Wolf the focus of Greenhalgh's nationwide army

7 min read
Despite having eight runners across four venues on the weekend, owner Noel Greenhalgh's attention will be at Ascot for the G1 Magic Millions Kingston Town S.

Keeping up with his army of runners across this weekend won’t be an easy task for owner Noel Greenhalgh, but he'll be especially focussed on Perth where Mister Sea Wolf (Ire) (Amadeus Wolf {GB}) contests the G1 Magic Millions Kingston Town Classic.

Greenhalgh, who is managing director of Brisbane-based produce company RWP, races about 60 horses with Chris Waller, a handful with other trainers in Queensland, plus a couple overseas, a bug he said he caught from his late father-in-law, Nick Alati.

"My father in law, who I got in the business with, he had an interest in racehorses. I've always had a bug with the punt and I got involved (in ownership) with him," Greenhalgh told TDN AusNZ.

"When he passed away (in 1997), the family thought what will we do with Dad's four or five racehorses, as it turns out, he had an interest in 45 or 50! He had broodmares and horses everywhere. I'm not trying to imitate him, but I got the bug then and it’s been there since."

"I'm not trying to imitate him, but I got the bug then and it’s been there since." - Owner, Noel Greenhalgh

Mister Sea Wolf, who like Greenhalgh, was born in Ireland, is one of eight runners for his owner across three states this weekend.

Noel Greenhalgh with Anthony Cummings

The 7-year-old has been a consistent stakes-performer since his arrival at Waller's stables last year, winning two Listed races and contesting the feature Randwick Group 1 miles, the Doncaster Mile and the Epsom H. as well as the G1 Railway S. at Ascot two weeks back, where he ran a credible fifth.

"We consider him to be a group horse. He's won a couple of those listed races, we probably set our sights a bit originally thinking we’ve got a Group 1 type performer. Group 2 and Group 3s, he is there all the time," he said.

"He just needs to get a bit of luck in running and have everything fall his way. You never know in these races, that's the difference between winning them and running well."

Putting the Mister into Sea Wolf

An existing relationship with the trainer who oversaw the horse's career in Ireland saw Greenhalgh secure a share in Mister Sea Wolf, who had been previously stakes-placed in the Millennium Millionaire Celebration S, at the Curragh under the name Sea Wolf.

"Through Guy Mulcaster we have a relationship with a trainer called Ger Lyons, we actually bought a horse (Yonkers {USA} (Medaglia d'Oro [USA})) at Saratoga in the USA two years ago and we sent him to Ger Lyons in Ireland to be prepared and he's a nice horse that we have still got there," he said.

"Mister Sea Wolf has been a nice horse. It’s started the relationship to get some tried horses from that part of the world." - Noel Greenhalgh

"He has a business relationship with a guy called David Spratt, who is involved with buying and selling horses, so through that relationship, this horse became available. David retained an interest in him. Peter Tighe and myself thought we’d take the balance and race him."

"He's been a nice horse. It’s started the relationship to get some tried horses from that part of the world."

Guy Mulcaster

The WA back-up

Mister Sea Wolf is not Greenhalgh's only runner in Perth on Saturday, with the 3-year-old Orcein (Snitzel) to contest the Listed Tabtouch Sir Ernest Lee Steere Classic having recovered from a temperature spike which forced him out of the G2 WA Guineas two weeks' ago.

"We gelded him and we’re expecting him to go alright too. He's a capable horse and we’ve got a feeling he's got more to offer since we gelded him. He's just got a few little habits, all things going well, he could easily run a race," he said.

Orcein, who is out of G3 SA Oaks winner Zapurple (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), was a $360,000 Magic Millions buy in 2017.

Orcein as a yearling

2yo debutant at Rosehill

Greenhalgh has a trio of runners at Rosehill on Saturday, including the 2-year-old debutant Elon (Exceed and Excel) in the Roadwork Solutions Hcp.

A $260,000 purchase out of this year's Magic Millions Sale, Elon is out of American Listed winner A Brilliant Idea (USA) (Afleet Alex {USA}) and his owner feels he will take a couple of runs to find his best.

"We think he's a nice horse, but it’s probably a bit early. He's probably up against it with a couple of experienced horses," he said.

