Hawkesbury Race Selections – Brian Fletcher

Track; Dead 5    Pen 5.08

Race One;   Bright Heart, Magic Mirror, Male Mystic            

Race Two ;Mine To Keep, Pleasurena, La Parisienne  

Race Three; Dostana, Hottenov, Manipulated

Race Four;  What’s The Rules Littelonhro, Al Jaamih    

Race Five; Touch Of Greatness, Guastermate, Extra Celestial

Race Six; Oh My Papa, Secret Destiny, Procyon

Race Seven; Spain, Aqualita, Vegasherewecome 

Specials;  Dostana, Oh My Papa, Spain

Following 140 mils of rain the week prior to Hawkesbury’s race meeting last Thursday large fields were assured and it was the first time since 17^th April 2008 that Hawkesbury looked like holding a ten race programme. With all the rain the week before which saw race meetings schedule for Hawkesbury 23^rd November, Wyong 24^th November and the Newcastle meeting held at Scone all being abandoned due the wet weather, Hawkesbury certainly benefited with a city class race meeting.

The first winner on the programme Deductions a Ad Valorem 3yo gelding will certainly finish up in the city after completely demolishing his opposition in the Clarendon Homes Maiden Handicap run over 1000 metres. Starting a heavily backed favourite at $2.40, Deductions was straight to the lead on jumping and after the field had covered the first 100 metres it was quite evident the race was all over with jockey Jeff Penza having an arm chair ride on Deductions and on the line they had four lengths to spare over Sun Command $10 with Littlelonhro a further length away in third placing. Deductions covered the 1000 metres in 57.46 on a dead four track which indicates this galloper is possessed with plenty of ability. 

A group of Hawkesbury business associates (Wayne Alchin, John Starr, Ross Clark, John Waller and Chris Smith, were a happy group after their 3yo filly Quest For Quality arrived in the nick of time to grab victory right on the finishing post in the $16,000 Corinthian Doors 7Steel Building Solutions Maiden handicap 1000m. Quest for Quality was a late ride for jockey Nathan Berry who replaced injured jockey Josh Adams and it was a ten out ten ride ride by Nathan to land Quest For Quality a winner and it won’t be the last win for this beautifully bred Elusive Quality filly who is under the care of Gerald Ryan.

If you thought the first two winners were impressive well let me tell you the third winner General Sherman trained by Garry White was ultra impressive breaking the class record of 57.80 and in doing so ran 56.96 and won with a leg in the air. Ridden by star apprentice Chad Schofield, General Sherman $3.90 was first out and from then on it a procession with the rest of the field left in his wake and on the line had two and three quarter lengths to spare over the favourite Our Canny Boy $3.50 with In High Spirits $7.50 a further four and a half lengths away in third placing. General Sherman’s win takes trainer Garry White clear in the trainer’s premiership with eight wins three ahead of Peter Snowden on five.    

Hawkesbury Trainer Garry Frazer a master in turning apprentice jockeys (Tye Angland, Josh Adams) into master horseman produced another horseman in the shape of his son Jordan Frazer who was having his first ride as an amateur jockey at Rosehill on Melbourne Cup day and Garry trusted Jordan with two rides and his son did not let Garry down winning with both rides.

Jordan opened his winning account on National Day in the Reece Potter Memorial Handicap 1500m scoring by eight lengths much to the delight of punters as National Day started $2 favourite. Winning the Reece Potter Memorial was a great thrill for Jordan as Reece was one of his best mates.

The two Frazer’s Garry and Jordan combined with Mr Latar to win the Styletread. Com.Au Handicap run over 1400m and again much to the delight of the punters as Mr Latar started $2.10 favourite. 

So as the record stands Jordan has a one hundred percent record two rides for two winners and if i was him, i would retire now with an unblemished and unbeatable record.

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Hawkesbury Jockeys premiership as at the 30^th November 2011 sees apprentice jockey Chad Schofield at the top of the premiership with Christian Reith with both riders on five wins and equal second placing sees another apprentice Shuan Guymer with four wins one win behind Schofield and Reith and also with four wins are Kathy O’Hara and Tommy Berry.

Hawkesbury trainer Garry White continues to lead the Open trainer’s premiership with seven wins two ahead of peter Snowden on five wins.

Hawkesbury trainers have had their share of luck at Hawkesbury this 2011/12 season having trained seventeen winners for the first quarter of the year.

NSW Jockeys Premiership as at 30^th November 2011 has Christian Reith and Greg Ryan at the top of the leaders board with 43 wins a apiece and the NSW Trainers Premiership has Chris Waller leading with 50 wins, Gai Waterhouse second with 45 and Peter Snowden one back with 44 wins.  

Talking about Hawkesbury trainers Jason Attard trained his third winner since taking out a trainer’s licence some twelve months ago with Heave Ho Heeby winning the 1550m Maiden Handicap at Cessnock on Tuesday 22^nd November 2011.Heave Ho Heeby is raced by Hawkesbury race club director Sid Kelly and his wife Carolyn.  

Another Hawkesbury trainer being rewarded from hard work is Connie Greig who had success at the recent Mudgee Cup meeting with her 4yo mare Magical Lady $5.50 who looked very impressive winning the Benchmark 70 Handicap 1200m scoring a one and three quarter length victory over Chatterchic $21 with Moment Of Clarity $15 a further two and a half lengths away in third placing   

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Former Hawkesbury trained 2yo Dane Shadow (Garry White) NOW A VERY SUCCESSFUL SIRE in his own right will be well represented at the upcoming 2012b Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sales to be held on 10, 11 & 12 April 2012 at Newmarket Sydney.

Dane Shadow was a winner at 1400m, NSW Tatt’s RC Ming Dynasty Handicap (G3) and is Sire of 134 runners which has produced 70 winners including Hurtle Myrtle, Shadows in the Sun, Turnitup, Red Tracer, Shadow Minister, Bright Heart  and Hewentwhoosh to name a few of the winners.

At the 2012 yearling Sales Kitchwin Hills has three Dane Shadow yearlings for sale;

Bay Filly Dane --- Best Out West

Bay Filly Dane Shadow – Eskimo Queen

Bay Filly Dane Shadow – Ravenswood

Stand Alone Saturday Hawkesbury sponsors Reavill Farm have some magnificently bred yearling for sale which will command some big dollars and they are ;

Bay Filly Encosta de Lago – Volte

Bay Colt Fastnet Rock – Readyforcatherine

Bay filly Fastnet Rock – Second Sight

Bay Filly Fastnet Rock --- Silken Song

Hawkesbury Race member Richard Johnston has a Bay Colt by Choisir – Miss Conception and this colt should prove popular as the two previous foals from Miss Conception have been winners.

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Quietly spoken Hawkesbury trainer Terry Croft again showed his qualities as a top trainer producing Lady La Douce for a first up victory at Canterbury last Wednesday following a brilliant barrier trial winning performance at Hawkesbury back on Monday 14 November 2011.

Ridden by leading NSW Jockey Christian Reith, Lady La Douce $2.80 had trouble disposing of her opposition in the $27,000 Vinery Stud (OMW) 1100m and the line had a half head too spare over the second placegetter Carve ‘Em Up $13 with Cautious Time $10 a further length away in third placing.  

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Following 140 mils of rain the week prior to Hawkesbury’s race meeting last Thursday large fields were assured and it was the first time since 17^th April 2008 that Hawkesbury looked like holding a ten race programme. With all the rain the week before which saw race meetings schedule for Hawkesbury 23^rd November, Wyong 24^th November and the Newcastle meeting held at Scone all being abandoned due the wet weather, Hawkesbury certainly benefited with a city class race meeting.

The first winner on the programme Deductions a Ad Valorem 3yo gelding will certainly finish up in the city after completely demolishing his opposition in the Clarendon Homes Maiden Handicap run over 1000 metres. Starting a heavily backed favourite at $2.40, Deductions was straight to the lead on jumping and after the field had covered the first 100 metres it was quite evident the race was all over with jockey Jeff Penza having an arm chair ride on Deductions and on the line they had four lengths to spare over Sun Command $10 with Littlelonhro a further length away in third placing. Deductions covered the 1000 metres in 57.46 on a dead four track which indicates this galloper is possessed with plenty of ability. 

A group of Hawkesbury business associates (Wayne Alchin, John Starr, Ross Clark, John Waller and Chris Smith, were a happy group after their 3yo filly Quest For Quality arrived in the nick of time to grab victory right on the finishing post in the $16,000 Corinthian Doors 7Steel Building Solutions Maiden handicap 1000m. Quest for Quality was a late ride for jockey Nathan Berry who replaced injured jockey Josh Adams and it was a ten out ten ride ride by Nathan to land Quest For Quality a winner and it won’t be the last win for this beautifully bred Elusive Quality filly who is under the care of Gerald Ryan.

If you thought the first two winners were impressive well let me tell you the third winner General Sherman trained by Garry White was ultra impressive breaking the class record of 57.80 and in doing so ran 56.96 and won with a leg in the air. Ridden by star apprentice Chad Schofield, General Sherman $3.90 was first out and from then on it a procession with the rest of the field left in his wake and on the line had two and three quarter lengths to spare over the favourite Our Canny Boy $3.50 with In High Spirits $7.50 a further four and a half lengths away in third placing. General Sherman’s win takes trainer Garry White clear in the trainer’s premiership with eight wins three ahead of Peter Snowden on five.    

Hawkesbury Trainer Garry Frazer a master in turning apprentice jockeys (Tye Angland, Josh Adams) into master horseman produced another horseman in the shape of his son Jordan Frazer who was having his first ride as an amateur jockey at Rosehill on Melbourne Cup day and Garry trusted Jordan with two rides and his son did not let Garry down winning with both rides.

Jordan opened his winning account on National Day in the Reece Potter Memorial Handicap 1500m scoring by eight lengths much to the delight of punters as National Day started $2 favourite. Winning the Reece Potter Memorial was a great thrill for Jordan as Reece was one of his best mates.

The two Frazer’s Garry and Jordan combined with Mr Latar to win the Styletread. Com.Au Handicap run over 1400m and again much to the delight of the punters as Mr Latar started $2.10 favourite. 

So as the record stands Jordan has a one hundred percent record two rides for two winners and if i was him, i would retire now with an unblemished and unbeatable record.

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Hawkesbury Jockeys premiership as at the 30^th November 2011 sees apprentice jockey Chad Schofield at the top of the premiership with Christian Reith with both riders on five wins and equal second placing sees another apprentice Shuan Guymer with four wins one win behind Schofield and Reith and also with four wins are Kathy O’Hara and Tommy Berry.

