Bathurst Carnival Wrap

Vertigal rated a few mentions on and off the track. On In The Gig Greg Hayes noted Oscar Lane’s connections had carried on the tradition of Vertigal the previous year in orange by being all decked out in green. Elsewhere whilst some had documented another fine run it was documented in a HRNSW press release (see below).

Congrats to the Oscar Lane crew. Great to see the passionate supporter crew enjoy the ride and celebrate their success on track. I was something anyone on track would not have missed. Oscar is one impressive animal on and off the track.

HRNSW Press Release
Bathurst leads the way – by Dale Walker

Congratulations all round must go to the Bathurst Harness Racing Club for yet another wonderful Bathurst Gold Crown series.
Last Saturday night’s meeting was as spectacular on the track as it was off.
The Gold Crown honours went to this year’s honourees in Jayne Davies and Noel Alexander with Soho Valencia.
The son of Art Major was most impressive in the final after facing the breeze and running down Grand Stride.
The Gold Tiara didn’t disappoint either with victory also going south of the border.
Trained by Emma Stewart, Shake It Mama peeled three-wide at the bell before running down The Archduchess in commanding style.
One of the more popular wins of the night came in the shape of the Doug Leihn trained Oscar Lane.
Oscar Lane ran them along in the lead and gave nothing else a chance when a stylish victor in a brisk rate of 2:00.9 for the 2130 metres.
What was even more gallant about the victory was that driver Laurence Dawson had been laid up in bed for the previous 24 hours with a serious bout of food poisoning and was lucky to make it on race night.
‘Oscar’ and his fan club will now head to the NSW Derby with heats at Menangle on April 21.
Davies and Alexander did it again in the Group 3 Gold Bracelet with Aussie Made Lombo.
Driver Chris Alford dictated terms in front with a first half of 64.7 seconds and was never going to be run down.
Run of the race was from bonny filly Vertigal when coming from the tail to finish like a train when beaten just over a length on the line.

Gold (Silver) Bracelet

Bathurst’s Western Advocate is hard to beat as a harness racing paper. Last Saturday four of the five sports pages were dedicated to editorial coverage of the carnival and another few in was a full page preview. This is their story on the Gold Bracelet

IN 2004 Jayne Davies created a piece of Bathurst Gold Crown Carnival history when she became the first trainer to take out the Gold Tiara and Gold Bracelet finals in consecutive years with the same filly.
On Saturday night she replicated that feat as Aussie Made Lombo did what Nemeeshar had and what only one other filly – Lady Euthenia – had managed in the 25 year history of the Bathurst event.

While Aussie Made Lombo still had to work in the 2130 metre, Group 3 Gold Bracelet Final for three-year-old fillies, one had a feeling before she even took her first racing stride that the $1.20 favourite would be the first home.

The Bettors Delight x Tailamade Lombo filly was not only a returning champion, but she had won her Bracelet heat by 14.6m, drew barrier one for the final and had Chris Alford – already a two-time winner in this series – in the gig.

Aussie Made Lombo did not disappoint as she took the lead from the get go and stayed there, posting the 14th win of her 25 start career.

There were some nervous moments for Alford before he added to his impressive Gold Crown Carnival record, but the talented Victorian reinsman still rated Davies’ filly superbly.

“It was a little bit scary early, she had a little bit of a girl moment and tried to kick me out about four or five times, that wasn’t so impressive but she did the job well,” Alford said.

“She’s great but she can get a bit slack in front, so it was good she was able to lead tonight and win.”

The favourite was a little out of position in the score up for the first of the evening’s big finals, but by the time the green light flashed she was on her game.

Aussie Made Lombo shot to the front ahead of Zenyatta, while local hope, the Peter Bullock trained and driven Lacy Shannon, rushed up to sit outside the leader.

The margin between Aussie Made Lombo and Lacy Shannon stayed around one length through a 64.7 seconds first half – an effort which was easy going for the 2010 Gold Tiara winner.

