Gallops

When last seen at Saratoga, Godolphin's THINK BIG (g, 4, Twirling Candy–Always Thinking, by Street Sense) was struggling home a well-beaten seventh as the heavy favorite in the GI Jaipur Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs on June 7. Trying a turf mile for the first time in Saturday's GIII Kelso Stakes, the homebred overcame some trouble when 'TDN Rising Star' Donegal Momentum (Uncle Mo) stumbled and somehow managed not to go down three furlongs from home, then knifed through inside of favored Intellect (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) inside the final sixteenth of a mile to register a mild upset at odds of 13-2. Settled in midpack as the stretching-out Arzak (Not This Time) was intent on making the lead from Donegal Momentum, Think Big moved up to the inside of GI Woodbine Mile hero Win For the Money (Mohaymen) to be within striking distance at the half-mile marker. Forced to take up when Donegal Momentum appeared to take a bad step midway on the turn, he was back into the bridle and still in with a chance at the head of the lane. Intellect took a gap between Arzak and Win For the Money in upper stretch and appeared on his way to victory, but he may have thought the race was won, and Think Big and Jose Ortiz flashed home underneath to take it by a length. Donegal Momentum remained on his feet and at a gallop following the incident on the turn. Lifetime Record: 11-6-0-1. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Mike Stidham.   The post Twirling Candy’s Think Big Sees Out The Mile in the Kelso appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Absolutely spot on Brodie  . John McMullen (Jnr)  is still going and does exactly that still . Has quite a large team out Marburg way (West Brisbane ) and they All race at the very slow meetings. He just has your everyday 'Westport' type horses that are worth nothing , and race for not much, and some still have the Melton prefix  too. John junior's ( we always called him 'junior forever)  young daughter Taleah drives all those for him.  Pete drove them for his dad up to 7 years ago when Taleah left school and took over.  she is still quite young at 24 . but has over 600 winning drives already. so they do win some races alright. nearly every week.  Just checked Redcliffe and YES, a winner last Wednesday as par usual 'Taylors Four; , and also having a start was 'Melton Insulted' for them . so the Melton prefix you indicated 👍 . I raced John many times and we had a few quinella's late last century. but we aren't/weren't good enough to have Metro class city horses.  'Melton Insulted' with the ABSOLUTE  STOCK STANDARD form of a QLD country horse of 24 starts this year for 2 wins and 3 seconds. He'll probably double that exactly,  by the end of the year to Break even for his owners in the expenses.  none of Johns horses are worth anything but he has fun paddling around still .  In contrast , Pete McMullen is an Absolute STAR of the show. Has all City class(near  Group racing quality horses) worth a HEAP of money (like The Janitor)  has Millionaire owners , like Mike TANEV that Canadian 'Aardie'  bloke , who has sent Pete a few horses including 2 full bred siblings of NZ champion mare Aardies Express. Pete is reaching the Stratisphere . ( just like Carter is there)  and  i'm hoping Pete reaches the ultimate Peak of Interdominion Champion in 2 weeks time with GUS.  in the trot. Bit nervous about BET N WIN though 😎

by Mike Love West Melton trainer John “Coaster” Howe will be celebrating and recognizing his support crew at Addington today – as well as lining up four runners with strong chances.  In race three the Congrats Hornby Panthers 15s! Grand Final Winners trot over 2000m sees KD Grins ($4.50FF) go around with Robbie Holmes in the sulky.  The three-year-old Imperial Count filly has placed three times from eight starts and will look to use her manners and draw to secure an economical run.  “It’s getting better with its manners. We’ve just been going every second with for the 2000m because she’s a good beginner,” said Howe.  “KD Grins or Origin look the likely leader, so hopefully we should be getting another cheque.”  Other chances in the event include race favourite Billy Kimbler ($2.10FF) for trainers Ken Ford & Amanda Tomlinson, to be driven by Sheree Tomlinson, and the Marho Nyhan trained, Peter Davis driven Origin ($2.25FF).  Sweet Dreams ($9.00FF) comes up with a more favourable draw for Howe and driver Robbie Holmes in race four the Fuller & Hollands Families mobile pace over 1980m. The four-year-old Sweet Lou mare has not had the rub of the green lately, but a more positive drive may hold the key to her chances.  “Things just haven’t been going her way at the moment. We may decide to use the draw.”  Gimmesomelovin ($3.10FF) for trainer/driver Kyle Cameron looks tough to role drawn one.  Howe rounds out his chances in race six the Phil And Christine Smith 50+ Wins Trot over 2000m with two chances – Monarch Prince ($3.00FF) with Samantha Ottley and Five Monkeys ($12.00FF) with Korbyn Newman.  “They’re both good beginners. I think Monarch Prince is my best chance of the day.” Howe currently works a team of sixteen horses from his West Melton base.  Race one gets underway at 1:05pm. View the full article

