The Cup Field 2010

Melbourne Cup field:
1. Shocking (M Rodd)
2. Campanologist (K McEvoy)
3. So You Think (S Arnold)
4. Zipping (N Hall)
5. Illustrious Blue (G Boss)
6. Mr Medici (D Beadman)
7. Shoot Out (C Brown)
8. American (G Mosse)
9. Tokai Trick (F Fujita)
10. Buccellati (S King)
11. Descarado (N Rawiller)
12. Harris Tweed (B Rawiller)
13. Manighar (D Oliver)
14. Master O'Reilly (V Duric)
15. Monaco Consul (TBC)
16. Profound Beauty (P Smullen)
17. Zavite (M Walker)
18. Bauer (C Munce)
19. Holberg (L Dettori)
20. Precedence (B Shinn)
21. Red Ruler (M De Plessis)
22. Linton (TBC)
23. Once Were Wild (TBC)
24. Maluckyday (J Cassidy)

The Geelong Cup

1st: Americain
2nd: Moudre
3rd: Eceptionally
4th: Mr Charlie
5th: Macedonian
6th: Count Encosta

Once were Wild trained by Gai Waterhouse ran 8th
Drunken Sailor trained by Luca Cumani ran 11th

Here is the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Americain's win the day after.

STAR French jockey Gerald Mosse declared his mount, Americain, would win the Melbourne Cup after the stunning six-year-old took out the Geelong Cup yesterday.

For the third time in 10 years, an internationally trained stayer reigned supreme in the group 3 race.

Although fellow raider Drunken Sailor was the more favoured international runner for the Cumani stable, $11 chance Americain showed his class as he navigated his way through traffic and defied top weight to score an impressive win.

Mosse, who will today appeal against a 10-meeting suspension incurred in the Caulfield Cup, had ridden Americain in his last four starts in France and had little doubt that the dual group 2 winner would run a bold race at its Australian debut.

''I wanted to make him a bit more relaxed during the race because he has showed me in the past that he has good ability, he's a good horse,'' he said.

But the ride was far from straightforward, with Americain held up behind the leaders for the majority of the race.

Mosse waited patiently and urged his mount forward when gaps began to come at the 200-metre mark.

''I just had to wait until I could get through, then no worries. He's a beautiful animal,'' he said.

Americain, trained at Chantilly by Alain de Royer-Dupre, is owned by Gerry Ryan, a man who has poured plenty of money into the racing industry in Australia and also abroad.

''It's a great surprise. We thought he'd run well, but there's always a bit of a question when they come from overseas. We knew he was good enough, though,'' Ryan said.

''We wanted this one and it was a fantastic ride considering he didn't have a lot of luck. This is the third horse we've bought into from Europe but the others haven't been fast enough. Hopefully he is.''

Ryan bought Americain on the recommendation of bloodstock agent Robert Roulston, who was able to secure the stallion at a bargain-basement price after a failed campaign in the US in 2009.

''He had very good form in France before he went to America but he lost all form there,'' Roulston said.

''He was qualified for the Melbourne Cup, so we gave him to the trainer that I believed to be the best in Europe, and he's done a great job.''

While the winner found the right runs in the straight, runner-up Moudre did it tough and was just a long head short of victory after covering ground early in the race. Moudre ($5.50 favourite) will need to win the Lexus Quality on Derby day to secure a Melbourne Cup start.

''I always thought he'd benefit from his last run after he missed the start in the Turnbull Stakes, and that's how he raced today. The winner got the favours but he [Moudre] was super. I can't wait to get him back to Flemington,'' said trainer Ciaron Maher.

Third-placed Exceptionally will also head towards the Lexus after finishing a further half-length away, while the Cumani stable will sweat on a high attrition rate for Drunken Sailor to squeeze into the Melbourne Cup after the stayer disappointed in 11th place.

Godolphin Horses and latest Cup market

From Races.com.au
11/10/10

Three horses from the world’s biggest horse racing venture Godolphin arrived in Victoria today ready to embark on a campaign targeting the 2010 Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday November 2.

Campanologist, Eastern Aria and Holberg have all entered quarantine at the Werribee horse centre in preparation for their Australian race debuts.

Of the trio, dual Group 1 winner Campanologist is the highest rated entry on the 150th Emirates Melbourne Cup order of entry sitting fourth on the ballot and weighted at 56kg.


2010 Melbourne Cup Odds

Horse Odds
So You Think 5.00
Shocking 9.00
Alcopop 13.00
Linton 13.00
Dariana 15.00
Profound Beauty 17.00
Precedence 17.00
Americain 17.00
Faint Perfume 19.00
Herculian Prince21.00
Manighar 21.00
Cest La Guerre 26.00
Zipping 26.00
Bauer 26.00
Metal Bender 26.00
Holberg 26.00
Drunken Sailor 26.00
Harris Tweed 26.00
Moudre 31.00
Illustrious Blue31.00
Mourayan 31.00
Shoot Out 31.00
Tokai Trick 31.00
Jessicabeel 41.00

Six-year-old Campanologist comes to Australia on the back of some impressive form overseas, most recently finishing third to Dangerous Midge in the Arc Trial (2200m) at Newbury.

Despite being assured a spot in the 24-horse Melbourne Cup Field, Campanologist is well down the odds paying $81 through Sportsbet.

Campanologist will likely be ridden by jockey Kerrin McEvoy, currently recovering from a fractured vertebrae, in the Melbourne Cup.

Five-year-old mare Eastern Aria, currently 34th on the Melbourne Cup order of entry, is also at long odds in the Melbourne Cup betting at $51.

The Mark Johnston-trained Eastern Aria received a 1kg penalty for her Park Hill Stakes victory last month, still lightly weighted at 51.5kg for the Melbourne Cup.

A jockey is yet to be confirmed for Eastern Aria’s Melbourne Cup start, but Craig Williams is being considered.

It is Holberg who is at the shortest odds of the trio, paying $26 to win the Melbourne Cup equal with the likes of 2008 Melbourne Cup runner-up Bauer, Zipping, C’est La Guerre and Drunken Sailor.

Five-year-old Holberg is 32nd on the elimination order for the Melbourne Cup, allocated 53.5kg.

In a surprise statement, Godolphin announced that Holberg would be ridden by Italian jockey Frankie Dettori when he runs in the $6 million Melbourne Cup.

The last of the international contenders for the 2010 Melbourne Cup, Dermot Weld’s Profound Beauty, is due to arrive in Australia later this afternoon.

Profound Beauty, who ran fifth to Viewed in the 2008 Melbourne Cup, is the shortest priced overseas raider in the Cup betting paying $17 at Sportsbet.

Currently So You Think is the hot favourite at $5 following the Bart Cummings-trained four-year-olds’ impressive win in the Yalumba on Saturday.

The Australian
10/10/10

AUSTRALIA'S stables go to Caulfield on Saturday, aiming to repel the first wave of foreign invaders.

The international horses will try to strike an early blow in the run-up the 150th Melbourne Cup.

As many as four horses could make up the Eurasian invasion on Saturday, but that's merely a tease. The full assault will come at Flemington on November 2 when 10 international entries are expected to challenge.

Japanese iron horse Tokai Trick is seeking to go better than 2006 third placegetter Delta Blues and 2005 runner-up Eye Popper on Saturday when he meets Hong Kong galloper Mr Medici and UK pair Manighar and Drunken Sailor.

Tokai Trick has been awaiting the opportunity to compete in Australia since equine influenza outbreaks here and in Japan ended his participation in 2007. He has run in the Tenno Sho, Japan's feature 3200m event, five times and was unlucky in the race this year.



He is regarded as better suited to the longer race, but the Caulfield Cup is not being viewed by trainer Kenji Nonaka as a tune-up. Shinji Fujita, who rode Eye Popper, has come back to exact revenge for the narrow loss to Mummify.

Mr Medici did all his preparatory work in Hong Kong, but has not raced since last season when he won the Champions and Chater Cup, a Group I race at Sha Tin over 2400m. Acclaimed French rider Gerald Mosse returns to Australia for the ride.

Drunken Sailor is likely to be an emergency, unless there are a couple of surprise defections early in the week. A last start winner in England, he will run in the Geelong Cup on Wednesday week if he misses a place in the field on Saturday.

Alcopop returned to his best form when he chased home So You Think in Saturday's Yalumba Stakes (2000m) under weight-for-age conditions at Caulfield. He drops from 59kg to 53.5kg in the Caulfield Cup and and has been promoted to favouritism at $5.50.

Herculian Prince and Metal Bender share the second line of betting at $6.50. Shocking is next at $7.50.

Gai Waterhouse's entry, Herculian Prince, recruited from New Zealand, is a last-start winner of The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick, and will be ridden by South African Glyn Schofield, who now calls Australia home.

5th October
From Races.com.au

The 2010 Melbourne Cup second declarations were taken by VRC today narrowing down the list of stayers vying for a spot in the 24-horse Melbourne Cup field to 78.

Seventy-three horses have dropped out of contention since the first declaration stage for the 150th Melbourne Cup, due to run as Race 7 at Flemington on Tuesday November 2.

Cups King Bart Cummings has paid up for five of his stable stars to continue on the $6 million Melbourne Cup path as the legendary trainer attempts his 13th Melbourne Cup win.

Cummings still has Cox Plate champion So You Think, recent JRA Cup winner Precedence, top mare Faint Perfume, seven-year-old Empires Choice coming back into contention after an eye-catching third in the George Main Stakes, and Dariana entered for the famous handicap.

Check out the hoeses left in the field and the prices at:
http://www.races.com.au/2010/10/05/2010-melbourne-cup-second-declarations-leave-78-on-cup-path/

C'est La Guerre

HeraldSun.com.au


C'est La Guerre reacquainted himself with the winner's stall for the first time in more than two years at Randwick on Saturday to put himself back in contention for the 150th Melbourne Cup.

Winning his first race since claiming the 2008 New Zealand Derby, C'est La Guerre upset the favourites Purple and Triple Honour in the Group Three $125,000 Craven Plate (2000m).

It was a breakthrough victory for prominent owner Lloyd Williams and the syndicate which races the six-year-old, a placegetter in the 2008 Melbourne Cup.

"That's the horse's first win for Dad since he bought him after the New Zealand Derby ... he's been frustrating to say the least," Williams's son Nick said.

Williams Snr has spared no expense in trying to win this year's milestone Melbourne Cup, importing a string of overseas stayers to boost his team.

And while C'est La Guerre might have slipped from favour as a genuine Cup aspirant with 10 unplaced runs since his placing two years ago, he is now firmly on the radar for next month's anniversary edition.

"He's in the ball-game now (for the Melbourne Cup), no question," Nick Williams said.

"But there's still a month to go and in this game one day you might have the favourite and the next day you might have nothing."

