News

Join Kav at the L'Oreal Late Mail Lunch
Kavanagh's Award Winning Form Continues
Hoysted Award a Highlight for Kavanagh
More Juvenile Joy for Kavanagh
Cats Whisker Another Spring Prospect for Kav
Sea Battle Looking for Spring Riches
Lamarr All Class at Cranbourne
Sea Battle Qualifies for Championship Final
Whobegotyou to rest after great win
Kav's Sea wins Sandown Battle
Two On End for Dr Doute's
Whobegotyou Brilliant on Debut
Tobouggie Continues Stables Winning Ways
Our Saint Marches In
Dr Doute's Impresses on Debut
Harmony Aces Rivals at Geelong
News Archive

Join Kav at the L'Oreal Late Mail Lunch
21/08/08

As part of the Spring Racing Carnival calendar of events I will be attending the L'Oreal Late Mail Lunch on the eve of Victoria Derby Day.

I had a lot of fun at this lunch last year and this year, as well as having a crack panel of trainers like Peter Moody, John O'Shea, Greg Eurell and Ross McDonald, it will also boast a performance by Australian rock icon Ross Wilson and his band.

Hosted by Tony Jones (Channel 9) and Shawn Cosgrove (3MP) the day will also feature industry experts Adrian Dunn (Herald Sun), Andrew Bensley (Sky Racing), Gary Davies (TAB Sportsbet) and Jo McKinnon (courtesy of Moonee Valley Racing Club).

It's a great event and helps to raise funds for Riding for the Disabled in Victoria.

Tickets are $250 each which get’s you a superb three course lunch, fantastic live entertainment as well as VIP entry to the now infamous Late Mail ‘After Luncheon Function’ which starts at 4.30pm at the Long Room in Collins Street Melbourne.

The 2008 L'Oreal Late Mail Luncheon IV
Friday October 31, 2008
Ballroom, Park Hyatt Melbourne
12 noon for pre-function drinks, 12:30 for lunch

A limited number of remaining seats are now available at $250 plus GST until sold out. For further information and to purchase tickets please contact ARR on (03) 5975 6548 or go to www.arr.com.au

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Kavanagh's Award Winning Form Continues
20/08/08

Mark Kavanagh's award winning form has continued with his latest coming yesterday when announced as the VRMA Racing Personality of the Year.

Kavanagh beat out fellow trainers Ross McDonald and Greg Eurell and jockeys Michael Rodd and Brad Rawiller to win the award which is presented by the Victorian Media Racing Association.

The Flemington based horseman had a period of ups and downs during the 2007/08 season.

As well as winning more Group One races during the spring carnival than any other with Devil Moon, Divine Madonna (twice) and Maldivian, Kavanagh had to deal with the "Caulfield Cup barriergate" with hot favourite Maldivian.

Kavanagh was presented with his Personality of the Year award by VRMA president and Sky Channel personality Andrew Bensley live on Sport927 on Tuesday morning.

"It's a pleasant surprise," Kavanagh said. "It's a great honour."

"Last spring was memorable for a number of reasons - highs and lows - that's racing!"

The award win was the second in as many weeks for Kavanagh who at the recent Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Awards was a deserved winner of the Fred Hoysted Medal - the highest honour for a trainer in Victoria.

Kavanagh is hoping his form of last spring can continue when his team of stars step out over the coming weeks.

Proven Group One winners Devil Moon and Maldivian both ran brilliantly first up in their respective group events at Caulfield last Saturday.

The stable is also hoping rising three-year-old talents Dr Doute's, Whobegotyou and Cats Whisker can be competitive in stakes events over the spring.

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Hoysted Award a Highlight for Kavanagh
02/08/08

Mark Kavanagh topped a remarkable season by winning Victoria's biggest honour for trainers, the Fred Hoysted Award.

The prestigious award win was announced tonight at the Crown Palladium at the Victorian Thoroughbred Racehorse Awards.

