Mission accomplished

Madam Rouge (Zoustar) boosted her future broodmare value with victory in the G3 IDC Property Nivison S. at Randwick.

Charlie Duckworth, representing trainer Chris Waller, said the focus had been to get a stakes win for the 4-year-old and the stable would now consider further spring options.

"We have thought about the Golden Eagle, but that's unlikely," he said. "It's probably a bit rough from 1200 to 1500 metres in the Eagle."

He said a more likely option was the Hot Danish S. in two weeks.

"If there's a half-million dollar race there ready to be taken then we'll try to take it," Duckworth said.

Cup not off the table

Co-trainer Michael Hawkes hasn’t totally dismissed a G1 Melbourne Cup bid with Master Of Wine (Ger) (Maxios {GB}) following his win in the Listed Club NSW City Tattersalls Club Cup at Randwick.

"It is tempting, but as we always do race day, we've got to get them home and see how they are," Hawkes said. "It's a quick back up next week, but we'll let the dust settle.

"He would probably benefit from a good break and come back in the autumn, that's what I personally feel, but we don't make those decisions race day."

"He's a really nice horse in the making and hopefully this time in 12 months he's going to be something."

Thundering on

Diamond Thunder (Dawn Approach {Ire}) has continued trainer Mark Newnham's run of success this spring with a first-up victory in the Listed Brian Crowley S. at Randwick.

The 3-year-old will now be aimed towards the Magic Millions Trophy next year after picking up his second black-type win.

"He's come back in good shape. He had a good break after Queensland in the winter and I wanted to give him this run then a bit of a freshen up to the Magic Millions in January," Newnham said.

Cahill side-lined

Leading Queensland jockey Michael Cahill has fractured a foot and will have further tests before it is determined how long he will be out of the saddle.

Cahill was the star of the winter carnival winning two Group 1 races and started the new season in fine form to be second on the metropolitan premiership with 19 winners.

He withdrew halfway through the Sunshine Coast meeting on Friday night sand was not fit to ride at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Cahill visited a doctor on Saturday morning and an X-ray confirmed he had a fracture high up on his right foot.

Career highlight

Tenacious 6-year-old Mauna Kea (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) scored the biggest win of his career to date when his never-say-die attitude paved the way for a gritty victory in the G3 Gee & Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson H. at Trentham.

He has proven a model of consistency since breaking through for his first victory in May 2018 with a further seven wins to the Leger, however a stakes victory had proved elusive until Saturday’s contest.

“He comes back quickly from his races, but he does like them spaced out. It takes him about three or four days and then he blossoms,” trainer Paul Moseley said.

Top Guineas trial

Cambridge galloper Sherwood Forest (Fastnet Rock) showed he will be a force to be reckoned with at the top level next month when he stormed home to take out the G3 War Decree S. at Riccarton on Saturday.

The Tony Pike-trained 3-year-old has been touted as a serious contender for the G1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas in a fortnight and his admirers would have been well satisfied with his latest performance.

“Troy (Harris) got him some cover and then plenty of clear air and he was a touch too good for them,” stable representative Dean Williams said.

Well-bred filly strikes

A half-sister to the reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) has made the perfect start to her career.

Exaltation (Not A Single Doubt) came with a hefty price tag and delivered at the first time of asking over 1200 metres in the Helston Maiden at Riccarton for trainer Jamie Richards.

The filly was purchased by Te Akau boss David Ellis at Karaka where he purchased her out of Haunui Farm’s draft for NZ$900,000.

Arqana comes to close

Arqana’s four-day October Yearling Sale drew to a close on Friday with an abbreviated final session of 82 yearlings.

Sixty-four of those found new homes, adding a further €636,000 (AU$1,032,806) to the sale’s aggregate, which wrapped up at €17,692,000 (AU$28,730,212), down four per cent from last year’s €18,493,700 (AU$30,032,782) when 34 more horses were sold.

Sharing top honours during the final session were a colt from the first crop of Goken (Fr) and a filly by Goken’s sire Kendargent (Fr), which each fetched €26,000 (AU$42,221) . The colt is a half-brother to black type winner Wootton’s Colt (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and he was bought by Tina Rau. The filly is a granddaughter of GI Beverly D. S. winner England’s Legend (Lure) and was bought by Agence BHB.

First winner

The Kevin Rohloff-trained Cardinal O’Ceirin (NZ) delivered a special result for breeder and owner Wayne Keenan at Trentham where he opened his own winning account and that of his sire Dial A Prayer (NZ).

Unraced due to injury, the stallion is a son of the Group 3 winner O’Ceirin’s Angel (NZ) (Al Akbar {NZ}) and stands at Grangewilliam Stud on Keenan’s behalf.

“It’s unbelievable, it’s taken a while and I’m really thrilled,” he said.

Eight Rings to Coolmore

Coolmore Stud announced on Friday morning that they have acquired the breeding rights to Eight Rings (USA) (Empire Maker {USA}), who is expected to be one of the favourites for next Saturday’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita, and will stand him at Ashford Stud in Kentucky upon conclusion of his racing career.

Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, the US$520,000 Keeneland September yearling won the G1 American Pharaoh S. this season. Eight Rings is trained by two-time Triple Crown winner Bob Baffert for an ownership ground that is comprised of SF Racing, LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC, Frederick Hertrich, III, John D. Fielding and Golconda Stables.

“We are excited that Eight Rings will have the opportunity to stand at Coolmore following retirement” said Tom Ryan of SF Racing. “As a member of the first racing stable of our co-ownership group, we are particularly proud of Eight Rings and it is important to all of us that he be given the best possible chance at stud. We have the utmost respect for Coolmore and their ability to support world-class stallion prospects, which we hope and expect Eight Rings to be.”

Tapit at US$200,000

Gainesway's Tapit (USA) (Pulpit {USA}) will stand for US$200,000 (AU$293,230) during the 2020 season, which is a $25,000 (AU$36,652) decrease from 2019. “Tapit continues to have a tremendous impact on the breed,” said Gainesway’s Antony Beck. “We’re thrilled to watch the success of his sons at stud. Constitution (USA) and Frosted (USA) have been exceptionally well received. And we’re very happy to have several of his promising young sons standing at Gainesway in Anchor Down (USA), Tapizar (USA) and Tapwrit (USA).

Empire Maker (USA) (Unbridled {USA}), who will be represented by Eight Rings (USA) in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, will have his fee announced at a later date.