Albany Preview Tuesday November 30th - SKY 1

The third meeting of the season will be held this Tuesday afternoon with a later start commencing at 2pm. The final race of the day looks a good betting medium with impressive first up winner Collayshell stepping up in distance and tackling seasoned horses in Don'Tell Toby, Megablitz and Eternal Advice

Goldtown has been close up at two runs back from a spell

Race One:  Jarnac good effort 1400m first up and ideally suited here.  Stormy Sunset moderate effort 1400m first up. Sure to improve. Ladson very average effort at Bunbury first up. Capable of better. Vain Crusher not far away 1100m first up. Previous form suggest a strong chance. Desert Oak good efforts at only two starts and claims here.


Race Two: Sir Chwezalot resuming here. Showed a bit late in season last time in. Rasadasc resumes after Bunbury trial placing. Previous form fair in stronger company. Daneclicked makes decut here after city trial. January Boys midfield at debut and likely improver. Panaster Boy makes debut after two fair trial efforts. Stripped Bear making debut after trialling fairly at Albany. The Dark Side has three placings in nine starts. Drop in class here.


Race Three: Noble Steed good first up then disappointing next run. Can do better.  Crosswise big improver second up when just beaten. Goldtown two runs back from spell good and suited here. Attadale doing best work at finish first up. This trip suits. Movie World found 1100m too short first up, go better here.


Race Four: Pwakkers Back in form with two wins back from a spell. Races best when fresh. The Tax Man close up at two runs back from spell. Monsieur Blanc not too far away at second run back. Jazzy Saint capable of better than effort at Collie. The Mighty Boosh fair effort first up and similar company here. Why So Blue moderate first up, has not won for sometime.


Race Five: I'm Called Earl two good efforts when running on from the rear on front runners tracks. Succesful Spin two solid efforts back from a spell. Ready to produce best. The Keillor Kid better effort when racing second up. Can surprise. Blazing Icon not far away at two runs back. Rarely wins. Cho Son won at 1600m last season. Placed recent 1000m trial. In The Move fair effort here last start. Need to reproduce. Trimconnection will improve on first up run at Narrogin. Kings Tribute good efforts at two runs back but finds winning hard. Mr Magnificent races best when fresh resumes here after trial placing. Alabaramer resumes. Placed first up last season.


Race Six:  Dambig won Maiden then moderate effort this company. Chuck The Bird not too far away at last two starts. Shawaim fighting winner at debut. Up in class but looks to have ability. Ridgewood Manna just beaten when racing second up. Mixes form. Tiga Romano failed first up but capable of better. Jeneviv resumes here showed ability last season.


Race Seven: Eternal Advice good first up effort and suited here on past form.  Don't Tell Toby strong effort at latest start. Always handy. Megablitz good first up effort and should noe be at peak. Aliento beaten favourite first up but escuses. Has trialled since. Kaiser Crown not far away second up at Pinjarra. Form has been fair. Collayshell good winner when racing first up. Steps up 300m first try at trip. Dark Money placed second up at Narrogin after failing here. Disco Reveller battling effort last start this is harder.  Gotanygoss not fired in two runs back needs to do better. Xaarphonic dropping in class on latest runs and won Northam five runs back

Early thoughts:
Race One: Jarnac,  Desert Oak, Vain Crusher Stormy Sunset
Race Two: The Dark Side, Stripped Bear, Rascadasc, Sir Chewzalot
Race Three: Goldtown, Noble Steed, Movie World, Attadale
Race Four: Pwakkers Back, The Tax Man, Monseuir Blanc, The Mighty Boosh
Race Five: I'm Called Earl, Succesful Spin, Cho Son, Kings Tribute
Race Six: Shawaim, Jeneviv, Chuck The Bird, Ridgwood Manna,
Race Seven: Eternal Advice, Collayshell, Megablitz, Don't Tell Toby

ESPERANCE Preview with Ryan Levitzke - SKY 2

The first meeting of the 2010/2011 season at the Esperance Bay Turf Club gets underway this Saturday afternoon and the first race is scheduled for 2:01pm. It’s history for the E.B.T.C. with the first ever meeting to have SuperTAB coverage and Sky Channel coverage throughout Australasia. While it’s magnificent news for the club it’s also terrific news for serious punters. However on Saturday the vast majority of gallopers are resuming and/or debuting at the track so finding winners won’t be easy. Senior riders Russell Hanson, Peter Farrel, Shaun Meeres, Neil Chapman and Misty Bazely will be accompanied by a host of promising apprentices.



