Ontrack’s smart sprinter Dream Master added to his record with an emphatic win at the Gold Coast. Trained by Toby Edmonds on the Gold Coast track, Dream Master has now won four times and been placed three times from only 16 life time starts. “He’s been a horse who has taken time to reach maturity both physically and mentally, but he’s developed into a really nice horse and there wasn’t a nicer horse in the pre-race parades at the Gold Coast. “The horse raced right up to his pre-race appearance and, in spite of drawing very wide, he jumped quickly crossed over to lead easily and was totally dominant. “Dream Master is a horse who races best when allowed to roll along in front and he is very, very genuine. “This preparation should provide him with the opportunity to work through the grades and he looks capable of winning a nice Saturday race in the city,” said Grant Morgan. Purchased by Grant Morgan from Emirate Parks draft at the 2015 Inglis Classic Sale for $60,000, Dream Master is by Dream Ahead from the Exceed and Excel mare Excellent Lady. The purchase proved astute because not long after the sale, Excellent Lady’s first foal started racing and named Petits Filou, she went on to win her first four races, including the Group 3 Quezette Stakes at Flemington. “She ended up winning five of her 10 starts and then sold at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale for $1.15 million,” said Grant Morgan. Trainer Toby Edmonds reported Dream Master came through his Gold Coast win in good order and is now enjoying a few days at the trainer’s Guanaba farm. “We will let him unwind for a few days on the farm and he will return to the stable next Monday. “He is a very nice horse and he has come back to racing this preparation in terrific order. He’s developed and grown but more importantly he is mentally matured and we see a good future for him. The horse did buck in his first start this preparation, but we are pretty sure that was a result of the horse being struck under the flank by the stirrup of a rival jockey and he hasn’t shown any signs of misbehaving since. “In fact, he has one of the nicest temperaments of the horses in our stable and tends to be a really laid back and cruisy horse,” said Toby Edmonds. Congratulations to our owners: Ontrack Thoroughbred No 1 Syndicate, Lang Brothers Racing, Mark Snowden, Dave Moretti, Mark Ostermeyer, Gordon Campbell, Leah Gavranich, Luke Covey, B and L Racing, Louise Mancinelli, Wayne and Paddi Muller, Alan Satchell, Beau River Racing, Greg Bowers, Stefan Marinkovic, Lisa Saxton, Ken Stocks, Ryan Lawlor. Cymbalism has been dominant at her Queensland debut scoring an impressive all the way win at Ipswich. A five year-old mare by Denman, Cymbalism is prepared by Chris Meagher who operates dual state stables in Queensland and Victoria. Sent north in search of a metropolitan win, Cymbalism quickly repaid the faith of her ownership group thanks to a confident ride by the talented light weight rider Ronnie Stewart. “Chris and his team have done a wonderful job with this mare. Previously she had difficulty holding condition and tended to lighten off very quickly,” said Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grand Morgan. “She is much stronger now, holding condition and has enjoyed the switch to Queensland.” Morgan highlighted the advantages Meagher Racing’s Eagle Farm and Mornington stables. “It’s a tremendous asset to have the two state operation. It gives us the chance to switch horses between the two states to maximise their potential,” said Morgan. Originally prepared by Chris Waller, has now had 6 starts for Chris Meagher recording 2 wins and 2 placings. Cymbalism was a $130,000 yearling purchase by Grant Morgan at the 2015 Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Congratulations to our owners Mark Walker, Andrew Dean, Beau River Racing (M Shaw), C Burdon, C Connor, D Frew, Mrs M Frew, M Ostermeyer, R Pawley, Mrs J Pawley, A Tranter, Wbc Racing (N Wood), Lang Brothers Racing #4 (S Lang), R Lawlor, A Connor (Mrs C Connor), D & R (D Ewbank) & Ms L J Saxton Hong Kong’s big international race day just got a lot more interesting with champion jockey Joao Moreira back in action and doing what he does best – winning races.
