Esperance Review Saturday 22nd

Hot conditions greeted patrons at the Esperance Bay Turf Club on Saturday with the temperature reaching 42 degrees at 2pm. Many horses sweated up and whether it be coincidence or not mares and fillies struggled to get results. All gate takings were donated to the Carnarvon Race Club, who had it’s track decimated by flooding a couple of months ago.

Race One was the Healthway Eat More Fruit Maiden and leading trainer Brendan Corver and leading ride Russell Hanson kicked off the day with a winner. Four year old gelding Elljay had been unplaced at all six starts before debuting at the Esperance track with a solid victory. He shared the lead before taking over at the 300m mark and going on to score by over a length in a fast 1.09.72. First starter Deramarama took an inside run to finish second and Magical Note came from midfield on the fence to be third.



The second was the Healthway Eat More Veg Handicap and the improved Perelmo brought up his fourth win at start number 42. He settled outside the leader before proving too strong for Landmark Lady and Western Crown. Stearnes Glass sponsored the third race. Lyoveldio flashed down the outside to defeat Go Fury Go and Converted. Drama followed the event with Stewards deeming that race favourite Honor’s Secret and stable-mate Boyne River were denied fair starts when their respective barriers failed to open with the others. All bets were refunded on these gallopers and large deductions followed on winning bets.


The Express Yourself Printing Handicap was over 1000m and Donnyonetime brought up a hat-trick of victories for trainer Helen Harding and rider Misty Bazeley. After leading throughout over 1200m and 1100m he made light work of the hot conditions and the widest barrier. The official margin was 1.75 lengths, Trida Brando battled on well to run second and Kazsanka caught the eye with a fast finishing third. Race Five was supported by Condingup Machinery Wreckers and ESM Manufacturing and Summer Crossing, ridden by 4kg claiming apprentice Jayce Buckley held on to win by a head. Donargy loomed large but could only manage a second while ten year old He’s Smokin’ battled on gallantly to be third.


The Healthway Go For 2 & 5 Handicap provided trainer Rod Kirkup and jockey Neil Chapman with a treble. Put Option was ultra impressive, defeating Stormy Express and Just Sue ran on from well back to finish third. The Kalgoorlie Boulder Race Club sponsored the last and for the fourth time saddlecloth number eight was carried to victory. Outsider Cyclos was too good, winning by almost a length over Hackett’s Heart and Royal Wing. The Kalgoorlie Boulder Race Club racing season begins on Saturday March 19 and concludes in early September.


The draw for the naming rights to this year’s Esperance Cup was held and the sponsor for this year will be RSM Bird Cameron. There are four meetings left in the season ; Saturday February 5, Friday (twilight) February 18, Saturday February 26 and Cup Day is Saturday March 5. Horses to follow ; Deramarama, Time Star, Boyne River, Kazsanka, Ready Freddy, Put Option and Hackett’s Heart.


Ryan Levitzke (race caller)

Esperance Preview Saturday 22nd January SKY 2

Saturday racing at the Esperance Bay Turf Club hots up this weekend with a seven event card. The first race is scheduled for 1:19pm and a capacity field of fourteen will face the starter. All seven races will be televised throughout Australasia via the Sky Channel network with the Quaddie legs being races 4 - 7. The Club has decided to donate all ‘gate takings’ to the Carnarvon Race Club who have had their racing surface affected by flood damage. A whopping seventeen horses accepted for the Healthway Eat More Fruit Maiden (1200m) with three of them listed as emergencies. Time To Front has been a minor placegetter at all three Esperance starts and is sure to be making ground at the finish again. Magical Note, Hi Dollie, Snooza and Terra Cat demand attention while Resuscitator is capable of improving after disappointing last start.



Race Two is the Healthway Eat More Veg Handicap over 1300m and there look to be many winning chances. Landmark Lady already has two victories under her belt this season and All The Gold and Western Crown also love the track. Arcade Attraction looks to be working up to a win and Perelmo ran on stylishly last start when third. The third is sponsored by Stearnes Glass and once again the race looms as a very open contest. Lyoveldio should be in the finish while Hoolicity and Boyne River both improved sharply at their last efforts. Wing Star, Algorism and Honor’s Secret will all have their fair share of admirers too.