Ridden by Michael Rodd, C'est La Guerre ($8) came from the second half of the field in the weight-for-age contest to overhaul Purple and Triple Honour to win by 1-1/2 lengths.

Purple ($2.90) was a nose in front of Triple Honour ($2.70 fav) to finish second.

Rodd, who won the 2007 Melbourne Cup for Williams on Efficient, said it was obvious C'est La Guerre was in unfamiliar territory as he set sail for the finishing post.

"When he got to the front he wasn't quite sure what to do," Rodd said.

"Hopefully this will mentally switch him on a bit because we know he is a horse with a lot of ability."

C'est La Guerre is now an $18 chance to improve on his Melbourne Cup third placing to Viewed.

Herculian Prince

SMH
Patrick Bartley, Sydney
October 3, 2010

Gai Waterhouse celebrates her 100th group 1 win yesterday. Photo: Dallas Kilponen
LEADING Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse was yesterday only prepared to momentarily dwell on winning her 100th group 1 race after Herculian Prince took out the Metropolitan Handicap, instead keener to concentrate on winning her first Melbourne Cup.

Waterhouse admitted her confidence had been shaken during the week when Herculian Prince was eight lengths last in the previous Saturday's Colin Stephen Stakes at Randwick.

Waterhouse said Herculian Prince had performed at his ''very worst'' last week, but listened to key staff who urged her to start the horse in the Metropolitan.

Waterhouse amazingly racked up her 100th group 1 win after controversially only gaining her licence in 1994.

''Last week was a freak of nature and it proved if you can't breathe, you can't run,'' Waterhouse said.

''He obviously had a breathing setback but my staff convinced me that the horse was a thousand per cent better than last week so I said, let's run.''

While Herculian Prince gave Waterhouse a career milestone, Melbourne trainer Peter Moody, who prepared the $3.60 favourite Mr Charlie, was clearly upset by the ride of Luke Nolen.

Mr Charlie appeared to be in an inferior part of the track for most of the trip but still managed to finish sixth.

In contrast, Waterhouse was talking Melbourne Cup, a race that has eluded her during her decorated career. ''It's off to Melbourne now and it's off to tackle everything, even that Melbourne Cup,'' she said.

Herculian Prince started at $4.80 and won by 3½ lengths from former Irish stayer Mourayan ($18), with local No Wine No Song, at $5.50, in third place.

Waterhouse believes that Herculian Prince, who was purchased from New Zealand 12 months ago, will be a key player in the Melbourne Cup and the horse will leave for Melbourne early next week.

The two Moody runners, Mr Charlie and Macedonian, were caught on the inside of the track, which was badly affected after heavy rain during the afternoon.

Harris Tweed

From HeraldSun.com.au
Sunday 3rd October 2010

New Zealand stayer Harris Tweed has put his Melbourne Cup campaign on track with a hard fought win over 2500 metres at Flemington.

New Zealand stayer Harris Tweed has put his Melbourne Cup campaign on track with a hard fought win in Sunday's Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington.

Trained by Murray and Bjorn Baker, the Montjeu five-year-old drew on his reserves after making the running from the home turn and held off Exceptionally to score by a head with Above Average 2-1/2 lengths away third.

Last year Harris Tweed finished fifth to Shocking in the Melbourne Cup and TAB Sportsbet firmed him up from $41 to $26 to win this year.

Harris Tweed is also in the Caulfield Cup but Murray Baker may look for another lead up option for the gelding.

Last year he finished 10th to Viewed in the Caulfield Cup but Baker queried whether it was the right race for him.

"I have to think about it," Baker said.

"I am not sure he has enough zip for the Caulfield Cup but he can stay and he should improve a lot with this run."

Harris Tweed has been slow to come to hand this campaign but Baker has been encouraged by his recent improvement.

"Coming out of a New Zealand winter he has taken a lot of getting fit," Baker said.

"He has been well behind the eight ball but have we have thought the last couple of weeks that he has really picked up.

"He is an improving horse and he does like it here in Australia.

"He seems to thrive here and race a lot better."

Harris Tweed was having his third run this campaign after unplaced runs over 1700 metres at Flemington and in the Group Three Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.

Jockey Brad Rawiller said that with 58.5kg on Sunday Harris Tweed had a tough run racing near the lead all the way before taking the lead three-wide on the home turn.

"He had to make the running in the straight which is a long way home but he did a good job and I'm looking forward to the Melbourne Cup now," Rawiller said.

Herculean Prince impressively wins The Metropolitan at Randwick

The Metropolitan (2400m) is a traditional lead up to the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
The last galloper to win the Metrop-Caulfield Cup double was Tawqeet in 2006, while the last horse to win the Metrop-Melbourne Cup double was Macdougal all the way back in 1959.

In one of the most outstanding performances I have seen Herculean Prince 'destroyed' the Metropolitan field at Randwick today 2/10/10. Watch this space. This is a very good stayer.

This was a write up I read about Herculean prior to the race.

2. Herculian Prince (6) – a hot favourite for this race until his failure in last week’s Colin Stephen Quality as a $1.40 favourite. He was eased out in the market, but good support has seen him find his way back into favourite again in what has been one of the most remarkable betting occurrences of the year. Based on his last run, you’d say no, but based on market support, you’d say yes. Glastonbury ran last in the Colin Stephen in 1994 as favourite before winning the Metropolitan a week later at 25-1. Punters haven’t made the same mistake again, and I think that if you forgive last week’s run, he’s a fair favourite. Likely leader, just not sure whether we can trust him now.

Americain Geelong Cup

Geelong Advertiser
Bradley Green

A CONTINENTAL Europe flavour could be added to next month's $215,000 Centrebet Geelong Cup (2406m).

Leading French trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre is considering entering classy stayer Americain in the Group 3 race on October 21 as an ideal hitout for his Melbourne Cup (3200m) campaign.

Americain is owned by several prominent Melbourne businessmen - including Gerry Ryan - and is due to arrive at Werribee's new international quarantine centre on AFL grand final day.

Americain has placed in 11 of his 18 starts, including six wins.

The lightly-raced six-year-old has won his last three starts, including the Group 2 Kergolay Stakes (3000m) in his last start on August 22 where he edged out the Luca Cumani-trained Maighar who is also bound for Melbourne.

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The Geelong Racing Club's business development manager John Dunne said they were also hopeful Cumani may also enter a runner in the Geelong Cup for the third straight year.

Cumani won the Geelong Cup in 2008 with Bauer while Basaltico was unplaced last year.

Drunken Sailor, a last winner over 2800m at Goodwood a fortnight ago, could be the stable's contender.

The six-year-old currently sits 42nd on the Melbourne Cup's order of entry with 53kg while Cumani has also not ruled out a return for Bauer, who is now an eight-year-old and hasn't raced for more than a year because of a tendon injury.

Dunne said the powerful Godolphin stable - which had its first Geelong Cup runner in Crime Scene last year - was unlikey to return this year as is team is not due to arrive down under in time.

Dunne said it was fantastic that more European horses were targeting a Melbourne Cup start through the Geelong Cup following the success of Bauer and the Dermot Weld-trained Media Puzzle (2002).

"There's no doubt the win of Bauer has been a great fillip for the Geelong Cup," Dunne said.

"Because Luca Cumani then went back home and told his fellow international trainers that probably the preferred pathway to the Melbourne Cup is through the Geelong Cup, being 10 days out (from the Group 1 race).

"Last year we had two international horses contest the Cup for the first time and this year were hoping to have at least that many again, if not more.

"In recent years the Geelong Cup winner has got about a one-and-a-half to two kilogram penalty which boosts them to a sufficient weight to get a run in the Melbourne Cup, so that's the big plus for our race."

Meanwhile, it's believed that the ambassadors for this year's Geelong Cup will be announced this week.

landlocked - Anthony Cummings

From Races.com.au
26/8/10

The Anthony Cummings-trained Landlocked has improved his chances of a berth in the 2010 Melbourne Cup after winning first-up at Canterbury yesterday.

A four-year-old son of boom sire of stayers Zabeel, Landlocked went out at $12 and enjoyed a forceful win over 1200m in the STC Members Handicap.

Landlocked, raced by Gerry Harvey, is currently one of the long-priced hopefuls for the $6 million Melbourne Cup on Tuesday November 2 paying $151 at SportsBet.

Alcopop - Moudre

From HeraldSun.com.au
30/8/10

TRAINER Jake Stephens is likely to keep Alcopop in Adelaide for one more run after an encouraging return to racing in Saturday's Penny Edition Stakes.

Stephens was more than happy with Alcopop's first-up fifth behind Victorian Spacecraft, beaten just over three lengths, and is leaning towards the Sin City Cup (formerly the Tokyo City Cup) at Morphettville in a fortnight.

"He pulled up well this morning. We'll just see how he progresses over the next few days," Stephens said yesterday. "He'd put on a lot of weight over the past week or so, and I thought his run was pretty good having missed a crucial gallop.

"It was pleasing that he had a good run behind them. I didn't want him to have a gut-buster first-up."

Stephens said he would talk to connections this week before making a decision but the Listed 1600m feature loomed as a suitable secondup mission. "I'll talk to John and Pat (Kelton, owners). A lot of the Melbourne horses are very forward and he might be best suited by racing at the mile here and then heading over," he said.

Alcopop remains a $26 Caulfield and Melbourne Cup chance, with the big mover in markets coming from the Ciaron Maher-trained Moudre, who now heads betting for the Caulfield Cup at $10 with Shoot Out after his brilliant Caulfield win.

Connections have reportedly knocked back offers believed to be as high as $2m for the rising star who now has to win the Naturalism Stakes on September 18 to guarantee a Caulfield Cup start.

Rite of Passage - Sans Frontieres - Darina - Bart Cummings

From CupCarnival.com.au
30/8/10

Other overseas raiders still on target for a tilt in the Melbourne Cup this November include Ascot Gold Cup winner Rite Of Passage and brilliant Danehill mare Profound Beauty.

Both runners are trained by two-time Melbourne Cup winning trainer Dermot Weld, the only European mentor to win the Melbourne Cup.

Leading the international entries in the Melbourne Cup betting markets at SportsBet is Jeremy Noseda’s in-form British galloper Sans Frontieres paying $17 for a win.

Queensland Derby winning mare Dariana is still the $13 favourite to give Bart Cummings his unprecedented 13th Melbourne Cup victory.

To get the best Melbourne Cup odds before the weights are released this Wednesday jump online and sign up to SportsBet today, new punters will even receive a free $100 bet!

Luca Cumani - Drunken Sailor - Alcopop - Manighar - Purple Moon - Bauer

From Races.com.au

NEWS - MELBOURNE CUP
30 AUGUST 2010
Drunken Sailor, prepared by premier Newmarket trainer Luca Cumani, enjoyed a quality win at Goodwood on Saturday to further improve his chances of a run in the 2010 Melbourne Cup this November.

