Albany Review April 25th

The final meeting of the Great Southern season was held at Albany on Anzac Day and Jockey Shaun McGruddy got the double he required to edge out Shaun Meeres for the Leading Rider award. With the other awards already decided it was in the second last race of the day on outsider Dante's Princess that McGruddy edged to the lead. Meeres who did not ride at the meeting, missed  three meetings in the twenty set down, whilst McGruddy did not ride at the the opening few meetings in the season.

   

                                       Shaun McGruddy returns on Dante's Princess

Race One: Outsider Gran Corozon scored at long odds with a grinding win over Street Player and Hallowell Star. All three placegetters were having their second race starts, with Street Player and Hallowell Star three years old, whilst Gran Corozon is now a five year old and a day to day proposition for trainer Garry Delane. Gram Corozon was ridden by apprentice Rayce Nielson who really made a name for himself late in the season.

Race Two: Tennessee Waltz appreciated the milder company and finished off well to beat Toledo Express who sat back and ran on powerfully to get second ahead of promising King Point who was caught wide throughout and lost his position on the corner, but ran on well to finish third.

Race Three: Watsons Bay continued his dominance of local racing with another comfortable win over honest Titcherman and veteran He's Smokin

Race Four: It's taken Megablitz a longtime to chalk up his third career win recentley, but he has now made it two from three with a solid win over Le Freq who ran on well, but again was a beaten favourite. Chaddie showed plenty of fight to run third.

Race Five: Honest All Spots ridden well by Takahide Ikenushi proved too strong for favourit Aliento, who was gallant in defeat at only his third race start. Tiga Romano battled on well to run third just ahead of Dash Of brains who came from last at the 600m.

Race Six: Dante's Princess who had yet to strike form since resuming stormed down the outside to win over Classy Flirt who raced wide with Cat Magic narrowly getting third adhead of an improved Danger Money.

Race Seven: This race was delayed after apprentice Rayce Nielso had a tumble in the preliminary and unfortunatley sustained a suspected broken ankle. Furthermore two runners had to be withdrawn at the barrier, Favourite and third favourite Succesful Spin and Divine Dancer. This left Vindane a red hot short priced favourite and he won accordingly over Hililly who ran on from last and an improving Sir Chewzalot.

Albany Sunday April 25th Preview

Albany Race Club will conduct their last meeting of the season on Anzac Day (with coverage on SKY 2), and Horse Of The Year elect, Watson's Bay can put further icing on the cake when he looks very hard to beat in the Motel Le Grande Sprint for trainer Steve Wolfe who has the Trainers award all parcelled up. Shaun McGruddy again will ride Watson's Bay, and McGruddy will be making a late charge at current Leading Jockey Shaun Meeres who is away riding in Victoria over the next week.

Watson's Bay winning at Mt Barker

Race One: Mankini at second race start much improved when second at Narrogin 920m. Up in distance but worth thought. Back Already makes debut here after recent 600m Albany trial placing. Scrubby yet to be placed in six starts but meets milder company here. Street Player good effort at debut here over 1200m and sure to improve. Hallowell Star fair effort at debut Narrogin 920m. Need to further improve. Alexander The Great placed at Pinjarra five runs back and this field not strong.

Race Two: Dambig solid efforts at latest runs in similar company and close to a win. Dantes Dream has disappointed since a good first up run here, though much better effort last start. Sugar Stroller resumes here after only two starts. Has shown a bit and capable. King Point resumed and caught the eye when running on well here 1200m. Big chance. McIntyre good effort at debut 920m Narrogin January. Recent trial winner who has claims. Tennessee Waltz not disgraced at last three Bunbury and will find this easier. Nothing Burger struggling for form but milder field here. Toledo Express has shown abilty and recent trials very good.

Race Three: Watsons Bay prolific country winner who looks hard to beat here at same weight as last win. Group Memory city form since resuming fair and will appreciate the drop here. He's Smokin solid form without winning and similar case again here. Titcherman yet to win this season and placed last two in similar company. Western Zed placed here two starts back but well back last outing.

Commandeer (Alex Lawrence)

Race Four: Commandeer in solid form and better suited this trip. Won 1500m two runs back. Cho Son scored solid 1600m win here last start and can figure again here. Le Freq again got back had had excuses but proving costly to punters. Chance if not ridden so far off pace. Megablitz overdue win at Narrogin then placed City mid week. In great form rarely runs a bad race. Trimmconnection about the place last few but finding a win hard. Alsaah Warrior two good efforts at 1800m then fair run at the 1600m . Prefer over more ground. Chaddie good effort second 1800m here latest run. Won 1600m six starts back. Whinnen form solid but off the mark last three runs, and capable of better.

