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Majestic Music on song for Guineas

Tahnee-lee Elizabeth — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:08:00 GMT

Majestic Music's win during the Melbourne Cup carnival confirmed trainer Leon Macdonald's high opinion of the filly and set her up to take on the males in the Sandown Guineas.

Prior to her win in the Listed Lexus Hybrid (1400m) last Tuesday, Majestic Music ran seventh, beaten just 2-1/2 lengths, in the Group One Thousand Guineas won by Irish Lights over the 1600 metres of Saturday's feature.
A close relation to 2007 Thousand Guineas winner, stablemate Serious Speed, Majestic Music shows the trainer the same ability without the mental fragility.
"Serious Speed and her mother are full sisters," Macdonald said.
"But where Serious Speed has a few issues Majestic Music is very mature mentally as well as physically.
"I think she is very, very good and her form shows that.
"She has three wins from her last four starts and ran a great race in the Thousand Guineas after getting a long way back.
"She has pulled up terrific from last week's win and deserves her chance in the Guineas."
Stable jockey Clare Lindop missed riding Majestic Music last week through suspension but will be back aboard on Saturday.
Lindop was aboard when Majestic Music won the Edward Manifold Stakes (1610m) on October 3 but missed her Morphettville Guineas win at her previous start, riding stablemate Miss With Attitude who finished second.
Majestic Music was one of three fillies among the 12 entries taken on Monday for Saturday's Group Two race with Impulsive Dream from the Lee Freedman stable and the Darren Weir-trained Sublimity in the mix.
Impulsive Dream hasn't raced since finishing fourth to Sublimity at Caulfield on October 17.
Sublimity subsequently won the Listed Alexandra Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day a week later.
Carbine Club Stakes winner Kidnapped is one of three Guineas entries from Darley with trainer Peter Snowden also nominating Euphemism and Khas Kura.
Turf Express, winner on protest of the Myer Spring Fashion Stakes on Oaks day, is also entered for the Guineas.

By Caryl Williamson

Sheather returns as Gold Coast CEO

Tahnee-lee Elizabeth — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:55:00 GMT

The Gold Coast Turf Club has appointed Grant Sheather as its chief executive following the resignation of John Cameron.

In a coup for the club, it has also secured the services of highly regarded Hawkesbury Race Club chief executive Brian Fletcher in an advisory capacity.
Fletcher, who will remain in his fulltime role at the NSW provincial club, will be Sheather's racing adviser on a casual basis.
"It's a very casual role as an adviser when required," Fletcher said.
"They've just appointed a new CEO, Grant Sheather so I'm going to help him with the racing side of things as an adviser to him, he's been out of the game for a while."
Sheather has come full circle after holding the position as chief executive of the Gold Coast Turf Club before taking up a management role on Hamilton Island in June 2008.
"Today's announcement is significant in that we have two very experienced, capable and proven racing industry operators joining us," Gold Coast Turf Club chairman Andrew Eggleston said in a statement.
"Grant grew up on the Gold Coast, had 22 years experience in the racing industry before choosing to head to Hamilton Island in June 2008 and has held every position from operations, beverage and catering management to CEO.
"Brian is widely regarding as one of the most progressive racing administrators in Australia and his services have been sought by many metropolitan clubs over the years, so we consider ourselves very fortunate that he's agreed to be involved with us in this capacity."
The past month has been a tumultuous one for the Gold Coast club with Cameron resigning in October after chairman Hoss Heinrich was replaced by Eggleston

Raffaello to back up at Sandown

Tahnee-lee Elizabeth — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:35:00 GMT

Raffaello is likely to back up in Saturday's Group Two Sandown Classic a week after landing first 2000 metre win at Flemington.

