October 22nd, 2008
Keen Commander (ex Bonne Bouceh by Imperial Baron), by Darley stallion
Commands, recorded his second victory at stakes level at Randwick on Saturday when taking the
Listed City Tattersalls Lightning Handicap over 1100m.
The winner of the Starlight Stakes last season, he was an excellent third in the
Group 2 The Shorts at Randwick at his last start. He has now won six of his 19 races and earned more than $390,000.
Bred by Mr & Mrs Casson, he is a half-brother to five winners including Listed placed Canny Lad filly,
Bouchette.
Commands stands at Darley's Denman property where his fee
this spring is $66,000 (inc gst) and has 18 stakes winners to his credit.
October 5th, 2008
Darley stallion, Commands sired the winner of the G2 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington on Saturday when his son,
El Cambio came out best in a driving finish under Kerrin McEvoy.
Trained by Peter Snowden for his Darley owners, he was recording his second G2 success of his career after landing the Royal Sovereign Stakes at Randwick last season as well as picking up a brace of
G3's at Doomben and the Gold Coast.
Bred by Woodlands Stud, he is out of the Canny Lad mare Chaparra and a half-brother to three Stakes performers in
Cataclysm, Frasassas and Negev. Canny Lad is the broodmare sire of five individual
G1 winners including Redoute's Choice.
August 4th, 2008
Four-year-old Commanding Hope continued his rise to
prominence at Caulfield on Saturday when he surprised his trainer Chris Hyland
with a fabulous last-to-first victory in the Group Three Bletchingly
Stakes (1200m).
The gelding by Commands, who was still eligible for
a class three event, was entered in to the stakes event so Hyland could assess
his ability in the weight-for-age sprint as his form around him had been strong
as a week earlier he had charged home after the smart Tranquility Base at Moonee
Valley. Ridden by former premier
jockey, Nick Ryan, he powered powered over his rivals to win the $100,000 group
three feature to give Ryan his first stakes success since his comeback in April.
Hyland told TVN that Commanding Hope had only ran after his
racing manager Rohan Hughes convinced him to give the horse his chance when just
six horses were originally entered for the feature.
He was among four extended entries and only nine ran.
"He talked me into running him and it paid
off," Hyland said.
"We thought we might aim for a race like the (Group
Three) Standish at Flemington over the summer and we threw him in the deep end
to get a guide on whether we were kidding ourselves or not.
"Now we might persevere a little bit further and
might not worry about the Standish.
"We will look at the calendar and see.
"It was not a stellar Bletchingly Stakes but it
gives you a good guide as to where he is at and I thought he was very
convincing."
After the first furlong after the start Hyland wondered
whether Commanding Hope was even going to be competitive when he tailed
out last.
Although he was slowly away Ryan was able to follow Red
Arrow into the race and duly wove a passage through the field. Commanding
Hope grabbed the lead halfway up the straight and charged away to win by
three lengths from Lucky Diva (Perugino – Lucky Witch by Voodoo Rhythm)
with Red Arrow (Red Ransom – Lady Jakeo by Last Tycoon) a half-head
away third.
Commanding Hope, has now won three of his nine
starts and he gave his sire, Commands his twelfth stakes winner.
May 18th, 2008
Group Racing switched to Queensland last weekend with Apache Cat taking out
the Group I BTC Cup after a thrilling tussle with top quality mare Vormista
and again on Saturday class rose to the top when the exciting three-year-old El
Cambio created a bit of history when they took out the Group Three BTC
Classic with El Cambio.
El Cambio was Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum first stakes
winner since his buy out of Bob Ingham's Woodlands Stud, which was signed off by
the Federal Government this week.
Racing in the maroon and white colours of Sheikh Mohammed, El Cambio
was sent out as the punters elect but the son of Commands made hard work of the
Group 3 three brushing another runner that had the protest sounding soon after
correct weight had been posted.
El Cambio appeared to brush Mr Unforgettable and although the rider,
Glen Colless, lodged a protest the stewards dismissed it fairly quickly with a
half-neck being a clear margin in El Cambio's favour along with his rider Corey
Brown not riding him out and immediately correcting the gelding at the time of
the brush.
Brown, had El Cambio travelling worse than mid-field through the event and
although he was able to make it two wins on end, the runner-up Mr Unforgettable
(Rubiton - La Marama by Luskin Star) and the third placegetter Diplomatic Force
(Oamaru Force - Talk It Over by Umatilla) another neck away in third, made up
good ground.
El Cambio will line up in the Group I Stradbroke Hcp (1400m)
where he has 51.5kg at Eagle Farm on June 7th.
El Cambio is out of the Canny Lad mare Chaparra a half-sister to the
Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes and Caulfield Autumn Classic winner, Spinney
(by Octagonal) and the third placegetter from the Listed STC Frank
Underwood Quality Cup winner, Flaharty (by Marscay). She has been a
good producer apart from El Cambio she is the dam of the full-sisters Cataclysm (by Marauding) winner of four races
and runner up in two listed events and Frasassas the runner up in the Group
3 VRC Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes along with the Group 3 AJC
Fernhill Hcp runner-up, Negev (by Desert Prince).
