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Goldin looks to enter new era with stakes success

Written by
6 min read
Assertive Approach is aiming to become the first stakes winner for his newly relocated sire Akeed Mofeed in what could be a significant success in what is a new era for Goldin Farms.

As Akeed Mofeed (GB) readies for his first season at Swettenham Stud, his previous home of Goldin Farms is hoping to mark the new stage of its development with the stallion's first stakes winner in Saturday's Listed Lightning S. at Morphettville.

Assertive Approach carries the distinctive white and old gold of Goldin Farms' owner Pan Sutong and the unbeaten 3-year-old is one of the leading chances in what will be officially the final black-type race of the 2018/19 season in Australia.

Assertive Approach carries the white and gold colours of Goldin farms

Goldin Farms made the decision earlier this year to send promising stallion Akeed Mofeed, a son of Dubawi {Ire}) from its South Australian base to Swettenham in Victoria, having spent five seasons at the farm which Pan purchased in order to stand his favourite horse.

Supported by a $6 million investment in quality broodmares in his first two seasons, Akeed Mofeed has had 22 winners from 41 runners to date, with four placed at stakes level. Two of those stakes horses have been owned by Goldin Farms.

The strategy around the stallion has changed significantly with the decision to send him to Victoria in order to further his opportunities with more outside mares.

No longer a stallion operation, Goldin Farms is now focused on its broodmares and is already sending a sizeable amount of those mares to Swettenham to its stallion ahead of this season.

Akeed Mofeed

"We have got 33 of our mares going to Akeed this year," Goldin Farms' Bloodstock and Racing Manager Brett Campbell told TDN AusNZ. "We are now just a broodmare farm, still supporting our stallion. They are saying he should get 120-130 mares this year, plus ours on top, so that's 160 mares which is a big jump on 98 last year."

"There's more opportunity over there (In Victoria). We still own him and so we still reap the rewards."

"There's more opportunity over there (In Victoria). We still own him and so we still reap the rewards." - Goldin Farms Bloodstock and Racing Manager, Brett Campbell

The Goldin Farms mares will foal down this year's crop at Swettenham before visiting the stallion again and returning home on a 45-day positive.

"On the farm, it's about raising them and growing them out and sending them to the yearling sales and retaining the odd one," Campbell said.

The yearling strategy was a big change over the past 12 months as well, with Goldin selling a significant amount of his third crop through the sales in Adelaide and Melbourne this year, where they sold up to $200,000.

"We sold pretty much everything, but kept one filly, who is a full sister to Sunset Watch," Campbell said. "There were some very nice colts in that crop and some nice athletic fillies."

"We’ve been selling a lot, because we are trying to be a bit more commercial and self-funded."

Second crop just hitting their straps

This change in strategy also saw Goldin Farms disperse of a significant amount of Akeed Mofeed's second crop, who will turn three next week.

Campbell said the timing of their sale, as late yearlings and early 2-year-olds, meant they have been a bit slower to get to the track and that is a significant reason why the stallion has had just six 2-year-old starters to date this season, with his two winners coming in the past couple of weeks.

"The second crop are probably a prep or two way from every other 2-year old in the country. They are starting to pop up right now and there was a stage there where I wondered if we were going to get a 2-year-old winner," he said.

Goldin Farms had two of his 2-year-olds trial at Murray Bridge this week for trainer Will Clarken, who also has the Akeed Mofeed half-sister to Group 1 winning filly Amphitrite (Sebring), Ocean Cruise, approaching her debut.

Campbell said given the way in which the first crop of Akeed Mofeed improved the further they went into their 3-year-old season, patience will reap its own reward.

"That's a bit of a trait of the Akeeds, they show a bit and they keep on improving subtly, without you even realising. They can catch you unaware. They are very intelligent horses and very willing to do work and enjoy stable life, but they also just keep improving," he said.

The patient Approach

Assertive Approach is a great example of that, having shown plenty as a young horse under previous trainer Tony McEvoy, where a run of niggling injuries saw him unable to get to the track as a 2-year-old.

Given time, and transferred as part of Pan's plan to consolidate his best horses with John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes, he has prospered, winning on debut at Bendigo in February and then resuming with an emphatic success at Sandown last month.

Assertive Approach winning at Sandown

"We were all pretty happy with his jumpouts ahead of that run. Wayne Hawkes, being Wayne, was playing them down a little bit, but he went a lot better than we had thought," Campbell said.

A subsequent strong jumpout win at Flemington convinced the Hawkes to send him to stakes company on Saturday, where he looks well-placed to become the first black-type winner for his sire.

"He was doing it very much within himself (in the jumpout) and travelling nice and relaxed. They really think they have got him in a really nice spot. That's why they decided to go to the Lightning for his next run," Campbell said.

Hong Kong plans

Campbell said that should Assertive Approach measure up to stakes company, there is a good chance he’ll end up in Hong Kong in the next six to 12 months.

Pan Sutong and his wife have a license for five horses in Hong Kong and another of Akeed Mofeed's first crop, Heart Conquered, a winner of five of 16, is already in the process of transferring there having ran a close up fifth in the G3 Sir John Monash S. a couple of weeks ago.

