Weekend News | 18th September 2020

• NEW All Saints' Eve Wins Gr3 Tibbie Stakes

  Weekend, 18th September 2020

  	Mrgn.	Runners
  	-	11. All Saints' Eve (2) News J: J B Mc Donald T: J A O'Shea W: 56 kgs S: Sacred Falls D: Halloween
  	0.8L	8. Yamazaki (9) News J: Tommy Berry T: David Pfieffer W: 55 kgs S: Real Saga D: Wabeel
  	1.2L	5. Wandabaa (10) News J: B Avdulla T: K A Lees W: 55 kgs S: Wandjina D: Mabkhara
  	2.3L	4. Into The Abyss (8) News J: N Rawiller T: John Thompson W: 56 kgs S: Foxwedge D: Moonboat

  • Track: Newcastle
  • Race: $160,000 Gr3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m)
  • Winner: 4YO mare All Saints' Eve (Sacred Falls-Halloween, by Encosta De Lago)
  • Placings: 5YO mare Yamazaki & 4YO mare Wandabaa
  • Winning Sire: Sacred Falls (O’Reilly-Igauzu’s Girl, by Redoute’s Choice)
  • Stud Farm: Waikato Stud
  • Trainer: John O'Shea
  • Jockey: James McDonald
  • Race record: 4 wins and 2 placings from 8 starts for $212,070 in earnings
  • Sales Info: N/A

• NEW Mugatoo Wins Gr3 Newcastle Cup

  Weekend, 18th September 2020

  	Mrgn.	Runners
  	-	1. Mugatoo (7) News J: K Mc Evoy T: K A Lees W: 59 kgs S: Henrythenavigator D: Elopa
  	1.5L	2. Hush Writer (11) News J: Tim Clark T: G Waterhouse & A Bott W: 56 kgs S: Rulership D: Star Of Sapphire
  	2.0L	12. Attention Run (14) News J: A Gibbons T: K A Lees W: 54 kgs S: Hurricane Run D: Attention Please
  	2.2L	8. Paths Of Glory (15) News J: Rachel King T: R & M Freedman W: 54 kgs S: Mastercraftsman D: Pacific Rim

  • Track: Newcastle
  • Race: $200,000 Gr3 Newcastle Cup (2300m)
  • Winner: 6YO gelding Mugatoo (Henrythenavigator-Elopa, by Tiger Hill)
  • Placings: 6YO gelding Hush Writer & 6YO mare Attention Run
  • Winning Sire: Henrythenavigator (Kingmambo-Sequoyah, by Kingmambo)
  • Stud Farm: Coolmore Stud
  • Trainer: Kris Lees
  • Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
  • Race record: 8 wins and 2 placings from 14 starts for $562,492 in earnings
  • Sales Info: N/A

• NEW Rock Wins Gr3 Cameron Handicap

  Weekend, 18th September 2020

  	Mrgn.	Runners
  	-	6. Rock (3) News J: Tommy Berry T: M, W & J Hawkes W: 55.5 kgs S: Pierro D: Subtitle
  	3.8L	9. Just Thinkin' (5) News J: Tim Clark T: G Waterhouse & A Bott W: 54 kgs S: So You Think D: Nothin' Leica Cat
  	3.9L	5. Chief Ironside (10) News J: J B Mc Donald T: K A Lees W: 57 kgs S: Lawman D: Moment Of Time
  	4.8L	4. The Candy Man (11) News J: J Bowman T: P & P Snowden W: 58 kgs S: Casino Prince D: Melody

  • Track: Newcastle
  • Race: $160,000 Gr3 Cameron Handicap (1500m)
  • Winner: 5YO gelding Rock (Pierro-Subtitle, by Fastnet Rock)
  • Placings: 4YO gelding Just Thinkin' & 6YO horse Chief Ironside
  • Winning Sire: Pierro (Lonhro-Miss Right Note, by Daylami)
  • Stud Farm: Coolmore Stud
  • Trainer: M, W & J Hawkes
  • Jockey: Tommy Berry
  • Race record: 5 wins and 4 placings from 13 starts for $347,590 in earnings
  • Sales Info: $130,000 yearling at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale
  • Vendor: Coolmore Stud