Alford urged the filly on down the back straight as Artistic Rainbow rushed up into second and heading into the final corner the margin between the pair stood at three-quarters of a length.

That soon changed as Aussie Made Lombo zipped away down the home straight, but behind her the sprint for second was heating up.

Vertigal ($5.80), who was a shock third place getter in her heat after starting as the $1.04 favourite, wound up for David Thorn and flew home after sitting near the rear to beat out Artistic Rainbow ($18) for second. The margin between the pair was a neck.

However, Aussie Made Lombo was the star as she got home in 59.1 seconds (2:03.5 mile rate) and took her earnings to $383,346.

Given Davies and her training partner Noel Alexander were the 2011 Gold Crown Carnival honourees, it made the win just that extra bit special.

“It’s a big honour [to be honouree] there are some famous names up there,” she said.

“It’s great she’s won the two-year-old and the three-year-old section. Thanks to Chris for a masterful front-running drive

“When we buy yearlings at the yearling sales we always look for ones which are Bathurst Gold Crown eligible and we just love coming here to this carnival. It’s on it’s own, it’s unique and nowhere in Australia in does this and has a crowd like this.”

Bathurst chances Goto The Window ($140.90, Greg Rue) and Lacy Shannon ($25.70) finished ninth and 10th respectively.

Bathurst Gold Bracelet Previews

The barrier gods are not smiling on Vertigal – last three feature race barrier draws are 9, 10, 10. Previews for the Bathurst Gold Bracelet including what many of the papers will print.

3–7:17 BATHURST GOLD BRACELET FINAL (GROUP 3) 3c0 Or Better RBD MOBILE 2130m
1 – 221 Aussie Made Lombo C A Alford $1.50
2 – 443 Goto The Window G J Rue $51
3 – S73 Chi Serasera Lombo (1st Em)D R Hancock $34
4 – 752 Zenyatta B P Fitzpatrick $67
5 – 181 Lacy Shannon P C Bullock $26
6 – 311 Lombo Littlecharma D W Jack $26
7 – 092 Delightfullybettor A M Day (C) $41
8 – 262 Beach Fantasy D R Morris (C) $21
9 – 142 Diamond Art R P Morris (C) $41
10 – 333 Vertigal D J Thorn $3.50
11 – 441 Artistic Rainbow G K Chapple $4.00

AAP Tips: Aussie Made Lombo, Vertigal, Artistic Rainbow, Lombo Littlecharma

AUSSIE MADE LOMBO (Jayne Davies) 3f Bettors Delight USA-Tailamade Lombo $363,346 24s-13w-11p: Good run when 2m 2nd $5.70 (Fr4) Courageous Annie NZ Menangle 2300m the 3YOF Nsw Oaks Mar 5 then very impressive winner $1.00 (Sr1) over Beach Fantasy 14.5m Bathurst 2130m (2:02.9) 3C0+ race Mar 21. Was an easy winner (14m) last start and looks very competitive once again; rates well.

GOTO THE WINDOW (G J Rue) 3f Browning Blue Chip U-Sarasota Star $2,718 9s-0w-4p: Finished 15.5m 4th $34 (Fr4) Elle Court De Vite Bathurst 1730m (2:04.4) 3R0 race Mar 10 then beaten 36.5m 3rd $90 (Fr4) Artistic Rainbow Bathurst 2130m (2:03.8) 3C0+ race Mar 21. Hard to have here.

CHI SERASERA LOMBO (P G Manning) 3f Life Sign USA-Espeshlimade Lombo $19,200 14s-2w-4p: Raced wide early when 27m 7th $48 (Fr6) Illawong Sister Styx NZ Maryborough 2190m (2:04.2) 3C0-3C1 race Mar 9 then finished 15m 3rd $43 (Fr3) Aussie Made Lombo Bathurst 2130m (2:04.0) 3C0+ race Mar 21. One of the chances.

