FRANKSTON TIMES scoreboard
Kiwi’s combine for Ballarat Cup victory HORSE RACING
By Ben Triandafillou THE New Zealander’s Brett Scott and Michael Walker have combined to take out the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup with the inform stayer Irish Flame on Saturday 21 November. Notching up a hattrick of wins in his first prep with Mornington-based trainer Brett Scott, Irish Flame was forced to sit wide for the entirety of the 2000m trip but still proved too tough for his rivals to land a narrow neck victory over the Dan O’Sullivantrained and race favourite, Affair To Remember. Irish Flame, who had won races at Flemington and Moonee Valley at his past two starts with Scott, was previously trained in New Zealand by legendary racehorse trainer John Wheeler. Wheeler and Scott have combined plenty of times in the past to win many of Australia’s best jumps races, with Scott also being a champion jumps jockey prior to taking out his trainer’s licence. Scott was thrilled to see the sixyear-old gelding, who is affectionately known as Patrick at the stables, tough it out to win the feature race on Saturday and continue his exceptional form since arriving in Melbourne. “It was a good solid tempo but he didn’t get any favours in the run. He was three-deep without cover for pretty much the whole trip,” Scott said post-race. “He came off the bridle just before the corner and I thought we might be
Gritty victory: The Brett Scotttrained Irish Flame wins the Listed Ballarat Cup on Saturday 21 November. Picture: Supplied
in a bit of trouble but he hung tough. John Wheeler had him in New Zealand as a yearling. He was a handy horse. He was in the Derby but wasn’t good enough already. Since he’s been in Melbourne, every race has been good. He’s improved with every run and he’s a good, tough stayer.” Jockey Michael Walker couldn’t have been happier to ride the feature race winner for Scott who has been a
huge influence on his riding career. “Brett Scott actually taught me how to ride. He was the foreman at the stable that I very first went to. The owners, all the people in Hawera, I need to thank them for the opportunity to stay on a remarkable horse,” Walker said post-race. “To Scotty and [his wife] Kylie and the whole team at Mornington, they do a tremendous job. Scotty has been
a rider himself, albeit over the jumps, he’s a champion rider. I’ve got no doubt he’s going to make a champion trainer, too. “I had a wide run but Kylie and Brett Scott have done a tremendous job having that horse fit today. A couple of times I rode him, it’s been taking us a while to get the hang of him. He got the front today and he was going to win by three (lengths) but he pulls up
when he hits the front, but I was lucky that they got to me a long way before the post. He kicked again.” Since kicking off his prep in August, Irish Flame, a six-year-old son of Zed, has missed a placing just once from his eight starts with Scott. With Saturday’s victory, he has now earnt over $685,000 in prize money for his connections.
WHAT’S NEW...
Frankston YCW Stonecats Summer Footy Frenzy THE Frankston YCW Stonecats are determined to provide their juniors players and the local kids of the Frankston area with an early Christmas present. The club will be providing a FREE 4 session Footy Frenzy at Jubilee Park in the coming weeks. The Footy Frenzy will be designed and delivered by AFL Coach and player Hamish McIntosh and his team of coaches from Footy Smarts. The program will feature quality coaches including Michael ‘Spud’ Firrito as well as a ‘surprise’ appearance from current AFL players. Footy Smarts founder Hamish McIntosh said of the Stonecats Footy Frenzy, “We would like to congratulate the Frankston YCW Stonecats on providing a positive footy experience for the kids in a year where they had no footy. We all know it’s been a difficult year for the kids not playing and training with their mates and this opportunity provides them with a chance to catch up with their buddies whilst be trained by our great coaches. We cannot wait for the first session and we encourage all Stonecats players to register for the FREE Footy Frenzy”
Stonecats Junior President Jason McMillan says it is important to get local kids active again after the horrid year 2020 has been for kids’ sport, especially coming into some nicer weather. And it’s all about younger kids, all abilities, both boys and girls. “The club has really missed this season, and so many things. I mean, the footy for one is a loss but not seeing each other, missing the kids running around creating those lasting memories and watching them all develop their confidence on and off the field is what it’s all about for us. Our girls footy, which over the recent years has been such a great thing and post COVID we need to ensure we keep getting more and more girls into footy - they pick it up so quickly, are great for the sport and bring so much energy and happiness to our club. The parents have really missed the club too, as we are a strong family club, and it means a lot to many. The little ones, (5-7) we were unable to have Auskick this year which is so important for the future of the game and our club. And our Frankston community, we have all been through this together. So, we thought now that we can, let’s get together and put on a FREE footy frenzy for the kids!” The Stonecats Footy Frenzy begins on Sunday November 29 at Jubilee Park with Registrations now open via www.stonecats.com.au
As kids were unable to play footy this season Frankston YCW is offering FREE Footy clinics during November/December. The sessions will be run by AFL level coaches and will be age appropriate, based around skill development, fitness and fun. These sessions are open to BOYS and GIRLS from 5-13
Sunday
Nov 29 / Dec 6th / 13th and 20th th
Jubilee Park, Frankston
GROUP ONE
GROUP TWO
9.30am – 11am
11.30am – 1pm
YCW OZKICK
STONECATS FOOTY FRENZY
Boys and Girls, aged 5-7
STONECATS FOOTY FRENZY Boys U8/U9
Boys U10/11/12/13
GIRLS ONLY FOOTY CLINIC Girls, aged 8-14
SUNDAY
Jubilee Park, FRANKSTON
29th 6th 13th 20th
NOV DEC DEC DEC
Places are LIMITED so please register at www.stonecats.com.au For further information, please email juniorpresident@stonecats.com.au
PLEASE NOTE COVID protocols will be strictly adhered to.
Frankston Times
24 November 2020
PAGE 19