Chief Stipe

Surprise Happy Clapper gear switch to try to spoil Winx party Happy Clapper (left) is used to running second to Winx (right) Photo: The Daily Telegraph Article Author Ben Dorries11:21AM07 April 2019 33 Comments Pat Webster has pulled a rabbit out of a hat and has switched Happy Clapper’s gear in a bold bid to spoil the Winx party next Saturday. Happy Clapper has finished behind Winx in their 10 previous clashes, including five as runner-up, but Webster is leaving no stone unturned as he looks to shock the racing world by upstaging the mighty mare in next Saturday’s $4million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick. Octagonal and his son Lonhro were both beaten at short odds in their farewell runs in the Queen Elizabeth so Webster figures anything is possible, albeit very unlikely. Happy Clapper has raced in blinkers for more than two years – since finishing second in the National Sprint in Canberra in March 2017 – but will race without them in the Queen Elizabeth next Saturday. Trainer Webster knows it is a bold and somewhat unusual tactic going into a $4million race and especially with the eyes of the world watching Winx's last run. But he figures it might be just what will bring the best out in his evergreen eight-year-old gelding. While blinkers go off, winkers go on. “With the race worth so much, it’s not something you would normally do,” Webster said. “He has won millions of dollars with the blinkers on. “But he doesn’t carry blinkers in his trials and he always trials good – Blake Shinn came back in the other day after his trial and said he was very calm and relaxed and said racing without blinkers might now be his go. “I had a think about it and I rang the owner and asked him – he told me I always did what I wanted anyway, and he was right, I did it. “Happy will run without blinkers and hopefully now he has learned not to hit that flat spot in his races.” Happy Clapper finished second behind Winx in the Apollo Stakes and Chipping Norton Stakes before venturing to Melbourne where the popular galloper ran eighth in the All-Star Mile. Webster vowed after that run he would never race Happy Clapper in Melbourne again as he wasn’t at his best there. Tab.com.au has Winx at $1.06 to go out on a winning note in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The Sir Mark Todd-trained He’s Eminent, which finished second on his Australian debut behind Avilius in the Ranvet Stakes, is the clear second favourite at $15. Happy Clapper is on the third line of betting at $21.

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If you did visit you'd know that BOTH ISSUES haven't been addressed.

The maiden win of Peakz Luck at Alexandra Park on Friday continued a quite remarkable breeding run for her dam. The three-year-old daughter of Peak, trained by James Stormont, became the eighth winner from nine foals left by her Howz Lucky. And the only non-winner amongst them, the placed Rosemaryz Luck, is the dam of five-race winner, Need Luck. Stormont has forged a close association with the Matamata breeders and owners of the ‘Luck’ family, Brian and Rosemary Tims, in recent years and Peakz Luck is the third winner he’s trained for them from the family. “Sean McCaffery trained the family to start with,” said Stormont. “He had the dam and the first foals as well. “Then, a few years ago, they (the Tims’) had a colt passed in at the sales and I rung and asked if I could lease him. “That was my first dealings with them.” That colt, Primz Luck, would win four of seven starts with Stormont before a lucrative sale to Australian interests in 2014 that proved worthwhile for all parties. The Tims’ then gave Stormont the following foal, Tuiz Luck, and she won two at Auckland before also being sold for good money, this time to American interests in 2017. By then, the next filly, Di’z Luck, had been sold to Gavin Smith at the yearling sales and Peakz Luck was the next in line. Stormont went to $21,000 to buy her at the yearling sales himself and he now owns her with longtime stable client Eugene Storck and the Tims’, who stayed in for a percentage. The final foal out of Howz Lucky, a two-year-old Peak full brother to Peakz Luck called Kelvinz Luck, is due at Stormont’s in Pukekohe any day. “Brian is supposed to drop him off next week, I think. “They’ve been doing a bit of work with him down at home and are quite happy with where he is at. “I think they’ve taken him over to the Morrinsville track for a bit of work and education.” For now, Peakz Luck is the focus for Stormont and, so impressed has he been by her recent improvement, that he’s considering a trip south. “She was a late foal and that’s shown with her. “I’ve been hoping she’d get stronger, and better, and that seems to be the case. “She’s just kept on improving, so much so the main aim now is the Northern Trotting Oaks ($30,000 on May 17). “And, if by then her form warrants it and she’s going well enough, we might even look at going to Addington for the Jewels ($125,000 on June 1). “She’ll tell us if she’s ready.” If not, Stormont isn’t too bothered, because he knows the best lies ahead. “She’ll improve a lot with another spell and next year will be when she comes in to her own.” Stormont has recently gone through a bit of a regeneration in his barn after losing classy trotters Mum’s Pride and Forfeathers permanently to injury. Our Petite Lady, with a couple of wins and more than $30,000 in stakes this season, has been the flag-bearer. “She might not be too far away from retiring though as her soundness is becoming harder to manage. “Sunny Pegasus has been racing consistently without winning, and Magilligan Point is on the way back – that’s my racing team at present. “But I have just qualified one and have also picked up two new ones to muck around with – My Boy Boo and Clifton Flutter, from down south.” It’s three yearlings acquired from the sales that have Stormont the most excited, though. A Pegasus Spur colt closely related to Speeding Spur has thoroughly impressed in his early education, while two Sweet Lou colts have been hard to fault. “Every one you talk to likes the Sweet Lous and I can see why – there is no dirt in them, they are very willing and have great attitudes.” Stormont has syndicated the trio and says there are still shares available should someone be interested. “We are racing for great money at Auckland now, so it’s as good a time as any to get involved.” View the full article

