Cox Plate - the facts and figures
October 23, 2009
TWISTED and turned to suit, the facts and figures from past Cox Plate results suggest that Whobegotyou is far from a certainty this year.
For a start no horse whose name starts with a W has won a Cox Plate.
Whittier ran second twice - 1923 and 1924 and Winfreux was runner-up in 1965 and 1966, while Wonderful World ran second in 2007.
The most successful initial has been S with 13 winners and will be represented this year by Scenic Shot, Sir Slick, Speed Gifted and So You Think.
Allowing for no scratchings, Whobetgotyou will start from barrier 10, which has supplied only four winners with the last being Bonecrusher in the 1986 “race of the century.”
The most successful barrier has been 6, Scenic Shot’s draw this year.
Whobegotyou will also carry saddlecloth 10 which has supplied just five winners over the years, the latest being Makybe Diva in 2005, with number 1 the standout with 19 winners.
Recent changes in the weight-for-age scale mean Whobetgotyou will carry 57.5kg, which is yet to supply a winner with 59kg (9st4lb) the most success weight with 32 winners.
The reigning favourite is one of only two chestnuts contesting the race this year (along with Rock Kingdom) and that colour horse has saluted 28 times, but none since Saintly in 1996.
The most prolific colour has been bay with 30 wins, including the last three years with Fields Of Omagh, El Segundo and Maldivian.
And the bays have the numbers on their side again as there are nine of them going around this time.
Presently Whobetgotyou is quoted $2.90, approximately 2-1, a price that has supplied five winners, the last 2-1 winner was Better Loosen Up in 1990.
The most prolific winning price is 4-1 with six winners.
Of course there a couple of details that tip the scales towards the pre-post favourite.
Whobegotyou is a gelding and horses that have faced the chop are the most prolific winners in the history of the race with 32 successess, including the last three years, which has eased them ahead of entires who have won 31 Cox Plates.
He is a four-year-old and they lead the way with 25 wins ahead of five-year-olds with 22.
Of course the numbers, colours and letters will count for nothing once the starter says go.
Given his love of Moonee Valley, four starts for four wins, and with Damien Oliver doing the piloting, Whobegotyou is likely to claim his own place in Cox Plate history.
How the favourite’s have fared
April 25, 2009
IT looks like New Zealand stayer Mr Tipsy will carry the hopes of most punters going into today’s Sydney Cup at Randwick.
In what looks to be one of the most open Sydney Cups in recent years, Mr Tipsy has continued to firm in the Sportingbet market during the week, although only slightly, and at $6.50 he is now the outright favourite.
With the three emergencies out, he has come in three from his original barrier draw of 16 and now jumping from barrier 13 doesn’t look too bad.
There has been good money for the Bart Cummings trained Dandaad who has firmed two points since he drew barrier three.
The in form but up in class Casa De Campo has also come in from $81.00 to $41.00.
The Sydney Cup has been a good race for punters in recent years with three of the last six public elects getting the prize.