March 2nd, 2008
It was a red letter day for Woodlands stud on Saturday with five winners on
the stakes card at Randwick and the stud's son of Commands, El Cambio
endorsed his Golden Rose chances with a narrow but impressive victory in
the Group Two Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m).
Ridden for the Woodlands Stud syndicate by Hugh Bowman, who had to survive a protest from Blake Shinn aboard runner-up Kingda Ka
(Flying Spur - Fizzi Lizzi by Royal Academy). The results will show that in the end El Cambio kept the race,
and in doing so he gave his trainer Peter Snowden his fourth victory of the
afternoon, with the fifth happening forty minutes later with Hoystar
(Danzero).
Snowden had earlier celebrated wins with Portillo (Red Ransom) in the Listed
Gimcrack Stakes (1100m), Forensics (Flying Spur) in the Group 2 Light Fingers
Stakes and Musket (Redoute's Choice) in the National Jockeys Celebration Day Hcp
(1400m) and Hoystar (Danzero) took the Group 3 Frederick Clissold Stakes
(1200m).
A golden day for the emotional Snowden, who described the red letter day as "satisfying, numbing, terrific"
before declaring the $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill two weeks
time as El Cambio's goal.
"That's always been his main aim," Snowden told TVN.
The Golden Rose is usually run in the early spring but was moved to autumn this year due to equine influenza (EI).
El Cambio won one of the key lead-up races to the feature, the Run To The
Rose, in mid-August last year, just before the horse flu put paid to the
spring carnival in New South Wales bringing the racing industry to its knees.
The brown gelding was having his second run back after finishing runner-up to Triple Honour at Randwick earlier this month.
El Cambio had a neck advantage on Kingda Ka with Solo Flyer (Belong to
Me - Fly the Flag by Sir Tristram) was another 2-1/4 lengths away in third.
El Cambio is out of the Canny Lad mare Chaparra a half-sister to the
Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes and Caulfield Autumn Classic winner, Spinney
(by Octagonal) and the third placegetter from the Listed STC Frank
Underwood Quality Cup winner, Flaharty (by Marscay).
Chaparra has been a very good producer apart from El Cambio she has
produced the full-sisters Cataclysm (by Marauding) winner of four races
and runner up in two listed events and Frasassas the runner up in the Group
3 VRC Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes along with the Group 3 AJC
Fernhill Hcp runner-up, Negev (by Desert Prince).
February 24th, 2008
With New South Wales still feeling the effects of equine influenza and small
race fields a reality still and with the spotlight on Victorian group racing a
ray of sun shone at Canterbury on Saturday when Commands son, Paratroopers
gave his rivals a galloping lesson to claim his first win and group success
since his return from injury in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m).
Ridden by top Melbourne jockey Dan Nikolic, Paratroopers, sat outside
Just Mambo, who was bustled forward to take on the classy five-year-old.
With Nikolic sitting relaxed on Paratroopers he simply clicked him up to
drop Just Mambo at the top of the straight and the flashy galloper responded
well to give his rivals a cold and won as he liked by
two-and-three-quarters-of-a-length from He's Canny (Canny Lad - Perfect
Flight by Proud Knight).
While last year's Group I Stradbroke winner Sniper's Bullet (Bite the
Bullet - Yallah Terrace by Yallah Prince) did best of the rest to finish third
another three-quarters-of-a-length away.
Paratroopers has been through a lot since his last win in the Group
2 Premier Stakes in 2006 at Rosehill and with retirement looking an option
after his last injury he's made a fantastic recovery. Plenty of love and
care from Snowden and the Woodlands team has seen him pull through to claim his
new trainers first stakes victory.
His sire Commands covered 154 mares off a fee of $66,000 in
2007 and has eight yearlings on offer at the William Inglis Premier
sale (March 2-6th). Another 35 are on offer at the Magic Millions
Premier sale (March 24th - April 2nd) and eight at the William Inglis
Easter Select sale (April 20th - 24th).
October 28th, 2007
On Saturday it was Moonee Valley's turn to shine, featuring Australasia's
weight-for-age championship the WS Cox Plate with a strong under card and John
Hawkes gave his major owner Bob Ingham, Woodlands Stud proprietor, another
stakes victory when Marching scored an impressive win in the Group Two
AAMI Vase (2040m).
Coming
off a solid third behind Weekend Hussler in the Group I Caulfield Guineas
two weeks earlier, Marching, settled well under Damien Oliver and raced in
fourth spot on the rails as Bantry Bay took up the running. Bantry Bay
made it a truly run affair with Barbaricus one spot ahead of Marching just off
the speed. At the 700m Marching was taken away from the rail and moved up
nicely as they came to the turn and when Oliver asked him for his effort he drew
right away to win by 2-1/2 lengths from Kibbutz (Golan - Misskap by Kaapstad),
who ran on solidly from the rear with Barbaricus ( Lion Hunter - Light of Erin
by Palace Music) another 1-3/4 lengths away in third.
Hawkes is about to retire his ties with Woodlands and set out in a new
partnership with his sons after the VRC Carnival has concluded, gives Woodlands
another opportunity to claim the VRC Derby. The Vase was won last year by
Efficient who went on to win the Derby.
