Welcome to another week of The Last Stride. While we are deep in winter, the racing signs that indicate spring is near are emerging. Many of the spring hopefuls are appearing in barrier trials and the preparation for the spring stars are beginning as early as this week. The AJC Derby winner, Shoot Out is set to resume this weekend.

The racing season ends this week and the jockey’s premiership in Brisbane is in a thrilling position. Stathi Katsidis missed Saturday’s Eagle Farm meeting through illness and Larry Cassidy took full advantage, riding four winners. This means Katsidis has a one win lead with just two meetings remaining. However, he won’t be rising in Brisbane this Saturday because of his commitment to Shoot Out in the south.

Wednesday’s mid week meeting might well decide the Premiership. Most jockeys will tell you that they don’t set out to win a premiership, but make no mistake, they all like to become part of history and that’s what awaits all premiership winners.

The big news of the week was the Government incentive for the AJC and STC to merge. A $174 million carrot has been provided. You would think that the members of each club would have only one choice when it comes to the vote. Surely they must support a merger. NSW Racing is dead at present, but this merger may just prevent rigor mortis setting in.

Good Luck!

Welcome to another week of The Last Stride. The Clarence River Jockey Club hosted two big days of racing last week as part of their five day Winter Carnival. The weather was good and big crowds turned out on both days. Thousands of visitors helped to swell the numbers and this Carnival is now a major part of the National Racing Calendar which is an amazing achievement for a town with a population of just over 20,000.

The top trainers, jockeys and bookies all make the annual pilgrimage to Grafton. The names of Snowden, Walter, Nikolic, Brown, Katsidis and Waterhouse all assure that the Carnival receives saturation media coverage. The track copes well with five days of racing in a short period of time and the off track entertainment compliments the action on the track.

Pinwheel was too classy for the opposition in the Ramornie and Twin Wing outstayed his opponents in the Cup. My horse to follow from the Carnival is Kryptelon. She was thrown into the deep end in the Ramornie but raced very well without much luck. She will head back to Brisbane and test them in a fillies and mares race.

The top horses are back on the training tracks in preparation for the Spring and the preparation races are about to begin. We have much to look forward to and I hope you can stay with us at The Last Stride.

Good Luck!

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Welcome to another week of The Last Stride. Hot Danish has now earned a rightful place in racing’s history pages. She has been a wonderful horse throughout her career. I can vividly remember her first win in midweek company in Sydney. Her trainer, Les Bridge, who I rate with the best, said very modestly after the win, “I think we have a handy filly on our hands here.” That was a big statement from the conservative Bridge after a midweek win. I have followed her ever since and what a ride it has been. She has won 14 of her 25 starts and most of those have been in top company. She has been unplaced only six times, mostly in unsuitable races or on unsuitable ground. Her Doomben 10,000 win was her second Group One success after a frustrating run of placings.

I am sure it is her consistency which endears her to the Australian Racing public. She performs every time and is a true racehorse. She will now take her place alongside some of the greats of the Australian turf as a Doomben 10,000 winner. Her trainer, Les Bridge, has a great record with mares and has won most of our big races including the Melbourne Cup. Bridge has never had a big team and is very much a hands-on trainer. He is one of a dying breed of trainers who can target a specific race, set his horse for that race and peak that horse on the day. He is a wonderful trainer for punters to follow.

Now we are off to Eagle Farm. Good Luck!

Welcome to another week of The Last Stride. Some big guns fired at the Doomben meeting on Saturday and as usual, the Queensland Winter Carnival will produce some future stars.

Three year old Rothesay produced a stunning performance to suggest that he is a potential Group 1 horse and a very good judge told me we saw a future Group 1 winning filly in the Roses. He says the progress that Fair Oak has made in just a handful of starts is amazing. She won a Maiden at Kilmore in April then a Group 3 at Morphetville in May. Her run on Saturday was that of a strong stayer and he says come the Spring of 2011 she will be a Cups contender. He is close to the stable and his opinion is usually spot on.

