Akeed Mofeed breaks through
Assertive Approach has credited his Swettenham Stud-based sire Akeed Mofeed (GB) with his first black type winner.
The John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes-trained 3-year-old made all the running to win the Listed TAB Lightning S. at Morphettville under a smart ride from Todd Pannell.
The progressive Assertive Approach, who is raced by breeder Goldin Farms, has now stretched his unbeaten run to three following previous successes at Bendigo and Sandown.
Assertive Approach
Filly holds winning form
Progressive 3-year-old Benitoite (Epaulette) continued her march through the grades with another victory at Caulfield.
The Clinton McDonald-trained filly has now been successful in four of her last six starts after success in Saturday's Jenna Ross VOBIS Gold Reef.
While the temptation would be to send Benitoite for a spell, rider Damien Oliver said providing she pulled-up well he would be recommending she raced on.
"Clinton's done a great job with her to win four races in her first prep, taking her from a maiden to winning a couple in town," Oliver said. "I think they should continue with her, get another one out of her at the distance before all the good ones get up to the trip."
Aclaim staying put
A foot issue will prevent G1 Prix de la Foret winner Aclaim (Ire) from shuttling from England to Aquis’ Canungra operation this year.
“Since he’s stopped covering we have been working to resolve it,” National Stud director Tim Lane said. “These efforts have taken longer than we envisaged and are still ongoing.
“Frustratingly, it’s a simple issue that will resolve itself in due course, but unfortunately time isn’t on our side.
“Therefore, a decision has been made in the best interests of the horse not to travel him to Queensland for the Southern Hemisphere season this year.”
Racing future in balance
Foxy Housewife (Foxwedge) put up an argument to extend her racing career with a victory in the Pro It S. at Rosehill for new trainer Joe Pride.
Owned by BK Thoroughbreds, Foxy Housewife remained in Sydney after her recent unplaced effort in the Listed Winter Stakes for Sunshine Coast trainer David Vandyke.
Foxy Housewife
"I haven't had to do anything but keep her ticking over for 13 days," Pride said. "She came to me in great order from David and I couldn't believe her price.
"She was only a couple of lengths from Eckstein a couple of weeks ago and she is a Group 1 performer. The owners will decide whether she goes to stud in the new season or whether she keeps racing."
Tough customer
Successful in the first 2-year-old race of the season in September, Sai Fah (NZ) (Rios {NZ}) proved his durability when he took out the season’s final black-type feature, the Listed Courtesy Ford Ryder S. at Otaki.
The Stephen Marsh-trained galloper had indicated he was in fine fettle when successful over 1100 metres at Te Rapa last weekend.
Champion jockey Lisa Allpress rode Sai Fah and posted her 1500th New Zealand career victory aboard the colt.
“That’s pretty special, although numbers are just a thing as I’m out there to win every race I go in, a stakes race is always a little bit more special,” Allpress said.
Trainer in a quandary
Trainer Dan Bougoure is unsure what the immediate future holds for his promising filly Ginger Rock (Rothesay).
She was successful in Saturday’s Ascot Green H. at Eagle Farm off the back of a debut third at the Sunshine Coast.
"I will have to have a good think because I reckon she has plenty of potential,” Bogoure said. “Do we keep chasing QTIS bonus money or do I put her aside for the Magic Millions carnival next year?”
Up for sale
Manaya (Hinchinbrook) is on the market and added to her value with further success at Eagle Farm.
The well-related mare came back from stakes company to win the Workforce Success Open H.
Trainer Michael Costa said if the owners didn't get a good offer the mare would race on for another season.
Michael Costa would like to have Manaya to race on
"I would like to have her race on, but she won a stakes race as a 2-year-old and she is half-sister to a top horse in Hot Danish so I would imagine she will bring a big price.”
Schillaci conditions
The Melbourne Racing Club has disclosed the conditions regarding its slot in the $14 million TAB Everest, which will be offered to the winner of the G2 Schillaci S. at Caulfield.
Having secured a slot in this year's Everest at Randwick after completing a deal with the Australian Turf Club, the MRC announced the Schillaci at Caulfield on October 12 would be a win and you're in race for The Everest.
If there is a dead-heat the slot will be offered to the horse with the higher handicap rating before the race. Should horses involved in a dead heat have the same rating, the slot will be offered to the horse to have won the highest aggregate prize money in the preceding 12 months.
If the Schillaci winner does not accept the slot for any reason, it will be offered to the runner-up.
Further honour
Dual Hong Kong Horse of The Year Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road To Rock) has been named the Horse of the Year at the Cathay Pacific Group 1 Awards Dinner, hosted by the Waikato branch of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.
Bred by Greg Tomlinson’s Nearco Stud, the 6-year-old was undefeated this season, recording a Hong Kong record of eight wins this term, four of those at Group 1 level.
Beauty Generation (NZ) has been named the Horse of the Year
“He’s quite amazing and at the moment he could be one of the better horses to come out of New Zealand for some time, which is great for New Zealand and the breeding economy,” he said.
Staying future
Group performer Art Deco (NZ) (Road To Rock) has won eight races up to 1600 metres and trainer Allan Sharrock is confident she can add to her record this preparation over middle distances.
“She’s a 2000 metre mare, but on better ground so we’ll plot a quiet path toward that as the tracks improve,” he said.
Art Deco returned to winning form at Otaki on Saturday, coming from the back of the field to score with ease over 1200 metres in the Courtesy Ford Open H.
