SUPERSTAR RETIRED

September 4th, 2008 by Paul Courts

SUPERSTAR Lombo Pocket Watch has been retired.

Owner Mick Lombardo made the amazing announcement earlier this week, which will see the millionaire pacer stand at Lombardo's Concorde Park in Victoria.

Following a lengthy thought process, Lombardo has decided to give Lombo Pocket Watch the opportunity to emulate his racing feats in the breeding barn.

Close to turning the boom pacer into a sire at the end of his three-year-old season, Lombardo believes the time is right to make the switch.

"It has not been an easy decision to make," Lombardo said.

"It is hard to get a racehorse of his calibre, but that's what we are giving up by sending him to stud."

Trainer Paul Fitzpatrick admitted he is disappointed to lose his stable flagship, but was also understanding of Lombardo's decision.

"Of course I'm disappointed to see him go, but I can see where Mick is coming from," Fitzpatrick declared.

"Mick is a breeder first and foremost, and while he enjoys racing them, breeding is his go.

"I'm sure he can't wait to see little Pocket Watches running around.

"I'll be sending some mares to him and with a bit of luck we'll have one of his first season stars.

"He is the best I have trained, but maybe one of his offspring can take over from him."

Lombardo's groundbreaking move is in the same vein as his northern hemisphere counterparts, who often retire their leading performers after just a few seasons of racing.

"My way of thinking has always been to retire him early and that we should be doing this with our top ones just like they do in the US," Lombardo said.

"A lot of those same pacers from the US find their way here and are given plenty of patronage."

Unlike the host of American campaigners Lombardo alluded to, Lombo Pocket Watch made his mark under Australian conditions.

With breeding and a racing record equal to any sire on this side of the equator, Lombo Pocket Watch should be afforded a large court of mares.

Hopefully the 'colonial black mark' which has hampered so many Aussie stallions will not attach itself to the five-year-old.

Let's face it, if Lombo Pocket Watch was imported to our shores with the same record, he would be guaranteed a full book and at a fee higher than Lombardo's $3000 plus GST.

Add the fact Lombo Pocket Watch's marvellous achievements were minus the long list of substances permitted overseas and the wonder horse is almost peerless.

"I like to think he will be provided with an adequate response at stud," Lombardo declared.

"He has always been known as the peoples' horse, part of the public, and that was behind the decision with his fee.

"I want to give everyone the opportunity to breed to him."

Like so many champions, Lombo Pocket Watch's career started with humble beginnings.

The Victorian-bred colt made a winning debut at Pinjarra before taking no part in his second outing as a result of gear failure.

Successful at his third start, which netted his first feature, Lombo Pocket Watch was then sent to Fitzpatrick.

Crossing the Nullarbor with the Lombardo-owned Lombo Mandingo, Lombo Pocket Watch was considered the 'second stringer' of the pair.

That soon changed.

Lombo Pocket Watch not only took over the mantle from his stablemate, he made sure no other pacer in the southern hemisphere was able to steal the limelight.

Victorious at his next 15 appearances, the son of Jet Laag dominated the freshmen features like no other before him, which saw him renamed 'The Conqueror.'

The rising star captured five Group Ones including the Breeders' Crown, Vicbred Super Series, Bathurst Gold Crown, Kevin Seymour Nursery and the Australian Pacing Gold.

"His Breeders' Crown win was without doubt his biggest moment," Fitzpatrick said.

"He was in an impossible position, but somehow after he got into the clear, he just sprinted home to win with ease."

Finishing the season with 17 wins from 18 starts for record stakes of $642,375, Lombo Pocket Watch created history by becoming the first two-year-old to be crowned Australian Horse of the Year.

That title was capped off with the Victorian and New South Wales Horse of the Year awards as well as the Australian Two-Year-Old of the Year mantle.

Returning exactly where he left off as a three-year-old, Lombo Pocket Watch collected another five Group Ones, while finishing second in two others.

Becoming a triple Derby winner, with wins in the Victoria, Tasmania and Australian Blue Ribands, Lombo Pocket Watch created another slice of history before the term's end.

Dominating his age again, Lombo Pocket Watch became Australasia's first millionaire three-year-old and was then a natural choice for Australian Three-Year-Old of the Year.

Despite his fruitful campaign, Lombo Pocket Watch also provided connections with their biggest disappointment - through no fault of his own.

"The three-year-old Breeders' Crown is my biggest regret with him as he never got a crack at them," Fitzpatrick declared.

"He had a shocking draw and was boxed in during the run. He might as well not have been there."

Given a short break, Lombo Pocket Watch was taken back to WA to begin his four-year-old campaign with triumphs in the Group One McInerney Ford Classic and Golden Nugget.

