Al Karam provided an upset victory in Sunday's Great Southern Steeplechase at Mornington.

Champion jumps jockey Steve Pateman's attempt at a clean sweep of Sunday's three jumps races at Mornington was thwarted by Gavin Bedggood on Al Karam.

Pateman had earlier scored on the first two winners of the day in the hurdle events and was on the favourite Fareer ($2.60) in the feature event, $100,000 Dream Thoroughbreds Great Southern Steeple (3320m) only to be denied by Al Karam ($7).

Both Al Karam and Fareer were in the leading division with Phaze Action for the majority of the 3320m and both horses jumped particularly well throughout.

As they approached the 850m mark, Fareer and Al Karam cleared away and seemingly had the race between them.

On turning for home, Al Karam under vigourous riding from Bedggood looked to have the measure of the race favourite and eventually stormed away to win by 4 ¼ lengths with Via Savoia ($4.80), who missed the start, another two lengths away in third place.

Al Karam's win was his first over the fences at only his third attempt and only second win over the obstacles overall with a hurdle victory in April last year.

The six-year-old didn't run at Warrnambool duing the May Carnival there despite many feature jumps races programmed and Sunday's race was a race that co-trainer Cindy Alderson and Bedggood had picked out some time ago. 

"He has never really been suited by the track at Warrnambool so we picked this race out about four or five weeks ago," Alderson said.

"As this was the main goal for him, we had him primed for the race.

Alderson said the conditions of tracks and how wet they get will determine his path from here.

"I think he will continue steeplchasing and probably go to the Australian Steeple (in two weeks) next but he's not as effective when the tracks get really wet so we'll try to find suitable races on the best surfaces we can," Alderson said. 

Sunday's race was the 8th leg of the 2012 J.J. Houlahan Jumps Championship and Al Karam scored his first points for the series by winning today whilst also providing training combination Colin & Cindy Alderson with their first points as well.

The leaders of the Houlahan Championship remain as Tobouggie Nights, trainer John Wheeler and jockey Steve Pateman in their respective categories following today's heats.

Click for full race result

- Racing Victoria

Undefeated over hurdles in Australia, Palmero lead from start to finish at Mornington on Sunday.

A familiar sight saw the famous Aquanita Blue silks and champion jockey Steve Pateman dominate Sunday's $100,000 Jack Dow Memorial Hurdle (3320m) at Mornington as they have so often this season but on this occasion the winner was prepared by Ciaron Maher.

In winning, Palmero ($2.25) remains undefeated after three starts over the fences and led from start to finish in the race which also doubled as the 7th leg of the 2012 J.J. Houlahan Jumps Championship.

Palmero, part-owned by Melbourne Racing Club Chairman Mike Symons and Moonee Valley Racing Club Committeeman Craig Opie, has won his previous two jumps starts at Warrnambool during the May Carnival and in New Zealand in September last year.

In a powerful front running display, Palmero never surrendered the lead despite making a couple of errors at various stages but through brilliant horsemanship from Pateman was able to recover and come on to score nicely by a length from a fast finishing Gotta Take Care.

Maher, who now has the Australian Hurdle (3400m) on 2 June in his sights, said he may have had Palmero a bit fresh on Sunday.

”He was probably a bit too fresh with the three weeks between runs and sort of raced and jumped a bit that way but the horse is just really well,” Maher said.

“He'll go straight into the Australian (hurdle) now in two weeks.”

Maher's confidence in Pateman extends beyond his race riding exploits.

“A bloodstock agent of mine sent me an email of his first run over hurdles in New Zealand and he was quite impressive winning by about 15 lengths so I flew Steve Pateman over there because my passport had run out and told him to have a ride and jump it and he said it was nice horse,” Maher quipped.

“So I mentioned it to Mike (Symons) and the whole Black and Bent syndicate went into it so it was snapped in an hour or two.”

In terms of preparation for the Australian Hurdle, Maher said there was a slight change of mind.

“I was going to give him a flat run at Sandown on Wednesday but because Black and Bent wasn't here today, we thought we would roll the dice with the hurdle.”

Gotta Take Care was the second favourite in the race ($2.30) and finished runner-up a length away from the winner with Seeking The Silver a further 4 ¼ lengths astern in third.

Click here for full race result

- Racing Victoria

This Sunday, Mornington Racecourse will become the stuff of dreams, in more ways than one.

Bearing the tag of Dream Thoroughbreds Great Southern Steeplechase Race Day, the meeting boasts an impressive $230,000 in prize money among the three jumps races alone.

The features of these are the $100,000 Dream Thoroughbreds Great Southern Steeplechase and the $100,000 Jack Dow Memorial Hurdle, which for the first time in 2012 form part of the seventh annual J.J. Houlahan Jumps Championship.

The jumps features aside, among the highlights of the day is the introduction of a new partner in Dream Thoroughbreds, a burgeoning racehorse syndication outfit, to Mornington. 

As part of Dream’s association on the day, a host of high-quality yearlings – all to be trained by in-form conditioner and Peninsula resident, Anthony Freedman – will be paraded for the perusal of prospective owners.

Taking a less racing tack, the afternoon offers plenty of incentives for all comers, including a racebook competition through which patrons in attendance can win a 5% share in a filly by emerging stallion Gonski to be trained by Freedman.

Early birds to Mornington will also be rewarded with giveaways presented to the first 800 people through the gates, while youngsters present will be treated to free activities such as pony rides, balloon modeller and jumping castle.

