Passing Of David Bennett
On Saturday January 14th the RACE Group of Clubs received the news of the sudden passing of David Bennett.
David Bennett was the immediate past Chairman of the RACE Board having stepped down from this role just last October. “Dave Bennett’s contribution to the administration of RACE was immense. He undertook his role in racing administration with great passion and guided the Awapuni Partnership and RACE through significant change” noted RACE Chairman John Henderson. “He had only just stepped down from the Board three months ago and noted in his final report that RACE continued to face significant challenges ahead but believed the RACE model was the blue print for the future of thoroughbred racing in New Zealand and was confident the business had the personal to succeed into the future. It was with shock and great sadness that his passing was received at the Marton JC races on Saturday. He was a well respected racing administrator in New Zealand and will be sorely missed by the industry and RACE in particular".
David had also recently stepped down from the Manawatu Racing Club Committee after nineteen years. In those nineteen years he served as the Club President for three years. Graeme Martin, President of the Manawatu Racing Club noted that David Bennett’s influence at Club level, Awapuni Partnership and RACE Board level would never be forgotten. “Dave Bennett put a lot of hours into horse administration. It was a passion also and he raced a number of good horses as well as leading us on the Manawatu Racing Club Committee. Dave first joined the Committee in 1992 and quickly progressed to Treasurer in 1995. In 1999 he took up the role of Vice President for the Club, which he held until 2006 when he became President. He would remain President until 2009. Just last October the Manawatu Racing Club awarded Dave, Life Membership for all his work and dedication to the Club. Dave told me that night he was most deeply moved by this recognition and was looking forward to joining us at many meetings at Awapuni. Unfortunately his life has been tragically cut short”.
The RACE Group OF Clubs extends its sincere condolences to David’s wife Estelle and his daughters and family.
Riddell ready for biggest ride of his life
Awapuni jockey Jonathan Riddell (pictured below) will team up this Sunday (Dec 11th) to take on the best on one of the biggest stages in the world at Hong Kong. But dont think the Palmy boy is getting nervous.
Riddell flew to Hong Kong on Tuesday to team up with trainer John Bary and Jimmy Choux in the $20m (HK) Cathay Pacific International Mile . The five time Group One winner impressed Riddell with his work on Wednesday morning. This was the first time Riddell had been on the horses back since November 12th. "He worked over 1400m wide on the course proper and he did it very well. He was very strong at the line and picked the bit up when we were going down the back straight. He is bright and looks fantstic" Riddell informed the Manawatu Racing Centre.
But how does a jockey who was riding over the jumps four years ago think he will go against the world best. "I try not to think of them as the worlds best. They are another jockey in any other race. I would have been riding at Awapuni on Saturday if I wasnt here and I will take in the same attitude in as I would if I was at home. I will give as good as they give me. I dont think of them as the worlds best otherwise I would get overawed. I think that it is a trap you could fall into".
For Riddell now the wait is for 8.50pm local time for the race. "I just hope he draws well as we have only had one good draw all season, so I think were due one" said Riddell. One thing is for sure in that come 8.50pm Sunday night all of the Manawatu will be cheering Jonathan Riddell on.
Subsequent to this interview Jimmy Choux drew ideally in barrier 2.
Northern visitors equal favourite in Ezibuy Eulogy Stakes
The TAB Bookies have been unable to split Northern visitors Dowager Queen and Zurella as they opened there markets for the $70,000 Group 3 Ezibuy Eulogy Stakes. Both these fillies come into these races off totally different campaigns to date.
The Debbie and Graeme Rogerson trained Dowager Queen is back from an Australian campaign that culminated in her running second to Mosheen in the Group 1 VRC Oaks. Her Australian campaign saw her run third in the Flight Stakes at Randwick before going ot Melbourne and running second at Caulfield and then third at Flemington in the Wakeful before going on to the Oaks. On Saturday she will ridden by Darryl Bradley in her eightenth career start which has seen he ammass half a million in stakemoney from four wins and nine minor placings.
Zurella heads into the Ezibuy Eulogy at just her fourth career start. Her previous three starts saw her narrowly defeated on debut at Waikato before winning a maiden at Hastings and then beating the older horses at Waikato in a Rating 70 1600m. She has impressed in those two wins and Shaun Ritchie has already claimed he has alot of time for the filly. With James McDonald committed to riding at Waikato, CD jockey Lisa Allpress will substitute.
Equal fifth favourite and big local hope is Capital Diamond. She ran a huge race for third in the Group 1 One Thousand Guineas and has worked evry well at Awapuni during the week. With Jonthan Riddell riding in Hong Kong this weekend Kelly Myers will once again ride her. The Latta/Myers combination has been in scintillating form of late having picked up the Group 2 Wellington Guineas and Group 2 Couplands Mile.
The full market is: $3.20 Dowager Queen, Zurella $8.50 Joy's Choice, $9 Abeautifulred, $11 Testa Secret, Capital Diamond, $18 Kindred, Unbelieveabelle $21 Trendy, $26 Reasons unknown, Jungle Pago $31 Prepared
Camp beaming after workout at Flemington
It was a far happier Jonathan Riddell after he put Jimmy Choux through his final work leading into the Cox Plate. Jimmy Choux worked in from the mile (1600m) half pace at Flemington before quickening from the half mile (800m) before being let stride form the 600 metres. "He felt fantatsic and was very strong in his work" commented Riddell. "He must have worked good as there were a few turning round too see who it was when we walked off the track".
