Swain Has A Grin (Sunday 27th March 2011)

By Bruce Stewart

Different driver same result. Phantom Grin continued on his winning way yesterday at Ascot Park under the guidance of Robin Swain who was driving the horse for the first time.

"He's a big rangy type. Behind the gate he got on the bit and wanted to chase it but after that he lead all the way. He pricked his ears for most of the way. I gave him a few flicks and he really flattened out in the last quarter. When I asked him to get serious he really zipped which really surprised me," said Swain.

His time for the 2200 metre Harrington Electrical Mobile Pace was 2-47.8. with the last 800 metres in 57.8 and the last 400 in 27.6.

On a rain affected track Swain always had intentions of driving the three year old in front.

"I thought it would suit him as it would take the speed out of the other horses. He did it easy and sort of pulled up in the last 100 metres."

Robin Swain has driven some classy three year olds in his time. Dear Sir, Gentle Sir and Roman Gladiator - so how does he rate Phantom Grin?

"He hasn't really clicked on to what it's about yet. He's just a big dumb bugger. I think once he clicks on to it he'll go through the grades."

Robin Swain

The Grinfromeartoear gelding remains on target for the Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes at Invercargill later next month.

"The Supremacy is 2700 metres so that should suit him," said Swain who has driven Sapper, The Orator and Roman Gladiator to win the Southland feature.

Phantom Grin is likely to be driven by regular driver Brian Norman is the Supremacy Final. He drove his stable runner Freyburg in yesterday's race.

Here We Go Again - Party Time At Brucies (Sunday 27th March 2011

By Bruce Stewart

By the time this story is posted on the website the party may still be raging at Bruce Campbell's place as he and others celebrate the win of Here We Go Again at Ascot Park yesterday.

Campbell, who is the President of the Northern Southland Trotting Club, promised on Cue TV that if Here We Go Again won the Caduceus Club of Southland/Nevele R Stud Fillies Classic then he would open the doors of his Otama Road property and party on.

Burnham trainer Jamie Gameson stays with Campbell when he ventures South, hence the reason the party plan was mooted.

The royally bred filly which is out of New Zealand Cup winner Kym's Girl is owned by Graeme Trist and David Miller.

"We broke her in early. One of the owners (David Miller) is a trainer but she was a pretty smart filly so they opted to keep her with us," said Gameson.

The Mach three filly is Kym's Girl third foal and by far her best.

"She was pretty natural from the word go but she took a while to come back in this time. She doesn't do too much at home and feels pretty ordinary. She won a workout and a qualifer so she knows when it's raceday."

At her first start at Rangiora in the American Ideal Stakes she ran sixth after been sent to the outside of the the mobile arm.

"She just got a bit keen going onto the gate. Then she got knocked down at the 1000 and she then took off ,and she was in front with a 100 to go. But a couple of good fillies came home and beat us so we were pretty confident today."

Drawing number one Gameson thought his filly may have raced handier.

"I thought she may have got out a bit better but the track was a bit sticky and she couldn't handle it early which didn't really matter. It was a great drive from Tim (Williams). All I said to him was not to panic as she's got enough speed to get over the top of them anyway."

Shezaball leads with a lap to run. Eventual winner Here We Go Again is back on the rails

Here We Go Again is now likely to race in a heat of the Sires Stakes at Forbury Park and her win yesterday should guarantee her a start in the Harness Jewels later in the season.

"What even we get this year is a bonus and nexts year going to be a big year. She's a typical Mach Three who's just going to get better. She does everything in her stride."

Gameson rates Here We Go Again highly. He hasn't had too many topline fillys but has had success with smart colts Mustang Mac, Mach Banner (before he was sold to clients of Robert Dunn's) and Matua Legend.

Trist and Miller weren't on course to see their filly run but Gameson says they enjoyed the win from a distance.

"They'll be watching it later and having a few beers."

And on Bruce Campbell's ability to party hard?

"He's always terrible the next day."

Ben Calder (Caduceus Club) , Jamie Gameson (trainer), Debbie Smith (Nevele R Stud) and Tim Williams (driver) with Here We Go Again

Bmac Rules (Sunday 27th March 2011)

By Bruce Stewart

At the moment Brendon McIntyre is having the ride of his life sharing in the ownership of Christian Ruler (owned by the Yshearingasheep Syndicate) and Franco Ledger (raced by the What Ever Syndicate and Hamish Hunter) both winners at Ascot Park yesterday. But he knows only too well that the ride won't last.