Race Five: Dash Of Brains moderate effort first up here than ran on well third 1200m. Up 3kg here. Aliento impressed at only two race starts and resumes here fom short let up after winning Maiden. Redford, good run two starts back but prone to mixing form. The Keillor Kid had had long preparation and better effort last start here 1200m. All Spots always about the place but does not win many. Bawcinthepark resumes here for new stable after two wins in eight starts in solid company.City Of Subiaco not sighted when resuming and can go better.  Tiga Romano failed last start over 1500m previous form shorter trips was solid. Look Here Trousers not sighted last start after two good efforts at previous runs.

Race Six: Pwakkers Back disappoiting at last three but drops back a class here and will have claim. Blazing Icon won Pingrup at last start over a month ago. Previous form moderate. Cherpara placed last two at Albany and Narrogin. Suited here. Diamond Royale looked good in winning two and pay to forget first up run at Narrogin. Canny Besain resumes here and has a solid first up record. Cat Magic better effort last start when placed at Narrogin. She's A Saint yet to strike form this time in but meets a mild field here.

Cherpara (Peter Hall)

Race Seven: Successful Spin followed good form with good 1200m  Maiden win. Untried this trip Vindane three fair efforts back from a spell. Should be ready to produce best. Sir Chewzalot improving every start and good effort last outing. Divine Dancer good effort two starts back at this trip and suited here. Tanganyika solid effort last start Kalgoorlie 1400m. West River Warrior better effort last start in milder company. Mctease well down on form but capable of better. Missy Lara nice effort last start over 1500m in Maiden company. I'm Called Earl placed here 1600m but well back City mid week. Big drop in class here.

Albany Review Thursday April 15th

Watsons Bay took a narrow lead in the Horse Of The Year award with a good all the way win over another Horse Of The Year aspirant in Star Buck. Trainer Steve Wolfe produced amother double, an has the Trainers award all tied up, whilst the Jockey award could go down to the wire. Shaun Meeres has a lead of 1.5 wins over Shaun McGruddy, but is unlikely to ride at the final meeting, with engagements in Victoria.

Race One:Though racing first up Sir Don proved too strong and scored a neck victory over outsider Sir Chewzalot who ran on well along the fence with Belles Fury a fair effort to run third. Favourite Shovely looked to held up momentarily after straightening but did not really run on. West River Warrior faded to fourth after leading and Missy Lara was a nice effort to finish fifth.

Race Two:Successful Spin after two placings produced the goods and came away for an easy win over Dambig who had the run of the race and took the lead on straightening. King Point resuming after one start caught the eye when finishing hard to just get third ahead of Dantes Dream and Street Player who was a good run at his debut.

Race Three:Watsons Bay continued his affinity with the Albany track with an all the way victory when well rated in front by Shaun McGruddy. It was the Steve Wofe trained gelding's fifth win in seven starts at the track. Favourite Star Buck chased home the winner but could not get any closer than the margin on the line, and Titcherman finished a distant third.

Race Four: Savage Wolf returned to the winners circle after a long run of outs when getting the upper hand of leader Radio Pleasure in the last 50m to win by a long neck with Commandeer running on late to just get third ahead of favourite My Equine Friend.

Race Five: Trainer John Askevold kept his longtime association with owner Tom Percy in tact when Cho Son won at odds when he ran on to get the better of a game Put Option who raced three wide throughout with Vojo holding third after leading into the straight. Trimconnection ran on fairly for fourth adhead of Vindane who got shuffled back at the turn. Le Freq again proved costly to punters.

Race Six: Young apprentice Alex Lawrence booted home his second winner with back to back victories with Alchemic who was far too good and won nicely over a fast finishing The Keillor Kid and Dash Of Brains who  came from near last to cut Majestic Ruby out of the placings. All Spots finished close up, whilst Master Marlon got too far back.

Albany Preview Thursday 15th April

Race One: Misty Affair placed Bunbury and Pingrup last two outings and has claims though drawn wide. Shovely knocking on the door and solid effort here 1600m last start. Sir Don form solid at only three race starts and races first up here. Stormy Sunset always about the place but finding a win hard. Lizard Drinking good effort last start from wide draw over 1200m. Capable of surprising. West River Warrior last two runs only fair and need to lift. Belles Fury continues to improve and chance here on good effort 1600m last start. Missy Lara had no luck when resuming over 1200m. Big step in distance.

