Best Bets News

Princess bows out

Joel Marshall — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:46:00 +1100

Champion New Zealand mare Princess Coup has run her last race...

In a blow to the Waikato Racing Club, the connections of glamour Kiwi mare Princess Coup have announced her immediate retirement. The multiple Group 1 winner was found to have had some heat in a tendon and, while the problem was not career-threatening, owners Ray Coupland and John Bromley and trainer Mark Walker decided to not pursue a comeback.

The daughter of Encosta de Lago was due to target the Waikato Draught Sprint-G1 at Te Rapa next month followed by the Otaki-Maori Weight-For-Age-G1.

The dual Kelt Capital Stakes winner retired as the highest ever stakes earner on NZ soil, her $NZ2.95 million purse eclipsing previous NZ champions Horlicks, Seachange and Xcellent.

Princess Coup won 12 races from 31 starts, and could have added more wins and prizemoney but for a couple of luckless performances this side of the Tasman.

Racing Headlines

Peter Lucas — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:16:00 +1100

Jockey Ben Smith was suspended for six months for striking fellow hoop Nick Mehmet at Hanging Rock on New Year’s Day..

Mehmet, who sustained a broken nose and three snapped teeth, claimed that he copped a blow to the face when he was returning to the jockey’s room, although Smith said it was his intention to palm Mehmet off.

Mehmet will appeal the suspension.

Meanwhile, RVL stewards suspended Sam Hyland and Dale Smith for five and four weeks respectively after a verbal and physical altercation in the jockey’s room at Mornington on New Year’s Day.

Smith and Hyland have lodged an appeal against their suspensions.

In Magic Millions news, Chief Steward Reid Sanders will attend trackwork at Eagle Farm today and cast his eye over several Magic Millions contenders, including Paprika, who continues to drift in the betting despite assurances from trainer Liam Birchley that there was no problem with the filly.

New Zealand mare Princess Coup has been retired – she retires with 1 2wins, including four at Group 1 level.

Hugh Bowman has lost his appeal against the severity of a two-month suspension for careless riding.

2007 Cox Plate winner El Segundo has moved one step closer to a comeback after contesting a 990m trial at Cranbourne yesterday - the seven-year-old wasn’t asked to do much and according to trainer Colin Little, he’s on track to contest the Norman Carlyon Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on January 23.

Tuesday Night Football

Phil Zammit — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:39:00 +1100

Melbourne and Adelaide battle it out in a Tuesday night special at the Telstra Dome..

This promises to be a cracker of a match, with plenty of history and no love lost between the two sides.

Melbourne has had the better of Adelaide this season, winning both of their matches. It is the only team Adelaide have lost twice to.

The first win for Melbourne 1-0 at the Telstra Dome in September was impressive from the point of view that they played most of the match with ten men after Ney Fabiano was red carded in the 29th minute.

Their second meeting was a goal fest with the Victory winning 3-2. Melbourne dominated this match, maintaining possession for 55% of the time and having an impressive 23 attempts at goal. 12 of these were on target whereas Adelaide only had 4 attempts on target.

Melbourne has generally won these matches by playing a quick tempo come. They won’t be resting on their laurels and will look to spread Adelaide thin and in particular hope they can out last the legs of Adelaide who have played plenty of football over the last few months.

I am going to have two bets on this match. Firstly I will back Melbourne to win and secondly I will have a bet on the total goals scored for the match being greater than 2.5

What a cracker!

Peter Lucas — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:36:00 +1100

Peter Siddle’s five-wicket haul at the SCG put Australia in a commanding position at stumps on day three of the third Test..

Siddle took a career best 5-59, ripping through South Africa’s tail with an inspired spell of 4-7 off just 22 balls to bowl South Africa over for 327 in reply to Australia’s first innings total of 445.

Australia reached 0-33 in their second innings at stumps yesterday, although Matthew Hayden was lucky to survive a confident LBW appeal.

Hayden remains unbeaten on 18, with Simon Katich on 9.

