Daily News Archive
Daily News Subscription
2021 Agistment & Spelling
Reducing Foaling Season Stress
Allandale Park Thoroughbreds (NSW)
Weekend News | 22nd October 2021
NEW Searchin' Roc's Wins Listed Belgravia Stks
Weekend, 22nd October 2021- Track: Ascot
- Race: $125,000 Listed Belgravia Stks (1200m)
- Winner: 3YO filly Searchin' Roc's (Awesome Rock-Still Searchin', by Trade Fair)
- Placings: 3YO gelding It'sarayday & 3YO filly Flying Missile
- Winning Sire: Awesome Rock (Fastnet Rock-Awesome Planet, by Giant’s Causeway)
- Stud Farm: Goldfront Thoroughbreds
- Trainer: D R Harrison
- Jockey: Chris Parnham
- Race record: 4 wins from 5 starts for $319,900 in earnings
- Sales Info: N/A
NEW Icebath Wins SR The Invitation
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Mrgn. Runners - 10. IcebathJ: K Mc EvoyT: Brad WiddupW: 57 kgsS: Sacred FallsD: Fabulist1.5L 8. Rocha ClockJ: S ClippertonT: J A O'SheaW: 58 kgsS: PierroD: Rocha1.7L 4. Forbidden LoveJ: Rachel KingT: R & M FreedmanW: 59 kgsS: All Too HardD: Juliet's Princess- Track: Randwick
- Race: $2,000,000 SR The Invitation (1400m)
- Winner: 5YO mare Icebath (Sacred Falls-Fabulist, by Savabeel)
- Placings: 5YO mare Rocha Clock & 4YO mare Forbidden Love
- Winning Sire: Sacred Falls (O’Reilly-Igauzu’s Girl, by Redoute’s Choice)
- Stud Farm: Waikato Stud
- Trainer: Brad Widdup
- Jockey: K Mc Evoy
- Race record: 4 wins and 10 placings from 25 starts for $3,381,740 in earnings
- Sales Info: $100,000 yearling at the 2018 Inglis Classic Sale
- Vendor: Sledmere Stud
NEW State Of Rest Wins Gr1 Cox Plate
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Mrgn. Runners - 8. State Of RestJ: John AllenT: Joseph O'BrienW: 56.5 kgsS: StarspangledbannerD: Repose0.1L 9. AnamoeJ: Craig WilliamsT: James CummingsW: 49.5 kgsS: Street BossD: Anamato1.1L 6. Verry ElleegantJ: Damian LaneT: C J WallerW: 57 kgsS: ZedD: Opulence- Track: Moonee Valley
- Race: $5,000,000 Gr1 Cox Plate (2040m)
- Winner: 4YO horse State Of Rest (Starspangledbanner-Repose, by Quiet American)
- Placings: 3YO colt Anamoe & 6YO mare Verry Elleegant
- Winning Sire: Starspangledbanner (Choisir-Gold Anthem, by Made of Gold)
- Stud Farm: Rosemont Stud
- Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
- Jockey: John Allen
- Race record: 3 wins and 3 placings from 9 starts for $3,777,909 in earnings
- Sales Info: £60,000 yearling at the 2017 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2
- Vendor: Whatton Manor Stud
NEW Hilal Wins SR Bondi Stks
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Mrgn. Runners - 1. HilalJ: Tommy BerryT: M, W & J HawkesW: 57 kgsS: Fastnet RockD: Salma1.3L 8. KeefyJ: J FordT: Brad WiddupW: 57 kgsS: All Too HardD: Urban Rocker1.4L 9. LeaseJ: Tim ClarkT: A J CummingsW: 57 kgsS: ChoisirD: Ume- Track: Randwick
- Race: $1,000,000 SR Bondi Stks (1600m)
- Winner: 3YO colt Hilal (Fastnet Rock-Salma, by Encosta De Lago)
- Placings: 3YO gelding Keefy & 3YO colt Lease
- Winning Sire: Fastnet Rock (Danehill-Piccadilly Circus, by Royal Academy)
- Stud Farm: Coolmore Stud
- Trainer: M, W & J Hawkes
- Jockey: Tommy Berry
- Race record: 3 wins and 4 placings from 10 starts for $1,098,150 in earnings
- Sales Info: N/A
NEW Lunar Flare Wins Gr2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Mrgn. Runners - 13. Lunar FlareJ: M J DeeT: G M BeggW: 54 kgsS: FiorenteD: My Fair Lago0.1L 12. Floating ArtistJ: Teodore NugentT: C Maher & D EustaceW: 55 kgsS: NathanielD: Miss Kenton0.9L 1. SoundJ: J MottT: M D MoroneyW: 57 kgsS: LandoD: Sky Dancing- Track: Moonee Valley
- Race: $1,000,000 Gr2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m)
- Winner: 6YO mare Lunar Flare (Fiorente-My Fair Lago, by Encosta De Lago)
- Placings: 6YO gelding Floating Artist & 9YO horse Sound
- Winning Sire: Fiorente (Monsun-Desert Bloom, by Pilsudski)
- Stud Farm: Widden Stud
- Trainer: G M Begg
- Jockey: M J Dee
- Race record: 7 wins and 9 placings from 26 starts for $972,255 in earnings
- Sales Info: N/A
NEW Torrens Wins Listed City Tattersalls Cup
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Mrgn. Runners - 9. TorrensJ: Jenny DugganT: Lauri ParkerW: 53 kgsS: AdelaideD: A Little Knowledge0.8L 8. Savvy ValentinoJ: Rachel KingT: Bjorn BakerW: 53 kgsS: SavabeelD: High Fashion4.3L 3. ZeyrekJ: Tommy BerryT: M, W & J HawkesW: 55 kgsS: Sea The StarsD: Zerkaza- Track: Randwick
