From The Paddock

GIMME A BREAK!

He has effectively never had a holiday. He was running in what was billed as the race of the Spring Carnival. He was two lengths last from the jump. He was last at the 600. He was blocked for any room and still almost last at the 400. Then Shellscrape rattled off what proved to be the fastest sectional of the big day in 22.32 to miss a much deserved Group 1 by the slimmest of margins.

Racing is all about taking the opportunities when presented. Let"s hope Shellscrape gets more opportunities to win a deserved Group 1 in the Autumn. One tough racehorse - enjoy your break!

ATTACK - Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Singapore

Dane Shadow has produced 4 consecutive winners over the last 4 weeks and he has yet another powerful team running this weekend.

His second crop produces two live chances. Anthony Cummings takes Forgiven to Flemington for a dig at the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate. Anthony has compared Forgiven"s ability to his Dane Shadow stablemate, Shadows In The Sun, who impressed on debut and is set for the Magic Millions 2YO race in January. In Brisbane, Turnitup has drawn barrier 4 for his debut race against the Queensland 2YOs and is reported to have some ability. Also in Brisbane, Race 1 sees the tipsters chasing Coroner to take out his debut in the big smoke whilst at Randwick Race 1 sees Shadow Minister attempt to back up her debut win from 2 weeks ago.

Whilst in Singapore, the Dane Shadow with by far the biggest wrap on it so far, Dennycrane steps out for his debut in the weight for age Community Stakes over 1200m.

Carnival Congratulations

Congratulations to Kitchwin clients John Cordina and John McGrath who tasted significant Carnival success. On Derby Day John Cordina"s exciting gelding Centennial Park won the Group 3 AAMI Business Insurance Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday. Then on Melbourne Cup Day the John O"Shea trained Strawberry Field overhauled popular elect Ortensia in the Listed Herald Sun Stakes (1400m) at Flemington for John McGrath.

Congrats to both Johns!

Magic Millions Highlights

This week"s Magic Millions preview sees an all filly brigade:

Layette/Dane Shadow - this powerfully built black filly has the look of a 2YO and is well suited at the Magic Millions sale. Her mother Layette, a City winning Thunder Gulch mare, is a half sister to Kimillsy and Delyara.

La Baraka/Redoute"s Choice - Magic Millions have stated that this will be their best filly, both on paper and on type, and so far I have no arguments. She is very precocious and walks like a leopard, correct throughout and is as strong as an ox. What a pedigree she has - her mother was a Group 1 winner (AJC Galaxy), her grandmother won five Group 1"s, her immediate family counts for eleven Group 1"s in total. This filly was bred to be a star!

Naughty Girl/Dane Shadow - This attractive filly is out of a half sister to Royal Purler (Flight Stakes Gr1). She will thrive in work as she has a great attitude, she just eats and sleeps - I have a big wrap on this filly!

Foal of the Week

Foal of the week is this outstanding filly by the Longchamp Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Gr1 winner in Dylan Thomas (Danehill). This filly is out of Dark Star who is by the ever popular broodmare sire Scenic. Dark Star  has a terrific pedigree and is a half sister to three Group winners. Dark Star will also be represented by a lovely Bel Esprit filly in our 2010 Magic Millions draft. Congratulations to Robert Harding.

Weekend Acceptances

PADDOCK GRADUATES

Saturday November 7

Australia
VRC
11:10am Race 1 Maribyrnong P. Gr.3, A$150000 1000m
Forgiven (AUS) 2007 (C. by Dane Shadow-Sin Bin) - Sold for $80,000 at the 2009 Magic Millions. A Cummings has wraps despite him not handling his first jump out down the straight. Enough wraps to take on a Group 3 first up? We will see. Good luck to her breeders Bruce Moloney and Kitchwin.

AJC
12:20pm Race 1 Sharp H., A$67900 1800m
Shadow Minister (AUS) 2006 (F. by Dane Shadow-Zabere) - Won her maiden against older horses impressively after posting 3 wide. Could back it up if she is a filly on the up. We will find out here. Good luck to her owner/breeder Grahame Mapp.

5:26pm Race 8 TAB Number 1 Club H., A$70000 1200m
Peace Academy (AUS) 2005 (F. by Royal Academy-Ravenswood) - A half to Hurtle Myrtle who won well last start. This will be harder but best of luck to her breeder/owner Grahame Mapp.

BRC
12:07pm Race 1 Mack Trucks Australia 3yo H., A$50000 1640m
Coroner (AUS) 2006 (G. by Dane Shadow-No Finding) - A few tipping him in the press. Well suited here. Go well!! Good luck owner/breeder Gino.

12:52pm Race 2 DGL (Aust) 2YO H., A$50000 1030m
Turnitup (AUS) 2007 (C. by Dane Shadow-No Finding) - A first starter and for fear of having my legs broken I am saying nothing.

Sunday November 8

Singapore
Singapore TC
13:15 Race 2 Community Stakes Rst Mdn (1) (2&3yo) (Weight for Age), S$65000 1200m
Dennycrane (AUS) 2006 (G. by Dane Shadow-Lady Guest) - Sold for $32,000 at the 2007 Inglis Easter Weanling Sale and again at the 2008 New Zealand Ready to Run Sale for $72,500. This horse has had massive wraps on him for 6 months. Is he as good as they say?

OTHER RUNNERS OF INTEREST

Saturday November 7

Australia
AJC
1:43pm Race 3 Jim Beam H., A$68950 2000m
Bright Mind (Gb) 2004 (G. by Zamindar-Bright Spells) - might be struggling on Saturdays but is at ideal distance. Good luck Neil.

3:17pm Race 5 Not Your Average Joe H., A$70000 1600m
Gunnadoit (AUS) 2003 (G. by Bite the Bullet-Gainesville) - last start winning for the Harding team. Good luck Kim.