Talkin' Sport - hosted by Graeme Hughes, Gavin Robertson, Brett Papworth and Peter Tunks

All Darwin thoroughbred racing will now be on Sky Racing's new channel, Sky Racing2, with the racing broadcaster securing the media rights of the Darwin Turf.

Racing2, with the racing broadcaster securing the media rights of the Darwin Turf Club.

Commencing with today's meeting from Fannie Bay, Sky Racing2 (channel 520 on FOXTEL and AUSTAR) will be home to 40-plus Darwin race meetings per year.

Darwin's feature race days, such as the Darwin Cup and Palmerston Sprint meetings, will be showcased on Sky Racing's thoroughbred racing channel, Sky Racing World (channel 521 on FOXTEL and AUSTAR).

Racing World (channel 521 on FOXTEL and AUSTAR).

As part of the long-term alliance, Sky Racing has become a major sponsor of the Darwin Cup Carnival. Another important element of the partnership involves Sky Racing becoming responsible for the exporting of Darwin racing to the world, presenting important opportunities for the Darwin Turf Club and Sky Racing.

Sky Racing markets and exports Australian racing on behalf of Australian race clubs to 30 countries, ensuring Australian racing is seen and wagered on around the world.

The Australian racing industry received more than $6 million from these export arrangements last year alone.

“Sky Racing is pleased to be entering into this commercial partnership with the Darwin Turf Club. We are committed to lifting the exposure and financial returns for top end racing and working with the Darwin Turf Club to make that happen,” said Sky Racing Chief Operating Officer Brendan Parnell.

Darwin Turf Club Chairman Brett Dixon said: “The launch of the new Sky Racing channels has created new opportunities for clubs such as the Darwin Turf Club.

“We are excited to be part of Sky Racing's expanded racing coverage and look forward to working with Sky Racing in the interests of promoting thoroughbred racing.”

Jumping season with a casualty
By Talkin Sport Friday, 7 May 2010
Racing Victoria chief executive Rob Hines has praised the effectiveness of the new jumps obstacles following the completion of the three-day Warrnambool racing carnival.

Some Are Bent on his way to winning the Brierly Steeple
Photo by Racing and Sports

“We are confident that the new obstacles are working and believe they have been a positive measure in improving the safety of jumps racing for riders and horses this season,” Hines said despite the fall of champion jumper Some Are Bent in the Grand Annual Steeplechase.

Some Are Bent, winner of Tuesday's Brierly Steeplechase, escaped serious injury when he crashed through an obstacle midway through the Grand Annual.

There was one horse fatality in the six races jumps races conducted across the carnival, down fromn the three deaths at last year's carnival that resulted in a temprtoray suspension of jumps racing.

Riders were dislodged from three horses - Some Are Bent, Tainui Teina and Mephistopheles - in today's Grand Annual Steeplechase, the longest jumps races in Australia.

Some Are Bent and Tainui Teina were cleared by vets with no abnormalities. Mephistopheleso did not suffer an injury when falling but suffered a laceration to his shoulder in an incident that occurred after regaining his footing.

Brad McLean, the rider of Some Are Bent, was taken to the Warrnambool Hospital for precautionary x-rays which showed no fractures.

He was later discharged from hospital while jockeys Gavin Bedggood (Tainui Teina) and Tommy Logan (Mephistopheles) were not injured when they were dislodged from their horses.

“The incident involving Some Are Bent best showcases the worth of the new obstacles," Hines said.

"The extra padding on the obstacle took most of the impact and assisted in preventing a more serious incident.”

The obstacles, built according to a new design in consultation with the Australian Jumps Racing Association, feature thicker padding, new brown brush imported from France and a new collapsible frame for hurdle racing.

The 2010 jumps racing season is being conducted under strict new conditions which involve a targeted reduction in the number of falls and fatalities as a percentage of starters.

“The season will continue under the agreed parameters and will be reviewed at its completion,” Hines said.

Hines praised the Warrnambool Racing Club for their conduct of the carnival and thanked the fans of racing for supporting the three days.

“The Club is to be congratulated for the conduct of the carnival, likewise the participants for the manner in which the races were run," Hines said.

Trainer wins a Merc for his efforts.
By Racing and Sports Thursday, 6 May 2010
Caulfield trainer Robert Smerdon will drive home from Warrnambool in a new Mercedes after winning the trainers bonus on day two.

The bonus, a new Mercedes, has never been won in 13 years and requires trainers to win either the Galleywood, Wangoom, Grand Annual or Cup, plus three other races.

A few have gone close, but Smerdon has dominated Warrnambool over the first two days and claimed the car today in race seven with King Kalakaua.

Yesterday, Smerdon won the Brierly Steeplechase with Some Are Bent and earlier today won his second race with Shewan.

He took his feature race when Black And Bent won the Galleywood in race five and two races later claimed the elusive prize when King Kalakaua proved too strong despite a slow getaway.

“It seems easy but plenty of people have had a crack at it and gone close,” Smerdon said.

“We sat back some time ago to plan for the carnival and everything came here with good chances. The weather tipped that upside down, though. We weren't sure about this bloke in the ground but it's all worked out.”

Ironically, the Aquanita trainer is sponsored by Meneres BMW.

It has been a clinical performance by the Smerdon stable and tomorrow look set to enjoy more success, lining up a host of winning chances including Some Are Bent in the Grand Annual Steeplechase.

Smerdon has three runners engaged in the Cup but whether any will take their place will depend on the condition of the track, with Come On Cugat likely to run at the Wagga Cup instead while Light Vision and Persian Star might also be saved for another day.

Boss has a busy schedule.
By Talkin Sport Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Big race specialist Glen Boss will ride at his first Warrnambool carnival this week to start a busy schedule of border hopping to feature meetings in NSW and Queensland.

Glen Boss
Photo by Racing and Sports

Boss will follow his Warrnambool visit with rides at Friday's Wagga Gold Cup meeting and next week heads further north to ride at the Scone Cup meeting, the richest country racing program in Australia.

Boss, who has won 68 Group One races and has ridden in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Macau, America and New Zealand, has never been to Warrnambool before.

His feature race bookings for this week's include the Rod Douglas-trained Bocuse

in the $100,000 Wangoom Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday and Persian Star

in Thursday's $130,000 Warrnambool Cup (2350m).

Boss, who moved from Sydney to Melbourne 18 months ago, was to ride at the Warrnambool carnival last year but was ruled out by an untimely suspension, costing him the winning mount on Arch Symbol in the Wangoom Handicap.

“I've heard a lot about Warrnambool and have watched it on TV over the years,” Boss said.

“I'm looking forward to getting there and riding some winners in front of the big crowd.”

On Friday Boss will make a hit and run visit to Wagga to ride Sainthood

for Sydney trainer Rick Worthington in the $130,000 Wagga Gold Cup.

He's riding at Flemington on Saturday before heading back to NSW on Friday week for the ride on exciting three-year-old prospect Star Of Octagonal

in the $770,000 Scone Guineas on May 14.

Boss, a former Queenslander, will then be looking further north to Brisbane for mounts in the Doomben Cup on May 15 and Doomben Ten Thousand on May 29

Super Saver wins Kentucky Derby in muddy conditions
By Talkin Sport Sunday, 2 May 2010

Super Saver, ridden by Calvin Borel, won the 136th Kentucky Derby at a muddy Churchill Downs on Saturday.

It was the first time Todd Pletcher, a four-time winner of the Eclipse Award as America's top trainer, had won the race after 24 consecutive setbacks.

A mud-spattered Borel also became the first jockey to win the U.S. showpiece race three times in a four-year span.

Ice Box, ridden by Jose Lescano, came second, with Paddy O'Prado, mounted by Kent Desormeaux, finishing third.

Last year Borel won aboard Mine That Bird and was in the saddle in 2007 when Street Sense took the Run for the Roses.

Winning double for Martin trained horses.
By Talkin Sport Thursday, 29 April 2010
A winning double by the Tim Martin stable at Canterbury on Wednesday ripped close to $200,000 from TAB Sportsbet.

Queensland Derby-bound Blueys Way scored a dominant win in the Grand Pavilion Handicap (1900m), while Klatch was a dramatic firmer and took out the last race over 1250m.

TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie said it was ruing the fact Martin's two runners showed up at Canterbury.

Blueys Way was backed from $2.60 to $1.70 favouritism, while Klatch firmed from $51 in to $10 with the wagering operator.

"They were backed to win $187,000 between them, with punters all over Australia celebrating," Munsie said.

The biggest bet taken at TAB Sportsbet on Blueys Way was $30,600 at $2.10, while bets on Klatch included $200 at $35 and $1000 at $21.

