Famous Racehorse Owners - Win a Cox Plate DVD!

Right now, for marketing purposes, we're putting together a list of famous racehorse owners!

They can be famous historical figures, (dead or alive), celebrities, or even sporting personalities. As long as they're famous and it's known that they've owned racehorses, we want to add them to our list.

People such as HM The Queen, Sir Winston Churchill, Mickey Rooney, Bob Hawke, Alan Jones, Kevin Sheedy, Dennis Lillee, etc.

Just leave your list on the blog and we'll select one winner at random to receive a fabulous video of either the Cox Plate or the Melbourne Cup!

Please enter your selection in the comments section of this article.

- Peter Morley

Melbourne Cup Update - Only 8 Days to Go!

Latest Market:

- 4/1 Tawqeet
- 9/2 Yeats
- 13/2 Pop Rock
- 10/1 Delta Blues, Zipping
- 12/1 Dizelle, Our Smoking Joe
- 14/1 Railings , Activation
- 16/1 Geordieland, On A Jeune
- 25/1 Mandela,
- 33/1 and upwards others.

Our Smoking Joe put the writing on the wall for a great MC run when he finished a close up fifth in the Cox Plate on Saturday. It's clear that all Joe needs on Cup Day is a spit of rain, in fact the more the better for him, and he'll be right in the finish. Zipping redeemed himself for being beaten in the Caulfield Cup when he took out the Moonee Valley Cup on Saturday by a narrow margin.

Quite a few contenders will go around in the MacKinnon Stakes this Saturday including Cup outsiders Railings, Headturner, Sphenophyta, Growl, and Legs (NZ). Dizelle will go into the Cup without another run and trainer John Hawkes is reported to be very happy with her progress.

- Peter Morley

Latest Syndication - Impressive Akhenaton Colt in Perth

With ANOTHER prizemoney increase happening in Perth next Saturday, NOW is the time to own a racehorse in Perth! The normal Saturday city races are worth a MINIMUM of $45,000 as of Oct 21st, and with a further winning Westspeed bonus of $11,250, this should be an offer you should look at.

He's a stunning colt by Akhenaton from Foxy Tudor. An exceptionally strong looking 2yo, a cracker of a colt who's been given plenty of time to mature, he's a half brother to a stakes winning horse in Malaysia- the mare has had three to race for two winners.





There are 10 shares in this new syndicate priced at $2,997 each. He'll be trained at Ascot by Paul Jordan who has won over TWO MILLION DOLLARS in prizemoney for our clients! Brochures are available through the mail, or I can e-mail you one instantly if you send a request to peter@belhusracing.com.au.

- Peter Morley

Fields of Omagh Wins Second Cox Plate!

The grand old racehorse known as "Foo", considered past his best and having his final career start, treated racegoers Australia wide to one of the most famous wins in Cox Plate history at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

The nine-year-old veteran, a $19 chance, proved age shall not weary him when he stormed home late to grab a last stride nose win from El Segundo ($4) with a long head to Pompeii Ruler ($15). As the trio hit the line, no one was sure who won. It seemed everyone was hoping it was Fields of Omagh. When TAB No 2 for Fields of Omagh was flashed as the winner, the massive 35,000 plus crowd roared as one. Then they stood to cheer the old champion in the most fitting farewell to racing you could imagine.

Fields of Omagh gave all conquering trainer David Hayes the Caulfield Cup-Cox Plate double and his fourth Group 1 win of the season. "He put in this great lunge right on the line, his last great big effort and it got him there.''

Part owner Bryan Martin confirmed Fields of Omagh will now be retired to stud as the winner of 13 of his 45 career starts. "He's definitely retired, he's earned it,'' Martin said. "There's no better way for him to go out.'' He joins an elite band of gallopers to win two Cox Plates, and will now be retired to the new Living Legend Retirement property for former champion race horses at Greenvale just outside of Melbourne. The property, the brain child of Martin, will be home to Might and Power, Doriemus, Saintly, Rogan Josh, Better Loosen Up, Paris Lane and Sky Heights.

- Peter Morley

Tips on the Mark!

People pay fortunes for a tipping service and from my experience, most are no good. The Belhus tipping service however is free and provided as a service to the interested audience on our database.

Since starting the service we've had 6 winning weeks out of 7! This weeks best bet Daka's Gem won after we secured $4.20 and the best each way The One ran second showing a profit. Followers of "Pete's Black Book" on our website www.belhusracing.com.au had three bets on the weekend for two winners, Daka's Gem and Belle Pia!

- Peter Morley

Melbourne Cup Update 11 Days To Go

The big news today is that this morning, Cup equal favourite YEATS had his first serious gallop since being in Australia, and he came through it with flying colours. With race jockey Kieran Fallon on board, Yeats worked over 2400m and proved that not only was he holding fitness, but has taken no harm from his sojourn from the UK. I predict he'll start favourite in The Cup but there's a few yet to go around and we could see the market change some more before race day. The big one will be Our Smokin Joe if it's wet-and of course he goes around in the Cox Plate tomorrow...

Cox Plate Tomorrow

This years Cox Plate is a beauty and a race not to be missed by thoroughbred followers. It's too hard a puzzle for me to decipher so I'll just be a interested bystander. If I was forced to go for a selection though, I'd be looking towards the filly Miss Finland with a mere 46kg on her back as she's pitched in with the weight, and also track specialist Lad Of The Manor who's last start duck egg can be forgotten. He does have the class to win a race like this, and ran fifth in last years Cox Plate...

Pete's Best For The Weekend

BEST FAVOURITE; DAKA'S GEM PR6 No1. Racing third up from a spell, this talented galloper from the Alan Mathews stable should be ready to win. His two runs in have been very good and has won 11 races to date and over $300,000 in prizemoney so he's got a bit of class on his rivals.

BEST EACH WAY; THE ONE MR5 No2. Promising staying type of three year old by O'Reilly. Just getting warm last start in the Guineas and should be ideally suited here in the AAMI Vase with Greg Childs on top. I'd expect him to shorten for the VRC Derby after this race too....

BEST OUTSIDER;ACCUMULATE MR6 No10. Put your trust in Bart Cummings to get one ready for cup day. This one's drawn wide tomorrow but he hasn't been that far away at his latest starts and Bart could just throw his hat into the ring with this one in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup.

The death of Phar Lap - Australia's greatest sporting mystery - has finally been solved

It can now be revealed that scientific tests using breakthrough technology have uncovered evidence the legendary racehorse was poisoned with arsenic just hours before his 1932 death in the US. The startling revelation adds credence to the theory Phar Lap was killed on the orders of US gangsters, who feared the Melbourne Cup-winning champion would inflict big losses on their illegal bookmakers. Scientists used a US synchrotron, or particle accelerator, to unlock the 74-year-old riddle of Phar Lap's mysterious death. The proof lies in Phar Lap's hair.

A scientific report shows a large dose of arsenic was ingested by Big Red about 35 hours before his agonising death in California on April 5, 1932. "The arsenic in the hair structure is consistent with a single large dose of arsenic," the report says. The exact cause of his death was never proved, with suggestions ranging from the foul play theory to acute bacterial gastroenteritis.

