Last Saturday’s Hawkesbury Stand Alone race Meeting carried more prizemoney than any other Race meeting held in Australia on the corresponding day.

Hawkesbury Race Club held an eight race programme with a prizemoney distribution of $650,000, Brisbane held the first day of their Winter Carnival at Eagle Farm with eight races for $600,000 in prizemoney, in Melbourne Caulfield raced distributing $560,000 in prizemoney, in South Australia the Saturday meeting was held at Mount Gambier with a miserable $143,000 distributed over nine races and in Western Australia the meeting was held at Belmont with $520,000 in prizemoney distributed.

Hawkesbury Race Club Limited Directors are eagerly awaiting the court decision regarding the Corporate Bookmakers verses Racing NSW as a result in favor of RacingNSW would automatically see the Prizemoney for Hawkesbury’s 2010 Stand Alone Saturday race Meeting being increased to $1 Million, with the three Listed races all carrying $200,000 in prizemoney and the other five races on the programme carrying a minimum prizemoney of $100,000.

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Punters looking for horses to follow from the recent Warwick Farm trials should take note of five horses according to the Barrier Trial Publication THE MIDWEEKER and those are Launay (Peter Snowden), Pimpala Secret (Marc Conners), Title, So So Sure and Lady’s Angel all trained by Joseph Pride.

Last Saturday’s Hawkesbury Guineas winning trainer Joseph Pride looks to have three more winners coming forward in the next couple of weeks following three trial winners Title, So So Sure and Lady’s Angel he saddled up at Warwick Farm and all three won their trials with plenty in hand.

Launay from the Peter Snowden looked impressive winning trial five under a strong hold and is the winner of three of his four race starts, all in impressive fashion.

Sky Racing has launched their two additional channels and now we have Sky Racing 1, Sky Racing 2 and Sky World and their numbers in order on your television are 519, 520 and 521.

Sky Racing 1 and Sky Racing 2 are the core racing channels which gives vision to all TAB races; thoroughbred, harness and greyhound. Sky Racing World is a Thoroughbred only channel covering the best racing in Australia, NZ, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Sky Racing 1 can be seen in 760 TABS, 3700 Pubs & Clubs and 70% of Pubs and Clubs are expected to subscribe to Sky’s new channels.

The winners out of the new channel Sky World will be the five provincial clubs (Hawkesbury, Newcastle, Gosford, Wyong, Kembla) as their meetings on week days now will be given full mounting yard coverage and interviews with trainers and jockeys.

Sky Racing has also launched additional services and I recommend punters go to www.skyracing.com.au for the following services

Video form guide

Video archive

Multimedia offer

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Last week I was running a few ideas past Peter V’Landys (abolition of track fees) and whilst talking to Peter’ I asked when will the Court decision with the Corporate Bookmakers be handed down and unfortunately Peter thinks it won’t be until the last week in May 2010.

Another matter that concerns the industry participants is the proposed merger between the AJC and the STC which is supposed to be back on the table following the Sydney Autumn Carnival.

Hawkesbury race tomorrow with an eight race programme with the first race commencing at 12.35pm and looking at the nominations their does appear to be a couple of nice punting propositions on the programme.

Pimpala Secret the galloper we mention earlier in the column following a brilliant barrier trial at Warwick Farm on Friday 30^th April 2010 looks very well placed first up tomorrow in a 1000 metre E&G maiden Handicap.

In his trial Pimpala Secret ran above average overall time and the last 400m sectional suggest he is a galloper with ability.

John Hawkes and Sons Michael and Wayne have the smart galloper Brian’s Honour returning from a short stint in Melbourne engaged in the $16,000 Benchmark 65 Handicap 1500m tomorrow and he would only need to run up his last start at Bendigo run when beaten a head by Moudre and at his previous start was beaten a neck at Monee Valley to prove hard to beat tomorrow. Hardest for Brian’s Honour to beat tomorrow will be the Peter Snowden trained galloper Luxe who looked good in winning at Kembla Grange back on 24^th April 2010.

Hawkesbury trainer Wade Slinkard had a day to remember at Mudgee last Sunday week training a winning treble and using the services of three different jockeys.

Wade’s success started in race two with Swing And Sing $9 taking out the Widden Stud F & M Maiden handicap 1100m aided by a brilliant Jeff Penza ride.

Second leg of Wade’s winning treble was Lady Green $7 who was piloted to victory by Grant Buckley in the Winner’s Circle Maiden Plate 1400m.

Jon Grisedale combined with Wade for his third winner on the programme with Fresh Tell $7 taking out the Coolmore Australia Benchmark 55 Handicap 2000m.

Another Hawkesbury trainer tasting success at the bigger end of the prizemoney stakes was Wanda Ings who prepared Merconman to take out the $70,000 Masterton Homes Handicap 1300m at rose hill last Saturday.

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Hawkesbury Race Club celebrated the fifth running of their Stand Alone Saturday race meeting last Saturday with perfect weather and a hugh crowd of 13,275, with punters investing in excess of $9.3m with the bookmakers and the TAB ensuring Hawkesbury Race Meeting is part of the Sydney Autumn Carnival for many years to come.

Punters certainly opened their pockets with the TAB turnover increasing from $5.8m last year to $7.2.m last Saturday which is the highest turnover ever held for a provincial race club.

Highlights of the racing was the running of the three $100,000 listed races which included the $100,000 Blacktown Workers Hawkesbury Guineas 1400m, $100,000 XXXX Hawkesbury Rowley Mile and the $100,000 Darley Crown 1300m a race for fillies and mares and the four winners trained by Peter Snowden.

Snowden told the press gallery that he had targeted last Saturday’s Hawkesbury Stand Alone meeting many weeks ago and his preparation certainly paid off with Pinwheel $1.65, Melpomene $4.60, Serenissima $9 and Lonhro full brother Eighto $4 all winning.

Feature race on the programme was the Blacktown Workers Hawkesbury Guineas (Listed) 1400m and the Joe Pride trained Neeson ($2.80 into $2.60) gave his rivals a galloping lesson winning four and half lengths from Khas Kura $6 with the fast finishing All Legal $9 a further length away in third placing

Neeson’s jockey Peter Robl rode masterly front running race on Neeson and it evident a long way from that the Blacktown Workers Hawkesbury Guineas 1400m was over and the only other interest in the was for the minor placings.

Race goers witness Lonhro’s full brother Eighto scoring in the BTW Communications Handicap run over 1200 metres aided by a brilliant Kerin McEvoy ride Eighto $4 was able to defeat the fast finishing Robbed $14 by a neck with the Warrick Hails trained galloper Dr Remlap $91 a further long neck away in third placing.

Peter Snowden last year trained three winners on the Hawkesbury Stand Alone Meeting he went one better  last Saturday training half the programme (Four Winners) and three minor placings , truly a remarkable performance.

Peter will now head to the big Scone meeting next week with galloper Khas Kura heading towards the Scone Guineas 1600m a race carrying the hugh prizemoney of $770,000 and his two mares Serenissima and Renaissance who finished first and second in the Darley Crown 1300m at Hawkesbury last Saturday will start in the Dark Jewel handicap 1400m at Scone. 

Punters looking for horses to follow from the meeting should take note of three horses, Neeson , Pinwheel. who both won at the Meeting and Danzbaa which was a certainty beaten behind Beijing Boy in the Richmond Club Stayers Benchmark Handicap 2250m.

Last week I was reading some facts on feature races and came across some interesting information about the Cox Plate which may help punters who may be looking at the early markets.

Only one filly has ever won the Cox Plate – Surround in 1976

Only one horse in post World War 2 history has been able to win the Epsom and the Cox Plate in the same year – Noholme in 1959

Six horses have won the VRC Derby and the Cox Plate in the same year – Manfred 1925, Delta 1049, Alister 1050, Daryl’s Jot 1969, Taj Rossi 1073 and Red Anchor in 1984.

Seventeen 3yo colts and geldings have won the Cox Plate

The only horse to win the Caulfield Cup – Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup in the same year was Rising Fast in 1954

Barrier Trial Publication THE MIDWEEKER covered the Randwick Barrier Trials held Tuesday 27^th April 2010 and spotted a couple horses punters should follow.

Both horses Polar Eclipse and Light Warrior are trained by Gai Waterhouse and both were winners of their heats in impressive fashion.

Polar Eclipse has shown ability in previous trials and last Tuesday heavy weight jockey Nash Rawiller steadied Polar eclipse eight lengths off the pace and then when given more rein over the concluding stages ran on to grab the lead near the line.

Racing skeptics who five years ago argued against Hawkesbury receiving Stand Alone Saturday Status would only have to study the first day of the Brisbane Racing Carnival last Saturday to realize that the Hawkesbury Stand Alone Meeting has certainly come a long way in five years and this year Hawkesbury’s Prizemoney out stripped Eagle Farm prizemoney by $50,000.

Last Saturday Hawkesbury raced for $650,000 compared to the first day of the Brisbane carnival which Eagle Farm raced for $600,000 with both meetings conducting eight races.

Hawkesbury Race Club committee and staff are gearing up for the fifth running of this Saturday’s Hawkesbury Stand Alone race meetingDistributing $650,000 in Prizemoney

Hawkesbury Race Club (HRC) with the support of the Provincial Association of NSW applied to Racing NSW for permission to conduct a Stand Alone (No Metropolitan race meeting) on the 4^th April 2004.