- Race: $140,000 Listed City Tattersalls Cup (2400m)
- Winner: 5YO horse Torrens (Adelaide-A Little Knowledge, by Dangerous)
- Placings: 5YO gelding Savvy Valentino & 5YO gelding Zeyrek
- Winning Sire: Adelaide (Galileo-Elletelle, by Elnadim)
- Stud Farm: Coolmore Stud
- Trainer: Lauri Parker
- Jockey: Jenny Duggan
- Race record: 8 wins and 3 placings from 26 starts for $333,000 in earnings
- Sales Info: N/A
NEW Forgot You Wins Gr2 Drummond Golf Vase
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Mrgn. Runners - 1. Forgot YouJ: D MoorT: T Busuttin & N YoungW: 57 kgsS: SavabeelD: Simply You0.2L 12. Commander HarryJ: Ms L J MeechT: T Busuttin & N YoungW: 57 kgsS: Reliable ManD: Our Josephina1.7L 3. Jungle MagnateJ: J BowmanT: M Price & M Kent JnrW: 57 kgsS: TarzinoD: The Love Of Money- Track: Moonee Valley
- Race: $300,000 Gr2 Drummond Golf Vase (2040m)
- Winner: 3YO colt Forgot You (Savabeel-Simply You, by O'Reilly)
- Placings: 3YO gelding Commander Harry & 3YO gelding Jungle Magnate
- Winning Sire: Savabeel (Zabeel-Savannah Success, by Success Express)
- Stud Farm: Waikato Stud
- Trainer: T Busuttin & N Young
- Jockey: D Moor
- Race record: 3 wins and 2 placings from 8 starts for $495,350 in earnings
- Sales Info: $330,000 juvenile at the 2020 Inglis Ready2Race Sale
- Vendor: Ohukia Lodge
NEW Just Folk Wins Gr2 Schweppes Crystal Mile
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Mrgn. Runners - 7. Just FolkJ: John AllenT: Joshua JuliusW: 59 kgsS: MagnusD: Fast Ruby0.5L 2. Begood Toya MotherJ: D MoorT: Daniel BowmanW: 59 kgsS: MyboycharlieD: Lady Of Helena0.7L 5. ElephantJ: Damian LaneT: E & D BrowneW: 59 kgsS: ShockingD: Ticklish- Track: Moonee Valley
- Race: $300,000 Gr2 Schweppes Crystal Mile (1600m)
- Winner: 5YO gelding Just Folk (Magnus-Fast Ruby, by Desert Sun)
- Placings: 7YO gelding Begood Toya Mother & 5YO gelding Elephant
- Winning Sire: Magnus (Flying Spur-Scandinavia, by Snippets)
- Stud Farm: Widden Stud
- Trainer: Joshua Julius
- Jockey: John Allen
- Race record: 5 wins and 3 placings from 15 starts for $328,938 in earnings
- Sales Info: N/A
NEW Southern Ocean Wins Listed Spring Classic
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Mrgn. Runners - 9. Southern OceanJ: L J AllpressT: Ms T RaeW: 53 kgsS: Ocean ParkD: Viana0.3L 6. El GladiadorJ: Rohan MudhooT: J & K ParsonsW: 53 kgsS: GhibellinesD: Querella0.4L 3. Dee And GeeJ: T L NewmanT: P R CorbettW: 55 kgsS: Darci BrahmaD: Gabana- Track: Riccarton Park
- Race: $60,000 Listed Spring Classic (2000m)
- Winner: 5YO gelding Southern Ocean (Ocean Park-Viana, by Volksraad)
- Placings: 5YO gelding El Gladiador & 8YO mare Dee And Gee
- Winning Sire: Ocean Park (Thorn Park-Sayyida, by Zabeel)
- Stud Farm: Waikato Stud
- Trainer: Ms T Rae
- Jockey: L J Allpress
- Race record: 5 wins and 3 placings from 9 starts for $92,996 in earnings
- Sales Info: $30,000 yearling pass-in at the 2018 NZB NYSS
- Vendor: Mapperley Stud
NEW Mokulua Wins Gr2 Fillies Classic
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Mrgn. Runners - 8. MokuluaJ: J B Mc DonaldT: C E ConnersW: 57 kgsS: Redoute's ChoiceD: Dear Demi2.8L 5. WhatafoxJ: John AllenT: C Maher & D EustaceW: 57 kgsS: FoxwedgeD: Whatalovelyday3.1L 7. MaracanaJ: B PrebbleT: D T O'BrienW: 57 kgsS: ShamexpressD: Rita Moreno- Track: Moonee Valley
- Race: $300,000 Gr2 Fillies Classic (1600m)
- Winner: 3YO filly Mokulua (Redoute's Choice-Dear Demi, by Dehere)
- Placings: 3YO filly Whatafox & 3YO filly Maracana
- Winning Sire: Redoute's Choice (Danehill-Shantha’s Choice, by Canny Lad)
- Stud Farm: Arrowfield Stud
- Trainer: C E Conners
- Jockey: J B Mc Donald
- Race record: 1 win and 3 placings from 7 starts for $209,450 in earnings
- Sales Info: N/A
NEW Generation Wins Gr3 Red Anchor Stakes
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Mrgn. Runners - 4. GenerationJ: J B Mc DonaldT: C Maher & D EustaceW: 57 kgsS: SnitzelD: Fontiton0.5L 2. Scissor StepJ: Damian LaneT: M Ellerton & S ZahraW: 57 kgsS: ToronadoD: Watch Your Step3.5L 6. SudokoJ: J BowmanT: M Price & M Kent JnrW: 57 kgsS: RubickD: Tiergarten- Track: Moonee Valley
- Race: $200,000 Gr3 Red Anchor (1200m)
- Winner: 3YO colt Generation (Snitzel-Fontiton, by Turffontein)
- Placings: 3YO gelding Scissor Step & 3YO gelding Sudoko
