Tony Noonan Racing

VARIETY VICTORIA BASH - I'M GOING AGAIN

Just to let you know that the legendary Variety Children's Charity bash sets off for the 51st time next Monday August 17.

After taking our 1997 Holden Statesman all the way to Darwin last year, this year my Lovers Not Mechanics crew will join a 90 strong convoy of themed cars to travel even further - 5000+ kilometres to Exmouth in WA.

My team's primary role will be to provide punting advice along with pastoral support for those who break down, run into an emu or cop a poor quality beer in an outback pub. All the other crews will be available for mechanical assistance.

On the way we will be meeting with and distributing grants from the Variety Children's Charities to a range of communities and children's causes in the outback, including six different remote schools. Seeing the reaction of the kids to the Bash's visit to their schools last year was one of the absolute highlights of the trip.

We are again hoping to raise funds to support the wonderful work of Variety. Last year the Bash raised almost $2mil for Variety. 100% absolutely no obligation of course, but if you are interested in learning more please click on the link below to do so. And if you do feel able to support me in any way it would be hugely appreciated. Every dollar is valuable. All funds raised go straight to Variety, as teams cover all their own costs and expenses incurred in entering the Bash.

Our car will carry the Tony Noonan Social Syndicate logo on the bonnet as one of our sponsors - see photo.

A big thanks to Tony for his support and to a number of our Social Syndicate managers and members who have already been kind enough to help me out. I am very grateful.

Shall update my Variety Page as we head west, and see you back at the track in September

All the best

John

https://fundraise.variety.org.au/fundraisers/johnmathieson/bash

Hi there - a quick note on 2 things Social Syndicates related.

DOUBTLAND DIVA (SUSIE)
Doubtland Diva wound up her preparation with a courageous 4th at Seymour just before dark on Friday. Similar to her previous run on a sticky track at Caulfield, where she was on pace, looked like she might get run over early in the straight, but really pinned her ears back and gave it her best shot when tackled. Again she finished a close up fourth.

She will now head out for a well earned 6 weeks in the paddock, before returning for the late spring and summer. All the indications are that while she is OK on the soft, she is probably a better horse on top of the ground, so we look for forward to plenty of Christmas entertainment from Susie

INDIVIDUAL SHARES AVAILABLE

August is the month when Syndicate managers often seek the annual stipend from their members and from time to time individual shares subsequently become available.

I have been notified of potential individual shares available in all our Social Syndicate groups except Somethingsostrong.

That is our two unraced 3yo fillies - No Qualms (by promising sire Earthlight) and "Ruthie" (by Russian Camelot), Lady Of Alsace (expect her to be racing in the next fortnight, and Doubtland Diva.

If you want to be put in touch with the relevant Syndicate manager or want photos or more info let me know - 0413271235 or [email protected] . Usual Social Syndicate rules are likely to apply - your $300 a year annual sub delivers you full ownership privileges for your chosen horse.

All the best

John

Quick note on last Wednesday's meeting at Sandown where we had about 50 dedicated owners on course for "1.5" Social Syndicate runners.

Doubtland Diva, returning after a short freshen up, ran a brave 4th at her first attempt at 1400m. Both her wins have come when she has been able to bowl along in the lead and the plan was that with the extra distance she would have an easier job of getting to the front and being able to dictate. While she had some company early, she settled better when she was able to put a margin on the field mid race. She found plenty when tackled at the 200 and just missed a place on the line.

Tony's initial thinking was to give her a break after the run, but there is now some chance that she has one more run at Scenic Seymour on Friday week.

Later in the day we saw Somethingsostrong, with 2 Social Syndicates involved, return after a short setback in stronger grade. Good to see a number of her Social Syndicate owners on course including Kerry and Alan who drove down from Kyabram for their first ever visit to Sandown.

Her inside barrier proved to be of no use to her and she settled near the tail. Hooked out in the straight she finished off nicely without ever looking a winning chance. She pulled up well and will be improved by the run. She will now step up further in trip with the hope that she can be ridden closer to the pace. She is a mare who hasn't always had much luck in her races and she definitely deserves another win. Fingers crossed it is close at hand.

Thanks again to Katie at the MRC for organising for Social Syndicates to have an exclusive roped off area in the Samson Room for our use. As always we appreciate the support we get from the three MRC courses.

And how good is the midweek food offering at Sandown. If you have one racing it is yet another reason to get trackside!

And as an aside, many of you will be familiar with the affliction Doubtland Diva has that causes her to "goose step" when walking. Well one of the leading contenders in last Saturdays Group 1 King George and Queen Elizabeth Stks, and a past winner of the race, in Goliath, also has stringhalt in his near hind. Possibly even more pronounced than our filly. So the condition is not necessarily a barrier to a high level of racetrack success.

