Oaks Chase Begins

 

The race to be crowned Australasia's premier three-year-old pacing filly begins tomorrow night at Moonee Valley in two $15,000 Nevele R Stud Victoria Oaks Preludes.

 

With just the two Prelude winners securing an automatic start in next week's $50,000 final, all 24 runners will be out to impress selectors with a total of 12 spots on offer in the Oaks.

 

The opening Oaks Prelude features Western Australian Oaks winner Miss Holmes (gate four), Newcastle Oaks runner-up Its Only Money (gate one), last start Moonee Valley winner Machinegun Molly (gate five, pictured) and South Australia's premier filly Perfect Lignum (gate four).

 

The second Prelude is by far the strongest with New Zealand Oaks winner Copper Beach (gate one) making her Aussie debut against Vicbred champion Nemeeshar (gate 10), Ballarat Oaks winner Moment In Time (gate eight) and the flying front-runner Bella Joy (gate two).

 

Oaks selectors will also cast an eye interstate too over the weekend with nominal favourite Village Swinger rounding off her preparation at Harold Park tomorrow night and SA Oaks winner Yada Yada Yada doing likewise at Globe Derby on Saturday night.

 

Two runners not in action this weekend, but bound for Friday week's feature are last week's Queensland Oaks winner, the Kiwi raider Turkana, and the runner-up Spare The Thought.

 

The $15,000 Nevele R Stud Victoria Oaks preludes will be run at 8.47pm and 9.47pm.

 

Shepparton Track Unveiled

 

Shepparton will commence racing tonight on their new state-of-the-art 1000 metre circuit.

 

The Kialla Paceway circuit has been extended from 852 metres at a cost of $1.35m, including a lighting upgrade, and is tipped by officials to become the fastest circuit in the state.

 

The unveiling is part one of joint $7m venture between Harness Racing Victoria, Greyhound Racing Victoria and the City of Greater Shepparton that will see the Shepparton Greyhound Racing Club locate from the Royal Showgrounds, together with an upgrade of the existing infrastructure and harness grandstand.

 

Trials were conducted on the Shepparton track, which features a massive 100 metre radius on the turns, on Monday night and the driver feedback was outstanding.

 

The new track will be officially opened at Shepparton's Winter Cup meeting on Saturday night, 17 July, where a host of free on-course entertainment and giveaways will feature.

 

Henschke Still US Bound

 

Win, lose or draw at Ballarat on Saturday night, enigmatic speedster Henschke is on a plane to the US on Sunday.

 

The former Breeders Crown champion will make his final Australian appearance in the $7000 Barry Foss The Good Guys Free For All.

 

The race will double as his first and only appearance for young Lara trainer Dean Braun, the fourth trainer to host the pacer in nine months.

 

Senior part-owner Mark Gurry today re-confirmed that Henschke would fly out on Sunday to join the New Jersey stables of Chris Ryder.

 

Ryder is currently enjoying a stellar run with Australian Derby winner City Rogue and has already earmarked a $200,000 feature in Florida next February for Henschke.

 

After sizzling trial win at Ballarat last Sunday morning when asked to set the pace, Henschke's former mentor John Justice, who's been given the honours of handling his last Australian drive, will be given similar instructions in Saturday's 2200 metre feature.

 

The Barry Foss The Good Guys Free For All will be run at 10pm on 3 July.

 

10 Straight A Task

 

Boom pacer Cashel Uisce faces his toughest test yet tomorrow night at Moonee Valley when he strives to take his unbeaten record to 10.

 

The Steve Harris trained and driven four-year-old must overcome the extreme second line draw (gate 12) over the short 2090 metre trip in what his metropolitan debut.

 

"The Tontine Final has turned out to be a very good form race, but I think this race might be a shade tougher," Harris said.

 

"If the luck goes his way, our chances are still pretty good, but he does have a bit of a job ahead of him from the draw.

 

"His work's been spot on this week though, so realistically it should only be bad luck, or a bad drive, that holds him out."