Son Sam flew from Adelaide to accept the award on behalf of his father who's on his way home from a French holiday.

Sam paid tribute to the stable's hard working team as well as stable riders and new and long time owners.

Kavanagh polled the most votes from a panel of experts to win the award for training excellence during the recently completed 2007/08 season.

During the 2007 Spring Carnival Kavanagh won no fewer than four Group One races from his star trio of Devil Moon, Divine Madonna and Maldivian.

No trainer prepared more Group One winners during Australia's most famous racing carnival.

He rounded out the season by winning the feature winter flat race - the time honoured Winter Championship Final at Flemington in July with former Sydneysider Sea Battle.

Kavanagh has welcomed Devil Moon and Maldivian back to his Flemington stable while Divine Madonna heads to stud this season after being sold for $2.7 million at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in June.

Past winners of the Fred Hoysted Award include David Hayes, Lee Freedman, Jack Denham, Sheila Laxon and Michael Moroney.

PIC - Bruno Cannatelli.

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More Juvenile Joy for Kavanagh
28/07/08

Cats Whisker Another Spring Prospect for Kav
12/07/08

The in form Mark Kavanagh stable unveiled another spring carnival contender at Moonee Valley this afternoon in the form of Fusaichi Pegasus filly Cats Whisker.

Sent out the hot favourite following a brilliant four length debut win at Seymour on June 19, Cats Whisker made up for a tardy getaway with a powerful finish in the straight.

Raced by a Sydney quartet of owners, Cats Whisker will now be freshened up before being set for feature races later in the year.

With trainer Mark Kavanagh soaking up the rays in the French Riviera, stable foreman Merv Harvey was in charge of saddling the stable's sole runner today.

"It was a good performance," Harvey said. "She finished it off really well in the straight and won nicely."

"She must have been on the back foot when the gates opened, she was a bit tardy away."

"But Nick didn't panic on her, he's great like that, he just put her into a good spot and went from there."

At the line Cats Whisker ($1.75-$1.90-$1.80 fav) got up to beat Ribati ($21-$26) by three parts of a length.

Third home was Yesterday ($3.70-$4.60-$4.40) a further short head back.

Cats Whisker joins recent city winning, and unbeaten, two-year-olds from the Kavanagh stable Dr Doute's and Whobegotyou as youngsters with a bright future ahead.

"She was probably just too good for them at Seymour (on debut)," Harvey said of the winner.

"We'll send her up to the water walker at Rockmount now and she can have a freshen up and come back for the spring."

The filly is set to be nominated for a number of three-year-old filly features later in the year including the Group One Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.

"Racing like that today was good. I think she's going to handle longer distances."

"It looks as though she will be perfectly suited at a mile," he added. "She's bred for it."

Cats Whisker, a homebred, is one of two winners from the stakes performed Don't Say Halo mare Perfect Halo.

A half sister to the dual winning stablemate Our Saint, Cats Whisker is by Mr. Prospector's Kentucky Derby winning son Fusaichi Pegasus - the sire of her group winning stablemate Tipungwuti.

Raced by Sydneysiders Joy and Sam Jenkins and Mr and Mrs Bill Smith, Cats Whisker has earned $42,900 from her two wins from as many starts.

"Sam's not feeling the best, so that will be a welcomed win," Harvey said.

The punters who took the short odds were also welcoming the win.

PICS - Fiona Tomlin.

© Cyberhorse 2008 Greg Irvine Published 12/07/08

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Sea Battle Looking for Spring Riches
05/07/08

Jockey Michael Rodd won his first race at Flemington since last year's Melbourne Cup when Sea Battle won the 2008 Henry Bucks VRC - CRV Winter Championship at Flemington this afternoon.

Backing up from a slashing win at Flemington last week, when he came from last on the turn, the Mark Kavanagh trained Sea Battle showed his versatility by sitting in sixth position in the big field before coming between runners in the straight to win well.

