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2011 winner Brioni drawn in second heat of the Elitloppet
Brioni will be out to defend the title
22 May 2012 - Another elite field of 16 trotters competing for trotting greatness in the 61st edition of the Elitloppet has been assembled this year, featuring the previous two champions Iceland (2010) and Brioni (2011), Oslo Grand Prix winner Commander Crowe and a strong North American presence with Arch Madness and Windsong Geant. Adding to the theatre will be the return of arguably the world’s greatest trotter, Rapide Lebel and the Elitloppet debut of prolific U.S.A driver Brian Speers (Arch Madness).
Australian fans can catch all of the action in a Special Event live on Sky Racing 1 from 9.40pm aest, Sunday, 27 May. Studio hosts Adam Hamilton and Gareth Hall will be joined by Chris Lang trackside foranother wonderful installment of this historic race. Click here to view Sky Racing's promotional video.
The 2012 Elitloppet will again divide horses into two heats of eight, with the top four advancing from each heat – a concept recently embraced by Harness Racing Victoria via the Great Southern Star announcement.
Australian fans can catch all of the action in a Special Event live on Sky Racing 1 from 9.40pm aest, Sunday, 27 May. Studio hosts Adam Hamilton and Gareth Hall will be joined by Chris Lang trackside foranother wonderful installment of this historic race. Click here to view Sky Racing's promotional video.
The 2012 Elitloppet will again divide horses into two heats of eight, with the top four advancing from each heat – a concept recently embraced by Harness Racing Victoria via the Great Southern Star announcement.
2012 Elitloppet
Heat 1 is Solvalla Race 7 at 10.57pm:
1. Commander Crowe – Christophe Martens (Sweden) 2. Orecchietti – Örjan Kihlström (Sweden) 3. Classic Grand Cru – Björn Goop (Germany) 4. Oyonnax – Kenneth Nielsen (France) 5. Beanie M.M. – Johnny Takter (Sweden) 6. Iceland – Stefan Melander (Sweden) 7. Arch Madness – Brian Sears (U.S.A.) 8. Dileva Käll – Peter G Norman (Sweden) |
Heat 2 is Solvalla Race 8 at 11.25pm:
1. Windsong Geant – Rick Zeron (Canada) 2. Oracle – Erik Adielsson (Sweden) 3. Caballion – Fredrik B Larsson (Sweden) 4. Sanity – Johnny Takter (Sweden) 5. Sebastian K. – Lutfi Kolgjini (Sweden) 6. Rapide Lebel – Eric Raffin (France) 7. Brioni – Joakim Lövgren (Germany) 8. Yarrah Boko – Ulf Ohlsson (Norway) The Final (top 4 from each heat) is Solvalla Race 13 at 1.45am (Monday, 28 May). To keep up with all the news, click here to visit the Elitloppet 2012website and join the twitter conversation at #elitloppet. |
1:52.5 mile for Australasia's best Smoken Up
Close finish: Smoken Up lasts to win the Len Smith
29 April 2012 - Champion pacer Smoken Up won his fourth Len Smith Mile at Tabcorp Park Menangle last night with another startling display to hold off some of the best pacers in Australiasia. The $200,000 feature produced the closest finish of the night with just a mere 6.5 metres covering the whole field at the finish. Smoken Up claimed victory by a nose. Under desperate driving from stand-in reinsman John Justice, the son of Tinted Cloud held on – it was so close that Josh Willick on the runner-up Captain Joy asked to see the photo finish before he would believe he had been beaten. “Sorry Josh I think I held on,” said driver John Justice as they crossed the line.
After dashing through sizzling sections in the lead most of Smoken Up’s big team of owners thought he was going to be beaten turning for home. But Australia’s best pacer dug deep to take his earnings to more than $3,170,000. Although he was four seconds the Southern Hemisphere record he set last year his time was terrific at 1:52.5. Justice said he was there to do a job for his brother and trainer Lance, who has been sidelined since a horrific race crash at Melton late last year. “Maybe he doesn’t travel as well for me as he does for Lance but it’s such a privilege to drive such a great horse,” said Justice who won an Inter Dominion with Shakamaker in 2000.