- Winning Sire: Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice-Snippets’ Lass, by Snippets)
- Stud Farm: Arrowfield Stud
- Trainer: C Maher & D Eustace
- Jockey: J B Mc Donald
- Race record: 3 wins and 2 placings from 5 starts for $247,975 in earnings
- Sales Info: $575,000 yearling at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale
- Vendor: Newgate Farm
NEW Noverre Wins Gr3 War Decree Stakes
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Mrgn. Runners - 3. NoverreJ: J D LakingT: J W RichardsW: 56.5 kgsS: SavabeelD: Magic Dancer1.3L 1. Field Of GoldJ: K AsanoT: A W PikeW: 56.5 kgsS: StarspangledbannerD: Chasing Mammon4.8L 2. Mackenzie LadJ: S L WynneT: M & M PitmanW: 56.5 kgsS: VespaD: Tallulah Belle- Track: Riccarton Park
- Race: $90,000 Gr3 War Decree Stakes (1600m)
- Winner: 3YO colt Noverre (Savabeel-Magic Dancer, by Rip Van Winkle)
- Placings: 3YO gelding Field Of Gold & 3YO gelding Mackenzie Lad
- Winning Sire: Savabeel (Zabeel-Savannah Success, by Success Express)
- Stud Farm: Waikato Stud
- Trainer: J W Richards
- Jockey: J D Laking
- Race record: 2 wins and 3 placings from 6 starts for $67,650 in earnings
- Sales Info: $800,000 yearling at the 2020 NZB NYSS
- Vendor: Waikato Stud
NEW Mazu Wins Listed Brian Crowley Stks
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Mrgn. Runners - 2. MazuJ: S ClippertonT: P & P SnowdenW: 56 kgsS: MauriceD: Chatelaine1.3L 6. BattletonJ: J R CollettT: Bjorn BakerW: 56 kgsS: ZoustarD: Dulverton1.5L 5. Able WillieJ: K Mc EvoyT: C J WallerW: 56 kgsS: Written TycoonD: Lifesaver Lady- Track: Randwick
- Race: $200,000 Listed Brian Crowley Stks (1200m)
- Winner: 3YO colt Mazu (Maurice-Chatelaine, by Flying Spur)
- Placings: 3YO colt Battleton & 3YO gelding Able Willie
- Winning Sire: Maurice (Screen Hero-Mejiro Frances, by Carnegie)
- Stud Farm: Arrowfield Stud
- Trainer: P & P Snowden
- Jockey: S Clipperton
- Race record: 2 wins and a placing from 6 starts for $171,100 in earnings
- Sales Info: $180,000 yearling at the 2020 Inglis Classic Sale
- Vendor: Parsons Creek Pastoral
NEW Imperatriz Wins Gr3 Soliloquy Stakes
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Mrgn. Runners - 1. ImperatrizJ: D S JohnsonT: J W RichardsW: 56.5 kgsS: I Am InvincibleD: Berimbau0.2L 15. Dubai DivaJ: M J Mc NabT: S B MarshW: 56.5 kgsS: Pride Of DubaiD: Mae Jinx0.3L 8. Belle En RougeJ: S J MacnabT: J W RichardsW: 56.5 kgsS: BurgundyD: Cavendish Belle- Track: Matamata
- Race: $80,000 Gr3 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m)
- Winner: 3YO filly Imperatriz (I Am Invincible-Berimbau, by Shamardal)
- Placings: 3YO filly Dubai Diva & 3YO filly Belle En Rouge
- Winning Sire: I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit-Cannarelle, by Canny Lad)
- Stud Farm: Yarraman Park Stud
- Trainer: J W Richards
- Jockey: D S Johnson
- Race record: 4 wins and a placing from 5 starts for $161,405 in earnings
- Sales Info: $360,000 yearling at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale
- Vendor: Bhima Thoroughbreds
NEW Dream Queen Wins Listed Crockett Stks
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Mrgn. Runners - 7. Dream QueenJ: L NolenT: Ben & J D HayesW: 56 kgsS: Super EasyD: Hampton's Gold0.1L 8. Our HeidiJ: B PrebbleT: P StokesW: 56 kgsS: Needs FurtherD: Scout Finch0.3L 2. New York BabyJ: D OliverT: L & T CorstensW: 57 kgsS: Written TycoonD: Shadow Doll- Track: Moonee Valley
- Race: $175,000 Listed Crockett Stks (1200m)
- Winner: 3YO filly Dream Queen (Super Easy-Hampton's Gold, by Gold Mine)
- Placings: 3YO filly Our Heidi & 3YO filly New York Baby
- Winning Sire: Super Easy (Darci Brahma-Parfore, by Gold Brose)
- Stud Farm: Hallmark Stud
- Trainer: Ben & J D Hayes
- Jockey: L Nolen
- Race record: 3 wins and 2 placings from 6 starts for $128,978 in earnings
- Sales Info: $1,500 juvenile at the NZB Gavel House June 2019 Sale
- Vendor: Hallmark Stud
NEW Semillion Wins RL Inglis Banner
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Mrgn. Runners - 2. SemillionJ: Jye McNeilT: M, W & J HawkesW: 58 kgsS: ShalaaD: Sistonic2.0L 16. Lady HarlemJ: B PrebbleT: J A O'SheaW: 56 kgsS: SebringD: Harlem River3.0L 17. NobelJ: J B Mc DonaldT: Annabel NeashamW: 58 kgsS: Exceed And ExcelD: Peace Force- Track: Moonee Valley
- Race: $400,000 RL Inglis Banner (1000m)
