High prices in Paris

Peter Brant was busy at the Arqana Arc sale on Saturday evening in Paris shopping for future prospects, buying progressive 3-year-old colt Flop Shot (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) (Lot 21). Brant, seated alongside advisor Michel Zerolo of Oceanic Bloodstock, had to see off a formidable opponent in Emmanuel de Seroux to secure the Wertheimer homebred, but he at last proved victorious at €850,000 (AU$1.378 million).

De Seroux gained consolation just a few minutes later when prevailing at €710,000 (AU$1.15 million) for Lot 25, the 2-year-old colt Chares (Ger) (Ivawood {GB}). De Seroux, who had to see off the likes of Alastair Donald for the unbeaten listed winner, was working on behalf of Hong Kong-based agent Dennis Loh.

Former Moonee Valley Racing Club Chairman Robert Scarborough enjoyed Classic success in Britain this year having bred G1 2000 Guineas winner Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), and Scarborough will see his silks in action at ParisLongchamp on Sunday, having bought G1 Prix de l’Opera contender Cartiem (Fr) (Cape Cross {Ire}) (Lot 19) for €750,000 (AU$1.21 million) with Arqana’s Freddy Powell conducting the bidding and signing Belmont Bloodstock to the ticket.

A total of €6.3 million (AU$10.22 million) was accrued over two hours for the 25 sold, up from €4,318,000 (AU$7 million) 12 months ago.

Everest on Brutal's radar

Team Hawkes is warming to Brutal (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}) tackling the $14 million The TAB Everest on October 19.

Brutal won the G2 Premiere S. on Saturday, his first run back since winning the G1 Doncaster Mile, and The Everest is suddenly on the radar according to managing owner Rupert Legh.

“The Everest was never highly on the radar for us, the Golden Eagle was always the race," Legh told Racenet.

“But if he is going to run Saturday week in a 1200 metre race at Randwick, which race would you run in, The Everest or the Sydney Stakes? One is worth $14 million, the other is worth $500,000, and they are the same distance, the same track, the same day.

“If you asked John Hawkes a month ago, he would have said no to The Everest but today he is much more receptive to it."

Melbourne decision for Te Akau pair

Trainer Jamie Richards has said a trip to Melbourne for star pair Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) and Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) will be decided upon in the next couple of days.

Te Akau Shark was just beaten in the G1 Epsom H. on Saturday, while Melody Belle notched her ninth Group 1 win in the Livamol Classic to complete the Hawke's Bay Triple Crown.

Both are nominated for the G1 Cox Plate, but Richards said a decision will be made after discussions with Te Akau principal David Ellis.

“There has been plenty of speculation about races like the Cox Plate for both Melody Belle and Te Akau Shark but realistically there are a number of suitable races in Melbourne for us to look at," he said.

“I think the way Te Akau Shark finished off in the Epsom, a step up to 2000 metres won’t be a problem so that opens a number of avenues for him while the same applies to Melody Belle. We’d certainly like to take them down there and show them off.”

Richards only arrived back in New Zealand on Sunday morning having watched Te Akau Shark and Probabeel (Savabeel) finish second in Group 1 races at Randwick.

Groundswell builds for Guineas

The Freedman stable are confident that $2.3 million colt Groundswell (Fastnet Rock) can live up to both his pricetag and his pedigree and be a genuine threat in next Saturday's G1 Caulfield Guineas.

Groundswell will be having just his fourth start in the Group 1 feature but having run third in his first shot at stakes company last start in the G3 Guineas Prelude, assistant trainer Sam Freedman believes he can handle the step up.

"He took that step from his second to third start and improved massively and he's improving again now so he's the one I’d have the highest hopes for,” Freedman said.

“He is a really good colt and he is going to be a really nice horse. It will be his fourth start so it's all coming up really soon for him.

“But Shoals (his full sister) took those steps really quickly so the family can do it."

Groundswell was the sale topper at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and was purchased by a syndicate involving Pinecliff Racing, Arrowfield Pastoral, Ozzie Kheir, John O'Neill and Musk Creek Farm.

Surprise call on hold

The Melbourne Cup ride aboard Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) is likely to be determined by whether he receives a penalty for his win in Saturday's G3 Bart Cummings.

The lightly raced 5-year-old booked his spot in the $8 million feature where he is currently allotted 52.5kg.

That would rule out Jordan Childs, who rode Surprise Baby on Saturday and put Dean Holland, who rode him when he won the G2 Adelaide Cup, in the box seat.

However, should the impressive 1.5l win at Flemington attract a penalty from Racing Victoria's chief handicapper Greg Carpenter, then the ride could fall back to Childs.

Trainer Paul Preusker won't make the call until he knows what weight his emerging stayer will carry.

Poy hospitalised after fall

Victorian apprentice jockey Michael Poy has been airlifted to hospital after a fall in the opening race at Tatura on Sunday.

The son of former champion jockey Michael Clarke, Poy was dislodged from French Star (Star Witness) shortly after the finish of the 1100 metre maiden.

He suffered a left arm injury according to an update from the Victorian Jockeys' Association but was conscious and was transferred to hospital.

He was later cleared of any fractures, but remains in Royal Melbourne Hospital under observation for concussion.

Big win sharpens Autridge's Guineas focus

Stephen Autridge is looking forward to tackling the upcoming NZ 1000 Guineas with impressive Inglewood Stud Guineas Trial winner Karalino (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}).

Karalino booked her spot in the Riccarton feature next month with her first win, which was an emphatic 4.5l success.

“She needed to get a win to boost her rating points as she was well down the order of entry for the Guineas and wouldn’t have got a start," Autridge said.

“With the ballot exemption available on the race it looked a pretty good option for us.

“She ended up doing it pretty easily in the end and was very strong at the line.

“That was probably the most pleasing aspect of the performance as it tells me she shouldn’t have a problem going the extra 200m of the Guineas.

“She has pulled up really well this morning (Sunday) so the task now will be to find a race for her on the way to the 1000 Guineas as she probably needs to have one more run before then.”

Autridge also has Woodcote Lass (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) destined for the 1000 Guineas.