Benalla 23/02/2018 Pierro and Redoutes Choice

Our first race at Benalla is a no bet race. Race 2 1200m not confident but the favourite Snipes looks hard to beat . Lonrho out of a Commands mare Luke Currie to ride.
Race 3 looks another tough maiden going with the Stockdales and Turf Diva.
Race 4 is an interesting race with Hayes /Dabernig having three chances but I'm going to lean towards Jeddah Aheadah he is by Piero out of a Lion Hunter mare and looks very honest. Today maybe his day. Savvy Ken also a good chance as 1600m is a spot on distance for the Savabeels but drawn wide a concern. The All American gelding Free For All best of the Hayes horses.
Race 5 Another difficult race, the 3 chances i can see are the Piero horse, Kapow also Royal Zephyr by Commands and a place chance to Fire and Brimstone by Fastnet Rock.
In Race 6 I think Here Comes Lenni can get home. It has plenty of race experience is fresh and being out of a Centaine mare this is a plus as the Tavistocks do require a little further. Regan Bayliss to ride. A big watch on Hibernator from the Hayes/Dabernig yard first up.
Race 7 is our special for the day Regal Embrace from the Hayes camp a beautifully bred gelding by Redoutes Choice out of the Encosta mare Love and Kisses. I just feel with fitness, race experience he could be ready to fire. There is also an interesting Ocean Park filly Rip Girl to be ridden by Damien Thornton at value could run the place.
A watch race in the eigth. The Redoutes Choice horse Charlton too short probably runs second and Chance Taken a Hard Spun back in distance could win it but hasnt got a great winning record.
In the ninth race a bit of a toss up between Broo Boss a Street Boss gelding out of a Commands mare or Groegans Hero a More Than Ready out of an Encosta mare. Just leaning towards the later because of his victory last start may have turned a corner and I'm starting to notice with the More Than Ready they can put a few together.
In the last Invincible Rock looks the winner but is very short. Fastnet Rock gelding looks to have some promise. I Love this Lady could be one to place being fresh and is good value.

Special for the Day Regal Embrace

Best Value Jeddah Aheadah 

Feeling Horse of the Day Kapow just a bit worried about the barrier .

Penola in South Australia A Good Journey day

Race 2 horse 7 Amberdi chance but short.
Race 3 Horse 3 Dabay a Reward or Effort gelding
Race4 Horse 3 Good value Ready's Image gelding Visual Image good track and distance record and fresh record .
Race 5 Hard to seperate numbers 1,4,5 The Good Journey gelding Rhythmic just a head of 4 and then 5.
Race 6 Number 1 Redeeka Declan Bates to ride !
Race 7 Horse 3 Connemarra Rose another Good Journey will go close getting a good price at 7 dollars.
         At Canberra today keep an eye on the Reward For Effort in the last ridden by Carly Frater Hill Patrika Belle 30/1