The fourth kicks off the Quaddie and is supported by Express Yourself Printing. This race brings together three promising types, namely Donnyonetime, My Girl Kate and Gwen Ten. Donnyonetime has led throughout at his last couple while My Girl Kate and Gwen Ten both won their last starts in effortless fashion. Trida Brando and Kaszanka are both capable of sneaking a place at longer odds. Race Five is the Open Sprint co-sponsored by Condingup Machinery Wreckers and ESM Manufacturing and as per usual a field of handy sprinters has been assembled. He’s Smokin’ always runs a good race but again he faces a tough task as top-weight, although claiming apprentice Michael Grantham has been booked for the ride. Ready Freddy was impressive a fortnight ago and will take holding out. Summer Crossing, Donargy and Mufasa haven’t been far away and the likes of Jay Dee Rocks, Observation and Sword Master could sprint well fresh.


Race Six is the Healthway Gor For 2 & 5 Handicap and Just Sue looks very hard to beat. The Brendan Corver trained mare has an impeccable track record and looks cherry ripe for another win over the mile journey. Stormy Express is a last start winner rising in class while Put Option and Ron’s Gem loom as obvious threats. The last is sponsored by the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Race Club and is also over 1600m. The ultra consistent Royal Wing gets her chance to break through but the vast majority of entrants look to have a genuine chance of winning. Hackett’s Heart looks suited over the distance along with a few others, so playing wide in the last leg of the Quaddie is a great idea.


Early selections for Saturday ; Snooza, Perelmo, Lyoveldio, Donnyonetime, Mufasa, Just Sue and Royal Wing.


- Ryan Levitzke (race caller)

Review Mungrup Sprint Day, Mt Barker Sunday January 16th

A great day of racing was held by The Mt Barker Turf Club last Sunday, with the George Daly trained Xaaravid narrowly winning the $90,000 Mungrup Stud Sprint over 1300. The club should be congratulated for running such a brilliant day with a track in great order and amenties for the big crowd who attended.

Race One: Trainer Dennis McAuliffe and Jockey Stephen Sheehy broke a long run of outs when Russian Rouge finiashed powefully to win from debutant Dolken Start who finished powerfully after a slow start. One talk finished third just ahead of leader Honour Chrismax. Favourite Kunnara raced wide througout and finished mid field.

Race Two: Stompin showed above average ability. at only his second start with an effortless
win after been slow away and is capable of winning in higher grade, if a few chinks in his armour can be eradicated. Stripped Bear battled on for a distant second with Star Enigma finishing on for third and Black N Green fourth and looking for more ground.

Race Three: Fiery Fox handled the rise in class and made it two wins on the trot and a double for Jockey Peter Hall when beating All Spots who ran on strrongly and Dambig just ahead of leader Speedy Bohemian.



Race Four: Consistent Galinba Blast narrowly got home with the top weight of 59kg, beating a game Flying Duel who went forward after been caught wide early. I'm Called Earl battled on for third ahead of Plantinum Lad and Stormy Sunset.

Race Five: Striking Viking followed up on good form to grind out a win over Eternal Advice and favourite November Red in the 2000m Hcp after sitting just off the pace. Goldtown finished on well for fourth.

Race Six: The perfect ride by Peter Hall paved the way for an impressive victory by I'm Here To win over the 1200m. Sitting just off a fast pace I'm Here To Win ran on powerfully to beat Collayshell and Pwakkers Back. The Tax Man was not far behind fourth wiyj regal Miss running on.

Race Seven: The Mungrup Sprint produced a great race with Xarravid who accerlated quickly on straightening holding out the bolter Crosswise by a half head, who came from last along the rails. Favourite Proart had every chance and wound up third ahead of local Noble Steed who gave plenty of cheek. Fancied runners Ma Ma Machine and Kid Choisir faded after racing on the pace.