After dashing through sizzling sections in the lead most of Smoken Up’s big team of owners thought he was going to be beaten turning for home. But Australia’s best pacer dug deep to take his earnings to more than $3,170,000. Although he was four seconds the Southern Hemisphere record he set last year his time was terrific at 1:52.5. Justice said he was there to do a job for his brother and trainer Lance, who has been sidelined since a horrific race crash at Melton late last year. “Maybe he doesn’t travel as well for me as he does for Lance but it’s such a privilege to drive such a great horse,” said Justice who won an Inter Dominion with Shakamaker in 2000.
"He's ready to go - He's ready to d a sub 1:50 mile" - trainer Lance Justice
Smoke Up - Lance Justice
26 April 2012 - Smoken Up was underdone in last Friday night’s Westburn Grant Free For All when he was pipped on the post by the skinniest of margins.
The superstar pacer, the pride of Victorian harness racing, heads north this weekend to shoot for his fourth Len Smith Mile win.
The Group 1 sprint at Menangle, worth $200,000, has been good to Smoken Up over the years. A winner of 60 of his 111 career starts, with over $3million in stakes to his name, Smoken Up won the Len Smith last year by 11m, upstaging a star-studded field including Rohan Home and Mr Feelgood. In 2010, Smoken Up was too good for Tanabi Bromac and Mr Feelgood in the race, while in 2008 at Harold Park the son of Tinted Cloud toppled Lombo Pocket Watch in a nail-biter.On Saturday night, Smoken Up will start from the pole in the 1609m race. Second-up from a spell, trainer Lance Justice says his pacer, which will be driven by his brother John, will be cherry-ripe after last Friday’s hit-out. “He’s ready to go, he’s ready to do his sub-1:50,” he said. “He’s always a bit vulnerable first-up but second-up he’s generally unbeatable.” Justice’s confidence is sky high, and he doesn’t care if opponents want to take his pacer on early. “They can’t take him on and beat him,” Justice said. “He’s too tough.” Last Friday at Tabcorp Park Jaccka Clive rattled home out wide to pip Smoken Up, who’d endured a tough run on the speed throughout. “He just didn’t see him coming,” John Justice said afterwards, suggesting if Smoken Up had seen Jaccka Clive coming he might have kicked and beaten him. “I didn’t even see him coming. He (Jaccka Clive) was driven well.”- Cody Winnell
The superstar pacer, the pride of Victorian harness racing, heads north this weekend to shoot for his fourth Len Smith Mile win.
The Group 1 sprint at Menangle, worth $200,000, has been good to Smoken Up over the years. A winner of 60 of his 111 career starts, with over $3million in stakes to his name, Smoken Up won the Len Smith last year by 11m, upstaging a star-studded field including Rohan Home and Mr Feelgood. In 2010, Smoken Up was too good for Tanabi Bromac and Mr Feelgood in the race, while in 2008 at Harold Park the son of Tinted Cloud toppled Lombo Pocket Watch in a nail-biter.On Saturday night, Smoken Up will start from the pole in the 1609m race. Second-up from a spell, trainer Lance Justice says his pacer, which will be driven by his brother John, will be cherry-ripe after last Friday’s hit-out. “He’s ready to go, he’s ready to do his sub-1:50,” he said. “He’s always a bit vulnerable first-up but second-up he’s generally unbeatable.” Justice’s confidence is sky high, and he doesn’t care if opponents want to take his pacer on early. “They can’t take him on and beat him,” Justice said. “He’s too tough.” Last Friday at Tabcorp Park Jaccka Clive rattled home out wide to pip Smoken Up, who’d endured a tough run on the speed throughout. “He just didn’t see him coming,” John Justice said afterwards, suggesting if Smoken Up had seen Jaccka Clive coming he might have kicked and beaten him. “I didn’t even see him coming. He (Jaccka Clive) was driven well.”- Cody Winnell
Beauty overcomes drama to win the Victoria Oaks
Beauty Secret wins the Oaks
21 April 2012 - Ballarat filly Beauty Secret has overcome a drama filled start to claim the Group 1 Nevele R Stud Victoria Oaks Final at Tabcorp Park.
