A review of the meeting held at Ipswich on Thursday, December 11.
Race 1:
QTIS 2yo Maiden Plate - 800m
1st - Psychics; 2nd - Duckin' Daisies; 3rd - Daneomite
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bruce Hill: “She’s a really nice filly. The beauty about her is that she does everything spot on in her work. She had a jump-out the other day with another horse who then went on to win by four or five lengths at the Gold Coast and they are about on a par, so we knew she had ability.”
Jockey Terry Treichel: “She jumped fine, but was never really travelling easy. If I tried to let her settle or even give her a breather she would shorten her stride, so I had to hunt her all of the way. Maybe she’s feeling her shins, I’m not sure. She took it on well in the straight though. She’s definitely got plenty of ability. She’s just one of a nice group of two-year-olds that Bruce (Hill) has in the stable.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Psychics): 4.00 out to 5.00.
The favourite (Valvetron): 3.00 out to 3.40. Finished last.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start of this race was delayed as a result of Devil’s Angel (S. Seamer) proving difficult to load and the horse being fractious in the barriers. Flaxen Belle (S. Scriven), which began awkwardly, was tightened for room shortly after the start between Daneomite (J. Piper) and Ulmarra (Michael Palmer), which shifted in. Valvetron (K. Wharton) began awkwardly and shifted in, inconveniencing Sinerji (C. Dixon). Touch Of Spice (T. Pannell) was slow to begin. Devil’s Angel (S. Seamer) raced wide for the majority of the event and the horse was inclined to hang out near the 400m. Duckin’ Daisies (N. Thomas) and Touch Of Spice (T. Pannell) hung out rounding the home turn.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Valvetron, K. Wharton stated that the horse was fractious in the barriers and as a result lost ground when the start was affected. He further advised that Valvetron, in his opinion, failed to respond to his riding when placed under pressure in the straight. The explanation was noted.
Race 2:
3yo & Up Maiden Handicap - 800m
1st - Patch's Express; 2nd - Compolo; 3rd -Blue Cruiser
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Amy Taylor: “He’s just come back from a throat op. I ride a lot of his work and I’ve ridden him in most of his races. He’s come back really good. I was meant to be right up with the speed, but they really burnt it off up front early on. I was still well enough placed in fourth on the rail but they skipped away again on the turn. I thought I might be in a spot of trouble but, once I hooked him out for a run and then gave him a smack, he just took off.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Patch’s Express): 3.20 out to 4.00.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Moon Shaker (J. Taylor) and He’s Magical (W. Clasohm) were tightened for room on jumping away between Blue Cruiser (M. Paget) and Orbital Miss (S. Seamer), both of which shifted ground. Ayteeoh (N. Thomas) was slow to begin. Near the 700m, He’s Magical blundered. Leaving the 600m, Blue Cruiser was inclined to lay out across the heels of Compolo (S. Apthorpe) and had to be steadied. Rounding the home turn, Legal River (Matthew Palmer) was inclined to lay out, forcing Superstar Girl (S. Drake) wider on the track. At the 200m, Patch’s Express (A. Taylor) laid in and had to be steadied off the heels of Compolo. Lightning Blue (D. Griffin) was held up for clear running rounding the home turn and until approaching the 100m. Leaving the 100m, Lightning Blue and Hometown Hero (K. Wharton) came together and bumped. Orbital Miss (S. Seamer) lost its off-fore plate in running.
Race 3:
CG&E Maiden Plate - 1200m
1st -Hussminda; 2nd - Little Ombra; 3rd - Sydney Or The Bush
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Ray Nicholson: “The reason we took the blinkers off was that he had developed the habit of racing for three or four hundred metres and then baulking. Dean (Tanti) rode him at the coast some runs ago and he came back and said he had never had a horse do that before. So we finally made the gear change. That cured the habit. There was none of that today. But he still didn’t want to go early and he did want to hang in the straight. Dean said he only really got going when he got inside the other horse. Then he chased home really well.
“In work he is the laziest horse you will ever come across. When we first got him he was so laid back we had blood tests done to see if something was wrong with him, but that is just his character. If you want to get some good work out of him, he has to work with another horse. He refuses to put in any effort by himself. Being so relaxed certainly has its good side as he is seldom stressed. Also he does have a competitive edge to his nature. He does chase well.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Hussminda): 7.00 out to 9.00.
Favourite (Sydney Or The Bush): 2.00 in to 1.50 out to 1.70. Finished third.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Dawida Danseur was declared a late scratching at 1.40 pm after the colt was unable to be loaded into the barriers. Trainer M. Thexton was advised that Dawida Danseur must trial satisfactorily prior to its next race start. Battle Of Kapyong (S. Scriven) and Little Ombre (J. Warrington) came together and bumped on jumping away, causing Battle Of Kapyong to become unbalanced and lose ground. Sydney Or the Bush (G. Colless), which was slow to begin, was crowded for room shortly after the start between Gradueight (S. Drake) and Hussminda (D. Tanti), both of which shifted ground. Prince Hulani (W. Clasohm) was slow into stride. Near the 700m, Gradueight shifted out to improve and in doing so forced Realante (C. Spry) wider on the track. Realante was then obliged to race wide for the remainder of the event. Hussminda was inclined to lay out rounding the home turn.
Race 4:
F&M Maiden Plate - 1200m
1st - Manila Calling; 2nd - Thunder Aura; 3rd - My Cara Mia
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Alan Bailey: “She’s only starting out as a four-year-old because she had a leg problem which took time to overcome and she also got caught up in the whole EI episode. She was ready to run today, but we haven’t done much with her.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Manila Calling): 1.65 out to 1.80.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards questioned trainer P. Sexton regarding S. Seamer being dually engaged for this event. After considering the explanation, stewards were of the opinion there were extenuating circumstances surrounding the matter and took no further action.
Mrs Clark was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon upon arrival at the track after the horse had sustained minor injuries en route to the course. After examination the horse was cleared to start.
Jockey W. Clasohm was fined $100 for negligence in sending out the wrong saddle cloth for Bel Le Bird which resulted in Bel Le Bird and Anathema having incorrect saddle cloth numbers, resulting in the horses being late leaving the saddling enclosure. Mrs R. Pereira, trainer of Anathema, was reprimanded over this incident. The start of this race was significantly delayed when both Thunder Aura and Manila Calling dislodged plates behind the barriers, requiring farrier attention
Bejeka (B. Pengelly) was slow to begin. Way North (P. Spry) was tightened for room on jumping away between My Cara Mia (D. Griffin) and Glennie West (A. Pattillo), which shifted out. Bel Le Bird (W. Clasohm), which began awkwardly, was tightened for room between Miss Maree (T. Pannell) and Thunder Aura, which shifted out. Stor Nest (N. Thomas), Miss Maree and Bel Le Bird raced wide throughout.
Mrs Clark, which performed poorly, was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon and found to be suffering from arterial fibrillation. Trainer S. Dwyer's representative was advised that the results of an ECG after exercise must be supplied to the stewards prior to its next race start.
Race 5:
Class 3 Handicap - 1000m
1st - New Journey; 2nd - Mr Tombola; 3rd - Cuban Dancer
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Dan Griffin: “He did it well enough in the end, but I could feel him start to resent the whip after a couple of smacks. He responded badly to it and that was right when they were coming at him. When I put the stick away he fought on again. He’s not going to stay and over this distance I think he will have to stick with ‘get up and go’ tactics. I don’t think you can hold him back for a run.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (New Journey): 5.00 out to 5.50 in to 4.60.
Favourite (Run The Course): 2.20 out to 2.60. Finished fifth.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start of this race was delayed when A Secret Kept was fractious in the barriers, resulting in the bridle become dislodged from its head. Split Milk (L. Dittman) was slow to begin and shifted in, making contact with Base Dancer (B. Pengelly). Run The Course (G. Colless) and Mr Tombola (S. Drake) came together and brushed on jumping away. Cuban Dancer (M. Paget) over-raced in the early and middle stages.
Race 6:
CG&E Class 2 Handicap - 1350m
1st - Facunda; 2nd - Larry's Song; 3rd - Revered Ruler
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bryan Guy: “That’s two out of two this prep. He’s done a good job here with a bit of weight and not having had the easiest passage in the running. He was hitting the line well here and we will probably keep him to this sort of distance. Last prep we did step him up over further, but he just didn’t get the mile last time around so we’ll play to his strength for the moment and keep him where he is comfortable.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Facunda): 4.00 out to 4.40.
