Successful surgery
Corey Brown has had successful surgery to correct an unstable fracture in his back following a fall at Eagle Farm.
Brown was taken to hospital after his mount Lord Arthur (NZ) (Camelot {GB}) broke a back leg and fell in Saturday’s G1 Queensland Derby. After initially looking to send him back home to Sydney, doctors made the decision to operate on him on Sunday.
Queensland Jockeys’ Association president Glenn Prentice said the surgery on a fracture to Brown's T7 vertebra had gone well.
"Corey is very thankful for the efforts of the staff and surgeons at the Royal Brisbane Hospital," he said.
Corey Brown
Double handed
Desleigh Forster will make a twin-pronged attack on the Listed Eye Liner S. on Saturday with Chapter And Verse (Rothesay) and Malvern Estate (Redoute’s Choice).
Forster had hoped to get a start in the G1 Stradbroke H. with Chapter and Verse, but he failed to make the cut.
"I said all along it would be no disaster if Chapter and Verse didn't make the Stradbroke field this year," Forster said. "He is still on the up and next year was where I was really looking.”
Malvern Estate has run eight minor placings and two fourths since his last win eighteen months ago.
"I know trainers talk about their horses being consistent and deserving a win, but he has raced in the best company and never been disgraced," Forster said. "The Eye Liner is perfect for him.”
Desleigh Forster
Carnival ruled out
Group 1 performers Supera (NZ) (Savabeel) and Princess Kereru (NZ) (Pins) are due back in work next month, but already a decision has been made to bypass the first major events for the new season with the pair.
While most open-class performers will be aimed at legs of the Hawke’s Bay Triple Crown, beginning with the G1 Tarzino Trophy at Hastings on August 31, both mares will be absent.
“They’re not going to Hastings,” co-trainer Ken Kelso said. “They’re better having a bit more time and getting ready for the summer.”
Supera (NZ)
Emotional victory
Fight (Fighting Sun) has lived up to his name to post an emotional win for his trainer Nikki Burke at Mornington.
The victory was a celebration of two Cranbourne families with Fight ridden to victory in Monday's Bentons Square Plate by Craig Williams.
The Burke and Williams families have had a long association, dating back to the 1970s when Burke's father Barry trained a horse of the same name, who won three races in town ridden by Williams' father Alan.
Pitman living the dream
A decision by the owners of Enzo’s Lad (Testa Rossa) has enabled Michael Pitman to experience a lifelong dream in England.
Pitman and his wife, Diane, are in Newmarket preparing dual G1 Telegraph H. winner Enzo’s Lad for the first day of the Royal Ascot meeting next Tuesday. And no matter the result, he has already made himself a promise.
“This won’t be the last time I’ll be here,” Pitman said. ‘’My ambition will be to come back again. I’ll be out to find another one good enough to come over here.
“To be part of it is simply a dream come true for me. It's the absolute highlight of my career.”
Enzo's Lad left, gets up to beat Ferrando in the Telegraph
European success
Darley stallion Brazen Beau has sired his first Northern Hemisphere black type winner with Avengers Queen (GB) claiming the Listed Premio Vittorio Crespi in Milan.
Bred in England by Whitsbury Manor Stud, Avengers Queen is out of the four-time winner Showstoppa (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), herself a half-sister to G2 Mill Reef S. winner Temple Meads (GB) (Avonbridge {GB}).
Brazen Beau, currently second in the European first-season sires’ table, is also the sire of the Listed winner and Group 2 placegetter Accession in Australia, and stakes performers Tassort and First Dawn.
Brazen Beau
Stayer Victoria-bound
Matamata trainer Glenn Old is set to pass on G3 New Zealand Cup winner Bizzwinkle (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) to Ballarat trainer Patrick Payne.
“The plan is to trial him at Te Rapa in July then send him over to Melbourne in early August and leave him with Patrick Payne,” Old said.
“He can mix his work with some jumping and get him ready for the staying races. There are plenty of them over there for him.
“I don’t know if he’s good enough, but if he does well he could have a go at the Geelong Cup. There’s also a 2800 metre race at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day that could suit him. He’s not up to the Melbourne Cup class.’’
Trainer Glenn Old with Bizzwinkle (NZ)
Pay increase
Queensland jockeys are to receive a pay increase which will mean their base rate for a ride will rise by $40 over three years.
Jockey fees were increased from $180 to $200 per ride in 2018.
From July this year they will go to $205 followed by an increase to $212 in July 2020 and to $220 the following year.