"The difference that a race start makes is quite enormous. He's got ability. He’ll get back and if he's running on and hitting the line well, we’ll be happy."

Elon pictured as a yearling

A frustrating Frankel

Greenhalgh admits that the regally bred Merovee (Frankel {GB}), who runs in the benchmark Summer Racing Hcp, has been a source of frustration for his collection of high-profile owners.

A $1.6 million yearling from multiple Group winner More Strawberries (More Than Ready {USA}), Merovee was Frankel's first winner in Australia, but has only won one of his 12 starts since.

"The mail on the Frankels, and it’s not making excuses because this horse has had every excuse under the sun, the mail on them is that they are fairly slow maturing types," he said.

Merovee was a $1.6 million yearling

"He's on his last warning tomorrow. He gets the chop if he doesn’t do it tomorrow. His work at home is huge, it's as good as anything going around. He just doesn’t seem to put it in, whether it’s trackwork or lack of interest, or he just needs to go back to be a boy from being a man."

"He's been very, very frustrating. He's a well-bred expensive colt, now an entire, but we’ve got some decisions to make with him."

Zalatte looks to follow Unforgotten

Higher hopes are held for Zalatte (NZ) (Medaglia d'Oro {USA}), who was impressive in defeating a subsequent winner on debut at Kensington last month and is well in the market for the 2019 Membership Hcp.

"She's a really nice filly. We have high hopes for her. It's amazing Chris brings these 3-year olds in, like he did with Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock) last year, they start to hit their straps. I could see her winning tomorrow," Greenhalgh said.

Unforgotten is very much the apple of Greenhalgh's eye having graduated from a promising 3-year-old to a winner of the G1 Australian Oaks and G2 Chelmsford S in the past 12 months. While her spring ended somewhat prematurely when she finished eighth in the G1 Caulfield S., Greenhalgh feels she will take even more improvement into her next campaign.

Unforgotten

"She's really exciting and we were obviously a little bit disappointed with her run in the Caulfield Stakes, but in hindsight, the track that day didn’t suit. We also found out that she had a really unusual injury. She had a couple of fractured ribs," he said.

"She might have done it in the gates or even had it prior, we are not too sure but she's an exciting horse for us going forward."

"It's not a business for me, it’s a hobby, and the beautiful thing is the places it takes you and the people you meet, it’s great." - Noel Greenhalgh

While having so many horses makes for busy Saturdays for Greenhalgh, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

"Getting involved with Chris' stables has been very exciting. It's not a business for me, it’s a hobby, and the beautiful thing is the places it takes you and the people you meet, it’s great," he said.

Devon Dancer provides Rea some sunshine

6 min read
Devon Dancer, the dam of Group 3 winner Turnitaround (Hard Spun {USA}), has been the mare on which Warrnambool breeder Michael Rea has built his racetrack success.

When it comes time for Warrnambool-based breeder Michael Rea to work out which yearlings he sells and which broodmares he moves on each year, there's one family that never makes the list.

Devon Dancer (Royal Academy {USA}) was the first filly that Rea ever bought and given what she has done for his breeding operation as a broodmare, she will be free to stay on at his 60-acre Wangoom farm for as long as she wants.

It’s the same story for any of her progeny, which include the city-winning mare Lady Selkirk (Von Costa De Hero) and the stakes-winner Turnitaround (Hard Spun {USA}), who resumes in Saturday's Racing.com Vobis Gold Bullion at Pakenham on Saturday.

"Normally I might retain one a year, but out of that mare I keep all of them." - Owner/breeder Michael Rea

"Normally I might retain one a year, but out of that mare I keep all of them," Rea told TDN AusNZ.

"We actually bought her as a late 2-year-old. Lindsay Park had her and at her second start for us she won a maiden at the Warrnambool May races, which gave us a bit of a thrill."

Lady Selkirk's connections following a win at Flemington

"She's gone on from there and we retained her and bred from her. We sold the first few but not since. They all can run. She's not the biggest mare in the world, but she produces."

Adding to the success of Turnitaround, who has won 8 races and over $600,000, and Lady Selkirk, a winner of 5 races and just under $280,000, the 4-year-old Talk'Emaround (Poet's Voice {GB}) recently won his maiden at Terang and fronts up at Ararat on Tuesday.

