Melbourne Cup 2008 Blog

The Canadians are coming!!!

ThLink: Raiders line up | Herald Sun.

THE Melbourne Cup's global expansion continues to reach new borders with the news Canadian stayer Jambalaya has been nominated for the $5 million race.

While the Melbourne Cup has previously attracted entries from the United States, Jambalaya is the first Canadian horse to be nominated.

Jambalaya, a five-year-old by northern hemisphere time, was a Grade 1 winner at Gulfstream Park, Florida this year.

Entries close for the Melbourne and Caulfield Cup as well as the Cox Plate at noon on Wednesday.

Already, Japanese stablemates Delta Blues and Pop Rock, who provided last year's historic Cup quinella, have been entered.

So, too, has Japanese Cox Plate candidate Shadow Gate and Tosho Knight, another Japanese horse taking aim at the Melbourne Cup.

Racing Victoria international scout Leigh Jordon expects a strong European contingent headed by the Aidan O'Brien-trained Yeats, while Dermot Weld is expected to nominate recent acquisition Bellamy Cay.

Jambalaya won the Gulfstream Park Breeders Cup Stakes (2200m) on February 24 and he also boasts a head second behind Better Talk Now, a multiple Group 1 winner, who was second top weight in last year's Melbourne Cup.

Trained on the Woodbine racecourse in Toronto by Catherine Day-Phillips, Jambalaya has won seven of his 20 starts with a further seven placings.

He won a Grade 3 race over 2400m at Gulfstream Park on March 31, ensuring he has passed the ballot clause.

Jambalaya has been placed at both runs this campaign, most recently a two-length third in the Grade 2 Northern Dancer Stakes (2400m) at Woodbine on July 22.

RVL's American spotter David Bernsen said he had provided a detailed briefing about the Cup to Day-Phillips.

Bernsen said Jambalaya was a "premier horse, up with the top three or four stayers in the state".

"She's pretty enthusiastic," Bernsen said.

"The horse is owned by her family and the horse doesn't race on medication."

Jordon expects entries from US trainers, possibly including the Michael Dickinson-trained Marsh Side.

Marsh Slide has form through Jambalaya. He split Jambalaya and winner Sky Conqueror in the Northern Dancer Stakes.

Japanese lead Melbourne charge - Horse Racing - Fox Sports

Link: Japanese lead Melbourne charge - Horse Racing - Fox Sports.

INTERNATIONAL Group I winner Shadow Gate appears likely to target the $3 million W.S. Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in October as Japan looks to add the weight-for-age prize to a second consecutive Melbourne Cup win this spring.

Entries for the Melbourne spring features close this Wednesday, and the nation that struck fear into the hearts of Australian owners and trainers last year will be back with quality and a wider spread of competitors, Racing Victoria scout Leigh Jordon says.

Last year's Melbourne Cup quinella, Delta Blues and Pop Rock, lead the Japanese contingent for this year's race.

Several trainers have expressed concerns that the performance of the pair might have signalled an era of Japanese domination in the staying event, and their presence this spring would have some Australians doubting their own prospects.

Tosho Knight will be a new visitor to Melbourne. Trainer Kazutaka Yasuda has placed the Cup at the top of Tosho Knight's agenda since his brave fifth to Meisho Samson in the Tenno Sho over 3200m at Kyoto in April. This followed his third to Admire Moon - recently bought by Godolphin for $40 million - in the Kyoto Kinen in February.

Shadow Gate won the Singapore International Cup over 2000m at Kranji in May after running second to Meisho Samson in a Group II race at Hanshin in April. His only appearance since was in the Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin in June, unplaced behind Admire Moon.

Trainer Yukihiro Kato has been in contact with Racing Victoria racing manager Jordon, enquiring about the credentials of a stablemate who may also be entered and addressing other points. Jordon took that as an encouraging sign that Kato had intentions of heading to Australia.

Roc de Cambes, a New Zealand-bred colt turning three on Wednesday, and unbeaten in Japan, has been nominated for the Victoria Derby in November at Flemington.

The $130,000 yearling has won at 1800m and 2000m this year.

Leading Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien has signalled his intention to be in Melbourne this spring.

O'Brien is making arrangements to bring his family to Australia for a holiday after the Cup, for which he is likely to nominate several horses.

O'Brien was represented in last year's race by Yeats, but his instructions on the preparation of the stayer were conveyed by phone and carried out by staff as O'Brien was required in the US, where he had runners in the Breeders' Cup races on the corresponding weekend.

