Hunter Valley united on Hendra vaccination policy

The leading Hunter Valley farms have united to ensure a consistent vaccination policy against the Hendra virus.

Arrowfield, Aquis Farm, Coolmore, Darley, Kingstar, Kitchwin Hills, Newgate, Vinery and Yarraman Park will not accept mares to be served in 2019 unless they are vaccinated against HEV after a confirmed recent case in the Hunter Valley.

This protocol will be applicable to horses visiting the farms, irrespective of their origin.

“Our motivation is to safeguard the health of our people and the horses in the thoroughbred industry. Your veterinarian will be best placed to assist and advise on the implementation of vaccination,” Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Assocation President Dr Cameron Collins said.

A host of Hunter Valley broodmare farms have indicated they have vaccinated or are in the process of vaccinating all their resident horses prior to the commencement of the breeding season.

The decision to implement the new policy is fully supported by the three veterinary clinics in Scone.

"Vaccination is the most effective method for prevention of Hendra virus. The widespread use of this safe and cost-effective vaccine will ensure that veterinarians are able to provide the care that horses require while ensuring the safety of veterinary and horse staff," a statement from the veterinary clinics read.

An information night will be held at Scone Raceclub at 5pm on Monday July 8, with registration via email to admin@htba.com.au essential.

Smith off the mark in Victoria

Former WA trainer Lindsey Smith has opened his Victorian account with an impressive double at Ballarat on Tuesday.

Smith has established a base at Darren Weir's former stables at Warrnambool and secured his first winner from there with Our Wind Spirit (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) breaking his maiden on the synthetic with a 2.25l win over 1000m.

Two races later, Seven Castles (Foxwedge) made his Victorian debut at start Number five and was just as impressive over the 1200m, winning by 2.25l.

Everest or retirement for Spright

It's The Everest or a date with Zoustar for Group 1 winning mare Spright (Hinchinbrook).

Trainer Garry Frazer told Racing NSW that he was still hopeful the rising 6-year-old might get one of the remaining slots for the $14m race, but that there was a firm back-up plan in place.

"There are still a few nibbles around for The Everest and naturally I’d love the opportunity to get her ready for a crack at that. I’m sure she would be very competitive," he said.

“But if nothing eventuates, then she will go to stud in the new season and be mated with Zoustar. If she has run her last race, we can take pride in what she achieved and she has taken us on a great ride all around Australia.”

No Good Friday racing in Vic yet

Racing Victoria has denied it is set to launch a feature race to be staged on Good Friday next year.

RV confirmed it's 2019-20 calendar had been released and there won't be any significant changes.

"The race dates have been released for the 2019-20 season and there remains no racing on Good Friday, however, it is a topic that we are open to discussing," an RV statement read.

"Victorians in particular love their sport and the nature of Easter is constantly changing, with the AFL, NRL and other Australian racing jurisdictions choosing to play and race on Good Friday.

"We are mindful of the impacts on participants and are regularly looking at ways to decrease the demands of the racing industry, like the addition of 13 race-free Mondays to the calendar in recent years.

Kinky back after operation

Tony McEvoy is hoping tie-back surgery will be the key to rediscovering the best of Kinky Boom (Spirit Of Boom), who returns to racing at Sandown on Wednesday.

The 3-year-old filly takes on a benchmark 70 race over 1200m in her first run in over nine months, with McEvoy telling Racenet, who was confident he had got to the bottom of her issues.

“Incredibly, when she was out of form and not going well we couldn’t find anything wrong with her,” McEvoy said. “We did all the tests and everything came back fine."

“She spelled but after she came back in, in her first two weeks of training she started making a noise. We had her scoped and she was a roarer.”

Winners for Brazen Beau and Rubick

First-season sires Brazen Beau and Rubick secured first crop winners at Ballarat and Gosford respectively on Tuesday.

Brazen Beau took his tally to six winners this season with the win of One Job, a filly trained by Colin Little, winning a 2YO maiden over 100m on the Ballarat Synthetic.

Coolmore's Rubick notched a 14th juvenile winner with Turnstyle's win in an 1100m 2YO maiden at Gosford.

Turnstyle is trained by Bjorn Baker and is a half-sister to stakes-winner Candelara (Real Saga) who cost $110,000 at the 2018 Classic Yearling Sale.

Frankie pleased with Enable

Frankie Dettori told Sky Sports Radio he is “very pleased” with Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) ahead of the 5-year-old mare’s seasonal debut in Saturday’s G1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.

"She's well, I'm very pleased with her," Dettori said.

"I've been riding her for the last month and she's really come on, she's ready for the run."

Enable’s opposition could include a pair of Royal Ascot winners in G1 St James’s Palace scorer Circus Maximus (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Wolferton S. victor Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}).

The likes of Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Mustashry (GB) (Tamayuz {GB}) have also been left in.

“It’s her first run back and you know the main target is on the first Sunday in October.” John Gosden told Racing Post. “We’ll try and build to that but we’re happy with her. She’s showing her enjoyment in training and her eagerness. Her exuberant nature is back and she has slimmed down a bit.”

Taylors savour Igraine’s big year

With stakes wins on both sides of the Tasman, imported European mare Igraine (Ger) (Galileo {Ire}) has earned herself a special place in Brent and Cherry Taylor’s broodmare band and hearts.

The Trelawney Stud principals are in the midst of a winter escape to Spain, but watched with delight as the Robert Priscott-trained Igraine scored a dominant victory in Saturday’s Listed Caloundra Cup in Queensland.

“It was a huge thrill to see her do that,” Brent Taylor said. “She’s a mare we’ve always had faith in. We bought her for her broodmare credentials as much as anything else, but she tries so hard on the track, and you do get quite emotionally attached to the ones that give their all like she does.”

Igraine was a £65,000 purchase at the 2017 Tattersalls Broodmare Sale in Newmarket, bought by Paul Moroney on the Taylors’ behalf and they said Fastnet Rock was an obvious stallion choice for her.