Racing NSW approved for Hawkesbury Race Club Limited to hold a Saturday Stand Alone Race Meeting which has now going into it’s fifth year after Hawkesbury Race Club conducting very successful meetings in 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009

Hawkesbury’s first ever premier Saturday Race meeting in 2006 proved an outstanding success.

TAB turnover on the 2006 Guineas Day reached $6,417,683 a figure in excess of 14 metropolitan Saturday TAB turnover results during the 2005/06 racing season.

Hawkesbury TAB sales figures in 2007 out stripped all budget figures reaching over the $7 million figure much to the delight of the TABCORP.

Hawkesbury Race Club is proud of its community links, which involve the general public, local business houses, local government, community sporting clubs and charities.

In fact, Hawkesbury had enjoyed Metropolitan status for over a century, and it was only after a report of the Government in 1939 on Non Proprietary Clubs that Hawkesbury was required to renounced its Metropolitan status and reopen after WW2 as a Provincial Club.

Hawkesbury Race Club see their Stand Alone Saturday race meeting as symbolic and a means of “ taking racing back to its roots” and have themed the meeting accordingly.

Hawkesbury Race Club attracted a crowd in excess of 10,000 to their four Stand Alone Saturdays, thus fulfilling a key aim of the Industry in New South Wales, and encourage public interest and attendance for those patrons in this high growth area who may not be easily able to attend midweek fixtures.

The 2010 Stand Alone Saturday Race Meeting at Hawkesbury has a bumper race programme with elite sponsors names attached to each race;

The 2010 Race Programme is as follows;

$100,000 Blacktown Workers Hawkesbury Guineas (Listed) 1400m (3yos) Set Weights & Penalties – Colts & Geldings 55KG Fillies 53kgs

$100,000 Tooheys XXXX Hawkesbury Rowley Mile (Listed) 1600m

$100,000 Darley Crown (Listed) 1300m Fillies & Mares

$70,000 BTW Communications Open Handicap 1200m

$70,000 Blakes Marine Rating 85 Handicap 1400m

$70,000 Richmond Club Provincial Stayers Championship Final Benchmark Ratings 80 Handicap 2250m (Heats sponsored by Mitavite)

$70,000 Sweepstakes NMW Handicap 1200m

$70,000 Reavill Farm – Inglis Race Series 2yo Handicap 1200m (attached to the race is $50,000 Bonus (to Winner) if the winner was nominated for the $2,500,000 Inglis Race Series)

The Honour Roll for the (Listed) Hawkesbury Guineas 1400m is;

2009 Related

2008 Royal Discretion

2007 Alverta

2006 The Free Stater

Rowley Mile 1600m (Listed)

2009 Lyncean Academy

2008 Rabbuka

2007 Beauty Watch

2006 Fighting Fund

Darley Crown 1300m (Listed)

2009 Mary’s Grace

2008 Sung

2007 November Flight

2006 Barbeton

Reavill Farm Inglis Race Series 1200m

2009 Kanzan

2008 Fravashi

2007 Royal Discretion

2006 Bomber Command

 Hawkesbury Race Director’s were over the moon with the announcement by the Australian Group and Listed Pattern Committee that the $100,000 XXXX Gold Hawkesbury Rowley Mile and the $100,000 Darley Crown a race for Fillies & Mares  have both been upgraded to Listed Status.

Saturday’s race programme is outstanding and finding a couple of winners on the programme won’t be easy, but after a further study of the nominations I think there are two specials on the programme and they are both trained by Warwick Farm trainer Peter Snowden who at this meeting last year trained a winning treble and I expect Peter to have another successful day on Saturday.

Peter has three horses Neroli, Yesterday and Drumbeats nominated for the $100,000 XXXX Gold Rowley Mile and if you seen the run of Drumbeats in the AJC Doncaster last Saturday week I am sure you would agree with me that the $100,000 XXXX Gold Rowley Mile on Saturday is there for Drumbeats taking.

Drumbeats finished fourth in the Doncaster beaten under two lengths behind Rangirangdoo and Road To Rock which to my eye is pretty good form for Saturday’s Rowley Mile.

Another runner of Peter’s I like is his unraced 2yo Technicolour who has been prepared for a first up performance with three barrier trials winning the latest with plenty in hand at Hawkesbury April 19^th.

Peter has a habit of winning the $70,000 Reavill Farm Inglis 2yo Race at the Hawkesbury Stand Alone Saturday meeting having won the race the previous two years with Kanzan and Fravishi.

Peter could be in for a big day as he also has Renaissance engaged in the $100,000 Darley Crown 1300m and she will take no end of beating following her last start victory over Beaded.

In the BTW Communications Open Handicap Peter has his smart sprinter Pinwheel engaged and he did trial brilliantly at Canterbury on April 16 --- Pinwheel will be winning. 

Last Monday week Hawkesbury held thirteen barrier trial heats with all the leading trainers (Bart Cummings, Peter Snowden, Garry White, Joseph Pride, Mark De MonFort, John Thompson, Garry Frazer Clarry Conners Matthew Smith) having runners at the trials which speaks volumes for the “B” Grass at Hawkesbury.

Garry White and John Thompson trained three heat winners each with Garry’s Open Heat winner Foreign News and second placegetter Shadow Minister both trialing like future winners.

Last year’s Hawkesbury Guineas winner Rollins finished second in heat three behind North Dakota and at no stage was given full rein and going on that trial he looks to have returned from a spell in excellent order.

Heat                          Winner                                          Trainer

One                           Count Your Fingers                      John Thompson

Two                           Levi’s Choice                                 John Thompson

Three                       North Dakota                                   Garry White

Four                         Pegembak                                         Bart Cummings

Five                          Inspirational Lass                             John Thompson

Six                            Youthful Crown                                Tommy Wong

Seven                      Foreign News                                    Garry White

Eight                       Guilietta                                              Bernie Kelly

Nine                        Inparticular                                         Matthew Smith

Ten                          Technicolour                                      Peter Snowden

Eleven                    Kings And Jacks                                  Mark De Monfort

Twelve                   So So Sure                                            Joseph Pride

Hawkesbury Race Club directors and members were saddened last week to hear of the passing of Len Miller a long time Hawkesbury Race Club member and former Chairman of the Windsor Bowling Club.

Len will join his great mates who pre deceased him Silas Woods, Maurie Bailey and Bob Chandler as the four mates raced many successful horses in partnership along with their respective wives.

Len joined the Hawkesbury Race Club back in 1987 and has been a member up until his sad passing last week .

On behalf of the Hawkesbury Racing fraternity we offer our deepest sympathy to Len’s dear wife Lal and his family.

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Racing New South Wales Board, Chief Executive Peter V’Landys and his loyal staff have to be congratulated on the smooth running and the excellent presentation of the 33^rd Asian Racing Conference held last week at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney.

Over 550 delegates from 36 countries attended the conference making the conference one of the most successful ever held.

Dr Koji Sato, Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation, opened the 33^rd Asian Racing Federation Conference in Sydney on Monday with a theme of globalization of racing and its challenges.

Australian broadcaster, Alan Jones addressed the conference and emphasized the need to industry unity to meet the challenge of change. Jones commented on the cost of running racing’s administration in New South Wales stating that BHP run a world empire with 12 board members and in Sydney we have the STC (9 board Members) AJC (10) and racing NSW who have 5 board members to run racing in the Metropolitan area of NEW South Wales.

 Hawkesbury trainer and jockey combination Garry Frazer and Josh Adams were seen in the winner’s circle at Canterbury last Wednesday week with 2yo filly Misshiraz who scored a gutsy win in the $27,000 Caravan Camping 2yo handicap 1200m.

Misshiraz was returning from an unlucky run in Wellington Boot and going on the way she finished off her race at Canterbury she should have little trouble getting over further ground.

Hawkesbury jockey Grant Buckley was also in the winner’s circle at Canterbury piloting Doc Hennessy to victory in the staying race run over 2800 metres.

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Last Thursday Turf Expo combined with a healthy race programme certainly entertained the Expo crowd and race day patrons ensuring a return to the venue for 2011.

 Perfect assured many people attended the Turf10 Expo and race meeting which also contain over 35 exhibitors displaying Machinery, Turf, Fertilizers, Chemicals, Cultivators, Irrigation, Harvesters, Rails, Pipes, and Spreaders etc with all stall holders reporting good business sales.

Turf Australia and Sports Turf Association also held their Annual conference and by all reports the sessions were full on and very informative.

On the race meeting side of things there was plenty of good news with the Blue Chip special suggested in last week’s column Bohemian Spirit ( $7 -- $5.50) winning the main race the Toro Cup 1000 metres by the bearest of margins a nose over Swiftus $9.50 with Robbed a nose further back in third placing.

Hawkesbury trainers Garry White and Wanda Ings both trained winners on the programme, with Garry White going further ahead in the trainer’s premiership with nine wins.

Garry was first into the winners enclosure with his 4yo mare French News $2.50 who had little trouble in disposing of her opposition in the Sky Racing Maiden Handicap 1000m and on the line had two and a quarters to spare over the second placegetter Yamunotri $31

Wanda had to wait until race five for her success on the day with her 4yo Nuclear Freeze gelding Watson 9$5 --$4.60) who also scored a comfortable win in the Conquest Couch Benchmark 60 Handicap 1600m.

