passed on early this year but has left a good deal of quality at stud. His son Choisir of course was Australia''s leading light back in 2000/2001 when he travelled over to Ascot and won the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee and King Stand Stakes within five days of each other. He has over the years continually produced group winners and last year he had two group one winners including Divine Prophet.
Choisir
Golden Jubilee
Anchor Bid -- The 2 year old High Chaparral filly stamped herself as a possible stayer of the future with her dominant win in the 1800m Byerly Hcp. She is out of the Zabeel mare Zapurple so she is certainly a staying blueblood . The High Chaparral horses love the bigger tracks so Flemington is a definate plus for the breed. Just gives them plenty of time to wind up and avoid any interference.
Other Highlights -- Young lady apprentice Raquel Clarke book ended the Morphetville card on Saturday with Alamonteel 4yo mare by Alamosa over 1950m, winning the first for Patrick Payne and then 9 year old Justify That winning for Peter Moody. While Trusting sired the winner of the Oaklands Plate, Terry ridden by Mathew Nielsen who is just starting to hit form after being out for six months with injury from a fall. He also got the winner of the class 1 at Kembla Grange when 3 year old gelding Weekend Affair scored. Trusting stands at Turangga Farm, Scone.
The weekend of 15th July 2017 we saw another Snitzel double at Caulfield with the males of the breed, doing their job. The first leg of the double was in the benchmark 90, 1700m event. When Potion Control stormed down the outside, then in the next race, we saw a super ride by Ben Allen get Nikitas, the half brother to Jameka, home in the open Jockeys Trust Hcp over 1400m. On Wednesday, Snitzel equaled a 15 year old record set by Danehill securing his 26th stakes winner of the Australian season with Calanda, winning the listed Ramournie Hcp at Grafton. On the Jockeys side the talented female Jamie Kah scored a treble at Morphetville while Adam Hyeronimus got a treble at Rosehill.
Portion Control -- I do believe the Snitzel's may have a liking for the Caulfield track and Saturday, we saw Portion Control ridden by Corey Parish for Hayes and Dabernick stable sustain a run down the outside to score. The stable said the 2000m last start was just beyond him and the drop back in distance to the 1700m, benchmark 90, made all the difference today.
Nikitas -- In the Jockeys Trust Open Hcp we saw the Snitzel race to race double completed but this win was helped by an excellent ride by Ben Allen who escaped from a pocket as they rounded the turn to burst through and hold off a gallant Revolving Door who sat three wide the trip. This half brother to Jameka,being by the General Nedyim mare Mine Game is trained by Darren Weir.
Nikitas beating a gallant Revolving Door
Jamie Kah -- Jamie Kah as a seventeen year old, had a swift rise to fame in 2013, winning the Adelaide Jockeys premiership and the John Letts medal for riding excellence. Her biggest victory to date is the Group 3 Victoria Hcp on Sistine Demon in 2014 but the way she is riding over the past 12 months. I can see a major win is not far off, for this 21 year old. After having a years break from riding last season, she has returned a much matured and confident young jockey and Saturday she scored a treble to bring her tally of wins this season to 126 . Her winners yesterday were the I Love This City gelding, Bris Vegas in the 1000m open 2yo Sprint.The Mastercraftsman 5yo gelding ,General Custer in the 225om, benchmark 82 event. Her second Ryan Balfour winner, Balfs Choice won the BM 82 1400m race. The 4yo gelding is by Written Tycoon.
Jamie Kah
Queensland Cup -- The Mike Moroney trained import, Araldo Junior won the Queensland Cup over 3200m on the Sunshine Coast .
Fastnet Rock -- The beautifully bred, Seige of Quebec made it two from two with a win in the open 2yo at Rosehill for the Waterhouse/ Bott stable , ridden by Tom Berry. The 1.2 million yearling buy is out of Rose of Cimmaron, who is by Bite the Bullet.
Adam Hyeronimus --- Adam scored a treble at Rosehill with two of his winners being trained by Tim Martin. The Encosta De Lago gelding Pick Me Up who won the benchmark 75 and the last, saw him get the 7yo Hunter Jack home to knock punters out of the quaddie at 30/1 . Adam is riding in the best form of his career and he says Tim Martin has alot to do with it. Adam said " Tim has really helped me with my riding in the past couple of months and taught me a lot about the animal. He is an incredible horseman and has heaps of respect for the animal. Its great to be riding for him."
The weekends racing saw a day of potential stars at Flemington with the wins of Ability and Royal Symphony. While in the jockey ranks Beau Mertens , Hugh Bowman and the ever consistent female jockey Linda Meech were the hoops in form.
Ability -- The recently gelded son of Reward For Effort got a split , a couple of hundred metres out from the post in the All Victorian Sprint Final to burst through with brilliant acceleration to score easily. Dwayne Dunn rode him a treat and was impressed how he let down. While trainer, Robert Smerdon,was amazed at the progress he has made since his gelding operation. He will now be given a short break and be back for some major sprints in the spring.
Checkout this Reward For Effort filly out of Alteration being syndicated at Blueblood Thoroughbreds and to be trained by Darren Weir. A star waiting to shine, I reckon. Get on board with a 2.5 % share for only $1,345 .
Royal Symphony -- Another awesome victory for the unbeaten son of Domesday, blitzing his rivals with a great turn of foot in the Taj Rossi Series Final at Flemington. The 2yo colt is the 16th foal of his dam, Naturalist.
Royal Symphony after his win on Saturday
Super Haze -- The second leg of a winning double for the Tony Mcevoy stable at Flemington. The ever consistent South Australian galloper was ridden by Luke Currie who pulled him to the outside of the field in the Banjo Paterson Series Final for a good win. The 5yo High Chaparral gelding had promised so much early in his career and has finally found form this preperation. While at Kembla Grange, Level Eight, another High Chaparral scored in the benchmark 70 for the Snowden team,
Linda Meech and Bianconi -- One of, or possibly the best female jockeys in Australia Linda Meech had another successful day on saturday at Donald, notching up 125 wins for the season and is out chasing Dean Yendal for the Victorian jockey with the most wins in the season. How Linda is not getting rides in the city is beyond me. She has a great association with the Bianconi breed and her best ride was to get the Bianconi mare Contilla home in the 1000m sprint. While her second winner Hero Master in the 1600m benchmark 58 was another good ride. Linda said last year "I'm not fancy but I get the job done ". Here is Linda winning on the Smart Missile filly , Smart Coupe at Sandown last Wednesday. Her one ride for the day for a win.
Highlighted Stallion
Bon Hoffa -- The Belong to Me stallion stands at Bowness Stud near Young in NSW. He had a win in the 2000m benchmark 64 at Donald on saturday with 4yo gelding, Serious Hoffa and in the 2100m Event Hire Hcp at Gawler with the 5yo mare Bon Elise. The stud also stand Bullet Train and My Boy Charlie.
