Wilde Racing

Another shot at glory for Baughurst

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

BAUGHURST has earned another shot at group one glory with successive victories in the $125,000 David Jones Cup (2000m) at Caulfield.

After missing a start in the Caulfield Cup on Saturday, in which the Warrnambool-trained galloper was first emergency, the group three feature produced an emotion-charged consolation result for connections of the hardy eight-year-old.

Symon Wilde, who trains Baughurst in partnership with his father Bill, revealed he would push on to the $752,500 Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington on October 31.

Encouraged by Baughurst's two group one results this preparation - beaten 1.5 lengths by Efficient in the Turnbull Stakes and 1.8 lengths by Whobegotyou in the Yalumba Stakes - Wilde reasons he deserves another outing at the top level.

"Given his form in those it might be a realistic target for him to get a top three," he said.

"And the weight-for-age ranks at the moment aren't super duper.

"It's probably about the only race left for him. We don't want to drag him out to a mile -and-a-half any more."

Given that Baughurst will be a nine-year-old next spring, the Mackinnon looms as potentially his last chance to win or place in group one company.

Dropping back in class on Saturday, he was sent to the barriers a $4 favourite and with the assistance of a heady ride from Ben Melham scored by 1.3 lengths from Shocking ($4.60). Pacino ($13) was a long neck away in third place.

Baughurst settled midfield on the rails after a small squeeze at the start, with Cape D'Amore, then Mentality setting the pace. Melham edged his mount off the rails after passing the 800-metre mark and tracked Pacino into the race.

Baughurst raced to the lead inside the final 300 metres and when Shocking threatened to issue a challenge, a tight finish loomed. But he responded to the challenge and Shocking ducked in, leaving Baughurst with a winning break.

Wilde said it was an emotional result for the owners.

"They understand what the horse has been through and how difficult it has been to get him here," he said.

"Last time (2008) it was pure shock and surprise. All of them had a tear in their eye this time."

Baughurst has been plagued by back and joint problems throughout his career, with the Wildes limiting most of his work to the beach.

While some of the owners may have had mixed feelings about missing a start in the Caulfield Cup, Symon Wilde confessed he and his father were quietly pleased.

"My look at the Caulfield Cup was he probably would have run a great fifth if we had luck in running," Wilde said.

"Both years he hasn't got a run in the Caulfield Cup and he's won the consolation."

Stablemate Hissing Sid has been entered for the group three Geelong Cup (2400m) on Wednesday but is more likely to head to the group two Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) next Saturday.

Baughurst finished second in the Moonee Valley Cup last year with Baughurst.

For newspaper articles - go to following links:

http://www.racingandsports.com.au/racing/rsNewsArt.asp?NID=162301&story=Another_Consolation_For_Baughurst

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26226444-5013405,00.html

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/horse-racing/withering-burst-bags-baughurst-a-consolation-prize-20091018-h2a1.html

http://bloodstock.cyberhorse.com.au/index.php/Victoria/Baughurst-Goes-Back-To-Back-In-Coongy.html

http://www.aapracing.com.au/news/racing/RNS-article54246

Groundhog Day for Baughie

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

SYMON Wilde isn't a superstitious man but he admitted that Baughurst's second straight win in the Coongy Handicap did have a bit of a Groundhog Day feel to it after a curious series of events repeated themselves yesterday.

Wilde co-trains Baughurst with his father Bill, who was dispatched to the non-TAB meeting at Hamilton just as he was last year. Baughurst missed a run in last year's Caulfield Cup and lined up in the Coongy, this year he was first emergency and again tackled the consolation race.

So when Wilde opened his wardrobe and saw the tie that he wore to last year's meeting, he couldn't resist slipping it on in the hope that history could repeat itself.

''Well I sent dad to the non-TAB meeting again so the same tie had to come out, just like last year,'' Wilde said.

''I reckon he's been going better than last year as well. His last two runs were absolute bottlers and he was close up in two group 1s behind some of the best, really he was a moral in this.''