Favourite (Shaos): 2.30 out to 3.00. Finished fourth.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Vue (G. Colless) jumped away awkwardly. Approaching the 900m, Fielding (J. Taylor) improved up on to the heels of Sittinbul (D. Griffin) having to be steadied. Leaving the 600m, Shaos improved up on to the heels of Sittinbul (D. Griffin) and had to be steadied. Tiggeroo (J. Murphy) was held up for clear running from the 300m until approaching the 100m. Shaos (J. Bowditch) was held up for clear running rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the straight. Larry’s Song (A. Spinks) was inclined to lay in under pressure over the final 200m.
Race 7:
F&M Class 2 Handicap- 1350m
1st - Yatala; 2nd - Annamarie; 3rd - Cachaca
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Tony Crane: “That’s a very satisfying win. Back to back wins are always good. Brad (Pengelly) gave her a perfect ride, as did Jason Taylor in her previous win. It’s always satisfying when jockeys listen to instructions and things go according to plan like they did today. The horse has done very well. I went down south myself to purchase the horse for my clients. She was ready to win first up but developed an abscess in the mouth so I put her out again. I then took him to Doomben to get him used to big fields and, apart from those two bad rides, which was no fault of hers, she has done very well.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Yatala): 4.20 in to 3.30.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Fast End (A. Erhart) and Ana Me Cori (J. Taylor) were both slow to begin. Near the 700m, Yatala (B. Pengelly) shifted out to improve and in doing so forced Give Away (Matthew Palmer) wider on the track. Give Away was then obliged to raced wide for the remainder of the event.
When questioned regarding the performance of Manu Peru, G. Colless stated that he was concerned with the horse's action mid-race and felt that Manu Peru may have broken down. A subsequent veterinary examination of Manu Peru (G. Colless) which tired badly over the final 500m failed to reveal any abnormalities. Trainer A. Bailey advised that it was his intention to have a thorough veterinary examination carried out on the horse in the immediate future and would advise stewards of the outcome.
R. Hinricks, rider of Cachaca, accidentally dropped her whip 200m from the finish. Sweet Marie (T. Pannell) raced wide for the majority of the event. Apprentice S. Wright was reprimanded regarding his whip use on Shealma when uncompetitive over the final 300m.
Race 8:
Class 1 Handicap - 1100m
1st - Shady Prospect; 2nd - Hawkeye Pierce; 3rd - Dan Ch’i
WINNER FEEDBACK:
With storm clouds gathering, the weather lasted long enough for the Lawrie Mayfield-Smith trained Shady Prospect to re-affirm his potential by winning with some ease to take his record to two wins and one runner-up finish from only three starts. Shane Scriven allowed his mount to track the three runners making the pace and then the seasoned jockey was only too happy to accept a split inbetween horses when it became available early in the straight, from which moment the result was never in doubt.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Shady Prospect): 1.80 steady.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Wide Bay was declared a late scratching at 4.45 pm on veterinary advice after the horse was found to be lame in the off-foreleg. Trainer T. Weier was advised that he must provide a veterinary clearance for Wide Bay prior to its next race start. Dan Ch’i (S. Seamer) was slow to begin. Near the 1000m, Regal Mountain (S. Wright) fell when racing at the heels of Tonkatsu (J. Taylor). An inquiry into the incident will be held at a later date due to S. Wright being transported to hospital for further medical attention. Passing the 600m, Forest Lane (W. Clasohm) had to be steadied when that horse hung out across the heels of Shady Prospect (S. Scriven). M. Bennett, rider of Supertax, was reprimanded for allowing his mount to shift out near the 300m when insufficiently clear of Dan Ch’i (S. Seamer), which was momentarily inconvenienced. Smiling Gino lost its near-fore plate in running.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
DOOMBEN REVIEW (WED, DEC 10)
A review of the meeting held at Doomben on Wednesday, December 10.
Race 1:
Maiden Plate - 2020m
1st - Jouer Le Jeu; 2nd - Cinquacasino; 3rd - Ella Cinders
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Brian Smith: “She’s a Montjeu mare. Most Montjeu’s take time to settle into the game. Then one day they wake up and go well. I’ve only had her for two runs – the second placing and this win, so we are moving in the right direction. I’m still going to take my time with her. She’ll go through the grades. It will be one more run this time around and then she’ll go for a spell.
“She’s out of a Group 1 winning mare (Olga’s Pal). I believe she is a good staying prospect and that she has the potential to develop into a good handicap mare. I think she can win a race like the Ipswich Cup come Carnival time.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
C. McIver was reprimanded for failing to arrive on course by the prescribed time to fulfil his engagement on Biancool. Jouer Le Jeu (E. Wilkinson) over-raced on the heels of Born To Party (C. Small) in the early stages.
Passing the 1800m, Born To Party commenced to over-race on the heels of Mondo Rocks (M. Hellyer) and near the 1400m had to be steadied off that horse's heels. Born To Party continued to over-race and near the 1200m had to be checked off the heels of All The Jays (D. Griffin). At the 1200m, Tyrconnell improved up on to the heels of Shoja and had to be steadied. Tyrconnell then shifted out and was obliged to race wide for the majority of the event. Biancool and Shoja raced wide in the early stages. When steadied passing the 1200m, Conquacasino shifted out and was then obliged to race wide for the remainder of the event. Jouer Le Jeu (E. Wilkinson) shifted ground outwards under pressure over the concluding stages.
Race 2:
3yo Maiden Plate - 1350m
1st - Mr Orient; 2nd - Commanche Warrior; 3rd - Saint Minerva
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Peter Balzen: “He was back in Maiden company here after racing in 3yo handicaps, so he was entitled to win. He is the best track-worker I’ve got, but so far he hasn’t put it all together in a race. Even today. There is more to come than that. He almost looked like he was looking for more ground. We’ll probably go back to one of those 3yo races now. Maybe over 1500m.”
Jockey Jason Taylor: “He’s been running against stronger opposition than this for some time. He was back in a Maiden here and it was a different story. They did steady the pace in the middle part, so I had to be careful about timing my run. I had to let him go a bit earlier than I might otherwise have done so that I would be in a position to challenge when I wanted to. He worked home beautifully. Hit the line hard liked we hoped he would. Good win.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
As G. Colless was to be overweight on Saint Minerva, She’s A Mountain (Race 7) and Aqua Calda (Race 8), riding changes were made as per the Stewards Summary Sheet. G. Colless was fined the sum of $300.
Commanche Warrior (S. Scriven) jumped away awkwardly. Prom Knight (S. Seamer), which jumped away awkwardly, shifted out and bumped Flash Romeo (E. Wilkinson). Approaching the 800m, Saint Minerva (D. Griffin), which was racing ungenerously, had to be momentarily steadied off the heels of Mr Orient (J. Taylor).
Race 3:
Maiden Handicap - 1200m
1st - Steady Poplar; 2nd - Zeljko; 3rd - Frozone
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Steele Ryan: “He had a wind problem. He had the operation. The operation was a success. In his last two or three runs he was under duress because of the wind problem that he had. He had a few issues before that as well. When I was suspended he went to race for Guy Walter. He was still a colt then but Guy said he had become a really unruly sort, so we cut him. So I got him back as a gelding and not long afterward that we discovered the wind problem, so we had to start all over again. He is a 5yo and he’s only had seven runs because of the issues he’s had. He’s right now and you can see the difference.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Passing the 900m, A Pair Of Diamonds (C. McIver) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Circumnavigate (T. Pannell), which shifted in away from Zeljko (A. Coome). Near the 800m, A Pair Of Diamonds again had to be checked when tightened for room by Cheque For Freedom (K. Forrester), which laid in despite the efforts of its rider. Approaching the 200m, Calypso Moon (Matthew Palmer) was momentarily inconvenienced between Circumnavigate (T. Pannell) and Steady Poplar (J. Bowditch), which shifted in slightly. Near the 100m, A Pair Of Diamonds (C. McIver) improved up on to the heels of Circumnavigate (T. Pannell) and was obliged to shift out.
Race 4:
F&M Class 3 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Guissepino; 2nd - Queen Of Asia; 3rd - Acquired
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “She’s won three out of the five starts she’s had for me. She does seem to be getting better and better. She relaxes best when she is allowed to race up with the speed so the 1000m to 1200m trips suit her very well at the moment. You can’t get carried away about her future, but it’s very encouraging the way she is going. She has taken her steps through the grades very well.”