Had a short break from Social Syndicate racing since Lady Of Alsace went round at Cranbourne in front of 65 of her owners about 3 weeks ago. We should be seeing Lady Of Alsace, Doubtland Diva and the partially Socially Syndicate owned Somethingsostrong on the track in the next couple of weeks - not to mention some stable favourites like Brilliant Horizon (Saturday at Caulfield), and two jumpout winners from this morning in Bold Suitor and Covert Mission.

SMALL SOCIAL SYNDICATE LEASE SHARES IN RUSSIAN CAMELOT - PIRELLINA AVAILABLE

But the main reason for this post is to mention that I have a few spots left in a second proposed Syndicate that I will be looking after - unless someone else volunteers - in our gorgeous late 2yo Russian Camelot - Pirellina filly aka Ruthie.

After filling one Syndicate in her, I have had enough individual and small group enquiry to almost fill another.

All our Social Syndicate horses are leased so there is no upfront costs and $300 a year (less prizemoney earned) gets you full racetrack owner privileges whenever she races.

Everyone who saw her parade on her open days fell in love with her - strong, sensible and gorgeous - three great traits.

The Russian Camelot's are expected to be at their best over ground and at 4 years old and beyond, so not getting access to this filly until close to her third birthday is perfect for our lessees.

Her dam Pirellina has had 2 to the races and both are multiple winners.

Ruthie has been out for a break but is expected to be back in the stables in the next couple of weeks and geared towards hopefully getting to the track in her next prep.

If you want to get involved or would like to know more drop a reply below or call me on 0413 271235. John

Terrific turnout of 70 Social Syndicate owners to welcome back Lady Of Alsace to the track at the Mornington metro meeting on Monday.

Hetty has shown in her recent jumpouts that she will be an improved filly this time in, although all the indications are that she will be at her best at 1600m and perhaps beyond. The soft winter tracks should be to her advantage as well.

She took on a tough race at the 1200m first up and ran competitively enough to make us think that there is likely to be a race for her this prep down in grade and over more ground.

Thanks as always to the MRC / Mornington Club for looking after us so well in our regular spot in the Silver Bounty Lounge, at what was the last Mornington Race meeting for the season.

On the same programme the well supported Bold Suitor dropped out badly from the home turn to finish a clear last. Early concerns were that the horse must have a problem to race so poorly, but the good but slightly surprising news is that no issues have emerged post race. Tony and the team are now working to solve the mystery. Hopefully the effort was a one off.

Somethingsostrong, a mare with two Social Syndicates amongst her ownership group, ran a really nice race in a strong field at Seymour yesterday at her first run back from a muscle issue. One of the Syndicates involved is from Seymour Probus, so a great result for them having the horse come to their home town, and a good group of them turned out trackside.

And finally good luck to all involved with Brilliant Horizon who takes on Saturday grade at Sandown tomorrow. She has certainly earnt the right to tackle Saturday grade and should be very hard to beat.

A big weekend for 8 of our Intrepid Social Syndicate Owners as they turned a big trek to see Doubtland Diva race at distant Swan Hill into a weekend away.

Swan Hill is about a 4 hour drive from Melbourne and 5 from Mornington, so not a race meeting to be attended as a day trip or without a certain degree of planning, especially as today was the third day of the massive annual racing carnival and accommodation availability was non existent to scarce. 6 of us took on the nightlife in Kerang last night, before continuing to Swan Hill this morning.

Susie also took a 2 step approach to the trip as well, stopping in Bendigo with her pal Sparky on Saturday night, before heading to the track this morning.

All the indications were that she handled the trip extremely well and she seemed bright and happy on arrival. However all the careful planning was not to translate into a winning performance, as after being given her chance in the run by Jake, she was outsprinted early in the very long Swan Hill straight and beaten about 4.6 lengths.

Tony will see how she pulls up before deciding on whether now is the time to give her a break before bringing her back on firmer tracks in late spring.

Well done to our travellers Kate, Paul, Fred, Lois, Les, Kevin and Rita - all of who were paying their first visit to Swan Hill, and who I trust will have derived plenty of memories from the weekend, even without a win from Susie

While I have your attention it is looking like I have a couple of spaces in each of two of my Syndicates in the improving Lady Of Alsace (nice recent trial winner who is set to race in the next few days (possibly tomorrow)) and also in our new Russian Camelot - Pirellina 2yo filly who impressed all who saw her at our Open Days in April. Drop me a line at [email protected] if you are interested or want to know more, or give me a call anytime

Hi there - quick overdue note for Social Syndicate followers on Doubtland Diva's performance at her first time in city grade in misty, drizzly conditions on the Caulfield Heath track last Wednesday.