Rea has also just sold shares in a 2-year-old Sepoy filly out of Devon Dancer. The mare missed to Kermedec (NZ) last year before going to Coolmore's Churchill (Ire) this year.

Careers in parallel

All of these horses have been, or will be trained by Rea's neighbour Matthew Williams, a horseman that Rea has a lot of admiration for and whose career had paralleled the rise of his own breeding interests.

"His sister worked for me in accounting and I got to know him through there and we’ve had that association since," Rea said.

Trainer Matthew Williams with Turnitaround and strapper, Sarah Woodhouse

"Matthew would have 60 in work there, including pre-trainers, he's even got some trotters on the walker over there."

"He has a budget and his owners have a budget. That makes it a little bit harder when you are competing against $200,000 horses." - Michael Rea

"He probably doesn't get that super quality horse that a lot of the trainers get. He has a budget and his owners have a budget. That makes it a little bit harder when you are competing against $200,000 horses."

"He does a great job with them. He's a great conditioner of horses."

Back for more at eight

Turnitaround, who races in Rea's brown, green and red colours, has been a stable star for the better part of five years. He is a three-time Flemington winner, a winner of the G3 Eclipse S. at Sandown and has twice won during Warrnambool's famous May carnival.

"Matthew reckons he is going as good as he ever has and his trial the other day was very good." - Michael Rea

His first start as an 8-year-old this Saturday comes after a long-term breathing issue was resolved and expectations are high that he can get back to the winners' circle for the first time in over two years.

"He's been going really well. In the Ballarat Cup a couple of years ago, he cracked his nose on the stall. And it made the flap on his nose keep falling in, so we had to fix that as he wasn't getting the oxygen in," Rea said.

"We hope that now he is right and we are just going to keep him to 1400m. He seems to do better at those distances.

"Matthew reckons he is going as good as he ever has and his trial the other day was very good."

Lady Selkirk, a winner of the Silver Bowl Final at Flemington two years ago, has recovered from a suspensory injury and is expected back on the track in January.

Readying for sales season

As well as readying for the return of his two stars, Rea is also preparing for the sales season, with five yearlings to take to market, three of them at the Melbourne Premier Sale.

Bucklee Park are offering Lot 307, a filly by Shooting To Win out of Merge (Commands), the daughter of Group 2 winner Seika (Canny Lad) and Lot 571, a filly by Kermedec (NZ) out of Casigris (USA) (Cozzene {USA}).

Miranda Park are offering Lot 564 on behalf of Rea, the colt by Dawn Approach (Ire) out of But One Regret (Redoute's Choice), the half-sister of G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Kenwood Melody.

Rea will also offer two lots by Brazen Beau at the Sydney Easter Sale through Holbrook Thoroughbreds.

Rea will be offering two lots by Brazen Beau at the Inglis Easter Sale

Heartland for racing but not breeding

While the south-west coast of Victoria is known as one of Australia's heartlands of racing, Rea remains as one of only a handful of breeders in the Warrnambool region.

"I don’t think there is anybody else silly enough." - Michael Rea

"I don’t think there is anybody else silly enough," he joked.

"There's no problem with the climate. I can grow them out as good as anybody. It's just how much people want to get into it."

Lady Selkirk

"There is a lot of risk in it. One of the colts I had this year bit one of the other ones and punctured a hole in his oesophagus, he died in two days. That's how it can go, you can have a lot of down side with the upside."

"You need every year to have a good sale, a $100,000 to $200,000 sale."

Rea said the secret to his success has been Inglis' bloodstock consultant Mark Dodemaide, who has helped propel his business to another level in the past decade.

"If I hadn’t had run into him at one of those stallion trips that Inglis did, I was going nowhere until I met Dods. He has got that commercial aspect about him and he picks all the mares for me conformation wise," he said.

"He's a very, very astute guy. He's very good."

Mr Quickie putting Shamus in the spotlight

3 min read

By Bren O'Brien

Promising 3-year-old Mr Quickie has been the banner horse for Widden Stud sire Shamus Award's first crop this season and owner Wylie Dalziel is confident he can continue on his winning ways as he looks for four straight wins at Pakenham on Saturday.

Mr Quickie looks a typically progressive Darren Weir horse, winning four of his six races in his first campaign, including an impressive win in a mid-week race at Sandown over 1800m last month.

