Tributes for Legally Bay

Segenhoe has paid tribute to Legally Bay (Snippets), the dam of multiple Group 1 winner Merchant Navy (Fastnet Rock).

Legally Bay died at Segenhoe this week aged 18, having been a dual stakes winner in her racing career and then made a reputation as an excellent broodmare, producing the Group 2 winner Jolie Bay (Fastnet Rock) and her full brother Merchant Navy who won the G1 Coolmore Stud S. and the G1 Diamond Jubilee S.

"We lost the champion mare Legally Bay today. A beautifully unique character and treasured by her adoring owners, Chris and Jane Barham and everyone at Segenhoe. She will rest rightfully overlooking the farm lying beside other champions as she justly deserves," Segenhoe's Peter O'Brien tweeted.

"She was way more than a horse to us. Without her our lives would have been infinitely smaller. Through her we got to see the world and meet so many amazing people, she enabled us to dream. I truly hope the dream will live on," Chris & Jane Barham said.

J-Mac notches century

James McDonald has become the first jockey in 12 years to ride 100 metropolitan winners in a season in NSW.

McDonald, who only made his comeback to riding 12 months ago after an 18-month disqualification, notched the milestone aboard Primitivo (Sebring) in Race 6 at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Holding a commanding lead in the Sydney's jockeys' premiership, he becomes the first jockey to crack the ton in Sydney since Darren Beadman in 2006-07.

Favours fall for Waller's Cup army

Favourite Youngstar (High Chaparral {Ire}) has come up with barrier 11 for Saturday's G1 Doomben Cup, while one of her major rivals Archedemus (Lope de Vega {Ire}) has drawn a difficult alley in 17.

While barrier 11 should suit Youngstar, who was a Group 1 winner in the Queensland Oaks at this track 12 months ago, the Gwenda Markwell-trained Archedemus, who backs up off his all-the-way win in the Listed Members Hcp last week, will need to work across the field to lead.

Youngstar's stablemates Shillelagh (NZ) (Savabeel) (barrier 2), Life Less Ordinary (Ire) (Thewayyouare {USA}) (10) and Mister Sea Wolf (Ire) (Amadeus Wolf {GB}) (3) all drew well as did second-favourite Gem Song (Your Song) (8).

Newnham leaning towards Derby for Scarlet Dream

Trainer Mark Newnham is likely to target star filly Scarlet Dream (Sebring) at the G1 Queensland Derby rather than the G1 Queensland Oaks.

Newnham told Racenet that he was less than enthusiastic about heading to Doomben for the Oaks with Scarlet Dream, who was last seen when second in the G1 Australian Oaks behind Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}).

She will run in the G2 Magic Millions The Roses on Saturday after which time Newnham will decide which direction he goes but he conceded that she was more likely to head to the Derby at Eagle Farm on June 8 over the Oaks at Doomben a week earlier.

Classic candidates emerge

Two candidates for the 3-year-old Queensland staying features emerged on Wednesday at the Sunshine Coast and Warwick Farm.

The Tony Pike-trained Intrigue (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) is likely to contest the G1 Queensland Oaks after winning a QTIS 3-year-old Hcp over 2200m by 1.5l at the Sunshine Coast.

Ridden by Leith Innes, she looks an ideal Oaks candidate for Pike who won last weekend's G1 Doomben 10,000 with The Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}).

Meanwhile, Peter and Paul Snowden will consider sending California Longbow (Pierro) towards the G1 Queensland Derby after his hard-fought win in a BM70 race over 2200m at Warwick Farm.

Payne keen to continue riding

Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne is not yet ready to give up racing riding despite only having seven rides so far in 2019.

The multiple Group 1 winning jockey rides Miner's Miss (Rebel Raider) in Saturday' G3 SA Fillies Classic and said she is keen to ramp up her transition to the training ranks in the next 12 months.

"I probably only have another year of riding and I want to make the most of it and enjoy it while I can," the dual licence-holder told Racing.com. "The whole idea of going into training is the transition period from being a rider into a whole new business of training."

"It's been hard just setting it up and getting the horses going and the farm and the new systems in place but I feel now it's going real smoothly and I can concentrate on myself and getting fit for racing again."

Noble aims high after debut win

Trainer Lance Noble wants to step Familia (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) up to stakes company at Wanganui next month after the 2-year-old's debut win at Ruakaka on Wednesday.

Owned by Cambridge Stud proprietors Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Familia sat on the pace and won by 0.75l for Sam Spratt.

“It’s nice to get another two-year-old winner leading into next season. It gives us something to look forward to,” Noble said.

“We may look at the Castletown Stakes (Listed, 1200m) in a couple of weeks,” Noble said. “It is likely to be wet down there, and we are not sure that she will handle it but while she is going well, we might have a crack at that.”

Explorer Cadetship Program applications open

Applications for the second intake into the Explorer Cadetship Program are now open.

The 12-month stud and stable horsemanship program run by Thoroughbred Industry Careers will commence on August 5, 2019 with applications for the next intake of 30 students to close on July 8, 2019.

“The growth and the development of the Cadets while learning from the best teachers at the Australian Racing and Equine Academy and experts in the industry has been phenomenal and they have a bright future ahead,” TIC chief executive Lindy Maurice said of the first intake, which began in February this year.

“We’ve had many standout students in the first intake who are now on the radar of the best trainers and stud farms in Australia and when these students finish the course in another nine months there will be great opportunities waiting for them."

“There is no better pathway for young people considering a career in the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry than the Explorer Program and we can’t wait to welcome our next cohort of students.”

The program begins with a three-month practical and theoretical learning block at the Australian Racing and Equine Academy (Richmond NSW) before students spend 4.5 months on paid work experience with a racing stable and 4.5 months on paid work experience at a leading stud.