Jockey Christian Reith, who rode Klatch to victory, dead-heated in the jockeys' challenge.

He was listed under 'any other jockey' with as much as $71 on offer during the day with one bet of $250 at $71, and $200 and $100 twice at $51.

Blueys Way led all the way and will head north with the Rough Habit Plate, Grand Prix Stakes and Queensland Derby on the agenda.

Jockey Tye Angland took him to the front with the topweight of 57.5kg and he was strong to the line, winning by 1-3/4 lengths from The Verminator with Ambitious Princess third.

"I think he's the right horse for it (the Queensland Derby)," Martin said.

"On his pedigree and his action I think he'll revel in the going if he gets a wet track, too."

The Group Three Rough Habit Plate (2020m) is on May 15, with the Group Three Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) on May 29 and the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) on June 12.

Wednesday's victory was Blueys Way's second in two starts this preparation after an impressive win over 1550m first-up at Canterbury on April 14.

Klatch won the Benchmark 75 event by a short neck over Fusakeo and Javasea.

Earlier in the day, No Hesitation's victory in the Return To Racing Handicap prompted trainer Clarry Conners to immediately enter the two-year-old as a late nomination for the Group One TJ Smith Stakes (1600m) in Queensland in June.

No Hesitation was a pick-up ride for Peter Robl who claimed his first city winner since returning to the saddle from injury last Sunday week.

Robl broke his collarbone in a fall at Canterbury in late January.

Jessicabeel wins Sydney Cup
By Talkin Sport Sunday, 25 April 2010

Basking in the glory of Jessicabeel's Sydney Cup win at Randwick on Saturday, trainer John O'Shea was already looking forward to the first Tuesday in November.

The mare stamped herself a genuine Melbourne Cup prospect with her sustained finish at the end of the gruelling 3200 metres to the cheers of punters who sent her out the $5 favourite.

There were some hard luck stories and controversy with Zavite ($5.50) and Precedence ($6.50) engaging in a cut-throat speed battle up front in the final half of the race, both compounding to finish second last and last respectively.

But all honours were with the mare who gave champion sire of stayers Zabeel his 41st individual Group One winner, just four short of his own sire Sir Tristram.

"I was very confident coming here today," O'Shea said.

"This is very gratifying. We went to New Zealand and bought stayers and now (Rosehill Guineas winner) Zabrasive and this mare have qualified for the Melbourne Cup.

"They have to get there yet but to think we could have two runners in the Melbourne Cup is a dream."

While the speed battle was on up front, Craig Newitt camped Jessicabeel at the tail of the field biding his time.

Coming up the Randwick rise, the pair pounced and wore down last year's runner-up Divine Rebel to score by three-quarters of a length with New Zealander Harris Tweed ($7.50) another length away third.

Jessicabeel won the traditional lead-up, the Chairman's Handicap (2600m) two weeks ago with Craig Williams aboard.

Williams opted to stick with BMW winner Littorio ($10) who didn't seem to run out the distance and finished ninth.

"I chose the wrong horse," a rueful Williams said.

His decision was Melbourne-based Newitt's gain with few top jockeys able to ride at 52kg.

"I bided my time and got on the back of Capecover," Newitt said.

"I was confident a long way out.

"She has a great temperament and a great attitude.

"I'm very happy I was able to pick up the ride with the light weight, it's just great."

Newitt had a bit of extra help with his wife Karli and eight-month son Noah on hand.

"They are my lucky charms, I don't go anywhere without them," he said.

New Zealand trainer Murray Baker will take Harris Tweed home to prepare him for another tilt at the Melbourne Cup.

Harris Tweed finished fifth at Flemington last year but Baker believes he is still immature.

"He is six months off, he needs to fill out," he said.

"He is a big leggy horse and we'll take him home and get him ready for Melbourne again."

Topweight Zavite will also be given a spell with Melbourne in mind.

Trainer Anthony Cummings was disappointed but philosophical having already taken out the Queen Elizabeth Stakes with Road To Rock.

"I don't blame Damien (Oliver), Luke Nolen went too hard on Precedence," he said.

"I though it was extraordinary."

Stewards questioned Nolen over his decision to move forward on Precedence with the jockey saying he was trying to do the best by his horse.

"He pulled so hard and I thought he can't run two miles pulling that hard," Nolen said.

"I was told to try to keep him on the outside of horses because when he feels horses around him he gets on his bike.

"He just pulled too hard."

Nikolic to front the stewards.
By Talkin Sport Thursday, 22 April 2010
Danny Nikolic has been asked to front Racing Victoria stewards on Friday week for the continued inquiry into 10 of his rides after he refused a request to meet them before Wednesday's Sandown meeting.

Nikolic was incensed that chief steward Terry Bailey contacted his father and manager John Nikolic on Tuesday while they were attending the funeral of the jockey's maternal grandfather Geoff Light.

Nikolic is frustrated that the inquiry has been hanging over his head for three-and-a-half months and said he didn't want to be at the stewards' beck and call before the first race and after the last at race meetings.

"They've had three-and-a-half months now to put a decent charge on me and it's just gone on and on and on," Nikolic said.

"It's stopped me from going to the Sydney carnival, it's stopped me from picking up a decent ride.

"I've lost a lot of the support of leading stables I was riding for - Danny O'Brien, Greg Eurell, David Hayes - and I understand they have a duty to protect their owners."

The investigation began when Nikolic was beaten into second place aboard $1.60 favourite Finishing Card in a maiden at Mornington on January 8.

On Tuesday the inquiry continued when stewards interviewed two of Nikolic's associates, owner John O'Neill and form analyst Mark Hunter, regarding their betting activities having earlier acquired their phone and betting records.

Nikolic said at Sandown on Wednesday that he had sought a meeting through the Australian Jockeys' Association with new Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna to air his grievances regarding the drawn out investigation.

"He (Perna) doesn't wish to see me until after the inquiry is finished," Nikolic said.

"But that's no good because I want his advice on something that is playing on my mind.

"I also asked to see (RVL chairman) Michael Duffy but there has been no response from him as yet."

Nikolic was fined $5000 for refusing to hand over his mobile phone to stewards so that they could check his contacts.

He still faces a charge of using his mobile phone without stewards' permission in the public area at Flemington on New Year's Day before winning the Bagot Handicap on Atlantic Air.

Nikolic maintains his innocence over the 10 rides in question but says he is being held to ransom by stewards.

Family friend Neville Clements, a professional punter and commission agent, has been warned off for failing to produce his phone records to stewards.

Cups King in hospital.
By Talkin Sport Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Champion trainer Bart Cummings has been admitted to a Sydney hospital suffering from a virus.

Bart Cummings
Photo by Racing and Sports

Cummings was admitted to St Vincent's Hospital on Monday for observation after suffering from mild influenza for two weeks.

The hospital said he was in a stable condition but would not provide any further details.

There has been media speculation that the 82-year-old trainer, who has battled hay fever all his life, had suffered an asthma attack.

Cummings was absent from trackwork last week and has not attended the AJC Derby and Doncaster race meetings at Randwick on the last two Saturdays.

He has watched his stable runners perform on television from his home while keeping in constant contact with his stable staff at the course by phone with his grandson James Cummings in charge of the stable runners.

It was a sad weekend for Cummings following the death on Saturday of his 2008 Melbourne Cup winner Viewed after suffering complications from a twisted bowel.

Rangirangdoo wins Doncaster Mile
By Talkin Sport Sunday, 18 April 2010

A week of unprecedented drama had a fitting climax when Rangirangdoo claimed the Doncaster Mile at Randwick, with glamour mare Typhoon Tracy out of the picture.

Gai Waterhouse challenged a stewards' ruling that Nash Rawiller was committed to Rangirangdoo in an attempt to get him on Theseo.

The NSW Supreme Court stuck with the stewards' decision and Rawiller showed why he is in such demand when he lifted Rangirangdoo ($6) over the line half a neck in front of Road To Rock ($26) with Brilliant Light ($15) another 1-1/2 lengths away third.

More drama followed the race when Damien Oliver weighed in overweight on the runner-up citing the horse's sweating as a cause, with the gear soaking wet.

For winning trainer Chris Waller the victory was sweet after Rangirangdoo's two recent second Group One placings behind Theseo.

"I wasn't on the best angle to see the race and I thought it was going to happen again that he was going to run second," he said.

"I thought `here we go again'.

"When you have three runners in a race like this you try to look at all of them but when you win it, it's so emotional."

One of the first people to congratulate Waller was Waterhouse who watched Darren Beadman ride Theseo into eighth place.

