WHERE ARE WE AT?.... WHO KNOWS?

There must be plenty going on in the world of racing lately. Never have I had so many phone calls from different sections of the industry all wanting to discuss the current state of play and to put forward their two bobs worth.

Under normal circumstances, I would say it is good that so many want to discuss what is happening in the industry, however I am not convinced that the side effects of the discussions are the best thing for the industry at the moment.

There are so many topics being discussed it is becoming quite scary. When members of committee's from various sectors of the industry, all start calling me to have a chat or ask me to join them for a coffee, you get the feeling that all is not well on the home front. Especially when most of those concerned are rarely if ever seen or heard from under normal circumstances.

Now don't get me wrong. I have said all along that industry participants need to be a lot more active and are entitled to be kept better informed by those in charge. It seems that only now that they can see that the s**t is about to hit the fan, that everyone has an opinion. My concern is that we should be careful not to create a bigger problem than the one we already have. The reason I say that is that instead of strength in unity we now appear to have so many little splinter groups forming all with slightly different agenda's. Unfortunately some appear to have their own interests at heart and not those of the industry as a whole.


It is my belief that the reason we find this happening is what I said in an earlier posting. TRANSPARENCY!! Everyone now appears to have heard something about someone and so the Chinese whispers begin and spread. What is fact and what is fiction anymore is any ones guess. Is the committee of P.R. a one man band or are they united? Who knows? Are there factions now forming within the committee? Who knows? What is the EXACT nature of the deal being done between P.R. and the overseas developer? Who knows? What was the EXACT nature of the deal that the Premiere had in mind? Who knows? Did he actually have a serious proposal in mind? Who knows? Where is the site for a new race course which he appeared to have? Who knows? What if any involvement does RWWA have in all the goings on? Who knows?

The reason nobody really knows is that nobody has been kept up to date all the way along. Its called KEEPING PEOPLE INFORMED and TRANSPARENCY. Personally I have had a guts full of all the bickering and innuendo taking place at the moment. I am especially disapointed at how the Premier was treated when he showed up at Belmont a couple of weeks ago. (That is if we can believe the stories as I wasn't there). For crying out aloud guys. Will someone please show some balls and leadership at a time when it is most needed and come out and tell things EXACTLY HOW THEY ARE! We are all big boys and girls and can handle the truth. When you own or train racehorses, it becomes second nature!

GUYNO HAPPY IN ADELAIDE

My little mate GUYNO has arrived safe and sound in Adelaide and has settled in to his new stables at Morphetville. Not that I expected anything different from him as he is a well travelled and fairly adaptable horse but you never really know until you go somewhere different as to just how well they settle in.

Guyno spent a few days on the water walker at Morphetville which enabled him to do some exercise without any real pressure. The horse is used to wading as he goes to the beach regularly back in Perth.

The horse had his first look at the Morphetville training track yesterday and had a strong canter around there again this morning. He will have his first piece of faster work on the course proper next Tuesday however he won't be doing too much as he is already as fit as I can get him. From here on in he only needs to stay mentally fit and sound to be considered a serious chance in his upcoming races.

Jason Whiting will again fly across to partner the horse for his first run in S.A. on Saturday week.

MORNINGTON CUP DAY PHOTO'S

Following are some of the photo's taken after the sensational win of GUYNO in the 2400m MORNINGTON CUP. A very big thank you to the photographers who have allowed me to use the shots. The following shots were taken and made available to me by

Taron Clarke www.taronclarke.com

Thank you for all your help Taron.

AND MORE STILL FROM MORNINGTON

PHOTO'S COURTESEY brunoc@cannatelli.com.au

MORE FROM MORNINGTON

PHOTO'S COURTESEY brunoc@cannatelli.com.au

MORNINGTON CUP PICS

PHOTO'S COURTESEY brunoc@cannatelli.com.au

MORNINGTON CUP PICS.

PHOTO'S COURTESEY brunoc@cannatelli.com.au

I JUST LOVE THESE KNOW ALL'S

I got told to watch the P.R. BOX SEAT racing preview show for this weekend by a mate back in Perth. Can't say I was familiar with the show but thought I would check it out. I do use the P.R. web page on a daily basis however I am not an avid watcher of the show which covers the weekend racing from Perth, dissecting the form and putting forward tips for each race.

Didn't take me long to realise why my mate asked me to watch the show when one of the experts referred to Jason Whitings ride on GUYNO at Mornington on Wednesday as "you couldn't ask for a worse ride and the horse was still able to win." Good one Matt. Now I understand why I can't be bothered watching the show and probably why the horse wasn't good enough to rate a mention pre race on the site.

