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News and Events Calendar |
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Quaddie Jackpot For Cup Day
February 9, 2007
Super TAB punters have an added incentive to try
their luck on Sunday's massive Hankook Tyres
Hunter Cup meeting at Moonee Valley - a Quaddie
jackpot.
A partial jackpot of $21,017.90 carries over
from yesterday's Kilmore meeting after punters
only managed to claim a percentage of the
Quaddie pool.
Sunday's Moonee Valley Quaddie will be conducted
on Races 6 thru 9 and commences at 3.45pm (AET)
with the Swifts Signs M1-M3 Pace.
The Quaddie will also take in the Sky Channel
Australasian Trotting Championship Final and the
Sky Channel Free For All before culminating with
the $500,000 Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup at 5.35pm
(AET).
Super TAB punters are also advised that the
Daily Double will be conducted on the Group 1
double of Races 7 & 9 instead of the usual
combination of Races 5 & 7. |
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Douglas Switches Seats
February 9, 2007
Australia's premier reinsman Daryl Douglas will
drive Toe Taper in Sunday afternoon's $500,000
Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup at Moonee Valley.
Douglas, 34, has surprised many by jumping off
the state's in-form pacer Sting Lika Bee to
drive a $21 outsider in the world's richest
handicap.
The decision has been made out of loyalty to the
connections of Toe Taper who gave the Bendigo-based
reinsman his first Miracle Mile drive on the
pacer last November.
One of two Tracy Moule-trained runners in the
Cup, Toe Taper boasts a Kilmore Cup placing at
his only standing start and is first up since
finishing ninth in last month's Inter Dominion
Grand Final in Adelaide.
The big winner in the move is dual Hunter Cup
winning reinsman Chris Alford who last night got
the call up to pilot Sting Lika Bee for trainer
Brian Tuddenham.
"I was a bit surprised to get the call because
I've never driven the horse and others have, but
Daryl recommended me when he decided to drive
Toe Taper," Alford said.
"Obviously I'm delighted to drive him because
he's right up their with the best chances in
this race. He's been racing super and Brian
tells me he's trained on well since the Ballarat
Cup (last Saturday night) so I'd expect him to
run a great race."
A winner at his past four starts, Sting Lika Bee
was re-handicapped to 10-metres on Monday
following his Group 1 Ballarat Cup victory, but
that may prove a blessing in disguise come
Sunday according to Alford.
"He's out of the draw so he was going to be
drawn behind horses anyway," he said. "Back on
10-metres you've got a lot more freedom and you
can often work your way through the traffic a
little easier if you begin well."
"You need both a strong and fast horse to win
off a handicap, one who can put himself into the
race and still have something left at the end,
which this horse can," Alford explained.
The six-time Australian driving champion added
that luck in running would be a crucial factor
in the result of the gruelling 3065-metre
standing start marathon.
"There's not a horse in this race that cannot
win it," Alford said. "It's a matter of whoever
gets the breaks in the run as to who'll come out
on top."
The Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup will be run at
5.35pm (AET) this Sunday and headlines harness
racing's biggest day of the year at Moonee
Valley. |
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Confidence Grows In Cup Favourite
February 9, 2007
An impressive workout yesterday has
trainer-driver Lance Justice growing in
confidence about the chances of Smooth Crusa in
Sunday's $500,000 Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup at
Moonee Valley.
That news will be music to the ears of punters
who yesterday backed the last start Moonee
Valley Cup winner deeper into favouritism with
TAB Sportsbet, shortening his odds from $5.50
into $4.60.
"I was really happy with his work," Justice
said. "He went 3:03 for a mile-and-a-half and
last half in 57 (seconds) which is pretty solid
for a horse working on his own."
"When I got him I was told he wasn't much of a
track worker, but he seems to be thriving on his
work here and importantly he felt really strong
at the end of it."
Despite having prepared the former New South
Wales pacer for less than a month, Justice feels
the six-year-old is primed to run a bottler on
Sunday and accordingly he'll be driving him
aggressively.
"I think he'll run a really, really good race,"
Justice declared. "He began like an old pro from
the stand at his first run for me and he's
handled it well in practice since."
