Warwick Stakes - Moodwalker!
 

Are you gonna be watching this? If so, can you give a visaul? Thanks.

VERY nice field..... good luck to Eremein and RTW. :cool:

Racing ready for Warwick Stakes
Story by Gary Crispe

Saturday, 26 August 2006: It’s been a shaky start but Racing To Win can kick off his spring campaign with a win in today’s Group 2 Sportsman Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.

Trainer O’Shea has patiently waited for the right race to step out the classy gelding and was all set to go until his charge fell over a collapsed ditch on Thursday at trackwork.

He has come through the incident unscatched, though, has passed a vet test and is cleared to go in the weight-for-age feature which boasts a very strong line-up.

But the grey gelding, yet to finish further back than second at all nine starts which has included six wins, looks ideally placed to start his spring campaign with success.

Last campaign he was beaten fresh-up when runner-up to Flying Pegasus in the Royal Sovereign Stakes, but appreciated the extra trip over 1400m next start when a strong winner of the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes.

He was then tested at 1500jmk fir the first time in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes and went down in a fighting photo finish, ending up a neck from Apache Cat in second place on a wet track.

Back on top of the ground in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes he hit the line hard and ran down Paratroopers to score, which is no easy feat, before turning in his career best performance in the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m).

After sitting just off the lead, he was game in holding off the challengers to score a half length win over Johan’s Toy.

At Randwick the gelding has two wins and a second placing from three starts and has a win and a placing from two tries at the trip.

He also has a win and a second placings from two fresh-up runs.

O’Shea has slowly worked the gelding into fitness with a very easy trial initially before a more strenuous hit-out more recently.

He has drawn well and Michael Rodd takes the mount for the first time, replacing Glen Boss who is aboard the topwegiht.

Like most of the top Sydney gallopers Racing To Win will use this race as a springboard to features down south, including the Tattersall’s Cox Plate later in the spring.

In a classy field full of stars he looks hard to beat fresh.

Lightly raced veteran Court’s In Session is another resuming in the race and should run a big race fresh.

Prepared by Guy Walter, the seven-year-old started favourite in this race last year when second-up from a spell and although fourth was beaten just a long neck in a very busy finish behind Sir Dex.

He went for a spell following the run before resuming in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes, where he sat on the pace and held off the challenge of Shanie Dane right on the line to score by a head.

He then stepped up to 1400m in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes and ran well below his usual best, finishing sixth and just over three lengths from Ike’s Dream, before running in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes where he led but was under pressure a long way out and finished eighth behind Desert War.

Walter finished his autumn campaign then and there and has given him a good break.

Although he comes into this race fresh-up this time around, he is fitter for two recent trials, the latest when a 5.5 length winner over 1200m on his home track at Warwick Farm.

The gelding has a good fresh-up record and has drawn well in barrier five, where he should have no problem leading.

On his best form there’s no doubt he’ll still be there at the finish and looks hard to catch at each-way odds today.

Gai Waterhouse saddles up two runners in the race but the mare Aqua D’Amore might prove a value chance fresh.

The Danehill mare was hard to follow last campaign mixing her distances and her form but showed she was still up the best around at her last start before a spell, the a half length second behind Eremein in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

While most of the field have long spring campaigns ahead and could be vulnerable fresh, Aqua D’Amore boasts a superb fresh-up record of three wins and a fast-finishing second from four starts.


She goes well at the course, her home track, with two wins and two placings from four starts, has trialled well with two placings and has drawn okay in barrier eight.

From there she is likely to settle midfield or worse but has an excellent turn of foot and should prove hard to hold out.

Stablemate Desert War is yet to win first-up but on his effort when resuming last campaign must be considered.

He resumed his autumn campaign over the same trip in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes, where he sat on the pace and battled on well for third behind Ike’s Dream.

He then won the Group 1 Chipping Norton, finished third in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes then a close-up sixth in the Group 1 Doncaster and seventh in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes where he had obviously had enough and went for a winter spell.