The Encosta de Lago five-year old was one of Melbourne Cup winning trainer Mark Kavanagh's five winners over the four days of the Flemington carnival.
Raffaello ($4 eq fav), one of Michael Rodd's six winners over the four days, did a good job under 58kg to come from midfield in the small field of eight in Saturday's Melbourne Cup Community Fund Handicap.
Beautifully ridden with cover by Rodd, Raffaello appreciated the big drop in class from the Group Three Crystal Mile to score a comfortable 1-1/4 length win over stablemate Itstheone with My Bentley 1-1/2 lengths away third.
"I'll see how he does but I've spaced his races and that might bring him on," Kavanagh said.
Kavanagh and Rodd, the leading trainer and jockey at Flemington, combined for four wins over the four days, claiming a double on Saturday when Sound Journey ($8.50) defeated stablemate Old Saint by a head in the Emirates Airlines Hcp (1400m).
Raffaello, who was second to subsequent Group One Mackinnon Stakes runner-up Miss Maren in the Group Three Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield last April, will be having his first try at 2400 metres in the weight-for-age Sandown Classic.
After his first up win over 1200 metres at Caulfield from Maxisun and Vigor on August 15, Raffaello was kept to races up to 1600 over the spring before Saturday's victory.
He was third behind Turffontein in the Group One Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) when second up at Caulfield in September.
But he couldn't make up ground from well back when 11th behind Allez Wonder in the Group One Toorak Hcp (1600m) at Caulfield and fifth to Rangirangdoo in the Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley, both last month.
"He likes to run on in his races but in those mile races it just wasn't a run-on track," Kavanagh said.
Among Raffaello's Sandown Classic opposition will be fellow Flemington winner Purple, Zipping, who is going fot his third successive win in the race, and possibly international stayer Munsef who ran 12th in the Melbourne Cup.

By Mark Ryan

Crunch time for Mitchell Beadman

Tahnee-lee Elizabeth — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:55:00 GMT

The promising riding career of Mitchell Beadman hangs in the balance with the apprentice set to appear before the licensing committee later this month.

Beadman, who is the son of champion jockey Darren, was interviewed by stewards at their Sydney headquarters on Monday after failing to fulfil his riding engagements at Randwick on the weekend.
Trainer Chris Waller also attended the interview into why Beadman failed to ride the stable's horses, Miss Independent and Vintedge.
The young rider is indentured to Waller but that situation will be reviewed at the licensing committee meeting on November 23.
The Rosehill trainer is Beadman's fourth master after John Hawkes, John O'Shea and Kevin Moses who all ended their associations with the junior rider.
Beadman, who advised stewards on Saturday morning he would be unable to take his mounts, pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to fulfil his engagements and was suspended until December 9.
"Apprentice Beadman today explained that, due to personal reasons for which he has sought professional assistance, he was unable to fulfil those engagements..." a Racing NSW stewards' statement said.
Beadman is currently serving an indefinite suspension until he can satisfy the Riding Skills Panel that he is able to conform to the revised whip rules.
He will also attend the licensing committee meeting later this month and the Racing NSW report noted that the "committee may make further recommendations to the chief executive of Racing NSW following that meeting".

China racing's new frontier

Tahnee-lee Elizabeth — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:51:00 GMT

China is not renowned as a horse racing mecca but some of Australia's biggest breeders hope that will change in the future.

Former government minister Peter McGauran, now the chief executive of Aushorse Marketing which promotes the Australian thoroughbred, was a special guest at the China International racing festival on Sunday, run by the China Equestrian Association (CEA).
Australian-bred horses won five of the seven races and while the prizemoney of $A8000 per race was modest, McGauran believes the sport has a future in China.
"It was competitive and highly professional racing in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 6000 cheering spectators" McGauran said.
"China is a complex and largely unpredictable market in the early stages of its development.
"However, it's important Australia remains engaged and supportive for the long-term.
"We want to build a lasting partnership based on mutual benefit and respect with racehorse owners and breeders in China, as well as racing authorities."
The Wuhan racecourse where the meeting was conducted is one of Asia's newest and largest and boasts a seven-storey high, 200m long grandstand.
There was no gambling at the meeting, in accordance with the Chinese government's policy.
McGauran will also meet with quarantine and biosecurity officials in Beijing to encourage the streamlining of import protocols.

Cassidy close to returning

Tahnee-lee Elizabeth — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:43:00 GMT

Champion jockey Jim Cassidy could be back riding in races as early as next month after a quicker than expected recovery from serious hand injuries suffered in a gardening accident.