Another impressive winner on the day was White Horse Inn who scored a brilliant win in the Elders/Syngenta Class One Handicap 2250m which was a heat of the Mitavite Provincial Stayers Championship and White Horse Inn will now head for the $70,000 Final to be run at Hawkesbury on the Stand Alone Saturday Race meeting May 1^st 2010.

Punters should follow the form out of last Thursday meeting as there were two horses who had written all over them “back me next start with those being Brightnight and County Cavan.

Brightnight should won the last race instead of finishing third behind smart gallopers Ambitious Princess and Bass Rock according to the stewards report.

The stewards reported that after passing the 600m, Bass Rock shifted out and placed Brightnight in restricted room for some distance, which resulted in Brightnight being crowded and in turn getting its head up when being restrained by its rider and lost ground sharply and looking at the reply Brightnight was extremely unlucky.

White Horse Inn is a galloper definitely worth following at the Stand Alone meeting as his form is around Zabrasive who was favourite for the AJC Derby last Saturday week where he finished fourth.

The MIDWEEKER covered the Warwick Farm Barrier Trials held last Friday week April 9 and I doing so spotted two horses for punters to follow.

Peter Snowden’s mare Country Club looked the goods in finishing third to Canzero in heat nineteen and after racing in midfield out wide on the track and was then allowed to run on over the concluding stages to be beaten just over a length and should be hard to beat in a Fillies and Mares race over the final days of the Autumn Carnival.

Hawkesbury Race Club in conjunction with Turf Australia and Sports Turf Association tomorrow will be holding the biggest Turf Expo ever held on a racecourse in Australia thanks to Platinum Sponsor Toro and Gold sponsor’s Evergreen Turf, Millers Turf, Conquest Couch, Kings Pride, Moffett, Elders/Syngenta and Sky Racing.

Along with the Turf Expo will be the running of a Race meeting with the first race commencing at 12.40pm.

The Toro Turf 10 Conference and Trade Expo will commence at 8am on the Thursday 15^th April 2010 morning with machinery exhibitions and product demonstrations with entry fee for the Expo and race Meeting $10 per person.

All trade sites have been taken up and the following items will be on sale;

Apart from the Toro Turf Expo we also have a race meeting and the most important task tomorrow is to back a couple of winners and after studying the programme I think that may be possible.

The Feature race on the programme is the $25,000 Toro Cup a Benchmark 70 to be run over 1000 metres and to my eye this is where the Blue Chip investment on the lies.

Bohemian Spirit trained at Rosehill by Team Hawkes has city form attached to his credentials and if he repeats his last two city performances where he finished fifth at Warwick Farm beaten 1.8.lengths 24^th March and prior to that start finished second at Canterbury beaten a long head on 4^th March 2010 he will have little difficulty in taking out the Toro Cup at Hawkesbury tomorrow.

Another good investment on the programme is the Gai Waterhouse trained galloper Stage Performer in the Benchmark 65 Handicap 1400m following her easy maiden win at Wyong on 25^th March 2010 which was her first career start and you would only expect further improvement from this Encosta de Lago 3yo filly. Hardest for Star Performer to beat will be the Garry White trained Color Purple who looked good in winning at Hawkesbury last start and he too should be further improved from the outing.  

Hawkesbury Trainer Garry Frazer travelled to the Wellington Boot Race Meeting last Sunday week and made the travel worthwhile with a winning double.

Garry and his star apprentice Josh Adams wasted no time in letting the Wellington crowd know that they were going to make the long journey profitable by taking the first race with the heavily backed Hurrara $1.70 who had little trouble in disposing of the Maiden field scoring by three lengths.

Frazer and Adams then combined to take out the race five with Miss Latte $10 who scored by a neck from Come On Hun $4.40 with Outside the $4 favourite a further head away in third placing.

Trainer Garry Frazer was a proud master at Wellington as the win on Hurrara was  his star apprentice Josh Adams 100^th winner as an apprentice and the remarkable part to the apprentice career is that he is only in his second year of his apprenticeship.

Young Josh has the world at his feet and with hard work and the right attitude he will make one of the top 10 jockeys in NSW within a couple years of coming out of his apprenticeship.

Hawkesbury trainers are reminded the Mitavite Provincial Stayers Championship heats over the month of April 2010 will be held at the following venues with the Final being held at Hawkesbury on the Standalone Saturday meeting 1^st May 2010.

Heat 5 – Kembla Grange Sat 3^rd April (Benchmark 65 Hcp, 2000m)

Heat 6 – Gosford Sunday 4 April (Benchmark 70 Hcp, 2600m)

Heat 7 Wyong Thursday 8 April (Class 2 Hcp, 2100m)

Heat 8 – Newcastle Saturday 10 April (Benchmark 70 Hcp, 1850m)

Heat 9 – Hawkesbury Thursday 15 April (Class 1 Hcp, 2250m)

Heat 10 – Kembla Grange Saturday 17^th April (Benchmark 65 Hcp, 2000m)

Heat 11 – Gosford Thursday 22 April 9 Benchmark 80 Hcp, 2100m)

Heat 12 – Kembla Grange Saturday 24 April (Class 2 Hcp, 2000m)

Hawkesbury vendors certainly performed well at William Inglis Easter Yearling sales with their lots bringing the following amounts;

Richard and Christine Johnston of Bylong Park had the following results;

Colt Commands—Molly Dot Com $160,00 Purchased By Ingham Racing NSW

Filly Fastnet Rock – Sumehra (NZ) $250,000 Purchased by Sadler Racing

Filly Rock of Gibraltar – Flying Dansino (NZ) Purchased by Freedman Brothers $90,000

Colt Lonhro – Star of Sequalo $130,000 Purchased by D. Baertschiger of Singapore

John Rippon of Reavil Farm, Freeman’s Reach sold the following;

Colt  Fastnet Rock  -- Passing Hope $150,000 Reserve

Colt  Flying Spur – Purde (NZ) $275,00 Purchased by Mulcaster Bloodstcok NEW

Filly  Encosta de Lago – Silken Song $120,000 Purcahsed by Lockyer Thoroughbreds

Filly Redoute’s Choice – Volte $500,000 Purchased by Shadwell Stud

Filly Hussonet – Cloister $525,000 Purchased by Paul Messara

Fairview Park Stud, Grose Wold

Colt Snitzel -- Shalimar Sky $110,000 Purchased by Greg Hickman

Filly Fastnet Rock – Miraculous Lady $80,000 Purchased by Paul Perry

Colt Reset – Lucky Lady (GB) $120,000 Purchased Rogerson Bloodstock

Carramar Park, Grose Wold

Filly More Than Ready – Crave $200,000 Purchased by Tony Noonan

Tyreel Stud, Agnes Banks

Filly Redoute’s Choice – Tycoon Joy $300,000 Purchased by Paul Messara

Filly Fusaichi Pegasus – Ballroom Babe $130,000 Purchased by Peter Ford Thoroughbred Vic

Filly Redoute’s Choice – Bramble Rose (NZ) $300,000 Purchased by Patinack Farm

Filly Fastnet Rock -- Bhandara (NZ) $500,000 Purchased by Mulcaster Bloodstock NZ

Hawkesbury trainer James Bester out layed $300,000 for a More Then Ready/ Niagara Falls Filly, $250,000 for a filly by Encosta de Lago/Sequi $475,000 Fastnet/Crystal filly and $310,000 for a Colt by God’s Own/Truly

On day one Tuesday 6^th April 2010 of the Sales 200 lots were offered with 68 lots either withdrawn or failed to reach their reserve price. The average price of $233,182 was up 7% on Day One in 2009 and more than $30million was traded on 132 horses.

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Hawkesbury Race Club in conjunction with Turf Australia and Sports Turf Association tomorrow will be holding the biggest Turf Expo ever held on a racecourse in Australia thanks to Platinum Sponsor Toro and Gold sponsor’s Evergreen Turf, Millers Turf, Conquest Couch, Kings Pride, Moffett, Elders/Syngenta and Sky Racing.

Along with the Turf Expo will be the running of a Race meeting with the first race commencing at 12.40pm.

The Toro Turf 10 Conference and Trade Expo will commence at 8am on the Thursday 15^th April 2010 morning with machinery exhibitions and product demonstrations with entry fee for the Expo and race Meeting $10 per person.

All trade sites have been taken up and the following items will be on sale;

Apart from the Toro Turf Expo we also have a race meeting and the most important task tomorrow is to back a couple of winners and after studying the programme I think that may be possible.

The Feature race on the programme is the $25,000 Toro Cup a Benchmark 70 to be run over 1000 metres and to my eye this is where the Blue Chip investment on the lies.

Bohemian Spirit trained at Rosehill by Team Hawkes has city form attached to his credentials and if he repeats his last two city performances where he finished fifth at Warwick Farm beaten 1.8.lengths 24^th March and prior to that start finished second at Canterbury beaten a long head on 4^th March 2010 he will have little difficulty in taking out the Toro Cup at Hawkesbury tomorrow.