ZENYATTA (D A McDowell) 3f Bettors Delight USA-Palace Star $31,590 19s-4w-5p: Finished 20.5m 5th $86 (Fr1) Oscar Lane Menangle 1609m (1:55.1) 3C0-3C1 race Mar 8 then raced wide early when 0.5m 2nd $59 (Sr1) Lacy Shannon Bathurst 2130m (2:02.5) 3C0+ race Mar 21. Again a contender.

LACY SHANNON (P C Bullock) 3f Four Starzzz Shark C-Silky Shannon USA $23,955 15s-7w-4p: Beaten 47.5m 8th $39 (Fr1) Bainfeild Washington NZ Menangle 2300m (2:01.1) 3YOF race Feb 25 then fought on well defeating Zenyatta 0.5m $9.40 (Fr3) Bathurst 2130m (2:02.5) 3C0+ race Mar 21. Won this course, class and distance last start; again a winning chance.

LOMBO LITTLECHARMA (R Jack) 3f Bettors Delight USA-Lisa Lombo $40,988 21s-3w-9p: Won easily defeating Western Spirit NZ 7.7m $3.90 (Fr3) Bathurst 2130m (2:04.3) 3C0-3C2 race Mar 16 then won $11 (Sr1) narrowly defeating Delightfullybettor 0.5m Bathurst 2130m (2:05.0) 3C0+ race Mar 21. Won at this track in this class last start; distance ok; hard to beat here.

DELIGHTFULLYBETTOR (N A Day) 3f Bettors Delight USA-Baby Boomer $12,798 18s-2w-4p: Failed to get a clear run and eased early when 16.5m 9th $176 (Fr6) Lombo Littlecharma Bathurst 2130m (2:05.5) 3C0-3C2 race Mar 16 then beaten 0.5m 2nd $55 (Fr2) Lombo Littlecharma Bathurst 2130m (2:05.0) 3C0+ race Mar 21. Don’t discard completely.

BEACH FANTASY (N Morris) 3f Jennas Beach Boy USA-Full Fantasy $30,828 17s-2w-6p: Finished 19.5m 6th $4.00 (Fr4) Yes We Can Menangle 1609m (1:58.4) 3C0-3C1 race Mar 15 then pulled hard when 14.5m 2nd $31 (Fr2) Aussie Made Lombo Bathurst 2130m (2:03.9) 3C0+ race Mar 21. Can get in the money.

DIAMOND ART (M G Johnstone) 3f Art Major USA-Diamond Glow NZ $3,105 5s-1w-1p: Finished 6.5m 4th $2.80 (Fr1) Lawmars Salad Canberra 2170m (2:02.0) 3C0-3C1 race Mar 7 then beaten 21m 2nd $21 (Sr1) Artistic Rainbow Bathurst 2130m (2:02.6) 3C0+ race Mar 21. Can place in this.

VERTIGAL (David Thorn) 3f Western Terror USA-Height Of Wisdom $169,120 18s-6w-10p: Good run to place 3.5m 3rd $11 (Fr9) Courageous Annie NZ Menangle 2300m the 3YOF Nsw Oaks Mar 5 then good run when 3.2m 3rd $1.00 (Fr1) Lacy Shannon Bathurst 2130m (2:02.7) 3C0+ race Mar 21. Honest and consistent and recent form is very sound; strong each-way chance.

ARTISTIC RAINBOW (B F Matterson) 3f Artsplace (us)-Hay Sharon $74,905 22s-8w-7p: Safely held when 4.2m 4th $37 (Fr1) Courageous Annie NZ Menangle 2300m the 3YOF Nsw Oaks Mar 5 then commanding winner $2.10 (Fr7) defeating Diamond Art 21m Bathurst 2130m (2:01.1) 3C0+ race Mar 21. Last start winner this course, class and distance; safe pacer; definite chance.