But evidence of an arsenic overdose has been uncovered by scientists bombarding a strand of Phar Lap's hair with a beam of intense light. "We've made observations which could be explained by poison," Australian Synchrotron Research Program scientist Dr Ivan Kempson said. "We can't explain it by any other way."

Dr Kempson and Museum Victoria's Dermott Henry made the Phar Lap breakthrough by searching for minute traces of chemicals in the structure of Phar Lap's hair. Hair incorporates blood products and these can provide a timeline of exposure to toxins that can be unlocked using synchrotron technology. In 2000 the technology was used on six strands from a lock of Beethoven's hair to identify the cause of his illness and death - lead poisoning.

The latest CSI-style hunt to find what killed Phar Lap began in February last year when a sliver of hide was cut from his preserved skin. The 2mm square sample was cut from beneath the mane. A whole hair was then removed from the sample hide and analysed at a synchrotron outside Chicago in June last year and June this year. The tests revealed a high concentration of arsenic. "The arsenic in the hair structure is consistent with a single large dose of arsenic between one to two days prior to death," the scientists' report says.

The arsenic stretched about 900 microns along the hair from the root bulb, with a potentially deadly concentration found between 450 microns and 500 microns. Assuming a growth rate of 1cm a month, the scientists estimated Phar Lap was poisoned 35 hours before he died. Tests on two more hairs produced the same results. The behaviour of arsenic in the hair strand was also consistent with results from a test on the hair of a pig that had been poisoned with arsenic.

There have been many theories on what caused the giant five-year-old's agonising death, including accidental poisoning from lead insecticide. But many, including Tommy Woodcock - Phar Lap's devoted strapper - remained adamant the champ had been murdered by US racing and crime interests who feared an unbeatable outsider. It seems that he may have been right...

Melbourne Cup Update - 15 Days to Go!

We have a NEW FAVOURITE for the Melbourne Cup!

The English import TAWQEET followed up on his win in the Metropolitan Hcp last month with victory in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup on Saturday. The Cup was vitally important as a lead up to the big two miler at Flemington, and there were both positive and negative outcomes from it's running.

But let's look at the revised TAB short market first:

5/1 TAWQEET
11/2 YEATS
7/1 POP ROCK
9/1 DELTA BLUES
10/1 ON A JEUNE
14/1 DIZELLE, RAILINGS, ACTIVATION
20/1 ZIPPING, OUR SMOKING JOE

TAWQEET is now a deserved favourite based on those two latest wins. YEATS has shortened since he arrived safely from the UK and he is the European Champion stayer.

The Japanese pair of POP ROCK and DELTA BLUES impressed on Saturday and they're looming as huge chances in the cup. The Caulfield Cup was full of promising MC performances and there were none better than DIZELLE who was just starting to get warmed up at the end of the 2400m.

ACTIVATION was a good run and so was OUR SMOKING JOE who is still looking for the heavens to open up. ZIPPING fell out of favour a bit with a lacklustre performance, and ON A JEUNE goes around in the Geelong Cup tomorrow-the race that he won this time last year..

Cox Plate this Saturday

One of the best races you'll ever see is the WS Cox Plate run in the fabulous arena style setting of Moonee Valley racecourse.

It's a top field that's been assembled-not a vintage field, but nevertheless one that'll have you glued to the screen or cheering your head off as they come around that tight home corner if you're lucky enough to be going along!

Whilst my early tip is the three year old filly Miss Finland (pictured) who'll fly with only 46kg on her back, we'll look more closely at the race on FRIDAY...

Tawqeet takes out Caulfield Cup

Trainer David Hayes won the second Caulfield Cup of his career when Tawqeet took out the $2.5 million Group One race this afternoon.

Tawqeet ($19) enjoyed a rails-hugging ride under jockey Dwayne Dunn and flew down the final straight of the 2,400-metre race to score from the Gai Waterhouse-trained Aqua D'Amore ($24) and long shot Delta Blues ($133).

With 300 metres left in the race Waterhouse would have been confident of securing her first major Spring race with Aqua D'Amore enjoying a commanding lead, but Dunne managed to sneak Tawqeet in between the leader and Our Smoking Joe and bolt home to score by half a length.

The five-year old will now shoot to the top of Melbourne Cup betting after his dominant run in the traditional lead-up race to the 3,200 metres handicap at Flemington.

Hayes, who won the race in 1993 with Fraar and expected Growl to be his best chance at a win today, said Tawqeet had been aimed at the Melbourne Cup and had plenty of improvement left in him before the big race on November 7.

"I thought he was probably number two [behind Growl], I didn't think Caulfield would quite be his track," he told ABC Grandstand.

"He's been set for the Melbourne Cup but it's a fantastic lead-up race to win.

"He's got what it takes and he can quicken at the vital part of the race and he races inside horses, outside horses.

"He's only going to be better for the Cup, he's big and round and got plenty of improvement left in him."

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200610/s1770390.htm

Melbourne Cup Countdown - 18 Days to Go!

The Caulfield Cup is one of Australia's BIG 3 Spring races in Melbourne, and the BIG lead up race to the Melbourne Cup.
This years running, as usual, is wide open with more than a dozen chances. It's more a viewing spectacle than a sound betting event, so whatever you do, don't miss tomorrow's running!
With the exception of current Melbourne Cup favourite YEATS, most of the other fancied runners in the MC are going around tomorrow. Apart from the obvious chances, I like that Japanese entrant POP ROCK, and also look for improvement from RAILINGS and HEADTURNER, and don't forget to look for my old mate DIZELLE finishing off the race well as a good pointer to the first Tuesday in November...

Watch Paul Harvey at Caulfield

Champion WA hoop Paul Harvey rides at Caulfield tomorrow and should be followed by punters seeking a winner. Paul's there specifically to ride EGOMANIAC, a horse whose ownership is managed by his wife Janelle, and is trained by his good friend Trevor Andrews.

Egomaniac makes his Melbourne debut on Saturday in the Norman Robinson Stakes and with the benefit of two recent wins over 2000m+ in Perth, he's in with a great chance of winning. Current VRC Derby favourite, the unusually named Ankh Morpok will be hard to beat, but Andrews is a top trainer and it wouldn't suprise me at all if EGOMANIAC were to win tomorrow and go on to win the VRC Derby too. The report from Trev, speaking this morning on Racing Radio, is all good with the horse.

Paul will also team up with two other West Aussies racing at Caulfield in BELLE BIZARRE and CAT'S FUN.

Both could be handy each way bets.

Akhenaton 2yo Gelding

With ANOTHER prizemoney increase happening in Perth next Saturday, NOW is the time to own a racehorse in PERTH! The normal Saturday city races are worth a MINIMUM of $45,000 as of Oct 21st, and with a further winning Westspeed bonus of $11,250, this should be an offer you should look at.

He's a stunning colt by Akhenaton from Foxy Tudor. An exceptionally strong looking 2yo, a cracker of a colt who's been given plenty of time to mature, he's a half brother to a stakes winning horse in Malaysia- the mare has had three to race for two winners.