His campaign was then extended for the WA Cup, where he finished an eye-catching fourth behind Vanlo Yorker after racing wide without cover for the last lap.

Victorious at his next two starts, Lombo Pocket Watch finished second in the Vicbred Super Series Final to Melpark Major.

That was followed by seconds in the Len Smith Mile - in an Australasian record 1:51.9 - and last Friday night's Chariots Of Fire at Harold Park.

Lombo Pocket Watch's three Group One seconds saw him beaten a head, short half-head and a head.

Despite those near misses, Lombo Pocket Watch won 12 Group Ones, placing him second behind Westburn Grant and Village Kid, which won 13 top shelf events.

A 1:56.9 two-year-old, Lombo Pocket Watch lowered his best mark to 1:55.5, while being race timed in 1:52.

The star retires - completely sound - with the imposing stance of 36 wins and nine placings from 52 starts for earnings of $1,401,568 - placing him 19th on the Australasian richest list.

"He was just a great racehorse," Fitzpatrick said. "He had a perfect temperament and constitution, but his speed was his biggest asset.

"He also had the ability to travel anywhere and settle into his surroundings, he was just perfect all round."

While his racing deeds are obviously first rate, Lombo Pocket Watch's breeding is also top class.

The stylish grey is from former top mare, Misty Maiden, which was retired after winning the 1992 Australian Derby.

A daughter of Windshield Wiper, Misty Maiden also won the $250,000 Oceania El Dorado at three.

Misty Maiden also has the perfect record of seven winners from seven starters.

Her dam, Smooth Gale, which time trialled in 1:58.8, has produced seven winners from 10 starters.

Jet Laag, a 1:49 millionaire, has an Australian siring strike rate of 54.2 per cent winners to starters.

"His bloodlines are superb and I'm sure if he is given the opportunities his record and breeding deserve he will become a terrific sire," Lombardo declared.

GAVIN REIGNS SUPREME IN NSW

September 4th, 2008 by Andrew Georgiou

GAVIN Fitzpatrick has enjoyed a stellar season.

Not only did he enjoy plenty of highs with champion pacer Lombo Pocket Watch, he broke Greg Bennett's stranglehold on the NSW State Drivers premiership.

Fitzpatrick was at the head of the list with 81 winners, six clear of Bennett on 75, with brother Blake Fitzpatrick just one win further back in third.

"It is great to win the premiership," Fitzpatrick said.

"After having the season interrupted by equine influenza, racing didn't return to normal until well into the season.

"To have driven that many winners throughout the season is pleasing but obviously, I will be hoping for more this time.

"Greg (Bennett) is such a fantastic competitor and to end up in front of him is a very hard task, whether it be in a single race or over the course of a season."

Fitzpatrick praised those outside stables who supported him in 2007-08, and showered special mention on his father, Paul Fitzpatrick, who supplied him with the bulk of his wins.

"Without dad this wouldn't have been possible," he said.

"We work plenty of horses and have been lucky enough to have a steady flow of winners come out of the stable the last few seasons.

"I can't forget the other trainers that have given me a go either.

"Ian Wilson and Jimmy Douglass gave me opportunities, while Peter Dewsbury has also been a big supporter of mine as well."

Bennett had won the last seven State premierships.

Fitzpatrick also completed the double, capturing the Harold Park Drivers premiership with a total of 41 wins.

"I didn't set out to win a premiership at the start of the season," he said.

"I just wanted to take things as they came because no one really knew what to expect with a shortened racing season."

Bennett and Blake Fitzpatrick finished equal second on 27.5 wins apiece.

Paul Fitzpatrick once again dominated the Trainers premiership, saluting with 137 winners to defeat Bernie Hewitt 89 and fellow Bathurst trainer, Steve Turnbull on 83.

It was the same old story in the metropolitan premiership, with Fitzpatrick an easy winner with 66 wins.

Boutique trainer Ian Wilson finished second on 22.5 wins, with Neil Day finishing third on 15 victories.

METRO STAKE THRESHOLDS INCREASED

September 4th, 2008 by Andrew Georgiou

AN increase in the threshold for metropolitan class racing seems to have been well received by the industry and is a positive with the transfer of horse from State to State.

From last Monday, the metropolitan threshold has been set at a flexible $10,000 to $15,000, depending on each State's circumstances.

Those who have adopted the $15,000 threshold are West Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.

New South Wales have set their threshold at $12,000 while Queensland's is $10,000.

Effectively, all metropolitan handicaps will commence at $1 over the mark, in order for each race to become a metropolitan bearing event.

This is because the country threshold has also been increased nationwide with races from $2501 to $15,000 carrying a country penalty, depending on what State you are competing in.

Harness Racing New South Wales Chief Executive, Max Pool, said his organisation supported the rule and the $12,000 threshold set for NSW.

