WA Racing News Update: Material Man Out Of Perth Cup
11 December, 2018
Thoroughbred
MATERIAL MAN
Material Man won’t be defending his Perth Cup crown on Jan 5. The Justin Warwick-trained gelding defeated Pounamu in a thrilling finish last year, but will end his Ascot campaign in Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m) on December 22.
“We are not going in the Perth Cup,” said owner Michael McDermott on Tabradio.
“I’m done with the Perth Cup. In my lifetime I never thought I would win it.
“We will go in the Ted Van Heemst and then reassess our position.
“I’m looking at the eastern states.”
SCALES OF JUSTICE
Lindsey Smith has ruled out Scales Of Justice in the Group 3 A.J.Scahill Stakes (1400m) at Ascot this Saturday.
The son of Not A Single Doubt has not fully recovered from a bruised hoof and has gone to the paddock.
“It’s been frustrating and a distraction,” said Smith.
“His back is fine, but he couldn’t overcome feet issues.
“He will go for a break and come back for a Melbourne autumn campaign.”
Scales Of justice fought back from back surgery that threatened to end his racing career.
He ran fifth when first-up in the Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) and placed third behind Durendal at his previous start in the Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) in November.
Smith said he is confident he can get Scales Of Justice back to his best if the talented galloper can get an injury-free preparation.
PEARLS AND PRAWNS
Brock Lewthwaite doubts Pearls And Prawns will get to the Listed Starstruck Classic (1600m) in two weeks.
The talented mare won first-up, but has been only fair since when unplaced in the Jungle Mist Classic (1200m) and Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m).
“I’m not happy with how she is going and I don’t think she is trying,” Lewthwaite.
“I am getting a vet on Thursday to have a good look at her.
“She is showing all the right signs, but can’t put it together on race day.
“I don’t think she will be going to the Starstruck at this stage.
“We will know more after she is vetted later in the week.”
VALOUR ROAD-ACHERNAR STAR
Damian Lane has been booked to ride Valour Road in the A.J.Scahill Stakes. He replaces Victorian hoop Ben Allen who rode the gelding into fifth place in the Winterbottom Stakes.
Stable mate Achernar Star will go for a freshen-up and won’t progress to next month’s Perth Cup after his Kingston Town Classic ninth on the weekend.
“He didn’t run out the 1800m,” said trainer Simon Miller.
“He will be set for the Pinjarra Classic (1300m) and Bunbury Stakes (1400m) next February and March.”
Miller also said Blackline would drop back in distance and target the Starstruck Classic over 1600m, along with Royal Missile, who charged home strongly for fifth in the Jungle Dawn Classic.
CAROCAPO
Meanwhile Jim Taylor’s talented but injury-plagued galloper Carocapo earned a reprieve when he bolted in by eight lengths in a Belmont trial on Monday.
“He showed a lot of talent early, but tore a muscle in a hind quarter,” Taylor said.
“It’s been a long slow process with him.
“He was on his last chance in the trial, if he didn’t perform he was on his way out.
“It was encouraging, but he needs to do it under race conditions.
“He will trial again in two weeks.”
Carocapo, a Husson gelding, last appeared nearly two years ago. He ran last to Dainty Tess after winning his opening two races.
SWEET ORA
Sweet Ora has been retired to stud.
The Adam Durrant-trained mare raced for the final time last Saturday when trailing the field behind Candlelight Star.
The daughter of Oratorio enjoyed a 28 start career for 7 wins, eight placings and $325,220 in stake earnings.
Sweet Ora proved a bargain buy for her owners after being bought for a modest $15,000.
Julio Santarelli