REAL LIFE LAME AFTER UPSET TRIUMPH IN MOUNT EDEN SPRINT

Rejuvenated pacer Real Life’s racing future is in doubt after pulling up sore moments after his upset victory in the group 2 Find Thirty Every Day Mount Eden Sprint at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The seven-year-old appeared scratchy in the warm-down lap and a veterinary examination revealed that he was lame in the near foreleg.

Just one week after winning a claiming event, the Victorian-bred Real Life gave further proof that 64-year-old Byford trainer Tony Svilicich is a genius, with Real Life bursting to the front at the start from barrier three, setting the pace and winning by a length from stablemate Has The Answers.

Svilicich claimed Real Life for $15,000 on August 20 and since then the Life Sign gelding has had ten starts for two wins and five placings for earnings of $56,847 to take his career record to 58 starts for 16 wins and 22 placings for $189,123 in prizemoney.

Svilicich also prepares Has The Answers, who started second favourite at 7/2 and put in a tremendous performance to finish second, sustaining a three-wide burst from seventh at the bell before switching four wide at the 300m mark and running home boldly.

Tuapeka Tiz (16/1) trailed Real Life throughout and was badly hampered for room and went to the line full of running to finish a head behind Has The Answers in third place. Talk To Me Courage (10/1) flew home late to be fourth, with Im Themightyquinn, favourite at 3/1 on, wilting to sixth after racing three wide for most of the 1730m event.

Real Life started third favourite at 6/1 and reinsman Shannon Suvaljko said he went into the race full of confidence. “I gave him a very big chance,” Suvaljko said. “He’s been racing well and this was probably the right draw, and with the other two fancied horses drawn badly, it was our race. And the horse has done a great job.

“When he got to the front so easily and with Im Themightyquinn out there three deep and with Has The Answers on his back, we had to get an easy half to hold them off in the last half.”

And Real Life certainly got a comparatively easy 800m when he was able to coast through the first two 400m sections of the final mile in 30sec. and 30.1sec. He then increased the tempo and sprinted the final two sectionals in 28.2sec. and 28.4sec.

Real Life rated 1.55.8 and his all-the-way victory followed the pattern set in the previous two years when Sneakyn Down Under led and won the Mount Eden Sprint in 2008 and Aliveandwell repeated the dose in 2009.

 CROMBIE ON TARGET FOR THE GOLDEN NUGGET

After completing a training treble at Gloucester Park on Friday night with Crombie strolling to an effortless all-the-way win in the Find Thirty Ways To Be Active Young Drivers Pace, Oakford horseman Ross Olivieri declared that the four-year-old was spot on for the $175,000 Golden Nugget Championship on November 26.

Olivieri had been successful earlier in the night with Ima Spicey Lombo and Emjayem Grand and he now holds top spot on the metropolitan trainers’ premiership table with 18 wins, four ahead of Gary Hall sen. and eight in front of Tony Svilicich.

“He’s going for the Nugget and he’s good enough to win it,” Olivieri said after Morgan Woodley had guided Crombie to an impressive victory over Amongst Abbey and The Rocket Band.

The Victorian-bred Crombie, owned by Gary and Leanne Elson, was favourite at 20/1 on and he gave Woodley an armchair drive, beginning smartly from the No. 1 barrier and relaxing in front before sprinting the final 400m in 27.8sec. to coast to victory in the 2130m event at a moderate rate of 2.0.5.

This was Crombie’s fifth win in a row and his third in his current campaign, taking his WA record for Olivieri to 12 starts for ten wins and a third placing. His overall record now stands at 26 starts for 12 wins, seven placings and stakes of $207,828.

“All he loves to do is to race and run,” beamed a satisfied Olivieri. “He’s a better horse now than when he won the WA Derby in April. He’s more seasoned and has turned out to be a really nice horse.”

Woodley has taken a commanding early lead for the Kim Prentice Medal in the 2010-11 season. After winning the medal for the third time last season, Woodley has won the first two Young Drivers’ events this season. He scored with 10/1 chance Hyhope on September 10.

 SPECIAL SHOE HELPS IMA SPICEY LOMBO TO RETURN IN STYLE

A specially-made shoe with a bar across the middle played a major role in Ima Spicey Lombo’s successful return to racing when she gave a superb frontrunning display to crush her rivals in the 1730m Find Thirty Be Happy Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The ease of her victory, at her first appearance for 17 weeks, stamped her as a major contender for feature events at summer carnival at Gloucester Park.

