Runners to watch (28/02)

Response

Easily the unluckiest runner in the Oakleigh Plate, the disappointment in both trainer and jockey's voices post-race was very evident.

She will certainly appreciate a longer trip, and with clear running room, Response will be go very close to gaining Group 1 success this Autumn.

Linton

The lightly raced gelding may have only run ninth in the St George, but he was storming home late alongside 'Moudre' in the final 200m, and a big Australia Cup showing would not suprise.

Linton still has plenty of developing to do, so anything he does in this campaign looks to be a bonus before his Spring assault.

Quarterbar

First up over 1200m looked far too short for the colt, and after being posted three wide for the trip, battled on gamely to finish fourth.

He certainly looks to have returned stronger this preperation, and once over more ground will be winning.

Caulfield - Blue Diamond (26/02)

Caulfield - Blue Diamond

Race One
3.Eclair Mystic - 6.Too Deadly - 2.That's Not It - 1.Stirling Grove

Race Two
2.Above Average - 1.Scenic Shot - 8.Vesper - 5.Down Under Boy

Race Three
5.Pinker Pinker - 2.Zelsnitz - 3.Jesse's Girl - 6.Sayahailmary

Race Four
1.Almindoro - 3.Kim Divine - 10.Muirfield - 2.Domesky

Race Five
5.Doubtful Jack - 8.More Joyous - 1.Whobegotyou - 2.King Mufhasa

Race Six
13.Hichinbrook - 1.Catapulted - 2.First Command - 5.Shellscrape

Race Seven
4.Delago's Lad - 1.Sepoy - 11.Holdontoyahorses - 10.Spectrolite

Race Eight
3.Ginga Dude - 1.Shocking - 2.Heart Of Dreams - 5.Trusting

Race Nine
6.Red Flair - 10.Perfect Hostess - 1.Culminate - 8.Mont Fleuri

Best Bet
Race 1 No 3 Eclair Mystic

Best Roughie
Race 3 No 5 Pinker Pinker, Race 5 No 5 Doubtful Jack

Quaddie
1,2,3,5,13,16/1,4,11/1,2,3/1,6,8,10
$54 for 25%

Opinion: 'Sepoy' certainly not invincible

'Sepoy' the $1.60 favourite for Saturday's feature race, the Group 1 Blue Diamond, may look to be unbeatable, but as in all 2 year old racing this is far from the truth.

'Sepoy' has demolished his rivals at his last two starts, and has looked as professional as any juvenile in recent history, hence starting a heavy favourite for the race. But betting on 2 year old racing is fraught with danger, as often punters get carried away with the media hype surrounding one individual horse – and take their eye off the ball with the problems surrounding these youngsters.

Because these young horses run on fear and adrenalin, it is nearly impossible to predict how they will react to certain situations in big races. Whether it be running through a small opening, or coming off of opponents heels in the final metres, uncertainty certainly play's it's role, and the jockey becomes of vital importance in these tight situation.

Keep in mind the affect a new jockey, Kerrin McEvoy, will have on the horse. Mark Zahra has ridden the horse at every start and knows all of the quirks the colt may or may not have. Come Saturday when McEvoy asks for one final effort of Sepoy, will the colt notice a difference in his hands, in his riding style? It is impossible to know.

One major factor in the performance of these juveniles is shin soreness, as it has no boundaries and can pull up the heavily backed favourite or the despised outsider of the field.

Whilst it regularly affects horses as old as four or five, shin soreness is far more prevalent in a 2 year old horse, as that young horse’s bones are still developing.

When shin sore, a youngster will run like a Camel.

Shin soreness is, in reality, a hairline fracture of the cannon bone, so it’s quite a serious injury – yet it is a regular occurrence in the 2 year old – and some of the best 2 year old’s in the country have been beaten at long odds on, simply through shin soreness.

Punters need to be aware that this problem exists – as it’s a silent murderer of your money, as there is no visible way for the poor hapless punter to know the horse is shin sore before it enters the barrier.

One final thought before departing with your hard-earned on Saturday. Remember the Blue Diamond two years ago and a colt by the name of 'Real Saga'.

The most bombproof juvenile in the country appeared to be Real Saga, the horse who had it all; a turn of foot, composure under pressure and courage. After dominating the lead up races in Melbourne and Sydney, Real Saga didn't win either the Blue Diamond or the Golden Slipper. He was clearly the best racehorse, but problems in both races lead to him losing, and the money of the nation washed away.

I'm not saying it is impossible for Sepoy to win the Blue Diamond on Saturday, as he may prove to be the superstar of this year. But taking the short odds of $1.60 come race day seems imprudent.

Remember, no matter what the media say, there is no such thing as a certainty in racing.

Stud deal close for 'Captain Sonador'

Owner of Epsom Handicap winner 'Captain Sonador', Greg Wagner, is close to finalising a stud deal ahead of his upcoming Group 1 campaign in Sydney.

Roger Milne, who trains Captain Sonador, revealed a Queensland stud was now the front-runner to secure a 50 per cent stake in Captain Sonador for the next breeding season.

The four year old will have only two runs in a brief Autumn campaign, appearing in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill and the time honoured Group 1 Doncaster Mile at Randwick in April.