• NEW Farnan To Race In Aquis’ Everest Slot

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  As one of the fastest winners of the time-honoured Gr1 Golden Slipper in recent years, Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) will, by agreement between Kia Ora Stud, Phoenix Thoroughbreds and Aquis, race in the Aquis slot in this year’s $15m The TAB Everest on October 17 at Royal Randwick. “Aquis is delighted to continue its partnership with Kia Ora in allocating Aquis’ Everest slot to Farnan,” stated Aquis’ Managing Director Shane McGrath. The highest Timeform rated juvenile of his generation, Farnan created a huge impression on debut, winning by almost 5-lengths before capturing the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic at his second start. Resuming in the Autumn, Farnan was simply dominant, winning the Gr2 Silver Slipper, Gr2 Todman Stakes and Gr1 Golden Slipper in emphatic fashion for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Farnan will miss the Gr1 Golden Rose and go straight to The Everest.

  

  Farnan will head straight to The Everest (pic: Steve Hart)

• Paths of Glory Gets Newcastle Visitors Draw

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  Trainers Richard and Michael Freedman would have been looking very forward to taking Paths of Glory two hours north of Sydney for Friday’s Gr3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) after the GB-bred’s Listed Wyong Cup (2100m) win earlier this month. On a hattrick, and clearly appreciating the recent step up in distance – he is by Mastercraftsman – Paths of Glory has ended up needing to navigate the widest barrier of what is now a 16 horse field following the withdrawal of Sir Charles Road. Although he is carrying 54kg, the same weight as carried in his most recent win, Wyong Cup runner-up The Lord Mayor drops 1.5kg for a narrow defeat to Paths of Glory and has the luxury of drawing barrier 2 for trainer Chris Waller and jockey Tommy Berry. That could prove academic as neither may be capable of withstanding the onslaught from top-weight Mugatoo, with the Kris Lees-trained Irish-bred son of Henrythenavigator enjoying a rich vein of form.

  

  Mugatoo will be hard to beat (pic: Steve Hart)

• Bowman to Appeal 20 Day Suspension

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  Highly regarded jockey Hugh Bowman has been suspended for 20 days by NSW Stewards following his ride on Golden Slipper winer Farnan in last Saturday’s Gr2 Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill. According to racenet.com.au, the penalty was due to a Running and Handling charge subsequent to Farnan’s break-neck speed from the 1200m to the 400m mark at a pace 12.8-lengths faster than the average. Bowman has been resolute in his defense – there were no suspicious betting patterns – and will appeal the decision. Last Saturday was Bowman’s first day back after an earlier 6-week suspension and, unless reduced, the penalty would see him miss up to four Group 1 races but still be available for The Everest. Also present at Thursday’s enquiry, Farnan’s co-trainer Adrian Bott advised that the valuable stallion prospect was back in normal work after pulling up well, despite the helter-skelter pace for the first 800m.

• Top 10 Sires All Nudging Million+ Earnings

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  It hasn’t taken long at all for the major sires to flex their muscles in Australia. Approaching the 7-week mark of the new season on Saturday, it appears a fait accompli that the Top 10 Australian General Sires will shortly all breach the $1 million mark, courtesy of their respective early progeny earnings. Leading the pack, with a reasonable buffer of $170,000, is I Am Invincible, Australia’s most expensive stallion in 2020. He is followed by 4-time consecutive General Champion Sire Snitzel, ahead of So You Think, All Too Hard, Written Tycoon, Fastnet Rock, Not A Single Doubt and Savabeel. Each of those eight stallions sits above the seven figure line. Meanwhile, Smart Missile, Sebring and Zoustar are fighting out who fills the remaining two Top 10 placings at this stage of the season, with all three also quickly closing in on the millon KPI, and likely to surpass it over the weekend.