Hospitality and dining packages are also available offering a variety of options to suit all racegoers, which can be booked by contacting the Club on (03) 5975 3310.

Gates open at 11am for Dream Thoroughbreds Great Southern Steeplechase Race Day, with admission just $10 for adults, $5 for concession patrons, and children under 15 free.  Free public parking is available in grounds around the racecourse, with car parks open at 11am.

Any other travel burdens will be eased with a courtesy bus arranged to run to and from Frankston Train Station, leaving Frankston at 11.15am (45 minutes before the first race) and then departing the racecourse at 5.15pm (15 minutes after the last).

For further details about the day, please visit www.melbourneracingclub.net.au, and for more information on Dream Thoroughbreds, visit www.dreamthoroughbreds.com.au.

Fareer and Steven Pateman will be reunited in Sunday’s Great Southern Steeplechase

Steven Pateman won't be making the same mistake twice with emerging steeplechaser Fareer.

The champion jumps jockey passed up the ride on the first-season fencer in the Brierly Steeplechase and looked on in horror as Tom Ryan guided the Robert Smerdon-trained gelding to victory over his mount, Megapixel.

It was the result that denied Pateman a clean sweep of the six jumps races conducted throughout the three days of the Tabcorp Warrnambool May Racing Carnival.

But Pateman will be back aboard Fareer when the five-year-old contests Sunday's $100,000 Dream Thoroughbreds Great Southern Steeplechase (3320m) at Mornington.

“It's good to be back on him and looking forward to Sunday's race,” said Pateman, who is Smerdon's stable jumps rider.

“He's going great at home. I've been riding him every day and he's really well. He's just been such a surprise this year, he was only an average hurdler but he seems to be shaping up as a top-class chaser.”

The Pivotal gelding will carry the 67kg top weight in the Great Southern Steeplechase, which has attracted an outstanding nine-horse field.

Phaze Action (65kg), who fell when fancied in the Brierly, heads Fareer's list of rivals with tough gelding Grizz (65kg), the untapped Al Karam and Brierly third placegetter Via Savoia (both 64kg) also engaged.

The Darren Weir-trained Via Savoia meets Fareer four kilograms better for his three-length Brierly defeat, but Pateman said the extra experience, combined with a likely wet track, would act in Fareer's favour.

“He's still only in the early stage of his prep and the ground is looking like there will be more moisture in it than what there was that day at Warrnambool, so that will help him also.”

Fareer headlines an outstanding book of rides for Pateman at what is the continuation of the J.J. Houlahan Jumps Championship.

The other leg of that series that will be run on Sunday is the $100,000 Jack Dow Memorial Hurdle (3320m), in which Pateman will ride another Warrnambool winner, the Ciaron Maher-trained Palmero.

Pateman was to have partnered Black And Bent in what would have been his quest for a 10thstraight jumps win, but the gelding injured a tendon on Monday. He said Palmero was a more than adequate back-up ride.

“He's looking like a pretty exciting type that's for sure,” he said.

The J.J. Houlahan Jumps Championship legs, which are races two and three, round out the jumps events on the eight-race card that commences with the $20,000 Robert Fitzgerald Memorial Hurdle (3320m).

Pateman will partner the David Hayes-trained jumping debutante Token Of Honour and he is expecting a good showing.

“He actually jumps really well,” Pateman said. “He's having his first go at it, but there's no doubt he's got ability and I think he'll be right in the finish in what is pretty handy maiden hurdle.”

- Racing Victoria

Thomas and John Sadler both celebrated wins at Sandown today

John Sadler prepared Lady Melksham to win at Sportingbet Park (Sandown) this afternoon, but it would have been the race after the promising filly's success that left the Flemington trainer sporting the biggest grin.

Sadler's apprentice jockey son Thomas celebrated his maiden metropolitan victory when he teamed with the Mike Moroney-trained Lord Of The Parrots to win the $30,000 National Jockeys Trust Handicap (2100m).

The win came during the first week of Sadler's three-month placement with Robert Smerdon at Aquanita Racing and he was thrilled to break through after 10 minor placings in town.

“It's a really big relief,” he said. “It's good to get the monkey off the back.

“It's been a really good first week so far, obviously to kick it off with my first city winner makes it even better, but I really appreciate the team at Aquanita for embracing me the way they have and hopefully it's going to be exciting three months.”

Sadler was made to work for the victory after Lordoftheparrots gave him a testing ride over the concluding stages.

The five-year-old ambled alongside leader Summarise just before straightening but wanted to lay in around 250m from home. Sadler got the $4.40 chance home by 2-1/4 lengths from Summarise ($21 into $10) with the winner's stablemate Balmoral ($7) 2-3/4 lengths away in third.

“I really appreciate Mr Moroney and the team down there at Flemington giving me this opportunity because the stable's been flying and it really gave me great confidence that they put me on and the horse performed accordingly.”

Sadler Jnr's win came the race after Lady Melksham made it two wins from as many starts in the $30,000 Responsible Gambling Awareness Week Handicap.

The daughter of Artie Schiller turned in a strong performance under the urgings of champion jockey Damien Oliver to wear down Reigning Lass and Bonaria in the 1200m event.

“It was slowly run and the leader had a really cheap run in front and kicked really strongly at the top of the lane,” Oliver said. “I didn't know if she was going to pick it up late, but she really knuckled down and did a good job to pick it up.”

