RODD TAKES GOD’S HAND - 13th November 2008

Michael Rodd will be the rider of God’s Hand when he runs at Sandown on Saturday, taking over from Blake Shinn.  God’s Hand is to start in the Rating 95 handicap and should be suited by the 1700m around Sandown.  He didn’t run up to his previous good winning form when he failed at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day but the way he has gone along since suggests he’s ready to give the lie to that form.   We’ll have one other runner at the Sandown meeting – Antidotes who is to start in the Rating 95 handicap of 1300m and Michael Rodd has also been engaged for him.   Our other representatives at the very successful Victorian meetings; Viewed, our Melbourne Cup winner, Swick, who powered home to beat the sprinters down the Flemington straight 1200m of last Saturday’s G1 Patinack Farm Classic, Moatize, winner of G3 Saab Quality, Sirmione and Mimi Lebrock, both Group 1 placed and Dandaad, who made the carnival one of our healthiest, have all been sent for well deserved spells.   At Rosehill on Saturday (15th Nov), Fivewest, who is in a 1500m handicap for three-year-old who haven’t won two metropolitan races, is also in a 1600m maiden for three-year-olds at Warwick Farm on Tuesday (18th Nov).  We’ll weigh our options after studying the strength of the fields at both venues before deciding which meeting at which he will start.   Also at Warwick farm on Tuesday, we have Comet Watch in a 1300m colts and geldings for non-metropolitan winners, La Marionette in a similar event for fillies and Hey Pretty Katie, who ran third in the Adrian Knox Stakes in the Autumn of this year in a 1300m event, also for non-metropolitan winners.   The following day we’ll have one runner when Kimberley Rose goes around in a 1300m maiden plate at Hawkesbury.   On Sunday Perseid is booked to run in an 1850 maiden at Newcastle with Mitchell Bell his rider.

MORE CUP HOPEFULS HEAD FOR HAWKESBURY 6th November 2008

There won’t be as much hype surrounding the meeting at Hawkesbury on Thursday as was the case last Tuesday but we’re hoping we can snare another cup when Blessus and Mulaman make their trip there.  Two cup races are in the program – the 1600m Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup worth $130,000 and $2,000 in trophies, and the Yalumba Gold Cup, run over 1300m.  It’s prizemoney is $100,000 and trophies also of $2,000 and, while failing short of the $5m of the Melbourne Cup, to which Viewed contributed the major slice for the stable, will go a long way toward paying for the Christmas presents.  The Yalumba Cup is a listed race in which Blessus will be handled by Jeff Lloyd and Mulaman by Craig Agnew.   Down south we’ll be seeking another win in the $1 m VRC Oaks – the feature race on Thursday – when we saddle up Allez Wonder and Think Money.  They may not have form as strong as Samantha Miss and Co. but the 2500m might make up for the difference in class.  Blake Shinn, who gave a faultless display to win the Melbourne Cup on Viewed, will be chasing his first classic win for the stable in which another young rider, Darren Gauci, won his first classic for us on Taj Eclipse 25 years ago.  Blake will be on Think Money while Steven Arnold will handle Allez Wonder.                                                   *          *          * On Friday we have a 13 horse contingent scheduled to trial at Randwick, the most prominent being Swissac.                                                 *          *          * The Flemington spring carnival will wind up on Saturday and we’ll have two representatives there.  In the Group 1 Emirates Stakes over 1600m and worth $1m Mimi Lebrock will take on her toughest task but she’s very classy mare who has been most unlucky not to have an even a more impressive record.  The mare has been on the receiving end of some “tough travelling” in several races but never backs away from a fight and she’s sure to be making her presence felt if luck goes her way.  Swick will be our other representative when he runs in the SWFA Patinack Farm Classic, worth $500,000 and $2,500 in trophies, and run down the straight 1200m, over which he excels.  It’s a group 1 and Michael Rodd has been booked for the mount.                                                 *          *          *          On the homefront on Saturday we’ll have O Danny Boy and Fianchetto in action at Randwick. Daniel Ganderton will ride O Danny Boy when he runs in the 81 ratings handicap over 2000m while Fianchetto will contest the open handicap, also over 2000m, with Craig Agnew the rider.