Warrnambool 22/02/2018 High Chapparral and Written Tycoon Day

  In the first race over 2000m there is a High Chapparal recently gelded four year old trained by Darren Weir ridden by John Allen looks the winner but is short at even money. Dean Yendal is riding the second favourite an honest type by Skilled. Be wary ! Could be a race to take a few trifectas around the two of them.
    The second race is not much of a race the number one Salt Lake Stryker is by Captain Gerard and the 1100m is perfect but not to fussed on the jockey. Barenya is a 3yo filly by Reward For Effort who is alot more experienced now. Lucinda Doodt to ride could be value at 20/1.
     The third, Hot Shot Harry looks an up and coming Written Tycoon with 2 seconds from 3 starts .Today may be the day with D. Moor to ride. Being freshened is a plus as the breed do well fresh. The two Bel Esprits look chances with Evolutionist fit and coming back to 1300m may place. Honey Esprit is a chance.
     In Rce 4, we find a very open 1400m race with a watch on the number 8, Cunning Moves, he is a Foxwedge out of a Stravinsky mare, so soft track should suit, up to 1400m and blinkers on. The number 11 Quattro Porte is a So You Think so rise in distance should suit and has experience, chance.
      Race 5 over 2350m looks a race that should suit the High Chapparral horse Hi Rolla with Linda Meech to ride. The rise in distance and soft track all positives only query is his average record but may be the day he turns the corner.
      Race 6 is a watch race for me . Horses 6 and 7 are both Resets and look suited with the younger gelding Speed Stinger only having his 6th start and already has two wins so could be an up and comer.
    In race 7 over 1300m looks a even field but have decided to go with the Black Mosheen form . He is out of a Second Empire mare so soft track should help and has John Allen riding. the horse that ran right beside him last start could be value. Galileos Journey led a pulled a bit last start. He only has one win from 10 starts but i just have a feeling he might be going to start putting it together which is often the case with Good Journey horses but once they hit form are very consistent. To be ridden by Nikita Beriman for her father another interesting move.  Oh dont forget in multiples December always places. 
     Race 8 is a good quality field and i couldnt seperate the numbers 3,9,15 all look very promising. Just leaning towards the first up, Thorntons mare by Written Tycoon, Written Attraction on value. Snitch could be a real good horse but is short at 2/1, to be ridden by Dean Yendal and by Lope De Vega both Jockey and stable have had success with this breed before. The 15 Ruby's Reward is awesomely bred being by Reward For Effort out of a Fastnet Rock mare just a little concerned with jockey. Will she settle this time in a big field unsure as the breed have a tendency to get fired up.
               Best of the Day -- Hot Shot Harry in race 3. Hi Rolla best value .

Written Attraction and Hi Energy should go well.

Feeling horse of the day Galileos Journey

Folkswood and Foxwedge

 Pakenham Saturday -- Winners were 3yo filly, Nothin on Me by Not A Single Doubt in the maiden . Lost count how many winners this breed had on Saturday including the Boss in the Guineas. The Reward For Effort 4yo gelding Palma Merenti over 1200m for the Andrew Noblet yard and Captain Sonador gelding Captains Son in the 1000m BM58. Wanted to mention the Captain Sonador breed, the 1000m is their go . 

Written Tycoon -- A race to race double at Penola on Sunday for the breed. Lindsay Alfred ridden by Holly Mckechnie won the 1400m class 2 in race 6, easily. Then Written Rulz came from a long way back in the BM64 over 2100m ridden by Krystal Bishop to salute. Then at Tatura on monday, Tycoon Tony  completed a great weekend for the breed coming out on top in the BM58 1100m event after a difficult ride for Tom Stockdale. He is out of the Rubiton mare Real Ruby and I learnt something about the Rubiton breed, many years ago . They love it fresh. 

Written Tycoon Stands at Woodside Park Stud

Highgate Hill -- This High Chaparral mare continued on his winning way in the BM64 over 2025m for Greg Eurell stable and ridden by Jamie Mott. Confidence really helps and this galloper has it, right now. She is a daughter of Petta Gaye a Danehill mare.

Apache Cat Classic -- The 1000m Classic on Cranbourne Cup day was won by Rock'n'Gold. This Rock of Gibraltar gelding is trained by Ellerton/Zahra and was ridden by in form Damian Lane. I'm starting to see that the breed have an affinity for the 1000m. 

Cranbourne Cup -- An easy win by Folkswood here in the listed cup over the 2025m. It gave Charlie Appleby another country cup and made it a great weekend for Kerrin Mcevoy after his Everest win on Saturday . I made n error of judgement here, thinking being by Exceed and Excel the 5yo gelding may not get the trip but he is out of the Galileo mare Magic Nymph. The Galileo progeny look so strong and he definately has thrown to the mares side. 

 Folkswood 4yo gelding winning for Godolphin 

in the Jaguar F Type UAE back in February

Foxwedge  -- The mare Pleasantries in the 1200m class 1 at Kembla on saturday continued her unbeaten start to her career. She is out of the Elusive Quality mare Polite. While the last on the card at Cranbourne saw the talented Fox Hall score for the Mcevoy yard in the BM78 over 1400m, ridden by Luke Currie.   

 Foxwedge Stands at Newgate

The son of Fastnet Rock is the sire of group one filly Foxplay. 