Cassidy underwent surgery in September after slicing two fingers on his right hand when he slipped while trimming a hedge at his Sydney home.
He was sidelined for the bulk of the spring carnival but in typical Cassidy style, he has remained upbeat and is already back riding trackwork at Randwick and Rosehill.
"I rode a couple on Melbourne Cup day, a couple Thursday and Saturday and I'll be riding a couple again tomorrow," Cassidy said.
"The fingers are still pretty sore but they're getting there.
"It has healed quicker than I thought.
"I'm probably three to four weeks or a month away from coming back, any earlier than that would be a bonus."
Cassidy is one of an elite group of riders to have won the four major races on the Australian calendar - the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Golden Slipper.
However, his career has been punctuated by injury in recent years.
In June 2007, Cassidy suffered a broken ankle, broken ribs and knee injuries when the horse he was riding in the Queensland Derby snapped a leg.
A year later he spent nine months out of the saddle with a shoulder injury which required reconstructive surgery.
Despite his misfortunes, the jockey known as "The Pumper" has continually climbed back to the top of the tree and last autumn won Group One races aboard Vision And Power and Roman Emperor.
He has again dispelled any thoughts of retirement and said he didn't consider giving riding away, even though he came close to losing one of his fingers.
"No, I never give up me," Cassidy said.
"I'll be back.
Cassidy has spent his enforced break enjoying time with his family while keeping a close eye on the spring carnival action.
He rated fellow jockey Corey Brown's effort to win the Victoria Derby (Monaco Consul), Melbourne Cup (Shocking) and Emirates Stakes (All American) in the space of a week as his highlight.
Cassidy said he was not booked for any key rides at this stage.
"I'm just looking forward to getting back out there and getting going."

By Mandy Cottell

Punters empty pockets on Cup

Tahnee-lee Elizabeth — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:30:00 GMT

Punters across the country splurged on Tuesday's Melbourne Cup with a record $95.6 million outlayed on the Victorian and NSW TABs.

Gary Davies from TAB Sportsbet said Victorian punters wagered $39.6 million on Australia's favourite race, up from $37.1 million last year, with their NSW counterparts kicking in $56 million, compared with $51.2 million in 2008.
Queenslanders also bet a record $29 million on the Melbourne Cup on UniTab, although crowds were down at the premier race meeting at Eagle Farm.
Davies said the two biggest bets on the winner, the Mark Kavanagh-trained Shocking, were at fixed odds of $12 with one gambler risking $40,000 to win $440,000 and another betting $27,000 to walk away with $297,000.
"This is a good result for us - if Viewed or Alcopop had won, then we would have taken not nearly as much as we did with Shocking," Davies said.
South Australian galloper Alcopop started the $5.50 favourite at jump time after the Bart Cummings-trained Viewed drifted having being as short at $4.60 on Tuesday morning.
Both finished unplaced with international raiders Crime Scene and Mourilyan running second and third respectively.
The failures by the top picks saved bookmakers from a huge payout despite the fact Shocking was one of the best backed runners.
"Shocking ended up being a good result for me but him and Alcopop were probably the best backed runners," said bookmaker Tom Waterhouse who fielded at Flemington.
"There was a fortune for Alcopop."
Waterhouse's father, leading Sydney bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse, said Shocking was also heavily backed in the betting ring at Randwick.
"It was a huge betting race and Shocking was the best backed runner in the race," Robbie Waterhouse said.
"They gave as much as $12 yesterday and they just kept backing him today.
"Mourilyan was particularly well backed and Crime Scene had some support as well."
UniTab's Queensland's divisional general manager Brad Tamer said their eight per cent increase on 2008 betting figures could be attributed to the interest in Bart Cummings attempting to win his 13th Melbourne Cup.
"It was a record Melbourne Cup for UniTab and no doubt it was because of Bart Cummings and the fairytale story around Alcopop," Tamer said.
Viewed fared best of Cummings' three runners finishing seventh.
One Sportingbet Australia customer had plenty of reason to smile after winning more than $37,000 from a $24 outlay.
The punter boxed the three placegetters in a trifecta and took it four times.

Bart takes it on the chin, next year will be number 13

Tahnee-lee Elizabeth — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:26:00 GMT

As many of the beaten brigade searched for excuses for their Melbourne Cup runners, Bart Cummings took it on the chin and said he'd try again next year.

