Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Midnight Dynamite eyes another step towards bigger targets
Midnight Dynamite (Pierata) has already exceeded expectations in this preparation, but trainer Bjorn Baker believes a victory in the Listed Winter Challenge at Rosehill on Saturday could open the door to even bigger spring ambitions.
The 4-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable rise through the grades, progressing from a BM78 victory first-up this campaign to claiming the Listed Civic Stakes, and Baker believes there is still plenty more to come.
Midnight Dynamite | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“You can’t knock him at all. He’s done a really good job and he has a great win record,’’ Baker told RacingNSW.
“You can’t knock him at all. He’s (Midnight Dynamite) done a really good job and he has a great win record.’’ - Bjorn Baker
“A race like The Ingham is one race we have pencilled in, he definitely has the rating to get into a race like that.”
Rain throughout the week has only strengthened Baker's confidence.
Six of Midnight Dynamite's eight career wins have come on soft or heavy ground and a solid third in the Listed Winter Stakes behind race-rival General Salute (Russian Revolution) a fortnight ago confirmed the gelding remained right on target.
Bjorn Baker | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I thought he ran well and I think he might appreciate maybe even a touch further now,’’ Baker said.
“It was a good run and he has a good gate so that gives us confidence.
“It’s a tough race, a very competitive race for this time of year, but I’m very happy with him. We’ve just had to keep him in the zone.”
“It’s a tough race, a very competitive race for this time of year, but I’m very happy with him (Midnight Dynamite). We’ve just had to keep him in the zone.” - Bjorn Baker
It’s a very even looking Winter Challenge which is likely to be run with a full field. Hardest for Midnight Dynamite to beat include the Chris Waller-trained McHale (Shooting To Win), his Baker trained stablemate War Eternal (NZ) (Pierro) who as been in great form, while Just Folk (Magnus) may surprise if he gets some luck from the wide gate.
Burning Heartz on the hunt for valuable black type
Trainer Gavin Bedggood thinks that his talented debut winner Burning Heartz (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}) could shape as a talented 3-year-old filly that would thrive over ground and potentially turn into an Oaks filly next season, but before thinking too far ahead, he hopes she can add valuable black type to her record as a 2-year-old in Adelaide on Saturday for her connections.
The Sandown debut winner was a candidate for a spell after scoring impressively over 1300 metres on July 1, however Bedggood opted to press on after recognising both the opportunity on offer and the likelihood of rain-affected conditions.
Burning Heartz | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
After handling heavy ground so well on debut, the prevailing track conditions further strengthened his decision to make the trip.
"I had the option of tipping her out and putting her away for the spring, but's shown us that she's very adept on wet ground," Bedggood told racingandsports.
"There was this Stakes race, so it's a chance to have a 2-year-old that's a city winner with the chance to add some Black Type to her name.
"It is almost mission accomplished if she could do that. She's got good ability. Wet ground is zero issue, and she's drawn a good barrier, so I think she will be very competitive over there."
"She's (Burning Heartz) got good ability. Wet ground is zero issue, and she's drawn a good barrier, so I think she will be very competitive over there." - Gavin Bedggood
Regardless of Saturday's result, Bedggood said a spell remains on the agenda before attention turns towards autumn targets.
"We'll reassess what happens after Saturday's race, but she will need a break at some point," Bedggood said.
"How long that is, I'm not too sure.
"You would like to think she could be an Oaks filly, but that may be in the autumn when the tracks are a bit softer too."
Gavin Bedggood | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
It’s an even addition of the race and some of the leading contenders include Brevitas (Doubtland), Shivouc (Bivouac) and Spain (Snitzel), while the Sword Of State colt Put To The Sword (NZ) could be the knockout-hope after running a strong finishing third on debut at Flemington behind the classy Stars Of Dom (Exceedance).
Seeiaye out to prove a point
Trainer Peter Snowden is hoping his talented 2-year-old Seeiaye (Russian Revolution) can take another step forward on Saturday by overcoming the barrier issues that have hampered the talented galloper throughout his preparation.
While Snowden has little doubt about the horse's ability, he said improving his manners at the start remains the key to unlocking his full potential.
“He has to start ironing out his issue, if he steps slow he’s in trouble,’’ Snowden told RacingNSW.
“He (Seeiya) has to start ironing out his issue, if he steps slow he’s in trouble,’’ - Peter Snowden
“Both times he’s gone badly he’s got back in the field, he won’t come back at all he just bolts and climbs over the back of them.
“The more times he does it right the more he’ll know this is what he’s got to do.
Seeiaye | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“I would have tipped him out the other day if I knew he was going to be right from now on, I’d probably have given him a freshen up and brought him back for the better races in the spring.
“I want to make sure he learns what he has to do now rather than think he’s going to do it later on.”
Snowden said Seeiaye's racing pattern also presents its own challenges once he finds the front, with the addition of visors expected to help keep the gelding focused.
“When he gets out in front he starts wandering, the other day when the other horse dropped off he started wobbling like a snake because he can’t see the other horses,’’ he said.
Peter Snowden | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He did a good job, he was in front the whole way up the straight and only got caught the last few bounds. I’m hoping with the visors he can see a bit more behind him.