"He's a tough horse who has matured after racing
these Grand Circuit horses for 12 months and
he's got a great barrier (three) so the right
ingredients are there.
"I'll be pushing forward from the start and be
looking to hold the lead or 'death seat'
(outside the leader) depending on where we end
up. If we're in the 'death' and someone wants to
come around then the leader might have to think
about handing over."
The fixed odds support for Smooth Crusa, who was
a luckless sixth in the Inter Dominion Grand
Final two starts back, has been solid ever since
his Moonee Valley Cup victory a fortnight ago.
"He and Lookslightning are clearly our worst
results," TAB Sportsbet spokesman Gary Davies
said. "The majority of the money that we took
yesterday was for Smooth Crusa so we've had to
turn him in simply because of what we're
standing him for. He opened at $41 prior to
Christmas and is now into $4.60."
With the support for Smooth Crusa, a number of
rivals have drifted in betting with Foreal
easing from $7 to $8, Flashing Red from $7.50 to
$8, Sting Lika Bee from $11 to $12 and Reba
Rajah from $11 to $12.
Inter Dominion runner-up and 2006 Moonee Valley
Cup winner Winforu remains the solid second pick
at $6, with fellow Kiwi pacer Tribute on the
third line at $7. |
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Cruising Into Cup
Favouritism
February 6, 2007
Brilliant last start Moonee Valley Cup winner Smooth
Crusa has grabbed outright favouritism for Sunday
afternoon’s $500,000 Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup following
today’s barrier draw.
The former New South Wales
now Victorian-trained pacer has firmed into $5.50 with
TAB Sportsbet after drawing barrier three in the world’s
richest handicap to be run at Moonee Valley.
New trainer-driver Lance
Justice was delighted with the draw and remains
confident of claiming his second Hunter Cup after
piloting Safe And Sound to victory for brother John in
2002.
Standing in the way of
Smooth Crusa’s maiden Group 1 victory is 12 outstanding
rivals and the dreaded curse that has seen the defeat of
every Hunter Cup favourite since Vics Vance in 1996.
The Hankook Tyres Hunter
Cup is the ultimate test of speed, stamina and courage,
and the field assembled for the 52nd edition
this weekend is one of the most even in modern times.
A trio of New Zealand
pacers loom ominously for the locals with the Geoff
Small-trained Inter Dominion runner-up Winforu installed
a $6 second elect, marginally ahead of the Tim
Butt-trained stablemates Foreal and Tribute who share
the third line of betting at $7.
Butt and Small are no
strangers to Hunter Cup success having trained Mister D
G and Elsu respectively to victories in 2004 and 2005.
Likewise, Victorian mentor Peter Tonkin, the trainer of
Robin Hood, is another chasing his second Cup after the
win of Paris Affair in 1999.
New Zealand Cup winner
Flashing Red, a $7.50 chance, will line up in his third
Hunter Cup with connections hopeful of improving on his
second placing behind Elsu two years ago.
The field for the $500,000
Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup (Group 1), to be run over
3065-metres under standing start conditions at 5.35pm (AEST)
this Sunday at Moonee Valley, is;
|
1 |
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REBA RAJAH
(VIC) |
T. MOULE |
BRIAN GATH |
$11 |
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2 |
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FOREAL (NZ) |
T. BUTT |
ANTHONY BUTT |
$7.00 |
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3 |
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SMOOTH CRUSA
(VIC) |
L. JUSTICE |
LANCE JUSTICE |
$5.50 |
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4 |
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POPPYS BOY
(VIC) |
M. GOVERS |
STUART GOVERS |
$16 |
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5 |
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MI COCONUT
(VIC) |
J. NICHOLSON |
JOHN NICHOLSON |
$17 |
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6 |
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WINFORU (NZ) |
G. SMALL |
DAVID BUTCHER |
$6.00 |
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7 |
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TOE TAPER (VIC) |
T. MOULE |
Driver TBC |
$21 |
|
----------Second Row----------- |
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8 |
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THE WARP DRIVE
(VIC) |
P. CHIRCOP |
JODI QUINLAN |
(Emerg) |
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9 |
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LOOKSLIKELIGHTNING (WA) |
P. KEATING |
MARK REED |
$21 |
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10 |
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GOOD LOOKIN
GIRL (QLD) |
M. LICHTWARK |
LUKE MCCARTHY |
$16 |
|
11 |
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TRIBUTE (NZ) |
T. BUTT |
TONY HERLIHY |
$7.00 |
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----------- 10
metres------------ |
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12 |
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FLASHING RED
(QLD) |
G. WEBSTER |
GEOFF WEBSTER |
$7.50 |
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13 |
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ROBIN HOOD
(VIC) |
P. TONKIN |
GAVIN LANG |
$31 |
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14 |
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STING LIKA BEE
(VIC) |
B. TUDDENHAM |
Driver TBC |
$11 |
For
Further Information:
Shaun Kelly, HRV Communications Manager
Ph: (03)
8378 0252, Mob: 0417 145 796
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Celebrity Pony Trot Field
Feburary 2, 2007
Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) today unveiled the line-up
for the ‘Mini Hunter Cup’ – its annual celebrity pony
trot race which features on Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup
Day.