For Riddell now the pressure mounts as he awaits for 5.35pm Australian time (7.35pm NZ) for the biggest ride in his career. "I walked the track on Tuesday with John and the Owners. I will head back today and just walk round by myself and run a few scenariosn through my head. Quite a few of my friends are flying over tomorrow including my manager so hopefully he has a plan with him that wins me the Cox" laughed Riddell. Im sure you join us at the Manawatu Racing Centre in wishing our Awapuni jockey all the best abd hopefully he can show us his Cox Plate after the race.
Cox Plate and Draw
The favourites Helmet and Jimmy Choux will eye ball each other from the start of Saturday's $3 million W.S. Cox Plate after drawing adjacent barriers in the capacity field of 16 that includes two emergencies.
The Moonee Valley Race Club had to employ its discretionary power to determine the final field after 16 horses were declared as final acceptors this morning.
Avienus and Yosei were named as the two emergencies with 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient included in the final 14.
The connections of each horse were able to select their preferred barrier position after each horse was drawn by chief steward Terry Bailey.
All inside nine gates had been taken before the name of NZ Horse of the Year was drawn with his trainer John Bary taking gate 10.
|
The Cox Plate field in race book order with barriers is:-
1 Efficient (5)
2 Descarado (9)
3 Wall Street (7),
4 Glass Harmonium (4)
5 Jimmy Choux (10)
6 Sincero (6)
7 Lion Tamer (16)
8 Playing God (15)
9 Rekindled Interest (3)
10 Shamrocker (1)
11 Pinker Pinker (12)
12 Secret Admirer (8)
13 King's Rose (2)
14 Helmet (11)
Emergencies
15 Avienus (14)
16 Yosei (13)
|
Moonee Valley gallop hard to line up
Jimmy Choux final hitout before the Cox Plate has not gone one hundred percent to plan. When we caught up with Jonathan Riddell thirty minutes after the gallop he was still not happy with what had occured in the gallop. "Rekindled Interest trainer had asked that they send a mate with him as he pulls quite hard if they go to slow" explained Riddell. "However we went that slow it was only ever going to be a sprint home and as we saw Rekindled Interest had us covered". Riddell however did have some positive comments regarding the horse. "He handled the Valley as good as gold and dont worry that wont be an issue come Saturday" reported Riddell. "He is a happy and contented horse but that final gallop has annoyed me as that was not the plan when we went out on the track".
The next big thing for the Jimmy Choux camp now is the barrier draw which will happen at Moonee Valley on Tuesday morning.
Jimmy Choux works well at Flemington
It was a happy Jonathan Riddell after Jimmy Choux had his first serious hitout in Melboune on Saturday at Flemington. After working the entire over 1600m Riddell was happy to report the work had been "very good. "He was nice and relaxed and did it so easy. John has him on top of his game and now I suppose its a matter of going to the Valley on Tuesday then the racdeay. Im not worried about him coping with the crowd on raceday. If anything he enjoys them" said Riddell.
For Jimmy Choux then it is now on to Moonee Valley on Tuesday for a gallop with Breakfast With The stars then the all imprtant barrier draw.
Jimmy Choux has first look at Moonee Valley
Jimmy Choux has had his first look at Moonee Valley and according to trainer John Bary was not fazed. "Today was just a trot and a canter so Jimmy could get a feel for the place" commented Bary. "His serious gallop at the Valley will be next Tuesday when Jonathan (Riddell) is here. It is Breakfast with the Stars so there will be a bit of atmosphere and it will get him use the the 'velodrome ' as they call it but honestly nothing fazes him". John Bary reported Jimmy Choux is eating up and all is well with the Kiwi Champ. "Im looking forward to Jonathan getting here and galloping him on Saturday then it will be full steam ahead to the Cox".
Riddell faces biggest ride of his life
Jockey Jonathan Riddell (pictured above) knows he faces one of his biggest tests in his riding career when he teams up with Jimmy Choux on October 22nd. But talk to the Awapuni jockey and he seems to be taking it all in his stride. Riddell will team up with the NZ Champion galloper Jimmy Choux in the $3M Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 22nd but before then he has many tasks to get through.
Riddell has come along way since he has returned to flat riding. It should come as no surprise though as was a very good apprentice but had weight issues. Its these weight issues that restrict Riddell to riding 56kg today. However the comeback has well been worth it. Last season he was the NZ leading jockey in stakemoney earnt. This season he already heads the stakemoney list having already won two Group Ones on Jimmy Choux and a Group Three on Dating.
Riddell heads across the Tasman this weekend to gallop Jimmy Choux for trainer John Bary. The Saturday gallop will take place at Flemington and Riddell reports all is on track. "John has been very happy with the way he has travelled and he has settled in very well". After Saturday, Riddell will be back across to New Zealand to breeze up his two year olds at Te Rapa on the Monday before returning to Melbourne. "On Tuesday he will head to the breakfast with that stars at Moonee Valley and that will be his final gallop before the Cox at this stage but as we know plans can change" said Riddell.
New Zealand press have reported that Riddell has not ridden at Moonee Valley but this is not the case. "Maybe they dont count jumps rides" Riddell laughed. "The jumps track use to be inside the course proper so it much tighter, so I do have some idea of where Im going".
Riddell had offered to keep us up to date with Jimmy Choux progress as well as John Bary. So look for more updates as we get nearer the Cox and hopefully the Cox Plate can head back to NZ.
Click here to read our latest newsletter - June 2011