The feature race of the day the XXXX Gold Mt Barker Cup was won by Timely Reign in a super impressive manner. 

Timely Reign has had a stellar season down here for the top great southern trainer Paul Hunter.  

Timely Reign has been out of the money only once in his 9 starts this year and in career best form he sat handy on the pace to win running away by 1 ½ lengths.  Noel Rudland has ridden the Second Empire gelding to 4 wins and 2 seconds in his last 6 rides.

Movie World and Shaun Meeres finished off well  to just tip out Attadale who has certainly seen an improvement to his form to finish 3rd for Albany trainer Gary Delane over Telexden who led all the way to just fade at the end.

A double went to Darryl Ward on the day.

 The first was the Toohey’s New Stag Maiden 1100m and the Darryl Ward trained Annapa defeated Bright Reason and Santavia by 1 ½ lengths.

In the Terry Redman MLA 1100m Maiden the Dennis McAuliffe trained mare Royal Escapade ridden by  jockey  Jason Whiting sat handy running fourth and won running away by 1 ½ lengths over the Mark Nelson trained  Competitive Street and Damian Lane with Gambig with Oriel finishing off strongly in fourth place.

Whittingham gave Jason Whiting a riding double in the Jim Parsons Memorial Handicap 1200m by a head over Show No Doubt ridden by Kyra Yuill.  Montclar Miss finished third for Paul Hunter a further 1 ½ lengths behind.

Jolanta Star seems to have relished a change of trainers and scenery winning by 2 ¼ lengths for 4 kilo apprentice Rayce Neilsen over the Esperance trained Donargy and Peter Hansen trained Carminemadonna.

Star Buck took out his fourth win in a row in the  Southern Haulage Open Sprint 1300m easily by 3 ¼ lengths and has gone from strength to strength for Wagin trainer Angela Smith with Tidal Storm  for Paul Hunter and Western Zed for Dixie Solly coming in third.

Master Marlon got up to win by a neck topping off the double for trainer Darryl Ward over the Kevin Allen trained Whinnen ridden by Leanne Howlett and The Keillor Kid and Amy Sandiford a further 3 lengths away narrowly over Trim Connection in the Ken Williamson Memorial over 1300m.

Rivotio proved to good in the last of the day the My Atacanta Standing at Waterford Stud 2000m to come from last to win by 1 ½ lengths for Mt Barker based trainer Alan McNamara over Lukaston ridden by Kyra Yuill and Paul Hunter and Megablitz ridden by Peter Farrell for trainer Peter Western.

Mares to win the Free services  to My Atacanta were:  Annapa, Royal Escapade and  Street Darling.

Shaun Meeres took out the $2,000 “Advanced Feeds” Leading Jockey Bonus Award with 7 winners -clearly ahead of his competition.

A great year was topped off for all committee members, volunteers and racing fraternity involved with the Mt Barker Turf Club with huge TAB turnovers on the “Albany Weekender - Grapes & Gallops” Mungrup Stud Sprint Day tipping over the million dollar mark and the XXXX Gold Mt Barker Cup Day heading well and truly over the ¾ million in off-course TAB turnover.

Huge thanks to all those involved, in the limelight and behind the scenes...

MT BARKER TURF CLUB COMMITTEE

 

 

“MAKE IT A PEARLER”

Michelle Parsons
Pink Ladies Day 2009

With part proceeds donating to Breast Cancer Australia, the prizes on offer to the best dressed lady are nothing short of astounding.  Kindly donated by Leading Edge Jewellers and local businesses in Albany the $1200 Diamond & Pearl necklace and Earrings Set is sure to be in the eyes of all the girls on race day.  Remember you have to be wearing “something pink” to be eligible to win.

A colossal effort has been put into the Pre-season upgrades at Mt Barker this year. A new website, $10,000 Trainers Bonus, $2,000 Leading Jockey bonus, $100 travel subsidies (over 250km), new Mounting Yard, Roll Yard and day yards.  The list was enormous!

The committee has worked tirelessly to complete them all on time and it seems they may reap the rewards from their hard work.

Making the trip down on the jockeys list is Paul King, Peter Hall, Alan Kennedy and the states leading apprentice Damian Lane.

With fields hitting capacity it would seem the incentives have the trainers baying for more.

A class line up of runners will go head to head in the 6 event race card.

