Racing Ahead WA - August/September

RACING AHEADWA Harness Racing

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015

$8.00

NEW T O W.A .

WESTERN EDITION 1:51.6 WESTERN HANOVER - PERFECT PROFILE by NIHILATOR HALF BROTHER TO AUSTRALIA'S LEADING 2YO SIRE ART MAJOR

At over 50% runners to winners including: WICKED STYLE 1:55.7 $221,295

3yo QLD Triad [G1] 3yo QLD Nursery Pace [G2] 2nd 3yo QLD Derby [G1]

WESTERN MAIL 1:53.5 $178,528 2yo QLD Triad [G2] 2yo QBred Classic [G3]

2015 2yo Classic performers and Albion Park winners

TIMMO TIME 1:57.9 3 wins STEVEEJAY 1:59.7 2 wins

TIMMO TIME

WICKED STYLE

SERVICE FEE $1,450 incl. GST OPTION AVAILABLE TO PAY ON LIVE FOAL

Double Westbred bonus stallion

Standing at BBB Stud 2835 Old Coast Road, Herron, WA 6210 Phone Annie Dalton 0401 621 197 or Neven Botica 0418 925 415 Email: boticanm@bigpond.net.au

Unveiling of the state’s newest country racing ambassador Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) have launched the new ‘Face of WA Country Cups’ for the 2015/16 Racing Season.

Northam real-estate agent, fashiongoer and ardent racing fan, Nikki Gogan, has been unveiled as the state’s newest country racing ambassador.

“I am honoured to be announced as the new Face of WA Country Cups for the 2015/16 Racing Season,” said Ms Gogan.

“I’m from the country, I love the country and I grew up around country racing, so this is something I am extremely passionate about as I’ve seen the importance it plays and also the excitement it brings to these regional communities.”

Ms Gogan developed a love and passion for country racing from her father and grandfather. “You could

say racing is in my blood. My Dad was Track Manager for the Northam Race Club, so we spent a lot of time down at the track growing up and we also spent a lot of time at the Albany races, where my Pop is a life-member,” said Ms Gogan.

Ms Gogan has been successful in racing’s fashion stakes by taking out last year’s WA Myer Fashions on the Field at Ascot and claimed the runner up prize at the National Fashions on the Field at Flemington during the iconic Melbourne Cup carnival.

“I had the time of my life attending lunches, race days and events in Melbourne, it was a surreal experience.

I came away as Runner Up to Victoria in the National 2014 competition in my ANZAC inspired outfit. Sometimes I still think it was a crazy fun dream!” said Ms Gogan.

Over the next few months Ms Gogan will be making her way around the state as the Face of WA Country Cups, attending major race days in Broome, Kununurra and Kalgoorlie, before making her way back home to the Avon Valley for the Toodyay and Northam Cups.

During the 2015/16 racing season the country racing ambassador will attend at least two race meetings in each region across WA, incorporating all three racing codes, as well as travelling to more remote locations, uncovering the best of country racing.

The Face of WA Country Cups was created to further promote country racing across Western Australia, showcasing not only the race events themselves, but also the local tourism and fashion.

For more information head to www.wacountrycups.com.au

The Face of WA Country Cups, Nikki Gogan, pictured in her hometown of Northam.

Contents HARNESS RACING DEPARTMENT Racing Manager: Barry Hamilton Mobile: 0420 909 937 Assistant Manager: Alan Parker Chief Handicapper: Warren Wishart 14 Hasler Road, Osborne Park WA 6017 Driving Master: Trevor Warwick Mobile: 0434 609 604 Trainers’ Service Centre Phone: (08) 9445 5267* Fax: (08) 9445 3056 24hr Nominations Service (08) 9445 5268* * Note all incoming and outgoing calls are recorded Email: harnessinfo@rwwa.com.au Office Hours: 7.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday STEWARDS DEPARTMENTS General Manager Integrity: Denis Borovica Phone: (08) 9445 5427 Harness Chief Steward: Carl Coady 70 Grandstand Road, Ascot, WA 6104 Phone: (08) 9445 5110 Fax: (08) 9477 5215 Investigator: Geoff Johnson 0408 843 560

Rich Yankee winning the Pearl Classic at Bunbury

RWWA Integrity Integrity Recorded Message Service: 9445 5565 Email: racingintegrity@rwwa.com.au Principal Investigator: Phil O’Reilly 0407 197 597 LICENSING, REGISTRATIONS & STAKES 14 Hasler Road Osborne Park WA 6017 Email: licreginfo@rwwa.com.au 14 Hasler Road Osborne Park WA 6017 Telephone: (08) 9445 5558 Facsimile: (08) 9445 5586 Email: licreginfo@rwwa.com.au Forms can be found at www.rwwa.com.au RACING & WAGERING WA HEAD OFFICE 14 Hasler Road Osborne Park WA 6017 (08) 9445 5333 fax (08) 9244 5914 e-mail info@rwwa.com.au web www.rwwa.com.au RACING AHEAD WA Editorial content: Hayley McDermott Email: hayley.mcdermott@rwwa.com.au Subscriptions: Alanna Philippe Phone: (08) 9445 5371 Facsimile (08) 9445 5586 Email: alanna.philippe@rwwa.com.au Racing & Wagering Western Australia 14 Hasler Road Osborne Park WA 6017

Features 02 From the Racing Manager 03 Personality Profile - Dale Jackson 04 Trainer of the Month - Justin Prentice 06 Erskine Range's rise to dominance 08 Dodolicious proves her worth 08 Clive Dalton 10 Vale Charlie Rifici 12 Tie what where? A synopsis of equine upper airway surgery 14 Off the Track 15 Gloucester Park Wrap 18 Vale Les Poyser 20 WASBA 22 Garrard's Junior Concession Driver Challenge

Racing Features 23 West Australian Programming and Industry Notices

Photography by: Jodie Hallows - Paceway Photography Email: jodiehallows1@bigpond.com Phone: 0438 930 073 (Daryl Hallows) NEXT EDITION DEADLINE: Friday, 4th September 2015

All advertisements published in Racing Ahead WA Magazine are the responsibility of the person, company or advertising agency which submitted them for publication. The publisher and printer do not accept any responsibility for the text of any advertisement. All persons and advertising agencies submitting advertisements are reminded of their necessity to comply with the provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and any other relevant legislation (including the Rules of Racing) applicable to the subject of matter of such advertisement. The publisher carefully checks all material prior to publication. However, the publisher and its employees do not warrant the accuracy of such material nor its compliance with relevant legislation. Copyright of articles and photographs in Racing Ahead WA Magazine remains with individual contributors and may not be reproduced without permission. Magazine printed by VANGUARD PRINTING - 26 John St, Northbridge 6003

RACING AHEAD - August/September - 1

From the Racing Manager It is with mixed emotion that I write what will be my last Editorial for this magazine for a couple of years as I take up a new and exciting opportunity with the Greyhounds on a two year secondment.

I can honestly say that I can look back on the last three years and say how immensely enjoyable it has been to undertake the role of Harness Racing Manager and how privileged I feel to have been given that responsibility.

Quite a bit has changed during this time with substantial increases in stakes, new breeding scheme payments and of course winning the tender to bring back the Inter Dominion to Perth with a $1.3m final making it the richest Harness racing Event in the world.

I of course cannot claim the credit for all of that as I work with an incredibly dedicated team in the Racing Office and so I feel it appropriate that I publicly thank Alan Parker, Suzy Jackson, Warren Wishart, Angie Giri and Alyson Colgate for their ongoing support and hard work.

I would also like to acknowledge the support, assistance and

guidance I have received by our Eligible bodies of WASBA, Owners Association, WACHRA and BOTRA. While we haven’t always agreed on things I feel the ongoing and at times robust discussions we have had have led us to very successful outcomes for the Industry.

To all of the Clubs and their General Managers and Committees thank you for your hospitality and kindness over the last three years. It has been very much appreciated.

Finally I would like to acknowledge all the participants themselves. Every breeder, owner, trainer, reins person without which we simply would not have an Industry to be a part of – a sport which we are all so passionate and proud of.

There is of course still much to do and I wish the next person into the position all the very best and will actively support them as they take on the next lots of challenges facing Harness Racing.

Harness racing is of course a sport which my wife Linda and I are extremely passionate about and we will still be attending as many race meetings as we can and I certainly hope to catch up with as many of you as possible in the not too distant future.

Note to trainers – Change to Council and Country Derby Conditions After consultation with WACHRA and industry participants it has been decided to amend the conditions of the COUNTRY DERBY for season 2015/2016.

Eligible pacers will still need to be WESTBRED but the qualifying conditions have changed to allow trainers to lodge stable returns by January 1 2016.

This initiative should see an increase in the number of eligible horses which has been lacking in recent seasons. No returns lodged after this date will be accepted so it is important that owners/trainers note the revised qualifying date.

The COUNTRY DERBY final which provides automatic qualification to the WA DERBY will be held at Pinjarra Monday March 21.

Similar changes have been made to the COUNCIL DERBIES. Like the COUNTRY DERBY 3YOs will need to be WESTBRED but as long as a stable return is lodged prior to nomination by a country based trainer (for eligibility purposes this is 50km from the PERTH CBD) they will be eligible to compete in the council derbies. As has always been the case preference will be given to horses trained in the respective regions.

The NORTH EASTERN DISTRICTS DERBY will be run at Northam on Thursday June 2, The GREAT SOUTHERN DERBY will be run at Narrogin Thursday June 9 and The SOUTH WEST DERBY will be run at Bunbury Saturday June 18.

I would like to thank WACHRA and industry participants for their assistance to allow this time honoured race to continue.

Warren Wishart Handicapper Harness

2 August/September - RACING AHEAD

Warwick Agistment are your Spelling Specialists.

Located just off the Freeway in Coolup on 99 acres of quality pasture.

Our large paddocks have new safe Horserail Hotcote electric fencing. Horses are fully supervised and share a paddock with a compatible horse for company.

Run by siblings Aiden and Chelsea Warwick, with a wealth of horse experience between them, you know your horses will be in good hands.

Murray Vet Clinic is a convenient 5 minutes away and farrier Natalie Hall-Swan visits weekly for any trimming requirements.

Our rates are: • Paddock, Hard Fed and Hay $15/day • Paddock and Hay $50/week • Paddock only $40/week Contact Chelsea Warwick 0401 378 787

WARWICK AGISTMENT - SPELLING SPECIALISTS

Personality Profile

by Robbie Dewar

dale jackson WINS by Ti Amo Franco in February and March has thrust Collie hobby trainer Dale Jackson into the harness racing spotlight.

PROFESSION: Retired Warehouse Supervisor at Premier Coal where I was for 38 years

After Ti Amo Franco’s win on March 27 Jackson dared to dream when after the race he said they would aim for the forthcoming Inter Dominion Championships in Perth.