There are 20 shares in this new syndicate priced at $2,997 each. He'll be trained at Ascot by Paul Jordan who has won over $2,000,000 in prizemoney for our clients!

Brochures are available through the mail, or I can e-mail you one instantly if you send a request to peter@belhusracing.com.au.

Saturday's Best Bets

BEST EACH WAY 1: BARON ORCZY PR6 No2.
Our very own BARON ORCZY is poised to bounce back to the winners circle when racing returns to Ascot tomorrow.
His work can't be faulted since he last raced and his home track should suit him down to the ground. Willie Pike resumes on The Baron and he has a 3 from 3 winning record on him!
I am worried about our black booker Dee Picked, but it'll have to be right on his mark to beat the Baron!


BEST EACH WAY 2: EGOMANIAC MR4 No4.

Trainer Trevor Andrews and co aren't in Melbourne for their annual holidays. They mean business which means we should all get on EGOMANIAC (pictured here winning at Belmont) in The Norman Robinson Stakes. You'll get a great run for your money.

Belhus Racing Stable Update

Hi Everyone, we have four runners this week, one on Thursday, two on Saturday and the other on Sunday! Interestingly, they're racing in three different states!

EVERT steps out in race 6 at Northam on Thursday at what will be her first start in this preparation. She's had the benefit of two recent trials which has her looking quite fit for the 1400m. Her trackwork last Friday and Tuesday morning was hard to fault and we're looking forward to seeing her run. There's a couple in there that might be hard to get by first up, but I'm sure she'll run a forward race at decent odds! Steven Parnham will ride.

BARON ORCZY has his second run this preparation and his first ever at Ascot as he steps out in a 3MW (restricted to horses that have won 3 or less Saturday races) race over 1100m. He's drawn very wide in barrier 15 at the weights stage, but may come in a few with scratchings and Willie Pike will jump back on board after missing the ride last start through suspension. All's well with the Baron though and he'll improve 6 lengths on his last effort. This will be his stiffest task to date but we're confident he'll be good enough.

MAGNETIC BAY goes around on his home track at the Gold Coast on Saturday in a 1600m event which should be right up his alley. All the reports are that he's crying out for more ground, so he'll certainly get that here and should be one of the hardest to beat. Chris Whitely who won on him previously is being chased for the ride and I'll confirm with the owners when we know for sure who's on top. Magnetic Bay's work is very good and trainer Dale Sutton expects him to show up.

Dale also has ANABAA STAR going around from his Victorian stables, and she's another first up runner for us. She'll be going to Seymour on Sunday. She too has trialled twice prior to running and with the addition of blinkers to her gear, she'll be sent forward in an attempt to lead. Dale describes her as a timid horse who may be better suited out in front rather than being surrounded by other horses. Her work is excellent although I'd rather see what she does at the races before declaring her as a bet. Mark Pegus will take the ride.

NECTAREIGN trailled at Randwick on Tuesday and ran just behind the placegetters in fourth place after being slow away and forced to race wide. He needed the run though and trainer Gai Waterhouse will trial him again, as she normally does, in 10-14 days time.

RED GEISHA is working well since her first up run last week and is programmed in to run at Ballarat next Friday. The trainer told me "she'll walk in" which I hope means she'll win easy, and all being well she can go to Flemington on Cup Day for a 1400m fillies race after that.

DANISH SEA was entered for two races this weekend but has drawn wide for both. We'll save her for another day. She's holding her form and looked in top order for trainer Paul Jordan at Ascot trackwork on Tuesday morning. Paul had quite a few others there too on Tuesday including SWISS WATCH who'll be entered for a race next week, OPEN EYRE, FIRE FROM ICE and MEXICAN MIST who have all just returned to the stables after spelling well. The galloping grey. Mexican Mist in particular looked a million dollars after a lengthy spell, and he went around two laps quiet with his head on his chest. ENCIPHER did a bit of evens and is looking strong and shaping up nicely. He'll trial in two and half weeks time. GIRL IN A STORM and ASCOLTA are in light work and HARRASSER returns to trainer John Price's Ascot stables this weekend. The other two greys in Perth, the Kenvain filly and Verglas colt have both just started pre training during the last week.

In the east again and JAKE THE MUSK has returned to trainer Guy Walter's stables after a period of pre training. The reports are all good on him and the track rider there said he felt very powerful under saddle and predicts that he'll "really gallop". MAKE SOME NOISE is at the same place where Jake was and will start pre training in the next week. Also just starting in light work is ZABRINSKI, who has spelled well. The SUCCESS EXPRESS (who has just been gelded) and ROYAL ACADEMY 2yo's with Gai are doing well and coming along as expected. RED HOT FOX is due back next week after completing a 6 week spell.

ARRANBRAE has had a setback with an an infection that he's picked up and he has been out of work for a week and a half. He's at the vets as we speak and we're keeping our fingers crossed with him.

All the spellers are doing fine. We had our big AKHENATON colt gelded on our property this week, and he's recovering as nicely as one could expect.

- Peter Morley

Racing Returns To Ascot!

Just a reminder for our WA clients that racing returns to ASCOT this Saturday for another exciting season. Racegoers will see many improvements and the track looks sensational. Stewards have told me that it'll be officially rated as GOOD on Saturday.

- Peter Morley

Traditional Odds Or Metric? What Do You Prefer?

Since I started doing the Belhus Racing Blog, I've been quoting odds in my favoured traditional style, for example 6/4, 3/1, 50/1 etc. Now that's created a bit of a storm with emails, telephone calls and even one bloke getting right up me at the races! Australia went decimal in 1966, but the traditional odds traded on the racecourse stayed around until a couple of years ago - but I still use them!

Now I know it's the way things are nowadays, but as an ex bookie myself, I just reckon that sometimes, the old ways are the best. There's just something very different about a bookie shouting "$2.75", instead of "7/4 this favourite", (if you're lucky enough to hear a bookie shouting his odds nowadays"!).

There's no doubt the language of the racecourse is all but disappearing. The "grand" of course is still around in today's language, but gone are the "monkeys", "ponies" and "Archie mores". And instead of "even stevens", "levels ya devils" and "yours for mine", all we get today is a very sterile "$2.00".

So, let me know which you prefer. Do you want the odds as they were, or would you prefer the new fangled decimal odds as quoted in newspapers, TAB's, etc...

- Peter Morley

Melbourne Cup Update - 22 Days To Go!

Things are starting to get really serious now as the 90 horses left in the Cup start to sort themselves out with a view to a Cup start. Remember that with 24 runners in the final field, 66 will miss out! THE CAULFIELD CUP will be run this Saturday and the picture will be much clearer afterwards. Trainer John Hawkes holds a strong hand with HEADTURNER, RAILINGS and DIZELLE all strong chances. MC fancy ZIPPING needs to get a run at Caulfield and that decision will be made by the VRC handicapper tomorrow. Perhaps the best lead for the Caulfield Cup came yesterday from Champion hoop Damian Oliver. Here's the report from Mike Hedge.