Hawkesbury trainer Garry White continues to lead the Open trainer’s premiership with seven wins two ahead of peter Snowden on five wins.

Hawkesbury trainers have had their share of luck at Hawkesbury this 2011/12 season having trained seventeen winners for the first quarter of the year.

NSW Jockeys Premiership as at 30^th November 2011 has Christian Reith and Greg Ryan at the top of the leaders board with 43 wins a apiece and the NSW Trainers Premiership has Chris Waller leading with 50 wins, Gai Waterhouse second with 45 and Peter Snowden one back with 44 wins.  

Talking about Hawkesbury trainers Jason Attard trained his third winner since taking out a trainer’s licence some twelve months ago with Heave Ho Heeby winning the 1550m Maiden Handicap at Cessnock on Tuesday 22^nd November 2011.Heave Ho Heeby is raced by Hawkesbury race club director Sid Kelly and his wife Carolyn.  

Another Hawkesbury trainer being rewarded from hard work is Connie Greig who had success at the recent Mudgee Cup meeting with her 4yo mare Magical Lady $5.50 who looked very impressive winning the Benchmark 70 Handicap 1200m scoring a one and three quarter length victory over Chatterchic $21 with Moment Of Clarity $15 a further two and a half lengths away in third placing   

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Former Hawkesbury trained 2yo Dane Shadow (Garry White) NOW A VERY SUCCESSFUL SIRE in his own right will be well represented at the upcoming 2012b Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sales to be held on 10, 11 & 12 April 2012 at Newmarket Sydney.

Dane Shadow was a winner at 1400m, NSW Tatt’s RC Ming Dynasty Handicap (G3) and is Sire of 134 runners which has produced 70 winners including Hurtle Myrtle, Shadows in the Sun, Turnitup, Red Tracer, Shadow Minister, Bright Heart  and Hewentwhoosh to name a few of the winners.

At the 2012 yearling Sales Kitchwin Hills has three Dane Shadow yearlings for sale;

Bay Filly Dane --- Best Out West

Bay Filly Dane Shadow – Eskimo Queen

Bay Filly Dane Shadow – Ravenswood

Stand Alone Saturday Hawkesbury sponsors Reavill Farm have some magnificently bred yearling for sale which will command some big dollars and they are ;

Bay Filly Encosta de Lago – Volte

Bay Colt Fastnet Rock – Readyforcatherine

Bay filly Fastnet Rock – Second Sight

Bay Filly Fastnet Rock --- Silken Song

Hawkesbury Race member Richard Johnston has a Bay Colt by Choisir – Miss Conception and this colt should prove popular as the two previous foals from Miss Conception have been winners.

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Quietly spoken Hawkesbury trainer Terry Croft again showed his qualities as a top trainer producing Lady La Douce for a first up victory at Canterbury last Wednesday following a brilliant barrier trial winning performance at Hawkesbury back on Monday 14 November 2011.

Ridden by leading NSW Jockey Christian Reith, Lady La Douce $2.80 had trouble disposing of her opposition in the $27,000 Vinery Stud (OMW) 1100m and the line had a half head too spare over the second placegetter Carve ‘Em Up $13 with Cautious Time $10 a further length away in third placing.  

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Running of the 2011 Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup will prove to be one of the great Hawkesbury Cups ever run with a capacity field facing the starter and the race being won by a very special galloper in Somepin Anypin (NZ) who simply toyed with his opposition and scored one of the easiest wins seen in feature race at Hawkesbury over the past decade.

Warwick Farm trainer Garry Portelli elected to bypass the Melbourne Cup carnival to start Somepin Anypin (NZ) in the $150,000 Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup (G3) 1600m and his judgement proved spot on with Somepin Anypin (NZ) leading from barrier rise and it was evident at the home turn that jockey Jimmy Cassidy had the Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup well in his keeping and over the concluding stages Somepin Anypin (NZ) $1.60 raced away to score by four lengths over Willy Jimmy $4.60 and Renewed Vitality $12 was further head away in third placing.

Punters were not afraid to the short price bookmakers opened Somepin Anypin (NZ) at $1.75 and punters took that price forcing Bookmakers to shorten his quote into $1.60 and the result was never in doubt. Betting on the 2011 Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup 1600m reached $1.75 million in turnover and at the end punters proved spot on with the favourite defeating the second favourite Willy Jimmy who will be winning the ATC Villiers Handicap 1600m at his next start according to owner Matthew Tripp.

Trainer Garry Portelli and jockey Jimmy Cassidy will be advising Somepin Anypin (NZ) owners to now spell their talented galloper and return for the rich Autumn Carnival with $1 million Doncaster Handicap 1600mas his main target  

Apart from the main race the $100,000 Skin Fitness Cup proved a great spectacle with Peter Snowden waiting until the last race to open his winning account on the day and his brilliant mare Shannara simply demolished her opposition coming from second last on the home turn to race away over the concluding stages to defeat the short priced favourite Title $2.40 by two and half lengths with the early leader Firebolt (NZ) a further three quarters of a length away in third placing.

Punters never forgot to back Shannara firming from $6.50 in the Bookmakers ring to start at $4.80 and punters never had a worry over the concluding stages with Shannara who is a full sister to Lonhro winning with plenty in hand and she will definitely be winning again in the near future.

Running of the Skin Fitness Cup brought an end to the 2011 Ladies day race meeting at Hawkesbury which saw in excess of 7,000 race goers enjoy the showery conditions.

The second running of the Ted McCabe Memorial Cup saw his great friend Tom Sewell  taking out the race with his smart galloper Hamburg who is prepared at Hawkesbury by trainer Wade Slinkard who has done a marvellous job returning Hamburg to the race track after Hamburg recovered from major leg problems.

Following a second at Rosehill on the Saturday prior to last Thursday Hamburg was turned at out in great shape by trainer Wade Slinkard and combined with a great ride from apprentice Chad Schofield, Hamburg $3.80 was able to defeat Foreign News $4.80 by a length with the heavily backed Quadrant $3.60 a further neck away in third placing.

Owner Tom Sewell who paid $30,000 for Hamburg as a yearling which is now proving a bargin buy as after winning the $40,000 Ted McCabe Memorial, Hamburg has now amassed $83,080 in prizemonies and there are more dollars to come going on the ease of Hamburg’s win last Thursday. 

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Hawkesbury race again tomorrow and will also be conducting a Randwick meeting at Hawkesbury on Wednesday 23^rd November 2011.

The feature race on tomorrow’s programme is the Albert O’Cass OAM Memorial Cup  a Benchmark 70 race to be run over 1300m and the main chances in the race appear to be Nitro (Team Hawkes), Strathspey (Darren Smith) and the Hawkesbury trained galloper Underthetuscansun (Garry White).

Underthetuscansun is returning from a Saturday city fifth placing in a Benchmark 75 race and the drop back in grade and being on his home track where he has had ten starts for three wins and six minor placings should see Underthetuscansun taking out the Albert O’Cass OAM Memorial Cup at Hawkesbury tomorrow.

Other good bets on the programme appear to be the Peter Snowden trained baize in the 1300m Maiden handicap and the Garry Portelli trained Pink Power who is nominated for the Benchmark 60 Handicap 1000m   

Hawkesbury trainer Connie Greig continues on her climb up the provincial trainers list after preparing a Gai Waterhouse cast off Raw Edge to take out the Sportspower Dapto Maiden Plate 1000m at Kembla grange last Tuesday.  

Ridden to perfection by Hawkesbury jockey Grant Buckley who had Raw Edge placed in second place entering the home straight and then went to challenge the early leader Non Capishe and from then on had a 200m struggle with Non Capishe with Buckley using all his strength to left Raw Edge over the line ahead of Non Capishe.

A new addition to the Hawkesbury training ranks Brian Gentle opened his winning account at Nowra last Tuesday preparing Mr.Enzo to take out the Murphy Family Funerals Class One handicap 1600m.

===========================================================================Hawkesbury Breeders through their club Australian Thoroughbred Breeders Club Limited were fortunate to obtain a favourable acceptance from Arrowfield’s John Messara to address their body on the current issues and challenges that face the thoroughbred breeding industry.

John Messara acknowledged that the last few years had been pretty tough for breeders as the industry battled with the effects of high service fees and costs, the financial impacts of the Global Financial Crisis and hurdles posed by the EI outbreak.

John is also cautiously optimistic about the future, suggesting that a turnaround is just around the corner. He cites the relative success of the most recent international sales in Japan, England, France and U.S. , where prices have certainly come off their previous lows. Also in the Australian context the value of the A$ has come off a bit, making purchases os Australian stock a little more attractive to overseas buyers.

 2011 Annual Report of Racing New South Wales listed the BOBS BONUS winning Sires by value and they are as follows;

Commands (Darley) $400,000

Lonhro (Darley) $343,750

Not A Single Doubt (Arrowfield) $330,000

Exceed And Excel (Darley) $271,250

Fastnet Rock (Coolmore) $265,000

Stratum (Widden) $240,000

Redoute’s Choice (Arrowfield) $230,000

General Nediym (Widden) $226,250

Snitzel (Arrowfield) $225,000

TABCORP NEW CHIEF David Attenborough would have been bitterly disappointed with the turnover on the Melbourne Cup and the overall turnover on the 1^st Tuesday in November which seen the betting sales on the Melbourne Cup being $93.6m down 14.2% on the previous year which was attributed mainly to the domination of the International horses not allowing the Australian punters to fully assess the form.

Thirteen barrier trials were held at Warwick Farm last Monday week with the MIDWEEKER highlighting three horses for punters to follow.

Recess from the Clarrie Conners stables looked impressive brushing home into second place behind Don’t Blink in heat three and if jockey Peter Robl had desired Recess could have won the trial easily.

Peter Snowden produced a smart 2yo in the shape of Limes who won heat five narrowly but convincingly and this Commands 2yo should make the grade on the race track.

Peter also produced the winner of heat twelve Barbados who was never allowed full rein over the concluding stages but still won the heat easily and this galloper has plenty of ability.

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The 2011 Panthers Hawkesbury Cup field is full of quality with a capacity field accepting for the $150,000 (G3) race. The cup field has assembled runners from Queensland (Lucky Dubai) and New Zealand (Sharp Princess) along with the nineteen entries from the New South Wales trainers.

Warwick Farm trainer Garry Portelli will lead the charge with the favourite Somepin Anypin (NZ) who has won his last two starts at Rosehill in very impressive fashion and there’s no doubt he is the galloper to beat. Last start Somepin Anypin (NZ) toyed with his rivals at Rosehill defeating Renewed Vitality by four and three quarters lengths on a leader bias track which favoured Somepin Anypin (NZ) who also broke a ten year old course record. Somepin Anypin (NZ) has only had eleven career starts for five wins and two minor placings.