The win also underlines the Guineas form, and, although it's a different race
again at Flemington over 2500m Hawkes appears to be in a solid position with
Marching.
Hawkes previous Victoria Derby winners are Galena Boy (Boysie Boy) in 1975 and
Arena (Danehill) in 1998.
Marching has won three of his nine starts and is out of the maiden
winning, Grand Lodge mare Step, who has been a lot more successful at stud
having also produced the Listed MRC Debutant Stakes winner Gait (by
Anabaa). She is a half-sister to the stakes winning brothers Crawl (winner
of the Group I Stradbroke Hcp) and Old Man, by Dr Grace.
Commands has sired 12 stakes winners and 15 stakes placed
horses who have earned more than $18.4 million in earnings. Standing at
Woodlands Stud at Denman in the Hunter Valley his fee this spring is $66,000.00
(inc gst).
September 2nd, 2007
The Group I Oakleigh Plate winner, Undue, crushed his rivals fresh-up
from a autumn spell in the Listed Martha Cove Classic (1100m) at Caulfield on
Saturday.
Although racegoers don't need to be reminded of his class, Undue, looked in
wonderful shape in the birdcage pre-race and his win showed that he was on target for the
Group I Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 15th, along with other Group One
sprints during the spring.
Despite having topweight of 59kg in the Classic (1100m), Undue, ridden by his
regular rider Steve Arnold, produced his usual storming finish to win the Listed
race by a widening length over Typhoon Zed (Zeditave - Royal Diploma by Honor
Grades) with three-quarters of a length back to Satin Robes (Ne Coupez Pas -
Spine Tingler by Keltrice).
Trained out of Darwin by Shane Clarke, who told TVN that the dual Group One winner had been at Flemington for
a month before preparing for Saturday's run and he was happy that the
six-year-old son of Commands had missed getting caught up in the travel bans relating to the equine influenza
crisis.
Clarke told Bruce Clarke from TVN, "He'll go to the Manikato, then the Rupert Clarke, the Salinger and the Emirates."
It appears Undue will clash with the unbeaten Dehere gelding, Here De Angels and Gold Edition in the
Manikato Stakes.
Undue
has a wonderful record with victories in the the 2006 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) at
Doomben and the 2007 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield.
August 20th, 2007
The new season is only two-and-a-half weeks old and Woodlands young sire Commands
produced his second stakes-winner in the space of seven days when El Cambio did
best to claim the Group 3 Run To The Rose (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
El Cambio settled well back in the 12-horse field with Darren Beadman in the
saddle. While Rapid Jacko made the tempo at his leisure up front, working
through the pack, El Cambio raced up along side Rapid Jacko and fought tooth and
nail before sticking his nose out where it counted most in the $100,000 feature.
Rapid Jacko (Rapid Man - Rapid Woman by Mukaddamah), had a solid winning
record behind him with four wins to his credit from five starts, he was well
rated by Nash Rawiller but he did hang out onto El Cambio. Turffontein (Johannesburg
ex Spirit of Grace by Dr. Grace) was two lengths further away in third.
Having his fourth career start, El Cambio took his record to two wins and two seconds for earnings of
more than $110,000. The three-year-old gelding will now go on to the $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September
1.
El Cambio became the twelfth stakes-winner by Commands, whose son Monet Rules was a dominant winner of last Saturday's
Listed Aurie's Star Handicap at Moonee Valley.
Commands is a full-brother to the multiple Group 1 winner and proven sire
Danewin and he continues the dominance of sons by Danehill in
Australia.
A half-brother to the dual the stakes-placed Cataclysm (Marauding), El Cambio is the sixth named foal of the Canny Lad mare
Chaparra. She is a half-sister to the Group 2 winner Spinney (Octagonal), out of
Ochiltree (Twig Moss), winner of the Group 3 Surround Stakes.
Chaparra has a 2yo colt by Octagonal, a yearling filly by Viscount and was covered by Lonhro last
spring.
August 13th, 2007
At Moonee Valley on Saturday, exciting sprinter Monet Rules dominated the
Listed Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m) from the front.
Ridden by Peter Mertens, the brown five-year-old son of Commands got away
well from his outside draw of eight to stride across the front of the field
comfortably. Mertens slowed the pace, with Danever moving up on the
outside. Danever dropped off on the home turn, allowing Orange County into
the clear, but Monet Rules comfortably held him in the run to the line to score
by 2-1/4 lengths. El Segundo ran on well into third from Any
Suggestion. Blutigeroo also ran on nicely in the straight. El
Segundo and Orange County looked above themselves in condition and both ran very
well and both will pick up races during the spring.
Monet Rules is a winner of seven races from 15 starts and over $200,000 in stakes
earnings and he's trained by Leon Corstens. Harry Lawton purchased
Monet Rules from the 2004 Inglis Classic sale for just $50,000.
Winning jockey Peter Mertens, told Rod Gaylard that he believes there is a better victory in the
Corstens-trained horse.
"That was a gimme. He had no weight and there was no speed so I was able to dictate," Mertens said.
"He's a horse on the up. There is a better win in him."
May 20th, 2007
It was a very nice day in Queensland on Saturday for Woodlands young
stallion, Commands, when his son Friday Creek qualified for a Stradbroke Handicap
(1400m) start after a last stride win in the Group 3 BTC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben.