Race Two: Haddon Hall five placings in thirteen starts but need to do better than last effort Pinjarra 1300m. Succesful Spin placed at last two here and is close to a win. Dambig form encouraging before having a hard run last start when unplaced here 1200m. Drawn wide again but respect. Dante Dream good effort first up but disappointing at last start here. King Point resumes after failing at debut after nice trial efforts. Kirov Park good efforts at three runs back and drawn to be right in this again. Glowing Vain not suited at 1600m last start and better placed here at the 1200m. Oriel fair effort first up but not sighted at next start here 1100m.

Race Three: Watsons Bay country form good before looked to have every chance here 1200m last start in stronger company. Star Buck followed excellent form with solid fourth 1200m here in good field. Hard to beat. Titcherman better effort last start here 1200m in similar company. Western Zed mixing form but has claims on best form.

Race Four: Radio Pleasure won two in a row before battling fifth 1800m in strong company. Better suited here. Savage Wolf placed 1800m two starts back then fair effort in Albany Cup. Commandeer broke through 1500m for overdue win. Very consistent but harder here. My Equine Friend stylish 1500m winner last start when running on. Up in class but can measure up. Whiitingham doing best work at finish 1500m here last start. This is harder.

Race Five: Put Option disappointed at last two after good Esperance form. Le Freq proven costly but not much luck at latest runs. Worth another chance. Vinadane should be at peak after two solid runs back from a spell. Alsaah Warrior better efforts at last two runs over 1800m. Trimconnection placed 1500m two runs back but only mid field last start same trip. Albanyorascot made ground late after slow start 1200m latest start. Senior rider aboard capable of improving. Divine Dancer much improved at second run back 1500m when just beaten. Need to reproduce that run again. Street Darling just won 1800m then up in class disappointing over 1800m. Better suited this trip. About Class better effort last start 1500m, but further improvement required. Classy Flirt not disgraced last start 1500m and capable of surprising. Vojo won Maiden 1500m then faded last outing after leading. Jeneviv better effort last outing over 1200m. First try at this distance.

Race Six: Weekly Express form not good but freshened and drops in class here. Alchemic good first up winner 1100m when race run to suit. Meets similar field here. Amelia Storm resumes here after good Kalgoorlie form last season. Master Marlon followed good restricted form with struggling effort in stronger company. Dash Of Brains very disappointing first up and capable of better. Furocitee resumes from spell here after good city form. Placed at this trip. The Keillor Kid has done plenty of racing and has struggled latest efforts. All Spots better effort last start here 1200m and always an each-way chance this company. Majestic Ruby went very fast in front and faded 1100m here last start. Capable if can settle.

Albany Cup Review - Sunday April 4th

Trainer Adam Durrant made it back to back Albany Cups with Great Destiny when he overpowered the leader Telexden to win by 3/4 of a length, with local hope Attadale running on to finish third. Great Destiny ridden by Jason Whiting led early, before Telexden took over at the 1500m and set a genuine pace. Telexden rated well by Danny Miller in front, attempted to dash away on straightening, but Whiting had the top weight ready to pounce and proved too strong in the run to the line. 

 Jolanta Star (Rayce Nielson) wins the Fitzpatrick Plate

Race One: Rayo Veloz overcame a wide draw to race outside the leade and hold on for a narrow win from Succesful Spin who ran on well with Kirov Park third and Sacred Script a good effort at his debut fourth. All these horses drew wide as did leader Dambig who faded out in the last 200m. Dominator ran on late to finish a handy fifth. 

 Rayo Veloz just holds on to win over Succesful Spin.

Race Two: Comfortably was ridden to perfection by Daniel Staeck and came with a well timed run to overpower an improving Belles Fury and Shovely who was another even run. Stormy Sunset again ran an honest race with Dan Falbrav looking to have every chance.

Race Three: Consistent performer Commandeer broke through for an overdue win narrowly defeating favourite Evil Force who battled on strongly. Go Fury Go ran a much improved race to finish third, ahead of About Class who ran a better race.

Race Four: Eternal Advice proved too good running on strongly to get the upper hand over a gallant Chaddie in the last 100m, with Alsaah Warrior a distant third. On The Double travelled well but could only manage fourth. Lukaston loomed on the corner but did not go on. 