The new legislation governing Queensland Racing and the control there of was debated in Parliament this week. I have real doubts that Government members realise the numbers and the power of the people involved in racing in this State. Some of the comments by these politicians were down right degrading. “Hamilton Chardonnay drinkers” was just one example amongst many. These are representatives of the Australian Labor Party. There are 40,000 workers directly employed in the racing industry in this State and there are far more battlers involved than the so-called “Chardonnay drinkers”.

If those who are involved in the racing industry dump the ALP enmasse at the next election it will be bye-bye Anna and you can bet confidently on that no matter who the opposition is.

Good punting.

Welcome to another week of The Last Stride. Queensland’s winter sunshine beamed down in all its glory over the Gold Coast on Saturday as the Winter Carnival really gained momentum.

The racing was exciting and it was great to see the top jockeys from interstate battle it out with our very strong local group of riders. It will only get better as we head to Doomben this week for the BTC Cup which is always a good lead in to the Doomben 10,000 and Stradbroke. This is the first Group 1 of the Carnival and will attract a top notch field.

I had the good fortune to attend the Warrnambool May Carnival last week and what an event this is. It’s a great example of how a race club and community can work together to promote a major attraction.

Again, the event relies heavily on visitors. People descend from all over Victoria and further afield. It gives the economy an enormous boost and really does put Warrnambool on the map.

I realise it has taken many years to establish the Carnival and create the tradition, however it does show that you have to find the right formula and then consistently follow the established guidelines. Sure, adjust some of the components to keep the concept modern, but don’t attempt to fix what isn’t broken.

One thing is for sure, everyone is aware that the first week in May all roads lead to the ‘Bool'. It’s a very good start in promoting your Carnival – a bit like the first week in November.

Good Luck!

The Winter Carnival is underway in Queensland and we are in for a couple of months of outstanding racing.

The visitors are arriving from all parts of Australia and New Zealand. It won’t be easy to line up the form, but the challenge will be exciting. The Last Stride will be there to guide you through the outstanding line-up.

The Gold Coast will occupy the spotlight this Saturday with a star studded program. The Carnival is attractive because it caters for all types of horses. The intergration of City and Provincial racing has come together beautifully. The Gold Coast meeting is a good lead-in to the big Doomben and Eagle Farm Carnival and then Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast provide outstanding opportunities for those who are a little below that very high standard.

From my point of view, there is one disappointment, the relegation of Toowoomba to second-class status. If the Gold Coast, Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast are part of the Winter scene, surely a racing district of the calibre of Toowoomba should be there.

We have produced more outstanding gallopers than any other region in this State. We are famous all around Australia as a major racing, training and breeding centre.

I’m afraid any chance of Toowoomba being included in the Winter Carnival vanished when the grass went and the cushion track arrived. Yet, we were told that decision would gain us a place in the Winter Carnival. That lasted just one year!

We went back to our former date in 2010 and the Weetwood was reduced to Class 6 standard and our Toowoomba Cup to something below that.

Unfortunately, the top trainers don’t want to race their top horses on the cushion surface and the big punters don’t want to bet on the surface. It puts Toowoomba racing in a perilous position.

Good punting.

Welcome to another week of The Last Stride. There is something special about Doncaster Day at Royal Randwick. The ghosts of so many great horses seem to hover in the air. The place just drips with history. It is reminiscent of Flemington. These are the two most famous racecourses in Australia and produce their own brand of magic.

The racing was outstanding, the top jockeys and trainers were all there but the crowd was again disappointing. The Club seemed to be happy with a crowd of about 25,000 but I would have been hoping for more.

I say again, that race clubs must make racing more affordable for the average race goer. You can understand the VRC continuing to hike prices because it’s attracting 100,000 crowds consistently. Although, some cracks appeared last year with the Oaks Day crowd dipping to 80,000.

However, in Sydney, they are struggling to get over 20,000 to their big days. Surely they must look at reducing the cost to lure patrons back. You don’t see too many planes flying out with half their seats empty. You are better off having bums on seats at $100, than empty seats at $400. It would have been far better to have had 50,000 there yesterday at $20/head than 25,000 at $50/head.

The Sydney Cup will be the highlight this week. It will be interesting to see how many turn out for another very attractive program.

Good Luck!

