NO argument from LGHR that Chris Waller is a champion trainer. But we refuse to believe he is such a bad judge despite continually proving to be a ‘dud’ tipster.
Last Saturday the Waller stable had 36 runners in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne for only two winners and those were at Doomben. He failed to saddle up a single one at his happy hunting ground – Rosehill Gardens in Sydney.
Asked on Melbourne Radio on Saturday morning to nominate one of his 36 that the punters could back that afternoon and Waller surprisingly declared Central Europe, at the time a $6 chance in the G2 Run To The Rose for the three-year-olds.
Waller also had the unbeaten and resuming St Gotthard in the same race where he had reportedly advised stable jockey James MacDonald to ride that horse ahead of Central Europe for which Za Lloyd was engaged.
It’s history now that Central Europe finished a disappointing fourth (although Stewards reported she didn’t have clear running) and St Gotthard, the $2.6 favorite, ran second to the Bjorn Baker-trained Warwoven. For either to turn the tables on Golden Slipper winner Guest House in the Golden Rose it will require a major form improvement.
But it is Waller and he’s the genius at form improvements and reversals. St Gotthard obviously will be improved by the hit-out but we’re not sure what to make of Central Europe who promises plenty but at this stage still fails to deliver.
Guess when you have no winners from 22 starters in Sydney; zero from five in Melbourne and two from nine in Brisbane it wasn’t going to be easy for the Hall of Famer to tip a winner. But as so often happens one of his Doomben winners Liberty Park at $26 managed to upstage stablemate and $4.4 equal favorite Bluepinot which ran second. Liberty Park was first-up since April.
Not a word from his ‘pet shop boys’ in Sydney about another ‘dud’ tip from their hero. All they want to talk about is how Waller is ‘over the moon’ about star mare Autumn Glow after an exhibition gallop on Saturday. The Australian Horse Of the Year is on target for the G2 7 Stakes at Randwick next Saturday.
LOOKING BACK AT A BIG WEEKEND OF RACING FROM OURS & THE PUNTERS’ PERSPECTIVE
HOW good was the win of super mare SHEZA ALIBI in the G1 Makybe Stakes?
It has set the scene for a re-match with Australian Horse of the Year Autumn Glow who beat her in the G1 Winx Stakes. Many good judges believe it would be a much more competitive clash over the mile but it seems that isn’t likely to happen.
Trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman now have their sights on the $10mn G1 Golden Eagle at Randwick on October 1 and then a possible tilt at the Cox Plate at Flemington on October 31. Autumn Glow is headed to the G2 7 Stakes at Randwick on Saturday then the G1 King Charles III Stakes at Randwick on October 17.
A CLASS ACTION AGAINST RACING VICTORIA LIMITED?
SYDNEY contributor PETER MAIR believes punters were ‘robbed’ at Flemington Saturday. Here’s what he had to say:
POLITELY deleting an appropriate expletive — What happened at Flemington on Saturday?
In short, punters were ‘robbed’ — the money predictably taken by corporate bookmakers, as RVL had reason to expect it would be.
What happened is summarised in the Quadrella dividend of $35,000 as well as a $50,000 average First4 dividends declared for F4 payouts in five races.
It was a disgrace, it was predictable and it was predicted. The following was put to RVL on Monday 7 September:
OVER the next five weeks, at Caulfield and Flemington, RVL has scheduled some 23 races to be run, over the ‘cd’s notorious for rough results if the fields are inflated. …… will the penny drop at RVL in time to ballott-out those hoping to run 10th?
One down – four to go (before the carnival proper begins).
Ahead of that – for some weeks now – RVL has repeatedly been asked to correct its policy to unfairly inflate race-fields – inflated in ways that compromise the fair running of the races. Relevant ministers, and shadow ministers in the Victorian Government have similarly been alerted to the issues and asked to intervene.
RVL does not respond – except by doing again what it was asked not to do.
As for a class-action, the basis would seem to be there for a court to compel RVL to change its policies and ensure the races are programmed to run fairly.
Even so, surely the hope is that RVL and Ministers concerned for ‘racing’ and ‘fair-trading’ et al will do the right thing. RVL must know that what is happening, predictably, is unjustly so plainly wrong.
ONLY two out of 10 favorites were successful at Flemington last Saturday and the TAB was the first two admit that the flop of OLIVEANOTHERDAY at $1.6 in the G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality was a colossal result for them.
After enjoying a nice run, Oliveanotherday never looked like winning and ran a battling fifth behind Losesomewinmore $12, trained by South Australian duo Richard and Chantelle Jolly.
Amazingly, jockey Harry Coffey told Stewards that he was not disappointed with the performance of Oliveanotherday, which was having its first start down the Flemington straight. He said the gelding would take benefit from the experience.
Trainer Tom Dabernig concurred with Coffey’s assessment adding that Oliveanotherday might appreciate tracks with more give. Time will tell.