Rodd, who regularly rides Sea Battle ($2.60-$3.10-$2.80) in trackwork, bided his time before asking for a final effort and was able to down Rockpecker ($4.40-$6.00) by three quarters of a length.

The pair cleared out by 2¾ lengths from third placed Magnetic ($14-$17). Scenic Silver ($7-$9) was fourth a neck further away.

"He was still pretty impressive in the way that when the sprint went on coming around the turn they left me a bit flat footed", Rodd said.

Rodd effectively made two runs on Sea Battle. One to get out of an awkward position on the rails behind a wall of horses and the next over the concluding stages to overhaul Rockpecker. 

"I had to squeeze for a run at the 400 which took a little bit out of him and he had to pick himself up again and get going."

"It was better than what it looked." 

Rodd is impressed by the improvement in Sea Battle since he first came into the Kavanagh stable last year. 

"I rode him Thursday morning and he just keeps improving", he said.

"I was so confident coming into today."

Trainer Mark Kavanagh was on a plane to Dubai as the race was run, eagerly anticipating a text message on arrival telling him the outcome of today's race.

"I could probably make a call from the plane but I'll wait until we land", Kavanagh said yesterday when asked if he could cope with not knowing the result.

Stable foreman Merv Harvey explained that today's good barrier combined with an anticipated lack of speed, led to a change in today's riding tactics. 

"Last week there was good speed in the race", he observed.

"Today there probably wasn't as much genuine speed."

"It was always Michael's plan to ride a bit closer, we just needed the luck."

"He wore the other horse down and did a good job."

Harvey suggested that a Spring campaign was on the agenda for Sea Battle, clearly one of the best horses going around this Winter.

"He's a very versatile horse and he just keeps on improving."

"We'll probably give him a bit of a break now and bring him back for the Spring."

"I think if we give him three weeks on the water walker and bring him back and freshen him up for the Spring he could win a nice race for us."

The Kavanagh stable is enjoying a lot of success giving horses like Maldivian and Tipungwuti a spell on the "Aquaciser", walking machine at Rockmount near Euroa.

Harvey expects that Sea Battle will benefit from such training, enjoying a change of scenery as well as retaining fitness without the constant pounding of trackwork affecting his soundness.

"He's offset in the knees", explained Harvey.

"He gets 4 or 5 runs out of him and then the tracks get too hard and he jars up a bit." 

Rodd is looking forward to riding Sea Battle in the Spring. 

"Its a big credit to Mark and his stable because he's a horse that's got his fair share of problems but they've overcome them."

"His biggest attribute is that you can ride him anywhere.

"He can be on the pace or off the pace."

"He switches off for you and when you ask him for it he gives you his best."

Harvey revealed that the stable has Group races in mind for Sea Battle. 

"As a three year old he ran in the Tulloch Stakes", he said.

"He wasn't that far away from those horses in Sydney so I see no reason why he can't progress to that sort of class."

"The owner wants to get him out to a mile and a quarter."

"He's won over 2000 metres but he's unsound and that's why we've restricted him to the mile."

"He's bred to be a mile and a quarter or mile and a half horse."

Perhaps Sea Battle's pedigree gives the best clue to what he is most suited for.

By English Derby winner Quest For Fame, Sea Battle is out of the Danehill mare Peppie, bred by Bob Scarborough's Wood Nook Farm.

This Quest For Fame/Danehill cross is the same as Kavanagh's promising two year old filly Lamarr, owned by Gerry Harvey which won at Cranbourne on Thursday.

The cross also produced the ill-fated Group 1 filly Unworldy. 

But it is Sea Battle's third dam, Coup de Chance, that highlights his potential. She is the dam of Dieu d'Or and Final Card, two of the fastest sprinters ever to race at Flemington, both of which broke the 1200m track record.

This suggests that Sea Battle would indeed be better kept to shorter trips with the 1600m Toorak Handicap or Emirates Stakes being ideal Spring targets. 