The gelding handles all conditions, has had two trial hit-outs and is yet to miss the placings at the trip.

Although drawn wide he should slide across to sit second behind Court’s In Session and should give a bold sight.

Eremein is the early Cox Plate favourite and will be well in the market in not favourite today but might be vulnerable fresh-up.

Prepared by Allan Denham at Rosehill he took all before him in the autumn, including winning his last three starts – the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes, the Group 1 BMW Stakes and Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

He has a top record at the track and placed at his only try at the trip but doesn’t have the bets fresh-up record and this campaign in particular, he will have plenty of improvement left in his for longer races over the spring carnival.

He should be doing his best work late and may get home over the top of them but is likely to find this race a shade short and could be under the odds this time.

Headturner is in the same boat as he’s being aimed at the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups but he does boast a good fresh-up record and can feature at good odds.

A winner of the AJC Derby at his last run before a spell, the John Hawkes trained four-year-old ran an eyecatching race in a recent trial and should have a good run on the inside from barrier one.

He could sneak a place at odds but is another who will improve on whatever he does.

From AAP...
http://www.aapracingandsports.com.au/

Yeah, I will be in the office switching the production board during the race. I will let you know how everyone looks if you are up at that time.

If you just had a betting account you could watch the video feed.

It looks to be a good one.

MMSC,

The Warwick ran like it was supposed to on paper....

Court's in Session struck out with his early speed and held off Racing to Win at the line.

Desert War chased gamely but ended up third.

All the stayers ran well and looked like they got some fitness out of it (since that is the only reason they were in anyway)

Headturner and Railings, my two favorite horses for the Caulfield/Melbourne Cups, looked nice in the saddling area and should be primed in their next efforts that should be over a mile or further.

Oh thank you and happy that RTW was 2nd and that Headturner looked good.

Suppose you're right and i should get a betting account.

Again, thank you for the visual. :)

He's baaaaack!

From Virtual Form Guide. No author listed.....

Eurell Bullish Over Apache Cat's Chances :)

Greg Eurell couldn't be happier with Apache Cat in the lead-up to Saturday's Memsie Stakes at Caulfield while Mick Price said Red Dazzler was unlikely to run in the Group Two weight-for-age feature on his home track.

Apache Cat goes into the race after his slashing first-up effort in the Aurie's Star Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on August 12 when he finished third under 59kg behind lightweight Bel Danoro and the classy El Segundo.

"I'm very happy with the horse. It was a great run and he'll get a bit out of that," Eurell said.

"He's had three weeks to get through it and all has gone according to plan."

The Lion Cavern four-year-old is unbeaten in two second-up runs at Caulfield over the 1400m Memsie trip at his past two preparations, winning the Guineas Prelude and the Schweppes Cup both at Group Three level and beating Caulfield Guineas winner God's Own on both occasions.

"His second-up form at Caulfield is dynamite," Eurell said.

Noel Callow, who missed the Aurie's Star mount on Apache Cat due to suspension, will replace the injured Damien Oliver who was the fill-in rider on that occasion.

Callow's only ride on the flashy chestnut to date resulted in an all-the-way victory in the Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington in March.

"The barrier will play a critical part and how the track pans out on the day," said Eurell who expects Minson to lead.

Mark Zahra will replace Oliver on Minson on Saturday.

Minson was unbeaten in six starts before he disappointed when weakening after leading to finish second last in the Liston Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last Saturday week.

Price said Red Dazzler, runner-up to Minson in the Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) and second to his stablemate Pompeii Ruler in the Liston at his two runs this preparation, "will probably miss the Memsie".

"I'd prefer to wait for the Feehan over the mile (1600m) with him and then run him in the Toorak," Price said.

The Group Two Feehan, now known as the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes, is run at Moonee Valley on September 16 while the Group One Toorak Hcp (1600m) is at Caulfield on October 14.

