GUYNO LOOKING AT "METROP"

Stable favourite GUYNO has done everything asked of him in preparation for his upcoming races and at this stage everything is on target for him to contest this weekends METROPOLITAN HCP at Randwick. This will be his first attempt at racing in the clockwise direction however I am confident that he will not have any problems in adapting.

GUYNO was earmarked for the "METROP" some time ago after discussions with the owners and a comprehensive look at the field quality in past runnings of the race. The horse has also be nominated for The Bart Cummings Hcp at Flemington on Saturday but this is purely as a precautionary measure in case anything should happen over the next few days to make us change our minds. The horse has had a number of gallops in the clockwise way of going back home prior to his departure so running in the opposite way to what he is accustomed to should not pose to many problems for him. Prior to leaving home, we were given permission to gallop on the course proper at Belmont in the Sydney way of going and we were more than happy with how he came through the workouts.

The horse will have his final gallop at Flemington tomorrow morning and will head to Sydney later in the week. The biggest thing which could make me change my mind would be if Sydney is suddenly hit with any heavy rain late in the week as I am not convinced that he handles wet tracks. We set the horse for the "METROP" after realising that he would get into the race with a very winnable weight at a trip which he has had his two biggest victories. Unfortunately the weights look like going up a few kilo's after the top weighted horses have either been retired or withdrawn over the past few weeks. It will still be a hard race to win with the likes of Mr Clangtastic, Zavite, Speed Gifted and Ready To Lift all sure to offer tough opposition.

GUYNO will head back to Melbourne after his Sydney trip and either contest the Geelong Cup, the Caulfield Cup or the Winning Edge Stakes at Caulfield at his next start.

HOOFNOTE: I have to once again apologise for my slackness in not keeping this web page more up to date. I have to admit that I much prefer to do my work outdoors and I really am allergic to office work in particular computer work. Anyway that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Maybe a bit of laziness there as well! It never ceases to amaze me from where I get comments on the web site so I will do my best to be a bit more regular with my updates. Thanks for all the comments.

CASTLE " KING" AT GERALDTON.

Lightly raced "colt" Andrew Castle had his first rides at Geraldton yesterday when that club held there opening meeting for the new season. Heading off to the races with a full book of rides for the first time must have been a big thrill in itself but nothing compared to the feeling "ROO" must have been feeling on his way home from the races.

The 4.0kg claiming apprentice did not take long to win his first race at Geraldton when winning on board CERTAIN GOLD in race two and then followed that win up with a win on JULIMAR BOY in race five. As if a double wasn't enough to put the youngster on top of the world, "ROO" was able to finish the meeting off with another winner in the last race on unbeaten galloper HIGH BUBBLES.

In what has been a very short but promising career so far, Andrew has already ridden a double at Belmont at a mid week meeting and now a treble at his first day of riding at Geraldton. Something tells me that Geraldton could become a favourite track for Andrew this season!

Riding three winners means that Andrew has now lost his 4.0kg claim bringing him back to the normal 3.0kg claim which also allows him to take rides at Saturday metropolitan meetings from here on in.

Congratulations "ROO" and all the best for the future.

BASKERVILLE STREET MAKES IT TWO

Lightly raced mare BASKERVILLE STREET made it two wins in a week when she was successful over 1200m at Belmont on Saturday. The 4yo daughter of Street Cry has always shown above average ability however she fell at Ascot when having her first race start and has taken time to regain full confidence.


BASKERVILLE STREET broke through for her maiden win at Northam last Sunday and after studying the field for Saturdays race at acceptance time we decided to back her up again. The race was run to suit with heaps of on pace pressure which helped her hit the line strongly. The mare won with something in hand after a clever ride from regular rider Jason Whiting and if Saturdays performance is any indication, I am tipping that there are many more wins in store for her.

We will look to see if there are any suitable races available in the near future for this mare otherwise we may back off her for a few weeks and set her for the mares races over the summer carnival.

GUYNO NEARLY READY TO GO

After speaking with my son Dion over the past few days I get the distinct impression that he expects a forward showing from stable iron horse GUYNO, when he starts in the Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

GUYNO had his first run in Melbourne for this campaign when hitting the line strongly at Flemington over 2000m Saturday week ago.The horse was stepping up from 1300m to 2000m in the space of two weeks and I have to say I was very happy with the way he hit the line under his 59.5kg.

