Aussies Draw Good In Dubai
Australian gallopers All Silent and Eagle Falls were both favoured in the barrier draws for Saturday’s World Cup meeting in Dubai. All Silent will start from barrier 4 in the $US 1 million Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) which will be run down a straight six course on Meydan's turf track at 12.20am on Sunday AEDST. Eagle Falls drew barrier 2 for the $US 2 million Golden Shaheen over 1200m on the Meydan all weather track and it will be conducted at 2.15am on Sunday AEDST. Both horses will have Australian bred opponents with All Silent taking on the former Peter Snowden-trained galloper Fravashi (barrier 7) while Mike de Koch will be represented by Our Giant (5) and also in the race will be the James Eustace-trained War Artist (9). Eagle Falls clashes against fellow colonial bred gallopers One World (1) from John Moore’s Hong Kong-stable and Singapore’s best sprinter Rocket Man (6).

Bad Day At The Office
If the disappointment of Solar Charged’s defeat wasn’t a bitter enough pill for John O’Shea to swallow, he’s now without a jockey for Zabrasive in the Rosehill Guineas after stewards suspended Hugh Bowman at Rosehill on Saturday. Stewards slapped Bowman with a seven meeting ban for careless riding in the Phar Lap Stakes. Bowman pleaded guilty to shifting out at the top of the straight aboard Middlemount, which “contributed” to The Comedian losing its running and nearly falling. While stewards didn't lay full blame on Bowman, four suspensions over the past 12-months meant loading was added to his upcoming ban. Bowman’s suspension commences after Sunday’s Kembla meeting but he returns to ride Solar Charged in the Golden Slipper. Meanwhile, top young Melbourne rider Nick Hall also fell foul of stewards and was given a six meeting careless riding suspension resulting from the Ranvet Stakes. Hall took his suspension immediately and returns on March 31.

Williams Might Go To Sydney
Top Melbourne jockey Craig Williams has confirmed he is in discussions with trainer Gai Waterhouse about a possible move to Sydney to become a stable jockey for Tulloch Lodge. Waterhouse parted ways with leading rider Blake Shinn last week and has immediately begun a search for his replacement with Williams leading the race for the plum job. Williams said there are plenty of things to consider before making any decisions but he “would be mad” not to at least discuss any possible opportunities to work with Waterhouse. “The Gai Waterhouse stable is one of the leading stables in Australia so it would make sense to have a chat to them,” he said. “We have been having an informal chat about things over the past few weeks but there has been nothing decided but there would be plenty of positives in working for her. “I’m sure we will catch up in Sydney this weekend when I ride at Rosehill. “I would need to consider things like the different racing in Sydney and exactly what Gai has in mind before even proceeding too far in any discussions.” Williams gained a wealth of experience in a stable rider role long stint with Hall Of Fame trainer David Hayes that officially ended earlier this year. “I am interested in any stable rider jobs which come up,” he said. “But it’s not really the done thing in Australia for some unknown reason but when it’s done, it is very successful.” Williams’s outstanding work ethic, which includes riding trackwork six mornings a week as well as his ability to ride at almost any weight required would be a great fit for the Waterhouse stable.

Nikolic Cops Fine
The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board have fined top jockey Dan Nikolic $5,000 for failing to comply with a stewards direction. Despite the hefty fine, RAD Board chairman Brian Forrest stopped short of suspending Nikolic’s license after stewards made application for the rider to be banned for six months. Racing Victoria stewards, who are investigating a number of Nikolic’s rides, charged the jockey on February 26 for failing to hand over his mobile phone. Acting on legal advice, Nikolic refused to give stewards his phone after already providing his phone records. In the first session of the hearing on March 5, Nikolic’s barrister, Richard Smith SC, mounted a privacy defence against the charges, arguing not all of Nikolic’s numbers were of relevance to the ongoing investigation and therefore should not be subject to stewards scrutiny. Nikolic had provided stewards with his mobile phone records but was forced to hand his phone over to stewards during Tuesday’s hearing. It is unknown if Nikolic will appeal the fine.

