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| Decision Time for Black Opal Winner |
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Sunday, 7 March 2010: Unbeaten two-year old Decision Time stamped himself as a major Golden Slipper contender with a thrilling victory in a high quality Kamberra Wine Company Black Opal Stakes at Canberra today. The Clarry Conners trained son of Foreplay jumped perfectly from gate four before parking just off the pace behind surprise leader Baggez Tale. Nash Rawiller was patient prior to the straight but burst through an inside gap to race away to a dominant victory ahead of the fast finishing Lohan, with Butt I'm Ready battling away into third. The unbeaten star ran the 1200m in 1.12.67 on the rain affected track. An emotion charged Conners described it a major thrill with the horse jumping every hurdle the champion Sydney trainer has put in front of him. "He's just a perfect little racehorse and every challenge i have put to him he has just taken it in his stride and come out the other end on top," Conners said. "That was a really strong win, a win of a horse that can go on and be very competitive in a Golden Slipper." Conners will sit down with the owners in the coming days to discuss whether to pay the late entry fee into the Golden Slipper. "It's up to the owners but they would be crazy not to," Conners said. "After that victory and his previous wins, he looks a perfect candidate for the slipper and still has improvement in him," "Nash rode him well and we had discussed to stay away from the fence and it worked out perfectly, i'm really thrilled to win a Black Opal." Winning jockey Nash Rawiller made it his third victory on the day after earlier wins aboard the Matthew Dale trained So Much Joy and also on How Much My Love for Danny Williams and described it a major thrill. "I've really liked this horse from the first day i was on his back and he can't do much more than he has," Rawiller said. "We got into a good spot early but found ourselves behind a tiring horse and we were in a little bit of trouble at one stage but the run inside horses came and he just raced through it," "It's been a great day and a huge thrill to win the Black Opal, the past couple of days will be times ill never forget." The Tim Martin trained Lohan ran a super race after coming from an outside gate with Butt I'm Ready tracking the winner through before chasing hard to hold third. The locals had a Black Opal they would rather forget with rank outsider Happy Time running a top race to finish the best of the locals in seventh with the well fancied Unanimously weakening after a tough run to finish ninth after entering the straight in front.  |
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| Canberra Track & Scratchings Black Opal Day |
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Canberra today - Sunday 7 March 2010. Track dead 4 penetrometer 4.63 rail true weather overcast. Forecast rain later today. Scratchings: R1 Nos 3 11 12 13 16. R3 Nos 12 & 16., R5 No11 & 12. R6 Nos 5 14 & 17. R7 Nos 2 4 5 13 16 20. R8 Nos 12 & 14. |
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| Canberrra Track Report |
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Saturday 10.30am Canberra - Track Update - Track rated at 9am this morning, dead 5 penetrometer 5.1, 8ml of rain yesterday up to 6pm and 4.5ml overnight. Forecast today is for cloud early and sunny periods this afternoon and 27. A further report will be issued at 7.05am tomorrow morning, Sunday. |
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| Black Opal Helps Fill The City |
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The Kamberra Wine Company Black Opal Stakes is one of a number of major events in Canberra this weekend which has created a run in accommodation. Tonight’s Super 14 opener between the Brumbies and the Lions, the Balloon Festival and the Masters from Paris round out the offerings. Horse trainers, riders, fashion socialites, racing enthusiasts and support crews will all come to Canberra as part of the big racing occasion. These visitors will pump money into the local economy across the whole weekend not just in the accommodation sector but also food and entertainment industries during this traditionally slow time of year. “The Kamberra Wine Company Black Opal Stakes is just brilliant for the local hospitality and tourism industries as it attracts a lot of people to the region ,” said Joseph Griffiths, Chairman and Executive Director of the Tourism Industry Council. “It is getting hard to find a room in Canberra this weekend and the Kamberra Wine Company Black Opal Stakes is a major contributor to that. “Events are critical to the local economy as they attract people from across the border and bring new money in to the territory. “Canberra Racing Club should be congratulated for throwing such an outstanding event”. |
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| Local Trainers Say |
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Friday, 5 March 2010: With the inclusion of Poetic Justice into the $250,000 Kamberra Wines Black Opal Stakes after it gained a start as second emergency, local trainers will now represent 6 of the 14 runners Here's what they had to say about their chances and what their take on the feature was:
Norm Gardner – Beyond A Shadow
“This is a very good Opal as usually there is a couple of standouts but this year depending on how the race is run most of them could win without surprising,”
“I'm really pleased with my guy and he has a perfect draw with a couple of the fancied runners around him so he should get a lovely run and I expect him to be competitive,”
“Obviously Decision Time stands out having won three from three in Sydney and he looks hardest to beat but even a horse like One More Grand I believe has a top chance,”
“I think my blokes last start in Sydney has really toughened him up and I'm really looking forward to Sunday's race.”
