Import zips home

A late decision to run Southern France (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the Zipping Classic proved an astute one with the 5-year-old triumphing in the Group 2 feature.

Co-trainer Ciaron Maher felt the race was winnable and gave the former Aidan O'Brien-trained galloper his chance following an impressive track gallop.

"I wanted to give him a gallop just to see how he was before we accepted and he worked really well on Wednesday," Maher said. "That gave me the confidence to give him the nod."

Maher said there were future options for Southern France both here or overseas.

"There's a couple of plans I mapped out the other day," Maher said. "He could head straight back and maybe go to Dubai or he may stay here and head toward maybe the Australian Cup into a Tancred Stakes."

Pacodali in a canter

Pacodali (Ire) (Paco Boy (Ire) upstaged English visitor Setting Sail (GB) (Dansili {GB}) in the G3 Big Screen Company Eclipse S. at Sandown.

The Lindsey Smith-trained 7-year-old sat on the favourite’s quarters throughout and breezed on by 200 metres from home when asked to lengthen stride by rider Dean Yendall.

“He just cruised along and when I got him balanced and asked for an effort he just let rip,” Yendall said.

Pacodali raced clear in the closing stages to account for Setting Sail and Exasperate (Tough Speed {USA}) ran on gamely for third.

Pleasant surprise

Co-trainer Mick Price would have been happy if Teleplay (Written Tycoon) had placed in the G3 Kevin Heffernan S., but the mare exceeded all expectations by taking a rails run to victory.

"I've got to take my hat off to this mare," Price said. "Obviously it's a very short margin, but that's her at her absolute best.

"She needed a great ride, which she got and saved all the ground and lucky it was just one of those bob of the head photos.

"She's been so brave. She probably races on race day above how we rate her."

True stayer

Co-trainer Ciaron Maher will continue to target 3200 metre races for Azuro (Fr) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) after the stayer’s third win over the trip in the Listed Ladbrokes Sandown Cup.

Azuro made his winning move some way from home and held off the late challenge of stablemate Wall Of Fire (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}).

"I didn't think there was much between them and it showed," Maher said.

"The other horse, Wall Of Fire, came home strongly late but credit to Azuro. He's got an impressive record over the two miles now.

"He'll have a little rest now and probably head on to the Sydney Cup."

Dark Angel to stay at €85,000

Dark Angel (Ire), whose standouts on the racecourse in 2019 included the record-breaking G1 Nunthorpe S. victor Battaash (Ire), will stand for €85,000 (AU$137,808) at Yeomanstown Stud, Ireland in 2020-the same fee he has commanded the past two seasons.

Yeomanstown also introduces Invincible Army (Ire) at €10,000 (AU$16,212). Completing the roster is Camacho (GB) at €10,000 (AU$16,212), El Kabeir (USA) at €8000 (AU$12,970) and Gutaifan (Ire) at €6000 (AU$9727).

“We’re pleased to announce the 2020 Yeomanstown Stud fees and are very excited to be adding Invincible Army to the roster,” said the farm’s David O’Callaghan. “Dark Angel has had another stellar year on the track led by Battaash, the fastest horse in the world.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the first crop foals of El Kabeir hit the market at the upcoming European breeding stock sales.”

Supera dominant

Progressive mare Supera (NZ) (Savabeel) overcame a wide run in transit throughout to dominate her rivals in the closing stages of the G2 Gartshore Tauranga S. on Saturday.

The Ken and Bev Kelso-trained 5-year-old had looked a Group 1 winner in waiting last season as her mentors adopted a patient approach with her as she rose through the grades.

“She has got a hell of a lot of ability. She’s got a lot of improvement in her as her temperament is getting better so it should be onwards and upwards from here.

“All going well we will go to the Captain Cook (Group 1, 1600 metres) at Trentham and then get up over ground,” he said. “We’ll then go to Ellerslie for the Zabeel Classic.”

Emotions run high

There were plenty of tears being shed in the Riccarton birdcage as the supporters of trainers Peter Corbett and Terrill Charles waited for the pair’s bonny staying mare Dee And Gee (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) after she won the G3 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup.

Charles has stubbornly refused to let her cancer affect her and together with Corbett, who has overcome health issues of his own in recent years, has built up a boutique team of thoroughbreds to the point where the partnership lined up three starters in Saturday’s feature event.

“It’s just unreal. She’s a tough little horse though and we got it.”

Rider Leah Hemi was full of praise for her mount and delighted with the dream outcome.

“I’m just so happy for Peter and Terrill and I know that Terrill will be so stoked,” she said.

Record crowd

The Australian Turf Club’s night racing season at Canterbury Park opened to another record crowd on Friday evening.

A total of 8874 people attended the meeting, more than 1000 above the previous all-time record set last year and almost double the previous season’s opening night attendance.

“There is a unique atmosphere at the night meetings which are attracting large numbers of young families and groups of friends looking to start their weekend with a fun and affordable night out,” Australian Turf Club Executive General Manager of Commercial Corina Black said.

Inns Of Court to Tally-Ho

Inns Of Court (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), a multiple group-winning sprinter for Godolphin, has retired to Tally-Ho Stud, Ireland for 2020 and will stand for €7500 (AU$12,157), according to Racing Post.

“The horse had class on the racetrack, he’s really good-looking, by sire of sires Invincible Spirit, and has an ever-improving pedigree on the dam side,” said Tally-Ho’s Roger O’Callaghan.

Kodiac (GB) once again leads the Tally-Ho roster, his fee remaining at €65,000 (AU$105,366). Vadamos (Fr) will stand at €6000 (AU$9725).

Best Solution to Germany

Best Solution (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), a three-time Group 1 winner for Godolphin, will stand in Germany, where two of his top-level victories occurred, at Gestut Auenquelle in 2020.

The 5-year-old will be introduced at €6500 (AU$10,535). Auenquelle partnered with Gestut Brummerhof, Gestut Ittlingen and Gestut Rottgen to secure the horse.

Best Solution was at his best at four, rattling off three straight Group 1 wins: the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin, the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden and Australia’s G1 Caulfield Cup.