 Eternal Advice (W.Pike) gets the better of Chaddie.

Race Five: The outside barrier was no problem for My Equine Friend as he powered home to beat outsiders Divine Dancer and The Mighty Boosh who took the lead on straightening. Whittingham battled away to run fourth, whilst Le Freq could only run onto finish fifth. Vojo faded after racing on the pace.

Race Six: Rejuvanted galloper Jolanta Star made it three wins in succession for trainer Max Hockey with an easy win over Noble Steed who set a solid pace in front with Week Bix running on to finish third ahead of Star Buck and Watsons Bay who never looked winning chances. 

Race Seven: Great Destiny had a great run in transit behind leader Telexden and class prevailed with Great Destiny wearing down Telexden with Attadale running on strongly for third. Timely Reign had a good run but just failed to run the trip out and finished fourth just ahead of Timberlands, Impact Rating and Savage Wolf. 

 Great Destiny wins the Albany Cup over Telexden.

Race Eight: With a lighting pace set by Majestic Ruby, Alchemic came with a strong run to give apprentice Alex Lawrence his first winner, beating The Upper Hand who again ran a solid race, with Son Of Thunder third ahead of Galinba Blast making ground to finish fourth.

Albany Cup Preview - Sunday April 4th

The $70,000 Albany Cup to be run this Sunday over 2100m will be an interesting betting race with local in form galloper Timely Reign the obvious favourite, but will meet some handy opponents in last years winner Great Destiny and Goldtown. Along with accomplished gallopers Movie World, Savage Wolf and Attadale the Cup is set to be a keenly contested race. Timely Reign will be meet all the runners he beat over 1800m last start at far better weight terms and the main contenders will come from the new blood in Great Destiny and Goldtown

 Timely Reign beats Movie World, Attadale and Telexden in the Mt Barker Cup

Race One: Dambig improving type placed at last two at Mt Barker and Albany 1100m. Awkward draw here. Dominator resumes here placed Northam 1300m three starts back. Cheval Magic has struggled since placing five starts back and again drawn wide. Dante’s dream resumed from injury enforced time out with placing Albany then fair effort 1200m Bunbury. Ready to show best. Rayo Veloz good debut from wide draw when just run down 1200m Maiden here. Drawn wide again bust strong chance. Successful Spin good effort at second start placed 1100m here. Harder here and drawn wide. Lizard Drinking placed fourth at all three runs this time in and draw here no help. Sacred Spirit makes debut placed in two city trials. Stable in form. Competitive Street has had every chance last few runs and proving costly. Honest placegetter. Kirov Park placed Narrogin and Albany at two runs back and has place prospects again. Villanity place at Narrogin then moderate effort Albany 1100m. Harder here.  Missy Lara resumed with fair effort here 1200m. Further improvement required. Oriel shade disappointing at two runs back and need to do better.

Race Two: Comfortably knocking on the door and go close on good second here 1500m behind Vojo. Dan Falbrav placed two runs back 1500m and not far away latest 1500m again.  Capable of surprising. Lunar Ice good efforts at latest runs in stronger company but steps up 300m here. Shovely placed last three at this trip and sure to be in the mix again here. Stormy Sunset not far away at latest runs but never looking a serious winning threat. Chance again. West River Warrior fair effort last start over 1500m but need to further improve to win here. Santavia placed Mt Barker 1100m two starts back but the failed this trip latest outing. Glowing Vain fair effort when resuming 1100m steps up 400m here. Belles Fury much better last start 1500m here, Need to reproduce that effort again. Hillily not far away at latest efforts 1300m and 1500m. Can surprise here if does not get too far back.

Race Three: Racso well beaten last start 1200m Open. Looks better placed here. Evil Force gutsy win 1200m here when racing second up. Untried this trip but in money nine of eleven starts. Commandeer very honest this grade with placings three of last five. Chance again. I’m Called Earl close up last start 1600m and has been racing well.  The Keillor Kid has struggled latest runs and faces a hard task here. Spicks and Speck good effort two starts back but disappointing last outing. Senior rider back on.

Race Four: On The Double had run of race when narrow winner 1600m here last start. Up in weight but claims again. Don’t Tell Toby has finished on well last few in similar company. Eternal advice in good form and top effort last start when close second 1600m. Strong prospects. Lukaston in top form and good winner 1800m here last start when ran on well. Strong chance again. Royalistic not far away last few but meet tough field here. Alsaah Warrior better run last start 1800m, but tougher task here. Street Darling finished off well narrow 1800m win last start. Chance again but up a grade. Chaddie struggled last few but better effort 1800m Albany latest.