The AJC Carnival got underway with a very exciting Derby Day at Randwick on Saturday. The race was a triumph for Queenslanders, John Wallace and Stathi Katsidis.

Shoot Out went to the Derby after a disappointing lead up run at Rosehill. He showed his preference for Randwick with another barnstorming finish. Katsidis knows you have to ride this horse perfectly. He must be buried away and you cannot stir him up early because he charges.

In that context, Katsidis rode the prefect race and Shoot Out did the rest. That is easy to say but the execution is much more difficult. You have to have ice in your veins because you are riding in a $1,000,000 race. Katsidis again showed that he is in the top echelon of Australian riders. Saturday’s win was his third million dollar victory this year. There could be a lot more to come!

I have to give our Sydney expert, The Informer, a big wrap today. He sorted out Yosei as his Sires Produce horse a few weeks ago and we all had a nice win at juicy odds. He also suggested we stick with Zingaling because he was ridden upside down at his last start. We saw a change of tactics yesterday and up she bobbed at nice odds.

Next week is Doncaster Day at Randwick and this Thursday is Weetwood/Toowoomba Cup Day at Clifford Park. We will provide a special midweek service on the net and phone (1902 248 001) for this big day.

Good Luck!

If you're interested in coming racing with The Last Stride in our final partnership you better move. We have only one share left in our beautifully bred Red Dazzler yearling eligible for all bonuses including the Magic Millions and QTIS 600. Phone David on 0413 603 588

Welcome to another week of The Last Stride. The Golden Slipper again produced a few twists and turns on Saturday. Military Rose hesitated at the start and that was nearly the end of her chance. Solar Charged showed dynamic speed but was found wanting over the final 200m. Crystal Lily ended up getting a perfect run but still attempted to throw the race away over the final 200m. She prevailed by a half length but probably should have scored much more convincingly.

Slipper Day is now Australia's richest race day and there were certainly plenty of highlights. The females provided most magic moments. Faint Perfume produced a spine tingling performance to beat Valdemoro in the Vinery Stakes. Her turn of foot was breathtaking. Typhoon Tracy was crowned Queen of the Turf with an effortless victory. She really is something special. She will add that little bit extra to the Doncaster if she starts. At this point in time that is very doubtful. Trainer Peter Moody is not keen on the weight she has been given. Slipper Day 2010 will also be remembered as the day the Melbourne visitors came, saw and conquered. Most of the big NSW money was heading over the border into Victoria.

We now look forward to the AJC Carnival.

Good luck!

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This filly is eligible for all the big bonuses - QTIS, QTIS 600, Magic Millions - and will be trained by leading Queensland trainer Michael Nolan.

This filly has a pedigree full of Black Type performers such as Champion filly Tristanagh and she will be aimed towards the first two year old race of the new season in the Fitton Hopeful Plate.

A 20 share partnership has been put together with only 3 remaining. The cost is $1050.00 per share which includes ALL COSTS up until May 30, 2010.

From June 1, 2010 your outlay is $190.00 per month when in training and $80.00 per month spelling for a fit and healthy thoroughbred.

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ONLY THREE SHARES REMAINING!

Welcome to another week of The Last Stride. "Ah Dem Golden Slippers" the excitement is building for the World's greatest 2yo race. Military Rose blew most of her opposition out of the water with a demoralising win in the Reisling Slipper trial on Saturday. She put paid to suggestions that the Magic Millions form was inferior. She was having her first run since January 9th over 1200m. So you would assume that she will improve considerably before Slipper Day. If that is the case, the horses who finished behind her on Saturday can't beat her and that is saying something. It eliminates top chances like Solar Charged, Psychologist and Elimbari.

The other thing to like about the win was the fact that she sat outside the leader in the run doing the hard work and simply dropped them when the pressure went on. She would have no trouble taking a sit in the Slipper.

The Todman Slipper trial was won impressively by Masquerader. He ran faster time than Military Rose and did a few things wrong. He looks to be a real improver who will be suited by the pressure of the Golden Slipper. The race will be run at a hectic speed and, if this bloke can get the right run during the race, he will finish off with a bang.