Pompeii Ruler will have his next start in the Group Two Craiglee Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 9 and then go to the Group One Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 23.

http://www.virtualformguide.com/cgi-...ellbullish.txt

The Cat will win this one MMSC...

Miss Finland won!!!

Any word on Apache Cat and Mentality?

Miss Finland noses out Haradasun, but he was the star of the day with a really troubled run and a lot of fight in him.

Apache Cat got third again, and El Segundo won that one.

Court Command won the Golden Rose, Mentality got third there.

Thanks, Moodwalker. :)

Wish I had seen these.....

you should consider getting a brisbet account.

did you ever think about it?

I've thought about it..... would you like the short answer or the long one? :D

* * * * *

Can't wait to see what's next for Mr. Apache Cat, Esquire.:cool:

I'll vote for the long one. Sounds more interesting.

I realized that I never answered this. Before i do though, i have a question.....

WHY DON'T EITHER OF YOU CARE ABOUT ME? :D

Yeah, sure..... get an online betting account.

Do you guys have any idea what will hapen? Do you know the number of HK horses alone that i follow?

I'll have to play every race. Every damned one and that' s not including the sympathy bets for the class 4 and 5 horses.....

What if I sit here 24 hours a day? What if I start being one of those people who sits at the computer eating? What if i begin to drink too much??? What if i fall out of love with racing and grow old and bitter?

So in essence you're saying you want me to turn into a fat, broke, bitter alcoholic?

No thanks! I'd rather follow them and root for them and read everything I can find and celebrate their wins and never bet on the international stuff and have it remain special.

So how do I go about getting an online account anyway?:p

Now, now, no one wants to see you go that route. (fat, broke, bitter alcoholic). Then you'd be barely distinguishable from some of us other folks around here.:)

But you don't have to! You see you won't be able to play every HK race if you do not put the funds in your account to play with. And you only need to put in a little in order to keep the account open and active. Thats why i suggested it for you, you really don't have to make wagers there. I use it all the time for replays and the live feeds, but seldom for wagers.

The benefit is you get lots of live feeds and replays for no charge. i'll pm you some other information.

We care, we really do!;)

I'll think about it. :)

* * *

Anyone know why Natural Blitz was scratched???

Flemington's Feature Stakes Fields for Saturday

Race 7 - Nivea Visage Craiglee Stakes - 1600m
Group 2 race

01 ROMAN ARCH (Robbie Laing) Greg Childs (11) 58
02 NATURAL BLITZ (Doug Harrison) SCRATCHED (3) 58
03 OUR SMOKING JOE (Lee Freedman) Noel Callow (6) 58
04 ABOVE DECK (Jim Conlan) Mark Zahra (1) 58
05 CASUAL PASS (Mathew Ellerton) Brent Stanley (12) 58
06 ZIPPING (Graeme Rogerson) Blake Shinn (5) 58
07 SPHENOPHYTA (NZ) (Lee Freedman) Jim Byrne (2) 58
08 DE BEERS (NZ) (David Hayes) Craig Williams (10) 57.5
09 POMPEII RULER (Mick Price) Craig Newitt (7) 57.5
10 ZIGOTTO (Barry Barnes) Darren Gauci (9) 57.5
11 DEMERGER (Danny O'Brien) Steven Arnold (4) 55.5
12 SERENADE ROSE (Lee Freedman) Steven King (8) 55

* * *

Nice field... Eremein / Headturner (... although i think Moodwalker might want to see it in reverse) :)

