June 2014 - Darren Weir Racing

Racing
Darren
Weir
336 Kennedys Rd
Miners Rest, Vic 3352
Office: (03) 5334 6655
Fax: (03)5334 6408
Racing Manager – Jeremy Rogers
jeremy@darrenweirracing.com.au
Finance – Michael Leonard
mick@darrenweirracing.com.au
Accounts – Luke Archibald
luke@darrenweirracing.com.au
Registrations – Katrina Wood
katrina@darrenweirracing.com.au
Memorable Day at Sandown
Live For Today started a memorable day at Sandown when he held
on gamely to win the Guinot Skincare Handicap over 1800m. It was
the stables 200th winner for the season in Victoria and brought our
National tally to a staggering 209 winners.
Consistent mare Atlantis Dream followed with a win, when Harry
Coffey timed his run to absolute perfection from the rear of the field
to get the bob in right on the line. Since returning in April after
having 18 months off, Atlantis Dream has finished in the top 2 in all
of her five starts so far this preparation.
Most Husbands (right)
was the final leg of the
treble and his attitude to
racing improved
dramatically after he did
some schooling in the bull
ring during the week.
Hopefully he can continue
with this winning form.
Now And Zen
Administration – Lorelle
lorelle@darrenweirracing.com.au
OH&S – Kevin Kane
kevin@darrenweirracing.com.au
Warrnambool
Correspondent – Denita Bowman
denita@darrenweiracing.com.au
@dkweirracing
Darren Weir Racing
www.darrenweirracing.com.au
Now And Zen, having his first run for the stable, revelled in the
heavy conditions to score an all-the-way win in a Benchmark 70 at
Warrnambool, defeating stablemate Flirtatious Girl. Now And Zen
hadn’t raced since December, showing again why the beach is such a
valuable asset in changing a horse’s attitude to racing.
The Million Dollar Man
Australia’s iron horse Gotta
Take Care is the latest
“million dollar man” after
having no more than a track
gallop when winning his
third consecutive $100,000
Brendan Drechsler Hurdle
at Bendigo. He’s now won
20 races and a tick over $1m
in stakemoney. This fantastic effort followed on from amazing wins
in the Galleywood Hurdle at Warrnambool then the Australian
Hurdle at Sandown.
Regular jockey, Johnny Allen, who’s ridden “Woody” in all his 16
jumps starts for eight wins and six placings, declared after the race
he’s the best jumper he’s ridden both here and overseas.
Profitable loss
ON THE COUCH WITH…
John Cox
Occupation: Farmer
Origin: Bamawm – Echuca
How long have you been involved
with horses? 50 years
How many horses do you own? Too
many
Who are some of the other trainers
you’ve been associated with? Gwenda
Johnstone
How did you become associated with
Weiry? I admired his horsemanship
skills one day at the Echuca races and it
all led from there.
What’s your favourite word? Jesus
Favourite Horse: Field Hunter
Favourite Jockey: Brad Rawiller
Favourite Racecourse: Moonee Valley
What is the best thing about Weiry?
He’s an outstanding individual who
makes time for everybody. He treats
me well
Who is the best horse you’ve owned?
Field Hunter or Tea Leoni
Who is your best horse at the
moment? Rural Hunter
Best Moment in Racing: When Field
Hunter won his 2nd start at Wangaratta.
It was my brother’s birthday, he
unfortunately passed away at 27 and it
was 27 years ago.
Who is your next hopeful? Fillery
What do you like most about visiting
the stables? The stables are
exceptionally clean and nothing is ever
too much of a hassle for anyone.
When you ask your trainer to find you a filly worth up to $100,000, you
probably think you’re going to get what you asked for. But when WIB
syndicate manager Michael Williamson received a phone call from Darren
telling him he’d just purchased them a colt worth $22,000, Michael was a
bit apprehensive about telling the other connections.