DATE OF BIRTH: 14/12/1955

“It’s not often the Inters is in your backyard, so why not,” said Jackson.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST THRILL IN THE SPORT: Winning that FreeFor -All with Tia Amo Franco

Owned by Jackson along with brothers Eric and Ron Annandale Ti Amo Franco, whom the trio also bred, mile rated 1.54.7 when winning on the night beating Tuapeka Kahu by a short half head. It was the son of Franco Terminators 12th win from 64 starts.

BEST HORSE ASSOCIATED WITH: Ti Amo Franco

“The three of us have shared in horses for 20 years and it’s great to finally get a good one“ continued Jackson.

MARITAL STATUS: Married to Linda with two children and one beautiful granddaughter

BEST HORSE SEEN: Pure Steel BEST DRIVER SEEN: Chris Lewis GREATEST INFLUENCE IN THE SPORT: My Dad Viv and Graham Tindale BEST LIKED SPORT: Horse Racing FAVOURITE SPORTING TEAM: Eagles

His previous horse was Krupa who won six races on country tracks, twice at Collie, twice at Bunbury, once at Wagin, and once at Busselton.

FAVOURITE TV SHOW: Dr Who

Over the past 15 years Jackson has been involved in the administration of harness racing at Collie and is currently vicepresident of the Collie club.

FAVOURITE ACTOR: Julia Roberts

Dale Jackson is this issue’s Personality Profile

FAVOURITE FOOD: Italian FAVOURITE DRINK: Beer FAVOURITE PASTIME: Playing with my granddaughter FAVOURITE MUSIC: Pop music FAVOURITE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: Walking AMBITION IN LIFE: To be healthy and happy with life

“When you're ready we are”

GARY JONES 0417 984 522 9397 0671 24hrs

 Confidential Professional real estate serviCe  ProPerties reQUired UrGentlY  all areas

May 2010.indd 1

3/05/2010 1:48:05 PM

RACING AHEAD - August/September - 3

Trainer of the Month

By Ken Casellas

JUSTIN PRENTICE Young Boyanup horseman Justin Prentice’s meticulous study of breeding paid handsome dividends when he achieved his first group 1 success as a trainer, with Major Reality scoring a thrilling half-head victory over stablemate Quite A Delight in the $150,000 WA Oaks at Gloucester Park.

This gave Prentice a wonderful quinella result in a group 1 classic and it completed his first metropolitan treble as a trainer, following wins with three-year-old Captain Oats and The Parade in the group 3 Race For Roses.

Prentice, who celebrated his 27th birthday in July, is a rising star in the ranks of trainers in Western Australia and at the end of June was in fourth position behind Gary Hall sen., Greg and Skye Bond and Ross Olivieri in both the Statewide and metropolitan trainers’ premiership tables.

He then had prepared 68 winners, 42 seconds and 38 thirds from 266 starters, with his 168 city starters giving him 31 wins and 52 placings.

And that’s a wonderful effort from Prentice, who has taken up fulltime training only seriously in the past two years. It certainly is a far cry from when he first dabbled in training when prepared a couple of very modest performers in 2008 and 2009, with just two winners coming from his first 61 starters.

Early in 2013 Prentice studied the catalogue for the upcoming New Zealand yearling sale in Christchurch and looked at photographs of all the youngsters. He selected a couple of fillies and set his heart on buying them for stable clients --- and his astute judgment cannot be questioned.

Major Reality, purchased for $31,000, has amassed $176,137 from seven wins and four placings from her first 14 starts for John and Ron Wulff, Andrew Ditri and Ryan Hughes and Quite A Delight, who cost $30,000, has had ten starts for Craig Lynn for four wins, four placings and $63,149.

“I picked Major Reality and Quite A Delight sight unseen, just on breeding and on their photos,” Prentice said. “Dad (trainer-reinsman Kim Prentice) was over in New Zealand for the sales and I rang him and asked him to check the conformation of the fillies and to make sure that there was nothing wrong with them. He gave the thumbs up.

“It was a similar situation with The Parade two years earlier. I was going through all the results at the sales and saw that she had been passed in. I studied her breeding and thought she would be a good buy. She had been passed in at $12,500 and I was able to buy her for $15,000 for Craig Lynn, Daniel Trigwell and Brenton Strachan.”

Once again, Prentice’s judgment was spot on. The Parade has amassed $224,409 from 15 wins and 13 placings from her first 35 starts. The Parade, whose maternal granddam Atomic Lass produced former star pacer Auckland Reactor (53 starts for 32 wins, four placings and $1,759,374 in prizemoney) is understandably one of Prentice’s favourite horses.

“She is just so easy,” Prentice declares. “She eats, sleeps and works.

That’s it. She is just so relaxed until she goes to the races when she knows what she’s there for and starts showing her attitude. She’s a beautiful horse to do anything with; it’s her nature which has helped her have the results she’s had.”

Prentice revealed that he had had some worrying times before getting Major Reality and Quite A Delight ready for the Oaks. “I had hiccups along the way,” he said. “I had feet troubles with Quite A Delight and she missed quite a bit of work. Major Reality was getting sick and we

4 August/September - RACING AHEAD

Justin Prentice couldn’t figure it out what it was.

“Consequently, neither had the lead-up I wanted and there were quite a few sleepless nights. But we managed to get them to the post.

I have never really been able to split them. I have always thought that if you could put Quite A Delight’s heart and lungs into Major Reality you would have a super filly. Major Reality has the better gait and the other girl has the better heart and lung capacity.

“As the end of their campaigns as two-year-olds they are lengths better than The Parade and if they keep improving like her we’ll have some fun.”

Major Reality and Quite A Delight drew the back line in the Oaks and Prentice gave the drive behind Major Reality to Gary Hall jun. when he opted to drive Quite A Delight.

The Jesse Moore-trained Tricky Styx was favourite at 6/4 on, with Quite A delight at 11/2 and Major Reality at 9/1. Polemarker Donegal Kahlum set the pace and with 1100m to travel Hall sent Major Reality forward, three wide, to move into the breeze at the 900m mark. Prentice followed Major Reality and Quite A Delight got to the outside of Donegal Kahlum at the bell.

When Donegal Kahlum began to fade passing the 500m Prentice got to the front with Quite A Delight, who was overhauled in the final stride by Major Reality, with the final 800m being covered in 56.2sec. and the last 400m in 27.5sec.

Prentice said that although born into a strong harness racing family he had little interest in the sport as a youngster. “Initially, I wasn’t interested,” he said. “I hated school and to leave I had to find something to do. I began helping with the horses until I found another job. And pretty soon I was hooked.

“I guess it was the driving that got me hooked and it wasn’t until I lost my concession as a junior driver that I thought about training. And then I discovered that I got more of a thrill out of training.”

Prentice explained that travelling to Sydney in 2008 and 2011 to represent Western Australian in the New South Wales Rising Stars series and a trip to New Zealand to contest the Australasian young drivers’ series whetted his appetite to become a successful trainer.

“I really got into the training side of the sport when I was away and was able to see how the professional stables operated,” he said.

“Mark Purdon is my biggest idol, by a mile. It was his professionalism and his ability to have horses at their top for the right race that most impressed me. And now I strive to be like that.

“My main philosophy is to treat every horse as an individual and not simply rely on the same program for every horse.”

Trainer of the Month - Justin Prentice Prentice’s breakthrough group 1 success in the WA Oaks was followed less than two months later by another group 1 triumph at Gloucester Park on July 3 when he trained and drove 2/1 favourite Bettor Reward to a thrilling victory in a dramatic four-way photo finish to the $100,000 Westbred Classic for three-year-old colts and geldings.

“He had an unbelievable motor and lung capacity. Im Victorious gave me my biggest thrill in the sport when he won the Golden Nugget because of the doubt shown by people who believed I shouldn’t have been driving the horse. Before the race people wanted me to drive the horse a certain way, and I drove him how I wanted to.”

Bettor Reward forged to a narrow lead 300m from home and fought on doggedly to win by a half-head from Machrihanish, with a short half-head to Master Play in third place. This gave Bettor Reward his fourth win from four starts and took his earnings to $76,920.

On Prentice’s recommendation Lynn outlaid $30,000 to purchase the youngster (bred by Steve Johnson) at the 2013 Gloucester Standardbred yearling sale.

Prentice has the distinction of being successful at his first drive in a race, at the age of 16. It was at Gloucester Park on April 26, 2005, in a stand when the seven-year-old Eagle Eyed jumped to the front and led all the way with the gelding he had driven in 25 trials to obtain his licence to drive in a race.

Bettor Reward is by Bettors Delight out of the Northern Luck mare Chemical Romance, who was retired after three unplaced runs as a two-year-old in 2009. Chemical Romance’s dam is Ferrari Trunkey, a brilliant performer in the 1980s who raced 40 times for 22 wins and seven placings for stakes of $267,527.

“He was the one I had picked out before I went to the sales with Craig,” Prentice said. “He had a little problem with his conformation, but I still liked him. I have had a few little problems, mainly because he was immature and green, and he also had a few medical problems.

After winning the classic he pulled up distressed. He’s lengths better than he went and performed way under what I know he is capable of.

“He was pretty stirred up in the stalls before the race and came in with an extremely high heart rate. It was not a fitness problem; something must have upset him. The way the race was run I expected him to win quite easily. It certainly wasn’t as easy as I had expected, particularly after he had run home in 54.9sec. at Pinjarra in an earlier race when he was on the bit and without the deafeners being pulled. That’s what he can do when he’s right. His major asset is his high speed.”

Before his recent group 1 training successes Prentice had driven Im Victorious to group 1 wins in the 2012 WA Derby and Golden Nugget Championship as well as winning the group 2 Western Gateway and group 3 events, the Brennan Memorial, Members Sprint, Stratton Cup and Village Kid Sprint in 2013 with the champion pacer.

The John Graham-trained Lively Royce also gave Prentice several feature wins in 2008 and 2009, but Prentice has no hesitation in declaring Im Victorious as the best horse he has driven. “I always think of him as a freak,” he said. “He doesn’t look like a really good horse; he’s not the normal attractive horse, but he’s got a lot more relaxed temperament than the normal good pacer, and his breeding wasn’t indicative that he was going to be anything special.

“Bryan Cousins leased Eagle Eyed to me and that’s when I gained good early experience for my training because I used to do all the work with him, with a lot of help from Mum,” he said. Prentice then scored with Mississippi Delta at his third drive at Gloucester Park 14 weeks later and his first metropolitan-class winner was at his seventh appearance at Gloucester Park when Il Casino was successful on May 26, 2006.

Prentice landed his first double with Madusa Cam and Ohoka Jaz at Harvey on November 8, 2005, and his first treble with Beena Buster, Cunninghame and Deadly Jaguar at Gloucester Park on October 5, 2007.

Bunbury is his home track and his favourite, but he declares that Gloucester Park is the best track to drive at in Australasia. “That’s because spectators are so close to the action at Gloucester Park,” he says. “It’s the atmosphere, the scenery and the closeness that makes Gloucester Park so good. I fondly remember the New Year’s Eve meetings there. The noise and excitement from the big crowds was great.