Race Five: Le Freq won 1200m three runs back form since fair at 1500m, 1600m. Chance here. My Equine Friend won Maiden 1200m when resuming. Up in class here and drawn wide. Trimconnection not faraway Mt Barker 1300m then good effort 1500m Albany. Strong claims here. Show No Doubt has not had a lot of luck lately and has a good draw here and could bob up. Whinnen old timer racing with great zest with placings at all four runs this time in. Drawn wide place claims again. Vojo followed good Maiden form with a 1500m win here. Up in class but has claims. Whittingham won 1200m Mt Barker and fair effort 1410m Bunbury. Place prospects. Montclar Miss form fair but disappointing last start in similar company. Tiga Romano fair efforts at three runs back and first try this trip here. Carry The Banner not suited in two runs back but the extra300m will suit.

Race Six: Noble Steed racing in stronger company in city, but yet to place since returning. Easier here. Group Memory Form has been fair efforts in reasonable company in the City. Jolanta Star has returned in great form with two excellent wins 1100m Mt Barker, 1200m Albany. Strong claims. Master Marlon won Mt Barker 1300m then placed Bunbury 1410m. Each-way prospect. Share Trader placed Bunbury two starts back, need to run up to that form here. Star Buck won last four at Mt Barker and impressive last outing. Faces hardest test to date here. Tidal Storm struggling this season and looks well held here. Watsons Bay won well this grade last start here 1100m. Comes in well on weights. Week Bix very honest this grade and won two of last four. Outside chance.

Race Seven: ALBANY CUP 2100m
Great Destiny: Won this race last year and up 2kg in weight on second Geraldton Cup 2100m last Sunday. Done plenty of travelling but the class runner here.
Timely Reign: In great form and classy win here 1800m with 59.5kg.  Won Mt Barker Cup 2000m with 56.5kg and drops back to 54.5kg. On form sure to give a great site.
Attadale: Rejuvenated galloper who has been in good form followed placing Mt Barker Cup, then chased Timely Reign home 1800m last start.  Meets Timely Reign 3kg worse here. Place claims look best.
Eternal Power: Won 1675m Restricted class Bunbury two starts back then unplaced similar company same track. Much harder here.
Goldtown: Placed this race last year. At third run back made ground when fourth Ascot 2200m beaten 3 ¼ lengths by Great Destiny.  Will strip fitter meets Great Destiny 1.5kg better here.
Impact Rating: Cup winner two years back. Not really fired this time in and hard to suggest on struggling run 2200m Ascot behind Great Destiny.
Jordi: Maiden performer yet to win thirty three starts.
Movie World: Placed in Mt Barker 2000m then plodding effort 1800m behind Phormium here. Drops 2.5kg here and place claims look best.
November Red: Won one in twenty starts and struggling in far milder company.
Phormium: Got home late to win 1800m Albany second up then did not butter up when fourth to Timely Reign 1800m nine days later. Back again on ten day turn around but has good record this trip.
Savage Wolf: Starting to regain form and better effort last start when battling third to Timely Reign 1800m here. Has won up to 2400m and capable of having each-way outside prospects.
Telexden: Will be racing third up here. Not started since game effort and fourth to Timely Reign Mt Barker Cup 2000m. Expect similar effort here.
Timberlands: Placed four of last five starts over ground and is race hard. Close up 2000m Pinjarra last start in restricted company.

Race Eight: Alchemic resumes here for new stable. Won Ascot 1200m twelve months back. Pwakkers Back looked to have every chance last start 1200m Albany. Drawn wide here. The Upper Hand impressive winner at last two starts here 1200m and 1100m. Again drawn wide but has pace. Dash Of Brains resumes here. Raced in good company in city last time in. Redford disappointed after winning then much better effort second Albany 1200m. Saramento has struggled for best form of late and need to do better. Vindane not a bad effort racing first up when not far away 1200m. Will improve. Blazing Icon won 1200m Pingrup, but faces a harder task here from wide draw. Galinba Blast at third start good 1100m Maiden winner. Up in class but good effort last start. Son Of Thunder not a lot of luck at last two runs and does not fare well here at the barrier. Majestic Ruby showed great pace to lead and just run down 1100m here when racing first up. Chance here. Look Here Trousers good efforts at latest runs and outside claims again.