"People like Gai Waterhouse make me a better trainer," Waller said.

"And Racing NSW has been very professional throughout this week and it's a privilege to be training here."

Dominant favourite Typhoon Tracy ($3.30) was travelling up on the pace rounding the turn but was one of the first horses beaten, eventually finishing 14th, 5-1/2 lengths from the winner.

A veterinary examination showed she had been galloped on and trainer Peter Moody also told stewards there had been a virus in his stable.

He had checked the mare's blood on Friday and it was fine but he said he planned further tests.

Waller's other runners Danleigh ($8.50) and Triple Honour ($31), winner of the 2008 Doncaster, finished fifth and seventh respectively.

Rawiller, who was called on to replace the injured Corey Brown on Rangirangdoo, said he respected Waller's decision to press to keep him on.

"All credit to Chris, he could have gone the other way and not pushed on," Rawiller said.

"As much as I wanted to be on Theseo, I've won a Doncaster.

"I was very confident I was on the right horse for the race.

"I got to the front a little bit before I would have liked but he attacked the line."

Road To Rock's trainer Anthony Cummings was as happy as he could be without winning the race as was Brilliant Light's handler Kerry Parker.

Brilliant Light has been the improver of the autumn and ran the race of his life with some of his owners getting 400-1 about him some weeks ago.

"He was posted four wide and it was a great run," Parker said.

"He's run super, he's a serious horse and has a big future."

Big race card at Randwick.
By Talkin Sport Thursday, 15 April 2010
Acceptances for the Australian Jockey Club's Emirates Doncaster Mile Day at Randwick on Saturday were completed on Wednesday with 122 starters for the eight race programme.

Champion mare Typhoon Tracy
Photo by Racing and Sports

That includes the $1.5 million, Group One, Emirates Doncaster Mile (1600m); $350,000, Group One, Patinack Farm AJC Oaks (2400m); $300,000, Group One, The James Boag Galaxy (1100m) with four other black type races, and total stakes on offer of $2.65 million.

The field for the Emirates Doncaster Mile was drawn on Tuesday, but changed on Wednesday with the withdrawal of Walking or Dancing (NZ) and inclusion of the emergency Recoup De Fortune, trained by Anthony Cummings, and to be ridden by apprentice Brenton Avdulla from barrier 13.

Typhoon Tracy remains the firm TAB Sportsbet favourite for the Emirates Doncaster Mile at $2.90, with Danleigh at $6.00 and Rangirangdoo (NZ) at $7.00 next in the market.

The Patinack Farm AJC Oaks has a field of 12 fillies with the remarkable battle between the Bart Cummings trained Faint Perfume and Tony Vasil trained Valdemoro over two races resumed in the fillies classic.

Faint Perfume won both the Group One Crown Oaks over 2500m at Flemington in the spring, and the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes over 2000m at Rosehill in April, over Valdemoro by a combined margin of just a half-length.

Nearly four and a half months after the two fillies first met at Flemington they line up against each other once again for Randwick's ultimate test. Faint Perfume, to be ridden by Michael Rodd, starts from barrier 11, with Valdemoro, to be ridden by Blake Shinn, starts from one barrier outside in 12.

TAB Sportsbet has Faint Perfume as the $2.30 favourite over Valdemoro at $3.20.

There is a full field of 14 sprinters for The James Boag Galaxy with Sydney chances drawing outside barriers.

The Gary Portelli trained Gold Trail, third in this race last year, has drawn barrier 13 and carries equal top-weight of 58kg under Michael Rodd. The Tim Martin trained Typhoon Zed, third in the Group Three Sebring Stakes over 1100m at Rosehill last start, also carries 58kg, with Hugh Bowman riding from barrier 15.

Between them they have the Chris Waller trained Shellscrape, with 53.5kg under Dwayne Dunn, while the Gai Waterhouse trained Swift Alliance, the winner of The Sebring and carrying 57kg, has a better draw at nine for Nash Rawiller.

Victorian visitors Ortensia, trained by Tony Noonan, and Rostova, trained by Steve Richards, have barriers eight and six respectively. Ortensia last started when winning the Group Two Winterbottom Stakes over 1200m at Ascot in November, while Rostova returned to winning form when taking out the Group One Robert Sangster Stakes over 1200m at Morphettville on March 20th.

The rail for the meeting will be out 3m from the 1600m mark to the winning post.

Sydney's weather for Saturday's meeting is forecast to have the chance of a shower with a maximum temperature of 23c.

The Australian Jockey Club's flower for Emirates Doncaster Mile Day is the red rose.

Beadman could saddle up on Theseo.
By Talkin Sport Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Darren Beadman is on standby to fly from Hong Kong to ride the topweight Theseo in Saturday's $1.5 million Doncaster Mile at Randwick.

Darren Beadman
Photo by Racing and Sports

Beadman will make the rush trip to Sydney if trainer Gai Waterhouse fails to overturn Monday's stewards ruling that her stable jockey Nash Rawiller must honour his Doncaster booking for Rangirangdoo.

Waterhouse, who claims Rawiller was committed to ride Theseo in all his autumn races, took the unprecedented step on Tuesday of lodging an appeal with Racing NSW against Monday's ruling.

The appeal against a stewards ruling of the nature is a first and is now in the hands of the principal member of the Racing Appeals Panel John Hiatt.

He must decide if an appeal is acceptable under section 42 of the Thoroughbred Racing Act.

The controversy over Rawiller's Doncaster ride arose after Waterhouse decided to start Theseo in the Doncaster, contrary to reports that he would not be running again until the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday week.

However Waterhouse refutes that she ever declared Theseo a non-runner in the Doncaster, maintaining that the race had always remained an option and that Rawiller had agreed to ride him in all engagements.

However Rawiller believed he was free to seek out another Doncaster ride last week while bookmakers across the country had eased Theseo to extended odds in their Doncaster markets under the impression he would not be starting.

Theseo, who was at odds of 160/1 on Betfair before Waterhouse announced he would be a Doncaster acceptor, is now a $13 chance to win the Doncaster.

Wanted retired
By Talkin Sport Monday, 12 April 2010
Talented colt Wanted has been retired to stand at stud.

Wanted wins the Newmarket
Photo by Racing and Sports

The three-year-old, prepared by Peter Moody, has done his job according to connections claiming a Group 1 win in the autumn and is now on the lookout for a new home.

“With a meeting with connections last night the decision was made to retire him,” Moody told Sport 927.

“He'll go to stud and he's 100 per cent sound. Hopefully a stud deal can be finalized in the next two or three days. There's a few leading studs in the mix.”

Wanted

, by Group 1 winning sprinter Fastnet Rock, was an $800,000 yearling and won almost $1.2 million on the track.

He won three races from 15 career starts but was close-up at the top level through most of his career, placing in three Group 1's before finally breaking through for his first Group 1 win in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington last month.

Shoot Out wins AJC Australian Derby
By Talkin Sport Saturday, 10 April 2010

Jockey Stathi Katsidis labelled Shoot Out a potential champion after he claimed his second Group One victory in the AJC Australian Derby at Randwick.

His win was also a triumph for trainer John Wallace who elected to push on to the Derby (2400m) and not bring Shoot Out back in distance to the Doncaster Mile (1600m) despite his shock defeat as favourite in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) last start.

The Queensland-based Katsidis came to Sydney primarily to partner Military Rose and was a dejected figure just seven days ago when she was unplaced as favourite in the Golden Slipper.

Katsidis, who has had a turbulent career, readily admitted Shoot Out was his second-string carnival ride but the three-year-old turned out to be his meal ticket, winning the Group One Randwick Guineas and Saturday's Derby.

"He could be a champion," Katsidis said.

"I know it's a word that's thrown around a bit but he's got the breeding, he's won over 2400 metres now and he could even run two miles (3200m) down the track.

"(Military Rose) was a bit of a let-down, she just raced like a tired horse.

"I always thought this horse was the back-up but it turns out he is the main one."

An emotional Wallace trained his first winner 46 years ago and before this season his last Group One victory was with Mother Of Pearl in the 1982 Queensland Oaks.

He rated Shoot Out's Classic win as the highlight of his career and hoped the three-year-old could develop into a Cups horse next spring.

"Maybe the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, who knows?" Wallace said.

"It's a big thrill, some great champions have won this race and some good trainers. I feel pretty humbled.

"Stathi kept telling me to take the pacifiers off him and I was bit stubborn but I finally listened."

Katsidis allowed Shoot Out ($4.80) to find his feet early but said "he pulled too hard to be confident" in the run.