And from http://www.harness.org.au Craig Rail’s preview

AUSSIE MADE LOMBO (1) pushed forward to lead from a second row draw and blitzed her rivals when she won her heat of this series. She is drawn to lead again here and should be extremely hard to beat. BEACH FANTASY (8) was no match for AUSSIE MADE LOMBO (1) last week but she is drawn to trail that great filly again this evening so she looks to be the logical second pick. VERTIGAL (10) performed well below expectations in her heat third ($1.04 fav) and faces a tough task to beat AUSSIE MADE LOMBO (1) from the second line draw. She did finish strongly for third in the New South Wales Oaks prior to Monday’s effort so a placed performance would not surprise. ARTISTIC RAINBOW (11) was very impressive when she led throughout to win in the heavy rain on Monday but the barrier draw is a major disadvantage this evening. LACY SHANNON (5), LOMBO LITTLECHARMA (6) and DIAMOND ART (9) are all minor place hopes in the event.

SELECTIONS: AUSSIE MADE LOMBO (1), BEACH FANTASY (8), VERTIGAL (10), ARTISTIC RAINBOW (11)

SUGGESTED BET: BEACH FANTASY (8) to place
EXOTIC BET: Flexi First Four 1/ 8,10/ 6,8,10,11/ 5,6,8,9,10,11 (Cost $20, which gives 83.33%)

 

 

 

 

 

Bathurst Preview

You’ve read AAP and now an alternate view of the Boxing Day line-up at Bathurst and a loose market to around 130%

1. Intrepid Traveller ($12)- was runner-up three starts in a row before recording a win last start in Canberra in moderate time running even quarters. Three starts ago was beaten as an odds-on favourite by Vertigal’s stablemate. Does not appear to be overly quick out which may negate the draw but may still enjoy a good run and driver is in winning form.
2. Hurrysound ($12) – interesting runner in he is having his third start after winning on debut and being retired last start when broke gear. Rated 2:00:9 when won on debut and has been odds-on in two starts thus far and the camp ensures they will have support.
3. Vertigal ($1.75) – the only filly in the field but well-performed in her debut season. Five starts ago was blatantly robbed here in the Tiara final. Got her chance to win a feature on its merits when won her heat and final of the Breeders Challenge in quick time. Is first up for six months but sharpened for this with a trial win at Menangle. If picks up racing where she left off will certainly let the boys know she is there.
4. Soho Eros (em) Unlikely even if gains a start.
5. Tulhurst Major ($7.50)- won a heat of the Breeders Crown in July claiming some handy scalps after performing well in the Breeders Challenge. Has been racing some of the best in this age bracket before enjoying returning home and enjoying the absence of the calibre of horses he’d been meeting with a solid win after sitting parked. Won two from two here, drawn well and rates claims here.
6. Placid Art ($16) – found some handy 3yos a bit too slick before enjoyed drop in competition to score two starts back here in moderate time after leading. Had excuses last start when found trouble from a back row draw. Will be rated in top half of the field.
7. William Edwin ($81) – you don’t see a lot of Edwin’s these days especially in harness racing. Won on debut last month in a crawl (2:09) and whilst placed twice since found another filly to slick last start. Draw makes it even harder than it already was.
8. Buddys Spider ($26) – Won when resuming and should be further improved for this. Did beat the #10 back in March but facing a more improved horse now. Was well betaen by the #6 in April. Draw means will need some luck but looks a place chance with a snip run.
9. Veddy Veddy Good ($21) – Tired badly last start when beaten by the #10. Did win previous start albeit in much weaker race in slow time. Will need major improvement to turn the tables here. Trainer drawn to follow his driver daughter.
10. Merrywood John ($4.80) – consistent pacer in good form with a string of four placings followed by wins at his last two starts. Last start came home in a final 28.2 quarter at Penrith after working to the lead. Previously was in the same race as the #11 when beaten by Deadly Woman at Harold Park. One of the major players here.
11. Rockyourbaby – Hoping he develops a disliking of the fairer sex. Last start did work sitting parked in a small field when found another filly too good. Won previous two starts at Menangle including a 57.7 last half and 28.1 last quarter. Before that beaten by stablemate filly. Stable entails he’ll have admirers and looks an each-way hope.