- Winner: 2YO colt Semillion (Shalaa-Sistonic, by Bel Esprit)
- Placings: 2YO filly Lady Harlem & 2YO colt Nobel
- Winning Sire: Shalaa (Invincible Spirit-Ghurra, by War Chant)
- Stud Farm: Arrowfield Stud
- Trainer: M, W & J Hawkes
- Jockey: Jye McNeil
- Race record: 1 win from 1 starts for $240,000 in earnings
- Sales Info: $300,000 yearling at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale
- Vendor: Blue Gum Farm
NEW Jonker Wins Gr1 Manikato Stakes
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Mrgn. Runners - 2. JonkerJ: D MoorT: T J GollanW: 58.5 kgsS: Spirit Of BoomD: Hearts And Arrows0.1L 8. Bella NipotinaJ: John AllenT: C Maher & D EustaceW: 56.5 kgsS: Pride Of DubaiD: Bella Orfana2.4L 11. IngratiatingJ: Craig WilliamsT: James CummingsW: 53 kgsS: FrostedD: Obsequious- Track: Moonee Valley
- Race: $1,000,000 Gr1 Manikato Stakes (1200m)
- Winner: 6YO horse Jonker (Spirit Of Boom-Hearts And Arrows, by Kempinsky)
- Placings: 4YO mare Bella Nipotina & 3YO colt Ingratiating
- Winning Sire: Spirit Of Boom (Sequalo-Temple Spirit, by Special Dane)
- Stud Farm: Eureka Stud
- Trainer: T J Gollan
- Jockey: D Moor
- Race record: 5 wins and 8 placings from 28 starts for $2,050,660 in earnings
- Sales Info: $45,000 yearling at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale
- Vendor: Fig Tree Thoroughbreds
NEW Spirit of Boom Sires First Gr1 Winner
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Classy sprinter Jonker provided his sire Spirit of Boom (Sequalo) with a first Group 1 winner following a slashing win in Friday’s Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. Adopting a positive front-running strategy under Daniel Moor, the Queensland-bred, sold and trained galloper was forced to work early but didn't give his rivals a look in, dashing home to win the Group 1 contest under lights. Champion Brisbane Tony Gollan, watching from the Sunshine State, said he was proud his star short course performer was able to show his exceptional talents off at the top level.” Gollan said he wasn't sure where Jonker would race next or what his immediate future would hold. "I will talk to the Snowdens as they have been integral in his preparation over the past seven weeks." We were looking at Perth but that is very tricky now with the COVID situation - but we will see as there's other options." Those options could include a feature on The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday in January or a return trip to Moonee Valley to contest the William Reid Stakes. Jonker sent his career earnings smashing through the $2 million barrier after selling for $45,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale through the draft of Fig Tree Thoroughbreds. Jonker is the first Group One winner for his sire, former outstanding sprinter Spirit of Boom (trained by Gollan) who won a Doomben 10,000 and also a William Reid Stakes before retiring to Eureka Stud.
Jonker sizzled in the Manikato Stakes (pic: magicmillions.com.au)
NEW Moor and Moor and Moor for Hoop
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Friday night’s Gr1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) triumph aboard Jonker (see above) continued an incredible spring for top class rider Daniel Moor - his third career Group 1 - all achieved since the start of the new racing season. "I said to Tony Gollan this morning that he gave me a similar feel to what Wild Ruler gave me (leading into a recent Group 1 win)," Moor revealed. "He's a lovely gentleman of a horse and I'm so pleased to have got the job done. He's an older horse who likes a challenge. He's been a little doughy out, but we wanted him out in front in his own leisure. He loves a challenge and rolling on his own accord." Moor, whose other Group 1 win was aboard Sierra Sue in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, noted, “Obviously being a Group 1 race there was always going to be a lot of speed and I knew I had the horse to absorb that pressure early. He floated a little bit (near the corner) but when I gave him a good roar he was strong.” Moor, who also placed second on Young Werther in the Gr1 Turnbull Stakes, is currently sits Top 3 in the Black Type Gr1 Jockey Premiership. He is on 50 points, behind Craig Williams (85) and Brett Prebble (76).