Craig Fying High
Top Melbourne jockey Craig Williams has a punishing midweek schedule ahead of him with rides at Tuesday night’s Hong Kong meeting before mounts on Wednesday at Mornington. Williams will make the nine-hour flight to Hong Kong to partner Tuscan Spirit for Australian trainer John Size in the HK Group II Hong Kong Derby Trial. The reigning Scobie Breasley medallist will also have five mounts in support races with the best of those being Group I winner Dim Sum, also for Size. Williams’ last mount will be at 6:40pm Australian time, which means the jockey must make a quick getaway from Sha Tin to board another nine-hour flight back to Melbourne. “It’s a tough schedule to keep but I love riding in Hong Kong so it’s great to have an opportunity to do it and still ride in the big races here in Melbourne,” Williams said. “The horse I am riding for John Size has a realistic winning chance in both the trial and the Derby so it’s worth the effort.” Williams will have four rides at Mornington including Carrara in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) as well as Blackfriar’s Bridge in the Listed Luxbet Mornington Cup (2400m). “I’ll be able to get plenty of sleep on the plane,” Williams said. “Especially without my little boy waking me up at all hours so I should be fine. “If I manage to ride a couple of winners at each meeting, it will make the trip much easier.”

Growl Wins Group III
The David Hayes-trained Growl has returned to the winner’s circle after an absence of more than three years after outclassing his rivals in the Group III Hobart Cup. Growl’s last win was in the 2006 Winning Edge Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield before a failed stint under the care of Almond Lee in Hong Kong. The son of Montjeu returned to Hayes’ stable in early 2009 with no joy before falling when tried as a hurdler at last year’s Oakbank carnival. Jockey Brad Rawiller was content to allow Growl to find his feet towards to the tail of the field in the first half of the race before the six-year-old strode stylishly around the field to join the leaders on the home turn. Rawiller let Growl have his head with 300 metres to run with the gelding dashing away from his rivals to record a soft four-length win over the Tony Vasil-trained De Fine Lago. Dream Pedlar was the best of the locals, finishing his race off honestly to grab third place. Growl’s win completed a double for Rawiller after he partnered Royal Ida to a strong win for Caulfield trainer Luke Oliver in the Listed Tattersall’s Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m). The Colin and Cindy Alderson-trained Tio Rossa completed a clean sweep of the Hobart features by Victorian-trained gallopers after taking out the Listed Strutt Stakes (2100m).

What A Typhoon
Typhoon Tracy has strengthened her claim of Australia’s best racemare with a predictable win in the Group I Sportingbet Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Starting at the prohibitive price of $1.40, Typhoon Tracy settled behind the natural leader, Danzylum, in the early and middle stages. Jockey Luke Nolen slipped Typhoon Tracy more rein at the 300 metres with the mare finishing off her rivals with a 21.44 second, last 400 metres, to record a 1-3/4 length win. The Mick Price-trained Heart Of Dreams briefly looked a winning chance before claiming second ahead of Sirmione who stuck on well in his first run for a year. “When they are able to run home their last 400 metres in that time, it’s always going to make it hard for the others to run her down,” winning trainer Peter Moody said. The Orr Stakes win was Typhoon Tracy’s third Group I win but her first success in open company after three defeats against the males in the early part of last spring. “It’s good for her to get that first win in open company out of the way,” Moody said. “The second and third horses are Group I weight-for-age winners so we never expected it to be easy. “I think she’s still got nice improvement off the back of that win going forward.” Moody said the only firm plan for the mare was to run her in the Group I Futurity Stakes (1600m) on February 27 before connections decided on a course for the rest of her campaign. The leading trainer said there were “about a dozen reasonable Group I races” to choose from, even before considering any international events. Melbourne Cup winners Viewed and Shocking were unsuited by the slow tempo of the Orr Stakes with Viewed finishing sixth and Shocking eighth.