Six-year-old Drunken Sailor is shaping up as Cumani’s top Melbourne Cup chance this year after he claimed a last-stride win in the Listed March Stakes (2800m) on Saturday.

Making his fifth straight appearance at the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, Cumani is hoping this year is his year in the Melbourne Cup after twice training the second placegetters in the world’s richest handicap with Bauer (2008) and Purple Moon (2007).

Having shown continual improvement over his 31 career starts, Tendulkar gelding Drunken Sailor has won over the Melbourne Cup distance of 3200m proving himself as a genuine stayer with an impressive turn of foot and making him a real contender for the $6 million Flemington feature on November 2.

Manighar is Cumani’s other top chance in the 150th Melbourne Cup, after finishing second to fellow Cup contender Americain in the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m) in France last weekend.

However Purple Moon has been ruled out due to injury and Bauer, who hasn’t raced since suffering a tendon injury when beaten by a mere nose in the 2008 Melbourne Cup by Viewed, is still in doubt.

Eight-year-old grey Bauer has the Persian Punch Stakes (2800m) scheduled as his return to racing at Sailsbury on Thursday night and his performance there will determine whether Cumani presses on to the Melbourne Cup with him.

Drunken Sailor is currently paying $61 through SportsBet in the early Melbourne Cup markets, his odds sure to shorten, while Manighar is higher up at $31.

Both are expected to arrive in Melbourne on September 25 following a bout in quarantine that they enter on Wednesday.

This Wednesday, September 1, is also when the 2010 Melbourne Cup weights will be announced.

In other 2010 Melbourne Cup news, last year’s favourite Alcopop was defeated in his first-up spring start on Saturday.

Alcopop finished fifth to classy Galileo four-year-old Spacecraft in the $80,000 Listed Penny Edition Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville.

Trainer Mick Price is now more confident of Spacecraft’s chances in the 2010 Caulfield Cup on October 16, Spacecraft currently a $34 chance at SportsBet.

For all the best odds on the spring features don’t waste your wagering dollars at the TAB. Sign up to leading online bookmaker SportsBet instead and join thousands of happy punters already enjoying the riches of betting online!

Luca Cumani - Bauer - Drunken Sailor - Manighar -

The Australian
Alan Lee From: The Times August 26, 2010

TWO heroic failures have merely reinforced Luca Cumani's ambition to win the Melbourne Cup.

Bauer, absent through injury since being foiled by a nose two years ago, could be one of three contenders for the Newmarket trainer at Flemington on November 2.

Cumani's love of international racing is stimulated by Australia's greatest prize.

Bauer was his second successive runner-up, following Purple Moon in 2007, but the frustrations have done nothing to dampen his determination.

Three horses from the wise Italian's stable will be listed when the weights are revealed next week but Cumani admits: "Bauer is still an imponderable but Manighar and Drunken Sailor are definitely going and will start their quarantine on September 8 before flying out a fortnight later.

"Bauer is part-owned by Simon O'Donnell, the former Australia all-rounder, adding to the intrigue in an Ashes winter. Before his bid is confirmed, though, he must prove his wellbeing on the racecourse, starting either at Goodwood or Windsor on Saturday."

It will be a last-minute decision depending on the ground," Cumani said yesterday.

"He doesn't like it soft so we will go where conditions are best. After such a long time off, one run won't be sufficient, so we will look for another race before deciding if he is to travel.

"He had a tendon injury, which always leaves a question mark. The seeds of it were sown in his Cup run two years ago and it has been a long road back. You can never be confident from one day to the next but he has coped with all the work so far."

Cumani admits to confused emotions after Bauer's agonising defeat.

"Pride and frustration, a bit of both," he said. "I am always happy when they run well but to come so close for a second time was deflating, too."

He feels his hand is strong, this year, and Kieren Fallon, the stable jockey, is likely to face a challenging choice of mount. Fallon was second on the fast-finishing Manighar in a group race at Deauville last weekend and has another chance to weigh up Drunken Sailor in the Windflower March Stakes at Goodwood on Saturday.

"I've been surprised by Drunken Sailor's progress," Cumani confessed.

"We bought him for a Dubai campaign but he has run very consistently back on the turf over here. I was delighted with Manighar on Sunday and, finally, we seem to be in tune with each other.

"They will both have time to acclimatise in Australia and will each run once before Flemington, one of them in the Caulfield Cup and the other in Geelong. If Bauer makes the trip, he will go straight for the Cup."

Cumani is enjoying a fruitful summer on home soil, the partnership with Fallon complemented by the development of J.P. Guillambert, whose double for the yard last Saturday featured the latest step in the rehabilitation of Seta after her flop in the 1,000 Guineas.

The Times

Statistics, MakybeDiva, Mark Kavanagh, Shocking, Shoot Out, C'Est La Guerre, Alandi and Mourayan

HeraldSun.com.au
Nathan Exelby From: Saturday, 28 August 2010

THE Makybe Diva Stakes, formerly the Craiglee Stakes, was a sure-fire pointer to big race success but it has not been so reliable in recent years.

The race, previously known as the Craiglee Stakes, was once a sure-fire pointer to big race success but it has not been so reliable in recent years.

The 1600m Flemington weight-for-age contest, to be run on Saturday, is regarded as one of the pivotal races of the spring.

Over the years countless Cups aspirants have used it as a leap into what connections hoped would be spring glory. The race was first run in 1948 as a 10 furlong (2000m) event. It switched to a mile (1600m) in 1965 with instant success, as the race was taken out by Light Fingers who went on to win that year's Melbourne Cup.

A year later Tobin Bronze won the Craiglee before landing the first of two Cox Plates and in 1969 Rain Lover took out the race en route to a second Melbourne Cup.

This trend of success continued in the next three decades and the race remains a key pointer to Group 1 races that follow in the spring.

It's just that in the past few years, the race has been devoid of "big three" winners.

But Mark Kavanagh is one trainer hoping the bad omens surrounding the Makybe Diva Stakes will change this year.

Melbourne Cup winner Shocking is set to start in the Makybe Diva after bypassing yesterday's Memsie Stakes.

Shocking made a pleasing return behind Shoot Out in the Liston a fortnight ago and is aiming to be just the sixth galloper to win multiple Melbourne Cups.

Kavanagh says Shocking is "right on track" and feels the 1600m will suit better at this stage of his campaign.

Lloyd Williams has frequently used the race as a spring opener, having won with Mahogany and Native Jazz. Stable representative Nick Williams said the big hope for this year's carnival, Linton, would bypass the Makybe Diva, but the family would still be represented by C'Est La Guerre, Alandi and Mourayan next weekend.

The 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient has become a "day to day proposition" according to Williams. "We are hoping and have our fingers crossed," Williams said.

In the 20 runnings of the Makybe Diva Stakes from 1985 to 2004, when it was known as the Craiglee, no fewer than eight Caulfield Cup winners came through the race (which was changed to the Makybe Diva Stakes in 2007 even though the mighty mare never contested the race).

Of the eight, Sky Heights (1999) and Northerly (2002) won the Craiglee, while Tristarc (1985), Sydeston (1990), Mummify (2003) and Elvstroem (2004) placed at Flemington.

Fraar (1993) and Diatribe (2000) were both well beaten in the Craiglee, but found their best form over the 2400m at Caulfield.

The Craiglee also produced five Melbourne Cup winners in the nine runnings from 1986 to 1994.

At Talaq (1986), Subzero (1992) and Jeune (1994) all put the writing on the wall with Craiglee placings, while Tawrrific (1989) and Kingston Rule (1990) used the race as a tune-up for their 3200m assignment.

Cox Plate winners have been thinner on the ground over the same time frame, with Almaarad (1989) and Northerly (2002) the only two Moonee Valley winners to use the Craiglee as a lead-up, although Dulcify, Family Of Man and Tobin Bronze all came through the race in earlier years.

So while the Craiglee enjoyed a golden period from the mid 1980s to early 2000s in unearthing Cups and Cox Plate winners, it has been a dry run since, with Elvstroem being the most recent "big three" winner to use the race as a stepping stone.

Despite missing out on the really big ones, the Makybe Diva/Craiglee has supplied spring Group 1 winners in nine of the past 10 seasons.

Typhoon Tracy (Myer Classic) and Heart Of Dreams (Underwood) graduated from the race last year.

Finally, here's a sobering note for punters wanting to follow the Makybe Diva Stakes winner throughout the spring: From the past 25 runnings, 21 of the winners failed to win another race that campaign.

The exceptions were Weekend Hussler, Northerly, Sky Heights and Marble Halls.

Moudre, Craig Williams, Ciaron Maher

HeraldSun.com.au
28th August 2010

Up-and-coming stayer Moudre could be top jockey Craig Williams' hope in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

Leading jockey Craig Williams may have found himself a more than handy Caulfield and Melbourne Cup ride if up-and-coming stayer Moudre can continue his authoritative rise through the ranks.

Tackling his toughest test to date in Saturday's Listed Hocking Stuart Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield, Moudre overcame a luckless run to score a comfortable win and announce himself as a genuine lightweight Cups chance for Warrnambool-based trainer Ciaron Maher.

"He gave me a feeling like a horse named Leica Falcon that I rode through the ranks a few years ago," Williams said.

Williams partnered Leica Falcon when the Corowa-trained stayer burst onto the scene in the spring of 2005, winning an open handicap at Sandown and the Group Two Winning Edge Stakes before running fifth in the Caulfield Cup to Railings.

Moudre still has plenty to do before he can comfortably make the Caulfield Cup field but Williams is confident the five-year-old has what it takes to make the grade this spring.

"He's a potential star and the best part about him is that he's such a relaxed character," he said.

"When you stoke him up he finds gear after gear, he's exciting."

Moudre endured a wide run in the second half of the field before Williams began to creep forward at the 800m and by the turn he was poised to pounce and soon left Diggersanddealers and Apprehend in his wake, eventually winning by 3-1/4 lengths from that duo.

Maher, who knows a thing or two about what it takes to win a good race during spring having saddled up 100-1 shot Tears I Cry to win the Group One Emirates Stakes in 2007, is keeping the lid on his latest star galloper as he progresses towards the Cups.

"He keeps answering his critics and that was a good win. It takes a while for a few of them to find their feet but he's really come on and matured in the last year," he said.

"We'll go to the Naturalism Stakes here in September now. He needs to keep winning."

Each year I write an eBook titled How to Pick The Winner Of The Emirates Melbourne Cup. When you purchase your copy of the eBook at www.PickTheCupWinner.com.au you automatically get access to my Melbourne Cup Morning last minute selections. This was the information last year's subscribers accessed.

