RA to discuss Code of Conduct for bloodstock industry

Racing Australia will discuss a possible tightening of regulation surrounding the breeding and bloodstock aspects of the thoroughbred industry, including the establishment of an overarching Code of Conduct, at next week's board meeting.

A leaked report from the British Horseracing Authority, recently called for increased regulation in the British thoroughbred industry to reduce the amount of 'unethical and 'unlawful' activities which occur.

Racing Australia chairman Greg Nichols said, it was timely in the wake of the BHA Report that the Australian industry also take a look at how the commercial aspect of the business was being conducted.

"The integrity of the commercial transactions of the sport, I think that's just as vital as the integrity of the competition of our sport," Nichols told RSN.

"(The British Report) will form a discussion point (at the RA board meeting) next week as to what Australian racing can do, as to ensure there is public confidence in the commercial transactions within the sport."

"I certainly believe there is a responsibility of every party to protect the good reputation of thoroughbred racing and breeding."

Nichols said he believed that Racing Australia was the right body to oversee the establishment of any Code of Conduct, with the first step to establish if it was needed in the first place.

"The second step could be a stronger Code Of Conduct with our bloodstock fraternity. That's a discussion we need to have not only with bloodstock agents, but with Magic Millions and Inglis, two world class selling organisations," he said.

"I’d see it as an issue which could be the catalyst to a more stringent regulatory platform and that can only be good because that will instil public confidence that when people invest in our sport, there is no shenanigans going on."

Lys Gracieux set for Cox Plate

The 2019 Cox Plate will have at least one Japanese runner with the confirmation that the connections of Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) have accepted an invite for the $5 million race.

The participation of the G1 Takarazuka Kinen winner was placed in doubt because she had raced in Hong Kong in April, which meant she would not be able to serve the mandatory 6-month quarantine break for a horse that arrives in Australia from Hong Kong via a third country.

Racing Victoria sought a special circumstances exemption for the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture (DA) and received that on Wednesday, paving the way for Lys Gracieux to take her place, where she will race for a $2 million bonus.

“This decision is a vote of confidence in the Werribee International Horse Centre, our industry-owned quarantine facility for thoroughbred racehorses in training, and the approved pre-export quarantine facilities in Japan," RV's general manager – International and Racing Operations, Paul Bloodworth, said.

“This decision paves the way for the connections of Lys Gracieux to accept an invitation to compete in the Cox Plate, and I’m pleased to announce that the mare’s connections have accepted their invitation overnight.”

Kluger (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), also owned by Carrot Farm, is also likely to take his place in the Cox Plate.

Tatts Books 2-4 Online

The catalogues for Books 2, 3 and 4 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale are now online. Held from Oct. 14-16, Book 2 contains 790 yearlings, while Book 3, conducted on Oct. 17-18, features 605 lots spread out over two days. The Oct. 19 Book 4 has 137 yearlings set to sell. Flying the flag on the racecourse, Book 2 graduates include Ten Sovereigns (Ire) and Battaash (Ire).

Among the lots of note is lot 1039, a Golden Horn (GB) half-brother to Classic heroine Sea of Class (Ire) and a full-brother to young sire Belardo (Ire) (lot 899). The half-brother to 2017 G1 Melbourne Cup hero Rekindling (GB) (lot 596) hailing from Stringston Farm by Toronado (Ire) should also attract plenty of attention.

Bossy looks to end 23-year Rowley drought

Jockey Glen Boss is looking for a second success in the Listed Polytrack Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury, 23 years after his first.

Boss rides Love Shack Baby (All Too Hard) for David Pfieffer in the race on Thursday looking to add to his win aboard Headstrong (Archregent {Can}) for Clarry Conners back in 1996.

“I hadn’t long moved to Sydney from Queensland when I won that Rowley Mile,” Boss told Racing NSW. “It would be nice to do it again tomorrow.”

“Obviously, it’s a step up in class tomorrow, but Love Shack Baby is racing well and comes in on the minimum (54kg) even though he went up eight benchmark points for his Coffs (Harbour Cup) win.”

“He is tough and you know he is such a consistent horse that he is going to give punters who back him a good run for their money."

Rudolph steps down at Hawkesbury

Hawkesbury Race Club CEO Greg Rudolph has resigned after three and a half years in the role.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my tenure as CEO of the Hawkesbury Race Club, which continues to go from strength to strength,” the former Racing NSW steward said.

"The club has continually improved to deliver high quality race days and events and I have been honoured to lead a team that has achieved those standards."

“The time is right for me to complete my business studies and to put some more time into other positions I hold, in charity fields, for example."

“I wish Hawkesbury Race Club continued success, as they embark on another exciting chapter and look forward to continue working with them in the short term. Strategically, we have implemented a number of initiatives in the last few years and it is pleasing to see them come to fruition.”

Shalaa Tops V2 Sale

Deauville’s August yearling sales came to a close with positive returns across many of the indices, with a filly by Shalaa (Ire) (lot 393) topping Tuesday’s session at €135,000 (AUD$221,000).

“We already have a filly by Shalaa at the stud, and he’s a stallion that we believe in–the mating is one that we like a lot,” said Alec Waugh.

A No Nay Never (USA) filly (lot 423) was knocked down for €120,000 (AUD$196,000) to the bid of Nicolas de Watrigant of Mandore International Agency for Middleham Park Racing. Laurent Benoit of Broadhurst Agency added a colt by the same sire (lot 433) and he, too, hammered at €120,000.

Baker and Forsman eye spring riches

Leading New Zealand trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, are already eyeing plundering the early spring riches in Australia with a couple of improving 3-year-olds.

Baker and Forsman will target stakes-winning pair Quick Thinker (So You Think {NZ}) and Rhaegar (Pluck {USA}), at the G3 Ming Dynasty S, at Rosehill on Saturday week as a kick off point for a campaign aimed at securing some major victories in key 3-year-old staying races.

"They have got to prove they are up to the class, but we have got to give them their chance," Baker said.

“We think they are both staying horses and when they get out to a mile and beyond, they should be at their best."

“I think the New Zealand horses have proven over the decades they can stay and if they measure up, they’re a chance to get some of it.”

“If they’re up to the class they will step through the three-year-old colts races which culminates in the (G3) Gloaming and the (G1) Spring Champion S."

Early promise from Vespa's 2YOs

The early signs are promising for the first crop of Wellfield Stud stallion Vespa (NZ), who had trial winners at Te Rapa and Foxton this week.

Vespa was New Zealand’s Champion 2-year-old, winning the G1 Diamond S. and Karaka Million for Johno Benner, who had his 2-year-old Piaggio (NZ) win a 600m trial by five lengths on Tuesday.

"He’s a neat tidy horse with a fair bit of ability,” Benner, who now trains with Hollie Wynyard, said. “He looks like his sire and wouldn’t it be nice if he turned out to be as good as him.”

The other winner was at Te Rapa by an as-yet unnamed filly, trained by Stephen Autridge out of Street Cry (Ire) mare Langara.