“Gloucester Park would be better, for sure, if the track was bigger.

However, it doesn’t matter what the size of the track is. It is difficult to come from behind and win at any track. Horses run quick times up front and it is always difficult to catch them.”

Prentice prepares his horses at Boyanup and he has a remarkable record as a reinsman at the nearby Donaldson Park circuit in Bunbury where at the end of June this year he had driven in 647 races for 156 wins, 84 seconds, 77 thirds and 65 fourths.

It was at Donaldson Park in a four-week period in October and November 2011 that he enjoyed an amazing run of 15 drives for 12 wins, one second, one fourth and one sixth. The first of those 12 winners was aptly named Time To Smile and in three successive meetings he drove a treble.

Then Prentice struck another purple patch at Bunbury on New Year’s Eve 2012 when he had five drives for five winners (after winning at his previous drive, at Pinjarra the day before). The five Bunbury winners were Racketeers Girl, Clifford, Lord Chelsea, Majestical Babe and Mister Sarkozy, and for good measure Prentice extended his winning streak on the track to seven by winning with Racketeers Girl and Clifford.

Horses are keeping Prentice extremely busy and he gains much-needed relaxation by going fishing. “That’s what clears my mind and gives me something else to think about,” he says. He fishes off the beach, off the Busselton jetty and on his little dinghy.

Bettor Reward wins narrowly from Macnrihanish and Master Play (outside), with Isaiah Artois (hidden on the inside, a close fourth)

He doesn’t catch as many fish as he would like, but he’s certainly keeping up a wonderful average with his steady stream of winners on the track. 

RACING AHEAD - August/September - 5

Erskine Range's rise to dominance A couple of years ago Erskine Range was a troublesome, fiery customer who had a habit of breaking in his races. He is now a completely reformed character and has claims of the title as the State’s most improved pacer, with owner Jim Currie and trainer-reinsman Colin Brown keenly looking forward to the rich TABtouch interdominion championship series at Gloucester Park and Bunbury in November and December.

Currie compliments Brown for his patience and expertise in curing the waywardness of the five-year-old, who has netted $129,528 in stakes from 12 wins, six seconds and one third placing from 24 starts this season before going for a winter spell.

This record is quite a contrast to Erskine Range’s two fourths and a sixth from three starts as a two-year-old, four minor country wins from 13 starts as a three-year-old and six wins and six placings in modest company from 20 starts as a four-year-old.

Noel Keiley trained Erskine Range for his first eight starts for three country wins and then the gelding had four unplaced runs for David Thompson before entering Brown’s Banjup stables . “The horse was troublesome and Thommo, to his credit, recommended that I should get Brown to train him,” Currie explained.

“So I owe Thommo a big thanks. The horse was pretty fiery and was crossfiring, causing him to break a few times in the home straight. Browny was able to cure him of that fault and has got him to become far more relaxed.

The horse has changed completely and he frequently goes to sleep, although he certainly wakes up when he goes on to the track.”

Brown describes Erskine Range as “just a lovely horse, in every way around the stable. He’s gone from a speed freak to a very laid-back customer. The only vice he’s got is that when you float him to the trots he gets a bit aggressive, and that’s only in anticipation of racing.”

In the 2014-15 season Erskine Range won two $25,000 listed classic events, the Lewis final at Gloucester Park and the Pure Steel final at Bunbury, beating Soho Lennon and Crusader Banner, was second to Smokey The Bandit in the $25,000 Clarke final and second to Classic American in the group 2 $50,000 Binshaw Classic.

“We’re now hoping that after a spell that he steps up and becomes an inters contender,” Brown said. “He possesses wonderful gate speed, is versatile and can sprint and stay.” Just before going for a spell in June Erskine Range showed that he has the ability to develop into a smart open-class performer when he finished a fighting fourth behind star pacers David Hercules, Our Jimmy Johnstone and Machtu in the 2692m group 2 Pinjarra Cup. Erskine Range is one of a very small minority of chestnut pacers seen in action in recent years and it was his colour which brought him to the attention of Currie when he was in Melbourne for the yearling sales there in February 2011. The handsome colt was by Canadian stallion Four Starzzz Shark out of the South Australian-bred Live Or Die mare Living Hei, who raced only once, finishing last in a CO event at Bendigo in March 2007.

“I was at the sale with Ben Keiley and we picked him out,” Currie said.

By Ken Casellas

“We liked his conformation and I’ve got a soft spot for chestnuts. I had a chestnut, Moneyline Mover, in the mid-1990s, and he remains one of my favourites.” Currie paid $26,000 for Erskine Range at the sale and the gelding has proved a good buy, with earnings of $188,670 from 22 wins, ten seconds and four thirds from his first 59 starts.

After winning twice from six starts in New Zealand, Moneyline Mover raced 25 times for Currie in WA for eight wins, four seconds and two thirds. He finished third behind Lightning Row and Slash in the 1995 WA Derby after being backed from 14/1 to 4/1, setting the pace and winning a heat of the Derby by a neck from South Australian Derby winner and 5/4 favourite Keep It Up. Currie (66) is a trucking tycoon who has been involved in transporting equipment for the oil and gas and resources industries throughout Australia. He named Erskine Range after a remote locality in the northeast of Western Australia.

Many of Currie’s early pacers were trained and driven by Lindsay Harper and when Harper travelled to America on holidays while serving a sixweek driving suspension in 1996 Currie took out a trainer’s licence and prepared several horses at his Orange Grove property.

He made a spectacular start and was the leading metropolitan trainer after the first two months of the 1996-97 season, winning races with Summer Knight, True Takeoff, Game Setandmatch, Impulse Me, Shaken Steven, Waysun Mood and Havago. Summer Knight won three in a row at Gloucester Park and was acknowledged as the State’s most improved pacer.

Brown gave Currie his first double when he drove Impulse Me and Game Setandmatch to victory in September and Harper (back from America) provided the trainer with his first treble when he won with Game Setandmatch, True Takeoff and Waysun Mood in October.

True Takeoff, purchased by Currie sight unseen from New Zealand on Harper’s advice, was a rising star, winning the Howard Porter Memorial narrowly from Nicolana Lights and Highland Park and then he impressed with a fighting second to star four-year-old Mon Poppy Day in the fastest heat of the Golden Nugget Championship.

True Takeoff drew favourably at barrier two in the final of the $100,000 Nugget and was a 7/2 chance, with Mon Poppy Day (barrier six) favourite at 5/4 on. Harper drove True Takeoff to an all-the-way win over Mon Poppy Day, who had worked hard in the breeze.

That was Currie’s first group 1 success --- and a week later he failed by a whisker to land his second group 1 winner when Brown brought 16/1 chance Summer Knight home with a brilliant late burst to finish a nose behind the winner Sir Lektor in the 2900m Fremantle Cup. But Currie’s world was shattered early in 1997 when the stewards disqualified True Takeoff from his Golden Nugget victory after an inquiry which was centred on the presence of the drug propoxyphene in the urine swab taken from the gelding. At the time Currie was third in the city trainers’ premiership with 26 winners, behind Trevor Warwick (48) and Ross Olivieri (27).

“The Nugget was taken off me,” Currie said recently. “The horse returned a positive swab. He had had a guard watching him all day on the day of the race. It’s a long sad story; I almost had a nervous breakdown. But you get over it.”

Currie won 36 races in 1997 with Our Royal Lad, Toss The Dice, Park Grove, Smoking Lady, Equitatio, Mercury Power, Money For Fun, Rons Outlaw, Skybird, Waysun Mood, Oroton Hill, Bold Torado, Havago, Franco Swift, To The Point and Summer Knight.

Erskine Range wins the Pure Steel final at Bunbury from Soho Lennon (No. 7) and Crusader Banner (No. 4)

6 August/September - RACING AHEAD

After Skybird won a race at Northam on November 8, 1997 Currie did not prepare another horse until he returned to the training ranks in January 2008 when he was successful with his first starter after an absence of more than ten years, with Clint Kimes steering Bailey Dylan to victory at Northam.

Currie had only 22 starters in 2008-09-10 before he retired as a trainer in

Erskine Range's rise to dominance February 2010. His final success as a trainer was with his mare Smoking Again, who led all the way and beat Country Change in the group 3 $35,000 Mares Mile at Gloucester Park on December 27, 2009. His record as a trainer stands at 286 starters for 62 wins, 36 seconds and 25 thirds.

“I decided to retire as a trainer,” Currie said. “I prefer to watch and let Browny do the work. He’s an absolute classic bloke, a fantastic bloke who is as straight as a die. He loves the animals whereas a lot of people just use horses as a tool.

Harper trained and drove Arma Xpress, then a four-year-old, for five wins from six starts before taking her to Melbourne last August for the rich Breeders Crown series for four-year-old mares. After finishing a close second in a heat Arma Xpress was involved in an early speed battle in the final before wilting to the rear behind Frith.

“She then had two unplaced runs at Gloucester Park for Brown and he said that he could see that the knee was hurting,” Currie said. “So I retired her and she’s now in foal to Western Terror.” Arma Xpress had raced just 18 times for 12 wins and one second for earnings of $279,890.

“I’m into breeding and have two fillies out of Smoking Again.” Currie also bred Arma Xpress, who in the space of four months in 2012 won at seven of her eight starts as a two-year-old, earning her the title of the Australian and West Australian two-year-old filly of the year. Her victories included two group 1 events, the $100,000 WA Sales Classic and the $125,000 Golden Slipper Stakes, two $50,000 group 2 events, the Champagne Classic and Westbred Classic, as well as the group 3 $35,000 Gold Bracelet.

Currie bred Arma Xpress (by American stallion Artiscape) out of Arma Antoinette, a Holmes Hanover mare he purchased from New Zealand early in 2007. The mare, who had won only once from 13 starts, was in foal to Live Or Die. The foal was born in WA and was named Arma Xceptional, who had ten starts as a two-year-old in 2010 for three wins and four placings for stakes of $27,160.

“She then injured a knee and was not going to race again,” Currie said.

But more than a year later Donald Harper, who was using Currie’s Orange Grove stables, asked if he could have Arma Xpress’s knee scanned again.

Currie agreed and vet Kim Rose gave her the all clear to resume racing.

Arma Xceptional damaged a suspensory ligament two days before she was due to travel to Victoria for the Breeders Crown. She did not race again and now has two foals, a two-year-old filly by Bettors Delight and a yearling g colt by Rocknroll Hanover. 

Dodolicious proves her worth Joyful memories of Fox Oshaughnessy, one of the first pacers to put Greg Bond on the map as a leading trainer, were revived at Gloucester Park early in July when Dodolicious proved herself as the State’s best two-year-old filly with a runaway victory in the $100,000 group 1 Westbred Classic for fillies.