  

  Dame Giselle is by leader I Am Invincible (pic: Steve Hart)

• Historical Rupert Clarke 3YO Record Mixed

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  The Gr1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes has been won by a 3YO on five occasions with forty-three 3YOs contesting the race since its inception in 1951, reveals racing.com. Tagaloa (Lord Kanaloa-Vasilissa, by Heart's Cry) will be hoping to become the sixth winner on Saturday, and he will be the first 3YO to contest the race since Smart Missile (Fastnet Rock-Comical Smile, by Comic Strip) ran tenth in 2011. Testa Rossa (Perugino-Bo Dapper, by Sir Dapper) holds the 3YO weight carrying record at 54.5kg, half a kilo more than Tagaloa will have on Saturday, while Exceed and Excel (Danehill-Patrona, by Lomond) and Our Maizcay (Maizcay-Maire Viita, by Dalsaan) both carried 52.5kg. Our Maizcay's victory in 1995 was the second shortest priced favourite in the history of the race. Manikato (Manihi-Markato, by Natural Bid) and Encosta de Lago (Fairy King-Shoal Creek, by Star Way) each carried 50kg to victory in their year. As well as the five winners from 43 starters, three other 3YOs have finished second, and another five placed third, making it 13 to finish in the top three for punters. Tagaloa began his 3YO season well when third in the Gr3 HDR McNeil Stakes over 1200m at the end of August. As a 2YO, he won twice from six starts, headlined by the Gr1 MRC Blue Diamond Stakes but also punctuated by other Group placings and a fourth placing in the Gr1 Golden Slipper. CLICK HERE to see Unibet's market for the Gr1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

• New Anders Owner Keen on Coolmore Stud S.

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  Antony Thompson, principal of Widden Stud, has publicly stated a preference for gun sprinter Anders to target the Coolmore Stud Stakes over The Everest. According to smh.com.au, the new part-owner of the Not A Single Doubt colt, who will stand at Widden at the completion of his racing career, believes the stallion-making Coolmore Stud Stakes is a bigger lure than the $15 million sprint. Already standing a successful winner of the Flemington straight six 3YO event in Zoustar (who initially stood alternate seasons with Woodside Park Stud in Victoria), Thompson acknowledged the cachet of winning The Everest, but revealed, "From a stallion's point of view and traditionalist's point of view, the Coolmore is a race that's very close to my heart.” Proprietor of one of the most respected stud farms in Australia, Thompson opined, “I think he'd be a great horse down the straight at Flemington as well so that'd be a nice addition to his CV if we could pull that off. I think we'll just see how we go and get through next Friday night (in the Gr1 Moir Stakes at The Valley) and then weigh up our options."

• Best Still Ahead of Zoustyle Says Gollan

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  Listed winner Zoustyle (Zoustar-Fashion, by Anabaa) resumes on Saturday at the Gold Coast in the Simmons Livingstone & Assoc Handicap over 900m, and trainer Tony Gollan told racingqueensland.com.au the best is still to come for the 5YO gelding. "He never went through a sale so he'll need to win a wildcard to get into the Magic Millions Snippets," Gollan said. "I'm very wary he's on the comeback trail after he bled so I might only give him one run and he can go for a break to get ready for the Magic Millions. Hopefully, he can get back to his best and he trialled well when he won easily at Doomben last week." Zoustyle hasn't raced since March 2020 when he bled in the Gr3 Maurice McCarten and was sent for a compulsory three month spell. "He goes good first-up but he's never been to the Gold Coast," he said. "He lost his way a little bit when he went south last campaign but he's developed into a nice type now and he's a lot stronger. I'm positive his best days are ahead of him." Zoustyle has won six of his ten starts including the Listed BRC Gold Edition Plate over 1200m, with all six wins coming in his first six starts. He is out of imported German stakes-placed winner Fashion.