Dalziel, who bought the horse for $115,000 at the 2017 Gold Coast Magic Millions and syndicated him, said Mr Quickie had taken noticeable improvement after stepping up in distance last time out.

"He was one of those progressive types. Weiry said he's not the best track worker so that didn’t give him a lot of confidence going into his races, and if you look at his wins before Sandown, he only just got there," he told RSN. "Whereas the 1800m, he just relished it."

Wylie Dalziel with Peter Moody

Hailing from the family of G1 Melbourne Cup winner Brew (Sir Tristram {Ire}) and AJC Derby winner Fiumicino, with G1 Japan Cup winner Horlicks as his fourth dam, the step up to 2000m in the Grandvue Springlands BM78 Hcp at Pakenham should provide no concerns.

"Obviously anything over 2000m, he's going to enjoy," he said.

Showcasing Shamus

Shamus Award is currently sixth on the second-season sires table when it comes to winners, with Mr Quickie leading his progeny for wins and earnings this season.

Dalziel said he would be happy bidding for Shamus Award's third crop in the upcoming sales season given his experience with them.

Widden stallion, Shamus Award

"We've bought two of them, the other one (Gennikay) is with Philip Stokes and she ran second at Morphettville on debut. Drew the outside gate, dropped out and rocketed home. Phillip has a good opinion of her," he said.

"We're very happy with them." - Wylie Dalziel

"We're very happy with them. I’ll be honest I wasn't that keen to get them this year but now they have come out and hit their straps a bit I wouldn’t be afraid to buy another one."

Mr Quickie as a yearling

Colours of compromise

My Quickie sports a hybrid of the Dalziel Racing colours and those of Rosemont Stud, who bred him, and retained an interest.

"We bought the horse off Rosemont Stud. We thought he was one of the nicer horses in their draft and when we purchased him, Mitho (Anthony Mithen) said I want ten per cent and Nigel Austin wants 10 per cent too. They really liked the yearling," he said.

Dalziel said the commercial necessity forced Rosemont to put Mr Quickie through the sales, but Austin was a big fan of him and wanted to feature the Rosemont lion, known as the Gatecrasher.

Ethan Brown featuring the combined colours aboard Mr Quickie

"When I was at Easter sales, Nigel came back to me and said 'have you got any more of the Shamus Award - Special Favour? So he took a little bit more," he said.

"He was telling the story of how he loves the horse. We then had a discussion about colours, so I said, rather than flip a coin or have a blue, we combine them and put their Gatecrasher on the front and my blue spots and that's how the colours came up," he said.

The Black Book: Internationally bred filly steps out at Hawkesbury trials

4 min read

by Anthony Manton

The Black Book will identify race performances around Australia particularly worth following in the future. These may be high profile runners at trials and smaller tracks, or eye-catching performances, we'll aim to give you a horse to add to your pedigree or performance black book for the future.

Hawkesbury trials on Friday morning saw a uniquely international filly step out and perform to an eye-catching 'black book' standard.

Persepolis is by a French stallion from an American bred mare, trained by a Frenchman in rural New South Wales.

Persepolis is by Siyouni (FR) (Pivotal {GB}), a Group 1 winner at 2 in France and somewhat of a sire sensation in his native land with his early crops. She is from Prevalent (USA) (Empire Maker {USA}) who only raced a handful of times in Europe before being purchased by trainer Jean-Étienne Dubois as a broodmare in England and ultimately ending up in Australia.

Siyouni

“I purchased the mare in England from Juddmonte Farm, she was served by Siyouni in Europe (on Southern Hemisphere time) then travelled to Australia and the filly was born here on our farm”, said Dubois.

Ridden by Andrew Adkins, Persepolis began well in the 760 metre heat and was held back slightly at the start to settle. She sat on the back of the leader approaching the turn before showing good acceleration to win the trial easily under minimal pressure.

“I told Andrew just to get her relaxed and to teach her to settle this morning. I love the way she quickened through the line when asked”, said Dubois.

Persepolis is likely to debut next Saturday at Kembla Grange in a 2 year-old maiden over 1000 metres.