Happy Time – Gratz Vella
“I think this might be a little bit tough but he's improving all the time,”
“The interstate horses look the ones to beat we are just happy to be in the field and are hopeful of a forward run,”
“I cant see us causing an upset and from the draw we will just have to try and find a spot and hope for the best.”
One More Grand – Neville Layt
"This little horse is 100% per cent right and he's going to be in with a big show,”
“Forget his last run when even Corey admitted he rode him bad and take his previous runs and he has to be right in this race,”
“Comparing him to Sarthemare he is a much better horse, he will jump and race forward and if not leading will be right there,”
“It's a tough race as it always is and I'm not declaring just a few as dangers, there's 13 other horses in this race to beat and anything can happen in two-year old racing, but all in all I'm very happy with the way my bloke has progressed and ill be expecting a big run.”
Unanimously – Matthew Dale
"Before the draw we were hoping for anywhere from 8 or under so we were happy to take gate 8,”
“He has progressed nicely from his first up run and the form from that race has been franked with the third horse winning easily on Friday,”
“We have the home track advantage and I believe that counts for something and we believe we have a really nice progressive horse that has a serious chance aswell as jumping to the 1200m which will suit,”
“On exposed form its hard to go past Secession and Decision Time, they both have the form on the board and have drawn nicely so no doubting they will be the hardest to beat,”
“In recent years the locals have probably punched above their weight but this year we have a strong group, One More Grand has to be in the mix for sure,”
“From the draw we will look to be forward and I don't think this rain that's about at the moment will bother us at all,”
“All in all I think he's a big chance and am expecting a very good run.”
Baggez Tale – Keith Dryden
"Very disappointing to draw 16 but I guess someone had to,”
“Makes her job so much tougher from out their and I guess we just have to jump and take it as it comes, try find a spot somewhere because she's not brilliant enough to just settle last and circle the field,”
“She's been working really well and her first up run was no surprise, but this is a really tough race but I guess you have to be in it to win it,”
“There's a bit of rain about and I think that might help a little and we are all just hoping she runs a nice honest race.”
Poetic Justice – Barbara Joseph
"We are all thrilled that he has got a runner and the owners are all just wrapped that they have a starter in the Black Opal,”
“He's work has been better but we are just hoping for the best and I think you will see a better horse when he is able to get out over a bit further,”
“This has to be one of the strongest Opals for awhile but the locals are well in the Matt Dale's horse and Neville Layt's, they both have to be good chances.” |
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| Great Line Up For Kamberra Wine Co Black Opal Day |
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Clinton Payne
Thursday, 4 March 2010 Fields and form are now available for the nation’s capital’s premier raceday, Sunday’s Black Opal Stakes day at Canberra’s Thoroughbred Park. The Thoroughbred Park track was rated a dead (4) at acceptance time and the rail on Sunday will be in the true position. “I did a penetrometer this morning and it was 4.61 which is bordering on good so if the weather conditions go our way then the track will be a good (3) on Sunday,” Thoroughbred Park racecourse manager James Cataldo said. “The course proper is in magnificent shape so its all systems go for a super card of racing.” The main race of the day is the $250,000 Listed Kamberra Wines Black Opal Stakes (1200m) and 17 horses have accepted. The field includes the one time Blue Diamond Stakes favourite Secession, Clarry Conners unbeaten juvenile Decision Time, Breeders Plate placegetter Gold Arena along with smart Sydney based two-year-olds Butt I’m Ready, Top Drop and Lohan. Leading the charge for the locals will be Black Opal prelude winner Unanimously as well as One More Grand and Beyond A Shadow. The major support race is the $100,000 Listed The Tradies National Sprint (1400m) for the open class sprinters. Expressway Stakes placegetter McClintock is the topweight and he will clash with the likes of proven open class gallopers Basaltico, Dane Julia, Lyncean Academy, Sound Of Nature and Bay Window. The $100,000 Affinity Constructions Management Canberra Guineas (1400m) is another of the highlights on the strong card. Quality three-year-olds Offhanded and The Mikado will have to contend with promising gallopers Al Dhafra, Descardo and Sigma. The eight-race programme commences at 1.04pm, and the final event at 5.19pm. |