Photos: Fiona Tomlin

© Cyberhorse 2008 Bill Saunders Published 05/07/08

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Lamarr All Class at Cranbourne
03/07/08

Mark Kavanagh's winning run with two-year-olds continued at Cranbourne today with promising filly Lamarr scoring an impressive win in the Winning Edge Presentations 2YO Plate (1200m).

Despite being caught deep for the entire journey, Lamarr was able to hold out the late challenge from Cut and Run to win comfortably.

The win is yet another for Kavanagh's stable, who's recent juvenile winners in Victoria have included Dr Doute's, Whobegotyou and Cat's Whisker.

Significantly Lamarr is the first horse in the Kavanagh stable to race for powerful breeder and owner Gerry Harvey.

The filly was sent out the warm favourite on the strength of her eye catching debut run when a closing third in a metropolitan meeting at Bendigo on June 20.

Winning jockey Nicholas Ryan was impressed with the filly, in particular her fight close to the line after a tough run.

"She's pretty smart," Ryan noted. "She didn't have many favours, but she was very strong. She really stuck it out well."

"I came here today quite confident," he added.

"She's the type of filly who's always on the improve and there's more to come out of her."

Ryan said the youngster, named after former actress Hedy Lamarr, would "definitely" handle longer trips in the future.

Lamarr, by Sarrera and Viscount's sire Quest for Fame, is one two winners from two to race for well bred mare Lupenta.

A daughter of champion sire Danehill, Lupenta is a sister to group performer Dane Fever and half sister to this season's stakes winning juvenile Woppitt and former smart juvenile Swinging Bachelor.

Lupenta is from the group performer Campbell Fever, who in turn is a daughter of the Blue Diamond Stakes winner Midnight Fever.

PIC - Greg Irvine.

© Cyberhorse 2008 Greg Irvine Published 03/07/08

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Sea Battle Qualifies for Championship Final
28/05/08

Sea Battle, a horse described by trainer Mark Kavanagh as "held together with bandaids and chewing gum", handled a hard track and a bad barrier draw with ease at Flemington today to win Heat 7 of the VRC-CRV Winter Championship.

A powerful run out wide, coming from last on the turn blew away the smart field with Sea Battle ($6.00-$8.50-$8.00) going on to win by a widening 4¼ lengths from Snort  ($6.00-$8.00-$7.50) and In The Shadows ($15-$21).

Winning rider Nicholas Hall made a good tactical decision to ride Sea Battle from back in the field from his wide 16 barrier, even though part owner Barbara Bardon said she'd never seen her horse running last before.

"He didn't give me many instructions", Hall replied when asked what Kavanagh had told him to do.

"He left it up to me from the gate."

"There was plenty of speed on with McLurch and Prospect and those sort of horses."

"I thought from that gate I didn't have much option but to go back."

"Knowing there was a bit of speed I thought I would be back mid-field but not as far back as I did."

"He just proved way too strong."

Before the race, Kavanagh was concerned that the track was too firm for Sea Battle which has had his own battle with soundness issues.

After the race, he was making plans for Sea Battle to back up at Flemington in a week for the $200,000 Final of the Winter Championship to be run over 1600m.

"Looks like he's qualified now", Kavanagh proudly proclaimed, after hoping that he might sneak into the final by running a place.

"He really rode him well and summed the situation up pretty good."

"I thought he'd be mid-field and wide."

"He elected to go back and certainly that's the best run he's had for me."

"It was a pretty emphatic win."

"With a bit of luck if he pulls up good we'll go around next Saturday."

"He's really starting to race himself into fitness now."

Nicholas Hall is in the box seat to get the ride on Sea Battle again next weekend as stable rider Michael Rodd is likely to be too heavy to ride.

Racing Victoria Chief Handicapper Greg Carpenter confirmed that Sea Battle would most likely be allotted 53 or 54kg, under Rodd's preferred 55kg limit.

