New Rules May Lighten Load For Bush Horses

Sun Herald

Sunday March 23, 2008

By Tony White tony-white3@bigpond.com

UNDER new discretionary powers issued to Racing NSW handicappers, country-trained horses entering provincial and metropolitan events are eligible for weight relief.

The change in the ratings policy post equine influenza recognises country-trained horses were badly treated under the previous system.

"Part of the review into the ratings system found country horses were disadvantaged under the previous template," racing and commercial manager Greg Rudolph said.

Some country horses were asked to carry weights decided on the results of races in which they bettered a country field.

"Handicappers now have the discretion to recognise some weight relief when [country horses take] on a stronger pool of horses," Rudolph said.

Rudolph added Racing NSW is looking at options to reprogram zero-win midweek metropolitan handicaps, ideally suited to country-trained horses.

A $12,000 Weekender

LITTLE-KNOWN Tarcutta trainer Rod Weston is sitting on a potential goldmine.

Last year Weston bought a half-brother to Ross McDonald's champion three-year-old and Doncaster favourite Weekend Hussler for a mere $12,000.

Named Weekend Soldier, the two-year-old is unraced, having trialled at Albury and turned out after shin soreness set in.

"I had a bit of BOBS money and went to the Classic sales looking to buy a filly or two," Weston recalled. "The ones I liked were too expensive so eventually I looked around and liked this fella's breeding. I managed to get him for $12,000.

"Weekend Hussler hadn't raced at the time. If my bloke turns out to be half as good, I'd be rapt. He's still growing. I'll bring him back in the spring."

Weekend Soldier was on the small side and Weston had him gelded directly after the sales.

He was not for sale "unless it's real good money".

Less is more at Coffs

THE $70,000 Coffs Harbour Cup on August 7 has been reduced in distance from 2300m to 1600m.

The Coffs Harbour Racing Club committee believes the distance change will enhance opportunities to attract a better class of field and boost turnover.

"At the time of year the cup is run there is generally a limited pool of stayers available," secretary-manager Russ Atkinson said. "It's a problem across the north coast.

"And form from the race in recent years generally hasn't stood up. By altering the race to 1600m it could follow on with a linkage to the South Grafton Cup and other areas. We think it will be an exciting race."

Atkinson said a 1900m or a 2300m event would be staged on the same day to cater for stayers.

The club could hold next year's meeting on successive days, possibly Wednesday-Thursday.

Glow heads to the city

ROSS STITT'S smart three-year-old filly Heavenly Glow has been transferred to Allan Denham at Rosehill.

Heavenly Glow made her Sydney debut with a slashing third to Occurrence at Rosehill on March 8. The five-time winner is entered for a 1580m handicap at Canterbury on Wednesday and is being aimed at the $150,000 Keith Nolan Classic (1600m) at Kembla Grange on April 6.

"She's a very promising filly and her future is in Sydney," Taree-based Stitt said.

"The travelling would have been too much for her so I've given her to Allan.

"Allan gave me a horse a few years ago that we won a few races with. He's been up me ever since to return the favour.

"After Heavenly Glow's run the other day, he reckons he got the better deal."

Robl's five on trot

JOCKEY Peter Robl returned to his old stamping ground at Wagga on Tuesday in grand style, notching up five wins.

Robl, now stable rider for Clarry Conners in Sydney, won successive races aboard Drums for Greg McDermott, Paper Trail and Follow The Command for Barbara Joseph, Mister Unique for Peter Clancy and Fu Who for Trevor Sutherland.

His daring ride on Fu Who, pushing up on the rails through a needle-eye opening, was a gem.

Level playing field

CLARENCE River Jockey Club has completed renovations to the new 1000m chute at Grafton racecourse. Low spots and unevenness, created by previous horse traffic from the old 1000m start, have been corrected and the area graded. Turf was laid on Wednesday. Chairman Bob Pavitt said the remedial work would produce better performances, especially in wet weather.

Kudos for Hunter

TWO respected Hunter Valley families - the Marheines and Cobcrofts - were involved in breeding feature country race winners Brisk Crown and Sin Sin Sin last weekend.

The Brett Rosen-trained Brisk Crown (Beautiful Crown-Tuft) scored his seventh race win in the Wellington Cup.

Two-year-old Sin Sin Sin, trained by Trevor Sutherland, won the Wellington Boot.

Brisk Crown was bred at the Marheine's family's Stratheden Stud, Tamworth. Fantastic Light debutante Sin Sin Sin was bred by the Cobcrofts.

Sin Sin Sin was initially sold for $34,000 at the 2006 Inglis weanling sales in Sydney, then later passed in at $70,000 at the New Zealand yearling sales.

They're racing

TAB meetings: Today - Nowra; Tomorrow - Dubbo; Tuesday - Scone; Friday - Cessnock, Goulburn; Saturday - Queanbeyan.

Non-TAB: Tomorrow - Wauchope; Saturday - Narrabri, Ballina, Warren, Cootamundra.

Stable secrets

OUR CARD: Trumps.

IMPRESSIVE: Sure is.

QUICKLY: Will arrive in a hurry.

© 2008 Sun Herald

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