However, the $15,000 yearling purchase conserved enough energy to run down the Gai Waterhouse-trained Descarado ($7.50) and score by 1-1/4 lengths with Victoria Derby winner Monaco Consul ($12) showing a return to form for third another neck away.

"We are as delighted as if we had won it, it's just as good," Waterhouse said.

"We bought him as a Melbourne Cup horse and that's what he's being set for."

Monaco Consul's trainer Mike Moroney said he would be set for the Queensland Derby.

"He wanted to lay out coming down the straight but he's a lot better back in Australia than he was in New Zealand," Moroney said.

"The Queensland Derby is the aim. He's only had four runs and we've been purposefully spacing them out."

Shoot Out's win was also a boon for Coolmore Stud which recently secured his sire High Chaparral to stand at its NSW Hunter Valley base from next spring.

They have yet to set a service fee for the shuttle stallion who had served two seasons in New Zealand.

High Chaparral captured the Derby trifecta, also being the sire of Descarado and Monaco Consul.

Big dollars at the sales.
By Talkin Sport Friday, 9 April 2010
Strong demand at the final select session of the 2010 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale at Newmarket on Thursday pushed the aggregate for the three days to more than $80 million.

Mark Webster
Photo by Press Photo

The final day top lot, the Zabeel-Gin Player filly, brought to four the number of seven figure yearlings sold over the three days, with Segenhoe Stud's Redoute's Choice-Regrowth colt the $1.875 million sale topper on day one.

The sale gross for Session I cracked the $80 million mark with the clearance rate also reaching 80%.

The Day One clearance now sits at 83 per cent, up from 72 percent at the session close.

Today's final session Of Easter 1 averaged $241,000 with a healthy median of $200,000.

“Overall we are down 8% on last year and while it's not what we might have hoped for, it's not too bad given we still had an average topping $220,000,” Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster said.

“It's a sale where you could say buyers won on some lots and vendors won on others, so I think it's been a fair sale in that regard.

“It's a totally different mix in terms of the buyer line up for this sale than we had two years ago. Our leading buyer this year spent $4 million, but in 2008 we had two buyers spend $40 million between them.

“I think it is a challenge for not just Inglis as a sales company, but for the industry as a whole to find new buyers who are prepared to buy at the top end of the market.”

Thanks to fillies like VRC Oaks winner Faint Perfume, Easter Session II has quickly garnered a reputation for being a wonderful opportunity to secure high class racehorses at value for money prices.

Buyers once again embraced the concept today, with both the sale gross of $5.924 million up 15% on last year and the $77,947 average climbing 18.5% on 2009 figures.

“One positive is the diversity of the buyers and strength of the middle market, which is highlighted by strong sales in the $150,000 to $300,000 bracket and the strength of Session II,” Webster said.

“For Easter II to be up almost 20% on last year is an excellent result and it's pleasing to see how quickly this new part of the sale has established itself in the marketplace.”

Horses passed in during the sale are still available for sale via the Inglis Make an Offer service.

Attention now turns to next week's Australian Easter Broodmare Sale which runs through Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Stathi apologises for drug comment.
By Talkin Sport Thursday, 8 April 2010
Jockey Stathi Katsidis has made an official apology to Queensland stewards for comments he made about illicit drug use recently attributed to him in the press.

Stathi Katsidis
Photo by Racing and Sports

Queensland Racing stewards were concerned about the nature of the allegations raised and questioned the jockey about them immediately upon his return to Queensland after riding in Sydney last weekend.

Katsidis was questioned about his comments in the newspaper story published last week by SYdney stewards but the matter was not taken further.

However Brisbane chief steward Wade Birch sought an official explanation from Stathi as he rides under a Queensland licence and his comments reflected on local racing.

"He is apologetic for making the comments which he believes were taken well and truly out of context,” said Birch.

“Stathi acknowledged that such a poorly worded response could have a damaging effect on the sport and has said that he would take the comments back if he had the opportunity.”

Birch reiterated that Queensland Racing has a rigorous drug testing program for all riders which ensures that every jockey and trackwork rider is tested regularly, with those testing positive the subject of immediate disciplinary action.

During the current financial year the program has been extended to ensure that every rider, regardless of region, has provided a sample for testing.

Stewards also took the opportunity to raise the comments with the Queensland Jockeys' Association.

QJA vice president Jason Taylor, said “There is simply no basis for Stathi's comments. We are tested so often these days that there is no way that you could use drugs and expect not to get caught.

“Stathi didn't choose his words well in the heat of the interview and I am sure if he could have his time over he would.”

QJA president Mary Collier added “Queensland jockeys take great pride in presenting a positive image of this marvellous sport to the public.

"This incident is a timely reminder that our members have a duty to conduct themselves in a professional manner to ensure that the integrity of their profession and the thoroughbred industry is not damaged in any way”.

El Segundo retires ..
By Talkin Sport Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Popular galloper El Segundo has been retired after being injured in last weekend's George Ryder Stakes.

Photo by Bronwen Healy

In what was his first trip to Sydney in his long career, the rising nine-year-old sustained a tendon injury after finishing fifth behind Danleigh.

Trainer Colin Little described El Segundo as the best horse he has trained and said the gelding had given him and connections six seasons of thrills, most of which were at the top level.

El Segundo

, consistently ranked one of the highest Timeform rated horses in the country, won 12 races including four at Group 1 level, including the 2007 Cox Plate. He was narrowly beaten the previous year and finished fourth in the race again last year.

His other Group 1 wins were the 2007 C.F. Orr Stakes, the 2006 Underwood Stakes and the 2005 Yalumba Stakes.

He won from 1200m to 2040m and collected almost $4 million in prizemoney despite being plagued by injuries.

Barrier draws for The Golden Slipper and BMW..
By Talkin Sport Tuesday, 30 March 2010
The favourite Military Rose has drawn barrier eight in a field of 15 for Saturday's $3.5 million Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill.

The pace is drawn inside her with unbeaten filly Chance Bye in gate three and Brightexpectations in gate four being two of the obvioius early speed horses.

Melbourne filly Crystal Lily has the coveted rails gate while the David Hayes-trained Shaaheq is on the outside in gate 15.

Wide draws for Solar Charged (13) and More Strawberries (14) have not helped their chances.

Only 15 two-year-olds - one short of the maximum field limit - accepted.

The field fell below the maximum 16 when the late entry Masquerader was ruled out with a back injury this morning.

Three-time winners Gai Waterhouse and Clarrie Conners and Rosehill's Tim Martin each have two final acceptors.

Waterhouse will start Brightexpectations and More Strawberries and Conners will line up Decision TIme and Georgette Silk.

Martin paid up for the lightly-raced Carved In Stone, placed in the Todman Stakes at his only start, with stablemate Lohan when he became aware that the numbers were short of the maximum.

The field contains the biggest representation of fillies in its history with 10 females opposing only five colts and geldings.

$3.5millionAAMI GOLDEN SLIPPER

(1200m, 2YO's)

TAB No.	Horse	Barrier	Likely Jockey	Weight
1.	BRIGHTEXPECTATIONS	4	Nash Rawiller	56.5kg
2.	HINCHINBROOK	5	Darren Beadman	56.5kg
3.	DECISION TIME	2	Craig Williams	56.5kg
4.	BENETEAU	6	Michael Rodd	56.5kg
5.	CARVED IN STONE	10	Tye Angland	56.5kg
6.	MILITARY ROSE	8	Stathi Katsidis	54.5kg
7.	CHANCE BYE	3	Kathy O'Hara	54.5kg
8.	CRYSTAL LILY	1	Brett Prebble	54.5kg
9.	SHAAHEQ	15	Steven Arnold	54.5kg
10.	SOLAR CHARGED	13	Hugh Bowman	54.5kg
11.	LOHAN	7	Jay Ford	54.5kg
12.	GEORGETTE SILK	9	Glen Boss	54.5kg
13.	OBSEQUIOUS	12	Kerrin McEvoy	54.5kg
14.	ELIMBARI	11	Glyn Schofield	54.5kg
15.	MORE STRAWBERRIES	14	Corey Brown	54.5kg

$2.25million Group 1-THE BMW

(2400m, WFA)

TAB No.	Horse	Barrier	Likely Jockey	Weight
1.	THESEO	8	Nash Rawiller	59kg
2.	SPEED GIFTED (GB)	11	Glen Boss	59kg
3.	ZAVITE (NZ)	10	Damien Oliver	59kg
4.	NO WINE NO SONG	2	Corey Brown	59kg
5.	LITTORIO	7	Craig Williams	59kg
6.	MOATIZE	4	Glyn Schofield	59kg
7.	GROWL (NZ)	3	Brad Rawiller	59kg
8.	ROMAN EMPEROR (NZ)	12	Michael Rodd	58.5kg
9.	HARRIS TWEED (NZ)	1	Darren Beadman	58.5kg
10.	DIVINE REBEL (NZ)	6	Nicholas Hall	57kg
11.	DAFFODIL (NZ)	5	Hugh Bowman	56.5kg
12.	PURPLE	9	Kerrin McEvoy	56.5kg

Golden Slipper field taking shape.
By Talkin Sport Monday, 29 March 2010
The jostling for positions in the Golden Slipper is all but over with the final field of 16 for the world's richest race for two-year-olds to be declared on Tuesday.