SELECTIONS: Veritgal, Merrywood John, Tulhurst Major, Intrepid Traveller

And the Skyform

Bright Prospects

What the papers will publish regarding Vertigal’s race at Bathurst on Boxing Day

8–9:38 MITAVITE 3YO PACE 3c0 To 3c2 MOBILE 2130m
1 – S21 Intrepid Traveller NZ J B Willick Fr
2 – 1R Hurrysound A M Siejka (C) Fr
3 – 11S Vertigal D J Thorn Fr
4 – S36 Soho Eros (1st Em) M J Simmons Fr
5 – 31S Tulhurst Major Fr
6 – 613 Placid Art A J Turnbull (C) Fr
7 – 224 William Edwin G W Simpson Fr
8 – 5S1 Buddys Spider J T O’Shea (C) Fr
9 – S16 Veddy Veddy Good A M Siejka (C) Fr
10 – 311 Merrywood John T J Munday Fr
11 – 114 Rockyourbaby B P Fitzpatrick Fr

AAP race comment:

INTREPID TRAVELLER (M Herbert) 3g Bettor’s Delight-Oaxaca Lass $22,449 14s-3w-4p: Broke during running when 1.2m 2nd $1.80 (Fr5) Wah Blackjack Dollar NZ Bankstown 2140m (2:05.1) C0 race Dec 4 then a comfortable winner $1.30 (Fr4) over Lettucerocku 12m Canberra 2170m (2:02.2) 3R0-3R2 race Dec 13. Treat warily.

HURRYSOUND (P M Russo) 3c Safe And Sound-Lady Arios $2,070 2s-1w-0p: Won easily defeating Storm At Dawn 11.2m $1.60 (Fr2) Bathurst 1730m (2:00.9) 3R0 race Dec 8 then failed to finish behind Double Tick Bathurst 2130m (2:05.9) 3C0 race Dec 15. Has ability.

VERTIGAL (David Thorn) 3f Western Terror USA-Height Of Wisdom $148,405 10s-4w-4p: First start since spell. Won easily defeating Sounds So Good 7m $1.10 (Fr1) Menangle 1609m (1:57.7) 2YOF race Jun 21 then scored handily defeating Sheezallattitude 4m $2.10 (Fr1) Menangle 1609m (1:55.8) 2YOF race Jun 27. Bright prospects.

SOHO EROS (M J Simmons) 3g Artiscape USA-Nightn Georgia $3,085 7s-0w-3p: Finished 14m 3rd $19 (Fr1) Veddy Veddy Good Dubbo 2120m (2:07.7) 3C0-3C2 race Nov 24 then blocked for a run when 9.5m 6th $2.20 (Fr4) Sweet Tooth Omine Dubbo 1720m (2:05.4) 3R0-3R2 race Dec 12. Don’t take lightly.

TULHURST MAJOR (Nathan Hurst) 3g Art Major USA-Newbury Lane $25,231 11s-3w-6p: First start since spell. Ran 29.5m 3rd $33 (Fr5) Excel Stride Tabcorp Pk 2240m (1:59.7) 2YOC&G race Aug 20 then looked good defeating Ebony Shannon 2m $2.00 (Sr2) Bathurst 1730m (2:02.2) 2YO race Aug 25. Definite danger.

PLACID ART (S Turnbull) 3c Modern Art USA-The Bragger NZ $13,258 10s-3w-4p: Very impressive winner $1.30 (Fr1) defeating Beach Master 12.7m Bathurst 2130m (2:04.6) R0 race Dec 8 then beaten 13m 3rd $5.30 (Sr3) Double Tick Bathurst 2130m (2:04.8) 3C0 race Dec 15. Comes in well.