Joao is back riding permanently in Hong Kong after failing a written examination he needed to pass in order to obtain a licence to ride fulltime in Japan. With Ontrack Racing Tours annual tour to the big Hong Kong International Race Day at Sha Tin only three weeks away, Joao Moreira signalled his readiness for the day when kicking home a hattrick of winners at Sha Tin last Sunday. One of those three winners was Hot King Prawn who took his record to nine wins from only 10 career starts. From a Hong Kong Sprint perspective, Hot King Prawn led from go to whoa, while Mr Stunning, winner of the Group One Sprint last year, was gallant in defeat. They look the leading two local hopes. Of the other Hong Kong hopes for the big day, Hong Kong’s champion horse Beauty Generation smashed a long standing track record when winning at Sha Tin on Sunday in the Group Two Jockey Club Mile. With the scorching 1:32.64 time breaking the 10-year-old record held by Good Ba Ba, Beauty Generation firmly placed his stake for the Longines Hong Kong International Mile in the ground – he is clearly the horse to beat. Trainer John Moore said the performance would put his horse on the map globally, forcing people to stand up and take notice. “From a trainer’s point of view, you worry about if he can make two runs, but he proved himself that he is a champion, he did make two runs and for that reason people not only around Hong Kong but around the world are going to stand up and say there is a very good miler in Hong Kong,” he said. Mornington mare Savanna Amour will remain in work into the summer as trainer Chris Meagher looks to capitalise on her improving form at the end of the spring.
The daughter of Love Conquers All closed impressively from the back of the field to finish third in Saturday’s Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1300m) in what was the best of her four spring runs to date. While the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) had initially been flagged as an aim for the six-year-old, Meagher confirmed she would remain in Victoria to instead target the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on New Year’s Day. “It was the best she’d looked all campaign and she ran right up to it,” Meagher said. “We won’t spell her, she’ll have seven to 10 days on the water walker here at Fulmen Park to freshen up and then we’ll bring her back into the stable and have a look at some nice races over the summer. “The Standish Handicap down the straight at Flemington looks a good option for her and then maybe something like the Australia Stakes in January.” First Among Equals, who was runner-up to Cool Passion in the Kevin Heffernan Stakes, is also expected to remain in work for feature summer sprints like the Christmas Stakes and Standish Handicap. My Dream Lover handled a distance rise with aplomb when scoring an all the way win at Ballina. The good looking son of Excelebration stretched out to 1600 metres for the first time in his career in a Class 1 and Maidens Plate and proved too strong, winning by nearly a length after leading from the jump. Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grant Morgan predicted a good future for My Dream Lover if he continues to stretch out in distance. “The Ballina win came at his fifth start since we brought him up from Victoria and he’s now had two wins, two fourths and a fifth placing. “The horse won first-up in Queensland over 1300 metres, which is a difficult thing for a lot of horses to achieve and to add a second win in his first preparation up here is also very encouraging. “We bought him out of the Widden Stud draft at the Inglis Classic Sale for $130,000 because he’s by Excelebration out of a half-sister to Melbourne Cup winner Shocking. “Excelebration was Europe’s champion miler but this horse gives every indication that with a bit more maturity he will stretch out to beyond 1600 metres. “That opens up plenty of opportunities for a young horse if he can cope with 2000 metres and