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| Gerald Ryan Weighs Up Options |
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Wednesday, 3 March 2010: Top Sydney trainer Gerald Ryan will wait until later in the week to decide on starts for his three nominations for Black Opal Raceday including talented types Top Drop and Lonchero in the $250,000 Black Opal Stakes. Ryan also nominated smart sprinter Flushing Meadows as a late entry into the $40,000 Camarena Sprint. All three horses are entered throughout the week but according to Ryan, barrier draws will play a big part of where they start. “Top Drop is in the Kindergarten Stakes at Warwick Farm on Saturday but that is just a safeguard in case we draw a terrible barrier in the Opal,” Ryan said. “Lonchero is in on Thursday at Canterbury and the owners would like to start there but I would like him to start at Canberra aswell,” “We will wait and see the final fields from Canberra and take it from there but Id like them both to start on Sunday.” Top Drop is a colt by Ryan's former top class galloper Snitzel and according to Ryan is built a lot like his father. “He's so much alike in stature and looks to Snitzel, not in the speed department but just on pure looks,” he said. “He hasn't been able to draw a barrier yet but has done a good job so far in his three starts.” Top Drop was a winner at Rosehill at his second start before finishing second behind Skilled in the Pagewood last time out at Randwick with Ryan certain that in time the youngster will make a very nice horse. “The plan is to spell him after the Black Opal and give him plenty of time,” Ryan said. “The Golden Slipper hasn't really been an option and the paddock is most likely after he run's Sunday.” Lonchero is a colt by Lohnro who has been close up in both his starts and is yet to finish further than two lengths from the winner. He debuted with a third at Rosehill behind Butt Im Ready before finishing a 1.1 length 4th behind Giresun at Warwick Farm. “Both his starts have been on Heavy tracks and he will be much better suited on top of the ground,” Ryan said. “The owners are pretty keen on him starting at Canterbury on Thursday but again we will accept and see where he draws and take it from there.” Ryan is no stranger to the Black Opal having won it with Paint back in 1996 and said it would bring him great satisfaction to win the race again especially with a son of Snitzel. “It would be great to win it again seems its been so long, I think I had a runner in 2000 and other than Paint in 96, this will only be the third time I've had a starter in the race,” he said. “Top Drop would be my best chance so to win it with him would really be a highlight.” Ryan is also undecided with a start for Flushing Meadows in the Camarena but after the gelding drew 12 at Warwick Farm on Saturday, Canberra could be a likely option. |
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| The Tradies National Sprint - McClintock ? |
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Tuesday, 2 March 2010: Three times Black Opal winning jockey and now successful trainer Mark De Montfort is weighing up his options for a possible start in the $100,000 National Sprint with his high quality galloper McClintock. De Montfort is undecided on a trip to Canberra and currently leans towards a start in the $125,000 Liverpool City Cup at Warwick Farm on Saturday.
“I'd love to bring him to Canberra but Warwick Farm is my backyard and I think the 1300m of the Liverpool City Cup will probably suit him a bit better than the 1400m at Canberra,” De Montfort said.
“I'm about 60/40 at this stage favouring Warwick Farm but its only early stages and I will make my decision later in the week.”
The son of King Cugat would be a great drawcard for the feature meeting coming off some strong form in feature events including finishing a 0.4 length third behind Rangirangdoo and Dao Dao two starts back in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes at Rosehill.
De Montfort believes the five-year old is one run off his peak and is worried that the strong tempo in the National Sprint may play against his horse's usual racing pattern.
“I haven't had a good look at the nominations as yet but from what I've seen so far there looks to be strong tempo,” he said.
“My horse likes to get out and bowl along and there's usually four or five every year in that race that seem to want to go like the wind early,”
“He's in great shape and even with that strong tempo I still believe he would be hard to beat but to where he is currently at, the 1300m at Warwick Farm probably suits him a touch more.”
