Hi ra sun, Old Comrade was in work some months back in an effort to make a comeback. Reported that he didn’t stand up to the preparation and I assume now officially retired.

22 starts for 6 wins and 8 places, prize money - $1,782,250. Won the Placid Ark Stakes (3yo listed), Fruit “N” Veg Stakes twice (2000 and 2001), Railway Stakes and of course the 2000 Australian Cup defeating Northerly.

Re Woodlore. This fellow has been running on at the end of just about all of his starts – all over 1100m.

On the dam side in particular looks like he could handle a step up in distance. Mother Tristram Power is by Sir Tristram out of Melltrice.

Woodlore first few runs were unimpressive, but then improved dramatically when blinkers were added. His highest rating was achieved 3 starts back (8/3) which he equalled again on the 22/3. At his last start (last Sat) rated only 0.5len below his best, where he was bumped at the start and got well back in a strung out field, making up plenty of ground over the last bit.

Seems to me he takes a while to wind up, so any step up in distance should help.

Also interesting to see that connections removed the blinkers for Saturday’s
run, Woodlore reported as laying out during his previous run.


_________________
All the best from the West

Sandgroper :smile:


[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2003-04-08 12:55 ]

thanks for that mate might have to watch for it at odds over some more ground. sad to hear about old comrade its the only thing ive ever backed that has beaten northerly. but not a bad career all the same.

Hello again ra sun. Woodlore entered for race 1 tomorrow at Ascot. Although he is stepping down in distance (1000m) still has a good chance. I have rated him 1.25len behind my top rated.

_________________
All the best from the West

Sandgroper :smile:

[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2003-04-11 10:54 ]

Some thoughts for tomorrow

R4 AMPHRITITE with Ostraval the danger

R5 DEDICATED MISS with Son Of Vasac and Cent Dancing chances

R6 ANIVARA, ISLAND TEMPTRESS and CRIMSON SAKURA with Tag Jeur??????

Can someone tell me about Tag Jeur and how she races (back, handy etc)

The rail is in close tomorrow so on pace runners prefered.

Thoughts appreciated.

Hoping any rain stays away for this excellent Ascot card highlighted by the WA Oaks. Rail 3m.

R4 – Tricky. I’ll plump for 2 DANGEROUS PLAY because she’s certain to get a good run and racing in same conditions as her 1st up 2rd over the c/d. Doesn’t win often though but at least rove her in all multiples. 8 Heartbeat bit unlucky l.s. just not sure where she’ll settle, 7 Ostraval beat Heartbeat l.s and well drawn.

R5 – Guessing that Harvey had the choice of rides and stuck with 2 DEDICATED MISS. Race on the speed and have an easy run behind Shane’s Boy. Danger is 1 Son of Vasac who is back to a Welter and well in after the claim. 5 Kim Lisa has bad record this distance and needs speed on, today re-united with winning jock McGruddy.

R6 – The 152k WA Oaks. The distance is new to all runners so there’ll be a surprise somewhere. My tip is that the state’s top trainer has employed the state’s top jock for the state’s top 3yof classic. 1 SUPERIOR STAR well drawn, has done a couple of things wrong recently and Harvey’s been given the task on payday. Could settle midfield then pounce on these at the 200m. Island Temptress may lead this time and employ same tactics as when run away winner 2sts ago(though over 1800m). Tag Jeur ran in the MV Oaks l.s, and by Jeune so any rain wouldn’t hurt.

R8 - Could be tougher than first thoughts but I'll go in order 2Zoometric-7Conspirator-1TheRightMoney-3Shirazamatazz. Conspirator is the only proven at the distance, horror draw though.

Top day to all.

Little review and betting flucs from yesterday’s Ascot races.

R1 – Change in tactics for Diffraction(7/4 9/4f) who showed speed to lead till turn then skipped away. 2nd Memphis Spirit(25) put in a much improved showing 1st up. Winner qualified for Karrakatta.