Race Eight: Veteran Jockey Peter Black gave Trimconnection the ideal run and held out a late challenge from Call Me Ned to win the last of theday, with Certain Magic running an honest third. A wall of  horses crossed the line next with the unlucky runner looking tobe The Keillor Kid

Mungrup Sprint Day Preview - Mt Barker January 16th

Trainer Adam Durrant, Jockey Peter Hall and smart galloper Proart have the chance for redemption twelve months to the day when they tackle the $90,000 Mungrup Sprint at Mt Barker on Sunday.  Sent out a red hot favourite last year, Proart was basically out of contention shortly after the start due to interference and finished well back.  Drawn ideally at gate three, Proart will be racing third up after a good effort over 1400m and mid field over 1000m. The Sprint has drawn together a solid field, with city horses looking to dominate.

Race One: Hussonace should improve on first up effort here. One Talk much improved last start and can go on with it. Kununarra very good at debut here and meets similar field. Honour Chriusmax followed good trial form with fair debut here. Can improve. Santavia not far away when resuning here. Had plenty of chances. Royal Eagle fair form then good effort at Narrogin. Versace Queen improved at effort Narrogin.

Race Two: Towering placed seven in twenty starts in similar company. Emblet disappointing last few need to do better. Mcintyre good effort last start, untried this trip. Smokley Bandit back in distance after fair effoirts last few. Stompin very good debut here and well drawn. Black N Green placed at 1500m last start at third start. Stripped Bear had three starts and ready to produce best.

Race Three: All Spots back in class here. Previous form fair. Dark N Stormy won Narrogin but disasppointing last outing. Dambig mixes form but drawn well and can improve. Corolla improving each run at Esperance. Fiery Fox good winner here first up and claims again. Nutopia look for improvement on average first up run here. Tiga Romano placed two runs back but need to be at best here.

Race Four: Galinba Blast form very consistent down in class but up in weight here. I'm Called Earl form solid and first try at the trip. Flying Duel ran on well to win 1600m Albany last start. Jarnac won three starts back 1500m and been placed this journey. Platinum Lad rarely runs a bad race and has  prospects. Exit Plan better effort last start but this harder.

Race 5: Attadale all the way win 1850m here last start. Goldtown finding it hard to regain the best form.  Savage Wolf distance will suit but not fired at two runs back. Striking Viking always about the place and a win would not surprise. Eternal Advice race not run to suit last start. Worth another chance. November Red form solid but does not win many. Cheque Mate form has been fair and a win would not surprise. Top Gallant disappointing at last few but capable.

Race 6: Pwakkers Back been in solid form all season and respect again. Regal Miss placed here at 1850m, back here in distance. The Tax Man form solid but struggled last start with big weight. I'm Here To Win followed two placings with good all the way win in similar company. Collayshell unbeaten in Great South and stong prospects again. Saramento fair effort when resuming, this much harder.

Race Seven: Ma Ma Machine classy galloper with big impost and untried the trip, but drawn to get good run. Escadaire resumes here but would need to be at its best to have any hope. Kid Choisir six wins in fourteen starts and in good company. First start at trip. Proart fair efforts at two runs back and ready to produce best form. Xaaravid form in good company fair, has won this trip. Alchemic local form very good but this much harder. Impatient Times in good form in handy company and one at the weights here. Noble Steed not won for sometime but well drawn to lead.

Race Eight:: Certain Magic placed two of last five but not well drawn here. Spirited Rocket solid efforts last few and claims here. The Dark Side tough fighting win here last start. In form and drawn well. The Keillor KId won three starts back and form is solid. Dawinner good effort first up and chance though drawn wide. Call Me Ned broke through last start and can go on with it. Trimconnection form good befoire winner in milder company. Disco Reveller good efforts last two but this harder.