The Instant Video Maiden (1000m) is the first of six races. Resume Play, Miss Heckyll, Honor’s Secret, My Girl Kate and Donnyonetime have all been produced at the barrier trials but betting activity is sure to be the best guide to their chances. Three of the eight gallopers are having their first race start.


Race Two is the MCM Protection Maiden (1200m) and we saw a few of these runners last year. Cut And Dried will wear saddle-cloth numero uno and on November 14 won an 800m trial by more than a length. Last season he caught the eye on many occasions but his lack of early speed is a concern and ultimately cost him breaking his maiden status. Expect him to be running on powerfully at the finish. Cyclos, Shameless Hussy, Rarina and The Comforter are also recent trial winners and the Ross Daniels trained Leidenwin is a last start placegetter at Kalgoorlie.


Race Three starts the Quaddie and is called the J. Tieri Roofing Handicap over 1100m. Royal Wing raced with a lot of success last season and won her last two starts in February over 1400m and 1300m. She won a trial earlier this month and has drawn nicely in barrier three. Expect stiff competition from All The Gold who ran second at Albany last start. Landmark Lady and Grand Storm also look to have genuine claims.


Race Four is the EBTC Memorial Handicap and speedsters Outside Influence and Tashi Delek are sure to be prominent for a long way. Top-weight Spartan Idol won over 1100m at Northam in August, Comes Around scored over 1100m at Kalgoorlie in May and Stormy Express and Western Crown both showed talent at Esperance last season.


The Ray’s Contracting Handicap (1100m) sees the return of track specialist He’s Smokin’. He boasts a fantastic strike rate but so does opponents Expedition and Ears Loppy. Mufasa and Dan The Fox will debut at the venue while Summer Crossing will only carry 54kg.


The last event is scheduled for 5:13pm and while Key’s Ace has poor numerical form next to his name he is sure to have admirers. The nine year old was placed in this year’s Esperance Cup and he is capable of sprinting well fresh. Silver Ambush won his last start at Norseman and the likes of Danacolada, Put Option, Ron’s Gem, Twice The Speed and Hackett’s Heart will all have support.


It’s fair to say that tipping with confidence for the rest of the season will be a lot easier after Saturday. Early selections ; Honor’s Secret, Cyclos, Royal Wing, Well Adjusted, He’s Smokin’ and Danacolada.


- Ryan Levitzke (race caller)

Albany Review Sunday November 21st

The second meeting of the season The Albany track produced a front runners paradise with six leaders winning and on pace runners winning the other two races.  Leading trainers Steve Wolfe, Paul Hunter and Mark Nelson have dominated thus far and all trained winning doubles. Jockeys Shaun Mcgruddy and Noel Rudland also had winning doubles.

Race One: Last seasons leading Jockey Shaun McGruddy kicked off his 2010/11 campaign with an all the way win with Bungarra after been rated perfectly in front, over debutant Street Magician who battled on well Jarnac coming late for third, just ahead of Desert Oak. Favouriye Kirov Park pulled in the and was struggling 150m out and finished a well beaten fifth.


Race Two: First starter Shawaim showed fighting qualities to fight back and win by a nose over favourite Eliza Lea in a tight finish. Shawaim began quickly and led at fast rate and followed up on his good trial form. Soldiers Salute finished third after racing wide and Jolanta Sky ran on well but wanted to hang in costing her any chance of winning.


Race Three: Speedy mare Winehorse made it three leaders to win when she scorched a path in front and won easily by 4 lengths over Call Me Ned and De Troy Roy. Rag Trader ran on from well back to get fourth just ahead of Dark N Stormy.


Race Four: Smart mare Lady Lavenham at her first attempt at 1400m was rated well in front by apprentice Damien Lane, and shaken up on straightening came away to win easily over Don't Tell Toby and Disco Reveller.


