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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
Top
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.
Top
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.
Top
More
Juvenile Joy for Kavanagh
28/07/08
While
Mark Kavanagh continues to enjoy a holiday in France, his stable's
winning run in two states rolls on.

Catapulted races home
for a brilliant win
On
Saturday at Cheltenham the exciting youngster Catapulted thrashed his
rivals in the Dermody Tailem Bend Handicap (1000m) at his first run
since a spell.
It
was the second win in three starts for the Catbird colt, who won on
debut at Morphettville in January before missing a place in the Queen
Adelaide Stakes won by subsequent MM Classic winner Augusta Proud.
From
barrier three regular rider Simon Price was able to get the chestnut up
to share the lead early, before skipping clear at the top of the
straight.
The
result was never in doubt as the talented two-year-old raced clear and
won pulling up by two and three quarter lengths.
Well
supported runner The Long Road was second, while Unique Spirit was
another head back in third place.
The
stable could send Catapulted across the border for a campaign in
Melbourne with the dual juvenile winner already getting up in the
weights in Adelaide.
Catapulted,
a half brother to the city performer Spectro, is from the 1400 metre
winner Siren Miss.

Catapulted - raring to
go before Saturday's race
A
daughter of Umatilla, Siren Miss is a full sister to the Perth stakes
winning juvenile Umatune and the Flemington stakes performer Godswaki.
Umatune
in turn is the dam of the Gimcrack Stakes winner and Perth Magic
Millions victor Jestatune.
Bred
by famous South Australian thoroughbred nursery Mill Park and stable
clients Robert and Helen Dinham, Catapulted was purchased by Kavanagh
for $90,000 from the 2007 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
So
impressed with the early form of Catapulted, Kavanagh went to the Gold
Coast at Easter to secure his Hussonet half brother at the Magic
Millions Yearling Sale for $325,000.
The
win of Catapulted on Saturday followed the brilliant come from behind
win of promising filly Devil Child in the Tudor Peak Handicap (1400m) at
Bendigo on Wednesday.

A
daughter of Street Cry, Devil Child produced a sizzling finish over the
final furlong to race home over the top of her rivals to win by a
widening length and a quarter.
Importantly
the meeting was conducted by the Victoria Racing Club and carried
metropolitan status and prizemoney.
"I
thought she was going to run a nice fourth or fifth in the
straight," stable foreman Merv Harvey said.
"But
she really knuckled down at the finish."
Harvey
said the filly may have one more run or be sent to the paddock for a
break.

"She
looks to have a nice future and she should come back stronger after a
spell. She's done a good job already and she should be suited by longer
distances into the future."
Devil
Child is raced by Sunbury based earth mover Laurence Eales, who also
owns the stable's other exciting Street Cry youngster Whobegotyou.
His
latest winner by the sire is the first named foal for the multiple
Sydney winning Anabaa mare Carabine.
A
daughter of the Auckland Cup and Ellerslie Sires' Produce Stakes winner
Spyglass, Carabine is a half sister to Epsom Handicap winner Iron Horse.

PICS
- Jenny Barnes and
Greg Irvine.
Top
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.
©
2008 Published 12/07/08
Top
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
©
2008 Published 05/07/08
Top
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.
©
2008
Published 03/07/08
Top
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
©
2008 Published 28/06/08
Top
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
Top
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.
©
2008
Published 14/06/08
Top
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
©
2008 Published 24/05/08
Top
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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