Race 1 - The Harry, Ivy & Ross Parsons Memorial Maiden-1000m
Will kick the day to a burster for Darryl Ward if his race fit gelding MeClang can get up to win over Chepara for Alan MacNamara which hasn’t been far away at it’s 8 race starts and Bletchley Rave again for Ward after its impressive trail.

No’s 8-3-6

Race 2 –The Murray Reid Memorial 59-72 - 1200m

Sees the smallest field for the day with only 6 starters. Timely Reign first up this track over the same distance led all way last season should take the lead and control the race from whoa to go.  Watson Bay also a track specialist at Mt Barker will be charging late and Royalistic should be up in the numbers.

No’s 2-1-5 

Race 3 – The Aaron Sandilands Maiden 1200m

Paul Hunter should land his second winner for the day with Tiga Romano who has been racing in harder company. City of Subiaco for Bruce Watkins has been trialling well over Peter Western’s Fire From Ice who also trailed well at Albany.

No’s 7-11-4

Race 4 – The Joan Buchanan Memorial 1100m

There will be plenty of speed in this race with Magic of Silver, Evil Force and Cummings going hard at the start.  This should suit Jo Leeson’s Late Change running on from the back of the field a recent Belmont placegetter and winner freshened up for the run. Evil Force who hasn’t been out of the placings in his 5 starts over the race fit Magic Of Silver for Ian Glading.

No’s 3-4-6

Race 5 – The Michelle Parsons Memorial 1200m
The feature event for the day will see crowd favourite and track specialist Pwakkers Back resuming.  This race should be suited to Capel Time for Damian Lane and his mum Vicki Harper, Masters Seal will take some running down for second over Carrallen Steel who trialled well last week and Pwakkers Back for fourth.

No’s 1-5-7-1

Race 6 – The Rolling Acres Handicap 1100m
Bet of the day Solo Dante from barrier one and with the promising claim of apprentice Andrew Castle he will carry only 52kg and will be very hard to beat.  Stormyglow and Peter Hall will be running on late over Ridgewood Manna with Leanne Howlett on board.

No’s 4-2-7
Gates open 12 Noon
$10 Entry

For more information call Margaret Skinner on 0447 512 873

 

By Geoff Whittle

Mount Barker Turf Club’s seven-event programme held on Thursday was run in magnificent conditions with some great racing but in essence it was not a good day for most punters. Follower of the Paul hunter stable had a good day however after the Albany trainer produced three winners on the card. Included was the feature race, the Albany Advertiser Sprint winner Tidal Storm.

Although his form did not read well, Tidal Storm looked a picture in the mounting yard and raced accordingly over the 1300 metre trip at a return of $11.90 on WA TAB. The win was the son of Metal Storm’s 13th and pushed his stake winnings to almost $150,000.

Rider Link Robertson had the eight-year-old prominent in running and third on the bend, Tidal Storm got the better on leader Week Bix down the running and won three-quarters of a length. Jolanta Star ran his best race for some time when he ran on stoutly to take second from Week Bix. 

Hunter also prepared Daintysfury who led all the way for rider Paul King in the opening event over 1100 metres, the Mount Barker Veterinary Hospital Maiden, as favourite ($2.50). The mare held out the fast finishing Halo Pass who will pick up a race for Capel trainer Raquel Mills in the near future.

Carry The Banner ridden by Takahide Ikenushi was Hunter’s second winner in race two, the 1300 metres Amerillup Maiden. The mare raced second behind leader Pulashakey and over-ran that galloper in the straight and then held out Granblurr who was a promising second after running on from seventh on debut for trainer Steve Wolfe.

Ikenushi bought up race-to-race double aboard the undefeated Steve Wolfe prepared lightly raced five-year-old Adams Time in the 1100 metre www.grassrootsracinwa.com Handicap. The gelding bought up hat trick of wins from as many starts when he led all the way to win by half-a-length from Punk’d, one of three seconds for jockey Kelly Davidson on the day.        

Adams Time had been through several stables prior to joining the Wolfe team. “I’ve only had him a couple of months but he’s done a good job on the way through and I think he will make the grade,” Wolfe said after the win.

“He might go to Perth in two weeks or he could even go to the paddock,” the trainer added.

Apprentice Amy Sandiford got a big kick out of winning on the Paul Parsons trained grey The Keillor Kid in the Cranbrook Hotel Handicap, race four over 1100 metres.