Owners Barbara Bardon and Peter Parker flew down from Sydney to watch their horse win.

Formerly trained by Guy Walter in Sydney, they elected last year to transfer Sea Battle to Kavanagh. 

"We weren't getting a fair go in Sydney so we thought we'll go down to Melbourne", they decided.

Bardon and Parker purchased Sea Battle after the Inglis Ready To Run Sale in 2005.

"He didn't go through the sale because he failed the vet", Bardon explained.

"You don't take much notice of vets do you?"

Maybe the answer is to take heed of the vet's advice and give the horse to trainer who can work around the horse's weaknesses. 

Photos: Fiona Tomlin

© Cyberhorse 2008 Bill Saunders Published 28/06/08

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Whobegotyou to rest after great win
23/06/08

In form trainer Mark Kavanagh is likely to spell exciting juvenile Whobegotyou after he cruised home in the Quest Moonee Valley Handicap (1200m) on Saturday.

Sent out the favourite after a brilliant debut win the Geelong Thoroughtrack in late May, Whobegotyou made a quick dash around the field approaching the turn and set up a winning break at the top of the straight.

Top senior rider Nicholas Ryan allowed the promising gelding to cruise to the line under his own steam and he won easily.

Owned by Sunbury based earth moving businessman Laurence Eales, Whobegotyou is almost certain to head to the paddock for a break.

"I still think there is good improvement in him," a delighted Mark Kavanagh said.

"We've always had a good opinion of him."

"He can go to the paddock for a little rest now and we might look at something in the spring for him," Kavanagh added.

"It was a good win. He sustained a long run, but I was confident he'd be able to do it."

"I'm not that worried about horses being trapped deep at Moonee Valley."

"It all turned out okay."

Kavanagh said Whobegotyou had come a long way in a short time and he was looking forward to the future with the chestnut.

"This is his first real preparation. He's done a great job and I'm confident there's a good future ahead for him."

Whobegotyou ($3.20-$4.20-$4 fav) cruised home to beat Georgia's Boy ($8-$9) by a length and a half.

Third home was the drifting second favourite Heart of Dreams ($3.90-$5) a further length and a half behind the runner-up.

The best supported runner in the race, Barry Barnes' Buckets ($7-$8-$6.50) was the best of the unplaced brigade in fourth position.

Whobegotyou, by Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense's sire Street Cry, is one of two winners from three to race for the French stakes performed Carnegie mare Temple of Peace.

Further back his family takes in classy international group winners including Cuddles, Cause to Believe, Buffythecentrefold, Tap to Music, Northern Afleet, Bear's Kid and Katz Me If You Can.

© Cyberhorse 2008 Greg Irvine Published 21/06/08

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Kav's Sea wins Sandown Battle
14/06/08

Tough entire Sea Battle could head to the rich Winter Championship after a strong win in the $60,000 Le Pine Funeral Services Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Saturday.

The Mark Kavanagh trained four-year-old has been a revelation since coming to Victoria and joining the state's leading stable of Group One winners.

And there looks to be more wins in store this campaign for the son of Quest for Fame who handles all track conditions and relishes those with give.

"It was a good win," Kavanagh said. "He had to cart them along behind the leaders and then kick away again."

Sent out the favourite, Sea Battle showed great fighting capabilities when challenged about a furlong from home by the last start Flemington winner Packing Supreme.

"Being down in the weights really helped him," Kavanagh said. "He relished the claim and was able to pull away at the finish."

Kavanagh was confident leading into the race that he had the horse to beat after his recent excellent first up second.

"He'd trained on well and I knew he loved the wet tracks. He was really suited at the weights and I virtually thought he was a good thing."

At the line Sea Battle ($2.60-$3.10 fav) held a length and a quarter margin over the in form and well backed Packing Supreme ($8-$6.50).