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After enjoying a successful day at Te Aroha on Saturday with Group One winner Nicoletta and promising three-year-old Santa Catarina, owner Lib Petagna and his familiar lime, blue and gold colours were to the fore again on Sunday when speedy two-year-old Ramazzotti scored over 800m on debut at Pukekohe. The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Per Incanto filly showed speed from a mid-field barrier to take control of the race and never gave her rivals a look in as she cruised home to score by a length and a half in the hands of rider Matt Cameron. In a race dominated by the debutants, local runner Super Pursuit made up good ground late after missing the jump to finish second with race favourite Blitzabeel also closing nicely for third. “Gate speed and professionalism, that was the key,” Forsman said. “She had a bit of trial experience before Christmas, had a break and then trialled up really well leading into this. “We thought she could do that today. She has plenty of speed and the way she does things so professionally, I’m sure she will have a few wins yet. “We will have to have a look at some black-type and I think she will get through tracks a bit slower than this which will be a big assist over the next couple of months.” Bred and owned by Lib Petagna, Ramazzotti is the first foal of O’Reilly mare, Suzie The Cat who is a daughter of American mare Nursey Rhyme, the half-sister to multiple stakes winner Mud Route and from the family of the Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner and successful stallion, Success Express. Showcasing filly Intrigue provided her connections with plenty to think about when she dominated her three-year-old rivals when scoring over 2100m in the second race of the day. The Tony Pike-trained runner had looked promising when breaking her maiden status over 1600m at Te Aroha last start and franked that form with a slick home-straight sprint to race to an easy three-length victory. Stable representative Dean Williams admitted there had been plenty of confidence in the camp as he revealed the filly could be headed to Brisbane for the Queensland Winter Carnival. “She’s progressed well since her last win and we were pretty confident with her coming into today,” Williams said. “The step up to 2100m suited as well. “With that, if she comes through it well, she might end up in Brisbane. “She’s a really laid-back filly who takes a bit of winding up. When she jumps, she can be a bit slow away and do things wrong, but we think she is a very handy filly.” “We are hoping to take a few over to Brisbane and she could be an Oaks (Gr.1 2400m) contender.” Intrigue races in the colours of part-owner Mark Wyborn who was successful in the 2016 Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) with the Pike-trained Zabeel filly, Provocative. – NZ Racing Desk View the full article