beyond, so we will be patient with him and give him the time to mature and strengthen and next preparation we’ll see whether he’s a stayer,” said Grant Morgan. Trainer Toby Edmonds was impressed with My Dream Lover’s effort to lead all the way at Ballina, even though he was surprised to see the horse making the pace. “I thought he would race near the speed but I must admit to being a little bit surprised when he found the front. “However rider Luke Rolls showed good initiative to keep going when nothing was keen to lead and rolling along in front at a steady tempo out of trouble proved the winning of the race. “The horse has done a good job since coming north and though he’s only had five races, he has been in work a while and we will just assess him over the next few days before making a decision on whether to give him a break or continue on. “He’s a nice horse with a good attitude and with a bit more time he could develop into a handy horse because he gives every indication of getting out to 2000 metres at least,” said Toby Edmonds. Congratulations to our winning owners: Ontrack Miss Coolum Syndicate, Barbara and John Gilbert, Mark Ostermeyer, Garry Shanahan, Greg Bowers, Dr David Worthley, Leigh Matthews, Mick and Denise Power, Pennypacker Syndicate, Dan McHugh, Mark Snowden, Mick Hackett, L V Racing Syndicate. Ontrack’s tough sprinter Impregnable is building an impressive strike rate at the Grafton track with his Jacaranda Cup win taking his track record to three starts for three wins. Impregnable, aided by a perfect ride by stable jockey Ryan Maloney, scored an emphatic Jacaranda Cup win over topweight Lucky Meteor winning by more than two lengths. A son of champion stallion I Am Invincible, Impregnable began his career with Caulfield trainer Mick Price and was placed in five of his first six races. “Mick advised us that the horse would be better placed in Queensland and we transferred him to Toby Edmonds on the Gold Coast and he won his first two races for Toby on the Grafton track,” said Ontrack Managing Director Grant Morgan. “He won five races in that first preparation from eight starts but he had a few issues at the end of that campaign and when he came back into work for his second preparation, he was not the same horse so we spelled him after four races and gave him a nice break. “This time in he has been a much happier horse but being that extra year older he has taken a couple of starts to get close to fitness. “Last time out at Doomben he was a very good sixth and that was the first time Ryan Maloney had ridden him and that experience proved invaluable. “He’s a quirky horse sometimes and Ryan learnt that he doesn’t appreciate being restrained at the start. “At Grafton he left the horse alone at the jump and when another rival crossed over quickly Impregnable enjoyed a dream run tracking the speed. Once he peeled out at the top of the straight the horse dashed to the lead and quickly put the race in safe keeping,” said Grant Morgan. Trainer Toby Edmonds was pleased with the horse and went into the race confident the sprinter was close to his best. “His run at Doomben was a nice effort and his work leading into Grafton had been very good. He’s not the easiest horse to ride and when that grey horse rushed over from outside him to lead, the race panned out perfectly. “This horse really finished off the race in domineering fashion and his last furlong was very strong. “Now that we have him back to his best, we will probably pick out a race in town and he looks set for another good campaign,” said Toby Edmonds. Congratulations to our owners in Impregnable: Ontrack Thoroughbreds No 1 syndicate, Steve Mauger, Matthew Maguire, Sansom Hue, Brett Grogan, David Worthley, Ken Stocks, Wayne McCubbin, Jenny Edington, Ryan Lawlor, Peter Condon, Lisa Saxton, Dan Paton, Ricky Kim, Garry Batchelder, Philomena Syndicate (Manager Di McDonald). The latest prize money boost for Queensland is good news for Ontrack clients with horses in the Sunshine state.