The horse will drop to 55.5kg in Saturdays Gr3 race at Caulfield however the jury is still out as to whether the horse handles the tricky track and/or wet conditions. The horse had his second Victorian start in this same race last year and it was probably the only time that the horse has disappointed me in his life. The horse did pull up a bit tight over the hindquarters after that race when he raced on what appeared to be the worst part of the rain affected track.

GUYNO was taken to Caulfield on Tuesday morning where he was given a strong workout to give him some experience on the track. I have found over the years that this can be a big help to some horses on tricky tracks. With regular rider Jason Whiting on board and son Dion in charge since the horse arrived in Melbourne a few weeks ago, one can only just hope that the weather gods are on our side on the weekend.

Personally I will be happy if the horse gets around safe and sound in what is likely to be a big field and he hits the line strongly at the end. His first major goal for this campaign has always been the Metropolitan Hcp in Sydney on 3rd October and that is the race I would like to think he is fairly close to his peak for.

WHAT AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE.

Nearly 40 years I've been involved in this industry. In that time I have seen many issues come and go which have seen trainers, jockey's, owners and the racing administrators pitted against one another. Never in my time have I seen such a total disregard for the industry by one section of the industry as what I witnessed today.

Let me say from the outset that I believe the current situation with the whip rules is a complete dogs breakfast and I agree whole heartedly that some changes are needed to simplify the whole whip affair. There are other ways and means to achieve that, however that being said, I can't believe what took place today.

What a disgraceful performance by the jockey's Australia wide today for penalising the very participants in the industry from whom they derive their income. I would dare say that over the years there have been a number of issues which have arisen which may very well have warranted strike action. This in my opinion was not one of them! I did not realise that the jockey's were actually employed under an industrial award or members of a union to even contemplate national action. I was under the belief that they were all self employed individuals.

This was a poor decision. Simple as that. One which I hope riders wake up in the morning and wish they had not taken. If they don't, then there is no place in the industry for riders with such a militant mentality. Even some sheep on their way to slaughter try to turn around and go against the trend. Apparently, not so with this mob. Did they really believe that this was the right way to do things? Was there nobody amongst them who was brave enough to say this is not the way to go?

Were they not part of the discussion groups over the past 12 months which looked at the rule changes in regards to whip usage? Did they not study the videos and attend the seminars held to familiarise jockeys on whip usage? Were they not aware that there would be another look at the rules early in 2010? Of course they all were. Yet they voted to carry on like spoilt brats today when they didn't get their own way. They had a dummy spit, packed their gear away and refused to ride. There is no place in modern society for this gun at the head mentality which is what took place today.

So where to now? If they are so stead fast in their belief that strike action is the way to solve this situation, will they stay on strike until the A.R.B. has a change of heart and changes the rules? Not likely! Or will they all follow each other back out to the green grass on Saturday for a nibble on what is on offer? I'm tipping that's what they will do. If so, what has been achieved? Absolutely nothing except to cause great inconvenience and expense to others within the industry and to show the rest of the country what a brainless decision they made today.

Should all owners and trainers send floating and staff cost invoices to the National Jockey's Association for payment for all the unnecessary expenses incurred today? I for one will! Or should I simply tell all my owners that from now on they should sling the guys at the stables after a win as the jockey's obviously have already got plenty of dollars but not much sense!

ST PIERRE AT LAST

Finally, after many "be on me next time " performances, ST PIERRE found the line for his first win in W.A. at Belmont today. The win came on the back of a good third last start and an unlucky fourth at his previous run. The one thing in common with all these runs was the fact that the horse has been ridden by my young apprentice Andrew "ROO" Castle. Those of you who have followed my postings over the past few months may recall me saying that the young lad was showing plenty of promise in trials and was ready to start his riding career.

Well start it he certainly has!! Andrew has now had fourteen race rides, six in town and has won three races. He broke through for his first win at Northam last Thursday and topped that off with a great display on ST PIERRE at Belmont today. Andrew only had two rides at Belmont today and after winning his first city race on ST PIERRE he did it all again two races later on the Wally Mitchell trained Wonderful Mak. That is now six rides in the city for two winners! Not a bad effort in any one's book.

ST PIERRE has taken a long time to break through in this country after a promising start to his career in N.Z. The horse was sent over as a possible Derby contender however he failed to live up to expectations. He has raced consistently over the past twelve months however he has failed to win even when he has looked the winner on more than one occasion. Hopefully the win gives him the confidence to go on with it from here and put a few more wins on the board.