One of three Emma Stewart-trained pacers to qualify for the $100,000 decider, Beauty Secret was well supported on the back of an impressive heat win at her previous start . And after finding the pegs first while stablemate Shake It Mama and race favourite La Machane broke at the start, she always appealed as the horse they had to beat. A Group 2 Southern Cross series winner at two, Stewart’s versatile daughter of Armbro Operative has lived in the shadow of fellow Smythes Creek resident and Gold Tiara queen Shake It Mama. But after growing wings late to vanquish NSW Oaks champion Marquess De Posh in a mile rate of 1:56.8 for the 2240-metre trip tonight, she has now outgrown her second string moniker, while also emerging as among the best of an even and talented crop of classic age fillies down under.
In other highlights from Victorian harness headquarters, Hunter Cup placegetter Jaccka Clive stunned the harness world by vanquishing champion pacer Smoken Up in the Westburn Grant FFA. Forced to work off the arm before landing one by one cover in transit, David Aiken’s gallant gelding sprinted brilliantly late to claim the reigning Australian Horse of the Year in the shadows of the post. Jaccka Clive has struggle to recapture his best form since a stunning summer which saw him snare Cobram and Shepparton Cup glory and go within a whisker of winning Victoria’s greatest race. But after working the house down this week, leviathan owner Brendan James was always confident his “mini Smoken Up” could mix it with the real thing. “He (Jaccka Clive) has had some niggling issues but David (Aiken, trainer) told me his work has just been remarkable in the approach to this event,” James said. “Smoken Up might have been a length off his best but that’s all it takes at this level, so now we’ll nominate for the Len Smith Mile at Menangle and cross our fingers he gets a run up there.” The APG semi-finals for freshman fillies also held tonight provided no such upsets, with red figure favourites Musical Delight and Courageousnquick dominant in their respective preliminaries. The $307,000 APG final for two-year-old girls will feature on a Tabcorp Park card also including The Stampede and semi-finals of the Vicbred Series for four-year-old mares next Friday night at Melton. - Jason Bonnington
One of three Emma Stewart-trained pacers to qualify for the $100,000 decider, Beauty Secret was well supported on the back of an impressive heat win at her previous start . And after finding the pegs first while stablemate Shake It Mama and race favourite La Machane broke at the start, she always appealed as the horse they had to beat. A Group 2 Southern Cross series winner at two, Stewart’s versatile daughter of Armbro Operative has lived in the shadow of fellow Smythes Creek resident and Gold Tiara queen Shake It Mama. But after growing wings late to vanquish NSW Oaks champion Marquess De Posh in a mile rate of 1:56.8 for the 2240-metre trip tonight, she has now outgrown her second string moniker, while also emerging as among the best of an even and talented crop of classic age fillies down under.
In other highlights from Victorian harness headquarters, Hunter Cup placegetter Jaccka Clive stunned the harness world by vanquishing champion pacer Smoken Up in the Westburn Grant FFA. Forced to work off the arm before landing one by one cover in transit, David Aiken’s gallant gelding sprinted brilliantly late to claim the reigning Australian Horse of the Year in the shadows of the post. Jaccka Clive has struggle to recapture his best form since a stunning summer which saw him snare Cobram and Shepparton Cup glory and go within a whisker of winning Victoria’s greatest race. But after working the house down this week, leviathan owner Brendan James was always confident his “mini Smoken Up” could mix it with the real thing. “He (Jaccka Clive) has had some niggling issues but David (Aiken, trainer) told me his work has just been remarkable in the approach to this event,” James said. “Smoken Up might have been a length off his best but that’s all it takes at this level, so now we’ll nominate for the Len Smith Mile at Menangle and cross our fingers he gets a run up there.” The APG semi-finals for freshman fillies also held tonight provided no such upsets, with red figure favourites Musical Delight and Courageousnquick dominant in their respective preliminaries. The $307,000 APG final for two-year-old girls will feature on a Tabcorp Park card also including The Stampede and semi-finals of the Vicbred Series for four-year-old mares next Friday night at Melton. - Jason Bonnington
Three Over Three injured out for season The Fitzpatricks with Three Over Three
by Chris Barsby
