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.