SHEZA ALIBI (Makybe Diva) and SHOCKLETZ (Archer) were the winners that cost bookies the most at Flemington but those losses were more than compensated for by the defeats of SASS APPEAL ($3.2 in the Tontonan), Oliveanotherday $1.6 and GOLD COAST BELLE ($2.1 in the Let’s Elope).
Here’s what Stewards reported:
Treasurethe Moment (last in the Makybe Diva): Raced wide in the early stages before crossing to obtain the lead near the 1000m. Rider Damian Lane could offer no explanation for the performance. A post-race veterinary examination did not identify any significant abnormal findings. Trainer Matt Laurie could offer no explanation for the mare’s performance and advised Treasurethe Moment had appeared to recover well. Laurie added the mare will now be assessed by the stable in the coming days. Stewards will follow up.
Mr Brightside (6th in the Makybe Diva): Rider Blake Shinn reported the gelding would be better suited on tracks with more give. Co-trainer Ben Hayes concurred with the views of Shinn. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the right hind leg. A veterinary clearance is required prior to being permitted to race again or an official trial.
Streisand in the Cap D’Antibes Stakes: Change of tactics. To be ridden further back with cover. Settled mid-field. Held-up for clear running from the 400m until the 300m. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted rider Ben Melham stated, as advised, it had been the intention for the filly, which was resuming and given the significant weight impost, to be ridden with cover. Melham explained he had anticipated runners to his inside to show speed from the start. However, when this did not eventuate and when Streisand was racing a little keenly he was obliged to restrain the filly in order to obtain cover where he found a position trailing Lady Catalina approaching the 600m. Melham added that he was satisfied with the performance of Streisand. Trainer Clinton McDonald confirmed the nature of the instructions and advised in his opinion Streisand was not advantaged by racing on the inside section of the field, and he expressed satisfaction with the performance of the horse. A post-race veterinary examination did not identify any significant abnormal findings.
NEARCO in the ARCHER STAKES: Eased down over the final 300m. Rider Craig Williams reported the gelding felt uncomfortable in its action passing the 600m and as a result was eased down, however returned to scale satisfactorily. Co-trainer Tony McEvoy advised Stewards and veterinarians post-race that the gelding had blood present in the right nostril. McEvoy said the gelding would now be sent for a spell. A post-race endoscopic examination identified a degree of internal exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage that may have affected the horse’s racing performance. A veterinary clearance including endoscopic examination is required before the horse is permitted to start in another race or it must officially trial again. Further, before racing again, Nearco Frod is required to undergo a satisfactory gallop of at least 1000m in the presence of a Steward.
GOLD COAST BELLE in the LET’S ELOPE STAKES: Rider Jordan Childs reported from the wide barrier draw the mare was obliged to do some work before obtaining the lead. However, despite this early effort he was still somewhat disappointed in her performance. A post-race veterinary examination did not identify any significant abnormal findings.
STORM LEOPARD in the LAST: Rider Craig Williams reported his instructions were to be on pace with cover, and after commencing well from the wide barrier, he elected to make use of the good beginning to obtain a position in the lead, which he was able to do without unduly pressuring his mount. He added that the gelding travelled well throughout however when asked for an effort, Storm Leopard failed to respond to his riding. A post-race endoscopic examination identified a degree of internal exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage that may have affected the horse’s racing performance. A veterinary clearance is required before the horse is permitted to start in another race or it must officially trial.
HORSE TO FOLLOW FROM FLEMINGTON: SOMETHINGS BURNIN’.
ROSEHILL GARDENS
IT was the turn of the No 2 Kiwi in the training ranks in Sydney to enjoy the spotlight this weekend.
BJORN BANKER landed a double with WARWOVEN $8 in the Run To The Rose (proving a shade too strong for the Waller-trained ST GOTTHARD) and heavily-backed APPEARED $2.2. earlier in the day.
The G2 Sheraco Stakes provided another massive improvement (we’re getting used to them in Sydney racing) when SAVVY HALLY $20 proved too strong. At her previous start when resuming in the G2 Toy Show, the Brad Widdup-trained mare ran last and pulled up lame.
Stewards obviously felt the lameness issue was responsible for the poor effort and didn’t even ask a single question about the form reversal. That’s Sydney racing!
Their interest in the SHERACO focused on:
APOCALYPTIC:- Slow to begin. Held-up for clear running over the final 50m. Tommy Berry reported that Apocalyptic hung out under pressure in the home straight and proved difficult to fully test.
WEEPING WOMAN: Tim Clark reported that the mare travelled extremely well through the early and middle stages and he expected Weeping Woman to quicken in the home straight. He said, however, that when placed under pressure soon after straightening, Weeping Woman did not respond as he had expected and he was at a loss to explain the disappointing performance of the mare, which weakened over the final 150m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities, but it was noted that the mare had sprung its off fore plate. Trainer Joe Pride said the only explanation he could offer for the mare’s disappointing performance was that Weeping Woman, which was resuming after having knee surgery, may not have let down fully on the firming racing surface. Pride undertook to report back to Stewards on the post-race recovery of Weeping Woman.