"Be aware that a thorough examination of statistics for the last 50 years indicate the Cup will probably be won by a 4, 5 or 6 yr old colt or gelding. They also indicate the horse won’t carry less than 50 kgs or more than 56.5 kgs. Also, the starting price of the winner will more that likely be less than 20/1. They also indicate the favourite only wins once every five years.And statistics, since 1861, indicate only once every 37 years will the same horse win two consecutive Melbourne Cups."

"Allowing for this and after studying the form of all of the horses I believe one of these six horses will win the 2009 Melbourne Cup. Daffodil, Shocking, Master O’Reilly, Viewed, Alcopop, Roman Emperor."

"If you rely totally on the statistical information above you would have to rule out Daffodil, Master O’Reilly and Viewed. Thus, statistics indicate that the Cup winner should be Alcopop, Roman Emperor or Shocking. And if you are leaning towards any of these three horses be aware that statistics are on your side."

Of course, you now know that Shocking won the 2009 Melbourne Cup. And i happily tell 4 of my selections finished 1st, 4th, 6th and 7th.

I invite you to check out the site at www.PickTheCupWinner.com.au and order your copy now (Costs $9.95).

1960 Melbourne Cup sold for $104,000

Melbourne Cup Trophy Sold At Auction

Formguide

Written by Jack Styring
Thursday, 10 June 2010 10:51
The centenary Melbourne Cup trophy, won by Hi Jinx in 1960, was purchased in Sydney earlier this week at auction for $104,000 to an undisclosed buyer.

Also offered was the Sydney Cup trophy won by Grand Print in 1962. It was sold for $18,000.

Grand Print was ridden by Roy Higgins, for owner Graeme Nathan and trainer Jack Besanko senior.

The result was quite interesting as the three placed horses, Hi Jinx, Howsie and Ilumquh, were all visitors from New Zealand, yet were all ridden by Australian jockeys; Billie Smith, Jack Purtell and Bill Williamson.

Bauer - Luca Cumaini - Simon O'Donnell - Terry Henderson - OTI Racing - Manighar - Becqu Adoree - Stansill

RacingPost.com.au

Bauer camp eye another crack at Melbourne Cup

BY ANDREW SCUTTS 9:15AM 10 JUN 2010

Australia: Bauer, beaten a nose in the 2008 Emirates Melbourne Cup, is progressing well from injury and connections are eyeing another crack at the prestigious Flemington contest, which will be run for the 150th time this year.

The Luca Cumani-trained stayer is set to step up his training regime next month with a view at going one better than two years ago when he was defeated by Viewed.

"The scans have all been clean, which is pleasing and the horse has been in work a long time now with the intention of coming back to Melbourne for this year's Cup," part-owner Simon O'Donnell said on Thursday.

"He's built up from walking to cantering and trotting and will start his serious race gallops in July.

"The intention is to give him two or three runs in Europe and assuming all goes well and the horse pleases Luca, then he'll be headed back to Melbourne."

Bauer emerged from a crop of more highly fancied international raiders in 2008 to win the Geelong Cup before narrowly losing out in an epic Melbourne Cup.

"He was one of those imports that improved out of sight when he got to this hemisphere," O'Donnell added.

"He grew in stature from the minute he arrived, he loved the firm ground and the Cup was run in a manner that year that suited him."

Bauer is one of four European horses that O'Donnell and Terry Henderson's OTI Racing are preparing for a tilt at this year's Spring Racing Carnival and ultimately the Melbourne Cup on November 2.

The Cumani-trained Manighar, who is owned by OTI Racing and the Honourable EarleMack, is also a Cup contender and O'Donnell said: "We were particularly pleased with his debut run [for Cumani]. We were pleased to see him running so well on good ground because it was the one box he hadn't ticked.

"The run the other night gave us a lot of confidence that he has the qualities to be a Cup horse if he continues in the right direction."

Another Cumani possible is Becqu Adoree, who was eighth of nine on her British debut last month.

"She was not as bright as we'd hoped, but she played up in the gates beforehand and has come on since then," O'Donnell said.

"We're expecting an improved showing next time out."

OTI could also be represented by John Smith's Northumberland Plate candidate Stansill, who is trained by Alan Swinbank.

2010 Betting Melbourne Cup Market as at 5th of June 2010

2010 Melbourne Cup - 2010 Melbourne Cup Winner Market
Show All Odds

Show Best Odds

Show Market Movers
Book Value 110%
Click on the logos or odds to open an account. #
FAINT PERFUME 17.6
PROFOUND BEAUTY 24.8
JESSICABEEL 27.6
SHOCKING 28.6
ALANDI 28.6
PRECEDENCE 30.5
MONACO CONSUL 34.3
LINTON 34.3
MANIGHAR 38.1
VIGOR 40.0
ALCOPOP 41.9
SHAMOLINE WARRIOR 41.9
SPEED GIFTED 41.9
ABOVE AVERAGE 43.8
METAL BENDER 45.7
RUNDLE 45.7
HANKS 47.6
ZABRASIVE 47.6
EFFICIENT 47.6
VALDEMORO 52.3
ZIPPING 52.3
JAGUAR MAIL 52.3
RITE OF PASSAGE 57.1
OKEN BRUCE LEE 57.1
MEINER KITZ 61.8
DAFFODIL 66.6
REBEL RAIDER 66.6
DOCTOR FREMANTLE 66.6
MARTIAL LAW 71.3
SO YOU THINK 71.3
CEST LA GUERRE 76.1
MOATIZE 76.1
SHOOT OUT 80.8
PURPLE 80.8
CASUAL CONQUEST 80.8
MOURILYAN 85.6
CRIME SCENE 85.6
HUME 90.3
FANJURA 90.3
ONCE WERE WILD 90.3
DIVINE REBEL 90.3
STAR RIPPER 95.1
HERCULIAN PRINCE 104.6
LITTORIO 104.6
MASTER OREILLY 104.6
DESCARADO 114.1
LEICA DING 114.1
VODKA 114.1
PATRICIANS GLORY 123.6
CAPECOVER 133.1
HISSING SID 133.1
UNSUNG HEROINE 133.1
CARTHAGE 142.6
CHARTREUX 142.6
STAND TO GAIN 152.1
STERLING PRINCE 152.1
FORGETTABLE 152.1
DREAM JOURNEY 152.1
MAN OF IRON 152.1
SAVARAIN 152.1
HARRIS TWEED 161.6
PREDATORY PRICER 161.6
SCINTILLO 161.6
EXTRA ZERO 161.6
ZAVITE 171.1
FAIRY OAK 171.1
SUMMER DASH 171.1
BECQU ADOREE 171.1
NAVAL ESCORT 190.1
SPACECRAFT 199.6
ROMAN EMPEROR 199.6
ERASET 275.6
HEBRIDEAN 294.6
MY BENTLEY 294.6

Profound Beauty - Dermott Weld - Faint Perfume

Races.com.au

1 JUNE 2010 | BETTING, MELBOURNE CUP
Six-year-old Danehill mare Profound Beauty, trained by premier Irish trainer Dermot Weld, has had an impressive start to her 2010 Melbourne Cup campaign with a classy win in Ireland.

Weld, the only European trainer to win the Melbourne Cup having won with Vintage Crop (1993) and Media Puzzle (2002), will aim for a third ‘Loving Trophy’ with his profoundly talented beauty in this year’s 150th running of the Melbourne Cup on November 2.

The highly rated Profound Beauty finished a gallant fifth to Viewed in the 2008 Melbourne Cup before being scratched from last year’s event a month before after a long and tiring season.

On Sunday she started her season with a first-up win at Leopardstown in a Listed race over 2800m, beating odds-on favourite Age Of Aquarius by a half-length in her first start after a long spell following her fourth place finish to Alandi in the Irish St Leger in September last year.

Weld has hinted at runs in both the Curragh Cup and the Irish St Leger again this year for Profound Beauty on her way to the 2010 Melbourne Cup.

There is sure to be a strong international flavour in this year’s Melbourne Cup with a number of top international horses expected to travel to Flemington for the first Tuesday in November. Entries for the Melbourne Cup close on August 3.

Profound Beauty is currently a $26 chance for the $6 million Melbourne Cup in the pre-nomination betting market at SportingBet, while the Bart Cummings-trained Faint Perfume remains the $17 favourite.

Faint Perfume arrives back in Cummings’ care at his Sydney stable next Monday after having been spelled at Think Big Stud. The three-year-old Shamardal filly is raced by Dato Tan Chin Nam, who is the most successful owner in the Melbourne Cup having won four times with Think Big (1974 & 1975), Saintly (1996) and Viewed (2008).

Dato Tan also part-owns Cummings’ Redoute’s Choice filly Dariana who is the hot $3.50 favourite for this Saturday’s $400,000 Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm through IASbet.

Ge Up Jude

Races.com.au
29/5/10

Six-year-old gelding Get Up Jude has been sent to the paddocks early to rest up before their spring campaign that connections are hoping will culminate with a start in the 150th Melbourne Cup on Tuesday November 2.

Trained by Diane Poidevin-Laine at Kembla Grange, Get Up Jude had five testing starts this season, his best performance an eye-catching fifth to Jessicabeel in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) on April 24 at Randwick.

Since his Sydney Cup run over the same two-mile distance as the prestigious Melbourne Cup, Get Up Jude had two more races but was beginning to look tired finishing fifth in the Lord Mayors Cup (2000m) and then second last when beaten by 13 lengths in the WJ McKell Cup (2400m) last Saturday.

The disappointing run in the WJ McKell Cup lead Poidevin-Laine to abandon Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival plans to send Get Up Jude to a well-earned spell instead.

Get Up Jude is an excellent stayer, the son of Res Judicata having won six of their 26 career starts, and will now be saved for the spring where he will be nominated for a number of Cup Carnival races including the Melbourne Cup.

Races.com.au
29/5/10


Flemington-based trainer Mark Kavanagh has started the early training for last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Shocking in anticipation of the four-year-old’s second Melbourne Cup campaign this spring.

Shocking, a son of Street Cry out of Maria Di Castiglia, took out the 2009 Melbourne Cup after starting at $9 odds winning ahead of C’est La Guerre and Fiumicino.

If successful in defending his title on the first Tuesday of November at Flemington, Shocking will become just the sixth horse in the race’s 150 year history to claim multiple Melbourne Cups, the latest being the magnificent Makybe Diva who secured a hat-trick claiming victory in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

The first stage in preparing Shocking for his Cup assault begun on Monday when he arrived at the pre-trainers at Euroa in rural Victoria.

Kavanagh sent a contingent of spring-bound horses from his stable to the pre-trainers, where they will stay for four weeks before returning home when the hard work really starts.

Shocking’s record stands at five wins and seven placings from 17 career starts for $3,894,520 in prizemoney, with his strength as a stayer proven last spring when he raced his best over 2000m or further.