After hearing such informed comments like that, it makes me realise just how little I actually know about my horses or racing in general! I can't believe I was actually silly enough to even put Jason on the horse.

BIG THANK YOU

I have to say a very BIG thank you to all the well wishes I have received following the win of GUYNO at Mornington yesterday. It was a great day made more memorable by all the text messages, emails and words of encouragement and congratulations. Thanks again to everyone.

WHAT A LITTLE CHAMPION!!!!

I know he is a long way short of being a Champion in the true sense however nobody can tell me that my little mate GUYNO is anything but a Champion in my eyes.

What a run and what a performance from this game little horse to win yesterday's Mornington Cup. Run over 2400m on an undulating leader biased track, GUYNO had to be ridden outside his usual manner but was still able to beat a handy field of up and coming stayers. GUYNO was caught three deep after being slow out of the barriers and there was nothing Jason Whiting could do but sit there and hope. If you wanted to have a rider on a horse in a staying race who could stay cool when the odds are stacked against you in running, I doubt there would be anyone better than the Fish.

We decided pre race that we wanted GUYNO to be either in front or on top of the leader ready to pounce at the top of the straight. I guess he was in that position but hardly what you would call ready to pounce with the leader having kicked away and GUYNO under extreme pressure. To his credit, the horse put his head down and didn't throw in the towel, eventually winning in a close photo. I am the first one to tell you that I was very confident that we had been beaten by a neck as we watched the race from at least 50m past the post. Just when we had finished congratulating one another on the huge performance and the fact that the horse had earned some stake money to pay for the trip, his number went up in the frame as the winner.

It is hard to explain the feeling as GUYNO has given me some great moments over the past few seasons however none better than how I felt after yesterday's gutsy win. He really has developed into my most favourite horse ever over many years of involvement in the industry and I reckon there might even be another win in him somewhere yet.

The horse will head off to S.A. tonight where he will be given an easy week before we step up his work at the end of the month in preparation for the Lord Reims over 2600m then the Adelaide Cup over 3200m. If he gets into the Cup on a reasonable weight he is capable of giving the race a huge shake. Meanwhile I need to go for a long walk to help clear my rather fuzzy head and then head over to Adelaide to await the arrival of my mate.

A special word of thanks to all who have been involved in helping to make the win possible from all the staff back at home through to Tommy Kelly who has been in Melbourne looking after the horse. Great effort guys.And a big thank you to all the crew at David Hayes stable at Flemington for making us feel so welcome.

HOOFNOTE:
I don't want to sound like a smart arse after the event but can anyone tell me why six (experts) tipsters in the local paper here in Melbourne yesterday morning, all having four selections each in the thirteen horse field, failed to give him any chance at all. Not one person mentioned his name! I can still remember the words of the great jockey JJ Miller when he said to me, "don't ever be scared to take them on. If you think your horse is good enough then take them on and don't worry about what they think." You were right again JJ.

Whilst on my bandwagon, it was strange that GUYNO never rated a mention on the P.R. website pre race either. Plenty of stories about eastrern states runners and trainers in Melbourne this coming week but GUYNO wasn't good enough to crack a mention. Thanks guys! Keep up the good work.

GUYNO OFF TO MORNINGTON TODAY

Its an amazing thing to race horses over on the east coast. Some things we take for granted back home in Perth appear to be very open ended over here. Take for instance the trip to Mornington with my old mate GUYNO today.

Firstly we have to make sure we get to Melbourne safely and that has all been done. Then it is important that the horse settles in and does well. Being an old experienced campaigner, this has also proved no problem for GUYNO. Then we have to worry about the weather. Now that is something we have no control over but it is a very big thing when it comes to my horse.

GUYNO hates a wet track. In fact any moisture under foot at all and he looses confidence quickly. For those who know Melbourne weather, anything is possible on any given day. Fine, hot and sunny at 10.00am does not mean a dry track later in the afternoon. At the time of writing this article the weather is fine but cloudy. Humidity high and the chance of an afternoon thunderstorm. Wow! Will it get here before race time? Will the track stay good or will it turn into a bog. And that's just the weather.

Yesterday I drove down to Mornington to inspect the track. I was somewhat surprised as to what I found. The surface looks great but I was surprised as to how tight the track is and as to how undulating it is. The track has a 200m straight with quite a steep incline peaking near the winning post. There is then a fairly tight turn out of the straight on level ground before another rise to the highest point at about the 1200m point. The track is then fairly level again around until the 800m mark where the track begins a steady decline around to the 400m mark where it again levels out before the rise begins at the top of the straight. All in all it looks an interesting track with first class facilities for the public. I love to see tracks with a bit of difference instead of the fairly mundane ones at home. How will GUYNO handle the track? Who knows? One thing I do know is that he cant win the race if he straightens up running last. In fact I reckon I will be instructing Fishy to have the horse close to the lead at the turn into the straight.