SYDNEY CUP – 3200 metres (Randwick, Saturday, April 25)
| Number | horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Price |
| 1-0484 | Master O’Reilly (NZ) | Danny O’Brien | Damien Oliver | (19) | 57.5kg | 8.00 |
| 2-1064 | Newport | Paul Perry | Hugh Bowman | (5) | 55.5kg | 7.50 |
| 3-7771 | Fiumicino (NZ) | M,W & J Hawkes | Jim Cassidy | (14) | 55kg | 7.00 |
| 4-6892 | Ice Chariot | Ron Maund | Glyn Schofield | (17) | 55kg | 21.00 |
| 5-3214 | Ista Kareem (NZ) | Colin Little | Craig Williams | (6) | 55kg | 8.00 |
| 6-2211 | Divine Rebel | Michael Moroney | Kerrin McEvoy | (9) | 51kg | 12.00 |
| 7-1125 | Mr Tipsy | M & B Baker | Corey Brown | (16) | 51kg | 6.50 |
| 8-4217 | Enzedex Eagle (NZ) | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | (4) | 51kg | 26.00 |
| 9-9539 | Brave Lancer (NZ) | Stephen Farley | Tommy Berry | (2) | 51kg | 41.00 |
| 10-1012 | Casa De Campo | Donna Logan | Ms Clare Lindop | (12) | 51kg | 41.00 |
| 11-3478 | Twin Wing | Guy Walter | Jay Ford | (8) | 51kg | 51.00 |
| 12-5582 | Glistening (GB) | Michael Moroney | Glen Boss | (18) | 51kg | 71.00 |
| 13-1423 | Common Objective | Gai Waterhouse | Blake Shinn | (15) | 51kg | 21.00 |
| 14-4345 | Lang (NZ) | David Payne | Kathy O’Hara | (11) | 51kg | 14.00 |
| 15-9570 | Tangalooma (NZ) | Kim Waugh | Grant Buckley | (1) | 51kg | 41.00 |
| 16-6866 | Dandaad (NZ) | Bart Cummings | Craig Newitt | (3) | 51kg | 9.00 |
| 17-1311 | Speed Dubai (Em) | Guy Walter | _ | (7) | 51kg | Scr |
| 18-1130 | Joe Blow (NZ) (Em) | Bart Cummings | _ | (10) | 51kg | Scr |
| 19-0260 | Carski Drum (Em) | Mick Petrovic | _ | (13) | 51kg | Scr |
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LAST 20 FAVOURITES/WINNERS
| Favourite’s | Winner’s | Winner’s | ||||
| Year… | Price | Favourite | Placed | Price | Winner | Age |
| 2008 | 3.80 | No Wine No Song | WON | B g 6y | ||
| 2007 | 7-4 | Blutigeroo | Fourth | 8-1 | Gallic | Ch g 5y |
| 2006 | 13-8 | Foraam | Fourth | 14-1 | County Tyrone | B g 7y |
| 2005 | 11-4 | Mahtoum | WON | B g 5y | ||
| 2004 | 9-4 | Mummify | Third | 5-2 | Makybe Diva (GB) | B m 5y |
| 2003 | 3-1 | Honor Babe | WON | B m 4y | ||
| 2002 | 6-1 | Soldier Blue | Fifteenth | 15-2 | Henderson Bay | B g 6y |
| 2001 | 7-2 | Giovana | Fifth | 12-1 | Mr Prudent | Ch g 6y |
| 2000 | 11-4 | Tie The Knot | Ninth | 8-1 | Streak | B g 5y |
| 1999 | 8-11 | Tie The Knot | WON | Ch g 5y | ||
| 1998 | 7-4 | Doriemus | Second | 11-4 | Tie The Knot | Ch g 4y |
| 1997 | 9-4 | Istidaad | Fourth | 8-1 | Linesman | B g 5y |
| 1996 | 9-4 | Count Chivas | WON | B g 4y | ||
| 1995 | 7-1eq | Starstruck | Fifth | 14-1 | Daacha | Ch g 5y |
| 1995 | 7-1eq | Super Monarch | Tenth | |||
| 1995 | 7-1eq | Royal Tiara | Eighteenth | |||
| 1994 | 6-4 | Miltak | Sixth | 16-1 | Cross Swords | B g 6y |
| 1993 | 6-4 | Subzero | Third | 10-1 | Azaam | Gr h 6y |
| 1992 | 2-1 | Demerit | Ninth | 4-1 | My Eagle Eye | B g 4y |
| 1991 | 9-4 | Prizaam | Sixth | 40-1 | Just A Dancer | Ch h 4y |
| 1990 | 9-10 | Sydeston | Fourth | 9-2 | King Aussie | B g 5y |
| 1989 | 5-1 | Round The World | Eighth | 15-1 | Palace Revolt | B m 4y |
| 1988 | 2-1 | Banderol | WON | B g 6y | ||
| 1987 | 8-13 | Myocard | Second | 7-1 | Major Drive | Ch g 5y |
| 1986 | 8-13 | Marooned (GB) | WON | Ch h 5y | ||
| 1985 | 3-1 | Imaprince | Second | 14-1 | Late Show | Ch g 4y |
| 1984 | 11-4 | What A Nuisance | Sixth | 8-1 | Trissaro | B g 5y |
| 1983 | 4-1 | Fountaincourt | Third | 8-1 | Veloso | B c 3yo |
.