"The boys are on a bit of a roll so we might as well lap it up while wer'e up there because you're not up there for long but we'll take it," he said after Christian Ruler won the Campbell's Garden Centre Mobile Pace.

Starting second favourite behind Empyrean the winner of seven races, Christian Ruler was taken to the lead by driver Brent Barclay with 1700 metres to run.

Empyrean was driven forward by Dexter Dunn to sit parked for the last 1200 metres but Christian Ruler proved too tough winning by one and a quarter lengths.

McIntyre is full of praise for the patience shown by Hamish in developing the son of Christian Cullen.

"He's just a big type and he's just going to take a bit of time. Hamish has prepped him superbly and he's coming to it."

Christian Ruler was purchased at the Sale of the Stars in 2009 for $56,000. and McIntyre remembers having to hasterly put together a syndicate to buy the horse.

"Early in the day the Whatever Syndicate picked up Franco Ledger. We always had two horses marked and the boys didn't want to let the other horse (Christian Ruler) go. So we had to form a new syndicate in the bar in the tent. We went out and had a crack at him and we got him. It's paying off now.

Both horses ended up in Hamish Hunter's stable and were left as colts.

"They're very nice horses and they've got good heads on them. They're pretty relaxed and the pair of them are best mates."

Franco Ledger's win once again emphasised his class.

On a rain affected track he ran his 2200 metres in 2-43.6 - his last 800 metres in 56.9. It was a sensational performance and McIntyre is naturally excited about having two horses in the Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes Final at Ascot Park late next month.

Yshearasheep Syndicate with Brent Barclay and Christian Ruler.

Brendon McIntyre has purchased and raced a number of horses over the years and has always been a keen supporter of the sport. Next year he could sponsor the main trotting races at the Northern Southland Trotting Club's January meeting won this year by Vulcan.

"We've had a couple of talks about that over a few beers. They're a good club and I'm into harness racing as a owner, and I've got a business (Bmac Sheetmetal Limited) so it'll be a great opportunity to put something back into a good club."

Until Christian Ruler and Franco Ledger came on the scene, Boogie Night was McIntyre's most promising horse. The five year old is the winner of five races from just twenty two starts but has had his career hindered by injury.

"He's about a month from coming back in so he'll have a winter preparation. He's one of those horses that's prone to getting injuries."

Boogie Night

Franco Flys

By Bruce Stewart

"Not too many horses can do that especially a three year old racing against nice horses like that. He had to sprint to win it and they went 56 for the last half off the front." This was the comment from driver Peter Hunter after Franco Ledger flew to win The Marshall Industries Ltd Mobile Pace at Winton yesterday.

"I knew it was close and thought Craig (Thornley) was ahead at the line and when you look at the replay he was. But at Winton it seems to favour the outside horse." The winning margin over second placegetter Amenophis was a nose.

Although Franco Ledger drew barrier one he couldn't muster the speed to lead.

"Actually I thought he might end up where he was. He was tucked away so it worked out to be the ideal run. When Silver Ranger went rough it split the field open and worked out for us."

The race was also penalty free for Franco Ledger and despite it being his sixth career win he remains a class three horse. It's expected that he'll start at Northern Southland this Saturday.

The New Zealand Derby (rescheduled for the 23rd April)  and the Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes Final (30th April) remain his main short term goals.

Hunter says he's likely to remain on board for the horse's next start but thinks Colin De Filippi will be used for some of the bigger races like the New Zealand Derby.

Franco Ledger - picture Envious Photography

Norman's Grin (Sunday 20th March 2011)

By Bruce Stewart

When Phantom Grin was seriously challenged for the lead by Notabadexcuse yesterday there was only one thing on Phantom Grin's driver Brian Norman's mind.

"We've still got a 100 to go so I hope he (Notabadexcuse) gallops."

Norman remembers that the last time Notababdexcuse raced at Winton he lead and had the field covered in the home straight but galloped at virtually the same spot as he did yesterday.

Once again that gallop cost Notabadexcuse the win but nothing should be taken away from Phantom Grin who has been a model of consistency this season.

Norman took the three year straight to the lead from barrier one and despite been challenged for the last 1000 metres by Peraki King and the luckless Notabadexcuse still managed to hold on to win by a head from Diamante Maravu and an unlucky Beaudiene Betta.

"He just ambles along but when you get serious he gets going," said Norman.