This year, the Breeders' Cup is being run a week earlier, at Monmouth Park, freeing O'Brien to come to Australia.

An indication of the staying strength in O'Brien's team can be measured by the nominations for the Irish St Leger in September. His 19 entries for the event, considered a major lead-up, include Yeats, Scorpion and Septimus.

Although Yeats ran seventh in the Melbourne Cup last year, O'Brien and his team at Ballydoyle were pleased that subsequent tests revealed no wear and tear issues resulting from the trip to Australia and the gruelling test at Flemington.

Dermot Weld, who has won the Melbourne Cup twice, has acquired Bellamy Cay from the stables of Khalid Abdullah.

Formerly trained by Andre Fabre, Bellamy Cay, runner-up in the 2006 French St Leger, is now raced in similar ownership to Vintage Crop and Media Puzzle.

Jordon met Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford this month, and Crisford renewed the stable's commitment to winning the Melbourne Cup.

Godolphin is likely to be active in the next 36 hours with nominations for the major spring races, but the stable so far has played its cards close to its chest.

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Japan assault on the Cup

Link: Knight joins Japan assault | Herald Sun.

TOSHO Knight yesterday joined the growing list of Japanese nominations for the Melbourne spring carnival.

At his last start in May, Tosho Knight finished fifth in the Group 1 Tenno Sho, in which last year's Melbourne Cup winner Delta Blues finished 12th.

Eye Popper is already nominated for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and Shadow Gate for the Cox Plate, while last year's Melbourne Cup quinella horses, Delta Blues and Pop Rock, will be entered for both Cups.

Cups and Cox Plate nominations close next Wednesday.

These horses will be outstanding in Spring 2007

Link: Trainers fear guillotine | The Sunday Telegraph.

By Ray Thomas

July 27, 2007 12:00am

GUILLOTINE, David Payne's talented but untapped colt, is the galloper most likely to rise from obscurity during the spring racing carnivals.

And Fiumicino and Haradasun, who have already arrived as genuine stars with big-race triumphs at Randwick during Easter, will again be major players at Group One level in the new season.

At least this is the opinion of trainers who were asked by The Daily Telegraph this week to nominate one rival runner they would most like to have in their stable.

Guillotine may have only won one minor race from three starts but Hall of Fame trainer Lee Freedman is among those who has spotted the colt's raw potential.

"If there was one horse I think has a future, it would be Guillotine," Freedman said. "He looks very promising."

John O'Shea has watched with interest Guillotine's progress at Randwick trackwork and agreed with Freedman's assessment of the colt.

"He was very unlucky in the Champagne Stakes, he's bred to get a mile-and-a-quarter (2000m), a mile-and-a-half (2400m), and could be a Cox Plate or Derby horse," O'Shea said.

Guillotine, a half-brother to last year's Victoria Derby winner Efficient, began his preparation for the corresponding race this spring with a brilliant barrier-trial win at Randwick this week.

Payne said Guillotine was likely to resume in the Ming Dynasty Quality at Randwick on September 8.

For his part, Payne nominated AJC Australian Derby hero Fiumicino from the John Hawkes stable.

"Fiumicino could be the horse that really comes through this spring," Payne said. "He was immature during autumn and won the Derby in what was basically his first preparation. He was extremely impressive."

Paul Cave, an acknowledged expert trainer of stayers, was also taken by Fiumicino.

"I can't go past Derby winner Fiumicino. He's a very talented, young stayer," Cave said.

Tim Martin, trainer of the exciting Murtajill, is another Fiumicino fan.

"What Fiumicino was able to achieve in his first preparation was incredible. If he shows he's not just a wet-tracker, then he could be anything," Martin said.

David Hayes, who is preparing Miss Finland for a possible Cox Plate-Melbourne Cup double, said he could not split Doncaster Handicap winner Haradasun or Fred Kersley's emerging Marasco.

"I'd like to be training Haradasun - he's a gun," Hayes said. "The same goes for Marasco."

Gary Portelli broke through for his first Group One win with Rena's Lady in the AJC Australian Oaks this year, just two days after Haradasun took out the Doncaster.

No guessing who the Warwick Farm trainer wished he had stabled alongside his Oaks winner. "I would love to have Haradasun in my team," Portelli said.

Les Bridge couldn't go past Efficient, the early Melbourne Cup favourite.