To place your bet on this year’s Sydney Cup, Miller’s Guide recommends Sportingbet. Sign up HERE and once you deposit $30 they will give you $100 FREE!! You cannot beat that offer.
Cup punters have mud in their eyes
April 23, 2009
A possible heavy track and weight of money has seen BMW winner Fuimicino take over as outright favourite for the Sydney Cup in the latest Sportingbet markets.
Overnight he shared favourtism at $7.50 with Newport and Mr Tipsy but while they have remained steady he has shortened half a point to $7.00.
After a series of poor runs Fuimicino improved out of sight to win the BMW running away by 3/4 of a length and his supporters seem confident he can go on with it.
It was Fuimicino’s third win from six starts on a heavy surface and that includes the 2400m Australian Derby at Randwick in 2007.
Following his favourable barrier draw Ista Kareem has continued to firm and he has come in from $9.50 to $8.00.
Ista Kareem also likes it wet with four wins from six starts on slow tracks and two wins from six on heavy tracks.
Another one to shorten ($16.00 to $14.00) has been the consistent performer Lang.
He was only 1.5 lengths away when he ran on solidly out wide when fifth of 16 behind Divine Rebel in the Chairman’s Handicap at Randwick at his latest outing on April 11.
He has won two and been placed two of six starts on slow track but has not won in three starts on heavy tracks.
The latest sportingbet markets are:
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SYDNEY CUP – 3200 metres (Randwick, Saturday, April 25)
| Number | horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Price |
| 1-0484 | Master O’Reilly (NZ) | Danny O’Brien | Damien Oliver | (19) | 57.5kg | 8.00 |
| 2-1064 | Newport | Paul Perry | Hugh Bowman | (5) | 55.5kg | 7.50 |
| 3-7771 | Fiumicino (NZ) | M,W & J Hawkes | Jim Cassidy | (14) | 55kg | 7.00 |
| 4-6892 | Ice Chariot | Ron Maund | Glyn Schofield | (17) | 55kg | 21.00 |
| 5-3214 | Ista Kareem (NZ) | Colin Little | Craig Williams | (6) | 55kg | 8.00 |
| 6-2211 | Divine Rebel | Michael Moroney | Kerrin McEvoy | (9) | 51kg | 12.00 |
| 7-1125 | Mr Tipsy | M & B Baker | Corey Brown | (16) | 51kg | 7.50 |
| 8-4217 | Enzedex Eagle (NZ) | Chris Waller | Tye Angland | (4) | 51kg | 26.00 |
| 9-9539 | Brave Lancer (NZ) | Stephen Farley | Tommy Berry | (2) | 51kg | 41.00 |
| 10-1012 | Casa De Campo | Donna Logan | _ | (12) | 51kg | 81.00 |
| 11-3478 | Twin Wing | Guy Walter | Jay Ford | (8) | 51kg | 51.00 |
| 12-5582 | Glistening (GB) | Michael Moroney | _ | (18) | 51kg | 71.00 |
| 13-1423 | Common Objective | Gai Waterhouse | Blake Shinn | (15) | 51kg | 21.00 |
| 14-4345 | Lang (NZ) | David Payne | Kathy O’Hara | (11) | 51kg | 14.00 |
| 15-9570 | Tangalooma (NZ) | Kim Waugh | Grant Buckley | (1) | 51kg | 41.00 |
| 16-6866 | Dandaad (NZ) | Bart Cummings | Craig Newitt | (3) | 51kg | 10.00 |
| 17-1311 | Speed Dubai (Em) | Guy Walter | _ | (7) | 51kg | 31.00 |
| 18-1130 | Joe Blow (NZ) (Em) | Bart Cummings | Glen Boss | (10) | 51kg | 26.00 |
| 19-0260 | Carski Drum (Em) | Mick Petrovic | _ | (13) | 51kg | 201.00 |
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To place your bet on this year’s Sydney Cup, Miller’s Guide recommends Sportingbet. Sign up HERE and once you deposit $30 they will give you $100 FREE!! You cannot beat that offer.
he has two placings.