South Africa’s Mark Boucher slammed the deteriorating SCG pitch after he and Morne Morkel lead their side’s fight back from 5-193 with a 115-run partnership.

"It is in the top three toughest decks that I have played on day three and it is not nice staring down the wicket and making sure you run on the side of the wicket so you don’t fall down," Boucher said.

"We can’t control that we just have to try and play on it as best we can."

Peter Siddle, fresh from his five-wicket haul predicted that the pitch will crack up over the final two days of the Test.

“The cracks have opened up a fair bit and they are going to get worse over the next couple of days,” Siddle said.

“You can’t predict anything at the moment – if we can get a 300 lead, it will be a pretty good situation.”

NRL offers support

Media Release — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:07:00 +1100

The National Rugby League has joined the Rugby League community in offering support for the family and friends of young Warriors star Sonny Fai..

Fai, 20, is missing, feared drowned, after going for a swim at a west Auckland beach with family members on Sunday evening.

“Sonny’s an emerging star in the game and this tragedy has shocked us all,” NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, said.

“Our thoughts are with Sonny’s family, friends and the Warriors club at this difficult time.”

Fai played 15 NRL games for the Warriors in 2008, scoring five tries, after making his debut in Round 2 against Parramatta.

A Junior Kiwi from 2004-07, Fai also played for the Vodafone Junior Warriors in the Toyota Cup last season, scoring five tries in 10 games.

He was the Warriors’ Under-20 Young Player of the Year in 2007 after scoring 14 tries in 21 games for the Auckland Lions in the NSW Premier League.

The NRL has offered grief counselling services for Fai’s family and friends and the Warriors club.

Centre of attention

Peter Lucas — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:02:00 +1100

Ben Cousins, who returned for Richmond pre-season training yesterday was the centre of attention..

With the ink barely dry on his contract, Cousins was immediately identified by testers from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) at Punt Road.

ASADA officials picked out players for testing, but it is not clear whether Cousins was required to submit a urine sample.

Under a rigorous testing regimen, the AFL Commission ordered Cousins to have up to three urine tests per week as well as up to four hair tests a year.

Rave On!

Peter Lucas — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:58:00 +1100

The Baltimore Ravens had Chad Pennington bob, ducking and weaving on Wild-Card weekend in Miami..

The Ravens defeated the Dolphins 27-9 to advance to the divisional playoffs – the Ravens came up with four interceptions, including one returned 64 yards for a touchdown by Ed Reed.

With a rookie coach (John Harbaugh) and rookie quarterback (Joe Flacco), Baltimore won for the 10th time in 12 games and will play the Tennessee Titans in the divisional playoffs.

Meanwhile, Sav Rocca joined Ben Graham in reaching the second week of the NFL playoffs when the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings 26-14 in the NFC Wild Card game at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis.

Wild Card Weekend Scoreboard:

AFC
Indianapolis 17 @ San Diego 23
Baltimore 27 @ Miami 9

NFC
Atlanta 24 @ Arizona 30
Philadelphia 26 @ Minnesota 14.

Divisional Playoffs:

AFC
Baltimore @ Tennessee
San Diego @ Pittsburgh

NFC
Arizona @ Carolina
Philadelphia @ NY Giants.

Hewitt - one small step

Peter Lucas — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:56:00 +1100

Lleyton Hewitt made a successful return to tennis in Perth yesterday with a three set victory over Germany’s Nicolas Kiefer in the Hopman Cup..

Hewitt came from a set down to defeat Kiefer 6-7 6-3 6-2 in his first match since career saving surgery on his hip last August.

Hewitt, who has slipped to No.67 in the world rankings, said it was good to be back.

"It’s good to be back," Hewitt said after the match.

"It’s been a long time out, close to five months since I’ve played a match.

"I’ve been hanging for this match for a long time ... it’s a great way to start the year.