Anyway, I am very happy with the health and condition of the horse I am taking to the races today and providing he handles the track and his fitness holds up, I expect him to figure in the finish.

Providing he pulls up well after today's race, GUYNO will head across to S.A. for the Lord Reims over 2600m and then the Adelaide Cup over 3200m. At least I do know that the track at Morphetville is fairly flat. Now all we have to deal with is the weather!

THE SAGA GOES ON AND ON AND ON AND.............

I accept that when it comes to the world of racing, nothing happens fast. Unless of course there is some bad news or scandalous gossip about one of the industry participants. Then things seem to move quicker than a hills bush fire fanned by strong easterlies causing just about as much damage.

Over the past few weeks I have had numerous discussions with industry participants regarding the state of OUR industry, the reduction in stake money and the proposed sale or redevelopment of Belmont Park racecourse. It would appear that there is nobody who doesn't have an opinion one way or another. And so they should. It is after all, the industry they have invested so much of their life, money and efforts in, trying to forge a living and a future. Not just for themselves but their families, their staff and their families.

The participants in the industry (myself included)are as a whole fairly simple people. I do not mean in brain power but in what we expect in return for the efforts we put in. I don't think anyone really expects to own a mansion in Dalkeith overlooking the river or an expensive boat or car. Hopefully we can make the business work well enough to put the kids through school, pay off the mortgage and have something left at the end of the day to be able to enjoy a meal and a drink. Maybe even take a holiday someday. I can tell you in all honesty that most in the industry would be battling to do all of the above. The reason we stick so hard through bad times and slightly better times is basically because we don't know any other life style and the dream and the hope of finding a good horse. One good enough to put our name in lights. One good enough to maybe pay off the mortgage or maybe even a life changing Champion.

That is why when there are obvious problems within the industry, everyone has an opinion. Not because they know the answers but because they get very scared and confused when those in charge, usually those who's livelihoods do not rely on racing, start to tamper with OUR industry.

I have said it before and will say it again. I don't have all the answers but I sure do have a lot of questions. To put it bluntly I am sick of the participants being treated like a mushrooms.

Why can't we be kept up to date with the progress of either the redevelopment or the sale of Belmont. Why can't we be told along the way of what the state of the finances are. Or what has happened to stakes and why. Are we not entitled to know what the Premiere was proposing? Are we not entitled to know if there is another site picked out or mooted to build another race track or training venue? Are we not entitled to have some input into the decision making process of our future? So why do they treat us with such apparent disdain and contempt? Remember guys, its not your industry. You have been entrusted to look after it.

It's an amazing thing that as trainer I have to report every single thing which happens to my horse either pre-race, post race or during a race which may have or may have had an effect on its performance. This is supposed to be for the benefit of punters and for the sake of transparency. TRANSPARENCY?!! Fair dinkum. Maybe someone ought to speak to our leaders about transparency.

I am the first one to admit that we all make mistakes. Nobody gets it right all the time. Not Ted. Not his committee. Not the board at RWWA and not the political party in power on the day. As I said, I don't know all or any of the answers. I reckon having been involved in the industry from a battling apprentice in the early 70's through until my life as a trainer today, has given me a fairly good opportunity to learn plenty along the way.

One thing I learnt long ago was that if you kick a dog often enough, he will eventually turn around and bite you. I think the industry is quickly getting sick of being kicked!

GUYNO DOING WELL

Stable favourite and the states newest Millionaire, GUYNO, has arrived safely in Melbourne and looked great when doing some strong pace work at Flemington this morning. GUYNO flew into Melbourne on Friday morning and he looks as though he has done a float trip from Ascot to Pinjarra.

The horse will run in the Mornington Cup over 2400m on Wednesday and all going well he will then head over to S.A. for the Cup in early March. There is no doubt that most 7yo's are likely to be past their best however this old boy is going as well as ever and he doesn't look his age. Watching him kicking his heals up when working off on the grass track at Flemington this morning further suggests that there is still some life left in his old legs yet. If the horse was a hand taller and better able to carry weight, I have no doubt that his record would have been much better. Hopefully if we can get into the next few races on a reasonable weight, the boy is capable of adding to his stake earnings.