Nice odds if you can find the Sydney Cup winner
April 21, 2009
BOOKMAKERS are having as much trouble as punters in finding the likely winner of Saturday’s Sydney Cup at Randwick.
At present they have it at $7.50 the field with favourtism shared between Mr Tipsy and Fiumicino.
Not far behind them are Ista Kareem and Master O’Reilly at $8.00 and the enigmatic Newport at $9.00.
They are keeping the lightly raced New Zealand galloper Mr Tipsy safe even though he was disappointing when beaten five lengths by Fiumicino in the BMW at Rosehill last start on April 4.
Before that the four-year-od son of Montjeu had no luck when second to Spin Around in the New Zealand Cup over 3200 metres on March 4, in only his 11th race start.
That was only his second unplaced start in a career that only began last July and has produced six wins and four placings.
Fiumicino’s surprise win in the BMW was a welcome return to form after a series of six disappointing unplaced runs and the 2007 AJC Australian Derby winner shapes as though he will appreciate the 3200 metres.
The barrier draw for the Cup will be done tomorrow.
The current Sportingbet market is:
| $7.50 | Mr Tipsy |
| $7.50 | Fiumicino |
| $8.00 | Ista Kareem |
| $8.00 | Master O’Reilly |
| $9.00 | Newport |
| $10.00 | Dandaad |
| $13.00 | Divine Rebel |
| $16.00 | Lang |
| $17.00 | Zagreb |
| $19.00 | Common Objective |
| $21.00 | Ice Chariot |
| $21.00 | Eskimo Dan |
| $23.00 | Kerdem |
| $26.00 | Miss Maren |
| $26.00 | Enzedex Eagle |
| $31.00 to $351.00 | others. |
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THE LAST 20 SYDNEY CUPS – 3200 metres
| 2008 | No Wine No Song | 55.5 | Pentathon | 56 | Lang | 54 | 3:25.5 |
| 2007 | Gallic | 56 | Irazu | 53.5 | No Wine No Song | 53.5 | 3:27.3 |
| 2006 | County Tyrone | 55.5 | Zabeat | 53.5 | Three Chimneys | 53 | 3:22.6 |
| #2005 | Mahtoum | 52.5 | County Tyrone | 56 | Philosophe | 51.5 | 3:27.6 |
| 2004 | Makybe Diva | 56.5 | Manawa King | 50 | Mummify | 57.5 | 3:21.2 |
| 2003 | Honor Babe | 53 | County Tyrone | 56 | Grey Song | 54.5 | 3:30.5 |
| 2002 | Henderson Bay | 54 | Mr. Prudent | 55.5 | Spirit Of Westbury | 56 | 3:26.7 |
| 2001 | Mr. Prudent | 50.5 | Prophet’s Kiss | 49 | Starina | 49 | 3:26.9 |
| 2000 | Streak | 53.5 | Sharscay | 54 | Ears’ Ronny | 49.5 | 3:30.3 |
| #1999 | Tie The Knot | 57 | Praise Indeed | 53 | Lahar | 49 | 3:22.6 |
| 1998 | Tie The Knot | 50.5 | Doriemus | 59 | Praise Indeed | 50 | 3:25.7 |
| 1997 | Linesman | 51.5 | Nothin Leica Dane | 56 | Ebony Grosve | 51.5 | 3:20.5 |
| 1996 | Count Chivas | 55.5 | The Bandette | 48.5 | Beaux Art | 53 | 3:26.3 |