“I told Andrew just to get her relaxed and to teach her to settle this morning. I love the way she quickened through the line when asked." - Trainer, Jean-Étienne Dubois

The Jean-Étienne Dubois story is a fascinating one. He arrived in Australia three years ago with a successful 30-year career in trotting racing as a trainer, driver, breeder and having won countless major Group 1 trotting races throughout Europe. Dubois is considered a legend of the sport in his home country.

Jean-Étienne Dubois

Dubois’ accomplishments as a horseman were not as well known locally when he first arrived in Australia to train thoroughbreds, but with almost immediate success it didn’t take long for the racing industry to take notice.

Last season Dubois had early 2-year-old success with Aylmerton and Dubois believes Persepolis has similar characteristics, being by the same sire.

“She is the spitting image of Aylmerton, a bit smaller but very similar, deep bay in colour, no markings and physically built for speed." - Jean-Étienne Dubois

“She is the spitting image of Aylmerton, a bit smaller but very similar, deep bay in colour, no markings and physically built for speed," said Dubois.

Aylmerton

Aylmerton won the Group 2 Todman S. at Rosehill earlier this year and shortly afterwards Coolmore bought half the colt, prior to him lining up in the G1 Golden Slipper. It was an achievement for Dubois to have a runner in the Golden Slipper within 3 years of training.

Although somewhat unfamiliar to Australian breeders, Dubois believes Siyouni is a great stallion prospect for Australian conditions.

“They are all very easy to train, they just want to run and are perfect for Australian racing where speed is vital”, said Dubois.

Siyouni has been a stud since 2014/15 season and in that time has already produced eight Group 1 wins throughout Europe and the UK.

Dubois is offering a half-brother to Persepolis by Hinchinbrook (Fastnet Rock) at the upcoming Magic Millions yearling sales in January and he has high expectations for the colt.

“The Hinchinbrook colt is the second foal from the mare and he’s in day one of the Magic Millions sales. He’s a lovely colt and of course we expect him to do well and be very popular”, said Dubois.

Peters pair look to play Fools

5 min read

by Bren O'Brien and Paul Vettise

Ascot plays host to the final Australian Group 1 of 2018, with the Magic Millions Kingston Town Classic seemingly a battle between former WA galloper Trap for Fools {Poet's Voice {GB}) and the Bob Peters' trained pair Galaxy Star (Redoute's Choice) and Arcadia Queen (Pierro).

Trap for Fools, now trained in Victoria by Jarrod McLean, is coming off a Group 1 win in the Mackinnon S. at Flemington, while Galaxy Star is also a last-start Group 1 winner, in her case, an authoritative success in the G1 Railway S. at this track two weeks' ago.

The fact that neither of those horses are favourite speaks volumes for how impressive Arcadia Queen was in winning the G2 WA Guineas. In-form jockey William Pike had the chance to ride either Galaxy Star or Arcadia Queen and chose the latter who gets in with just 50kg under the weight-for-age conditions .

Trap For Fools will take his customary front running role from barrier 10, but Galaxy Star, a winner of 10 of her 13 starts, will likely have to go back from barrier 14 giving Arcadia Queen, who has drawn ideally in six, a decent head start.

The horses that filled the placings in the Railway, Material Man (Vital Equine {Ire}), the G2 Perth Cup winner, and Gatting (Hard Spun {USA}, last year's WA Derby winner, are also up high up in the market and are both drawn to get very good runs.

The Listed Sir Ernest Lee Steere Classic for the 3-year-olds is the other feature.

The Velvet King (Universal Ruler), fifth in the G2 WA Guineas last time out having won the Listed Fairetha S. at his previous start, is the top pick. The filly Shapita (Foxwedge), second in the Listed Placid Ark S. last time, is fancied to provide the main opposition along with Victorian raider Junipal (Reset), who had little luck in the Guineas.

There is also the Listed Automaster GA Towton Cup for the stayers, where Mississippi Delta (High Chaparral {Ire}) is favoured to continue her winning ways, and the Listed Ascend Sales Jungle Dawn Classic, where another of Peters' mares, Celebrity Dream (Thorn Park), heads the market.

G1 racing at Trentham

Rain-affected going at Trentham on Saturday will complicate the form puzzle for the G1 Captain Cook S., although it will have fans of the resuming Jon Snow (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) warming further to his chances.

Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman’s 5-year-old has an outstanding wet-track record with three of his four career wins in such conditions and he looms as a leading chance for top honours in the Rydges-sponsored feature.