The New Zealand galloper Sharp Princess (NZ) has interesting form having been placed in a Group One race back in New Zealand and dropping back to a G3 race tomorrow would definitely give her a great chance of taking out the $150,000 Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup.

Australia’s leading trainer Peter Snowden always targets this meeting and tomorrow he has eight runners with Quidnunc and Yulalona lining up in the Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup 1600m and don’t be surprised to see one of Peters gallopers taking out the 2011 Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup.

My Selections; Somepin Anything, Quidnunc, Renewed Vitality

Early Betting;

 $2.50 Somepin Anypin (NZ), $6 Willy Jimmy, Sharp Princess, $7.50 Quidnunc, $8.50 Renewed Vitality, Yulalona $10 Pureness, Run For Levi, Solid Billing, $12 Adnocon, Lucky Dubai, $15 Theophorus, Zara Dancer $20 Colour Purple, Scottish Border, $25 Leica Larrikin

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 The $100,000 Skin Fitness (Listed) 1300m Cup has assembled a field of nine runners with quality gallopers Title, Mascareri, Shannara and Firebolt (NZ) accepting for the race.

Once again Peter Snowden has duel runners with Mascareri and Shannara and this race the $100,000 Skin Fitness Cup has been won by Peter the last two years with Beaded (2009) and Kanzan (2010).

Hawkesbury Race Club Member Louise Nutman owner of well creditdential galloper Title who return from a spell with an explosive win in the Lightning Handicap 1100m at Randwick on 15^th October 2011 and a repeat of that effort would see Title proving very hard to beat and he is a winner at two of his three second up attempts.

Smokey of the race could be the Chris Waller trained Firebolt (NZ) who has been fitted for a first up performance with two recent barrier trials with the most recent being winning a trial at Rosehill back on 25^th October 2011 in impressive fashion and Firebolt (NZ) has won first up at a prior campaign in New Zealand.

My Selections; Firebolt, Title, Mascareri, Kanzan

Early Betting; $2.70 Title, $4 Firebolt (NZ)$6 Mascareri, Shannara, $8 Agister, Altered Boy, Budabar, That’s Cricket, Brilliant Light

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The Ted McCabe Memorial Benchmark Handicap 1400m Cup is being run for the second year with Ted’s great mate Peter Snowden winning the inaugural running of the race with his galloper Survival.

Ted McCabe was a member of the Hawkesbury race club for 44 years, of those years, 28 years as a Committeeman/Director, 2 years as Vice chairman and the last 17 years as chairman.

Ted represented Hawkesbury Race Club at the NSW Provincial association for over 20 years, the last 17 as chairman.

Peter Snowden again looks to have an undeniable chance of winning the Ted McCabe Memorial Cup for the second year running with his smart galloper Quadrant who last start finished third to the promising galloper Nextanix only beaten one and a half lengths and that’s excellent form for the Ted McCabe Memorial Cup. Quadrant should be cherry ripe for tomorrow’s assignment as it will be his third run from a spell and he does look one of the better bets on the programme.

Local galloper Hamburg trained by Wade Slinkard will prove the hardest for Quadrant to beat following his excellent at Rosehill last Saturday behind Revolt (NZ) only beaten just under two lengths and that was a City Saturday race and dropping back to Provincial grade tomorrow will see Hamburg prove hard to beat.   

My Selections: Quadrant, Hamburg, Misshiraz,  

Betting; $2.50 Quadrant, $4 Hamburg $6.50 Misshiraz, Foreign News, $8 Angeloro, Cyber Crime, $12 Mossalicious, Kinetics, $15 State General $20 Watson

Apart from the three main races on the tomorrow’s the other five races look attractive betting races and with a little luck punters should go home with their pockets full.

I thought the two best bets on the programme were Saint Saiala in the Benchmark 65 Handicap 1800m and Interpret in the Class Two Handicap 1400m.

Saint Saiala is a galloper trained by David Payne returning from an excellent run at Rosehill where he finished fifth beaten just on five lengths and the drop in grade tomorrow will see Saint Saiala entering the winners circle.

Interpret is from the all powerful Peter Snowden stable and this gelding is also returning from a good city performance and whatever beats Interpret in the $20,000 Class Two Handicap 1400m will be winning the race.

Peter also looks to a great chance of taking out the $20,000 maiden to be run over 1500m with his galloper Sleuths who last start finished second in a Wyong Maiden handicap 1350m beaten under a length and that was his first run from a spell and he was seen running on nicely over the concluding stages and the step up to 1500m tomorrow should suit Sleuths.

Former New Zealand trainer Bjorn Baker produced Havana Rey at Hawkesbury last Thursday week only to run into the very smart galloper Turn On Sixpence and had to settle on second placing, but tomorrow Havana Rey should go one better and take out the $20,000 Maiden Handicap to be run over 1200m.  

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Hawkesbury’s arguably second biggest day of the year is not too far away with the running of the $150,000 Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup (G3) and the $100,000 Yalumba Wines Listed Cup 1300m to be run at Hawkesbury on Thursday 3^rd November 2011 which is traditionally known as Ladies Day and clashes with OAKS day in Melbourne.

Hawkesbury Race Club Directors have made significant increases to prize money for the Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup being increased from $130,000 to $150,000 and the Ted McCabe Memorial Benchmark 70 Handicap 1500m will now carry prize money of $40,000 along with Skin Fitness Ladies Day Cup (Listed) 1300m which has prize money of $100,000 with the overall prize money for the eight race programme being $400,000.

Leading Sydney trainer Peter Snowden who traditionally has a large team competing for the hugh prizemoney on the Panthers Hawkesbury Gold cup race day and this year appears that Peter will have strong team again with Yulalona,  Shannara and Quidnunc being set for the $150,000 Panthers Hawkesbury (G3) Gold Cup 1600m and Last year’s winner Kanzan and Mascareii being aimed at the $100,000m Skin Fitness (Listed) Cup 1300m. Peter also is very keen to win the Ted McCabe Memorial Cup 1400m and has Quadrant penciled in to run that race.

Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride has indicated that last start impressive city winner Title will be set for the $100,000 Skin Fitness cup along with Ego’s Dare.

Hawkesbury trainer Garry Frazer has indicated that his galloper Scottish Border will be aimed at the Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup along with the Kris Lees trained Hidden Wonder.

Garry Portelli will be running last Saturday’s winner Somepin Anypin (NZ) in the Panthers Hawkesbury Cup following his sensational win last Saturday and  John Thompson will be running Renewed Vitality also in the Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup 

Panther Hawkesbury Gold Cup Race programme is as follows;

$150,000 Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup (G3) 1600m

$100,000 Skin Fitness Ladies Day Cup (Listed) 1300m

$40,000 Ted McCabe Benchmark 70 Handicap 1500m (BOBS BONUS UP TO $18,000)

$27,000 Benchmark 65 1800m (BOBS BONUS UP TO ($18,000)

$27,000 Benchmark 65 1000m (BOBS BONUS UP TO $18,000)

$20,000 Class 2 Handicap 1400m (BOBS BONUS UP TO $9,000)

$20,000 Maiden Plate 1200m (BOBS BONUS UP TO $9,000)

$20,000 Maiden Plate 1500m (BOBS BONUS UP TO $9,000)

Previous winners of the Panther Hawkesbury Gold Cup 1600m (G3);

2010 Thankgodyou’rehere        Pat & Wayne Webster              R.M.Quinn

2009 Keepin’The Dream(NZ)  Jim & Greg Lee                        Chris Munce

2008 Nuclear Sky                      Jack Denham                            Glen Colless

2007 Not run due to EI

2006 Beauty Watch                    Gai Waterhouse                       Chris Munce

2005 Wild Queen                        Gai Waterhouse                      Lenny Beasley

Previous Winners of the Skin Fitness Cup 1300m (Listed)

2010 Kanzan                             Peter Snowden                          Christian Reith

2009 Beaded                             Peter Snowden                          Tim Bell

2008 Blessus                             Bart Cummings                         John Lloyd

2007 Not run due to EI

2006 King Rex                          Stephen Hood                         M.A.Cahill

2005Wild Queen                       Gai Waterhouse                      Zac Purton

The first running of the Ted McCabe Memorial Cup was conduct last year and fittingly the winner Survival was owned by Darley and prepared by Peter Snowden the establishment and boss Ted worked under.

Last year Hawkesbury Race Club were able to entice New Zealand super star apprentice jockey James McDonald to ride at the meeting and he had success on Reigns Above steering that galloper victory in the Lander Toyota Class One handicap 1000m with one of his typical brilliant rides. James has been invited to ride at the 2011 Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup meeting.

Apart from the quality racing on Thursday 3^rd November 2011 at Hawkesbury there is also over $250,000 in prizes to be won which include a Fashions On The Field Competition with over $20,000 worth of prizes to be won in the following three categories;

Best dressed Lady (Classic Style)

Best Dressed Lady (Contemporary)

Best Hat

Patrons are reminded that there is free entry for Pensioners and Members of Panthers, Blacktown Workers Group and Richmond Club members.

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Hawkesbury Race club 2011/2012 Trainers and Jockey’s Premiership has now been running for three months and the results as at 20^th October 2011 are;

Hawkesbury trainers Premiership;

Garry White 3 Wins

Hawkesbury Open trainers Premiership

Peter Snowden 5 wins

Jockey’s Premiership

Tommy Berry 3wins

Apprentices Premiership

Racing New South Wales racing department appear to be in for another battle with the country trainers who are not happy with the present Benchmark Ratings System and are requesting a return to the class 1 to 6 system for a twelve trial period.

The country trainer’s main compliant against the benchmark ratings system is that it does not rate horses fairly across the three sectors of NSW racing and the provincial trainers are commenting on that it takes too long for a horses ratings to fall compared to the rate their ratings are increased.

After watching last week’s racing at Caulfield I came away thinking that I might be able to find the VRC Derby winner and a runner at big odds in the Melbourne Cup who will prove hard to beat.

If you missed the run of Niagara in the Norman Robinson Stakes (3yo G3) 2000m last Saturday week who was set an impossible task after being badly positioned near the 600m and never gained a clear run until 200m and then flashed home to beaten just over a length into third placing behind Sabrage and Sangster and that will be the last time those two gallopers will finish in front of Niagara. Niagara is presently $6 favourite for the VRC Derby and to my eye that is good value.