Viewed gives Bart his 12th Melbourne Cup and 250th Gr 1

The Cups King Bart Cummings has done it for the 12th time in the Melbourne Cup with his stayer Viewed winning the race and giving the master trainer his 250th Group One victory. The victory sent Flemington into raptures when the big screens around the track showed Viewed was holding a nose margin over Bauer as they hit the line. “It’s a nice figure [250 Group Ones], we’ll have to keep improving.” The Hall Of Fame trainer won his first Melbourne Cup in 1965 when Light Fingers beat her stablemate Ziema and he followed it up the next year with another quinella when Galilee defeated Light Fingers. He then did it again in 1967 with Red Handed but was then forced to wait seven years until Think Big went back to back in 1974 and 1975. It was then Gold And Black’s turn in 1977 and Hyperno in 1979, Kingston Rule in 1990, Let’s Elope 1991, Saintly in 1996 and his 11th came from Rogan Josh in 1999. It was also the fourth time he’d combined with his loyal owner Dato Tan Chin Nam after winning with Think Big and Saintly. “I thought after I’d won four or five it can’t get any better than this but I think it might be,” Cummings said. “You just do your best and I’ve been lucky enough to be able to pick the horses and train them, in this case I think Duncan [Ramage] found this one but my whole career has been a joy and I still like it, I reckon it’s terrific. “To be successful in the field you chose, and Dad was a top trainer before me and I learnt most of my things from him so I’m just happy to be here.” The win also gave Sydney’s premier jockey Blake Shinn his first victory in Australia’s Greatest Race and it was Cummings that gave the raw young Victorian kid his first big ride in a Stakes race when they teamed up to win the 2005 VRC St Leger with Accumulate. The win for Shinn was also especially satisfying due to missing the winning Golden Slipper ride aboard Sebring earlier this year due to suspension, which was again the case on Saturday when Northern Meteor took out the Coolmore Stud Stakes. “This is one of the greatest moments in sport to win the Melbourne Cup and to do it for Mr Cummings and give him his 12th winner and 250th group winner I doubt this will be topped,” Shinn said. “It’s an unbelievable feeling I just can’t describe it.” Following the race the plaudits came from everywhere for Cummings who is one of the world’s great trainers. “He’s an amazing man,” Aidan O’Brien said. “You don’t have to ask me about Bart, you guys see it every day, he’s amazing. “I might come over and work for him for a while.” he concluded with a laugh, while Dermot Weld added, “what do you say about Bart, he’s unbelievable”.   Courtesy racenet.com.au

LINDOP TO RIDE MOATIZE IN THE CUP - 1st November 2008

Lindop aims for some more history Clinton Payne - www.racenet.com.au Sunday, 2 November 2008   Adelaide jockey Clare Lindop will try to create some more history on Tuesday when she legs up for the cups king Bart Cummings aboard Moatize in the Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington. The most accomplished lady jockey in the country yesterday became the first woman to win a Group One race on AAMI Victoria Derby day when she took out the main event aboard Rebel Raider. Amazingly Lindop, 29, earlier in the day thought things couldn’t get better when Moatize won the Saab and forced his way into the Melbourne Cup field. “Bill Charles [Bart Cummings Racing Manager] rang me on Thursday morning to tell me I was in the mix and yesterday morning they confirmed I’d be the rider if he got in the field, which he did,” Lindop said. “It will be awesome, I’m very excited, and he’s the master trainer of Cups. “I just hope I get to do him proud. “I think this is my first ride for him, it could be the beginning of something.” Following the Saab win by Moatize, Lindop hunted down winning hoop Michael Rodd to get a few tips about the gelding. “I had a chat to Michael about the horse and he was great,” she said. “I’ll be doing some more research on him until Tuesday. “Michael said one thing is for sure, he’ll run the trip right out which a lot won’t.” Cummings agrees describing Moatize as “a bit of a plodder” but he holds no fears about the gruelling two-mile trip. “The big track was right up his alley and I think the two miles will suit him better,” he said. “You’ve got to be in it to win it.”

