Saturday night was a ‘tale of two racetracks’ for champion trainer Jason Thompson. Borrowing further from Charles Dickens and his classic novel ‘A Tale of Two Cities’; it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Thompson had three runners at Warragul and all three were victorious, with the highlight being Aston Fastnet’s breakthrough feature race triumph in the G3 St Leger final (460m), while boom youngster Rebellious and super-consistent Aussie Secret completed a treble. Thompson also had three starters at The Meadows; however his two-pronged tilt…
Month: August 2021
Daily Mail: Beauty is a Beast!
“Ever just as sure as the sun will rise”, Collinda Beast (10 from 20 – 5 of past 7) looks a ‘beauty’ at Shepparton tonight. Trained by Jason Thompson, Collinda Beast is proving a middle-distance revelation with best-of-night wins at his past two starts – Sale (650m) and Sandown Park (595m). The all-conquering Thompson scored a treble at Warragul on Saturday night, including the G3 Warragul St Leger with Aston Fastnet. Meanwhile, the ‘Beauty is a Beast’ support cast at Shepparton includes Got The Torque 13 from 45 – 5…
Jackfrost retired
Brian Anderton wanted to do the best thing by his old mate Jackfrost (NZ) (Gallant Guru), so he has retired the talented jumper after his disappointing return to racing. Two years ago the 11-year-old gelding headed to Victoria to try and plunder some of their rich jumping features, however, his campaign was cut short when he injured a suspensory ligament in training. He returned to New Zealand where he underwent stem cell surgery and spent time at part-owner John ‘Coaster’ Howes Canterbury property undergoing rehab. “He went to Australia to…
Vale Michael Stedman
The thoroughbred industry lost one of its most respected men after prominent bloodstock agent Michael Stedman passed away at the age of 73 last week. Stedman, one of the great characters of the industry, initially began his career outside of the racetrack working as a chemist alongside his father based in Terrigal, New South Wales. His passion for the racing industry ignited when he began bringing Australian racing enthusiasts across the Tasman to participate in stud tours throughout New Zealand during the 1980’s. It was on one of these tours…
Sansom to take next step in P B Lawrence Stakes
Sansom (NZ) (Charm Spirit) will be out to make it two on the trot when he runs in the Gr.2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. Trainer Phillip Stokes is hoping Sansom can raise the bar higher when he runs in the P B Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield. Sansom returned from a break to claim the Listed Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on July 24 and rises to 1400m at Group Two level on Saturday. Stokes is confident Sansom is up to the task saying the five-year-old is a more relaxed this time around. The trainer pinpoints the uphill…
Crosshaven set for return in Regal Roller
Former smart three-year-old Crosshaven (Smart Missile) is set to make his spring return at Caulfield. The Lindsay Park pair of Ben and JD Hayes will be hoping for a better outcome from Crosshaven when he resumes at Caulfield. The Hayes boys were left disappointed with Aysar’s (Deep Field) performance in the Gr. 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington last Saturday and will be represented by Crosshaven in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Both Aysar and Crosshaven met on numerous occasions as spring three-year-olds and were supposed to be heading to Hong Kong to join David…
Goss in search of southern gold
Fresh from his 90th birthday, Tauranga horseman Cliff Goss is looking towards the Gr.2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) as the major spring target for his exciting galloper Gold Watch (NZ) (Swiss Ace). Goss celebrated his birthday at the weekend with his family, including his daughter and son-in-law, Cherry and Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud, but Gold Watch has given the nonagenarian just as much reason to celebrate in the past year. “I’m still feeling 100 percent,” Goss said. “Well, maybe 90 percent,” he said with a laugh, thinking that he’s…
Vale Lorraine Jameson
The New Zealand Thoroughbred breeding industry lost one of its trailblazing female breeders recently with the passing of Lorraine Jameson. The proprietor of Cardoness Stud, on the outskirts of Masterton, Jameson hit the headlines as a breeder when she topped the 1970 National Yearling Sale at Trentham with a record price at the time of $60,000. Four years later she did it again, sharing the honour with neighbouring Wairarapa breeder Nancy Williams when they both sold colts for a record breaking $100,000. The colts were by Oncidium who stood at…
First Group training success for Taplins
Ritani (NZ) (Makfi) was initially purchased by Ian and Kerry Taplin as a broodmare proposition, but on Saturday she delivered them their first Group success as trainers. The seven-year-old mare was victorious in the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton and the Isla Bank trainers were overwhelmed by the experience. “We bought her off gavelhouse to breed from, but it’s been amazing what she has been able to do on the track,” Ian Taplin said. “I had a second in the Champagne Stakes (with Hot Tap) last year, but that…
Quick turnaround for Memsie-bound Tofane
Triple Group One winner Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park) was back in action at the Flemington jump-outs on Monday after a brief break from her winter exertions. The Michael Moroney-trained daughter of Ocean Park enjoyed a hit-out over 800m on the outside of the course proper, with Craig Williams aboard, who partnered the mare to victory in both the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) and Gr.1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m). “She trialled really well. She was a bit on the fresh-side,” Moroney said. “Craig had a lot of trouble trying to slow her…