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14.1.10
REAL HONOUR IMPRESSES AT PINJARRA
The stable had two runners in the Drakesbrook Hotel @ Waroona Handicap at Pinjarra on Wednesday - REAL HONOUR who was favourite, and SPIRITED ROCKET.
The race was run at a furious pace, with Mr Emiseven, Black Douglas and Carrapateena all battling for the lead. SPIRITED ROCKET and REAL HONOUR were both positioned off the pace, toward the rear of the field. On straightening, both horses made their effort. SPIRITED ROCKET went for a rails run and was completely luckless, but Shaun O'Donnell took REAL HONOUR with a perfect run right round the outside. The grey mare gathered in the field effortlessly and won, going away, by an easy length.
The is the first time REAL HONOUR has been reunited with Shaun this prep, and they make a very good partnership, having notched up several wins together in the past.
Now that the mare is back on top form, a city run must be in the offing.
3.1.10
BUMPER DAY AT BUNBURY
Healthway sponsored the Go For 2&5 Race Day at Bunbury on Sunday, and the stable had seven runners, all of which performed creditably, resulting in two winners, two 2nds, two 3rds and a close up 5th.
After MAGIC GAIA had run another game race to finish 2nd in the first maiden over 1100 metres, it was STATES SECRET's turn in the 5 Veg Maiden, also over 1100 metres. The State City gelding was up against the odds-on favourite The Duxford Wing. The early pace was set by Cyclone Bella, but jockey John Claite kept STATES SECRET in touch in 4th place. In the home straight there were many chances but, under a vigorous ride from John Claite, STATES SECRET saw the race out strongly and won by a hard-fought 1/2 length from the favourite. A great result for the gelding's enthusiastic owners, and a rare stable winner for John Claite.
NOVEMBER RED finished 3rd in the Eat More Fruit 'n Veg Maiden over 1675 metres, after coming from well off the pace.
JOMATESI ran his usual honest race in the Go For 2&5 Handicap over 1200 metres and, after meeting interference in the straight, did well to finish 2nd to the hot favourite Master Castaway.
In the Be Healthy Handicap over 1400 metres, DANGEROUS DANE was a warm favourite to keep up his good record this prep. The early pace set by Rain Strike was suicidal, and apprentice Kyra Yuill showed good judgement in holding DANE until the home staight, before making up ground. The leader compounded quickly, and DANGEROUS DANE swept by to win by an impressive 4 lengths. Kyra has built up a good relationship with DANE, and continues to ride well for the stable.
We had two representatives in the final race, the Healthier WA Handicap over 1675 metres. Both horses ran well, with NICKEVED finishing strongly to take 3rd, just ahead of KEY DYNASTY who finished a close-up 5th.
All in all, a good day for the stable, and pleasing that all the horses gave of their best in some competitive races.
26.12.09
SATURDAY WIN FOR FLEMING SON
The up-and-coming 3 year old FLEMING SON was made a warm favourite for the West Australian Handicap over 1200 metres at Ascot.
The front runners Arcaxaar and Terada set up a fast early pace under their young jockeys, so Jason Whiting bided his time on the favourite until they reached the home straight. FLEMING SON took a few strides to get going, but he soon gathered in the leaders and swept by Arcaxaar to win by a cosy 3/4 length. This was another promising performance under top weight by the Bletchley Park gelding, and his owners hope the horse will be able to run in the $125,000 Magic Millions race on 30th January. Managing owner Alan Anderson and an enthusiastic group of connections were on course to celebrate the victory of their home-bred star, and look forward to an exciting 2010!
Later in the afternoon. in thewest.com.au Handicap over 1400 metres MIGHTY RONNIE ran a super race on his return to the track, finishing a close up 3rd to the odds-on favourite Almighty Runner. If all goes well the Ron Bon 7 year old will be prepared for the Pinjarra and Bunbury Cups.