- Racing Victoria

The Melbourne Racing Club will commemorate the two champions of Australian racing to die last week – Vo Rogue and Northerly – by naming races in their honour at Wednesday’s Sportingbet Park meeting.

Race five on the card to be held on the Lakeside track will be the Vo Rogue Handicap and race seven the Northerly Handicap.

As part of the tribute to each fallen turf hero, the Club will host connections of both Northerly and Vo Rogue, who will award the winners of each race with commemorative trophies in official presentations.

Vo Rogue will be represented by Garry Roberts, who famously bought into the gelding after he had risen to prominence, while the Kersley and Duncan families, owners of Northerly, will be represented by Judy and Christopher Cain, widow and son of Bob Cain, who penned the 2005 book Northerly: The Unlikely Champion.

Both horses enjoyed significant success at Melbourne Racing Club tracks: Northerly’s two group one wins at Caulfield included an unforgettable victory in the 2002 Caulfield Cup when creating a modern-day weight-carrying record, while Vo Rogue won seven races at MRC tracks, which comprised a trifecta of C.F. Orr Stakes, fittingly all run at the site of Wednesday’s tribute.

The Vo Rogue Handicap will be run at 2.30pm and the Northerly Handicap at 3.40pm with the official presentations to be held following the announcement of correct weight for each race.

As with every midweek meeting at Sportingbet Park, admission to the racecourse on Wednesday is free.

A winning double at Caulfield has seen Ben Knobel’s city claim reduced to 2kg

Ben Knobel shed his three-kilogram metropolitan claim in style, partnering a winning double at Caulfield on Saturday.

The mature-age apprentice teamed with Manila Jewel to record the easiest win of the day in Race 3 and then combined with speedy South Australian filly Classy Chloe to score an off-the-canvas win in the fifth event.

The double took Knobel's city winners' tally to 21, which reduces his city claim to two kilograms, but he was ecstatic to have his name up in lights at the time of year that apprentice riders generally get the chance to shine.

“Things are going well at the minute and I have to thank all the trainers that have given me the opportunities,” he said. “It's a good time of year (for apprentices), coming into winter.”

Knobel had to be at his vigorous best to get Classy Chloe home in the $70,000 Barbara Booth Handicap (1200m)

The John Hickmott-trained daughter of Danerich, who was well backed to start the $3.40 second favourite, led and was headed by You Tell Me ($16) with 100m to go, but fought back tenaciously to score by a head.

It was the fourth win from eight starts for Classy Chloe, who has also registered four minor placings.

“She definitely rallied back on the inside of the second placegetter, albeit I think it pulled up a little bit, which helped,” Knobel said. “That probably suited my filly because she's very raw and doesn't know much. Just that little competition got the best out of her.”

Classy Chloe's win was in contrast to his other success. The David Hayes-trained Manila Jewel streeted her rivals in the $70,000 Kevin Dunne Handicap (2000m).

The tough six-year-old, who was lining up for her 11th start of the season, settled just behind the speed but gained a split early in the straight before powering away for a 4-1/4-length win over The Night's Hot with You I Find a further three quarters of a length back third.

The win atoned for defeat at the hands of The Night's Hot at her previous and Knobel said the daughter of Danewin appreciated a five-kilogram turnaround in the weights.

“I've ridden her her last three starts and the two prior to today were really promising and she was just knocking on the door,” the jockey said. “She got the weight relief off The Night's Hot and today was her day.”

Full results from both the Barbara Booth Handicap and Kevin Dunne Handicap are available via the respective links

- Racing Victoria

Peter Snowden has some appealing options with Caulfield winner Haussmann

Haussmann could be bound for Queensland after justifying strong stable confidence with an impressive win in today's $70,000 Routley's Handicap at Caulfield.

The Peter Snowden-trained two-year-old was a commanding winner of the 1200-metre event at his first start since a debut third at Sandown in December and may be quickly stepped up in grade.

“He's a horse we've held in high regard and we were pretty confident today,” Darley's Melbourne foreman Paul Snowden said. “I think he's got a bit more ability than winter class.

“Ultimately I think 1400 is definitely going to suit him down to the ground. He's one of those on-speed 1400/milers that can quicken off a good tempo, so there's a good future for him.

“He (Snowden Sr) might even poach him and run him up in Brisbane. I don't know what he wants to do with him yet, but certainly if he does a trip on like that it's definitely going to be the making of the horse next time in.”

The $250,000 Group 2 QTC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) is on 2 June with the $500,000 Group 1 The TJ Smith (1600m) – a race Snowden won last year with Benfica – run seven days later.

The son of Commands won't be out of place in either of those races judging by his effort in what was a strong off-season juvenile race.

Jockey Mark Zahra had the luxury of the spot behind Ride A Rock Horse, who led the field into the straight after which Zahra popped off the fence and let Haussmann down.

He responded strongly to score by a length from the fast-finishing Affable with General Groove just a half-head away third. Heavily-backed favourite Big Chill ($7.50 to $4.40) travelled towards the rear and was held up early in the straight but finished off well to claim fourth.

“Peter Moody's thing (Ride A Rock Horse) pushed forward and was going to hand up, but luckily for me he held the front so I ended up on his back and it was just a matter of getting a bit of room,” Zahra said.

“The horse was travelling well enough and he did the rest. He's well-educated, did everything right and he was just too strong.”

Haussmann's win was the first leg of a winning double for Zahra, who also won the penultimate event on the card - the $70,000 Gail Jackson Handicap (1200m) - aboard the Colin and Cindy Alderson-trained Miss Bindi.