Twelve big names of sport, media, television and
politics will don the helmet and silks for an exciting
exhibition race in the build-up to the world’s richest
handicap harness race on Sunday week, February 11, at
Moonee Valley.
The list of invitees for the Mini Hunter Cup are;
• Mick Molloy (Legendary comedian and media personality)
• Russell Gilbert (Legendary comedian and media
personality)
• Billy Brownless (SEN & Channel 9 personality)
• Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm rugby league star)
• Giaan Rooney (Olympic Gold Medallist & Channel 9
personality)
• Brodie Holland (Collingwood FC & Dancing With The
Stars pin-up)
• Sarita Stella (Popular model and TV personality)
• Dan O’Connor (Neighbours star)
• Kirstie Marshall (Former Winter Olympian & Labor Party
MP)
• Johnny (Nova 100 radio host)
• Jody (Nova 100 radio host)
• The Coach (Gold 104.3 sports reporter)
The competitors will hone their skills in a special
training session next Monday, February 5 at Moonee
Valley before the big showdown on Cup Day.
For Further Information: Shaun Kelly, HRV Communications
Manager
Ph: (03) 8378 0252, Mob: 0417 145 796 |
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Cup Battle On In Earnest
January 31, 2007
The race to secure a start in Sunday week's
$500,000 Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup reaches its
crescendo this Saturday night at Ballarat.
A total of 27 nominations were today received
for the $125,000 Cadbury Ballarat Pacing Cup,
with all bar three nominees still in contention
for a Hunter Cup berth.
Headlining the entries for the 10th leg of the
2006-07 Australasian Grand Circuit at Ballarat
are hometown heroes Robin Hood and Sting Lika
Bee.
The Peter Tonkin-trained Robin Hood is the
defending Cup champion, whilst Sting Lika Bee
enters the battle off his second successive
Shepparton Cup win.
A quartet of New Zealand raiders feature amongst
the entries with Winforu, Tribute, Foreal and
Mighty Cullen all capable of capturing the
2710-metre Group 1 event.
Boom Queenslander Maximillion, 2005 Ballarat Cup
winner Flashing Red and Grand Circuit winner The
Warp Drive are other high profile nominations.
The field for the 2007 Cadbury Ballarat Pacing
Cup will be announced, and the barrier draw
conducted, live on Radio Sport 927 shortly after
11am tomorrow.
Those outside Victoria can tune into the draw
live online at www.sport927.com.au |
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Five Trotters Allocated Handicaps
January 31, 2007
Five trotters have been allocated handicaps for
the 2007 Sky Channel Australasian Trotting
Championship which begins this Saturday night at
Ballarat.
Giant Kiwi trotter Delft has been allotted the
30-metre backmark following his win in Saturday
night's Group 1 Decron Hoof Care Dullard Cup at
Moonee Valley.
Dual Inter Dominion runner-up A Touch Of Flair,
who finished second in the Dullard Cup, has been
handicapped off 20-metres for the prestigious
series.
High profile Kiwi stablemates Whatsundermykilt
and Glenbogle will share the 10-metre handicap
with newly crowned Inter Dominion champion Uncle
Petrika.