The Keillor Kid won by the barest possible margin in a photo finish that fooled everyone on course including rider of the second horse Link Robertson who requested to see the photo before correct weight was sounded.

“The margin was less than a nose so I reckon they should have called it a dead heat,” Robertson said jokingly after the race.

But The Keillor Kid did win after racing near the tail and then running on to gun down Stockman’s Dream and Blazing Icon.

“The trainer told me he likes galloping room so we raced wide with cover,” Sandiford explained.

“I did not think we had won but I was stoked when his number went up.”

“He is my first winner since Xaarlington in the Moora Cup but I hope to get more rides and I am keen to get some at Esperance,” Sandiford added.

Zarisk led for most of the journey in race five, the 1300 metre West Wools Handicap giving Paul King a winning Double. The Brendon Fitzgerald trained gelding held out Angela Smiths Star Buck who performed well first up.

Ride of the day was Shane Gilchrist effort on the last winner Alan McNamara Jnr’s Radio Pleasure.

Gilchrist led on the gelding but at the 400-metre mark cut the ribbons on the seven-year-old and he dashed away to a winning break on the turn. He made a spectacular sight in full flight straightening up with the field chasing him. Radio Pleasure won by 1½ lengths from outside Megablitz (Kelly Davidson) and Evil Force who raced wide from an outside gate and would have lost no admirers on that run.   

 

      

The ‘Albany Weekender’ Mt Barker Grapes and Gallops wine festival looks set to certainly be another iconic event on the local racing calendar.

A funding boost in prize money for the inaugural 1300m Mungrup Stud Sprint to $90,000 has attracted an enormous amount of high quality performers and the status of the event has now reached new levels.

Prominent Festival of Perth Racing competitors Proart and Golden Heart have been entered by BMW-Perth Cup winning trainer Adam Durrant, displaying the quality of the event.

Proart who looks set to be the main danger is flying at the moment having won three from five in town this preparation. Adam Durrant is the state’s leading trainer and Proart should be hard to beat after his good barrier draw. The Rock Of Gibraltar chestnut is a winner of over $385,000 from only 28 starts to his career.

Golden Heart is Proart’s stable mate and it will be interesting to see who Alan Kennedy chooses. He has won 7 races from 17 starts and is a smart horse.

Spitfire Ace has not missed a place since resuming and has been based in the Great Southern for a few weeks settling into his surroundings for his tilt at the Great Southern’s richest Sprint Race.

Originally an Albany based trainer, now located in Ascot Darryn McAuliffe kicked off his Impressive Racing career with the emphatic win by Impressive Stats in the Mungrup Stud Sprint in 2005 with Paul Harvey aboard.

After his tilt at the BMW - Perth Cup on New Year’s Day Hadebeclorka for trainer Brent Larson may well surprise if he freshens up well.

The 8 yr old son of Hurricane Sky has a far better record at the sprint journeys and was victorious in the Miss Andretti Sprint over 1200m at Ascot last April.

The Neville Parnham trained Electric General will be back to defend his title and comes off an impressive win at Ascot last start for Mark Forder who rode him in his win last year, while 2008 winner Noble Steed has also been nominated for the event and should be close to peak for the event for local Albany trainer Dixie Solly.

Former Group One-Railway Stakes top weight Beat The Storm has been nominated and ear marked to return in the Mungrup Stud Sprint, while Revolition, Northwater Boy and Innovation add even more depth to the event.

Local Trainer Steve Wolfe will be hoping to get a start in the Sprint with one of his three runners as he is very close to winning the $10,000 ‘Graham Manley Auto’s’ Trainers Bonus. 

Having had five out of a required six eligible bonus winners for the year so far a win in the Mungrup Stud Sprint would almost surely secure Wolfe the cash before the end of the Mt Barker season.

The second feature event on Sunday is the $20,000 Goundrey Handicap (2000m).

Great Destiny has been entered by Durrant, but with his high rating he was allocated 62kg.

Stakes performer Impressive Johnson will race first up on Sunday, with the services of stable jockey Shaun O'Donnell.

All manner of gourmet foods will be on sale, from local cherries, strawberries, cheeses and various prepared foods and patrons at the Mount Barker Grapes & Gallops event will be able to sample wines from twelve wine producers from the Mount Barker Wine Producers Association.  