At this stage there are no thoughts of retirement for my old mate however I know when the day does come, the stables will not be the same. He is a real character and gets spoilt rotten by the staff but probably mostly by me. I love his attitude, his longevity and his honesty. Even when he is out spelling there is not quite the same feel around the place as when he is back. Jason Whiting will fly over to ride the horse in the Mornington Cup and I am looking forward to the event.

SALES WEEK DONE AND DUSTED.

I have often mentioned the similarity between football teams and their coaches to racehorses and their trainers. We often hear terms like, rebuilding, retirement of older competitors, injuries, peaked, trained well or training off, having an easy few weeks at training etc etc. Well I reckon that sales week must be similar to the end of season recruitment week where young footballers are put through their paces and deals are done to recruit the best young players to the team. If as a trainer you recruit poorly, the following season or two could be bleak. If on the other hand you are able to recruit a few stars, the team is most likely going to be in the headlines over the next few years.

Last week, after weeks and weeks of inspecting and catalogue studying, the Magic Millions Sales were completed at the ageing Belmont Park sales complex. Both Dion and I have covered many miles over the past few weeks inspecting the babies at their respective studs and even more leg work inspecting others at the sales complex.I have to say that it was a whole lot easier on me this year having Dion on board to share the workload. Dion has developed a good eye over the past few years and I am confident that when he inspects a yearling, he is able to see the same things I do. He will improve even further over the next few years.

We were able to come away from the sales with some nice babies and these along with the two year olds we have educated this season are sure to help us put together a more than useful team of racing horses over the next few seasons.

It was nice to be able to go to the sales and buy some nice horses for loyal stable clients like Peter Walsh, Rick Maio, Amelia Park Club, Keith and Bill Biggs and others. The boys who race Amelias Dancer were able to secure his half sister for $50,000 and there looks like being some very handy horses amongst those who will join the Amelia Park Club this year. There are a few which I bought on spec and I am confident that these will find owners over the next week or two. Dion and I can both be contacted if any information is required on any of the babies purchased.

GROZNY IN STYLE

Lightly raced 3yo GROZNY appears to have plenty up his sleeve as he cruises to victory at Ascot last week. Jason Whiting rode a top class race on the horse to win as he liked.

CAMPOBELLO IN GRINDING SECOND UP WIN.

Not a bad effort by CAMPOBELLO when winning over 2200m at Ascot on Saturday. The horse was racing second up after having run a great race over 1800m first up two weeks earlier. Full credit should go to my son Dion for identifying that the horse did not need a lot of leg drill to get him fit for the trip and special credit must go to the horses regular track rider and admiring attendant Sarah for all the time she spends spoiling the big guy. Keep it up guys!

GROZNY....FUNNY NAME BUT SERIOUS RACEHORSE!

Lightly raced three year old, GROZNY showed by his win at Ascot on Wednesday that he could be a star of the future. The horse was having only his 4th lifetime start and he has now won first up on both occasions. The horse has developed into a strong powerful individual who has had a few issues along the way. Whilst physically he has matured quite a lot over the past six months, mentally he still has a long way to go suggesting that when he does he could be fairly useful.

On Wednesday the horse took on older more experienced horses and was ridden a perfect race by Jason Whiting from his inside barrier. I am not sure which way we will head with him in the short term however I do feel that the horse is capable of winning over a lot further than the 1000m of Wednesdays race.

THE IRISH PRIEST

As sent to me by my good mate Pat who is currently posted overseas. I get some great emails and funny video's from him but unfortunately they don't all pass the censorship rules. Pat and I both disagree with political correctness, religion, racism, sexism and any other "ism" but I am bound by rules and regulation from posting them on this site. Keep them clean Pat and don't work too hard mate. This is one which made me chuckle and is clean!

THE IRISH PRIEST

An Irish priest was transferred to Texas ..

Father O'Malley rose from his bed one morning. It was a fine spring day in
his new Texas mission parish.

He walked to the window of his bedroom to get a deep breath of the beautiful
day outside.

He then noticed there was a jackass lying dead in the middle of his front
lawn.

He promptly called the local police station......

The conversation went like this:

''Good morning. This is Sergeant Jones. How might I help you?''

''And the best of the day te yerself.. This is Father O'Malley at St. Ann's
Catholic Church. There's a jackass lying dead in me front lawn."

Sergeant Jones, considering himself to be quite a wit, replied with a smirk,
''Well now Father, it was always my impression that you people took care of
the last rites!''

There was dead silence on the line for a
moment............................................

Father O'Malley then replied,
"Aye, 'tis certainly true;
but we are also obliged to notify the next of kin.''