By David Gilbert
NARACOORTE trainer Sue Murphy’s dream of Hasta La War lining up in this year’s Melbourne Cup is still alive despite the gelding not gaining automatic entry into the big race last Saturday at Flemington.
Had Hasta La War won the $500,000 Andrew Ramsden over 2800 metres, he would have been guaranteed a start in the 3200 metre Melbourne Cup in the first week of November.
As it turned out, Hasta La War ran one of the best races of his career with a slashing third at 30/1.
The seven year old gelding ran home strongly in the concluding stages, leading Murphy to ask jockey Linda Meech as to whether Hasta La War would be suited by the extra 400 metres of the Melbourne Cup.
It was music to Murphy’s ears when Meech replied, “there is no doubt about that”.
Murphy was still all smiles at Casterton races on Sunday after Hasta La War picked up $45,000 for his minor placing the previous day.
Plans are to go ahead with trying to get Hasta La War into the Melbourne Cup field when he returns to racing next campaign.
“He arrived home this morning (Sunday), he has pulled up well, his legs are good and I will give him a freshen up,” Murphy explained.
There are still upcoming races which give horses automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup, however if Hasta La War continues racing with such zest when he resumes then he may earn the right for a place in the final field without having to gain automatic qualification.
FIRST MELBOURNE WINNER
A milestone for the career of local harness trainer Alyce Finnis with her first winner at metropolitan level in Victoria on the weekend.
Her consistent pacer Art Jester made it two wins from his past three starts with an impressive win at Melton on Saturday night over the unusual distance of 1200 metres.
Art Jester ($6.50) looked a forlorn hope on the home turn when nearer last than first but sprinted brilliantly for claiming driver James Herbertson to win running away by four metres in the $20,000 event.
Naracoorte trainer Greg Scholefield’s successful raid on Adelaide harness racing continued the same evening when Jawsoflincoln made a one act affair of the NR 70 pace at Globe Derby Park.
At his second run from a spell, Jawsoflincoln was at prohibitive odds ($1.28 fav.) and had no trouble leading all the way for a 12 metre victory for driver Gaita Pullicino.
STAYER ON THE RISE
LAST Sunday’s Casterton Cup may have unearthed a stayer with a big future, such was the effort of Bold Bourbon to win the $50,000 event.
The Lindsey Smith (Warrnambool) trained gelding is only a lightly raced four year old and went into the Casterton Cup following wins in restricted grade at Terang and Warrnambool on heavy tracks.
His decisive win after sitting three wide the entire journey brought up the hat-trick of wins and he has now won five races from only 14 starts.
Despite racing for the first time in open company, Bold Bourbon became the shortest priced favourite ($1.90) to win a Casterton Cup this century.
For jockey Dean Yendall, it was his third Casterton Cup victory this century and the first since he won on Bec Said No Credit for Darren Weir 10 years ago.
It was a good day at the office for both Yendall and Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde who both ended with trebles for the day while jumps jockey Aaron Kuru chalked up a double.
There were two winners for Mount Gambier stables at Casterton and the win by Maracourt in the BM 64 handicap over 1400 metres was first class.
Maracourt was a good thing beaten at his previous run here on Mount Gambier cup day when second to Chill With Teejay in the Volcano handicap.
The Michael O’Leary trained gelding defied a late betting drift ($3.10-$4) when the money arrived for the runner-up Armstrong Bay ($4-$3.20 fav.).
Maracourt looked to have the job ahead of him when third-last at the 600 metres but quickly reeled in the leaders in the straight to win by a neck.
Mount Gambier hobby trainer Barry Carraill is enjoying picking up Victorian prize money of late and returned home a winner when Alblazer stormed home to win the 2000 metre 0-58 handicap.
“I’ve only got one horse in work so I’ve got the perfect strike rate,” a beaming Carraill told the media post race.
“He has been in work since last August and it was a pretty gutsy effort as he was three deep all the way, admittedly with cover.”
That was Alblazer’s ninth run this preparation and his second win (the other at Edenhope in March) and Carraill has already sent the five year old gelding straight to the paddock for a spell.
Alblazer defied a betting drift ($6-$12) and it was a good reward for part owners Ray and Teri Patching who have been loyal stable owners for around 30 years.
Punters were on the ball when they backed Elvison with great confidence to win the steeplechase.
Elvison ($2.60-$1.95 fav.) treated racegoers to a magnificent exhibition of jumping to lead all the way and win his fifth race over the big fences at Casterton from seven attempts..
The Casterton Racing Club was blessed with perfect weather for its cup meeting but the clash with Mother’s Day had an effect on numbers.
While club officials stated the attendance was up on the previous year (conducted in cold, showery conditions), it was nevertheless well down this year on pre-Covid numbers.
The decision to instigate new camera angles for the jumping races at Casterton was a brilliant move and really added to the spectacle for viewers.
Technical issues had punters miffed when the on course tote was out of action for nearly the entire meeting which is simply not good enough for a cup day meeting.
Black bookers from Casterton: Maracourt and Bold Bourbon (both capable of winning at city level).
At Bordertown last Friday, Adelaide jockey Kayla Crowther had multiple success with a double to move within two wins of Kate Walters for premiership honours this season in the Limestone Coast.
Surprisingly, no Limestone Coast trainers had success on the eight race card with all winners coming from further up the Dukes Highway.
Black bookers from Bordertown: Zac’s Back and Naseeb.
MILLICENT CUP BECKONS
THE final cup meeting of the Limestone Coast racing season will be here at Mount Gambier on Sunday week (May 30).
It is the annual meeting for the Millicent Racing Club which has always been one of the bigger meetings of the local season since it was moved to a Sunday in 2000.
Millicent trainer and club vice-president Jeremy Kenny will be hoping for plenty of rain in the interim should Bear Arms be the first Millicent horse to win a home town cup since General Magic for the late Ned Walker in 2002.
Bear Arms has done nothing at two runs this campaign but is a completely different horse on heavy tracks.
The Redelva luncheon, always a highlight of Millicent Cup day, will be held in the member’s dining room and bookings can be made with John Payne (0455220427) or Naomi Winter (0427812738).
Fashions on the field are offering $4,000 in prize money with $1,000 to the winner of the women’s section.