Successful in the G1 Australian Derby on heavy ground, Jon Snow hasn’t raced since he was unplaced in the G1 Caulfield Cup after racing three wide without cover.

He was subsequently freshened and a trial win at Matamata toward the end of last month indicated he was ready to give a bold first-up account of himself in the hands of jockey Matt Cameron.

Runner-up in Jon Snow’s 1200 metre open heat was race rival Our Abbadean (NZ) (Lookin At Lucky {USA}), who competed creditably in all three legs of the Hawke’s Bay Triple Crown Group 1 series.

She closed off strongly when third in the Tarzino Trophy and for fifth in the Windsor Park Plate and also made late ground for fifth in the Livamol Classic.

Our Abbadean has placed on soft ground, but she would appreciate any underfoot improvement while the very much in-form Dark Princess (NZ) (Cape Blanco {IRE}) is right at home in the wet and as the winner of two of her last three starts is at the very top of her game.

She’s Poppy (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) is a black type winner over the trip with the only question mark over her is the quick back-up after finishing sixth in last Saturday’s Listed Wanganui Cup.

Danzdanzdance (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {IRE}) is a proven Group 1 performer, but the weather has put a serious dent in her chances.

Jon Snow’s stablemate Aretha (NZ) (Charm Spirit {IRE}) has looked good at the trials ahead of her debut in the G2 Anuka Smoker Wakefield Challenge S.

She has won both of her outings, the latest on a soft track at Matamata while Killin (Snitzel) has pleased trainer Stephen Marsh with his lead-up work and is another trial winner in the line-up.

Killin is looking to make his debut this weekend, pictured as a yearling

Jamie Richards’ trial winner Aotea Lad (NZ) (Savabeel) and the John Bary- prepared Cinzento (NZ) (Dalghar {FR}), who was second on debut, are others worthy of consideration in a tricky line-up.

Around the grounds

Doomben plays host to two Listed races on Saturday, with Steve Tregea's Prioritise (Rothesay) seemingly the one to beat in the Listed TAB Brisbane Hcp with Ben Currie's Kay Kay Boy (Kodiac {GB}) the key rival .

The Listed Makers Mark Just Now Quality for the fillies and mares sees in-form pair Stella Victoria (Foxwedge) and Femme Fireball (Pierro) clash, while Our Crown Mistress (Star Witness) heads north looking for black type.

Stella Victoria

Morphettville hosts the Listed Schweppes City of Marion S. with Darren Weir's Platinum Angel (Snitzel) predicted to atone for her last start defeat at Ballarat.

Pakenham plays host to Victoria's metropolitan meeting with the Listed Sportsbet Pakenham Cup the feature. Dal Harraild (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) has been narrowly beaten at Group level his last two and looks well-placed back in class, but he needs to overcome Ballarat Cup winner Kiwia (Reset).

Black-Type Entries

WA: Ascot

Group 1

Listed

NZ: Wellington

Group 1

Group 2

NZ: Ellerslie

Group 3

VIC: Pakenham

Listed

QLD: Doomben

Listed

SA: Morphettville

Listed

Daily News Wrap

6 min read

Wyndspelle dodges wet Captain Cook

Wyndspelle (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) will likely head towards the G1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie after the wet track forced his withdrawal from the G1 Rydges Wellington Captain Cook Stakes. at Trentham

Co-trainer Johno Benner said there are a multitude of options throughout the summer for Wyndspelle.

“I went and walked the Trentham track on Thursday and I thought it was genuinely in the heavy range,” Benner said. “They had quite a wet day there with light rain all day.

Wyndspelle

“I don’t know what it is doing down there today (Friday) but you’d think they’d need a pretty dry day and some high winds to get it back into the slow range. Definitely the damage has been done in my opinion.”

The Zabeel Classic on Boxing Day looks to be the most logical next destination, but a $100,000 race at Awapuni a few days earlier is also on the radar.

“Nothing is set in concrete and we will make a decision midway through next week as to where we are thinking, but there are options galore for him,” he said.

“He loves being in work and he’s a colt that is triple Group One placed, so it would be nice to win a Group One with him. If we can do that, then he can secure a stud future once his racing career comes to an end.”