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Turn It Up had to dig deep for driver Mark Purdon to with the Easter Cup at Addington. Photo: Race Images. The equine freak show rolled on at Addington on Friday night when Turn It Up willed his way to winning the Easter Cup. The Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen trained four-year-old dug deep in to his stamina reserves to score his second career group 1 on a testing track. Turn It Up continued his remarkable season, which he entered after having just three starts, and again cemented himself in the very top tier of New Zealand’s pacers. That rise it is one that has Purdon, the conditioner of so many superstars before him, in awe. “It is just unheard of what he has done,” the trainer-driver said. The rain soaked Addington track took its toll on the usually lightning fast Turn It up. The pacer did not hit the passing lane after turning for home with his usual usual quick dash. That meant Purdon had to ask Turn It Up to dig deep and he did exactly that. “The conditions were so testing and it was his first run in quite a while.” “It was just all heart that got him to the line.” “It was a very courageous effort.” Turn It Up’s victory should serve as a massive warning shot ahead of the upcoming Taylor Mile and New Zealand Messenger Championships at Alexandra Park. Purdon confirmed the pacer would be even harder to beat with more race fitness on his side. While Turn It Up was building momentum steadily on the passing lane, after trailing the leader Henry Hubert for the last lap, A G’s White Socks was flashing home. The Greg and Nina Hope trained pacer came up just a nose short of victory and was forced to play a supporting role. Though narrowly beaten, Greg Hope was proud of his horse’s effort in the testing conditions. “He went a great race.” “He will go to the Rangiora Classic and then he has a big season ahead of him next year with the Interdominions after the Cup meeting.” Thefixer battled away solidly for third placing ahead of Henry Hubert, who did not help his chances with a minor mistake at the start. Hail Christian produced one of the runs of the race when rushing in to fifth, after being buried four back on the pegs. Miracle Mile winner, Spankem, battled in to sixth placing, behind his stablemate Elle Mac, after sitting parked in the tough conditions for the last lap. Two races after Turn It Up scored, Purdon and Rasmussen rolled out their next superstar. Ultimate Sniper confirmed his status as the country’s leading three-year-old with a seemingly effortless win in the group 1 New Zealand Derby. Rasmussen took no chances when driving the favourite, taking the pacer to the lead early in the event. No other horse challenged the pair thereafter and Ultimate Sniper won his second derby with ease. Supreme Dominator rallied well for second after trailing the favourite. Jesse Duke ran yet another placing in a major race when sticking on for third, after working to the parked position with the 800m to run. View the full article

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A look at the Australian Derby - the blue riband for three-year-olds. Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Victorian jockey Jye McNeil is hoping to land his first Group One win when he rides leading contender Fifty Stars in the Doncaster Mile at Randwick. Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Divanation, the sixth foal of three-time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva, has won for the second time from only four racetrack appearances. Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Punters have been warned to disregard Redzel's failure in The Galaxy with trainers Peter and Paul Snowden expecting him to return to his best at Randwick. Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Star European horse Roaring Lion is to shuttle to New Zealand's famous Cambridge Stud for the southern hemisphere breeding season. Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Winx will figure in an exhibition gallop at Randwick on the opening day of The Championships before she contests the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