Here is her win in the Coolmore 2017

Hard Spun -- Wound Tight won the last on the card at Tatura with another good front running ride by Chelsea Hall. She seems to have an affinity with this breed. Let them roll in front and they really find for you. The old gelding Jarrah Twist got home for young Declan Bates at Penola as well over the 1300m in the BM72 on Sunday. The 8yo has now had 12 victories from 62 starts. 

Reward for Liberty

• Statue of Liberty -- On the last race of the day at Geelong on Friday saw Perfect Statue successful in the BM68 ,ridden by Tom Stockdale over 1300m. The 4yo mares, dam is High Esprit who won a couple of races in her career. This breed is so consistent and very rarely a week goes by, without a couple of winners. At Tatura we saw Alice Island the 3yo filly break her maiden status in the 1100m event. 

 Statue of Liberty Stands at Sun Stud for $7,700 

• Stratum -- Stragun was a winner at Murray Bridge over 1200m in the class 1, ridden by apprentice Justin Huxtable for Grant Kluske. The 5yo gelding is out of the Bel Esprit mare Heigl. The Tatura BM 64 saw Meridian Star, ridden by Jessica Payne win  the last over 1000m. The 4yo mare is out of Maiden of Fire a Rubiton mare. She won at her fisrt start this preparation for Richard Laming. Joan Constance made it 2 from 2 this prep with a win in the BM58 1000m event at Moe. Ellerton/Zahra trained ,Chris Symons ridden, 4yo mare came with a well timed run to record another victory. Prince Roo won at Cessnock over 1600m.

• Reward For Effort -- The well backed, My Unicorn, a Reward for Effort filly won at her first start in her 3 yo preparation for Peter Gelagotis in the 1000m maiden at Moe and did it in style, clearing away from her rivals for a big win. Later in the day, we saw Brueghlino, another of the breed lead all the way to gain victory in the 1600m maiden. Ridden by young Brandon Stockdale the 4yo mare is out of Encargo an Encosta de Lago mare who won one race. Seven Year Reward greeted the judge at Geelong on Friday over 1000m in the maiden . The gelding is trained by Greg Eurell and was ridden by Nikita Beriman. 

The Epic Looking Rewrad for Effort stands at Chatswood Stud 

• Raise the Flag -- Broadside winning the Newcastle Cup last week really woke me up to the quality of this breed over 1600m and beyond but they are quite capable fresh so be aware of that and Etah James at Ararat on Monday won well coming off a break for Matt Cumani ridden by Anthony Boyd in the BM 58.  

• Hard Spun -- In the Ararat 1100m BM 58 we saw a win for 5yo mare,Wound Tight ridden by, young Chelsea Hall who I must say, is a top jockey to follow . She regularly gets up on long price winners and rides the front runners a treat. Hard Spun breed love to be up on speed and use their tenacity to secure victory. Blithe Belle the 5yo Hard Spun mare kept up the breeds winning ways zooming down the outside to score in the BM 64 1200m final race on the card. Zahra/Ellerton trained abd Chris Symos ridden galloper.

• Canford Cliffs --  Another good ride by Brandon Stockdale saw Wimborne succesful in the last at Moe 1200m bm 58, the 4yo entire is out of that good mare Sorenstram by Encosta de Lago who won 6 races and 270,000 in prizemoney for the David Hayes stable.

• Equiano -- Bowie Rocks the 4yo Equiano gelding ridden by Lachie King and trained by Gerald Egan. Won a 1100m maiden at Tatura is worth mentining because he is out of the Fastnet Rock mare , She Likes To Rock. 

• High Chaparral -- Hiyaam won 1400m Maiben at Ballarat first up for Mick Price ridden by Pat Maloney. The 3yo filly is out of the Zabeel mare, Mazarine. Presumption 5yo gelding won the 2200m BM 64 at Murray Bridge ridden by Sariyn Fawke.2000m BM 58 was won by Greg Eurell trained Highgate Hill who came back in distance after being third previous start in a 2400m race. He was ridden a perfect race by Jamie Mott coming with a perfect time run down the ouutside.

• Artie Schiller -- The breed continued their winning run this week with Arties Dreamwinner, the 4yo mare was ridden by Linda Meech and trained by Dan O''sullivan won the BM64, 1400m event. Linda has been in great form the past week and put on a great front running ride.