In winning the Group 3 feature, Friday Creek earned an exemption from the ballot
for the Stradbroke on June 9th.
Friday Creek was coming off a fourth form a wide gate in the Civic Stakes first-up,
at Rosehill, ridden on Saturday by apprentice Tim Clark, Friday Creek settled
and he was well positioned off the pace with cover and Clark got him out into
the middle of the track to grab Mr Hornblower (Admiralty - Anika Joy by Tirol)
by the barest margin with So of Dane (Danewin - Dalmara by Almaarad) another
long head away in third.
Friday Creek (ex Candles by Al Hareb) gets into the Stradbroke Hcp with just
51kg, he will have to improve a lot to win the Group I Handicap as he went a
second slower than Gold Edition (Lion Hunter - Gilmmers by Success Express) who
won the Group 3 Classic Plate (1350m) hard held in 1:17.52 (a race
record).
April 29th, 2007
Commands four-year-old sprinter Posadas took out the feature race on the
Caulfield card on Saturday when he claimed the Pink Ribbon Cup (1100m) in good
style.
The good looking bay had won his first two starts this preparation at Warwick
Farm and Rosehill before starting a warm favourite and finishing second on a
slow track in the Listed AJC Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Easter
Saturday, April 11th.
Trained in Sydney by John Hawkes at Warwick Farm, Posadas, was sent down to
his Flemington base earlier in the week as the $100,000 feature looked ideal for
him and Posadas' win proved Hawkes correct as he enjoyed the better going.
Ridden by Steve King, Posadas, went through on the inside to the lead with
What's The Mail and Crepe de Chine who were best to begin. Posadas was
able to get clear at the 250m and then comfrotable hold off the late charge of
Going Spending (Dangerous - go Spending by Prego) by
three-quarters-of-a-length. Rockford Bay (Flying spur - Pampas Dancer by
Laudham Star) ran a nice first-up third a long neck away.
Hawkes son Wayne, whose in charge of the Flemington stable, said Posadas was
now likely to go for a spell.
Posadas is out of the Christmas Tree mare Navidad, the winner of three races,
and a three-quarter sister to Burrito (by Marscay) winner of the MVRC Group 2
Bill Stutt Stakes. Burrito is out of the unraced Enchilada (by Alydar) a
three-quarter-sister to the very successful stallion, Clear Choice.
Earlier in the day Commands had got the day off to a good start when
Testimonial (ex Miss Believe by Kaoru Star) won the Greenslopes Emergency
Centre, a class six handicap, over 1200m at Eagle Farm in Queensland.
Hoofnote: Posadas was a great topical tip in the Pink Ribbon Cup on
Saturday as he carried cerise colours. The winning rug for Posadas did
clash as it was in the green livery of sponsor Jellis Craig.
February 25th, 2007
Another great story rose to the surface again yesterday when Undue
scored a first-up win in the Group I Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield.
Prepared in Darwin by Shane Clarke - Undue showed his class by
carrying top weight of 57 kilos and coming from last.
Clarke
is the first ever Darwin based trainer to prepare a Group One winner when
Undue won the Doomben 10,000 last winter and yesterday he proved himself
as one of the most consistent and honest sprinters in the country.
The five-year-old son of Commands had not won since his Doomben success -
but he hadn't been far away and last spring as Clarke had trained him for the
Toorak Handicap and when that went wrong he reverted back to sprinting this
campaign.
Ridden by Steve Arnold, Undue settled last in the group one sprint and
he waited until the field had swung for home tracking Shadoways then he asked
Undue for his final sprint. It was spectacular as he came hard out wide to
claim his second group one feature.
The bookies hope the outsider Poet's Voice (Monde Bleu - Flowing
Style by Majascule), who was also ridden in the same manner, finished off hard
to grab second from race favourite Magnus (Flying Spur - Scandinavia by
Snippets) at the end of the 1100m race.
Clarke said Undue would now head towards the Newmarket Handicap at
the same course on March 10.
Undue was purchased as a tried horse from 'Woodlands Stud' after he
only won one race for $8,000 and he has since paid for himself ten-fold with 12
wins.
Undue has a wonderful pedigree his dam Influence (by Bletchingly) is a three-quarter sister to
the Group I winning Shaybisc (by Biscay), who in turn is the dam
of the triple Group I winning Freemason (by Grand
Lodge). Along with Undue, Influence has also produced the Listed SAJC Sir
James Plated winner Absurd (by Crown Jester).
October 2nd, 2006
The opening race on the George Main card at Randwick was the Group 2 Stan
Fox Stakes and it was taken out in bold fashion by Court Command by
two-and-a-quarter lengths.
Ridden by his regular rider Darryl McLellan, Court Command (ex Court House
Lane by Zoffany), jumped away well from barrier four and ambled to the
front. Rated well out in front Court Command was never headed and scored a
soft win over Antidotes (Golden Snake - Goldberg by Geiger Counter) with Cinque
(Red Ransom - Lucky Rucaya by Chief's Crown) another 1-1/4 lengths away in
third.