Griffon Gets Home
A massive class rise hasn’t stopped the promising Griffon from the Bart Cummings stable in the Reduce Your Carbon Hoofprint Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday. The lightly raced four-year-old won his maiden on debut but he handled the step up to benchmark 85 grade and disposed of his rivals in stylish fashion. “I thought I had them covered when the noms came out but I knew I had it won at the 100 metres,” winning jockey Glyn Schofield said. “That was a big step up in class today but he proved there is a bit of upside to him.” After beginning smartly, Griffon sat just off the lead which was being set by the speedy Welkom Gold. On straightening, Schofield bided his time aboard Griffon before setting the gelding alight 200 metres from home and he quickly took over before forging clear in the run to the line. “I didn’t want him going to the front at the 300 metres so I nursed him for as long as possible and when I gave him his head he went straight past them,” Schofield said. Master trainer Bart Cummings was keeping his cards close to his chest following the win suggesting he’ll take the son of Flying Spur along “gradually”. “He’s got a good future,” Cummings said. “I don’t think the hype is necessary at this stage but if he lives up to half of it he’s going to be handy.” What they said: “That win shows the track record was no fluke,” said Glyn Schofield, winning jockey. “He ran a really nice race. He just knocked up late under the big weight,” said Tim Bell, rider of the runner-up, Welkom Gold. “That was a good first-up effort,” said Tommy Berry, rider of the third placegetter, Koichi. “I didn’t see much of what happened out there but we finished fourth so he went ok,” said Kody Nestor, rider of Malambo (4th). “It was too short for him but it was a solid effort,” said Rod Quinn, rider of Bay Window (6th). “I couldn’t see. I’d have to watch the replay to see how he went,” said Tim Clark, rider of Prior Barron (7th). “We were in the barriers forever and he pigrooted as the gates opened and from there we were up against it. Considering he missed the start and we had to do plenty of work, he’s probably gone ok,” said Blake Spriggs, rider of Motspur (8th). The market – The winner Griffon started favourite and had some late support firming from $3.60 to $3.30 while Welkom Gold was the best backed in the race and tightened from $5 to $4.60. Koichi also had his supporters and started at $8.50 after opening at $11 as did Malambo, firming from $11 to $7.50. The on-course market closed at 117 percent.

Williams Outed
Top jockey Craig Williams will be on the sidelines at next Saturday’s Group I William Reid Stakes meeting after being suspended at Caulfield on Saturday. Williams was suspended for 12 meetings after being found guilty of causing interference aboard Carbon Trader in the Selangor Turf Club Handicap. Stewards alleged Williams allowed Carbon Trader to shift in under pressure passing the 300 metres, hampering Old Jock. Old Jock clipped Carbon Trader’s heels, nearly dislodging star apprentice Jason Maskiell. “It was pretty hairy,” Maskiell said. “There was only a slight shift and that was enough for us to be put out of the race.” Williams’ ban starts after he rides Bangerang Quikpic in Monday’s Hobart Cup for trainer Darren Weir and ends at midnight on February 19, clearing the way for the jockey to ride in the Group I Blue Diamond Stakes.


Early Australian TAB information - Tuesday, 26 Jan Track and weather conditions for Australian TAB meetings, Tuesday, 26 January 2010. WA Bunbury TRACK RATING RAIL 3m out FORECAST Mostly Sunny - 30°C Bunbury Races - free form with video comments, racebook, stats for this track and a punters' worksheet. Scratchings - Riding changes for this meeting. VIC Caulfield TRACK RATING Dead 5 - Pen: 5.18 at 25/1 RAIL 9m out FORECAST Late Shower - 30°C Caulfield Races - free form with video comments, racebook, stats for this track and a punters' worksheet. Scratchings - Riding changes for this meeting. NT Darwin TRACK RATING Good - at 25/1 RAIL True FORECAST Late Thunder 32°C Darwin Races - free form with video comments, racebook, stats for this track and a punters' worksheet. Scratchings - Riding changes for this meeting. QLD Doomben TRACK RATING Good 3 - at 25/1 RAIL 0.5 m out FORECAST Mostly Sunny - 32°C Doomben Races - free form with video comments, racebook, stats for this track and a punters' worksheet. Scratchings - Riding changes for this meeting. SA Murray Bridge TRACK RATING Good 3 - at 25/1 RAIL True FORECAST Mostly Cloudy 31°C Murray Bridge Races - free form with video comments, racebook, stats for this track and a punters' worksheet. Scratchings - Riding changes for this meeting. WA Narrogin TRACK RATING RAIL True FORECAST Narrogin Races - free form with video comments, racebook, stats for this track and a punters' worksheet. Scratchings - Riding changes for this meeting. NSW Randwick TRACK RATING Dead 5 - Pen: 6.55 at 25/1 RAIL 4m out 1000m-WP, True Remainder FORECAST Possible Shower - 31°C Randwick Races - free form with video comments, racebook, stats for this track and a punters' worksheet. Scratchings - Riding changes for this meeting. VIC Sale TRACK RATING Dead 4 - Pen: 4.64 at 22/1 RAIL True FORECAST Late Shower - 31°C Sale Races - free form with video comments, racebook, stats for this track and a punters' worksheet. Scratchings - Riding changes for this meeting.