Former Leading Hawkesbury trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith produced a first starter at Gosford last Sunday week in the form of Famous Seamus who was specked in the betting ring firming from $13 into $10 and ran up to that specking by scoring a soft victory in the Belle Property Terrigal Maiden Handicap 1200m. Ridden to perfection by female jockey Robyn Freeman- Kay Famous Seamus proved to strong on line for the professional place getter Millenium Ruler $2.50 defeating that galloper by half a length with the team Hawkes trained galloper Danrho $3.50 a further two lengths away in third placing.

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Punters certainly warmed up for next week’s Hawkesbury Cup by splurging in excess of $2.3 million on last Thursday race meeting at Hawkesbury and at the end of the day Bookmakers held a slight advantage over the punters.

The meeting was full of quality galloper’s with three gallopers that won at the meeting will definitely go on and win in town in the near future.

The first of the promising gallopers to win was the Grahame Begg trained Fedde (  Dane Shadow – Nightingales Lane) who came from a mile back at the home turn to swamp his rivals over the final 200 metres and raced away to score by one and three quarters lengths from the odds on favourite Able Fast $1.70, with Kilauea $11 a further half neck away in third placing. In winning Fedde broke the Class record of 1.17.63 for the 1300m set back in 2005 by Come In Spanner.

Gosford trainer John McNair has his hands on very smart filly Turn On Sixpence $2.60 (Elusive Quality (USA)– Fashions Afield) who simply toyed with her opposition in the Aruze Gaming Maiden Handicap 1000m and on the line was being eased down to score by two and a half lengths from Havana Rey $4.20 and in doing so ran 56.98 for the 1000m which is very quick time.

Hawkesbury’s arguably biggest day of the year has arrived with running of the $130,000 Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup (G3) and the $100,000 Yalumba Wines Listed Cup 1300m to be run at Hawkesbury tomorrow which is traditionally known as Ladies Day.

The club received 164 nominations for the meeting which is a near record for Ladies day and will assure Patrons of top class racing for the entire day.

The 2009 Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup field is outstanding with leading trainers Peter Snowden (Spinney), Guy Walter (Bernica), Graeme Rogerson (Illuminates), Ron Leemon ( Innings), Anne Marie Ruttley ( Syreon), Kim Waugh (Delago Star)  Chris Waller (Shadow Cabinet) along with local trainers Garry White (North Dakota, & Cullen Castle) and Wade Slinkard (Ausbred King) all supporting the race this feature race

The Cup Field for 2009 is;

Horse                       Trainer                                    Jockey                   Price

Bernicia                   Guy Walter                               Kathy O’Hara        4/1

Spinney                    Peter Snowden                        Josh Parr                  10/1                                       

Alverta                    Paul Messara                            Tye Angland           8/1

Illuminates              Graeme Rogerson                     Peter Wells              8/1                      

Ausbred King          Wade Slinkard                         Grant Buckley         25/1

Bacchanal Woman    Keith Dryden                          Kevin Sweeney           15/1

Cullen Castle            Garry White                                                              20/1

Delago Star                Kim Waugh                           Jay Ford                      15/1

Syreon                     Anne Marie Ruttley                  Peter Robl               5/1

 Keepin’ the Dream (NZ) Jim & Greg Lee               Chris Munce              10/1                                                            

North Dakota           Garry White                                                              10/1

Tora Tora Tora          Tom Mulholland                                                        33/1                 

Selecting the winner of the 2009 Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup is not an easy assignment as this is one of the most open Cup’s run over the last fifteen years which is the time Panthers has been associated with the Hawkesbury Race Club.

Many years ago a smart punter told me always back a horse the has been specifically set for a race and I reckon Guy Walter has had the Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup on Bernicia’s agenda for quite a while and on landing in Melbourne last Friday I had a friendly chat the General Manager of Darley Australia Henry Plumptree and he was very upbeat about the chances of Bernicia in tomorrow’s Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup 1600m.

Bernicia’s last start effort was full of merit finishing second to Messenger in the $100,000 Gosford Belle The Turf Stakes a listed race run over tomorrow’s distance 1600 metres

The $100,000 Yalumba Wines Listed Cup 1300m has drawn together a high quality field of open company gallopers at Hawkesbury tomorrow with leading trainers Gai Waterhouse (Rockwood) and Peter Snowden (Beaded ) along with Allan Denham (Youthful Jack) holding the key to this years race.

The 2009 Yalumba Wines Cup Field is;

Horse                                  Trainer                               Jockey                               Price

Youthful Jack                      Allan Denham                  Chris Munce                          7/2  

Black Prince                         Joseph Pride                    Peter Robl                              7/1

Rockwood                            Gai Waterhouse              Noel Callow                             9/2

Lyncean Academy               Guy Walter                      Kathy O’Hara                         7/1

Ego’s Dare                           Gerald Ryan                    Jay Ford                                   7/2

Beaded                                 Peter Snowden                  Josh Par                                   6/1

Royal Esprit                         John Hawkes                                                                    10/1

Hotel Casino                        Grahame Begg                  Tye Angland                            15/1

Allervite                              Gary Portelli                        Nathan Berry                          20/1

Buttido                                Steve Englebrecht               Tommy Berry                         15/1

The $100,000 Yalumba Wines Cup (Listed) looks a race with three definite winning chances on paper and rarely does Gai Waterhouse come to Hawkesbury on feature days and not go away with one of the main races and that’s the reason I’m tipping Rockwood to take out the Yalumba Wines Cup 1300 metres.

Rockwood has had one run since returning from a long spell and finished fourth to Absoluteyfabulous in the Newcastle Cameron back on September 17^th 2009.Rockwood’s form prior to going for a spell included a second in the Group One Toorak handicap run over the 1600 metres

Main dangers to Rockwood will be Youthful Jack and Beaded both gallopers coming out of city class races at their last start with Beaded being a winner at her last two city starts and Youthful Jack finishing a close up fourth and prior to that effort Youthful Jack did trial brilliantly.

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Punters looking for winners on the supporting programme tomorrow should stay on the Garry White bandwagon who has trained a winner at four of the last five Hawkesbury race Meetings and tomorrow he has last start Hawkesbury winner Shadow Minister engaged in the Benchmark 60 2000m handicap and he only has to run up to his last start winning performance at Hawkesbury where he defeated the John O’Shea trained galloper Bidthemobgooday quite comfortably over the 2000 metre journey to be winning tomorrow and will only have improved from last run.

John O’Shea has Ithinkso engaged in the 1200 metre fillies and mares race and if she runs up to her barrier trial performance when finishing third to Apparitions and at no stage was given full rein and improvement from that trail will see her winning tomorrow.

Following the sad passing of Hawkesbury Race Club Chairman Ted McCabe there became a casual vacancy on the Hawkesbury Race Club Board and following last week’s October monthly board meeting the Board of Directors unanimously agreed to invite Doctor Philip Chen onto the board to fill the casual vacancy in which Philip accepted the position and in his words regarded it as an Honour and a Privilege.

Philip will be a great asset for the Hawkesbury Race Club having owned race horses for 17 years including Group One gallopers Mt Bureaucrat and All Black Gold and more recently entered the breeding industry and currently have a broodmare band of six in New Zealand and Australia. Philip is also a member of the Australian Thoroughbred Breeders Club and currently has interests in several racehorses trained by Chris Waller.

Philip completed his secondary education in New Zealand and then attended the University of Sydney Medical School and Graduated in1985 with a bachelor of medicine and a bachelor of surgery – M.B.B.S.

How proud would Ted be if he only knew that his friendly doctor Phil Chen filled the vacancy on the Hawkesbury Race Club Board

Hawkesbury’s future Champion apprentice Josh Adams had a very successful day at Newcastle last Saturday riding a winning double and three second placegetters.

Josh’s first winner was the $11 priced galloper Baggio’s Penalty who scored a length victory in the 900 metre maiden Handicap. Josh second leg of his winning double was on the Anthony Mountney trained galloper Emulous $5.50 who scored a long neck win in the 2300 metre maiden plate.This kid is going to make head lines in the near future.

Last Thursday Hawkesbury’s race meeting was the third meeting held for the month of September 2011 and congratulations must be passed onto the racecourse manager Jeff Haynes and his staff for the presentation of the track surface for the three September meetings and now they have the task preparing the track for eight race meetings over the next three months of October, November and December 2011. Race dates for the next three months are, October are Sunday 9^th  (Hawkesbury’s Wine, Food & Music Festival), Thursday 20^th October (Richmond Club Supporting New Haven Farm), Thursday 3^rd November (Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup/Skin Fitness Ladies Day), Thursday 10^th November (Albert O’Cass OAM Memorial Cup), Wednesday 23rd November (Randwick meeting transferred to Hawkesbury), Thursday 1^st December (Clarendon Homes and Staff Christmas Parties), Sunday 11^th December (Staff Christmas parties), and Sunday 18^th December (Staff Christmas).

The first major day is the Wine, Food and music festival which this year has nearly double the number of stall holders on the previous year which should insure there is plenty of variety for all race day patrons and the festival commences at 11am and amongst the stalls will be Weight watchers free tasting and recipe demonstrations.

Hawkesbury’s premier country rock band Rough Stock and the up and coming Blues Rock band THE GOOD NIGHT JOHN BOYS will be entertaining you on the music front.

Along with all the music and stalls there will be an eight race programme with prizemoney of $112,000 to be distributed and the first race will commence at 1.15pm

At last Thursday’s Hawkesbury race meeting patrons witnessed one of the easiest wins seen at Hawkesbury since Curata Storm back in the nineties won his maiden at Hawkesbury by eight lengths and then went onto win the BMW and Pregrada (More Than Ready (USA) – Dansino) last Thursday won by nine lengths and could have won by twenty lengths had jockey Corey Brown desired. This magnificently bred 4yo mare Pregrada scored the easiest win I have ever seen at Hawkesbury and on the line had nine lengths to spare over the second placegetter Belnova with Tango Valentino a further one and three quarters of a length away in third placing.

Trainer Clarrie Conners is now setting Pregrada for a mid week staying race and after she wins that race it is off to Melbourne and don’t be surprised to see this smart mare figure in one of the Country Cups over the Melbourne Spring carnival.

Hawkesbury trainer Garry White brought off a plunge in race one last Thursday with his 3yo filly Shadow Line who was backed from $8 into start at $5 and simply proved too good for her opposition defeating the David Payne galloper Emila by three quarters of a length, with the Gerald Ryan trained galloper Rock Monster flashing home into third placing a head away.

Garry completed a winning double when he saddled up Foreign News $6.50 to take out the Griffin Air Conditioning Class Two Handicap 1400m. Apprentice Sam Clipperton was aboard both of Garry’s winners and this young apprentice is certainly making a name for himself.   