WILLIAM EDWIN (G W Simpson) 3c Stampede Hanover USA-Moville Lucy $4,743 4s-1w-2p: Inconvenienced when 2.5m 2nd $6.00 (Sr1) Burraga Jack Bathurst 1730m (2:05.4) 3R0 race Nov 28 then eased early when 32.5m 4th $6.20 (Fr5) Rainbow Dasher Penrith 2095m (2:02.3) 3C0-3C1 race Dec 2. Worth consideration.

BUDDYS SPIDER (M Butler) 3g Presidential Ball Us-Green Belt $7,358 7s-2w-1p: Finished 18.7m 5th $4.00 (Fr5) Cruisin Carl Bathurst 1730m (2:05.4) 2YO race Apr 21 then was a handy winner $6.40 (Sr1) over Bernie Noonan 6m Young 1700m (2:01.8) 3C0-3C2 race Dec 10. Don’t overlook.

VEDDY VEDDY GOOD (M T Siejka) 3c Aces N Sevens USA-Peachy Bromac NZ $10,125 12s-2w-1p: Convincing win over Imposing Sign 11.5m $1.40 (Fr2) Dubbo 2120m (2:06.7) 3C0-3C2 race Nov 24 then tired badly when 44m 6th $4.10 (Fr3) Merrywood John HP 2160m (2:04.2) 3YO race Dec 10. Perhaps a place.

MERRYWOOD JOHN (W P Dimech) 3g John Street North Us-Perfect Port $38,478 22s-6w-7p: Very impressive winner $9.80 (Sr1) defeating Aceofadancer 14.5m HP 2160m (2:00.9) 3YO race Dec 10 then was a handy winner $1.60 (Sr3) over Rocksonn 5.5m Penrith 2095m (2:02.3) C0 race Dec 13. The testing material.

ROCKYOURBABY (L M Fitzpatrick) 3c Stature USA-Solataire $10,293 7s-2w-1p: Scored handily over Crazyaswaz 4.5m $1.90 (Fr8) Menangle 1609m (1:59.0) C0 race Nov 30 then beaten 6.5m 4th $2.20 (Fr3) Deadly Woman HP 1760m (2:00.7) 3C0-3C2 race Dec 3. Take on trust.

AAP indicative betting
1.40 Vertigal
5.00 Intrepid Traveller
7.00 Hurrysound
9.00 Merrywood John
11.00 Rockyourbaby
12.00 Tulhurst Major
16.00 Veddy Veddy Good
17.00 Buddys Spider
21.00 William Edwin
26.00 Placid Art
51.00 Soho Eros

AAP selections Race 8: Merrywood John, Vertigal, Tulhurst Major, Intrepid Traveller

Vertigal in SMH

The first troops have shipped out of Sydney en route to Queensland and saw the following in today’s Sydney Morning Herald (in ‘The Form’ section).

Basically it notes the ‘Barry Gomersall Memorial Draw where interstate horses comprise the back row with the top three fancies given the three outside of the back row draws.

The advance troops from the Orange Army are already in Brisbane today with the second tranche of troops winging their way north of the border tomorrow

Vertigal story over breakfast

Not exactly sure what is so ‘delightful’ to Mr Nati about denying a right to appeal and will make a note to ask – we still can’t someone to look at what is to us a patently wrong decision. Besides ours we would have thought it was in the industry’s best interest

Note that another horse from the same race and the same stewards was able to appeal an order it be stood down and requalify in four trials. For the record they were successful in their appeal.

Tribunal Throws Out Appeal against Bathurst Gold Tiara decison

CHRIS ROOTS

April 11, 2010
An appeal against the protest decision in the Bathurst Golden Tiara was thrown out by the racing appeal tribunal during the week. The connections of runner-up Vertigal lodged a protest against Aussie Made Lombo after the Tiara last month, which stewards dismissed. They then appealed against that decision. Justice Wayne Haylen, QC, ruled “the Racing Appeals Tribunal has no jurisdiction to entertain the appeal by connections of Vertigal regarding the unsuccessful protest in the Gold Tiara Final, including the application for a stay”. Harness Racing NSW chief executive Sam Nati was delighted with the result. “Given the relevant acts and regulations, we were of the view that protest decisions should not have a right of appeal at the tribunal and strongly defended that position,” he said. “The thoroughbreds actually have it stated in the Australian Rules of Racing that there is no right of appeal in relation to protests and it’s something we’ll need to look at as well, even though we now have a clear direction from the tribunal.”