Boom pacer Three Over Three will not race again this year. The richly talented 3yo has been ruled out owing to an underlying infection in his offside front hoof, an infection that appears to have been lying dormant for up to six months. The Mach Three colt was a recent scratching from the Gr.3 $40,000 Bathurst Gold Chalice Final after an abscess was discovered in his troublesome hoof. “It’s bitterly disappointing but at least the colt can be saved and we can race him again next year.” Trainer Paul Fitzpatrick stated. The fate of the colt was looking grim across the weekend, obvious concern was apparent regarding the damage caused to the rotation of his pedal bone but after expert veterinary and farrier opinion, the colt has now passed the danger zone. “It’s quite a nasty infection; the school of thought from the experts is that the infection has been there for close to six months. “His hoof has been cut right back, stripped bare and hollowed out but he’s expected to make a full recovery. “The farrier who looked at him and carried out the work was very pleased and he believes the colt will bounce back strongly.” Connections were ticking the days off in preparation for the up-coming Gr.1 $200,000 Camarda & Cantrill NSW Derby but obviously those plans and all other remaining features have now been shelved. “Obviously all plans for this season are long gone but the important thing is that the colt can and will be saved. “I was hoping the Breeders Crown might have been a longshot chance but we will send him to the paddock for an extended period because there is really nothing about for him when he is due back into work. “We will make sure he gets every opportunity to come back bigger and better than ever before, he’s still a young horse with time on his side.” Fitzpatrick believes Three Over Three holds significant residual value once his racing career is finished. “He’s a special colt with great manners, great pedigree and explosive high speed. “We haven’t seen the best of him yet, what he achieved in his first season of racing was done on natural ability. “I have no hesitation in saying that he is one the best horses I have ever put a bridle on, his potential is untapped.” Three Over Three is raced by his breeder Richard Fraser. |
Courageousnquick toys with her opposition to remain unbeaten Greg Sugars
By Len Baker
8 April 2012 - Bendigo was the venue for Saturday (April 7) harness racing in Victoria, with a mammoth 12 event program taking place highlighted by four first round heats of the Australian Pacing Gold for Two Year Old Fillies over 1650 metres, all dominated by favourites. Married To The Mob a daughter of Aces N Sevens and Desperatehousewife bred and raced by Sloys Company Pty Ltd, trained at Melton by Susan Hunter and driven by Greg Sugars had an easy all of the way victory from outside the front row in the first heat held (Heat 2 – Heat 1 had been held at Albion Park Q’land on April 3). Having little difficulty in leading, Courageousnquick coasted to the wire 6.5 metres in advance of two first starters - David Murphy’s Mcrita (three back the markers) and Maree Caldow’s Electrastar which trailed the winner after leading out from gate two and moving to the outside on turning. The mile rate 1-58.8. Undefeated Courageousnquick (Courage Under Fire/Rigaleto Franco) bred by Bill and Anne Anderson of Lauriston Bloodstock Pty Ltd toyed with her rivals in Heat 3. Raced by a big group of owners headed by former journalist Neale Donnelley, Courageousnquick trained at Melton by ex-Kiwi Brent Lilley who also holds a share of her, led throughout from gate three with Rod Petroff in the sulky to score by 3.7 metres in 1-59.1 from Slice Of Life on debut which trailed the winner from the pole, with Jodila (four back the markers) using the sprint lane for third. Drouin co-trainers Gary and Debbie Quinlan prepared Bettors Delight/Top Tempo filly Musical Delight to snare the 3rd Heat much to the delight of Bill & Anne Anderson who enjoyed a most satisfying evening. Driven by Nathan Jack, Musical Delight had nothing more than a “stroll in the park” to lead throughout from gate four in accounting for Lavish Art from near last and Big Red Cheval (three back the markers) in a rate of 2-00.3. Bit Of A Babe (Bettors Delight/Big Time Babe) was another all of the way winner for Bannockburn’s Geoff Webster and stable reinsman Emmett Brosnan in the 5th and Final Heat. Having little difficulty in leading from gate two, Bit Of A Babe never appeared to be in any danger, winning by 1.9 metres in 1-59.1 from My Lishi which trailed and Soho Winslet which followed the pair. ** Semi-Finals will be held at Tabcorp Park Melton on April 20. |
But he misses the Grand Slam with David Aiken and Cold Sister taking the honours in the Group 2 Gold Final
Lang's Price Of Speed winner Aldebaran Shades
25 March 2012 - Champion trotting trainer Chris Lang dominated Friday night's Girls Night Out meeting at Melton's Tabcorp Park.
Lang trained four winners and very nearly made it five with his duo finishing second and third in the Group 2 Lyn McPherson Memorial Breed For Speed Gold Series Final.
