Welcome to another week of The Last Stride. The time honoured CF Orr Stakes will be the highlight of racing this week. This is always a much anticipated race and many of our top stayers have used this race in the past as a starting point for their autumn campaigns. In fact, Melbourne Cup winners have won this race first-up. However, this year, the race will take on a completely different complexion.

The wonder mare, Black Caviar, will have her first start beyond 1200m. Peter Moody is confident that she will eventually get out to 1600m. I have some reservations. This horse has a devastating cruising speed and wins her races by reeling off exceptional 200m sectionals with no apparent effort. I feel the big question is, at what point does the cruising end? She can certainly cruise for 1200m, can she extend that to 1400m and 1600m? What happens when the cruising finishes? Will she find plenty off the bit? There are fascinating questions and will only be answered by the mare herself.

It will be interesting to see the class of her opposition on Saturday. We know that we don’t have too many genuine weight for age performers these days. There is no doubt that the crowds will flock to see her again on Saturday and it is a great idea to throw the gates open to the public. I would still love to see her run in the Newmarket. It would be a super race but it probably won’t happen.

It is impossible to compare horses but I can’t forget the efforts of Northerly. He won the Caulfield Cup under handicap conditions conceding weight to his rivals and the week after won the WS Cox Plate under WFA conditions.

And finally we only have one share available in a nice big strong three year old filly with an outstanding pedigree who is in work in Brisbane. This share is just $890 in a 15 person partnership. Give David a call on 0413 603 588 or email dsilver@iprimus.com.au for all details.

Good Luck!

Welcome to another week of The Last Stride.

Black Caviar returned to Australian racing on Friday night at Moonee Valley. She attracted a big Friday night crowd and didn’t disappoint. She had to beat her opposition but she did it effortlessly and she did run time. She hasn’t always done that and that would suggest to me that she has come back even better. She will step up to 1400m next time and that will be another test, but she relaxes so well and has such a high cruising speed that it shouldn’t be a problem. There is no doubt that she is far too good for the horses who are prepared to race against her in Australia.

It would be a totally different story if she ran in a handicap race. What a race the Newmarket would be if she was the top weight. They would come from near and far to take her on and it would be the most talked about race in Australia for decades.

Of course, the handicapper would have to be kind to her for connections to even contemplate the race as a possibility. The true test of a Champion is to give weight to rivals and beat them.

The Sydney and Melbourne Autumn Carnivals are shaping up as beauties. We are underway in the preparation now and it will just get better. If you would like to be there to witness it all, just go to the Gunsynd Travel website. Our man, Graham, has put together a number of inexpensive packages to choose from. I am looking forward to taking a group to Super Saturday at Flemington.

And finally we only have one share available in a nice big strong three year old filly with an outstanding pedigree about to go into work this week in Brisbane. This share is just $890 in a 15 person partnership. Give David a call on 0413 603 588 for all details.

Good punting.

Welcome to another week of The Last Stride. As we all know, racing executives face a daunting challenge to attract crowds back to racing and new initiatives must be investigated, but to make comparisons between big bash cricket and racing, I believe, is very wide of the mark.

The suggestion is that we must streamline our racing experience to attract the younger generation. The proposal is to have only thirty minutes between races and have it all over and done with in about three and a half hours.

I am all for new ideas, but we can’t lose sight of what out product is and what out market is. Racing is not just all about the couple of minutes that the horses actually race. It must be an experience. It is all about preparing, dressing up, getting to the track, having a close look at the magnificent thoroughbreds – who must always be our centre piece – and most importantly it is about socializing.

The social aspect of racing should never be underestimated. It is one of the few stages that brings together all classes and walks of life. A street cleaner can rub shoulders and interact with doctors, lawyers, politicians and scientists, why? Because of a common interest in the spectacle of horse racing.