Esperance Review Friday January 7th

Saturday’s race meeting at the Esperance Bay Turf Club broke new ground, with three of the eight events televised live into Singapore. The first event was the Newtown / Condingup Football Club Maiden (1600m) and the market reflected a wide betting race. English apprentice Ryan Hill wasted no time in assuming control on 12/1 pop The Comforter. It was the Brit’s first mount at the track and after being headed in the home straight he battled back strongly to win by a nose over El Serenata and Hoolicity. The Staines Esperance Maiden provided the most impressive performance of the afternoon. Four year old mare Gwen Ten flashed down the outside to record a solid triumph in 1.04.71. The margin was a couple of lengths over Time To Front and Magical Note. With the first three favourites making the podium the Trifecta only returned $40.



Race Three was the Lila Ruby Rose Doutch Handicap and race favourite Donnyonetime made every post a winner from gate four. Former Apprentice’s Cup winner Misty Bazley (formerly Parsons) set the speed and booted clear at the top of the straight and although tired near home held on to defeat Summer Crossing and Comes Round. Margins were a neck by a nose by a nose. The fourth was sponsored by Cranes Esperance and Stock Transport and it’s a race bookmakers will be happy to put behind them. The Debbie Warnes trained Ready Freddy unleashed a strong finishing burst to claim victory in a photo finish. Jockey Kiryn Waldeck knew she’d arrived in time and her exuberance overflowed shortly after the winning post as she celebrated wildly, punching the air a few times, knowing fair well that she’d pulled off a plunge. The well backed Ready Freddy’s winning margin was a head over Arcade Attraction and Perelmo finished third.


The Eljay’s Bar and Restaurant Handicap kicked off the Quaddie which held a record pool of over $36,000. Senior hoop Shaun Meeres rode a perfect race on My Girl Kate who dually saluted. Boyne River caught the eye with a fast finishing second and Corolla after showing pace held on for third. Race Six was sponsored by the Maritime Union of Australia. Goonee was debuting at the Esperance track for leading trainer Brendan Corver and was ably ridden by Ned Coldbeck to a narrow victory. After Saturday Coldbeck only has one win up his sleeve before his claim drops to two kilograms. Lord Airlie (runner up) was pipped on the post and Lyoveldio wasn’t far away in third position.


Race Seven was the Reed Resources Handicap and leading rider Russel Hanson rode his first winner of the day aboard track specialist Just Sue. The chairman of Reed Resources David Reed was on course to witness the event first hand. The mare charged home to win her seventh race at the track after just thirteen appearances. Put Option saved ground throughout and finished second while Ron’s Gem had no luck, was three wide throughout before salvaging third. Ron’s Gem was a solid performance given the extra metreage she had to cover. The last was the Regional West Group Handicap and Stormy Express notched a hat-trick of wins for Brendan Corver. Russel Hanson went for home at the 300m mark and was able to maintain a margin in the run to the line over Royal Wing and Platinum Lad. She’ll Be Right caught the eye with a fast finishing fourth while Cyclos failed to finish after his saddle slipped mid race. The next meeting will be held on Saturday January 22 and given the high amount of horses in town, an eight race program will be on the cards again.


Horses to follow ; Cut And Dried, Gwen Ten, Time To Front, Donargy, Super Bullant, Alevanta, Well Adjusted, Swahili, Ron’s Gem and Royal Wing.


Ryan Levitzke (race caller)

Albany/Esperance Previews January 6th/7th

ALBANY THURSDAY

Albany is back on this Thursday with a seven event card with yet again only small fields. Smart mare Lady Lavenham resturns after two mid week city placings and steps up to 160-0m for her first attempt.

The day opens a 1200m 53-62 class over 1200m and Trimconnection never gets a better chance to break through. Main dangers are Le Freq racing first up, Alabamaramer, Briello and Disco Reveller. The maiden over 1200m sees Paul Hunter with strong claims in Toss N Spin, Marenzo and Ana's Honour Other cfhances include Emblet, Tsovies Joy, Solid Dan and Mr Cluedo in an open race.