CEO of the Australian Turf Club Darren Pearce shared in the winning ownership of Harry The Fox a 4yo Pins gelding from the Anthony Cummings yard and given a perfect ride in front by jockey Hugh bowman, Harry The Fox hung on over the concluding to sore by a long neck in the Genneral Staircase Maiden Handicap run over 1400m.     

Trainers stepped their babies out for the first time at the first official 2yo trials held at Canterbury last Monday week and THE MIDWEEKER was there to cover the twelve trials and no surprises with Peter Snowden producing a very smart 2yo in the shape of Sessions (Lonhro – Seances) who was being eased down by jockey Corey Brown on the line and was still able to win heat nine in impressive fashion. Another Snowden runner to trail well was Knoydart (More Than ready – Regal Cheer) who ran good time overall and a early 2yo win is assured for this well bred galloper.

The fastest heat of the morning was won by the Grahame Begg trained 2yo Kyria (Encosta de Lago – Rhema) who also appeared to have plenty up his sleeve on the line.

Hawkesbury Owner/Trainer Vic Bates quietly goes about his business of training winners and was seen in the winner’s circle at Nowra last Tuesday week with his 5yo platinum Scissors galloper Monte Abu who was successful in taking out the Penza – Winning Jockey Class One handicap run over 1400m.

Vic has formed a great partnership with jockey Jon Grisdale and they again combined at Nowra to land Monte Abu $$.40 a narrow long head winner over the rank outsider Rambo Raider $26 with the $4.20 favourite New York’s Finest a further long head away in third placing.

Another Hawkesbury trainer having success last week was Garry Frazer with his former smart 2yo Misshiraz who scored a nice win in the Lake Moore Benchmark 73 Handicap 1600m at Canterbury last Wednesday. Unwanted in the betting after opening at $10 Misshiraz started at $14 and after being given a good ride by apprentice Sam Clipperton she simply had too much class for her opposition and went on to defeat the $4.20 favourite Sailor Sam by three quarters of a length with Blurred Vision a further three quarters of a length away in third placing.

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Hawkesbury Race Club Limited will be running a White Goods Promotion over their eight race meetings during the months of October, November and December 2011.

At the following race meetings Sunday 9^th October, Thursday 20^th October, Thursday 3^rd November, Thursday 10^th November, Thursday 1^st December, Sunday 11^th December and Sunday 18^th December, race day patrons will have the opportunity to win three major White Good prizes of a Refrigerator, Washing Machine or Dishwasher by simply writing your name on the back of a losing betting ticket.

The draw for the three White Good prizes will be conducted at random on race day and the winner must identify themselves at the Office within ten minutes of their name being drawn out and if the prize is not claimed it will be added to the draw conducted on Sunday 18^th December 2011 where all prizes will be drawn until claimed.

All losing betting tickets from the previous 7 race meetings will be added to the last draw after the first three Whitegoods have been drawn to win any remaining Whitegoods not claimed over the previous meetings, plus the chance to win the major prize being a  holiday to Fiji which includes Airfares from Sydney, transfers plus 5 nights’ luxury accommodation  at Fiji’s famous Shangri La 5 star resort.

I am pleased to report that Coonamble trainer John Lundholm is making steady progress from head injuries suffered when he fell from his horse during track work on September 2^nd 2011.

As a result of those injuries John was transferred to Westmead Hospital and doctors have requested that John has complete rest and at this stage no visitors as rest will quicken his recovery.

Hopefully Racing NSW Chief Executive Peter V’Landys in agreeing that his Thoroughbred stewards will now take over the harness racing Stewards functions and combine both panels is a decision will not affect the integrity of the NSW racing industry.

The decision to combine the stewards’ functions was agreed to by the boards of both Racing NSW and Harness racing NSW at the request of Racing minister Hon George Souris M.P

Mr Souris asked both Boards to agree to the move to ensure and protect the integrity of racing in this State, especially after the recent allegations of corruption in the harness racing industry.

Let’s hope for V’Landys sake the joint venture has some upside for the NSW Thoroughbred industry as for what other reason would you want to put your elite stewards under the pressure of being involved with the NSW Harness Racing Industry.

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Tomorrow’s race meeting at Hawkesbury continues a heavy work load on the Hawkesbury course proper with three race meetings for the month of September coming to end tomorrow with a quality eight race programme to commence at 1.10pm.

Leading Australian trainer Peter Snowdon had a rare visit to Hawkesbury’s recent race meeting held 8^th September 2011 and left without training a winner which happens very rarely for Peter and i am certain Peter won’t be leaving tomorrow’s race meeting without entering the winners circle which he may enter on more than one occasion.

Peter has five gallopers nominated for the meeting,  Quadrant (B/M 65 1200m), Languid (Class 2 1400m), Baculos (Maiden 1000m &maiden 1200m), Sleuths (Maiden 1200m) and they all appear to have chances with the best being Languid and Baculos.

Hawkesbury training partnership of Lisa Cohen and Oldrich Jiricka appear to a great winning chance with their 4yo Mossman galloper Mosscat in the Maiden Handicap to be run over 1000m and going on his recent trail at Hawkesbury back on 12^th September 2011 where blitzed a strong field in above time, Mosscat looks one of the better bets on the programme   

After the running of the last race meeting at Hawkesbury I left the course thinking were ever Bimbadgen Lad starts next time I would like to have a decent bet on the galloper as he run last start at Hawkesbury on 8^th September 2011 was outstanding and probably should have won. Tomorrow at Hawkesbury Bimbadgen Lad is engaged in the Colts & Gelding Benchmark 65 1200m and going on the way Bimbadgen Lad charged home to finish second to Man Of Honour over the 1000m journey, the step up to 1200m tomorrow will suit admirably and he looks the safest each way bet on the programme.

Sixteen barrier trial heats were conducted at Hawkesbury last Monday week with the heat winners being;

Heat                            Winner                                           Trainer

One                             Dashing Fortune                           Tommy Wong

Two                             Hard Liquor                                    Anthony Cummings    

Three                          Honourable Aussie                        John Thompson

Four                            Shade of Green                               Wade Slinkard

Five                             Diamond Springs                             Garry White

Six                               Knowing Me (NZ)                            Steve Englebrecht                  

Seven                         The Caped Kitten                             Lisa Cohen & Oldrich Jiricka

Eight                           Mosscat                                             Lisa Cohen & Oldrich Jiricka  

Nine                            L’academie de Joie                          Gabrielle Englebrecht  

Ten                             Queen And Country                         Joan Pracey

Eleven                        Knight Tiger                                       Joan Pracey     

Twelve                       Gold Strike                                         Noel Mayfield-Smith

Thirteen                     She’s a Superstar                             Gary Portelli

Fourteen                    Sastruga                                             Peter Snowden        

Fifteen                        Shady Favour                                     Gary Portelli 

Sixteen                       See You in Vegas                               Gary Portelli

Warwick Farm trainer Gary Portelli was the star of the Hawkesbury trial preparing three heat winners with Hawkesbury trainer Joan Pracey winning two heats and the Hawkesbury Training combination of Lisa Cohen and Oldrich Jiricka also preparing two heat winners.and running 34.78 for the final 600m.

Two Hawkesbury trained gallopers that were placed in the trials Dark Brown Sugar ( Scott Singleton) and Hamburg (Wade Slinkard) were both given easy trails and if placed to advantage should been in the winner’s circle in the near future.

Last week courtesy of the Bluebloods Australia’s Thoroughbred Magazine I was reading the profiles of the new season sires for 2011 and two that caught my attention were Beneteau (Redoute’s Choice – Slice of Paradise) and Hinchinbrook(Fastnet Rock – Snippets Lass).

Not many will remember but Beneteau was a $1m yearling purchase and after having his racing career cut short will be standing at Arrowfield, Scone this season for the affordable price of $11,000.

Beneteau showed at his first start that he had plenty of class running a class record (57.62) on a dead track, defeating the brilliant filly Georgette Silk by 2.75 lengths back on Australia Day 2010.

Being a Million Dollar Purchase and being by Redoute’s Choice, Beneteau could be the new first season sire sensation for 2011 and the $11,000 service fee would be an absolute steal.

Hinchinbrook was taken to England for a tilt at the Golden Jubilee –Group One, but could not take his place in the field when he strained a suspensory ligament a few days before the race which was terrible news for connections, but was good news in a way for his Australian supporters as it means his fee is just $16,500 at Yarraman Park, Scone this season.

Hinchinbrook won his first race start being successful in the Listed Canterbury Stakes 1100m and then at his next start beat a classy field in the Group 3 Skyline Stakes coming from last to defeat Brightexpectations and Pressday and in winning ran 1.08.87 for the 1200m.

On form and breeding there is little doubt that Hinchinbrook will make it as a sire.

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Hawkesbury trainer Robert Brooke travelled to Queanbeyan last Tuesday week for success with his 10yo gelding Picasin who was successful in taking out the Linray Finance Benchmark 50 handicap run over 1100m.

Hawkesbury Race Club major sponsors Dad & Dave’s Turf and Evergreen Turf were among the list of sponsors who recently attended the Australian Racecourse Managers Conference held at the Gold Coast Turf Club who agreed at short notice to hold the conference after the tragic events in Christchurch, the former proposed venue.

Sunshine, balmy weather, excellent facilities greeted 137 delegates who came from Australia, Hong King, England and USA.

 The Australian Turf Club has programmed arguably the best race meeting to be held in New South Wales with nine Group and Listed races to run on Saturday 3^rd October 2011 distributing $2.4m in prizemoney.

The $500,000 Epsom Handicap 1600m is always won by a galloper that run a strong 2000m and the galloper that fits that criteria is Fast Clip a Waterhouse trained galloper who will be going into the Epsom at his third run back from a spell and owner Luke Henderson informed me last week that Chris Munce has already been engaged and with only 53 Kilo’s on his back Fast Clip who is presently 14/1 in early betting charts will take plenty of beating.

After watching the Spring Stakes 1600m at Newcastle last Wednesday week i have no doubt that the Peter Snowden Ambidexter is the horse to beat in the $400,000 Spring Champion Stakes 2000m to be run at Randwick on Saturday 1^st October 2011.

Again at Newcastle the run of the Newcastle Cup winner Green Moon was one of the toughest wins i have ever see and what beats Green Moon in the $400,000 Metropolitan Handicap come Saturday 1^st October 2011 will be winning the race.   

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Once again Hawkesbury City Council residents, neighboring residents of cities Parramatta, Blacktown and Penrith gave thumbs up to racing on a Saturday at Hawkesbury by showing up in hugh numbers and trainers also appreciated the short travel to Hawkesbury from Warwick Farm, Rosehill and Randwick and that was evident by the 157 nominations received for the meeting.