- Racing Victoria

Stratcombe earned a crack at some feature spring sprints with victory at Caulfield

The Manfred Phillips Handicap might have been the second of the All Victorian Sprint Series, but its winner won't be there when the $150,000 final is run at Flemington on 7 July.

Classy Mick Price-trained gelding Stratcombe earned himself a shot at spring riches with another dominant display in the $70,000 event.

The son of Stratum registered his sixth win from just 11 starts with a dashing display and Price said the time had now come to see how he measures up against the top-liners.

“He's had six runs this time, I'm thinking that's about it, I can give him a break and have a look at some of the better races in the spring,” Price said.

“We've just made the most of his earning potential to this point. It's time for him to go to Black Type next time in and have a play around in the better races. He's capable of being some sort of Black Type horse.”

Just like he did at Caulfield three weeks earlier, Stratcombe turned in an impressive performance to dominate the Manfred Phillips Handicap.

He negated a potentially-awkward gate by jumping brilliantly, which landed him on the outside of leader Fab Fevola. Jockey Craig Newitt let Stratcombe take over soon after straightening and he quickly opened up a healthy margin he was able to maintain to the line.

Stratcombe, heavily backed from $2.70 to start $2.30 favourite, scored by 1-3/4 lengths from another ultra-consistent four-year-old, the Doug Harrison-trained It's Crunch Time ($10), with Shock Value ($12) 1-1/4 lengths back third.

Newitt said the result was a fine example of the transformation of the former troublesome colt.

“He's just absolutely flying at the moment,” Newitt said. “He's always been a very, very good horse and the horse we had 12 months ago to the horse we've got now is a totally different horse.

“His whole attitude towards racing has changed and it's shown in the results.

“He used to be a barrier rogue, but he was the first in today, he put himself outside a flying machine – I probably could have led it if I wanted him to – but he just sat there and he had that race won a long, long way out.”

The full result of the Manfred Phillips Handicap is available via the link

- Racing Victoria

South Australia’s biggest sprint race was the scene of Black Caviar’s 21st straight win

Black Caviar will head to England with her unbeaten record in tact following a soft win in today's $500,000 Group 1 The Goodwood at Morphettville in Adelaide.

The champion mare made it 21 straight victories when she cruised home by just over a length from We're Gonna Rock at her final start before heading to England for the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on 23 June.

It wasn't the most dominant performance of her unprecedented career, but she was never out of “second gear” in a performance that left trainer Peter Moody and jockey Luke Nolen satisfied.

“Luke looked after her,” Moody said. “He was kind on her and we're happy with where we're at. It's just good to get another one behind us.

“She's done a good job, she's where we want her and as along as she pleases us the next three weeks we're on the plane to England.

“I know tomorrow there'll be the naysayers there (saying), ‘she's beat We're Gonna Rock a length-and-a-half this and that', but we're happy.”

The daughter of Bel Esprit was allowed to do as she pleased in the 1200-metre event. While she only jumped moderately from her wide barrier, the reluctance of any of her rivals to push forward left Nolen sharing the lead in what was a slow tempo.

Nolen took Black Caviar to the front rounding the home bend, but unlike previous races when he has put a gap on his rivals before easing her down, he just let her idle in front.

At the line the $1.04 favourite had 1-1/4 lengths to spare over a gallant We're Gonna Rock with Stirling Grove back in third spot.

Nolen said he didn't ask any more than required of the five-year-old, who has now won 11 Group 1 races and lifted her earnings to $5,770,550.

“Armchair easy it was,” Nolen said. “We were never out of second gear. She travelled strongly, I kept her happy, simple as that.

“Here the other day, she wasn't the same horse, but obviously today she was back to the machine she was.”

Black Caviar's win was part of a stellar day at Morphettville for Victoria. Among the other winners was 2011 Australian Cup runner-up Linton, who made a dream debut for Flemington trainer John Sadler.

The grey gelding, who was formerly raced by Lloyd Williams, was a strong winner of the Group 3 R.A. Lee Stakes (1600m) at his first run since finishing failing to beat a runner home in last year's Turnbull Stakes.

The Robert Smerdon-trained Red Typhoon won the Group 3 South Australian Fillies Classic (2500m), while Dance With Her backed up her Warrnambool Cup win in the Listed Centaurea Stakes, Finiguerra claimed the Listed Port Adelaide Cup and Peter Morgan's Lucky Penny made it three wins from as many starts in the Listed Laelia Stakes.

- Racing Victoria

SA speedster Classy Chloe is returning to Melbourne for Saturday’s Caulfield program

John Hickmott's judgement was spot on last weekend and the Murray Bridge trainer is hoping to prove just as astute this Saturday.

He has stable star Classy Chloe engaged at both Caulfield and Morphettville, but is “95 percent sure” the speedy filly will be coming to Melbourne for the $70,000 Barbara Booth Handicap.

That's in contrast to last weekend, when Classy Chloe was also doubly engaged but Hickmott opted to remain in South Australia where the daughter of Danerich combined with jockey Adrian Patterson to score a runaway 1100m win over a field of male rivals.

She will again have male rivals to contend with at Caulfield, but Hickmott said that holds more appeal than tackling Sistine Angel, Power Princess Curtana and company in the Listed Proud Miss Stakes (1200m).

“She's in a three-year-old race over there and here she's in a fillies and mares race and there are some pretty handy ones in it,” Hickmott said from Murray Bridge. “Even though Melbourne's pretty strong, it's still her own age group and I think she might be better suited there.”