The deadline for late entries is Monday morning with the Sydney Turf Club expected to collect $600,000 from four $150,000 payments.

The late entry is for those horses not originally nominated as yearlings for Saturday's $3.5 million race at Rosehill.

The Hong Kong owner of Masquerader has already paid up while the Darley-owned Blackball, the Black Opal Stakes winner Decision Time and Melbourne filly Crystal Lily are the others who have earned their way to the Slipper.

Crystal Lily's owner David Moodie said he would resist paying up for Saturday's Magic Night Stakes winner Willow Creek.

"I want to run in the race, not buy the place," Moodie said.

Unbeaten Queensland filly Military Rose remains the Golden Slipper favourite with Brightexpectations the big mover following his dominant qualifying win in the Pago Pago Stakes.

He will be three time Slipper winning trainer Gai Waterhouse's only runner this year, but it may be all she needs.

"He is by More Than Ready, the sire of the past two Golden Slipper winners," Waterhouse said.

"This horse has muscled up, every day he has become more masculine and is coming right at the right time."

Phelan Ready won last year's Slipper while the Waterhouse-trained Sebring took the honours in 2008.

Both Slipper were run on heavy tracks which suits the progeny of More Than Ready and there with rain predicted for much of the week, the conditions may well be repeated.

Hinchinbrook, who ran third to Brightexpectations, is likely to race in blinkers after seeming to lose concentration in Saturday's race.

Two former Slipper favourites, Solar Charged and Beneteau, are reported to be back to their best after being beaten at their past starts.

"I'm very happy with Solar Charged," trainer John O'Shea said.

"She's done everything right."

Trainer Paul Messara was equally happy with Beneteau who was given a solid hitout in an unofficial trial at the family property in the Hunter Valley last week.

Another former favourite, Chance Bye, has not raced since she cemented a start with victory in the Silver Slipper on February 27.

She has had two public gallops since, her most recent at Kembla Grange last Sunday where she pleased her trained Michael Tubman and jockey Kathy O'Hara.

Military Rose was at $3.40 with TAB Sportsbet on Sunday ahead of Crystal Lily ($6.50), Bright Expectations ($7.50), Chance Bye and Solar Charged ($10) and Masquerader and Beneteau at $13.

The all important barrier draw will take place in Sydney's Martin Place at midday on Tuesday.

Aussie sprinters doing well in Dubai.
By Talkin Sport Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Australian sprinters All Silent and Eagle Falls have settled in without problems at Dubai's international stables at the new Meydan course ahead their assault on the two feature sprint races on Saturday night's World Cup program.

All Silent
Photo by HKJC

The David Hayes-trained Eagle Falls will start in the $US2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen over 1200m on the synthetic Tapeta surface while All Silent will tackle the new turf race, the $US1 million Al Quoz Sprint (1200m).

Eagle Falls was a last second to Wanted in the Group One Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on March 6 in which All Silent finished well down the track.

It was the first defeat for All Silent on the straight course at Flemington and his connections could not offer any excuses for his disappointing effort.

All Silent was having his first run since he failed in the Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin in December which followed a brilliant win in the G1 bPatinack Classic at Flemington the previous month.

If All Silent can reproduce his best form on Saturday he is likely to head to England for the Royal Ascot meeting in June.

Graeme Begg is due to arrive in Dubai today and will oversee All Silent's first serious gallop on Wednesday. All Silent arrived in Dubai last week under the care of the trainer's brotjher Neil.

Hayes is not expected in Dubai until later in the week. Eagle Falls is in the care of Lizzy Jelfs an experienced traveller of horses for his stable.

Corey Brown, who had his first experience of Dubai in the recent Meydan Masters' Challenge will ride both All Silent And Eagle Falls on Saturday.

Williams thinking about a move to Sydney.
By Talkin Sport Thursday, 18 March 2010
Top Melbourne jockey Craig Williams has confirmed he is considering a move to Sydney to become a stable rider for leading trainer Gai Waterhouse.

Craig Williams
Photo by Racing and Sports

Williams, a four-time Scobe Breasley Medal winner who has won the Melbourne riding premiership for the last four seasons including a deadheat with Damien Oliver last season, was stable number one for leading Melbourne trainer David Hayes until a breakdown in the relationship last year.

Waterhouse has former top Melbourne jockey Nash Rawiller as her number one senior rider but there is a vacancy with the stable following the decision of Blake Shinn, another former Victorian, to go freelance in Sydney.

Rawiller's rides are restricted by his weight while natural lightweight Williams would be availbale for many of the lighter weighted Waterhouse runners.

"Of course I'm considering it. It is a privilege to be asked by one of Australia's leading stables to ride for it," Williams said of the Waterhouse offer.

Williams has eight rides for an assortment of stables at Rosehill on Saturday including Littorio in the Ranvet Stakes for Flemington trainer Nigel Blackiston, Hurtle Myrtle in the Coolmore Classic for Matthew Smith and the unbeaten Decision Time in the Todman Stakes for Clarry Conners.

Williams is currently equal third on the Melbourne premiership with 33 winners after landiung a double on the Mike Moroney-trained Beatboy and the Mat Ellerton-Simon Zahra-prepared Off The Planet at Sandown on Wednesday.

Boss suspended
By Talkin Sport Thursday, 18 March 2010
Glen Boss paid a high price for his front-running ride to win the $140,000 Newcastle Newmarket at Broadmeadow on Wednesday, incurring a suspension that will rule him out of one of Sydney's major autumn carnival meetings.

Glen Boss and Walking Or Dancing after the Newmarket
Photo by Racing and Sports

Boss copped a seven day suspension after a dashing ride to win the Group 3 event on Doncaster Mile contender Walking Or Dancing that added to his remarkable record in feature races on the Broadmeadow track.

Boss sent the entire straight to the lead and he defied all challengers to run him down, winning by three-quarters of a length from Brilliant Light with Emperor Bonaparte a further three-quarters of a length away third.

However stewards later found Boss guilty of allowing Walking or Dancing to shift in 100m after the start when insufficiently clear of Strat's Flyer, resulting in that horse having to be restrained, shift in and cause Tagus to lose its rightful running and be checked.

Boss was suspended from Sunday until Sunmday week (March 28) which will cost him rides at the second day of the Golden SLipper Festival at Rosehill on March 27 featuring the G1 Rosehill Guineas.

Boss and trainer Brett Partelle had planned to ride Walking Or Dancing from behind but that wenjt out the window soon after the start.

"The plan was to ride him with cover but he jumped in front and no-one wanted to take us on so I was happy to go to the front," Boss said.

Walking Or Dancing was having his first start since he won the Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast in early January when he was ridden by Boss.

Partelle, who prepares his team at Wyong on the NSW Central Coast, said Walking Or Dancing was only 85 per cent fit for today's assignment.

"He has a big preparation ahead of him and I wanted to leave something in the tank," Partelle said.

"The horse is likely to have his next start in the George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill.

"However the Doncaster is his mission. He's qualified and he has only has 51kg.

"Glen has first offer to ride him in all his races."

Partelle said Walking Or Dancing was given two weeks in the paddock after winning the Magic Millions Cup.

"Then I was able to mix up his trackwork with swimming," he said.

"We have a great set up at Wyong right beside the river where I can mix up their work.

"They are happy horses."

Partelle said that after the Doncaster, Walking or Dancing would go to Brisbane for the Doomben 10,000 and the Stradbroke.

He bought the horse for $85,000 as a yearling at the Gold Coast.

"I trained a horse called Xaar Xaar and had an opinion of it and Walking Or Dancing is related," he said.

"I sought out this horse at the sales and liked him.

"He was a nice type and a good walker and although he looked like a horse that would take time he raced as a two-year-old.

"This is the best horse I have trained."

Nikolic fined..
By Talkin Sport Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Jockey Danny Nikolic has been fined $5,000 for failing to hand over his mobile phone to Victorian stewards.

The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board (RAD) issued the fine after a hearing on Tuesday at which Nikolic handed the phone over after being told he would lose his licence if he did not do so.