All leading trainers Gai Waterhouse, Peter Snowden, John O’Shea, Chris Waller, Pat & Wayne Webster, Kevin Moses, Clarrie Connors, Gwenda Markwell, Darren Smith, Kris Lees, Paul Perry, Garry White, Garry Frazer,Grant Allard and the list goes on, all had horses participating at the Hawkesbury meeting giving further strength to the argument of Saturday Racing at Hawkesbury.

Following a week of sunshine the track was rated a good 3 and raced very evenly with winners leading and also coming from the back of the field too snatch victory.

Peter Snowden whilst winning races at Warwick Farm and Flemington last Saturday also travelled a team to Hawkesbury where he was successful with the promising 3yo filly Moravany who aided by a ten out of ten ride from Hawkesbury jockey Grant Buckley was too good for her opposition in the Byrnesys Bucks Do Class Two handicap run over 1400 metres. Moravany after slightly missing the start jockey Buckley gained every inside run possible and rounding the home turn Buckley switched Moravany to the centre of the track and she raced away to defeat De Burghler $9 by one and a quarter lengths with the $3.20 favourite Freyberg a further one and a half lengthens away in third placing.

Gai Waterhouse trained galloper Tango Valentino brought off a hugh plunge in the Wenty Leagues 2000m Maiden plate backed in from his opening quote of $3.50 to start a short priced favourite at $2.60 and at no stage was the plunge in doubt with Tango Valentino coasting to the line just under three lengths ahead of the second place getter Yates Road $4.40 with Lordship $14 a further long head away in third placing.

Punters looking for horse to follow from the meeting I would suggest you stick with the two gallopers that were successful on the being the Peter Snowden trained Moravany and the Gai Waterhouse trained Tango Valentino as there are plenty more wins in those two gallopers.      

Hawkesbury race again tomorrow with another excellent eight race programme with the first race due to commence at 12.45pm.

Punters looking for value at tomorrow’s meeting should take note of the $16,000 Benchmark 60 handicap to be run over 1600m and the galloper I like has a rugby league flavor about the ownership with the Tara Vigouroux trained Zelaating has amongst its owners none other than Benji Marshall and Chris Lawrence and I did like the last start run of Zelaating finishing fourth at Canterbury beaten just over two lengths and a return to Provincial grade tomorrow will see Zelaating performing creditably.

Looking for a good investment on the programme I suggest you follow the Clarrie Connors trained Zastava in the $16,000 Class 2 handicap to be run over 2000m and it is a race that looks to have only two possible hopes with the other being the Grahame Begg trained End Of Time.

Hawkesbury trainer Garry White looks like starting the new season in style with his galloper Rock Forever who does appear to be the blue chip investment of tomorrow’s meeting following three minor placing this 4yo galloper should enter the winning circle tomorrow.      

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Barrier Trial Publication THE MIDWEEKER covered twenty trial heats held at Warwick Farm last Friday week and highlighted three horses for punters to follow.

Two of the gallopers to follow come from the Peter Snowden stables in the shape of Celts and Disputes. Celts looked very impressive finishing second to Decision Time in heat two beaten a short head and at no stage was given full rein and both the heat winner Decision Time and Celts looked to be in for a good Spring.

Disputes was not knocked about when finishing third to Combat Kitty in heat eight and in his last campaign Disputes was placed twice at Randwick and at the Scone Stand Alone meeting and this 3yo when the distances increase will graduate to listed company this campaign.

Gai Waterhouse produced a maiden 3yo galloper Bound To Blush in heat sixteen and she looked highly impressive winning the heat with plenty in hand and once she steps onto the race track she will be winning

The Provincial Racing Association of NSW which has five member clubs, Newcastle, Hawkesbury, Gosford, Wyong and Kembla Grange are joining with the NSW Country Council to have a combined Racing Awards night at the Darling Island Wharf, Doltone House, Pyrmont on Friday 30^th September 2011.

The Provincial Association will have five awards on the night which will be presented by the Chairman of the NSW provincial association Geoffrey Barnett with awards being;

Provincial Based Trainer of the Year; winner Gwenda Markwell

Provincial Jockey of the year; Winner Jeff Penza

Provincial trained Horse of the Year; Contenders – Sincero, Hay List, Atomic Force, Torio’s Quest

Ted McCabe Award; Nominations from delegates from each club for the person they feel has contributed greatly to Provincial Racing.

Tickets are still available to attend the function by contacting Bianca Silvestro 95517561

Race Clubs in New South Wales ride on the back of major sponsorships from the license Clubs within NSW and now must fully support their attack against the Federal Government who are trying to introduce legislation to support a policy that’s the progeny of a political marriage of convenience between Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Tasmanian Independent Andrew Wilkie.

THE GILLARD GOVERNMENT PLAN TO BRING IN A SYSTEM CALLED MANDATORY PRE-COMMITMENT to help people set and stick to their own limits when playing the pokies. 

In recent times, rallies of outraged club members, staff, suppliers, and supporters have begun across the state as the license to punt campaign rolls on and I implore the racing industry participants to join the License Clubs in NSW to campaign against the Gillard Government mandatory Pre- commitment.

If the Gillard government is successful in passing this legislation, club members will be penalized in the following ways

·         Increased membership fees

·         Increased food and drink prices

·         No Bingo, bowls or event facilities

·         No football club sponsorship

·         Substantial cuts in employment

·         Cuts in community support to local schools, junior sport, charity and welfare programs, emergency services and disaster relief … to name a few

Visit the campaign website to say No

Its-unaustralian.com.au

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Saturday Racing Returns to Hawkesbury

Saturday returns to Hawkesbury this Saturday 3^rd September 2011 with Hawkesbury Race Club programming an eight race programme with prizemoney of $112,000 to be distributed and the first race at Hawkesbury to commence at 12.40.

Saturday’s programme looks very good programme with good numbers in each race which makes it a little easier for punters to find winners at reasonable odds and after studying the nominations i am keen on three gallopers.

In the main race on the programme the $14,000 benchmark 65 handicap to be run over 1800m, i am very keen on the chances of a last start Hawkesbury winner Don’t Put It Wrong who broke his maiden status at Hawkesbury on 18^th August 2011 scoring an impressive win in the IGT Australia Maiden Plate run over 1500m and the step up to 1800m on Saturday will not be a worry as Don’t Put It There is very stoutly bred being by Viking Ruler out of a Nassipour mare Irish Nassie and on breeding he should run two miles.

Warwick farm trainer has his very expensive yearling purchase Lighthorseman nominated in the Class Two Handicap 1000m and if he runs up to his recent barrier trail win at Warwick Farm on Friday 26^th August where he scored by two lengths without being given full rein, Saturday’s class two race looks to be at Lighthorseman’s mercy.

Hawkesbury trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith has taken over the training of the former trained Bart Cummings galloper Maie Casey and her last start run for Noel indicated this 5yo mare is ready to break her maiden status in the 2000m maiden handicap at Hawkesbury on Saturday.     

THE MIDWEEKER covered seventeen barrier trial heats conducted on the Kensington (Heats 1-3) and the Steeplegrass tracks (Heats 4 – 17) at Randwick on Friday 19^th August 2011 and highlighted seven gallopers for punters to follow in the upcoming weeks.

Smart performer Gybe from the Anthony Cummings stables was given a very easy time in heat three finishing fourth behind Flying Success and is a winner of her last three races, so this trial should bring her up to the mark for a successful return to racing.

Heat six of the trials saw Sincero, Pureness and the smart Lightinthenite go round with THE MIDWEEKER very impressed with the trial of LIGHTINTHENITE from the John O’Shea yard who prior to going for a spell scored at Newcastle and Randwick and going on his trial this galloper has returned in great order and don’t be surprised to see Lightinthenite graduate to Group company. Another O’shea trained galloper to trial well was Showpony Express in heat nine finishing third to Sandhurst beaten under two lengths and at no stage was given full rein over the concluding stages by jockey James McDonald.

Last week in the Sydney Morning Herald journalist Chris Roots a former Illawarra Mercury journalist mentioned that there were moves to build a synthetic track at Kembla Grange at a cost of $10m which would give racing an all weather option and in the same article Grahame Begg suggested Racing NSW should replace the failed Kensington Track at Randwick with an all weather synthetic track.

Hawkesbury Race Club has had surveyors Rygate & company Pty ltd carry out costing and survey’s to install a 1983m x 18m synthetic track on the inside of the extended course proper and the cost came in at $7.5m which is an immediate saving of $2.5m on the Kembla Grange $10m budget,

Hawkesbury trainers have had a great start to the 2011/12 racing season and following up from three winners at Hawkesbury last Thursday week courtesy of Steve Brewer, Wanda Ings and Scott Singleton a trainer who is starting to make a name for herself is Connie Greig was in the winner’s circle at Kembla grange last Saturday week with her 8yr mare Lay Down Sally $2.80 who successful in taking out the Benchmark 60 Handicap run over 1300m.

Connie has only had her license to train for just over three years and all the hard work is starting to pay off and this is one young female trainer we will see entering the winners circle in the coming months.

Hawkesbury owner/trainer Mike Van Gestel has arrived in the Metropolitan winners circle last Tuesday week at Warwick Farm with his 5yo mare Drop of Magic who now has won nine races in last twelve months a truly remarkable performance from horse and trainer and drop Of Magic crack the 100k barrier in prizemoney with her Warwick Farm win.

The winning sequence for Hawkesbury trainers continued at Bathurst last Friday with Garry Frazer and Tommy Wong both having success. Tommy prepared Jayden And You to take out the 1300m Maiden Handicap scoring by at head at the good odds of $12 and Garry saddled up the $3.60 chance He’s No Mendican to score an easy victory in the maiden Plate run over 1400m   

Last Thursday the Australian Racing Board made alterations to minimum weights raising the minimum weight from 53kg to 54kg for handicap flat races and it was interesting to hear the jockeys opinion on the increase in weight carried.

Over my past 22 years as CEO of Hawkesbury Race Club the jockeys have always stuck together in decisions of calling race meetings off, but this issue of weights being increased there appears to be different opinions with light weight jockey Corey Brown not being in favour of the weights being increased, whereas Jim Cassidy and Josh Parr being forced to waste every day are over the moon with the 1kg increase.

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Hawkesbury’s arguably second biggest day of the year is not too far away with the running of the $150,000 Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup (G3) and the $100,000 Skin Fitness Listed Cup 1300m to be run at Hawkesbury on Thursday 3^rd November 2011 which is traditionally known as Ladies Day and clashes with OAKS day in Melbourne.