Jockey Brad Pengelly: “There’s is a lot of potential there. She is just not quite certain what she is doing yet.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 100m, Swiss Alps (D. Griffin) was momentarily impeded by Queen Of Asia (Matthew Palmer), which shifted out. Guissepino (B. Pengelly) was inclined to lay in under pressure in the straight. A post-race veterinary examination of Daphne Ellen revealed the mare to have sustained a laceration to the inside of the near-fore pastern. The club's veterinary surgeon also reported that Ashita was restricted in its action on the off-hind leg. Trainer B. Dodson was advised that he must provide a veterinary clearance for Ashita prior to its next race start.
Race 5:
Class 4 Handicap - 1350m
1st - Havayarn; 2nd - Kings Artist; 3rd - Matzumi
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Alan Bailey: “I’m happy with that as a first-up result, but he took all day to win the race didn’t he? He really took a long time to settle the issue.”
Jockey Glen Colless: “He was just a bit fresh and a bit immature. He might have baulked slightly when going past the leader, who was running around a bit, but that didn’t really bother him. As I said, it was more the fact that he was a bit too fresh and immature that made it look like a bit of a struggle. Still got the win though.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Passing the 1000m, when attempting to be restrained, Ustino A Girl got its head in the air and over-raced for a short distance. Near the 200m, Ustino A Girl shifted out abruptly and again a short distance later Ustino A Girl shifted ground under pressure.
Stewards questioned apprentice L.Dittman regarding the riding tactics adopted on Ustino A Girl. L. Dittman stated that after being caught 3 wide in the early stages he elected to push forward to obtain a position closer to the rail. He further added that passing the 1000m he obtained a position one off outside the leader Askew, however when being restrained the mare got its head in the air and commenced to over-race. He explained that Ustino A Girl over-raced until such time as he had taken a position slightly forward and felt his best option was to allow Ustino A Girl to relax rather than continue to restrain the mare. L. Dittman also added that he then allowed the mare to relax until near the home turn. Trainer N. McBurney stated that the connections had instructed apprentice Dittman to take a sit on the mare to allow her to run out the distance of today's event as she was stepping up to 1350m for the first time. Mr McBurney further stated after viewing the film that he believed apprentice Dittman was a victim of circumstances, in that after improving forward to take up a position, Ustino A Girl then over-raced and left apprentice Dittman with little options. Stewards noted the explanations.
Race 6:
Class 5 Handicap - 1615m
1st - Pyramids; 2nd - Humma; 3rd - Moonlight Lily
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Matthew Dunn (stable foreman for Gerald Ryan at Murwillumbah): “This is the stable’s second city win since setting up at Murwillumbah. Pyramids won here previously. Pyramids is actually a good example of the benefits that some horses can gain by being at Murwillumbah as opposed to Sydney. His sire is Anabaa. The Anabaa breed ... you know, they train off so quickly, more so mentally than physically. For that reason Pyramids is probably in exactly the right place for him at this time. With the Anabaa breed you have got to stimulate the mind and we’ve got so many more options to do that up here, swimming, jumping and the like. Pyramids is very consistent. He has only won two midweek meetings since being relocated up here, but he is going well.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
One For The Road raced wide in the early and middle stages. Rounding the 1200m turn, Life’s Short (J. Bowditch) shifted out off the heels of Fools Rush In (R. Wiggins) and in doing so forced Gather (W. Clasohm) 3 wide. Near the 500m, Magique Mine (C. Whiteley) shifted out and in doing so made contact with Moonlight Lily (R. Goltz). Passing the 50m, Magique Mine and Moonlight Lily were momentarily placed in restricted room between Pyramids (Mathew Palmer) and Humma (S. Scriven), which shifted in.
Stewards opened an inquiry into the handling of Gather. After taking initial evidence, the inquiry was adjourned to a date and time to be fixed. Post-race veterinary examination of Gather failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Stewards questioned J. Bowditch regarding his riding of Life’s Short, in particular between the 1200m and home turn. J. Bowditch stated that approaching the first turn, Life’s Short commenced to over-race on the heels of Fools Rush In (R. Wiggins), and he elected to allow the horse to stride forward and take up a position outside Fools Rush In. He further added he was content to maintain this position for the remainder of the event, however Gather continued to race in a 3-wide position outside of Fools Rush In, and passing the 800m he was obliged to place his mount under pressure to hold its position. The explanation was noted. A post-race veterinary examination of Gather failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 7:
Class 5 Handicap - 1110m
1st - Mr Slick; 2nd - The Boxer; 3rd - Stature
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Leon Morton: “I didn’t want to sound overconfident beforehand, but you had to think that if you rate it a chance in a Carnival race then you got to win this ... and I rate him that chance. I aim to take him to the BMW Magic Millions Cup in January. He’ll have one run before that which I imagine he will have to win to get into that race, which is over 1400m on his home track. After that we’ll turn him out, give him some time off, and then bring him back for out Winter Carnival.
“He is bred to go further and that might well end up being the case. At the moment though, my firm opinion is that he is too big and solid for a mile. I think 1400m is his distance. You know, if he was with a big stable, the ones who get all the accolades, he would be spoken about as being the next star. He’s so good and so consistent. He has yet to finish out of the first three.
“He’s an easy horse to train now, but that was not always the case. Earlier in his career he was a real problem. I couldn’t get him on to the track. I couldn’t get work riders for him. But it was purely a learning and patience game. I was just patient with him and finally we turned things around. Yeah, now he’s a pleasure to train.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 1000m, Hail Free (B. Pengelly) shifted in and bumped the hind quarters of Consider Yourself (M. Morris). Passing the 800m, Stature (J. Taylor), which was over-racing, improved to the inside of Hail Free (B Pengelly) and as a result had to be checked when tightened for room between She’s A Mountain (R. McMahon) and Hail Free, which shifted in slightly. Hail Free shifted out rounding the home turn and bumped The Boxer (O. Turpin). The Boxer (O. Turpin), Decerto (Mathew Palmer) and Lachlan Valley (M. Paget) raced wide throughout.
Race 8:
CG&E Class 3 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Ready To Rise; 2nd - Kayowed; 3rd - Kneel And Raise
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Jason Holder: “They wanted me to be closer than I was in the early part, but the wide draw made it difficult. I couldn’t get where we planned to be, so I decided to back off and let him race where he felt comfortable. Then in the straight there was pressure on all sides, but he just kept kicking and kicking. He was really impressive the way he stuck to his guns. He could easily have folded and nobody would have thought any less of him, given the circumstances. I thought it was a good win.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Shortly after the start, Media Fund (S. Galloway) and Kayowed (J. Taylor) were obliged to race in restricted room between Aqua Calda (R. Wiggins) and Scudder, which shifted in slightly. Near the 900m, Highland Storm (K. Wharton) and Aqua Calda (R. Wiggins) were obliged to race in restricted room to the inside of Devils Ransom (M. Morris), which shifted in slightly. Kneel And Raise (R. Goltz) raced wide in the early stages. Approaching the 400m, Media Fund had to be steadied when attempting to improve between Devils Ransom and Scudder where there was doubtful room. In the early stages of the straight, Aqua Calda (R. Wiggins) had difficulty obtaining clear running. Scudder and Edward Bear raced wide throughout.
Race 1:
Maiden Plate - 2020m
1st - Jouer Le Jeu; 2nd - Cinquacasino; 3rd - Ella Cinders
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Brian Smith: “She’s a Montjeu mare. Most Montjeu’s take time to settle into the game. Then one day they wake up and go well. I’ve only had her for two runs – the second placing and this win, so we are moving in the right direction. I’m still going to take my time with her. She’ll go through the grades. It will be one more run this time around and then she’ll go for a spell.
“She’s out of a Group 1 winning mare (Olga’s Pal). I believe she is a good staying prospect and that she has the potential to develop into a good handicap mare. I think she can win a race like the Ipswich Cup come Carnival time.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
C. McIver was reprimanded for failing to arrive on course by the prescribed time to fulfil his engagement on Biancool. Jouer Le Jeu (E. Wilkinson) over-raced on the heels of Born To Party (C. Small) in the early stages.
Passing the 1800m, Born To Party commenced to over-race on the heels of Mondo Rocks (M. Hellyer) and near the 1400m had to be steadied off that horse's heels. Born To Party continued to over-race and near the 1200m had to be checked off the heels of All The Jays (D. Griffin). At the 1200m, Tyrconnell improved up on to the heels of Shoja and had to be steadied. Tyrconnell then shifted out and was obliged to race wide for the majority of the event. Biancool and Shoja raced wide in the early stages. When steadied passing the 1200m, Conquacasino shifted out and was then obliged to race wide for the remainder of the event. Jouer Le Jeu (E. Wilkinson) shifted ground outwards under pressure over the concluding stages.
