Fire From Ice-Red Wine to resume at Belmont Park

City winning three year olds Fire From Ice and Red Wine are both listed to make their comebacks to racing at Belmont Park this week.

Four times winner Fire From Ice has drawn very wide in the last race at Belmont on Wednesday and as an option, will also be entered for Saturdays races. A final decision on where he'll start will be made after inspecting weights for Saturday on Tuesday afternoon. Since last racing, the horse has undergone throat surgery to correct a suspected breathing problem, and has also overcome a life threatening condition with a blockage in the pelvic area. All seems good now though, and following a recent second placing in a trial, we're hoping that he can regain his previous good form.

Red Wine put in a few ordinary runs during his last campaign but it was found that he was suffering from a viral complaint. A decent spell, and further treatment seem to have done the job, and trainer Paul Jordan now reports that all is well with the horse. Having drawn a handy barrier (2) for his return to racing, and coming off the back of a third placing at the trials last week, we're also hopeful that Red Wine can regain his previous best form.

Harrasser Continues to Improve

Trainer John Lugg reports that Harrasser continues to thrive in his Goldfields stable as he sets him towards winning his second race at Kalgoorlie on Sunday.

A horse with plenty of issues that have needed to be addressed, John has seen gradual improvement since Harrasser has been with him, and predicts that he can certainly a few races up there over the season. After leading throughout to win his maiden at his most recent start, Harrasser fronts up again this coming Sunday over the same distance, albeit against slightly stronger Class 1 company.

He's drawn an outside barrier too which usually would sway us against running him, but John is so full of praise for the horse that we've decided to accept.

Russel Hanson, a jockey with limited opportunities but more than enough talent, will ride Harrasser again on Sunday and the pair should be worth an each way bet.

Stakemoney Increase for Perth Racing

In a press release issued today, West Australian Turf Club chairman Ted Van Heemst announced minimum Saturday metropolitan prize-money will increase from $40,000 to $45,000 from October 21 (opening day of the revamped Ascot track) & minimum mid-week metropolitan prize-money will rise from $17,500 to $20,000.

Among total prize-money increases of $1.2 million for the 2006-07 season: the Gr1 Fruit 'N' Veg Stakes will rise by $100,000 to $500,000; the Gr2 Winterbottom Stakes will rise by $75,000 to $250,000; all other Perth Gr2 races will offer a minimum $200,000; the Gr3 WA Oaks will rise by $50,000 to $250,000; both the Gr3 WA Sires Produce Stakes & Gr3 WA Champion Fillies Stakes will rise by $20,000 to $170,000; & both the Listed Northerly Stakes & Listed Crawford Stakes will rise by $50,000 to $100,000.

So, great news for owners of horses in Western Australia. Add the popular Westspeed Bonus Scheme incentive payment to the winner of a Saturday race, and from October, that'll mean $40,000 nett to the connections of the winner!

Harrasser Wins at Kalgoorlie

3yo gelding Harrasser notched up the first win of his career this afternoon when taking out the 1400m maiden at Kalgoorlie.

Given the world perfect run by jockey Russel Hanson, Harrasser was allowed to lob exactly where he was happy in running, before being coaxed to the lead approaching the corner and then holding off all challenges to win by a narrow margin. He showed a bit of guts and determination in the run to the line and indicated that just maybe, there are a few more wins in store for him down the line.

Harrassers victory came at just his seventh start in a race, (some will say just in time!), and reinforced our opinion that, just like the majority of the stock of Marju, will only get better with time.

Open Eyre Resumes

Open Eyre makes his reappearance to racing this week when he goes around at Belmont Park on Wednesday.

A two year old gelding by Key Business from Ladieyre, Open Eyre has had just the one run when unplaced at Bunbury and pulling up shinsore. Since then, he's been spelled, put back into work and ran fourth in a trial at Belmont Park last week.

Trainer Paul Jordan suggests that the horse may need a run or two under his belt before he's ready top show his best.

Three City Wins for Baron Orczy

The "Baron of Belmont" continued on his merry way this afternoon when he brought up a hat trick of wins at Belmont Park this afternoon.

Jockey Willie Pike, who's obviously a star jockey in the making, had little choice from his wide barrier other than to go forward where he eventually lobbed in the breeze at the girth of the leader. He applied a bit of pressure to the lamplighter around the corner, and when The Baron had straightened and had found his balance, Willie went for home and asked him for the effort. The pair fought off the half hearted challenges and won by 3/4 lengths with a little bit in reserve had it been required.

There are better races in store for Baron Orczy now, but he still has to go up yet another notch and break into Open company before he's a better than even money chance of getting a run in the higher value races at the looming Ascot Summer Carnival.
Still, the flashy Rory's Jester chestnut who just loves attention, is giving all his owners much joy as he continues to race so successfully.