Another good investment on the programme is the Gai Waterhouse trained galloper Stage Performer in the Benchmark 65 Handicap 1400m following her easy maiden win at Wyong on 25^th March 2010 which was her first career start and you would only expect further improvement from this Encosta de Lago 3yo filly. Hardest for Star Performer to beat will be the Garry White trained Color Purple who looked good in winning at Hawkesbury last start and he too should be further improved from the outing.  

Hawkesbury Trainer Garry Frazer travelled to the Wellington Boot Race Meeting last Sunday week and made the travel worthwhile with a winning double.

Garry and his star apprentice Josh Adams wasted no time in letting the Wellington crowd know that they were going to make the long journey profitable by taking the first race with the heavily backed Hurrara $1.70 who had little trouble in disposing of the Maiden field scoring by three lengths.

Frazer and Adams then combined to take out the race five with Miss Latte $10 who scored by a neck from Come On Hun $4.40 with Outside the $4 favourite a further head away in third placing.

Trainer Garry Frazer was a proud master at Wellington as the win on Hurrara was  his star apprentice Josh Adams 100^th winner as an apprentice and the remarkable part to the apprentice career is that he is only in his second year of his apprenticeship.

Young Josh has the world at his feet and with hard work and the right attitude he will make one of the top 10 jockeys in NSW within a couple years of coming out of his apprenticeship.

Hawkesbury trainers are reminded the Mitavite Provincial Stayers Championship heats over the month of April 2010 will be held at the following venues with the Final being held at Hawkesbury on the Standalone Saturday meeting 1^st May 2010.

Heat 5 – Kembla Grange Sat 3^rd April (Benchmark 65 Hcp, 2000m)

Heat 6 – Gosford Sunday 4 April (Benchmark 70 Hcp, 2600m)

Heat 7 Wyong Thursday 8 April (Class 2 Hcp, 2100m)

Heat 8 – Newcastle Saturday 10 April (Benchmark 70 Hcp, 1850m)

Heat 9 – Hawkesbury Thursday 15 April (Class 1 Hcp, 2250m)

Heat 10 – Kembla Grange Saturday 17^th April (Benchmark 65 Hcp, 2000m)

Heat 11 – Gosford Thursday 22 April 9 Benchmark 80 Hcp, 2100m)

Heat 12 – Kembla Grange Saturday 24 April (Class 2 Hcp, 2000m)

Hawkesbury vendors certainly performed well at William Inglis Easter Yearling sales with their lots bringing the following amounts;

Richard and Christine Johnston of Bylong Park had the following results;

Colt Commands—Molly Dot Com $160,00 Purchased By Ingham Racing NSW

Filly Fastnet Rock – Sumehra (NZ) $250,000 Purchased by Sadler Racing

Filly Rock of Gibraltar – Flying Dansino (NZ) Purchased by Freedman Brothers $90,000

Colt Lonhro – Star of Sequalo $130,000 Purchased by D. Baertschiger of Singapore

John Rippon of Reavil Farm, Freeman’s Reach sold the following;

Colt  Fastnet Rock  -- Passing Hope $150,000 Reserve

Colt  Flying Spur – Purde (NZ) $275,00 Purchased by Mulcaster Bloodstcok NEW

Filly  Encosta de Lago – Silken Song $120,000 Purcahsed by Lockyer Thoroughbreds

Filly Redoute’s Choice – Volte $500,000 Purchased by Shadwell Stud

Filly Hussonet – Cloister $525,000 Purchased by Paul Messara

Fairview Park Stud, Grose Wold

Colt Snitzel -- Shalimar Sky $110,000 Purchased by Greg Hickman

Filly Fastnet Rock – Miraculous Lady $80,000 Purchased by Paul Perry

Colt Reset – Lucky Lady (GB) $120,000 Purchased Rogerson Bloodstock

Carramar Park, Grose Wold

Filly More Than Ready – Crave $200,000 Purchased by Tony Noonan

Tyreel Stud, Agnes Banks

Filly Redoute’s Choice – Tycoon Joy $300,000 Purchased by Paul Messara

Filly Fusaichi Pegasus – Ballroom Babe $130,000 Purchased by Peter Ford Thoroughbred Vic

Filly Redoute’s Choice – Bramble Rose (NZ) $300,000 Purchased by Patinack Farm

Filly Fastnet Rock -- Bhandara (NZ) $500,000 Purchased by Mulcaster Bloodstock NZ

Hawkesbury trainer James Bester out layed $300,000 for a More Then Ready/ Niagara Falls Filly, $250,000 for a filly by Encosta de Lago/Sequi $475,000 Fastnet/Crystal filly and $310,000 for a Colt by God’s Own/Truly

On day one Tuesday 6^th April 2010 of the Sales 200 lots were offered with 68 lots either withdrawn or failed to reach their reserve price. The average price of $233,182 was up 7% on Day One in 2009 and more than $30million was traded on 132 horses.

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Veteran Trainer Andy Shaw Delivers the Goods

Following a week of heavy rain and showers resulting in 40 mils of rain the Hawkesbury Race Track raced well last Thursday with 79 starters competing on the eight race programme.

Hawkesbury’s Veteran trainer Andy Shaw lived up to his promise when he entered my office last week and declared That’s Cricket a morale and last Thursday Andy was in the winner’s circle with his special horse That’s Cricket who had little trouble in taking out the DATS Maiden Handicap 1300m.

Ridden to perfection by female apprentice Jessie Whipp who settled That’s Cricket ($6 -- $3.80) on the rail in fifth position and prior to the home turn Whipp eased That’s Cricket off the fence and challenged the early leaders Set Match and Non Capishe and within a few strides That’s Cricket had their measure and raced away to score by one and a half lengths from Watson $4.80 with Domitian $11 a further four and a half lengths away in third placing.

Trainer Andy Shaw who also owns That’s Cricket told me following three barrier trial wins prior to That’s Cricket having a race start he was offered $200,000 for That’s Cricket from Asian buyers.

Another Hawkesbury trainer having success at Hawkesbury last Thursday was Garry White who extended his lead in the trainers Premiership by preparing Colour Purple to take out the Bank of Queensland Penrith Benchmark 65 Handicap 1000m.Ridden by in form jockey Tye Angland Colour Purple was able to wear down Zuko in the closing stages to defeat that galloper by three quarters of a length.

Punters looking for horses to follow from the meeting should note the following two horses Flying Strike and Tara Man.

Flying Strike who is prepared by John Thompson will improve greatly by his first up third to Classic Rush last Thursday finding the 1000m a little short in distance.

Tara Man is certainly a stayer with potential  following his tough win in the Reed Group Class 2 Handicap run over 2000 metres which was heat four of the Mitavite Provincial Stayers Championship.

 I have no doubt trainer David Pfieffer is eyeing off the $70,000 Richmond Club Mitavite Provincial Stayers Championship Final 2250m to be run at the Hawkesbury Stand Alone Saturday race meeting May 1 2010.

Hawkesbury Jockeys and apprentice are certainly riding plenty of winners on the provincial circuit with Josh Adams, Tye Angland and Grant Buckley having ridden 69 winners between them as at 28^th March 2010.

Josh leads the Hawkesbury connection having ridden 25 winners followed by Grant on 24 and Tye on 20.

Hugh Bowman leads the Provincial Jockeys Premiership on 32.5 wins with Jon Grisedale in second place on 31 wins.

Barrier trial Publication covered 21 trials at Randwick last Friday week and highlighted the following four horses to follow.

Smart Choice from the Grahame Begg stables looked impressive in winning the second defeating a Gai Waterhouse runner Emotional Outburst by half a length  and should have little trouble in finding a Class One Race at Provincial easy pickings.

Gai Waterhouse produced two trial winners Devils Rock and Touch Of Greatness and both gallopers won their respective trials easily and won’t be long out of the winners circle.

Hawkesbury Race Club Limited Directors have approved a Members Draw for Race Meetings 13^th May, 4^th June & 26^th June 2010.

Each Draw will commence with a prize of $4,000 and if the Prize is not won at Race Meetings 13^th May or 4^th June, $1,000 will be added to the prize for both of those meetings, so that the Prize on 26^th June 2010 will be $6,000 and has to be won, so the draw will continue until the $6,000 prize is claimed by a member of the Hawkesbury Race Club Limited.

The draw will be at random on each of the above race days and members will have 5 minutes to claim prize.

Race day Patrons and Members are reminded courtesy of TABCORP there will five (5) $500 betting voucher draws at race meetings 15^th April & 1^st May2010 and the lucky 10 winners will go into a further draw to win a $5,000 betting voucher on Saturday 1^st May 2010

Hawkesbury Race Club Directors at their recent Board meeting approved of a Owners Bar which will be situated in the lower floor of the W.B.Walker Stand and following refurbishments of the room opening day should be late June 2010.

Race Day Patrons are reminded of Hawkesbury Race Club’s Stand Alone Saturday Race Meeting which is to be held on Saturday 1^st May 2010 carries prizemoney of $650,000.

Hawkesbury Trainers Garry Frazer and veteran trainer Andy Shaw should have punters enjoying the Easter weekend with gallopers looking to have great winning hopes at Hawkesbury tomorrow.