A total of 30 nominations were today received
for the Championship which begins with two
$20,000 heats over 2710-metres this weekend at
Ballarat.
The leading qualifiers in each will then
progress to the Group 1 $150,000 final over
3065-metres at Moonee Valley on Sunday
afternoon, February 11.
Headlining the list of 25 frontmarkers is star
New Zealand mare One Over Kenny who returns to
Australia for the first time since her narrow
second to Acacia Ridge in the 2005 Victoria
Trotters Derby.
Other frontmarkers of note include rising young
stars Enjoy A Crownie and Paddy Cullighan,
leading SA trotter The Upper Crust and the
talented Flying Hardwick.
Acceptances for the Sky Channel Australasian
Trotting Championship heats will be taken at
8.30am tomorrow with the fields released later
in the morning.
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Derby
Draw Favours Champ
January
23, 2007
Champion three-year-old pacer Lombo Pocket Watch
was the big winner following the barrier draw
for Saturday night’s $150,000 Alabar Victoria
Derby at Moonee Valley.
The
reigning Australian Horse of the Year is ideally
drawn to chase an all-the-way victory in the
nation’s oldest classic from barrier three.
Despite his amazing 19 race winning streak
coming to a close in last weekend’s Derby heats,
“The Grey Bullet”, as he is affectionately
known, has been installed a $1.60 pre-post
favourite to claim the seventh Group 1 title of
his star-studded career.
In
stark contrast, Twelve Paces, the horse who
ended his streak, was today handed the extreme
second line draw of barrier 12. Fellow heat
winners Lombo Mandingo and Fergiemack also fared
poorly drawing barriers seven and 11
respectively.
Fergiemack, the fastest heat winner, is the lone
New Zealand runner in the field and his
trainer-driver Tony Herlihy, a dual Victoria
Derby winner, will be hoping to add to the Kiwis
impeccable record of eight victories in the past
11 runnings of the classic.
Outside of Lombo Pocket Watch, the horse to
benefit most from the barrier draw, which was
conducted live on Radio Sport 927, was hometown
hero Singasongasixpence.
The
bargain buy has proven a revelation in his brief
career winning six of his eight starts and after
a monstrous second to Fergiemack in his
qualifying heat the tough Victorian pacer has
been installed the $3.70 second elect from
barrier four.
Unlike
the Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup which has proven a
graveyard for favourites in recent times, the
Alabar Victoria Derby has been a happy hunting
ground for them with the first or second
favourite winning the past 11 editions.
The
field for the $150,000 Alabar Victoria Derby
(Group 1, 2575-metres, mobile start), to be run
at 9.02pm this Saturday night at Moonee Valley,
is;
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Cup Carnival Begins This Saturday
January 23, 2007
The 2007 Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup Carnival will
begin in a blaze of glory this Saturday night at
Moonee Valley with the running of the coveted
Alabar Victoria Derby.
Australia’s premier harness racing carnival will
be conducted over two big meetings, culminating
with the world’s richest handicap, the $500,000
Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup, on Sunday afternoon,
February 11.
Australia and New Zealand’s premier horses,
trainers and drivers will converge on Melbourne
for a tilt at the record $1.2 million in stakes
that is on offer across 20 races.
The marquee events on a racing program laden
with features are;
Derby Night – Saturday, January 27
• $150,000 Alabar Victoria Derby (Group 1)
• $50,000 2Construct Moonee Valley Cup (Group 2)
• $50,000 Decron Hoof Care Dullard Trotters Cup
(Group 1)
Cup Day – Sunday, February 11
• $500,000 Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup (Group 1)
• $150,000 Sky Channel Australasian Trotting
Championship Final (Group 1)
Harness Racing Victoria Chief Executive, John
Anderson, said the Carnival promised a
smorgasbord of great racing and wonderful
entertainment.
“The racing on offer at the Hankook Tyres Hunter
Cup Carnival is some of the best you will see
all season,” Anderson said. “The sport’s elite
pacers will contest the world’s richest
handicap, there’s the young guns in the Derby
plus Australasia’s best trotters.”