We can walk into a race course with $50 to bet with and have as much chance of winning as someone with $50,000 in his pocket. This is the aspect of the sport that we should be promoting. All people can have a great day at the races. I would be promoting it as a relaxed, exciting experience which is to be savoured and not a rushed, frantic few hours to squeeze into an already busy schedule. God knows, life is too full-on now. Let’s reserve at least half a day a week for an enjoyable, relaxed leisure activity.

The Brisbane Race Club announced this week that it would invite big race winners to its Stradbroke Handicap and Queensland Oaks. These horses would come all expenses paid. I think it is a good idea, although, it might put a few locals offside. But let’s get the best horses possible into these races and draw bigger crowds. It is beyond dispute that good horses draw the crowds. Have a look at how many will turn out just to see Black Caviar at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

Good Luck!

The Magic Millions Race Day produced more drama than usual with a protest deciding the result of the $2million 2yo Classic. The decision has been heatedly debated already and that debate will continue.

I have no doubt that there were grounds for a protest, however, I thought Tommy Berry sunk his own case is his evidence when he stated, “I reckon I would have won by a head”. I don’t think that is a sufficient margin for stewards to be confident that the second horse should have won.

In a protest hearing, under the Australian Rules of Racing, the complainant must prove beyond reasonable doubt that his horse would have won had the interference had not occurred. I don’t think that was proven in this hearing.

The attitude of this panel of students smacks of the ‘John Schreck’ style. Schreck has worked with Chief Steward Wade Birch in an advisory capacity. He was the Chief Steward in Sydney for many years and became infamous for the number of protests his panel upheld.

At the time, Schreck made no secret of the fact that, if a jockey did not stop riding his mount out, the estimated amount of interference caused would be doubled. That is, if stewards estimated the runner-up lost half a length, that margin would be doubled to one length.

Nash Rawiller certainly didn’t stop riding his mount out at any stage on Saturday. The only way that I could justify the Magic Millions decision would be if Wade Birch and his panel operates under a similar guideline. I would have expected most jockeys to say I would have won by nearly a length, not a head. The debate will go on.

Good Luck!

Welcome to another week of The Last Stride. We shape up to the Gold Coast’s big day on Saturday. The Magic Millions Yearling Sale starts this week and it will be interesting to see how they go. The economic conditions are not conducive to a buoyant market. The big ticket youngsters will probably bring big money but I fear for those at the lower end of the scale.

The race day on Saturday will be a beauty. It is by far Queensland’s biggest money day. Some $4.3 million will be won. This has been a remarkable concept and I believe it was born in quarter horse racing in Toowoomba.

Reg Cross and his team introduced a futurity series for horses sold at an exclusive sale at Clifford Park. The race became Toowoomba’s biggest prizemoney race, far exceeding the time honoured Weetwood Handicap.

Carl Waugh then adopted a similar concept for thoroughbred racing on the Gold Coast and it took off, much to the despair of the skeptics. Enter John Singleton and Gerry Harvey and the rest is history.

This will be a remarkable race day on Saturday. The 2yo Classic will carry prizemoney of over $2million. The glitzy set will turn out for all of the events associated with this major day. All we need is the renovation of the Gold Coast Complex, but that looks a fair way off.

Good Luck!

Welcome to a brand New Year of The Last Stride. Let’s hope it’s a prosperous year for all. Racing will take on a new face in 2012 and it should be an exciting year.

The Magic Millions Carnival will be the first big event of the New Year. The 2yo Classic, which carried in excess of $2,000,000 in prizemoney is looming as an intriguing affair.

Saturday’s racing in Brisbane and Sydney provided a good insight into the race. In Sydney, Amorino returned from a short break to win in impressive fashion. He looks an ideal Millions horse and ‘The Informer’ is sure he still has a lot of improvement in him.

In Brisbane, Driefontein led all the way to beat Sizzling. However, the stop watch again suggested that Sizzling would turn the tables when they meet next. That was our opinion after Noogoora Burr beat Sizzling a fortnight ago, and again the facts point in that direction after Saturday’s race.