The effortless victory by more than five lengths was a further vindication of Bond’s judgment in buying Slick Chic as a yearling in 1999.

Slick Chic, by American stallion Troublemaker and bred at Ross Torre’s Royalstar Stud, cost a few thousand dollars, but she managed only four starts before chronic knee problems forced Bond to retire her to the breeding barn. She had recorded one win as a two-year-old in 2000, with Bond in the sulky, in Kalgoorlie.

By Ken Casellas

from the outset declared that she was well and truly a star in the making.

A problem with a greasy heel interrupted her preparation as a two-yearold, but the Bonds cured her of this ailment and she was at her peak for the Westbred Classic in which she started on the back line and favourite at 11/8. Ryan Warwick replaced regular reinsman Colin Brown, who was committed to drive his own nomination, Gunna Get Lucky.

Dodolicious settled down in sixth place before Warwick sent her forward in the first circuit to take the lead after a lap had been covered.

Dodolicious sped over the final quarters in29.1sec. and 28.4sec. to win by 16m from Jasmin Amal, with her rate of 1.58 breaking the 2130m track record for a two-year-old filly.

The filly had shown Bond so much promise that, even before she had raced, he bought a yearling colt by Fake Left because he was a half-sister to Slick Chic.

Skye Bond said that the filly’s unusual name was a tribute to her grandmother Dot Moore. “She’s 84 and from the time I was tiny we have called her Dodolicious,” she explained. “She’s amazing for her age; she’s the last one out partying.”

Bond named the youngster Fox Oshaughnessy after Michael (Fox) O’Shaugnessy, a lion-hearted fast bowler and a long-time teammate of Bond’s at the Midland-Guildford and Great Boulder cricket clubs.

The Bonds are hoping that Dodolicious will develop into a top-flight three-year-old and follow in the footsteps of the brilliant Millwood Meg, an easy winner of the 2010 WA Oaks.

Fox Oshaughnessy quickly made his mark on the racetrack, with Bond driving him to 12 of his 17 wins in WA before continuing his career in America. Fox Oshaughnessy was Bond’s first interdominion championship contender when he drove the gelding in three heats of the 2004 series at Gloucester Park, with his best effort his fourth over 1740m behind Faking It.

The Bonds also are confident that they will play a significant part in the $200,000 Golden Nugget for four-year-olds at Gloucester Park in December.

Fox Oshaughnessy finished his career with 35 wins and 53 placings for earnings of $222,324 from 218 starts.

Slick Chic has proved a wonderful broodmare, with seven of her eight foals succeeding on the track and Dodolicious, bred by Bond’s wife Skye, looking likely to prove the best of her progeny who include Cuvee Riche (ten wins and 30 placings for stakes of $112,125), Slickman (ten wins, 26 placings and $50,885), Sir Slick (seven wins, 12 placings and $42,059) and Elslick (five wins, eight placings and $38,315).

Dodolicious is Slick Chic’s eighth foal and she has made an exciting start to her career, with her first six starts producing four wins and two seconds for $83,843 in prizemoney. She was broken in by Ron and Karen Young, who

“At this stage Delightful Offer is our No. 1 seed for the Nugget,” Greg Bond said. “And among our good rising four-year-olds are Denny Crane, Bungalow Bill, Charge Stride, Holy Grail, Ima Connoisseur and Assassinator.”

It was interesting to watch the Bond team in action in a 2100m event for three-year-olds at Bunbury in mid-June when the stable’s five runners filled the first five placings in the field of 11, with Delightful Offer surging home powerfully to win easily from Denny Crane.

That unusual feat brought to mind the record set by Greg and Skye Bond on July 13, 2012 when they had 22 runners in action on the one day --- nine in the afternoon at Pinjarra and 13 at Gloucester Park in the evening. They finished with five winners (Im Terrific, Vital Equalizer and Kamwood Laughter at Pinjarra and Legislate and Talk It Up at Gloucester Park) as well as six seconds and one third placing.  RACING AHEAD - August/September - 7

Clive Dalton Experienced trainer-driver Clive Dalton and his wife Annie have no regrets about leaving Victoria and moving to Western Australia. And they spread their wings quite a deal further by travelling to Ireland for a holiday in June where Clive drove a winner at a meeting at Portmarnock Raceway on the outskirts of Dublin.

Dalton struck early, winning with the first of his two drives on the eightevent program. He was in the sulky behind the 6/4 second favourite Sire d’Opac in a field of eight and he stole the march on his rivals by sending the French-bred trotter straight to the front from barrier two in the mobile event over one and a half miles.

Sire d’Opac trotted boldly in front and scored by three lengths from Rohen Des Thirons, covering the journey on the half-mile track in 3min. 7sec. The race carried prizemoney of 1700 euros, with the winner collecting 700 euros.

Dalton thus broke fresh ground by becoming the first West Australianbased horseman to land a winner in Ireland where the sport of harness racing is flourishing.

Dalton proudly wore a set of Gloucester Park Harness Racing Club’s interdominion championship colours for his win with Sire d’Opac. Annie Dalton said that she and her husband arrived at the Portmarnock track on a “beautiful sunny day” where they were greeted warmly by members of the club committee.

Derek Delaney had arranged three drives for Dalton, who warmed up for the race action by driving a trotter against pacers in a five-horse qualifying trial. He finished second, with the winner clocking 2min. 1sec. for the mile.

His second drive in a race was behind French-bred trotter Tonic Scot, who finished third behind Tiffany Monesto (the track record-holder for a trotter over one and a half miles) in an event worth 1500 euros. Dalton then did a televised interview in which he discussed the $1.8 million

By Ken Casellas TABtouch interdominion championship series to be run at Gloucester Park and Bunbury in November and December.

Irish trotting and pacing fans showed considerable interest in the series and Delaney and his brother James, a leading trainer in Ireland, are planning to travel to Perth for the series.

In winning a race this year Dalton went one better than ace New Zealand reinsman Anthony Butt, who contested seven races at a meeting at Portmarnock last year but failed to get a winner.

The main event at the meeting attended by the Daltons was the Painted Mile for coloured pacers and carrying a stake of 2600 euros. Annie Dalton described it as a very colourful and exciting race in which one of the runners was by the Victorian-bred skewbald pacer Rorschach (by former champion Preux Chevalier). Rorschach won nine races in Queensland between 1998 and 2000.

The Daltons reported that it was interesting to see all the horses at the meeting tied to trucks and floats for the day. There were no hoses to wash the horses after they had raced. Instead, buckets of water and sponges were used and then horses were walked to get dry.

There were four races for trotters and four for pacers on the program where meetings are mostly held on a Sunday. Eighteen meetings have been programmed this year between April and November.

Portmarnock Raceway, ten minutes from the Dublin International Airport, was opened in 1969 before closing in 2004 when the ground was sold for property development which never happened. Racing resumed there in 2011.

The main event at Portmarnock for the season is for two-year-olds, with heats being run on a Saturday and the final, worth 35,000 euros, the following day. The first year this event was held there were 15 runners.

This year the club has received 95 nominations. The Daltons have donated a watch for the winning trainer and driver and they plan to do so again next year.

The Daltons, based at Herron, north of Bunbury, have enjoyed their first couple of years in WA, with Clive training 35 winners in that time, with Our Jerry Lee winning eight times and square gaiter Retained notching five wins.

Sire d'Opac trotting boldly on his way to victory

Dalton has a strong affinity with trotters and he has driven Retained to all his five wins in WA. He also trains outstanding Swedish-bred trotter Cardigan Boko, whose first six starts in the State have produced four wins and a second. 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

2015 harness horse of the year Date: Sunday 25th October 2015 Venue: Frasers Restaurant, 60 Fraser Ave, Kings Park Time: 12.00pm for 12.30pm seating Dress: Smart Casual Tickets Cost: $140 Table of 10: $1300 Contact: Suzy Jackson email: racingevents@rwwa.com.au phone: (08) 9445 5137

8 August/September - RACING AHEAD

Vale Charlie Rifici

By Alan Parker

Former prominent trainer/driver and WA Trotting Association Life Member and committeeman Charlie Rifici died last month.

Charlie’s parents migrated to Perth from Messina in Italy in 1933 with their children Rosina and Sam. Charlie was born in Western Australia in 1934 and grew up in Northbridge where his family ran a delicatessen and grocery store as well as a hair-dressing salon where Charlie’s older brother Sam earned a reputation as one of the country’s best hair-dressers.

Charlie played football for Subiaco before being bitten by the trotting bug in the mid-fifties.

The first of his 275 winners came courtesy of Jura at Pinjarra on 6th November 1957 and the same horse gave Charlie the first of 147 Perth winners when it won at Richmond Raceway on 3rd March 1958.

Charlie’s last winner came behind Count Aachen at Gloucester Park on 7th December 1979.

Count Aachen won eight races including six in Perth while the best horse Charlie trained and drove was arguably Maid Aachen which won seven races in Perth including the 1978 Navy Cup. He won a Bunbury Cup in 1967 with Top Centre while other prolific winners included Look Twice (12 wins), Brunette (10 wins), Billy Brandy (9 wins) and Kia Ora Ku (9 wins).

Charlie drove Contravis to win a number of races in Perth for trainer Sam Conti and the combination won a Gloucester Park Horse of the Year title.

As an owner Charlie and his wife Mercy raced the outstanding Victorian bred stallion Lake Street with Marcus Michael.

Lake Street, named in honour of the Northbridge locality so large

in the early life of the Rifici and Michael families, won 18 races and some $166,000 with his biggest win coming in a WA 4&5yo Championship.

Lake Street was runner-up in a Golden Nugget Championship and placed in a 2yo WA Sales Classic and 2yo Victorian Sires Stakes final and later in two heats of the 1994 Inter Dominion Championship held in Sydney.

Charlie gave back to the industry in a number of ways including some 20 years as a Committeeman of BOTRA, a committeeman of the WA Trotting Association and was also a sponsor of the Rifici Junior Drivers Award at Gloucester Park and was involved in the sponsorship of the Fremantle Harness Racing Club through Signature Security. 

ABN 81 118 088 841

Ramsay’s Horse Transport TRAVEL YOUR HORSE ‘FIRST CLASS’ WITH RAMSAY’S HORSE TRANSPORT We provide a weekley service from Perth to the Eastern States and return and also local transport throughout Western Australia. With over 25 years experience in the horse transport industry and a lifetime of horse experience, the Ramsay family comes from a background of trainers and jockeys. All of our drivers come from equine backgrounds so you can be sure that your valuable horse is in the very best of care at all times. Ramsay’s Horse Transport provides the horse industry with a service that is second to none.

FOR INTERSTATE TRANSPORT CONTACT OUR OFFICE

Office 08 9277 5779 Paul Ramsay 0418 930 698 Facsimile 08 9277 7493 Email: info@ramsayshorsetransport.com.au www.ramsayshorsetransport.com.au

RACING AHEAD - August/September - 9

Garrard's Junior Concession Driver Challenge Kristy Sheehy took out the Garrard’s Junior Concession Driver Challenge for the second year in a row when series three of the challenge was wrapped up at Bunbury on Saturday 23 May. Maddison Brown was in second place on 66 points just ahead of Cody Wallrodt on 63.