Race Five: Wolfe Dreams was rated well in front and ran the 1200m in a smart 1.10.44 and scored by a neck over outsider Crosswise and Height Of Heights, with Attadale a good run first up to be fourth. Other fancy Noble Steed was disappointing and never came on in the straight, whilst Week Bix dropped out in the last 150m.

Race Six: The frontrunner bubble burst when King Point rallied hard to get over pacemaker Redford to win. It was a good ride by apprentice Yannick Valenti who rode King Point, as he made Redford work to lead. Key Dynasty and Chuck The Bird ran on fairly to fill third and fourth but a margin back from the winner.

Race Seven: Favourit Rayo Veloz had to do some early and sat outside the leader before dashing clear on straightening, and then had to fight out late challenges to just beat Bella Sempre who ran on well and outsider Ridgewood Manna the margins a half head a nose. All Spots ran a fair race first up.

Race Eight: Collayshell overcame a wide draw to lead and win well over I'm Called Earl who ran on well and Viking Lad, ahead of Galinba Blast who was much improved. Lost Oscar left the barriers without a rider, but had no baring on the race the winner was too good.

Albany Sunday 21st November, 2010 Sky 1 Sky Racing World

 The second meeting of the season in the Great Southern will be held this Sunday at Mt Barker Albany, with an eight race programme. Highlights will be the smart Lady Lavenham up against stablemate Striking Viking and experienced campaigner Troubled Smile over 1400m and the clash between Noble Steed and Wolfe Dreams.

Striking Viking narrowly beats Wolfe Dreams. Photo courtesy Aysemart

Race One: Jarnac has shown a little in previous campaigns over ground but yet to win. Stormy Sunset resumes here. Showed a bit last time in and should break Maiden status soon. Bungarra mediocre run first up but sure to improve with senior rider on. Desert Oak impressed at debut when placed this distance and raced greenly. Courageously first run for near on three years was sound but drawn wide. Kirov Park got to front and just beaten 1400m first up. Sure to strip fitter. Metal Spider doing best work at finish over 1400m here.


Race Two: Buckenstyle distant 5th straight 1000m Pinjarra second start. Likely improver. Mcintyre lightly raced but done plenty of trialling. Goes quick. Soldiers Salute fair effort at debut but not fared well at barrier here. Vain Crusher fair form when last in work, nice trial here a fortnight ago. Shawaim makes debut here after 600m & 1000m trial wins. Jolanta Sky likely improver on nice effort first up over 1100m. Eliza Lee very good effort at Bunbury when resuming at second race start.


Race Three: Dark N Stormy placed twice this district last season and nicely drawn here first up. Ragtrader not faraway when resuming at Bunbury and has claims. Street Player well back when resuming after missing start and capable of far better. Hallowell Star resumes here, was placed this track last season in mild Maiden. Winehorse good effort from wide draw when placed here fortnight ago. Close to a win.  De Troy Roy distant 4th at Bunbury recentley. Hold That Gal placed at Bunbury in two starts and resumes here. Call Me Ned placed at Bunbury in twelve starts. Won recent 1000m trial in good style. Charlotte Rose makes debut here. Slow away in recent trial but finished off well.


Race Four:  Striking Viking resumed with narrow but good win 1400m. Goes up 3kg here. Troubled Smile not far away at latest runs and well suited here. Megablitz got home late first up 1400m, and will be doing similar here. Don't Tell Toby finished off well first up, but may be looking for more ground. Lady Lavenham blitzed field first up when easy winner. Smart, first try this trip.


Race Five: Noble Steed very good effort first up and meets similar company here. Wolfe Dreams just caught last start when led. Back 200m here and down 3kg.  Week Bix looked in need of run first up and likely improver. Height Of Heights solid effort first up and will meet similar field here.


Race Six: King Point solid effort first up and the extra 200m should suit here. Key Dynasty well back first up Bunbury, best form over more ground. Shovely good fighting win first up, but does go up a class here. Got Any Goss disappointed first up, but this trip will suit better. Redford very good run at Ascot last Saturday when led. Honest but does not win many. Chuck The Bird better effort at Bunbury last start, but overall form just fair. Portica fair effort first up and will improve. King's Tribute good effort first up and extra 200m will suit,  but does not win many


Race Seven: The Tax Man fair effort first up and capable of similar here. Rayo Veloz lightly raced and impressive winner first up this trip. All Spots resumes here, honest last season and won twice. Briello disappointed first up capable of better. Blazing Icon fair effort first up, this is not any easier. Bella Sempre won York two starts back then fair effort Bunbury. Ridgwood Manna fair run first up, and likely to strip fitter.