R2 – Another barrier-to-post win, 1st starter Framlingham(10 20) by Bletchley Park, ran much slower time & sectional than R1. The big drifter was 7th World of Fun(7/4 3f) either wet track or not ready or couldn’t lead as excuses. Trifecta paid more than 13k on Supertab.

R3 – Good backing for Warning Tune(3 7/2 13/4f) rushing home beating Summer Surprise(8 10). Andrews has a few good neddies in his stable and 3rd Caribbean Royale(7/2 4) lightly raced looks a good future stayer.

R4 – Two in a row for strong finisher Ostraval(5/2 7/2f) beating the last-start-Geraldton-maiden-5th Price Sensitive(70) by a neck. Soft track and/or blinkers helped.

R5 – Three in a row for Dedicated Miss(3 15/4f) who has found the Ascot 1600 her pet trip. On/Off the pace, 58kg previous start, she’s hot. 5th Son of Vasac(11/2 9/2 5) may have had enough this prep.

R6 – Exciting finish in the Oaks with Harvey lifting Superior Star(5/2 11/4 2f) over the line beating game Crimson Sakura(11/2 7), big gap to 3rd Island Temptress(9/2 11/2). Interesting to see if any of these line up in the Derby.

R7 – Final Prospect(7 11 10) been thereabouts lately, recorded it’s first win in over a year, coming again to beat Dancing Tycoon(10). Gave trainer John Price a winning double. Prince of Charm(3ef) hopefully didn’t handle the track else it was a real shocker and stewards will ask the question about 10th Elegantly Black(9/4 3ef).

R8 – Derby warmup with the track sloshy when this race began. Shirazamatazz(6 7) won on protest after a soft run beating improver Golden Prospect(7) in a 40.34 sectional! Gave Staeck a winning treble and Kersley some consolation after his champ went down again at Rosehill. 7th Zoometric(11/4 13/4f) ran on ok and wouldn’t sack him.

R9 – Plonk of the day landed with Blazing Morn(5/2 3 2f) charging home giving battling Harvey 4 for the day. 5th Kiwi Hombre(7/2 9/2) was 2ndup, has a good record at Belmont Park which begins May 10.

Top week to all.

[ This Message was edited by: red on 2003-04-13 01:54 ]

Karrakatta Plate - 1200m - Sat 19th April 2003

1 Cristobal (B) 0 CL1 56 G E Daly
2 Diffraction (B) 0 CL2 56 G E Daly
3 Driven To Victory (B) 0 MDN 56 V A Brockman
4 Freaky Kontiki (B) 0 CL1 56 G W Webster (Snr.)
5 Laetare (B) 0 CL2 56 E A Martinovich
6 Magic Aces (B) 0 CL5 56 P J Giadresco
7 Shout From Maroof 0 CL5 56 M W Pateman
8 St Magnus 0 CL2 56 C A Stelmach
9 Yarraman (B) 0 CL2 56 B A Curtis
10 Buster's Yousha (B) 0 CL1 53.5 D R Harrison
11 Diamond Dash (B) 0 CL5 53.5 D A Edwards
12 Living Spirit (B) 0 OPN 53.5 A J Mc Evoy
13 Mica Star (B) 0 MDN 53.5 P J Giadresco
14 Oleander (B) 0 MDN 53.5 D R Harrison
15 Rave 0 CL2 53.5 J C Byrne
16 Rose Of Thunder 0 CL2 53.5 D R Harrison
17 Old Sol E 1 0 MDN 56 B Wilkinson
18 Forever Friends (B) E 2 0 MDN 53.5 E A Martinovich
19 Mystic Force E 3 0 MDN 56 J W Price



The McEvoy trained Living Spirit is likely to be the one to beat. Good winner over this distance at both Sandown and Flemington.
_________________
All the best from the West

Sandgroper :smile:



[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2003-04-14 18:22 ]