It will be some race. If you would like to be there, join us on the Gunsynd Travel Tour. It's all inclusive air fares, accommodation, transfers, food and beverage package all day at the races and reserved seats at the Friday Night Football at the football stadium. This is the last call - so contact Graham on (07) 46711677.

Also, if you would like to race a cracking Red Dazzler filly with us call David on 0413 603 588. This filly is eligible for ALL the bonuses, QTIS, QTIS 600 and Magic Millions. Be quick as at around $900 per share (20 in total) this filly will fill very quickly.

Good Luck!

I have been fortunate enough to live through most of the Bart Cummings era. What a privilege! I find myself pondering the question, “Is the genius actually getting better with age?” He has achieved so much, but his results of the last few years are staggering. Caulfield Cups, Cox Plates, Melbourne Cups, Derbys, Oaks and Guineas. The list just keeps growing. This is at a time when the new breed are supposedly advantaged by the very latest in technology.

Yesterday’s Australian Guineas win will not be recorded as one of his greatest but, what an achievement! Denman was unbeatable, the new Champion of Australian racing, Linton could be anything, Set for Fame was a potential star but what about Rock Classic? He was hardly rated a mention.

He won a restricted race at Randwick at his previous start. Couldn’t beat these. Whay would Bart even take him to Flemington against this opposition? They asked. Well, he is over eighty and he might get a bit carried away. Again the great man had the last laugh. Rock Classic looked the potential Champion as he trounced his illustrious opposition. The Master produced another potential top liner in Precedence which won dominantly and then he trained second and third in the Australia Cup. Sirmione was nuted by a nose. He is simply just too good. What he is doing defies logic.

Stay with us for another big week highlighted by Coolmore Day at Rosehill.

Good Luck!

Thanks for being part of The Last Stride. We shape up to a magnificent weekend of racing. The Super Saturday at Flemington should be a beauty. I hope the public responds in a big way. I must say I would still prefer two big days over the long weekend, but this is the path the VRC has chosen to follow. By doing so, it certainly minimizes the amount of interstate and country interest.

It’s a great weekend to be in Melbourne, aside from the racing, but most interstate travelers would prefer two days at the races, particularly when you are going to the magnificence of Flemington.

Denman will be the star attraction of Saturday. He has developed into the power horse of Australian racing and we probably won’t see the best of him until he is seriously challenged. Will that happen in the Guineas? That is the big question? I doubt it. He makes his own luck and is pretty fool proof. There is a slight question mark about a tough 1600m. However, there is also a doubt about the ability of the opposition to fully test him.

Charges have been laid against Danny Nicolic and a professional punter after “that” prolonged investigation. I thought the investigation was all about his riding performances in several races. It turned out that the mobile phone became the focal point of the investigation. Can’t that wonder of technology get people into trouble?

It turned out that Betfair prompted the whole investigation. The only comment I will make is a repeat of what I said when Betfair became part of the gambling scene. When people can back horses to get beaten, there will always be suspicion.

Good Luck!

Welcome to another week of The Last Stride. A great day of racing in Sydney and Melbourne last Saturday and the count down to the Super Days is on. Only a fortnight to the VRC’s Super Saturday which is shaping as a great day. The Newmarket, Australian Cup and Guineas will all be great races.

Denman is dominating the betting on the Guineas after another dominant performance at Caulfield. What a pity So You Think won’t be there. This would have been one of the great match-ups of the Australian turf. Maybe it will happen later in the year.

The Silver Slipper will be run in Sydney this Saturday and it should shed more light on the Golden Slipper. We are less than six weeks away from the World’s greatest 2yo race. If you would like to be there in the Grand Pavillion at Rosehill, we have a great package available through Gunsynd Travel. It’s an all exclusive four day tour out of Brisbane. For more information, call Graham at Gunsynd Travel on (07) 46 711 677.

The Futurity will be the highlight at Caulfield this Saturday. This is a time honoured race but I can’t see a big field lining up this week. Star Witness was dynamic in the Blue Diamond on Saturday but won’t go to Sydney. He will go for a spell and then come back for the Spring. He looks a real star.

Good luck!