De Montfort has had great success at Canberra over the years winning the Black Opal as a rider aboard Catbird in 1999 before going on to victory in the Golden Slipper.
He was also a winner aboard Just Blooming in 1986 and the following year aboard Maizcay.
Whilst not having a runner in the Black Opal this year, De Montfort did have plans to start impressive debutant winner From The Vault in the Classic, but decided to turn the son of Charge Forward out for a spell.
“I had planned to start From The Vault in the Black Opal but we decided to spell him and look to the future with him,” he said.
“He was very impressive first up at Canterbury and I think he has a bright future.”
The Warwick Farm trainer has four entries on Sunday with all horses likely to race during the week or at Warwick Farm.
“I've nominated Pathway for the 2000m race but he will start at Wyong on Wednesday and the maiden I had nominated will more than likely start at Warwick Farm on the Monday,” De Montfort said.
“I'd like to start Military Secret on Sunday in the 65 1200m event but she may struggle to get a start with her low rating.”
De Montfort has had little trouble handling the transition from jockey to trainer and currently has 18 horses in work believing the switch has been as he expected.
“The change from jockey to trainer has been pretty much what I expected and it helps when you get to work with nice horses,” he said.
“It's all about getting a good one and McClintock has certainly helped me and I think there's still plenty more to come from him.” |
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| Horsepower on 12 feet |
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The Kamberra Wine Company Black Opal Stakes nominations were released today but acceptances are in for some of Canberra’s finest football player stock to take part in a sprint race down home straight on Opal day. The 100 metre sprint football codes race will be highly contested as players from the Brumbies, Raiders and Canberra’s AFL Premiership team the Belconnen Magpies will thunder down the track in a race to the winning post for the fastest football player in Canberra and the glory that will follow. Racecaller Josh Fleming will call the race at 3:00pm. Brumbies contenders: Patrick Phibbs Matt Toomua Brumbies contact – Mary Robinson Belconnen Magpies contenders: Ryan Turnbull Jon Dunn Magpies contact – Andrew Ainger Raiders contenders: Drury Low Michael Thomas Raiders contact – Kate Gallegos Victor the Viking and Brumby Jack will be on course to cheer on their team. Cheer on your favourite code on the day. |
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| Patinack for Canberra |
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Tuesday, 2 March 2010: Powerhouse operation Patinack Farm are definite starters for Sunday's Kamberra Wine's Black Opal Day. Trainer John Thompson confirmed Hour Of Peril will take its place in the $250,000 Black Opal Stakes as well as Middlemount in the Guineas, with Miss Cutie to start in the 1200m Maiden Plate.
Thompson also had Heartsareforlove nominated for the two-year old feature but it will remain in Brisbane where it was victorious at its most recent start.
Thompson said although Hour Of Peril had yet to finish a place in his two career starts, the son of Fusaichi Pegasus had continued to improve and was not without a hope.
“He hasn't been beaten far in both his starts and has definitely improved since his last run,” Thompson said.
“Everyone who rides him work really likes him and with a bit of time and maturing he will make a nice horse.”
Hour Of Peril has finished behind Decision Time and Butt I'm Ready in both his starts to date, with both of those runner's also among the 23 nominations with Thompson well aware of the depth of the event.
“It speaks highly for Canberra racing and the area to attract such strong racing and by no means is it going to be an easy race,” he said.
“Decision Time is three from three and the form surrounding that horse is very strong so he will be extremely hard to beat,”
“My guy is still learning and the experience will do him the world of good and he won't be far away.”
Danny Nikolic has been confirmed as the rider for Hour Of Peril and he will also take the mount on Guineas hopeful Middlemount.
Middlemount was a $660,000 yearling purchase who has had two starts to date for a win and a narrow third last time out at Newcastle with Thompson also optimistic that with time he will have a smart horse on his hands.
“He's a very well bred youngster who will also appreciate the experience of a trip to Canberra,” he said.
“He's racing on raw ability at present and is still learning but has plenty of scope,”
“The nominations for the Guineas are super strong and it will be interesting to see what actually starts and what doesn't.”
Thompson was unsure at this stage whether Patinack owner/manager Nathan Tinkler would attend the meeting.
“I haven't actually spoken to Nathan as yet but he's just happy for me to place them where there are suitable races and Canberra fitted that option.” Thompson said. |
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