Damien Oliver sorted out one of the mysteries that surrounds the record contingent of international horses in Melbourne this spring when he piloted his intended Caulfield Cup mount Pop Rock for the first time on Sunday. The former champion jockey worked the Japanese galloper over 1200m at Sandown with his stablemate, Caulfield Cup top weight Delta Blues, and came away confident he was on the better prospect.

On a day when the international challenge got moving, Oliver and Pop Rock gave Delta Blues a couple of lengths start and the jockey said he had the other horse's measure on the line. "I thought my horse had the other one covered on the line, I'm pretty happy with him," Oliver said. Oliver is looking for a record-equalling fifth Caulfield Cup and he believes Pop Rock is the horse that can get him level with riding legend Scobie Breasley.

As well as being impressed with Pop Rock as an individual, Oliver believes his form entitles him to be an outstanding chance in the Caulfield Cup. "He's a horse that's really on the rise," Oliver said. "I expected him to be a high-class horse and he gave me that sort of a feel today."

Pop Rock has won his past four starts in Japan, something Oliver said was testimony to his quality. Oliver, who has ridden extensively in Japan, said a horse had to be special to rise through the grades in the way Pop Rock has. "It's very difficult for a horse in Japan to keep stepping up in grade," he said. "Because the races are all set weights, they go up in class and stay up in the weights."

As good as his form may be and as fit as he is, Pop Rock has one major problem: he isn't in the field for next Saturday's race. After Saturday's Caulfield meeting, Pop Rock is one of three horses who are equal 18th in the order of entry into the 18-horse field. But it is likely that Grand Zulu, who is above him on the list, will not be there which could mean the Melbourne Racing Club committee will have to use its discretion to determine which horse takes the final place in the field.

One of the others in equal 18th place is English stayer Land 'N Stars who today had his race jockey Nick Ryan in the saddle for the first time. Land 'N Stars worked with Geordieland over 1600m and left Ryan with a good impression. "He has the feel of a very strong stayer," Ryan said."His work was good and he pulled up very well after it, I couldn't be happier."

Geordieland also worked well, carrying several kilos more than his compatriot and shading him at the end of the gallop. It was also his most testing piece of work since he arrived in Melbourne almost two weeks ago. Geordieland is being reserved for the Melbourne Cup, as is Wunderwood who continued his preparation today with slow pacework.

The Godolphin entrant Imperial Stride also had a light workout on Sunday morning and is expected to do something more serious when race jockey Kerrin McEvoy partners him in a gallop on Tuesday.

The Market

8/1 YEATS, (Europe's Champion stayer-could be shorter if he arrives safely tomorrow)

9/1 TAWQEET

10/1 HEADTURNER, SPHENOPHYTA

11/1 RAILINGS, OUR SMOKING JOE (could be favourite if it's wet on the day), ZIPPING

14/1 ON A JEUNE (runner up last year), ACTIVATION

16/1 GEORDIELAND. IMPERIAL STRIDE

20/1 SERENADE ROSE

25/1 POP ROCK (Japan), PENTANE (NZ'er)

30/1 DIZELLE (STILL MY SELECTION), WUNDERWOOD

40/1 ACCUMULATE, DELTA BLUES, JAGGER, GLISTENING, ICE CHARIOT

50/1 DRACS BACK, GRAND ZULU, THE VRC DERBY WINNER (if they decide to run)

UPWARDS OTHERS

Latest Sydication - Impressive Akhenaton Colt In Perth

With ANOTHER prizemoney increase happening in this Saturday, NOW is the time to own a racehorse in PERTH! The normal Saturday city races are worth a MINIMUM of $45,000 now, and with a further winning Westspeed bonus of $11,250, this should be an offer you should look at. He's a stunning colt by Akhenaton from Foxy Tudor. An exceptionally strong looking 2yo, a cracker of a colt who's been given plenty of time to mature, he's a half brother to a stakes winner in Malaysia-the mare having had three to race for two winners. There are 20 shares in this new syndicate priced at $2,997 each. He'll be trained at Ascot by Paul Jordan who has won over TWO MILLION DOLLARS in prizemoney for our clients! Brochures are available through the mail, or I can e-mail you one straight away if you send a request to peter@belhusracing.com.au.

Winform Professional Punting Seminars and Free Racing Magazine

If you're interested in WINNING MORE with your betting, then you must attend one of Garry Robinsons Better Punting Seminars which are happening right now at venues all around the nation.

The Winform Professional Punting Seminars provide the ideal pro active approach to punting which caters for all levels of bettors who are keen to win more from the races. Pro punter Garry Robinson will present topics including, "Introduction to Professional Punting", Winning and Losing Streaks", How to Find Winners", "Risk Free Sports Betting", and much more! Plus he always allows plenty of time for an extensive questions and answers session.

Each seminar will will run on a Sunday afternoon between 1pm - 6pm. Brisbane was yesterday so that's gone, It's over to Sydney next Sunday (Oct 22nd), down to Melbourne (Oct 29th), then on to Perth (12th Nov) and finally in Adelaide (19th Nov).

The cost to attend is $149 and you can reserve your place by calling (02) 4950 1747 or click on www.horseracingaustralia.info/Bookshop.

All attendees also receive a 12 month subscription to Garry's "Horse Racing Australia" quarterly magazine.

For a FREE COPY of "Horse Racing Australia" (which will be mailed directly to you), simply click here.

Get On Miss Finland This Wednesday...

MISS FINLAND was a certainty beat last start and she'll be out to make amends in the prestigious Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield on Wednesday.

The flying filly has won five of her nine career starts including the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes where she came from well back to win running away. She then stepped straight up to the Group 1 Champagne Stakes and finished runner-up behind Mentality.

After a spell she beat Haradasun in the McNeil before toughing out a neck win over stablemate Anamato in the Tranquil Star. At her last start in the Edward Manifold Stakes, Craig Williams took her to the front but said she worked hard within herself as she went out to a big lead throughout the race and although battled on well was run down late.

The filly has raced at Caulfield three times and her only defeat was when runner-up in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes as a juvenile after being slowly away on the wet track.

Champion trainer David Hayes wasn't fazed by her outside draw (9 out of 11) today, commenting "She’s perfect this morning and is the one they have to beat-take the short price on her.”

Melbourne Cup Countdown - 25 Days To Go + Free $100 Bet!

This year sees the strongest contingent yet of overseas horses travelling down under for a tilt at our $5.1 Million, two mile handicap.

When second declarations were taken for the Cup earlier this week, 90 horses (including 11 internationals) remained in contention. With the exception of the third favourite YEATS who we pretty much know all about, the rest require a bit more research. So, bearing in mind that all are quoted at very generous odds by the satchel swingers, once again in an effort to make you the "racing oracle" around the water cooler, here's a brief rundown on some of the other internationals that can potentially make up 40% of the Cup field!

Delta Blues and Pop Rock-Japan. Highly rated Japanese stayers who have been working the place down at Sandown over the last fortnight. Delta Blues who has won over 3000m and 3600m, has won over $4.75million in prizemoney and is rated a higher than Pop Rock, although Pop Rock has won six of his eighteen races and at his last start beat Eye Popper back in May. Remember that Eye Popper ran a close second in the Caulfield Cup last year, so don't let these two get under your guard!