"I like Efficient," Bridge said. "He won the Derby at Flemington very easily and looks an ideal Melbourne Cup horse to me."

Gerald Ryan came up with a surprising choice - Gai Waterhouse's unbeaten Sliding Cube.

"Sliding Cube had a lovely, soft trial at Rosehill last week. She's a really, good filly in the making," Ryan said.

After watching Yeats demolish Europe's best stayers in the Ascot Gold Cup last month, Waterhouse believes the Irish champion is ready to avenge his unplaced effort in last year's Melbourne Cup.

"I saw Yeats win the Ascot Gold Cup and he is a magnificent stayer," Waterhouse said.

Pompeii Ruler set for Melbourne Cup

Link: Oliver aims high with Haradasun - Horse Racing - Sport - theage.com.au.

Another highly rated Cox Plate contender, Pompeii Ruler, is also set to run in this year's Melbourne Cup, according to his trainer Mick Price.

Price, who saddled promising filly, Spin Queen, to win yesterday's Tango Miss Handicap at Sandown, said his early plan would see Pompeii Ruler run in the Cox Plate, then take on the 3200-metre trip at the Melbourne Cup 10 days later.

As Pompeii Ruler would not have run beyond 2040 metres, he would not have overcome the distance requirement for a Melbourne Cup.

Price is relying on the galloper winning the Cox Plate — the winner of that race is free from the Melbourne Cup ballot.

Pompeii Ruler is to be entered for New Zealand's premier weight-for-age race, the Kelt Capital Stakes, in September but Price said it may be decided to keep the horse at home this spring. "Logistically, to go to New Zealand halfway through a Cox Plate program may not be ideal," he said.

The Caulfield trainer said Pompeii Ruler was likely to resume next month in the group 2 Liston Stakes at Caulfield after he trials at Cranbourne on August 13.

Shrogginet jumps into contention

Link: Shrogginet jumps into star contention - Horseracing - Sport - smh.com.au.

SHROGGINET, the horse purchased to win a Melbourne Cup, looks set to give his owner some compensation after he won yesterday's $100,000 Moonee Valley Hurdle.

The win not only thrilled connections but put the horse on notice as a hurdler of the future with his 15-length winning margin.

However, trainer Tom Hughes revealed after the race that the horse's owner Ray Orloff requested Shrogginet be sold at the recent dispersal sale.

"He won a hurdle at Hamilton but Ray said to me, 'look I think we'll turn him over', but I sort of pleaded with him to give the horse one more try.

"He'd shown me tremendous ability in one or two hurdle schools and I knew there was something there that could make him a class jumper," Hughes said.

Last year's Moonee Hurdle winner was Some Are Bent, which has won eight jumping races in his short career.

"Look, he can stay all day. They say some horses can pick up 20 lengths by being a clever jumper and not a stayer, but he's got both assets to his make-up and it's a lovely luxury to have.

"I'm toying with the idea of taking him to Adelaide next Saturday for the South Australian Hurdle, but I'll just have to wait and see how he pulls up. He could be in for a pretty successful winter next year," Hughes said.

Shrogginet is bred to be an out-and-out stayer, being by Pentire from the former New Zealand Oaks winner Alacrity. He cost $NZ50,000 ($45,000) as a yearling.

"You know, when he raced on the flat over 3000m and beyond, he was always flying home over the last 200m, so never question his staying ability, he can run 20 miles," Hughes said.

Shrogginet started at $4 equal favourite and defeated Victory Nik, a $17 hope, with $6 chance Johnny Knoxville 3¼ lengths away third.

Eremein set for the Cup (again)

Link: Racing and Sports - Leaders in Horse Racing News, Statistics and Technology.

Weight-for-age star Eremein is once again on the comeback trail after missing the major races of the current season due to injury.

The early favourite for the 2006 Cox Plate, Eremein missed his chance to compete in the Moonee Valley feature when he suffered a mystery ailment put down to muscle soreness.

His autumn campaign was also abandoned early after the problem recurred with tests showing the soreness emanated from the sciatic nerve.

Owner Geoff White is keeping his fingers crossed that Eremein can stand up to a spring campaign with the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup his missions.

"He is back at Allan Denham's stable and so far seems fine," White said.

"He went to the Randwick Equine Centre and Treve Williams went over him thoroughly and could not find any problems.

"He's fine and Allan said he is now trotting and cantering.

"He will start off in the Warwick Stakes as he did last year and hopefully then he will go on to the Cox Plate.

