Disaster warning for Randwick

Royal Randwick will be declared a disaster zone on Saturday, after ‘Typhoon Tracy’ makes a mess of the Group 1 Doncaster Mile field.

The super mare is shooting for her fifth straight Group 1 victory, and even after drawing a relatively bad barrier, confidence in the camp is still extremely high.

Trainer Peter Moody was delighted with the wide draw, and believes the mare is better suited in this situation.

"If she'd drawn in, she'd probably have to boot up to hold a position, but from there she can just glide across," he said.

"If anything, a wide barrier gives me a touch more confidence".

After avoiding the Coolmoore classic with the mare because of concerns about the heavy weight she would carry, the Doncaster weighting system seemed to please Moody, after initial scares.

"Originally I thought she was badly weighted in comparison to some of the three-year-olds such as More Joyous, but she isn't running."

If the Typhoon does hit Randwick as expected on Saturday, Tracy might just have cemented her title as ‘Horse of the Year’, and those comparisons with the immortal ‘Sunline’ may be justified.

Typhoon Tracy is currently the $2.90 favourite for Saturday’s Doncaster Mile.

Galactic mission for 'Ortensia'

Tony Noonan’s stable star ‘Ortensia’ looks to begin her ambitious Winter campaign stylishly, when she resumes in the Group 1 Galaxy at Randwick on Saturday.

Ortensia will be having her first start since an indifferent Spring, which concluded with her win in the Group 2 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot last November.

Noonan has mapped out an elaborate campaign for Ortensia starting with Saturday's Galaxy in Sydney, before heading to Queensland for a further four Group 1 races.

Queensland was a happy hunting ground for the mare last winter, winning the Group 2 QTC cup at Eagle Farm, and also finishing third to 'Black Piranha' in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.

Noonan is pleased with Ortensia’s work heading into the race, and believes the break has been worthwhile.

"She's been in work for three to four months and has had an ideal preparation," he said.

The four year old tuned up for her return with an impressive three length win over ‘Delago Bolt’ and ‘Stryker’ in an 800-metre barrier trial at Warwick Farm.

"Craig (Williams) flew up from Melbourne to ride her and has been glowing in his reports on her since the day he first rode her," Noonan said.

"He was pretty excited after she won the trial”.

Ortensia is currently the $4 favourite for Saturday’s event.

'Fusakeo' seeking perfection

Gai Waterhouse trained 'Fusakeo' should keep his perfect first up record intact tomorrow, as he steps out in the Hyland race colours Handicap at Canterbury.

The developing son of 'Fusaichi Pegasus' showed he races best when fresh last preperation, winning by three lengths in impressive style at Warwick Farm. After disappointing at his next two starts, Waterhouse felt it best to spell the gelding in readiness for the Autumn.

The four year old looks set for an enormous preperation after trialling well behind talented mare 'Olonana' at Randwick a fortnight ago.

Waterhouse is thrilled with the develoment of her gelding and expects a bold showing in tomorrow's race.

"Fusakeo has come up brilliant this preparation, really focused in his work. He is unbeaten fresh up and has never missed a place over 1200m".

Jockey Nash Rawiller takes the ride, and will look get into some good form before Saturday's big ride on Doncaster second favourite 'Rangirangdoo'.

Fusakeo is currently rated as a $2.30 favourite for the race.

Super Mare draws wide

'Typhoon Tracy' has hit her first hurdle in an attempt for a perfect Autumn, by drawing barrier 14 in the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap on Saturday.

After winning her previous three starts with ease, the mare remains the favourite for the race with fellow contenders 'Black Piranha', 'Danleigh' and 'Rangirangdoo' also drawing wide.

Previous winners 'Vision and Power' and 'Triple Honour' drew barriers eight and two respectively.