The Queensland government has boosted prize money for galloping meetings by $18 millions from today and there’s also another $8 million available. “It’s great news to see stakes rise in Queensland,” said Ontrack’s Grant Morgan. “The stakes rise has been spread right over the state and that’s good news for our owners in Queensland. “It’s also encouraging for owners with horses in southern states that might be better suited in Queensland in the future. “Ontrack has enjoyed plenty of success bringing horses north from Sydney and Melbourne stables in order to maximise returns for owners and it’s great knowing that these horses can head north and race in Brisbane on Saturdays for $75,000.” Highlights include: Provincial SEQ meetings (Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Ipswich) $6.9 million increase. - Standard race stakes raised from $16,000 to $21,000 (+31.25%) - Maiden race stakes raised from $15k to $21k (+40%) - Introduction of prize money for fifth-placed runners and $400 payment for runners placed 6th to 10th. Provincial Queensland meetings (including Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns) $5.4 million increase. - All races at Toowoomba Turf Club raised from $14,000 to $19,000 (+35.7%) - Introduction of $19,000 races at weekly Northern Provincial Showcase meetings - Remaining provincial stakes raised from $14,000 to $16,500 (+17.8%) - Introduction of prize money for fifth-placed runners and $400 payment for runners placed 6th to 10th. - Country TAB stakes raised from $12,000 to $14,500 (+20.83%) at Kilcoy, Beaudesert, Warwick, Lockyer (Gatton), Dalby and Roma meetings. - Key Northern Cups and the Toowoomba Cup raised to $150,000 prize money. Mid-week Metropolitan meetings $2.4 million increase. - Standard race stakes raised from $25,000 to $30,000 (+20%) - Maidens raised from $20,000 to $25,000 (+25%) and $500 payment for runners placed 6th to 10th. Saturday metropolitan meetings $2.15 million increase. - Standard race stakes raised from $70,000 to $75,000 (+7.1%) - All races increased by $5,000 to accommodate introduction of $1000 payment for runners placed 6th to 10th. Listed races to carry minimum stakes of $125,000 (+25%) Meagher Racing had a weekend to remember with an interstate double. The first win came at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Saturday when Rich Affair ended a frustrating run of placings to score a comprehensive win over 1200 metres in the hands of Nathan Day. The form continued the following day at the Mornington fixture when Born Bad cleared maidens at his second start in the hands of stable apprentice Jessica Eaton. “The great thing about having our horses with Meagher Racing is that they can be easily switched between their Eagle Farm and Mornington stables,” said Ontrack’s Managing Director Grant Morgan. “We’ve got horses with both stables and it was good to see them land an interstate double on the weekend,” said Grant Morgan. December’s Hong Kong International Meeting has attracted strong entries from leading Australian stables. A sold out Ontrack Racing tour will take in the Hong Kong Jockey Club International meeting from December 4-10 and there’s likely to be strong Australian representation. Nominations for the four Group One races at Sha Tin on December 9 include 37 nominations from Australia. There are 13 countries with entries for the Hong Kong meeting with horses expected from Japan, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Great Britain, Ireland, Czechoslovakia, German, America, Singapore and Germany poised to do battle with the leading Hong Kong stables. “The Hong International meeting is really a melting pot for racing jurisdictions around the world,” said Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grant Morgan. “The Hong Kong Jockey Club set out to make their meeting a truly international racing event and there’s no doubt that they have succeeded. “The strength of the nominations proves that the Hong Kong International meeting is a major magnet for the world’s leading trainers and you see stables such as Andre Fabre from France, Sir Michael Stoute from the UK and Australia’s Chris Waller amongst the entries. “Hopefully the quarantine regulations which have caused Australian horses to miss Hong Kong will be resolved before this year’s meeting,” said Grant Morgan. The Australian nominations are: Hong Kong Cup: COMIN’ THROUGH, D’ARGENTO, DIVINE UNICORN, EGG TART, FINCHE, HOMESMAN RISING RED, SHILLELAGH, SULLY, THE TAJ MAHAL. Hong Kong Mile: COMIN’ THROUGH, D’ARGENTO, LE ROMAIN, MUSIC MAGNATE, PIERATA, SHILLELAGH. Hong Kong Sprint: CLEARLY INNOCENT, IN HER TIME, LE ROMAIN, MUSIC MAGNATE, PIERATA, SANTA ANA LANE, TRAPEZE ARTIST, VEGA MAGIC, VIDDORA. Hong Kong Vase: BRIMHAM ROCKS, COUNT OCTAVE, DIVINE UNICORN, EGG TART, FINCHE, HOMESMAN, LIBRAN, PATRICK ERIN RISING RED SULLY, THE TAJ MAHAL. |
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