Now an eight-year-old, Baughurst continues to belie his age despite a number of back and joint problems throughout his career. He missed a year and a half of racing from May 2005 through injury, and had another injury enforced break of 40 weeks from August 2007.

While lesser horses would have succumbed to similar problems, Wilde said Baughurst was a unique animal and that a carefully planned training schedule enabled the veteran's career to continue.

''He's got a lot of problems so he rarely has a saddle on all week. He races on Saturdays and goes to the beach all week and it seems to do the trick, we're so lucky to have the beach at our disposal and you can see it works wonders for a horse like him''

Jockey Ben Melham rode a calm race on Baughurst before sending his mount out after Pacino, who took the lead at the top of the straight. The victory was one of the best of Melham's career.

''We got a nice run throughout and we were able to get on Pacino's back at the right time then he quickened up well. Shocking came to me, but once he sensed that he found another gear. It was a nice win,'' Melham said.

Wilde said Baughurst would be given his chance to snare an elusive group 1 weight-for-age win in the Mackinnon Stakes on derby day before a well-earned spell.

Team sweats on scratching

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Wait on for cup call up

Connections of south west galloper Baughurst face another anxious 24 hours leading into the $2.5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m).

After narrowly missing a start in the 2008 Melbourne Cup, the hardy group performer is first emergency for to morrow’s feature at Caulfield.

Trainers Bill and Symon Wilde of Warrnambool, owners Ashley and Mandy King, Max Holmes, Maree Reeves, Greg Kelly and Mark Rowsthorn are sweating on a scratching from the 18 horse filed to earn a start.

The latest update from Racing Victoria director of racing operations Leigh Jordan contained no early withdrawals.

The wild wind and rain which lashed the southwest coast this week also appears to have dodged Caulfield, with a good track forecast for the cup meeting.

Maree Reeves, a retired Warrnambool Business-woman, is accustomed to waiting game after last year’s Melbourne Cup experience but isn’t finding it any easier.

“You’re on edge all week.”

In spit of the near misses, on and off the track, Reeves describes her racing experience as memorable.

Her first dabble as an owner was eight years ago with Tom Baillie and Frank Gleeson, racing modestly performed galloper Mr Sutton with local trainer Jocka Baillie.

Her second interest was in Badgers Wood, with the same owners who now race Baughurst.

Trained by Bill Wilde, Badgers Wood won a handful of metropolitan races and was crowned Australia’s most popular racehorse on a public vote.

“Just being there that (presentation) evening was amazing.” Reeves said.

Life would have been boring without it for the last eight years.

“The first time you’re at Flemington in the members Is just amazing.”

The Wilde’s have given their owners a handy plan B tomorrow by accepting with Baughurst in the group three David Jones Cup (2000m), a race he won last year.

Reeves said connections would meet for lunch in the city before catching a train to Caulfield.

“They’re great people to be involved with, the trainers and the owner.” She said.

Symon Wilde remains hopeful some of the rain squalls sweeping across western Victoria will find their way to Melbourne.

“I don’t suppose anyone is going to scratch otherwise,,” Wilde said yesterday.

“Our bloke is better on a firm surface anyway.”

Wilde is motivated to see Baughurst racing in group one company, regardless of his horror draw (21).

“Dropping back to a handicap I’d really like to see him get a start because I think he’s a sneaky place chance,” he said.

“He’s been beaten 1.8 lengths by the Cox Place favourite (Whobegotyou) and 1.5 lengths by the Melbourne Cup favourite (Efficient) at this last two starts.

“You just need that little bit of luck and we haven’t had it yet.”

After racing last Saturday at Caulfield in the group one Yalumba Stakes (2220m) Baughurst has been confined to beach work and visited the Wangoom training complex of Matthew Williams yesterday afternoon for water walking.

Baughurst misses Caulfield Cup call-up

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Light Vision grabbed the final spot in Saturday's Caulfield Cup field on a dramatic day when early favourite Speed Gifted and reigning Cox Plate winner Maldivian were withdrawn from the $2.5 million feature.