Classy Chloe's win last week was preceded by a narrow second to Vain Attraction at Caulfield on 21 April and she is yet to miss a place from seven starts.

“I think she's getting better all the time and she went better than I expected her to last week,” Hickmott said.

“Patto (Patterson) rode her this morning – he'd be riding her if she went around here – and he said, ‘I know it probably sounds silly, but I reckon she feels better today than she did last week'. I hope he's right.”

Classy Chloe occupies the $4.20 second line in TAB Sportsbet's market, splitting the Darren Weir-trained Platelet ($3.50) and Stratigraphy ($6), from the Mick Price yard.

Among Classy Chloe's other rivals will be Blanco, a $17 chance who is prepared by Hickmott's son, Robert, on behalf of leading owner Lloyd Williams.

The Zabeel colt is one of three debutantes Hickmott Jnr will start at Caulfield on Saturday with Appoint, a son of Dubawi, and Starcraft colt Manus to go around in the $70,000 Routley's Handicap (1200m) for two-year-olds.

The Routley's Handicap and Barbara Booth Handicap, Races 2 and 5 respectively, are part of a strong Caulfield card that commences with the $70,000 Alannah and Madeline Foundation Handicap (1600m) at 12pm

The Manfred Phillipps Handicap (1100m) is the second heat of the All Victorian Sprint Series and includes promising short-course prospect Stratcombe, while the other highlight is the final event – the Barry Poynter Handicap – in which Under The Eiffel, Utah Saints and Pago Rock will clash.

- Racing Victoria

Black Caviar has improved since her Sportingbet Classic win according to Luke Nolen

A sparkling final piece of serious work on Tuesday morning has Luke Nolen confident Black Caviar will be back to her best in Saturday's $500,000 Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville.

The Adelaide racecourse will be the scene for the Peter Moody-trained mare's quest for a 21ststraight victory and Nolen said she felt a lot sharper than when she won the Sportingbet Classic at the same track on 28 April.

Although a dominant 4.5-length winner in the Sportingbet Classic, Black Caviar appeared a shade below her best at what was her first start since her memorable Coolmore Lightning Stakes win and Nolen said she had taken great improvement from it.

“Obviously I haven't worked with the equal of Black Caviar (on the training track), but I said to Peter after I worked on her Tuesday, it's amazing how much one run can bring this mare on,” Nolen said.

“Her work was first-class and anyone who goes to Morphettville on Saturday won't be disappointed.

“She was nowhere near her top first-up and she's just made that really nice improvement second-up. I'm very much looking forward to Saturday.”

Moody will likely be keen for Nolen to give Black Caviar a solid workout in The Goodwood, which will be her final start before heading to England to represent Australia at Royal Ascot next month.

The daughter of Bel Esprit will start from barrier eight in the nine-horse event, to be run at 4.50pm EST, which Nolen considered a favourable starting position.

“I can do whatever I want from there and I can keep her out of trouble more importantly,” the jockey said on RSN.

“It allows me to do whatever I desire. She' a very easy horse to ride and I'll just keep her happy and hopefully she'll keep everyone there happy as well.”

The Goodwood will be only the second time in 16 starts that Black Caviar has not had a Group 1 winner for competition and she is again a prohibitive favourite.

She is at $1.04 with TAB Sportsbet, which has Group 2-winning three-year-old Go The Knuckle and 2010 Toorak Handicap runner-up We're Gonna Rock sharing the $26 second line.

The Goodwood is the highlight of an all-Black-Type Morphettville card, which includes the R.A. Lee Stakes (1600m) – featuring Linton's debut for new trainer John Sadler – The Jansz (1200m) and SA Fillies Classic (2500m) at Group 3 level plus a quartet of Listed events.

- Racing Victoria

Photo from umscerd (Photobucket)

By Josh Rodder
Follow Josh on Twitter: @gurujosh23

Northerly had 37 race starts, for 19 wins, 7 seconds and 2 thirds, earning prize money of $9.34 million and was truly one of the greats of the Australian turf, with a never say die attitude in combination with his racing colours of yellow, black Maltese Cross and quartered cap it earned him the nickname of "The Fighting Tiger".

Prepared by Western Australian harness racing legend, Fred Kersley, he won nine Group 1 races including the Australian Cup x 2 and the Cox Plate x 2, rated as the two best weight-for-age races in Australasia.

Northerly burst on to the scene in the 2000 Group 1 Railway Stakes at Ascot spacing his rivals including two time Group 1 Toorak Handicap winner, Umrum who he simply left standing 800 metres from home.

However his most memorable triumph came in the 2002 Caulfield Cup, following a charge to the first corner, Northerly made the way up the Caulfield hill outside the leader.

Northerly carried the large impost of 58kg, and sprinted away from his rivals including Fields Of Omagh (Dual Cox Plate winner).

Northerly's weight carrying feat eclipsed Sydeston's modern day record of 57kg (set in 1990).

Northerly started favourite, and the typically fighting win was well-received by the crowd on the day.

Jockey Greg Childs aid "With 58kg, the way the race was run, he was always open to be run down by a lighter-weighted horse. I let him stride at the 600 metres which is what Fred wanted. I knew he would be vulnerable to a lighter-weighted horse in the last 50 metres but he just kept going."

Northely will not only be judged by his major race wins, however by the horses he left in wake, Sunline (Dual Cox Plate winner), Lonhro, Fields Of Omagh, etc.

