Nunthorpe next for Houtzen

Australian mare Houtzen (I Am Invincible) is set to tackle another major British sprint feature in Friday’s G1 Nunthorpe S. at York.

A multiple Group winner in Australia for trainer Toby Edmonds, Houtzen finished eighth in the G1 King’s Stand S. at Royal Ascot in June.

Transferred into the stable of British trainer Martyn Meade by owners Aquis Farm, she then finished second in the G2 King George S. at Goodwood.

If connections pay a late-entry fee for the Nunthorpe, Houtzen will be set for a rematch with her King George conqueror Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).

Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}), a candidate for Coolmore's slot in the $14 million Everest, has also been confirmed as a Nunthorpe runner.

The three-year-old was once thought of as a classic contender but has emerged as a star since the Aidan O'Brien stable switched him to shorter distances, winning last month’s G1 July Cup at Newmarket.

Coolmore is one of four Everest slot-holders yet to confirm its runner in the race.

Griffiths resting after surgery

Australian Trainers' Association President Robbie Griffiths is resting comfortably after undergoing a longer-than-expected operation on a brain aneurysm.

A family statement issued through the ATA said Griffiths had undergone a four-hour operation on Saturday, with the degree of difficulty greater than first anticipated, but he had come through the operation well.

Griffiths is expected to remain in hospital for up to 10 days before beginning an extended period of rest.

He is expected to make a full recovery and return to work at his Cranbourne stable within the next six weeks.

Griffiths' wife Shiranee and daughter Madison have expressed their appreciation for the support they have received from family, friends, staff and colleagues.

Santa Ana Lane set for trial

Everest preparations will step up for Santa Ana Lane (Lope De Vega {Ire}) when the star sprinter steps out in a barrier trial at Cranbourne.

The Anthony Freedman-trained Santa Ana Lane makes his first public appearance since his fourth in the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize in Hong Kong in late April when he runs in an 800m heat on Monday.

"He will need a nice hit-out but he won't be pushed around at all," Freedman's son and assistant trainer, Sam Freedman, said. "We'll just ride him quiet and let him work home under his own steam.

“We'll just expect him to float around and the ground will probably be testing so we won't want to give him too hard a time.

"But he's in really good order. He's coming to hand fairly quickly for the amount of work we've given him.

"He's just been coming along nicely. We've still got a long time until The Everest and his first-up assignment is not for another month."

The plan is to give the multiple Group 1 winner two trials before he resumes in the G2 Shorts at Randwick on September 21.

The Candy Man on track

Eagle Farm trainer Barry Baldwin is more than happy with The Candy Man (Casino Prince) after his first appearance since a spell in a barrier trial.

The Candy Man ran last in an 840m heat won by the unbeaten Zoustyle (Zoustar) at Doomben last Tuesday.

Zoustyle put nine lengths on the runner-up in the trial, but Baldwin was not concerned and said he was happy with The Candy Man, who won seven races in a row before being unplaced in the Brisbane Cup in June.

"Zoustyle is probably the best horse in Queensland and I wouldn't be surprised if he was a top performer in Sydney this spring," Baldwin said. "The Candy Man got beaten three lengths by the second horse, so his trial was good.

"It was mainly to make certain that he hadn't got back to his old habit of standing in the barriers, but he jumped fine, so that was one worry out of the way."

The Candy Man will resume in an open handicap over 1200m at Eagle Farm on September 7.

"I am also hoping to give him a jump-out before then, so he should be ready for the race. That gives him about 12 days to the Cameron H. at Newcastle," Baldwin said.

"From there hopefully will be able to tackle the Epsom H. at Randwick a fortnight later."

Stewards frustrated at inquiry delay

Queensland's chief steward Peter Chadwick admits he is becoming frustrated in his attempts to finalise an inquiry into the Queensland Derby fall more than two months ago.

Dual Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Corey Brown suffered serious injuries when Lord Arthur (Camelot {GB}) fell at the 300m mark in the Derby at Eagle Farm on June 8.

Brown suffered injuries to his spine, ribs and lungs and will be out of the saddle for at least another 12 months.

New Zealand-trained Lord Arthur, a stakes-winning half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) was euthanised.

An inquiry was opened, with evidence taken from several jockeys, and then adjourned until a time when Brown was fit to attend.

Brown and fellow jockeys Tommy Berry, Matt McGillivray and Tim Clark are expected to give evidence at the resumed inquiry. There has been a delay with getting all four jockeys together at the one time.

Chadwick said stewards were obviously keen to resolve the issues around the fall but had hit numerous hurdles.

"The best way to describe it is a logistical nightmare, but we are determined to get it done," he said.

Another long lay-off for Benbow

Jockey Jason Benbow cannot believe how two seemingly innocuous falls have put him on the sidelines for extended periods.

A trackwork fall at Caulfield in March last year left Benbow with a fracture to the T6 vertebra and he spent several months on the sidelines, while a fall at Sale in May has put him out until at least the end of this year.

Benbow fractured a bone in his ankle and seven bones in his foot.

"Unfortunately, for a harmless fall, it's classified as a serious injury," Benbow said. "To me it's just a foot injury, but it's proving to be difficult and a long and lengthy process on the road to recovery."

Benbow has three plates and 15 screws in his foot and requires an operation to remove those before he can ride again.

Doctors want the "metal" to stay in place for six months before removing it, after which Benbow can start making a move towards a comeback.

Taupo trial for Rondinella

Group 1 performer Rondinella (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) will build towards a new campaign with a trial over 1100m at Taupo on Wednesday.

The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained mare won three races last season, then stepped up to stakes level and finished second in the Listed Kaimai S. at Matamata, third in the G1 New Zealand S. at Ellerslie and third in the G1 Tancred S. at Rosehill. Her last start was a fourth placing in the Sydney Cup.

“I am pleased with how she is shaping up so far, but the trial will give me a better guide on where she is at and what we need to do to get her ready for her first start this time in,” James said.

“She had a good break after her efforts in Sydney and seems to have strengthened up even further for this preparation, which is a very good sign.

“She went from a one-race winner to competing at Group 1 level in Australia in her last campaign, so she came a long way in a short time.

“If she can make the necessary improvement, then she could be in for quite a season as I believe her potential is relatively untapped.

“She finished in the money in her last three starts on wet tracks, which weren’t really to her liking, so to do what she did was quite remarkable.

“She is likely to go straight to Melbourne for her first-up run, which could be either in the Memsie S. or at Moonee Valley a week later.

“She holds a nomination for the Cox Plate, while the Caulfield Cup is also an option, although I think she will be suited to a fast-run 2000m on a good track.”