Hawkesbury Race Club Directors have made significant increases to prize money for the Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup being increased from $130,000 to $150,000 and the Ted McCabe Memorial Benchmark 70 Handicap 1500m will now carry prize money of $40,000 along with Skin Fitness Ladies Day Cup (Listed) 1300m which has prize money of $100,000 with the overall prize money for the eight race programme being $400,000.

Trainers are reminded that the two $27,000

Panther Hawkesbury Gold Cup Race programme is as follows;

$150,000 Panthers Hawkesbury Gold Cup (G3) 1600m

$100,000 Skin Fitness Ladies Day Cup (Listed) 1300m

$40,000 Ted McCabe Benchmark 70 Handicap 1500m

$27,000 Benchmark 65 1800m

$27,000 Benchmark 65 1000m

$20,000 Class 2 Handicap 1400m

$20,000 Maiden Plate 1200m

$20,000 Maiden Plate 1500m

Previous winners of the Panther Hawkesbury Gold Cup 1600m (G3);

2010 Thankgodyou’rehere        Pat & Wayne Webster              R.M.Quinn

2009 Keepin’The Dream(NZ)  Jim & Greg Lee                        Chris Munce

2008 Nuclear Sky                      Jack Denham                            Glen Colless

2005 Wild Queen                        Gai Waterhouse                      Lenny Beasley

Previous Winners of the Skin Fitness Cup 1300m (Listed)

2010 Kanzan                             Peter Snowden                          Christian Reith

2009 Beaded                             Peter Snowden                          Tim Bell

The first running of the Ted McCabe Memorial Cup was conduct last year and fittingly the winner Survival was owned by Darley and prepared by Peter Snowden the establishment and boss Ted worked under.

Apart from the quality racing on Thursday 3^rd November 2011 at Hawkesbury there is also over $250,000 in prizes to be won which include a Fashions On The Field Competition with over $20,000 worth of prizes to be won in the following three categories;

Best dressed Lady (Classic Style)

Best Dressed Lady (Contemporary)

Best Hat

Hawkesbury race again tomorrow and hopefully we can find a winner on the nine race programme and after studying the form from the early nominations I do like three gallopers on tomorrow’s programme which commences at 12.45pm.

The old tried and true formula for backing winners at Provincial race meetings is the way to go at Hawkesbury with Gai Waterhouse returning her maiden galloper Dreams And Desires from a city placing to Provincial grade in the 1800 metre maiden Handicap.

Dreams And Desires was beaten under a length in a Randwick Maiden for 3yo’s run over 1800 metres on 9^th August 2011 and prior to that run was beaten just over two length’s in  a Warwick Farm Maiden 1600m and tomorrow  dropping back to a provincial maiden, Dreams And Desires does look a blue chip investment. Gai also has Tango Valentino a Redoute’s Choice 4yo nominated for the same race and he could be the main danger for Dreams And Desires to beat.

The main race on the programme is the $16,000 Benchmark 65 Handicap 1000m and what a cracker of a race it is with four main chances to my eye headed by  Man Of Honour (Ken Callaughan), Brunnhilde (Les Bridge),Rialio (Gerald Ryan) and Strike Alert (Nick Osborne).

Man Of Honour has excellent form with his last three runs being in town in a higher Benchmark races with his last run being in a Benchmark 75 Handicap run at Randwick where he was beaten just over three lengths and prior to that run finished fourth in a Benchmark 70 also run at Randwick beaten under a length and back to a Benchmark 65 race at Hawkesbury tomorrow should see Man Of Honour entering the winners circle. Hardest for Man Of Honour to beat could be the rising 3yo Strike Alert who resumed from a spell with an excellent third in a Warwick Farm open 2yo race beaten just over two lengths and last preparation did contest the Canberra Black Opal and the Wellington Boot.

Hawkesbury training combination of Lisa Cohen and Oldrich Jiricka have their 5yo Magic Albert galloper Prestidigitate nominated for the $16,000 Benchmark 60 handicap to be run over 2000m and if he runs up to his last run when finishing fourth in a benchmark 70 handicap at Canterbury beaten just over one length and was a winner prior to that in a Class two handicap at Nowra he should run a great race tomorrow.  Hardest for Prestidigitate to beat could be the Bart Cummings trained Think Ahead who is also coming off an unplaced run in town and back to Provincial grade at Hawkesbury tomorrow should suit Think Ahead.  

In last week’s edition of the Winning Post they had an interesting section under their Final 2010/2011 Premiership results titled “Bred TO Swim” which listed the best Sires producing mud runners and the best Broodmare Sire of mud runners.

The best sires who are more likely to produce mud runners are Commands, Encosta de Lago, Magic Albert, Lonhro, More Than Ready, Testa Rossa and Galileo.

Broodmare sires include Danehill, Zabeel, Snippetts, Canny lad, Flying Spur, Marauding, Last Tycoon and Palace Music.

The National trainer’s premiership saw Peter Snowden head the list with 224.5 winners twenty eight ahead of Peter Moody on 196.5; with John Thompson on 156 ten ahead of Chris Waller on 146 with wins.

Nominations for the 2011 Tatts Cox Plate 2040m have now closed with a total 189 horses nominated which is three more than last year and seven less than 2009.

Corporate bookmakers will now start betting on the Cox Plate and five gallopers that I am interested in are Helmet (3yo’s have a good record in the Cox Plate), Neeson,  (Trainer Joe pride has always said Neeson is a G1 horse) Whobegotyou (Loves Monee Valley) Lights of Heaven (Trained by Peter Moody) Foreteller  (Imported galloper trained by Chris Waller).

Hawkesbury Race Club held seven heats of barrier trials last Monday week with winners being;

Heat                  Winner                                 Trainer

One                   Artful Charlie                       Tracey Bartley            

Two                   Hope She Does                    Wanda Ings

Three                Opposites                             Peter Snowden

Four                  Pennyforyathoughts           Tracey Bartley

Five                   Hannah Jane                         Anthony Cummings

Six                     Princess Gem                        Tracey Bartley

Seven               Nkonkoni                                Tracey Bartley

Star of the trials was the former Mudgee trainer Tracey Bartley who has now set up stables at Wyong preparing four of the seven heat winners.

Looking for horses to follow from the trials i would suggest the two Peter Snowden runners Boston Tea and Rustle.

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Last Thursday’s Race Meeting held at Hawkesbury saw for the first time the running rail out five metres which reduced the number of starters to eleven runners and the purpose of the running rail being out was to accommodate the installation of the new Plastic running rail which is being installed at a cost of $126,000 to further improve the safety for jockeys.

The eight race programme was held on a dead four track with the Hawkesbury trainers continuing their good trot with Noel Mayfield-Smith, Garry White and David Keegan each preparing a winner on the programme.

Punters were right on track with the Noel Mayfield-Smith galloper Lysistrata who was backed from $6.50 into $4.80 and thanks to a magnificent ride from Rodney Quinn, Lysistrata was able to come from the tail of the field on the turn to wear down the second placegetter Queen Commander and score by a neck with Pradastar a further two lengths away in third placing.

Leader Hawkesbury trainer Garry White commenced the new racing season in fine style with his 5yo mare Grand Impression scoring a sensational win in the Hawkesbury Race Club Motel Benchmark 65 Handicap 1800m after sitting three wide for the entire journey and was still able to out plug Admiral’s Cup over the final 100 metres to snatch victory right on the line. 

Blades of Gold prepared by David Keegan who returned to the winners circle after a very long drought scored an all the way victory in the Penrith Panthers maiden handicap run over 1300 metres and was also specked in the betting ring firming from $81 to $26 and eventually got back out to start at $31.    

Punters looking for horses to follow from the meeting should take note of four gallopers Australian Star a 3yo trained by Gerald Ryan who finished third behind More Than Irish in the opening event after being trapped wide for the entire journey.

Sovereign Debt in finishing second to Blades Of Gold was a good effort after missing the start and trainer rod Craig commented before the race that there was plenty of improvement in Sovereign Debt and if that is the case Sovereign Debt will be breaking his maiden status next start.

First and second placegetters Uncommon and She’s Clean out of the 3yo Maiden handicap 1000m  simply spaced their opposition leaving a six length margin to the third placegetter and both Uncommon and She’s Clean will both be winning more races if the time they ran is any indication as they recorded 57.92 for the 1000 metres.

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Barrier trial Publication THE MIDWEEKER covered eighteen trials held at Warwick farm on Friday 29^th July 2011 and were there some big guns stepping out to ready themselves for the upcoming Spring carnival.

Heat three was full of Group and Listed winners which included Neeson, Ilovethiscity, Gathering, Pinwheel, Triple Elegance and Merensky Reef. The Midweeker thought the best of the heat were Pinwheel, Neeson and Ilovethiscity, with Neeson now having three trials so he should be ready to produce his best this campaign.

Joe Pride who recently announced an increase in stable numbers had a couple of gallopers trialling like future winners with Polly winning heat seventeen under a tight hold and I’m In The Money won heat twelve without being allowed full rein and they both should have healthy campaign’s going into the spring.

 Hawkesbury Race Club Directors at their recent Board meeting held on Monday 4^th August 2011 resolved to make the first floor of the W.B.Walker stand into an Owners lounge as from 1^st September 2011.

All owners will still receive their owner’s tickets plus one drink voucher at the turnstile building upon entry to racecourse.

  Unfortunately there will be four (4) dates when this room is unavailable as the romm has been prior booked for functions with those dates being;

Thursday 3^rd November 2011

Thursday 1^st December 2011-08-03 Sunday 11^th December 2011-08-03 Sunday 18^th December 2011.

The Darley juggernaut continues to have success in all areas of the thoroughbred industry winning races all over the country side and they also have the leading BOBS stallions with their sires Commands having won $345,000 in BOBS Bonuses and Lonhro sitting second on the list having won $322,500 in BOBS Bonuses.

Around 140 stallions have been listed for the BOBS scheme and among them are sixteen (16) new nominations which include; Al Aseel, Beneteau, Bulleton, Congrats (USA), Glacial Gold (USA), Hinchinbrook, Lookin’At Lucky, Lope De Vega(IRE), Nidan, Redoubtablemperor, Related, Sea Battle, Snapy Halo, Star Witness, Swift Aliance and Tickets.

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Hawkesbury trainers are having a wonderful winning trot at the present and last Tuesday week at Nowra the training combination of Lisa Cohen and Oldrich Jiricka prepared Prestidigitate $3.30 for victory in the Class Two Handicap run over 1600m. Ridden right out over the concluding stages by jockey Lane Moloney, Prestidigitate was able to defeat grant Buckley’s mount Amphibious $4.80 by a head with Prince Of Thunder $16 a further one and a quarter lengths away in third placing.