Another Akeed Mofeed winner, Heart Conquered is currently in the process of being transferred to Hong Kong

Pan's Bloodstock agent Jeff Gordon has overseen the recent sale of Sunset Watch, a winner of three of seven in Australia for Team Hawkes, to Hong Kong as well, where he will race for trainer Dennis Yip.

How that pair perform in Hong Kong may well have an impact on the strategy back at Angaston, with Campbell predicting that Goldin Farms may retain more colts in the future should Akeed Mofeed, who was a winner of both the G1 Hong Kong Derby and G1 Hong Kong Cup, attain somewhere near the fame as a sire as he did there as a racehorse.

A year to remember

Written by
8 min read
Since being appointed Co-Head Trainer alongside Ciaron Maher last August, David Eustace has witnessed a significant expansion of the stable to Ballarat and across state lines.

It has been quite a year for David Eustace. In August 2018 he was announced as the new Co-Head Trainer at Ciaron Maher Racing. Over the ensuing 12 months that fast-rising training operation with its roots in Victoria expanded first to a new stable in Sydney, before enhancing the variety of bases on offer by buying Darren Weir’s Ballarat property at the start of the former champion trainer’s four-year ban from the sport.

Eustace recently returned to Australia after something of a brief working holiday back home in the UK to visit the Tattersalls July Sale and catch up with a number of the stable’s overseas owners. Reflecting on a whirlwind first year in his role, he said, “What happened in February/March time was a challenge for everyone really. It was a challenge for the owners who had horses with Darren and a lot of them have supported us. It was a big challenge for us, and all credit to Ciaron for taking on Ballarat and taking on the staff.

David Eustace

"He was very forthright in doing that and was very keen to get the place. It added a fantastic facility to train from, along with staff that we inherited, and those are the two most important things really. You can't train the horses without having the right facilities and staff, so that is going to be a great benefit for years to come. And we are of course very grateful to the owners who came with us.”

"You can't train the horses without having the right facilities and staff, so that is going to be a great benefit for years to come." - David Eustace

Among those that did was the 10-strong syndicate behind Kenedna (Not A Single Doubt), who blessed the new training partnership with its first Group 1 success when taking out the Coolmore Legacy S. at Randwick in April.

From strength to strength

“Thankfully we've trained for [Kenedna’s owners] Mick Johnson, Terry Ginnane and that group in the past so we had a relationship with them. We inherited her and she went to another level really,” says Eustace of the 5-year-old mare. Kenedna subsequently added the G1 Doomben Cup and G2 P.J. O’Shea S. to her tally of stakes wins for the season, all in the hands of Irishman Johnny Allen, who had previously struck up a fruitful partnership with the Weir stable.

“Johnny knows her so well and we inherited her in a great condition and had 10 weeks with her before she went and won in Sydney,” Eustace adds. “It was a race where everything probably fell her way a bit but they still need to go and win. She loves getting in a tussle and so does Johnny, so she got there on the line and it was a big thrill and a real relief.”

Kenedna was the duo's first G1 winner in the Coolmore Legacy S.

He continues, “Probably it just took a little bit of pressure off, you know, having taken on the horses, the staff, the facility – it all looks great from the outside but you have to get it all working in the right direction and it took a lot of hard work and some time to do that. At that time we probably felt that things were just starting to click into place.

"It's a challenge taking on new horses, but then taking on a place that you've never trained from as well is not easy, but I think it's a reflection of the staff really pulling together with us. It felt like the start of something anyway. Kenedna held her form and was then very dominant in Queensland.”

"It all looks great from the outside but you have to get it all working in the right direction and it took a lot of hard work and some time to do that." - David Eustace

A base for every horse

From dual-state city bases at Rosehill and Caulfield, to a beach facility at Pakenham and a more country environment at the improved Ballarat, Eustace believes that Ciaron Maher Racing is now fully equipped to cater for any type of horse which walks through their stable doors. The equine team in training now stands at around 250, with roughly 400 in total on the books.

“Ciaron has never worked for a trainer as large as that and neither have I, particularly in multiple locations, and that has been the most challenging thing, but you build the trust in the team working with you and that trust grows as the horses run well and the communication is good,” says the trainer, who grew up in his father James’s Newmarket stable before working as pupil assistant to Roger Varian and then completing his first year in Australia with Peter Moody.

David Eustace in the Melbourne Cup parade with former boss Roger Varian and Andrea Atzeni | Emma Berry

“I think Ballarat has completed the set for us. The city environment is great for the young horses. The beach is great but you can't educate a horse at the beach that effectively, so it's fantastic for the older horses to recover from gallops, races and trials. And the great asset of Ballarat is that the horses are living out all the time, rain or shine.

"If the weather is desperate then we have the option of them staying in their boxes, but even if it's cold the horses are better off being out and rugged up. The air is cleaner, they eat better and they're more relaxed. If you have any issue with the horse eating, or perhaps they tie up, or they might be a bit stiff and sore, if they are living out and moving literally 24 hours of the day, we have found far less muscular issues with horses being at Ballarat. Horses very rarely scope dirty and the fillies don't tie up because they are on the move. So there are an awful lot of advantages to horses being trained there but, again, you can pick your mark. If a horse thrives at Caulfield they can stay there, and a lot of them do, and similarly down at the beach.”