SERIES 1 SERIES 2

SERIES 3

Total

Sheehy, K S (Kristy)

23

24

26

73

Brown, M K (Maddison)

29

24

13

66

Wallrodt, C L (Cody)

18

24

21

63

Ferguson, M B (Micheal)

10

17

27

54

Jones, L C (Lauren)

22

4

19

45

McDonald, S A (Stuart)

20

0

22

42

Grantham, M P (Michael)

26

12

0

38

Barron, L (Letitia)

17

18

0

35

McDonough, B L (Bailey)

0

12

22

34

Hamilton-Smith, C M (Caris)

8

18

7

33

Justins, J R (Jack)

14

12

1

27

Chabros, B A (Bronson)

13

0

14

27

John Graham, Debbie Padberg, Ross Olivieri and Gary Hall Snr all nominated and started more than five horses throughout the year in the series and each received a Garrard’s voucher to show our appreciation for their support.

Miller, M C (Mitchell)

0

3

20

23

Green, B E (Brayden)

6

8

4

18

King-Davies, C P (Cheyenne)

0

17

0

17

Series one of the 2015/16 Challenge will get under way at Bunbury on Monday 14th September before heading to Gloucester Park on the 15th, Pinjarra on the 21st and the final heat being run at Northam on the 22nd of September.

Foster, C L (Chienoa)

0

9

0

9

Matthew, H J (Harley)

7

0

0

7

Young, J A (Jocelyn)

0

0

7

7

For winning the Challenge Kristy received $2000 cash from Garrard’s and once again had the opportunity to represent WA in the NSW Rising Stars Series. Kristy finished 5th behind Jack Trainor who will come to WA in December to compete in the RWWA Invitational.

Kristy drove a winner at Penrith in heat six of the Rising Stars Series Micheal Ferguson was the winner for series three of the 14/15 season with 27 points ahead of Kristy Sheehy on 26. Stuart McDonald and Bailey McDonough were tied in 3rd with 22 points. Micheal received a $250 voucher for winning heat four of the series and also a $500 voucher for taking out series 3.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Garrard’s Horse and Hound for their ongoing support of the Junior Driver’s program and the trainers who nominated horses throughout the year, the series wouldn’t happen without them.

Micheal Ferguson winning Heat 4 at Bunbury on Royal Myth

10 August/September - RACING AHEAD

INTRODUCING

FRANCO JAMAR NZ

by COURAGE UNDER FIRE NZ

Standing at Lancefield Park, Boyanup, WA Introductory Service Fee $1500 (Discount for Multiple Mares) LFG

Franco Jamar

is beautifully bred standing 15.3h and is a very well gaited horse with a fantastic maternal line, offering the opportunity for WA Breeders to breed with a naturally tough, high speed 1:51.2 Stallion.

To take advantage of this great offer and enjoy the generous Bonus Scheme being allocated to all West Australian Sired winning progenies please contact: Graeme Waters Stud Master Lisa Adams at Lancefield Park Mobile: 0402 779 662 or Mobile: 0429 315 239 email: anniespar@westnet.com.au email: lancefieldpark@bigpond.com.au

RACING AHEAD - August/September - 11

Tie what where?

A Synopsis of Equine Upper Airway Surgery Upper airway problems are common in racehorses due to issues associated with the volume and speed of air that must pass through the nasal passages, pharynx, and larynx, to get to the lungs. A combination of air turbulence, negative pressure, and muscle fatigue contribute to a variety of diseases that cause obstruction of the upper airway, thus decreasing air flow to the lungs, and result in poor athletic performance, and sometimes a respiratory noise during exercise.

While evidence of these problems can be seen at rest in some cases, like left laryngeal hemiplegia or ‘roaring’, the majority of problems affecting the racehorse’s upper airway are only seen at high speeds.

The use of dynamic upper airway endoscopy allows us to diagnose these problems during fast work, similar to racing conditions.

The treatment of choice is surgery: a prosthetic laryngoplasty commonly called a ‘tie-back’ procedure, under general anaesthesia.

The surgeon places sutures in between the skin and the larynx, through the arytenoid cartilage, lifting it up to a certain height as seen on scope and fixing it in place, creating a larger airway.

In combination with another procedure to remove the ventricle and vocal cord Larynx of the same horse post 'tieon the affected side (a back' surgery. Note how the left ventriculocordectomy – see arytenoid is tied up and back below), this surgery has a good reported success rate, with approximately 60-70% of horses returning to racing. The horse requires 6 weeks of box rest following surgery, and another 6 weeks off training before going back into work.

One of the disadvantages of this procedure is that it alters the protective mechanism of the airway. In normal horses, the arytenoid cartilage lifts up when the horse needs air, but closes and protects the airway when eating and drinking. Because a tie-back surgery permanently opens one side of the airway, the horse is at risk of inhaling food and water, a mechanism called aspiration. So the surgeon must strike a balance of maintaining an open airway to allow a better flow of oxygen while the horse is galloping, but not opening it fully so that the horse aspirates.

Even with a perfectly performed tie-back surgery, the horse’s airway is more susceptible to inflammation and irritation, which can lead to chronic coughing.

Despite the potential risks of this surgery, most surgeons believe it is the best treatment option for racehorses with left laryngeal hemiplegia, as long as all parties involved with the horse are well informed of the potential complications. For horses that do not have to perform at such high intensities, or for those in which noise is the only complaint, a ventriculocordectomy alone can be done.

Surgery: Ventriculocordectomy, or removal of the vocal cord and ventricle, via laryngotomy

Horse wearing a dynamic endoscope Although some of these airway diseases can be self-limiting and may improve with time, many of them require surgical treatment if the horse is to continue to race. Certain surgeries are simple and quick, and others are more complicated and carry more risk. The surgeries can involve internal sutures to fix a structure in place, or sometimes simply removal of the affected structure. Some surgical incisions are left open because of entering the airway, and some are sutured or stapled closed. Post-operative management and the risks of potential complications are very dependent on the type of surgical procedure performed. This article will focus on the surgical treatment options of the most common upper airway problems affecting racehorses.

Surgery: ‘Tie-back’, or prosthetic laryngoplasty One of the most common diseases of the upper airway in horses is left laryngeal hemiplegia, or ‘roaring’. The cause is not fully understood, but involves degeneration of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve, causing partial or full paralysis of the left arytenoid cartilage of the larynx. Once this occurs, the cartilage cannot open fully, causing an upper airway obstruction leading to Larynx of horse with left poor performance, and a whistling or laryngeal hemiplegia - 'roarer' roaring noise.

12 August/September - RACING AHEAD

In horses with laryngeal hemiplegia, the vocal cord and ventricle on the affected side collapse into the airway along with the arytenoid cartilage.

Research suggests that it is the collapsing of the ventricle and vocal cord that causes the characteristic ‘roaring’ noise. Removing these structures alone increases the airway diameter by approximately 30%, although this usually is not enough for a racehorse with laryngeal hemiplagia. By combining a tie-back procedure with removal of the vocal cord and ventricle, the largest airway diameter is achieved, as well as the best reduction in the airway noise. In other sport or pleasure horses that do not need such a large airway, performing a ventriculocordectomy alone (without a tie-back) may be enough to allow the horse to return to its previous level of performance.

A ventriculocordectomy is performed through a laryngotomy incision. This approach actually goes into the airway itself, in the throat latch region.

Laryngotomy incision during surgery

Tie what where?

The horse undergoes general anaesthesia for this procedure but this surgery is much less technically challenging than a tie back, so generally the surgery and anaesthetic is quick with a low complication rate. However, the airway is entered, and this is not a truly sterile environment due to normal bacteria in a horse’s trachea, so the incision is not sutured close. This leads to managing the surgical incision as an open wound, which can take 4-6 weeks to close. The horse needs twice daily cleaning of the area and protection of the skin around the incision to prevent skin scalding.

A horse that has a tie-back surgery will therefore usually have two incisions: one is closed with skin staples on the side of the throat latch region through which the prosthetic laryngoplasty is performed, and one that is left open on the bottom of the throat latch region through which the ventriculocordectomy is performed.

surgery places sutures in underneath the skin around structures of the larynx, and pulls the whole larynx forward to make displacement of the palate less likely. Additionally, two of the muscles that pull the larynx backwards are cut to decrease the tension on the newly placed sutures. This surgery has a relatively low rate of complications, as the airway is not entered, and the surgical incision is closed, and the horse can return to training in 4 weeks.

Surgery: Axial division of the subepiglottic membrane Epiglottic entrapment is another common upper airway problem in racehorses. It can be intermittent, or permanent. The soft tissue underneath the epiglottis folds overtop of the epiglottis, decreasing airway diameter and potentially damaging the epiglottis.

Permanent entrapment is easily diagnosed by resting endoscopy, but intermittent entrapment may need a dynamic endoscopy to be seen.

Epiglottic entrapment – The epiglottis is covered by the subepiglottic membrane. The serrated leaf-like outline of the epiglottis cannot be seen. This Sometimes rest and anti- horse also has an ulcer on the inflammatories can be successful subepiglottic membrane in treating this problem if the entrapment is intermittent. If the entrapment is permanent, surgery is recommended. The horse is placed under general anaesthesia, and the mouth is opened. By passing a guarded hooked blade, the membrane over the epiglottis is cut on midline, and the entrapment is resolved.

Post-operative tie-back with stapled laryngoplasty incision and open draining laryngotomy incision Some horses have unilateral or bilateral collapse of the vocal cord without laryngeal hemiplegia. Treatment of these cases is relatively straightforward. Performing a unilateral or bilateral ventriculocordectomy through a laryngotomy incision resolves this problem. With this procedure alone, the horse can usually return to work in 6-8 weeks, once the incision has healed. The risks of this surgery are low, as the protective mechanisms of the airway are only minimally altered, and the horse is not at risk of aspiration.

Surgery: Laryngeal tie-forward procedure Dorsal displacement of the soft palate or ‘flipping the palate’ is another common upper airway problem in racehorses that often needs dynamic endoscopy to definitively diagnose. Upper airway inflammation, and immaturity can contribute to this disease, but many horses that flip their palate or have palate instability are mature and have no evidence of inflammation. During high speeds, the soft palate starts to billow and become unstable, and may actually flip on top of the epiglottis, partially blocking the airway.

The surgery is fast, and has a low complication rate. There is no skin incision to care for post-operatively, and the horse can return to training in 4-6 weeks. Although recurrence is possible with this disease, horses generally return to racing.