Artie Schiller Stands at Aquis Farm

• Nicconi -- I wanted to include Nicconi who had winners in the city with Sirconni ridden by Linda Meech in her favorite manner leading throughout but there were country winners as well including William Thomas in the 1100m maiden at Ararat. The 3yo gelding is out of the Fastnet Rock mare Girl Rocks. They recorded a double at Cessnock on Monday with Hammoon Bridge and Nicorama, both mares recording victories over 900m and 1150m respectively.

Some other notable results -- We saw the I Am Invincible progeny get a double at Wyong. Reliable Man is a breed to keep an eye on over the next year he stands at Westbury stud in New Zealand and I have been seeing a few of his progeny entering the winners circle over the last few weeks. Reliable Man won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes before going to stud and is by Dhalakhani out of a Sadlers Wells mare so wet tracks could be beneficial. 

 

Progeny with success this Week

Canterbury 13/09/2017 -- A double to Exceed and Excel with Kerrin Mckevoy riding Piracy to victory over 1250m in bm77 while 4yo mare trained by Chris waller, Cocoexcel scored in the 1100m bm70, ridden by Blake Shinn.

Newcastle 16/09/2017 --  A Sebring double with Seaglass winning the class 1 1200m for the Snowdens ,ridden by Koby Jennings while in the 1850m class 1 it was Jess Taylor aboard Seababe  trained by Gary Portelli. Seababe is out of the Encosta de Lago mare Swinging Babe. Biscuit was another winner in the class 1 1800m at Bathurst for Sebring this week.

High Chaparral -- Numerous country winners including Anchor Bid at Bendigo 1600m 3yo fillies benchmark 70 for Darren Weir. While the 4yo gelding, Pressing Matters was successful over 2400m, breaking his maiden status. I'm A Princess BM 60 1400m winner at Balaklava for the Mcevoy\Kah combination. High Offer at Swan Hill in the 1200m maiden for Yendal/Weir.The gelding is out of a Redoutes Choice mare. Lifeline Princess, Bathurst 1200m bm 60 winner, ridden by Greg Ryan.


Artie Schiller -- Wheal Leisure 4yo mare, ridden by Ben Allen in the 1600m bm78 at Bendigo is out of an Encosta De Lago mare. While Shagra won at Geelong over 1330m,the 3yo filly was ridden by Mick Dee.On the Sunday we saw GeneralArtie win a Dubbo maiden over 1200m, ridden by Greg Ryan.

 Artie Schiller is by El Prado and stands at Aquis Farm

Reward for Effort -- Rewarding Laughter 3yo filly won on the heavy track at Casterton in the maiden over 1100m. Queens Reward won a 1000m maiden at Mornington. Canford Cliffs -- In the bm58 over 1200m saw the 3yo colt Hecta, win well. Ridden by Melissa Julius,he could easily win again. Jingles the 4yo mare won a Goulboun maiden over 1300m, ridden by Koby Jennings.

 Reward For Effort stands at Chatswood Farm 

Nicconi -- Canterbury winner Nictok has now won 7 of her 8 starts.Ridden by Hugh Bowman in the bm 79 over 11100m. In the 1100m maiden at Grafton 4yo mare Queen of Kingston, saluted.


Hard Spun -- Lord Sundowner 3yo gelding broke his 1300m maiden status at his fourth start . Ridden by Jake Noonan for Mick Price and Steel Caps finally broke through at Wangaratta.
Hinchinbrook -- Beach Life had a class 1 win at Geelong over 1530m. The 4yo gelding is out of an Encosta de Lago mare. At Wangaratta 4yo mare Fastbrook ridden by Beau Mertens won the class 1 over 1100m.


Other Stallions Standing Out -- Denman, Not a Single Doubt, Raise the Flag, Bel Esprit. 

Woman and Leather'n' Lace

Leather'n' Lace -- Another super win, from this promising Street Cry filly at Bendigo on Thursday.The track was on the heavy side which could have exaggerated the ease of the win in the 1300m event but still keep an eye out for this girl in town.  The 12th foal of the Maroof mare Hard Rider who has produced three other stakes winners. Utah Saint ,Big Chill, and Hard Stride but this girl could be the best of them all.