Update - CUP CARNIVAL 2008 – THINK AND WONDER - 30th October 2008

The opening day of the four day Flemington spring carnival on Saturday (1st November) will see eight of our hopefuls for the feature meetings in action.  Our two representatives with the VRC Oaks in their sights – Allez Wonder and Think Money – have turned in attractive performances in their lead ups and we will be surprised if they don’t make their presence felt, despite some pretty hefty opposition.   Mark Zahra will have the ride on Allez Wonder and James Winks will handle Think Money.  Both jockeys are riding in very good form and are full of confidence.   Damien Oliver will be on Sirmione when the gelding attempts to make it two successive G1 Mackinnon Stakes and notch up Group 1 win number 250.  Steven Arnold will ride Brisbane Cup winner Viewed, who did not have any luck in the G1 Caulfield Cup, when he opposes Sirmione in the Mackinnon.    Another horse attempting to make it two successive wins in the same race is Swick.  He will be back to his favourite track and distance when he lines up once again in the Salinger Stakes, downgraded to Group 2 last year, when he beat Great Is Great and Typhoon Zed.  Michael Rodd will be in the saddle on Saturday.   Moatize will be making his last ditch stand to gain a G1 Melbourne Cup start in the G3 Saab Quality, and with Blake Shinn suspended until Tuesday, Michael Rodd has taken the ride.  Currently 29th in order after the scratching of Efficient, he will need to win to ensure Cup entry.  James Winks will be aboard Book of Kells in the same race.    Our other big hope on Saturday is the classy mare Mimi Lebrock, who will line up in the G1 Myer Classic, a 1600m Group 1 race for mares, with Michael Rodd the rider.  She is one of the best sprinter / millers in training and has not put a foot wrong since her power packed last start win, after running into trouble on the fence at her previous start.  Our two runners at Rosehill on Saturday will be Tiger Gem and possibly Zazabeau.  Tiger Gem is to start in the 1300m 0-86 ratings handicap for fillies and mares and Daniel Ganderton has the ride.  Zazabeau is in a 2400m 0-91 ratings handicap but he is also in a ratings 0-75 at Randwick on Tuesday.  He is more likely to start Saturday with Peter Robl engaged.    Swissac will be one of four scheduled to step out in barrier trials at Rosehill, weather permitting, on Friday (31st October) as they prepare to resume after spells.  The heats will be over 900m and the other stable runners to make the trip include Empereux and Tyrolese, with these three to be handled by Hugh Bowman.  Another to go into action on Friday will be Giotto, to go around in a 1200m 0-68 ratings for three-year-olds, with Steven Arnold in the saddle at the Moonee Valley night meeting.   Perseid will go to Newcastle on Saturday where he will contest the 1850m maiden with Mitchell Bell the rider.   Four horses are booked to line up in the minor races at Flemington on Tuesday (4th November), with the final makeup of the cup field influencing whether Moatize joins Viewed in the big race.  In the 1800m Cup Day Plate we have booked Blake Shinn to ride God’s Hand, who was unlucky last start and he is also likely to be on Dandaad in the 2800m 0-95 Lavazza Long Black Handicap.  Also in this race is Marjorie and Blake Shinn is to have the mount on her.  Shinn has also been engaged for Antidotes in the 1200m Chubb Sprint.   Three representatives are likely to run at Randwick on Tuesday with Yaqubi in a 1400m three-year-old maiden, Fivewest in a 1600m for non-metropolitan winners and Zazabeau, if he misses a start at Rosehill, a 2400m 0-75 handicap.

SEEKING THE PLATE TO GO WITH HIS CUP - 23rd October 2008

While Cox Plates are never easy to win Sirmione, as a proven weight-for-age performer, looks to have a strong chance of standing up against Saturday’s field (25 Oct).  He is ticking over nicely and his work on the course has convinced us he will be right on target for the race.    We won the race with Taj Rossi back in 1973, then Saintly and Dane Ripper won in successive years – 1996 and 1997 – and Sirmione has proved himself under the weight-for-age conditions with wins in the Group 1 Australian Cup and Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes.  Damien Oliver, who will handle him, was on Dane Ripper and is as good a “carnival jockey” as there is around, is riding with a ton of confidence and landed the last three races, including the Cup, at Geelong yesterday (Wed 22 Oct).   Perseid makes his return to racing in the 1400m maiden for colts, entires and geldings at Thursdays (23 Oct) Hawkesbury meeting and his rider will be Mitchell Bell.   While the Hawkesbury fixture will see only one stable rep., a large contingent is set to trial at Randwick on Friday (24 Oct).  There are 10 horses scheduled to run in the 1050m heats, with most interest centered on the resuming horses such as Swissac, Mulaman and Hey Pretty Katie.    Blessus, who is in tip top form, will saddle up again at the Rosehill meeting.  Glyn Schofield will be in the saddle when he runs in the 1400m Open Handicap.  Fianchetto will also line up in an 1800m 0-81 ratings handicap with Craig Agnew to ride.   At the Werribee Cup meeting, to be held on the Geelong track next Wednesday, we hope to have a couple of starters, including the promising Giotto in a 1400m three-year-old maiden plate.