Race 2:
3yo Maiden Plate - 1350m
1st - Mr Orient; 2nd - Commanche Warrior; 3rd - Saint Minerva
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Peter Balzen: “He was back in Maiden company here after racing in 3yo handicaps, so he was entitled to win. He is the best track-worker I’ve got, but so far he hasn’t put it all together in a race. Even today. There is more to come than that. He almost looked like he was looking for more ground. We’ll probably go back to one of those 3yo races now. Maybe over 1500m.”
Jockey Jason Taylor: “He’s been running against stronger opposition than this for some time. He was back in a Maiden here and it was a different story. They did steady the pace in the middle part, so I had to be careful about timing my run. I had to let him go a bit earlier than I might otherwise have done so that I would be in a position to challenge when I wanted to. He worked home beautifully. Hit the line hard liked we hoped he would. Good win.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
As G. Colless was to be overweight on Saint Minerva, She’s A Mountain (Race 7) and Aqua Calda (Race 8), riding changes were made as per the Stewards Summary Sheet. G. Colless was fined the sum of $300.
Commanche Warrior (S. Scriven) jumped away awkwardly. Prom Knight (S. Seamer), which jumped away awkwardly, shifted out and bumped Flash Romeo (E. Wilkinson). Approaching the 800m, Saint Minerva (D. Griffin), which was racing ungenerously, had to be momentarily steadied off the heels of Mr Orient (J. Taylor).
Race 3:
Maiden Handicap - 1200m
1st - Steady Poplar; 2nd - Zeljko; 3rd - Frozone
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Steele Ryan: “He had a wind problem. He had the operation. The operation was a success. In his last two or three runs he was under duress because of the wind problem that he had. He had a few issues before that as well. When I was suspended he went to race for Guy Walter. He was still a colt then but Guy said he had become a really unruly sort, so we cut him. So I got him back as a gelding and not long afterward that we discovered the wind problem, so we had to start all over again. He is a 5yo and he’s only had seven runs because of the issues he’s had. He’s right now and you can see the difference.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Passing the 900m, A Pair Of Diamonds (C. McIver) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Circumnavigate (T. Pannell), which shifted in away from Zeljko (A. Coome). Near the 800m, A Pair Of Diamonds again had to be checked when tightened for room by Cheque For Freedom (K. Forrester), which laid in despite the efforts of its rider. Approaching the 200m, Calypso Moon (Matthew Palmer) was momentarily inconvenienced between Circumnavigate (T. Pannell) and Steady Poplar (J. Bowditch), which shifted in slightly. Near the 100m, A Pair Of Diamonds (C. McIver) improved up on to the heels of Circumnavigate (T. Pannell) and was obliged to shift out.
Race 4:
F&M Class 3 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Guissepino; 2nd - Queen Of Asia; 3rd - Acquired
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Liam Birchley: “She’s won three out of the five starts she’s had for me. She does seem to be getting better and better. She relaxes best when she is allowed to race up with the speed so the 1000m to 1200m trips suit her very well at the moment. You can’t get carried away about her future, but it’s very encouraging the way she is going. She has taken her steps through the grades very well.”
Jockey Brad Pengelly: “There’s is a lot of potential there. She is just not quite certain what she is doing yet.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 100m, Swiss Alps (D. Griffin) was momentarily impeded by Queen Of Asia (Matthew Palmer), which shifted out. Guissepino (B. Pengelly) was inclined to lay in under pressure in the straight. A post-race veterinary examination of Daphne Ellen revealed the mare to have sustained a laceration to the inside of the near-fore pastern. The club's veterinary surgeon also reported that Ashita was restricted in its action on the off-hind leg. Trainer B. Dodson was advised that he must provide a veterinary clearance for Ashita prior to its next race start.
Race 5:
Class 4 Handicap - 1350m
1st - Havayarn; 2nd - Kings Artist; 3rd - Matzumi
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Alan Bailey: “I’m happy with that as a first-up result, but he took all day to win the race didn’t he? He really took a long time to settle the issue.”
Jockey Glen Colless: “He was just a bit fresh and a bit immature. He might have baulked slightly when going past the leader, who was running around a bit, but that didn’t really bother him. As I said, it was more the fact that he was a bit too fresh and immature that made it look like a bit of a struggle. Still got the win though.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Passing the 1000m, when attempting to be restrained, Ustino A Girl got its head in the air and over-raced for a short distance. Near the 200m, Ustino A Girl shifted out abruptly and again a short distance later Ustino A Girl shifted ground under pressure.
Stewards questioned apprentice L.Dittman regarding the riding tactics adopted on Ustino A Girl. L. Dittman stated that after being caught 3 wide in the early stages he elected to push forward to obtain a position closer to the rail. He further added that passing the 1000m he obtained a position one off outside the leader Askew, however when being restrained the mare got its head in the air and commenced to over-race. He explained that Ustino A Girl over-raced until such time as he had taken a position slightly forward and felt his best option was to allow Ustino A Girl to relax rather than continue to restrain the mare. L. Dittman also added that he then allowed the mare to relax until near the home turn. Trainer N. McBurney stated that the connections had instructed apprentice Dittman to take a sit on the mare to allow her to run out the distance of today's event as she was stepping up to 1350m for the first time. Mr McBurney further stated after viewing the film that he believed apprentice Dittman was a victim of circumstances, in that after improving forward to take up a position, Ustino A Girl then over-raced and left apprentice Dittman with little options. Stewards noted the explanations.
Race 6:
Class 5 Handicap - 1615m
1st - Pyramids; 2nd - Humma; 3rd - Moonlight Lily
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Matthew Dunn (stable foreman for Gerald Ryan at Murwillumbah): “This is the stable’s second city win since setting up at Murwillumbah. Pyramids won here previously. Pyramids is actually a good example of the benefits that some horses can gain by being at Murwillumbah as opposed to Sydney. His sire is Anabaa. The Anabaa breed ... you know, they train off so quickly, more so mentally than physically. For that reason Pyramids is probably in exactly the right place for him at this time. With the Anabaa breed you have got to stimulate the mind and we’ve got so many more options to do that up here, swimming, jumping and the like. Pyramids is very consistent. He has only won two midweek meetings since being relocated up here, but he is going well.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
One For The Road raced wide in the early and middle stages. Rounding the 1200m turn, Life’s Short (J. Bowditch) shifted out off the heels of Fools Rush In (R. Wiggins) and in doing so forced Gather (W. Clasohm) 3 wide. Near the 500m, Magique Mine (C. Whiteley) shifted out and in doing so made contact with Moonlight Lily (R. Goltz). Passing the 50m, Magique Mine and Moonlight Lily were momentarily placed in restricted room between Pyramids (Mathew Palmer) and Humma (S. Scriven), which shifted in.
Stewards opened an inquiry into the handling of Gather. After taking initial evidence, the inquiry was adjourned to a date and time to be fixed. Post-race veterinary examination of Gather failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Stewards questioned J. Bowditch regarding his riding of Life’s Short, in particular between the 1200m and home turn. J. Bowditch stated that approaching the first turn, Life’s Short commenced to over-race on the heels of Fools Rush In (R. Wiggins), and he elected to allow the horse to stride forward and take up a position outside Fools Rush In. He further added he was content to maintain this position for the remainder of the event, however Gather continued to race in a 3-wide position outside of Fools Rush In, and passing the 800m he was obliged to place his mount under pressure to hold its position. The explanation was noted. A post-race veterinary examination of Gather failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 7:
Class 5 Handicap - 1110m
1st - Mr Slick; 2nd - The Boxer; 3rd - Stature
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Leon Morton: “I didn’t want to sound overconfident beforehand, but you had to think that if you rate it a chance in a Carnival race then you got to win this ... and I rate him that chance. I aim to take him to the BMW Magic Millions Cup in January. He’ll have one run before that which I imagine he will have to win to get into that race, which is over 1400m on his home track. After that we’ll turn him out, give him some time off, and then bring him back for out Winter Carnival.
“He is bred to go further and that might well end up being the case. At the moment though, my firm opinion is that he is too big and solid for a mile. I think 1400m is his distance. You know, if he was with a big stable, the ones who get all the accolades, he would be spoken about as being the next star. He’s so good and so consistent. He has yet to finish out of the first three.