Race Eight: Sexy Saxon a win and placings at only three starts, but drawn wide. Dambig  broke Maiden staus first up and goes up a class here. Galinba Blast is better than first up run suggests. Can improve. Succesful Spin should be an improver on good first up effort. I'm Called Earl caught the eye first up when ran on strongly. Collayshell looked good in recent trial and form last campaign was good in city. Viking Lad disappointing last couple and capable of better. Song For Stellar not a lot of luck last start when got home well. Sukey Tawdrey form good in milder company before failing at Bunbury 1400m. Aint No Lady showed a little last season.

Early Thoughts
Race 1: Kirov Park, Deset Oak, Jarnac, Stormy Sunset
Race 2: Eliza Lee, Jolanta Sky, Mcintyre, Bucken Style
Race 3: Winehorse, Ragtrader, Hold That Gal, Street Player
Race 4: Lady Lavenham, Striking Viking, Troubled Smile, Megablitz
Race 5: Noble Steed, Wolfe Dreams, Height Of Heights, Week Bix
Race 6: King Point, Redford, Portica, Key Dynasty
Race 7: Rayo Veloz, The Tax Man, All Spots, Briello
Race 8: Collayshell, Succesful Spin, I'm Called Earl, Song For Stellar

Bunbury Tuesday November 2nd- Photo's

Had the opportunity to call at Bunbury on Melbourne Cup day, the third biggest meeting crowd wise at Bunbury behind Cup and Stakes day. The club were brilliant as usual, we were well looked after and though it was a 15 hour day all up with travel, look forward to next year.

Albany November 7th, 2010 Review

First meeting of the season was held in good weather, but the crowd looked down on opening meetings of previous seasons. The track was in excellent shape, but the big blight on the meeting was no Sky Racing vision, which affected punters Australia wide. Regardless of who's fault this was, it should never have been allowed to happen, and must not be allowed to happen again.

Race One: Shovely lead after 300m then was headed by Kirov Park at the 250m, but under strong riding regained the lead to win by a half length. Kirov Park peaked on her run 50m out and will improve further next start. Desert Oak was good at her debut to finish third after getting onto heels at the 300m when attempting to change direction to get a clear run. Metal Spider finished off well to run fourth, with favourite The Pupster looking in need of the run first up with a battling fifth.

Race Two: Apprentice Yannick Valenti rode the perfect race on Dambig, taking the sit on the leaders, gaining the split at the right time, to win by 3/4 length from favourite Holy Sandgroper and leader Winehorse in a good finish. Jolanta Sky had a good run in transit and battled on fairly to finish fourth. Holy sandgroper was not disgraced and is looking for more ground

Race Three: Heavily supported Aliento misssed the start, and then faced an uphill task, missing the money and running fifth. Pwakkers Back had the run of the race and sat off the pace before finishing strongly and held out Dan The Fox late who ran on well. The Tax Man was doing his best work at the finish and ran third.

Race Four: Alchemic remained unbeaten in three starts at Albany with a slashing all the way win. She opened the field up on the corner and was eased down to win by 2 1/4 lengths from Noble Steed who ran on well from near last and Height Of Heights who was third in front of favourite Dante's Oak who never looked a winning chance.

Race Five: Favourite backers finally found a winner when smart mare lady Lavenham blitzed the field to win eased down by 5 1/4 lengths with her head on her chest in a smart 1.10.62, over All The Gold and King's Tribute who ran a nice race first up. With the mare setting a solid clip the backmarkers such as Midnight Touch had no chance.

Race Six: In a tight finish Striking Viking with a 6kg pull in the weights narrowly got over the top of a gallant Wolfe Dreams (62.5kg) with Megablitz running on well to just get third ahead of Eternal Advice who finished on strongly as well. There was some good runs just behind the plagetters from horses reuming such as Goldtown and Don't Tell Toby.

Race Seven: Well backed Rayo Veloz got to the lead easily and sprinted away in the straight to win nicely over King Point who battled away and I'm Called Earl who came from last at the 700m. Succesful Spin ran a nice race first up and Song For Stellar finished on well after been shuffled back before the corner.

