WA form proving reliable

Perth trainer Darren McAuliffe is chasing another Melbourne pot of gold with Gatting (Hard Spun {USA}), who steps out in Sunday’s G1 Underwood S. at Caulfield.

He produced the gelding for a boil-over win in G1 Makybe Diva S. at Flemington and believes Western Australia form has been under-valued.

"I don't think people realise how good some of these WA horses are," McAuliffe said.

"Scales Of Justice was second favourite the other day and he (Gatting) has given Scales Of Justice a hiding every time they've met and the same with Trap For Fools."

Safely through the Underwood, Gatting will run in the G1 Caulfield S. ahead of the G1 Cox Plate.

Hoping for repeat

Trainer Mark Newnham and jockey Tim Clark have a second Kennedy Oaks Trial at Flemington in their sights after success in last year’s edition with Greysful Glamour (Stratum).

Twelve months on and it’s her half-sister Celestial Falls (Hinchinbrook) their hopes rest with at Flemington on Wednesday.

"This is a good opportunity to give her a look around at Flemington at a good distance for her,” Newnham said. “Hopefully, we end up there on Oaks day."

Celestial Falls has won once from four appearances and confirmed her trip to Victoria with a last-start second on the Kensington track.

Son of a gun strikes

Campbell Rawiller is on the board after riding his first winner at Moe on Tuesday.

The son of champion jockey Nash was successful aboard the Cameron Templeton-trained Girl On A Train (Bullet Train {GB}) in a BM58 event over 1628 metres.

Girl On A Train jumped from the outside barrier in the field of 12 and swept down the outside under to register result at 30-1.

Rawiller thanked his employer Logan McGill and his family in a post-race interview for all the support he had received.

Import to have Cup lead-up

Raheen House (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is likely to have one lead-up run in Australia before the G1 Melbourne Cup.

Trainer William Haggas has tagged the G1 Caulfield Cup on October 19 as his preferred target for the gelding with the G3 Geelong Cup the other option.

The 5-year-old, one of just two horses to have beaten dual G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), finished down the field in his most recent start in last month's Ebor at York but he had previously been placed in both Listed and Group company.

"I think he is going to run in the Caulfield Cup if he gets in. If he doesn't get in he would probably go for the Geelong Cup,” Haggas said.

Australian Bloodstock bought a controlling share in Raheen House before the Ebor.

Top mare on market

Multiple Group 1 winner Separationofpowers (USA) (Candy Ride {Arg}) will be offered at Fasig-Tipton November’s Night of the Stars on November 4, consigned by Elite Sales.

Campaigned throughout her career by Seth Klarman’s Klaravich Stables and trainer Chad Brown, she won the G1 Frizette S. as a juvenile in 2017 and the G1 Longines Test S. last summer at three.

“Separationofpowers’s debut victory in Saratoga was the most impressive performance of any first-time starter I have ever trained,” Brown said. “She is a brilliantly fast horse with a ton of class and natural ability.”

New Inglis role

Bonnie Connellan has been appointed to the new role of Chief Digital Officer (CDO) for the Inglis Group of companies.

Her focus will be to further develop and implement the company’s digital growth strategy, optimising current digital investments and creating new business opportunities locally and overseas. She will also join the Ardex Technology Board and assist with the growth of that enterprise.

“Bonnie joined Inglis in 2012 and has served in a number of marketing related roles, most recently as Chief Commercial Officer where she has been instrumental in building the Inglis brand and customer base globally, developing the Inglis Race Series and assisting with the successful transition from Randwick to Riverside,’’ Managing Director Mark Webster said.

“An important part of this new role is providing innovation leadership across the Inglis group of companies, encouraging and influencing others to embrace opportunities that come from being a digital leader and I think Bonnie will excel in this role.’’

As a result of the move, Sebastian Hutch will have the scope of his role expanded with a new title of General Manager Bloodstock Sales and Marketing.

Homesman Underwood fancy

Homesman (USA) (War Front {USA}) is the early favourite to defend his G1 Underwood S. at Caulfield.

The Lloyd Williams-owned galloper, who made a winning start to his spring campaign in the G2 Feehan S., leads the market at $2.80 for Sunday’s feature.

He is one of 11 Group 1 winners among the entries including last-start Makybe Diva S. upsetter Gatting (Hard Spun {USA}).

Sunday's meeting also features the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude for 3-year-old fillies, which has attracted 25 nominations and the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude for 3-year-old colts and geldings, which has 24.

Selica impresses

Well-related private purchase Selica (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) was a strong debut winner at Moe on Tuesday for Cranbourne trainer Mick Kent

The 3-year-old is a half-sister to Group 1 performer Wyndspelle (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and comes from the same family as G1 Doncaster H. winner Brutal (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).

Entered for both the G1 Thousand Guineas and G1 VRC Oaks this spring, Selica had trialled twice in New Zealand for trainer Cody Cole being sold to Australia via bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo.

“At her first trial she ran second to Saone at Cambridge and she found the line well and then she won really well at the Te Aroha trials a few weeks after that,” Cataldo said. “She pulled up a little bit shin sore so Cody decided to stop on her and that’s when I sold her to Mick Kent and OTI.”

Easier assignment

Tony Gollan will drop Zoustyle (Zoustar) back in grade after he tailed the field home in the G3 Concorde S. at Randwick.

"He is down at Flemington and did a bit of work last week. He seems to be coming along nicely and he will run in the Listed Testa Rossa at Caulfield on Sunday," he said.

Stablemates Niedorp (Not A Single Doubt) and Vincere Volare (I Am Invincible) will head to The Valley on Friday night for the G3 Scarborough S.

"Niedorp was good when fifth at her first try at the Flemington straight last start and I hope Vincere Volare gets out of the barriers better than she did in the same race," Gollan said.

Extra trip key

Group 1 winner Volpe Veloce (Foxwedge) will most likely contest Saturday’s G2 Shannon S. at Rosehill, with the 6-year-old to step up in distance after only beating one runner home in the G2 Theo Marks S. at the same track a fortnight ago.

Trainer Graham Richardson believes the mare will benefit immensely from her fresh-up run, in which she ran into Western Australian star Acadia Queen (Pierro).

“Initially I was disappointed, but they ran way too quick for her and it was only over 1300 metres,” he said. “She actually got in among them and she didn’t like that. She’s going to have blinkers on this weekend.

“She still ran the fourth quickest last furlong of all the horses in the field. She tried hard and had a decent blow and she will definitely improve.”

Princess chasing Railway

A return to the G1 Sistema Railway at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day remains the primary focus for Princess Kereru (NZ) (Pins) this season.

The daughter of Pins was beaten by a neck in the opening Group 1 of the year and trainers Ken and Bev Kelso would dearly love to go one better this term.

Princess Kereru will resume in the G3 Sweynesse S. at Rotorua next month, but will likely have one more blow-out before that initial assignment.

“She’ll probably have an exhibition gallop at Matamata on October 10 between races and then she’ll kick off in the Sweynesse,” Kelso said. “She won the same day there last year so it’s an obvious kick-off point.”