Trained at Gore by Matt Brinsdon the Grinfromeartoear three year old is out of the eight win mare Phantom Menace which was also trained by Brinsdon.

"He's pretty similar to the mother. She was a great racehorse week in week out and he's shaping up to be the same. The family is a late developing breed so he's doing a pretty good job at the moment. He's probably a bit tougher that the mare. She had a bit more sharp speed but he can carry speed for a bit longer so he's better off rolling along," said Brinsdon.

Phantom Menace has a two year old Real Desire filly, a yearling colt by Washington VC, and is back in foal to that stallion.

The plan is to head to the Northern Southland meeting before giving the gelding a short break, then looking for a couple of races for him in April.

The win in the eis Mobile Pace elevates Phantom Grin up the Southern Supreamcy Stakes leaderboard. That series final, at the end of April remains the gelding's immediate challenge. 

Brian's Grin - Phantom Grin - picture James Jubb

Flash Wins First Race (Sunday 20th March 2011)

By Bruce Stewart

Invercargill trainer Brian Nicol doesn't train too many horses but yesterdays win by Flash Of Fire was a just reward and a change of luck for a horse that had been given bad draws for most of this season.

The number one marble was handed to Flash Of Fire yesterday in the Thermakraft Industries Ltd Mobile Pace and driver Nathan Williamson used it perfectly to give the four year old an economical trip behind pacemaker McPadden.

At the top of the straight Williamson pulled the gelding out from the trail and he finished strongly down the outside to beat an improving Castletownbere and the late finishing Senora.

"He's got a bit of zip when you pull the plugs. He's a great mannered horse. Great pacer and you can do anything with him," said Nicol after the win.

Nicol's best racehorse to date has been the Fake Left mare Fake Occasion which won two races in 2006 before being exported to Australia where she has won a further six races.

Nicol continues to breed from Flash Of Fire's mother Chinook. Born To Win was the first winner out of the mare. He won three races including his first at Gore in March 2007 when trained by Nicol.  The mare has since left Watrulookingat (2 wins) and Flash Of Fire.

Sprinting at the finish - Flash Of Fire - picture James Jubb

Plenty Of Courage Russell (Sunday 20th March 2011)

By Bruce Stewart

Like a lot of horses that join Graeme Anderson and Amber Hoffman's beach training regime, No Courage Russell has been tranformed.

The Courage Under Fire five year old has been with the Westwood Beach trainers since the start of the year and in that time has scored a win, a second and two thirds from just five starts.

"He loves the beach. We don't do too much with him. Just keep him fresh and happy. He gets ridden quite a bit and he's lovely to ride," said co-trainer Amber Hoffman.

He was initially trained by Richard and Julie Aubrey who sent him south knowing he had ability but that there was something preventing him from showing his true worth.

"They couldn't get to the bottom of it. We thought is was the feet but he seems to have come right. He's got a lot of ability but they were having trouble with him finishing his races off. Once he gets his confidence I think he'll win another couple."

In yesterday's Ampelite 4 yr old Junior Drivers Mobile Pace Dexter Dunn took the gelding to the lead and he was unchalleged winning by two lengths from Leethal. The 2400 metre mobile was cut out in 3-01.6.

"He did it easy. He wasn't on the bit much but he's just lazy." 

No Courage Russell is a full brother to Wilusi Blue and a half to Charisteas which won three races in New Zealand and a further seven in Australia.

Hoffman said he's likely to return south for the Northern Southland meeting this Saturday.

No Courage Russell wins easily for Dexter - picture James Jubb

Ardghal Moves To Butts (Sunday 20th March 2011)

By Bruce Stewart

Quality two year old Ardghal has been moved to David and Catherine Butt's Woodend stable.

Part owner John Price said the decision to transfer the two year old north was made after he ran fifth in the Sires Stakes heat at Forbury on the 10th March.

The McArdle gelding sat parked early before getting shuffled back at the cruical stage of the race. He finished just behind the leading group.

It's hoped Ardghal will start in Heat Three of the Garrard's Sires Stakes series at Rangiora at the end of the month and qualify for the $180,000. final at Addington on the 20th May.

Price says it makes sense to place the colt with Butt as the remainder of the heats and final are in the Canterbury region.

"It saves us travelling all the time. He went up on Monday. Davey said he worked him on the beach the other day and he seems happy with him," said Price.  

In just four starts Ardghal has recorded two seconds - the best behind Orl Black in the Kindergarten Stakes at Wyndham.  

Ardghal - picture Envious Photography.