| 1995 | Daacha | 51 | Dark Ksar | 55.5 | Gold Sovereign | 51.5 | 3:24.3 |
| 1994 | Cross Swords | 52.5 | Hear That Bell | 52 | Azzaam | 55.5 | 3:28.8 |
| 1993 | Azzaam | 53.5 | Te Akau Nick | 54 | Subzero | 57.5 | 3:28.3 |
| 1992 | My Eagle Eye | 52.5 | Aquidity | 56 | Castletown | 59.5 | 3:23.8 |
| 1991 | Just A Dancer | 52 | Castletown | 56 | I’m In Heaven | 53 | 3:19.0 |
| 1990 | King Aussie | 53 | Chaleyer | 50 | Palace Revolt | 52.5 | 3:36.6 |
| 1989 | Palace Revolt | 48.5 | Coshking | 51.5 | Regal Chela | 49 | 3:38.1 |
| 1988 | Banderol | 53.5 | Round The World | 51.5 | Equity Girl | 49.5 | 3:34.1 |
2008 SYDNEY CUP 3200 metres (Saturday, May 3)
Group 1. Handicap 3YO&Up. of $700,000 plus $28,360 trophies; First: $420,000 plus trophies; Second: $133,000; Third: $66,500; Fourth: $31,500; Fifth: $17,500; Sixth: $10,500; Seventh: $10,500; Eighth: $10,500.
$3.80 fav NO WINE NO SONG (Tobermory Stud Syn. (Mgrs: J A & Mrs T O’Gara) b g 6y, Song Of Tara (Ire.) - Deep Time (NZ), by Kinjite (NZ). Kevin Moses 55.5kg. Damien Oliver 1
$5.00 PENTATHON (NZ) (R S Baulcomb & M K Ralston’s ch g 6y, Pentire (GB) - Star Royal (NZ), by Grosvenor (NZ). Tr: John Wheeler. 56kg. Shane Dye 2
$31.00 LANG (NZ) (Lang Road Pty Ltd Syn. (Mgrs: J P Stevens & G F Rogers) b g 5y, Lord Ballina - Regal Cent (NZ), by Centaine). Tr: David Payne. 54kg. Glyn Schofield 3
Then followed:
| 26.00 | County Tyrone | (b g 9y, Danewin - Nice Choice (GB) | 57 | D Nikolic | 4 |
| 16.00 | Red Lord | (b g 4y, Redoute’s Choice - Dame Cath (NZ) | 54.5 | N Rawiller | 5 |
| 11.00 | Lacey Underall | (b m 5y, Desert Sun (GB) - Flirted) | 54 | D Dunn | 6 |
| 41.00 | Play Me (GB) | (b m 6y, Nashwan (USA) - Mrs Moonlight (GB) | 52.5 | J Lloyd | 7 |
| 7.50 | Young Centaur | (br g 5y, Jeune (GB) - Centafit (NZ) | 55 | C W Brown | 8 |
| 11.00 | Resolution (NZ) | (b g 4y, Pentire (GB) - Amritsar Jet (NZ) | 54 | Ms L Cropp | 9 |
| 31.00 | Tails Of Triomphe | (b g 6y, Archway (Ire.) - Spinning Heads) | 54 | P Gatt | 10 |
| 31.00 | Sir James (NZ) | (b h 4y, Montjeu (Ire.) - Happiness (NZ) | 54 | P Robl | 11 |
| 41.00 | Lazer Sharp | (b g 4y, Zariz - Scadabba) | 55.5 | B Shinn | 12 |
| 18.00 | Exinite (NZ) | (ch g 6y, Lord Ballina - Centrepiece (NZ) | 54 | H Bowman | 13 |
| 61.00 | Grand Destiny | (b/br g 4y, Redoute’s Choice - Lilting) | 54 | J Winks | 14 |
| 31.00 | The Chieftain | (b g 5y, Song Of Tara (Ire.) - Felicity Rose) | 54 | J Innes | 15 |
| 12.00 | The Fuzz (NZ) | (br g 5y, Danasinga - Drama Queen (NZ) | 56.5 | C Williams | 16 |
Scratched: Philosophe. Won by: 1 length, 1-1/4 lengths. Time: 3:25.51. (Last 600m 35.86). Track: dead.
