Manners improving

Dual Group 1 winner Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) has showed pleasing signs of settling down as she prepares for a return to racing.

“At this stage she’s been perfect in her work. There’s no sign of her reefing and tearing in her work so we’re hoping that’s all behind her,” said Charlie Duckworth, trainer Chris Waller’s racing manager.

Verry Elleegant won the G1 Vinery Stud S. ahead of success in the G1 Australian Oaks and is likely to resume in the G1 Winx S. at Rosehill on August 17.

Kiamichi trials well

James Cummings’ G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Kiamichi (Sidestep) stretched his legs at the Rosehill trials on Friday, finishing second in her 900 metre heat.

It was won by Lee Curtis’ Meryl (Epaulette) in 55.60 on a soft track with Golphin’s Group 1 winners Alizee (Sepoy), Best Of Days (GB) (Azamour {Ire}), Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) and Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) finishing in behind the placegetters.

The Gary Moore-trained Hostwin Euphoria (Street Boss {USA}), an unraced colt out of the Group 1 performer Great Anna (Anabaa {USA}) and Art Collection (Fastnet Rock), a half-sister to former Horse of the Year Lankan Rupee (Redoute’s Choice) won their respective 2-year-old heats over 1030 metres.

Bjorn Baker was dominant in the 2-year-old 900 meats winning with Edison (Fastnet Rock), Mystery Trick (Dundeel {NZ}), Sir Rocket (Smart Missile), Calculated Riisk (Akeed Mofeed {GB}) and Let It Pour Redoute’s Choice) while the Richard and Michael Freedman-trained Galaxial (Deep Field) also won her heat in style.

Early flight

With quarantine spots expected to be at a premium at Werribee for the Melbourne spring carnival, Racing Victoria has arranged an early international flight.

The flight on August 17 could bring as many as six horses to Werribee and have them leave quarantine in time for the first Group 1 race of the spring, the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield two weeks later.

RV advised local owners and trainers in March they were prepared to open the Werribee quarantine centre for two weeks in August if there was sufficient interest.

$1 million mark in sight

Second Bullet (Encosta de Lago) can reach a notable milestone at Flemington on Saturday.

The 8-year-old will take his earnings beyond $1 million if he can win the K.A Morrison Handicap on his home track at Flemington.

"We bought him as a yearling and he's won three Saturday races this season as an eight-year-old, so he's done a great job," O'Brien said.

"He probably wants it to get back to about a soft (5) to show his best but I think it's a good chance it will.

"He's just got a great record, particularly over the 2000 metres at Flemington."

Training Fatalities At Del Mar

The unraced juvenile Charge a Bunch (USA), trained by Carla Gaines, and the also unraced 3-year-old Carson Valley (USA), who hails from the Bob Baffert barn, were fatally injured after colliding during training hours at Del Mar on Thursday. The track released the news in a series of tweets.

Del Mar also tweeted the following quote from Baffert, “This was a very unfortunate accident and is a shock to everyone in the barn. We work everyday to take the best care of our horses, but sometimes freak accidents occur that are beyond anyone’s control. This is one of those times and we’re deeply saddened for all involved.”

Belated appearance

After a long journey that has spanned three countries, Simply Fabulous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}) is set to kick off his racing career at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Simply Fabulous was bought by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for 260,000 euro at the 2016 Arqana Yearling Sale in Deauville, then fetched HK$2.7 million at the Hong Kong International Sale two years later, but never raced there.

“He injured a hind foot up there and had to have a couple of minor operations,” said trainer Danica Guy, who now shares in the ownership.

“They just weren’t able to get it to settle down properly in that environment up there. In the end the owners gifted the horse to me. I put him out in a paddock for three months and he came right – the circulation improved and he made really good progress.”

Doyle ecstatic

James Doyle is delighted to pick up the ride on Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who takes on Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

Crystal Ocean is unbeaten in three starts this season, completing his hat-trick with an impressive victory in last month's G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes in the hands of Frankie Dettori.

"Any sort of ride you pick up in a big race is always nice, but to pick up a ride on a horse like him in a race like a King George - I'm absolutely ecstatic," Doyle said.

"I'm going to sit on him on Saturday morning and I can't wait really. He looks an absolute dream to ride. He looks very uncomplicated, which is always nice."

Genuine Derby hope

Trainer Mark Walker is confident Sacred Croix (NZ) (Savabeel) can provide him with an elusive Singapore Derby victory.

The Raffles Racing-owned galloper is a leading contender after finding the line well for second in the Listed Silver Bowl and the Listed Steward’s Cup.

“He’s been a touch unlucky in his first two runs in the 4-year-old series. He has been caught three-wide without cover in both of them and the winner had all favours, so he deserves a bit of luck this time around,” Walker said.

“We’ve had a second with Elite Invincible last year and Rockfast ran third in the race as well, so it would be nice to win it.”

Open day

Novara Park will host an open day starting at 11.30am on Sunday, July 21 to parade its two stallions Sweynesse and Staphanos (Jpn).

The latter will stand his first season at the Cambridge farm this year while the first crop of Sweynesse are rising 2-year-olds.