These include Arcadia, Galafrey, Gilberts, Windrush, Xabregas, Three Drops, Trappers Gully, Capel Vale, Forest Hill, Eastwell Estate,Hawkers Ridge, and Clouds Estate.

Children’s entertainment will be on course, as well as Fashions on the Field.

Gates open at noon with $15 entry and the band will be playing on after the last race until 8pm.

A bus service is available from the Albany Town Hall and Emu Point for a cost of $20 return and can be booked through Gilbert Wines on phone 98 514028 or email gilberts@agn.net.au

Further information – phone Margaret Skinner, Secretary, Mount Barker Turf Club or email margaret.skinner@bigpond.com

 

       HEALTHWAYS EAT MORE FRUIT & VEG DAY

Light Drizzle didn't slow the days racing at Mt Barker this time.

Kicking off the first in the Healthy Fast Food Maiden 1100m was the Justin Parsons' trained Diamond Royale ($19) a clear winner by two lengths aptly ridden by in form apprentice Kyra Yuill.  The light framed flashy Bianconi mare jumped straight to the rail and sat handy behind the leaders to angle out on the corner and win running away over Dark n' Stormy and Sunny Biscay.

Down for the day out- Damian Miller and girlfriend Stephanie Hart combined to easily take out the second The Eat More Veg Maiden 1300m with Audrey Rose by 2 lengths over Kyra Yuill and Lukaston with the improving Stormy Sunset running a nice race for Clint Harvey and trainer Steve Wolfe.

Gary Delane has Attadale on the mark taking his second in a row with the 8 yr old gelding in the Go For 2 & 5 Handicap over 1850m.  A winner of over $170,000 in prize money the old boy seems to be relishing the step in distance this year after last seasons dissapointing effort and may be looking to step out in the MT Barker Cup on the 7th March.

The Kylie Dowling trained Telexden wasn't too far behind with Movie World and Don't Tell Toby finishing off but not good enough on the day.

Racso returned to form also with Noel Rudland aboard for Ken Nightingale.  He narrowly defeated He's Smokin in the Fruit N' Veg Sprint 1300m with Impact Rating running a nice quiet race in his lead up to the Country Cups.

Three kilo apprentice Amy Sandiford combined with the Dave  Casey trained Kooyong Road in the Healthway Handicap 1850m and rated him perfectly near the pace to win by 1 3/4 lengths over Rivotio with Megablitz a further 5 1/4 lengths behind the winner.

On The Double maintained his consistensy for Peter Western in the Cup Day 7th March 1850m to defeat the big fast finishing maiden Jarnac with St Peregrine not far behind.

Star Buck proved his affinity for the Mt Barker track notching up 3 wins from four starts on the track.  The Seignorial gelding trained by Angela Smith held out Kyra Yuill's vigorous riding on Saramento with Leanne Howlett aboard Whinnen in third in the Bob & Beth's Petunia's Handicap 1200m. Keillor Kid got out of the ground to finish fourth and may be looking for more distance.

In the last of the day the Eat More Fruit Handicap over 1300m Barry Skinner's The Western Dynamo won easily over Whittingham and Pretty Often.

Narrogin Agricultural College provided some much appreciated help on the day to several trainers with students from the college keen to put their horse skills to work strapping and helping trainers out on the day. It was great to see a group of ultra keen students making their way into the racehorse industry and it would seem there are a few budding apprentices and track work riders among them.

Failure to land a winner on the final day of eligibility for Steve Wolfe means that the $10,000 trainers Bonus Award will remain in the kitty.  Steve had trained 5 eligible winners across the season and a final winner to notch him up to 6 today would have seen him in very close contention to win the cash if his handy cup's contender, Impact Rating was to take out the Mount Barker Cup on Sunday March 7th.

Top hoop Shaun Meeres is clearly leading the Advanced Feeds $2,000 Leading Jockey Award with only one meeting left to go. 

Following hot on his heels though is Takehide Ikenushi, Paul King and Damian Lane and it will only take a couple of plumb rides from either of these jockeys to rein Meeres in to take his crown.

It will pay to keep an eye on these jockeys at the next meeting as they go head to head to collect the $2,000 cash prize.

The final meeting for the Mount Barker Turf Club season is on Sunday 7th March 2010 and features the XXXX Gold Mt Barker Cup over 2000m.