The path Kavanagh will set Shocking on in the spring leading up to the $6 million Melbourne Cup is still wide open, with the colt sure to be nominated for big events including the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday October 16.

Nominations for the 2010 Melbourne Cup close on August 3 ahead of the handicap weight allocations on September 1, for which Shocking is sure to be weighted heavily as he aims for back-to-back success.

In the lead-up to the spring carnivals, many horses are contesting the quality group races currently taking place at the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival. This weekend the feature event is the $650,000 Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m), check out the odds at IASbet.

Emirates Yorkshire Cup - Ascot Gold Cup - Manifest - Presvis - Luca Cumani

Telegraph UK
By Marcus Armytage
Published: 7:21PM BST 14 May 2010

Henry Cecil's fine run continued on Friday when Manifest ran away with Emirates Airlines Yorkshire Cup earning outright favouritism for the Ascot Gold Cup. At Newbury a second Oaks trial went his way after Principal Role's hard-fought win in the Swettenham Stud Fillies' Trial.


Manifest favourite for Ascot Gold Cup after York romp
Tight rein: Tom Queally has plenty up his sleeve as he steers Manifest to an eight-length victory at York Photo: PA

Cecil has always had a penchant for stayers and dominated the Ascot Gold Cup between 1979 and 1982 when Le Moss and Ardross won it twice apiece, but he has not won it since Peaen gave him a record equalling fifth win in 1987. Manifest, a lightly-raced four-year-old, is now as short as 5-1 for that race with Ladbrokes after coming home eight lengths clear of former Ebor winner Purple Moon.

“I love Cup horses and he could make into a nice one,” said Cecil. “He does everything right and he could probably do with more give in the ground. It looks as if he stays and he could stay in the Gold Cup at Ascot.”


Aidan O’Brien said on Friday that Cape Blanco, the subject of an injury scare after his Dante win on Thursday, seemed fine. “He was a little bit tender but otherwise fine,” he said. “He only walked out this morning.”

Luca Cumani’s much travelled Presvis, who will be ridden by Ryan Moore, is drawn 10 of 12 in Sunday’s Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji. Moore said: “He always gets a bad draw but it is a strongly-run race which will suit. You need a bit of luck to get through which is more important.”

Stanstill - Simon O'Donnell

Stanstill is on the move as former Australian cricketer Simon O'Donnell eyes Melbourne Cup triumph
By MARCUS TOWNEND

Up for the cup: Stanstill has been bought by a syndicate headed by former Australian Test cricketer Simon O'Donnell Stanstill, one of the most progressive stayers in training, has been bought by a syndicate headed by former Australian Test cricketer Simon O’Donnell to run in the Melbourne Cup.

The four-year-old, who will race for the OTI Racing Syndicate, is due to run in the Listed Braveheart Stakes at Hamilton on Friday. He will remain with Yorkshire trainer Alan Swinbank.

The deal to buy Stanstill followed a clinical comeback victory at Southwell in March, his fourth of his 10 races.

Bloodstock agent Alastair Donald, who brokered the deal, said: ‘He looks a progressive stayer with a turn of foot who goes on any ground. We are not going to overface him. He’ll be kept to Listed class and may even go the Ebor Handicap route.’
O’Donnell, who played on the 1985 Ashes tour, almost won Australia’s biggest race in 2008 with his share in Luca Cumani’s runner-up Bauer.

There is still all to play for in Britain’s biggest Flat race, the Investec Derby, after the weekend trials.

Henry Cecil’s Lingfield winner Bullet Train may wait for Royal Ascot, while the grinding two-length victory of Aidan O’Brien’s Midas Touch in Sunday’s Derrinstown Stud Trial at Leopardstown was hardly revelatory, despite being cut to 16-1.
At least it was a trial success for O’Brien, whose horses have been slow to shine. His St Nicholas Abbey remains 3-1 Derby favourite but attention is focused on Thursday’s Dante Stakes and Cape Blanco, especially as stablemate Mikhail Glinka is out of work and looking doubtful for Epsom.

Plans for Jan Vermeer, the 10-1 Derby third favourite, are also uncertain. A needed Epsom prep race would have to be in the Irish Guineas and an alternative plan is to go straight to the French Derby.

Jim Bolger’s 1000 Guineas third Gile Na Greine misses Wednesday’s Musidora Stakes at York to go for the Irish 1000.

Meanwhile, the BHA disciplinary committee will rehear the case of Dean McKeown on May 24. The jockey was banned for four years for corruption offences in October 2008 but challenged the verdict in the High Court, which ruled there had been one factual error in the evidence against him.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-1275851/Stanstill-Australian-cricketer-Simon-ODonnell-eyes-Melbourne-Cup-triumph.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz0nlM5KLBA

Sheikh Mohammed - Godolphin

Herald Sun
9th May 2010

Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin are responsible for three of the 15 confirmations for next Friday's Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup

The race entries also feature 2007 Melbourne Cup runner-up Purple Moon and the Dermot Weld-trained Profound Beauty who finished fifth to Viewed in Australia's most famous race two years ago.

Purple Moon, from the Luca Cumani stable, won the Ebor at York three years ago at what was his last racecourse success.

Profound Beauty, one of two Irish-trained gallopers nominated along with the John Oxx-prepared Roses For The Lady, has not raced since finishing fourth in the Irish St Leger in September last year.

Sheikh Mohammed's team have won the York stayers' feature five times in the last 15 years and they could give Darley Sun, Wajir and St Leger runner-up Kite Wood the chance to shine this time around.

The Japanese are coming - Jaguar Mail - Meiner Kitz

CRAIG Williams may have found his Melbourne Cup ride after a thrilling win on Jaguar Mail in the Group 1 Tenno Sho in Japan.

The Melbourne premiership-winning jockey won one of Japan's top staying races, which could prove a significant pointer to the Cup.

Racing Victoria international scout Leigh Jordon and Victoria Racing Club chairman Rod Fitzroy were at Kyoto to watch Williams triumph and reported real interest from Japanese owners and trainers about competing in the 150th Melbourne Cup.

Jaguar Mail, trained by Noriyuki Hori, is raced by Katsumi Yoshida, who owned 2006 Cup quinella horses Delta Blues and Pop Rock.

Williams had Jaguar Mail poised just off the lead on the turn in the 3200m race. He gave chase at the top of the straight and took the lead about 50m out.

"I don't think you'd get Craig off it. He was very taken with the horse. It was a powerful win," Jordon said.

Jordon said connections of Jaguar Mail and runner-up Meiner Kitz were both keen to come for the Cup.

The sticking point is quarantine regulations. Jordon has inspected Japanese-approved quarantine facilities at Miho, Nakayama and Tokyo. Australian biosecurity officials must inspect and approve the facilities.

Trainers told Jordon they needed to know by the end of this month, if they were to go ahead with Cup plans.

Williams is truly an international jockey, having now ridden Group 1 winners in Europe, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia.

He also won the last race at Kyoto on Saturday and the event after the Tenno Sho.

Sydney Cup - Jessicabeel - Zavite - Precedence - Anthony & Bart Cumming

2010 Sydney Cup Won by Melbourne Cup Hopeful Jessicabeel
Posted on 26 April 2010
Races.com.au

On Saturday talented Zabeel mare Jessicabeel secured the highlight race at Randwick when she defeated a classy field of rivals in the $400,000 Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m).

Prepared by local trainer John O’Shea, Jessicabeel began as the $5 favourite and proved herself as a definite stayer as she came from behind to defeat fellow mare and runner-up in the event last year as well, Divine Rebel ($21), by a three-quarter lengths with Harris Tweed ($7.50) a further length away in third finishing off an all New Zealand-bred trifecta.

Jessicabeel, ridden by Craig Newitt, messed up the start and then settled worse than mid-field after the first 1200m with the horse’s connections worried about her back position.

But they had nothing to fear as the mare displayed her brilliant turn of foot on the home straight, working her way up through the field of stayers to secure the Group 1 win.

Anthony Cummings’ highly fancied second-favourite Zavite ($5.50) was the disappointment of the race, beating home just one other runner, the Bart Cummings-trained Precedence ($6.50), as the Cummings’ pair finished 10th and 11th respectively after pushing too hard early on.

Zavite and Precedence held the lead for much of the 3200m but then faded at the finish as the genuine tempo of the race took its toll.

It wasn’t all bad news for Anthony Cummings on the day however, as he still enjoyed Group 1 glory at the meeting when Road To Rock took out the $350,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

Other horses that failed to fire in the 2010 Sydney Cup included last start winner of the Group 1 The BMW (2400m) Littorio, who struggled to step up to the increased distance of the Cup, and 2008 Sydney Cup winner No Wine No Song who finished well back in eighth also stung by the surprising pace of the race.

Four-year-old Jessicabeel, who also took out the Group 2 Chairman’s Handicap (2600m) this season, has now won five of her 13 race starts for $464,900 in prizemoney.
O’Shea is now obviously looking towards the coveted Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November for Jessicabeel, the 150th running of the esteemed feature worth a record $6 million this year.

Other feature races that played out on the final Sydney autumn carnival meeting on Saturday included the $300,000 Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) where the Peter Snowden-trained Skilled secured a close victory, and the $300,000 Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) won by Hot Danish.

With the excitement of the Sydney autumn carnival now over for another year, the best in Australian racing will now head up to Queensland for the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.

2010 Schweppes Sydney Cup Results

Place
Horse
Trainer
Jockey
1
JESSICABEEL (NZ)
John O’Shea Craig Newitt
2
DIVINE REBEL (NZ)
Michael Moroney Kerrin McEvoy
3
HARRIS TWEED (NZ)
M & B Baker Michael Rodd
4
CAPECOVER (NZ)
Patrick Payne Steven Arnold
5
GET UP JUDE
Diane Poidevin-Laine Kathy O’Hara
6
MOATIZE
Bart Cummings Blake Shinn
7
SPIN AROUND
Steven Cooper Nash Rawiller
8
NO WINE NO SONG
Kevin Moses Hugh Bowman
9
LITTORIO
Nigel Blackiston Craig Williams
10
ZAVITE (NZ)
Anthony Cummings Damien Oliver
11
PRECEDENCE (NZ)
Bart Cummings Luke Nolen
Scratched:
BOOMING (NZ)

Harris Park - Sydney Cup

NZ Herald.co.nz
3:59 AM Monday Apr 26, 2010

Cambridge trainer Murray Baker is plotting another Melbourne Cup campaign with Harris Tweed after history failed to repeat itself during the Sydney Cup at Randwick on Saturday.

Hoping to emulate his success with owner Phil Bayly and add another Sydney Cup to their 1992 triumph with My Eagle Eye the duo, instead, had to settle for a bold third as Jessicabeel won the A$400,000 ($523,500) feature race to become prolific sire Zabeel's 41st group one winner.