"If he wins that, then we can go to the Melbourne Cup."

The rising six-year-old has been plagued by injury and illness throughout his career but his talent is highlighted by 11 wins from 26 starts, five of those victories at the highest level.

When he was a spring three-year-old, Eremein's life was threatened by a bout of colic but after being nursed back to health he stamped himself as a genuine star with his victories in the Rosehill Guineas and AJC Australian Derby in the autumn.

He missed the spring of 2005 when he required surgery to remove bone chips but was once again to the fore in the autumn when he won Sydney's weight-for-age treble of the Ranvet Stakes, BMW and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Those performances had him earmarked as the logical successor to Makybe Diva until the muscle issue became apparent.

For White and his wife Beryl who have won many of Australia's greatest races, the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup have been nightmares.

Filante was thwarted twice when beaten by the Bart Cummings-trained Saintly in the 1996 Cox Plate and again by a Cummings horse the following year when he was second to Dane Ripper.

Yippyio was among the leading contenders for the 1997 Melbourne Cup but was struck down by travel sickness and underwent a long rehabilitation.

He was back to his best three years later when he won the Brisbane Cup during the winter and finished second to lightweight Brew in the 2000 Melbourne Cup.

Eremein is scheduled to resume in the Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 25 as are fellow headliners Desert War and Racing To Win.

Bart's horses for 2007 Cup

Link: The Virtual FormGuide - AAP - Empires Choice Back In Work.

Queensland Derby winner Empires Choice is back in work with trainer Bart Cummings who believes he will be a major part of his bid for a 12th Melbourne Cup. Cummings sent the colt to Princes Farm intending to give him a few weeks off after his triumph in the Derby (2400m) on June 9 but changed his mind after a couple of weeks.

"In the end he only had two weeks off. It was too cold out in the paddock so I brought him back to Leilani Lodge," Cummings said.

"He's bucking his brands off and will begin his spring campaign next month.

"My other Cups horses will be Sirmione, Fianchetto, Sir James, Prince Arthur to name a few.

"They'll all be there."

Empires Choice is by supersire Redoute's Choice out of Rosie's Star, a daughter of 1988 Melbourne Cup winner Empire Rose.

The colt was stakes placed as a two-year-old but did not manage a win until March of this year when he broke through at Hawkesbury.

He claimed his second victory in the Rough Habit Plate at Doomben on May 26 and backed that up with his Derby success two weeks later in which Sirmione finished a close third.

Fianchetto hasn't raced since finishing 10th in the AJC Australian Derby on an unsuitable heavy track with Sir James one place ahead of him.

Both are by Coolmore stallion Montjeu, sire of this year's Epsom Derby winner Authorized.

Cummings, who will turn 80 in November, is currently sixth on the Sydney trainers' premiership and celebrated a winning double with Mulaman and Gretchenella at Randwick on Saturday.

In January this year, Cummings won his second Magic Millions Classic with Mimi Lebrock who stepped up her preparation with a recent barrier trial win at Hawkesbury.

The filly will be aimed at the $1 million Golden Rose on September 1 at Rosehill.

Carte Diamond and Bay Story

Link: Secret pushing his luck | Herald Sun.

Trainer Brian Ellison said from Britain yesterday that Carte Diamond and Bay Story, who ran second in this year's Perth Cup, would be set for the Cup.

Internationals Carte Diamond and Bay Story set for Cup

Link: MELBOURNE THE AIM FOR ELLISON: Sporting Life - Racing News | Live Coverage, Racecards, Tips, Form, Betting, Results & Stats.

Brian Ellison has his sights set on a double Melbourne Cup raid later in the year with the luckless Carte Diamond and Bay Story.

The six-year-old Carte Diamond has won in excess of £114,000 in prize money but has been plagued with injuries since his one-length second to Sergeant Cecil in the 2005 Ebor at York.

Ellison said: "Carte Diamond is getting scanned tomorrow and we will know more then. If he scans clean then we are getting him ready for the Melbourne Cup."

The Malton trainer also intends running Bay Story, second in the BMW Perth Cup in January.

Ellison said: "We left him out there this year after the Perth Cup. He is in great form and has qualified, so he is going."

The Ellison yard is currently in great heart, with a double at Beverley yesterday featuring the runaway victory of Grey Samurai under the trainer's assistant and daughter, Lorraine.

He added: "We've had 19 winners this season, so we are doing well from a yard of 24 runners. Last year we had 31."