Karrakatta Plate - 1200m - Sat 19th April 2003 - with barrier draw

1 Cristobal (B) 16 CL1 56 G E Daly
2 Diffraction (B) 1 CL2 56 G E Daly
3 Driven To Victory (B) 11 MDN 56 V A Brockman
4 Freaky Kontiki (B) 19 CL1 56 G W Webster (Snr.)
5 Laetare (B) 5 CL2 56 E A Martinovich
6 Magic Aces (B) 18 CL5 56 P J Giadresco
7 Shout From Maroof 10 CL5 56 M W Pateman
8 St Magnus 9 CL2 56 C A Stelmach
9 Yarraman (B) 2 CL2 56 B A Curtis
10 Buster's Yousha (B) 8 CL1 53.5 D R Harrison
11 Diamond Dash (B) 6 CL5 53.5 D A Edwards
12 Living Spirit (B) 15 OPN 53.5 A J Mc Evoy
13 Mica Star (B) 13 MDN 53.5 P J Giadresco
14 Oleander (B) 17 MDN 53.5 D R Harrison
15 Rave 14 CL2 53.5 J C Byrne
16 Rose Of Thunder 3 CL2 53.5 D R Harrison
17 Old Sol E 1 4 MDN 56 B Wilkinson
18 Forever Friends (B) E 2 12 MDN 53.5 E A Martinovich
19 Mystic Force E 3 7 MDN 56 J W Price


_________________
All the best from the West

Sandgroper :smile:

[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2003-04-15 19:03 ]

Some thoughts for tomorrow.

R4 Brush The Saint with Crystal Clear the danger

R6 Rose Of Thunder and Living Secret withe Shout From Maroof and Yarraman dangers.

R7 Dedicated Miss to win again. Pace rates well and down 3 1/2kgs on last start and 5 1/2 kgs on start before. Danger Early Express

With the rail in its true position it should suit on pace runners

Comments appreciated

Excellent meeting again for Ascot. Champagne racing at Randwick. Ascot Rail True.

R1 – DreamTime Lover to lead Julies Smile and maybe General Grant & Cherry Blossom coming across.Changed thoughts more than once not a good sign. Risking probable fav. Cherry Blossom and having a couple of light bets on the born losers 1 Edition & 3 General Grant. Both a chance at their best.
Virginia Reel looks set to receive a good run throughout.

R2 – 1 Warning Tune is up to 57.5kg but in form and well drawn for back-to-back wins. Bold Endeavour and Super Moss(both with blinkers on today) finished long way behind last week but just going to believe they hated the wet track.

R3 – Tipping the resuming 6 Twilight Spy. Might settle 1out-1back and has a top 1200m record. The fav. Cation has been racing through the classes and up to a Welter today. Drops 4 kg and drawn to be ‘breathing fire’ behind the leader who could be Lady Wild. She returns from Melbourne, won a recent trial and might be primed 1st up.

R4 – Agree General Gym, expecting a fitter 1 Brush the Saint today 3rdup. Will race on pace or lead. Crystal Clear(dual acceptor R7 Mon.) shot past Brush the Saint last start and from bar 2 should have the sweet run again. Improving Mordor is backing up after last week’s good 2nd and might follow Brush the Saint across.

R5 – Going to risk the toppie so I hope it’s the fav. From inside bar. stablemate 3 Beyond Dispute will get the box seat on the speed. Didn’t have great form past 1600m last prep but going well lately. Forget last run of Lakeside Song and he’s a chance, buzz name Abu Dhabi’s last win is over the c/d.

R7 – GrpIII Easter Stakes 1500m. 7 Mogul put in his best ever run l.s and significantly Harvey has jumped off a couple of others that have been good to him. Could settle 4th/5th and the 1500 isn’t a problem. Early Express can have an easy lead and could surprise, Finito will get back of course and is always dangerous. General Gym, big test for Dedicated Miss, happy to risk it.

R8 – Pace in and out will suit the ex-Vic 6 Craigavad. 2nd up today and Harvey on may even settle closer than l.s. Stormy’s Son(dual acceptor R7 Mon.) won 1stp last prep at Belmont and well drawn should settle mid-rear. Any Beat beat Craigavad in same midweek and with claim well weighted, has the blinkers added today.

