Sunlight’s rider cautious

Jockey Luke Currie believes Sunlight (Zoustar) will be all the better for her outing in the G3 Concorde S. at Randwick.

Currie has a successful association with the mare having been aboard in eight of her 10 wins, including the Magic Millions Classic along with the G1 Coolmore Stud S. and the G1 William Reid S.

“She's going well but I wouldn't say she's at her best yet," Currie said. "There's still a long way to go until The Everest and she's not fully wound up.

"She's trialled really well, but I thought in her last trial she needed that a little bit and she'll probably need the day out on Saturday. I'm not saying she can't win, but she'll be better for the run."

Hayes on football duty

Lindsay Park head trainer David Hayes will be watching his son Will in his first AFL final when the Western Bulldogs meet Greater Western Sydney Giants at Giants Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

He will instead leave the stable’s commitments at The Valley to eldest son Ben and nephew Tom Dabernig.

Will was a late pick in last season's draft by the Western Bulldogs after a successful season in the VFL side.

"I encouraged him to hang in there," Hayes said. "I'd watched him a lot and I thought he had what it takes. He's worked hard as it was his dream to play in the AFL.”

Blinkers off

Trainer Kris Lees has taken the headgear off Graff (Star Witness) and admits that could backfire in the G3 Concorde S. at Randwick.

Graff has worn blinkers in each of his nine starts, but unhappy with the horse's racing manners last campaign, Lees has made the tough call change.

"He just raced a bit fierce last preparation and we're undecided what distance he'll get out to, so I just want him to relax a little better," Lees said.

"Possibly it'll be detrimental on Saturday, but I think long term it's the right thing."

Strong hand

Chris Anderson and Robert Heathcote has split its three stayers, but will still have a strong hand in the Open H. over 1600 metres at Eagle Farm.

The stable accepted on Saturday with Kubis (Love Conquers All), Ingeegoodbe (Domesday) and Zafonic Dancer (Zoffany {Ire}), who are all second-up after resuming at Eagle Farm three weeks ago.

Anderson and Heathcote has also accepted with Ruling Dynasty (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}), who is coming back in distance after running fourth over 1800 metres at the Gold Coast two weeks ago.

However, Zafonic Dancer has been scratched from the Open to run in a benchmark race also over 1600 metres.

Heathcote said all four horses were being set for a spring series of staying races.

"Kubis, Ingeegoodbe and Zafonic Dancer all resumed in the one race at Eagle Farm and they all pleased us with their efforts.”

Stocks goal

Australian-bound mare Rondinella (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) will open her campaign at Ellerslie in Saturday’s Celebrating Melody Belle H.

“We originally were going to head straight to Australia, but a couple of targets over there were just coming up a bit quick,” co-trainer Robert Wellwood said.

“We kicked to touch to go to Ellerslie. It’s not ideal being a heavy track, but she has got a good base of fitness, so it’s not going to hurt her.”

Rondinella’s Australian campaign is not yet set in stone, but it is likely to include the G2 W H Stocks S. first-up at Moonee Valley later this month.

“We will take it step-by-step, but more than likely she will pop over the ditch after this start,” Wellwood said.

Telegraph target

Last season’s New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Emily Margaret (NZ) (Pins) will kick-off her season in the gavelhouse.com Open H. at Riccarton on Saturday.

The Kevin and Pam Hughes-trained mare won four of her 11 starts last term, including the Listed Canterbury Belle S., Listed NZB Insurance S. and the G2 Wellington Guineas.

“I was very pleased with her last season,” Kevin Hughes said. “She was very brave and getting that Group 2 was the icing on the cake. To win Filly of the Year down here too was great. She did very well.”

Hughes is eyeing a return to Trentham with Emily Margaret this season for the G1 JR & N Telegraph in January.

Midnight Bisou to sell at FT November

Midnight Bisou (USA) (Midnight Lute {USA}), the five-time Grade 1 winner and 11-time graded stakes winner, will be offered at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale’s Night of the Stars on November 4, according to a press release issued by Elite Sales, who will consign the filly.

Campaigned by Bloom Racing, Madaket Stables, and Allen Racing, the 4-year-old Midnight Bisou is currently undefeated in six starts in 2019 and has never finished off the board in 17 career outings while earning US$3,245,000 (AU$4,759,797).

“Midnight Bisou has truly been a dream come true for me, my family, and our partners,” said Bloom. “She exemplifies class, beauty, and elegance, and she consistently displays unrivaled determination and dominance on the racetrack.

“She has an incredibly intelligent eye and confident presence, combined with an engaging and warm personality. She has taken us all on the ride of a lifetime and has forever changed our lives.”