1 Theseo (17) $16
2 Danleigh Hugh Bowman (15) $6
3 Typhoon Tracy Luke Nolen (14) $3
4 Black Piranha Jim Cassidy (18) $26
5 Rangirangdoo Nash Rawiller (10) $7
6 Vision And Power Michael Rodd (8) $61
7 Road To Rock Damien Oliver (1) $23
8 Wall Street Opie Bosson (7) $26
9 Allez Wonder Michelle Payne (12) $35
11 Mentality (5) $35
12 Brilliant Light Jay Ford (16) $17
13 Miss Marielle Tommy Berry (9) $101
14 Centennial Park Craig Williams (19) $35
15 Walking Or Dancing Glen Boss (21) $71
16 Palacio De Cristal Peter Wells (3) $13
17 Drumbeats Kerrin McEvoy (20) $81
18 Prima Nova Daniel Ganderton (4) $35
19 Snapy Halo Jason Maskeill (11) $26
20 Tobique Craig Newitt (6) $61
Emergencies
21 Recoup De Fortune Brenton Avdulla (13) $71

'Shoot Out' goes bang!

'Shoot Out' answered critics who questioned his ability to stay 2400m, producing a dominant display to win the Group 1 AJC Derby on Saturday.

After settling near the rear of the field, Shoot Out surged through the field over the last 400m, running away from Gai Waterhouse's former New Zealand gelding 'Descarado'.

Victorian Derby winner 'Monaco Consul' was left in third place, with favourite for the race 'Zabrasive' having his chance but only battling in the straight, finishing fourth.

Trainer John Wallace was convinced Shoot Out would stay the distance, and now the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups would be his priorities in the spring.

“This is my best horse. Some great horses and good trainers have won this race so I feel pretty humble”.

Jockey Stathi Katsidis bounced back a week after Golden Slipper favourite 'Military Rose' disappointed on the main stage, producing a text book ride.

Katsidis believes Shoot Out has the potential for more Group 1 glory, and is definitely looking forward to a Melbourne Spring campaign.

"He could be a champion," Katsidis said.

"I know it's a word that's thrown around a bit but he's got the breeding, he's won over 2400 metres now and he could even run two miles down the track".

Shoot Out has now won five races from his eleven starts and has amassed more than 1.3 million dollars.

Seventh times a charm

One of Australia’s best mares is still without a Group 1 victory, but will look to break her drought this Saturday in the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick.

‘Hot Danish’ is one of Sydney's favourite racehorses but a Group 1 victory has proved elusive so far from six previous attempts at the top level.

After what was a disappointing spring campaign in Melbourne, with the mare clearly not at her peak, Hot Danish was back to her best in the Group 2 Canterbury Stakes three weeks ago.

Trainer Les Bridge was confident as ever heading into that race, and is hopeful of the mare carrying her form into this Saturday.

"She seems to have come back as good as ever and I'm looking forward to Saturday and hopefully getting that Group One".

The forecast rain may prove to be the only thorn in her side, as her blistering turn of foot can be negated in heavier track conditions.

Jockey Tim Clark agrees, and is praying the rain stays away, so Australia can see the glamour mare at her best.

"A good to dead track would be my preferred surface with her, that will give her every possible chance".

Hot Danish is currently a $2.80 favourite for the TJ Smith, with Greg Eurell trained ‘Mic Mac’ on the second line of betting at $3.20.

Oaks winner ready for the Derby

New Zealand Oaks winner ‘Keep the Peace’ is set to wreak havoc in Saturday’s AJC Derby, and become just the ninth filly to win the prestigious staying test.

Trainer Shaun Ritchie has always had a high opinion of his horse, and believes that she is a great chance to secure Australian Group 1 success.

After discussing with co-owner Paul Bellingham about a trip to Sydney, Ritchie agreed that this years Derby is not as strong as once thought and seemed a logical option.

"There is certainly no dominant colt or gelding and we know that our filly gets the distance,” Ritchie said.