Geordieland-England. Nice English stayer who has won 5 and placed 9 times from 25 starts. Last ran when 4th in the Ebor Hcp (2800m) at York,and before that ran second to Yeats over 3200m at Goodwood. Is a Group 2 winner in France over 2400m-not as well performed as Yeats but does meet him on better weight terms in the Cup.
Glistening-England. Has run second over 2400m at Ascot in June and July, and then came out and finished runner up in one of England's strongest staying races,the Ebor Hcp (2800m) at York. Definite chance.

Imperial Stride-England. 5yo gelding owned by Godolphin Stables, this top horse has won his last five starts in row! However, he could be a bit sus at the distance in the Melbourne Cup and may be a better Caulfield Cup prospect...

Land 'n Stars-England. Winner of 5 of his 25 starts on the flat, he'll be ridden in the Cup by Nick Ryan. Led all the way when a winner over two miles a couple of starts ago and has also won over 2400m in Dubai. Although beaten in a track gallop by the Japanese pair earlier this week, he's not fully wound up yet and should be considered.

Soulacroix-England. Purchased by Australian interests, he's a moderate performer who still has plenty to do to even get into the Cup field. It's wait and see with him and he'll probably go via the Geelong Cup to make his mark...

Wunderworld-England. Good stayer and winner of the Duke Of Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot two years ago. Winner at 2 of his last 3 starts, the latest over 2800m at Salisbury. Should get the distance and is trained by David Elsworth who has twice run third in the Cup with the evergreen stayer Persian Punch.

SPORTINGBET have a very interesting novelty bet available on the Cup. They're betting on the ORIGIN of the winner!

Here's the market;
Australia 1.70
New Zealand 2.70
Europe 5.50
Americas 8.50
Asia 26.00

To open a Sportingbet account (where you get best odds all the time), click on this link, http://www.sportingbet.com.au/partners.asp?btag=a_181, and you'll even get a FREE ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR BET if you open a new account with a minimum deposit of $30....

Red Geisha - Phenomenal First Up Run!

Our three year old filly in Victoria, RED GEISHA produced an amazing effort at Pakenham on Monday - one that had to be seen to be believed! Making her raceday debut, she stunned everyone by producing a whirlwind finish to come from last on the home turn to run second-just a head from the winner. Her sectionals must have been awesome, and she showed an amazing turn of foot to flash home as she did. Now obviously we know it was only a provincial maiden, but I haven't seen a run like that for many a year! She's DEFINITELY going in the BLACK BOOK as one to follow!

New 20 Share Syndicate!

With ANOTHER prizemoney increase happening in Perth next Saturday, NOW is the time to own a racehorse in PERTH! The normal Saturday city races are worth a MINIMUM of $45,000 as of Oct 21st, and with a further winning Westspeed bonus of $11,250, this should be an offer you should look at. He's a stunning colt by Akhenaton from Foxy Tudor. An exceptionally strong looking 2yo, a cracker of a colt who's been given plenty of time to mature, he's a half brother to a stakes winning horse in Malaysia- the mare has had three to race for two winners. There are 20 shares in this new syndicate priced at $2,997 each. He'll be trained at Ascot by Paul Jordan who has won over $2,000,000 in prizemoney for our clients! Brochures are available through the mail, or I can e-mail you one instantly if you send a request to peter@belhusracing.com.au.

The Weekends Best Bets

BEST FAVOURITE:CHARLIE BEAU Perth R9 No 7.
Bolted in last start breaking 34 for the last 600m-and this is no harder. Top jock, good barrier, right distance and should win.

BEST EACH WAY:TANGO FIRE Melb R3 No7.
Trained by Gai Waterhouse, this talented filly has had two wins from three starts. Gai has taken her to Melbourne so she must have a big opinion of her. Had the one run Melbourne way so will be better off now and does meet a few much better off at the weights here. On pacer with Chris Munce in the saddle-she's at each way odds..

BEST OUTSIDER: None.

- Peter Morley

Racing Stables Update

Hi Everyone, there are three of our stable runners entered at Belmont Park today and all appear to have solid chances. Swiss Watch kicks us off in race 2, a 3yo colts and geldings race over 1000m. With two second placings from as many starts, he should again give his lucky owners a good run for their money.

His recent work is good leading into this race and he's also drawn pretty well at the barriers in number 5 which should enable him to race up on the pace again which is where he seems to like it.. There is a late riding change as jockey Paul King was injured at trackwork yesterday morning and will be replaced by Brad Parnham.

Baron Orczy makes his comeback to racing in race 3, a 1000m class 6 event. He's drawn awkwardly in barrier 7 but with the experience of Jason Whiting, he should be able to keep out of trouble and be a chance in the finish. Only a lack of fitness will stop him winning as most of his opponents today have runs under their belt whereas he doesn't. His class should pull him through though.

Danish Sea goes around in race 5 today. After some close up finishes at her last 4 starts all in the city, she's drawn to win here starting from barrier 1, and with apprentice Jess Hill's claim, she'll carry just 51.5kg. Her work is good and although it's a more than handy midweek field, she appears to be our best winning chance for the afternoon.

Red Wine again goes to Northam tomorrow in an attempt to break through for a long overdue win. He's becoming a bit frustrating although if you haven't quite worked it out yet, frustration is a BIG part of racing! Troy Turner climbs into the pigskin again and following a top gallop last Friday morning, and given normal luck in running, the pair should be hard to beat despite once again drawing a wide barrier.

Anabaa Star was entered for a race in Victoria today but has been scratched for no other reason than the wide barrier. I just don't want to chance her getting caught wide and having a tough run first up. Better waiting for another day with her. There's plenty of races in the next week or so.

Having said that, she's going particularly well in her trackwork, and in the opinion of trainer Dale Sutton, going better than Red Geisha who made her racetrack debut when she went to Pakenham on Monday. Although she ran second beaten a head, the run had to be seen to be believed as she thundered home down the outside after being second last on the turn and last at the 150m. It was a phenomenal effort and a real "be on me next time" run. She's pulled up fine from the run and will have one more provincial start before being tried in the city-hopefully at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day!

Evert went to the trials on Monday and after losing six lengths coming out of the barrier, she ran on to finish fifth to the unbeaten Real Mak. With two trial runs now under her belt, she's read to go to the races and I'm sure she'll be hard to beat first up in the right race. It'll more than likely be Northam next Thursday.

Magnetic Bay was a shade unlucky when unplaced at the Gold Coast on Saturday. If not for receiving interference, he would surely have finished second-although no match for the winner who won by six lengths. We'll up the distance of Magnetic Bay's races now and enter him for a 1600m race back at the Gold Coast on Saturday week.

Nectareign is flying in his work at Randwick and will trial next week.

Girl In A Storm and Open Eyre return from spells this week as do our unraced and unnamed Kenvain and Verglas two year olds. All are well.

All the others coming through their programme are fine. All the spellers are well.

Melbourne Cup Countdown - 29 Days to Go!