Third home was another heavily backed runner Bird Dancer ($9-$6.50), a further half length back.

Kavanagh said the Winter Championship could be an option for Sea Battle who looks to have a nice campaign ahead of him over the coming months.

"It's an option that's for sure. We'll see how he pulls up and perhaps look at a qualifying race."

"Any horse who can handle the wet and run a strong mile would be suited - he might fit the mould."

"He has got definite improvement in him. He was probably what I'd consider a run short today."

Sea Battle, formerly based in Sydney with Guy Walter, is raced by Sydneysiders Barbara Bardon and Peter Parker.

The horse has been in great form since joining Kavanagh - he hasn't missed a cheque in his six runs which includes wins at Caulfield and Sandown.

Sea Battle's overall career record has been boosted to four wins and six minor placings from 19 starts for earnings of $135,770.

PICS - Fiona Tomlin.

© Cyberhorse 2008 Greg Irvine Published 14/06/08

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Two On End for Dr Doute's
24/05/08

Purchased cheaply because his legs weren't straight, Dr Doutes proved Mark Kavanagh's gamble worthwhile when he won his second race from two starts at Moonee Valley this afternoon.

Starting equal second favourite with Paddy O'Reilly at $6.50, Dr Doute's was taken to the lead on the home turn by Michael Rodd.

Knowing that the favourite Tindal ($2.50-$2.60-$2.40F) was in a pocket behind him, Rodd opened up a 2 length break in a winning move.

Tindal tried valiantly to bridge the gap but was still a length short of victory on the line, beating Paddy O'Reilly by a half length into third place.

By Redoute's Choice from the Dr Grace mare No Limit, Dr Doutes was yet another astute purchase for his trainer Mark Kavanagh from the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.

Dr Doutes reminded Kavanagh of another Redoute's Choice youngster he purchased in Adelaide, the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Undoubtedly.

Kavanagh purchased him off the one bid of $150,000.

"He had a bit of a twisted leg and the talk of the sale was that was the reserve", Kavanagh said.

"No one was on him and actually a lot of people laughed at me when I bought him."

"Everyone else in the ring thought that I was running him up for the owners."

Asked if he had a lot of success with horses with such problems, Kavanagh pointed out that he started his training career in Mt Gambier with a stable full of them.

"Not all good horses have to have perfect legs and there are certain things you must forgive if you're going to buy a horse", he said.

"There are plenty of good horses that have had turned out legs."

"I picked him the way he moved and it certainly hasn't affected him today."

I've got a pretty high opinion of him.

He had the top weight and the widest alley today.

I think this will turn out to be a pretty strong form race for Moonee Valley in May.

There's still a bit of maturing in him

I might give him one more at Flemington and then head him to the Spring.

Kavanagh stable jockey Michael Rodd rode Dr Doutes a treat, ensuring a clear run to the post while keeping Tindal pocketed behind him.

Rodd won on promising two year old Whobegotyou at Geelong yesterday, which is the first one he's ridden for the stable since he was sidelined by a mystery ailment early this year.

"Its unusual that the stable jockey goes out when he hasn't ridden a winner for me for 6 months and we're still talking", Kavanagh quipped.

Photos: Fiona Tomlin

© Cyberhorse 2008 Bill Saunders Published 24/05/08

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Whobegotyou Brilliant on Debut
23/05/08

Flemington trainer Mark Kavanagh unearthed his third impressive debuting two-year-old winner from as many weeks when the promising Whobegotyou scored an eye catching win in the Bay FM Super Vobis Plate (1100m) at Geelong today.

After getting back in the field after a tardy getaway, Whobegotyou then produced a whirlwind finish after a wide run to reel in the leaders in the straight before dashing clear for a brilliant win.

So fast was Whobegotyou ($8) finishing that by the time the line was reached he held an increasing one and three quarter length margin over runner-up Sherpa ($4.60).

The favourite and early leader Ocean Journey ($3.80) was another half neck back in third place.