Stewards asked for a six-month suspension for failing to comply with their directive in February.

The stewards wanted to view his contact list but Nikolic had argued it was enough to give them his phone records.

Nikolic was charged in February with using his mobile phone at Flemington races on January 1 without stewards' permission to contact professional punter and commission agent Neville Clements.

Nikolic claims that Clements does form for him and the call to him was related only to the tempo of the Bagot Hcp (2800m) which he won aboard Atlantic Air.

Tracy may have to carry the weight .
By Talkin Sport Tuesday, 16 March 2010
John O'Shea is adamant brilliant mare Typhoon Tracy deserves to be given the maximum topweight for Saturday's Group One Coolmore Classic at Rosehill.

O'Shea, who will saddle up Strawberry Field in the Coolmore, says there is no question the Peter Moody-trained Typhoon Tracy should get 61kg, the maximum handicap allowed under the conditions of the race.

"She should get the maximum, no question," O'Shea said.

"Private Steer got 58 when the maximum was 60 and she'd won one Group One race, this horse has won three or four.

"Of course she should carry the top weight allowed."

The O'Shea-trained Private Steer finished second to Shamekha in 2004.

Sunline carried the maximum 60kg to win in 2000 and again in 2002.

Typhoon Tracy has a rating of 118, nine more than Toorak Handicap winner Allez Wonder with Neroli on 107, Miss Marielle on 106 and More Joyous, Ekstreme and Dane Julia all on 103.

Moody has indicated he will wait for the release of weights on Tuesday to decide whether the star mare returns to defend her Coolmore Classic title.

Stablemate Set For Fame is also a chance to back up in the feature following her second to Rock Classic in the Australian Guineas.

Several of the 23 entries for the Coolmore are yet to be confirmed for starts, including high-class filly Hurtle Myrtle.

Her trainer Matthew Smith has nominated her for three races over the weekend but whittled down his options to two after deciding against heading to Kembla Grange for Sunday's Keith Nolan Classic.

"Either the Coolmore or the Phar Lap, I've ruled out the other one," Smith said.

"Her work has been good, I'd just like to see the weights for the Coolmore and see where she sits and if she gets a run.

"It will be interesting to see what Typhoon Tracy gets and if she comes up for it."

Glyn Schofield has partnered Hurtle Myrtle in both starts this campaign, including the Surround Stakes when she came within a half-neck of beating glamour filly More Joyous.

Schofield has been booked for Saturday's Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill but given Hurtle Myrtle's expected light weight for the Coolmore Classic (1500m), top Melbourne jockey Craig Williams has been secured.

More Joyous, one of three entries for Gai Waterhouse, is another not certain to take her place in the Coolmore.

She was found to be lame after her Surround Stakes victory and despite being cleared of any major problems, Waterhouse will wait until More Joyous works on Tuesday morning to decide if she runs.

Glen Boss will take the mount and has also been booked to ride her in the Doncaster Mile on April 17.

Stablemate Gold Water will take her place in the Coolmore but Oaks-bound filly Once Were Wild won't line up.

Cummings looking for more Group One's
By Talkin Sport Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Fresh from celebrating his latest Group One win with Zavite in the Auckland Cup, trainer Anthony Cummings turns his attention to the elite races in Sydney and Adelaide this weekend.

Messenger and Prima Nova run in the Coolmore Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill with Road To Rock representing the stable in the Ranvet Stakes (2000m).

Sister Madly will try to exact revenge on Majestic Music in the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville while My Mojo's Back to contest the Australasian Oaks (2000m).

"It was great to get the Group One with Zavite and we've got runners in four Group One races on Saturday so I'm looking forward to a good day," Cummings said.

Majestic Music from the Leon Macdonald-Andrew Gluyas stable, rocketed home to pip Sister Madly by a long head in last week's Group Two Yallambee (1200m) at Morphettville.

My Mojo's Back will be stepping up from a Class One win over 1600 metres at Gosford last Tuesday but Cummings thinks highly of the Choisir filly who is out of AJC Australian Oaks winner Coco Cobanna and is also being aimed at that race.

"She's won two from five and we'll give her a go at this race," he said.

"Road To Rock runs in the Ranvet and the Messenger and Prima Nova are in the Coolmore."

George Main Stakes winner Road To Rock suffered some tightening during his seventh, beaten 3-1/4 lengths, in the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) on March won by Theseo.

Prima Nova ran a creditable fourth in that race while Messenger finished a half length third to Dane Julia in the Wiggle Quality (1400m) on the same day.

Dual Group One winner Turffontein took no harm from his fifth in the Newmarket Handicap run just before a massive storm hit Flemington on March 6 and runs in the Group Two Canterbury Stakes (1300m).

"He arrived back in Sydney this morning and will have a gallop on the course proper in the morning," Cummings said.

"He took no harm from the Newmarket.

"Zavite arrives back later this week and will be set for the BMW and then maybe have another leadup to the Sydney Cup."

Zavite will be accompanied by New Zealand mare Daffodil on the flight with the latter entered for the Ranvet Stakes.

Shocking could be back in..
By Talkin Sport Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Melbourne Cup winner Shocking is almost certain to run in the rescheduled Australian Cup after responding to antibiotics for what was originally thought to be a foot abscess.

Torrential rain and hail flooded Flemington on Saturday causing the Group One Australian Cup, Group One Australian Guineas and the Group Three Food And Wine Plate (1400m) to be postponed by a week.

Shocking was scratched from the Australian Cup on Saturday morning but was reinstated into the field for the rescheduled Group One race.

Mark Kavanagh's racing manager Merv Harvey said Shocking was "jumping out of skin" on Monday and would have a testing gallop on Wednesday to prove his fitness.

"I would say he is probably a 95 per cent chance to run at this stage," Harvey said.

Harvey said what appeared to be a foot abscess was discovered on Friday morning but the fact it had responded so quickly to antibiotics suggested it could have been just a minor infection.

"We are not totally convinced it was an abscess as he has got a bit separation in the wall of his foot and some bug or something might have got up there," Harvey said.

"We put him on antibiotics and on Sunday morning he was as good as gold and would have been right to run.

"It was just that Saturday it was still building up and it was just a day too soon."

Harvey said it was of no consequence that Shocking had missed a day on the track because of the ailment.

"He trotted and cantered twice around the sand this morning and he was jumping out of his skin," Harvey said.

"Wednesday morning we are going to gallop him and we will know by Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning if he will definitely run on Saturday.

"If it doesn't flare up again then he's right."

All three features have been reinstated complete with barriers while the riders will be re-declared on Thursday.

Trainer Peter Moody will pursue Australian Guineas plans with Hanks and Set For Fame although he has nominated both three-year-olds for Saturday's Group One Randwick Guineas as a precautionary measure.

"Both horses will run here unless something untoward happens," Moody's racing manager Jeff O'Connor said.

He said that while Hanks' autumn program was unchanged with him heading to the Rosehill Guineas and the AJC Australian Derby after the Australian Guineas, the Guineas postponement had jammed up Set For Fame's options.

"We are a bit disappointed as it looks like she will have to miss a choice of races a week later now when the Coolmore and the Australasian Oaks are on," O'Connor said.

"We would have raced her against the boys last Saturday knowing we had two options but now we are stranded.

"She will run on Saturday and then we will assess it."

Nominations for the other races on the Flemington program including the Blamey Stakes will be taken on Tuesday due to the Monday public holiday in Melbourne.

Redoutes Top the sales.
By Talkin Sport Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Led by an improved clearance rate, the 2010 Melbourne Premier Sale continued to evolve at a rapid rate on day two with two yearlings by Redoute's Choice making $400,000 during another strong session of trading.

Redoute's Choice
Photo by Studs

Gross receipts topped $10 million as another 132 yearlings sold at an average of $78,924.

It brought the sale total to just short of $20 million at an average of $74,019.

The progressive average is now 35% higher than the figure achieved 12 months ago.

The clearance rate reached 79%, helped by a number of horses passed on day one finding buyers.

“While the results are a positive reflection on the state of the market, they are also a glowing endorsement for the growth and internationalisation of the Melbourne Premier Sale,” Inglis managing director Mark Webster said.

Eight yearlings topped the $200,000 mark with lots by Encosta De Lago, Fastnet Rock, Choisir and Flying Spur contributing to that tally.

Bellerive Stud's Redoute's Choice filly from the New Zealand Group 2 winner Maze was the early pacesetter today, knocked down to Bill Mitchell for $400,000.

That figure was matched when Dean Hawthorne secured Arrowfield's Redoute's Choice colt from the US-bred mare Oceanette.

