Stud buys into colt

Cambridge Stud has purchased a majority interest in the exciting colt Not An Option (Not A Single Doubt), who boasts a perfect record after two appearances.

He was a debut winner at Pukekohe in the spring before a break and he successfully resumed in the G2 Wakefield Challenge S. at Trentham earlier this month.

“Given the degree of difficulty in purchasing a 2-year-old with a similar profile in Australia, we are very pleased to be able to purchase a majority share-holding in a colt like Not An Option,” Cambridge Stud Chief Executive Officer Henry Plumptre said.

A NZ$230,000 Karaka purchase by Pike out of Curraghmore’s draft, Not An Option is the current favourite for the Karaka Million, but he is yet to be a confirmed starter.

“If the Karaka Million fits in, then all well and good, but I would say adding a Group 1 will be a priority and there are plenty of options both in New Zealand and Australia,” Pike said.

Grand Prix ideal

A return to set weights and the step up to a middle distance on the roomy Eagle Farm track are expected to favour Don't Waiver (Not A Single Doubt) in the G3 Grand Prix S.

Trainer Stuart Kendrick said the 3-year-old was in good form and more ground will suit him.

"His two runs past 1600 metres have been good. He should have beaten Profit over 1800 metres and his second last time over 2000 was strong, especially as he had 59kg. It is set weights on Saturday and that means he meets a lot of horses better at the weights.”

Plumatic purchased

Mat Becker’s Group 1 Bloodstock, on behalf of Melbourne-based businessman Ozzie Kheir, has secured the regally-bred Plumatic (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) from France.

Winner of the G2 Prix du Muguet, the 5-year-old stallion will be aimed toward the richest racing carnivals in the world.

“I am always on the lookout for world-class gallopers to target the major global race meets and, on behalf of Ozzie, we are delighted to acquire this brilliant dry track miler. Blessed with a wicked turn of foot, there is no doubt Plumatic is a serious horse,” Becker said.

Plumatic was purchased by Ozzie Kheir and his partners Phil Mehrten, John O’Neil, Victor Kheir, Brett Carty and Brae Sokolski.

Originally prepared by Andre Fabre, Plumatic has been transferred to young French trainer Francis Graffard to prepare for an international campaign and culminating in Australia next spring.

Valley off

Friday night’s meeting at The Valley in Melbourne has been abandoned because of the forecast for extreme heat while a city meeting in Adelaide has been postponed.

"The hottest part of the day is predicted to be late afternoon when many horses would be required to travel and the temperature is predicted to be around 40 degrees when the meeting is scheduled to start at 7pm," Racing Victoria's Greg Carpenter said.

South Australian racing officials have decided to push back a pre-Christmas race meeting at Morphettville because of extreme heat.

A twilight race meeting was scheduled for Morphettville on Friday, but the seven races have now been moved to Monday afternoon.

Byrne out indefinitely

Top Queensland jockey Jim Byrne will miss the rest of the summer carnival and possibly the season after breaking a leg in a race fall.

Byrne was scheduled for surgery after the fall on Wednesday but doctors decided to delay the operation until swelling went down in his leg.

His manager Cameron Partington said Byrne faced at least three months on the sidelines and possibly more.

"He is obviously in pain and is in a cast. They will operate in the next few days when the swelling goes down. They are saying three to six months on the sidelines.”

Ready to go

The Drinks Cart (Unencumbered) has recovered from a minor set-back and will chase a place in the $2 million The Star Magic Millions 2YO Classic on Saturday.

He will run in the $125,000 QTIS Two-Year-Old Plate at Eagle Farm after bypassing the Listed Phelan Ready S. due to trainers Toby and Trent Edmonds being unhappy with his blood count.

"He appears spot-on. It wasn't a major problem, but we have a bit of time to get him into the Millions so we didn't want to risk him," co-trainer Trent Edmonds said.

The Drinks Cart has $19,800 prizemoney and even second on Saturday will put him close to qualifying for the January 11 feature at the Gold Coast.

Decision defended

Racing Queensland says it was not viable to split its 2-year-old race at Eagle Farm.

Some trainers are upset Saturday's $125,000 event is not being run in two divisions, but instead has 10 starters and six emergencies. The race could be vital to qualify horses for $2 million The Star Magic Millions 2YO Classic on January 11.

An RQ spokesperson said the aim was to provide as many opportunities as possible for trainers to race in Queensland to qualify their horses for Magic Millions.

"With only 16 acceptances for the Plate at Eagle Farm this Saturday and with half with those also holding nominations for the Gold Coast meeting on the same day, it was not viable to divide the race."

Classic lead-up

Hastings trainer John Bary would have preferred another week of conditioning with Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) heading into Saturday's Rich Hill Stud Premier 3YO at Awapuni, but expects his charge to be competitive nonetheless.

Bary again has his eyes fixed on a Group 1 target with Saturday's set weights and penalties event a suitable lead-up to the Levin Classic at Trentham on January 11.

"I would probably have preferred one more week and two more gallops going into this one, but the way the race falls, three weeks out from the Levin Classic and with his points on 77 and it being at set weights and penalties, this race fits well for him," Bary said.

Hallmark assignment

Group 1 winner Avantage (Fastnet Rock) looks to be back to her best after a subpar spring campaign in Sydney.

The talented mare finished unplaced in both of her Sydney assignments and trainer Jamie Richards admits he may have erred with the Australian campaign.

“I don’t know what happened in the spring with her, but she was well off where she can be,” he said. “She had a bit of a funny preparation in the spring, she had a hard first-up run and we probably made a mistake taking her to Australia. "

Avantage appears to be back to somewhere near her best with her two recent outings, which included an exhibition gallop over 1000 metres at Matamata and a trial win over the same distance at Avondale last week.

Her first-up assignment will be the Listed Hallmark Stud H. at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. “We’ll see how she goes before deciding on her next start,” he said.