Axial division of the subepiglottic membrane using a hooked blade Although this is not a comprehensive list of all the surgical treatments for upper airway problems in horses, these are the most common procedures recommended and performed. ‘Roarers’ usually need a tie-back surgery in combination with a ventriculocordectomy, to improve their performance. This surgery is technically challenging with a higher complication rate, more post-operative management with two incisions, and a longer recovery time. Horses that ‘flip their palate’ can undergo a laryngeal tie-forward surgery, which is a simpler procedure, has a lower complication rate, and shorter and easier post-operative management. Although upper airway surgery is not without risk and cost, some procedures can be highly efficacious. The success rate is firstly highly dependent on an accurate diagnosis to determine the most appropriate management, and secondly the procedure itself.

Dorsal displacement of the soft palate – the soft palate is abnormally positioned over the epiglottis. The free edge billows during exhalation and creates an obstruction

Jockeys or drivers will often hear a ‘choking’ or ‘gurgling’ noise, and the horse will slow down suddenly. Usually, the palate is replaced easily with a swallow, and by the time the horse returns to the stable, a scope may appear normal.

Conservative management can be successful with techniques such as use of a tongue-tie, low cross-over noseband, or bit changes. There are several surgical treatment options, but the technique with the best success rate is a laryngeal ‘tie-forward’ procedure, with approximately 80% of horses returning to the same level racing. A laryngeal tie-forward

Dr Alanna Zantingh DVM DACVS Dr Alanna Zantingh is a registrar in equine surgery at The Equine Centre, Murdoch University.

She has a special interest in upper airway surgery and poor performance in the equine athlete.

RACING AHEAD - August/September - 13

Sharon Joyce Equine Welfare Officer Email: sharon.joyce@rwwa.com.au Phone: (08) 9445 5146 Mobile: 0438 746 487 Location: 70 Grandstand Road, ASCOT WA 6104

2015 standardbred state championships The recent 2015 Standardbred State Championships were recently held at the Claremont Showgrounds.

For the 2nd year in a row the purebred classes began with the Race Condition horses. These horses must have raced or trialled within the previous 6 weeks. Of the 4 entrants in this class it was the two geldings that were awarded top honours.

Gran Tarino (Art Major/Like A Dane) was awarded Champion and Reserve went to Swagga (Live or Die/Art On The Beach).

Both horses raced a week prior to the show and were in top condition. They showcased the ‘Race Conditioned’ horse superbly. Gran Tarino is a well bred horse, being a half brother to the top class pacer David Hercules.

The mares were spilt into 2 age groups with the younger unraced pinto mare Design To NV (Out Of Nowhere/Elegant Lilly) taking first placing and the lightly raced Cyclone Dilinger (DM Dilinger/ Cyclone Rosita) winning the senior mares class.

Both mares entered the ring for Champion Mare Exhibit with Cyclone Dilinger displaying her amazing trot and taking home Champion over Designed To NV. The gelding classes were the biggest of the day and split into 3 age groups. Winners of the 3 classes were the sparingly raced Sexy Beast (Armbro Operative/Regal Castle), the unraced Caught On Camera (Parsons Den/Trial By Video) and unraced Royal Pride. All three wonderful horses stepped back into the ring for Champion Gelding. The exquisite Royal Pride was awarded the Champion Exhibit with powerful Sexy Beast taking Reserve.

Big moving gelding Caught on Camera and his rider Elissa Kettlewell

All Champions re-entered the ring for the Grand Champion Exhibit judging. All of the entrants were displayed amazingly and a credit to their owners and handlers. The stunning Royal Pride and Tracey Cosham were awarded the prize of all prizes.

The program also consisted of the Off the Track WA Bred and Handler Classes. Sexy Beast and Kristie Morrone took out Champion Off the Track. Royal Pride and Tracey Cosham were awarded Champion WA Bred Off the Track. Britney De La Pair was awarded Junior Handler Off the Track and Sarah Underwood taking Senior Hander Off the Track.

Champion Off the Track Sexy Beast with Kristie Morrone

As well as Ridden and Smartest on Parade classes, further ridden classes were segregated into various classes of gender, height, weight, Hunter and Hack classes. All winners entered the ring for the Grand Champion work out and all work exceptionally well, but the judge could not look past the magnificent, big moving gelding Caught on Camera and his rider Elissa Kettlewell. They were awarded Grand Champion Exhibit.

The Standardbred Pleasure and Performance Horse Association do an absolutely brilliant job with putting the State Championships together each year and Off the Track and Racing and Wagering WA are very proud to be a major sponsor. We look forward to showcasing more of this amazing breed.

14 August/September - RACING AHEAD

Grand Champion Exhibit winner Royal Pride and Tracey Cosham

countdown on for the 2015 perth inter dominion July 16 marked 150 days until the $1.3 Million Perth Inter Dominion Grand Final, and with the countdown now well and truly on, key items for the Series are being released via the Gloucester Park website.

Hospitality packages are now available with spaces filling up fast in the Beau Rivage Restaurant and through our rooms for hire and private boxes.

To kick things off, the start of Australia’s biggest harness racing carnival will also coincide with one of our biggest nights of the year – Italian Fireworks Night.

All the favourite Italian Night festivities will be returning including; Italian food stalls, free kids rides, entertainment from the trackside stage, the annual Butchers Sprint plus fireworks after the last race.

The Inter Dominion is set to be one of the biggest periods in the history of Western Australian harness racing, culminating in the December 13 Grand Final which will see four Group One races including the $1.3 Million Inter Dominion Grand Final.

Inter Dominion Feature Races Heat Night 1: Friday November 27 3 x $50,000 TABtouch Inter Dominion Heats $50,000 4YO Championship $30,000 Parliamentarians Cup

$14,999 – San Simeon Heat 1 $14,999 – Binshaw Heat 1 Heat Night 2: Tuesday December 1 (Bunbury Trotting Club) 3 x $50,000 TABtouch Inter Dominion Heats $14,999 – San Simeon Heat 2 $14,999 – Binshaw Heat 2 Heat Night 3: Friday December 4 3 x $50,000 TABtouch Inter Dominion Heats $125,000 McInerney Ford 4YO Classic $50,000 Norms Daughter Classic $14,999 – San Simeon Heat 3 $14,999 – Binshaw Heat 3 2 x Heats of World Drivers Challenge (Featuring Tim Tetrick) Grand Final Day: Sunday December 13 $1.3 Million TABtouch Inter Dominion Final $50,000 TABtouch Inter Dominion Consolation $200,000 Golden Nugget Championship $125,000 Mares Classic $50,000 San Simeon Final $50,000 Binshaw Final $50,000 Trotters Cup 1 x Heat of World Drivers challenge (Featuring Tim Tetrick)

big acts to hit gloucester park for the inter dominion Gloucester Park is excited to announce that two major Australian acts have been booked to perform during the 2015 Perth Inter Dominion.

The esteemed Australian act will be performing hits including UFO, Pictures and I Love It.

Heat Night 3 on December 4 will see rock band British India playing live on the trackside stage after the last race. The Melbourne fourpiece have recently completed a string of shows across the country as part of their "Nothing Touches Me Tour" which included sold out shows in Perth, Fremantle and Dunsborough.

General admission tickets and hospitality packages for the Inter Dominion are now available at www.gloucesterpark.com.au

Rounding out the Series will be ARIA Award winners Sneaky Sound System who have been booked to play at the Inter Dominion Grand Final on Sunday December 13.

Sneaky Sound System, will be taking to the stage as the sun goes down on what’s set to be the biggest days of racing Gloucester Park has ever seen.

Sneaky Sound System

British India

racing returns to gloucester park The highly anticipated return to racing at Gloucester Park came on Friday July 3 after heavy rainfall delayed the track renovation by one week.

Gloucester Park Harness Racing returned to Bunbury Trotting Club for a fifth consecutive Friday night while the weather damage was repaired.

“The track was on schedule, however the weather caused a slight delay in having the track finished,” said Michael Radley, Gloucester Park Chief Executive.

“RWWA Harness Office and the Bunbury and Pinjarra clubs were extremely accommodating in finding a quick solution to the delay,” he said.

four Group One Westbred Classics, and saw Machtu stamp himself as a genuine Inter Dominion contender with an impressive victory in the Princi Butchers Winter Cup. $100,000 Westbred Classic Winners: • • • •

2YO COLTS AND GELDINGS: Johnny Disco 2YO FILLIES: Dodolicious 3YO COLTS AND GELDINGS: Bettor Reward 3YO FILLIES: Once Bitten

The five week relocation to Bunbury proved a success, and saw the provincial track host two of Gloucester Park’s marquee Group One races – The Diamond Classic for fillies and the Pearl Classic for colts and geldings.

The five week period also acted as a great precursor to the Inter Dominion, with Bunbury Trotting Club set to host the second night of Heats on December 1.

The return to Gloucester Park delivered a great night of racing with RACING AHEAD - August/September - 15

AMERICAN CHAMPION TIM TETRICK SET TO RETURN DOWN UNDER FOR INTER DOMINION One of the World’s best reinsman, Tim Tetrick will drive at the 2015 Inter Dominion Carnival at Gloucester Park in November and December.

Tetrick, who represented the USA at the World Driving Championships in Sydney earlier this year, running third overall behind New Zealand’s Dexter Dunn, has driven over 8500 career winners and amassed almost $200 Million in stakes, including the $1 Million North America Cup at Mohawk race track (Canada) in June aboard Wakizashi Hanover.

Tetrick will drive in two separate series during the Inter Dominion, the first being an International Drivers Challenge, with two heats on the third night of Inter Dominion series (Friday, 4 December) and a heat on TABtouch Inter Dominion Grand Final Day (Sunday 13 December) both at Gloucester Park.

Affectionately known as the ‘Bionic Man’, Tetrick will drive against an invitation only field of elite reinsman, with all states and New Zealand represented. From Western Australia, Inter Dominion champions Gary Hall Jr, Chris Lewis and Kim Prentice have been chosen to compete.

The second series will see Tetrick compete against Western Australia’s most promising drivers including, Tom Buchanan (WA representative Australasian Young Driver’s Championship), Kristy Sheehy (Garrard’s JCD Challenge Winner) and RWWA Invitational defending Champion Kaiden Hayter.

Adding to the series, Harness Racing NSW have a reciprocal arrangement with Western Australia to give a young driver the experience to compete in a series in the other state. This will mean that this year, Jack Trainor will represent his home state in this exciting series against Tetrick.

Heats will be conducted at Pinjarra (Monday 7 December), York’s meeting the following day (Tuesday 8 December), with the final heat at Gloucester Park (Friday 11 December).

“Im excited to head back to Australia” Tetrick said from his New York base.

“I got my first taste of Australian racing in March and loved it, so I can’t wait to get back and compete against Australia’s best drivers in Perth.

“I'm a big fan of the Inter Dominion and I love the uniqueness of the series, it’s something special to ‘down under’ harness racing and I looking forward to being a part of it” said Tetrick.

Tetrick will also be available for selected outside drives during his stay in Perth.

