They Have Got To Be Kidding - What reputation!
Everyone in Asian racing circles is rolling around the floor still laughing at the joke disqualification given to leading Malaysian trainer Praskhash Pereira recently for making comments that were detrimental to the image of Malaysian racing!
Say what! What image - what reputation?
The story dates back to December when Pereira was bashed outside his home suffering a fractured leg and severe bruising. Pereira is not the first to be bashed in Malysian racing circles. Our own Malcolm Johnston was given a right royal flogging in Malaysia some years back and assaults on trainers, jockeys and even the odd steward is the MO of the hoods that try to control racing in the country.
Pereira claimed he was bashed by a gang of race fixers, but of course, in true Malaysian style they shoot the messenger rather than look for the cause of the problemn and root it out.
Racing in Malaysia is never going to reach the heights it has in places like Singapore and Hong Kong simply because of the bad reputation the place has.
The reputation of the game in Malaysia is somewhere slightly above the reputation of despots like Ramzan Kadirov in Chechnya and Osama Bin Laden.
It would not have been possible for Pereira to damage the reputation of racing Malaysia no matter what he said.
IRISHMAN GETS THE BOOT:
Former Irish trainer Mark Wallace had his biggest win since moving to Australia to train when he won today's Wellington Boot (1100m) with Derippa, the son of Seidnazar.
With Grant Buckley in the saddle, Derippa sat outside Sutton Beauty to the home turn before pulling clear to beat that horse clearly with Rockway Star in third place.
LUNDHOLM ADDS ANOTHER CUP TO THE MANTLE:
Legendary Coonamble trainer John Lundholm added another feature race to the trophy cabinet when Nampara Bullet, courtesy of a gem ride by Jeff Kehoe, won today's Wellington Cup (1700m).
Lundholm took over the training of Nampara Bullet when his veteran trainer John Langworthy got severely hurt in a fall from a horse on the training track at Orange and since joining the Lundholm yard Nampara Bullet has been cleaning up the country picnic cups.
He returned to the professionals today with happy results.
BEADMAN PULLED THE RIGHT REIN:
I commented yesterday on Darren Beadman's shock decision to ride Able One in preference to both Collection and Viva Pataca in today's Gr 3 Chairman's Trophy (1600m) at Shatin.
Beadman had the last laugh, landing Able One, a former Champions Mile winner, a narrow victor at his first win for almost two years. The John Moore trained galloper had not won since June 2008 but after having the drop on the leader Beauty Flash to the turn Able One dashed clear before the 200 and held off a strong challenge from the ever consistent Mr Medici in the final stages to win by a neck.
Able On e's win was the second leg of a winning double for Moore and Beadman who have got their "mojp" back in recent meetings after a quiet spell.
The race was full of disappointments. The favourite Brave Kid was dsiappointing, Fair Trade was only fair in running fourth, Collection, despite getting "skittled" at the 200, was only fair and Beauty Flash weakened after having his own way in front.
The Derby form from Brave Kid, Beauty Flash and Fair Trade did not stand up against the more seasoned campaigners.
PREBBLE PROBABLY RIGHT:
Brett Prebble lamented that his 10 day suspension incurred in winning yesterday's Golden Slipper would probably cost him the Hong Kong Jockey's title and after today's meeting at Shatin he is probably right.
With one race still left to run - and both Prebble and 9 times champion jockey Douglas Whyte both having winning chances in it - Whyte's winning treble (all for trainer John Size) has whittled Prebble's lead back to just four wins.
Prebble has had one winner on today's card.
Three meetings with no Prebble riding will give Whyte ample opportunity to capitalise on the situation.
If there is a bright spot on the horizon for Prebble it was interference suffered by Collection in the feature race, which looking at the head-on film appeared to be caused by Whyte's mount Brave Kid shifting in under pressure in the final 200 metres.
Maybe Douglas may be joining Prebble on the sidelines for a spell.
WHAT'S IN A NAME:
Old horse names keep popping up. But in one instance outright sacrilege has occurred. I was looking at the race results on www.indiarace.com.au on the net last night and noticed an iconic name of an Aussie horse popped up among the winners at Hyderabad on Good Friday.
The horse is called none other than Phar Lap!
I noticed also that Peter Moody has a horse in Melbourne called Jewel Thief. The original Jewel Thief was raced by Stan and Millie Fox and trained by Jack Denham. He won a Silver Slipper with Peter Cuddihy in the saddle.
The Godolphin galloper Mendip is another recycled name - the Australian Mendip being trained by Terry Brosnan at Rosehill and raced by Bill Hackett. He won several staying races in his career with Graham Horselman in the saddle.
PENGELLY AND CALLOW DIP OUT:
Brad Pengelly travelled to Selangor in Malaysia for just one ride - finishing second in the opening race on Imperial Decree. I don't know if Brad has moved there to have a stint or if it was a one-off trip.
Noel Callow could not improve on his treble from yesterday - drawing a blank with Benny Woodworth taking riding honours with a double.
Oscar Chavez "border-hopped" after winning on Chilli in Singapore yesterday to ride a winner at today's meeting.