15.12.09
CORE ASSET WINS AGAIN
On Scott Park Homes Day at Bunbury, the stable had quite a successful day. In the Grand Harmony Double Maiden over 1420 metres NOVEMBER RED put in a sound performance to finish 3rd. The mare DEED I DO also finished 3rd in the Scott Park Homes Handicap over 1200 metres, after staying on gamely in the closing stages.
CORE ASSET was a warm favourite for the Grand Empire Handicap over 1704 metres. Despite there only being six runners, it was a competitive event. Corvallis set out at a fast pace to try and make all, with CORE ASSET, well rated by jockey Peter Hall, tracking the front runners until the straight, where she moved up to challenge Corvallis. There was a great ding-dong battle between the two horses, but CORE ASSET proved the stronger in a driving finish, to win by a hard-fought long head. The 5 year old mare is racing in career-best form, and has formed a good partnership with Peter Hall, who loves riding her in distance races. Let's hope more success awaits!
6.12.09
TROPHY WIN FOR CORE ASSET
 On Rare Coin Company Day at Bunbury CORE ASSET was made favourite for the trophy race of the day over 1689 metres.
On a day that favoured front runners, jockey Peter Hall positioned CORE ASSET just behind the pacemakers Romulus and Pampanito Jack, and then waited until well into the home straight before making his move. The 5 year old mare quickened well, and won by 1/2 length, giving the owners well-deserved recompense for CORE ASSET's two recent unlucky 2nds at Ascot and Pinjarra.
Managing owner "Rusty" Molles was on course to receive the Rare Coin Company Trophy from Wayne Fernie, Perth Manager of the company, and Club Patron Helen Court.
Earlier in the programme MAGIC GAIA ran another game race to finish 3rd in the Rare Coin Company Collectors Maiden over 1200 metres, and DANGEROUS DANE put in another sound effort to finish a close-up 4th in the Country Challenge heat over 1410 metres.
2.12.09
FLEMING SON IMPRESSES AT ASCOT
After a few narrow misses at Albany on Tuesday, the stable was back to winning form today at Ascot.
Last-start maiden winner FLEMING SON was made favourite for the Westspeed 3 year old Handicap over 1200 metres. A very competitive field went to post and, not surprisingly, the race was run at a frenetic pace, set by Zester and Torada, so jockey Paul Harvey settled FLEMING SON towards the rear of the field. As they rounded the home turn Paul moved the horse up into a challenging position and, despite FLEMING SON running three wide, he swept past his rivals to win by an easy length. This was a most impressive performance by FLEMING SON, in only his third ever start, and many good judges predict a rosy future for this Bletchley Park gelding.
A large crowd of owners and their families were on course to cheer their home-bred horse to the line, which was a great thrill to them all.
18.11.09
THE DANE SALUTES AT PINJARRA
 The stable had three runners at Pinjarra's midweek meeting, and they all performed well.
In the Waynes Windscreens Mandurah Handicap over 1400 metres, DANGEROUS DANE was saddled with top weight. This was reduced by young Kyra Yuill's claim, but he still had barrier 13 to contend with. The race was run at a muddling pace, and the DANE was posted wide for most of the way. On the home turn he was still 7th, on the outside of the field, and as the leaders weakened Solar Ice and Midnight Train went for home. DANGEROUS DANE looked destined for a minor place, but Kyra found a fast strip of ground down the grandstand rail, and she got such a great sprint out of the horse that they swept past the field to win by a comfortable length.
This was Kyra's first victory for the stable, and her clever ride gained her the Ride of the Day Award from Darren McAullay.
In the Greenacres Turf Farm Handicap over 1600 metres CORE ASSET was fancied to make up for her unlucky 2nd at Ascot on Melbourne Cup Day. Peter Hall seized the initiative from the off, and settled the mare brilliantly in front. He tried to make all, and looked to have succeeded, until the last 50 metres, when the bottom weight Talkalot, again ridden by Kyra Yuill, flew down the outside to win by a short head. CORE ASSET had run a super race, but the concession of 8 kilos just proved too much in the end. Surely a win can't be far away!
In the 7th race of the day KEY DYNASTY was up on the pace all the way, and was just run out of it in the last 100 metres to finish a game 4th.