by Jonny Turner Is Sunday the day for New Zealand’s best maiden trotter to break through? To The Moon And Back has arguably earned that title after producing huge performances in his three starts so far. The three-year-old is part of a team filled with winning chances that Brad Williamson is lining up at Ascot Park. To win, To The Moon And Back will need to bring his best manners and beat his two stablemates, Penelope Lane and Muscle Mist. Those manners will be crucial if To The Moon And Back is to make use of the 20m handicap advantage he has over his stablemates. “I think with his 20m head-start on the other two, To The Moon And Back would have to be our best chance,” Williamson said. “He has been going big races and off the front line he would be hard to beat if he does everything right.” “He is still learning, but I think he can go on and do a pretty good job.” Penelope Lane returns south after beating To The Moon And Back in her only race start at Wyndham. Though she gives her stablemate a head start, she still looks a strong winning threat. “The Volsteads seem to be doing a great job at the moment, so she’s got that in her favour.” “She would be the most foolproof of our three and she would have to be a pretty handy chance.” Muscle Mist baulked at the start of her last outing at Addington after an excellent debut victory at Ascot Park. She also looks to rate a winning threat in Sunday’s Gold Chip Final. “She’s taken a while to get to the races, but she has shown us a bit of ability,” Williamson said. “I think she has a nice future, once she gets a bit of racing into her and gets a bit more ringcraft.” “She’d have to be a handy chance on Sunday, too.” Among Williamson’s strong team at Ascot Park is Tabasco, who starts in Sunday’s finale. Given some of the country cups company he has mixed it with this year, the pacer looks very well placed. But Tabasco does give away a race fitness advantage, considering he hasn’t started since April. “He hasn’t had any trials, but he has had a couple of private runs to sharpen him up.” “I would say he is not at his absolute peak, but he is as fit as we can get him without having a race.” “All in all I am pretty hopeful he will be ready to go a nice race.” The grand old campaigner of the Williamson barn, Domination’s Call, starts on Sunday. He looks a top-four threat from his sizeable 35m handicap. “It is a tough handicap, but he is a very honest horse.” “He does need the right run, but he is always running on.” Aint No Angel follows out the hot favourite Always B Bootie in her Ascot Park assignment, which should put her in a striking spot. The mare was slightly disappointing by her standards in her last start, but she still ran a solid third placing. View the full article

I don't doubt what you say about mcmullen being a very good driver. Its just the way he consistently drives gus which i lack confidence in. I saw him interviewed before last nights the race and he said the interdom final has been there aim all season with gus and i think that shows. Its a bit like marketplace using lead in races to have it peak for the big races.And i think like marketplace,gus is deliberately being underdriven and punters can see that and when they see it happening over and over then they think thats just a bit dodgy.thats my opinion anyway.the all stars were our best example of trainers who could perepare their horses and drive them in a way where punters had confidence they were always trying.,unlike the way i see gus. i'm of course looking at it from a punters perspective and how that impacts whether people bet on the races. i woulldn't be surprised to see him make a move  in the final. That may turn out good for him if he doesn't have to work too hard after making the move,but it could also turn out bad for him because his horse has been conditioned to be a softie recently mentally and it may just say,this is harder than normal and gallop. i actually think p mcmullen is the reason a lot of those races at albion park are a bit boring. Hes a clever driver who,if he drives a favorite with a nice draw,likes to position them on the front end,whether it be in front or parked. And when he sits parked,he dictates the pace to suit him and the rest of the drivers seem to get intimidated into worrying about having to work too hard to get past him if they make a move and simply just wait and in effect  throw away there chances. that of course also comes back to the factor of faster tracks being more boring because its too hard for those at the back to make a move