The weekend's racing saw a new Melbourne Cup favourite installed after Tawqeet put in a blinder of a performance to take out the Metropolitan Handicap in Sydney on Saturday. It's now the new 7/1 favourite for the big 2 mile event run on the first Tuesday in November. Headturner and Railings put in moderate efforts and slipped a fraction in the betting, with Spenophyta firming into equal second favourite after winning the Turnbull stakes.

Now just so that you can all go to the pub or sit around the lunch table at the office and sound like you know what you're talking about, here's how I see the Cup at this stage (in Market order up to 20/1)...

Tawqeet 7/1.
English handicapper now trained permanently in Oz by David Hayes. Should get the distance easily and a deserved favourite at this stage although I'm not a big wrap on the Metropolitan as a form guide. 1kg penalty for winning on Saturday too...

Headturner 8/1.
Keeps promising to show something but his heads on the chopping block now. The short odds are based on promise and apart from winning the Derby as a three year old, has to step up. He's under the odds for me..

Sphenophyta 8/1.
Won big time on him on Saturday when he was my best bet for the day, but the Flemington two miler may be a bit different. I'd rather be backing him in the Caulfield Cup...

Yeats 9/1.
Best stayer in Europe but still to get here and an obvious risk. He'll run first up in Australia in the Cup so I'll let him run without me.

Activation 11/1.
Good run when second in the Metropolitan, but not one of my favourites.

Our Smoking Joe 11/1.
If it's wet on the big day-YES. If it's not-NO.

Railings 11/1.
Need to do more to get me in. Another one a bit short in the market going on promise.

Zipping 12/1.
He's the BIG CHANCE and the one you should be on now. A proven stayer and a super run when flashing home on Saturday.

On A Jeune 14/1.
Second last year and a one paced stayer who may have had his chance. Finished a close up fifth on Saturday in an average race and he'll be finishing the race off over two mile though..

Serenade Rose 16/1.
Good run to dead heat for third in the Turnbull. A quality galloper who's raced without luck recently but she's always a chance in anything she contests.

Further out in the market is Pop Rock at 25/1 who has won his last four starts in Japan over staying journeys which includes a last start win over Eye Popper who we saw here last year. My old mate Dizelle is at 40/1, and I've backed her to win Karen a big fat juicy diamond! So for me as of today, it's Zipping and Dizelle..

- Peter Morley

Your tips for the BMW Caulfield Cup

As per the Belhus Racing Newsletter, this is your chance to place your tips on the BMW Caulfield Cup. To post your winner, just click on the comments button beneath this article and tell us who you think can win the BMW Caulfield Cup!

Gai's Back

At the beginning of this racing season, did you hear all the whispers about Gai not producing winners the same as she should be doing? They were right of course, but it was just the lull before the storm, as Gai and Robbie holidayed in Europe and the stable staff were preparing for the Spring.

The stable sure has bounced back over the last few weeks with Gai landing a Group 2 double with Desert War in The Hill Stakes and Cheeky Choice in the Tea Rose Stakes a fortnight ago. On Saturday, she was to the fore again winning THREE Stakes races including the G1 Flight Stakes with Cheeky Choice, and the G3 double of The Shorts with Bentley Biscuit and the Craven Plate with Cateclipse. Amazingly, Gai has won the Flight Stakes for the last three years now with Cheeky Choice following on from Lotteria and Fashions Afield who won in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

Bentley Biscuit, (pictured above) has been a great money spinner for his owners, bagging 9 wins and 2 places from just 12 starts, amassing over $500,000 in prizemoney along the way! There's doubtless plenty winners more to come, so keep following the Randwick stable as they're a monty to keep churning out the winners over the next month or so.

- Peter Morley

Baron Orczy Returns

Our Rory's Jester four year old Baron Orczy (pictured with part owners Geoff and Kathy Baldwin) makes his return to racing this week when he resumes in race at Belmont Park on Wednesday.
Although trainer John Price has been impressed by The Baron's track work, he does caution that the majority of the opposition will have the edge in race fitness on him. Will The Baron have the class to win first up whilst obviously not being 100% fit? Well, as a winner of his last three starts, we certainly hope so, but of course we won't know until Wednesday afternoon.

Whatever happens though, he's sure to be improved by the run and will strip much fitter for the more important races when the Ascot season begins on October 21st...

- Peter Morley

Pete's Black Book

One of the best runs from Saturdays racing at Belmont Park came from trainer Alan Mathews' gelding Daka's Gem. Starting first up in an unsuitable 1200m sprint-and with the steadier of 57kg, the gelding was a conspicuous last approaching the home turn, but rattled off the fastest 600m sectional for the race to finish right on the heels of the placegetters-just over 2 lengths from the winner. A versatile galloper who has won 11 races from 1100m to 2200m, and over $300,000 in prizemoney, he's definitely one to follow when he gets up to 1600m or thereabouts.
Also from the weekend's racing, I thought at Belmont the win of Bella Pia was special, and Dee Picked was a certainty beat after getting a torrid run throughout. At Flemington, Miss Finland got beat but only because she got a kick in the ribs coming out of the gates and fired up racing to an eight length lead. She'll win the Thousand Guineas on her ear if she draws well. Dizelle came from last to get us again and run fourth in the Metrop. She'll win when no one's on her and along with Zipping who thundered home in the Turnbull Stakes, she's my Melbourne Cup horse. Sphenophyta showed courage to lead around the corner and fight off all challenges up the long Flemington straight. He was our best bet for the weekend, so I hope you followed my tip and got the $5.50!

- Peter Morley

Just 1 Share in Eternity Range Filly

Trainer John Price was all smiles at Belmont Park on Saturday when he trained Local Legend to win the Birthday Quality Stakes. John is ALWAYS in the top ten trainers in Perth every season, and is well know as one of the most likeable trainers in the business.

I've asked him to train our up and coming two year old chestnut filly by Eternity Range from Sky Chant. Just ONE SHARE now remains so if you're looking to get into a nice horse with residual breeding value too, for practically no money at all, then email today and I'll send you the brochure straight away. $2,475.
She's too cheap really...

- Peter Morley

Top Racing Website

In my quest to find you more winners and make racing even more interesting for you, I'd like to recommend the ozhorseracing website. Click on the logo to get the latest racing/breeding news from Australia and New Zealand etc, plus daily formguides, track conditions, feature articles and a large range of racing and breeding products/services . My good friend Paul Giardullo does an excellent job with this site and it's very worthy of a visit and a bookmark!

Racing Victoria Places Ban on Betting to Lose

The Board of Racing Victoria Limited has made new local rules to protect the integrity of Victorian thoroughbred racing. These rules will apply to our syndicate and partnership owners. Under these rules, which apply in Victoria and have immediate effect, trainers, owners and other persons who have access to horses are prevented from backing their horses to lose.

The new local rules are set out in full below.

LR 66A
(1) A trainer must not lay any horse under his care, control or supervision.

(2) Any person employed by a trainer in connection with the training or care of racehorses must not lay a horse under the control of the trainer for whom he is or was employed, whilst so employed and for a period of 21 days after ceasing to be so.