Michael Rodd kept Harris Tweed well placed in the 11-horse field until Jessicabeel and outsider Divine Rebel skipped clear on the final turn of the 3200m journey.

One of the pre-race favourites ($5), Jessicabeel won by three-quarters of a length while Harris Tweed was a length further back in third, mirroring their placings in the Chairman's Handicap (2600m) lead-up race at Randwick two weeks ago.

Although the mare seems to have Harris Tweed's measure, Baker and Bayly, 87, were relishing the opportunity to turn the tables in November at Flemington, where they will hope to improve on last year's fifth placing.

"I'm pretty happy with the run, I thought he'd be in the first three or four," said Baker, who pointed out Harris Tweed was lumped with 56.5kg in comparison with Jessicabeel (52kg) and Divine Rebel (53kg).


"He was giving weight to the other two, they had the pull on him there."

Baker also felt another six months' maturity would have Harris Tweed capable of exceeding the achievements of this Randwick campaign when he next crossed the Tasman.

"Physically, another six months is really going to make him," Baker said.

"He's a big lanky horse and I think 5-year-old will be his go. We'll get him to Melbourne in the spring."

Harris Tweed, a close second in the AJC Derby at Randwick on his trip here last year, collected A$40,000 for his third in the Sydney Cup to top A$100,000 on this three-race excursion.

"He's done well this time," Baker said of a schedule that opened with a sixth in the BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on April 3.

However, his third placing yesterday left Honor Babe as the Sydney Cup's last New Zealand-based winner in 2003.

It also ensured New Zealand did not secure a group one victory for the duration of the Autumn Carnival.

Awapuni trainer Jeff Lynds' quest for a first group one victory in Australia since his first foray in 1995 ended when Vosne Romanee wound up fourth in the A$350,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

The dominant weight-for-age performer in New Zealand this season raced on well in his Australian debut but could not keep pace with Road To Rock, Triple Honour and Monaco Consul.

Exceptionally - St Leger

THE Age
St Leger bolter aims for the Cup
ANDREW EDDY
April 26, 2010

TERRY O'Sullivan knows his filly Exceptionally has plenty more yet to achieve if the dream of a Melbourne Cup run is to be realised, but the trainer was looking towards November's $6 million race after she rallied to win yesterday's St Leger at Flemington.

''I'd love to think she might get into a Melbourne Cup,'' O'Sullivan, who is also a part-owner of the horse, said after yesterday's win over the 2800 metres. ''I know it's pretty tough just to get into the race, but she'll run two miles [3200 metres] no doubt.''

When a horse pays more than $50 for a win, it can be assumed that even the connections were only moderately confident of victory. But O'Sullivan, the filly's jockey Dan Nikolic and her part-owner Kingsley Peach were all convinced she could pass the first qualifying clause for the Melbourne Cup by taking out the $200,000 listed race.

''Halfway down the straight, I thought she would finish third at best but then she sprouted wings over the last 150 metres,'' Nikolic said. ''It was a really good staying effort.''

O'Sullivan was of the same mind as Gallant Lady and Sherpa Tenzing appeared certain to fight out the finish. ''It was a great ride by Dan. He rode it 110 per cent and he was patient and just waited. I thought he might have waited too long but over that last 50 metres she dived through to score.''

The result came as a great thrill but no shock for part-owner Peach, who picked the filly out at the Adelaide Magic Millions sale as he was a fan of the little-known stallion Ekraar and the filly was out of a Zabeel mare. He paid $62,500 for her.

Exceptionally, a $21 chance in the ring with the bookmakers, won by three-quarters of a length over Gallant Lady ($3.90 favourite) with Sherpa Tenzing ($4.60) a short neck away third.

Jesicabeel - Sydney Cup

Published: 3:03PM Sunday April 25, 2010
By tvnz.co.nz's Phillip Quay

The stunning win by Cambridge Stud-bred mare Jesicabeel in yesterday's A$600,000 Sydney Cup at Randwick has shown she will be a serious contender for the Melbourne Cup later in the year.

Lightly raced Jesicabeel relished the step up to the 3200m of the Sydney Cup and there will be no doubts about her staying qualities.

Bred by Sir Patrick and Justine Lady Hogan, Jesicabeel is by Cambridge Stud's multiple champion sire Zabeel and became his 41st individual Group 1 winner. Zabeel has overtaken Sir Tristram's tally of stakes winners and has also made his mark as an outstanding broodmare sire with the likes of Darci Brahma, Samantha Miss and Faint Perfume all being from Zabeel mares.

Zabeel's previous Sydney Cup winner was Gallic who won the time-honoured event in 2007.

Trainer John O'Shea purchased Jessicabeel (ex More Diamonds by Straight Strike) at the 2007 Karaka Premier Sale for $220,000 from Cambridge Stud.

Jessicabeel came with a stunning finishing burst in yesterday's race to claim the Mike Moroney-trained Divine Rebel, which finished runner-up in the race for the second year running.

Lloyd Williams Rundle

Racing & Sports

Friday, 23 April 2010: Anzac Day is about reflection but at Flemington on Sunday owner Lloyd Williams will be looking to the future with his four runners.

In the feature race, the Listed VRC St Leger, Williams will test emerging stayer Rundle over the 2800m in what is likely to be a screen test for the Melbourne Cup later in the year.

The Robert Hickmott-trained gelding is one of two dozen sons of Galileo Williams has invested in, hoping to land another Melbourne Cup.

Rundle has raced only four times and after finishing a close-up seventh on debut has been unbeaten since, including a soft 2500m win at Flemington last time.

Rundle has been posted at odds-on to make it four wins on end but for Williams success will be determined not by winning but how he runs out the 2800m journey for the first time.

In the following race, though, Williams will kick off the Australian campaigns of imports Grand Ducal, Muir and Martial Law.

The trio of former UK gallopers will find the 1200m straight dash of the Kokodas Track Handicap totally unsuitably, according to Williams, with longer races in the spring as their primary concerns.

Grand Ducal does have a good fresh record and is a winner in that state over 1500m and is Group 2 placed at 1400m.

All three of Muir's wins have been over 2000m while Martial Law did win his frst race at a mile but his most recent success was over 2982m in France.

Earlier this week another Williams import Stillman made his Australian debut at Betfair Park and ran well to finish runner-up over 1400m and a few more will emerge over the next fortnight.

Williams said all the imports would have just one or two runs before being turned out again and aimed at the spring.

Williams has almost a dozen imports and a myriad of Galileo gallopers on his books in his quest for this year's 150th running of the Melbourne Cup.

NB. Rundle was scratched from this race. Efficiency won it.

Gai Waterhouse Herculian Prince Above Average Zavite Booming

Sydney Morning Herald
April 18th 2010
GAI WATERHOUSE is already thinking about the Melbourne Cup with exciting stayer Herculian Prince after he dominated the Japan Racing Association Plate at Randwick yesterday.

The four-year-old has won four races in the past month, rising from a midweek race at Canterbury to claim his second listed win.

''What a horse and a half he is,'' Waterhouse proclaimed. ''He has just done everything we have asked of him and does it so easily.

''He is going to make a very good stayer and a race like the Melbourne Cup would be nice for him.''

Herculian Prince took his record to seven wins from 11 starts, leading all the way and scoring by 1¼ lengths from imported stayer Above Average with Booming getting home well for third a long neck away.

Glyn Schofield was also bullish about the future with Herculian Prince, which is likely to have one more run this preparation, though not in next week's Sydney Cup.

''That was a proper race out there,'' he said. ''It was a race of good tempo on testing ground and he was just too good for them.

''He has done nothing wrong this time and he has got a big future as a stayer.''

The runner-up, Above Average, seems a typical grinding English stayer and he will be tipped out with a view towards the Melbourne spring.

''At 2000 metres he just could not pick the other one up,'' part-owner Chris Lawler said. ''It might be different at 2400m but you will have to wait for the spring to see that. The good thing is he's already qualified for the Melbourne Cup.''

While the first two home will not be back at Randwick next week for the Sydney Cup, Kiwi stayer Booming will. He did his best work at the end in his first run since being runner-up to Zavite in the Auckland Cup last month.

''It was a good run. He is in the Sydney Cup and we will see how he has come through the race,'' Booming's trainer Jeff Lynds said.

2009 Melbourne Cup Pre Nominations Betting Market

Currently the pre-nominations favourite is brilliant Shamardal filly Faint Perfume, trained by the legendary Bart Cummings who will be attempting his 13th Melbourne Cup victory this year.

Faint Perfume recently won the Group 1 Storm Queen Stakes and is looking on track for more success in her autumn campaign.

The second favourite at this stage for the 2010 Melbourne Cup with SportingBet is another under the training of premier mentor Cummings, Precedence at $20.
Precedence is then followed by the Robert Hickmott-trained Linton ($21), Rosehill Guineas winner Zabrasive ($23), defending Melbourne Cup champion Shocking ($23), improving gelding Alcopop ($26) and impressive three-year-old filly Valdemoro ($26).
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Precedence

Courier Mail
9th April

IT might be 42 years since he first bred an AJC Derby winner but, for Sir Patrick Hogan, the hunger remains as strong as ever as he heads to tomorrow's Randwick meeting with a horse he hopes can deliver him a Melbourne Cup.

Precedence, a horse he co-bred and now owns one-third of, is a short-priced favourite to win the Chairman's Handicap.

Sir Patrick has enjoyed many wonderful moments on AJC Derby day, dating back to the 1968 winner Wilton Park, which he bred with his late father.

Bankrolled by the champion father-son team of Sir Tristram and Zabeel, horses bred by Sir Patrick have since won multiple Melbourne Cups, Caulfield Cups and Cox Plates, a Golden Slipper and countless Derbys and Oaks.

A guide to just how successful the breeder has been can be gauged by his not naming former public idol Octagonal among the favourite three horses he has bred, with Surround, Tristarc and Gurner's Lane at the top of the tree.



"I don't leave Octagonal out of it but, if you go back over the past 30 years, I've probably bred more Group 1 winners than any other breeder, so it's a hard question," Sir Patrick said.

Having accomplished everything in breeding, for which his achievements were honoured with a knighthood in 1998, the proud Irish-born New Zealander now wants to win Australia's greatest race as an owner.

"Where I am now, at 71 years old, my greatest desire is to own a Melbourne Cup winner.

"I've been a personal friend of Bart Cummings for 40 years or more and I thought the only way I could possibly win a Melbourne Cup is that, one, Bart trains it, and two, Dato Tan (Chin Nam) has to join me in the partnership.

"In New Zealand I've won the Auckland, Wellington and New Zealand cups. I've also won the top two-mile trotting cup with Mountain Gold. I've got those cups on the table.