“Drawn out wide is an advantage because if he’s a bit slow he gets the chance to get up and get running before they cross him. Once they cross him he doesn’t come back. He doesn’t have to lead but he just likes to race forward and he should be able to control that race.”
Seeiaye is the well-deserved favourite for the race, especially on the back of his run behind the exciting Omolong (Extreme Choice). Some of the hardest for him to beat include the promising Home Affairs colt Internal Affairs and the Ciaron Maher-trained Threads (Snitzel), while one of the best roughies could be Gatineau (Frosted {USA}) who was solid enough last time out behind Seeiaye when running fifth.
The classy Ice Kool faces his biggest test
The very exciting sprinter Ice Kool (Zoustar) will tackle the toughest assignment of his short career on Saturday as he steps up to open company for the first time at Rosehill, but jockey Jay Ford believes the lightly raced gelding has the talent to measure up.
The promising galloper steps into stronger company after putting together an impressive record of four wins from just five starts, including consecutive BM78 victories over 1000 metres at Randwick in June.
Ford said the class rise would test the gelding, but he has shown enough ability to suggest he belongs at the level.
Ice Kool | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“He’s still learning his craft but the ability is there for everyone to see so far,’’ Ford told RacingNSW.
“We must remember he’s only had five starts, and won four of them, he’s certainly got the motor there and it’s just finessing his craft as he gets older and more experienced.
“He’s (Ice Kool) still learning his craft but the ability is there for everyone to see so far.’’ - Jay Ford
“He’s an inexperienced horse taking on tough, seasoned, campaigners.
“It is a step up in grade and a test for him, and obviously we need him to be at his best and execute his race so he can measure up against these sorts of horses.”
Ford said Ice Kool's latest victory highlighted the progress he is making despite still having plenty to learn. On that occassion he missed the start and was parked wide throughout the running, this didn't matter as he still hammered his rivals.
Jay Ford | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He can be a bit of a fidget in the barriers and doesn’t allow himself all the time to get away cleanly,’’ Ford said.
“He’s a powerful horse and he likes to run and in certain situations he needs to adapt to how the race unfolds, he struggles to contain himself but he’s getting better all the time.
“He’s (Ice Kool) a powerful horse and he likes to run and in certain situations he needs to adapt to how the race unfolds.’’ - Jay Ford
“I just wanted to keep him comfortable the other day, he had 60kg on his back and he didn’t get out of the gates well. He got a little keen so I was trying to uncomplicate it for him, help him along and let him travel as long as he can.
“While it visually didn’t look as explosive as when he won first-up it was very much a tradesmanlike performance. He’s highly talented, you’re seeing some really good performances from him and hopefully we’ll get similar on Saturday.”
It never is easy for a 3-year-old, albeit very late in the season taking on seasoned older-campaigners at open level and the hardest for the Zoustar gelding to beat could be Roselyn’s Star (Shalaa {Ire]) who resumes after winning the G3 Star Kingdom Stakes in March at his last start.
Cigar Flick (Churchill {Ire}) looks a cance after running a couple of bold races at Listed level in Brisbane, the best roughie could be the Group 3 and dual Listed-winner Aviatress (Smart Missile) who makes her first start from the Liam Ruddy stable.
Stern Idol takes rare flat race detour
Champion jumper Stern Idol (Ire) (Raven’s Pass {USA}) will make a rare appearance on the flat when he contests Saturday's Deane Lester Flemington Cup over 2800 metres at Flemington after missing a planned jumps outing last weekend.
The Ciaron Maher-trained 9-year-old was left without a race when the Mosstrooper Steeplechase at Hamilton was abandoned after he became the lone acceptor after scaring off his opposition.
Rather than interrupt his preparation, connections have opted to head to Flemington before returning to the jumps next month.
Stern Idol | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“Thankfully, this 2800-metre race is there for us, and it does lead in nicely to early August, where he can go back over the jumps,” Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing told Racing.com.
“I don’t think it’s a great setback, to be honest; he’s fit and well. He doesn’t need to jump for practice, as he’s deep into his season.
“Obviously it would be nice for the racing industry to see him jump, but it will be good to see him at Flemington.”
Turnbull said the race also provides apprentice jockey Jabez Johnstone with a unique opportunity aboard one of Australia's modern jumping greats.
Jack Turnbull | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It’s a great opportunity for Jabez, to ride one of the best jumpers we’ve had,” Turnbull said.
“He won’t even feel Jabez on his back with 54kg, given the recent weights he carried.
“He’s an amazing animal. If you’re there on Saturday, try and get up close to him to appreciate the sheer size of him, yet how placid he is. I’m sure some racing fans will be in awe. He is truly great for racing.”
“He’s (Stern Ido) an amazing animal. I’m sure some racing fans will be in awe. He is truly great for racing.” - Jack Turnbull
Stern Idol boasts a record that includes 18 wins and five placings from 42 starts, accounting for just under $1.1 million in prize money.
While it would be a surprise to see him win, he could run a sneaky race. The current favourite is another horse that is more than capable over the jumps in Highland Blaze (Highland Reel {Ire}), while other top chances include the honest Bold Soul (NZ) (Embellish {NZ}), while a knock-out chance could be the 6-year-old Almanzor (Fr) gelding Virtuous Circle (NZ).