STEWARDS also reported:
I’M YA HUCKLEBERRY (Race 6): When questioned apprentice Siena Grima stated that she had to make some use of the colt to cross from an awkward barrier. She added that I’m Ya Huckleberry came under pressure prior to straightening and was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened over the final 300m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant abnormalities but noted the colt to be coughing. Co-trainer Andrew Bott was advised a veterinary clearance, including the results of an endoscopic examination, would be required prior to I’m Ya Huckleberry barrier trialling or racing again.
VEREONA ROSE (Theo Marks Stakes): When questioned regarding his riding rounding the home turn, Zac Lloyd reported that he was trailing Skyhook through the middle stages. He added that after passing the 600m he noticed that runner had come under pressure and did not appear to be travelling well. He said, for this reason, he elected to shift out to a three-wide position to allow Verona Rose to improve and be positioned closer to the leaders on straightening, anticipating the race would develop into a sprint home from that point.
RUINATION (Race 10): Tommy Berry (beaten on yet another FAV) reported that when placed under pressure on straightening, Ruination did not stretch out comfortably and was inclined to lay out. He said, in his view, the gelding would be better suited on a track with more give. When questioned as to whether he rode his mount out fully to the end of the race, Berry stated that after passing the 50m he felt that Navy Pilot was being placed in restricted room between Eagle Express and Ruination as a result of his mount shifting out. He said, for this reason, rather than continuing to pressure Ruination over the concluding stages, he stopped riding and corrected his mount to avoid causing interference to Navy Pilot. Stewards noted the explanation of Berry, however, he was reminded of his obligation, where possible, to ride his mount out fully to the end of the race.
HORSE TO FOLLOW FROM ROSEHILL: LAZZURA.
DOOMBEN
SKY form expert MICHAEL MAXWORTHY doesn’t criticise for the sake of it and when he says the ‘inside of the track is no good’ take notice. That was the case at DOOMBEN last Saturday.
ONLY three of the 10 favourites were successful but once again champion trainer TONY GOLLAN was the saviour of the punters winning with the heavily-backed duo LIVALITTLE $1.85 and GRAM $2.2. Both were ridden by star apprentice BELLA YOUNGBERRY who suffered a suspension on the day.
Special mention of GRAM which has proved a bargain buy for High Calibre Racing who bought the son of Exceed and Escel on-line for $75,000 and he has now won six straight since joining the Gollan stable.
TRAINER Kristie Clark-Peoples copped plenty of attention for all the wrong reasons with her team of horses at Dalby on Sunday scratched by Stewards because of a stabling glitch.
ON a brighter note the win by BLAZING HARRY (also ridden by Bella Youngberry) gave the stable reason to celebrate. He rose in grade after winning over the same track and trip and could easily make it a hat-trick next start.
STEWARDS REPORTED on the DAY:
LIBERTY PARK (an upset winner over more fancied WALLER stablemates in Race 3): When asked to comment, Stable Representative Brett Killion reported that it was the decision of the stable to commence this preparation over the mile, following two trials and a pleasing mid-week jump out. He further added that the gelding showed good form last preparation and he was not surprised with the forward showing (one wonders why it started such long odds the while stablemates were backed. It is Waller)!
BONFIRE SPARK (Race 6): When questioned regarding the performance, Jockey Mark Du Plessis stated that his mount failed to settle at any stage and in his opinion may have come to the end of its preparation. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer Olivia Cairns advised Stewards that the mare would now be sent for a spell.
TORNADO EXPRESS (Race 8): When questioned regarding the tactics adopted today, in particular settling three wide, Jockey Ceejay Graham reported that shortly after the start, and with runners improving to her inside, she elected to allow her mount to settle where comfortable, rather than placing pressure on the mare, which is inclined to over-race. She added that near the 1000m she attempted to restrain for cover behind CASTILLION, however TORNADO EXPRESS commenced to over-race, and she was obliged to shift back out and travelled wide for the remainder. Jockey Graham further added that in hindsight, she should have allowed her mount to stride forward in the early stages and allowed TORNADO EXPRESS to settle in a leading position.
BAND OF BROTHERS (Race 10): When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey Andrew Mallyon reported that after beginning well, and with early gate speed shown by runners to his inside, rather than be caught wide, he elected to settle further back in the field than anticipated and allowed the gelding to travel where comfortable. He further added that BAND OF BROTHERS may appreciate a step up in distance, and in his opinion, is better suited when able to settle in a more forward position. A post-race veterinary examination revealed abrasions to its off hind-legs.
HORSE TO FOLLOW FROM DOOMBEN: BOYS NIGHT OUT.