After one of Northerly's wins, Fred Kersley answered the question, "How good is Northerly?" His off-the-cuff response at the time was "I've never trained one half as good and I don't believe I've seen one better."

Legendary racing writer Les Carlyon wrote of Northerly: "He fools you every time he races. He has the body language of a loser and a heart as big as the Nullarbor. He invariably looks to be struggling, a shambles of a horse blundering around on memory while his jockey pumps and blusters. Then he gets going. One instant Northerly looks beaten, the next he looks unbeatable. The closer he gets to the post, the harder he tries. He grinds on. And on. And on. He simply refuses to be beaten."

Northerly was retired in the spring of 2004.

Northerly a bay gelding was bred by the Duncan family established and run Oakland Park Stud, located between Busselton and Margaret River in Western Australia and was sired by Serheed (USA) from North Bell by Bellewater (FR).

Major Wins

Australian Cup (2001,2003)
Cox Plate (2001,2002)
Underwood Stakes (2001,2002)
Caulfield Cup (2002)
Yalumba Stakes (2001)
Railway Stakes (2000)

Awards

Australian Middle Distance Champion (2002, 2003)
Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year (2003)

The half-brother to a Golden Slipper winner made a winning debut at Sandown

Crystal Web carried on a family tradition when he defied an alarming betting drift to win on debut at Sportingbet Park (Sandown) this afternoon.

The son of Hard Spun maintained Crystal Snip's perfect record as a broodmare when he upstaged a couple of well-backed commodities to score a convincing win in the $30,000 Dream Thoroughbreds Handicap (1000m).

Crystal Web was Crystal Snip's 10th foal to race and 10th winner, joining deceased Golden Slipper heroine Crystal Lily and Stakes victors Amaethon and Crystal Wit among the winners out of the daughter of Snippets.

Mathew Ellerton, who trained Crystal Lily and co-trains Crystal Web in partnership with Simon Zahra, said Crystal Snip was a remarkable producer and Crystal Web was not out of place as part of the family.

“They are few and far between,” Ellerton said of Crystal Snip. “She's a very good mare.

“He's a nice horse, he's not there yet, he's still pretty skinny and leggy and he's got it all in front of him.”

Crystal Web showed good race sense at his first trip away from his Flemington base to provide Ellerton Zahra Racing with their 13th individual two-year-old winner of the season in what could prove a strong form race.

A drifter from $4.60 to start at $10, Crystal Web flew out of his wide barrier and while he wasn't able to cross to the fence, sitting outside of $2.50 favourite Rock Strata proved no hindrance.

Despite the early work, Crystal Snip dug deep in the straight to score by three quarters of a length from the fast-finishing Union Gap ($21) with Rock Strata a long head back third. The other well-backed runner, Prince Stratum ($5 into $4.20), was 1-1/4 lengths away fourth.

Winning jockey Chris Symons was impressed by the performance given he had to use him early and predicted better races would be in store once he matures.

“He jumped brilliantly, but I had to just push the button a bit early just so I could get across a few that were inside me to get over closer to the fence,” Symons said.

“He travelled beautifully but he still doesn't know what he's doing. Obviously it's his first go at it and I think make a better three-year-old.”

Ellerton and Zahra weren't the only training partners to make it to the Sportingbet Park winner's stall with Brian Johnston and Fran Houlahan claiming the day's training honours with a winning double.

Johnston and Houlahan got punter's back on course when Blue Nile ($2.25 fav) scored a comfortable win in the Skylift Crane Services Handicap (1600m) and later celebrated victory with Shabangabang ($6) in the Event Landscaping Solutions Handicap (1000m).

Houlahan and Johnston's pair were both partnered by Victoria's leading apprentice Katelyn Mallyon, who made it two metro doubles in the past fortnight following a similar feat at Caulfield on 28 April.

Mallyon wasn't the only jockey to make multiple trips to the winner's enclosure at Sportingbet Parkwith Dwayne Dunn scoring aboard the Robert Smerdon-trained Kirribilli Gold and Pass The Post for Julie Scott.

- Racing Victoria

Caulfield will host eight races at its Members Raceday this weekend

A capacity Manfred Phillips Handicap headlines a quality eight-race Members' Raceday card at Caulfield this Saturday.

The second heat of this year's All Victorian Sprint Series, the 1100-metre $70,000 event has attracted a quality mix of up-and-coming speedsters and proven Stakes-level performers.

There are no more promising than the Mick Price-trained Stratcombe, who has won five of his 10 starts including a runaway victory at his most recent outing, over the Manfred Phillips Handicap course.

Secret Flyer, Shock Value, General Truce, Tramuntana and Beyond Pardon are the proven sprinters among Stratcombe's rivals, while Philda, Spacecraft and Its Prince are among the well-performed middle-distance types engaged who are early in their preparations.

The Manfred Phillips Handicap forms part of an outstanding second half of a card that sees most races named after Melbourne Racing Club members.

The $70,000 Barry Poynter Handicap (1400m) rounds out the program and has attracted a classy field.

Utah Saints, a last-start winner of the Listed Pink Ribbon Cup, Under The Eiffel, Pago Rock and distance specialist Jungle Ruler, winner of the last race at the Tabcorp Warrnambool May Racing Carnival, are among those engaged.

Classy sprinting mare Rue Maple will chase back-to-back Caulfield wins when she steps out in the $70,000 Gail Jackson Handicap (1200m), which is the penultimate event on the card.