NEW Restrictions for New Zealand Cup meeting
Weekend, 22nd October 2021The Canterbury Jockey Club has announced that due to the ongoing uncertainty around COVID-19 restrictions and the rules for operating under COVID-19 Alert Level 2, the difficult decision to restrict attendance to 2000 people a day for the New Zealand Cup Meeting has been made. Alert Level are likely to remain in place at the time the New Zealand Cup Meeting is held at Riccarton in early November, encompassing Saturday 6th, Wednesday 10th and Saturday 13th. The Club will have areas available in compliance with the COVID-19 Alert Level 2 measures for owners of horses competing at the meeting, members of the Canterbury Jockey Club, and event sponsors. “We know this news is disappointing and will result in a very different New Zealand Cup Meeting to what we normally enjoy, however we are committed to complying by the current restrictions imposed to ensure the health and safety of all our valued stakeholders while allowing us to continue to hold this important calendar of events, albeit in a limited capacity,” a statement from the Club read. The following measures will be in place for all registered attendees of the Canterbury Jockey Club New Zealand Cup Meetings:- All attendees must be pre-registered.
- No gates sales on the day.
- The Official QR Code/s must be scanned on arrival or when moving between venues.
- NZTR stakeholders will be contained in their own ‘bubble’ and will not be able to mix in other areas.
- Respect 1 metre distance.
- Seated and served at the table rules apply in all hospitality areas.
- Face covings or masks must be worn by attendees, other than when eating and drinking.
Rosemont Buys Joyous Legend for $1.025M
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Impeccably bred filly Joyous Legend (Snitzel x More Joyous) has become the third $1m+ lot sold through Inglis Digital in the past three months after realising $1,025,000 on Thursday afternoon. Offered by Bon Ho’s Legend Racing in a bespoke auction, the lightly raced Group 2-placed 3YO attracted the attention of many of the industry’s biggest players before eventually selling to Rosemont Stud. Joyous Legend joins Funstar ($2.7m) and Every Rose ($1.3m) as recent seven-figure lots sold through the Inglis Digital platform. It was these previous results that played a significant part in Mr Ho’s reason to offer Joyous Legend online. “It was only Saturday just gone that I first spoke to Jonathan [D’Arcy] about the idea of doing this and now, five days later, the mare has sold for more than $1m so it’s been very quick, very efficient and very well done. It’s a very good price, I’m so very happy with the price. The expectation was in the range of $700,000-$800,000 so this price is quite a fair bit above my expectation.” Joyous Legend, who has raced just six times, will head to her new home of Rosemont in coming days before a decision is made on her immediate future. “There’s no hard and fast decision made there, our intelligence says she still has racing life in her but our team will go over her when she gets here and we’ll look at the racing schedule in the autumn etc and just see what we think is best, to race her on or to find a stallion for her straight away,’’ Rosemont’s Anthony Mithen said.
Champion More Joyous (pic: Steve Hart)
Pondus Chasing Gold At The Valley
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Trainer Robert Hickmott knows what it takes to prepare a horse for the Gr1 Melbourne Cup, having trained both Green Moon (Montjeu) and Almandin (Monsun) to success in recent years, with the ownership group of those two experiencing not only success with Hickmott's two winners but with a further pair trained by Joseph O'Brien. This year's running of the Moonee Valley Gold Cup will see the Williams family-owned Pondus (Sea The Moon-Diablerette, by Green Desert) tackle the key Melbourne Cup lead up at just his second local start since relocating to Australia. Having previously raced in Australia when trained by Joseph O'Brien, finishing second in both the Gr3 Bendigo Cup and Gr3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the gelding headed back to Europe where, after a further three runs at the Curragh, he was transferred permanently back to Australia. Recording a solid fifth in the Gr2 Bart Cummings when beaten just over 2.5-lengths, Pondus is likely to need to improve to record victory on Saturday, but the training methodology of the Team Williams-owned horses has them set to feature in the Spring races with their main aim being the two-mile contest on the first Tuesday in November.Fortune Favours the Brave in Fillies Classic
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Trainer Daniel Bowman has experienced the taste of Group 1 glory, having recorded success with Begood Toya Mother (Myboycharlie) when winning the Rupert Clarke Stakes a few years back, and his current 3YO filly Fortunate Kiss (Divine Prophet-Kiss Me Goodbye, by Savabeel) shows all the attributes of a filly on the up. While she may never secure an elusive elite victory, the filly has always shown raw ability, and with an ounce of luck in her races, could have already recorded stakes success. Fifth last start in the Gr1 Thousand Guineas when blocked for a run, the effort had jockey Dean Holland stating, "Huge run. Didn't have a lot of luck. Probably should have gone close." And although Holland will not partner the filly in Saturday's Gr2 Fillies Classic over 1600m, support of money sees wide-drawn Fortunate Kiss currently sitting as the second favourite in the race behind the James Cummings trainer Hersey (Street Boss-Montsegur, by New Approach), who interestingly finished more than six lengths behind her in the Gr1 Thousand Guineas. Stakes-placed on debut behind Enthaar (Written Tycoon) and Ingratiating (Frosted) over 1000m, it will be interesting to see what trip Fortunate Kiss can get out to, but hopefully Saturday's run allows the filly to show her true potential.Waller's Il Affare Contests Tesio Second Up