 

The Falcon Seelster gelding has captured the imagination of punters this season maintaining his unblemished record against the elite country company in slick times.

 

The $8000 Melbourne City Toyota Pace (9.17pm) promises to a beauty with Illawong Fabulous (gate one), a winner of his last four, and comeback hero Mode Of Action (gate five) taking on the unbeaten pacer.

 

Valley Workout For Oaks Champ

 

Star New Zealand filly Turkana has been granted special permission to work at Moonee Valley this Saturday morning.

 

Last Saturday's Queensland Oaks winner will get her first look at headquarters en route to tackling the $50,000 Nevele R Stud Victoria Oaks tomorrow week.

 

It'll be the first time her trainer Bruce Negus has ventured to the Valley since his former stable star Courage Under Fire was beaten as favourite in the $1m Interdom 2000 Final.

 

Turkana touched down in Melbourne last night and is now settling in well at Noel and Ruth Shinn's Wallan stables.

 

"There's plenty of improvement to come from last Saturday's win," Negus declared. "She wasn't at her best, despite winning the race."

 

"She's come through the trip down here well and Saturday will be a good chance to give her a look the track."

 

Turkana will stay in Melbourne for the next three weeks with the $50,000 Nevele R Stud Australian Oaks on 23 July also on her agenda.

 

Can Stihletto Stand Up?

 

Sunbury trainer Robbie O'Connell is no stranger to feature race trophies, he just hasn't held one aloft recently.

 

O'Connell, who put the polish on 1994 Victorian Horse of the Year Khans Thunder, is hoping that will all change tomorrow night though in the $25,000 Silver Chalice at Moonee Valley.

 

One of the true characters of Victorian harness racing, O'Connell gears up $2.50 favourite Stihletto in the time honoured feature for four-year-old mares.

 

O'Connell's last feature win at the Valley came courtesy of Khans Thunder in the Legends Consolation of 1996.

 

Whilst drawn awkwardly in gate 11 over the 2090 metre journey, Stihletto has been aided by a less than vintage line-up.

 

A winner at 13 of her 23 starts, the Australian Oaks placegetter of last season appeals as the one to beat with master reinsman Gavin Lang, who's chasing his first Chalice, in the gig.

 

Her dangers in the 8.17pm feature will come in the form of Katies Secret ($3.50, gate three), Awesomely ($5, gate five) and Fanci Pants Lombo ($5.50, gate one).

 

Ladies Hold Vicbred Aces

 

Female trainers hold all the aces as the race for the 2004 Vicbred Super Series 2YO Fillies crown heats up at Moonee Valley tomorrow night.

 

Jan O'Neill and Jayne Davies will line-up the two favourites, Triliner and Starry Rainbow respectively, in tomorrow's $15,000 semi finals.

 

Whilst Davies is no stranger to big race pressure, O'Neill, the likeable former thoroughbred trainer, is entering unfamiliar territory with her emeging star.

 

The Melton horsewoman tasted the biggest success of her career when she took out the Group 3 Tatlow Stakes Final two starts back with the regally-bred daughter of Christian Cullen.

 

Despite starting from gate seven in the opening semi-final, Triliner is a $2.50 favourite to move O'Neill one step closer to her maiden Group 1.

 

With the first five fillies home progressing to tomorrow week's $100,000 final, those also tipped to qualify are Arivee (gate 10), Kinda Arty Lombo (gate four), Flighty Lisa (gate one) and Lombo Portrait (gate six).

 

Starry Rainbow, a winner at three of her four appearances, is a $2 favourite in the second semi after drawing the coveted pole.

 

Those heading the chase to qualify along with her are Safe Response (gate three), Chillout Babe (gate four), Low And Lethal (gate nine) and Indianna Rose (gate eight).

 

The Vicbred Super Series 2YO Fillies Semi Finals will be run at 7.15pm and 7.47pm tomorrow.