Sizzling went back from a bad alley while Driefontein was setting a comfortable race in front. She then reeled off a sub 33 seconds final 600m. Sizzling did an amazing job to get so close to the winner. Trainer, Kelso Wood also still has the blinkers up his sleeve.

More than ever, the barrier draw will have an overwhelming bearing on the outcome of this race. If Sizzling draws inside six, he is the horse to beat. I guess he is due for a friendly marble.

Stay with The Last Stride for all the inside information on all the racing in 2012. Good Luck and Good Health!

Compliments of the season to all and thank you for your support in 2011. We look forward to Perth Cup Day this week and then the Magic Millions Carnival. The third leg of Brisbane’s triple crown will also be run this week.

2012 will be a watershed year for Australian racing. Hundreds of millions of dollars will be spent on infrastructure which, at first glance, appears rather puzzling. Given that race crowds are at alarmingly low levels, why spend all this money on amenities which may not be utilized? Multipurpose is the by-word.

Race club administrators have realized they must diversify the huge masses of land that house our race courses and offer largely untapped opportunities. As a result, plans for hotels, shopping centres, function rooms and fitness facilities are all part of the redevelopments of a number of our tracks.

This is definitely the way to go. Income must be generated from more areas than just racing. The face of racing has changed completely. The habits of racing enthusiasts are totally different. We have to face those facts and realise things are not going to change, so we have to change. Many would say we have waited too long and maybe they are correct. However, we are now moving into a new era and I hope all of the clubs around Australia can embrace this change and, more importantly, I hope that the finance is available to allow clubs to become part of this exciting new era. Governments will have to play their part and given the giant contributions racing makes to the Australian economy, that is only just.

If all this is handled properly and bravely, I can see race days becoming a by-product of a much greater enterprise which could generate hundreds of millions of dollars.

Good luck for a great 2012!

Welcome to another week of The Last Stride. On behalf of our team I would like to wish all of our loyal supporters a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. We will be operating right across the Festive Season but, be warned, that the post restraints will mean your journal will arrive a little later. You should receive it on Thursday or Friday next week and Wednesday or Thursday the following week.

I would also like to advise of a change of address for The Last Stride. Our new postal address will be Suite 3, 2A Garde Street, Toowoomba, 4350.

Hugh Bowman certainly stole the show at Warwick Farm on Saturday. He rode winners over all distances and at all prices. I have always regarded him as one of our best riders. I would place him in the first three or four in the country and there are plenty of compelling arguments to suggest he is the best. His percentage of poor rides is small and he has great judgement and strength. Here is a bloke who really struggles with his weight and that limits his opportunities. However, he is consistently in the winners circle in the major races.

Dunaden showed that he is one of the world's best stayers with a great staying performance in Hong Kong. The Melbourne Cup form stood up with Red Cadeaux finishing close up. Dunaden has probably ruled himself out of next year's Melbourne Cup. He will be weighted out of it. However, there is a real chance that he might be set for the Cox Plate which would be a real challenge over 2040m. Craig Williams again showed that he is one of the finest riders in the world with a superbly judged race.

Merry Christmas!

Welcome to another week of The Last Stride. The better horses are coming back into work as they prepare for the autumn and the standard of Saturday racing is improving generally as the good festive season races are emerging.

Adebesi graduated to Group 3 status with a barnstorming win in the George Moore on Saturday. This horse has always shown ability but has improved lengths since his little veterinary procedure. History would tell us that many males would have got into a lot less trouble had they endured a similar procedure. This summer series will continue in a fortnight as we stretch out to 1350m. It is a fabulous promotion.

The junior jockeys are making a real impact on Sydney racing. Chad Schofield has emerged as a real talent at a very young age. He rode another double at Rosehill and it could have easily been four. He rode a treble the week before. His 3kg allowance gives trainers a real bonus and the big stables are eager to use his services. The sky appears to be the limit for him providing he keeps his feet on the ground. We have seen many talented young riders flounder because they have got ahead of themselves and got into the wrong company.