For more information see the website www.mtbarkerturfclub.com

JOCKEY BONUS TALLY as of meeting 16/02/10
Shaun Meeres                   6
Takehide Ikenushi            3   
Paul King                         3
Damian Lane                    3
Willie Arnold                   2
Mark Forder                      1
Link Roberston                 1
Kyra Yuill                         1

Free Stallion services are on offer to all winners of races at XXXX Gold Mt Barker Cup Day 2010. The 'first mare over the line' in the 53-62 My Atacanta Standing At Waterford Stud 2000m race will win the service fee.

My Atacanta by Traditionally was imported from Ireland and trained by Vaugh Sigley won 3 of his 4 starts in Western Australia with consumate ease. He is standing at Waterford Stud Waroona and is impeccably bred being by Traditionally out of Rihan.

Traditionally's Dam Personal Ensign, by Private Account, was the undefeated winner of 13 races and won $1,679,880 in the United States from 1986 to 1988. For this feat, she was voted the 1988 Eclipse Award as the American Champion Older Female Horse. She won 8 Group 1's including the Breeders Cup, two Group 2 races and her final victory was over reigning Kentucky Derby Winner, Winning Colors.

RACE 1
TOOHEYS NEW WHITE STAG MAIDEN - 1100m
Bright Reason for jockey Kyra Yuill trained by Ross Price racing in strong company at Bunbury, Stephanie Hart makes another trip down and should be challenging Bright Reason with her maiden Flying Compose. Or My God for third after winning it's trial.

RACE 2
TERRY REDMAN MLA MAIDEN - 1100m
The Mark Nelson trained Competitive Street should take this out easily over Royal Escapade and the little horse by boom sire Oratorio - Oriel may well surprise.

RACE 3
JIM PARSONS MEMORIAL HANDICAP - 1200m
Audrey Rose may well have a liking for the track and we'll tip this to win over former eastern stater Show No Doubt For Shane Harcourt and Annette Crumps' Whittingham.

RACE 4
SKY RACING-PROVINCIAL CHALLENGE SERIES HEAT - 1100m
The Track specialist who always has his cult following, Pwakkersback, should be freshened up having not run since his close up 5th at Bunbury on 26th Jan. Donargy will make his trip over from Esperance for leading trainer Brendon Corver with the "king of Kalgoorlie aboard" - Russell Hanson.  Carminemadonna has been in splendid form and will make this one of the hardest  betting race of the day.

RACE 5
SOUTHERN HAULAGE SPRINT - 1300m
Starbuck drops significantly in weight and loves the Mt Barker track having won 3 out of 4 there, Racso was an gutsy win last start over He's Smokin who seems to be happy to always run a tickie.

RACE 6
KEN WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL HANDICAP - 1300m
Master Marlon unluckily defeated in a photo finish at Albany last start should turn the tables for Darryl Ward over The Golden Dynamo for Barry Skinner and 'the grey flash' The Keillor Kid who will be flying home as always for Paul Parsons and jockey Amy Sandiford.
Another good betting race here.

RACE 7
XXXX GOLD-MT. BARKER CUP - 2000m
Feature race of the day the inaugural Mt Barker Cup should top off a stellar Mt Barker season for Steve Wolfe with Impact Rating (Shaun McGruddy)  running some very nice lead up races to the cup.  Timely Reign who has been running in career best form for Paul Hunter and last years Mt Barker Cup winner Viscount Cameron (Noel Rudland) for Angela Smith won't be giving it all away to him and should see this to be a race of tactics and sheer jockey judgment.  Brendon Corver and Tracey Frizzell are making the big trip over with Esperance cup winners and second place getters Danish Currency (Russell Hanson) and Key's Ace (Tahlia Maor)  respectively. Last start winner and veteran galloper Attadale (Daniel Staeck) who has also hit a purple patch and returned to form should be featuring in the finish also. 

A hard race to split the winner in  - worthy of a trifecta or allways quartet.

RACE 8
MY ATACANTA STANDING AT WATERFORD STUD HANDICAP - 2000m
Carrallen Steel can run the distance for Link Robertson and Rivotio will be playing a part finishing on strongly over Lukaston for Kyra Yuill and Paul Hunter.
Remembering the "First Mare Over The Line" will be winning the Free service fee to My Atacanta and only 4 mares left in the race, someone will still be a winner!