The 1600m Maiden has Lunar Park dropping in class up against Stormy Sunset, Belles Fury, Smokey Bandit and Flying Duel all knocking on the door. As much of half the field have claims here in an open race. The Class 1 1100m also has many chances including Dark N Stormy, Classy Flirt, Halo Park, Honors Secret, Tiga Romano and Jake The Musk. Former Victorian Letdegoodtimesroll races first up.

The 62+ Hcp has the in form Pwakkers Back up against The Tax Man, I'm Here To Win, last start winner Bella Sempre and former city galloper Hermosa Corona. The 1500m 53-62 Hcp does not provide a lot of winners but Desert Oak the last start Maiden winner steps up against seasoned gallopers in Kings Tribute, Bombard, Chuck The Bird and Simply A Star.

Lady Lavenham will start short in the last, but she meets some seasoned gallopers in Savage Wolf, Jazzy Saint, Monsieur Blanc, Hacketts Heart, Cho Son, Midnight Touch and Dark Humour, so this will be no walk in the park for the four year old mare.

ESPERANCE FRIDAY

This Friday is race day at the Esperance Bay Turf Club. Due to the large amount of nominations the program has been expanded to an eight race card. The first race is scheduled for 1:31pm with racing continuing right through until the last at 5:57pm.



Race One is the Newtown / Condingup Football Club Maiden (1600m) and a field of thirteen will face the starter. Bradbury’s Chance ran a great race last start but has been allocated barrier eleven. The likes of El Serenata and Cut And Dried will appreciate the rise in distance and Lucky Bay looks well placed in gate three. Other chances look to be Snooza, That’s Why and Leidenwin, who made up many lengths at her last start.


Race Two is the Staines Esperance Maiden and there look to be three leading candidates. Gwen Ten debuted with a promising second and both Time To Front and Hi Dollie have been finishing their races off strongly. Ace Pilot showed speed at his Esperance debut and is worth considering for exotics from the pole position. The third is the Lila Ruby Rose Doutch Handicap and if Donnyonetime can repeat his last start performance he should be winning. Despite rising in class the four year old should set the pace and be very hard to catch. Summer Crossing and Donargy are both dropping in class while Comes Round, Kaszanka and Tashi Delek all have place claims.


Race Four is sponsored by Cranes Esperance Stock Transport and local mare Landmark Lady is shooting for a hat-trick of triumphs. Arcade Attraction looks suited and Super Bullant hasn’t been far away at recent runs. The Menace is an interesting runner resuming for leading trainer Brendan Corver. The fifth kicks off the Quaddie and is sponsored by Eljay’s Bar. My Girl Kate is likely to start favourite after a consistent start to the Esperance season. Parkside is proven at the track and resumes from barrier one while Corolla, Boyne River, Shameless Hussy and Algorism are all worth looking at for Quaddie calculations.


Race Six is the Maritime Union of Australia Handicap and Lyoveldio is sure to have plenty of support. The five year old has been in busy finishes at his last couple when 1st and 2nd. Jeux D’Esprit looks ready to fire and with the right run Western Crown will take holding off. The Reed Resources Handicap is for the open sprinters and He’s Smokin’ will be very hard to catch. The ten year old led throughout last week and once again will have his weight of 59.5kg significantly reduced with claiming apprentice Michael Grantham booked for the ride. Masters Seal rises in class but only has an impost of 54kg. Ron’s Gem and Just Sue are both going to be flooding home and Cyclonic Force is sure to be improved by her first up hitout too.


A field of ten have accepted for the Regional West Group Handicap and Stormy Express will take beating. He hasn’t had much luck at his three runs this season and with Russel Hanson on board he should be thereabouts again. Wing Star and Royal Wing both boast fine track records while Miss Alonso, Platinum Lad and Cyclos are also in with rough hopes.


Early tips ; Lucky Bay, Hi Dollie, Donnyonetime, Landmark Lady, My Girl Kate, Western Crown, Ron’s Gem and Royal Wing. BEST BET : Donnyonetime.


- Ryan Levitzke (race caller)