“This marks the second year that our signature
event, the Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup, will be
contested on a Sunday afternoon and we are
excited about building upon the success of last
year’s meeting which attracted over 10,000
people.
“Once again, we have tailored an all-round
package for both meetings that includes a host
of free trackside entertainment and activities
to complement the great racing.
“The great news is that a family ticket will
only cost $20 on Derby Night and $30 on Cup Day
so the Carnival offers exceptional
value-for-money for all.”
Racing commences at 6.30pm this Saturday night,
with the Alabar Victoria Derby to be held at
9.02pm and the 2Construct Moonee Valley Cup at
10pm.
In the spirit of the Australia Day weekend, the
trackside entertainment will feature a
distinctive Aussie flavour with award-winning
indigenous singer Kutcha Edwards performing
live, plus there’s whip cracking displays and
the bush babies animal farm.
Kelly Sports activities, pony rides and the
virtual reality sulky ride will also feature
trackside for the kids, both this Saturday night
and again on Cup Day.
Headlining the entertainment on Cup Day is the
“Mini Hunter Cup” – a pony trot race featuring
12 celebrities. It will feature alongside live
Over The Hedge character shows, the ever popular
bungee trampolines and lots more for the entire
family.
Adult admission is just $10 this Saturday night
and $15 on Cup Day, with kids under-18 admitted
free when accompanied by an adults. Tickers are
available at the gate.
Dining packages are still available for both
meetings and can be booked by contacting the
Moonee Valley Customer Service Centre on 1300 79
79 59. For more information on the Carnival,
including the dining packages, log onto
www.huntercup.com.au.
For Further Information: Shaun Kelly, HRV
Communications Manager
Ph: (03) 8378 0252, Mob: 0417 145 796 |
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Young Gun's Cup Mission
19 January 2007
Emerging star Ultimate Mark is on the verge of
becoming the first four-year-old since Sailors
Corner in 2001 to contest the $500,000 Hankook
Tyres Hunter Cup on February 11.
The Andy Gath-trained pacer is a $6 favourite
with TAB Sportsbet to win this Saturday night’s
$40,000 Neatline Homes Shepparton Gold Cup.
For Gath and many of his rivals it’s the bonus
of a guaranteed Hunter Cup start for the victor
that carries just as much weight as the winner’s
purse itself.
“When he came back in this time the Hunter Cup
wasn’t even on the radar, but he’s come back so
well that we nominated him in hope really,” Gath
said.
“He wouldn’t have got a start at Shepparton if
he didn’t win the Horsham Cup two starts back so
that was the real turning point for us. Now he’s
only one win away from contesting a Hunter Cup
so we’re really keen to get there.”
A shortener from $81 into $15 in Hunter Cup
betting, Ultimate Mark has won 14 of his 23
starts and heralded his arrival as a star of the
future with a brave third in the V75
Australasian Breeders Crown Final last August.
After an eye-catching second upon his return
from a spell last month, he then won the $35,000
Horsham Cup on January 7 over a similar trip and
under the same standing start conditions as
Saturday night’s Group 3 feature.
“Horsham was a big win when you think of it
because he was second up from a spell over 2700
(metres), it was his first standing start and he
was a four-year-old meeting those older horses
for the first time,” Gath said.
“The good news is he definitely seems like he’s
improved since then, especially with the run
under his belt at Ballarat last week, but he’s
going to have to….this is a ripper field and
another big step up in class for him.”
Whilst confident of a forward showing off his
front mark, last year’s Hankook Tyres Hunter Cup
winning trainer is surprised that his promising
son of Ultimate Falcon tops betting markets for
this weekend's 2670-metre handicap.
“He’s definitely a horse on the way up, but I
was a bit surprised when I saw he was favourite
because of the calibre of horse he is up
against,” he said.
“That said, he can definitely win because he can
run really fast times and he’s such a great
trier. He’ll just need the right luck because
it’s a really even field.”