Parr inquiry to resume

The inquiry into Josh Parr’s November 17 ride aboard Godolphin galloper Roheryn (Lonhro) will resume at Rosehill on Saturday.

Roheryn was beaten 2.25l by Chess Star (Fighting Sun) when a short price in the 2019 Membership Sprint after settling at the rear of the field.

Josh Parr

Stewards opened an inquiry into the ride, and have been checking betting and phone records. The inquiry is set to conclude on Saturday at Rosehill.

Meanwhile, stewards have announced they will hear charges against suspended trainer Ben Smith next week.

Smith was stood down in September following a stewards’ raid on his stables after initial results from two post-race swabs returned irregularities to cobalt.

All in Brawl ready to rumble

John Price is hopeful his promising 3-year-old All In Brawl (War) can resume with a win at Pakenham on Saturday.

An impressive winner on the Geelong Synthetic on debut, All in Brawl then ran second at his second start at Moonee Valley in August.

Price said he was happy to take any win and the John Duff and Co BM70 on Saturday looked entirely suitable.

"He’s had a nice spell and a good preparation. He’s a little bit of a wayward horse, but his jump-out the other day was first-class,” Price said.

“I get quite confident and then closer to the race I get nervous. I’m hoping the jump-out has him tuned right-up for the 1000m. He’s familiar with the Pakenham surrounds having trialled there and Ben Melham gels with him just beautifully."

Price was fairly open in his assessment of where the horse could get to.

“People enquire what I have got picked out for him, and I say ‘Any race on a Saturday will do me.’" He said,

“We are very lucky these days with treadmills and water-walkers. You can give horses short or long spells and have them ready whenever you want."

“He’ll have two or three runs and hopefully prove he does go alright. He will get those races under his belt and then see what there is."

“I’m looking at a race like the Euclase S. in Adelaide with him. Hopefully it all comes off."

Tattersalls December winds up

It was a low-key finish to the Tattersalls December Sale, with 113 lots selling on Day 4 for a total of 609,500 guineas with a clearance rate of 74%.

Those results took the four-day December Mares Sale turnover to 60,712,100 guineas for the 728 lots sold and the average and median at 83,396 guineas and 20,500 guineas respectively.

The top-priced lot on the final day went to Tweenhills Farm and Stud, who paid 68,000 guineas for Poyle Dee Dee (GB), the daughter of Oasis Dream (GB), who is in foal to Hot Streak (IRE).

Poyle Dee Dee was the top lot on the final say of Tattersalls

She has already produced three winners including the 7-time winner Poyle Vinnie (GB) (Piccolo {GB}) and is from the family of G2 winner Jemima.

Her colt by Hot Streak was purchased by Shadwell at Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale for 150,000 guineas.

"Her colt really was the pick of the Hot Streak yearlings. He was bought by Shadwell and is going into training with John Gosden – he really is a lovely horse. This mare is back in foal to Hot Streak and will probably visit Zoustar next spring," Hannah Wall of Tweenhills said.

Racing Women's initiative comes to Perth

Magic Millions has extended its successful Magic Millions Racing Women's initiative to Perth.

A new $75,000 Bonus will be shared between the first three eligible 100% female owned (or leased) horses in finishing order in the $250,000 Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic, commencing in 2020.

A $60,000 Bonus (and trophy) will be paid to the first eligible runner past the post, $10,000 for second and $5,000 for third.

MMRW founder and Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page-Harvey said she was excited to see the concept head to Western Australia.

"The Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic in February 2020 is already in the diary. Magic Millions Racing Women has brought many women so much joy, but one thing it continues to give us all is a reason to look forward, to plan ahead - it gives us a reason to come together. Racing really should be described as a team sport," she said.

"We are thrilled and grateful for the support of RWWA. I love that it is the thoroughbred racing industry that continue to champion female participation in a way that we know makes a material difference. Lip service is easy - actual investment drives change and growth."

The initiative is also supported by Racing and Wagering Western Australia.

McLean faces RAD Board on Monday

Trainer Jarrod McLean fronts the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board on Monday to face charges of making false or misleading statements to stewards.

The charge is related to McLean's Group 1 winner Trap For Fools (Poet's Voice {GB}), who will contest Saturday's G1 Kingston Town S in Perth.