Another productive day for the stable, with all the horses producing top runs.
15.11.09
BUNBURY DOUBLE
The stable was well represented on United Crane Hire Day at Bunbury today.
In the second race FLEMING SON was fancied to run well in a strong field for an 1180 metre maiden. Comfortably and Gotham City set the early pace but Jason Whiting settled FLEMING SON nicely in 5th place. Gotham City went for home on the turn, and looked to have pinched the race, but FLEMING SON sprinted hard, and just got the verdict by a head.
Most of the owners, including manager Alan Anderson, were on course to enjoy the great victory by their home-bred Bletchley Park gelding.
Alan Anderson leads in FLEMING SON
We had two runners in the next race, over 1080 metres, with MAGIC GAIA second favourite and NICKEVED one of the outsiders. Spritzig was the front runner until the home turn, but was quickly passed by MAGIC GAIA, who made her bid for victory. However the field bunched up at the 200 metre mark, and a close finish looked on the cards. Suddenly everything changed, with Jason Whiting getting a terrific run down the outside with NICKEVED. The mare sprinted past her toiling rivals to win by an impressive 1 3/4 lengths, from MAGIC GAIA who fought on strongly to finish 2nd.
NICKEVED had been campaigning on the Broome circuit, but is obviously thriving in the Southwest, and her owners can look forward to a good prep.
NICKEVED leads MAGIC GAIA in after the race
In the 8th race JOMATESI ran his usual game race to finish 2nd to the runaway winner Lomondside Lass.
Overall, a very satisfying day for the stable!
11.11.09
ASCOT SUCCESS FOR CATCORP
CATCORP was our only runner at Ascot's midweek meeting, and despite the mercurial Paul Harvey being booked to ride, the horse was only an each-way chance in the perthracing.com.au Handicap over 1400 metres.
It turned out to be a very fast-run race, with Dante's Gold setting the early pace. CATCORP was settled mid-field, and was only brought into the race on the home turn. As the leaders weakened, Paul Harvey got a great sprint out of the horse down the outside of the field, to win by 1/2 length from Pete The Profiler.
This was a super win for Catcorp's owner "Shorty" Latassa, who was on course to enjoy his triumph.
5.11.09
PINJARRA WIN FOR GOTTAGOJOE
 At Pinjarra Park today GOTTAGOJOE was one of many fancies in the first race of the day, the Nexus Risk Services Maiden over 1000 metres. The straight 1000 is always a bit of a lottery, and with a low draw the horse appeared to have the odds stacked against him.
The race was run at the usual relentless pace, so jockey Shaun Meeres positioned GOTTAGOJOE just behind the leaders. At the 200 metre mark he asked the Ihtiram gelding to quicken up, and for a second the horse was short of room between tiring runners. Fortunately he is a determined horse, and he pushed through the small gap to win comfortably from one of the favourites, Tereda.
This was the first start of GOTTAGOJOE's 3-year-old campaign, and only his third ever racecourse appearance. His enthusiastic owners unfortunately missed the win, but we're sure they will have plenty of fun with the horse during the coming season.
3.11.09
MELBOURNE CUP DAY
Melbourne Cup Day was, of course, the first meeting of the new Bunbury season, and it was generally agreed that a good day was had by all!
The stable is just beginning to hit its straps, and most of the horses are having their first run of what we hope will be a successful season.
In the Bunbury Holden Cruze Economy Maiden over 1180 metres Magic Gaia did everything but win, just being caught in the shadow of the post, after doing all the work from a wide barrier.
November Red ran a promising 4th in the State Wide Oil Maiden over an inadequate 1400 metres.
In the sixth race, the Bunbury Holden AFM V8 Handicap, Viking Lad was just beaten in a blanket finish, a run that augurs well for the future.
In the final race on an interesting programme Dangerous Dane was just edged out by the classy Bow Road in a thrilling finish to the Bunbury Holden Colorado Trucks Handicap.
Meanwhile in town, Core Asset ran a super race in the Fifth Leg Handicap over 1400 metres, again just being caught near the line to be beaten by ? length by the favourite, Little Nes.