Veteran trainer Andy Shaw made a special trip into my office last week to inform me that his galloper That’s Cricket was unbeatable tomorrow following last couple of unlucky defeats. I must say I agree with Andy that his galloper That’s Cricket does look very hard to beat in the 416,000 3yo Maiden handicap to be run over 1200 metres. That’s Cricket has had six starts this preparation and on each occasion has return a cheque for connections and hopefully tomorrow That’s Cricket will be returning a winners cheque for owner/trainer Andy Shaw.

Another Hawkesbury trainer who looks to have a realistic winning chance tomorrow is Garry Frazer with his smart galloper Piccadilly Place who is returning from a spell, but did indicate he is ready to return to the winners circle with a slashing barrier trial at Hawkesbury on the 15^th march 2010 and this galloper at his prior preparation did show above average ability.

Recent addition to the Hawkesbury training ranks John Thompson of Patinack Farm looks to have three strong chances at the meeting in the shape of Flying Strike (F&M Benchmark 65 1000m), Essence’nrestraint ( Maiden 1000m) and Fairy Gumnut ( 3yo Maiden 1200m) 

Barrier Trial Publication THE MIDWEEKER covered the Warwick farm trials last Friday week and suggested punters should note the following four horses;

Guy Walter produced a 3yo gelding Popnae (Hussonet – Kitnat) in heat twelve and the galloper was seen running on without much pressure applied and looks a likely improver.

John O’Shea produced two heat winners Warpath and Ready Miss and according to the MIDWEEKER both gallopers won their heats without being knock about and are set for a winning return to the race track.

Next Saturday’s $3.5m Golden Slipper 1200m to be run at Rosehill looks to be a battle between two good colts (Beneteau, Brightexpectations) and three good fillies (Military Rose, Solar Charged & More Strawberries).

Firstly the Defeat of Beneteau at Randwick on 13^th March must be forgiven as he travelled three and four wide for the entire race and to finish where he did was more than a commendable performance and you must remember he was a certainty beat in the Blue Diamond. Beneteau has return to his home track at Scone and from all reports his trial since the Randwick was outstanding.

Brightexpectations win in the Pago Pago Stakes 1200m at Rosehill last Saturday was impressive and he did run faster overall time than Military Rose who wasn’t punished to the line. It is worth noting Brightexpectations is by More Than Ready and his stock love the wet conditions.

What about Military Rose who was so dominate last Saturday week defeating Obsequious and the previous Slipper favourite Solar Charged with utter arrogance and she is now the $3.40 favourite for the Golden Slipper. One thing about Military Rose I don’t like is that if the track is rain affected come Slipper day I think Military Rose will be in trouble as her breeding suggests she won’t handle slow or heavy tracks.

2010 Inglis Easter Yearling Sales commence on the 6^th April 2010 and Tyreel stud (Dean Fleming) situated at 626 Castlereagh Road, Agnes Banks, Carramar Park (Wayne & Pauline Alchin) and Fairview Park (Linda Duckworth) of Grose Wold have the following yearlings for sale and what an impressive lot they are;

Tyreel Stud;

Redoute’s Choice – Snowdrift Bay filly

Holy Roman Emperor – Tuscan Sky Bay Filly

Redoute’s Choice – Tycoon Joy Brown Filly

Redoute’s Choice – African Rain Bay filly

Fusaichi Pegasus – Ballroom Babe Brown Filly

Fastnet Rock – Bhandara Bay Filly

Redoute’s Choice – Bramble Rose Bay Filly

Fastnet Rock – Gainesville Bay Colt

Commands – How Funny Bay Filly

Hussonet – In The Past Chestnut Filly

Hawkesbury next race meeting is the big Toro Turf 10 expo race meeting to be held on Thursday 16^th April 2010 with the feature race being the $25,000 Toro Cup Benchmark 70 Handicap 1000m.

Other races on the programme are;

$16,000 Benchmark 65 Handicap 1400m

$16,000 Benchmark 60 Handicap 1600m

$16,000 Class One Handicap 2250m

$16,000 Maiden Handicap 1000m

$16,000 Maiden Plate 1300m

$16,000 Maiden Handicap 1800m

$16,000 3yo Maiden Plate 1600m

Hawkesbury trainers Garry White and Mike Van Gestel travelled to the Orange Cup meeting last Sunday, with both trainers having success.

Mike Van Gestel was into the winners circle with his galloper Drop Of Magic who was easily able to defeat Autumn Royal who is prepared by Garry White in the 3yo Maiden Plate run over 1000m.

Garry White had to wait until the running of the last race before he entered the winners circle with Vain Shadow ably piloted to victory by Adrian Robinson in the Benchmark 65 Handicap 1000m.

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Hawkesbury trainers Garry Frazer and Garry White appear to be in for a winning trot if last Monday’s Hawkesbury barrier trials are any guide with both trainers winning five heats between them.

Eight Barrier trial heats were held with the heat winner’s being;

Heat                       Winner                                   Trainer

One                       Miss Corona                             Garry Frazer

Two                      Colour Purple                           Garry White

Three                   Annapannaa                            Noel Mayfield-Smith

Four                     Offshore Sham                         Garry Portelli

Five                      Hurrara                                      Garry Frazer

Six                       Defyfeeling                                 Leanne Aspros

Seven                 French News                             Garry White

Eight                  Vain Shadow                              Garry White

Punters looking for horses to follow from the Hawkesbury trials should take note of the following three horses Piccadilly Place (Garry Frazer), Offshore Sham (Garry Portelli) and French News (Garry White).

Piccadilly Place finished second to Colour Purple in heat two, but at no stage was allowed full rein and going on his trial he does appear to have returned in good shape.

Garry Portelli produced a smart 2yo Offshore Sham who won heat four unextended and should have little trouble in entering the winners circle in the near future.

Tye Angland former star apprentice from the Garry Frazer’s stable is having the time of his life at present as a fully fledged and is consistently riding winners week in and week out and last Saturday reached the highest level winning the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic 1500m at Rosehill aboard Alverta.

Tye’s aggressive ride from the outset allowed Alverta to camp right behind the leader Gold Water and once the pair entered the home straight Tye moved up to challenge Gold Water and within a couple strides Tye had the $600,000 Coolmore Classic well within his keeping and Alverta went onto defeat Gold Water by two lengths with the fast finishing Palacio De Cristal a further length away in third placing.

I have said many times before that this young man Tye Angland will reach the top of his trade and with a couple of years he will be jostling for the top position on the NSW jockey’s premiership.

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Hawkesbury Trainer Natalie Schuler Paid $1,000 for at horse at the December 2009 Inglis tried horse sales which happened to be cast off from Darley in the shape of Thermals which was having only her seventh start for Natalie last Thursday week at Hawkesbury and much to Natalie’s delight Thermals led all the way to take out the $16,000 The Mean Fiddler Class 2 Handicap 1800m.

Thermals ( Viscount – Arise) aided by a brilliant front running ride by jockey Jay Ford the 5yo mare was able to starve off all challengers down the home straight to score by a long neck from another Hawkesbury trained galloper Monte Ichiban (Vic Bates) with Demetria a further short head away in third placing.

In her seven starts for Natalie Thermals has only missed a cheque on one occasion and now the $1,000 outlay has proven a great investment as Hawkesbury’s first prizemoney was $10,400.

Hawkesbury race again on Thursday 1^st April 2010 with $128,000 in prizemoney to distribute over the following eight race programme;

$16,000 Class 2 Handicap 2000m

$16,000 Benchmark 65 Handicap (F & M) 1000m

$16,000 Benchmark 65 handicap (C & G) 1000m

$16,000 Class One Handicap 1300m

$16,000 Maiden Plate 1000m

$16,000 Maiden Handicap 1300m

$16,000 Maiden Plate 1800m

$16,000 3yo Maiden Handicap 1200m

Randwick held twenty one barrier trial heats last Friday 12^th March 2010 with the MIDWEEKER highlighting four horses to follow.

Veteran jockey Jim Cassidy tested a couple potential autumn stars out in the trials which included Jersey Lily ( Les Bridge) and Sergeant Major ( G.Rogerson) and their trials had written all over them that they will be entering the winners circle this preparation.

Warwick farm trainer John Thompson produced the last two heat winners Flying Strike and Miss Macarthur and they both should be competitive the next time they grace the race track.

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Hawkesbury trainer Garry Frazer and his apprentice Josh Adams were seen in the winner’s circle at Randwick last Thursday courtesy of Mr Latar (Latarmiss (Ire) – Ruakiwi Glow)who score a narrow but convincing win in the Autumn Carnival Book Now Benchmark 77 Handicap run over 2400 metres.

Mr Latar $13 proved too strong for the short priced favourite Carnegies Cruzin $2.20 and was able to defeat that galloper by  along head with The Member $26 a further one and a half lengths away in third placing.

Mr Latar looks the ideal horse for the $70,000 Richmond Club Provincial Stayers Championship Final 2250 to be run on the Hawkesbury Stand Alone Saturday meeting May 1 2010.

Another Hawkesbury trainer having success last week was Connie Greig with her 6yo mare Lay Down Sally who was successful in the Benchmark 50 Handicap 1280m at Muswellbrook last Friday.

Last Saturday’s and the previous Saturday’s racing at Randwick and Rosehill respectively has certainly shed plenty of light on the $3.5m Golden Slipper 1200m to be run at Rosehill on Easter Saturday 3^rd April 2010.