"We have found far less muscular issues with horses being at Ballarat." - David Eustace

Eustace splits his time between Caulfield and Ballarat, while Maher commutes between Melbourne and Sydney. At Rosehill, the operation is overseen by assistant trainer Annabel Neasham, while Maher’s brother Declan is at Ballarat.

Ciaron (second from left) and David (right) inspecting at their Caulfield stables | Emma Berry

“We try to spread our time as best we can and we seem to be in the right sort of rhythm at the moment,” says Eustace. “There’s been a lot of support for the Sydney stable. Aquis are running a lot of the colts through there which is great.

"There's probably even more emphasis on 2-year-olds and precocious horses, particularly the colts, in that area with the Breeders' Plate and the Gimcrack early on in the season. That will be very much the plan with those horses, hoping that one or two stick their hand up. They've been running very consistently from there and Annabel knows the system extremely well, she's a great horsewoman and has done a fantastic job in getting that going.”

Search for another star

Among the youngsters, the search is on for another Dubious (Not A Single Doubt), who won the G3 Breeders’ Plate on debut and went on to finish runner-up in the Magic Millions and win the G2 Champagne Classic.

“The quality through the spring perhaps wasn't quite as high as last year but the autumn was very strong, so I think we just had slightly later-maturing types who then really stuck their hands up in the autumn,” Eustace says.

Dubious winning the G3 Breeders' Plate

“Dubious was and is a standout. He was really good at the Magic Millions and he had an amazing campaign throughout the year. His grand final will be the Coolmore and we'll work back from that. He’s sharp and he knows his job very well; he really knows how to race and likes getting in a fight.

"We won't be stretching him out, he has a good turn of foot and nearly mixed it with the best sprinters in Queensland, so it'll be the Vain, the McNeil, and then we'll work it out from there.”

At the opposite end of the distance spectrum and from the other side of the world is British owner-breeder Andrew Stone’s Dal Harraild (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), who has been knocking on the door in some decent staying contests since his arrival in Australia and has been freshened up ahead of a spring campaign.

“He deserves a big one. He’s had a break and I think he has really thrived off the back of that,” says Eustace.

Stone is also the breeder of four-time Group 1 winner and young Darley stallion Postponed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Along with Qatar’s Sheikh Fahad Al Thani and Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, owners of the promising stayer Lord Belvedere (GB) (Archipenko {USA}), he is among the growing number of international owners in a stable which appears to have all bases well and truly covered.

Jardin Rouge making up for lost time

6 min read

Cover image | Nuptse, a previous city winner for Brian Wakefield

By Bren O'Brien

Eagle Farm-based Brian Wakefield admits Jardin Rouge (Red Element) has tested both his patience and his training prowess in her short career but is hoping she can improve on her already impressive record of five wins from eight starts at Rosehill on Saturday.

Jardin Rouge, who Wakefield and vet Mark McGarry paid $34,000 for as yearling, has always possessed plenty of ability, but a litany of injuries means she'll mark her sixth birthday next Thursday having been to the racetrack on just nine occasions.

She is one of 'those' horses, where when you ask the trainer why she has been so lightly raced, he just laughs and says 'where do I start?"

Trainer Brian Wakefield

"She's had a run of things since she was young that took her a while to get over. They were never anything major, but they all took her a while to get over," he said.

Jardin Rouge's first issue came in her first campaign as an early 3-year-old where after finishing a good fourth on debut at the Sunshine Coast, she pulled up with cardiac arrhythmia at Ipswich.

"She's had a run of things since she was young that took her a while to get over." - Trainer, Brian Wakefield

"We gave her a 12-month spell after that to let her get over that and when we were bringing her back ready to race again, and after she trialled she pulled up with a hamstring injury, quite a nasty one," he said.

"It got to the stage where we had to tip her out again. She then injured herself in the paddock and had a bit of a nasty cut to the side of her mouth which needed stitches and time to settle down when she was out."

"Then she developed a quarter crack in one her hooves, and we had to ease off her again. I used a farrier, an old mate of mine, who is now in Townsville, Mick Kidner. He was the only one I knew who could fix these quarter cracks and he used the lace-up method and sorted her out."

"She's just been one of those fillies that has lots of niggling things."

Jardin Rouge is by Red Element

Wakefield and the large group of owners in the horse looked to be rewarded for their patience when Jardin Rouge returned from an 18-month break for a second campaign which she rounded off with four consecutive victories at Gatton, Gold Coast and then twice at the Sunshine Coast.

But a dry winter in 2018 in Queensland took its toll and another soft-tissue injury in her fetlock saw Wakefield again send her to the paddock, this time for a 10-month break.

Resuming the winning streak

Taking the extra time to ensure she was sound coming into this campaign, Jardin Rouge has shown no ill-effects, resuming with an impressive win last month at Ipswich.