(3) A nominator* must not lay any horse that is or may be entered by him or on his behalf, provided that a bookmaker may lay a horse in accordance with their licence.

(4) A rider’s agent must not lay any horse to be ridden by a rider he is agent for.

(5) Any person who has provided a service or services connected with the keeping, training or racing of a horse must not, within 21 days of having last done so, lay any such horse.

LR 66B
In circumstances where it is an offence for a person to lay a horse under LR 66A, it shall also be an offence for that person to:

(a) have a horse laid on their behalf; or

(b) receive any monies or other valuable consideration in any way connected with the laying of the horse by another person.

LR 66C
For the purposes of LR 66A and 66B, “lay” means the placing of a bet, whether directly or indirectly, on a horse to lose a race.

* Under the Rules of Racing, a “nominator” means any owner of a horse or, if the horse is leased, any lessee of the horse, and includes syndicate members. Please note that in Western Australia, betting on exchanges is totally prohibited.

Muriel

Hi Everyone, today is a very sad day for us as we've just learnt of the passing of one of our favourite clients (and indeed close friend), Muriel O'Conner. Many of our Perth clients would have known or at least seen Muriel around the place. I remember that she was the only respondent from a television advertising I once ran on Channel 10 a number of years ago. A widow who lived in Mundaring, she shared her life with a cat, a shaggy dog called Milligan, and any number of brightly coloured budgies. She raced quite a few horses with us including Static Zap (3 wins), Polish Pleasure (5 wins), Ebony Royal (1 win), Hot Shot Brother (6 wins)and more recently Fire From Ice (4 wins) and Evert. Every horse except Evert (who's still going) that Muriel raced with us was a winner. She proudly said that some of the best times of her life have been as the proud part owner of Hot Shot Brother as he went on his winning way. Muriel also introduced Joan Ridley to us who is still a client to this day...

So, allow me to ramble a bit.....

Muriel was born and raised in England, and during WW2 worked at the famous Bletchley Park. This was the place where the allies deciphered the codes that the German forces were using to communicate-a factor many claim was not only instrumental in winning the war, but it was THE decisive element that turned the tide against the gathering German momentum. She told fascinating stories of her time there as a WREN, and served her country proud. Her role as a wife took her to Africa where she lived for many years before moving to Australia. Her husband died young and she lived alone for the rest of her life, showing an interest in writing, (she even wrote plays), enjoying her garden and her racehorses, until moving into a retirement nursing unit late last year. Just weeks ago, Karen and I again visited her in hospital (she fell and hurt her leg a few months ago) and gave her a small "painted pony" as a gift to cheer her up.

One of the funniest stories that I can relate to you about Muriel is about the time when she was previously in hospital, and she wrote me a letter (one of many) whilst obviously under the influence of mind changing medication. She wrote how she had a premonition that she was going to die (this was 5 years ago so her timing was a bit out) and she wanted to tidy her affairs up. She told me who she wanted to have what in her will, and at the bottom of the page it read.."and finally Peter, I'd like you to have thirty...." and that's where it ended and she went on to a new page. I hesitated as I turned the page thinking "I know I've been nice to her but this is ridiculous". Could it be thirty thousand, thirty million-perhaps? Was she one of these old dowagers that were worth fortunes but didn't openly show it? My eyes bulged as I started to read the next page and my jaw dropped when it read "..budgies"!

THIRTY BUDGIES! So, the bottom line is, Karen and I have lost a good friend, we've got a funeral to attend, I've got a share in Fire From Ice and Evert to sell, and I've got thirty budgies to find a new home for! Muriel's funeral will be held next Thursday at the Mundaring cemetery, where she'll be buried next to her husband Pat, with photos of her winning horses and a very special golden horseshoe that we're having made up. I'll make sure that she's remembered not just as an unassuming old lady, but as a war hero, a loyal wife, an author, and a very successful racehorse owner....

- Peter Morley

Melbourne Cup Countdown-31 Days To Go!

This Saturday sees quite a few cup contenders going around and the pre post market will no doubt be changed one way or another.

It's about time for both the favourite and second favourite Headturner and Railings to start making more of an impression. I know they're being trained for a two mile race, but to retain their position at the head of the market, both must impress tomorrow in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. The one they have to beat is Lee Freedman's Sphenophyta, (see Weekends Best Bets).

Tawqeet goes around in The Metropolitan 2400m in Sydney and he'll love the journey so expect a run from him. On A Jeune, a 20/1 chance and runner up last year goes around in race 4 at Flemington and will be running on, (but then again it'd be running on at the end of the Sydney to Melbourne marathon!). The two Japanese horses Pop Rock and Delta Blues have firmed in betting overnight.

How Hard is it to Fix a Race?

Not many people realised it, but there was a "boatie" at Belmont Park last week. A "boatie" (boat race), or a "one outer" is another term for a fixed race where collusion between riders usually determines the outcome of the race, rather than the ability of individual horses.

So, where was the "boatie"? It was at the trials last week when officials fitted a jockey with two tiny cameras on his helmet in an attempt to recreate a race where a horse storms home from the back of the field and gets up to win. The footage is to be used for the "Northerly" promotion at Ascot where people can ride a mechanical horse whilst watching the video screen in front of them, creating the impression that they're riding the great Northerly! It's a brilliant idea, but unfortunately boaties aren't that easy to arrange.

It took three goes under the controlled conditions before they got it right! So when they used to do it the old days, (and sometimes nowadays??), you've got to admire them don't you!

- Peter Morley

Second Market Shares For Sale

For a variety of reasons such as death, relocation, lack of interest, divorce, change in financial circumstances, etc, we occasionally get shares to sell in syndicates that own horses that are up and running, as opposed to the normal un-raced yearling/2yo scenario which constitute the majority of our sales. For those who are interested in getting into a horse that's proven it's ability and won't take so long to get to the races, here's a list of shares that we currently have for sale on the "second market".

Danish Sea - Perth. 4yo mare by Arena from Our High Sea. Could easily run for you next week! City performer and very unlucky not to have won last time out. Has been nominated for next week and we expect her to win. From a 12 share syndicate, 1 share is for sale at $5,000 ono. Insured value $80,000.

Red Hot Fox - Sydney. 3yo gelding by Flying Spur trained by Gai Waterhouse at Randwick. Huge unexpected medical bills (for himself) have forced the owner to sell his 12.5% shareholding. The Fox has had one trial start for one win. Originally sold for $22,000, and value added since. Advertised for sale at $25,000-you make me a reasonable offer and I'll pass it on.

Evert - Perth. 5yo mare by Belong To Me. Trialled nice last week and will trial again this Monday before racing shortly after. Promising staying type. Deceased estate. 1/12th share. Best offer will be accepted.

Fire From Ice - Perth. 4yo gelding by Key Business. Winner of four races and over $100,000, and ran second two starts ago at Belmont Park on a Saturday. Resumed work today after a month off. Deceased estate. 1/24th share for sale. Best offer will be accepted.