But the Domesday colt has turned out to be Profit Share who provided a
windfall for connections with a last stride win in the Two-Year-Old Maiden
Plate over 1200m at Seymour.
As he is both Super Vobis and Vobis Gold qualified he picked up almost
$31,000 in prize money and bonuses at Seymour. Rumour has it that it was
a long trip home for the Colac boys who celebrated his win with a few
beverages or should we say too many beverages.
Profit Share has since raced at Flemington finishing a close second, earning
$24,000 for his placing.
So for WIB Syndicate, WYSIR Syndicate, Simon Cook, Geoffrey Murnane
and Barry and Noel Parker you could probably say they owe Darren a round
or two at the bar.
Magical Jumps Day at Bendigo
What a huge day it was for the stable at the jumps day at Bendigo winning
the two features – the Brendan Drechsler Hurdle with Gotta Take Care and
then the Mosstrooper Steeple with Maythehorsebemagic. Magic who comes
out of our satellite stable in
Warrnambool, was ridden by Brad
McLean and led from start to finish to
defeat stablemate Cats Fun.
Unfortunately Cats lost all chance
when he almost sold out at the third
last fence. Johnny Allen somehow
recollected himself to stay in the
saddle and complete the course safely.
Gotta Love Mildura
Gotta Cellarbrate, kept up the family tradition when he comfortably won
the 1800m Maiden Plate at Mildura – their first meeting since Melbourne
Cup Day. Ironically, older brothers Gotta Keep Cool and Gotta Take Care
also won their Maidens at Mildura.
Gotta Keep Cool went on to win the Hobart Cup and Gotta Take Care is
the tough million dollar war horse….Lets hope Mildura is the first of many
milestones for Gotta Cellarbrate.
Farewell Oprah
After joining the stable in 2012, Oprah has now
decided to take a different avenue in life. She has
become an accomplished rider and has a real way with
calming down troublesome horses. Her witty sense of
humour and infectious smile will be sadly missed.
Back to back for Island Bar
Island Bar made it back to back wins from the country to the city when he won at the Benchmark 70 1500m Handicap.
The Reset gelding firstly secured a home town victory for his owner, Paul Gorey and connections when he won the
Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1600m at Swan Hill. Island Bar had been set for
this race since he returned into work, but with a disappointing run at Casterton
the previous start, there was that big black cloud hanging around before the race.
(And no Paul unfortunately it wasn’t rain for the crops.) But sure enough he
delivered on the day and his owners brought the grand stand down with their
outrageous cheering.
Credit must be given to Peter Ellis at Sandown, who plotted the path and of
course Jordan Childs who followed directions to absolute perfection. Once upon
a time, being caught 3 wide outside the leader would be the worst possible
position in a race, but when Pete says it’s the way to go to win it’s definitely the
way to go. He let down beautifully in the home straight, going onto score by a head
Thumbs up from Louise after
to the fast finishing Soaked.
his win at Sandown
No longer a Bridesmaid
Chloe Anna secured her Maiden victory at the Sandown mid-week meeting when
having her first run for a month. Following three second placings in a row, including
a luckless second at Bendigo on May 22 when she sprung a plate and protested
unsuccessfully against the winner, she was to run at Sandown on June 4 but after
playing up in the barriers, she was withdrawn. Racing in blinkers for the first time,
she was inclined to over-race early but after hitting the front soon after straightening,
she drew away for a comfortable win.
Open Days
So much time and effort goes into planning Open Days and there is only one thing you can’t control - the weather.
Unfortunately everything was turned upside down and round about when a down pour escalated, causing not only the
Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock Open Day to be forced under cover but also for the Ballarat Races to be called off.
The show went on and all horses were paraded, as well as some yearlings which still have some available shares.
Luckily enough Roll The Dice Syndications had a nicer day for their Open Day, although the sun wasn’t quite shining
brightly, there was no rain. Again all horses were paraded, which followed with an almighty feast for everyone.