The "Advanced Feeds" Jockey's Bonus Award winner will be announced at the end of the day with Shaun Meeres leading on 6 wins, Paul King and Damian Lane are not far behind on 3 wins.  It will be a great day of racing for the jockeys to see who can take home the $2,000 cash and still quite an open event!! 

GATES OPEN 12 NOON
Bouncy Castle and Lions Train for the kids.
Our last meeting for the season - lets makes this a big one!!

For more info see website www.mtbarkerturfclub.com
or call Margaret Skinner on 0447 512 873

 

Mt Barker Turf Club treated a big crowd to a great day's racing on New Years Eve and then entertained revellers with bands Second Time around and headline act Cyclone Tracee until the year 2010 arrived.

Earlier and on the eve of his first Perth Cup ride, Shaun Meeres rode a welcome double in the final two WA events for 2009.

Meeres who was booked to ride Peter Giadresco’s Friar’s Touch in New Years Day’s big race rode two winners for Perth Cup winning trainer Angela Smith when he got Trimmconnection home in race six the Mt Barker Free Range Chicken Handicap and then took out the George Taylor Memorial with Star Buck.

Smith prepared Time Frame to win the 1997 Perth Cup when ridden by Dennis Gundry.

Meeres bought Trimconnection with a well timed run from 5th on the bend to grab Ridgewood Manna near the line and win by a short head while City of Subiaco ran a solid race to take third after racing 6th on the turn. Favourites Daintysfury after leading and Stockman’s Dream were disappointing despite looking well in the mounting yard.

Meeres took advantage of the cut away in the home straight to get Star Buck through to win by two lengths in comfortable fashion.  Washington Avenue ran its best ran for some time to take second and Paul Parsons’ The Keillor Kid ran well again for Amy Sandiford. 

Apprentice Damian Lane also booted home two winners at Mt Barker with the Capel trained Troubled Smile in the opening event in hollow fashion from Billyaintsilly and Zoom Star.

Prepared by Robert Witten Troubled Smile led all the way to win his fourth race by 5¼ lengths.

Lanes’ second winner, Alms in race five sponsored by Boyacup Angus Stud, was a special one for former jockey and now trainer Kristian Hawkins. 

The grey daughter of Bletchley Park led all the way for Lane and gave Hawkins his first winner as a trainer since commencing training in early 2006 albeit with a very small team.

Watsons Bay maintained his unblemished record at Frost Park by winning his fifth race in as many attempts in the Grapes & Gallops January 17 Sprint over 1100m.  New rider Shaun McGruddy elected to take the sit behind speedy Western Zed and waited for the cut away rail in the home straight to dash through and score a comprehensive win. 

Following the event trainer Steven Wolfe revealed that the gelding’s next assignment would be the $90,000 Mungrup Stud Sprint over 1300m on January 17th 2010.

“We won’t be wavering away from that target” Wolfe said.

A win in the Mungrup Stud Sprint would be a good stepping stone for Wolfe in his quest to win the $10,000 MBTC Trainers Bonus sponsored by Graham Manley Auto Repairs in Albany.

The Albany based Paul Hunter stable continued to produce winners when Marshall Jensan came from the tail of the field with an outside run under apprentice Yannick Valenti. 

Local favourite Pwakkers Back came from a similar position on the bend to hit the front after an inside run only to be run down by the fast finishing grey.

Most quaddie punters were out in "straight-sets" after Elleofagale raced outside the leader for Swedish born jockey Lisa Bivemark and win the the Shamrock Suffolk Stud Maiden over 1300 metres.  After drawing an outside gate the Land Speed Record mare was caught three and four wide early but Bivemark used her initiative to go forward and move up to the leader’s girth. Then under hands and heels riding and the occasional back-handed reminder with the persuader the mare responded to get the better of leader Dinglish. She then held on to win by a short neck from Hussonace and the eye catcher Rivotio. 

Elleofagale won at a WA TAB return of  $67.20.

Race favourite Grandblurr was not in a good frame of mind prior to the race dumping rider Shaun McGruddy early in nthe preliminary and proving something of a handful for clerk of the course on route to the barriers. He raced accordingly after a good run behind the leaders to run 7th beaten over 3 lengths.

The next Mt Barker Turf Club meeting will be the seasons’ highlight - the $90,000 Mungrup Stud Sprint – Grapes & Gallops Wine festival on January 17th 2010.

