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JUMPING INFORMER
Issue 3 - April 2003
Local News
Hurdles given the green light
Following two weeks of trialling at Cranbourne the new look industry hurdles were given the thumbs up by the jockeys and trainers. Construction of the hurdles will take approximately 8 weeks from a Warrnambool based factory. The new hurdles will be used on Cranbourne hurdle trial days and metropolitan tracks and the inner provincial courses. Warrnambool, Terang and Hamilton will alter their hurdles to make them bigger and at a more generous angle for this coming season. The Casterton club has elected to borrow Hamilton’s hurdles for their races.
Steeplechase fences are currently being altered for Moonee Valley and Flemington courses for this season. If the experiment works out successfully with an interchange of tops and takeoffs the other steeplechase courses will be altered at the end of this season.
Grand National Steeplechase distance changes
The VRC Committee have decided to run this year’s Grand National Steeplechase at a distance of 4500m. The AJRA polled all the leading jumping trainers and the majority favoured the distance being lengthened to the old 5000m.
Due to the Abattoir Treble no longer being in existence, all
races are run on the
course proper. The two distances available were 4500m (from the 2000m start)
or 5000m (from the Derby start).
Point-to-Point Meetings announced
From a recent meeting of the Point-to-Point Racing Clubs and Racing Victoria, the calendar for this season has been finalised.
The Point-to-Point Meetings will be:-
Sunday 4 MayMelbourne Hunt ClubMornington
Sunday 18 MayYarra Glen & Lilydale Hunt ClubYarra Glen Racecourse
Sunday 1 JuneFindon Harriers Hunt ClubWerribee Park
Sunday 15 JuneOaklands Hunt ClubOaklands
International Desk
Carberry Misses Ride After Bizarre Hunt Accident.
Reports from English newspapers indicate that Champion Irish Jockey, Paul Carberry has not be adverse to daredevil exploits off the track, contrived the mother of all explanations, after missing out on a recent meeting at Clonmel. Word of Carberry’s temporary set back broke after Alpha Eight, whom he has ridden to finish sixth at Limerick on Monday, won the Kilchellon Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel under Barry Geraghty. Jimmy Mangen, Alpha Eight’s trainer said, “Paul would have ridden the horse today, but I understand he got a bang out hunting”.
Shortly after, Carberry contacted by phone said, “Its true. I got headbutted in the stomach by a deer!”
Jumping Needs You To Not Only Survive, But Thrive
Betting in the run - punters get big rewards.
The introduction of Betfare into English racing has put a new light into betting. Punters now are able to bet in the run and some unusual results have come to light.
In a recent race at Newbury, the 4-1 favourite, Gin Palace, drifted to nearly 150-1 when bets were still matched with him. Gin Palace, seemingly in trouble early in the straight, conjured up an excellent late surge to score by a neck. The Manager or Communications for Betfare said, “The television camera angle was incredibly deceptive and Gin Palace’s price became erratic depending on which camera angle was in use. Literally within seconds the horse’s price traded down from 250-1 to 40-1 to even money”.
Earlier this month, 3,122 pounds was matched in running on Jaybejay in a Wincanton Novice Chase at odds of 1-100. Only for the clear leader to fall at the final fence. At the other extreme, 69 pounds were matched on fortuitist winner, Razor Blade at 89-1.
From the Pages of History
Oakbank 1900
The Onkaparinga meeting of 1900 came on the back of a wet Easter.
A threatening day on the Monday did not ruin proceedings for the syndicate
that bought the gate for 600 pounds at auction, having taken the risk that
13,000 payers would be needed before they showed a profit.
The pleasant trip from Adelaide was made by rail or horse drawn
vehicle, and many interstate visitors preferred to come to Adelaide than plague
ridden Sydney.
The totalisator held E22,705, a record for one days' investments in South
Australia. (In that era bookmakers were illegal in SA)
Following the luncheon interval the Great Eastern Steeplechase was run. The Duke, a previous Perth Cup winner, was amongst the twelve starters, who set out over the brush fences, the fallen tree, the hedge and the stonewall, with five horses falling in the race. Euro, a Victorian visitor, ridden by G Brooks, came from off the pace to claim victory by three lengths.
