THE PETLEY REPORT: TALLYHO TWINKLETOE CREATES A PIECE OF JUMPS RACING HISTORY

By Jack Petley | Sunday, August 15, 2021

There were some real highlights on the Australian racing scene yesterday including track records galore falling at Kembla Grange; Tiger of Malay lumping 61kgs to a narrow, but brilliant win; a double for Bjorn Baker; a dashing Oz debut by the boom Cambridge galloper Elephant and a super and decisive win by Ingratiating at Melbourne … but the win of the day for me was that crushing victory under a big weight and on a heavy track at Riccarton by the champion Kevin Myers trained galloper Tallyho Twinkletoe.

Tallyho Twinkletoe crushed his rivals in the big chase and on the way set a memorable record which could well remain for many, many years … that being the first horse to complete the NZ and Australian Grand National Hurdle and Steeplechase double as he completed his 11th victory from 15 over fences. "What an awesome horse, he has a big, big heart," said elated rider Shaun Phelan after the historic win. That latest win took his earnings to $667,000 via 15 wins from 33 starts for Jo Rathbone, a part owner, who paid a mere $9000 for him at a 2012 South Island sale. "He is just a beautiful horse all round," said Rathbone, a former tops jumps rider.

In Melbourne Elephant, by Shocking, took his record to 5 wins from as many starts for Team Browne of Cambridge when he made a dashing Oz debut in the hands of Damian Lane. "I am over the moon," said David Browne. The four-year-old holds high level entries like the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup, but a race Damian Lane says could be ideal for him is the Toorak Handicap. "He is going to reach high levels," said Lane. "I'm not certain whether the spring will be too soon." But one thing he looks to be a rising star!

Also at Caulfield Ingratiating gave Damian Oliver his third win in the Vain Stakes when the Godolphin owned three-year-old came from last on the home bend to wear his rivals down.He has many options for the spring with one of the majors on his agenda, the Coolmore Stakes.

Gimme Par looked a rising star for Peter Moody when Jamie Kah brought the three-year-old filly home in a fine win in the Quezette Stakes over 1100 and now has a win and two 2nds in her short but very promising career.

The Busuttin-Young yard gained the money with the Darci Brahma five-year-old mare Sierra Sue gaining her second win on end and with further likely this spring judging on the manner in which she finished off her rivals.

Ex Kiwi Second Slip was successful for trainer Will Clarken and Bella Nipotina , helped by a 3 kgs claim for promising young rider Josh Richards, scored in fine fashion.

At Kembla Grange track records fell in all directions … one, in fact, the 1200 metre record fell twice during the day, but that was understandable as the track offered up excellent footing and the card contained City horses racing on a Provincial track with Randwick not in use.

James McDonald was in fine form with wins on the smart three-year-old Tiger of Malay in the Up and Coming and King of Sparta for Team Snowden and on both occasions the rides he turned in were sensational. On Tiger of Malay he had a rails trip but had to wait for an opening. Once it came, he drove the colt through and the win suggested the Freedman trained three-year-old will be one of the stars this spring, King of Sparta was too good with a brilliant finish for the patient McDonald and he will now be given his chance to tackle better three-year-old events.

The Bjorn Baker yard has been in fine form. Bjorn, who finished third in the Premiership last season, saddled up two winners, Frosty Rocks, who gained back-to-back wins over 1400 metres for the in-form Josh Parr, and Bring the Ransom who gave Hugh Bowman his second win for the day.

And what a day for the highly regarded Moore family. Gary was successful with Prince Invincible and also during the day former legendary Hong Kong trainer John Mooire was successful with Samurai at Eagle Farm, his first Saturday city winner since establishing himself on the Gold Coast aftersuch an illustrious career in Hong Kong. "Means a lot to get this winner," he told the media afterwards … adding, his main aimnow is to train Group 1 winner in Australia.

Kathy O'Hara was successful on Commando Hunt for Cameron Crokett and that gave her her 1000th career winner.

With the continued lockdowns of States through the virus Sydney jockeys may find it hard to ride many of the big days in Melbourne with the Everest just a week before the Caulfield Cup. One Sydney jockey who already has stated he will ride in Melbourne is Glen Boss, who has gained the Caulfield Cup mount on that boom stayer and favourite for the Melbourne Cup, Incentivise. Boss has yet to win a Caulfield Cup, but he does have four Cox Plates, three Melbourne Cups and two Golden Slippers, not bad eh.

Interesting winner at Scone during the week, Mascherata, a daughter of Tivaci and the second winner now for the Waikato Stud stallion with Celevacci winning at Belmont a day earlier. O'Shea, who is in fine form, went to $150,000 to take the filly out of the Karaka sale ring.

Big race at Deauvulle in France later today, the Jacques le Morois and the clash between two very good milers, Palace Pier and Poetic Flare.

York officials believe that crowds for next week’s Ebor Festival could rival or even top off the 83,000 present the last time the four day carnival was held in 2019 while, in the USA, Arlington braces for its last race meeting with the tracks owner Churchill Downs selling to developers.