Berry impressed
Jockey Tommy Berry gave Pierata (Pierro) the thumbs up after galloping the $14 million The TAB Everest co-favourite on Monday.
Trainer Greg Hickman initially planned to work the 5-year-old between races during Monday's Warwick Farm meeting, but opted to for an early morning spin in the blinkers.
Tommy Berry was impressed with Pierata's work on Monday morning
"Tommy came out and rode him," Hickman told Sky Sports Radio. "He said I don't think you can get him any fitter. His work was super and he pulled up well. I'm pretty happy.
"We tried to make it as authentic as what we could (in blinkers) to switch him on to do a bit. It worked."
Kiwi chasing Toorak
Madison County (NZ) (Pins) will get his another chance for a first Australian Group 1 win in the Toorak H. at Caulfield.
A dual elite level winner in New Zealand, he made his spring return in the G1 Rupert Clarke S. and did not have the best of luck, finishing ninth in the race won by Begood Toya Mother (Myboycharlie {Ire}) after being hampered in the straight.
Madison County (NZ)
“He just didn't get much of a go the other day in the Rupert Clarke first-up," co-trainer Murray Baker said. "He pushed out and the gap closed and then he pushed out again."
Baker is also hoping for an improved showing from The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) in the G2 Herbert Power S. over 2400 metres.
The 4-year-old ran well for fifth after a wide run in the G2 Feehan S. before an unplaced effort in the G1 Underwood. Victory in the Herbert Power offers a ballot exemption into the following week's G1 Caulfield Cup.
Spring plans abandoned
Last season’s G1 JJ Atkins S. winner Prince Fawaz (Fastnet Rock) has gone to the spelling paddock.
Trainer Anthony Cummings made the decision to ease up on the colt following unplaced runs in both of his spring outings.
Prince Fawaz has gone to the spelling paddock
His immediate focus will now be on Mizzy (Zoustar), who runs in Saturday's Silver Eagle at Randwick with the first three placegetters assured of a start in the inaugural $7.5 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill on November 2.
"Tim Clark will ride her on Saturday with Tommy (Berry) suspended," Cummings said. "She continues to do well. She just keeps stepping up."
Mizzy is unbeaten in three starts at Group level this campaign, most recently in the G2 Golden Pendant.
Trial prospects
Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are enjoying a good spring and they produced another couple of promising youngsters at Monday’s Cranbourne trials.
Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young produced another couple of promising youngsters at Monday’s Cranbourne trials
It’s A Deel (Dundeel {NZ}) was a clear-cut winner of the opening 800 metre heat in 47.06s, the quickest of the three juvenile trials, and Clinched (Dundeel) took the honours in the following event.
Out of the stakes winner Luna Spur (Flying Spur), the former was a $150,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale buy and is a half-brother to Group 2 winners Colorado Claire (Hussonet {USA}) and Moonovermanhattan (Manhattan Rain).
Clinched is a son of No Mistaking (Testa Rossa) and was a $120,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale graduate. He is a half-brother to the Listed Champagne S. winner Qiji Phoenix (Not A Single Doubt).
The third of the 2-year-old trials was won by the Dean Krongold-trained Wild Cherry Road (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). She was a $27,500 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale purchase and is out of Mistress McDowell (Canny), who’s from the family of Redoute’s Choice.
Vale Neale Lavis
Decorated horseman Neale Lavis, who was a member of an Australian equestrian gold medal-winning team at the 1960 Olympics and an individual silver medal winner, has died.
Lavis was also a prominent thoroughbred breeder and owned Strathallan stud where he stood Whiskey Road (USA).
He produced six elite level winners, but by far the best was Strawberry Road, who won 17 races including the G1 Cox Plate and the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden on his overseas travels.
Massive offer rejected
Dick Karreman has certainly confirmed his desire to enjoy racing top-class horses as he chases further Group One success.
The highly successful Queensland businessman and owner of The Oaks Stud has officially turned down a NZ$2.5 million offer for the exciting 3-year-old gelding Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), who is hot favourite to win next month’s G1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas after annihilating his opposition in Saturday’s G2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas.
“Dick loves his racing and he made his mind up a while ago he wants to race good horses,” The Oaks’ General Manager Rick Williams said.
“Dick is in a position where he can do it and I know it’s big money for Catalyst, especially being a gelding, but if he sells him he might not find another one as exciting. Dick got so many thrills out of racing Seachange and he’s got a chance to relive some of those thrills with Catalyst.”
Slow but sure
Quality galloper Chocante (NZ) (Shocking) is making steady progress toward a return to racing.
Chocante (NZ) is making steady progress toward a return to racing
The 7-year-old won the G2 Brisbane Cup in 2017 and subsequently placed in the G1 The Metropolitan and in the G2 Chelmsford S. behind Winx (Street Cry {Ire}). He hasn’t raced for 17 months after suffering a tendon injury.
“He’s back and galloping again. I’m very happy with him at this stage and we’ll take him along quietly,” trainer Stephen Marsh said.
Calder back
Andrew Calder is looking forward to being reunited with the in-form Back In A Flash (Ekraar {USA}) in the G3 Rich Hill Stud Taranaki Breeders’ S. at Hawera on Saturday.
Calder has been serving a suspension since September 29, but it certainly hasn’t been an idle downtime for him during his absence as he has been looking after the team for his father-in-law, Pukekohe trainer Richard Collett, who is in Singapore with his wife Judy, catching up with their daughter Alysha.
“Richard went over last week after the Avondale trials and comes back on Wednesday, so I’ve been in charge of the team,” Calder said. "It’s kept me busy enough, but I’m enjoying it. It’ll be good to be back riding, though, and Saturday will be my first day back. It’s great to be back on Back In A Flash.”
Calder has been aboard Back In A Flash in four of her seven wins, including last August’s Taranaki Challenge (1400m), and finished fourth on her in the G3 Rotorua S. in May before an eighth in the Listed Ag Challenge S. at Wanganui.