Firstly the win of Hinchinbrook at Randwick on 13^th March was outstanding as he came from last and won and was dominant sectionally and he must be in the mix when considering your final Slipper selections and in winning on a good track Hinchinbrook ran 1.08.87 for the 1200 metres.

What about Military Rose who was so dominate last Saturday defeating Obsequious and the previous Slipper favourite Solar Charged with utter arrogance and she is definitely the one to beat  out of the Fillies division and in winning ran 1.11.72 on a dead 4 track

Last Saturday’s colts & geldings division winner Masquerader also impressed and he ran 1.11.47 for the 1200 metres on a dead4 track.

At this stage prior to the barrier draw which always has a big bearing on the result and given he draws a barrier inside ten I like Hinchinbrook.

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Racing New South Wales stewards gave the Hawkesbury course proper a glowing report following the running of last Thursday’s race meeting which was the first meeting held since the extensive renovations were carried out over the months of January and February.

Hawkesbury Race Club Directors engaged Melbourne firm Evergreen Turf specialist to complete a refurbishment of the course proper back in December 2009 which has turn out to be a master stroke as the course proper last Thursday was in the great condition.

Last Thursday meeting was well supported by metropolitan trainers Peter Snowden, Gai Waterhouse, Clarrie Conners, Anthony Cummings, David Payne, Guy Walter, Bart Cummings and Team Hawkes along with Provincial trainers Garry White, Garry Frazer, Robert Price, Noel Mayfield-Smith and leading country trainers Barbara Joseph and Pat Farrell.

Highlight of the meeting was the performance by Hawkesbury jockey Tye Angland who rode a winning treble steering Egoiste trained by Tara Vigouroux and Rofra Trained by Allan Denham and Sasa trained by Tim Martin to victory in their respective races.

The win by Egoiste dealt punters a heavy blow as the 3yo gelding defeated the odds on favourite Platamone Castle who looked on paper the bet of the day, but never looked likely of victory and finished in second place behind Egoiste beaten one and three quarter lengths in the J.&B.Buffalo Turf Maiden Handicap run over 1000 metres.

Sasa’s win was outstanding and the horse that finished second Parables run was also full of merit as they spaced the rest of the field in the 2yo Maiden Handicap run over 1300 metres and both of these gallopers will be winning in the city in the very near future   

Punters looking for horses to follow from the meeting should write down the following three horses Trilione, Maluckyday and Sasa

Trilione was tipped in our column last week as a good bet and he did not let punters down with the amazing part being bookmakers bet $5 and Trilione did the rest winning easily and will definitely win better races in the future.

Another winner Maluckyday also tipped in last week’s column had written all over his win kept following me as the future of the Zabeel galloper is untapped and don’t be surprised to see Maluckyday win a staying race in the city over the carnival.

Another winner from last Thursday’s Hawkesbury meeting that punters should follow is Sasa who scored one the easiest wins seen for awhile in the Vermont Sands Maiden Handicap run over 1300 metres.

Don’t be surprised if you the name Sasa pop up on Saturday 10^th April 2010 in the $300,000 AJC Sires Produce Stakes 1400m.

Barrier Trial Publication THE MIDWEEKER covered the twenty three heats held at Rosehill last Friday March 5 2010.

Horses to follow from the trials according to the Midweeker are Beaded, Glowlamp, French Rose, Melito and Kanzan.

Beaded who has won six of her eight starts was not knocked about in finishing second to Saranah Gold in heat seven and with this being her second trial Beaded is definitely ready for a first up kill.

Rosehill trainer Gerald Ryan produced a 2yo filly French Rose and going on her easy win in heat thirteen she should have little trouble in picking up a suitable race in the near future.

Melito and Kanzan both contested heat twenty one with Melito winning the heat and Kanzan finishing third with both gallopers being well held together and they appear to have come back in good order.

Australian Jockey Club CEO Darren Pearce released some positive financial and racing results for the first six (6) months trading through to 13 January 2010 which included the following;

·         Operating surplus up $1.6m or 52%

·         Membership at 100% of target of 8,200 financial Members with five months trading remaining

·         Race field sizes up by 4.1.% collectively for the first six (6) months

·         Race day attendances (crowds) are at 99% of budget

The only comment I would make about budget figures is that they can be set at a very low base, but the pleasing result is that the Australian Jockey Club have a operating surplus of $1.6m.

I often get asked what’s happening with the Merger between the AJC & STC, well I can inform you that the Merger Benefits Team which consist of AJC, STC, Racing NSW and a NSW Government representative  have issued  a confidential report to the Minister for Gaming and Racing, The Hon. Kevin Greene.

Further discussions have been deferred until late April 2010 so the AJC can focus on their Autumn Carnival.

Listening to most people in the industry who are supposed to be in the know they say the STC is against the Merger and the AJC is for a Merger ---- Result no merger.

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Nominations for the $1.5m AJC Doncaster handicap 1600m were released last Wednesday 10^th March 2010 with Gai Waterhouse having 8 horses nominated, Peter Snowden (6), Peter Moody (4), Chris Waller (4) and John Hawkes 3 which includes the very good miler Dao Dao who finished second to Typhoon Tracey at his last start.

Three year olds have a proud history in the Emirates Doncaster, winning 14 of the last 27 races, with Triple Honour the last to claim victory in 2008. Among the 3yo’s nominated are Denman, More Joyous, Demerit and Set For Fame.

Amongst Peter Moody’s nominations is the Typhoon Tracy and how are they going to beat her if she is not weighted out of the race.

Over the past couple of weeks there have been some eye catching runs from a Doncaster point of view with the most notable ones being Danleigh, Dao Dao, Palacio De Cristal and Triple Honour.

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Racing Resumes at Hawkesbury after 10 week Rest

Racing at Hawkesbury will resume tomorrow after the club has endured an enforced rest after the two February 2010 race meetings being cancelled due to much needed heavy rain.

First is set down to commence at 12.40pm with eight strong races on the programme for punters to sort out a couple of winners.

Looking at the programme there does seamed to be a couple of decent bets on the programme with the first one being in the $16,000 Fillies Maiden handicap over 1000 metres with Randwick trainer Anthony Cummings holding a strong hand with his first starter Trilione (Lion – Al Terzo) who is coming off a brilliant barrier trial at Randwick February 22^nd and if she runs up to that trial she will be winning

Race five the 2yo maiden Handicap to be run over 1300 metres is a race full of quality and the three main chances in order are Circus Rock (David Payne) Parables (Peter Snowden) and Sasa (Tim Martin). All will willgo oto better races in the future, if their trials are any indication.

The one good thing on the programme looks to be the John Hawkes trained Maluckyday who is engaged in the 1600m Maiden Handicap. 

The $3.5 million Golden Slipper to be run on Easter Saturday April 3 for the first time in history is shaping up as a race with not too many chances considering that the Blue Diamond winner has never won the Golden Slipper and the form aprt from a couple are not up scratch.

A couple of weeks ago we reported on the excellent trial of Solar Charge and suggested that the $8 in early markets was over the odds and thanks to Soar Charge’s sensational win last Saturday we were right as she is now quoted at $4.60       

Early favourite Chance Bye is going into the slipper with five weeks between runs hardly a solid Slipper preparation.

Chance Bye was disappointing last start if you go times as she ran the first 600 metres two lengths slower than Winter King on the same day and then she can’t even get home quicker than Winter King for the final 600 metres.

Amber Waltz in my opinion who finished second to Chance Bye will find it very difficult also to win the Golden Slipper.

Solar Charge, Military Rose and Divorces are the three at this stage that appear to have to have the best hopes in then $3.5m Golden Slipper to be run on Easter Saturday 3^rd April 2010.

Looking for one at value I suggest you should be consider Divorces a Peter Snowden trained galloper who had no luck when resuming finishing fourth to Chance Bye after being slow out and then was tightened on the first turn and then had to change course at the 150m mark. This Saturday could be the day for Divorces.

John Thompson head trainer for Patinack Farm owner Nathan Tinkler has certainly increased his numbers since moving a part of their training establishment from Warwick farm to Hawkesbury early January 2010 with the Tinkler juggernaut well established at Hawkesbury now with 752 horses worked on the training tracks over the month of February 2010.

Talking to Nathan you get the feeling that the Patinack Farm horses are rally benefiting from the rural surroundings at Hawkesbury and don’t be surprised to see a big name Rosehill trainer arrive at the Hawkesbury course over the next six months.

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New South Wales Provincial Jockey and Trainer’s Premierships have some interesting names in the top five with the jockey’s premiership having Jon Grisedale in second placing on 26 wins two behind Hugh Bowman on 28.5 and the other surprise is that two apprentice jockey’s sit in equal third placing with Blake Spriggs on 25 wins and the Hawkesbury whiz kid Josh Adams also on 25 wins.

Josh never seams to be out of the winners circle and last Wednesday steered the Allan Denham trained galloper Dublette to victory in the 3yo Maiden Handicap 1000m at Wyong.

Bob and Wendy Lapointe have put their Muskoka Farm on the market for a reported price tag of $11m with Bob now nearing 70 and his Wendy, a veterinarian and a successful horse trainer planning to slow down the pace of their lives a little.