Three-year-old filly Shes An Image kicked off Lang's night with a 10m victory in the Aluminium Industries of Australia Princess of Speed.
Four-year-old Class Of Her Own was Lang's next winner, scoring a strong victory at double figure odds for driver Daryl Douglas in the Breed For Speed Bronze Series Final. Lang made it a hat-trick of wins when Aldebaran Shades saluted by 3.8m over in-form Amy Tubbs-trained Brunelleschi in the Decron Horse Care Prince of Speed. And three became a fantastic four when Amelia Darling upstaged odds-on pop Aleppo Midas in the Breed for Speed Silver Final. Lang was thrilled with his four winners, and delighted for son Chris Lang Jr, who drove a metro treble for the first time (on Amelia Darling, Aldebaran Shades and Shes An Image). "I know we did it at Maryborough on Redwood Day about two years ago, but I don't know whether we would have done it more than maybe twice," Lang said when quizzed how many times he'd trained four winners at a meeting.
"It was a really good night." Lang predicted big things for Aldebaran Shades, who was last season's premier two-year-old trotter. "We're expecting him to still improve a fair bit. He's capable of winning a classic later this year." But it was David Aiken who took the honours in the Breed for Speed Gold Series Final with Cold Sister taking out the $30,000 Group 2 feature over Lang pair Dealornodeal and Topnotch Dream. From the pole, Cold Sister sat on the back of early leader Topnotch Dream, who showed tremendous gate speed to find the front for driver Nigel Milne. Race favorite Dealornodeal was wide early before pushing to the breeze. Turning for home Dealornodeal made his run at Topnotch Dream, but Cold Sister had too much power after a cushy run and burst through in the sprint lane for a neck win in 2:07.8 (mile rate 1:59.5). A large crowd on the night also saw Jadahson make it three straight wins with victory in the Rising Stars Pace Final for Greg Sugars and trainer Emma Stewart.
Make Mine Cullen won the Contexx Markovina Free For All for the strong Glenn and Daryl Douglas combination in the fastest mile rate of the night. - Cody Winnell
Lang trained four winners and very nearly made it five with his duo finishing second and third in the Group 2 Lyn McPherson Memorial Breed For Speed Gold Series Final.
Three-year-old filly Shes An Image kicked off Lang's night with a 10m victory in the Aluminium Industries of Australia Princess of Speed.
Four-year-old Class Of Her Own was Lang's next winner, scoring a strong victory at double figure odds for driver Daryl Douglas in the Breed For Speed Bronze Series Final. Lang made it a hat-trick of wins when Aldebaran Shades saluted by 3.8m over in-form Amy Tubbs-trained Brunelleschi in the Decron Horse Care Prince of Speed. And three became a fantastic four when Amelia Darling upstaged odds-on pop Aleppo Midas in the Breed for Speed Silver Final. Lang was thrilled with his four winners, and delighted for son Chris Lang Jr, who drove a metro treble for the first time (on Amelia Darling, Aldebaran Shades and Shes An Image). "I know we did it at Maryborough on Redwood Day about two years ago, but I don't know whether we would have done it more than maybe twice," Lang said when quizzed how many times he'd trained four winners at a meeting.
"It was a really good night." Lang predicted big things for Aldebaran Shades, who was last season's premier two-year-old trotter. "We're expecting him to still improve a fair bit. He's capable of winning a classic later this year." But it was David Aiken who took the honours in the Breed for Speed Gold Series Final with Cold Sister taking out the $30,000 Group 2 feature over Lang pair Dealornodeal and Topnotch Dream. From the pole, Cold Sister sat on the back of early leader Topnotch Dream, who showed tremendous gate speed to find the front for driver Nigel Milne. Race favorite Dealornodeal was wide early before pushing to the breeze. Turning for home Dealornodeal made his run at Topnotch Dream, but Cold Sister had too much power after a cushy run and burst through in the sprint lane for a neck win in 2:07.8 (mile rate 1:59.5). A large crowd on the night also saw Jadahson make it three straight wins with victory in the Rising Stars Pace Final for Greg Sugars and trainer Emma Stewart.