"She pulled up from that run really well. I had intended to run her at Doomben a couple of weeks back, but she came up with a really wide barrier and as it turned out the race was won by that horse of the Meaghers, Pippie (Written Tycoon), so I might have dodged a bullet there," Wakefield said.

"She pulled up from that run really well. I had intended to run her at Doomben a couple of weeks back, but she came up with a really wide barrier." - Brian Wakefield

"I saw this race in Sydney coming up, and while there was a race in Eagle Farm for her, that track has been racing a bit harder and we’ve had a couple of dry weeks. The track here at Rosehill will improve to good, but it won't be firm for her."

It’s not often that Wakefield, who has a team of about 10 in work in Brisbane, takes a horse to Sydney, his last being Denarius (Red Element) two years ago.

He admits it's hard to take on 'the big factories' on their own turf, but has had success previously with horses such as Nuptse (Bradbury's Luck), Pretty Composed (Stravinksy {USA}) and Dave The Dude (Celestial Dancer {Ire}).

Nuptse winning at Warwick Farm

"It’s always hard to win in Sydney at any time of year and you have to pick and choose your times when you come down," he said.

"You have to pick the right horses to do it with, travelling horses isn't easy, but it does them a world of good."

"She trialled Tuesday week in between runs and she trialled well and won it in nice time under her own steam. She's earned the right to have a crack at the city."

First impressions count

Picking the then filly out at the 2015 Magic Millions March Yearling Sale seems a long time ago, but the impression Wakefield and McGarry, whose families both own shares in Jardin Rouge, had of her back then has stood up through her career.

"We’d been through the whole catalogue at the March Sale and picked a few out and she was probably one of the standouts. She is a very good walking filly as she is now as a mare and she is a really athletic type," he said.

"She had that bit of a look about her. I liked the way she moved and her conformation. She was just one of those fillies that stood out to me. She's no champion yet, but we’ve had a lot of fun with her."

Her pedigree has stood up well since too, with her younger half brother Akkadian (Nicconi) stakes placed in Victoria for Matt Cumani. Her dam, Garden Of Eden (Blackfriars) is a half-sister to 10-time stakes winner grand Nirvana (Scenic {Ire}) and her yearling colt by Nicconi fetched $120,000 at the Gold coast in January.

Jardin Rouge is a half-sister to stakes placed Akkadian, pictured winning at Pakenham

Given Jardin Rouge's history, Wakefield is taking it just one race at a time with the rising 6-year-old, but she does look capable of measuring up to stakes company should she stay fit. Saturday's BM78 fillies' race at Rosehill is a good test of those ambitions.

Black-Type Preview

6 min read

With the racing season set to end next Wednesday, Saturday sees the final black-type racing in Australia and New Zealand for 2018/19, with stakes races at Caulfield, Rosehill, Morphettville and Otaki.

Sesar on the way up

Caulfield, G3 The Big Screen Company Bletchingly S. 1200m, $160,000

The Bletchingly S. at Caulfield represents the final Group race on the calendar, and while Group 1 winning filly Mystic Journey (Needs Further) will bypass the race, there is still a solid off-season field headed by promising 3-year-old Sesar (Sebring).

A winner of the G2 Roman Consul S. last spring when trained by Steven O'Dea, the Aquis Farm owned colt resumed with a convincing win in his first start for Team Hawkes at Randwick last time out.

He is headed towards the G1 Memsie S. this campaign, with the $7.5m Golden Eagle also possibly on his agenda later in the spring. This race looms as a good stepping stone as he seeks to build a resume which could see him join Aquis' burgeoning stallion roster in the coming years.

A winner of three of his eight starts, this is his first time the Melbourne way of going, which may present something of a query. The probability of a wet track is not a concern, having won two of his three starts on heavy.

His main rival appears to be the veteran sprinter Jungle Edge (Dubawi {Ire}), who he beat by 3.6l at Randwick, but who has fitness and a weight swing on his side.

The rising 9-year-old has been racing in great heart this campaign and will no doubt give Sesar something to chase down late. He was third in this race last year behind top class sprinters Vega Magic (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and Voodoo Lad (I Am Invincible).

Jungle Edge

Four-time stakes winner Cliff's Edge (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) resumes for new trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and does boast a good record at this track with four wins, as well as a perfect three from three over the 1100m.

Group 1 winner Scales of Justice (Not A Single Doubt) also resumes, but will probably need the run, while Bandipur (Commands) was a touch disappointing last time in the G3 Sir John Monash S. which was his first start for his new trainer Richard Laming. He does have a strong record at Caulfield.

Winning farewell for Eckstein?

Rosehill, Listed Maldives Travel Connection Winter Challenge Handicap, 1500m, $150,000

Eckstein (I Am Invincible) is aiming to end her racing career on a high with a second successive stakes win in the Listed Winter Challenge.

She collected a valuable fifth stakes success and the first for her new owners at Coolmore when she won the Listed Winter S. at Rosehill last time out.

This is likely to be her final run before a date with Justify (USA) in the next couple of months and if she can repeat her last-start performance, she is in with a strong chance of ending things on a winning note.