Whilst talking about Hawkesbury trainers I must mention that I was speaking to the former racecourse manager Charlie Moir at the races last Thursday and Charlie was informed me that it was thirty three year’s last Thursday since he arrived at Hawkesbury to take over as racecourse manager—how time flys.

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Hawkesbury Owned and Trained Galloper Shares honors with Black Caviar and More Joyous for most wins in in the 2010/2011 racing season.

Hawkesbury owner and trainer Mike Van Gestel has the great honor of preparing his galloper Drop of Magic for eight wins during the 2010/2011 racing season, which was the same number of wins as Black Caviar and More Joyous.

Winner of the most prestigious award of the most wins in a season by a racehorse was shared by Essington and Hexy Legs with nine wins each with Drop of Magic, More joyous and Black Caviar back in second place with eight wins a truly remarkable performance by horse Drop of Magic and trainer Mike Van Gestel.

Michael tried in vain to equal the record by backing Drop of Magic up at Wyong last Thursday after Drop of Magic score at Hawkesbury on the Sunday meeting 24^th July 2011 and unfortunately Drop of magic could only finish third.

Hawkesbury race again tomorrow and after studying the form from the nominations which there were plenty of (156) I am certain punters can send bookmakers home with less cash than they came with.

The first special bet on the programme appears in the $16,000

With the 2011/12 racing season about to commence on 1^st August 2011 I am tipping the surprise pack in the jockeys rank will be Jimmy Cassidy who has just teamed up with Gai Waterhouse and is also riding plenty of work for other Randwick trainers including John O’Shea and remember Cassidy also is in demand with Rosehill trainers Team Hawkes and Chris Waller .

Cassidy’s services will also be used by a new addition to the Australian training ranks by impressive young New Zealand trainer Bjorn Baker who has just set up stables at Warwick Farm and is the son of Lion Tamer and Harris Tweed fame who are prepared by his father Murray Baker.

Last Monday week I was looking at the fields for race meetings held at Bathurst and Muswellbrook and guess who had runners at both race meetings none other than Peter Snowden from the powerful Darley establishment and yes he won with Dairy, Boston Tea and Plaisance at Bathurst  and at Muswellbrook  Peter saddled up Ouija to take out the Darley Tiara Handicap run over 1500m.

AT Bathurst Hawkesbury trainers were not over fazed by the Darley camp winning three races on the programme with Steve Brewer first to taste success with Casino Hussler $3 in the Golden West Maiden Plate 1100m, followed by Scott Singleton who prepared Rollin’ontheriver $11 to take out the 1400m Maiden handicap and then in race six Bronwyn Mackie entered the winners circle with her 3yo Secret Savings filly Jilliana $9 scoring a length victory over the $3.40 favourite King Of Comedy in the Benchmark 55 Handicap run over 1100m.

Hawkesbury trainer Vic Bates was seen in the winners circle at Goulburn last Friday with his 6yo gelding Monte Ichiban $9 who scored a relative easy victory in the Benchmark 65 Handicap run over 1600 metres.

 Hawkesbury jockey Grant Buckley is forming a great partnership with Peter Snowden at the Provincial and country tracks and they combined at Goulburn to take the Power Of Destiny Maiden Handicap 1300m with Kukri (Commands – Zacheline) who defeated All Black Dan $4 by one and three quarters length  with Rain Alert $11 a further short half head away in third placing. Grant completed a winning double at Goulburn  combining with Warwick Farm trainer Paul Cave on Senor Montoya to take out the 1600m Maiden Handicap.

Hawkesbury trainers had further success at Kembla Grange last Saturday with Tara Vigouroux (Zelaatting) and Neol Mayfield-Smith (Malone) entering the winner’s circle which is continuing a great run Hawkesbury trainers are presently expericing

Last Friday week I was reading a survey conducted by the racing editor of the Dailey Telegraph Ray Thomas and a few of the questions ray asked his readers and their answers made interesting reading.

Who is the best trainer; Answer Peter Snowden

Who is the best jockey; Nash Rawiller

Is there too much racing and too many barrier trials conducted; yes was the answer for both questions

Where is the best venue for an all- weather racetrack; Hawkesbury (30%) was clearly the most popular choice an for all-weather track

Should the minimum weights be raised; Yes and they will be Racing NSW in the very near future.

Should there be a national TAB betting pool; Yes and that’s only a matter of time.

What is the best raceday of the season; Flemington ‘s Derby Day (36%), Golden Slipper Day (15%), Ranwick’s Derby Day (12%), Melbourne Cup Day (8%) and others to receive votes were the Hawkesbury stand Alone Meeting, Wagga Wagga Cup Day, and Warrnambool’s Grand Annual.

Last Monday week there were eleven barrier trial heats run at Hawkesbury and winner of heat four Found the One (Bel Esprit – Drop Anchor) may well be a galloper for punters to build up their bank account for the next Hawkesbury Race meeting which is to be held on Sunday 24^th July 2011.

Found the One won heat by four lengths and in doing so was on a tight rein all the way down the home straight and still ran the quick time of 59 secs for the 1000 metres and if this galloper is a maiden after his first start back from a spell I will be dumbfounded.

Found The One has had three starts prior to a spell and stared odds on when finishing third at Warwick farm back on 11^th January 2011 and his following run finished second at Randwick beaten half a length, so as you can see Found the One did have good form prior to spelling.

Other gallopers to trial above average were Cierto Segura (Tara Vigouroux) and Renewed Vitality (John Thompson) with both gallopers winning their trials in easy fashion. Gerald Ryan won heats six and seven with Fast Shanti who is a full sister to Group winner Rothesay and Schiffer who has raced three times for a second to Katuta Queen and they both have returned in great order.

Heat Winners were;

Heat                    Winner                                     Trainer  

One                     Outback Spirit                         Wendy Lapointe

Two                     Outback Paradise                   Wendy Lapointe

Three                  Cierto Segura                           Tara Vigouroux

Four                     Found The One                        John Thompson

Five                     Renewed Vitality                     John Thompson                    
Six                       Fast Shanti                                Gerald Ryan

Seven                  Schiffer                                       Gerald Ryan

Eight                  Spot The Crown                         Connie Greig

Nine                   Jabel                                            David Seldon

Ten                    Setgo                                            Mark De Monfort

Last week I was looking through the history files of the Hawkesbury Race Club Limited and it reminded me of what a wonderful career of the late Chairman of the Hawkesbury Race Club, Bruce Brown had accomplished.

Bruce Brown was born on 9^th November 1919 at Parramatta, NSW and was educated at the Kings School Parramatta (1931 – 1937) and then joined the Royal Australian Air Force (1940—1945).

Bruce war service included 91 Spitfire Squadron, Royal Air force, United Kingdom in 1941, 75 Kittyhawk Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force 1942, Pacific, 77 Kittyhawk Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force Commanding Officer, Pacific 1943, 81 Fighter Wing, Royal Australian Air Force, Wing Commander Flying, Pacific 1946-1947.

Bruce Brown received the highest Honours bestowed upon an Royal Australian Air force Officer that being the Australian Flying Cross and Bar .

Upon leaving the Royal Australian Air Force Bruce became the State Marketing Manager of Caltex Oil Australia Pty Ltd Queensland.

Bruce retired in 1978 and was President of the Colo Shire Council 1976—1980 and then was President of the Hawkesbury Shire Council 1982—1983.

Community Service was a passion for Bruce and his services were shared by the following organisations;

·         Past member of Lions International, Townsville.

·         Chairman of Hawkesbury Legacy Division ( Three terms), 28 years service

·         Ex Member of Windsor Rotary Club. Hon. Life Member.

·         Past Chairman Red Cross Annual Door Knock, Hawkesbury Appeal Committee.

·         Chairman Hawkesbury Bi – Centenary Committee.

·         Past Chairman Hawkesbury Shire Sister City Association. (Life member)

·         Past Chairman Australian National Sister City association. (Life member)

·         Member Hawkesbury Probus Club,

·         Past chairman Salvation Army Appeal for Hawkesbury.

Dale Anderson from the Australian Thoroughbred Breeders Club sent me a copy of an open letter he has forwarded to stud farm owners and racehorse owner/breeders warning them of the Hendra Virus.

Hendra occurs where there is a spill – over of the disease from flying foxes (bats, fruit bats) to horses. Flying foxes inhabit the whole of eastern Australia; there are large colonies from port Macquarie to northern Australia, as well as in the lower Hunter, the Sydney region, the Sapphire Coast, East Gippsland, Melbourne and Adelaide and smaller colonies in all places in between.

All these bat colonies carry a level of the virus; the disease is present in these bats without any apparent clinical effect on them. Queensland’s chief veterinary officer reported this week that their testing of fruit bat samples has resulted in a 30% incidence of the virus as compared to 10% in other years. This is a significant concern! There are now 5 separate outbreaks with the possibility more will happen. This is unprecedented, there having been only 2 in previous years.

There is some fantastic news with the impressive progress of the development of a vaccine. Dr. Deborah Middleton from Australian Animal health Laboratory has reported that with some political influence a vaccine could be ready by March 2012.

There are 3 elements to the control of Hendra;

·         Prevent contact between fruit bats and horses

·         Monitor your horse carefully

Darley’s leading stallion Lonhro is poised to become Australia’s champion Sire for 2010 – 11, some 29 years after his great grandsire Sir Tristram (IRE) won the first of his six Australian champions and 14 years after his grandsire Zabeel (NZ) took the first of his two Australian titles.

Lonhro retired to stud in 2004 after a stellar career that saw him collect 11 Group One wins and from 35 career starts Lonhro won 26 races earning prizemoney of $5.79m.

Racing New South Wales has a new Chairman with Allan Brown announcing last week that he was stepping down and Allan Bell will be taking the Chairman’s role with Brown staying on as Vice – Chairman.

All organisations benefit from new ideas and new faces in new roles and I am sure Racing NSW will be no different with Allan Bell being his new fresh approach to the Racing NSW board and I am pleased to report Allan has passion for country and provincial racing.

Former chairman of Racing NSW and the NSW TAB Gary Pemberton is tipped to be one of the eight foundation members of the newly formed ARL independent commission which will assure that the Rugby League code is in good hands for the future and any important challenges ahead.

Last week Racing Queensland Limited announced that the TAB distribution agreement between the three codes (Gallops, Trots & Greyhounds) no longer exists which will be bad news for the trotting industry if the new formula for the distribution is worked out on a turnover basis.

In their press release Racing Queensland Limited stated if the new formula was enacted immediately on a turnover basis it would the demise of at least one of the codes.

QL Chairman Bob Bentley said that the TAB distribution between codes has always been a contentious issue owing to the imbalance of revenue produced to revenue received.