It seems already that she races best when able to bowl along at her own tempo and back to the 1000m after a short freshen she needed to jump well to have any chance to lead or be on pace.

Unfortunately she was a clear last out of the gates and then was always chasing from behind. She ended up sticking to her guns in the straight and only finished 2 lengths from the winner in a busy finish, although she never really looked like she would win. The leader (and winner) was very fast out of the gates and even if Susie had jumped cleanly, it's hard to imagine she would have been able to lead her.

She has pulled up well and Tony will now mull over whether she goes to Sandown or a nice 1200m Vobis Bonus race at the Swan Hill 3 day carnival in a fortnight. The chances of a dry track may be better up on the Murray, which in all likelihood would work better for her.

Great to see about 40 owners out at Caulfield, and how good are the Owners facilities there, even at the midweek races. Thanks to the MRC for again looking after us so well.

In other Social Syndicate news, a really nice jumpout win by Lady Of Alsace at Mornington last Wednesday augured well for her upcoming prep. Evidence is accumulating that soft tracks will certainly work well for her. She picked up a foot abscess on the weekend which may delay her reappearance by a few days but hopefully not too long.

And thanks again to the Beleura Turf Club for again having Tony and I along to their quarterly lunch. Always a great turnout and always a good afternoon

All the best John

What a fantastic win by Doubtland Diva (Susie) at Pakenham tonight.

And what a great reception from a large and rowdy group of social syndicate owners on course. They were treated to a sustained display of speed and toughness by our girl with Jake Noonan aboard.

And looking at the post race interviews Tony and Jake could not have been more pleased with her performance.

With an extra 200 metres, a more spacious track and most importantly an A Grade barrier draw after poor draws at her two previous starts, Jake was able to fire her out of the gates and she took control of the race unchallenged. Jake held a bit in reserve for when the challenges came in the straight and she found strongly when that happened. In the last 150 metres she was never going to be caught and there were several with good ability behind her.

Additionally she ran very fast time breaking 1.10 for the 1200 metres.

Tony keeps delivering us great value with our Social Syndicate horses and this filly looks to have all the talent required to be another of those horses that could measure up to city grade in due course..

And for those with faith in her tonight - and it seems there were quite a few - the $15 odds she went off at have made plenty of people even more happy.

Unfortunately I am currently nursing a nasty torn calf - these things sometimes happen to elite athletes - and didn't get to the track, so I am again grateful to Andrea Owen for sending me a few shots of the evening. If any other owners wish to share some snaps please feel free to do so.

Again congratulations to all of you who have a share in this filly. It was a great win. - JM

And now here are some of the fabulous photos that Holly took from the two days.

Apologies to everyone for being very slow to get this out but time to throw out a report on our two fantastic stable open days at Greendale last Wednesday and Thursday.

Firstly the weather which can always make a big difference on these days. There were 55 owners along on Wednesday and we feared the worst when the overcast skies turned to drizzle as Tony cleared his throat. But the drizzle abated pretty quickly and we were able to get through the parade and the lunch pretty much uninterrupted after that. As for Thursday - fine, warm and magnificent, as some of the attached photos will attest.

Tony and the team brought out 5 horses for us, and all behaved brilliantly on both days. In particular anyone who saw Lady Of Alsace last year would barely believe she was the same horse - bigger, stronger and 500% more relaxed. For those who are in her, it would be quite a surprise if we don't see good improvement from her on course this prep.

Also parading we had Doubtland Diva (who is in at Pakenham tonight), our unraced Earthlight filly No Qualms, a farewell to Mystic Vamp who still hadn't quite gone home and a stunning unraced 2yo filly by Russian Camelot who caught everybody's eye. We are hoping that Tony can extract a piece of her for lease for Social Syndicates. He has no choice now after the reception she got from those attending on both days!!

Thanks as always to those behind the scenes that made the day happen, particularly in setting up the marquees, preparing the grounds and managing the horses for us.

A very popular addition to the days - made possible by the fine weather - was a stable tour conducted by Tom, which gave in particular our first time attendees an insight into the work that goes on behind the scenes in preparing their champions.

Thanks also to our regular catering provider Jenny from Reddy Roasts in Frankston who again did a fantastic job for us. I'm not sure whether our owners are eating less or Jenny is giving us more food, meaning that some portion of attendees financial contributions ended up giving the stable staff a feed - some of whom look like they could use some extra nutrition!!

Thanks also to Andrea again for slipping me a few photos and also to Holly Bann who took a couple of reels of magnificent photos. Holly does a lot of photography for picnic racing Victoria and what she has produced for us is quality. I will in fact post those as a separate reel - what you will see here attached to this report are some of the phone photos from myself and Andrea

All the best and again thanks to all who made the effort to attend and than you so much for all the positive feedback we have received since the big days - John