VIEWED EYEING TWO CUPS - 16th October 2008

We have two contenders aiming for a seventh win in the G1 Caulfield Cup this Saturday (18th Oct), Viewed, winner of the G2 2400m Brisbane Cup in the winter, and the less experienced Moatize, who as fourth emergency seems unlikely to make the field.  Blake Shinn will be aboard Viewed, who missed a valuable lead up race when he was scratched at the barrier as the field lined up for the Yalumba Stakes at Caulfield last week.  Chris Symons is booked for Moatize, who finished 6th at Flemington last Saturday week, however he is more likely to start in the G3 Geelong Cup run over 2400m next Wednesday (22nd Oct).    1966-67 VATC Caulfield Cup Galilee 1969-70 VATC Caulfield Cup Big Philou 1974-75 VATC Caulfield Cup Leilani 1977-78 VATC Caulfield Cup Ming Dynasty 1980-81 VATC Caulfield Cup Ming Dynasty 1991-92 VATC Caulfield Cup Let's Elope   `Let's Elope`   We have five other runners listed to start at the Caulfield meeting.  Think Money (Blake Shinn), who is making her Melbourne debut after being sent down from the Sydney stables, and Allez Wonder (Chris Symons) are both in the Pure Blonde Plate, a 2000m race for fillies.  God’s Hand is scheduled to run in the David Jones Cup, but if he does not make the field for that G3 event, he will go to the Seymour Cup to be run over 1600m the following day.  Michael Rodd has been booked for two runners.  He will be on Roadhog when he contests the 1400m Moonga Stakes and also Mimi Lebrock in the G2 Tristarc Stakes over 1400m where she will appreciate drawing a wider gate this time and blinkers go on.    We will have two two-year-old starters in the 800m Warwick Farm barrier trials on Friday (17th Oct).  Canali, a son of Exceed and Excel and Suyama, a son of Savabeel.    At Saturday’s Randwick meeting Book of Kells will saddle up in the City Tattersalls Cup over 2400m with Grant Buckley the rider.   The stable has had good success in the City Tatts Cup in the past :   2001   1st Philidor 2000   2nd Lyman Hall (by a head) 1999   1st Rebbor 1998   1st Perpetual Check 1997   1st Grand Master   Warwick Farm will be the next venue on Tuesday (21st Oct) and Briolette will be our representative in the 1400m maiden for fillies while at Wednesday’s (22nd Oct) Canterbury fixture, O Danny Boy will contest the 1900m 0-75 ratings and Griffon a 1200m three-year-old for non-metropolitan colts and geldings winners.   Marjorie, who has disappointed in her runs since she finished third in last year’s VRC Oaks, gets the chance to break into the winning list at Geelong on Wednesday, when she runs in a 2400m 0-68 ratings race, while Antidotes (B.Shinn) is well suited in a $50,000 Flying over 1200m.

GETTING WARM IN THE SOUTH - 9th October 2008

With the big meetings ready to roll in Victoria we will kick off with two runners in the G1 SWFA Yalumba Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday (11th Oct).  The proven weight-for-age performer Sirmione will clash with Viewed in the 2000m event and Damien Oliver will have the ride on Sirmione, while Viewed is to be handled by Blake Shinn.  On the same day, Antidotes (D.Oliver) and Roadhog ( M.Rodd) will both run in the 1400m open handicap.    Dandaad is to run in the 0-82 rating handicap (2000m) at Wednesday’s Thousand Guineas meeting at Caulfield with Chris Symons to ride.    We only have the two entries for the Randwick barrier trials on Friday (10th Oct), with Griffon (H.Bowman) going around in a heat over 740m and Perseid to trial over 1050m.  At the Moonee Valley meeting on the same night, we will have Kroner saddling up in a 1000m 0-82 rating handicap with Steven Arnold to ride. He has been declared the 2nd emergency and if he misses a start at the Valley he will run at Caulfield on Wednesday over 1200m.    At Saturday’s Rosehill meeting we have five stable representatives scheduled to run.  Peter Robl has been booked for Mi Casa and Craig Agnew for Dane Flyer when they clash in the 2000m welter, while Robl will also ride Blessus when he runs in a 1400m open and Glen Colless is booked for Sir James in the 0-86 ratings over 1500m.  Craig Agnew has also been booked for Precedence in a 0-81 rating three-year-old over 1400m.    Six horses will go to Warwick Farm for Wednesday’s meeting.  Fianchetto and O Danny Boy are to start in a 1600m one metropolitan win race, Assertive in a 0-81 rating over 1400m, Zazabeau in a similar class over 2200m, Tiger Gem in a fillies and mares 0-75 ratings over 1300m and Fivewest in a three-year-old no metro win over 1300m.

BART CUMMINGS INTERVIEW WITH RACENET

Click on link below for Bart Cummings interview with Craig Thompson from Racenet.com.au    http://www.racenettv.com.au/MakeVid.asp?f=TIM_BartCummings.wmv