For Monday I’d give Gilligan’s Girl another chance, R5 8.
Off for a top 4 week holiday, back for Belmont. Hope all have a profitable day.

R1: Pace should be on. Expect Expropriate to be hardest to beat. Cherry Blossom should be given every chance by the pontiff. Julie's Smile & Virginia Reel likely to be good value.

R2: Whose turn is it this week? :lol:
Crystal Halo improving. Bold Endeavour could improve with blinkers added. Elvis Rules & Personal Drum also chances.

R3: Cation to continue on his winning way. Lady Wild, Twin City Girl & Twilight Spy the dangers.

R4: Brush The Saint very hard to beat. Mordor shows promise. Contrabandido & Lombo choice good value chances.

R5: Beyond Dispute very hard to beat, should handle the step up in distance. Malwalkie a danger. Heaps Of Class & Ice Wine also worth thought at likely good odds.

R7: Mogul the one to beat if he repeats his last start effort. Finito & Blevvo big dangers. Mr Tanzania could surprise.

R8: Expect Stormy's Son to go very well first-up. Craigavad & Any Beat the main dangers. Kim Storm a chance at odds.

Nice tip Personal Drum in the 2nd El Gordo - $28.30 / $5.30 - Thanks :wink:

3 winners from 7 races to you red, not bad - TWILIGHT SPY $8.50, LAKESIDE SONG $7.40 & MOGUL $2.40

6 from 7 to you El Gordo, well done - CHERRY BLOSSOM $3.20, PERSONAL DRUM $28.30, TWILIGHT SPY $8.50, CONTRABANDIDO $9.30, MOGUL $2.40 & KIM STORM $6.10.

Keep them coming boys :wink:

Thanks Betty & Paddy. Nice running double on S-TAB (races 2/3) paid $213.60 :grin:


W.A.T.C. DERBY 2400M - Easter Monday

No. Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
1 ZOOMETRIC G W Webster (Snr) S J Miller 12 56
2 SHIRAZAMATAZZ Fred Kersley D J Staeck 6 56
3 CONSPIRATOR Lindsey Smith G L Smith 3 56
4 KING CANUTE Lou Luciani J S Whiting 11 56
5 WOOL ZONE Ross Price P King 9 56
6 KESTREL CALL David Edwards W R Hughes (a) 14 56
7 UNIVERSAL WARRIOR E M Denning W B Arnold 5 56
8 JAUNTY LAD W H Godecke M P Frethey 7 56
9 GOLDEN PROSPECT R N Harvey (Jnr) C K Harvey (a) 2 56
10 CARIBBEAN ROYALE T M Andrews S F Mc Gruddy 13 56
11 LOCAL PRODUCT I J Thompson D A O'Heare 4 56
12 SARAH'S SPIRIT S R Plumb P J Harvey 8 56
13 BULWARK J G Pike P B Farrell 15 56
14 SUPERIOR STAR Neville Parnham S D Parnham (a) 10 53.5
15 CRIMSON SAKURA R W Matthews T K Turner 1 53.5
16 ISLAND TEMPTRESS (NZ) J C Bow Ms A D Sansom 16 53.5

SHIRAZAMATAZZ has been most consistant and beat most of these last start, albeit on a slow track. Meets most he beat that day better at the weights. Expect a big improvement from ZOOMETRIC, back to a dry track & all the better for last hit-out. Expect SUPERIOR STAR & CRIMSON SAKURA who fought out the OAKS last week, to also be in the finish.

Interesting riding selection for Paul Harvey, who I would have thought could have ridden either Superior Star or Conspirator. Climbs aboard SARAH'S SPIRIT, who has gone (since a spell) from 1200m to 1400m to 1600m to 2200m and now 2400m. Must have some ability. Meets Shirazamatazz 2.5kgs worse for a 1.25 length defeat last start.