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Lotamuscle and driver Bob Butt catch Enhance Your Calm and Mark Purdon right on the line in the New Zealand Trotting Derby. Photo: Race Images. Popular Canterbury reinsman Bob Butt scored the first New Zealand Group 1 win of his career when Lotamuscle downed hot favourite Enhance Your Calm in a thrilling finish to the New Zealand Trotting Derby. Enhance Your Calm looked to have the 2600m feature in safe keeping before the Paul Nairn-trained three-year-old dashed at him to put his nose in front right on the line. The victory was the second Group 1 win of Butt’s career, following his 2015 Australasian Breeders Crown win with Conon Bridge. Notching his first on home soil in a classic race meant Butt was sporting his well-known cheeky grin after the race. “I have always wanted to win one – to do it in a Derby is a big thrill,” he said. One of Butt’s first thoughts following his milestone win was to critique his own recent steers. Lotamuscle’s flying late finish has the convinced the reinsman giving the horse a cold shot at the leaders may be the key to him showing his best. It is the exact same tactic that has seen Lotamuscle win the two biggest three-year-old trots of the season so far – the Hambletonian Classic and the Derby. “I have probably driven him wrong; because he is a nice horse, I have been putting him handy. “But twice I have driven him with a sit and he has bolted in – in this race and in the Hambletonian.” While Butt is a relative novice at winning Group 1 trots, it was a familiar feeling for master trainer, Paul Nairn. Butt was almost in awe of the maestro’s pinpoint training to have Lotamuscle set for Derby glory. “He is just unreal.” The Derby looked in the bag for the red-hot favourite, Enhance Your Calm, when he pinched a two-length break on the field after leading throughout. Butt said even he was doubtful his horse was going to pick up the leader. At that stage, he was more confident of running down the third placegetter, Tricky Ric and driver Joshua Dickie. “I knew I was going to run second easy. I could see Josh battling away. “But, with the way Enhance Your Calm won last week I wasn’t sure. “But my horse just chased him.” Though he was not offering any excuses, Enhance Your Calm’s co-trainer and driver, Mark Purdon, confirmed what many of the horse’s backers would have suspected. The horse simply did not lift quickly enough once Lotamuscle started coming at him. Tricky Ric held third, five lengths ahead of One Apollo. The fourth placegetter went a big race, after being one of the only horses to make a midrace move to sit parked. View the full article

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Junior reinswoman Sheree Tomlinson became the youngest driver to reach 100 wins in New Zealand at Forbury Park on Thursday night. Photo: Race Images. History was made in cold and wet circumstances at Forbury Park on Thursday night when Sheree Tomlinson because the youngest female driver to win 100 races in New Zealand. The 20-year-old completed the feat when the Shane Matheson trained Hurricane Banner stomped up a slushy passing lane to win. Tomlinson saluted as she notched a milestone she never would have dreamed of achieving so early in her career, when she started driving. “That was great, I definitely did not think I would drive 100 winners only in my third season of driving.” The accomplishment sits beside her group 1 victory in the 2017 Dominion with Amaretto Sun and her win in the Australasian Young Drivers Championships, last year, in an epic top-three achievements in a short, but stellar career. Adding more wins to the three she scored in the young drivers’ competition is the next target on Tomlinson’s agenda. Her employer, Mark Jones, has given Tomlinson the chance to further her career in New South Wales this weekend. She will drive possible Harness Jewels raider, Lulu Le Mans, from Jones’ Australian stable, at Newcastle on Saturday night. Tomlinson will also reunite with Barrett at Armidale on Sunday. “I really want to take the opportunity to go over there and drive.” “Not many New Zealand drivers get the chance to drive in Australia.” “I have only been working for Mark for a year and he has given me a lot of opportunities.” As well as Jones, Tomlinson paid tribute to family for supporting her career. The reinswoman also said she would not have been able to reach group 1 heights without the help of trainers all over the South Island. “Obviously I wouldn’t be able to drive at the big meetings if I didn’t get the wins before then.” “So, that is down to the trainers all over the country that have supported me.” Shane Matheson has been one of the trainers that have got behind Tomlinson’s career. She said it was a thrill to notch her 100th win with Hurricane Banner in his stable’s colours. “They are one of my main stables and it is great to get a milestone like this for them. “They support me a lot driving down here. “And the horse, too; he has been so honest.” View the full article

What comments indicate he is "anti-Muslim'?

You are assuming that they didn't have deals with some industry stakeholders. The retail network would have been a drag on costs and direct courier delivery a cheaper option. However my understanding is that the biggest impediment to The Informant was the NZRB and NZTR. Both used their leverage and dare I say it anti-competitive behaviour to force The Informant down. It would be interesting if someone laid a complaint with the Commerce Commission for anti-competitive behaviour.

I think you are taking an extreme view of what Water Boy said. The issue is do we rewrite history because of what one nutter did?

I don't think you can blame him for how the RIU is currently run.

I've met him a few times and found him quite reasonable.