To follow: Winehorse, Holy Sandgroper, Deset Oak, Noble Steed, Lady Lavenham, Megablitz, Rayo Veloz

Albany Sunday November 7th, 2010 - Sky 1, Sky Racing World

The opening meeting of the Great Southern racing season for 2010/11 is to be held this Sunday at Albany.  The track looked in supberb condition a fortnight ago at trials and with the late rain since Thursday should be in super condition Sunday. Good fields are entered for all seven races with the first to set off at 1.40pm.


Race One: Opening meeting Maidens are always difficult and the winner here is going to hard find with many racing at 1400m first up.The Pupster has been placed in the city as a two year old, whilst Kirov Park, Villanity, have been placed over shorter trips. Shovely has been placed four of eight starts and this trip will suit him first up. Regimental Song was not disgraced at debut at Collie and can continue to improve. Desert Oak makes debut here but has had a solid trial workout with three runs over 1000m.


Race Two: Holy Sandgroper has been placed at City mid week in four starts and is well drawn. Winehorse followed up on two Provincial placings with solid trial win here but does not fare well at the barrier. Dambig was placed here last season and was a 1000m trial winner. Street Player showed a little last season and should go on with it after a 100m trial win. Classic Image placed at Pinjarra back in April, whilst Jolanta Sky showed ability last season and should further improve.

                               Dambig wins his trial easily. Photo courtesy Grassrootsracingwa

Race Three: Aliento has shown above average ability in five starts and looks well placed here first up. The Tax Man returns after long enforced lay off and may need some time. Pwakkers Back trialled well and races best when fresh. Blazing Icon and Speedy Bohemian race best when resuming though don't win many this trip is ideal. Soviet Prince had mediocre form over the winter on Provincials but was placed at Northam.

Race Four: Noble Steed is the class runner and will carry 61.0kg here when resuming. Anywhere near his top will take some beating. Week Bix has very ggod first up record and always a chance this company. Dante's Oak has had three starts back after a three year lay off including a Belmont placing. Won first four starts including two in city. Solid at three runs back. Alchemic faded at first up run city will strip fitter. Movie World won 100m trial but may fins this a bit slick. Height Of Heights nice trial effort and rarely runs a bad race.

   Consistent galloper Weekbix (Kelly Davidson) wins his trial easily at Albany. Photo courtesy GrassrootsracingWA
Race Five: Lady Lavenham ultra talented mare who blitzed in recent Albany trial. Won both starts at the trip. Briello showed promise last season and resumes here. Midnight Touch best form over more ground but has won at the distance. The Keillor Kid always thereabouts this company but drawn wide. Gotanygoss showed some ability last season and this trip first up looks ideal.

Race Six: Wolfe Dreams talented two year old but has struggled of late in stronger company. Sure to be a big improver on first up city run though up 8kg. Megablitz ran nice trial at Albany and capable of surprising first up. Monsieur Blanc won three up North in four starts but meets much stronger company here. Striking Viking ran nice trial here and will resume after moderate city form. Dark Money form has ben solid since resuming. Sir Don resumes after encouraging middle distance city form. Goldtown resumes and drops in class here.

Race Seven: King Point showed promise last campaign good trial effort here behind Week Bix. Galinba Blast showed plenty at first campaign and resumes here. Rayo Veloz has pace and won here last season. Succesful Spin showed promise last season and won here before spell. Saintiramplaced Bunbury Pinjarra last campaign, failed first up though at Bunbury. Portica former Victorian with solid form. Song For Stellar won Narrogin last campaign not shown up in two runs back in stronger company.

Early thoughts
R1: The Pupster, Kirov Park, Villanity, Bungarra
R2: Winehorse, Holy Sandgroper, Jolanta Sky, Street Player
R3: Aliento, Pwakkers Back, Soviet Prince, Speedy Bohemian
R4: Week Bix, Noble Steed, Dante's Oak, Height Of Heights
R5: Lady Lavenham, Briello, The Keillor Kid, Midnight Touch
R6: Wolfe Dreams, Megablitz, Striking Viking, Sir Don
R7: King Point, Saintiram, Galinba Blast Rayo Veloz.