Import Take It Intern (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) has been runner-up at stakes level his past two starts and gets his chance for an Australian black-type success here. Last seen when narrowly beaten in the Listed Mumm S. at Eagle Farm last month, he has since had a trial victory to prepare for this.

They will be both chasing down Cradle Mountain (West Quest {Can}), who was just nabbed late by Eckstein and co over the 1400m last time out, when fourth. He has never been out to the 1500m before but should get a relatively soft lead and be given every chance to see out the extra distance.

Stampede (High Chaparral {Ire}) is the other likely leader, although he looked a little flat on resumption. He does, however, have an inside barrier, so even if Nash Rawiller doesn’t get the 6-year-old to the front, he should be prominently positioned.

Godolphin's Gaulois (Street Cry {Ire}), just beaten by Eckstein last time, will be one of those charging home late, while others with a chance include Seaway (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and Nicci's Gold (Nicconi).

3YOs clash in Adelaide

Morphettville, Listed TAB Lightning S. 1050m, $100,000

G1 The Goodwood runner-up Behemoth (All Too Hard) resumes in what looks a battle of two very promising 3-year-olds in the traditional black-type season-closer, the Listed Lightning S. at Morphettville.

David Jolly's lightly raced gelding made terrific progress last time in, finishing close-up in a pair of Listed races before peaking in the Group 1 sprint where he was narrowly, and some say unluckily outpointed by Despatch (Written Tycoon).

While that wasn't the strongest Group 1, it is still a good recommendation for this, especially off his recent Murray Bridge trial win which showed him in the right condition to shine first-up.

Assertive Approach (Akeed Mofeed) looks the one who can threaten him. He has only had two starts, but he streeted a midweek field at Sandown last time out and has reportedly taken substantial improvement since.

He certainly looks a stakes-quality horse and he is likely to be the one at the front making his own luck, while Behemoth searches for a run in behind.

2-year-old Excess Funds (Rubick) looked to have taken a big leap forward in his break when resuming with a 2.25l win against his own age at Sandown last time out. This is a step up, but he does get a 5kg weight advantage.

Juvenile black-type on offer

Otaki, Listed Courtesy Ford Ryder S., 1200m, $50,000

The Listed Courtesy Ford Ryder S. bring stakes racing to a close in New Zealand with the 2-year-olds looking for some black type to take into their 3-year-old year.

London Bound (NZ) (Proisir) was a seven-length winner on debut for trainer Clayton Chipperfield at Te Rapa last time out and a repeat of that performance on a similarly heavy track at Otaki should see her hard to hold out.

Flaunting (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) was second that day having started favourite and she is again in the market here despite a comprehensive defeat that day.

Sai Fah (NZ) (Rios {NZ}) was also a big margin last-start Te Rapa winner, and backs up seven days after that 6.5l success over the 1100m. He carries the fitness edge with this his fifth run of the campaign.

Vibrato (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) looks a promising type for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, winning easily at Arawa Park five weeks ago, but the gap between runs is a slight query.

Five minutes with... Shane Wright

8 min read

Shane Wright - Yarraman Park

TDNAusNZ: Where are you from and what is your earliest racing memory?

SW: I was brought up in County Westmeath in Ireland, a bit left field in this industry but no family ties to thoroughbreds or horses in general. I did ride and then started hunting with the local hounds which led to an opening of a job at a local stud when I was in school for pocket money. From here I progressed to another stud, Lynn Lodge for Eddie O’Leary where I got my grounding and caught the bug.

My earliest racing memory other than going to the local races as a kid would have to be War of Attrition (Ire) (Presenting {GB}) winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup, he was owned by Eddie O’ Leary’s brother Michael of Gigginstown House and was the first Group 1 winner they had, needless to say it was one hell of a party that night.

Shane Wright

TDNAusNZ: Can you tell us a bit about the work you do, the farm, recent results and exciting stallions at Yarraman?

SW: As Stud Manager I deal with the day to day running of the farm, client liaising, stallions, sales and anything else that can be thrown at me. The farm is enjoying a great run at present. I Am invincible is going from strength to strength and we are also eagerly awaiting Hellbent’s first foals next month.

This along with great success on the track recently including, Beat the Clock (Hinchinbrook), Leicester (Wanted), Voodoo Lad (I Am Invincible), Houtzen (I Am Invinicble), Strasbourg (I Am Invincible), Soqrat (Epaulette) and I Am Immortal (I Am Invincible) to name a few really gives a great buzz as you can see the results of all the team’s hard work and effort come to fruition.

TDNAusNZ: What was the highlight of the season for you?

Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) being booked in to visit us this year is an obvious highlight but Vinny breaking Danehill (USA) and Snitzel’s record of individual stakes winners in a year was an incredible feeling. Considering he broke the record at the local track over the Scone Carnival and everyone was there to enjoy it definitely added to the occasion, even Ashton my little boy was on the winning post shouting her home, a truly memorable day.

Shane and Ashton at the Scone Carnival

TDNAusNZ: What do you love most about your job?