 

Vics Chase Derby Glory

 

A trio of Victorian pacers have descended on Brisbane for the $50,000 Campbells Cash & Carry Queensland Derby at Albion Park on Saturday night.

 

Flaming Roadstar (gate one), Zaneden (gate six) and Penny Veejay (gate 11) all enter the Group 1 contest with genuine winning claims.

 

The Ken Tippet-trained Flaming Roadstar is a noted front runner who looks poised to chase an all-the-way victory from the coveted pole.

 

Zaneden, with master reinsman Gavin Lang in the pilot's seat, will be striving to give underrated Whittlesea trainer Glenn Taylor his biggest success in the Derby.

 

A last start runner-up to Penny Veejay after drawing poorly over the mile, Zaneden will relish every inch of the 2680 metre journey and is back to his career best form.

 

The Queensland-owned, Jayne Davies-trained Penny Veejay looks poorly drawn on paper, but the classy sit-sprinter will loom large courtesy of his explosive turn of foot.

 

The $50,000 Campbells Cash & Carry Queensland Derby will be televised live on Sky Channel and Sport 927 at 8.10pm.

 

New Herald Sun Guides

 

From today onwards, Victorian punters will notice a new look form guide in the Herald Sun for all Thursday, Friday and Saturday night meetings.

 

The major change is the addition of trainers' names in what officials believe will be a more comprehensive wagering information source.

 

The form guide brings together the successful elements of the old Moonee Valley 'Thursday night' guide in a consistent format across the state's three premier timeslots.

 

A fourth tipster and an on-course promotional update join the much sought after trainers' names as new additions to the guide.

 

These guides will come in handy as punters relax and take in the Thursday, Friday and Saturday night Victorian meetings in the luxury of their own homes.

 

Importantly, extended form will continue to be a feature of the Saturday night guide which will be popular when the 'Super Saturday' circuit rolls around in Summer.

 

Calendar Now On Sale

 

Harness Racing Victoria?s much sought after industry calendar is now on sale!

 

The 2004-05 edition will once again feature everything fans need to know about harness racing in not only Victoria, but South Australia and Tasmania.

 

Race dates for each state will feature from July 2004 to June 2005, together with an extensive list of each state?s feature races.

 

Proudly sponsored by Christian Cullen, the calendar will feature 12 spectacular monthly photos including some of the boom sire?s best progeny in full flight.

 

An exciting new addition are the monthly ?super value? vouchers on offer at Moonee Valley. These vouchers, supplied courtesy of Melbourne Harness Racing, deliver in excess of $50 worth of value and include 2 for 1 entry coupons, complimentary drink coupons and the opportunity to win one of several mobile barrier rides.

 

The calendars are available for $8 over the counter at Moonee Valley and HRV?s Moonee Ponds office or can be posted out for $10 simply by calling HRV on (03) 9375 4255 or emailing info@hrv.org to reserve a copy.

 

ABC Qualifying Continues

 

Qualifying for the 2004 Australasian Breeders Crown continues tomorrow night at Port Pirie.

 

The opening heat of the two-year-old fillies series will be conducted as a non-TAB event with just the two acceptors, Gigglybits and Ultimate Pet.

 

Gigglybits is the younger sister of last year's fourth placegetter Yada Yada Yada, whilst Ultimate Pet is a highly-rated Ultimate Falcon debutante from the Andy Gath camp.

 

The winner will progress to the $16,000 semi finals at Bendigo on 17 August. The loser is bound for the repechages nine days earlier at the same venue.

 

Qualifiers for the Crown finals thus far are Rhythm Of The Night (2YO trotters, NZ), Super Command (2YO trotters, NZ), Hurricane Flyer (3YO trotters, NZ) and Strapless (3YO trotters, NZ).

 

Equitable On Fire

 

Underrated Victorian sire Equitable had a day to remember yesterday at Cobram sharing a hand in four winners.

 

The Grosvenor Skipper stallion sired three winners, Equity Al, Jayteeare and Working Capital, and featured as the br