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/horseracing/tribunal-throws-out-appeal-against-bathurst-golden-tiara-decision-20100410-rzrd.html

Hayes Say

Hayes Say

By Greg Hayes – 6 April 2010
I received an email from the connections of Vertigal over the weekend informing me of their intentions to appeal the protest decision from the Gold Tiara at Bathurst last week. Obviously they are unhappy with the decision from the stewards and plan to go to a higher level in an attempt to get the original decision overturned. It won’t be an easy fight to win but they believe they have a good case. It will make for interesting news in the next few months.

Hayes’ Say – Tiara Wrap

Resident NSW and Sky harness expert Greg Hayes

http://www.gazetteonline.com.au/news.asp?articleid=251

The Bathurst Gold Crown carnival is over for another year and I think the bookmakers must have won plenty the other night. The winners of the Gold Crown and Gold Tiara were both rank outsiders and many would have found it difficult to see them winning off back row draws.

………..

The Gold Tiara was a lot more action packed with Aussie Made Lombo winning for Jayne Davies and Chris Alford but only after a protest by the second horse Vertigal was dismissed. I was in the stewards room when evidence was given by those involved and I think there are a couple of interesting points to be made.

Firstly the stewards dismissed the protest because while they agreed there was a shift down the track by Aussie Made Lombo which impeded the run of Vertigal, there was also a significant shift up the track from Leilani Lombo and as a result Vertigal became the meat in the sandwich and actually locked wheels with both runners down the straight.

When I viewed the head on footage I was of the opinion that had Aussie Made Lombo held her line in the straight there would have been enough room for Vertigal to get through, even with the significant shift from Leilani Lombo. If the pressure from inside and out both happened at the same time then it becomes a no brainer and the protest has to be dismissed, however I believe the shift from Aussie Made Lombo and Chris Alford came first and actually heightened the pressure Vertigal got from Leilani Lombo. I can live with the decision by the stewards but I would not have been surprised had it gone the other way.

The other news to come out of the race was the decision by the stewards to force Sheezallattitude back to the trials on four occasions because of her manners. The hot favourite for the Gold Tiara galloped on the first turn on Saturday night, the third time she has galloped in her last five starts. The connections of Sheezallattitude have appealed the ruling and a decision will be made in the next twenty four hours whether the filly can take her spot in the Australian Pacing Gold Heats at Menangle on Thursday night. I have a copy of the Penalty Guidelines document that the HRNSW stewards released earlier this year and this is what it has to say in regards to galloping pacers.

“If a horse gallops in running and has previously offended twice within three starts and horse has been ordered to trial twice the penalty will be 4 trials and 28 days.”

There is a footnote which says “Notwithstanding the above guidelines if stewards deem the performance of any horse unsatisfactory (gallops for a considerable distance, does not complete the event, gallops on more than one occasion) more severe action may be taken.”

The stewards must have decided to invoke the footnote clause because according to their own rules a horse will only get 4 trials and 28 days if it had previously offended twice within three starts. Sheezallattitude did nothing wrong at Menangle in the Sapling Stakes and she was also well behaved in her heat of the Gold Tiara.

