'Rocket Man' heading Down Under?

International sprint sensation 'Rocket Man' has been targeted by Racing Victoria for the two Australian legs of the Global Sprint Challenge early next year.


Leigh Jordon, Racing Victoria racing operations manager, has sent details of the Group 1 Lightning and Australia Stakes to the trainer of Rocket Man, Patrick Shaw.

Shaw has displayed a willingness to travel Rocket Man, a winner of 10 of his 13 starts.

Rocket Man finished second in the 1200m Golden Shaheen in Dubai in March and he's currently in Hong Kong preparing for the Hong Kong Sprint.

Jordon also mentioned that Hong Kong sprinter 'Little Bridge', a close third behind dead heat winners Rocket Man and 'One World' in the Cathay Pacific Jockey Club Sprint, was another horse of interest.

Little Bridge won his first five starts before finishing a half length second behind Rocket Man and One World.

The Australian legs of the Global Sprint Challenge have failed to attract any serious overseas interest since 'Cape Of Good Hope' won the 2005 Australia Stakes and ran third behind 'Takeover Target' in the 2006 Lightning Stakes.

Autumn Carnvial shake up

The state government and Events New South Wales have joined forces with Sydney's racing bodies to re-brand their autumn carnival.

Sydney Carnival, The Thoroughbred Experience, will take effect in 2011 as one of five signature events on the NSW Events calendar joining, New Year in Sydney, Vivid Sydney, Crave Sydney International Food Festival and the Sydney International Art Series.

With Golden Slipper Day and Derby day being held on consecutive Saturdays with all racing being Group 3 level or above, a stellar racing atmosphere is certainly going to be created.

Racing minister Kevin Greene is certainly excited about the future of racing in NSW.

"What we have achieved for the racing industry in New South Wales in recent times will provide a solid foundation for its future stability and growth".

Greene also said that the Sydney Carnival was about more than just the racing.

"We invest in the Sydney Carnival because it is exactly the kind of event that drives interstate and international visitors to Sydney, it creates jobs, vitality and buzz and enhances Sydney's place as Australia's number one tourism destination".

Queensland Jockey to undergo counseling

In the wake of the Robl and Shinn betting scandal, A Queensland jockey must undergo counseling for a gambling problem after he was suspended for also betting on thoroughbred races.

Lyle Finlay was given a three month suspension and fined $1000 during an inquiry on Monday.

Finlay pleaded guilty to the charges of; making a false statement to a Queensland steward, and placing bets at a 'Beaudesert hotel' TAB facility earlier this month.

Finlay's suspension will end on March 3 but before he is re-issued his jockey's license, he must produce evidence to show he attended a Gamblers Anonymous course.

A Racing Queensland statement said, " ... he would have to produce a certificate to stewards to show that he has attended an accredited Gamblers Anonymous course to indicate that the course was successful and he has overcome his gambling addiction".

Finlay's ban comes as Gold Coast jockey Daniel Griffin prepares to front a betting related inquiry in Brisbane on Thursday.

Sydney jockeys Blake Shinn and Peter Robl were last week given long bans for their part in a betting scandal.

Shamash eyes Group success

Lightly raced gelding 'Shamash' is being set for a tilt at the Group 2 Villiers Stakes, if all goes to plan in the Listed Festival Stakes this Saturday.

Shamash showed talent early on in his career, but injuries took their toll after he ran second as favourite to his debutant stablemate 'So You Think' at Rosehill early last year.

With feet and testosterone issues, Shamash was out of action for 18 months. In that same period of time, So You Think won two Cox Plates and established himself as a champion of the turf.

On the eve of So You Think racking up his fifth Group 1 victory in the Mackinnon Stakes on October 30, Shamash, who had been recently gelded, made a winning return at Canterbury and backed that up with another victory at Rosehill a fortnight later.

"We'll nominate him for the Festival Stakes and see how he works on Tuesday and Thursday", Cummings said.

"If he is to run in the Villiers he would have to run in the Festival.

"He's very well and we'll just see what happens".

The Listed Festival Stakes run over 1500m is at Rosehill, while the Group 2 Villiers Stakes over 1600m is at Randwick on December 18.

No Autumn for 'Shoot Out'

Group One winner 'Shoot Out' has been ruled out of making an appearance in next year's Sydney autumn carnival.

Last Autumn carnival Shoot Out showed his class claiming the Group One AJC Australian Derby and Randwick Guineas in Sydney.



After a good, yet frustrating Melbourne spring campaign the gelding will bypass the autumn in favour of the Brisbane winter.

Trainer John Wallace said he had spoken with Shoot Out's owners Graham and Linda Huddy and decided that a decent spell was the best thing for the horse.

"He'll come into my place in early January and he'll do his racing in the winter here in Queensland", Wallace told Sydney's Sky Sports Radio.

"He won't have a lot of starts and then we'll go to Melbourne again".

Shoot Out's main Queensland targets will be the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast and then the Group 1 Doomben Cup.

The winner of seven of his 19 starts, Shoot Out has accumulated almost two million dollars in prizemoney.