 

The third Albany Weekender Mount Barker Grapes & Gallops event, a joint venture of the Mount Barker Turf Club and the Mount Barker Wine Producers Association was certainly the best ever.  A huge crowd on course enjoyed the fine somewhat sultry weather.

Twelve local wine producers had their premium wines sampled, as well as being presented on the tables of the beautiful three course luncheon which was patronised by 170 sponsors and guests.

Various food vendors also had a wide variety of wares to sell, ranging from fresh cherries and strawberries, local cheeses, stuffed spuds and pizzas.

The $90,000 Mungrup Stud Sprint was a result of the clever strategy by Impressive Racing’s young trainer Darren McAuliffe. 

Spitfire Ace, ridden by Shaun O’Donnell won by half a length David Harrison’s Raw Metal, with Albany trained Carbineer (Max Hockey) running third.  Unfortunately for jockey O’Donnell he was awarded 20 days suspension for causing interference to the favourite Proart.

Trainer Darren McAuliffe, a former Albany lad, had Spitfire Ace relocated to the family property a couple of weeks before the Mungrup Stud Sprint, and  also gave the gelding  the benefit of a track gallop at Mount Barker during the week.  Darren had won the Mungrup Sprint previously with Impressive Stats in 2005.

A ten race card presented keen racing throughout the day, with training doubles achieved by  Lark Hill based trainer Adam Durrant with relatively easy wins to city gallopers Rock My Pago and Jean (NZ).  Wagin based trainer Angela Smith also won a double with Trimconnection and Star Buck.  Both horse were ridden by Shaun Meeres who incidentally rode a winning treble to place him on the top of the Advanced Feeds’ Leading Jockey Award with 5 wins ahead of Takehide Ikenushi and Paul King on 3 wins.

Other winners on the day were taken out by locally based or bred trainers.

Jake the Musk was an easy winner for leading great southern trainer Steve Wolfe, Montclar Miss for Albany trainer, Paul Hunter, The Golden Dynamo for Barry Skinner who spent his childhood in Mount Barker, Cheval Rose for Albany based trainer Darryl Ward and The Keillor Kid for Paul Parsons of Mount Barker. 

Congratulations must go to Gray and Jan Williamson and family, of Mungrup Stud for their foresight to charter a plane and have 50 leading trainers and owners attend their yearling parade on the morning of the races.  Their guests attended the luncheon and were able to participate in the whole day’s activities, including having horses racing in the programme.  Well done, and best of luck with the very large draft of quality yearlings being offered at the Magic Millions Sales.  Mungrup Stud is the biggest thoroughbred stud in WA and their young stallion Oratorio (Aus) is sweeping all before him.

The Mount Barker Turf Club Committee were thrilled to achieve in excess of $1 million in combined betting turnover on the WA TAB and on course. 

Vivienne Taylor, President of the Mount Barker Turf Club, and Jim Gilbert, President of the Mount Barker Wine Producers Association wish to thank the many sponsors, large and small, for their support of the Mount Barker Grapes & Gallops.  Special thanks to Mungrup Stud and the Albany & Great Southern Weekender for their respective contributions. 

 

XXXX Gold Mt Barker Cup- 7th March 2010
Four months ago Albany trainer Gary Delane was contemplating retiring veteran galloper Attadale after almost four years without a win.

The patient Delane was rapidly losing confidence and seriously believed the eight-year-old was reaching the end of his racing career.

But his faith has been restored with the son of Perugino rediscovering his best form and a zest for racing with two consecutive wins and a third placing from his last three starts.

Two of the victories were against Timely Reign and Telexden who are two rivals he will meet in Sunday’s XXXX Gold Mount Barker Cup.

Instead of the retirement barn he is now considered a genuine chance to record a major win in the twilight of his career and there is no happier man than Delane.

“I seriously think he is a big chance to win the race based on his recent form,” Delane said.

“But win lose or draw I’m getting an enormous amount of satisfaction and thrill just knowing the horse is back to his best and enjoying his racing again.

“It’s so rewarding that our patience is paying off and I go into the race with confidence.  He is improving and getting better with each run.  Retirement plans are now on hold and depending on how he performs on Sunday the Albany Cup could be next in line.”

What has added to Delane’s confidence was the solid win against Timely Reign two starts back.

The Paul Hunter-trained gelding has been racing in great form with three wins and two second placings from his past five starts and will be one of the leading contenders on Sunday.

“That win was impressive when you consider he was hanging badly from the half-mile to the top of the straight,” Delane said.