Classy New Zealand raider Mighty Cullen is the
second elect off a 10-metre handicap at $6.50
with defending champion and 20-metre backmarker
Sting Lika Bee next best at $7 ahead of Yarra
Valley Cup winner Ball Gown at $7.50. |
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Cup Contenders Take Shape
19 January 2007
It was mixed news for Victorian officials today
as the countdown to the $500,000 Hankook Tyres
Hunter Cup at Moonee Valley on February 11
continues.
Dual Miracle Mile winner Be Good Johnny and
talented Kiwi pacer Sly Flyin were both
withdrawn from the world’s richest handicap this
afternoon.
On the flip side, forgotten Grand Circuit star
Slipnslide re-emerged as a Cup contender, whilst
boom Queenslander Maximillion booked a date for
his much awaited Victorian debut next Monday
afternoon at Moonee Valley.
Be Good Johnny has returned to Queensland for a
freshen up after racing below par in last
weekend’s Inter Dominion Final in Adelaide.
His withdrawal follows the scratching of fellow
20-metre backmarker Blacks A Fake yesterday and
leaves just three handicap runners in Hunter Cup
contention – Robin Hood, Flashing Red and
Slipnslide – all of whom are on 10-metres.
The injury-plagued Sly Flyin has succumbed to an
ankle injury and will miss the coveted race for
the second successive year because of injury.
On a brighter note, the chances of Queensland
millionaire Slipnslide venturing south continue
to rise following his recent setback with a
ligament injury.
Trainer-driver Luke McCarthy reports that the
multiple Grand Circuit winner will trial in a
week and should he replicate his trackwork and
pull up sound then he’ll get the chance to
better his fourth placing in last year’s Cup.
Team McCarthy also has recent New Zealand Cup
runner-up Cobbity Classic still in Hunter Cup
contention. The tough-as-nails veteran is likely
to return to racing at Albion Park on the
Australia Day weekend.
Closer to home, the highly rated Maximillion,
who is now equal second favourite in Hunter Cup
pre-post betting at $9, will make his local
debut in the $6000 APG Melbourne Sales
Free-For-All on Monday.
The Graeme Bowyer-trained and driven pacer, a
winner at his past four starts since a luckless
fifth behind Blacks A Fake in the Queensland
Winter Cup, will be out to show Victorian
officials just what he’s capable of at 4.55pm.
TAB Sportsbet’s favourite for the Hankook Tyres
Hunter Cup at $8 is the vastly improved Kiwi
pacer Tribute, with Inter Dominion runner-up
Winforu, NZ Cup winner Flashing Red and
Maximillion all sharing the second line. |
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Lombo Pocket Watch
January 12, 2007
Preparations for an Alabar Victoria Derby
campaign are progressing well for harness
racing's cult hero Lombo Pocket Watch.
The reigning Australian Horse of the Year will
be striving for his 20th consecutive win when he
lines up in the Derby heats tomorrow week,
January 20, at Shepparton.
Connections are rightfully upbeat about "The
Grey Bullet" and his Derby chances following a
narrow, but impressive trial win at Penrith on
Wednesday night.
"He probably only won by a neck, but it was
against some nice older horses and I never
really moved on him," driver Gavin Fitzpatrick
explained.
"It was the perfect hit out for him and he felt
really good so we're certainly looking forward
to the Derby heats next week at Shepparton."
The trial was the glamour three-year-old's first
appearance since winning the Group 2 $50,000
Victoria Sires Classic at Moonee Valley on
December 29.
Despite the hype surrounding the boom Jet Laag
colt, who boasts 20 wins from 21 starts and over
$730,000 in prizemoney, Fitzpatrick is not
feeling any pressure.
"He's such a good horse that you don't get
nervous or feel the pressure with him," he said.
"We'll head to Shepparton pretty confident
because we know how good he is."
Accompanying the New South Welshman on his Derby
raid will be classy stablemates Mister Swinger
and Lombo Mandingo.
Despite the presence of the Paul
Fitzpatrick-trained champion, a cavalcade of
young stars are bound for Shepparton to contest
the $20,000 heats.
They include the Kiwi pacers Fergiemack (NZ) and
Days Of Courage (NZ), interstate raiders Bold
And Regal (NSW), Twelve Paces (NSW), Lively Exit
(NSW) and Good Boy Diesel (QLD) plus local stars
Singasongasixpence, Michael Mockridge and Star
Of Tara, who last night took his unbeaten streak
to six at Geelong.