Barriers: 8-5-3. Judge’s numbers: 5-3-11-1.
SuperTAB Divs: Win: $3.70. Place: $1.70, $2.30, $8.80. Quinella: $11.80.
Exacta: $17.20. Trifecta: $398.50. First Four: 5-3-11-1. $5789.90.
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To place your bet on this year’s Sydney Cup, Miller’s Guide recommends Sportingbet. Sign up HERE and once you deposit $30 they will give you $100 FREE!! You cannot beat that offer.
Big result for little filly
April 18, 2009
NEW Zealand filly Daffodil supplied trainer Kevin Grey with the thrill of a lifetime today when she stormed home to take out the AJC Oaks over 2400 metres at Randwick.
A farmer before taking out his training licence, Grey was on his first visit to Sydney.
After the win Grey said: “This is my first visit here, it is a helluva big place.
“To win a race anywhere is a thrill, to win one in Sydney is just great.’’
Considered unlucky when a close fourth behind Jungle Rocket in the New Zealand Oaks on March 14, Daffodil looked headed for a similar result today after she buffeted early then forced wide.
Her jockey Hugh Bowman said: “She is only little so I was just trying to keep her out of trouble.
“She got pushed around a little by the bigger horses and I was forced five deep at one stage, but she is so tough.’’
While Bowman was trying to keep Daffodil out of trouble the race was being run to suit his mount with the pace on out in front.
Zapurple, who had missed the start badly, caught the field and then swept around the outside which ensured the similarly named Purple maintained a solid clip.
Into the straight Daffodil was racing midfield inside several horses but the gaps opened up like the sea before Moses and she stormed through to win clearly.
Think Money ran on well for second with race favourite Miss Darcey making ground into third place without ever looking a winner.
After the race there was a suggestion that the filly might go on to contest the Sydney Cup.
It would be a major challenge for Grey but the way she went to the line suggests she would run out a solid 3200 metres.
Vision powers to Doncaster glory
April 18, 2009
Vision And Power gave owner Nick Moriatis has third Group 1 victory for the month when he stormed down the outside to score a narrow win in the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap over 1600m at Randwick today.
Seemingly in a hopeless position near the tail of the field at the half way mark, Vision And Power was urged forward by jockey Jim Cassidy approaching the home turn but as the field swept wide around the corner he was forced off the track and dropped back among the tailenders again.
Then just as the horses on the inside seemed ready the share the placings Vision And Power lead a herd of challengers down the outside to snare the three placings.
On the line he had around half a length to spare over Black Piranha with Whobetgotyou close up in third placing.
At Rosehill on April 4, Moriatis, already famous as the owner of former champion stayer Might And Power, collected the Group 1 George Ryder with Vision And Power and on the same day he won the BMW with Fiumincino.
After today’s race Moriatis said: “I just can’t believe it has happened again.”
Winning jockey Jim Cassidy was heaped praise on young trainer Joseph Pride after the race.
Cassidy said: “I can’t believe how he has turned this horse around. To be fair he has gone from a Saturday Welter class to winning a Group 1.
“Three week’s ago he won the BMW and now he has won a Doncaster.’’
Another champion becomes a Legend
April 18, 2009
Trainer: Joe Janiak
Reported having missed some track work leading up to the race there were doubts about his ability to run out the 1200m. under weight-for-age conditions.
That was enforced after he was made to work early when star three-year-old colt Northern Meteor kicked up underneath him for the first 200 metres.
But jockey Nash Rawiller just allowed the ninie-year-old to stride along until he got the better of Northern Meteor and eventually worked his way to the front.
Meanwhile his main rivals, last year’s winner Apache Cat and Warwick Stakes winner Racing To Win were enjoying a cosy run in behind the pace.
But just as the pressure came on at the turn into the straight it became a one horse affair.