“To record a win against a horse considered one of the major chances indicates to me we are on the mark and I think his last-start win over Telexden was closer than what it should have been and he could have won more emphatically." 

"Drawing barrier five is also a clear advantage with several of the leading hopes including All Class and Impact Rating drawing out wide.  Daniel Staeck should be able to take up a prominent position forward and if it becomes a sprint for home the back markers could be in trouble.”



*******************************************


TUESDAY 16TH FEBRUARY 2010

Angela Smith will be hoping her return to Mount Barker for Tuesday’s meeting will be just as good as her last.

Smith enjoyed a day out with two winners and a second placing from four runners and appears to have-on paper at least-a good chance to replicate that effort with a strong team of nominations.

She opens proceedings in race two: the Eat More Veg Maiden (1300m) with talented four-year-old Hussonace.

He appears a more than capable galloper with three placings from his last four starts and must be getting desperately close to landing that elusive win.

“He should have won a race by now but only inexperience has cost him,” Smith said.

“He is still quite green and learning the caper but always gives his best and has been very close in recent runs.

“He has the ability to go on with it but will have to overcome an awkward barrier draw.”

Port Regis, who will go around in the Go For 2 & 5 Handicap (1850m), hasn’t been able to recapture his solid North-West form from last season in three runs back this campaign, but don’t totally discount his chances according to Smith.

“Disregard his last run and the start prior at Pinjarra wasn’t a bad effort,” Smith said.

“He’ll be competitive and I think he is working his way up to a win.”

Star Buck hasn’t missed the money in three runs at the track with two wins and a second placing

He has looked good in the process and looms as a strong chance to make it win number three in the Bob ‘N’ Beth’s Petunias Handicap (1200m).

“He is going really well and I think represents possibly my best chance for the afternoon,” Smith said.

“Again the draw hasn’t been kind but he will run a good race.

“He hasn’t raced for a month but don’t read anything into that because that’s more a case of not finding a suitable race.”

Grand Circuit and Cat Magic will round out the Smith afternoon in the final race of the card: the Eat More Fruit Handicap (1300m).

Cat Magic broke her maiden status with a last start win at Narrogin.

“That was a nice effort and a good maiden win,” Smith said.

“She always displays guts and heart in her runs.”


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HADABECLORKA A MUNGRUP STUD SPRINT CHANCE: LARSSON

Brent Larsson will revert back to the sprint journey of the Mungrup Stud Sprint at Mount Barker on Sunday in an attempt to rejuvenate the career of Hadabeclorka.

The Hurricane Sky gelding, a Bunbury Stakes runner-up in 2009 and better known for his sprinting prowess, has been tried over the longer journeys this preparation with varying success.

His best effort was a fourth placing to Ma Chienne in the Listed Tattersall’s Cup, when beaten by less than two lengths, and his worst a near last performance when 15th of 16 behind Lords Ransom in the Perth Cup.

It’s been over eight months since his last win in the Miss Andretti Sprint which culminated a hot period of form that included a second placing to Keytomoney in the Bunbury Stakes and a third placing to Tarzi in the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes.

Stepping back to the 1300 metre journey on Sunday could be the spark he requires and one that Larsson is pinning his faith on.

“If this horse puts his best foot forward he is the equal to most sprinters in this state,” Larsson said.

“He has raced and performed against some good horses so if things go his way he can win a race like the Mungrup Stud Sprint.

“His recent lack of success is all mental because clearly he has the ability but has a tendency to switch off in his races.

“If we can rectify that problem and with the nice break he’s had since the Perth Cup he is gifted enough to be in with a live chance.”

Adam Durrant is enjoying his greatest form as a trainer and has an iron grip on another feature race.

Durrant’s hopes rest with in-form galloper Proart who is racing in career-best form and will appreciate the step back to the 1300 metres after finding his last-start second to stable mate Ma Ma Machine in the Summer Scorcher a little slick.

The Darren McAuliffe stable is also in form and their hopes will rest with the consistent Spitfire Ace.

He should be nearing peak fitness following two runs back this campaign and with the services of in-form jockey Shaun O’Donnell there is much to like about his chances.

Beat The Storm returns after a short spell and does possess a solid first up record of two wins and two placings from six starts.

He was a recent trial winner at Bunbury and could worth considering in your novelties but it’s been a fair while since his last win.