"It takes a lot of courage to come back from surgery and to come back and lose the first set in a tiebreak and then win the second and third convincingly - it’s a good start."

Meanwhile, at the Brisbane International, Jelena Dolic pushed Amelie Mauresmo to two tiebreaks, but could not finish off, losing 7-6 (11-9) 7-6 (7-5).

Wellington eye-off finals berth

Peter Lucas — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:07:00 +1100

Wellington Phoenix defeated the Newcastle Jets 3-0 to stay in the race for a finals berth..

The win lifts Wellington to within one point adrift of fourth-placed Queensland Roar with three games remaining.

Round 18 Scoreboard:
Central Coast Mariners 1-0 Perth Glory
Melbourne Victory 2-1 Queensland Roar
Adelaide United 2-0 Sydney FC
Wellington Phoenix 3-0 Newcastle Jets

Round 19
Friday
Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets

Saturday
Central Coast Mariners v Queensland Roar

Sunday
Sydney FC v Wellington Phoenix
Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory.

On The Charge

Peter Lucas — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:51:00 +1100

The San Diego Chargers defeated the Indianapolis Colts 23-17 in an AFC wild-card game..

Darren Sproles rushed 22 yards for the winning touchdown 6:20 into overtime, ending the Colts nine-game winning streak a day after Peyton Manning won his third Associated Press NFL MVP award.

"It’s disappointing to lose a playoff game," Manning said. "We certainly had some chances to win, but give them credit. We had chances to put the game away, but we just didn’t do it.”

In the other game played yesterday, the Arizona Cardinals defeated the Atlanta Falcons 30-24 - it was the franchise’s first home playoff game since the then-Chicago Cardinals beat Philadelphia to win the NFL championship in 1947.

The Cardinals held the Falcons to a season-low 60 yards on the ground and the Cardinals scored 14 points off three Falcons turnovers.

Murray defeats Nadal

Peter Lucas — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:46:00 +1100

Britain’s Andy Murray defeated Rafael Nadal in the final of the Abu Dhabi winner-takes-all exhibition..

Murray, the world No.4 defeated Nadal 6-4 5-7 6-3 to claim USD$355,000 winners’ purse, following his victory against Roger Federer in the semi-final.

“It’s a great start to the year,” Murray said after his win.

“I worked hard on my fitness and game in November and December and both Rafa and Roger played great tennis, so I am delighted that I could beat them.”

In other tennis news, Australia’s Chris Guccione was bundled out of the Brisbane International by little known American Amer Delic, 6-4 7-5.

Clarke Cracks a Ton

Peter Lucas — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:36:00 +1100

Australia holds a slight advantage after day two of the third Test at the SCG..

Australia (445) had South Africa 1-125 at stumps, 320 runs behind and Proteas captain Graeme Smith will take no further part in the game after being struck on the hand by a Mitchell Johnson ball.

Smith returned from hospital wearing a cast after X-rays revealed a break, although he is expected to return for the three-Test series against Australia starting in Johannesburg on February 26.

Day two belonged to Michael Clarke who top scored with 138, his 10th ton and first at the SCG, and Clarke’s dismissal ended a 142-run partnership with Mitchell Johnson, as Australia’s tail wagged, with the last four pairs contributing 208 runs.

Michael Clarke said that the momentum was with the Australians after day two.

"We’ve got a sniff at the moment of winning this Test match. We’ve got runs on the board on a wicket that is going to get a little bit up and down," Clarke said.

South Africa’s Jacques Kallis is 36 not out with Hashim Amla on 30.

Adelaide Sale Topper Brilliant On Debut

Media Release — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:12:00 +1100

Leon Macdonald’s love affair with graduates of the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale rolled on at Cheltenham on Saturday when the master horseman prepared a treble..

All ridden by record breaking jockey Clare Lindop, who ended the day with four winners, the performances were headlined by the performance of debuting juvenile Miss With Attitude.

A daughter of Galileo, Miss With Attitude was the top priced lot at last year’s Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale when snapped up by Macdonald for $160,000.