Courtesy The West Australian website:

The booking of top distance rider Troy Turner on Crimson Sakura is set to turn around a nerve-racking week for the horse's connections by securing victory in today's $300,000 WATC Derby (2400m).

Trainer Robert Matthews said yesterday he was fortunate to have secured Turner after regular jockey John Claite lost his appeal against a careless riding charge last Wednesday night.

"To get such a good rider as Troy at such a late stage was very lucky," he said. "Troy rode the horse for the first time on Thursday and was impressed by how she went. John Claite rode her on Saturday and said she felt very well."

Turner is one of WA's best staying riders. He landed his fourth Bunbury Cup (2200m) when Magic Of Money dead-heated with Yelmar Boy last month.

Crimson Sakura underlined her courage when she engaged in a thrilling duel with Superior Star down the straight to go down a half-head in last Saturday week's WA Oaks (2400m).

Matthews said the horse had taken no harm from the tough run but admitted he would have preferred her to have drawn midfield rather than in barrier one.

"I would have preferred her off the fence because of her racing pattern; she likes to drop back," the trainer said.

"It is up to Troy now to get her in the best position."

WA Oaks winner Superior Star gets the chance to become only the fourth filly to win the Oaks-WATC Derby double. Outstanding stayers Natasha (1990), Old Money (2000) and Honor Lap have been the only fillies to win the prestigious double since the WA Oaks was first run in 1953.

Superior Star, trained by Neville Parnham, gave a gritty performance to beat Crimson Sakura in the Oaks after being headed in the straight.

Parnham's son Steven is back on Superior Star after leading jockey Paul Harvey jumped off to ride Sarah's Spirit.

Trainer Fred Kersley said yesterday he had few worries about Shirazamatazz running out a strong 2400m in the Derby. Shirazamatazz firmed into outright Derby favouritism with his win in last Saturday week's Melvista Stakes (2200m). The Melvista was held in steady rain on a track that was worse than slow.

Golden Prospect was first past the post but lost the race on protest.

"He has finished off his races very well which suggests he should get the distance," Kersley said. "But I guess you never know for sure until they have done it.

"He appears to have done well since his last start and worked well on Saturday morning."

I believe that (1) Zoometric is one of the best 3YOs in WA, and if he can get the distance (I think he will) he will win.

Both (14) Superior Star & (15) Crimson Sakura have proven they can stay, and I'm tipping the later to turn the tables on the former. (now that sound Irish :lol: )


(5) Wool Zone for 4th, does possess above average ability, could be one for the future.

Have left out Shirazamatazz, which I must admit is a bit of a worry. Not entirely convinced will run a strong 2400m.

Field for the W.A. SIRES' PRODUCE STAKES (1400m) at Ascot on Sat. Based on her last start effort Living Spirit looks well suited by the step up in distance. Slight worry drawn wide, either will get well back or could be caught a bit wide.

1 CRISTOBAL (4) G E Daly 56
2 DIFFRACTION (15) G E Daly 56
3 FREAKY KONTIKI (1) G W Webster (Snr) 56
4 LAETARE (12) E A Martinovich 56
5 MAGIC ACES (10) P J Giadresco 56
6 MEMPHIS SPIRIT (6) G D Manolini 56
7 MYSTIC FORCE (7) J W Price 56
8 OLD SOL (18) B Wilkinson 56
9 SHOUT FROM MAROOF (5) Michael Pateman 56
10 SIESTA BAY (13) Fred Kersley 56
11 SOMALI (14) W H Godecke 56
12 ST MAGNUS (9) C A Stelmach 56
13 ALL KEYED UP (2) D R Harrison 53.5
14 DIAMOND DASH (8) David Edwards 53.5
15 LIVING SPIRIT (16) Tony McEvoy 53.5
16 TELL ME DO (3) P D Wagg 53.5
17 E1 SUMMER WAVE (17) R S Taylor 56
18 E2 SPEEDY JECKA (11) Dennis Ramsay 53.5