“Christmas is looking good for her,” said trainer Ross Olivieri. “I’ll be setting her for feature events for mares and also for the big races over the summer months.

“She is about one of six horses I have at the moment who are vying for the honour of being the best horse in the stable. And what a difference it makes with her being totally sound.

“In the winter, when her form was very good, she was racing with a foot problem. She had a separation in one of her front feet and so we gave her about six to eight weeks off. Mike Sangalli has helped by making a special shoe, and now the separation has nearly grown out.”

Young reinsman Chris Voak was thrilled at Ima Spicey Lombo’s brilliant victory, saying: “She’s got bigger and better things to look forward to. I didn’t have to pull the ear plugs and she won in second gear. It wasn’t as though she was accelerating away from her rivals. It was just that they couldn’t keep up.”

Five-year-old Ima Spicey Lombo, bred in New South Wales and raced by Mick Lombardo, has amassed $236,206 in prizemoney from her 19 wins and seven placings from 43 starts.

By Pacific Fella out of Sexy Lexy Whitby, she is a granddaughter of for champion mare Whitbys Miss Penny, who had 50 starts for 32 wins, six placings and stakes of $568,289. Her wins included the Edgar Tatlow Stakes at Moonee Valley in March 1990, the 1991 WA Oaks and WA Derby and the 1992 Fremantle Cup.

Ima Spicey Lombo (backed from 7/4 to evens) had no difficulty in leading from barrier one on Friday night and she dashed over the final 800m in 57.4sec. to win by three and a half lengths from 20/1 chance Hyhope, who trailed her throughout. Mr Clancy ran on from seventh at the bell to be a good third. Ima Spicey Lombo rated a slick 1.55.7.

Spiritwithin, Eastwood Fire and Sportivo met with severe interference 300m after the start. The stewards found that Ryan Bell had shifted inwards with Spunky Monkey, causing Spiritwithin to break into a gallop. Bell’s licence to drive was suspended for 25 days.   

 MILLWOOD MEG RESUMES IN GRAND FASHION

Millwood Meg, winner of the Australian Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year award last season, made a wonderful return after a spell when she cruised to an easy win over Elena S in the 2130m Find Thirty For Better Health Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The Greg Bond-trained mare was favourite at 10/1 on and she began well from barrier five, but had to work hard to get to the front after 500m. From then on it was a procession, with Millwood Meg winning comfortably at a 2.0.5 rate.

“She got out okay, but I think they were all gunning to get that position forward,” said Chris Lewis, who took the drive behind Millwood Meg with the star pacer’s usual driver Colin Brown relaxing on a ten-day cruise.

“She had a fairly comfortable run for her first-up effort and she did it nicely. She probably could have run quite a bit quicker. She felt as though she could have gone another quarter quite comfortably.”

Western Jade led after 70m before Grant Williams weaved his way through the field to get Elena S from the outside of the back line to the front after 300m had been covered.

Elena S then enjoyed a perfect trail behind Millwood Meg and she was hampered for room in the home straight and finished full of running when a 4m second. Parsonemby, who had worked hard in the breeze, fought on gamely to dead-heat for third with Little Angel, who rattled home from eighth at the bell.

Millwood Meg is being set for the $50,000 Four-Year-Old Championship at Gloucester Park on November 19 and the $175,000 Golden Nugget Championship the following week.

 SHOAB STORMS HOME AT LONG ODDS

Veteran pacer Shoab caused an upset when he stormed home to win easily from Cuzin Judd and Dark As Suede in the 2130m Find Thirty Reduce Stress Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

The hardy six-year-old chestnut settled in eighth position and finished powerfully from sixth at the bell to charge to the front 100m from the post to score by two and a half lengths.

This gave Morgan Woodley the first leg of a double. He ended the program by driving Crombie to an easy win in the final event.

Shoab, bred and owned by Laurie and Lillian O’Neill, of North Dandalup, has proved to be a wonderful moneyspinner. By Saab, he is the first foal out of Shoemin, who had only six starts (in 2001) for one placing, a 40m third behind Steel Air at Kalgoorlie.

Shoab showed early promise and he finished third behind Silver Tail Adda in the State Sires Series final for three-year-old colts and geldings at Gloucester Park in May 2008. He now has earned $148,545 from his 18 wins and 39 placings from 103 starts.