“He’s an easy horse to train now, but that was not always the case. Earlier in his career he was a real problem. I couldn’t get him on to the track. I couldn’t get work riders for him. But it was purely a learning and patience game. I was just patient with him and finally we turned things around. Yeah, now he’s a pleasure to train.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Near the 1000m, Hail Free (B. Pengelly) shifted in and bumped the hind quarters of Consider Yourself (M. Morris). Passing the 800m, Stature (J. Taylor), which was over-racing, improved to the inside of Hail Free (B Pengelly) and as a result had to be checked when tightened for room between She’s A Mountain (R. McMahon) and Hail Free, which shifted in slightly. Hail Free shifted out rounding the home turn and bumped The Boxer (O. Turpin). The Boxer (O. Turpin), Decerto (Mathew Palmer) and Lachlan Valley (M. Paget) raced wide throughout.
Race 8:
CG&E Class 3 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Ready To Rise; 2nd - Kayowed; 3rd - Kneel And Raise
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Jason Holder: “They wanted me to be closer than I was in the early part, but the wide draw made it difficult. I couldn’t get where we planned to be, so I decided to back off and let him race where he felt comfortable. Then in the straight there was pressure on all sides, but he just kept kicking and kicking. He was really impressive the way he stuck to his guns. He could easily have folded and nobody would have thought any less of him, given the circumstances. I thought it was a good win.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Shortly after the start, Media Fund (S. Galloway) and Kayowed (J. Taylor) were obliged to race in restricted room between Aqua Calda (R. Wiggins) and Scudder, which shifted in slightly. Near the 900m, Highland Storm (K. Wharton) and Aqua Calda (R. Wiggins) were obliged to race in restricted room to the inside of Devils Ransom (M. Morris), which shifted in slightly. Kneel And Raise (R. Goltz) raced wide in the early stages. Approaching the 400m, Media Fund had to be steadied when attempting to improve between Devils Ransom and Scudder where there was doubtful room. In the early stages of the straight, Aqua Calda (R. Wiggins) had difficulty obtaining clear running. Scudder and Edward Bear raced wide throughout.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
CHAMPIONS TAKE CENTRE STAGE
The last time they raced together(in the Winterbottom Stakes)only a nose separated Takeover Target and Apache Cat in a contest that will long be remembered as a classic clash of champions.
Both runners will line up for action again this weekend, but this time they will be worlds apart.
Apache Cat races in Hong Kong in the Group 1, Hong Kong International Sprint. Takeover Target races in Perth in the Group 3, AJ Scahill Stakes.
The Group 1 is obviously the major prize but Takeover Target raises the profile of any race he enters to the degree that both races will be awaited with a similar keen interest by all Australian racing enthusiasts.
Although separated by thousands of miles, there remains a subtle link between Apache Cat’s aspirations and a gap in the resume of Takeover Target.
When the latter’s trainer Joe Janiak praised the Apache Cat camp and suggested they would be the ones to go on and assume his champions mantel as Australia’s international sprint star, he didn’t mention any unfinished business. But there will be just a touch of that in play when Apache Cat lines up to face the starter on Sunday.
In 2006, Takeover Target was the favourite for the Hong Kong Sprint. If Takeover Target had won that race, Janiak would have been in line to collect an additional prize-money bonus of $US1 million for winning Group 1 races in three of the four host countries in the Global Sprint Challenge Series.
On race-day morning, Takeover Target was withdrawn by Hong Kong Stewards for returning a positive reading to 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone hexonate, a hormone. Instead of collecting money, Janiak had to settle a $HK200 000 fine.
Different horse, different trainer this time around, but it would be ‘score one for Australia’ if Apache Cat does salute. A couple of years later than it could have been, maybe, but it would be result filled with satisfaction for all concerned.
Apache Cat will also be looking to put an end to the runs of wins by Hong Kong based horses who have ruled the race since 2002.
While the focus is on the current challenge, it should be remembered that Australians have had more than a fair share of success in this race in the past.
Since it was first run in 1999, the ‘honour roll’ for Hong Kong International Sprint features the names of six Australians.
Jockey Steven King won the inaugural running of the race on Fairy King Prawn. The following two years belonged to the ‘King of Queensland’, the Danny Bougoure trained Falvelon who scored back to back wins in the race. Damian Oliver was in the saddle on both occasions.
Trainer David Hayes won the 2002 version with All Thrills Too (which was the first time the race acquired Group 1 status) and trainer David Hall and jockey Brett Prebble combined to bring Absolute Champion home in 2006 (which was the first time the race was contested over 1200m, having previously been over the 1000m trip.
On Sunday we will know whether we can add the names of trainer Greg Eurell and jockey Corey Brown to that list.
No race of this description is ever an easy assignment. With the opposition likely to include the likes of Marchant D’Or (Champion Sprinter in Europe who will be bidding for his fourth straight Group 1 victory), Mythical Flight (dual Group 1 winner in South Africa), Enthused (winner of the International Sprint Trial), Sunny Power (a close-up runner-up in the International Sprint Trial) and Diabolical (from the powerful Godolphin stable), amongst others, the Sha Tin track will be no place for the faint-hearted on Sunday.
The race is meant to showcase the best and it should provide a terrific, racing spectacle.
Back in Perth, the expectation is that Takeover Target will once again give his subjects something to smile about.
Joe Janiak’s biggest worry might well be whether the other four horses who have nominated for the A J Scahill Stakes at Ascot stand their ground at the acceptance stage, so at least we can have a race.
In the unlikely event they do not, Takeover Target should still be allowed to trot around the track and collect his first prize. The value to racing inherent in that promotional exercise would cover the cost.
As things stand at the moment, Takeover Target will meet his four rivals - Scenic Shot, Tarzi, Hartley’s Dream and Royal Lott - at level weights (59kg) over the 1400m trip.
Scenic Shot has won three Group 2 races and has been placed in two Group 1 events. Perhaps a more important point is the fact that the Daniel Morton trained runner is something of a course specialist, having recorded eight of his eleven wins on his home track.
Scenic Shot races first-up. His last start was in June when he finished fourth behind subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Viewed in the Brisbane Cup.
Tarzi bids for back to back wins in the A J Scahill Stakes. He has a favourable statistic in his record bank, namely that five of his nine wins have come over 1400m. Takeover Target has won on only one occasion in four tries over the 1400m.
Hartley’s Dream has not won a race since 2006 and Royal Lott never looked like troubling the champion when well beaten in the Winterbottom Stakes.
So take in the wide view this weekend. From Perth to Hong Kong, it’s going to be good racing.
Both runners will line up for action again this weekend, but this time they will be worlds apart.
Apache Cat races in Hong Kong in the Group 1, Hong Kong International Sprint. Takeover Target races in Perth in the Group 3, AJ Scahill Stakes.
The Group 1 is obviously the major prize but Takeover Target raises the profile of any race he enters to the degree that both races will be awaited with a similar keen interest by all Australian racing enthusiasts.
Although separated by thousands of miles, there remains a subtle link between Apache Cat’s aspirations and a gap in the resume of Takeover Target.
When the latter’s trainer Joe Janiak praised the Apache Cat camp and suggested they would be the ones to go on and assume his champions mantel as Australia’s international sprint star, he didn’t mention any unfinished business. But there will be just a touch of that in play when Apache Cat lines up to face the starter on Sunday.
In 2006, Takeover Target was the favourite for the Hong Kong Sprint. If Takeover Target had won that race, Janiak would have been in line to collect an additional prize-money bonus of $US1 million for winning Group 1 races in three of the four host countries in the Global Sprint Challenge Series.
On race-day morning, Takeover Target was withdrawn by Hong Kong Stewards for returning a positive reading to 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone hexonate, a hormone. Instead of collecting money, Janiak had to settle a $HK200 000 fine.
Different horse, different trainer this time around, but it would be ‘score one for Australia’ if Apache Cat does salute. A couple of years later than it could have been, maybe, but it would be result filled with satisfaction for all concerned.
Apache Cat will also be looking to put an end to the runs of wins by Hong Kong based horses who have ruled the race since 2002.
While the focus is on the current challenge, it should be remembered that Australians have had more than a fair share of success in this race in the past.
Since it was first run in 1999, the ‘honour roll’ for Hong Kong International Sprint features the names of six Australians.
Jockey Steven King won the inaugural running of the race on Fairy King Prawn. The following two years belonged to the ‘King of Queensland’, the Danny Bougoure trained Falvelon who scored back to back wins in the race. Damian Oliver was in the saddle on both occasions.
Trainer David Hayes won the 2002 version with All Thrills Too (which was the first time the race acquired Group 1 status) and trainer David Hall and jockey Brett Prebble combined to bring Absolute Champion home in 2006 (which was the first time the race was contested over 1200m, having previously been over the 1000m trip.
On Sunday we will know whether we can add the names of trainer Greg Eurell and jockey Corey Brown to that list.