“Maybe my good mate Luke (McCarthy) or even the Hall barn (Gary Hall Sr’s Stable) will throw a drive my way as well!!!” joked the star American driver

2015 RWWA INVITATIONAL 7th - 11th December

Image courtesy of Gloucester Park

TOM BUCHANAN

Image courtesy of HRNSW

JACK TRAINOR

WA Representative AYDC

NSW Rising Stars Winner

Image courtesy of William Crabb

Image courtesy of Paceway Photos

Image courtesy of Tabcorp Menangle Park

TIM TETRICK U.S. Superstar

16 August/September - RACING AHEAD

KAIDEN HAYTER

RWWA Invitational Defending Champion

KRISTY SHEEHY

Garrard's JCD Challenge Winner

Nominations for Committee Western Australian Trotting Association trading as Gloucester Park Harness Racing

In accordance with the Western Australian Trotting Association Act 1946, nominations are called to fill two vacancies on the Committee.

As a result of the amalgamation of the Fremantle Harness Racing Club and Western Australian Trotting Association, Part 9 of the WATA By-laws provides for transition to nine members of Committee. In 2015 three members of Committee are due to retire at the conclusion of the 2015 Annual General Meeting and two positions will be available. Therefore, following the 2015 Annual General Meeting the number of Committee members will reduce to nine, comprising the President, two Vice Presidents and six members of Committee.

J P Burt, M C James and F R Kersley retire at the conclusion of the 2015 Annual General Meeting, which is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 28th October 2015. Under the provisions of the By-Laws, and in the event that an election is necessary, the two candidates for election to the Committee who poll the highest number of votes shall hold office for a three-year term.

Nomination forms are available from the Chief Executive Officer of Gloucester Park Harness Racing (GPHR) and will be accepted from 3rd August until 17th August 2015 at 4.00 pm.

Nominations are to be lodged with the Chief Executive Officer of GPHR at the GPHR Office, Gloucester Park, East Perth.

Ballot for the order of the positions on the ballot paper to be held at 12.00 noon on Tuesday 18th August 2015.

Ballot papers will be posted at least three weeks prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting, which is 28th October 2015.

Close of ballot and full count of the ballot papers 9.00 am 28th October 2015.

Eligibility In order to nominate for a position on the Committee, a person must: (a) be a full member; and (b) have paid all subscriptions and other money due to GPHR; or (c) be a life member, before the close of nominations.

Membership A member shall cease to be a member upon the member’s failure to pay the applicable annual subscription on or before 31st August 2015.

Nomination A person is eligible for election to the Committee if:

(a)

a financial member as at 31st August 2015 and who is a financial member for 2015/16;

(b)

is nominated by two persons who are financial members as at 31st August 2015 and who are financial members of the Association for 2015/16;

(c)

the candidate signifies, by notice signed by him or her, their willingness to accept the office if elected (form available from the Chief Executive Officer GPHR, as above); and

(d)

the nominee has been a financial member of GPHR for not less than 12 continuous months immediately prior to the closing date for election.

GREG RICKIE RETURNING OFFICER

RACING AHEAD - August/September - 17

Vale Les Poyser

By Alan Parker

For a little boy that went to school with no shoes, you built a mountain – Norma Poyser – May 2015 Les Poyser was born a few days before Christmas 1931 and died on 22nd May 2015 after a short illness.

In the intervening 83 years he quietly went about compiling an amazing record as a trainer and driver recording more than 750 winners with more than 500 of those in Perth.

For the 17 seasons between 1962/63 and 1978/79 Les Poyser finished in the top ten on the Perth Drivers Premiership with his best seasons being a second place finish to Fred Kersley in 1974/75 and a third placing to Fred Kersley and Ray Sweetman in 1977/78.

Les Poyser retired from training in 1998 and driving in 2002 and in 2015 he still ranks in 14th place on the all-time list of this State’s Leading Trainers with 639 winners and 22nd on the all-time list of the State’s Leading Drivers.

Having driven his first winner in 1952 and his last in 2002 (50 years) Les Poyser ranks third behind Max Johnson (59 years) and Bob Pollock (58 years) as the only Western Australian reinsmen with a 50 year span between their first and last winners.

Les Poyser’s record is all the more remarkable as he lost his father as a 12yo and he learned about horses from a milk-round and ear-wigging in a blacksmith’s shop in Fremantle.

Leslie Harry Poyser was born at the height of the Great Depression and his father, also Les, worked for the Fremantle Council while achieving a degree of notoriety on weekends as a player for the Fremantle Rangers Soccer Club.

Les Poyser enlisted in the Australian Army in 1940 and was made a Prisoner of War when Singapore was captured by the Japanese. He “died of illness on 21st October 1943 whilst a prisoner in Japanese hands” and his widow Rose was tasked with rearing their two children.

From a young age Les Poyser was fascinated with horses and spent countless hours trying to catch and ride the brumbies that roamed the Jandakot bush at the time. It was his childhood exploits and love of the Jandakot bush that led him years later to purchase land and set up stables in the area.

Les Poyser was the epitome of the self-taught horseman and even as a 75yo he was still shoeing his own horses and doing their teeth.

Les had to learn to fend for himself and, as a teenager, he began work delivering milk using a horse and cart. It wasn’t an occupation without risk when, as a17yo, he tripped over a low brick wall in the early hours of the morning and spent several hours on the ground with a broken thigh before help arrived.

After his recovery, desperate to learn more about horses, Les spent his spare time at Alby Mollett’s blacksmith’s shop near the Richmond Raceway track and he soon came into contact with a number of legendary horsemen based in the area including the likes of George McAlpine, Harry Schrader, Bernie Cushing and Bill Johnson.

He also worked for the Porter family at a time when Howard, John, Ron and

Les and Natalie Poyser with Keystone Express

18 August/September - RACING AHEAD

Lyall Porter had one of the State’s best teams of horses.

It was George McAlpine who trained a sister to Cup Class horse Classic Step in Classic Reign and on 24th January 1950 Les Poyser drove Classic Reign to victory in a Reinsman’s School Trial at Gloucester Park.

Poyser’s tutors at the School were Frank Kersley, Alec McLean and Cyril Lilleyman graduated in July 1950 and his first race-drive was behind Classic Reign in a race at Richmond Raceway.

It took Les Poyser some 18 months to land his first winner which came courtesy of the smart 3yo Kratsa Dan for trainer Bob Williams at Richmond Raceway on the 19th January 1952.

Six weeks after that initial win Poyser drove Kratsa Dan into third place behind the champion Beau Don in the 1952 WA Derby thus beginning Poyser’s remarkable relationship with the State’s premier race for 3yos.

Between 1962 and 1965 Poyser won three of the five WA Derbies run in that period with Swahili for trainer George Doust and a pair he trained himself in Satanas and Volutis. Only Fred Kersley senior, Fred R Kersley and Chris Lewis have driven more WA Derby winners.

In 1952 the 21yo Les Poyser purchased his own milk round and also began to train his own small team of pacers as horses quite literally became his whole life.

He became friends with Les Baldwin who, in partnership with his brother Howard, ran the Swansea Cycles company and the combination combined for more than 100 winners as owner and trainer.

Les Poyser’s first win as a trainer came with the Les Baldwin owned Classic Mint at Gloucester Park on Foundation Day 1953. The next race at the meeting was the £2000 Coronation Cup which was won by the Bernie Cushing driven Classic Step for owner/trainer George McAlpine. Classic Step was an older half-brother to Classic Mint.

The 1953 Coronation Cup was part of a weekend of celebration Australiawide for the coronation of a young Queen Elizabeth.

In 1977 Les Poyser was introduced to Queen Elizabeth at Gloucester Park as the trainer of two runners in the Queen Elizabeth Cup at Gloucester Park.

He elected to drive Little William which finished midfield while his other runner Ala Moana, with Laurie Robinson at the reins, finished second to Fastease.

In 1959, dressed in his good suit and hat, Les placed a bet on the tote at Gloucester Park and after placing his bet summoned up the courage to ask the young woman behind the counter out on a date.

Les and Norma Poyser married a couple of years later and, after operating from rented stables opposite East Fremantle oval in Chudleigh Street, they set up stables in Kardinya on the site of the present-day Kardinya Park Shopping Centre.

After the birth of their daughter Natalie in 1970, the Poyser family moved to

Satanas enjoying the hose

Vale Les Poyser a vacant block in Banjup in 1972 where they firstly built stables and later a track before the family home.

Natalie was Les’s pride and joy and he was delighted when she too fell in love with the horses and later followed in his footsteps and began to drive in races.

Les taught Natalie how to sit quietly behind a horse and Natalie drove some 46 winners in an eight year career as a driver including becoming the first woman to drive a winning double at Gloucester Park in May 1988.

During the course of more than 50 years with horses Les Poyser developed and trained a number of outstanding horses while remaining a highly sort after freelance reinsman.

Les Poyser was renowned for his coolness as a driver and for his great hands which saw even the hardest puller settle. He had a simple philosophy that it was the horse that had to win and there was no point him stressing as he believed that the horse would feel that nervousness through the reins.

He drove the champion Pure Steel to a memorable victory in the 1980 WA Pacing Cup for trainer Mark Roberts when he surrendered the position outside the leader with 900 metres to travel, taking the sit, before sprinting the champion to victory from the 400 metre mark.

He won six races with Pure Steel and was at the reins when the champion finished fourth to fellow West Aussie San Simeon in the 1981 Hobart Inter Dominion.

It was to be a fortuitous trip for Poyser as the friendships made during that Championship saw a number of Tasmanian horses sent to him in Western Australia.

Between 1982 and 1986, 46 of Les Poyser’s 69 winners in Perth had been sent to him from Tasmania including the likes of Melfield Tyros which won a Brennan Cup and was runner-up in a WA Pacing Cup and fourth in a Fremantle Cup. His nickname “Longshot Les” originated in August 1962 when the struggling young trainer invested practically his last £25 on Brusdon at 66/1 and duly collected. A week later he landed Tropical a winner at 25/1.

The very best horses that were trained by Les Poyser included Velocipede, which was jointly owned by Les Baldwin and Les Poyser and the George Doust owned Satanas. Velocipede was a Latin word for the bicycles sold by Baldwin.

Velocipede’s 20 wins included a heat of the 1967 Inter Dominion and the 1965 Northam Cup and he was capable of coming around the field from last at the bell and winning.

Les Poyser had taken Velocipede and Satanas to Sydney for the rain-soaked 1966 Inter Dominion but Velocipede knocked a hip down at Bert Alley’s stable and had to be scratched a year before he qualified for the 1967 final.

Satanas won 18 races including a WA Derby, Easter Cup, Inter Dominion consolation and Tattersalls Cup as well as being placed in two WA Pacing Cups, an Inter Dominion heat, a couple of Easter Cups and two August Cups.

Satanas was a horse that had to be allowed to drop out and settle before being asked for his run and Poyser had a similar horse in Acron Blue which won some nine city class races and was placed in a Stratton, Easter and Winter Cups.