Although the win was soft Court Command ran very good sectionals. Trained at
Newcastle by Darren Smith Court Command is now the ruling favourite for the group 1 Caulfield Guineas
(1600m) on October 14th and according to his trainer he has untapped potential.
McLellan believes that Court Command can continue to improve, which he will
need to do as the colt must now travel to Victoria and gallop on his nearside
leg and handle the left handed Caulfield circuit.
The emergence of Court Command, the winner of four of its five starts including the Up And Coming Stakes, Golden Rose and Stan Fox Stakes, has coincided with the
rise and rise of his young sire Commands.
Having a great season last year with the likes of Paratroppers and War of the
Worlds - Court Command has his young sire off to a great start this season
ensuring that he will be popular with local breeders.
September 4th, 2006
A repeat performance from the exciting Court Command in the million
dollar Group 3 Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday when he jumped
straight to the front and dominated.
It's hard to believe but, Court Command had only stepped out in a Wyong Maiden, back in April,
winning by more than 2 lengths on that occasion, his trainer Darren Smith could
not have dreamed or hoped for much more from his first campaign.
So he sent Court Command off to the spelling paddocks for an 18 week
holiday. Returning this campaign Court Command took on a classy field of
three-year-olds in the Group 3 AJC San Domenico Stakes held at Randwick.
Although it was a huge rise in class from his debut, Court Command, showed his
class finishing on the placegetters heels, after suffering interference rounding
the home turn.
Lining up against a similar field at his next start in the Group 3 AJC Up And Coming Stakes, the talent that trainer Darren Smith knew existed in Court Command presented itself in the best possible
way by trouncing a high quality field by 4 lengths easing up.
Then on Saturday at Rosehill Court Command was sent out as one of the favoured runners. Doing what he does best Court Command jumped straight
into the bridle and led and was never headed, scoring in devastating fashion by
two-and-a-quarter lengths.
In his wake were the Group 1 winners Mentality and Excites, multiple Group 2 winner Gold
Edition.
Purchased from the 2005 Classic Sale draft of Craig Anderson’s Broadwater Farm, Court Command was one of the most admired horses on the complex, evident by the fact that he was the highest priced Commands sold at the sale.
Inglis representative, Jonathan D’Arcy, said, “from the time that we first saw him as a foal at Craig Anderson's property he was a standout in the paddock. His breeder Reg Kemister is a loyal supporter of Inglis and it is great to see a smaller breeder producing a top liner in Court Command. At the Classic Sale he was up high on everyone's shopping list and it was great to see a young trainer like Darren Smith win out on him in the end. The Classic Sale just keeps producing the goods and that is why we call it the trainer’s sale - trainers know they can buy good horses there!”
August 28th, 2006
Young Woodlands stallion, Commands, has started off the new season in
the same way he completed the old with plenty of classy winners.
On Saturday at Randwick his three-year-old son Court Command jumped
straight to the front and dominated the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes
(1200m).
Ridden by Daryl McLellan, Court Command gave nothing a chance and never
looked in danger and scored by four-lengths and beat an inform Stormpede (Black
Minnaloushe - Boganvillia by Centaine).
To underline the effort Court Command (ex Court House4 Lane by Zoffany) was
only having his third start and in clocking up his second career win he took
Commands number of stakes winners to eight.
Court Command was purchased by his trainer Darren Smith from the 2005 Inglis
Classic sale for $120,000 from the draft of Broadwater Farm as agent. He
is now well on his way to repaying his group of owners' after his solid on-pace
win on Saturday he took his earnings past $95,000.
August 21st, 2006
Group One winner Paratroopers signalled he was back with a fabulous
win in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Jumping from barrier five in the 11-horse field, the John Hawkes-trainee,
settled on the speed. At the half-way mark Glen Boss on Regal Cheer pushed
forward and then took a hold, forcing Paratroopers to check of Regal Cheers
heals, such are the tacts in weight-for-age racing.
Easing away from her heals and out into the clear Darren Beadman guided the four-year-old
son of Commands to the front. Urging Paratroopers on without
his whip, Beadman, held off all challengers to score by a head from Imana
(Thunder Gulch - Zarissa by Zabeel) with Johan's Toy (Johan Cruyff -
Extra Bubbly by Bellotto) working home well from the rear for third a
length-and-a-quarter away.
Paratroopers (ex Crew by Sanction) appeared to come back to scale
blowing very hard, thus suggesting Hawkes will get plenty of improvement from
him.
Earlier in the day in Victoria at Caulfield, bonnie mare Assertive Guest
(ex Hula Guest by Prego) was given the worst possible passage by Damien Oliver
and still managed to win the Legacy Annual Appeal Handicap (1400m).
Honest Polly had set an even tempo with Soleil taking over soon after.
Assertive Guest settled out four deep pushing forward all the way down the back
of the Caulfield straight. Rounding the turn, Soleil kicked clear at the
200m, but Assertive Guest showed a ton of courage and kept coming to grab
victory from Soleil (Flying Spur - Blaze the Turf by Blazing Sword) on the line
by a half-head.
Purde (Bahhare - Dupre by Masterclass) flashed home off a moderate tempo to
grab third a length-and-three-quarters away.