No race of this description is ever an easy assignment. With the opposition likely to include the likes of Marchant D’Or (Champion Sprinter in Europe who will be bidding for his fourth straight Group 1 victory), Mythical Flight (dual Group 1 winner in South Africa), Enthused (winner of the International Sprint Trial), Sunny Power (a close-up runner-up in the International Sprint Trial) and Diabolical (from the powerful Godolphin stable), amongst others, the Sha Tin track will be no place for the faint-hearted on Sunday.
The race is meant to showcase the best and it should provide a terrific, racing spectacle.
Back in Perth, the expectation is that Takeover Target will once again give his subjects something to smile about.
Joe Janiak’s biggest worry might well be whether the other four horses who have nominated for the A J Scahill Stakes at Ascot stand their ground at the acceptance stage, so at least we can have a race.
In the unlikely event they do not, Takeover Target should still be allowed to trot around the track and collect his first prize. The value to racing inherent in that promotional exercise would cover the cost.
As things stand at the moment, Takeover Target will meet his four rivals - Scenic Shot, Tarzi, Hartley’s Dream and Royal Lott - at level weights (59kg) over the 1400m trip.
Scenic Shot has won three Group 2 races and has been placed in two Group 1 events. Perhaps a more important point is the fact that the Daniel Morton trained runner is something of a course specialist, having recorded eight of his eleven wins on his home track.
Scenic Shot races first-up. His last start was in June when he finished fourth behind subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Viewed in the Brisbane Cup.
Tarzi bids for back to back wins in the A J Scahill Stakes. He has a favourable statistic in his record bank, namely that five of his nine wins have come over 1400m. Takeover Target has won on only one occasion in four tries over the 1400m.
Hartley’s Dream has not won a race since 2006 and Royal Lott never looked like troubling the champion when well beaten in the Winterbottom Stakes.
So take in the wide view this weekend. From Perth to Hong Kong, it’s going to be good racing.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
HKJC PURSUING OPTIONS ON MUNCE RULING
The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has confirmed it will take a "measured and step-by-step approach" to renewing pressure on Racing NSW to uphold jockey Chris Munce's 30-month ban from racing.
Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges justifiably has real concerns over the fallout of the decision by Racing NSW to set aside a ruling by Hong Kong Jockey Club Stewards who disqualified Munce for a period of thirty months. Munce’s disqualification was due to end in September 2009.
Engelbrecht-Bresges initially reacted to the Racing NSW decision by saying it had the potential “to undermine the integrity of horse racing internationally”, and that the decision "is disrespectful of the core values of due process" and "threatens the relationship between Australia and Hong Kong".
A recent article in the South China Morning Post, written by leading racing writer Alan Aitken, clearly relates the stance of the HKJC and goes into some detail about its misgivings and the way they plan to move forward with the matter.
The views expressed are well worth noting as they underline the seriousness of the current situation facing Australian racing. The bulk of that article is repeated here for those who want to glean a better understanding of what is involved in the Munce issue.
Aitken writes: The Jockey Club will not withdraw licences of Australian riders in Hong Kong, but there will be questions over future licensees, and the Global Sprint Challenge, Asian Mile Challenge and future commingling of bets may be affected’.
“The jockeys should not be punished for something they have not done, but our concern is that, if there is a breach of the rules, will we again face the situation that Australian authorities will please themselves about whether penalties are upheld?” Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges asked.
“As for series racing and commingling, we have to ask how can we co-operate if there is no sense of co-operation on both sides?”
“We want to take a measured and step-by-step approach and the first thing will be to request reciprocation by other licensing bodies within Australia," he said.
“Secondly, we will ask for clarification from the Australian Racing Board, a signatory to Article 10, on the claim that Racing NSW is not a signatory to the agreement. If ARB does not speak for all racing jurisdictions there, then there is no agreement at all.”
He said the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the peak world authority, had been briefed, as have all members of the executive committee of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), of which Engelbrecht-Bresges is chairman.
“Other ARF jurisdictions will be asked to endorse the disqualification and we will formulate where we go after that,” he said. “If they endorse the ban, this will be communicated to Racing NSW. This reciprocity of penalties across jurisdictions is a cornerstone of the integrity of horse racing. If you look at the wording of Article 10, there is no discretion. If we cannot establish this then the whole international agreement goes back to zero. What will happen if others take the same attitude?”
Engelbrecht-Bresges pointed out the actions of Racing NSW came after Munce had pleaded guilty to all charges then waived his right to appeal.
“By pleading guilty and then not appealing, Munce has accepted his guilt and also the penalty," he said. "Racing NSW has not respected the judicial process and, in light of remarks by its chief executive, even before the stewards' hearing was concluded, there is the perception that minds were made up.”
So now there can be no misunderstanding on what the perspective the HKJC has on this matter.
While I am quoting from other sources, perhaps a fitting, final word on the subject is the opinion of former AJC and Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Steward John Schreck, who was quoted at length in the Sydney Morning Herald. Here are a few extracts of what Schreck had to say.
“The haste exhibited by Racing NSW in its desire to allow disqualified jockey Chris Munce back on to racetracks was embarrassing and I’m afraid will have far-reaching consequences.”
“Racing NSW did not even wait to have at least a cursory look at the transcript of proceedings before HKJC stewards. The proceedings had not been typed up when Munce appeared before whomever he fronted at Racing NSW.”
“The advantages of reciprocity in racing are apparent to anyone who stops to consider the issue. Reciprocity is a consensus-type situation. I believe it is a small step on the way to reaching a common standard in disciplinary matters.”
“Surely it is imperative we establish and enforce integrity in racing, no matter how unpalatable it may be at times. It includes making sure rules are honoured by other racing authorities. Reciprocity is simply a matter of having faith in fellow authorities and giving credit to their decisions. It is sad Racing NSW has no faith in judicial decisions made by the HKJC.”
“International uniformity of approach to the control and supervision of racing is influenced by international articles on breeding and racing. These articles are agreed to each year by racing nations who attend a conference of International Horse Racing Authorities. Most, but not all, racing authorities provide for the adoption and implementation of racing penalties imposed by other nations.
The Australian Racing Board represents this country at the conference. It signed up to reciprocity on behalf of state jurisdictions. I guess from here on each state will have to be represented. What then is the future of the Australian Racing Board?”
Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges justifiably has real concerns over the fallout of the decision by Racing NSW to set aside a ruling by Hong Kong Jockey Club Stewards who disqualified Munce for a period of thirty months. Munce’s disqualification was due to end in September 2009.
Engelbrecht-Bresges initially reacted to the Racing NSW decision by saying it had the potential “to undermine the integrity of horse racing internationally”, and that the decision "is disrespectful of the core values of due process" and "threatens the relationship between Australia and Hong Kong".
A recent article in the South China Morning Post, written by leading racing writer Alan Aitken, clearly relates the stance of the HKJC and goes into some detail about its misgivings and the way they plan to move forward with the matter.
The views expressed are well worth noting as they underline the seriousness of the current situation facing Australian racing. The bulk of that article is repeated here for those who want to glean a better understanding of what is involved in the Munce issue.
Aitken writes: The Jockey Club will not withdraw licences of Australian riders in Hong Kong, but there will be questions over future licensees, and the Global Sprint Challenge, Asian Mile Challenge and future commingling of bets may be affected’.
“The jockeys should not be punished for something they have not done, but our concern is that, if there is a breach of the rules, will we again face the situation that Australian authorities will please themselves about whether penalties are upheld?” Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges asked.
“As for series racing and commingling, we have to ask how can we co-operate if there is no sense of co-operation on both sides?”
“We want to take a measured and step-by-step approach and the first thing will be to request reciprocation by other licensing bodies within Australia," he said.
“Secondly, we will ask for clarification from the Australian Racing Board, a signatory to Article 10, on the claim that Racing NSW is not a signatory to the agreement. If ARB does not speak for all racing jurisdictions there, then there is no agreement at all.”
He said the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the peak world authority, had been briefed, as have all members of the executive committee of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), of which Engelbrecht-Bresges is chairman.
“Other ARF jurisdictions will be asked to endorse the disqualification and we will formulate where we go after that,” he said. “If they endorse the ban, this will be communicated to Racing NSW. This reciprocity of penalties across jurisdictions is a cornerstone of the integrity of horse racing. If you look at the wording of Article 10, there is no discretion. If we cannot establish this then the whole international agreement goes back to zero. What will happen if others take the same attitude?”
Engelbrecht-Bresges pointed out the actions of Racing NSW came after Munce had pleaded guilty to all charges then waived his right to appeal.
