Another dark day

Australian racing has suffered further tragedy with the death of another jockey following a fall at Fannie Bay racecourse.

The fallen rider was rushed to Royal Darwin Hospital, but passed away from injuries sustained in the fall.

It follows the death of apprentice jockey Mikaela Claridge, who lost her life after a fall in trackwork at Cranbourne on Friday.

Jockeys in Sydney and Brisbane paid tribute on Saturday to her with riders wearing armbands in the second race at Saturday's Rosehill meeting and jockey Tim Clark, who won the race on Wimlah (Sebring), said Claridge's death put everything else in perspective.

"It was obviously a tragic incident yesterday. I don't think many of us guys here knew her, but it is still very sad and our condolences go out to her family. It puts things in perspective."

The president of the Queensland branch of the Australian Jockeys' Association, Glenn Prentice, said Queensland jockeys had been keen to pay tribute to Claridge in some form.

"When we were told her family had given the okay for all jockeys to wear black armbands in the second race we of course joined in. Jockeys are a united bunch and it hits everyone hard when something like this happens."

Ambitious plans

Co-trainer David Hayes has major spring plans for his imported staying prospect Super Titus (GB) (Dansili {GB}).

The 6-year-old produced a gallant second-up display at Caulfield to open his Australian account with victory in the Listed ZircoDATA Heatherlie S.

“A stakes win should be enough to get him in the Naturalism and then the Bart Cummings,” Hayes said. “We hope to get him in the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup with no weight at all.

“We think he will only get better as the races get longer.”

Rain a blessing

Wu Gok (Sebring) revelled in the heavy Rosehill ground for the first stakes win of his career.

One of seven Chris Waller-trained horses in the 10-horse field for the G3 Premier's Cup, the 6-year-old accounted for his Come Play With Me (Blackfriars).

"He has been a fantastic horse through the winter," Waller said. "It was a good win, a well-deserved win for him and he might head to Wyong on Friday for the Cup as well to have another race before he goes out for a well-earned break."

Wu Gok was ridden by Tommy Berry, who is going head to head with Tim Clark and Nash Rawiller at the top of Sydney jockeys’ premiership.

"I rode him last start and I said to Chris we just need a track with a bit of sting out of it again," Berry said. "He was very well-placed down in the weights.”

Dream comeback

Crystal Dreamer (Stratum) made a glorious comeback from injury to claim the G3 Everest Series The Heath at Caulfield.

The 7-year-old Crystal Dreamer had been off the scene for a year due to a suspensory issue an defied his $41 starting price.

"He's coming back off an injury and you're just hoping they can get through in one piece. We probably didn't think this was his day, but he had certainly prepped up well for the run," co-trainer Mat Ellerton said.

"The horse was super and he trialled really well last week.”

Let’s Elope for mare

My Pendant (NZ) (Pins) will be given her chance at black type following her latest success.

Bred and raced by Waikato Stud, the 4-year-old was a smart winner of the Clanbrooke Racing H. at Caulfield, her fifth success from nine appearances.

“She’s going really well and is ready to step up in grade,” trainer Danny O’Brien said. “She’ll go to the Let’s Elope S. in a fortnight next.”

My Pendant was settled at the back of the field by rider Damien Oliver and he angled her wide at the top of the straight.

“She likes a patient ride and she’s got a good finish once balanced,” he said. “When the gap opened up she really exploded through.”

Catalyst for Guineas

The G2 Sacred Falls Hawke’s Bay Guineas is the next stop for the talented Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).

He opened his 3-year-old season in fine style on the opening day of the carnival at Hawke’s Bay with a blistering win in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy.

“We drew wide and he bounced out and put himself right there and showed a good turn of foot,” winning jockey Troy Harris said. “He reminds me of his old man, I rode him a bit in trackwork.”

Catalyst is trained by Clayton Chipperfield for Dick Karreman’s The Oaks Stud, who bred the gelding.

“He’s a class horse. We’ll come back here for the Guineas and throw in a nomination for the 2000 Guineas,” Chipperfield said.

Vigor a winner

Exciting 4-year-old Vigor Winner (Declaration Of War {USA}) has earned himself a shot at the G1 Windsor Park Plate at Hastings following his lower grade win there on Saturday.

The Cambridge gelding was making his first appearance in the Heart Of Hawke’s Bay H. since an unplaced run in the G2 Queensland Guineas and was a dominant winner in the hands of apprentice Charlotte O’Beirne.

“He’s a very, very smart horse and I was just lucky to ride him,” she said.

Vigor Winner has now won four of his seven starts for part-owner and trainer Lauren Brennan and was a NZ $50,000 NZB Ready to Run Sale purchase when offered by Regal Farm.

Death of leading vet

Pioneering Irish veterinarian Stan Cosgrove, who looked after and was a shareholder in the kidnapped Shergar (GB) (Great Nephew {GB}), has died aged 91.

Cosgrove led the way in veterinary surgery and was internationally renowned for his work with racehorses as well as his lasting connection with Moyglare Stud.

He joined Moyglare as its vet when Walter Haefner bought the County Kildare property in 1962 and became manager nine years later.

Among the other famous horses he looked after was the Dermot Weld-trained Media Puzzle (USA) (Theatrical {Ire}), winner of the 2002 Melbourne Cup.

As well as being vet to Shergar, Cosgrove played a role in the ultimately fruitless negotiations with the kidnappers who stole the horse from the Aga Khan's Ballymany Stud in 1983.

Mogul Excels At The Curragh

Building on an easy introduction at Gowran, Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) who had caused such a stir as a 3,400,000gns yearling at Tattersalls October Book 1 was in dominant mood at The Curragh on Friday.

Well-supported into 8-13 for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden over a mile, the full-brother to Japan (GB) was sharply into stride and led from the outset. Sent through the gears from three out, the bay was safely clear entering the final furlong and stayed on powerfully to score by 3.25l.

“He obviously has a great pedigree, he’s a big strong boy and he’s a lovely horse,” commented Aidan O’Brien, whose debutante Noble Prize (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a full-brother to Highland Reel (Ire), was never a factor and finished ninth. “He travelled and was very smooth through the whole race. I was very happy with him.”