Macdonald said the bright young prospect had shown him good ability in trackwork and she was sent out the favourite with bookmakers.

"Magic Millions here we come," Macdonald beamed after the race - saying the Morphettville juvenile feature on Adelaide Cup Day would be the main target for his newest star.

"She’s always shown us a bit at home," he added.

The Morphettville trainer won last year’s Adelaide 2YO Classic with Augusta Proud - the filly who also went to the Gold Coast and won the $1.5 million Gold Coast Classic.

Yet another graduate of the outstanding producing farm of Mill Park at Meningie, Miss With Attitude is the first named foal for the well related Flying Spur mare Sizzie ’em.

A city winner, Sizzie ’em is an Irish bred who is from a Mill Reef sister to French stakes winner Shelina.

A half sister to Miss With Attitude by Swettenham Stud’s top winner producing sire Bianconi is heading to the Morphettville sales ring in March.

The bay filly is catalogued as lot number 321 and is one of many stars from the draft of Mill Park - the farm who’s other Adelaide sale graduates include Group One winners Divine Madonna, Devil Moon, Undoubtedly and the mighty Mummify.

Another of the impressive winners from the Macdonald stable was the progressive Danehill Dancer filly Dancing Elegance.

A likely prospect for the Group One Australasian Oaks, Dancing Elegance led throughout and held out her rivals for a strong win.

A $100,000 Adelaide Yearling Sale graduate, Dancing Elegance is one of three winners from the beautifully related Kenmare mare Elegant Court.

Kadina’s Ducatoon Park will present an attractive half brother to Dancing Elegance at the upcoming Adelaide Sale.

Catalogued as lot 106, the bay colt is by Secret Savings - a leading sire who was sadly lost to the breeding industry in recent weeks.

Also heading to the Adelaide sale is a full brother and three quarter sister to Happy Honey - an impressive winner at Stony Creek in Victoria yesterday as well as a half sister to Allstar - yet another winner at Cheltenham.

All Sports Scoreboard

SportsLine — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:55:00 +1100

The final results of the Week’s Local and International Sports..

HORSE RACING - (Aust Stakes Races)

$80,000 Listed TTC Tasmanian Guineas 1600m @ Mowbray. Launceston.

1. Lyell (B Baker/D Gauci) 2. Western Wager (L Wells/S Maskiell) 3. Champara (R Hall/E Cassar)

$200,000 Gr3 VRC Standish Hcp 1200m @ Flemington. Melbourne.

1. King Hoaks (A Bennett/D Gauci) 2. Bowhunter (C & C Alderson/D Brereton) 3. Orbit Express (SR McKinnon/J Winks)

$150,000 Listed VRC Bagot Hcp 2800m @ Flemington. Melbourne.

1. Good Red (L Oliver/N Hall) 2. Robrick (R Laing/D Gauci) 3. Eskimo Dan (SB Laming/D Brereton)

$100,000 Listed NSW Tattersall’s Club Cup 2000m @ Randwick. Sydney.

1. Tommifrancs (GA Ryan/G Schofield) 2. Penrickson (GA Rogerson/P Wells) 3. Kettledrum (D Payne/J Lloyd)

$100,000 Listed NSW Carrington Stakes 1100m @ Randwick. Sydney.

1. Hairy (D Payne/J Lloyd) 2. Fangles (GA Ryan/J Quinnell) 3. Illuminates (GA Rogerson/P Wells)

$418,000 Gr2 WATC Perth Cup 2400m @ Ascot. Perth.

1. Guyno (L Luciano/J Whiting) 2. The Fuzz (DA Hayes/B Rawiller) 3. Ballack (DT O’Brien/W Pike)

$101,000 Listed WATC Summer Scorcher Hcp 1000m @ Ascot. Perth.

1. Danny Beau (B Watkins/J Whiting) 2. Star Laser (Jim Taylor/J Brown) 3. Formal Attire (F Maynard/P Harvey)

$100,000 Listed GCTC Goldmarket Hcp 1300m @ Gold Coast. Queensland.

