Blinkers do the trick

Trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman pulled a master stroke when they put the blinkers on The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) at Caulfield.

He flopped in the G1 Underwood S. at his previous start and the addition of head gear worked the oracle with the 4-year-old winning the G2 Herbert Power S. to claim a spot in the G1 Caulfield Cup.

“He was very disappointing in the Underwood and the drop back to a handicap did suit him,” Baker said. “He’s an improving horse, he hasn’t had a lot of racing.

“It was a good win after getting a long way back and he saw the distance out well.”

Record breaker

A bold front-running ride by Sydney's champion apprentice Robbie Dolan set up a record-breaking win for Colada (Brazen Beau) in the G2 Stan Fox S. at Randwick.

The gelding stretched his rivals and stayed on strongly score by 2l to set a new mark of 1:27.43s for the 1500 metres.

"Robbie has only ridden him twice and ridden him that way two times although admittedly one was a maiden," trainer Gerald Ryan said.

"He's had a terrific prep. With due respect to Tommy (Berry) he went too slowly at Newcastle with the big weight and ran third. He just needs to roll and freewheel.”

Gear addition

Yes Yes Yes (Rubick) will sport a new look in the $14 million The TAB Everest with the 3-year-old to wear blinkers after he galloped in the head gear between races at Randwick.

Trainer Chris Waller was keen to see how the G1 Golden Rose runner-up responded to the change and he passed with flying colours.

"We've got blinkers on him so I wanted to make sure he got into that parade ring and relaxed with them on," Waller said.

Ridden by race jockey Glen Boss, Yes Yes Yes worked on his own, clocking 1:01.82 for 1000 metres and running home his last 600 metres in 35.07s.

Stablemate Arcadia Queen (Pierro) also had an exhibition gallop with Jason Collett warming the saddle for James McDonald, who was in Melbourne for the Caulfield Guineas day program.

Arcadia Queen had a more leisurely hit-out, striding over the 1000 metres in 1:05.69, her final 600 metres in 36.19s.

Welcome tonic

Kerry Edwards received the perfect boost when Rox The Castle (NZ) (Castledale {Ire}) won the Listed Weekend Hussler.

The Mornington trainer had been in hospital from Monday until Friday after puncturing a lung in an incident at the beach with one of her horses.

"This week has not been a normal week and to see him come out and do that, I'm just absolutely amazed with this horse," she said.

Rox The Castle, ridden by Luke Nolen, took his record to eight wins from 14 starts with his victory and the G2 Crystal Mile at The Valley on Cox Plate day is likely to be his next assignment.

Tofane back in business

Trainer Michael Moroney was delighted to see Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) bounce back to her best at Caulfield.

She came off an unplaced run to win the G3 Bass Strait Beed Steaks S. in the hands of Dwayne Dunn.

“I think she just had an off day,” Moroney said. “I always knew she had this in her. She looked terrific and showed the turn of foot that she has got.

“She’ll probably run in a 1400 metre race at Flemington during the carnival. We’ll give her a chance at a Group 1 race in the autumn.”

Tofane is a daughter of the Galileo (Ire) mare Baggy Green, who is is a half-sister to the Group 1 winning half-sisters Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) and Youngstar (High Chaparral {Ire}).

Columb project launched

Caulfield was the perfect place to launch the Nick Columb statue project on Saturday as he enjoyed so much success there, winning the two G1 Caulfield Cups, the G1 Caulfield S., G1 Underwood S., G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S., G1 Toorak H. and the G1 Blue Diamond S.

His long-time friends Tony Cavanagh and John Messara are driving forces behind the project with the statue to be created by sculptor Linda Klarfeld.

"Nick was a once-in-a-lifetime character, a family friend and godfather to my son Daniel, and a major client of mine in the 1980s and 1990s,” Cavanagh said.

"He had a notable impact on racing as a highly successful owner, an indefatigable campaigner for owners in Victoria and throughout Australia and finally as a buyer and bloodstock consultant for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.”

Messara said he was right behind the venture to honour Columb, who died suddenly last August.

"Nick's death has left a large space in the world that won't be filled, but we can make sure he's remembered with the affection and gratitude we felt for him in life.

“I'm pleased to join Tony, Bruce Wilson, the Columb family and other friends to support the project to create a statue of him and give it a special place at Arrowfield Stud."

Filly flying El Roca flag

El Roca has yet to sire a stakes winner, but he’s got one in waiting in the unbeaten filly Travelling Light (NZ).

The daughter of the Westbury Stud stallion won on debut at Taupo and effortlessly put away her age group rivals at Matamata.

“What she showed me in the last 200 metres was pretty special,” rider Sam Collett said. “Getting out to the mile will be pretty achievable for her.”

Trained by Ben Foote, who prepared the dam Cissy Bowen (NZ) (Colombia {NZ}) for five wins, Travelling Light has now tightened to the second line of betting at NZ$9 for next month’s G1 gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton.

Loftier goals for mare

Secret Allure (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) has Group targets on her spring programme and she’s in the right form to tackle them.

The Lisa Latta-trained mare come from the tail of the field to win the Listed Rich Hill Stud Taranaki Breeders’ S. under in-form jockey Rosie Myers.

“Her main aim will be the G2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile and maybe the G3 Thompson H. in a fortnight’s time if she comes through this race well,” Latta said.

Stallion on move

Animal Kingdom (USA) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}), the 2011 G1 Kentucky Derby winner and Eclipse Award-winning 3-year-old and hero of the 2013 G1 Dubai World Cup, will be relocated from Darley’s Kentucky base to join the stallion ranks at the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders’ Association. Darley’s Darren Fox confirmed the news to the TDN.

The chestnut, bred and raced by Team Valor, was a gallant second to dual Horse of the Year Wise Dan (USA) off an eight-month absence in the 2012 G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile and the following month, it was announced that Arrowfield Stud had acquired a majority interest in the stallion. Animal Kingdom sired G1 Australian Derby winner Angel of Truth during his time in Australia.

Shadai Farm acquired Animal Kingdom’s dam Dalicia (Ger) (Acetenangho {Ger}) in 2010 and has bred four winners from her, including the mare’s current 3-year-old filly Satono Damsel (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), undefeated in three career starts and entered for this Sunday’s G1 Shuka Sho (2000m) at Kyoto.

Quadrilateral gallant

Nobody quite knew what to expect from Juddmonte’s Quadrilateral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in Friday’s G1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket and despite showing greenness, there was no shortage of spirit and class as she grasped victory from the jaws of defeat with a small amount of authority from Powerful Breeze (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}).

Trainer Roger Charlton said, “I don’t know if it was two out or even three out that I thought, we’re not running well here. We’re coming off the bridle and it’s not going to happen, but she kept responding and I thought she did really well to get there.

“I guess the gap was diminishing up the rail a bit, but she fought like a good one and handled the track. It was a great effort, really, as it was a proper race today.”

Quadrilateral is Frankel’s (GB) fifth Group 1 winner of the year.