- Peter Morley

Here's Why Pace is so Crucial

Many times, the excuse for a horse getting beaten is because of a lack of, or too much, early speed in a race. There's no doubt amongst professional race watchers that the pace of a race is absolutely crucial to the eventual outcome. Randwick clocker Craig Thompson explained it well by using this hypothetical scenario...

"If former champion Australian marathon runner Rob De Castella was to meet champion sprinter Carl Lewis in a race over the marathon distance of 42kms, all things equal De Castella would be at unbackable odds. But what if you knew that the two combatants were going to walk the first 41.8kms and then sprint the last 200m? No way would De Castella be able to match the sprint of Carl Lewis. This is what happened last Saturday with Cateclipse. When Cateclipse was able to “walk” the first 600m of the race, he looked very strong at the end of the 1600m. But with a different early pace scenario, in another 1600m race he will fail, simple as that."

Quite often you'll see two horses "cut each other's throat" out in front, each desperate to claim the early lead. Invariably, both horses use up too much energy too early, and have nothing left for the finish. This enables horses coming from further back in the field to catch them, and look like they're finishing well.
Happens all the time.

- Peter Morley

The Weekends Best Bets

BEST FAVOURITE: Sphenophyta MR 8 No 7.
Lightly raced 6yo gelding whose 11 starts have yielded 4 wins and 4 seconds. Forget his unplaced run behind El Segundo last time out-the ride left a bit to be desired. Current second favourite for the Caulfield Cup and he'll shorten even more for both Cups after this race. Expected price about 5/2-3/1.

BEST EACH WAY: Woodalla Perth R4 No9.
The trainer fancied this last week but the mare wasn't suited by a slow pace but still ran home the second fastest sectional (600m) in the race. She gets in on the minimum here with 53kg and receives 9kg from the likely favourite Black Tom, who I doubt will be sharp enough to win this as his trainer Frank Maynard has one race on his mind-the Melbourne Cup in a months time. Apart from these two they're a so-so bunch and at around 6/1-7/1, she'll be a terrific each way bet for you.

BEST OUTSIDER: Dizelle Sydney R6 No6.
If you followed my each way tip last week, and you don't mind giving them one bad run, then stick with Dizelle. She was ridden from a mile back and wasn't that far from the winner so we'll go again with her. It's Hawkes and Beadman, and she did win the VRC Oaks, so you'll have a chance and at 12/1 or thereabouts, you might be getting your money back!

- Peter Morley

Melbourne Cup Countdown 36 Days to Go!

First International Horses Arrive Tuesday
The 2006 Spring Racing Carnival will receive its first taste of international flavour when the initial batch of overseas feature-race entrants arrive at Melbourne Airport on this afternoon.

Japanese-trained gallopers Delta Blues and Pop Rock are due to arrive, along with English Spring entries Wunderwood, Geordieland and Land`N Stars.

Delta Blues, Pop Rock and Wunderwood are entered for both the BMW Caulfield Cup and Emirates Melbourne Cup, while the Emirates Melbourne Cup is the sole aim of Geordieland and Land `N Stars.

Meanwhile, the market for The Cup remained largely unchanged after the weekends racing. Headturner is still the favourite at 6/1, with stablemate Railings the second favourite at 8/1. On the third line at 10/1 are Eremein and Yeats, with Pentane and Tawqeet both at 12/1.

One of the biggest firmers in recent weeks for a major at the Melbourne Spring Carnival is the Dale Sutton trained Grey Swallow who has firmed from 20/1 into 10/1 following impressive exhibition gallops at Moonee Valley in the last fortnight. Grey Swallow will attempt to win the big race first up and Dale, (who has Magnetic Bay going around for us on the weekend), grows more confident by the day!

- Peter Morley

Takeover Target Wins in Japan

Incredibly, the rags to riches story of trainer Joe Janiak and Takeover Target continued on when the horse took out the Group 1 Sprinters Stakes in Japan on the weekend. Ridden by his regular rider, Australian jockey Jay Ford, the pair led all the way against the cream of the World's short coursers. Takeover Target has now won over $3,500,000 and will now go to Shatin in an attempt to win the Hong Kong Sprint over 1000m on Dec 12th.

- Peter Morley

Unique Double Protest at Moonee Valley

You've probably never seen this before, and I doubt you'll ever see it again! At Moonee Valley on Friday night, the two main races on the programme, run consecutively, each featured a protest lodged by the riders of the second placed horses against the winner, and both were upheld!

The first was especially important to me as I watched with interest after making Churchill Downs the best favourite of the weekend and backing him accordingly. The drama that unfolded in the stewards room was televised for all to see and it was riveting television! The verdict was doubtful though and the decision could easily have gone either way. Justice prevailed however, and Churchill Downs got up to win on protest! Hope you got on and went all up into the Eagles as I did!

The second protest was a no brainer. Pavlova and Spinney were the horses in question, and with Spinney laying in all over Pavlova for the final 100m of the race-just lasting to win, it was certain that the jockey would protest. He did of course, and with the margin being so short, it was a certainty to be upheld-and it was-with not even the connections of the demoted horse complaining much!

So, I've never seen that before, and I doubt I ever will again. And thanks to the marvels of television, we were practically sitting right there in the stewards room listening in!

- Peter Morley

Change to Track Classifications

A new track ratings system will now be in use for NSW, Victorian and Tasmanian race meetings effective immediately. The traditional ratings of Fast, Good, Slow and Heavy have been split into additional categories to more accurately reflect the condition of the track. Here's the descriptions which the keener form students may wish to remember...

FAST 1. A dry, hard track.
GOOD 2. A firm track.
GOOD 3. Ideal track with some give.
DEAD 4. Track with give, better side of Dead.
DEAD 5. Significant amount of give, worse side of Dead.
SLOW 6. A mildly rain affected track, better side of Slow.
SLOW 7. Rain affected track, worse side of Slow.
HEAVY 8. Soft track, just into Heavy range.
HEAVY 9. Very soft, genuine Heavy.
HEAVY 10. Very soft and wet, heaviest category.

So, for example, a "Good 2" track is firmer than a "Good 3" track...

Hope this helps you find some more winners, (or avoid more losers!)....
- Peter Morley

Shares in Chestnut Filly Eternity Range-Sky Chant

"She's a natural!"
This was the breakers comment when I spoke to him yesterday after he'd finished the early education of our Eternity Range filly.

She went to the breakers three weeks ago and has done everything right. She accepted all the training aids, didn't buck, has plenty of "forward momentum", (that's always handy!) and is an absolute pleasure to handle.

Our man tells me that she's very athletic on her feet, gives him a good feel under saddle, and apart from leaning on the right rein for a short while, has proved to be a quick learner, and shows plenty of promise.

She'll now go and spend a week at Ascot to familiarise herself with the surroundings, work around the inside sand track and also canter out of the barriers once or twice.

For those that bought in early, well done.
For those that haven't yet bought in, perhaps you should consider her.

I'm syndicating 75% of the filly and have THREE x 5% shares left. The price is $2,475/share.

PS. For these last three shares, I'll even throw in a FREE $250 Sportingbet wager on the Melbourne Cup!

- Peter Morley