Patience earns Williams a Sydney Cup
April 25, 2009
A BRILLIANT ride by Craig Williams has seen veteran stayer Ista Kareem score an easy win in the Sydney Cup at Randwick today.
From his inside barrier draw, Williams allowed Ista Kareem to settle in the second half of the field while the heavily backed Fuimicino was allowed to stride along at a good pace out in front.
With no pressure placed on him Fuimicino led the field into the home straight but he was soon under pressure and struggling as he was challenged by Divine Rebel and Mr Tipsy.
That pair raced down the outside and looked to have the race between them at the 200 metre mark but Williams was able to steer Ista Kareem through the pack and kicked up along the rails.
It looked a combination of Divine Rebel and Mr Tipsy fading the closing stages along with Ista Kareem’s powerful finish that decided the result.
Divine Rebel kicked back to gain second place just ahead of Mr Tipsy.
Early leader Fuimicino battled on fairly to finish just behind the placegetters alongside with Master O’Reilly who was never in the race from the wide barrier with his big weight.
Winning trainer Colin Little said the weather played a big part in Ista Kareem’s win.
Little said: “He failed in the Adelaide Cup because of the humidity but he got the conditions he loves here.’’
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 |
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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.
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.
Horror draws for hotpots in Cup
April 22, 2009
THE barrier draw has not been kind to several of the more fancied runners in Saturday’s Sydney Cup.
Pre-post equal favourites for the draw were New Zealander Mr Tipsy and BMW winner Fiumicino who have drawn barriers 16 and 14 respectively.
The three emergencies have all drawn inside that pair so their draw is likely to improve marginally.
They have now been joined at the top of the betting by Newport who fared much better with barrier 5.
2007 Caulfield Cup winner Master O’Reilly has drawn the extreme outside in the field of 19 and even with the three emergencies out he will came from barrier 16.
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 | 7.50 |
| 4-6892 | Ice Chariot | Ron Maund | Glyn Schofield | (17) | 55kg | 21.00 |
| 5-3214 | Ista Kareem (NZ) | Colin Little | Craig Williams | (6) | 55kg | 9.50 |
| 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 | 71.00 |
| 11-3478 | Twin Wing | Guy Walter | Jay Ford | (8) | 51kg | 51.00 |
| 12-5582 | Glistening (GB) | Michael Moroney | _ | (18) | 51kg | 61.00 |
| 13-1423 | Common Objective | Gai Waterhouse | Blake Shinn | (15) | 51kg | 21.00 |
| 14-4345 | Lang (NZ) | David Payne | Kathy O’Hara | (11) | 51kg | 16.00 |
| 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 | 21.00 |
| 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.
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.
Stopwatch on Tiger Terry’s career at Richmond
April 20, 2009
BARRING some unforeseen miracle at Punt Road there is no doubt that Terry Wallace and Richmond will part company at the end of the season – if not before.
After yesterday’s pathetic lost to Melbourne, a winless Richmond sit second last on the ladder ahead of another basket case in Fremantle, but only by percentage.
But should Wallace be the only one to be guillotined at Tigerland?
For instance who is carrying the responsibility for, among other things: recruiting; player management; fitness, etc.
If they are going to give Wallace the chop maybe they should consider swinging the axe in a few other departments as well.
It doesn’t say much for the recruiting when week-in, week-out, the likes of Matthew Richardson and Joel Bowden continue to head their best players.
Some of the youngsters including Brett Deledio, Nathan Foley and Andrew Collins are showing potential but the Tigers have had numerous early draft picks over recent years and should have had a bundle of young guns in their team by now.
Granted through injury the Tigers are without the likes of Ben Cousins, Trent Cochin and Mark Coughlan but each and every club has injury worries.
And you have got to have long term concerns over Cousins and his hamstrings and you can only wonder why he went back on the ground in the last quarter against Carlton after it seemed obvious he was showing signs of soreness.
Wallace is the final year of a five year contract at Richmond and although the Club has really nothing to gain by removing him before the end of the season, each week and each loss makes it a lot harder to retain him.
Wallace himself made it tough when he declared: “We want to be judged over the next month,” after they got flogged by Carlton in round one.
Since then they have lost to Geelong, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs and are big odds against North Melbourne next Sunday.
Verbally the Club President and committee are standing behind their coach but you can imagine they have all got knives in their hand.
They have a record of eating their own at Richmond and it seems only a matter of time before they serve Wallace’s head to supporters on a plate.
Are Collingwood pushing the truth?
April 20, 2009
HAVE Collingwood been very stupid or very clever with their claims that an umpire made contact with one of their players during the third quarter of last Friday’s game against Brisbane at The Gabba?
A week after Collingwood defender Heath Shaw was, correctly, suspended for a week after deliberately making contact with umpire Michael Vozzo in the match against Geelong, they are insisting that experienced umpire Scott McLaren was involved in a third quarter incident with Shane O’Bree.
A number of Collingwood officials are claiming they have video evidence of the incident taken from cameras situated behind the goals but so far nothing has been made public.
Rather strange when you consider that every television station would have scanned every centimetre of video after the complaint was first aired.
A cynic might suggest that the matter was raised as a clever ploy to deflect any possible report after O’Bree himself made solid contact with an umpire earlier in the match.
While O’Bree looks likely to escape any mention about that contact there are two players up for mention for contacting an umpire during the weekend’s matches.
In the match against Collingwood, Brisbane’s Simon Black made minimal contact with an umpire after a center bounce and had a free kick paid against him.
At the MCG Port Adelaide’s Matt Thomas knocked over an umpire while he wrestled with Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell.
Again it looks as though Mitchell will escape any penalty for his share of the incident.
He got off scot free after he shoved Sydney’s Brett Kirk into umpire Matthew James in round two while Kirk received a reprimand and a $1950 fine.
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.