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Having just her second Australian start in the care of Champion trainer Chris Waller, 4YO mare Il Affare (Dundeel-Pennacchio, by Align) looks set to further improve second up after a pleasing fourth, beaten a length and a quarter over 1400m at Caulfield. Bred and raced by New Zealand's Nearco Stud, the mare was a dual winner in her homeland where she also managed a Group 2 third placed effort and finished a gallant fourth in the Gr1 New Zealand Derby, when beaten under two lengths to be the first filly home in the race. Saturday's race is clearly a step up in class from her most recent effort, but with natural improvement, Il Affare should acquit herself extremely well. Current race favourite is the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Annavisto (Reliable Man-Avisto, by Tavistock), a last start fifth in the Gr2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes, while Waller will saddle up a further two runners: Only Words (Sweynesse-Jungle Pago, by Darci Brahma) and Grace And Harmony (Sebring-Champagne Harmony, by Choisir). Like their stablemate Il Affare, both finished fourth last start in their respective Group 3 races, and should take further improvement leading into the Tesio.Tralee Rose Peaking for Melbourne Cup
Weekend, 22nd October 2021The first Tuesday in November beckons for Tralee Rose (NZ) (Tavistock), who won Wednesday's $400,000 Gr3 Geelong Cup (2400m) to confirm her place in the field for the $7.75m Gr1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington. According to NZ Bloodstock, bought for $50,000 from Cambridge Stud's Book 1 draft at Karaka 2018, Tralee Rose has won six of her 15 starts and earned over $750,000 in prizemoney. Winner last season of the Gr3 Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) and Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m), the Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan-bred Tralee Rose headed into the Geelong Cup after placing in all of her three previous spring starts – the Listed Heatherlie Handicap (1700m), Gr3 Foundation Cup (2000m) and Gr3 Bart Cummings (2500m). A clear favourite for Wednesday's feature at around $2.30, after settling in third spot, Tralee Rose surged forward under jockey Dean Holland and outstayed her opposition, holding out a determined challenge from Dr Drill (Dansili) down the straight to score by a half-length. The rest of the field finished almost 3-lengths behind the first pair. Tralee Rose is trained and part-owned by Warrnambool-based Symon Wilde, who enthused, "It's dawning on us now that we've got a genuine, live hope in the Melbourne Cup. She's a horse that we found in New Zealand as a yearling. You look at them and think, 'Can this be the one?'. She had her first start here at Geelong, and to be coming back a bit over 12 months later and winning the Geelong Cup, and being a live hope in the Melbourne Cup – it's what you dream of!"
Tralee Rose (inside) won the Geelong Cup (pic: Reg Ryan Racing Photos)
Corstens' Baby Chasing Crockett Success
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Second last start in the Gr3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes behind undefeated Sneaky Five (Fastnet Rock-Small Minds, by Canny Lad) who lines up as a leading contender in Friday night's Gr1 Manikato Stakes, the Troy and Leon Corstens-trained 3YO filly New York Baby (Written Tycoon-Shadow Doll, by Dane Shadow) will head to Moonee Valley on Saturday for the Listed Crockett Stakes as a leading contender. Unbeaten in the two starts of her initial campaign, the Sledmere Stud yearling sale graduate has already recouped her $75,000 Inglis Premier purchase price; if she can obtain some black type on Saturday, her value will increase significantly. Sharing favouritism with John O'Shea's Robodira (Husson-Don't Blink, by Redoute's Choice) who was considered unlucky when fifth in the Thoroughbred Club Stakes, New York Baby will retain the services of Damien Olver who has ridden her in all three starts and, from barrier five, there will be the opportunity to ride her where she is comfortable in the run. An interesting runner is the Mill Park Stud and partners-raced Ballynora (Fastnet Rock-The Special Two, by War Pass), who is bred to appreciate further. She hails from the family of Group 1 winners and Champions Bonneval (Makfi), Champagne (Zabeel) and St Remis (Zabeel), all elite winners over a middle-distance range.Delay for Mount Gambier’s Reopening
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Racing SA and the Mount Gambier Racing Club have announced a delay to the reopening of the Mount Gambier track. Due to the particularly wet and cold conditions experienced in recent months, it has been agreed to take a conservative approach and postpone the reopening of the track to give the turf further time to fully establish. This means the meetings originally scheduled at Mount Gambier in December 2021 and January 2022 will remain in the South East but now be held at Penola and Bordertown. According to racingsa.com.au, the Mount Gambier racing season will commence with barrier trials on Friday, 11 February 2022. The track will officially re-open for racing with a meeting on Wednesday, 23 February, 2022, ahead of the Mount Gambier Gold Cup meeting which will be conducted on Friday, 1 April, 2022. Racing SA CEO Nick Redin said it had been agreed with the Club to take a long-term approach to re-opening. “We are determined to return to racing at Mount Gambier in a sustainable manner,” Redin said. “This means taking a conservative approach and allowing the track to benefit from some warmer weather which will ensure the turf has properly bedded down.”