"We felt we needed to support the direction of the principle club (Harold Park) in this matter," he said.

"I think the flexibility of the rule for each principle club to set the threshold at a level which they feel fit, allows room for progression.

"That is something the sport needs and if the principle club feels that $12,000 is the threshold in NSW, then we fully support that.

"Another thing which must be considered is the sustainability of such a threshold.

"While it would be ideal to increase it, maintaining it is a different story because what happens later on if things take a downward turn?

"Each State has its own different circumstances."

Harness Racing Victoria Chief Executive John Anderson said the rule ensured consistency in handicapping throughout the country.

"States can now set their country penalty threshold anywhere between $10,000 and $15,000 depending on their circumstances," he said.

"Those thresholds will be honoured in the movement of horses between States, so we do not have the scenario where horses are re-assessed upon entry into a new jurisdiction.

"We have set our threshold at the upper limit of $15,000, but NSW, for instance, have theirs at $12,000.

"If a horse wins a $12,001 M0 in NSW, we will honour its M1 assessment in Victoria despite our threshold being higher."

Damian Raedler, Harness Racing Queensland's Racing Operations Manager, said significant prizemoney injections had allowed for the $10,000 threshold, which was introduced in July, to be retained.

"We have also increased our country assessment penalty races on Saturday night from $4000 to $6000," he stated.

"At the same time, we also have some $8000 country races which will be conducted too.

"I think the new rule promotes a level playing field across the board and it was supported unanimously by all concerned.

"The good thing is that the $10,000 races we have been conducting since July will remain in place."

A prime example of the rule assisting the entire industry is with a New Zealand horse entering Australia.

Having won two races, valued at $9000 and $12,000 respectively in New Zealand, a horse would have arrived, under the old rule, in Australia as an M2!

This would have severely cramped their earning capacity whereas now, under the new rule, the horse arrives in the country as a C0.

This not only helps the earning capacity, but enhances the prospects of owners purchasing New Zealand stock to bolster that of Australia's.

Many of the horses that are now racing which came into work during EI are expected to be turned out for spells, which will result in a shortfall of horses. The possible influx of kiwi horses will assist with the shortage.

THIS SEASON COULD BE ONE OF THE BEST EVER

September 4th, 2008 by Andrew Georgiou

HARNESS fans could be in for a stellar treat this season.

A revamped Inter Dominion format, a World Cup with the prospect of America's finest taking on the best from the southern hemisphere, and several clashes which will bring you to the point of salivating!

The Watpac Inter Dominion will be held on the Gold Coast early next year and millionaire businessman Kevin Seymour has thrown his considerable weight behind the series.

He is determined to see the Inter Dominion thrive and prosper, and has ensured that a $1million Grand Final will be on offer.

While the World Cup will be conducted shortly after, Seymour is hopeful that the American horses that will hopefully be lured to our shores for that particular event, contest the Inter Dominion too.

This should provide for some spectacular racing.

Many questions will be asked of all horses competing in the Watpac Inter Dominion, with most interest centring on Blacks A Fake and whether he can win a record fourth consecutive series.

Naturally, the World Cup will also be on the agenda of Australasia's richest-ever pacer, and what a race that could turn out to be.

All the ingredients are in place to see Smoken Up's 1:51.9 Australasian mark shattered over the mile.

To be conducted on the 'super track' at Menangle Park, the best of Australia and New Zealand will do battle with the Americans in what may bring about unprecedented modern day publicity for harness racing.

The emergence of the Emma Stewart-trained Safari on the Grand Circuit last season also throws up an interesting angle, as he is one of the few genuine pacers capable of testing Blacks A Fake.

His battles with 'Blackie' this season will be one of the highlights of 2008-09.

Then we have the emerging crop of up-and-comers, including Divisive and Smoken Up, who finished in the placings behind Blacks A Fake in this year's Inter Dominion at Moonee Valley.

Sprint star Be Good Johnny will also be aiming for a record in November, as he attempts to win three consecutive Miracle Miles.

No pacer has managed to achieve the feat before.

The last to attempt it was Sokyola, which won the SEW Eurodrive-sponsored feature in 2003 and 2004, but finished sixth in Be Good Johnny's first Mile win.

Prior to that, New Zealand star Holmes DG saluted in 1999 and 2000 and ironically, like Sokyola, finished sixth to Smooth Satin when attempting to make it three on the trot.

Of course, we cannot forget about the emerging crop of now five-year-olds, including Melpark Major, Changeover and Gotta Go Cullen, as they will add tremendous flavour to the Grand Circuit.

While we may have lost a few stars along the way this season, one thing's almost guaranteed - season 2008-09 will throw up something special.......I'm almost certain of it!