Make Mine Cullen won the Contexx Markovina Free For All for the strong Glenn and Daryl Douglas combination in the fastest mile rate of the night. - Cody Winnell
Smoken Up's victory over Inter Dominion champ Im Themightyquinn Smoken Up with Lance Justice
14 March 2012 - Triple millionaire Smoken Up will be crowned the 2011/12 Grand Circuit champion. The Victorian pacer was a runaway winner after winning the Gr.1 $NZ150,000 NZ FFA, the Gr.1 $500,000 Miracle Mile, the Gr.1 $425,000 Victoria Cup and the Gr.1 $100,000 SA Cup. Smoken Up was also the runner-up in the Gr.1 $200,000 Queensland Pacing Championship and the Gr.1 $NZ600,000 NZ Cup while finishing third in the Gr.1 $125,000 Ballarat Pacing Cup. His only unplaced effort on the Grand Circuit stage was his last placed finish in the Gr.1 $1 million Inter Dominion Pacing Grand Final when he galloped at the start losing all chance. The Lance Justice trained star ended the season with 25 points, 9 clear of his nearest rival Im Themightyquinn while former North American Mr Feelgood and Terror To Love were equal third with 7 points. Im Themightyquinn swept all Grand Circuit features staged in his home state claiming the Gr.1 $400,000 WA Cup, the Gr.1 $250,000 Fremantle Cup plus the Gr.1 $1 million Inter Dominion Pacing Grand Final. The Gary Hall trained star was also placed third in the Gr.1 $500,000 Miracle Mile. Other Grand Circuit winners this season were Mr Feelgood (QPC), Terror To Love (NZ Cup), Washakie (Treuer Memorial), Highview Tommy (Ballarat Cup), Choise Achiever (Hunter Cup) and Sir Lincoln (Auckland Cup). The 2011/12 result is a reverse from last season when Im Themightyquinn pipped Smoken Up by a solitary point while Mr Feelgood was again third. The top five on the Grand Circuit this season were; Smoken Up - 25 points Im Themightyquinn – 16 points Mr Feelgood & Terror To Love – 7 points Highview Tommy – 6 points Washakie, Choise Achiever & Sir Lincoln – 5 points
Congratulations to the connections of Smoken Up, trainer/driver Lance Justice plus Greg Sugars, Chris Alford and John Justice who also handled the gelding during the Grand Circuit season. - Chris Barsby |
Sir Lincoln takes out Auckland Cup14 March 2012 - Sir Lincoln (by Mach Three) has continued his outstanding form to take out the Auckland Cup in brilliant fashion. Speeding off the mobile gate, Sir Lincoln forged to the front over the NZ Cup winner Terror To Love.
Once in front, Sir Lincoln set solid fractions and made the race into a true staying test. It was a bold move, however it paid off as he was never headed after taking the lead. Inside the last lap Franco Emirate tried to apply pressure, but Sir Lincoln took it all and then tried to kick clear on the home bend. Terror To Love though had other ideas and accelerated quickly up the sprint lane to issue a strong challenge. Sir Lincoln though would not be denied and he fought to run out a three quarter length winner over Terror To Love with Pembrook Benny (by Courage Under Fire) closing really hard for third. Mah Sish (by Mach Three) finished fourth. The win was Sir Lincoln's 18th lifetime win and now has earnings of over $600,000. The former NZ 3yo Colt of the Year has been in great form this season with seven wins from 13 starts. Ti Vogliobene Claims Gawler Cup Ti Vogliobene (by Village Jasper) capitalised on a good draw to win the Listed Gawler Gold Cup at Globe Derby Park last Saturday night. Sent straight to the front, Ti Vogliobene over raced for a lot of the 2645 metre journey and was also subjected to pressure from Ohoka Nevada. However the talented and resilient 9yo gelding was simply too good for his rivals, winning by 1.6 metres from Ohoka Nevada, with the fast finishing Fourmoore back in third. Remarkably the last time Ti Vogliobene won a stakes race was the Terang Cup when Ohoka Nevada finished second as well! |
Nickel shines in Tasmanian Derby7 March 2012 - Mr Nickel (by Village Jasper) claimed the second Group One win of his career when taking out the Tasmanian Derby at Hobart last Sunday night.