The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) committee had to make a decision on which horse to put into the 18-horse final field out of Baughurst, Newport, Light Vision and Shocking, which were equal 18th in the elimination order.

The Robert Smerdon-trained six-year-old Light Vision got the nod narrowly over Baughurst, prepared by Bill and Symon Wilde at Warrnambool, which is first emergency.

Racing Victoria chief handicapper Greg Carpenter and MRC racing manager John Faulkner submitted their recommendations to the committee which made the final decision.

MRC chairman Peter Young said the decision was unanimous.

Carpenter said Light Vision and Baughurst had consistently rated around 110 over the past 12 months but on the five occasions they had met, Light Vision had beaten Baughurst.

Maldivian's stablemate Shocking was named as second emergency with 2008 Metropolitan winner Newport third reserve and Miss Darcey fourth emergency.

Six O'Clock News and Hoorang were the two horses of yesterday's 24 final acceptances to be balloted out of the 2400m event. Carpenter said the inclusion of European group one winners Kirklees and Cima De Triomphe added a lot of strength to the race.

"I've got no doubt that in combination this is the strongest European representation in a Caulfield Cup," he said.

He said the presence of reigning Melbourne Cup winner Viewed, the AJC Australian Derby trifecta of Roman Emperor, Harris Tweed and Predatory Pricer, AJC Australian Oaks winner Daffodil and others meant the race was the strongest it had been "in modern years".

Rosehill trainer Gerald Ryan, who had been mulling over running Kingston Town Stakes winner Ready To Lift, accepted with the mare after the news that Speed Gifted and Maldivian were non-runners. The alternative was to run Ready To Lift in Saturday's group three David Jones Cup (2000m).

"When some of these others started falling out, I thought 'It's a $2 million race, she's fit, she's well, she's got 51.5kg on her back, why not have a crack'," Ryan said.

The MRC committee does have power to use its discretion to include a horse into the field but in recent years hasn't used it.

The committee made a controversial decision to include Taufan's Melody in the 1998 field despite revelations the English stayer was not fully qualified.

Trained by Lady Herries and ridden by Ray Cochrane, Taufan's Melody led all the way to score an upset win at 66-1.

The Danny O'Brien-trained Vigor joined Predatory Pricer, prepared by Paul Murray, at the top of the market for the Caulfield Cup at $7 with TAB Sportsbet ahead of the Luca Cumani-trained Cima De Triomphe at $9.

New Zealand mare Daffodil and Godolphin-owned Kirklees were next best at $11 in an open race.

Impressive AJC Metropolitan (2400m) winner Speed Gifted, which had been $5 favourite on Monday, will miss the race.

Trainer Lee Freedman had warned that the French-owned import's main mission was the $5.65 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3 and he is to go to the $3 million Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday week along the way.

Trainer Mark Kavanagh told Racing Victoria stewards that Maldivian pulled up suffering from an injury to his near-fore suspensory ligament after trackwork at Flemington yesterday morning and will be sidelined for the entire spring.

The Caulfield Cup barrier draw will take place today at 11am. AAP

Stayers head in different directions

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Stayers Baughurst and Hissing Sid are likely to head in different directions after encouraging group-level performances on Saturday at Caulfield.

Baughurst, which finished within two lengths of Whobegotyou in the $403,000 Yalumba Stakes (2000m), will head towards the $2.5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) next Saturday.

Trainer Symon Wilde said yesterday the eight-year-old gelding was about 20th in the order of entry, with acceptances due tomorrow.

"That would make him second emergency," Wilde said.

''He's going to go pretty close.

"I think we'll head towards that. In a handicap he's going to get a good weight. I think we'd be mad not to have a go."

Baughurst narrowly missed a place in the 2008 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after running second in the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) to Gallopin.

Wilde said Baughurst also had options with the Coongy Handicap and Mackinnon Stakes if he didn't make the Caulfield Cup field.