SW: There are so many factors and most sound cliché but it’s the absolute truth, I get to meet amazing people with different backgrounds every day that all share one common interest, that of thoroughbred racing. There are so many great mentors out there and I am incredibly lucky to be surrounded by some of the very best in the Mitchells, what you learn from them on a daily basis is priceless.

I also get to work with some of the best horses in the world, and there is no greater feeling of accomplishment than seeing a horse you have known since it was a follicle the whole way through to sales ring then going on to win big races. Again cliché, but when you love this way of life, it doesn’t feel like work, every day you get out of bed and do what you love doing, you are quite lucky.

I Am Invincible

TDNAusNZ: What is your favourite day on a racecourse?

SW: Hard to separate them but Derby Day in Flemington with I Am Star (NZ) (I Am Invincible) winning the GR1 Myer and Illustrious Lad (I Am Invincible) (known affectionately to everyone at YP as Dusty) romping home in the GR2 Tab Sprint was a huge day, Illustrious was born on Yarraman and was always a favourite among staff, he had his issues early on which always makes it a little more special.

I Am A Star was not born with us as we sold the mare in foal (for $8,000 if I remember correctly, cringe) but never the less a huge day to be a part of. Also seeing Sea the Stars (Ire) winning the Irish Champion Stakes in Leopardstown was an amazing occasion, I was lucky enough to have him in my barn as a yearling and is a horse I will always hold close to my heart.

Watch: Sea The Stars (Ire) winning the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown

TDNAusNZ: Do you have a favourite book and favourite movie?

SW: I’m a big fan of the Dan Brown novels as I love a bit of conspiracy and presently I have just finished 'The Subtle Art of not giving a ****’, would highly recommend it as sometimes we can all take life a little too seriously.

I am a sucker for the Epic’s like Braveheart and Gladiator but a movie I really enjoyed recently was Focus with Will Smith and Margot Robbie, it’s got Margot Robbie, enough said.

TDNAusNZ: Do you have a nickname? How did it come about?

SW: I had a nickname playing rugby back in Ireland which I managed to keep secret for ten years since I have arrived out here, that’s not changing now.

TDNAusNZ: What was your favourite weanling, yearling or mare purchase this year?

SW: Every year everyone on farm picks out who we think will make ‘the racehorse’ out of what we sold at the yearling sales. This year I picked a Vinny filly out of Skyerush that Star Thoroughbreds bought, not the most expensive yearling we sold but to me she had the X-factor. Last year my pick was I Am Immortal who won his first two races, the Blue Diamond Preview and Prelude so hopefully this year this filly can replicate, as we know Denise of Star Thoroughbreds can pick a Vinny filly.

I Am Immortal winning the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude

TDNAusNZ: What stallion do you consider to be ‘under the radar’ and why?

SW: Epaulette is a stallion I always liked and have bred to, we have also bred a few Shadwell mares to him and have had good success over the years with stakes horses like Khulassa and also multiple Group 1 winner in South Africa, Soqrat. He is one good headline horse away from taking a step to a different level and I feel it isn’t too far away

TDNAusNZ: What first season sire (other than your own) are you most excited about?

SW: How can you ask me this when I have Hellbent sitting in the barn looking at me knowing the mares that are due to foal to him. Anyway, not looking too much outside the box, Russian Revolution and Merchant Navy would have to be great chances given the support they got in their first year. Saying that history is starting to tell us first season sires are getting harder and harder to pick with the likes of Vinny, Spirit of Boom and Better than Ready all proving this recently. You just never know where the next good one is going to come from.

1/2

TDNAusNZ: Who do you think is a rising star in the racing industry? (person, not horse)

SW: Two people that are really making their mark are Fergal Connolly of Valiant Stud and Rae Louise Farmer of Fernrigg Farm, both farms have produced good consignments of quality horses in their first years and knowing both personally neither are afraid to work hard, put in the effort and take a risk on what they believe. I can see these being big players in the next few years.

TDNAusNZ: If you were an Everest slot holder, who would you pick?

SW: At this stage it is so hard to pick before the big horses even start their preps, I would have loved to see Bluepoint (Ire) (Shamardal {Ire}) come down and thrown his hand on the table but that is not to be. The two geldings Redzel (Snitzel) and Santa Ana Lane (Lope de Vega) both know when the big day arrives and when to put in their best and both are trained by teams that always have their horses spot on for the Grand Final, pick one, ok, Santa.

Santa Ana Lane

TDNAusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry?

SW: I think the TB industry in Australia is in a pretty good place at present, prizemoney is at an all-time high, sense of community among our industry is better than anywhere else in the world showcased by things like the Farms / Trainers / Vet Clinics all coming together as one in trying to protect everyone against Hendra and then with some great fundraising for Tye Angland and his family show we really do look after our own.

I would love to see Racing NSW and Racing Victoria come to the party and stop trying to outdo each other as effectively the crossover of major race days etc. is impacting both states. Maybe we could have a NSW vs. VIC race day (NSW horses, trainers, jockeys vs. Vic horses / trainers / jockeys) once a year to decide who gets to book their race dates first, winner takes all, can’t see it happening but it would be a spectacle.

TDNAusNZ: If you weren’t in the thoroughbred industry what would you be doing?