Earlier on the day a handy field of two-year-olds, including Group 3 winner Big Chill and upset debut Caulfield winner Kolonga, will do battle in the $70,000 Routley's Handicap (1200m).

Magnifique Soleil, an impressive winner on Day 1 of the Warrnambool Carnival, and former promising three-year-old Turnitup are among those engaged in the $70,000 Gayle Shacklock Handicap (1800m).

Full fields for all races on the Caulfield card, which commences at 12pm, are available via the link

- Racing Victoria

By Josh Rodder
Follow Josh on Twitter: @gurujosh23

Vo Rogue was one of the most popular racehorses ever witnessed race in Australia, with his bold front running style thrilling fans by setting up massive mid race leads and then defying the opposition to run him down.

The bay Ivor Prince gelding was trained by Vic Rail and ridden in 22 of his 26 wins by Cyril Small.

Vo Rogue was successful in Brisbane, Sydney and Perth, but was seen at his best in Melbourne particularly in the autumn on the firmer tracks. He made the weight for age races at the Autumn carnivals in 1988, 1989 and 1990 his own, defeating such high class thoroughbreds as Campaign King, Bonecrusher, Our Poetic Prince, Better Loosen Up and Super Impose.

In this time the equine idol dominated Melbourne Racing Club tracks Caulfield and Sportingbet Park, with wins in the 1988 Futurity Stakes, 1988, 1989 and 1990 C F Orr Stakes and the 1988, 1999 St George Stakes.

In total, Vo Rogue won 26 races from 83 starts, including six Group One races, and a further five which now carry Group One status.

Major Wins

Alister Clark Stakes (1987)
Creswick Stakes (1987)
Turnbull Stakes (1987, 1988)
MRC Futurity Stakes (1988)
Blamey Stakes (1988, 1989)
C F Orr Stakes (1988, 1989, 1990)
Winfield Stakes (1988)
St George Stakes (1988, 1989)
William Reid Stakes (1988)
Australian Cup (1989, 1990)
George Main Stakes (1989)

Honours

Queensland Racing Hall of Fame (2004)
Vo Rogue Plate at Doomben Racecourse

A field of nine will assemble for The Goodwood in Adelaide this Saturday

Black Caviar will have eight males for competition when she strives to keep her unbeaten record in tact in The Goodwood (1200m) this Saturday at Adelaide's Morphettville Racecourse.

Mark Kavanagh-trained pair Catapulted and We're Gonna Rock head those who will attempt to deny the champion mare a 21st consecutive win in the $500,000 Group 1.

Former Kavanagh-trained gelding Outlandish Lad, now with Michael O'Leary, the Richard Jolly-trained Stirling Grove, David Jolly's Streetcar Magic, the Mark Minervini-prepared Go The Knuckle and Craig Stewart's Weholdtheace are the locals engaged, while Stanzout is the other Victorian acceptor.

Stirling Grove is one of only two of Black Caviar's Goodwood rivals - Stanzout is the other - to have previously raced against the Peter Moody-trained mare.

That was when third in last year's Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield, which is the only time in Black Caviar's past 15 starts that she hasn't had a Group 1 winner for competition.

Black Caviar, a 10-time Group 1 winner, is the only elite-level winner in The Goodwood and starting from the second-widest barrier should prove little problem for the daughter of Bel Esprit, who will carry the 57kg topweight and is the $1.04 favourite in TAB Sportsbet's fixed odds market.

Classy three-year-old gelding Go The Knuckle (55.5kg, barrier three) is the $21 second pick, while recent Group 3 Irwin Stakes winner We're Gonna Rock (56kg, six), Group 2 winner Catapulted (56.5kg, two), Stirling Grove (54.5kg, four) and Outlandish Lad (56kg, seven) are all at $31.

Streetcar Magic (56kg, nine), who finished fifth behind Lone Rock in last year's Goodwood, is at $51 while Colin Davies' veteran grey Stanzout ($201), who will start from barrier five and carry 54.4kg, and $301 pop Weholdtheace (54.5kg, one) round out the market.

A sell-out crowd of 30,000 is expected at Morphettville to see Black Caviar at what will be her final start before heading to England to represent Australia in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot on 23 June.

The Goodwood is one of two 1200m Group 1s to be run in Australia this Saturday with the $400,000 BTC Cup to take place at Doomben in Brisbane.

The field for the BTC Cup will be finalised tomorrow morning.

- Racing Victoria

Multiple stakes-placed sprinter Eight Bills will have his first start at Caulfield for rookie trainer Troy Portelli who is trying build his own stable under the Portelli Racing banner.

In recent years Troy has been the Melbourne foreman for his Sydney-based brother Gary but is keen to distinguish the Flemington operation from a satellite stable.

Last Friday, A Shade Better who finished fourth at Bendigo, was the first runner in Troy's name and Eight Bills will be his second in Saturday's second heat of the All Victorian Sprint Series (1100m).

"We're trying to gather a bigger client base in Melbourne," Portelli said.

"What I've found since being down here is that Victorians are massively loyal to their own and we want to capitalise on that.

"People seem to think that satellite stables come and go, which has often been the case, but my family is down here and I'm committed to Melbourne.

"I figure if I can show that then maybe it could influence future Melbourne clients."

Eight Bills is one of six horses in training with Portelli who has 11 boxes at Flemington.

His brother trains 35 in Sydney and horses will continue to shuttle between stables to suit their programs.