Mount Gambier's reopening has been delayed (pic: racingsa.com.au)
Eva Chiara Primed for Matamata
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Trainer Stephen Marsh holds a decent hand in the Gr3 Soliloquy Stakes at Matamata on Saturday with debut winner Eva Chiara (Savabeel) and Dubai Diva (Pride of Dubai) to represent his in form stable. The former was impressive at the first time of asking last month while her barnmate hasn't enjoyed the best of fortunes this preparation. According to loveracing.nz, Eva Chiara was badly held up at Rotorua, but when a gap presented late in the straight, she burst through to win going away in a manner that suggested she can make her mark in far stronger company. "Her win was really, really good and her trials leading into it were great as well," said Marsh. Dubai Diva, meanwhile, improved on her resuming fifth to finish runner-up at Taupo and had interrupted runs both times. "Eva Chiara has a bit more professionalism, but Dubai Diva has got the good barrier draw. She still hasn't quite got her head around it all, but I do believe they will both run well."Mackenzie Lad's Next Stop the Guineas
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Talented 3YO Mackenzie Lad (Vespa-Talullah Belle, by Iffraaj) is primed to showcase his Gr1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 2000 Guineas credentials when he tackles Saturday's Gr3 War Decree Stakes at Riccarton, reports NZ Racing Desk. That's the opinion of Riccarton trainer Matthew Pitman, who trains the Vespa 3YO in partnership with his father Michael. The Pitmans produced Marine (Ocean Park) to run a close second in last year's War Decree Stakes before finishing third in the 2000 Guineas. The Pitmans have 10 runners accepted for Riccarton, including entries for the Canterbury Landscape Supplies 1200 and Coupland's Bakeries Mile Trial. "Everyone knows what we think of [Mackenzie Lad]. He was a little bit slow away and then got stuck in behind them and he was just one of a number of hard luck stories in the race. My World didn't have a lot of luck in the same race and he came out and won at Ashburton." One horse missing from the Pitman arsenal on Saturday is Miss Tycoon Rose. "She'll push on to the Coupland's for which she is a deserved favourite, then she can start to have a crack at those Group 1s she missed out on last season. There's plenty for her - there's the Captain Cook, the Thorndon, the Otaki mile and then there's the ones for the fillies and mares after that. There's plenty for her to attack this season…"
Mackenzie Lad (white cap) is on the NZ Guineas trail (pic: Race Images CHCH)
Snitzel Siblings Sizzle at Kenilworth
Weekend, 22nd October 2021The formidable partnership of trainer Brett Crawford, jockey Anton Marcus and owners Ridgemont Highlands appear to have a very smart pair of Snitzel runners on their hands if the results of Wednesday’s Kenilworth meeting is anything to go by. The opening race of the card, saw 3YO filly Stiptelik (Snitzel-In The Fast Lane, by Jet Master) make her debut, and prove completely dominant over her rivals, skipping clear to record a 2-length victory. Foaled in Australia before being exported to Ireland with her Group 1-winning champion dam In The Fast Lane, Stiptelik will continue to progress through her grades, but connections are confident she has what it takes to be a black type performer. A handful of races later, Steptelik’s year-older full brother Real Gone Kid (Snitzel-In The Fast Lane, by Jet Master), who was resuming off a 34 week break, continued where he finished his last campaign, scoring in winning style to take his record to four wins and two second placed efforts from eight starts to date. Crushing his opposition by 3.5-lengths, eased down, the beaten brigade included two individual Group 1 winners. Having won the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship last season with another Australian bred – the mighty mare Run Fox Run (Foxwedge), connections will be aiming the speedy Real Gone Kid towards the very same race during the Cape Summer Season, and if successful, he will hold extreme stallion appeal. Impressing everyone with his return, jockey Anton Marcus was very enthused by the effort. “That was impressive after eight months off – well done to Brett and his team. He will take on our top sprinter Rio Querari at level weights in the Cape Flying Championship. But this horse is improving, and I think there is plenty in the locker still!”Purton Goes for the Jugular in Hong Kong
Weekend, 22nd October 2021If Zac Purton has heard of the metaphor that one should start as a ripple and end as a wave, he’s certainly paying it little attention. In the past 8 years, Purton and arch-rival Joao Moreira have claimed four Hong Kong titles apiece. If the Magic Man, holder of the most recent title, thought he could rest on his laurels, Purton has quickly dissuaded him of that notion. According to racingnews.hkjc.com, Purton has scorched to a double-figure lead over Moreira in the 2021/22 Hong Kong jockey’s championship after nailing a quartet at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. The contemptuous riding display followed an earlier quartet just four days earlier at Sha Tin, and lifted Purton’s early season tally to 25, a handy 11 wins clear of Moreira. Purton’s latest quartet came aboard David Hayes’s Harmony N Blessed (Magnus), Tony Cruz’s Viva Popcorn (Farhh), Dennis Yip’s Stormtrouper (Toronado) and Benno Yung’s Diamond Brilliant (Not A Single Doubt). The Australian rider attributes his rapid-fire start to the strong form of the Hayes and Shum’s stables. “Generally, my trainers take a little while to get going at the start of the season, but Danny came back with a purpose that he wanted to get going early and so did David,” Purton reflected. “So, two stables having horses ready early, gets me rolling early and then I get feed off that and get support from other stables and then it’s the flow-on effect.”