"He'd shown us some good ability at home," Kavanagh noted. "I thought he'd make into a lovely three-year-old."

"The plan today was to let him find his feet early and make some ground at the finish - but boy did he reel them in well," he added.

Kavanagh said the gelded son of Street Cry will most likely have another run before a break.

"We'll probably look for another race for him and then he might have a break. I think his best is still to come with maturity."

Winning rider Michael Rodd was delighted with the strong finishing win.

"He's a nice young horse who looks to have a bright future," Rodd commented. "You'd say he'd be up to better class in the future."

Cheering Whobegotyou home from his base at Sunbury was earth moving businessman Laurence Eales, 

Whobegotyou, by Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense's sire Street Cry, is one of two winners from three to race for the French stakes performed Carnegie mare Temple of Peace.

Further back his family takes in classy international group winners including Cuddles, Cause to Believe, Buffythecentrefold, Tap to Music, Northern Afleet, Bear's Kid and Katz Me If You Can.

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Tobouggie Continues Stables Winning Ways
19/05/08

Mark Kavanagh's Adelaide stable unearthed another impressive debutant over the weekend in the shape of runaway Morphettville winner Tobouggie Woogie.

Two weeks after cheering home the exciting Redoute's Choice colt Dr Doute's, it was the turn of Tobouggie Woogie to impress racegoers.

From a wide barrier the filly was forced to race three deep throughout, but in the end that would be no problem as she easily won.

"It was a really good win," stable foreman Sam Kavanagh said. "She'd shown good ability in her trackwork and we were hopeful she would run well."

Tobouggie Woogie ($3 fav) cruised home two and three quarter lengths clear of Go Lizzy ($6), while Swoop and Destroy ($5.50) was another three parts of a length back in third place.

The promising youngster has pulled up in great style from her racetrack debut and the stable is eyeing off a black type event for her second start.

"We'll look at giving her a run in a listed race here in Adelaide in a few weeks and then give her a break," Kavanagh said.

"She's a filly we'd nominate for the Thousand Guineas - I think she's got good upside," he added.

Tobouggie Woogie, by former top class international juvenile Tobougg, is a well related youngster.

She is one of two winners, from two runners, for the winning Royal Academy mare Regal Flute.

Regal Flute is a full sister to the Toorak Park Stud owned Thousand Guineas winner Serious Speed and a half sister to the dam of sprinting stakes winner Victory Chant.

Tobouggie Woogie's second dam, the Kendor mare Twitter, won the listed HC Nitschke Stakes in Adelaide as a three-year-old.

Saturday's juvenile star is raced by her breeders Harry Perks, Trevor Robertson and Rod Fairclough, who breed under the Toorak Park Stud banner.

Meanwhile, Kavanagh's Flemington stable continued their recent good form with a winner and close up second placegetter from two runners at Ballarat on Thursday.

Camarilla's half brother Emmy Award led the way with a brilliant win in the Bunch of Grapes Hotel Handicap (1400m).

With Nicholas Ryan in the saddle, Emmy Award romped away in the straight to beat his rivals by a widening four and a quarter lengths.

"He has his share of soundness issues, but he's going well and the win was as easy as you'd like to see," trainer Mark Kavanagh said.

"Hopefully he can continue on through the winters months and win some more races," he added.

Emmy Award's win came after promising stablemate Invinciblekindness beat all but Meld in the Golfhouse Hotel Plate (1000m).

Judging by his closing finish it looks as though a win won't be far away for Invinciblekindness.

Pic courtesy of Atkins Photography.

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Our Saint Marches In
06/05/08

Former New South Wales galloper Our Saint kicked away his account in Victoria with a thrilling win in the Ballarat Auto Wreckers Class 1 Handicap (1200m) at Ballarat on Saturday.

The Mark Kavanagh trained four-year-old gave comeback jockey Nicholas Ryan plenty to cheer about when he got home first.