Adam Lindsay Gordon
Adam Lindsay Gordon is the only rider ever to win three steeplechases on the one day at Flemington.
In June 1868, the poet won the Melbourne Hunt Club Cup, then rode his won horses to victory in the Metropolitan and the Selling Steeplechases.
Australia’s famous son was actually born in Fatal in the Azores, on October 19th, 1833, educated in England and arrived in Adelaide in 1854. Of the many things he tried his hand at, his off-track career peaked when he was elected to the South Australian Parliament in 1865 but was later forced to resign his seat.
His interest in steeplechasing saw him take up the leasehold of livery stables in Ballarat where, to all accounts, he lived beyond his means.
In October 1868, after the failure of the business, Gordon left Ballarat for Brighton.
In the city, he made money out of his racing. Standing six feet tall and very short sighted, Gordon was totally fearless, some would say reckless, and his style considered unique. When taking a fence he would lean so far back his head would almost tough the horse’s rump.
In March 1870 he sustained a serious injury in a steeplechase at Flemington, from which he never fully recovered.
His last book was self-published on the day he learnt that authorities had failed his claim to a Scottish Estate. Penniless, with no hope of financial recovery and in continued pain from his rider injuries, life overwhelmed him.
The following morning, in June 1870, Adam Lindsay Gordon when into the scrubland near his home and shot himself.
Jumping Trainer Profile
Name: Terry O’Sullivan
Date of Birth: 27 September 1949
Town where born: Ouyen, Victoria.
How did you get into racing? Following father Frank’s interest
in horseracing.
First Winner/Track: Uri Boy / St Arnaud (flat).
Favourite Track (and why): Flemington – First Group 1 winner.
Best thing about being a jumps trainer: The thrill of the race.
Worst thing about being a jumps trainer: Injuries.
Best jumper you’ve trained: Roger & Out.
Jumper you would like to have trained: Elenora Girl
Who is the best jumping rider you have seen? Kelvin Bourke
What is the best race you have witnessed ? St Steven’s 2002
Hiskens win.
What is your best win on the flat? Winestock – Sires Produce
2003.
Outside of racing what are you most passionate about? Any sport.
What are your training career goals? Win more quality races.
What is the strangest (amusing or serious) experience
you’ve ever had in racing?
One owner threw his racebook at his returning horse, after a race. He didn’t
want people to know he was the owner of an odds on beaten favourite.
Would you like to tell us something about your family (partner, children, parents etc.)?
My wife Robyn, children Nick, Cindy, Adam and Karina. My family are all interested in racing and support me wholeheartedly.
_________________________________________________
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South Melbourne Vic 3205
Phone 03 0686 3099
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Jockey Statistics
1 January 1991 to 31 December 2002
Australian Races Only
1sts |
2nds |
3rds |
Rides |
|
| Craig Durden | 181 |
118 |
125 |
862 |
| B Constable | 143 |
116 |
121 |
815 |
| W Harnett | 132 |
119 |
136 |
829 |
| A Garraway | 118 |
81 |
98 |
899 |
| M Patton | 109 |
103 |
88 |
724 |
| Jamie Evans | 98 |
57 |
39 |
408 |
| B Scott | 86 |
97 |
76 |
561 |
| R Maund | 86 |
94 |
72 |
615 |
| G Young | 53 |
32 |
31 |
271 |
| P Worthington | 53 |
49 |
63 |
502 |
| W Smith | 52 |
71 |
65 |
718 |
| W Williams | 48 |
47 |
51 |
361 |
| A Moore | 46 |
36 |
24 |
246 |
| J Macmillan | 42 |
47 |
45 |
570 |
| C Hedditch | 41 |
47 |
38 |
321 |
| S Ryan | 38 |
46 |
51 |
408 |
| T Hazlett | 35 |
22 |
31 |
218 |