Purton returns to scale on Diamond Brilliant (pic: hkjc.com)
Riverina Raider Adds to Highway Intrigue
Weekend, 22nd October 2021This Saturday’s Highway Handicap at Royal Randwick might not have quite the cache of the Gr1 Cox Plate at The Valley in Melbourne, but it will add its own little bit of international flavour. Noted owner Richard Pegum and celebrated Wagga Wagga trainer Tim Donnelly wouldn’t travel a horse to the big smoke unless they felt it had a genuine chance, and in US-bred, UK-raced import Kitzbuhel they certainly seem to. A lightly raced son of former Darley shuttler Medaglia d’Oro (El Prado), Kitzbuhel will tackle the 1800m journey with plenty of punter support that had already seen him specked in from $11 to $7 by Thursday. According to racingnsw.com.au, he was purchased by Pegum, Chairman of the NSW Trainers Association, and part-owner of 2000 Melbourne Cup winner Brew, Chris Waller’s Group I winner Life Less Ordinary and the Kris Lees Cups contender Mustajeer. "He’s won twice for us with big weights and is a progressive stayer,” Donnelly opined of Kitzbuhel who is named after a magnificent medieval village in the Austrian alps. “He’s come back in good order off the two trials and the Goulburn placing. The 1500m was too short for him, but that was the lead-up he needed when we set him for this at his right distance range.” The intention is for Kitzbuhel to be near the pace. That should work a treat for jockey Tim Clark who is renowned for his nous if required to lead.Sneaky Filly Chasing Manikato Win
Weekend, 22nd October 2021Sensational when resuming recently off the back of 11 months away from the track to capture the Gr3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained Sneaky Five (Fastnet Rock-Small Minds, by Canny Lad) maintained her unbeaten run of three and took her earnings soaring past the $1m mark. One of four runners for the stable in Friday night's Gr1 Manikato Stakes, Sneaky Five will carry just 51kg, as will stablemate Crystal Bound (Not a Single Doubt-Crystalised, by Zabeel), who finished less than a length behind Sneaky Five last start when finishing in third. Purchased from the Inglis Premier yearling sale draft of Goldin Farms for $305,000, Sneaky Five is one of two stakes winners out of the Gr1 Schweppes Oaks winner Small Minds, who was actually secured by Sneaky Five's owners Rosemont Stud in 2020 via the Inglis Digital November (Late) Online Auction for $410,000. Of the 13 final acceptances, the Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable will saddle up the only two Group 1 winners in the field; Despatch (Written Tycoon-Zoccoletta, by Fasliyev) and Savatoxl (Kuroshio-Li'l Miss Hayley, by Savabeel), with the latter being an impressive first-up winner this time in, capturing the Gr2 Schillaci Stakes from Dosh (Rich Enuff-Raise Up, by Shovhog), with the third placed Bella Nipotina (Pride of Dubai-Bella Orfana, by Star Witness) set to line up as one of the four Maher/Eustace runners in the Manikato.Weekend Black Type Premiership Schedule
Weekend, 22nd October 2021He either will or he won't. If the real Zaaki turns up at The Valley, it should be game, set and match in this year's Cox Plate. All manner of scribes have put forward reasons for his Might And Power defeat, and it is only fair to allow any horse an off day. It's just not an ideal lead-in to what is always a high-pressure weight-for-age race which frequently chews up vaunted contenders. From an ideal barrier in the small field, one can only assume that rider James Macdonald will have the favoured Annabel Neesham-trained import at or near the front. Meanwhile, this weekend's Black Type racing, brought to you by leading Hunter Valley Nursery Amarina Farm, provides a veritable feast for the sprinter-milers. Out of 19 feature races, almost 70 percent are either over 1200m (6) or 1600m (7). 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 8.15pm: Gr1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) The Valley
- SAT 12.15pm: RL Inglis Banner (1200m) The Valley
- 1.25pm: Listed Crockett Stakes (1200m) The Valley
- 1.33pm: Gr3 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) Matamata
- 1.40pm: Listed Brian Crowley (1200m) Randwick
- 1.50pm; Gr3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) Riccarton
- 2.00pm: Gr3 Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) The Valley
- 2.35pm: Gr2 Fillies Classic (1600m) The Valley
- 2.58pm: Listed Sothys Spring Classic (2000m) Riccarton
- 3.10pm: Gr2 Crystal Mile (1600m) The Valley
- 3.45pm: Gr2 Drummond Golf Vase (2040m) The Valley
- 4.10pm: Listed Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m) Randwick
- 4.25pm: Gr2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) The Valley
- 4.45pm: SR Bondi Stakes (1600m) Randwick
- 5.10pm: Gr1 Cox Plate (2040m) The Valley
- 5.35pm: SR The Invitation (1400m) Randwick
- 5.50pm: Gr3 Tesio Stakes (1600m) The Valley
- 7.00pm: Listed Belgravia Stakes (1200m) Ascot
- SUN 2.13pm: Gr3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) Trentham
- 4.15pm: Listed Sale Cup (1600m) Sale
- 7.55pm: Listed Northam Cup (1600m) Northam
SUN 2.13pm: Gr3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) Trentham
Weekend, 22nd October 20214.15pm: Listed Sale Cup (1600m) Sale
Weekend, 22nd October 20217.55pm: Listed Northam Cup (1600m) Northam
Weekend, 22nd October 2021