1. Black Piranha (C Karakatsanis/T Angland) 2. Woody ’n’ Buzz (A Bailey/G Colless) 3. Forestreno (P McLeod/J Bowditch)

NFL AMERICAN FOOTBALL PLAY OFFS

Arizona 30 def. Atlanta 24

San Diego 23 def. Indianapolis 17 (OT)

Baltimore 27 def. Miami 9

Philadelphia @ Minnesota (TBP 8.30am 05/01/09)

A-LEAGUE SOCCER (Round 18)

Central Coast 1 def. Perth 0

Melbourne 2 def. Queensland 1

Adelaide 2 def. Sydney FC 0

Wellington 3 def. Newcastle 0

Melbourne vs Adelaide (From Round 15 - TBP 06/01/09)

Adelaide vs Queensland (From Round 16 - TBP 14/01/09)

NBL BASKETBALL

Townsville 105 def. South Dragons 95

Wollongong 112 def. Cairns 105

Gold Coast 103 def. Adelaide 94

Wollongong 111 def. New Zealand 94

Sydney Spirit 86 def. New Zealand 85

Perth 99 def. South Dragons 90

Townsville 105 def. Gold Coast 88

CRICKET - (TBP 3rd January 2009 @ 10.30am)

Australia vs South Africa (3rd Test) @ SCG Sydney. NSW.

Australia 1st Innings 445 (M Clarke 138) - South Africa (1st Innings) 1/125 (Stumps Day 2)

South Africa have already won 3 match Test Series 2-0

WNBL BASKETBALL

Townsville vs Logan (TBP 7.30pm 09/01/09)

Bulleen vs Dandenong (TBP 7.30pm 09/01/09)

Canberra vs AIS (TBP 8.00pm 09/01/09)

AIS vs Bendigo (TBP 7.00pm 10/01/09)

Perth vs Sydney (TBP 7.30pm 10/01/09)

EPL SOCCER

Aston Villa vs West Bromwich (TBP 11.45pm 10/01/09)

Arsenal vs Bolton (TBP 2.00am 11/01/09)

Everton vs Hull City (TBP 2.00am 11/01/09)

Fulham vs Blackburn (TBP 2.00am 11/01/09)

Newcastle vs West Ham (TBP 2.00am 11/01/09)

Portsmouth vs Manchester City (TBP 2.00am 11/01/09)

Middlesbrough vs Sunderland (TBP 2.00am 11/01/09)

Stoke City vs Liverpool (TBP 4.30am 11/01/09)

Manchester United vs Chelsea (TBP 3.00am 12/01/09)

Wigan vs Tottenham (TBP 12.30am 12/01/09)

Manchester United vs Wigan (TBP 15/01/2009)

Forest Knock-Off Man City

Peter Lucas — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:54:00 +1100

Nottingham Forest knocked Manchester City out of the FA Cup with a 3-0 third round win..

Forest, struggling at the bottom of the Championship, struck twice before halftime to put more pressure on City boss Mark Hughes.

In other third round shock results, League One side Southend grabbed an injury-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Chelsea and Hartlepool, another League One club defeated Premier League side Stoke City 2-
0.
The FA Cup fourth round draw:
Liverpool v Everton
Southampton or Manchester United v Tottenham
Hull or Newcastle v Millwall or Crewe
Sunderland v Blyth or Blackburn
Hartlepool v West Ham
Leyton Orient or Sheffield United v Charlton or Norwich
Cardiff v Arsenal
Portsmouth or Bristol City v Histon or Swansea
Chelsea or Southend v Ipswich
Cheltenham or Doncaster v Aston Villa
West Brom or Peterborough v QPR or Burnley
Torquay v Coventry
Kettering v Fulham
Watford v Leicester or Crystal Palace
Derby v Nottingham Forest
Birmingham or Wolves v Middlesbrough

Launceston Sunday Preview

John Barker — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 06:58:00 +1100

Devonport’s Wells family looks to hold the key to Sunday’s $80,000 Listed Betfair Tasmanian Guineas (1600m) at Launceston’s Mowbray racecourse...