He will then have two Brisbane runs, in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 in May before his finale in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm in June.

"The stud people are coming to have a look over him today and if the deal goes through he'll have his final run in the Stradbroke", Milne said.

Milne warned autumn carnival rivals that Captain Sonador was in better shape now than when he claimed the Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick last October.

"I think he's a better horse now than when he won the Epsom", Milne said.

"He's a lot stronger and is getting better with age".

Captain Sonador has raced 27 times for 6 wins and upwards of $700,000 in prizemoney.

Flemington 19/02

Flemington 19/02

Race One
8.Riverbank - 5.Almahaab - 1.Redangelo - 9.Hollyweird

Race Two
14.Vesper - 1.Larry's Never Late - 9.King Diamond - 6.Pass Me By

Race Three
17.Verdasco - 3.Diplomatic Force - 12.Belgietto -9.I'm Discreet

Race Four
5.Southern Speed - 8.Do Ra Mi - 9.Absolutely - 2.Precious Lorraine

Race Five
11.Bullbars - 8.Enjin Number Nine - 4.Dusty Star - 13.Liveandletdie

Race Six
7.Black Caviar - 9.Crystal Lily - 1.Hay List - 2.Grand Duels

Race Seven
8.Eraset -12.Niblick - 9.Offenders - 2.Rockpecker

Race Eight
15.Studley Park - 3.The Wingman - 7.Mount Everest - 8.Rubinacci

Best Bet
Race 8 No 15 Studley Park

Best Roughie
Race 5 No 11 Bullbars

Quaddie
1,2,4,8,11,13/7/2,4,6,8,9,12/15
$36 for 100%

Mornington Cup (16/02)

Mornington Cup

Race One
14.Timber Cat - 6.Domesky - 3.Teretoa - 5.Derisive

Race Two
11.Spirit Of Sienna - 7.Kya - 2.Royal Action - 6.Salafaith

Race Three
4.Perlight - 3.Glancing - 10.Gypsy Rock - 2.Forward Miss

Race Four
8.Tully Tithe - 1.Luckyi'mbarefoot - 3.Portland Success - 2.On Face Value

Race Five
12.Eureka Jack - 6.Pimpernel - 9.Lonreighn - 10. Morossa

Race Six
1.Delago's Lad - 6.Bulwer Way - 2.Masthead - 12.Armour Cache

Race Seven
9.Zedi Knight - 5.Launay - 2.Captain Coltish - 15.Little Gem

Race Eight
11.Shewan - 3.Cedarberg - 1.Macedonian - 4.Guyno

Race Nine
6.Far To Go - 8.Royal Inquest - 7.Keep Cool - 9.Mining Magnate

Race Ten
1.Adaptor - 6.Second Effort - 8.Lazari - 15.Merryvale

Best Bet
Race 6 No 1 Delago's Lad

Best Roughie
Race 3 No 4 Perlight

Quaddie
2,5,8,9,15/1,3,4,11,13/4,6,7,8,9/1,6
$50 for 20%

Typhoon Tracy retired

Typhoon Tracy, winner of 2009/10 Australian Horse Of The Year, has been retired.

Following the news of One Last Dance being withdrawn from the upcoming Blue Diamond Stakes, trainer Peter Moody announced the mare would be sent to stud following her win in Saturday’s CF Orr Stakes (1400m).

Typhoon Tracy has raced 20 times for 11 wins and five placings.

She retires as a six-time Group 1 winner with over $2.4 million in prizemoney.
- More to follow

'Playing God' Melbourne bound

After a breathtaking first-up win at Ascot on Saturday, Perth's star three year old, 'Playing God', will be tested against the country's best over the Melbourne Festival of Racing.

Ridden confidently by Steven Parnham, Playing God cruised home to beat 'Luckygray' in the $125,000 Magic Millions Perth 3YO Trophy over 1400m, at his first start since he beat the older horses in the Group 1 Kingston Town Stakes in early December.

Trained by Neville Parnham, Playing God is now set to embark on a trip to Melbourne for the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington in three weeks.

"It was a pretty good win", Parnham said with a wry smile on his face.

"Steve was able to get him into a perfect position particularly with the conditions favouring the on speed runners",

"He put him right into the race at the corner and he was always going to win the race from that point on".

Parnham seemed confident that he'd done enough to prove himself as a genuine contender in the Eastern states.

"He's done it all here. Now if he's able to go to and win a race like the Australian Guineas it would take him to another level".

As well as the Australian Guineas, Playing God holds an entry for the Group 1 Australian Cup where he would be well suited at the weight for age conditions.

The Western Australian bred 'Blackfriars' colt sent his earnings past the $700,000 mark with his sixth win at just his tenth start.

Autumn plans changed for 'Shoot Out'

John Wallace’s stable star ‘Shoot Out’ has had a change of heart regarding the dual Group 1 winner’s upcoming campaign, deciding to resume this autumn in the T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 9.

Shoot Out will likely have two starts in Sydney during the autumn carnival over shorter trips before the four-year-olds campaign head’s north to Queensland.