We will get a better idea on the Magic Millions 2yo Classic on Saturday when two important lead-up races are run at Eagle Farm. The Calaway Gal for the fillies and the Phelan Ready for the colts and geldings.

Good Luck!

Welcome to another week of The Last Stride. We are fast closing in on the Festive Season and the racing is hotting up. Very good prize money will be on offer in Brisbane, and Sydney and Melbourne both have summer carnivals. Perth will continue its summer carnival, culminating with the Perth Cup.

There is still no news on the supreme court judgement regarding the corporate bookmakers saga. It was hoped that the judgement would be brought down this month. However, things move fairly slowly at the supreme court and there is still no sign of any announcement. However, it could be delivered without a lot of notice.

The result of this appeal will have huge ramifications for racing in NSW. There is $180,000,000 just sitting there waiting to be used. If the decision goes the way of NSW racing this will give a huge boost to prizemoney levels in the state. Most of the money has been ear marked for prizemoney increases from the grassroots to the top echelon. This will also put a lot of pressure on the other states. NSW could race ahead and it might spark a revival of the game in that state.

There is no doubt they have a lot of ground to make up but this would be a very good start. The good horses and trainers will chase the best prizemoney and NSW could be well ahead of the other states in this area. Queensland and Victoria seem to be suffering from a cash shortage and they will really feel the pain if NSW implements its plan.

Stay with The Last Stride for the festive season. Good Luck!

Welcome to another week of The Last Stride. The first shots of Queensland’s summer racing festival were fired on Saturday. Listen Son returned from the wilderness to win the Keith Noud Quality in a thrilling finish with Excellantes. The race posed more questions than it answered. A slow early pace meant on pace runners were advantaged. The runs of Essington, Ready to Rip and Spirit of Boom were all satisfactory under the circumstances.

The Summer Series will begin with the $200,000 George Moore Quality on Saturday week. The big prizemoney is sure to attract Sydney interest. Peter Snowden has already indicated that he will be targeting some of the races. The second leg will be over 1350m and the final leg over 1615m.

The Kingston Town Stakes will take the spotlight this week at Ascot in Perth. After all the controversy surrounding the Railway Stakes, this will be a much anticipated event. There are five top grade races at Ascot this Saturday.

The Magic Millions Festival is fast approaching. It will bring the curtain down on a sizzling summer racing carnival. The Magic Millions 2yo Classic carries over $2,000,000 in prizemoney. The lead up races commence on December 17 at Eagle Farm and Doomben gets its chance a fortnight later. Interstate interest is again high and many of the country’s top stables are preparing likely contenders.

So, plenty to look forward too. Stay with us every week at The Last Stride. Good Luck!

Welcome to another week of The Last Stride. Craig Williams’ magic spring continued on Saturday. This time it was in the west. Ortensia continued her resurgence in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes thanks to a magic ride from Williams.

Ascot is not an easy track to ride and a slight mistake at a vital stage can be catastrophic. Most like to be on the move from the 600m. Williams positioned Ortensia one out one back and had an opportunity to push out inside the 600m but he sat cold as ice and followed Rarefied into the straight. He got into the clear at the 250m and then produced Ortensia with a perfectly timed run at the 200m to overpower her rivals. The best advice to any jockey is to make your last 200m your best 200m. The circumstances of the race doesn’t always make that possible. However, Williams produced the perfect example of that old adage at Ascot on Saturday. His confidence is so high at the moment that almost anything is possible.

Trainer, Paul Messara, also deserves plenty of praise. He was given this horse to have one more preparation before she went to stud. Her career had certainly stagnated. He seems to have trained speed into her. At Flemington and Ascot she was able to take up forward positions which was not happening before. We were accustomed to seeing her at the rear of the field trying to find a passage through.