The industry go to for this question is Pro golfer, as much as I would love it, it is definitely a dream too far. I have always enjoyed the teaching and mentoring aspect of my job with young people fresh to the industry and with students from programmes such as FastTrack etc. Maybe that would be a route I could follow.

Daily News Wrap

7 min read

Time To Reign dominates star-studded trial

Gary Portelli's rising 3-year-old Time To Reign (Time For War) dominated a star-studded trial at Warwick Farm on Friday.

The G2 Silver Slipper S. winner won the trial, which contained Group 1 winners Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}), Nakeeta Jane (So You Think {NZ}), Unforgotten (Fastnet Rock), Shraaoh (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Patrick Erin (NZ) (Gallant Guru), by 6.3l.

"I was happy enough with that," Portelli told reporters afterwards. "You’d be disappointed if he didn’t do that having his second trial against a field mostly made up of middle distance, staying types having their first trial."

"We’re in a good place heading to The Rosebud (on August 10)."

Vegadaze (Lope de Vega {Ire}) finished second ahead of Nakeeta Jane in third. Unforgotten finished fourth, with Verry Elleegant sixth, Patrick Erin seventh and Shraaoh eighth.

Inglis suing the Australian Turf Club

Inglis has launched Supreme Court action against the Australian Turf Club claiming it was unaware a portion of land sold to them at Warwick Farm for Riverside Stables was used as a dumping ground.

The estimated cost of removing the waste, around 30,000 cubic metres, is estimated at $20 million. It is believed to contain general waste, running rail, grandstand seats and signage.

It is also claimed that Warwick Farm management had an unofficial agreement with a waste disposal operator to empty garbage, on part of the site later sold to Inglis.

Subzero fights on

Legendary racehorse Subzero (Kala Dancer {GB}) continues to receive treatment at the Bendigo Equine Hospital.

The hospital released a statement on Friday afternoon saying the 30-year-old continues his treatment after complications from a colic attack last weekend, followed by kidney issues.

Subzero is continuing to receive treatment

He had a rough start to the day but has improved throughout the morning with ongoing treatment and a visit from the Salisbury family. We are in awe of the relationship and interaction between Graham and Subbie; as soon as Graham and family arrived Subbie pricked his ears up and is now eating whilst being hand-fed by Graham," the statement said.

"We are very much aware of both Subbie’s age and the depth of affection for him from both Graham and his family and the wider community. Our role as veterinarians is to always be mindful of the best interests of the horse and ensure he is comfortable whilst he is being treated. These are also the express wishes of Graham and his family."

"He’s not out of the woods yet; but at the moment he continues to try hard. He wants to give it a go; so we will continue to try and help him."

Eckstein ready for farewell

Eckstein (I Am Invincible) is primed to go out on a winning note when she makes her farewell appearance at Rosehill.

The mare was purchased by Coolmore for $750,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Broodmare Sale and will be served in the spring by Justify (USA).

Eckstein winning the Listed Winter S.

“Obviously, Eckstein is the class horse in the race being Group 1 placed,” said trainer Chris Waller’s racing manager Charlie Duckworth. “She’s off the back of a strong win when she had to do it pretty tough so we’re confident we can go on and try to win again.”

The stable also has Seaway (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) in the line-up.

“He’ll improve a lot coming off a heavy track back onto the soft. We thought he was a wet tracker, but the truth of the matter is he doesn’t handle those heavy 8, 9 or 10s.”

Deep Field nomination reaches $57,000 for charity

Meredith Park secured a nomination to Deep Field this season for $57,000 as part of a charity auction for bloodstock agent Brad O'Hare.

The auction was held at an ATC function to raise money for O'Hare, who is battling pancreatic cancer.

The Deep Field syndicate offered the nomination to the rising star stallion, who will stand for $44,000 in 2019 and Meredith Park, based in the southern highlands of NSW was the winning bidder.

Fundamentalist flies in jumpout

Fundamentalist (Not A Single Doubt) outshone Group 1 winners Vega Magic (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and Oohood (I Am Invincible) in a Flemington jumpout on Friday.

Vega Magic, who is likely headed to the G3 Aurie's Star Hcp at Flemington on August 10, led until halfway and was eased to finish fifth of the six runners but was only beaten two lengths.

It was the other Lindsay Park runner, Fundamentalist, the multiple Group 1 placegetter, who finished on to win, beating the Danny O’Brien-trained Absolute Flirt (Stratum), with Oohood in third.

Begg stays at home with Romancer

Grahame Begg is confident he has pulled the right rein with the decision to keep Romancer (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) at Caulfield on Saturday.

The 5-year-old was also nominated for Saturday's Listed Winter Challenge at Rosehill, but a wet forecast in Melbourne saw him opt for the Catanach's Jewellers Handicap instead.

Romancer

"The weather prediction was for the rain here and that's what he relishes, getting soft ground," Begg said.

It will be Romancer's fourth start for Begg having run second at stakes level in the Winter Championship at Flemington last start.

"He is going well," Begg said. "We've obviously changed his environment. He's being trained out of Pinecliff and we don't work him hard."