"He's probably in career-best form, even though he had a great spring last year," he said.

"His last two runs, I'd say, would e up there with his best. His Turnbull (Stakes) run was enormous."

Baughurst finish fifth on Saturday, but Wilde said he could have finished second without the early nuisance value of Nom De Jeu.

"Nom De Jeu over-raced inside him and caused him to over-race," he said.

"I reckon that just told in the last 50 metres."

Hissing Sid ran third to Alcopop in the $201,000 Herbert Power Handicap (2400m) on Saturday after being held up on the turn.

Wilde was thrilled with the run, which he said was Hissing Sid's first at group level.

The five-year-old Golden Snake gelding needed a win to force his way into the Caulfield Cup, which means he will detour to the group two Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) on October 24.

"It's ideal and is 2500 metres, which he's looking like he needs," Wilde said.

"If he wins that he would go into the Melbourne Cup," he said.

Stable sprinter Arch Symbol jarred up in an unplaced run behind behind Maxisun in a 400-metre handicap.

"We're just going to pull up stumps with him," Wilde said.

"He's a lot better horse than that.

"He'll go for a break and then perhaps the autumn or another crack at the Wangoom," Wilde said.

Hissing Sid plots spring path to Caulfield Cup

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

A telephone call from joint trainer Symon Wilde to the Racing Victoria chief handicapper is likely to provide a clear spring path for Warrnambool galloper Hissing Sid.

The five-year-old Warrnambool Cup winner ran sixth to Red Lord beaten 1.9 lengths in the Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

But that result didn't tell the whole story.

Hissing Sid started from barrier 14, was dropped out early by jockey Craig Newitt and stormed home late in an eye-catching effort.

``We're very pleased, very happy with the run and he probably held his own with Speed Gifted in the run to the line,'' Wilde said.

``He certainly looks like he wants a mile-and-a-half (2400m).''

Lee Freedman's Speed Gifted started favourite on Saturday and is rated among the leading chances in the Caulfield Cup. Wilde said he would call Racing Victoria chief handicapper Greg Carpenter to help plot a spring path for Hissing Sid.

He said there was an option to head to the Bart Cummings, a 2500m listed race which may not get him into the Caulfield Cup, or the group two Herbert Power which will be contested in three weeks.

``That would make it a last-ditch effort to make the Caulfield Cup,'' Wilde said.

``Since winning the Warrnambool Cup, the Caulfield Cup has been the target.

``At the moment we need to win something to get a penalty and get in.

``The chances are starting to look a bit slim, but I'll give the handicapper a call and see which is the best way forward in relation to ballot exemptions and penalties.''

Wilde is brimming with confidence and there could be even bigger purses in the offing _ with the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November a distinct possibility. He said changing to the focus to the Melbourne Cup through the Moonee Valley Cup,

Geelong Cup and Saab Quality was looking more likely.

``That could finish up being the program we take. We'll keep paying up and keep our options open,'' he said.

``It's a nice headache to have. He's a good fun horse.

``We had a marvellous time with Baughurst last spring. There's plenty of options and good money on offer.''

Wilde said on face value Baughurst's 13th behind Red Lord beaten 13 lengths was disappointing.

``He was slaughtered really. We (joint trainer/father Bill and Symon) were really disappointed with the ride,'' he said.

``He drew six and we thought he would be one off the fence sitting fourth or fifth, but he was never better than three wide. Hissing Sid drew 14 and sat one off the fence.''

Wilde said jockey Noel Callow then took off on Baughurst 800m from home.

``He was never going to be able to hold on. We'll probably look to go to the group three David Jones again on Caulfield Cup day,'' he said.

``That was the race he won last year and it was probably his best ever run. He's better suited to those 2400m support races,'' he said.

South-west runners fit for big spring

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

TRAINERS are more likely to criticise the handicapper for giving runners too much weight but not Warrnambool's Symon Wilde.

Wilde, who trains in partnership with his father Bill, yesterday revealed he had wanted the handicapper to be harsher when allocating weights for Warrnambool Cup winner Hissing Sid in the major spring races.