"Now I have to get a bit serious in Australia. And first and foremost it's the Melbourne Cup. I'm not going to chase Chin Nam's number or Bart's number, but I need them to help me and it's better to have a piece of the horse with these two guys because they are blessed."

Sir Patrick's Cambridge Stud has been the dominant AJC Derby force in the modern era.

Resident stallion Zabeel has sired the winner four times - Octagonal, Sky Heights, Don Eduardo and Fiumicino - and he is in the box seat to add to the tally with his three runners tomorrow headed by hot favourite Zabrasive.

Fellow Cambridge stallion Keeper is the sire of Kiwi hope Keep The Peace, while Sir Patrick himself races the Savabeel gelding Suyama, although he's not holding his breath for the $71 chance to deliver any miracles.

Zabeel turns 24 this year but is in good health and will line up for a 20th season at Cambridge this spring.

Alcopop has a hangover

Racing and Sports
Monday, 22 March 2010:

The Sydney autumn campaign of Alcopop may be over after finishing last in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.

The South Australian stayer, who started favourite in last year's Melbourne Cup, has failed to fire in two runs in Sydney in the autumn and trainer Jake Stephens will now weigh up whether to continue on.

Nothing has gone right for Alcopop in Sydney, including a poor blood count and failing to stretch out hindering his first run in the Sydney direction when 10th in the Apollo Stakes.

A mild virus forced him to miss the Chipping Norton Stakes and second-up in the Ranvet on Saturday he layed in up the straight and was seemingly at sea in the clockwise direction, finishing a six length last behind Theseo.

Stephens and connections will now think about whether to press on or return home and concentrate on the spring.

'He'll have an easy few days and we'll evaluate what to do,” Stephens said.

“The BMW is still a possibility but my gut feeling is to pull up stumps and go home. It's probably a better idea to give him a good spell and concentrate on the spring.”

Stephens wants to give the horse every chance to turn the corner but admits he's facing an uphill battle.

Carthage for the Cup

Racing and Sports
Monday, 22 March 2010:

Hong Kong trainer John Moore has named the Melbourne Cup as the target for a horse who was once favourite for the world's premier weight-for-age event, the Prix De l”Arc de Triomphe.

Carthage, who raced in Europe as Beheshtam, was rated one of the most exciting prospects in France last year when he finished fourth in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) as a three-year-old when trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre.

The son of Arc winner Peintre Celebre has raced just six times, winning his first two starts at Maisons-Laffitte and the Listed Prix De L'Avre at Longchamp over 2600m and 2400m before he contested the Derby.

Beheshtam was also second in the G2 Prix Niel, a traditional Arc prep race, and was acquired by Moore's “Trainer Syndicate” from his owner the Aga Khan after he finished 12th, beaten only 6.8 lengths, in the Arc won by champion colt Sea The Stars at Longchamp in October.

Moore is hoping Carthage can match the success he has enjoyed with his current star Collection, another Peintre Celebre acquisition from Europe who won last year's G1 Hong Kong Derby and the G1 HK Gold Cup at his most recent start on February 28.

Carthage has been given two recent trials at Sha Tin by Moore as he begins what will be a long build up to his planned Australian campaign in October and November.

"We hope to give him two or three runs in Hong Kong before the end of the season and then ship him to Melbourne for the spring carnival," Moore told SCMP.

Moore plans to send Carthage to Victoria in August with his son George to supervise his training.

"The Caulfield and Melbourne Cups are the two main targets but we will find a couple of lead-up races over shorter distances beforehand,” Moore said.

"His form behind Cavalryman when he was beaten just half a length in the Prix Niel speaks for itself.

“We are very much looking forward to the journey ahead."

ChangingOfTheGuard dies

The Age
PATRICK BARTLEY
March 11, 2010

WHAT looked to be the dream of winning a Melbourne Cup with imported galloper Changingoftheguard turned out to be an ongoing nightmare, and the final chapter was played out yesterday when the stayer died during surgery.

Reportedly purchased for $1 million by a Melbourne-based syndicate, Changingoftheguard did not survive a simple gelding operation.

''He suffered a ruptured bowel during the operation and didn't survive. He was put down for humane reasons,'' said trainer David Hayes.

''That has never happened at Lindsay Park before and we've had hundreds, even thousands, done. Sometimes a horse can injure a leg when getting up after an operation, but not this.''

The horse finished second in the Ebor Handicap at York in England, prompting a group of owners in Melbourne to purchase the horse with a view to running in last year's Melbourne Cup.

But from the time Changingoftheguard arrived in Australia, he has been embroiled in a series of controversies, including his dramatic withdrawal hours before the Melbourne Cup.

His withdrawal by stewards acting on veterinary advice was the centre of much debate, with Hayes rejecting claims that the horse had hoof problems.

Changingoftheguard had one run last month, but after finishing down the track the stable reported that the stallion, who was formerly with leading Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien and owned by Kilmore Stud, appeared to have respiratory problems after the race.

Last Tuesday week he beat two of Hayes' four Australian Cup runners, Our Aqaleem and Zagreb, in an impressive gallop at Flemington. ''He coughed after the gallop and I decided to look after him and not run him in the Australian Cup,'' Hayes said.

The stable then elected to geld Changingoftheguard with a view to this year's Melbourne Cup.

Anthony Cummings, Damien Oliver and Zavite win Auckland Cup

11/3/10
Memo from Max:

Ahhhhhh...It is funny how we all 'claim' a winner. It is entertaining to see how the media in Australia and New Zealand compete with each other for 'ownership' of successful horses. Read the next two paragraphs about Zavite and you will see what I mean. Zavite was bred in New Zealand but has done most of it's racing in Australia.

(From TVNZ) Australian-based horse Zavite has won the $1 million Group One Auckland Cup race at Ellerslie. Zavite finished ahead of Booming while Tin Goose was third.


(From Racing and Sprts Australia) Thursday, 11 March 2010: Sydney stayer Zavite put a dent in New Zealand pride on Wednesday when he became yet another Australian galloper to win a Kiwi Group One race with a dominant performance in the $1 million Auckland Cup at Ellerslie.

Although the 7YO Zabeel gelding is NZ-bred, it was an all Australian triumph as he is trained at Randwick by Anthony Cummings and was ridden by Melbourne champion Damien Oliver.

Zavite proved a class above his opponents to win in one of the fastest times for the race in recent years.

Carrying top weight of 57.5kg, Zavite covered the 3200m in 3:18.96 to give Oliver another major New Zealand trophy to go with the Wellington Cup he won aboard Ed in 1995.

The 37-year-old Oliver had not ridden a winner in New Zealand for 10 years with his previous Kiwi success being in the 1998 NZ Derby on So Casual, however Oliver was aboard the Paul Perry-trained Dantelah in the 1999 Group 1 Telegraph Stakes when relegated to second on protest in a controversial decision.

In contrast to Zavite's usual on pace pattern, a fast early pace saw Oliver settle him back in twelfth position until the 700m when he set the gelding alight.

Zavite showed sparkling acceleration to sprint past the leaders on the home turn and opened a winning break of three lengths that he maintained down the long Ellerslie straight.

Zavite powered to the line three and a quarter lengths clear of Glen Boss' mount Booming with the outsider Tin Goose third with last year's winner Spin Around fourth.

Oliver said he never had any worries despite settling back in the field.

“They went pretty hard from the gate and I thought I'd pop in behind them and get him to relax,” said the champion Melbourne rider.

“He settled nice and coming to the turn I had some good chances in front of me, but they weren't going near as good as this bloke.

“He just cruised up and was jogging on the turn. He kicked well, I might have gone a bit early, but he was just going so well.

“It was a comprehensive win and a good effort under the weight.”

Zavite, winner of last year's Adelaide Cup, returned to winning form at Moonee Valley at his previous start.

He could have gone back to Morphettville last Monday for another Adelaide Cup assault but Cummings opted for the New Zealand trip because of the bigger prizemoney.

“It is one million dollars, and even if it's Kiwi it's still good,” he said.

“I left the riding decisions to Damien. He helped him carry the weight and made the right move coming toward the turn.”

Zavite was purchased by Cummings as a yearling at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale in 2004 for $80,000. He has now won ten of his fifty starts for earnings of $1.1 million.

Capecover wins Adelaide Cup

8th March 2010

Former champion jockey Patrick Payne has celebrated his biggest day as a trainer with Capecover winning the Group Two Adelaide Cup at Morphettville from stable-mate Kerdem on Monday.

But in an ironic twist, the winning connections had an anxious wait when Payne's sister Michelle, who rode the runner-up, fired in a protest against the winner.

It was dismissed and New Zealand stayer Capecover was declared the victor of the gruelling 3,200-metre contest.

Capecover is trained by Alexander Fieldes when he races in New Zealand but remained with Victorian-based Payne after the Melbourne Cup in which he finished in 17th place.

He beat Kerdem by a length with Itstheone another short half-head behind in third.

Daffodil

NZ Herald
Glenn Watson
22nd Feb 2010

It's Sydney in the autumn for the Kevin Gray-trained mare Daffodil after her outstanding win freshup at New Plymouth on Saturday.

The AJC Oaks and Windsor Plate winner sauntered effortlessly past a handy lot of sprinters to win the Schweppervesence Sprint.

She will start at Otaki on Sunday before heading to Sydney for the Ranvet Stakes and the BMW in April.

Hayden Tinsley will replace Opie Bosson for Sunday's race. Tinsley was at Ellerslie on Saturday.

"I was proud of her on Saturday. It was a marvellous effort," said Gray of Daffodil, who hadn't raced since an unlucky run in the Melbourne Cup almost four months ago.

Aussie rider Hugh Bowman will ride Daffodil in her Sydney campaign.

However, Gray was not so happy with Opie Bosson's ride later in the day on the stable's star juvenile Cellarmaster in the Waikato Stud Classic.

After a sluggish start, Cellarmaster was settled three wide for most of the race, lost his balance 200m out and still got up for third behind Icepins.

"I mean, here's a horse who usually leads but was left three wide all the way, and heaven knows what happened down the home straight."

Cellarmaster, who is owned by Auckland Judge John Clapham, his breeder, will start next in the $200,000 Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie on March 13, with either Tinsley or Michael Coleman aboard.


Gray, who was at Ellerslie on Saturday with Derby hope King Raedwald, was much happier after his colt ran third to Zarzuela and Corporal Jones.

Back at New Plymouth, freegoer Bruce Almighty ran his foes ragged in the $80,000 Taranaki Cup, beating off Il Quello Veloce, who was a game second in her first staying test.

It was jockey Paul Taylor's second win in the race, his first coming on Gallions Reach. Trainer Stuart Manning will now take the much-travelled Bruce Almighty to Riverton at Easter.