• Star of the Seas Jockey Upbeat for Main Event

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  Jockey Sam Clipperton believes Star of the Seas (Ocean Park-Stella Livia, by Titus Livius) will win at Group 1 level this season, and this Saturday's Gr1 George Main Stakes might be the chance, reports racingnsw.com.au. "His Doncaster run was huge, his Winx Stakes run was huge but if you go back a year he was running third in an Epsom and third in The Gong," Clipperton said. "In that year he's definitely improved a few lengths and this spring could be his time." Second last start behind Verry Elleegant (Zed-Opulence, by Danroad) in the Gr1 Winx Stakes, Star of the Seas is currently $8.50 for Saturday's race, with Verry Elleegant the $2.30 favourite. "It worked out well, Verry Elleegant had a hard run and I was able to follow her everywhere she went," Clipperton said of the Winx Stakes. "I sprinted up to her like I was going to go straight past her but James (McDonald) had something up the sleeve and she was too tough the last 50m. My horse would have taken a lot from that run, he's had a nice trial in between and he does perform well on the fresher side. I certainly wouldn't swap him, I seem to click with the horse, I love riding him and I hope for the horse's sake and the connections' sake we get across the line with our head in front."

  

  Star of the Seas (pic: Steve Hart)

• Kisukano Out of Comfort Zone

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  Star 3YO filly Kisukano (Bel Esprit-Kiss for Gran, by Show a Heart) will have her first start against the older horses in the Pink Ribbon Cup at the Gold Coast on Saturday, reports racingqueensland.com.au. An easy two length winner last start over 1200m in 3YO company, she broke the track record for Eagle Farm in 1:08.69. Trainer Michael Nolan said, “She’ll be out of her comfort zone going up against older mares for the first time and stepping up to 1300 metres. I thought her last win was outstanding and it took a couple of days for her to get over it but she was entitled to after breaking the track record.” An interstate trip is on the cards for Kisukano and a potential step up in distance to the mile. “A lot will hinge on Saturday’s performance but if she wins well, she’ll go down for the Flight Stakes,” he said. “If it’s only a fair run, she’ll have some time off and come back for the summer races.” The Gr1 Flight Stakes will be run at Randwick on October 3. Kisukano has won six of her eight starts and placed in the other two. She wasn’t offered at public auction and is the first foal of a placed half-sister to Listed winner Princess Margaret (Spectrum).

• Iconic NZB Filly Series Gets Underway

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  The New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series is an iconic event on the New Zealand calendar, bringing the country’s finest fillies together every year for almost half a century to battle for the prestigious and coveted title. Now it’s this generation’s time to shine. Saturday’s $70,000 Gr3 Hawke’s Bay Breeders Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings is the opening leg of the forty-ninth NZB Filly of the Year Series, which runs from early spring right through to the Gr1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham in March. This 2020-21 series has been expanded to 11 races, with the addition of the Gr3 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa on October 24. This year’s Gold Trail Stakes field is another line-up stacked with talent. Bonita Aurelia (NZ) (Sweynesse) was the standout performer in this group last season, winning the Gr3 Woburn Farm 2YO Classic (1200m) and placing in the Gr2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). Taroni (NZ) (Showcasing) finished third in the $1m Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) in late January, while the likes of De La Terre (NZ) (Reliable Man) Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard), Miss Aotearoa (NZ) (Per Incanto), Sweet Anna (NZ) (Tavistock) and Tokorangi (NZ) (Redwood) have been impressive winners in lower grades.

  

  De La Terre (pic: Trish Dunell)

• Gold Trail a Strong Pointer to Success

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  The old adage that early form is good form is strongly applicable to the opening leg of the annual NZB Filly of The Year Series that gets underway this weekend. It has been a stepping stone to Filly of the Year Series glory for several fillies in the last 25 years. Sarwatch (NZ) (Jetball), Taatletail (NZ) (Faltaat) and Dijon Bleu (NZ) (Burgundy) all won the Gold Trail during their Filly of the Year-winning seasons, while Gold Trail placegetters such as Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed), Katie Lee (Pins) and Costa Viva (Encosta de Lago) blossomed through the remainder of the season and went on to claim the title. Saturday’s Gold Trail Stakes is worth 6 points to the winner, with 3 for second and 1.5 for third.