 Leather 'n' Lace winning at Bendigo 

Bel Esprit -- This evergreen stallion who sired the great, Black Caviar continues to produce many winners all over the continent and on Wednesday, at Mornington, there were two more . The first was the Cairon Maher trained, Smokin Bella in the 1200m event, she is out of the Galileo mare ,Gallant Lady. This was followed by the Weir, trained Labuan Star in the benchmark 84 over 1000m.

Levendi -- This was an impressive victory by the Pierro colt in the 1200m BM64 event. He didnt really appreciate the conditions but still won easily. Jockey , Ben Melham had heaps of praise for the Peter Gelgotis trained colt, after his easy win. The next start in the planning for him is the Guineas Prelude in a couple of weeks and then the ultimate goal the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas. Being out of the Redoutes Choice mare Lipari, I have a feeling he may improve even further on a dry track.

Exceed and Excel -- At Canterbury on Wednesday we saw a double for the breed with Coco Excel ridden by Blake Shinn scoring in the 1100m event while Piracy with Kerrin Mcevoy riding won the BM 77, later in the day. The tight Canterbury track, may suit the breed. I wanted to touch on Exceed and Excel's son, Reward For Effort who is standing at stud and is really producing excellent stock at the moment including the talented Ability and Blondie and in the first at Mornington, Queens Reward added another promising type to that list.


Woman -- Frankel continues to have his progeny step out in the land of Oz and are leaving their mark. This filly is out of that great mare More Joyous and is trained by the Waterhouse/Bott team. At the moment, they say that they are just assessing the fillies talents to plan an attack in the Autumn and that win on the tight Canterbury track has certainly shown them plenty for the future.

Daily Bred Stallion 

Pierro

Lonrho''s triple crown winning son who last year was crowned the best first season sire in Australia

and stands at Coolmore Stud

In his first crop

Tulip – winner of the G3 Magic Night Stakes

And yesterday the Peter Gelagotis trained colt Levendi was sent out favourite for the Benchmark 64 event over 1200 metres at Mornington and delivered an impressive win on the heavy ground.

South Australian Racing Awards

Hey Doc -- He was named South Australian Racehorse of the Year due to his Caulfield Guineas and Australian Guineas success. The bay gelding is by Duporth out of Heyington Honey a General Nedyim mare. After finishing fourth in the Memsies Stakes on saturday his earnings sits at 1.15 million, winning 4 of his 11 starts. Trained by Tony Mcevoy, he looks set for success over the spring carnival.

Hey Doc Guineas Win 

Jamie Kah -- Jamie was named jockey of the year. After a great 2016/17 racing year for her with 130 winners which is a record for a female jockey in one season in Australia. One of her major wins this year was Cavaloce in the Durbridge Stakes. She had previously claimed the Adelaide jockey premiership in 2012/13 as a 17 year old. She decided to have a break after having issues with the stewards over medical certificates in 2015 but has returned to become one of Adelaides premier jockeys.

Emily Finnegan -- The young Irish girl was named Apprentice Jockey of the year. Emily rode 66 winners last season and is a deflnate up and coming jockey to watch.

Emily Finnegan Story 

Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas -- Trainers of the year. Leon has been in the industry for 45 years and combining with Andrew Gluyas a few years back has continued to have quality horse and in 2011 they were victorious in the Caulfield Cup with Southern Speed.

Have Another Glass -- The 5yo mare trained by Sue Jaensch was awarded, South Australias most consistent galloper. She is by Domesday and has won 6 from 13 starts.

Keiron Mcevoy -- He was inducted into the racing hall of fame on the weekend and he celebrated with a total of five winners at Royal Randwick. One of his mounts was Redzel the Doomben Ten Thousand winner while his best ride of the day was on Washington Heights in the last. Keirons first group 1 winner was Brew in the 2000 Melbourne Cup. Last season he rode a total of 119 winners. He has rode a winner at Doncaster for Godolphin on Rule of Law in 2004 St Leger .

 Rule of Law winning the 2004 St Leger at Doncaster