Muskoka Farm at Gunderman near Wisemans Ferry caters for 80 horses in full work and 180 including horses spelling.

Muskoka Farm is on the banks of the Hawkesbury River and 60km north west of Sydney, has a 2700m grass track with an 800m straight run, an artificial track, a 1000m sand track, 1000m wood shavings track, horse pool, walking machine, barriers, day yards, stabling and spelling paddocks – all managed by Tim and Adrienne Clark.

Hawkesbury Trainer Joan Pracey showed all and sundry just how good a trainer she is preparing her 8yo gelding Savage Sevens for a first up victory on Black Opal Day at Canberra last Sunday.

Josh Adams was the pilot on Savage Sevens $26 and Josh was able to push the gelding to a half head victory in the $40,000 Myer Fashions Camarena Handicap over 1000 metres defeating Louisianna Flyer $31 with Platinum Skye a further neck away in third placing.

Connections of Savage Sevens were greeted with a TAB dividend of $30.50 and don’t be surprised to see Savage sevens line up in the $70,000 BTW Communications Open Handicap 1200m on the 1^st May 2010 at the Hawkesbury Stand Alone Saturday Race Meeting.

Another Hawkesbury trainer to have trained half the programme at Bathurst last Friday was Garry Frazer with his galloper Mr Latar (Josh Adams) winning race two the Benchmark Handicap 2010m and following Mr Latar’s win the meeting was Abandoned due to poor Visibility.

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Hawkesbury to receive better coverage from New Sky Channel Stations

Hawkesbury Race Club as from April 2010 will benefit from the two new Sky Channel stations which will see coverage of all mounting yard parades from and comments and tips from Ron Duff icy.

Here is a brief rundown of the Channels;

Sky Racing 1 -- Wall to Wall coverage as is seen currently. International Racing that is currently seen on Sky One will be moved to Sky Two

Sky Racing 2 ----- All existing International content will be broadcast on Sky Racing 2, plus all additional domestic and international content will be broadcast on Sky 2. An extra 35 meetings not currently broadcast will be seen on Sky 2 made up of domestic and International. Where feasible, pre and post race coverage will appear on Sky 2 of domestic events being broadcast on Sky 1.

Barrier trial Publication THE MIDWEEKER covered the twenty trials held at Rosehill last Friday February 19 and highlighted three horses for punters to follow over the coming weeks.

Valens and Drumbeats were both given easy trials in heat six with Valens being let down in last 100 metres and ran on to be beaten a nose by Katsura with Drumbeats going to the line hard held in fourth placing.

Shannara 3yo filly trained by Peter Snowden won heat nineteen unextended and should have little trouble breaking her maiden status on the provincial circuit.

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Hawkesbury Race Club will be holding the largest national Turf Conference, Trade Expo and Race Day on Wednesday 14^th April and Thursday 15^th April 2010 to be held in the country.

Held over two big days, the combination of the National Turf Conference, Trade Expo and Race Day promises to be an informative and entertaining, “must-do” event for all involved in the Turf and Turf Care Industries;

Venue; Hawkesbury race Club, Clarendon (near Richmond RAAF – Sydney)

Turf Expo Day One -- Education Sessions and Tour

Wednesday 14th April 2010

9am – 10am   Conference Registration --- Hawkesbury Race Course

10.30am    Welcome address by Mr Lynn Davidson, President, Turf Producers           10.45              Australia and Official conference opening

11                   Turf Speakers

11.30              Turf Speakers

12.00     Buses depart Hawkesbury Race Club for Tour/Lunch at Panthers and    Golf/Lunch at Lynwood.

4.30                Buses return – Hawkesbury Race Club Motel/Sebel Motel

6pm                Pre Dinner Drinks – Corporate Function Centre

7pm     Conference Dinner – Hawkesbury Corporate Function Centre –                                            8pm                Guest Speaker –   ?????????   

Thursday 15th April 2010 – Field day and Hawkesbury Race Day – Free Entry to Race Meeting & Field Day

9.30         Working Displays commence

12.30       Race Day Function Hawkesbury Corporate Function Centre

6pm         Return to Hawkesbury Race Club Motel

Hawkesbury Future Relies Heavily on a Favorable Result from Corporate Bookmakers Case

Hawkesbury Race Club Limited directors are ready to make an application to Racing New South Wales for finance to fund their plans to lengthen the Home straight from 280 metres to 400 metres thus having a straight as long as Randwick and Rosehill.

Hawkesbury Race Club over the past two years has had tracks surveyed and plans draw up to lengthen the home straight and also install a all weather track on the inside of the course proper which would be the same size as the present course and used for training and as a race track when needed mainly in the winter months when tracks are in the range from slow 7 to a heavy 10.

Hawkesbury Race Club plans are rely heavily on the present court case between RacingNSW and the Corporate Bookmakers arguing whether Corporate Bookmakers should pay the Racing industry a fee of 1.5% for using their intellectual property to run their business.

RacingNSW will have at their disposal if they win the case an amount of $60m to implement a Racecourse Development Fund which would if approved fund the Hawkesbury Race Club’s track developments.

Racing NSW will also build six centers of Excellence in the provincial and country regions and also fund major upgrades to the Queen Elizabeth Stand at Randwick.

The Racing Industry has a whole will benefit greatly from a win in the courts by Racing New South Wales as Prizemoney will increase in the Metropolitan, Provincial and Country regions as soon as the monies are released.

Hawkesbury Race Club were asked to comment on the Racing New South Wales draft Strategic Plan and one of the points in their submission was the abolishing of track fees state wide with race clubs to be compensated out of new monies form the Corporate Bookmakers Fees.

All Race Tracks now charge track fees for the use of their training tracks and these fess are passed onto the trainers who then in turn dissect them and pass them on to their owners which creates the longest paper trail you could ever imagine.

Just imagine if their were no tracks fees in NSW, if that did not increase the horse population in NSW against other States who still charge tracks fees well I would be astounded.

One thing owners hate is seeing track fees on their monthly accounts and I am sure owners would move horse from interstate just to have no track fees on their monthly accounts.

RacingNSW must be congratulated on the success of the Benchmark and Programming System since its introduction in October2009.

Field sizes have increased and apprentice jockeys are receiving more rides due to the greater spread in weights and trainers are starting to realize their horses can win carrying the bigger weights and one trainer who is not afraid to nominate horses outside the Benchmark of the race is Gai Waterhouse.

Whilst on RacingNSW I must commend them on their new rewards club program instigated by Board member Kim Harding.

Racing NSW Rewards Club is a free rewards program launched by Racing NSW to reward Horse Racing fans for their participation in the NSW Horse Racing industry. Whether you are a horse owner or just enjoy attending the races, Racing NSW Rewards club will have something for you. With Racing NSW Rewards club you can;

·        Earn Reward points for nearly every dollar you spend within the industry

·        Transfer points to Racing Rewards club from most credit card loyalty programs

·        Use your Racing NSW Rewards club points for rewards, including buying a horse, service fee, club membership, training expenses, personal and travel rewards.

·        Access to inside information including tips and tools to punt better

Saturday’s $1m Blue Diamond Stakes1200m for 2yo’s to be run at Caulfield on Saturday does look likely to have only three winning hopes with the NSW galloper Beneteau $3.60 favourite and the one to beat along with Psychologist and Star Witness the other chances.

Beneteau’s performance at his only second race start to win the Blue Diamond Prelude a Group 3 race after having no clear run on straightening and colliding with another runner at the 225m and then to record the time of 1.01.86 for the 1100m stamped this galloper as a serious race horse and he will take some beating in Saturday’s $1m Blue Diamond Stakes 1200m.

Hawkesbury Jockey Tye Angland continues to go about his business of riding winners without much fanfare and the results just keep coming with Tye steering Alverta to victory in the Breeders Classic (G2) 1200m at Randwick last Saturday.

Alverta won the Hawkesbury Guineas back in 2007 and from then has gone from strength to strength winning eleven of her 33 starts and in doing so has amassed over $600,000 in prizemoney.

Tye had Alverta settled back in the field three wide with cover and trailed the favourite Madame Pedrille to the home turn where Tye took Alverta to the outside where she then was able to run down the early leader Montana Flyer and race away to score by one and a quarter lengths.

Don’t be surprised to see Alverta At Hawkesbury’s Stand Alone Saturday meeting on Mat 1^st contesting the $100,000 XXXX Rowley Mile 1600m.

Heavy Rains Force the Hawkesbury Race Meeting to be Abandoned

Following 80 mils of rain up to 9am Thursday Morning Racing NSW stewards had no alternative but to call off the Hawkesbury Race Meeting deeming the track unsafe for racing.

All was not lost as the Function supporting the Hawkesbury Living Cancer Trust went ahead with a staggering $35,000 being raised for an oncology ward to be set up in the Hawkesbury district so residents will no longer need to travel outside the Hawkesbury District for their Cancer Treatment.