Late in the session, Torryburn Stud's Choisir three-quarter-sister to last Saturday's SIlver Slipper Stakes winner Chance Bye fetched $200,000 to the bid of McDonald Racing.

All lots passed in are available via the Inglis Make an Offer service.

INGLIS PREMIER SALE - Statistics Day 2

Sold: 132 (78%)

Gross: $10,418,000

Average: $78,924

Highest Lot: (Lots 254 & 300) $400,000

Overall Sale Statistics

Sold: 267 (79%)

Passed In: 73 (21%)

Gross: $19,763,000

Average: $74,019

Median: $60,000

Sky Racing new channels..
By Talkin Sport Monday, 1 March 2010

Sky Racing2 to go live on 30 March.

The first of Sky Racing's new channels, Sky Racing2, will go live on Tuesday 30 March as the first stage in Sky's racing vision revolution.

Sky Racing2 will feature more than 80 thoroughbred, harness and greyhound meetings will feature more than 80 thoroughbred, harness and greyhound meetings each week. Of these, 35 will be new race meetings and more than half of those will be Australian.

Sky Racing is creating a new world of racing vision in 2010 with the introduction of two new channels, to complement the existing Sky Racing channel. The three channels are:

Sky Racing1 (Channel 519, FOXTEL and AUSTAR): Existing Sky Racing channel, which will continue to give viewers comprehensive Australian thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing coverage.

Sky Racing2 (Channel 520, FOXTEL and AUSTAR): Will offer viewers expanded coverage and choice of national and international thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing. Along with Sky Racing1, it will provide vision of all TAB races.

Sky Racing World (Channel 521, FOXTEL and AUSTAR): A superior thoroughbred racing channel, capturing the best racing action from Australia and around the world.

The launch of Sky Racing World will take place in early May, as part of the second stage in the rollout of the new Sky Racing channels.

Sky Racing Chief Operating Officer Brendan Parnell said: "It's the start of a new era in race broadcasting in Australia.

The launch of Sky Racing2 will give Australian punters watching racing more choice than ever before. As expected, we have had significant interest from race clubs wanting to be part of Sky Racing's channel expansion.

The launch of the new Sky Racing channels is part of Tabcorp's long-term strategy to expand racing choice for its customers and to provide superior showcasing of racing".

The culmination of the strategy has been made possible through FOXTEL and AUSTAR's new generation channel expansion.

FOXTEL and AUSTAR will announce pricing for Sky Racing2 and Sky Racing World this month. Sky Racing1 will remain on the base package.

To accommodate the launch of Sky Racing2, new retail displays are currently being installed in hotels, clubs and TAB agencies around Australia. The vast majority of NSW and Victorian pubs, clubs and TAB agencies will have Sky Racing2 available at launch date. The roll out in other states and territories is progressing well, with many venues preparing to make Sky Racing2 available to their patrons.

About Sky Racing

Sky Racing is Australia's number 1 racing network and a world leader in multi-venue race broadcasting, telecasting more than 65,000 races each year. Sky is currently broadcast to 2.2 million Australian homes, more than 5,000 commercial venues, as well as around the globe. Sky Racing is the most watched channel on the

Subscription TV platform for Men 40+ (Saturday/Sunday midday-3pm) and is consistently in the three most watched channels on Subscription TV on Saturdays (12 to 5.30pm) for Men 25+.

WHAT WILL BE ON SKY RACING2

Channel 520 FOXTEL and AUSTAR More than 80 race meetings per week, including:

Additional Australian racing

o New thoroughbred meetings from New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania and South Australia

o Three new Australian harness meetings each week

o Ten new Australian greyhound meetings each week

Complete international racing coverage

o All Hong Kong thoroughbred races on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday

o All New Zealand thoroughbred races on Wednesday to Sunday.

o Seven new New Zealand harness and greyhound meetings each week

o All Singapore thoroughbred races on Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Feature Race Coverage

o Extended coverage of selected Australian thoroughbred, greyhound and harness feature race meetings, including interviews, parade yard and expert commentary.

The full Sky Racing2 schedule will be outlined closer to launch date.

Changing of the Guard has other things on his mind.
By Talkin Sport Monday, 1 March 2010
High profile import Changingoftheguard is facing the unkindest cut of all if the stallion doesn't satisfy trainer David Hayes with his trackwork on Tuesday.

Changingoftheguard
Photo

Hayes will decide after Tuesday's gallop if Changingofthe guard is to be a member of his team in Saturday's $1 million Australian Cup at Flemington.

If the gallop and attitude of the import is not satisfactory Hayes will not hesitate to pull him out of the Australian Cup and order that he be gelded and spelled until the spring.

Hayes is concerned that Changingoftheguard

does not have his mind on racing when he gets around other horses. He becomes easily aroused and Hayes says he then is not in the right physical or mental condition to perform on the track.

"He is far too amorous," Hayes reported. "His mind is on other things and he's not embarrassed to show it and you can't run like that.

"When there's not many horses around he works like a star but he has proven difficult on race day.

"He will have to please me in trackwork on Tuesday to run in the Australian Cup.

“If he doesn't he will be gelded straight away and set for the spring.”

Hayes said even is Changingoftheguard does start on Saturday he will still be gelded after the race.

Changingoftheguard, purchased by stable clients from the UK, has been a headache horse for Hayes since he joined his team last spring with the aim of starting in the Melbourne Cup in November.

However after the Irish import served his quarantine at Sandown he had fitness issues that placed Hayes in conflict with officials.

The issues came to a head on the morning of the Melbourne Cup when Racing Victoria vets ordered his scratching from the Melbourne Cup despite Hayes protesting that the horse was not lame.

Hayes publicly labelled the vets "knuckleheads", an outburst that cost him a $2000 fine.

Hayes is set to play a big hand in the Australian Cup with another import Our Aqaleem, Zagreb and Extra Zero to represent the stable.

Larry was on time.
By Talkin Sport Thursday, 25 February 2010
Larry's Never Late has won Wednesday's Group Three $300,000 Launceston Cup which was marred by pre-race controversy when the favourite De Fine Lago was scratched by stewards who ruled the gelding was lame.

The seven-horse field, following the scratching of Grand Destiny on Tuesday and the late withdrawal of De Fine Lago, was the smallest in Launceston Cup history .

The pre-Cup drama started when Tasmanian Turf Club stewards, chaired by Wade Hadley, withdrew De Fine Lago, saying the Hobart Cup runner-up was lame.

The club's veterinary surgeon said De Fine Lago had quartered the inside heel of the near foreleg.

Trainer Tony Vasil made a request to stewards that race rider Damien Oliver canter him around to the barrier before the race.

"If stewards thought he was lame so be it, scratch him, I was that confident he'd be okay," the Caulfield trainer said.

However his request was refused.

"I'm bitterly disappointed and annoyed," Vasil said.

"The owners have spent the best part of $9,000 to bring him here for nothing. I thought he had the race at his mercy and to be pulled out in these circumstances is quite ... I won't even say.

"In their view they believe the horse is lame, but I've had the horse here a couple of days, I rode him myself yesterday (Tuesday) at Longford.

"I'm not a mug. I've been training horses for a fair while.

"I know a horse that is lame and what's not. He has got an abrasion on the bowl of his heel. If you push it, yes he'll react to it.

"But his action, all you've got to do is get him out on the grass and bowl him off and he'd be fine."

The victory of Larry's Never Late was a triumph for Mt Eliza trainer Rod Douglas who also won the Listed Tasmanian Oaks (2100m) with Zabeel filly Coulis last Sunday, and Melbourne jockey Ben Melham.

Melham said the win was equal to his previous best which was the 2009 Group Three Coongy Handicap at Caulfield aboard Baughurst.

Sent out at $4.20, Larry's Never Late was well ridden by Melham in a muddling-run race and went on to score by 2-1/4 lengths from Dream Pedlar ($4.70) with Growl ($1.70 fav) 5-1/2 lengths away third.

Douglas said he was confident the Pentire four-year-old could turn the tables on Hobart Cup (2200m) winner Growl after finishing fourth in that race.

"Shocking only just beat him for second in the Queensland Derby," Douglas said.

"Growl has won one race in three years so I thought it would be a miracle if he won two in a row."

Larry's Never Late is out of the Zabeel mare Laebeel who was runner-up to Sky Heights in the 1999 Caulfield Cup.

The four-year-old gelding, raced by Jonathan Munz's Pinecliff Racing Syndicate, hadn't won since taking out the Hamilton Cup (2200m) as a three-year-old on a slow track in April last year.

Last season he contested three Derbys, finishing sixth to Rebel Raider in the 2008 Victoria Derby, fourth to the same horse in the 2009 SA Derby and third to Court Ruler in the Queensland Derby.