August 6th, 2006
Another metropolitan double for Woodlands young sire Commands on Saturday at
Rosehill including the feature race on the card the Group 3 Missile
Stakes (1100m), with Imprisoned.
Imprisoned was ridden by Michael Rodd, who bounced the five-year-old son of
Commands out of the gates quickly to go straight to the front. Galloping
well on the heavy rated track Rodd, rated Imprisoned to perfection, to score an
an all the way win.
Imprisoned (ex Sad by Sovereign Red) went to the post with his ears
pricked beating race favourite Crimson Reign (Red Ransom - Crimson Road by
Strawberry Road) by a two-and-three-quarters-of-a-length with Mac's Tune (Macksped
- Just in Tune by The Blues) another length-and-three-quarters away in third.
O'Shea said after the race that if Imprisoned's form holds that they will
target the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day in October.
Forty minutes earlier, With A Chance, had taken out the $100,000 Winter Challenge Final
(1500m) by a length. Coming off an uncharacteristic fourth last start when he
carried 57.5 kilo's With A Chance dropped in the weights and was well ridden by
Grant Buckly who had the gelding in second spot following Mr
Ubiquitous.
Buckley went for With A Chance (ex Career Collection by Snippets) on
straightening and he ran home best to claim a length win over Real Strike (Real
Quiet - Deanie by Key to Content).
Race favourite Bella Arena (Arena - Belle Indian by Danseur Etoile) was
another half-neck away in third.
July 2nd, 2006
Another stakes winner for Woodlands young star sire Commands when With A Chance
took out Saturday's Listed Winter Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill.
The four-year-old was purchased for just $3,500 as a tried horse by a syndicate comprised of friends
and trained for them by Luke Griffith.
The big group of owners' were all on hand to great With A Chance back to
scale after the four-year-old gelding accounted for Mr Ubiquitous (Tale of the
Cat - Zahra by Zabeel) by 1-1/4 lengths to win his tenth race.
Griffith's told the Sydney press that a race like the Villiers Stakes is a realistic long-term option for
With A Chance.
With A Chance (ex Career Collection by Snippets) won the PJ Bell Country Championship at Warwick Farm on June 12 at his previous start and
with Saturday's win it took his prizemoney to more than $160,000.
Griffith will more than likely bring With A Chance back to Sydney for another heat of the Winter Championship of which
Saturday's race was the first heat.
May 29th, 2006
Darwin sprinter Undue produced a huge sprint home to give Darwin trainer Shane Clarke his first
Group I victory when he won Saturday's Group One Doomben Ten Thousand.
The Commands four-year-old, was ridden perfectly by Steven Arnold, making the most of barrier one they camped on the speed throughout and when Arnold asked him for his final effort Undue got away from
Impaler (Dracula - Catecombe by Papal Power) by a length-and-a-half.
Three-year-old filly, Street Smart (Lion Hunter - Impediment by Canny Lad) did best of the rest for third another long neck away.
Undue has been one of the grand stories of Australian racing as Clarke purchased him from John Hawkes as a tried horse for just $8,000. He's since paid for himself ten-fold with 11 wins, 10
wins under Clarke's career and six placings.
Undue did come under notice after winning seven races in a row and then finished his summer campaign with a tough third to Virage De Fortune in the Group One Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley in February.
Undue now heads towards the Group I Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in a fornight's time. Arnold will not be able to partner him in the rich Handicap as
Undue only has 51kilos.
Undue's victory at the highest level is backed up by a wonderful
pedigree. His dam Influence (by Bletchingly) is a three-quarter sister to
the Group I winning Shaybisc (by Biscay), who in turn is the dam
of the triple Group I winning Freemason (by Grand
Lodge).
Along with Undue, Influence has also produced the Listed SAJC Sir
James Plated winner Absurd (by Crown Jester).
May 14th, 2006
At a in between season meeting in Sydney at Randwick, the improving Commands
three-year-old Letter Of Intent satisfied his trainer Gary Portelli enough to
target the Queensland Guineas at his next start.
Ridden by Len Beasley, who settled the gelding along off the pace in the Mount Gay Rum Hcp (1400m).
Once balanced out very wide on the Randwick course proper he unleashed a finishing burst that left his rivals
for dead.
Making light of his steadier of 58.5kg, Letter Of Intent (ex Lady of Letters by
Geiger Counter) won by a widening three-quarters-of-a length from Commemorating
(Singspiel - Turf Romance by Turf Ruler) with Emperor Fu San (Gilded Time -
Aunty Lily by Snippets) a nose third.
"The way he races, I am also sure he will get the 1600 metres of the Queensland Guineas and that's where we will head."
Although the Group Two race is a major step up from Saturday's class three handicap, Portelli pointed to Letter Of Intent's form around The Free
Stater (Over).
Letter Of Intent finished fourth to the Paul Cave-trained The Free Stater in the
Listed Hawkesbury Guineas two weeks ago.
April 20th, 2006
The Australian Jockey Club’s All Aged Stakes was a race full of speed from the jump with the Woodlands-owned and John Hawkes-trained Paratroopers sent out as a short priced favourite in the select field of eight. The pressure went on from the jump with the
Group I Oakleigh Plate winner, Snitzel and triple Group I winning juvenile Dance Hero setting a slick tempo. All the factors that are required to win at the highest level – courage, class, speed - came into play, and there was to be no denying
Paratroopers his seventh victory and his first at the highest level of competition.