Racing returns to Hawkesbury next Tuesday 16^th February 2010 with $128,000 in Prizemoney to be districted over the following race programme;

$16,000 Benchmark 75 Handicap 2000m

$16,000 Benchmark 70 Handicap 1300m

$16,000 Benchmark 60 Handicap 1000m

$16,000 Class One Handicap 1400m

$16,000 Maiden Plate 1300m

$16,000 Maiden Handicap 1500m

$16,000 Maiden Handicap 2000m

$16,000 3yo Maiden Plate 900m

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The 2010 Inglis Classic Yearling sale was a great result for a couple of Grose Wold Vendor’s in particular Wayne and Pauline Alchin and Ian and Linda Duckworth.

Wayne and Pauline’s stud Carramar Park sold 15 lots for an aggregate of $647,500 which included $130,000 for a Snitzel/Innocense filly, $80,000 for a Starcraft/Sprung filly and $65,000 for a Commands/Folly’s Magic filly.

Wayne and Pauline’s Stud Carramar Park was also received an award for the Best presented Yearlings and Grooms at the sale.

Ian and Linda Duckworth of Fairview Park Stud sold seven yearlings for an aggregate of $392,000 which included $100,000 for a Magic Albert/Kianben Colt.

Hawkesbury Trainers and Jockeys 2009/2010 Premiership is keenly contested at the present moment with Hawkesbury trainer Garry White leading the trainers premiership with seven wins one ahead of Peter Snowden and Guy Walter who are both on six wins with Bart Cummings and Gai Waterhouse another win away on 5.

Jockeys Premiership sees Josh Parr leading with six wins one ahead of Apprentice Nathan Berry, Jon Grisedale and Chris Munce all with five wins.

The NSW Provincial Jockey’s and Trainers Premiership is more clear cut with Hugh Bowman leading the Jockeys with 25 wins two ahead of Josh Parr on 23 wins and next is  Hawkesbury’s star apprentice Josh Adams on 22 wins a truly remarkable effort.

Last Tuesday week the MID WEEKER covered the Rosehill trials and highlighted three for punters to follow.

Two of the horses competed in the same 2yo trial with Hinchinbrook (Gerald Ryan) and Manahara (Gai Waterhouse) going across the line heat four with only a nose separating them. They ran the fastest time of the morning for the 900 metre trials and both have indicated in previous trials that they have above average ability.

Sweepstaking trained on the Gold Coast and a winner of his previous two starts in at Eagle Farm and Gold Coast, looked highly impressive in winning heat twelve and he should have little trouble in winning a city race in NSW.

Veteran Hawkesbury trainer Andy Shaw who is one of the nicest guys in the Thoroughbred Racing Industry was seen in the winners circle at Cessnock last Tuesday with his 9yo gelding Kadazan.

Eighty Two year old Shaw had some nervous moments until the judge semaphored the winners number as Kadazan $6 scored by the bearest of margins a half head over Grant Buckley’s mount Manipur $9 with the $2.80 favourite Controversy a further three and thee quarters of a length away in third placing.

Hawkesbury trainers Garry Frazer and Garry White were both seen in the winners circle at Bathurst last Sunday with Frazer producing Mr Latar (Josh Adams) to win the Benchmark 65 Handicap 1800m and White saddling up In The Cards (A.G.Robinson) to win the Fillies and Mares Maiden handicap 1200m.

Talking about Bathurst, last Sunday programmed at Bathurst was a thoroughbred race meeting and a Harness meeting on the same afternoon which surely is lack of consultation between the three codes.    

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Racing Returns to Hawkesbury Tomorrow

Following extensive track renovations being completed under the guidance of Turf Specialist Evergreen and a six week spell from racing will see the Hawkesbury Race Club course proper is in excellent condition for Hawkesbury’s first race meeting of 2010 which will be held tomorrow Thursday 4^th February.

Prizemoney of $128,000 is to be distributed over the eight race programme with the first race commencing at 1.15pm.

Tomorrow’s meeting is to raise funds for the Hawkesbury Living Cancer Trust awkesbury Living Cancer Trust Hawkesbury Living                   and the proceeds from the meeting will go towards a setting up an oncology ward in the Hawkesbury District, which will be a great benefit for Cancer suffers who will no longer need to travel outside the district for their treatment.

Now punters looking for winners on the day I would suggest you stick to trainers Peter Snowden and Guy Walter.

Peter has Anschluss engaged in the $16,000 Class two handicap 1400m and prior to going for a spell Anschluss was an impressive winner at Newcastle, with Snowden preparing Anschluss for a first up win with barrier trial hit out at Warwick Farm on Monday 25^th were he finished fourth to Bomber Murphy and went to the line under restraint.

Anschluss main danger could come the Guy Walter’s recent acquisition Falontino a New Zealand galloper who has finished second and third at his previous two in starts in New Zealand in higher grade than he is facing tomorrow.

The $16,000 Class One Handicap looks a match race between the Peter Snowden trained Keshi and the Matthew Dale trained Banana Smoothie both impressive last start winners and if I had to split them I would lean towards Banana Smoothie who recently won a Wagga Maiden by four and a half lengths.

Guy Walter has Gusrick engaged in the 1000m Maiden, a race that looks to be limited with chances and although Gusrick is resuming he did have city form last preparation and if repeats that form he will be too good for opposition tomorrow.    

Racing New South Wales have finalized Hawkesbury’s Stand Alone Saturday Race Meeting with the approved programme being;

$100,000 Blacktown Workers Hawkesbury Guineas (Listed) 1400m (3yos) Set Weights & Penalties – Colts & Geldings 55KG Fillies 53kgs

$100,000 Tooheys XXXX Hawkesbury Rowley Mile (Listed) 1600m

$100,000 Darley Crown (Listed) 1300m Fillies & Mares

$70,000 BTW Communications Open Handicap 1200m

$70,000 Blakes Marine Rating 85 Handicap 1400m

$70,000 Richmond Club Provincial Stayers Championship Final Benchmark Ratings 80 Handicap 2250m (Heats sponsored by Mitavite)

$70,000 Sweepstakes NMW Handicap 1200m

$70,000 Reavill Farm – Inglis Race Series 2yo Handicap 1200m (attached to the race is $50,000 Bonus (to Winner) if the winner was nominated for the $2,500,000 Inglis Race Series)

The Honour Roll for the (Listed) Hawkesbury Guineas 1400m is;

2009 Related

2008 Royal Discretion

2007 Alverta

2006 The Free Stater

Rowley Mile 1600m (Listed)

2009 Lyncean Academy

2008 Rabbuka

2007 Beauty Watch

2006 Fighting Fund

Darley Crown 1300m (Listed)

2009 Mary’s Grace

2008 Sung

2007 November Flight

2006 Barberton

Reavill Farm Inglis Race Series 1200m

2009 Kanzan

2008 Fravashi

2007 Royal Discretion

2006 Bomber Command

Don’t miss out on the excitement of The Hawkesbury Stand Alone Saturday 1^st May 2010

Pre-Purchase General Admission tickets for only $10, Members $15  -- 0245772263

Enjoy the day in class and comfort with our Entertainers Package;

Includes Admission, members’ access, racebook, reserved seating in air conditioned comfort, and an excellent luncheon including beverages all for $125 per person. Minimum booking is 8 guests.

Please email vivleggett@hrc.net.au or www.hawkesburyraceclub.com.au

Ph; 0418292184

With the Autumn Carnival fast approaching the recent Barrier trials held at Rosehill have seen trainers producing some of their big guns in preparation for the major Group Races over the upcoming autumn carnival.

Rosehill trainer Chris Waller saddled up Rangrangidoo in heat four and he made light work of his opposition winning the heat in easy fashion.

Warwick Farm trainer Matthew Smith produced his smart filly Hurtle Myrtle in heat eleven where she finished second to Perrequisite beaten just under a length and was under restraint down the home straight.

Last preparation Hurtle Myrtle finished second in the Flight Stakes, Furious Stakes and the Silver Shadow Stakes and going on her trial Hurtle Myrtle should open her stakes winning account this preparation.

Barrier Trial Publication THE MIDWEEKER covered the Warwick Farm barrier trials held on Monday 25^th January 2010 at which trainer John Thompson trailed 39 horses.

Stars of the Thompson Trialers were Point Pain, Moore and Run For Naara.

Run For Naara has the form on the board with wins over 1600m at Flemington and 2000m at Caulfield and going on her trial she will be a prominent player over the upcoming Autumn carnival.

Hawkesbury trainer Garry Frazer has recently traveled to the Magic Millions yearling sales and added a nice yearling to his stable having purchased a $180,000 Encosta De Lago colt whose mother is Stylish Bow a former city winner trained by Gai Waterhouse.

Garry returned from Queensland and went onto the Inglis Classic Sales adding another three yearlings amongst them a Fastnet Rock Colt which Garry paid $80,000 and a Secret Savings Filly $30,000 and a Beautiful Crown Colt $30,000.

Garry wasted little time recouping his outlay by landing a plunge at Canterbury last Thursday night with his galloper Scottish Border who was backed from $6 into $4.80 and dually landed the money thanks to a brilliant ride by Garry’s apprentice Josh Adams.

Hawkesbury’s longest serving Bookmaker Eric Conlon will turn 80 on the 22^nd February 2010 and the Hawkesbury Race Club will be honoring Eric by naming a race after him at their race meeting on Tuesday 16^th February 2010.

Eric is widely known amongst the bookmaker fraternity as the gentlemen of Bookmakers and he has been a wonderful contributor to the Hawkesbury Race Club over the past five decades.

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