The Leon Wells-trained Western Wager is undefeated from three outings this campaign and will go into Sunday’s listed race as the likely favourite, while Leon’s son Dean has two runners including the superbly bred last-start winner Punters Corner.

Western Wager, who had three starts as a juvenile for a win, a second and a fourth, opened his three-year-old campaign on Melbourne Cup day in Hobart with a 1¼-length win over Silver Bullion.

The form from that race has stood up nicely — Silver Bullion has since won, beating Water Frame, who went on to win a $20,000 race at her next start.

Western Wager then went to Launceston on November 30 for one of the three-year-old features of the Tasmanian season, the $60,000 Three-Year-Old Cup (1200m).

He finished strongly for the narrowest of wins over the tough on-pacer Lyell, who had to give Western Wager two kilos on that occasion but meets him at level weights on Saturday.

Western Wager then returned to Hobart and stepped up to 1400m, again in three-year-old company, steaming away on a heavy track to beat Fair Colony by three lengths, giving the runner-up 5½ kilos.

Notably, Fair Colony went on to notch a narrow win over Lyell in a similar race last Sunday.

Trainer Leon Wells said this week that Western Wager was fit and well, the only query being the step up to 1600m.

"It looks an excellent race for him — he’s only got to get a mile," he said.

"He looks like he will, but you never know until they get over it."

The gelding’s dam, Never Trumped, scored her wins over 1000m and 1180m, but his sire, local star West Quest, has already produced two Tasmanian Guineas winners — Dream Quest (2002) and Zest Amour (2006). Dream Quest went on to win that season’s Tasmanian Derby (2400m).

Sunday’s race will be the first renewal of the guineas to be run on Launceston’s new StrathAyr surface, which was opened the day Western Wager won the three-year-old cup.

"He handled it very well," Wells said, adding that conditions on Sunday would not be a concern.

"His two easiest wins on paper have been on heavy tracks but his best win was in the three-year-old cup on a (dead) track at Mowbray," he said.

Wells said Lyell, trained at Longford by Barry Baker, would again be hard to beat.

"He’s got to get a mile too, but he’s a very good little galloper," he said. "He’ll roll along up front or near the lead and we’ve got to get past him."

In-form jockey Stephen Maskiell, who won five races at Launceston on Boxing Day and backed up with a treble in Hobart last Sunday, retains the ride on Western Wager.

Perhaps the wildcard in Sunday’s race is the Dean Wells-trained Punters Corner, who’s fresh out of maiden class.

By Redoute’s Choice out of a half sister to the dam of Northerly, the colt cost $160,000 as an Easter yearling and had two runs as a two-year-old with John O’Shea in Sydney — a close debut second at Canterbury and a fifth at Rosehill.

He was placed as favourite in his first two runs for Wells before breaking through on Boxing Day, when he was one of Maskiell’s five winners.

He too is stepping up from 1400m to 1600m, and obviously faces a steep rise in class, but has his best racing in front of him.

And his Redoute’s Choice/Northerly connections suggest 1600-2000 metres could be an ideal distance for him.

Gold Coast Saturday Preview

Peter Lyne — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:04:00 +1100

Sydney sizzler Keen Commander has settled well in Queensland and is in top shape for Saturday’s showdown with local star Burdekin Blues in the $100,000 Bat Out of Hell (900m) at the Gold Coast...

Warwick Farm trainer Denise McGrath said this week Keen Commander "travelled up beautifully".

"Nothing fazes him — his temperament is brilliant," she said

An $80,000 Magic Millions purchase in 2005, Keen Commander has sprinted his way to six wins and 10 placings from 26 starts, returning more than $400,000 for Balthasar syndicate, of which McGrath is manager.