  

• Inferno Smoking Hot Ahead of Guineas

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  Exciting 3YO Inferno (see below) has pleased connections with a barrier trial this week ahead of a tilt at the S$400,000 Singapore Guineas (1600m) on September 26. Inferno posted a dominant win at his last start in the Singapore Classic (1400m) and with a gap of one month between runs, trainer Cliff Brown decided a barrier trial wouldn’t do Inferno any harm ahead of his grand final next week. “There is a month between runs,” Brown said. “As he is a lazy trackworker, I thought he’d get more out of an easy barrier trial.” Looking barely out of second gear at the tail, Inferno was hardly ever bustled up by race-jockey Valid Duric, but he still attacked the line once he had the winning post in his sights at the top of the straight. Inferno could have won easily, but Duric just allowed him to stride into second place, hard held, half-a-length off Sacred Don. A son of former Aquis Farm shuttler Holy Roman Emperor, Inferno was purchased out of Westbury Stud’s 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 draft for $140,000.

• Weekend Black Type Schedule

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  For the first time in what seems forever, there are Group 1 races being run on the same day in Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand. Brought to you by Magic Breed Plus, each of the Tarzino Trophy (Hastings), Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (Caulfield) and George Main Stakes (Royal Randwick) are fascinating contests and will have a major influence on upcoming feature races as distances increase. Still at Randwick, the Gr2 Shorts (1100m) will throw new light on the make-up for The Everest next month. Comprising what was an unthinkable 17 black-type races just four months ago, the weekend’s feature racing is book-ended on Friday by Newcastle’s three Gr3 events and, on Sunday, by the Listed Boulder Cup at Kalgoorlie. Whilst every effort is made to ensure information and the below race times (in Australian Eastern Time order) are accurate, please consult official race cards if certainty is required.

  

  • FRI 4.05pm: Gr3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) Newcastle
  • 4.40pm: Gr3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) Newcastle
  • 5.20pm: Gr3 Yarraman Park Tibbie Stakes (1400m) Newcastle
  • SAT 12.05pm: Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) Hastings
  • 1.15pm: Gr3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) Hastings
  • 2.00pm: Gr2 Darley Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) Randwick
  • 2.25pm: Gr1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) Hastings
  • 2.40pm: Gr3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) Randwick
  • 3.15pm: Gr1 George Main Stakes (1600m) Randwick
  • 3.35pm: Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) Caulfield
  • 3.55pm: Gr2 The Shorts (1100m) Randwick
  • 4.15pm: Gr3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) Caulfield
  • 4.35pm: Gr3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) Randwick
  • 4.50pm: Gr1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) Caulfield
  • 5.05pm: Listed WH Wylie Handicap (1100m) Morphettville
  • 5.25pm: Gr3 How Now Stakes (1200m) Caulfield
  • SUN 6.50pm: Listed Boulder Cup (2105m) Kalgoorlie

• SAT 12.05pm: Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) Hastings

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  

• 1.15pm: Gr3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) Hastings

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  

• 2.00pm: Gr2 Darley Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) Randwick

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  

• 2.25pm: Gr1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) Hastings

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  

• 2.40pm: Gr3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) Randwick

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  

• 3.15pm: Gr1 George Main Stakes (1600m) Randwick

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  

• 3.35pm: Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) Caulfield

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  

• 3.55pm: Gr2 The Shorts (1100m) Randwick

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  

• 4.15pm: Gr3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) Caulfield

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  

• 4.35pm: Gr3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) Randwick

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  

• 4.50pm: Gr1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) Caulfield

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  

• 5.05pm: Listed WH Wylie Handicap (1100m) Morphettville

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  

• 5.25pm: Gr3 How Now Stakes (1200m) Caulfield

  Weekend, 18th September 2020
  

• SUN 6.50pm: Listed Boulder Cup (2105m) Kalgoorlie

  Weekend, 18th September 2020