Trap For Fools

Less than 48 hours after the race, McLean will need to explain his actions of advising stewards that Trap For Fools would be moved to Darren Weir's stables at Warrnambool in October when a stable inspection indicated the 5-year-old was already there.

The situation led to Trap For Fools being withdrawn from the G3 Coongy Cup at Caulfield.

McLean's correspondence with stewards has led to him being charged under AR 175 (gg), which states.

"The Principal Racing Authority (or the Stewards exercising powers delegated to them) may penalise: Any person who makes any false or misleading statement or declaration in respect of any matter in connection with the administration or control of racing."

Looking Ahead - December 8

3 min read

Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.

On Saturday, Peter and Paul Snowden give a very expensive yearling his first raceday appearance, a promising filly looks to make it two from two and a former Snowden galloper makes his debut for Mark Minervini in Adelaide.

Rosehill Race 1, Roadwork Solutions Hcp. $125,000. 1200m, 1:15pm AEDT

The $1.5 million yearling colt Creator (Redoute's Choice) makes his debut at Rosehill for Peter and Paul Snowden having had a couple of trials, the latest of which saw him work home very nicely from the rear of the field at Canterbury to finish second.

James Harron had to pay big money for him at the Easter Sale, and a look at his pedigree will tell you why. He is out of Silla Regalis (Encosta de Lago), who is a half-sister Hong Kong champion Silent Witness as well as multiple stakes-winner Sister Madly. This colt's brother is a winner in South Africa.

Creator as a yearling

Rosehill Race 2, 2019 Membership Hcp, $125,000, 1400m, 1:50pm AEDT

Zalatte (Medaglia d'Oro {USA}) makes her second appearance having won well on her debut at Kensington. The filly she beat that day, Haut Brion Her (Zoustar) has come out and won since, strengthening the form of that race. She looks very progressive for Chris Waller.

The first foal from Za Star (NZ) (Zabeel), she was a $300,000 buy for Guy Mulcaster. Za Star is the half sister to Silky Red Boxer (NZ) as well as Katie O'Neill, the dam of She Will Be Loved, and Staryn Glenn (NZ), the dam of G1 winner Lucia Valentina (NZ).

Zalatte as a yearling

Morphettville Race 2, Tony Grantham's 60th hcp, $45,000, 2:16pm AEDT

Calipari (Written Tycoon) has had a few owners in his day, after being sold for $170,000 as a weanling, then $270,000 as a Magic Millions yearling, before being sold again after a disappointing first campaign for Peter and Paul Snowden. He now finds himself with Mark Minervini after fetching $42,500 at an online sale.

Among his three starts is a second at Newcastle, and it will be very interesting to see what he does in his new environment. His pedigree is strong as a half-brother to Sea Battle from the family of El Dorado Dreaming.

Calipari as a yearling

NSW Race Results

Ballina (Country)

Mudgee (Country)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

VIC Race Results

Moonee Valley - Night (Metropolitan)

Mornington (Country)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

QLD Race Results

Doomben (Metropolitan)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

TAS Race Results

Devonport (Metropolitan)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

AUS Sire Premiership

AUS General Sires' Premiership

NZ Sire Premiership

NZ General Sires' Premiership

Thanks for reading!

1 min read

TDN AusNZ's Sunday 8th December edition will be held from publication until 10.30pm AEST to include the results from the G1 Kingston Town Classic in Perth.

We hope you enjoyed reading today's edition of TDN AusNZ. If you have any feedback or ideas, please don't hesitate to reach out.

TDN AusNZ Team & Contacts

President - Gary King | gary@tdnausnz.com.au

Managing Director - Vicky Leonard | vicky@tdnausnz.com.au

Editorial | editorial@tdnausnz.com.au

Australian Editorial - Bren O'Brien | bren@tdnausnz.com.au

New Zealand Editorial - Paul Vettise | paul@tdnausnz.com.au

Advertising | advertising@tdnausnz.com.au

Advertising & Accounts - Eliza Quinn | eliza@tdnausnz.com.au

Content Coordinator - Melissa Gillis | melissa@tdnausnz.com.au

Photography is largely supplied by The Image is Everything - Bronwen Healy and Darren Tindale, and complemented by Sportpix, Trish Dunell (NZ), Racing.com Photos and Western Racepix.