The first three placegetters in each of the
three heats will earn a berth in the Group 1
$150,000 Alabar Victoria Derby on Saturday
night, January 27 with the remaining two spots
allocated at the discretion of the HRV
handicapping panel based on performances in the
heats only.
Nominations for the Alabar Victoria Derby close
with HRV at noon next Monday, January 15 with
the fields for the heats released the following
morning. |
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Queenslanders Share Cup Backmark
December 21, 2006
Blacks A Fake and Be Good Johnny, the past two
winners of the SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup, share
the backmark of 20-metres in the 2007 Hankook
Tyres Hunter Cup.
Following the closure of nominations yesterday,
Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) today announced
the handicaps for the $500,000 feature to be run
on Sunday, February 11 at Moonee Valley.
Just five of the 73 entries* have been allotted
a handicap for the prestigious Group 1 marathon,
with the remaining nominations all set to start
from the front line.
Grand Circuit winners Flashing Red and
Slipnslide, both Queenslanders like the co-backmarkers,
and local hero Robin Hood, have each been
allotted a 10-metre handicap.
The winners of all bar two races between now and
final acceptances on February 6 are eligible for
re-handicapping at the discretion of the HRV
handicapping panel.
The two races that carry a handicapping
exemption are the $40,000 Shepparton Cup, a
2670-metre Group 3 discretionary handicap on
January 20, and the $50,000 Moonee Valley Cup, a
2575-metre Group 2 standing start free-for-all
on January 27.
Furthermore, the winners of four races will be
exempt from ballot in the 2007 Hankook Tyres
Hunter Cup, provided they have been nominated
for the event.
Flashing Red and Victorian ace Reba Rajah are
both guaranteed a start courtesy of their wins
in this season’s New Zealand and Kilmore Cups
respectively. They’ll be joined later by the
winners of the Shepparton and Moonee Valley
Cups.
Whilst nominations have closed, the door has not
yet been shut on those pacers who burst onto the
scene over the next six weeks with a late entry
fee of $4000 payable up until noon on February
1.
The handicaps for the 2007 Hankook Tyres Hunter
Cup are as follows;
20-metres: Be Good Johnny, Blacks A Fake
(Queensland).
10-metres: Flashing Red, Slipnslide
(Queensland); Robin Hood (Victoria).
Front: Emmas Only, Make Me Smile, Nidya, Place
Of Glory, Smooth Crusa, Sweet Fame, The Phantoms
Guest (New South Wales); Baileys Dream, Classic
Cullen, Foreal, Mighty Cullen, Monkey King, Mr
Williams, Sly Flyin, Tribute, Winforu (New
Zealand); Cobbity Classic, Home Of Jack,
Maximillion, Sir Galvinator (Queensland); Conte
De Cristo, Presido (South Australia); Antigua
Bay, Avviato, B H Cullen, Ball Gown, Barclay
Court, Blakey, Bobs Blue Boy, Cosmic Legacy,
Courtygaz, Dee Dees Dream, Flaming Roadstar,
Franco Heir, Global Force, Im Yosemite Sam,
Immortal Quest, Innocent Eyes, Jaccka Haughty,
Jagged Knight, Mevagissey, Mi Coconut, Pick
Handles, Plough Rulze, Poppys Boy, Reba Rajah,
Safari, Scruffy Murphy, Sequoiahs Spirit,
Sokyola, Sting Lika Bee, Strauss, Tactical
Dreamer, The Warp Drive, Toe Taper, Tromos,
Ultimate Mark, Wideford Hill, Zerrafoss
(Victoria); Left Pride, Lennon,
Lookslikelightning, Money Magnet, No Blue Manna,
Richard Henry, Shardons Aflyin, Tartary
Gladiator, Vintage Concerto (Western Australia).
* Please note: There were 74 original
nominations, but WA pacer Hilton Adonis has
today been scratched from the event.
For Further Information: Shaun Kelly, HRV
Communications Manager
Ph: (03) 8378 0252, Mob: 0417 145 796 |
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