Shoot Out's first Queensland run over the winter will be in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes run over 1800m at his home track on May 7, prior to a tilt at more Group 1 success in the Doomben Cup over 2020m a fortnight later.

The four-year-olds proposed campaign is the same path ‘Metal Bender’ took last season, when he claimed the Hollindale Stakes and Doomben Cup double.

In November, as reported on Talking Turf, trainer John Wallace stated a trip to Sydney over the autumn was unlikely after Shoot Out's lengthy spring campaign, suggesting that Shoot Out would have a lengthy break and be aimed at only the Queensland carnival.

Shoot Out is expected to have at least one trial prior to resuming however Wallace is unsure whether it will be in Sydney or Brisbane.

'Battlefield' euthanised after freak accident

Smart sprinter Battlefield has had to be euthanised after breaking a shoulder in an exhibition gallop yesterday at Scone.

Trained by Paul Messara, the lightly raced gelding was on the comeback trail and close to returning to the races.

Galloping in between races, he put a foot wrong on the corner and broke down, with rider Brett Marshall crashing heavily and breaking both his collarbone and a leg.

“It's been a terrible 24 hours”, Messara said.

“He'd had a couple of jumpouts at home and was there to have a nice gallop away from home. He was 100 per cent and just about ready to go",

“He was just cruising around, not running any time, but on the corner just put his foot in a hole at the wrong angle. He fractured a shoulder and unfortunately had to be euthanized".

The son of Choisir raced only seven times for five wins and just over $200,000 in prizemoney. Battlefield won his last four races, with the last being the Listed Ramornie Handicap at Grafton in July.

Roehill Gardens (05/02)

With todays Caulfield meeting being abandoned due to the heavy rain around Melbourne last night and today, Talkinturf has headed interstate, where a few short priced favourites and a few long shots should provide us with some play money for the weekend.

Race One
1.Helmet - 2.Head For The Stars - 7.Abound - 4.Moment To Remember

Race Two
4.Somepin Anypin - 5.Shootoff - 1.Fast Clip - 1.Startsmeup

Race Three
2.Storm Kite - 3.Viva Las - 10.Mishkish - 6.Grager

Race Four
9.Bandar - 2.Fusakeo - 3.Lone Command - 7.Our Cannavaro

Race Five
8.Triple Elegance - 12.Juvenlies - 2.Faulconbridge - 4.Strat's Flyer

Race Six
6.Centennial Park - 8.Hot Danish - 2.Love Conquers All - 4.Border Rebel

Race Seven
8.Ofcourseican - 7.Mighty Obvious - 4.Zaratone - 11.Just Been Lucky

Race Eight
4. American Crew - 3.Lucky Elmo - 8.Honest Lies - 7.Saint Encosta

Best Bet
Race 2 No 4 Somepin Anypin

Best Roughie
Race 4 No 9 Bandar

Quaddie
2,8,12/6,8/4,7,8,11/3,4,8
$50 for 69.4%

The 'Australian Turf Club' finalised

The merger between the Sydney Turf Club and the Australian Jockey Club has now been finalised, with the NSW Government today announcing the Australian Turf Club will officially start operating on Monday next week.

Gaming and Racing Minister Kevin Greene announced this morning that the merger process between the Sydney Turf Club and the Australian Jockey Club had now been finalised.

“The creation of the Australian Turf Club Limited, NSW's new major racing club, is one of the most significant developments in the history of NSW racing”, Mr Greene said.

“We have completed an essential step to secure the ongoing viability of NSW racing”.

Mr Greene joined Chairman Elect John Cornish, CEO Elect Darren Pearce, Racing NSW Chief Executive Peter V'landys and Racing NSW Chairman Alan Brown at the announcement.

“Today is a day of celebration for our world-class racing industry and its 50,000 participants”, Mr Greene said.

“The NSW Government has secured a $174million funding package to renovate and revitalise Sydney's most iconic tracks, Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick, as part of this major racing reform",

“This is an important opportunity for the industry and NSW economy, which benefits from the $1billion racing brings to the State each year”.

Australian Turf Club chairperson John Cornish said the day celebrated a bringing together of a shared history of Sydney racing going back more than 200 years.

“I look forward to watching the continued rise of NSW racing and the Australian Turf Club for years to come”.

Blue Diamond third acceptances announced

63 horses are left to contest the Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield on February 26, following third acceptances.

The sponsers of the Blue Diamond have 11 runner left in contention, including unbeaten 'Pane In The Glass', the Inglis Classic winner who last week was named as an unlikely starter despite her outstanding six length win at Rosehill.

Impressive Blue Diamond Preview winners 'Sepoy' and 'One Last Dance' are also amongst the third acceptances, indicating a trip to Melbourne may still be on the cards for the scintillating filly.

Five-time Blue Diamond winning trainer David Hayes has the second highest number of two-year-olds remaining behind Patinack with eight, four of which are by champion sire 'Redoute's Choice'.

If either of the Preview winners, Sepoy and One Last Dance, can win either of the Preludes, they will be alive to win a $1 million bonus if they can complete the clean sweep by capturing the Blue Diamond.

The Blue Diamond Preludes will be run over 1100m at Caulfield on February 12.