McGrath, who has held her trainer’s licence for two years, never held an ambition to train gallopers.

Rather, her association with the pony-club circuit led to her training and riding showjumpers.

"I spent many years taking ex racehorses and training them for the show ring," she said.

"After many suggestions from my husband I bit the bullet and started to train."

Today she has a team of 14 horses in work. She is happy to keep her numbers small so her charges can get individual attention.

Keen Commander has given McGrath a heady ride, with placings in the Group 1 Galaxy, Group 2 Challenge Stakes and Group 3 Shorts.

After winning the listed Lightning Handicap at Randwick in October, Keen Commander went to Melbourne for unplaced runs in the Group 1 Patinack Classic and Group 2 Salinger Stakes.

"The Melbourne experience was good for him," McGrath said. "The experience will help him for his Gold Coast races.

"He did come back from Melbourne a bit flat, but I was happy with efforts as he’s not really a 1200-metre horse."

Keen Commander gave notice that he was ready for his Queensland assignments in a barrier trial at Warwick Farm over 780 metres two weeks ago.

His 14-length win came as no surprise to McGrath as he had returned from a break looking fantastic.

"He’s a flying machine — trials or races.

"But whatever he does this week he’ll improve on the following week on Magic Millions day."

McGrath believes Keen Commander will be hard to beat this week but will peak seven days later in the RM Williams Magic Millions Sprint (1000m).

"He’ll take beating in both races," she said. "One thing you know is that he’ll always give 100 percent."

The Barry Baldwin-trained Burdekin Blues, racing for the first time since a win over 1200 metres in early August, looms as the logical danger.

The lightly raced son of Sequalo is blessed with plenty of speed and is expected to race boldly this week.

The four-year-old has an impressive record of five wins and three placings from nine starts and is on trial this week for a trip to Melbourne for the big summer/autumn sprints.

"This week’s run will give me an idea about a trip south," Baldwin said this week.

Burdekin Blues is an outstanding sprinter who is capable of matching motors with Keen Commander. He hasn’t trialled, with Baldwin keeping him fresh with the Bat Out of Hell in mind.

"He only had a brief spell and has been back in work 11 weeks," he said. "This will be his biggest test so far, but I believe he can win some big races.

"He can run time and he’s capable of leading all the way."

Caulfield Saturday Preview

Paul Richards — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:03:00 +1100

Robbie Griffiths’s improving stayer Fordee can earn himself a trip to Tasmania with a strong performance over 2000m at Caulfield on Saturday...

The son of Choisir displayed his staying promise with an impressive win over 1800m at Sandown on December 17 (pictured left).

"I was rapt with his win," Griffiths said this week.

"A victory over anything less than 10 furlongs (2000m) is a bonus.

"I’ve got a lot of time for him as a stayer and I was very happy with the way he won the other day. The field wasn’t the best but he stretched out like a good horse."

In-form apprentice Dean Holland had the mount on that occasion and Griffiths had no hesitation in putting him on again.

"He’s really got his eye in at the moment and is riding very well," he offered.

Griffiths is hopeful Fordee can measure up to some good staying company in coming months.

"He’s a really progressive horse. The first aim is to try and win an open handicap, which will get his rating up enough to earn a run in some of the better races. The plan is to head down to Tasmania for the Launceston and Hobart cups. That’s the first aim. The Adelaide Cup in March is also in our thoughts."

The first step is to notch an open-class win and Griffiths is confident Fordee can do it this week.

"He’s done really well since the win and the extra trip is ideal. He’s still down in the weights and I expect him to be running on hard."

While Griffiths appears to have a promising stayer on his hands in Fordee, he is also looking forward to the debut of his Danzero two-year-old Dante’s Flame.

The $80,000 purchase is a half sister to the Moonee Valley winner Baarassi.

"She’s a very quick filly — she’ll certainly put herself in the picture," he said.