A tall grey, Paratroopers had shown his talent as a young horse when at his third start he treated his rivals with contempt in the
Listed T. L Baillieu Handicap at Warwick Farm.
In his classic year Paratroopers showed his quality winning first up with 57.5kg leading all the way to defeat Pendragon. Improving again he beat the eventual Doncaster Handicap winner Racing to Win in the
Listed Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill. Paratroopers continued his Spring campaign with wins in the
Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) and the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes (1400m) at Randwick. Travelling to Victoria and facing a soft track for the first time in his career,
Paratroopers lined up the Group I Caulfield Guineas (1600m). His regular rider Darren Beadman controlled the
Group I classic from the jump and set a genuine tempo, only to be denied by a long head by the classy
God’s Own (Redoute’s Choice).
Paratroopers autumn campaign didn’t go to script with the colt hitting his head in the stable at Flemington prior to his first-up run at Moonee Valley in the Australia Stakes. As a result of the stable mishap, blood was found in a nostril after the horse had arrived at the barrier and the Stewards had no alternative but to rule him out.
Hawkes, was forced to then run the Commands colt n the Newmarket Handicap as his first up run, a daunting task under normal circumstances. It was his first go down the Flemington straight-six and although beaten he was far from disgraced, finishing only three-and-a-half lengths behind the world class
Takeover Target.
Paratroopers was sent back to New South Wales for the prestigious Autumn carnival and he quickly redeemed himself in beating the older horses in the
Group 2 Canterbury Stakes. Lining up two weeks later in the Group I George Ryder Stakes (1500m),
Paratroopers went down by a long head to the eventual Doncaster winner, Racing to Win (Encosta de Lago).
So by the time Paratroopers lined up at Randwick in the All Aged Stakes it was easy to see why he was sent out as the punters elect. Settling a half-length off the speedsters,
Paratroopers, found plenty when Niconero (Danzero) charged at him wide out to claim his first win at the highest level.
January 8th, 2006
After a great start to the new season, Woodlands Stud's COMMANDS
produced another metropolitan interstate double on Saturday.
I Command made all in the New Gleam Super Vobis Hcp (1400m) at
Sandown on the Hillside course when his rider Noel Callow go him to the lead
passing the 1000m peg. As soon as Callow got I Command (ex
Eyenar by Jetball) in front Stormy Youth (Jeune - Storm Tossed by Rory's Jester)
moved up on his outside. Rounding the turn together they proceed to
fight the all the way down the straight with I Command responding
best to score by three-quarters-of-a-length.
Benson (Danehill - Lake Alexandrina by Bluebird) got home well late to finish
the same margin away in third.
Just over half-an-hour later in Queensland at Doomben on a slow track his
juvenile daughter Unswerving made a successful debut in the City
Pacific Finance Hcp (1010m).
Unswerving (ex Steadfast by Water Mill) jumped away well for
apprentice rider Ric MacMahon settling in the pack and once they had rounded the
home corner MacMahon gave the filly plenty of room out wide.
Going home to well for her rivals Unswerving scored an easy
victory over Angel Girl ( Rory's Jester - Windana by Danehill) by 1-1/4
lengths. Be Good Johnny (Danehill Dancer - Eden Grove by Kala
Dancer) did best of the rest another 1-3/4 lengths away in third.
November 13th, 2005
Woodlands young stallion Commands is having a great run with his
progeny at the moment and this weekend was no exception producing an interstate
metropolitan double.
I Command jumped straight into the bridle and lead from barrier
one and was never headed to score a solid win in the Baryshnikov Handicap
(1300m) at Sandown on Classic Day.
Prepared from Markdel by top trainer Lee Freedman, I Command
had one-and-a-quarter lengths on Tarzi (Desert Prince - Majestic by Twig
Moss) for another delighted group of owners brought together by Rob and Corinna
Slade from Slade Bloodstock.
In recording his second win from ten starts I Command took his
earnings past $89,000 another great result for the Slade team as they had
purchased I Command from the 2004 Magic Millions Yearling sale in
South Australia for only $41,000.
I Command is out of the Jetball mare Eyenar who has produced
two other winners including the handy, Turn the Tide (by Simonstad), winner of
three races from seven starts. Eyenar currently has a yearling colt at
foot by Dracula.
At the end of the day in New South Wales at Rosehill, Commands
four-year-old gelded son, Leading Bid (ex Best Percentage by Gold
and Ivory) took out the Young Members Plate (1500m).
Leading Bid scored by a half-neck from Ashkabar (Ashkalani -
Welcoming by Salmon Leap) with Sky Right (Hurricane Sky - Sounds Right by Sound
Reason) another length away in third.
October 3rd, 2005
Rick Worthington, regarded by many as one of the best thoroughbred educators in the country, scored what he will be hoping is his first of a number of feature race wins at Randwick
on Saturday with the unbeaten three-year-old War of the Worlds in the listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m).