3 in a row for Street Allure
All smiles from the winning jockey and strapper
Michelle & Stevie Payne
Street Allure made it 3 wins in a row when just getting the bob of
the head in the 3yo Fillies Eurozone Handicap over 1200m at
Moonee Valley. After developing a cold after her second run this
preparation, she was sent to our Warrnambool stable where she
recovered and has thrived on the beach.
Since then she broke her maiden at Bendigo in late May and won
her next start most convincingly at Sandown when romping in by 3
lengths. Having had just 10 career starts she has finished in the top
four at all of her outings, a perfect example as to how well Darren
and Jeremy place the horses to give them the best possible chance
of finishing in the money.
Retirements
Unfortunately Shiny Buttons suffered a tendon injury following last
month’s Warrnambool Cup and has been retired. After joining the
stable, he won the 2012 Warracknabeal and Heywood Cups. He
revelled in heavy conditions and this was evident when he bolted in
the Open 1700m Handicap over the Warrnambool Carnival this year.
This then earned him the chance to go one step better in the
Warrnambool Cup after running 2nd in 2013.
This month we also saw stable favourite Via Savoia, also known as
Cabin, retire. After showing his flat career was going to be limited, he
switched to jumps racing in 2011. He won 3 consecutive starts over the
jumps and was always thereabouts in his 4 years of jumps racing,
including finishing 3rd in two prestigious Brierly’s at the Bool.
Both of these horses will be sadly missed around the stables.
Denita with Via Savoia
Spring is in the Air
It is the middle of winter and although its freezing cold and blowing a gale,
there is an unusual vibe around the stables as our spring contenders return into
work. This month Group 1 winners Platelet (Strategic) and Mays Dream
(Juliette) returned for the start of their campaigns. Puissance De Lune (Frenchy)
has been progressing along well since injuring his tendon in the Cox Plate last
year and hopefully we can get him back up to the mark again. Up and comer
Signoff (Heppi) will follow the same path as stablemate Frenchy as he heads
towards the Bendigo Cup. Others to return into work include: Five All, Flying
Hostess, Lake Sententia, Prince of Penzance, Japhils, Rainbow Storm, Zabisco
& Siwa Lady.
Daniel heading out on Frenchy
Queensland Carnival
After winning the Warrnambool Cup in slashing style, Akzar had a tilt at the Group 1 Doomben Cup. It was a big step
up for him and he did a terrific job to run 4th to Streama. He then raced in the Group 2 Eagle Farm Cup but raced like
a tired horse, finishing 5th.
Lonhspresso also flew up to Brisbane to run in the Group 1 Tatts Tiara, but she unfortunately didn’t appreciate racing
in the clockwise direction. Both horses will now have a short spell before returning for a spring campaign.
Vroom Vroom Vroom
We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has sent messages
over the last month after our wonderful Warrnambool carnival. Your
support is greatly appreciated.
Thank you to the Warrnambool Racing Club for producing yet another
fantastic carnival. If you haven’t been to the Carnival, we recommend
you put it on your bucket list as all aspects of the carnival are worth
experiencing.
Also to Callaghan Motors, thank you for being involved in such a great
incentive, your contribution is certainly one of the main talking points
of the carnival.
5 Minutes with
Lisa Whelan
Date of Birth: 15/6/1986
Occupation: Apprentice Jockey
Favourite Horse: Scapolo
Favourite Stable Horse: Lord of Brazil
Favourite Jockey: Linda Meech
Favourite Racecourse: Flemington
Favourite Drink: Southern Comfort &
Lemonade
Favourite Food: Steak with mash potato
& gravy
Favourite thing to do at work: Ride
nice quiet horses
My ideal day is: To ride a winner &
come home to a nice dinner
If I could be anyone else I would be:
Pink
If I could invite 5 people to dinner they
would be: Mum & Dad, Marie Whelan,
Richard Cully & Brad Rawiller
My Dream is: To ride consistently well
once I’m out of my apprenticeship
Best Moment in Racing:
-Riding a double
-Watching Titch win the Auckland
Cup
-2014 Grand Annual
Captain finally salutes
After arriving at the stables in March, Captain Angry was starting to get
a name for himself. At each of his six starts for the stable he was sent
out favourite, but was just unable to put the win on the board.