Feature Fields for Kensington Released

Race 7 - Chelmsford Stakes
Group 2 race

01 EREMEIN (Allan Denham) Glen Boss (10) 58
02 RAILINGS (John Hawkes) (12) 58
03 GRAND ZULU (Gwenda Markwell) Rod Quinn (7) 58
04 DESERT WAR (Gai Waterhouse) Larry Cassidy (3) 58
05 FOORAM (NZ) (John O'Shea) Tim Clark (a) (8) 58
06 MEN AT WORK (NZ) (John O'Shea) Hugh Bowman (11) 58
07 NEWTON'S RINGS (Jeff Englebrecht) Danny Beasley (6) 58
08 HEADTURNER (John Hawkes) (1) 57.5
09 CATS FUN (Michael Grant) Jim Cassidy (2) 57.5
10 REPLICATOR (Anthony Cummings) Ryan Wiggins (9) 57.5
11 AQUA D'AMORE (Gai Waterhouse) Zac Purton (4) 55.5
12 ALLOW (Clarry Conners) Michael Rodd (5) 55

* * *

Apache Cat, where are you?

You watch Serenade Rose keep getting pounded when going short and then pop up and stroke everyone when they stretch out a bit....

Not sure why Natural Blitz isn't going..

And I think Railings will be on top in the Kensington event.

With Newton's Rings getting nipped at the wire for second.

Although Headturner is a badass, I don't think he will win here.

What about Desert War? Does he have a shot (... and is he really that massive? I've never seen him but have heard.....).

Desert War is a good one, and he has a really nice shot here.

I'll check to see how "massive" he is tomorrow when they are in the paddock.

But you can't really tell on television as much.

I'll give updates tomorrow after the races.

Fooram's crazy ass could win too....

This one is really wide open

Cool, thanks!

Oh and any info on Mr. Beautiful (Apaaaaache) is always appreciated. :D

Uh oh.....

http://www.thoroughbrednews.co.nz/sp...cing/?id=25539

If anyone sees results, can you please post? Thanks!

Waiting for my boy Eremein to win this one... :cool:

He won today in something called the Chelmsford stakes. is that the one?
He just got it by a nose, watched it earlier on bris.
It was Eremein nosing out Newtons rings.

hope that helps to brighten your night.;) :D

He won? Yea!

Sisties Icon and Iffraaj won, Peeress 2nd, happy about the Irish Champion results.....

On the negative side, Ace was last.....

(sigh)

Eremein broke my heart....

I had staked a lot on the country up and comer Newton's Rings for the second week in a row and he almost did it

Oh, sorry!

Great... now I feel guilty for being happy.

Must go think about Ace again..... that should do it.

From Virtual Form Guide.....
(No author listed)

El Segundo Could Miss Dato' Tan Chin Nam

Cox Plate favourite El Segundo could miss Saturday's Group Two Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes as trainer Colin Little battles to get the gelding back on track for the spring.

The Pins gelding knocked a fetlock during his outstanding winning performance in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield at his most recent. El Segundo appeared to have recovered from the injury concern, but it has reappeared.

"It seemed to clear up quickly after the Memsie," Little told Sport 927 this morning.

"But during Saturday night and Monday morning we found heat in the injury," he added. "I decided not to gallop him this morning."

El Segundo was listed to gallop at Moonee Valley this morning along with others including Haradasun, All Bar One and Dance Hero.

Little said unless he can gallop El Segundo tomorrow morning then he would not run in the Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes.

"We're all hoping he'll be okay," Little added. "He's missed just the one gallop and he's swimming and doing some beach work, but the heat (in the fetlock) has to go before any serious work."

Connections would look at running El Segundo in the Group One Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday week if he's unable to run this weekend.

Following his win in the Memsie Stakes leading Melbourne bookmaker Michael Eskander slashed his Cox Plate quote to $4.50.

While El Segundo may be missing, the Dato' Tan Chin Nam could still attract the likes of Apache Cat :cool: , Fields of Omagh, Lad of the Manor, Our Smoking Joe, Red Dazzler, Spielmeister, Testafiable and Zipping.

All up there were 14 entries for the race previously known as the John F Feehan Stakes when they closed at noon yesterday.