Worthington has been best known over the years as an expert horse breaker and educator and among those he's kicked off the careers of including Exceed and Excel, Flying Spur, Republic, Schillaci and super mare Shadea - the dam of Lonhro and Niello.
On Saturday at Randwick he was able to receive the congratulations as a stakes winning trainer when
War of the Worlds extended his unbeaten run to three with a strong all the way win.
"It's a great thrill," Worthington said. "It's an absolute pleasure and privilege to have a horse like this."
"And the best thing about it (the win) is how much he will improve on the run," Worthington added. "He's a very promising horse."
The three-year-old gelding was sent out one of the better chances on the strength of his debut win at Warwick Farm and his last start victory at Rosehill.
Worthington took a shine to the colt at last year's Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast and he went to $135,000 to secure the son of
Commands.
His unblemished record stands at three wins from as many starts for stakes earnings of over $100,000.
War of the Worlds, bred in Queensland by Raheen Stud's Basil Nolan, is from the famous Heights family from New Zealand. Stars of that family include Battle Heights, Noble Heights, Mapperley Heights and Sky Heights.
September 26th, 2005
Caulfield trainer John Moloney is going to set smart Sandown winner Assertive
Guest (ex Hula Guest by Prego) for the Group I Thousand Guineas after her
narrow by but strong win in the Arborea Handicap (1400m) on Sunday.
Wearing blinkers for the first time, Assertive Guest grabbed her second
career win from just seven starts and is another good winner for the young
Woodlands sire Commands.
Commands has four two-year-olds entered for the 2005 Spring Carnival Ready to Run Sale in Melbourne (October 30 & 31)
and they are:- Lot 74, filly Commands x Papers by Maizcay; Lot 115, colt Commands x Season Ticket;
Lot 87, colt Commands x Prevent by Century and Lot 121, filly Commands x Site by Snippets.
September 25th, 2005
Commands, is enjoying a great run at the moment, producing three metropolitan
winners in a week with his tall grey gelding son, Paratroopers, adding
icing to the cake to claim a top-class win in the Stan Fox stakes (1400m) at
Randwick on Saturday.
Ridden by Darren Beadman, Paratroopers (ex Crew by Sanction), stepped out as favourite in the
Group 2 feature. Jumping away from barrier 2, Beadman controlled the race from the start going straight to the front. Primus
(Flying Spur - Copa de Oro by Hector Proctector) gave chase and loomed up to challenge but Beadman asked
Paratroopers for another effort and he strode clear to score by one-and-a-half
lengths, Testafiable (Testa Rossa - Jamelden Echo by Prince Echo) was another
long-neck back third.
Earlier in the week on Tuesday, September 20th, Tintoretto (ex Artistic Princess by Luskin Star)
broke her maiden status in the Hollington Maiden Hcp (1100m) at Warwick
Farm, The following day at Canterbury, War of the Worlds (ex Conquered
by Star Watch) made it two metropolitan victories in a row taking out the Night Racing is Back October 6Th
Hcp (1200m).
September 18th, 2005
Apprentice Anthony Darmain got off to a good start at Caulfield on Saturday
kicking home the promising Commands sprinter, The Boot in
the opening race on the Group One Underwood Stakes card on Saturday.
Darmain, got The Boot out of barrier four and into the lead
quickly and as he rounded the turn The Boot got a break on his
rivals on straightening. Kasparov and Tirdlettar were under pressure to
make ground on him and were unable to make much of an impression with Tirdlettar
fighting on strongly over the final stage but could not take any ground off The
Boot (ex Lemoncello by Luskin Star) who scored by a length. Tirdlettar
(Fasliyev - Gignika by Gleam Machine) held the same margin on Kasparov
(King's Best - Sakeih by Green Desert) in third.
The win by The Boot was his fourth from just six career
starts.
Later in the day Commands topped off the day with a metropolitan
double when his four-year-old son Imprisoned (ex Sad by Sovereign
Red) took out the Open Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm in Queensland.
Imprisoned took on a good field of sprinters and had
three-quarters-of-a-length on Panzer (Fraar - Our Athena by Defensive Play) with
another half-length to Golden Fox (Foxhound - Sweet Human by Human) in
third.
Imprisoned covered the 5-furlongs in a slick 58.70 coming home
his final section in 35.30seconds.
September 11th, 2005
Commands promising, Paratroopers took on the older horses to
claim the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
The three-year-old is unbeaten in three starts this preparation, winning over 1300 metres at Rosehill on August 13 before claiming the
rich Listed Golden Rose (1400m) two weeks later.
Showing his class, Paratroopers (ex Crew by Sanction) showed
some class giving his rivals a beating coming from the second half of the field to take the lead midway down the straight.
Perfect Promise (Caesour - Meretricious by Dancing Champ) gave chase but was 1-3/4 lengths behind on the line with
Outback Prince (Desert Prince - Terrestial by Star Watch) was another three-quarters
of a length away third.
Prepared by John Hawkes and represented at the races by Peter Snowden, said
after Paratroopers fourth win that the Stan Fox Stakes (1400m) in two weeks was among the options.
August 29th, 2005
On Saturday at Rosehill Gardens, Paratroopers, scooped the rich
rewards to win the Listed Tooheys New Golden Rose Stakes.