Hissing Sid, which is being set for next month's Caulfield Cup, was given 51 kilograms for the race. Stablemate Baughurst, which missed a start in last year's race by one place, received 52.5kg.

``I would have liked to see Sid with a little bit more so he gets in, especially the Caulfield Cup,'' he said.

``He has got to be winning a good race (in the lead-up) for two reasons, to get a run in the cup and warrant being there. If he can't win a handy race on the way... there are plenty of races.''

Wilde said Baughurst, which won a group three race on Caulfield Cup day last year, was better placed to get a run in the race with his 52.5kg.

``I don't think 51 gets in but Baughurst would be a real chance. He would probably want to be penalised too.''

Hissing Sid was given 51kg for the Melbourne Cup.

``Probably third, fourth, fifth runs in we expect him to do something. If he did next start I would be delighted but when he gets to 2000m and beyond that is when I would expect to see the best of him. That will be crunch time.''

He said Hissing Sid's campaign had been focused on the Caulfield Cup.

``If he could get into the Caulfield Cup that would be a major achievement in itself.''

Wilde's Arch Symbol received 59kg for the weight-for-age Cox Plate, a race the sprinter is not expected to run in.

Yangery trainer Jarrod McLean has three spring carnival hopefuls.

Former Perth Cup winner Cats Fun received 51kg in both the Caulfield and Melbourne cups while stablemate Kibbutz was given 52kg. Cats Fun, Kibbutz and The Fonz were all given 59kg for the Cox Plate.

The Anne McGrath-trained Tears I Cry, a former Emirates Stakes winner, received 59kg for the Cox Plate.

Wildes gamble on Cox Plate for Arch Symbol

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

BETWEEN the predictable nomination of stable stars Hissing Sid and Baughurst for the Caulfield Cup, Warrnambool training combination Bill and Symon Wilde threw in a curve ball by making the first payment for sprinter Arch Symbol in the Cox Plate.

Bill Wilde quickly put the Spring Racing Carnival nominations in context yesterday by explaining Arch Symbol would be tested over middle distances next campaign.

"It's a bit of a half-hearted nomination," Wilde said.

"You'd feel pretty bad about it if he proved he could run 2000 metres and won a nice race along the way and you hadn't nominated."

The Cox Plate (2040m), Australia's premier weight-for-age race, will be run at Moonee Valley on October 24.

Arch Symbol is a lightly-raced sprinter which capped his last preparation by winning the $100,000 Wangoom Handicap (1200m) in Warrnambool on May 6.

"The horse has never been tested beyond 1400 metres," Wilde said.

"He's by Archway and the mare (Centore) has produced a few horses who can stick on a bit.

"He has given every indication he'll run a mile. By the time we get him up to a mile we'll have a better indication whether he can get over 2000 metres."

Baughurst, a proven group performer, was entered for the Caulfield Cup last year but never contested the race.

Hissing Sid is an exciting stayer which finished his autumn campaign with metropolitan victories at Caulfield and Flemington before success in the listed $130,000 Warrnambool Cup (2350m).

The Wilde stable also nominated him for the Melbourne Cup (3200m), although Bill indicated if he didn't measure up to Caulfield Cup (2400m) company he was likely to target some of the peripheral 2000-metre races at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week.

Wilde is hopeful Hissing Sid brings greater maturity to his spring campaign.

"I hope with his last preparation under his belt he will relax a bit more in his races," he said.

"We haven't mapped out a (lead-up) plan yet.

"We'll just tiptoe forward and see how we go.

"The Caulfield Cup would want to be at least four or five runs in.

"He does have to win a nice race coming through (to qualify)."

Training duo expand their horizons

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

AFTER this year enjoying their most successful Warrnambool May Racing Carnival, father and son training combination Bill and Symon Wilde are expanding their operation.

Warrnambool dentist Bill, who with Symon won the coveted Warrnambool Cup and Wangoom Handicap double this year, has invested in an agistment property within minutes of his training base.