Facing the breeze for the majority of the 2579 metre journey, Mr Nickel's class shone through when he kicked away from his rivals in the home straight to win by 8.3 metres.The win was Mr Nickel's 10th from 20 starts and he now sports earnings of $237,267. Mr Nickel is a son of the broodmare gem Nickel Castle, who is also the dam of Keppel Bay 1:58.3 - $416,151, Blatant Lie 1:54.6 - $410,403 & Kendall Castle 1:59.3 - $103,578. ___________________________________________ Smolda through to Derby Final Smolda (by Courage Under Fire) showed his toughness when claiming the first heat of the Northern Derby at Alexandra Park last Friday night. Starting from barrier one, Smolda was able to punch through and lead very comfortably. Always traveling well, Smolda kept the pace honest. Coming off the home bend, Smolda looked to be in a bit of trouble with Lets Elope (by Real Desire) sprinting powerfully along the passing lane. He got close to being headed, however his determination and grit didn't allow him to lose and in the end he won by half a length from Lets Elope. The milerate was a good 1:57.1, a full second quicker than the second heat. This was Smolda's sixth win in a row and takes his earnings to $81,191. Despite drawing awkwardly on the back row in the Northern Derby Final tomorrow night, Smolda will start as one of the favourites. ___________________________________________ Courageousnquick super impressive Courageousnquick just continues to impress with each outing and win. This time the outstanding daughter of Courage Under Fire destroyed the field in the Group Three Pink Bonnet at Menangle last Saturday night. Starting from the outside barrier, Courageousnquick went forward off the gate and by the time they had hit the first bend she was in front. From there on she was never headed and in the home straight she exploded away from her rivals. The further they went the further she was in front. The final margin was 19.9 metres, with the milerate a slick 1:57 considering the torrential rain. Courageousnquick now has three wins from her three start and it is going to be great watching her as the season goes on. |
Quinn mighty in the Inter Dominion Gary Hall Jr jubilant steering Im Themightyquinn to Inter Dominion victory
3 March 2012 - Most of the 15,000 strong Gloucester Park crowd came to see if their harness racing hero could make it two Inter Dominion Championships in a row in Perth tonight (Friday March 2) and Im Themightyquinn did not disappoint them.
But it took a gutsy and daring drive from Gary Hall Jr to ensure victory for the $1.90 hometown favourite. When others were making moves left right and centre, Hall sat back and waited...and waited....and waited before eventually making his move from last at the 400m. "I must have had a million things going through my head when I saw Smoken Up break and lose his chance on the second bend. I thought will I go now, will I go mid-race, or will I just believe in 'Quinny's' sprint? "It's something I've told other drivers who have filled in for me when I've been suspended - just sit back and believe in his speed. I'm glad I took my own advice," Hall Jr said. Mr Feelgood and John McCarthy led for much of the journey. They held out Auckland Reactor and Anthony Butt when they made a mi-race bid to end up parked at the bell. But less than a lap later the two guns were both found wanting - chucking in the towel at the top of the straight. Outsider Mysta Magical Mach and Morgan Woodley almost upset the apple cart and looked the winners 100m out. That was until ‘Quinny' unleashed his characteristic powerful late sprint. He managed to overhaul Mysta Magical Mach just short of the line to get up and win by 1.4 metres. Lombo Navigator (Matthew White) was 3.7 metres back in third to make it an all Western-Australia trained trifecta. The winners time was: 3:03:1. with a mile rate of: 1:57:6. The lead time was: 66.3. with a moderate first quarter of the last mile: 30.6. They finished off much qyicker with the second quarter covered in: 29.7. The next quarter: 28.2. and the final quarter: 28.3 Raglan and Darren Hancock were gallant and finished an 8.5m fourth. Hall Jr described the win as one of the highlights of his life. "It's hard to put into words what we have just achieved. It was a bitter sweet victory last year being handed the race in the inquiry room. "This is much more gratifying. To hear the crowd yelling for us at the 300m really gave me goose bumps. It's not something you can usually hear. I'm just glad we didn't let everyone down." Hall Jr said. "It's a night I'll never forget," he added. The Gary Hall Sr trained son of Washington VC has now won 39 of his 84 starts and placed on another 27 occasions. The victory also took 'Duinny;s" career earnings past the $3 million mark. The 7-year-old is owned by and was bred by W.D. Kennedy of Southland in New Zealand. Im ThemightyduinnHe began his career in New Zealand at Rangiora. He went on to win six of his first 27 starts before being exported to Australia as a 4-year-old in 2009. - Duane Ranger |
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