The day finally arrived at Echuca this month when he secured his well
overdue win in the Moama RSL Maiden Plate over 1600m.
At his eighteenth start, Brad Rawiller gave him the best run in the race,
settling just off the leaders. Coming around the home turn he started to
track into the race and for a moment it looked like he was going to run
a nice second again. Brad somehow lifted him in the home straight to
win by half a length.
Congratulations to his very patient owners.
Spuntastic
Hard Spun colt Refulgent
added another string to his
bow when he won the Super
Vobis 3yo Brian Beattie
Handicap over 1610m at
Flemington.
After settling towards the
rear of the field, Brad
Rawiller had to weave his
magic when getting caught
in traffic at the top of the home straight. Brad rode with patience
waiting for the gap to come and it wasn’t until the final 200m that he
was able to gain clear running. He finished off with an almighty burst
going on to win by a head from Dig A Pony.
Since the blinkers were applied seven starts ago, Refulgent has finished
in the top 4 at each start, showing they have done the trick.
Congratulations to long term supporter of the stable Caye Duffy and
part owner Steven Fumberger.
Social Media
Make sure you check out our Facebook Page (Darren Weir Racing) and
Twitter account (@dkweirracing), providing you with up to date news
around the stables and at the races.
JUNE WINNERS
Show Artist ~ Atlantis Dream ~ Live For Today
Most Husbands ~ Island Bar ~ Ticking Away
Lets RockNRoll ~ Now And Zen ~ Street Allure
Profit Share ~ Maythehorsebemagic ~ Gotta Take Care
Refill ~ Gotta Cellarbrate ~ Island Bar ~ Chloe Anna
Street Allure ~ Wolf Hunter ~ Captain Angry
Refulgent
Darren Weir Racing Crossword
10
7
6
4
3
3
1
5
7
6
4
1
9
8
2
8
11
12
5
13
9
14
10
12
14
11
13
15
Across
Down
1-Most successful apprentice
2-Horse with the most wins
3-Burrumbeet Cup winner
4-Swan Hill Cup winner
5-Melbourne Cup runner
6-Up and coming Stayer
7-Nickname of Puissance De Lune
8-Surname of most successful stable jockey
9-Main training property
10-Middle name of Darren Weir
11-Surname of jockey to ride 3 down to victory
12-Ararat Cup winner
13-Retired steeplechaser
14-Colac Cup winner
15-Retired 2013 Warrnambool Cup placegetter
1-SA Oaks winner
2-Warrnambool Cup winner
3-First Group 1 winner
4-Hobart Cup winner
5-Darren's first winner
6-Vobis Gold pin up boy
7-Darren's hometown
8-Previous training venue
9-Dual Group 1 winner
10-Back to back Carlyon Stakes winner
11-Half-sister to 9 down
12-First Metropolitan winner
13-Unbeaten two year old
14-Chester Manifold Stakes winner
Fold here to hide the answers
Across: 1-Sebastian Murphy 2-Gotta Take Care 3-Heisman 4-Can Do 5-Leica Ding 6-Signoff 7-Frenchy 8-Rawiller 9-Ballarat 10-Kenneth 11-Mertens 12-Clang And Bang 13-Via Savoia 14-Chord 15Shiny Buttons
Down: 1-Mays Dream 2-Akzar 3-She's Archie 4-Hurdy Gurdy Man 5-Epaulay 6-Trust In A Gust 7-Berriwillock 8-Stawell 9-Platelet 10-Broken 11-Intravenous 12-Rather Yallah 13-Japhils 14-Anlon