El Segundo ruled out.....

http://www.virtualformguide.com/cgi-...recovering.txt

Need help, Moodwalker..... where's the one with Racing to Win and Paratroopers?

Thanks!

* * *

Race 5 - Dato' Tan Chin Stakes - 1600m
Group 2 race

01 FIELDS OF OMAGH (David Hayes) Steven King (6) 58
02 LAD OF THE MANOR (NZ) (Roger Hoysted) Greg Childs (1) 58
03 APACHE CAT :cool: (Greg Eurell) Noel Callow (5) 57.5
04 TESTAFIABLE (Peter G Moody) Steven Arnold (7) 57.5
05 RED DAZZLER (Mick Price) Stephen Baster (2) 57.5
06 SPINNEY (John Hawkes) Blake Shinn (4) 57.5
07 SPIELMEISTER (David Hayes) Mark Zahra (3) 57.5

The Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill

http://www.ozracing.net.au/cgi-bin/r....DFA?State=NSW

Oh that's great, thank you!

Don't tell anyone but i don't know half those names.

Nice piece on Dance Hero.....

http://www.smh.com.au/news/horseraci...827091245.html

..... and one on Apaaaaaache Cat.

http://www.aapracing.com.au/Story.aspx?page=RNS&id=4745

Lad won, Apache 2md...

Racing to Win won....

(... a little behind here).

What happened, Moodwalker???

http://www.virtualformguide.com/cgi-...adasaunout.txt

****, I didn't know that. Been out of town for a couple of days.

That's a shame. Thanks for the news.....

At least it's not life-threatening.

Too bad though.

From Fox Sports AU.....


Court's In Session claims Cameron
By Grahame Timbrell

September 20, 2006 TRAINER Guy Walter rode the racing roller-coaster at Newcastle today, winning the Cameron Handicap with Court's In Session just 40 minutes after watching Excites refuse to take part in the Spring Stakes.

Walter came up with almost every superlative available to describe Court's In Session tenacious victory in the Group III feature.

"He is just a marvellous, wonderful horse, one of the best I have ever trained," Walter said.

"He is one of my favourite; he is everyone's favourite.

"Don't forget he is a seven-year-old who has carried 60.5kg and refused to give in despite all the hard racing he has had."

Walter said Court's In Session would next start in the Group I George Main Stakes at Randwick on Saturday week, but he was in two minds about starting him in the Epsom Handicap.

"I am 50-50 about whether to start him in the Epsom," Walter said.

Court's In Session's victory was in stark contrast to the effort of Excites, who started favourite in the Spring Stakes but took control of jockey Zac Purton shortly after the start and refused to take any further part in the race.

The Spring Stakes was won by the John Hawkes-trained Mearas.

Court's In Session's win will live long in the memory of breeder and part-owner Peter Cruickshank, as the winner's dam was served early yesterday morning by Rock Of Gibraltar.

"September 20 is going to be a very important date in my memory for a long time," Cruickshank said.

"Unfortunately I had a seven-month-old full sister to Court's In Session but we had to have her put down two months ago because of a hip infection.

"That's the thing about racing. You have to enjoy the highs like this win because there are certainly a lot of lows as well."

Court's In Session was taken on for the lead early by Gorgonite but jockey Danny Beasley was eventually able to settle the second favourite in front while the $2.60 favourite Malcolm was second last under Darren Beadman.

Malcolm raced quickly to challenge for the lead in the home straight, but Court's In Session refused to give in and held on to score by a half-head over the favourite, with Mac's Tune a further 2¼ lengths away in third.

Tony Marney, the part-time jockey who rides Court's In Session in all his work, was among the most excited people on track.

"I won a Cameron on Manuan back in 1982 but I am more excited now than I was back then," Marney said.

"This horse is so special."

* * *

A lovely story but here's my question..... what happened with Excites today?

He went ape****.....

Oh wow, that was fast!

How though? What did he do, pull a Rakti or what?

Oh please give a visual..... :)