Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm

Corinella impressed in her first run for her new trainer, Mick Kent yesterday at Cranbourne.

Her task was at class 1 level over 1400 metres. Starting from gate two, Corinella jumped well, but was soon beaten for early speed. The High Chaparral mare found herself crowded and Luke Nolen brought her back to find room. Toward the 600, the grey filly Stardom, who was just outside and forward of Corinella, commenced her run. Luke Nolen tacked on.

The two went around the leaders at the turn. Stardom kicked a length and a half a clear of Corinella, who chased the grey for the duration of the straight. Gradually the margin reduced and at the wire Corinella lunged. The judges called for a photo to separate them. Corinella won by 0.1 length with Tuskeggee Bomber, who had missed the start, a further two lengths away in third.

Corinella is named after a town on Western Port Bay in South West Gippsland. Coincidently a 2yo filly named after a neighbouring town, Coronet Bay, had won at Sandown, just four days earlier. Coronet Bay, ridden by Lisa Cropp is trained by Eric Musgrove.

Phillip Wolfgram is sitting comfortably on top of this season’s jockey’s premiership table at Toowoomba. His chance of winning was enhanced by his riding performance last Thursday when he rode four winners in a row during the seven race meeting.

The first win was for his wife Tracey aboard Hussminda, when he took out the class 5 1,300 metre race by more than two lengths.

Wolfy followed that win aboard Neville

Saunders’ heavily backed 3yo maiden Athenaeum. Caught wide from gate 12, the gelding found another gear upon straightening, and won the 1,000 metre race by more than two lengths.

That jockey/trainer combination made it a running double for the orange and green, with the ultra-consistent Bellespy in race 5 – a 1,200 metre maiden. Bellespy had finished runner-up in his previous three starts,  and he was entitled to start favourite in this race. He won as a favourite should, when he accelerated from a wall of horses in the straight to greet the judge more than two lengths ahead of the second horse –  Lauriston’s other runner in the race, Peak Performance was the second horse to cross the finish line. Peak Performance had forced two horses wide just after jumping.  A Lauriston quinella was denied when one of those horses, Dubai Destiny successfully protested. Dubai Destiny was promoted to third place while Peak Performance was relegated to fourth position.

Bellespy, by Doubleo from Commands mare Jingle Belle was bred at Lauriston and is co-owned by Tanith and Kevin O’Brien and Jan and Shane O’Brien. He was the thirty-eighth individual winner bred at Lauriston.

Wolfy made it a terrific day out by making it four in a row with a dominant display aboard Don’t Call Me Crazy for Patrick Sexton.

With less than seven weeks remaining this year, the four wins have taken Wolfy to 45 for the season, 16 clear of last season’s winner Adam Best.

Punters found it difficult to decide between Fab Fevola and Purettan in the sixth race on the card at the Gold Coast yesterday – an open handicap over 1100 metres.

As expected Fab Fevola exploded from the machine and set up an early lead. Settling in the group behind them was Purettan, and mid field on the fence was Street Stall, the long shot in the ten horse field.

Fab Fevola set a blistering pace, but after rounding the turn tired, and they came for him. Purettan started the charge and looked the likely winner however Kevin Forrester on Street Stall had other ideas, and challenged along the inside. The two horses levelled and drew away from the rest of the field. On the line it was a head

bobber and it took the judges some time to split them, but finally the decision went to Street Stall.

“That was a big thrill for me” commented trainer Neville Saunders after the win. “It was a pretty good ride by Kevin Forrester. I’ve known him for a long time and I’m so happy he won on our horse”.

It was Street Stall’s seventh career win. The four year old is a half brother to Light Fingers winner Street Smart. Street Smart, now a broodmare, is the dam of a great looking Street Cry weanling colt.

Ultra consistent three year old General Truce broke through for a deserved win in the fourth at Caulfield today. Early in his career, General Truce won the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate. He has since placed at Group 2 level on three occasions, including the 2010 Schillaci Stakes behind world champion Black Caviar. Today’s win took his career earnings beyond $350,000.

General Truce was allotted 59kgs for the 1000 metre race for three year olds and trainer Ricky Maund engaged apprentice Ashley Thompson to provide some weight relief.

Ricky

asked Ashley to ensure General Truce travelled fourth or fifth in running. That is exactly what Ashley did. Upon straightening, General Truce was momentarily held up by the tightly packed group in front. A gap presented, Ashley saw his opportunity and took it. General Truce burst through while wider on the track Spurcific gave chase. General Truce managed to hold out the filly to win the race. The race time of 58.88 on a slow7 track was half a second faster than the time run by the older horses in the following race.

 “It was a great ride by Ashley, he took the run when it presented, and the decision probably won him the race” said Ricky Maund. “Stepping General Truce back to 1000 metres wasn’t ideal, but it was the only real lead up option for the Creswick in a fortnight. I’m really pleased with how he is going”.

 General Truce, by Brief Truce was bred at Lauriston. He is the second foal from General Nediym mare, General Resolve. Like General Truce, his half-brother Arctic Command, also won the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate. Their half-sister, Complete Control, has won more than $100,000 in prize money. General Resolve’s fourth foal is a Testa Rossa weanling filly.

 Ashley Thompson maintained his winning form in the very next race on Secret Flyer. Secret Flyer came from last to edge out the gallant South Australian Morgan Dollar.

photos by Bruno Cannatelli

Lauriston bred gelding Levant has come in to this preparation in terrific order explained trainer Eric Musgrove. In search of drier ground Eric sent Levant to the Tatura good 3 track. Racing to the bend at the rear of the field, Eddie Cassar took Levant wide. He was travelling well and rounded up the field quickly. Among them was Lauriston racehorse Rapidement who had just found the lead. Levant won the 1000 metre 0-68 race by more than a length. Rapidement was just pipped for second by Sandler. Levant is by Rubiton out of Sea Zephyr. It was his fifth win and took his career prizemoney beyond $50,000.

Levant was the second Lauriston bred horse to win for the day after

General Truce’s bold effort at Caulfield. It was Eric Musgrove’s second winner for the day. Eric trained Our Aristocrat, a Galileo gelding, ridden by Steve Pateman to win the first in Morphettville – a hurdle race over 3,200 metres.

Glenariff was sent out as odds on favourite over 1100 metres at Geelong today. She did not let her supporters down. Dean Yendall positioned the mare in the middle of the field, and did not make his

move until the bend. Glenariff made the rest look second rate and was a comfortable runaway winner. “She hasn’t won for a while and that will be a real confidence booster for her,” explained trainer Ricky Maund.

The Lauriston bred Jeune mare is a half sister to Golden Rose winner Doonan and three time winner Canna.