Douglas said Larry's Never Late was still in the Group Two Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville on March 8.

"But we might give him a break and take him to Queensland for the winter," he said.

The gelding has won six races and been placed in another four of 23 starts.

Hussler back to the paddock.
By Talkin Sport Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Weekend Hussler is going back to the paddockafter pulling up lame in his comback run at Caulfield last Saturday.

Racing Victoria stewards told the seven time Group I winner's trainer Ross McDonald that a veterinary certificate of fitness was required prior to the gelding racing again after he finished 11th in the Group I Oakleigh Plate .

McDonald elected to spell Weekend Hussler immediately and retry to reserrect the horse's career later in the year.

In 2008, Weekend Hussler was named the Australian Horse of the Year after winning six Group I races during the 2007/08 racing season.

His victories came in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m), Newmarket Handicap (1200m), Caulfield and Randwick Guineas (1600m) George Ryder Stakes (1500m) and the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).

Overall Weekend Hussler has started 21 times for 12 wins and a placing, with stakes earnings of more than $3 million.
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Victorian horse trainer charged.
By Talkin Sport Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Racing Victoria stewards have charged trainer Rodney Douglas over comments he made in a televised interview at the Mornington Cup meeting on February 17.

Douglas has been charged under AR175A that relates to a licensed person being responsible for conduct prejudicial to the image, or interests or welfare of racing.

Stewards have alleged Douglas engaged in conduct that was prejudicial to the image and interests of racing via comments made about the stewards in a TVN interview at Mornington.

The charge will be heard before the RAD Board on a date to be fixed.This may have some affect on future interviews on track..

Douglas is enjoying a fine run of success, winning the Hareeba Stakes at Mornington and the Tasmanian Oaks at Mowbray in the past week.

Betfair news.
By Talkin Sport Monday, 22 February 2010

2004

Betfair signs a joint venture agreement with Australia's Publishing and Broadcasting Limited.

2006

February

Betfair awarded a non-exclusive licence by the Tasmanian Gaming Commission to conduct Australia's first betting exchange. Betfair begins recruitment of operational staff.

June/July

The market operations team manages its first market and shortly after the first telephone betting calls are taken by Betfair Australia staff.

August

The first bet is matched on the Australian exchange. There have since been 348,085,579 bets placed and more than two million calls have been taken. More than 370,000 unique markets have been settled.

2007

October

Australian Racing Board amends Australian Rules of Racing to remove the ban on betting exchanges being used on race courses.

2008

March

In a landmark case under section 92 of the Constitution (dealing with freedom of trade between the States) the High Court unanimously rules in Betfair's favour, rendering invalid WA's laws banning WA residents from using betting exchanges.

April

Betfair announces agency agreement with Tote Tasmania to allow Betfair customers to bet directly with Tote Tasmania (into the SuperTAB pool) via their Betfair accounts.

October

In response to further section 92 proceedings issued by Betfair, the NSW and Victorian governments announce that they will remove long-standing restrictions on advertising by licensed interstate wagering companies. Competition begins.

November

Melbourne's Sandown Racecourse is renamed Betfair Park in a three-year sponsorship deal.

2009

January

Verdasco vs Nadal Australian Open Tennis Semi Final reaches a record $56 million in matched bets.

Betfair signs sponsorship agreements with 15 new race clubs and with Greyhound Racing NSW.

Betfair Announces a 10 year agreement ..
By Talkin Sport Monday, 22 February 2010
Another milestone in the Betfair Australia story was reached today as the company announced an in-principle agreement with the Tasmanian Government to keep its operations there for a further 10 years.

“Today's announcement is an important step towards providing long-term certainty for Betfair in Australia and its Tasmanian workforce,” said Betfair Australia's CEO, Andrew Twaits.

“We were under a lot of pressure to prove ourselves as a company here in Australia, and we've well and truly done that. In the last four years, we've helped to reshape the wagering landscape in areas of integrity, harm minimisation and industry funding for racing and sports. Importantly, we've also encouraged a better deal for punters.

“This agreement is a big step forward for the future of racing, not only in Tasmania, but right across Australia. Our contribution to both racing and sports has been significant and we look forward to continuing our commitment right across the country.”

The new agreement is subject to various conditions including approval by the Tasmanian Gaming Commission and legislation being passed by the new parliament to reduce the tax on betting exchanges to 5% of gross revenue.

Betfair Australia commenced operations at its Hobart headquarters in February 2006 after it became the first betting exchange to be licensed in Australia. Today the business employs 135 staff, matches more than 1 million bets a day and has 135,000 Australian and New Zealand customers.

The company has also contributed more than $5m in product fees directly to racing and sports as well as nearly $8m in sponsorships. In Tasmania Betfair has contributed in excess of $20m to the local economy.

Starspangledbanner heading to England after impressive win in Oakleigh Plate
By Talkin Sport Saturday, 20 February 2010

Exciting colt Starspangledbanner scored his second Group I win in three starts when he prevailed in a thrilling finish to the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield.

The Choisir three-year-old, prepared by Leon Corstens, won the Group I Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 10 before being spelled and was fourth to Nicconi as favourite when resuming in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on January 30.

Starspangledbanner will now get the chance to emulate his sire by winning at Royal Ascot in England.

Choisir won the GroupII King's Stand Stakes (1000m) and Group I Golden Jubilee (1200m) at Ascot in 2003.

Gai gets Cannonball.
By Talkin Sport Wednesday, 10 February 2010
American sprinter Cannonball has joined the Gai Waterhouse stable.

Cannonball
Photo by Racing and Sports

The friendship Waterhouse has struck up with Cannonball's Florida-based trainer Wesley Ward has resulted in Sydney's glamour trainer taking charge of the sprinter's preparation for the $1 million Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on March 6.

Waterhouse met Ward at Royal Ascot last year where the American made history winning two two-year-old races. Waterhouse was enthralled by the American trainer's success and his renowned reputation with two-year-olds in America.

She visited his Florida training base late last year to learn more about his techniques and expert staff from his stable have visited Sydney to help with the education of her two-year-olds.

Cannonball

, who has been based in Melbourne since his arrival in Australia, will be transferred to Waterhouse's Randwick stables today.

He will have two weeks of training under Waterhouse's supervision at Randwick before she sends him back to Melbourne for the Newmarket.

Plans for Cannonball after the Newmarket are undecided. He could stay with Waterhouse for the Sydney autumn carnival or may travel to Dubai where he will rejoin the Ward team.

Waterhouse said she was flattered that Ward had transferred Cannonball into her care.

Cannonball, after racing in the International Sprint in Hong King in December, arrived in Melbourne in late December under the care of Ward's foreman Declan Murphy.

He made his Australian debut in the Lightning Stakes at Flemington on January 30, finishing ninth behind Nicconi.

The five-year-old has won four races from 21 starts and has attained a high international rating with G1 placings in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf in 2007 and last year's Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.

Munce heading home.
By Talkin Sport Thursday, 4 February 2010
Chris Munce will return to his home state later this year.

Photo by Racing and Sports

Munce, originally from Queensland, and his partner Cathy have been based in Sydney for 15 years according to the jockey but had always planned on one day returning north.

With the big Patinack Farm team expanding its Gold Coast stable to as many as 60 horses in the near future Munce felt is was a good time to make the move.

“When the opportunity arose to come up and do a bit of riding for Patinack we thought it was probably the right time to do it,” Munce said.

Munce said he has been discussing the Gold Coast expansion of the Patinack operation with principal Nathan Tinkler since early January and would do much of the work for the stable.

But he would also travel interstate to the major carnivals.

Munce's 40 Group One races include the 1998 Melbourne Cup on Jezabeel

The Japanese maybe back for our cup.
By Talkin Sport Tuesday, 2 February 2010
The Japanese may be back for the 2010 Melbourne Cup after Australia's Department of Agriculture has given the country the all clear.

Photo by Bronwen Healy

It's been four years since Delta Blues and Pop Rock quinellaed the Melbourne Cup but the following year Equine Influenza swept through the country and had Japan banned from entering Australia.

Racing Victoria racing operations manager Leigh Jordon said the Department of Agriculture has now lifted the ban, pending some stable inspections, and he hoped the Japanese horses would return for this year's Cup.

"The import risk assessment that they (the Department of Agriculture) circulated has Japan to be treated as a normal country," Jordon said.

"It's great news that Japan is now back in the fold and they will be able to send horses again to our spring carnival."

Jordon told the Herald Sun the most likely Yoshida horse to target the Melbourne Cup was Group 1 winner Dream Journey.