"He does relish soft tracks, which is one thing, and I really believe a mile (1600m) is right at the top of his distance range."

"He's had three weeks break between runs," he said. "We don't have to do a lot of work with him. We just keep him ticking over."

Big day looms for Chipperfield

Trainer Clayton Chipperfield is aiming for his first stakes success with London Bound (NZ) (Proisir) in the Listed Courtesy Ford Ryder S. at Otaki on Saturday.

Chipperfield is happy with how the filly has backed up from her debut seven-length win at Te Rapa.

"It was a huge win. We've always held a high opinion of her - I've thought she's on par with (promising stablemate) Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) - but to win like she did, I wasn't really expecting that," Chipperfield said.

London Bound

"I said to Martin (Dalgleish - owner) she was worthy of a crack at black-type after that. Her mum died last year so if we can get black-type on Saturday, she's got it forever and we're hoping she's good enough to do that."

"I'd be rapt if she could run in the first three so she can get that black-type but I wouldn't be surprised if she won. She pulled up 100 percent from her Te Rapa win and I galloped her Tuesday morning on a sticky course proper and she loved it."

Chipperfield also has the leading chance in the RSA Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m) at Rotorua with Obsessive (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}}.

Victorian trainers sentenced over cobalt

Victorian trainer Matthew Leek has been warned off for nine months, commencing next March after he was sentenced over a cobalt charge.

The Leek-trained Champagne Kisses (Onemorenomore) returned an elevated cobalt reading at Pakenham on March 3, 2016 and the trainer pleaded guilty to a charge under AR 178 but not guilty under AR 175(h)(ii), which was in relation to the administration of a prohibited substance.

The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board found the charge of AR 175(h)(ii) proven last month and RAD Board chairman Judge John Bowman imposed a penalty of nine months starting from March 10, 2020, which is the end of Leek's existing ban.

Trainer Trevor Andrews was given a six-month suspension for the same offence for Coppola's (High Chaparral {Ire}) elevated reading.

Looking Ahead - July 27

3 min read

Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.

On Saturday, we check out a well-bred resuming 2-year-old at Rosehill, a full brother to a stakes winner in action at Eagle Farm and a Tony McEvoy youngster on debut at Morphettville.

Rosehill Race 1, 11:40am AEST, ASX Refinitiv Charity Foundation Hcp, $125,000, 1200m

Honey Go Lightly (Wandjina) hasn't started since her debut in the G3 Gimcrack S. back in September, when she was well supported off a good trial but finished down the track. She has had a couple of trials headed into this run, winning the first and running third in the second and could be set to make an impression at huge odds in this race.

She was a $250,000 buy for her trainer Anthony Cummings at last year's Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale, the third most expensive first season yearling for her Newgate-based sire. She is out of the Group 3 winning mare Maslins Beach (Flying Spur), who has already left the stakes-placed Salmanazar (Encosta de Lago) and is a sister to the Group 1 winning 2-year-old Knowledge (Last Tycoon).

Honey Go Lightly as a yearling

Eagle Farm Race 2, 12:23pm AEST, Ascot Green QTIS Two-Years-Old Hcp, $75,000, 1200m

Nuclear Summit (Spirit Of Boom) has failed to show his best in his three starts to date, but looks to have put things together this campaign judging by his most recent trial, where he finished second. He heads north to Brisbane for trainer Gary Moore.

Nuclear Summit as a yearling

Moore's son James paid $150,000 for him at the 2018 Magic Millions. He is the full brother to the stakes-winning Ef Troop and a half brother to the two-time winner Muchas Coronas (Onemorenomore). That's the extended family of American stakes winners Topicount (USA) (Private Account {USA}), Winning Season (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid {USA}), Laguna Seca (USA) (Seattle Slew (USA)) and Joffe's Run (USA) (Giant's Causeway {USA}).

Morphettville Race 3, 1:51pm AEST, W H Benson Memorial Hcp, $30,000, 1050m

Tony McEvoy has had a huge week, including a haul of six winners at Murray Bridge on Wednesday and he looks well-poised to continue that at Morphettville this Saturday with his first starter Deep Force (Deep Field).

Deep Force as a yearling

Deep Force was a four-length winner over Free Of Debt (Unencumbered) at a recent Murray Bridge trial and he looks ready to give his trainer his 25th 2-year-old winner of the season.

He was a $80,000 Classic Sale buy for his trainer out of Kapala (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who has produced four winners already including the stakes-placed Kapset (Reset) and the handy Kapajack (Lonhro). Kapala is a half-sister to G1 Cox Plate winner Pinker Pinker (Reset).

2YO & 3YO Winners by Sire

ACT Race Results

Canberra (Country)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

VIC Race Results

Mildura (Country)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

QLD Race Results

Ipswich (Provincial)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

AUS Sire Premiership

AUS General Sires' Premiership

NZ Sire Premiership

NZ General Sires' Premiership

Thanks for reading!

1 min read

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Photography is largely supplied by The Image is Everything - Bronwen Healy and Darren Tindale, and complemented by Sportpix, Trish Dunell (NZ), Racing.com Photos and Western Racepix.