Les was also a part of history when Little William dead-heated in the 1977 Fremantle Members Mile with the Les Marriott trained Virgil Queen. Both horses covered the mile in 1:59.6 which was claimed as the World Record for the fastest dead-heat.

Little William won four races after being sent to Les by his NSW owner Alan Clinton with the stallion’s other wins in WA including the 1978 Fremantle Cup and 1977 Easter Cup. Velocipede and Little William were among Les’s favourite horses with the durable Keystone Express also sharing favourite status.

Keystone Express won a total of 19 races including a Pinjarra Cup and finished fourth in the 1991 Fremantle Cup won by Speedy Cheval. It was the last Fremantle Cup run at Poyser’s introduction to trotting – Richmond Raceway.

Les Poyser with his 1967 Inter Dominion heat winner Velocipede in the stalls at Gloucester Park Surfers Guide also won 19 races and was placed in a number of feature events including a Christmas Gift, August Cup and Winter Cup. The quiet and unassuming nature of Les Poyser saw him largely remain away from the spotlight and away from the microphone at trackside presentations.

His entire focus was the care and welfare of his horses and his family.

Fittingly, his last winner as a driver came behind Nat’s Nifty which was trained by his daughter Natalie.

Equally fitting was the use of The Horse’s Prayer at Les Poyser’s funeral service in lieu of the more traditional Lord’s Prayer.

To thee, my master, I offer my prayer. Feed me, water and care for me, and, when the day's work is done, provide me with shelter, a clean, dry bed and stall wide enough for me to lie down in comfort.

Always be kind to me. Talk to me. Your voice often means as much to me as the reins. Pet me sometimes, that I may serve you the more gladly and learn to love you. Never strike, beat or kick me when I do not understand what you want, but give me a chance to understand you. Watch me, and if I fail to do your bidding, see if something is not wrong with my harness or my feet.

I cannot tell you when I am thirsty, so give me clean, cool water often.. I cannot tell you in words when I am sick, so watch me, that by signs you may know my condition. Give me all possible shelter from the hot sun, and put a blanket on me, not when I am working but when I am standing in the cold.

Never put a frosty bit in my mouth; first warm it by holding it a moment in your hands.

I try to carry you and your burdens without a murmur, and wait patiently for you long hours of the day or night. Without the power to choose my shoes or path, I sometimes fall on the hard pavements which I have often prayed might not be of cement but of such a nature as to give me a safe and secure footing. Remember that I must be ready at any moment to lose my life in your service.

And finally, o my master, when my useful strength is gone, do not turn me out to starve or freeze, or sell me to some cruel owner to be slowly tortured and starved to death; but do thou, my master, take my life in the kindest way, and your God will reward you here and hereafter.

You will not consider me irreverent if I ask this in the name of Him who was born in a stable, Amen 

RACING AHEAD - August/September - 19

WASBA WASBA 2015 STALLION RAFFLE This is our fourth straight year of running this raffle, giving our WA Breeders the chance to breed to the best stallions available. We sincerely thank John Coffey from Alabar Bloodstock, Rob and Julie Van Dyke from Pepper Tree Farm and Mark Hughes from Woodlands Stud for their assistance. First Prize this year is a service to either American Ideal from Woodlands Stud or Art Major, courtesy of Alabar and Pepper Tree Farm.

Art Major (1:48.8, $3,273,217) has sired the winners of nearly $120 million in stakes, and is still going strong.

American Ideal (P3 1:47.8 $786,055) is the sire of millionaire colts Heston Blue Chip (1:48.0 $1,781,881), Hes Watching (1:46.4 $1,116,450) and the current US top 3yo colt In The Arsenal (1:49.4 and $726,663). He is also the sire of millionaire mares American Jewel (1:48.2 $1,840,565), Idyllic (1:50.0 $1,296,967) and Romantic Moment (1:50.1 $1,076,527).

In Australasia his top ranked progeny include 4yo Bling It On (1:51 $829,422), Ideal Scott (1:52.8 $755,644) and WA Pacing Cup winner My Hard Copy (1:54.1 $448,522).

•

Bettor Reward (Bettors Delight), breeder Steve Johnson, held on to win the 3yo Colts/Geldings Classic for owner Craig Lynn; and

•

Once Bitten (Four Starzzz Shark), trained, driven and owned by the Wheeler family, starred in her win in the 3yo Fillies Classic.

Fantastic races, and remembering that the breeders of the placegetters in the Westbred Classics receive $5000, $3000 and $2000.

Congratulations to all the breeders and connections of this super bunch of young horses.

BREEDERS SEMINAR

Please see raffle flyer on the next page (page 21) for all details.

Come along to the Breeders Seminar, at Byford Trotting Club on Sunday 9 August from 12 noon. There will be a free sausage sizzle at noon, with the Seminar getting underway about 12.30. There will be some interesting information presented by our speakers, covering a full range of breeding topics. Some handouts will be available and we will also have a panel of expert breeders for you to ask questions on all aspects of breeding and even selling. You can go into the draw to win a free raffle ticket in our Stallion Raffle if you are a WASBA Member.

WASBA THANKS OUR SPONSORS ON 2015 BREEERS STAKES NIGHT

SNIPPETS

It was an outstanding effort from 4yo Christian Cullen mare Libertybelle Midfrew to win the prestigious $40,000 WASBA Breeders Stakes on 15 May. Libertybell Midfrew put in a superior performance to win by 9m from The Parade, with a very brave Indomitable (by Saab) coming third.

Another great night is planned for Friday 23 October at Gloucester Park for our 2015 Awards/Gala Dinner Night. Discounted tickets for WASBA members and tables of 10, finger food and drinks, a great night of racing as well as Awards and door and raffle prizes. More information in the next Racing Ahead, or email info@wasba.com.au or call 0447 053 040. Tickets available in August.

It was a great night of racing overall for Westbreds, with 2yo gelding Lightning Jolt (Village Jolt) easily winning the Budget Stockfeeds 2yo Pace by 9m, in a mile rate of 1.57.6. Smokey The Bandit (Jet Laag) impressively winning the Gloucester Standardbreds Pace over 2130m with his customary last to first dashing sprint, 5yo Dardy Delight (Bettors Delight) winning the Larkhill Vets Discretionary Stand over 2503m and champion 8yo gelding David Hercules (Artesian) had an easy and authoritative win in the Vision Produce Stakes on his return to racing. The final win on the night was Delusional (Rich And Spoilt), who held on for a win in the Milne Feeds Westbred Pathway.

Our other sponsors on the night were Allwood Stud Farm, Fresh Express, BEC Horse Transport and Landmark Midvale, who all provided WASBA with valuable sponsorship to put towards the promotion and sponsorship of breeding in Western Australia. Thank you to all our sponsors, and to Leith Putland and Michael Goggins from Gloucester Park Harness Racing.

GREAT RACING BY WESTBREDS There has been some really great racing over recent months with some top races on offer.

After Sheer Rocknroll (Rocknroll Hanover), Mary Catherine (Art Major) and Jasmin Amal (Sportswriter) took out the heats, the $102,000 2015 Diamond was won by Bethany Aitch (Four Starzzz Shark). Heats of the Pearl were very impressively won by Rich Yankee (Yankee Sensation) and Alfs Odyssey (Dawn Ofa New Day). Rich Yankee took out the $102,000 Pearl Final for owner’s Maree Moore and the Ness family of Albany.

The $14,999 WASBA/Allwood Stud Farm Virgil Queen Celebration Pace will be run at NORTHAM on 25 August, for C2+M0 Mares over 2190m.

Alabar is again offering 20% discount for early bird payment, and multiple mare discounts. If you have just the one mare, Alabar is offering around a 10% discount to WASBA members.

New to WA this year are stallions Western Edition (half brother to Art Major), Artesian (sire of David Hercules) and Franco Jamar 1:51.2 (by Courage Under Fire).

To become a member go to the Members tab on our website www. wasba.com.au to download a membership form, or call 0447 053 040 for a form to be sent to you. You can pay by direct deposit to the WASBA account BSB 036 043, Account 129810, or forward a cheque to WASBA at PO Box 1270, Booragoon WA 6954. We also take credit card payments.

You can also complete your form online.

For more information about WASBA or any of the topics covered in “WASBA News” or breeding issues call 0447 053 040 or email info@ wasba.com.au or visit our website, where we also review all Friday night Westbred winners.

The four $100,000 Classics for Westbreds produced another exciting night of racing with some extremely delighted and overwhelmed connections taking home these important Group 1 events.

•

Johnny Disco (Jeremes Jet), owner/breeders Sue and John Awcock along with part owner John Lawrence, driven by Chris Lewis to win the 2yo Colts/Geldings Classic;

•

Dodolicious (Bettors Delight) owner/breeders Greg and Skye Bond, very impressively won the 2yo Fillies Classic by 16m for driver Ryan Warwick;

20 August/September - RACING AHEAD

Johnny Disco

FROM 1 AUGUST 2014 A RECORD $126.1M WILL BE DISTRIBUTED IN FUNDING TO THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN RACING INDUSTRY. The Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) Board has committed a further $14M in grants towards key racing infrastructure projects.

$126.1M FUNDING

+

$14M

INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS

RACING INDUSTRY

The WA Racing Industry generates more than $550M in direct expenditure and contributes over $590M in value added to the local economy.

More than 33600 people are directly involved in Western Australian racing which provides full time jobs for more than 6700 people. More than $349M in wages is derived from the industry’s full-time employment.

33680 People directly involved in WA racing 6737 Full time equivalent employment

=

$349.3M Household Income

More than $104M in funding is allocated to prizemoney, breeding bonuses and participant payments which will benefit community, regional and metropolitan racing throughout the State.

SOURCE: WA RACING ECONOMIC & SOCIAL IMPACT REPORT, IER, SEPTEMBER 2012

The Western Australian racing industry plays an important economic and social role, enhancing both individual and community wellbeing. There is an average of more than two thoroughbred, harness or greyhound race meetings held each day in this state; providing employment and entertainment for West Australians and visitors alike.

This significant increase in funding allocations has been made possible by the performance of the TAB, which is driving a positive and sustainable future for the local racing industry.

CAMS FOOL 1:50.2 $858,979 CAMS CARD SHARK - IM NO FOOL by TYLER B first crop of 8 foals are 3yo's in 2015

TWO WINNERS TO DATE

MASTER JAXON 4 wins in 2015 including 2nd Westbred Classic

SEA ME SMILE 4 wins (3 at 2yo, 1 at 3yo) including 2nd Gold Bracelet 3rd Diamond Classic

SERVICE FEE $1,100 incl. GST OPTION AVAILALBE TO PAY ON LIVE FOAL

Double Westbred bonus stallion

Standing at BBB Stud 2835 Old Coast Road, Herron, WA 6210 Phone Annie Dalton 0401 621 197 or Neven Botica 0418 925 415 Email: boticanm@bigpond.net.au