“It was a pleasant surprise,” said Woodley. “They went really hard early, which we had hoped, and I was happy to lead up the three-wide line myself. But, as it turned out, fortunately we got the cart up on the back of Surfin Superstar and he took us right where we needed to go.” Shoab started at 12/1 and returned handsome odds of 41/1 on the tote.

Motu Treasure, favourite at 5/2 on, had no luck and he faded after a torrid run to finish fourth. Denzel Washington led early before Michael George sent Motu Treasure from the No. 9 barrier to the front after 200m.

Indomitable Saab, second favourite at 6/1, went forward from barrier eight, but he hung in very badly, causing severe interference to Hillview Storm after 300m.

Hillview Storm broke into a gallop, but recovered quickly and Matt White sent him forward to challenge Motu Treasure for the lead. Hillview Storm got a half-length in front, but was unable to cross to the lead.

Indomitable Saab vacated the one-out, one-back position and moved to the breeze 1150m from home and with 400m to travel there were three in a line (Motu Treasure, Indomitable Saab and Surfin Superstar) contesting the lead. But they all wilted in the home straight as Shoab emerged out wide to career to the front and win from Cuzin Judd (eighth at the bell) and Dark As Suede (tenth at the bell).

Warren Robinson (Dark As Suede) lodged a protest against Cuzin Judd, alleging interference on the home turn. The protest was dismissed.

 BUBBLES AND BLING BOOSTS HIS EARNINGS

Queensland-bred five-year-old Bubbles And Bling boosted his earnings to $67,142 when he was not extended in leading all the way and beating Thrills Ahead by two lengths in the 2130m Find Thirty Feel Better Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Bubbles And Bling, favourite at 7/4, bounced straight to the front from the pole position and Boyanup trainer Kim Prentice was able to dictate the terms of the race.

Barachias (4/1) raced in the breeze and he kept Hirli Birli Lombo (2/1) out on limb, three wide. Thrills Ahead enjoyed the trail behind the pacemaker.

Barachias faded to seventh and Hirli Birli Lombo fought on grandly after his torrid run to finish a most unlucky fifth.

Bubbles And Bling, who won the Western Crown Classic for two-year-old colts and geldings at Gloucester Park in February 2008, now has had 26 starts for eight wins and six placings. He looks set for further successes.

“He’s really toughened up in the last month or so,” said Prentice. “We’ve most probably been too kind to him, looking after his legs. We thought we’d bite the bullet with his work and his past four starts have been really good runs. Tonight he was jogging.”

 BUTT’S ALLOWANCE PAVES THE WAY FOR GLACIER STAR

New Zealand-bred seven-year-old Glacier Star is proving a good investment for Busselton owner Craig Lynn.

Forrestdale trainer Jarrad Humphries made a wise decision when he engaged New Zealand teenager Chris Butt to drive the gelding in order to gain a concession.

Butt’s allowance as a junior reinsman enabled Glacier Star, an M2-class pacer, to contest an event restricted to M1-class horses. Glacier Star then drew favourably at No. 2     

Glacier Star trailed the early pacemaker All In Teck before the gelding was shuffled back to three back on the pegs after Morgan Woodley had sent Am I Tough to the front with 1150m to travel, leaving Mon gee in the breeze.

Artorius, the 6/4 favourite, was traveling well at the rear before he met with severe interference in the second-last lap and dropped back to a conspicuous last. The stewards found that Glen Richards was to blame by abruptly reducing the speed with Knot Justafireball, who had charged forward three wide and then was unable to gain a favourable position. Richards was fined $300.

Mon Gee got his neck in front of Am I Tough at the 600m mark, but he wilted in the final. Stages as outsiders Zero Five and Glacier Star emerged.

Chris Lewis sent Zero Five to the front with about 90m to travel, but Zero Five was unable to withstand the strong finishing burst of Glacier Star, who went five wide on the home turn and charged to the front 50m from the post.

Glacier Star, a winner of three races from 33 New Zealand starts, has now had 33 starts in WA for Lynn for seven wins and six placings. Butt, the seventh driver to have handled Glacier Star in WA, certainly made the most of his first opportunity behind the gelding.

“We got a nice soft run on the pegs while a few of them were doing a bit and then we were able to get off round the bend,” Butt said. “It was just a matter of getting clear.”