- WANGANUI CHRONICLE

Manighar Luca Cumani Terry Henderson Simon O'Donnell Earle Mack

From SuperRacing.com.au
22nd Feb 2010

French stayer Manighar has been purchased in a joint venture between American Earle Mack and OTI Racing headed by Simon O'Donnell and Terry Henderson.

French stayer Manighar has been purchased in a joint venture between American Earle Mack and Australian-based OTI Racing headed by Simon O'Donnell and Terry Henderson.

The Racing Post reported the Group Two winner would be transferred to Luca Cumani to be prepared for a possible tilt at the Melbourne Cup.

The four-year-old son of Linamix has won six of his eight starts.

Following victory in the Group Two Prix Chaudenay at Longchamp in October, he went on to finish third to older horses Ask and Schiaparelli in the Group One Prix Royal-Oak when trained by Alain de Royer Dupre for the Aga Khan.

Mack owned the Cumani-trained Mad Rush who finished seventh as favourite in the 2008 Melbourne Cup while OTI is a shareholder in Bauer who was a close runner-up to Viewed the same year.

"I met Terry Henderson in Australia when our horses ran in the 2008 Melbourne Cup and I am really looking forward to our new association," Mack said.

"Manighar is settling in nicely at Bedford House Stable but we will be in no hurry with him and he probably won't be seen out until midsummer."

Mad Rush was injured in the Group Three Curragh Cup at the end of June and he is now back in light training with Cumani.

Bauer has not raced since the Melbourne Cup in November 2008. He suffered a tendon injury in the middle of 2009 as he was being prepared for another tilt at the race.

Linton Efficient Lloyd Williams

Herald Sun
13/2/10

THE comparisons between yesterday's Alister Clark Stakes winner Linton and 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient are inevitable.

Just as his famous stablemate Efficient signalled his rise to stardom by coming from last to win the 2006 Group 2 AAMI Vase at Moonee Valley, Linton looped the field to win the $200,000 Alister Clark Stakes (1600m).

Efficient, by Zabeel, won the AAMI Vase at his fifth start and Linton, by another noted staying sire in Galileo, graduated to Group class at only his third start in the manner of a rising star.

Rodd was clearly excited to be back in the Williams team.

"I spoke to Lloyd on Thursday, he said just give him a similar ride to Efficient in the Vase," Rodd said.

"You never like to go off too early, but you saw what he did at his third start in a race, he was able to come and treat them with contempt."

Backed from $4 to $3.80 favourite, Linton raced away in the straight to defeat Take The Rap ($14) by 1 3/4 lengths.

"Pretty much from the 600m onward I didn't think I was going to get beat," Rodd said.

"When he got to the straight he went whoa and had a very good look around. When he learns how to track up and come up on the bridle and then let down he's going to be pretty good."

Future plans are on hold. The gelding is not nominated for the Group 1 Cadbury Guineas on March 6, but Williams can get Linton into the field by paying a $41,250 late entry fee by March 1.

Williams's son, Nick, was quick to laud Linton as an emerging star but stopped short of rating him in Efficient's league.

"He's done a good job, you can't take anything away from the horse," Williams Jr said.

"But Efficient's won a AAMI Vase, Turnbull, Melbourne Cup and a (Victoria) Derby, this bloke's won a Group 2 in the autumn, so I think it's a long way off having any comparison."

He said the main comparison with Efficient was Linton's immaturity.

" I remember saying about Efficient all through his three-year-old, we're going to have to take him home and let him tell us. We've obviously got a Group horse of the future if we look after him.

"The staff think he's something special. We bought him at a ready-to-run sale in New Zealand."

Williams said Linton was a brother to Heimoro who was highly rated in Hong Kong before fracturing a leg.

Trainer Rob Hickmott, who replaced John Sadler as head trainer for Williams late last spring, was quick to credit his staff for Linton's development.

David Hayes will put blinkers back on Extra Zero who drifted from $3.30 to $5 and ran a disappointing fifth.

"I'm sure he's a blinker horse. I took them off for the Derby, but he needs them back on," Hayes said.

ChangingOfTheGuard Viewed Shocking Sirmione David Hayes Speed Gifted

Racing and Sports

Thursday, 18 February 2010: Punters keen to find the winner of the Australian Cup should be watching Saturday's Group 2 St George Stakes at Caulfield as the definitive guide to the Group 1 race.

Eight of the last 10 Australian Cup winners have raced in the St George Stakes and in that period three have claimed the feature race double. Also worth noting few Australian Cup winners finish out of the placings in the St George Stakes as a lead-up.

Saturday's St George Stakes has drawn together a good field of gallopers including the 2008 Australian Cup winner Sirmione and the last two Melbourne Cup winners Shocking and Viewed .

David Hayes, who has never won the race himself, will rest Our Aqaleem and rely on Birthday Cup winner Zagreb and imported stayer Changingoftheguard .

Lee Freedman, a three-time winner of the race, will line up Metropolitan winner Speed Gifted who is being aimed at the Australian Cup and BMW Stakes.

Viewed and Shocking share Australian Cup favouritism at $7.50, with Speed Gifted and Sirmione sharing the second line of betting at $9.00.

Mick Price's Heart Of Dreams , who will run in Saturday's St George, is an $11.00 chance, just ahead of Our Aqaleem and Zipping at $12.00.

Underrated mare Miss Maren , also in the St George, is at $14.00.



R6 CAULFIELD 20 FEBRUARY 2010
Pure Blonde St George Stakes Group II, 1800m
Race Fields
Tab Horse BP WT Jockey Trainer
1 Viewed 11 59.0 STEVE ARNOLD BART CUMMINGS
2 Shocking 8 59.0 MICHAEL RODD MARK KAVANAGH
3 Sirmione 3 59.0 LUKE NOLEN BART CUMMINGS
4 Heart Of Dreams 10 59.0 CRAIG NEWITT MICK PRICE
5 Littorio 4 59.0 CRAIG WILLIAMS NIGEL BLACKISTON
6 Moatize 6 59.0 KERRIN MC EVOY BART CUMMINGS
7 Zagreb 1 59.0 PAUL GATT DAVID HAYES
8 Speed Gifted 12 59.0 DWAYNE DUNN D L FREEDMAN
9 Pacino 5 59.0 BRAD RAWILLER CLINTON MCDONALD
10 La Rocket 7 59.0 STEPHEN BASTER DALE SUTTON
11 Changingoftheguard 9 58.5 BRETT PREBBLE DAVID HAYES
12 Miss Maren 2 57.0 DAMIEN OLIVER MICK PRICE

Shocking Changingoftheguard David Hayes

Herald Sun
Nathan Exelby
Thursday, 18 February 2010

SHOCKING continues his bid to transform from handicapper to weight-for-age star in tomorrow's St George Stakes.

Shocking holds a lofty position in Australian Cup betting, but the market is likely to take on an entirely new look after the St George, with most of the key chances running.

Shocking, who opened at $18 for the St George, ran last when resuming in the Orr Stakes, but the slow tempo was a disadvantage and Kavanagh was more than pleased with the run over the unsuitable 1400m.

"His sectionals were exceptional and he's going as good as he's ever gone," Kavanagh said.

"Hopefully he will be coming to his best for the Australian Cup, but if he's going to do that he needs to step up here."

Kavanagh believes 1800m may still be a touch short at this stage and feels conditions are made to order for rival Heart Of Dreams.

"He is a Group 1 Underwood winner over the track and distance, has a Yalumba second to Whobegotyou and ran second to Typhoon Tracy in the Orr. He's got to be favourite and he's got to be very hard to beat," Kavanagh said.

Heart Of Dreams is $3 for the St George and has also been strongly supported to win the Australian Cup.

Another well tried Australian Cup candidate is Changingoftheguard ($21 into $14), who makes his Australian debut in the St George.

The former Aidan O'Brien-trained son of Montjeu was scratched from last year's Melbourne Cup, much to the disgust of new trainer David Hayes, who was later fined for referring to Racing Victoria officials as "knuckleheads" over the incident.

Changingoftheguard ($10) worked alongside recent Flemington winner Our Aqaleem last week, with rider Glen Boss declaring him the "real deal".

Boss's comments prompted a stream of money for the expensive import and Hayes is anticipating a big run.

"His work at Sandown with Our Aqaleem told me there's no problem. He's up to the class," Hayes said.

Alcopop Jake Stephens

Sportal.com.au
19th February 2010

Jake Stephens has sent a warning out to Alcopop's potential rivals in the upcoming Sydney autumn carnival, saying the most improved horse in Australia in 2009 has improved even more from when he started favourite in last year's Melbourne Cup.
Alcopop steps out for the first time this campaign in the Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday in what is a stellar field and while Stephens expects the five-year-old to take a couple of runs to hit his best this campaign, he feels he is in the best condition in his career.

"He's got a big heart. He's very smart as well. It's going to be very interesting on Saturday. Obviously it's much tougher class of horse, but first up he's got a good record," Stephens told TVN.

ChangingOfTheGuard David Hayes

The Age
Andrew Eddy
19th February 2010

DAVID Hayes has claims on both group 1 races at Caulfield tomorrow but it will be the Australian debut of the controversial Irish horse Changingoftheguard that could have a longer-lasting impact for the stable.

Hayes bought the horse from Coolmore last September to contest the Melbourne Cup and, while that did not happen when veterinary stewards ruled him unfit on race morning, the trainer has not downgraded his ambition. ''It's about getting him ready for the Melbourne Cup next spring so we'd be hoping for a couple of solid efforts this autumn starting with the St George [Stakes] on Saturday,'' Hayes said.

''He really is pleasing me and while I'd be happy to see him finish off nicely, he's that sort of horse that could just jump out of the ground and put his stamp on things.''

Changingoftheguard is rated a $10 chance for a first-up St George win.

Hayes will saddle Eagle Falls ($9) in the group 1 Oakleigh Plate and has three promising youngsters Shaheeq ($13), Legalistic ($23) and Evidentia ($21) representing the stable in the Blue Diamond Stakes.

The Blue Diamond Stakes field was reduced to 15 yesterday with the scratching of the Leon Corstens-trained Danzero colt Tricky Tricky, with a virus.

Sydney is yet to host a group 1 race in 2010 but tomorrow's Winning Edge Stakes at Rosehill is a clear indication indication that the big autumn races are just around the corner.

''A group 2 race but a group 1 field,'' Theseo's jockey Nash Rawiller said.

Efficient begins training for 2010 Melbourne Cup

From the Sydney Morning Herald
6th January

Efficient, the 2007 Melbourne Cup winner who was pulled out of last year's Cup on Derby Day because of fetlock wear and tear, is back in light work at Mt Macedon after a six-week spell.

Owner Lloyd Williams is intent on another Melbourne Cup campaign but is undecided about the autumn.

"We don't race them a lot in the autumn," Williams said.

"He may have a run in April. We gave him a 1200m run in May in 2009. We may do that again."