A somewhat frustrating day for the stable, with four close 2nds, but on the other hand it gives us a lot of confidence going into what will be a long season.
24.10.09
ASCOT TRIUMPH FOR FRIAR'S TOUCH
The third race on Ascot's Saturday card was the Go For 2&5 Handicap over 2,200 metres, and our runner Friar's Touch was unfancied against the long odd-son favourite Snug Buggles.
The race was run at a sedate pace, set by Hazardous Army, and young Ben Kennedy did well to settle Friar's Touch just behind the leaders. The field bunched and quickened off the home turn, and Friar's Touch was squeezed between runners, but fortunately Ben managed to manoeuvre the horse into the clear 200 metres from home. The 7 year old gelding made the most of his opportunity, going on to win by a cosy ? length from the fast-finishing Goldtown.
It was a very exciting finish, and everyone was thrilled with Friar's Touch's somewhat surprising victory which, once again, was testament to Peter's skill in revitalising older horses. Mention must be made, however, of apprentice Ben Kennedy's excellent ride, which was worthy of a senior jockey.
10.10.09
STABLE TAKES 2 YEAR OLD OF THE YEAR AWARD
The stable was once again honoured at the Perth Racing Awards Night for the 2008-9 season. The filly Gold Rocks was the only horse to win two of the Burswood Horse of the Month awards during the year (October and March), and it was therefore fitting that she should take out the Winning Edge Presentation 2 year old of the Year Award. Peter felt it was a fitting climax to the filly's superb 2 year old career in our stable.
Gold Rocks was a candidate for the overall Horse of the Year Award, but this was won by the ill-fated Railway Stakes winner, Gilded Venom, a very popular result.
26.9.09
BELMONT RECORD FOR FRIAR'S TOUCH
The stable had two runners at Belmont today, and both ran well.
In the Burswood Garden Party at Ascot Handicap, over 2,000 metres, Friar's Touch was one of the unfancied runners behind odds-on favourite Cohort. The race was run at a fast clip, with Nullagine and Bodgie Business leading the field a merry dance until the home turn. Young Duncan Miller settled Friar's Touch in 5th place, just off the pace, and the old horse relaxed beautifully.
As the field bunched entering the straight, Duncan asked Friar's Touch for an effort, and the 7 year old gelding quickly went to the front, and stayed on in style to win by a cosy ? length on the line.
Everyone was thrilled by Friar's Touch's win, as the horse had recently been through a number of stables, including a stay in Kalgoorlie earlier this year, with limited success, so to get him back to win a Saturday Metro race was a tribute to Peter's training skills. The icing on the cake was that Friar's Touch set a new track record of 2.01.47 for the distance, an achievement which was a lovely surprise for his enthusiastic owners!
Our second runner Chance In Time nearly made it a winning double for the afternoon, with a great run in the 1,400 metre pr.com Members Lounge Handicap, where he was narrowly beaten in a blanket finish, coming 3rd to the favourite Top Gun. The 5 year old entire has come back in fine form this prep, and a win must be just around the corner.
9.9.09
THE CAT SHARES THE CREAM!
 The stable is gearing up for a busy Spring campaign, and today we had a small team at Belmont.
Our most fancied runner was a newcomer to the stable, Catcorp, who was entered in the playeronline.com.au Handicap over 1400 metres. The betting market, however, was dominated by the odds-on favourite Top Gun.
When the race got under way, Blue's Guitar and Bet Ahead set a strong early pace, so Jason Whiting settles Catcorp in midfield. As the pacemakers weakened in the home straight Top Gun shot to the front, and looked the winner, but Jason conjured a great late run from Catcorp who flew down the outside of the field, and the two horses crossed the line together. After a long deliberation, the judge announced a dead heat – a fair result for two game horses.
Peter was delighted to achieve this first victory for new client "Shorty" Latassa, and Catcorp, who had previously raced over east, looks a shrewd acquisition and should give Shorty a great deal of fun in WA.
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