Changes to Flemington meeting; Waller seeks to Clean up at the Valley; Stereosonic pick of Corstens pair; Theodore Excited about Valley prospect.

Changes to Flemington meeting

Racing Victoria (RV) and the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) have today announced programming changes to Western Health Community Raceday at Flemington on Saturday, 13 December.

Three straight races – the $80,000 2YO Open SWP (1000m), the $80,000 Open Sprint (1200m) and the $40,000 BM78 Handicap (1100m) – have been removed from the meeting’s program to avoid racing over a section of the Flemington straight which requires further time to rejuvenate following recent track renovations.

Waller seeks to Clean up at the Valley

It will be an all-mare Chris Waller affair when the leading trainer saddles-up two chances at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Waller’s Melbourne foreperson Justine Hales said both Calming Influence, who resumes in the Corey McDonald Handicap (1200m) and She’s Clean, who will have a start in the Melbourne Signage Concepts Handicap (1500m), presented live prospects.

Stereosonic pick of Corstens pair

Trainer Troy Corstens is leaning to Stereosonic as the better of two chances in Saturday’s $80,000 The McMahons Dairy Handicap (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

Corstens, who trains in partnership with his father Leon, will also be represented in the race by Tried And Tired.

Theodore Excited about Valley prospect

Despite what his names suggests, Don’t Get Excited has Stephen Theodore confident he has plenty to be buoyant about at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

The promising Cranbourne-trained galloper will line up in the $80,000 McMahons Dairy Handicap over 1200 metres, along with four other local runners from the Kent, Griffiths and Zschoke stables.

Miss Idyllic on trial for Millions

Miss Idyllic is on trial for a start in January’s $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) on the Gold Coast when she lines up in Saturday’s $80,000 Adapt Australia Handicap (1000m) at Moonee Valley.

Runner-up behind the impressive Of The Brave on debut in the Debutant Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield last month, the daughter of Exceed And Excel then finished a close-up fourth behind Antelucan in the Group 3 Emirates Airline Plate (1000m) at Flemington

Bart Cummings taken to hospital

Racing legend Bart Cummings has been taken to hospital after suffering a chest infection.

Cummings, 87, was first admitted to hospital on Wednesday before returning to his home at Princes Farm in New South Wales but was readmitted as a precaution.

Jake Bayliss injured in fall

Racing Victoria apprentice Jake Bayliss has been taken to hospital after a fall during track work at Flemington on Friday.

Racing Victoria Apprentice Jockey Coach Matt Pumpa said despite initial concerns Bayliss had fractured his femur, X-rays revealed no break.

Dunn's hit and run hope

Victoria’s leading jockey heads to Rosehill Gardens with a book of promising rides on Saturday but with hopes it will not become a regular gig.

Team Hawkes' Melbourne hoop Dwayne Dunn, who sits atop the Victorian Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership table on 22 wins, has been called up to fill the void left by James McDonald, who flew to Japan on Thursday for this weekend's World Super Jockeys Series.

Buffering primed for Hong Kong

Trainer Robert Heathcote said he wasn’t disappointed by Buffering’s effort in a jumpout at Flemington on Friday despite describing the effort as “lazy”.

Having his final piece of work before flying to Hong Kong on Monday ahead of next month’s Group 1 Hong Kong International Sprint (1200m), the multiple Group 1 winner led throughout to win the second heat of the morning over 800m

Johnstone adjusts to keep winners coming

Gwenda Johnstone struggled to see the positives when her husband Mick broke his back early this year.

The former jockey was a crucial part of the Johnstones’ 15-horse operation in Echuca and being unable to walk, let alone ride trackwork, made life difficult.

Steward takes up senior role in Hong Kong

Racing Victoria (RV) Stipendiary Steward Gerard Bush has been appointed to the position of Stipendiary Steward with the prestigious Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Bush already has significant international experience, having worked as Chief Steward with the Emirates Racing Authority in the UAE prior to joining RV. He began his career in 1998 with the Western Australian Turf Club in the role of Cadet Stipendiary Steward.

He joins Victorian stewards Heidi Lester and Taylor Wilson who are also filling senior roles in international racing jurisdictions – Lester as Chairman of Stewards in Macau and Wilson as a Steward in Dubai.

Super VOBIS to travel the Tasman

Victoria’s most popular incentive scheme Super VOBIS is set to cross the Tasman for the 2015 Karaka Select Yearling Sale.

Hugely attractive to prospective breeders, owners and trainers; Super VOBIS offers connections of nominated Victorian-bred gallopers the chance to race for more than $12.5 million in bonuses each racing season.