 LEWIS ESTABLISHES A BIG EARLY LEAD

Champion reinsman Chris Lewis completed a treble and increased his lead on the metropolitan drivers’ premiership table when Mighty McDana proved far too good for his rivals in the Find Thirty Feel Great Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Mighty McDana’s all-the-way victory gave Lewis his 22nd city success in the 2010-11 season and he now leads comfortably from Shannon Suvaljko (13 wins), Kim Prentice (11) and Colin Brown and Morgan Woodley (nine each).

The New Zealand-bred Mighty McDana, trained by Greg Bond, was a 5/2 on favourite who gave his supporters little cause for concern as he began speedily from the No. 1 barrier and set a solid pace to score by 7m from Too Bad at a 1.57.8 rate over the 1730m journey.

“I was quite impressed; he could have gone quite a bit quicker, I’d say,” said Lewis. “On that run, I think he’s going to win a few more races.”

Lewis made the most of the drive behind Mighty McDana, replacing the gelding’s regular driver Colin Brown, who is enjoying an ocean cruise.

Mighty McDana, a five-year-old by McArdle, has had only 18 starts. He won twice from 13 appearances in New Zealand and now has had five starts in WA for two wins and two placings.

 EMJAYEM GRAND UNFAZED AT FIRST RUN IN A STAND

New South Wales-bred pacer Emjayem Grand, a group 1 winner as a two-year-old, broke through for his M0-class victory --- at his first appearance in a stand --- at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Trainer Ross Olivieri and reinsman Chris Lewis were quite apprehensive about the gelding’s ability to get away smoothly from a stand.

But their doubts were ill-founded and they were mightily relieved when Emjayem Grand began smartly from barrier four on the front line in the 2096m Find Thirty On The Run Handicap.

“It was his first start in a stand and I was happy when he got away,” said Lewis. “He was quite happy sitting in the breeze; he’s a very professional little racehorse.”

Olivieri said that Emjayem Grand had shown himself to be a fidgety horse and he felt that of all the horses in his stable that he was the least likely to get away from a stand.

Grit (8/1) set the pace from barrier two, with Galveron, backed from 3/1 to 5/4, sitting behind him and with Emjayem Grand (4/1) in the breeze and 5/2 chance Puhinui Rainbow enjoying an ideal trip, one-out and one-back.

Lewis bided his time in the breeze before urging Emjayem Grand to the front 80m from the post. Puhinui Rainbow finished strongly into second place, a half-length from the winner. Grit held on to be third, with 20m backmarker Conte Centovalli finishing strongly from the rear into fourth place.

Emjayem Grand now has earned $188,917 from 18 wins and 14 placings from only 42 starts. His seven WA runs for owner Paul Poli have produced three wins and three placings.

Emjayem Grand, by Bettors Delight, showed early promise by winning the $100,000 group 1 Bathurst Gold Crown for two-year-olds in March 2008. Emjayem Grand’s four-year-old half-brother Chariot King also won this classic a year later and he now boasts a fine record of 33 starts for 18 wins, eight placings and $318,908 in stakes.

 HARPER SEIZES THE OPPORTUNITY WITH FALCONS MEDLEY

Byford trainer Tony Svilicich’s great run of successes continued unabated at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he scored a double with Falcons Medley and Real Life.

Kyle Harper made the most of his first drive behind Falcons Medley by guiding him to an easy victory over Alby Albert and Kinki Village in the Find Thirty Every Day Pace over 1730m.

The 20-year-old Harper was the 12th reinsman to have handled Falcons Medley in his 34 WA starts which have produced four wins and six placings for owners Neil Glen, Ross Keys, Frank Healy, Graham Rhodes, Jim Spiniello and Barbara Burns. 
 
Falcons Medley, a New Zealand-bred six-year-old, was a solidly-backed 2/1 favourite and he revealed excellent ability in working hard in the breeze before getting to the front 250m from home and racing away to score by three lengths from Alby Albert (11/4), who fought on gamely from ninth at the bell.

Falcons Medley rated a slick 1.56.6 and should be capable of winning many more races.

The disappointment of the race was the failure of Appladay, a well-supported equal second favourite at 11/4. Appladay trailed the pacemaker Eyes On Armbro and did not threaten danger, finishing a well-beaten eighth.