In a driving finish on a deteriorating track Our Saint ($5) was able to beat runner-up Mannerheim ($8) by a half head, while Redi Zedi Dash ($4.60) was a further three lengths back in third place.

Our Saint was having just his second start for Kavanagh, having raced on nine occasions in New South Wales for a win and five placings beforehand.

Kavanagh was delighted with the win and has been super impressed with how the four-year-old had pulled up from the tough run.

"He's pulled up very well from Saturday's win," Kavanagh said.

"I'll just see how he does in the next few days before choosing the next suitable race for him," he added.

Kavanagh said the win should give the recent stable acquisition much needed confidence as he raced on this preparation.

By Royal Academy and from the Don't Say Halo mare Perfect Halo, Our Saint is the only winner to date for his dam.

Perfect Halo won four races during her career - all in Sydney - and was four times stakes placed.

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Dr Doute's Impresses on Debut
05/05/08

Dr Doute's made the perfect start to his racing career with a dominant win in the Williams Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Handicap (1000m) at Morphettville on Saturday.

A $150,000 buy from last year's Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale at Morphettville, Dr Doute's found plenty over the concluding stages when required under in form comeback rider Simon Price.

Stable foreman Sam Kavanagh said the son of super sire Redoute's Choice had shown some good signs in track work and connections were hoping that could be replicated on the race track.

"We were thinking he could run a big race," Kavanagh said. "He'd shown some nice ability in track work, but I guess you never know until they get to the races."

"One thing I'm sure of though is that he will improve as he gets further, judging by his pedigree and his work."

"We were originally thinking of running him at 1200 (metres) first up because he'd be suited at the distance - but we decided that would be a bit too hard for a two-year-old at their first start."

"He's always shown tremendous ability and I'm sure he will improve with racing experience."

Kavanagh said Dr Doute's was originally in work late last year, but was tipped out before making his debut.

"He won a jump out on Christmas Eve," Kavanagh pointed out. 

"But he pulled up a bit shin sore and we decided to give him time rather than push on."

"We thought by doing the right thing by the horse would reap rewards later on."

Future plans for Dr Doute's are unsure at present - but Kavanagh Senior will check the calendar for suitable races over the coming weeks.

"He's pulled up well and ate up well."

"There's a number of different options," Kavanagh added. "Ultimately the horse will be better as a three-year-old and at a mile."

Dr Doute's is the third winners from three foals to race for the seven time Sydney winning and stakes performed Dr Grace mare No Limit.

Photos courtesy of Jenny Barnes.

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Harmony Aces Rivals at Geelong
12/04/08

Leading trainer Mark Kavanagh predicted a step up to city class for Ace Harmony after his impressive win at Geelong yesterday.

At his second career outing, the son of O'Reilly accelerated brilliantly when he found a split late in the race to grab the leader with about 100 metres to run.

Sent out one of the popular elects after his encouraging debut run when second at Kyneton late last month, Ace Harmony went one better this time.

"This horse is going to be better when he gets out to a bit of a trip," Kavanagh said. 

"Once he balanced up and he got on with his job in the straight he found the line hard," he added.

"He's pretty promising."

"We thought he might have been looking for 1400 metres now - he seems to have a bit of promise so we'll have a look how he pulls up and go from there."

Kavanagh is confident the talented young performer is capable of stepping up to metropolitan grade.

"He's got to be city class. We'll look at something at around 1450 somewhere and give him a try at that," Kavanagh summed up.

Ace Harmony, a three-year-old, is by leading New Zealand sire O'Reilly - who's other star performers include Group One winners Alamosa, Guyno, Master O'Reilly, The Jewel and Final Destination.

He is a full brother to the five time winner and twice Group placed Spinner's Magic.

Their dam Anne of Tudor, by Twig Moss, is a half sister to Group Two winners Hermod and Orsay as well as the dams of stakes winners Hire, Lease and Prankster.

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