It was supposed to be Bart's day with the country's most revered trainer sending three runners into the race he has won an amazing 12 times.
His leading contender was second favourite Viewed, raced by his close friend Dato Tan Chin Nam and winner of the race last year.
After getting checked on the first circuit, Viewed found himself in an awkward position and eventually ran on late to finish seventh to Shocking.
Jockey Brad Rawiller told Cummings he had decided to follow Alcopop who finished sixth.
"He should have followed the winner instead," Cummings said.
"Of course that's obvious after the race."
Dato Tan has shares in the ownership of Cummings' other two Cup runners, Allez Wonder and Roman Emperor who finished 16th and third last respectively.
Roman Emperor was up running second during the race behind Warringah, a position Cummings thought Hugh Bowman should have changed.
"He needed to get behind a few more," he said with a smile.
Michelle Payne on Allez Wonder escaped any criticism.
"She rode her well, the horse just didn't stay the distance," Cummings said.
"Never mind, we'll just have to come back next year.
"Now we've got to go and find Chin Nam and cheer him up.
"He's had three losers all in the one race."
Still chuckling at his own joke, Cummings suggested Thursday's Oaks favourite Faint Perfume might be leading the Cup charge next year.
Cummings has won the Toorak Handicap, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate this spring and as well as Faint Perfume, he has Cox Plate winner So You Think in the Emirates Stakes on Saturday.

By Caryl Williamson

Fast facts on Melbourne Cup winning trainer Mark Kavanagh

Tahnee-lee Elizabeth — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:22:00 GMT

All you need to know on the 2009 Melbourne Cup winning trainer:

Mark Kavanagh
DOB: 23 December, 1956.
First winner: Celestial Choice in a Donald Maiden in June, 1991.
Former jumps jockey, started training at Mount Gambier, SA in 1991.
Moved to Adelaide in 2000 and opened stables at Flemington in 2007.
Career Highlights:
Winning 2009 Melbourne Cup with Shocking.
Winning 2008 Cox Plate with Maldivian.
Winning first Group One with Hard To Get in 2004 SA Derby.
Career Lowlights:
Favourite Maldivian late scratching from Caulfield Cup in 2007 after striking himself on camera in barrier stalls.
Favourite Whobegotyou fails to run a place in 2009 Cox Plate.
Pre-post 2009 Victoria Derby favourite Shamoline Warrior scratched on race morning with elevated temperature.
13 Group One wins
2009 Melbourne Cup - Shocking
2009 Yalumba Stakes - Whobegotyou
2009 CF Orr Stakes - Maldivian
2008 Cox Plate - Maldivian
2008 Caulfield Guineas - Whobegotyou
2007 Myer Classic - Divine Madonna
2007 Toorak Handicap - Divine Madonna
2007 Yalumba Stakes - Maldivian
2007 Turnbull Stakes - Devil Moon
2007 Queen Of The Turf Stakes - Divine Madonna
2006 Emirates Stakes - Divine Madonna
2005 Blue Diamond Stakes - Undoubtedly
2004 SA Derby - Hard To Get

Hayes irate about Cup scratching

Tahnee-lee Elizabeth — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:15:00 GMT

A furious David Hayes was "insulted" that import Changingoftheguard was ruled unsound by Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) vets before stewards scratched him from the Melbourne Cup on race morning.

Minutes after the Cup was run and won by Shocking, Hayes was still seething over the fact the horse was considered lame by three RVL vets on Tuesday morning at his Flemington base.
The horse had had a foot abscess while at the Sandown quarantine centre which was widely publicised but Hayes said he was completely over the issue and sound.
He could not find any positives in Changingoftheguard being withdrawn, especially after internationals Crime Scene and Mourilyan ran second and third respectively.
"I had the horse trot in front of the TV cameras to show everyone that he was sound. I've never been so insulted in my life," Hayes said.
"Five leading trainers independently in the huts here (at Flemington) said that he was trotting sound and was moving well, surely you have to give me the benefit of the doubt.
"It's my call, it's my horse.
"The horse worked in public for 13 days straight."
Hayes, who bought Changingoftheguard for a reported $1 million and races him with several clients, floated the former Aidan O'Brien-trained horse from Sandown to Flemington on Sunday.
RVL vets inspected him on Monday and stewards said he would be inspected again on race morning.
"They get three people (vets) in that have nothing to do with my stable and take it out on the biggest day of my life," Hayes said.
Hayes said he would not have paid the $45,000 final acceptance fee if Changingoftheguard was lame.
"I've never been so disappointed. I had 1,700 runners last year and I employ people that have been around a long time, I employ experienced track riders, I've got top jockeys riding my horses.
"We're capable of making the decision all year, why can't we make it today?"
Hayes said Changingoftheguard would be spelled before being prepared for the autumn.

By Mark Ryan