Portelli said a goal was to make Eight Bills a stakes winner after he went close in Listed races on three previous occasions with seconds in the ATC Canterbury Classic, Straight Six Handicap at Flemington and Mornington's Hareeba Stakes.

Eight Bills was nominated for Saturday's Group One Goodwood (1200m) in Adelaide but the presence of Black Caviar brought an end to the plan while his primary mission, last Wednesday's Listed Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool, was also called off when the track became too rain affected.

"His owner and breeder Bill Gibbons just loves the Warrnambool carnival and goes down there for the whole week but the weather came up against us so we just decided that faced with a four hour trip and hard run on a heavy track there was no point," Portelli said.

"Saturday's race is our back-up plan but it would be great some bold black type in the pedigree for future offspring as Bill Gibbons owns Eight Bill's dam.

"He is a pretty sound horses and if we space his runs and choose his races correctly he should be able to pick a stakes race for sure."

"Really the weather will determine where we go with him as he doesn't really like soft tracks."

A winner of 23 starts, Eight Bills hasn't raced since finishing fifth to Panipique in the Listed Hoysted Handicap at Flemington on March 3 and is one of 30 entries in Saturday's Caulfield sprint.

Among the nominations are Curtana, Spacecraft, Secret Flyer, Shock Value, Le Remas, and Stratcombe who are all also nominated for The Goodwood.

- Racing and Sports

Races in Sydney and Melbourne are options for Victorian sprinter Adamon as tyro trainer Nathan McPherson tries to parlay a country race feature win into more city success.

McPherson, a former roof tiler, confirmed he was a young horseman on the rise when Adamon produced a whirlwind finish to claim the Wagga Wagga Town Plate last week.

Winning the important NSW bush sprint came less than three weeks after Adamon won at Flemington to propel his 24-year-old trainer into the national racing spotlight.

Adamon has been nominated for a benchmark race at Rosehill as well as a heat of the All Victorian Sprint Series at Caulfield on Saturday.

"We'll have a look around and see how the weather is because harder the track the better he goes," McPherson said.

"But ultimately it will be up to the owner."

Adamon is owned by McPherson's uncle Warren Ware who has been the trainer's biggest backer since he launched his career in November.

But after Adamon's Flemington success and the publicity it generated for McPherson, interest in his Mornington stable has gained momentum.

"I've been approached by a few people and one horse has arrived," he said.

"Now that I've won the Plate I would expect to get a few more calls.

"Adamon and another horse Testaguy are obviously up and running but I have a lot of horses who are being educated so I've got a lot to look forward to."

McPherson is hoping Blake Shinn can ride Adamon if the sprinter races at Rosehill.

Shinn brought Adamon with a well-timed run to win the Wagga Wagga Town Plate.

McPherson said he hadn't been to get a handle on Adamon's progress in the four days after Wagga Wagga.

"He's eaten everything since he's been back home but I haven't been able to get a real guide on him because I haven't been able to catch him.

"He's the sort of horse who likes to be left alone ... he'll come to you if he needs something.

"The float trip to Wagga was seven hours each way. It takes a bit out of them but I should be able to give him a bit of pacework on Tuesday."

- Racing and Sports

Mark Kavanagh will play a double hand against champion Black Caviar after deciding to run Catapulted and We're Gonna Rock in the Group One Goodwood at Morphettville.

While 30 horses were entered for Saturday's time honoured Adelaide sprint, it is likely the unbeaten Peter Moody-trained mare who is chasing her 21st win, won't have too much opposition.

Other likely runners are Go The Knuckle, Outlandish Lad, Stirling Grove, Stanzout and Streetcar Magic while Periduki remains in the mix and David Hayes is keeping the option open for Spacecraft.

Black Caviar's stablemates Curtana and Kulgrinda have been ruled out along with Bel Sprinter, Linton, Pago Rock, Liveandletdie, Power Princess, Satin Shoes, Shock Value, Shopaholic, Stratcombe, Dusty Star, Eight Bills and Bonnie Mac.

Rocking Force is also unlikely to run while Secret Flyer and Le Remas have been entered for Caulfield on Saturday.

Kavanagh said there were few options around for Catapulted and We're Gonna Rock, mindful of the enormous task ahead of them on Saturday.

"What do you do with those sorts of sprinters" Kavanagh asked.

"There's not much left for them so they have to go around in a race like that on Saturday."

Both horses come off disappointing runs in the traditional Goodwood lead-up race, the McKay Stakes (1100m), with We're Gonna Rock finishing sixth and Catapulted 11th of the 13 runners.

"I don't know what to make of that race," Kavanagh conceded.

"Certainly both horses didn't run like they normally do.

"The inside of the track might have been questionable but I don't know."

Outlandish Lad caused an upset at $21 in the McKay when he beat Kulgrinda and Go The Knuckle while Stirling Grove was fourth, Periduki fifth and Streetcar Magic seventh.

Black Caviar as expected dominates Goodwood betting at $1.03 with TAB Sportsbet and Moody will confirm her a Goodwood runner after she works at Caulfield on Tuesday morning before acceptances for the 1200m feature at 9am.

We're Gonna Rock is second favourite at $15 ahead of Go The Knuckle $21, and $26 chances Catapulted, Outlandish Lad and Stirling Grove.

The presence of Black Caviar generated at sell-out crowd of 30,000 at Morphettville last Saturday week when she won the Sportingbet Classic and indications there will be a repeat this weekend.

- Racing and Sports