The Wildes are also in discussions with the Terang Racing Club to take over on-track stables previously occupied by Terry Beaton.

Wilde senior said he had purchased the 34-hectare property virtually at his back door.

"We had been looking at different properties for a while," he said.

"The one we have purchased came on the market and it is ideal for what we want to do. We have been agisting horses all over the place for a few years.

"We mainly use Tony Laidlaw's property up at Tarrington. We'll still use it but to have our own agistment property at our back door is a bonus," Wilde said, revealing that works had already started to bring it up to scratch.

"We've ploughed part of it and re-sown it and we will be putting in another windmill," he said.

"The property has a good balance. It's got a good flat area which should stay green all year round. There's also a dry area which is a bonus during the winter months."

Wilde said much more work needed to be done before the property was ready.

"We're well into the first stage of our plan. The second stage will be to build sheds, stabling facilities and hay sheds - we don't have any power on the property yet but that will come," he said.

"Having our own agistment property at our back door will save us from driving floats all around the district with horses.

"Carting horses from different places is a time-consuming part of this business," he said.

"We are trying to free up some of our time so we can devote more time into being hands-on with our horses in our stable."

Wilde, who has 20 horses in work and more than 50 on his books, said having stable facilities on course at Terang would be a positive move for his stable.

"The facilities at Terang are great. They have a grass track, a sand track and a swimming pool. The infrastructure is in place at Terang. I've had discussions with the Terang Racing Club about taking over the stables and we hope to have things finalised in the near future," he said.

"We would have a lot of our pre-trainers down at Terang. We would possibly have between six to 10 horses there.

"We've got to get some track work riders at Terang. We will use the grass track a lot," he said.

"Our horses which are racing would be based at our home stables."

Wilde, who works in his Warrnambool dentistry three days a week, trained his first winner at Penshurst in 1982. Symon started work full-time in the stable in 2003 before getting his training in-partnership licence last year.

The Wildes won this year's Warrnambool Cup with Hissing Sid and the Wangoom Handicap with Arch Symbol.

Good fortune favours Warrnambool-trained mare in Casterton Cup

Sun, 31 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

A COPYBOOK ride by Horsham jockey Dean Yendall helped lightly-raced mare Eumeralla Miss break a run of bad luck in yesterday's $25,000 Casterton Cup (2000m).

Yendall pushed forward from a wide gate and found the lead before allowing Key Symbol and Silk Wind to cross him.

It gave Eumeralla Miss (4.20 fav) a perfect trail in third place on the rails.

Yendall angled off the rails approaching the turn and gained a split to break away in the straight, scoring by three-quarters of a length from Solitas ($9), with a similar margin to Campaspe River ($15).

Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde said it was good to see Eumeralla Miss having all the luck after missing her share last start in Adelaide over 1800 metres and at Ararat on May 17 in the Warracknabeal Cup.

"In Adelaide last weekend we struck a firm track and she didn't travel too well," Wilde explained.

"Before that she got in a speed battle with Saliente and ran third."

Wilde, who trains in partnership with his father Bill, acknowledged a fine tactical ride by Yendall.

"She drew out so it was a terrific ride," he said.

"She is a great horse to ride. She has early tactical speed, switches off well and good turn of foot at the end of the race."

Wilde said it was the stable's first Casterton Cup triumph, adding to recent successes in the Warrnambool, Dunkeld, Mortlake and Coleraine cups.

"I love Casterton," he said.

"I've been coming here since I was a kid. It's a great track and good country people.

"The steeplechase is lovely to watch from up on the hill."

The stable was represented by What An Honour ($2.90) in the steeple, finishing third to the Quinton Scott-trained jumper Believe In Victory ($6.50).

Eumeralla Miss is destined for metropolitan mares' grade races over similar distances, with the stable continuing its search for soft tracks.

"She's going to be our winter horse," Wilde said. The stable had two cup runners yesterday, with Key Symbol ($10) finishing 10th.