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.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
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’.
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’.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
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
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
Monday, April 5, 2010
'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.
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.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
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.
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.
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