With showers expected to arrive on Saturday, Ritchie’s confidence has gained momentum. Her wet form includes a six length win in heavy going at Trentham last spring, showing the fillies liking to some cut in the ground

“I would hate to see the Derby run on a heavy track and not have her in the field," Ritchie said when revealing plans for the filly to New Zealand media.

Whatever the state of the track on Saturday, expect to see the super filly right in the finish, showing the Australian audience her blistering turn of foot.

Keep the Peace is currently rated a $9.50 chance, fourth in betting behind sturdy favourite ‘Zabrasive’.

Favourites draw well for Derby

Today's barrier draw for the Group 1 AJC Derby could not help punters seperate the top three runners, with all drawing well for Saturday's feature.

John O'Shea trained 'Zabrasive' drew perfectly in barrier 3 with Bart Cummings trained 'Rock Classic' and John Wallace's 'Shoot Out' also drawing well in barriers 7 and 9 respectively.

TAB Sportsbet has released its fixed odds for the final field.

ZABRASIVE (3) 3.00 1.42
ROCK CLASSIC (7) 3.80 1.58
SHOOT OUT (9) 5.50 1.94
HANDSOME ZULU (11) 11.00 3.10
DESCARADO (8) 12.00 3.31
KEEP THE PEACE (10) 15.00 3.94
MONACO CONSUL (4) 18.00 4.57
COUNT ENCOSTA (1) 18.00 4.57
EXTRA ZERO (5) 35.00 8.15
SHERPA TENZING (13) 61.00 13.63
LANDLOCKED (15) 61.00 13.63
SAINT ENCOSTA (14) 71.00 15.73
SUYAMA (12) 101.00 22.05
CEDARBERG (6) 151.00 32.57
HOME ON A WING (2) 151.00 32.57

'It's A Dud' wins Easter feature

Patrick Payne added to his flourishing resume on Monday, when 'It's A Dud' outstayed his opposition to win the Great Eastern Steeplechase

After landing his biggest win as a trainer with 'Capecover' in the Group 2 Adelaide Cup last month, Payne showed his versatility by securing today's prestigious 4950m jumping test.

Payne set It's A Dud a specific plan for this years edition of the race, after the seven year old ran an encouraging fifth to 'Pentacolo' in last years event.

The gelding indicated he was going well in the lead up to Oakbank carnival with a 2211m flat win at Balaklava, before running second to 'Frenzilian' in a 3250m Oakbank Steeple, both last month.

After running sixth in a 3600m flat event on Easter Saturday, It's A Dud gave Payne all the signs that he would run out the Great Eastern's 4950m marathon distance.

Ridden by Steven Pateman, It's A Dud wore down the John Wheeler trained 'Yamanaura' to score by 1-1/4 lengths.

Last year's runner-up 'Mephistopheles' faded late, but managed to finish 3-3/4 lengths away third.

The win was Pateman's second in the Great Eastern Steeple which he also claimed aboard Conzeal in 2008.

Boss confident with 'Speed Gifted'

‘Speed Gifted’ will attempt to emulate last years AJC Metropolitan handicap triumph when he steps out in Saturday’s Group 1 the BMW at Rosehill.

Speed Gifted won the Group 1 Metropolitan in Sydney the last time he stepped up to the BMW’s distance of 2400m and will be greeted with similar heavy track conditions on Saturday.

Jockey Glen Boss believes that Saturday’s track conditions will go a long way to determining the Lee Freedman trained gelding’s chances stating,

"On a firm track he's not the same and won't be at home but if he gets a surface to his liking I imagine he could win the race".

Boss has won The BMW aboard ‘Makybe Diva’ in 2005 and on ‘Eremein’ in 2006, but is wary of five-time Group One-winning warhorse ‘Theseo’. His only hope is the Gai Waterhouse-trained runner is not as strong at 2400m as he is at the mile.

"Theseo is obviously the measuring stick but I would say this horse (Speed Gifted) is going to be more at home over the mile and a half than Theseo," Boss said.

Speed Gifted is currently rated at $5.00 for the Group 1 event.