Derby To Monaco Consul
Derby delight – Monaco Consul reigns supreme Clinton Payne Saturday, 31 October 2009 The Mike Moroney-trained Monaco Consul proved to be the superior stayer when winning the Group I AAMI Victoria Derby at Flemington on Saturday. HOME YOU GO BOY: Monaco Consul on his way to victory in the Victoria Derby. Photo: Steve Hart. Moroney paid tribute to the “heady ride” by Corey Brown who had Monaco Consul travelling quietly back on the fence before moving off the rails as the field entered the straight before outstaying his rivals in the run to the line. “It was a great ride,” Moroney said. “He got off the fence at the right time and he ambled on him for a while before going for him and then the horse showed that turn of foot we know he’s got. “You take a bit of a risk when you don’t run for four weeks but we thought we knew our horse and it worked out well.” Brown said Moroney had done a marvellous job to have Monaco Consul primed to run the race of his life after four weeks without a start. “He was the absolute perfect ride,” Brown said. “Mike promised me he wouldn’t have a bad attitude and he was fine. “He’s still a bit bullish and maybe even silly but when the penny drops he’ll be a very smart horse.” The win gave Monaco Consul’s sire High Chaparral his third Group I win of the season after So You Think won last week’s Cox Plate and Monaco Consul won the Spring Champion Stakes earlier in the month. “He goes alright the stallion,” Moroney said. “He’s doing a great job and we’re lucky enough to have brought a half dozen of them. “He’s a stallion we need in this part of the world without a doubt.” The David Hayes-trained Extra Zero got home hard from back in the field to finish in second spot with Viking Legend fighting on gamely after hitting the front at the top of the straight to finish in third. The placings and margins: Monaco Consul (C Brown) 55.5kg ($4.80) defeated Extra Zero (N Rawiller) 55.5kg ($9) by a length with 2-1/4 lengths back to Viking Legend (B Shinn) 55.5kg ($9) in third place. Winner’s breeding – Monaco Consul is a three-year-old colt by High Chaparral (IRE) out of Argante (NZ) (Star Way (NZ)). The time and sectionals – The field covered the 2500 metres in 2.41.68 with the last 600 run in 34.27 seconds. Extra Zero ran the fastest last 600 metres in a time of 33.87. What they said – “I was really worried on the point of the home turn when they sprinted but when the second horse came up inside me I knew my bloke had something left to give,” said Corey Brown, winning rider of Monaco Consul. “He settled really well. I actually took the lead but the winner just had that bit extra,” said Nash Rawiller, rider of Extra Zero (2nd). “He had a good run the whole way. He did a really good job,” said Blake Shinn, rider of Viking Legend (3rd) “He ran great but the winner was a bit too good today,” said Danny Nikolic, rider of Southern Skye (4th). “He was moving up to challenge but they just had too much of a kick left late,” said Hugh Bowman, rider of Rockferry (5th). ”He rallied again when the others went past him. It was a good effort,” said Damien Oliver, rider of Onemorenomore (6th). “Over-raced throughout. Didn’t give himself a chance,” said Peter Robl, rider of Gathering (7th). “He did a great job. He got some prizemoney,” said Mark Zahra, rider of Prinsom (8th). “Very disappointing. He wasn’t the same horse I rode at Geelong,” said Craig Williams, rider of Our Heir Apparent (9th). “He raced like he’s had enough,” said Craig Newitt, rider of Commonage Close (10th) The market – Monaco Consul eased from $4 to $4.80 on track. Extra Zero was also easy in the market, easing from $8 to $9 as did Viking Legend. Rockferry was the best-backed runner in the ring, firming from $4.60 to $4.20. Onemorenomore firmed from $7 to $6 while Our Heir Apparent was tightened from $13 to $12 by bookies. The on-course market closed at 111 percent