The two wins of Ortensia also illustrates what our Last Stride journal is all about. In our October 17 journal ‘The Informer’ wrote “Ortensia is now trained by Paul Messara and she is absolutely flying. She will probably head straight to Melbourne”. The rest is history.

Good Luck!

The Spring Carnival came to its conclusion at Sandown on Saturday.

Americain avenged his defeat in the Melbourne Cup with a consolation win in the Zipping Classic. After analyzing the Melbourne Cup over the last couple of weeks, I don’t think there is much doubt that he should have won back to back.

Mosse was a little over-confident in the easy and middle stages of the big race. He seemed to be content to let the race happen without attempting to secure the best possible position for his horse. It was imperative that Americain wasn’t set too big a task from the 1000m under his big weight. Unfortunately, he was set an impossible task, particularly as he had to go so wide to get around the field. He produced a dynamic final 400m which would have carried him to victory if he had been in a more forward position. He will remain in Australia and may go to Sydney for the BMW in the Autumn.

Craig Williams is definitely the hottest jockey in Australia at the moment. His efforts at Sandown on Saturday were outstanding. His judgement is almost infallible at present and I believe he deserved to go into the record books as the winner of the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.

I am sure the post mortems of the Carnival will continue for a number of weeks. I hope officials don’t miss the forest for the trees. There is no doubt that Oaks Day is on the slide and that has to be arrested. I also believe affordability should be high on the agenda. It would be tragic if this great event of the people was taken out of the economic range of the average Australian and that is a probability. The other challenge is to attract a percentage of the people who flock to the Carnival to other race meetings during the year.

Good Luck!

We have just experienced another wonderful week of racing at Flemington. Thirty seven races produced memories which will last for a lifetime.

The Cup produced a thrilling race with a breathtaking finish. The visitors dominated the finish which caused much discussion. The VRC set out a number of years ago to make this race an International affair. It has certainly succeeded. This race is now firmly on the World stage and, while there might be some grumbles about overseas domination, it deserves to be there.

This race that stops our nation now belongs to the World. The Internationals have now been coming for 18 to 20 years and it has taken them a long time to dominate the race. They have really only done it once. Many have come and failed and the mere fact that they keep coming back is an illustration of how much a win in “our” big race means to them. It is getting to the stage that, if you have not got a Melbourne Cup win against your name, you have not achieved it at all.

If the powers that be want Australian horses to dominate our own race, they must restructure our racing calendar. They must include more quality 2500-3200m races and encourage owners to buy more stayers. There must be an incentive for owners to have the patience to persevere with a staying animal.

The Melbourne Cup was once described as a 3200m handicap for average horses. There is no doubt that it has gone way beyond that. If we want to claim this as the World’s best race, we must attract the best stayers from all around the World. It is no longer just ‘our race’.

Good Luck.

Welcome to another week of The Last Stride. We are certainly into the championship rounds of Australian racing. The Caulfield Cup began the trilogy on Saturday and we shape up to the heavyweight championship of Australiasia, the Cox Plate, this Saturday.

Southern Speed became the ninth 4yo out of the last thirteen to win the Caulfield Cup. She was blessed with a great barrier and enjoyed the perfect run in transit. Craig Williams managed to squeeze off the fence at the 500m and Southern Speed finished off powerfully. She hadn’t won beyond 1400m before Saturday.

Green Moon endured a torrid run and was unlucky not to win but he is one of those horses that needs plenty of room and will always cover a bit of ground in his races.

I would be forgiving of Precedence. He ran closer to 2600m then 2400m after being three or four wide all the way. He will be at his best come Cup Day this year, but is he good enough?

Unusual Suspect turned in a great Melbourne Cup trial after a disrupted run from the 400m.

The Cox Plate is the feature this week. I am reminded of a saying which was related to me many years ago by an astute judge: “Old dogs for the hard road, Puppies on the footpath”. What’s that got to do with the Cox Plate? Jimmy Choux has all the right credentials to win Australia’s toughest race. It is the hard road.

Good Luck!