"I’m just not sure what that picture looks like," he added, in reference to the number of unraced horses joining Dante’s Flame in Saturday’s Super Vobis plate over 1000m.

• Sydney, Adelaide, Launceston previews page 5

Randwick Satrurday Preview

Richard Callander — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:01:00 +1100

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That will be the rallying cry for trainer Gordon Yorke and his owners this Saturday at Royal Randwick when their promising stayer Rabbit Nagina contests a one-metro-win event over 2000m...

Rabbit Nagina ventured to the big smoke a fortnight ago and, after settling near the tail of the field, made a long run for third behind Come On Cugat and I’ve Got Talent, trying all the way to the line.

Neither of the quinella horses will contest this Saturday’s race and Yorke says Rabbit Nagina has improved greatly since his first attempt at Randwick.

"I think the two horses that beat him home last time are handy types and just looking at his opponents this week it looks a slightly easier race to win," Yorke told me earlier this week.

Rabbit Nagina is a five-year-old son of Fuji Kiseki who has faced the starter on 20 occasions for four wins and nine placings but earnings of only $48,700, which would be almost double by Saturday’s first prize of $42,000.

"He’s been a slow-maturing type — he’s just starting to realise what the racing caper is all about," Yorke said.

"Stayers usually don’t hit their peak till they’re six, or at least around that mark, and with him being only lightly raced we’re looking forward to some good times ahead," he added with an air of confidence.

"We probably came to town one run too early, stepping up from the mile to 2000m and jumping from the provincials to Saturday city grade but that run has improved him tenfold with the experience," Gordon added.

Rabbit Nagina will again be ridden by 99-time Group 1-winning jockey Jimmy Cassidy, who is currently in dashing form, and the Pumper reckons Saturday will be the Rabbit’s day.

"He’s still a big kid who wants to rush everything but he’s taken some promising steps at his past few runs and with gradual improvement I’m sure he’ll be right there on Saturday.

"He has a good turn of foot for a stayer and he’s tough, like most of Yorkey’s horses — which helps, knowing you can do some work during the run and there’s still something left at the business end."

The hardest to beat for Rabbit Nagina could be himself, as the field lacks depth outside of Nick Olive’s mare Predominance, who won at Rosehill two starts back, and Chris Waller’s Baha, who finished just behind the Rabbit last time out.

"Baha certainly has his work cut out to turn the tables on Rabbit Nagina but if he happened to show something near his best he could win without surprising us — we see what he can do every morning at home on the track," Waller said this week.

Cheltenham Saturday Preview

Paul Richards — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 07:00:00 +1100

Stuart Gower’s in-form sprinter Gilded Boots gets his chance to bounce back from a controversial stewards’ decision when he steps out in the Come To Allan Scott Park Morphettville Handicap (1000m) at Cheltenham on Saturday...

Gilded Boots won four in a row over Saturday’s course before stepping out on Boxing Day, again over the Cheltenham 1000m, and being first past the past, only to lose the race on protest for interference at the 300m.

"It was a pretty frustrating decision. Timely had 300m to run him down and couldn’t do it," Gower lamented this week.

The decision may prove a blessing in disguise for Gilded Boots as he will get in on the minimum weight with the rise in class, rather than be penalised for a last-start victory.

The five-year-old grey has been a late maturer, submitting some mixed efforts earlier in his career. He won three of his first 26 before claiming his four in a row.

"I’m not sure where the improvement came from," Gower said.

"He’s just finding the line this time in. We’ve been riding him just off the pace this campaign but we’d done that previously without success.

"However, this time in he is racing very well and he’s trained on nicely since the other day," he explained.

Ben Hoppo has been on board each run this time in and he will have the mount again.

"You couldn’t get him off even if you tried," Gower added with a laugh.

While Gilded Boots is in this form, Gower is happy to keep him going.

"There are a few more meetings at Cheltenham before it closes on February 21. We’ll keep him here and then maybe look for a race at Moonee Valley," he concluded.

— PAUL RICHARDS