Very Bossy
Glen Boss has won a feature race for the second successive day after taking out the GPG Moe Cup at Cranbourne aboard Savquaw. The Moe Cup meeting was transferred to Cranbourne due to the state of the Moe track but the switch proved no barrier to Boss adding to Wednesday’s Group I Thousand Guineas success on the Peter Gelagotis-trained runner. Boss and Savquaw ($8) had no luck early after being caught three-wide for the first 700 metres before the triple Melbourne Cup-winning jockey took the five-year-old forward to sit second when the pace slackened. Darren Gauci aboard the early leader Scenic Find ($19) attempted to steal the race by going for home at the 600 metres but Boss kept Savquaw in touch with the pacemaker. Savquaw had half a length to spare on the post over the Steve Richards-trained Irazu ($31) who showed his first glimpse of form since resuming from a year off the scene with a fast-finishing effort. The David Brideoake-trained 10-year-old Daka’s Gem ($21) battled fairly to finish third after a midfield run.

Winks Set To Make His Mark In HK
Hong Kong-based jockey James Winks says he has taken great confidence from his first stint in Asia's racing capital and can't wait for the new season to begin next month. Winks used Monday's Cranbourne trials to begin his preparation for his return to the toughest jockey environment in the world, riding in four heats, winning one. "Winning a Group 1 so early in my time over there was a great boost for me," he said. "I got noticed early and was able to pick up mounts all the way through the season." The Melbournian rode ten winners in the last Hong Kong season resulting in the HKJC rewarding Winks with another six-month contract, a situation Winks is happy with. "I probably prefer the six-month deal to retain a bit of flexibility," he said. "I'd love to head to Europe if I could find the right deal; I'd love to work in the UK as a retained jockey." Winks said his Hong Kong experience has already made him a "much more complete rider" but he said there are a couple of areas he would like to improve on. "I've been working really hard on selling myself," he said. "Jockey managers aren't allowed over there so I have to chase my own rides, even for trackwork. "It's tough over there but I'm really fit and strong and looking forward to it." Winks returns to Hong Kong on August 23 and is available for rides at Saturday week's Caulfield meeting.

Pompeii On Track
The Mick Price-trained Pompeii Ruler has galloped strongly in preparation for his Singapore Airlines International Cup assignment. After trotting and cantering for a lap of the track, Pompeii Ruler galloped at even time before running home his last 600 metres in 36.9 seconds. Pompeii Ruler was pig-rooting and kicking out behind at trackwork which was a pleasing sign for work rider and travelling foreman Pat Payet. “That was a good sign before his work this morning,” Payet told the Singapore Turf Club website. “I would be more worried if he didn’t do it and by Saturday, the day before the race, he should be even worse. “I know him very well and have travelled with him before. He’s very well in himself and hasn’t put a foot wrong.” Australia’s other Singapore Airlines International Cup representative, the Mike Moroney-trained Sarrera, was given a much easier time on the track on Wednesday. Sarrera galloped strongly on Tuesday and Moroney’s assistant trainer Claire Rayner said the dual Group I winner was in good order, adding Moroney would decide if another gallop would be required before Sunday. Follow a Trainer - Go here to track Mick Price, covering every TAB meeting Australia-wide.