Rawiller allowed Takeover Target to drift a little wide rounding the corner at which stage Northern Meteor kicked up on the inside to challenge again.
But it was obvious Takeover Target was traveling easily and when Rawiller said go he sprinted clear and soon had the race in his keeping.
At the line Takeover Target set a race record time of 1:09.0 and he had about three lengths to spare over Northern Meteor who battled on well with Apache Cat running into third without ever looking like catching the winner.
After the race Rawiller said: “What a superstar. He just travelled in a different gear to the rest of them.’’
Winning trainer Joe Janiak confirmed that Takeover Target would next step out in the Goodwood Handicap at Morphettville before another English tour via Singapore.
Perfect Pentacolo takes the Great Eastern
April 13, 2009
FORMER jumps jockey Ciaron Maher has landed one of his most satisfying victories at Oakbank where he has taken out the Great Eastern Steeplecase with Pentacolo.
In a battling finish Pentacolo had to dig deep to edge past Mephistopheles who fought back gamely when tackled.
But in a keenly run affair, jockey Brad McLean had given Pentacolo a perfect run which allowed him to find a little bit more in the closing brutal final stages.
At the finish Pentacolo had just on a length to spare over Mephistopheles with the well fancied Go And Get a couple of lengths away third.
After the race Maher heaped praise on McLean and the horse.
He said: “It was a great ride by Brad, he rode the horse perfect. He settled back but jumped perfectly and jumped his way into the race.”
It was a sharp improvement from Pentacolo who had finished a moderate 7-1/4 lengths fifth in the Von Doussa at Oakbank only two days earlier.
But Maher said: “He just needed the run on Saturday to clean him up a bit.”
Maher first burst to prominence when he prepared Tears I Cry to a shock victory in the Group 1, Emirates Stakes during the 2007 Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington.
The Oakbank event does not carry nearly as much in stakes but for a former jumping jockey it is just as satisfying.
Maher said Pentacolo would now be set for the Grand Annual Steeple at his home track at Warrnambool in May.
Geelong races “rocked off”
April 8, 2009
The return to racing on the Geelong synthetic track has ended in shambles today with the program abandoned after only one event was held.
It was to be the first meeting on the “ThoroughTrack” surface since October 7.
Since then there has been an on-going inquiry into the deaths of seven horses that had contested races there in the first 37 meetings since the track was opened as an all-weather surface.
That report was unable to arrive at any definitive conclusions after one and a half seasons racing at the track.
The track had recently been updated with two new drains which was only completed last week.
The meeting today was abandoned after jockeys complained about stones “the size of golf balls” on the racing surface.
Remarkably it was only cleared for racing after several trials were held there on Monday.
Today’s problems are certain to stagnate plans to build any more synthetic tracks.
Great ride gives Rawiller the Slipper
April 4, 2009
BRAD Rawiller has taken advantage of a remarkable dream run to score an upset victory aboard Phelan Ready in today’s Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes, the richest 2yo race in the world, at Rosehill.
Drawn the extreme outside of the 16 horse field, Rawiller didn’t push the colt out at the start and enabled him to drift across behind the field and settle on the fence, albeit a long way from the lead.
But from there things just kept going right.
In the previous race all the jockeys must have seen Jim Cassidy stick to the fence and kick through along the inside to win the Group 1 Ryder Stakes.
They must have seen it but they ignored it because they kept pulling off the fence to try to work into the race while Rawiller just kept pushing up along the inside.
Just before the home straight Rawiller must have thought it was Christmas as a gap as wide as the Grand Canyon appeared in front of Phelan Ready.
Having spent no petrol in the mad charge early Phelan Ready was able to motor through and hit the front at the 300 metre mark.
He didn”t kick too far in front but it was clear he had the race won.
Victorian filly Headway ran on gamely down the center to hold off the strong finishing Manhattan Rain for second while race favourite Real Saga also ran on for fourth.
The well fancied filly More Joyous worked hard to cross the field early and she had nothing left in the tak in the closing stages and dropped right out in the closing stages.