On another issue, the whip rule was back in the headlines after the last race earlier today. Short priced favourite Col Walker won the event narrowly before being stripped of the win by the stewards because of incorrect whip use. Down the long Menangle straight Ray Walker used the whip in the “correct way” under the current rules before going back to the “old way” when it looked as though his horse was going to be beaten in a close finish. When Col Walker was hit with the whip with a free hand from the driver, the horse found enough to rally and win. Whether or not you like the current rule, the stewards in NSW are only adhering to the rules set down by the HRA. What is happening in some other states in Australia may not be the same but don’t be upset at the NSW stewards for following the rules. The drivers know the rules before they go out on the track and Ray Walker would have known that some horses have had races taken off them because of the way drivers have used the whip. I don’t agree with rule but it’s a rule and must be abided by.

Can’t wait for the Dubbo Carnival Of Cups meeting this Saturday. Should be an absolute beauty, fingers crossed the weather is kinder this year! Catch you next week.

Tiara Story in Western Advocate

As reported in the local Bathurst paper

Aussie Made springs a tiara upset

ANYA WHITELAW

29 Mar, 2010 12:00 AM

GOLD CROWNBy ANYA WHITELAW

SHE had to wait some 25 minutes to receive confirmation, but when Jayne Davies’ Aussie Made Lombo was given the all clear as the winner of the 2010 Bathurst Gold Tiara Final (1730 metres), the Clyde trainer added to her remarkable strike rate at the annual carnival.

In taking out Saturday night’s Group One two-year-old fillies title, Davies made it a total of four Gold Tiara victories, two Gold Crown wins and one Gold Bracelet success in the years she has been attending the Bathurst carnival.

As Aussie Made Lombo was first across the line in the $100,000 classic at the Bathurst Paceway then survived a subsequent protest from the connections of second placed Vertigal, she added to the Gold Tiaras Davies had already won with Lombo La Fe Fe (2002), Nemeeshar (2003) and Amongst Royalty (2006).

What made this win special for Davies was not only that Aussie Made Lombo came from the extreme outside of the second row as a $47 long shot, but that the filly’s mother was Tailamade Lombo.

Davies trained Tailamade Lombo to the Australian Mare of the Year title in 1999 and 2000 and when she retired in 2002, she did so having earned $1,354,978 in prize money.

“It was pretty sentimental this win because I trained her mother, she was an absolutely brilliant mare and we loved her very much,” Davies said.

“This girl is the spitting image of her and we hope she can do half as well as her mother.”

Chris Alford was in the gig for a majority of Tailamade Lombo’s successes and on Saturday night he was again the man Davies had for the driving duties.

It was Sheezallattitude from Menangle trainer Felicity Gallagher’s stables that started as the $1.70 favourite on the back of an impressive heat win and barrier two draw, but the Art Major filly suffered a massive blow when galloping on the first turn.

Sheezallattitude had looked liked leading before striking trouble, so instead it was Dennis Picker’s Sounds So Good that guided the field down the back straight for the first time.

Miss Worthy Whitby, the filly who had beaten Aussie Made Lombo in the Gold Tiara heats eight days earlier, was then urged forward into the lead by The Lagoon trainer-driver Steve Turnbull and on the bell she held a three-quarters of a length advantage over second elect Leilani Lombo ($3.80).

As the field headed down the back after a 61.2 seconds first half Sheezallattitude tried a three wide move and after temporarily sitting in fourth, again came hunting three-wide into the final bend. The effort told as she eventually ran seventh.

Miss Worthy Whitby led the way home after a 29.8 third quarter and while it seemed as if her biggest threat would be Leilani Lombo a half length back on her outside, Vertigal and the Alford driven outsider were making their moves.

While David Thorn tried to get Vertigal ($7.90) through the tightly packed middle, Aussie Made Lombo ran wider on the track and took the honours by a half neck after the protest over interference was dismissed.

Third belong to Leilani Lombo, who eclipsed Miss Worthy Whitby but tired to finish 2m further back.

Rating 2:00.3 for the victory, Aussie Made Lombo continued an impressive opening to her career which has seen her with two wins and five second placings from seven starts.

http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/news/local/sport/general/aussie-made-springs-a-tiara-upset/1788281.aspx?storypage=0