“By pleading guilty and then not appealing, Munce has accepted his guilt and also the penalty," he said. "Racing NSW has not respected the judicial process and, in light of remarks by its chief executive, even before the stewards' hearing was concluded, there is the perception that minds were made up.”
So now there can be no misunderstanding on what the perspective the HKJC has on this matter.
While I am quoting from other sources, perhaps a fitting, final word on the subject is the opinion of former AJC and Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Steward John Schreck, who was quoted at length in the Sydney Morning Herald. Here are a few extracts of what Schreck had to say.
“The haste exhibited by Racing NSW in its desire to allow disqualified jockey Chris Munce back on to racetracks was embarrassing and I’m afraid will have far-reaching consequences.”
“Racing NSW did not even wait to have at least a cursory look at the transcript of proceedings before HKJC stewards. The proceedings had not been typed up when Munce appeared before whomever he fronted at Racing NSW.”
“The advantages of reciprocity in racing are apparent to anyone who stops to consider the issue. Reciprocity is a consensus-type situation. I believe it is a small step on the way to reaching a common standard in disciplinary matters.”
“Surely it is imperative we establish and enforce integrity in racing, no matter how unpalatable it may be at times. It includes making sure rules are honoured by other racing authorities. Reciprocity is simply a matter of having faith in fellow authorities and giving credit to their decisions. It is sad Racing NSW has no faith in judicial decisions made by the HKJC.”
“International uniformity of approach to the control and supervision of racing is influenced by international articles on breeding and racing. These articles are agreed to each year by racing nations who attend a conference of International Horse Racing Authorities. Most, but not all, racing authorities provide for the adoption and implementation of racing penalties imposed by other nations.
The Australian Racing Board represents this country at the conference. It signed up to reciprocity on behalf of state jurisdictions. I guess from here on each state will have to be represented. What then is the future of the Australian Racing Board?”
Monday, December 8, 2008
RACING NSW SHOULD BE CENSURED
Chris Munce will once again soon be laughing all the way to the bank, courtesy of an ill-advised decision by Racing New South Wales who arguably have completely lost the plot with regard to their responsibilities to the greater cause of racing in Australia.
By all accounts Munce was doing it tough. That, in his case, is called a consequence as it follows on directly from his own actions – the ‘tips for bets’ scandal - which courted disaster from the very outset.
Munce was prepared to play the card seemingly on the basis that the reward was worth the risk. Nobody wants to see anybody’s career face ruin, but when you are caught red-handed in the circumstances in which Munce was apprehended in Hong Kong, your options are limited to say the least. It is better to accept your punishment.
Munce will say he has done that. The mental anguish involved in the hardship of a jail sentence (issued by a civil authority) – which was an extreme penalty and one which probably never entered into Munce’s calculations until he was faced with the horrible truth of his situation – as well as his family’s despair during his time behind bars, certainly translates into a ‘time served’ category. Not to mention the stress brought about by the impact of Munce’s loss of a livelihood during his incarceration. But that does not necessarily mean Munce has 'done his time'.
Thankfully, Munce is now a free man. He has shown an admirable resilience in coming out of the other side of a scarring experience in fine fettle. He has looked after himself physically in sensational fashion and the family bond which held tight during times of strain when parted from his loved ones, is stronger than ever.
In essence, Chris Munce is a lucky man. As such he should be thankful.
But Munce wants more!
He wants his career back. That is a perfectly natural goal.
But it is how Munce goes about reclaiming the privilege to ride that shows whether he has learnt anything from his misadventure, whether he now sees the value in racing’s rules and regulations and understands the need to abide by them, whether he respects racing authorities and their right to rule, whether he understands that, as a high profile Australian, he represents Australian interests in all that he does and counter-productive behaviour can be damaging to far more than just his inner-circle.
The bottom line is that the road Munce elects to follow back to race-riding will, quite simply, show whether he has joined the team and is worthy of a licence or whether he is still bucking the system, in which case the issuing of a licence to Munce should be carefully considered.
Sadly, Munce’s recent actions suggest the latter option applies.
While the buck does stop with Munce in terms of decision-making, it should be pointed out that he might not be wholly at fault in coming up with the wrong answer.
Well respected journalists in Sydney have been beating the drum, sending out the message that Munce has paid his dues, done his time, should not be the victim of double jeopardy ... one even found a precedent which he put forward to weigh in strongly in Munce’s favour. Top trainer Gai Waterhouse, upbeat as ever, welcomed Munce back to her fold with open arms. Of course he should be granted a licence again. No worries.
If this is what leading racing identities were saying in public, you can only imagine the strength of support, with similar advice, that Munce was being fed in private. So perhaps he can be forgiven for thinking it was a no-brainer, and that his position was clearcut, and that Racing New South Wales, overcome by the local tidal-wave of emotion, would come to the party and issue him with a licence.
This time Munce had placed the right bet.
Racing New South Wales agreed to reciprocate 35 out of the 36 charges to which Munce had pleaded guilty. But they refused to uphold the final charge, “because this penalty is tied to a breach of a criminal offence under the criminal code of the Hong Kong SAR that does not exist under Australian law". With that statement, Racing NSW set aside the disqualification imposed on Munce by Hong Kong Racing Stewards, which would have kept the rider out of racing until September 2009.
This ruling was made in violation of an international agreement which Australia has with racing authorities around the world. Racing New South Wales, in effect, was giving the finger to the Australian Racing Board, a signatory of that agreement, as it was being outright disrespectful to Hong Kong Racing authorities, whose high level of integrity is acknowledged worldwide.
Munce’s response, at the latest embarrassment his case had caused, was interesting to say the least.
“I always had confidence Australian racing authorities would recognise the Hong Kong penalty was manifestly excessive and I had more than paid the price for breaches of Hong Kong rules of racing,” said Munce, who somehow now has apparently learnt enough to become more proficient in legal matters than those trained officials appointed to rule on his case.
“At the end of the day common sense prevailed,” Munce said.
A ‘common-sense ruling’ which embarrassed racing in Australia, which puts Australian racing relations with other countries in a conflict situation, which, if allowed to pass unchallenged, could set a dangerous precedent for destabilising the acceptance of the international laws of racing ... clearly Munce is still not on the page where integrity is absolute and where self-interest sometimes has to give way to the bigger picture.
That is not to say Munce thinks he is bigger than the sport. After all, he didn’t make the decision to reinstate his licence, but his participation in reaching for a personal goal through all the damage his case is creating, and not respectfully delaying his return till scheduled in September 2009, does make a statement which is less than impressive.
There is an important bottom line to this whole issue.
The bottom line is that Munce declined to appeal his original jail sentence and then pleaded guilty to all charges laid against him by the Hong Kong Jockey Club when racing authorities took up his case after his release from prison. When issued with the same thirty month penalty by the HKJC, Munce again declined to appeal the sentence.
The only way an independent authority can overrule the disqualification decision, is if all avenues of appeal with the original control body has been exhausted and it can be shown that the laws of natural justice had not been properly observed.
That Munce chose not to exhaust all appeal options open to him and the fact he has never claimed that he was denied due process should have, and would have, put an end to the matter – barring the unhappy intrusion of Racing New South Wales.
On the basis of this established proyocol, Racing New South Wales has made a decision which exceeded its authority.
The matter surely cannot end here.
Important Points of Reference 1:
The ‘tips for bets’ scandal unfolded in the following manner.
On the day he was due to fly back to Australia (July 3, 2006), Munce was arrested in Hong Kong by officers of the Independent Commission Against Crime (ICAC). It was reported that Munce was found with HK250,000 cash plus papers listing horses and bets. Munce was not charged at this time.
On September 14 and 15, 2006, Munce appeared in court and was charged with having corruptly acted against the interests of the trainer by tipping horses he would ride to win races. He returned to Australia (an option he was previously denied) to await his formal trial hearing.
On February 12 -16, 2007, the District Court judge found Munce guilty of corrupt conduct. Shortly afterwards, Munce was sentenced to thirty months jail, with a minimum of twenty months to be served.
Munce spent seven months in a Hong Kong jail before being transferred to Silverwater Prison on September 25, 2007 to complete the remainder of his mandatory sentence. Munce was released from Silverwater Prison, after serving a total of twenty months, on October 30, 2008.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club opened its own racing inquiry in the Munce case. At its final session on December 1, Munce pleaded guilty to all thirty-six related charges. He is sentenced to periods of disqualification on all counts. Although the sentencing figure reaches a total of 633 months, it translates to an effective 30 months as the counts are ordered to be served concurrently.
