Memsie pencilled in for Rondinella

Rondinella (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) is set to kick off her spring campaign in the G1 New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie S. at Caulfield on September 1, Cambridge trainer Robert Wellwood has revealed.

Placed in the G1 New Zealand S. at Ellerslie and the G1 Tancred S. at Randwick before finishing fourth in the G1 Sydney Cup during the autumn, the mare has returned to training with Wellwood and his training partner Roger James.

"She's back and she looks great," Wellwood said.

"She'll probably have an exhibition gallop here and a trial at Taupo or Te Teko then we'll take her straight to Melbourne. She'll kick off in the Memsie and then we'll pick a path to the Caulfield Cup or the Cox Plate depending on how her form is going."

Nash nears a comeback

Jockey Nash Rawiller took a major step towards a comeback to the saddle next month, riding trackwork at Rosehill on Thursday.

Rawiller is currently serving a ban from the Hong Kong Jockey Club but is building towards a return to the races on July 25.

"It was fantastic," Rawiller told racing.com. "I'm getting around with a spring in my step today. It's just terrific."

"I only rode four for Chris Waller, galloped a couple and cantered a couple, and thankfully he didn't overtax me too much, because I pulled up a bit sore, but I expected that."

"The next week will really help build my muscle memory back up and have my body in shape to get back into it back in Melbourne the week after."

Great Southern Sale supplementary list confirmed

Inglis has confirmed a strong supplementary catalogue of 74 lots for the Great Southern Sale, which begins on Sunday in Melbourne.

Among the additions is Queen Of The World (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), in foal to leading European sire Siyouni (Fr), and to be offered by Cornerstone Stud.

There is also a strong contingent of weanlings from Aquis Farm taking the overall catalogue to 945.

Ascot hopefuls settle in well

Enzo’s Lad and Lim's Cruiser cantered on the Al Bahathri this morning on a wet morning in Newmarket.

Enzo's Lad has a shot in the Royal Ascot’s King’s Stand Stakes (Gr 1, 5f) and Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Gr 1, 6f), while Singapore's champion sprinter Lim's Cruiser lines up for the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

Lees backs import's improvement

Kris Lees is confident that import Saunter Boy (Fr) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) can measure up in stakes company at his second Australian start.

The 6-year-old was fourth on debut in a Class 5 at the Gold Coast last month, and Lees believes he can measure up in the Listed Winter Cup at Rosehill on Saturday.

“It’s taken me a while to get him fit but he’s really turned the corner since the Gold Coast run,” Lees told Racenet.

“His work has been very sound since, he’s definitely improved and it won’t be a surprise to me if he runs very well."

“He handles all types of ground and the 2400m will be more to his liking.”

Entries for Gold Coast Breeze-up sale open

Entries have opened for the 2019 edition of the Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YOs in Training Sale.

The popular breeze-up sale will be held at the Gold Coast on October 15 & 16 after four breeze up sessions at three venues.

It is expected to attract a wide array of domestic and international buyers, with 70 per cent of last year's sold horses heading overseas.

Last year’s sale saw 32 lots sell for $100,000, including a top price of $320,000.

Pike still a player

Tony Pike's two winter Group 1 performers are heading home, but the New Zealand trainer still plans to have a hand in the rest of the Queensland carnival.

Pike has enjoyed success with The Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) winning the Doomben 10,000 and Kingsford Smith Cup and Endless Drama (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) running third in the Stradbroke Handicap.

Pike has four horses who will remain in Queensland, including Terra Sancta (NZ) (Pierro) who will tackle Saturday's $175,000 Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m). He will also have Indecision (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1350m) at Ipswich.

"Terra Sancta is out to a more suitable distance and the class isn't as strong," Pike said. "We thought enough of Indecision to bring her across from New Zealand and this is a race which suits from a good barrier.”

Echuca takes Ballarat meeting

Sunday's scheduled meeting in Victoria has moved to Echuca, which replaced Ballarat as the host of the nine-event card.

Ballarat received 30mm of rain across Wednesday and Thursday morning, bringing a total of 160mm in the past month, which resulted in Racing Victoria transferring the meeting just before acceptances were taken on Thursday morning.

Stewards inspected the track with Ballarat Turf Club staff on Wednesday and again on Thursday morning when it was deemed the surface was unsuitable for racing.