The sentence, with proper regard to fairness, is back-dated to February 2007, to include time already served by Munce. The disqualification is thus set to end in September 2009.
On December 3, 2008, Munce attends a ‘show cause’ hearing to show why his NSW licence should not be revoked in accordance with the Hong Kong ruling. Racing NSW choose to disregard the Hong Kong disqualification and decide to issue Munce with a NSW jockey licence.
Important Points of Reference 2:
Article 10 of the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering confirms a commitment by signatories to reciprocate the penalties imposed by racing stewards of other signatory jurisdictions. The Australian Racing Board is a signatory to the agreement.
Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, who is also the chairman of the Asian Racing Federation and joint deputy chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, said he would be writing to all member jurisdictions to advise them of Australia's breach of the international agreement. Engelbrecht-Breges stopped short of speculating on what action, if any, the international bodies might take.
In a story posted in the South China Morning Post, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is said to claim it has correspondence from Racing NSW Chief Executive Officer Peter V’Landys that denies his organisation is bound by the agreement, even though Racing NSW is subject to the authority of The Australian Racing Board.
By all accounts Munce was doing it tough. That, in his case, is called a consequence as it follows on directly from his own actions – the ‘tips for bets’ scandal - which courted disaster from the very outset.
Munce was prepared to play the card seemingly on the basis that the reward was worth the risk. Nobody wants to see anybody’s career face ruin, but when you are caught red-handed in the circumstances in which Munce was apprehended in Hong Kong, your options are limited to say the least. It is better to accept your punishment.
Munce will say he has done that. The mental anguish involved in the hardship of a jail sentence (issued by a civil authority) – which was an extreme penalty and one which probably never entered into Munce’s calculations until he was faced with the horrible truth of his situation – as well as his family’s despair during his time behind bars, certainly translates into a ‘time served’ category. Not to mention the stress brought about by the impact of Munce’s loss of a livelihood during his incarceration. But that does not necessarily mean Munce has 'done his time'.
Thankfully, Munce is now a free man. He has shown an admirable resilience in coming out of the other side of a scarring experience in fine fettle. He has looked after himself physically in sensational fashion and the family bond which held tight during times of strain when parted from his loved ones, is stronger than ever.
In essence, Chris Munce is a lucky man. As such he should be thankful.
But Munce wants more!
He wants his career back. That is a perfectly natural goal.
But it is how Munce goes about reclaiming the privilege to ride that shows whether he has learnt anything from his misadventure, whether he now sees the value in racing’s rules and regulations and understands the need to abide by them, whether he respects racing authorities and their right to rule, whether he understands that, as a high profile Australian, he represents Australian interests in all that he does and counter-productive behaviour can be damaging to far more than just his inner-circle.
The bottom line is that the road Munce elects to follow back to race-riding will, quite simply, show whether he has joined the team and is worthy of a licence or whether he is still bucking the system, in which case the issuing of a licence to Munce should be carefully considered.
Sadly, Munce’s recent actions suggest the latter option applies.
While the buck does stop with Munce in terms of decision-making, it should be pointed out that he might not be wholly at fault in coming up with the wrong answer.
Well respected journalists in Sydney have been beating the drum, sending out the message that Munce has paid his dues, done his time, should not be the victim of double jeopardy ... one even found a precedent which he put forward to weigh in strongly in Munce’s favour. Top trainer Gai Waterhouse, upbeat as ever, welcomed Munce back to her fold with open arms. Of course he should be granted a licence again. No worries.
If this is what leading racing identities were saying in public, you can only imagine the strength of support, with similar advice, that Munce was being fed in private. So perhaps he can be forgiven for thinking it was a no-brainer, and that his position was clearcut, and that Racing New South Wales, overcome by the local tidal-wave of emotion, would come to the party and issue him with a licence.
This time Munce had placed the right bet.
Racing New South Wales agreed to reciprocate 35 out of the 36 charges to which Munce had pleaded guilty. But they refused to uphold the final charge, “because this penalty is tied to a breach of a criminal offence under the criminal code of the Hong Kong SAR that does not exist under Australian law". With that statement, Racing NSW set aside the disqualification imposed on Munce by Hong Kong Racing Stewards, which would have kept the rider out of racing until September 2009.
This ruling was made in violation of an international agreement which Australia has with racing authorities around the world. Racing New South Wales, in effect, was giving the finger to the Australian Racing Board, a signatory of that agreement, as it was being outright disrespectful to Hong Kong Racing authorities, whose high level of integrity is acknowledged worldwide.
Munce’s response, at the latest embarrassment his case had caused, was interesting to say the least.
“I always had confidence Australian racing authorities would recognise the Hong Kong penalty was manifestly excessive and I had more than paid the price for breaches of Hong Kong rules of racing,” said Munce, who somehow now has apparently learnt enough to become more proficient in legal matters than those trained officials appointed to rule on his case.
“At the end of the day common sense prevailed,” Munce said.
A ‘common-sense ruling’ which embarrassed racing in Australia, which puts Australian racing relations with other countries in a conflict situation, which, if allowed to pass unchallenged, could set a dangerous precedent for destabilising the acceptance of the international laws of racing ... clearly Munce is still not on the page where integrity is absolute and where self-interest sometimes has to give way to the bigger picture.
That is not to say Munce thinks he is bigger than the sport. After all, he didn’t make the decision to reinstate his licence, but his participation in reaching for a personal goal through all the damage his case is creating, and not respectfully delaying his return till scheduled in September 2009, does make a statement which is less than impressive.
There is an important bottom line to this whole issue.
The bottom line is that Munce declined to appeal his original jail sentence and then pleaded guilty to all charges laid against him by the Hong Kong Jockey Club when racing authorities took up his case after his release from prison. When issued with the same thirty month penalty by the HKJC, Munce again declined to appeal the sentence.
The only way an independent authority can overrule the disqualification decision, is if all avenues of appeal with the original control body has been exhausted and it can be shown that the laws of natural justice had not been properly observed.
That Munce chose not to exhaust all appeal options open to him and the fact he has never claimed that he was denied due process should have, and would have, put an end to the matter – barring the unhappy intrusion of Racing New South Wales.
On the basis of this established proyocol, Racing New South Wales has made a decision which exceeded its authority.
The matter surely cannot end here.
Important Points of Reference 1:
The ‘tips for bets’ scandal unfolded in the following manner.
On the day he was due to fly back to Australia (July 3, 2006), Munce was arrested in Hong Kong by officers of the Independent Commission Against Crime (ICAC). It was reported that Munce was found with HK250,000 cash plus papers listing horses and bets. Munce was not charged at this time.
On September 14 and 15, 2006, Munce appeared in court and was charged with having corruptly acted against the interests of the trainer by tipping horses he would ride to win races. He returned to Australia (an option he was previously denied) to await his formal trial hearing.
On February 12 -16, 2007, the District Court judge found Munce guilty of corrupt conduct. Shortly afterwards, Munce was sentenced to thirty months jail, with a minimum of twenty months to be served.
Munce spent seven months in a Hong Kong jail before being transferred to Silverwater Prison on September 25, 2007 to complete the remainder of his mandatory sentence. Munce was released from Silverwater Prison, after serving a total of twenty months, on October 30, 2008.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club opened its own racing inquiry in the Munce case. At its final session on December 1, Munce pleaded guilty to all thirty-six related charges. He is sentenced to periods of disqualification on all counts. Although the sentencing figure reaches a total of 633 months, it translates to an effective 30 months as the counts are ordered to be served concurrently.
The sentence, with proper regard to fairness, is back-dated to February 2007, to include time already served by Munce. The disqualification is thus set to end in September 2009.
On December 3, 2008, Munce attends a ‘show cause’ hearing to show why his NSW licence should not be revoked in accordance with the Hong Kong ruling. Racing NSW choose to disregard the Hong Kong disqualification and decide to issue Munce with a NSW jockey licence.
Important Points of Reference 2:
Article 10 of the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering confirms a commitment by signatories to reciprocate the penalties imposed by racing stewards of other signatory jurisdictions. The Australian Racing Board is a signatory to the agreement.
Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, who is also the chairman of the Asian Racing Federation and joint deputy chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, said he would be writing to all member jurisdictions to advise them of Australia's breach of the international agreement. Engelbrecht-Breges stopped short of speculating on what action, if any, the international bodies might take.
In a story posted in the South China Morning Post, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is said to claim it has correspondence from Racing NSW Chief Executive Officer Peter V’Landys that denies his organisation is bound by the agreement, even though Racing NSW is subject to the authority of The Australian Racing Board.
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