Jockeys to clash at Flemington

Racing Victoria has announced a new jockey competition to take place during a Flemington twilight meeting on Sunday February 9.

The ‘Rapid Racing’ meeting will feature a condensed seven-race card, with 30-minute gaps and all races over distances varying from 1000 metres to 1200 metres.

The jockey competition will be “city versus country”, with two teams of seven jockeys to be selected in early January based on metropolitan and state-wide premiership standings.

“A shorter, punchier program and a team challenge featuring some of Victoria’s most popular jockeys will elevate the vibrant atmosphere that summer racing at Flemington is known for,” VRC chief executive officer Neil Wilson said.

Gytrash back in work

Smart Adelaide sprinter Gytrash (Lope de Vega {Ire}) is back in work after missing a spring campaign because of a knee injury.

Trainer Gordon Richards hopes to target Melbourne's rich autumn sprint races with the 4-year-old, but will not lock in a program until he assesses the gelding in the early stages of his campaign.

A dual winner up the Flemington straight in June, Gytrash had one spring run, finishing second to Crystal Dreamer in The Heath 1100 at Caulfield on August 31.

Santa Anita to postpone opening day

Santa Anita is postponing its opening day card from Thursday, December 26 to Saturday, December 28 due to a poor weather forecast. The winter/spring meet opening day card has been held December 26 since the 1976 season.

“Opening Day is traditionally one of our biggest days of the year, but our commitment to safety is first and foremost,” said Aidan Butler, Acting Executive Director of California for The Stronach Group.

“It was very important to make this call as early as possible for our horsemen, fans and employees. There are many moving parts, especially in the training of these wonderful horses, and this decision is being made at this time out of respect to give all involved plenty of advance notice.”

“It is very difficult to predict weather forecasts in Southern California more than 48 hours in advance,” said Dennis Moore, who has returned to his responsibilities overseeing Santa Anita track surfaces.

“Right now, they have rain Monday through Thursday morning. But the models are continuing to change and when they do that, they are usually building up moisture.”

No blame for Dale Smith’s fall

Stewards have closed an inquiry into jockey Dale Smith's fall at Doomben and found no rider could be held to blame.

At a reconvened inquiry into Smith's fall on Wednesday from Shono Mercy (Show A Heart), Smith and fellow jockey Nathan Day, who rode Nalssedori (Eurozone), gave evidence.

It was found Nalssendori was over-racing passing the 1000 metres and proving difficult to restrain. Shono Mercy was also over-racing and clipped the heels of Nalssendori.

Stewards found they could not apportion blame to any one rider and deemed it to be a racing incident. Smith was uninjured.

Prizemoney increase for Doomben 10,000

The G1 Doomben 10,000 has received a $200,000 prizemoney increase to $1 million.

The sprint feature will be one of five races during the Queensland winter carnival worth $1 million or more, joining the Stradbroke H. ($1.5 million), JJ Atkins ($1 million), BRC Sires' Produce S. ($1 million), and the recently announced Q22 ($1.5 million).

“Reaching the $1 million milestone for the Doomben 10,000 is great recognition for a race that has established itself as one of the nation's highest-rated races,” Brisbane Racing Club chairman Neville Bell said.

“The 2020 Brisbane Racing Carnival will now feature five $1 million races, elevating the carnival to the level that matches its reputation as the nursery for Australia's champion racehorses.”

Doyle wins in Qatar

Hollie Doyle has added another milestone to a record-breaking season with her win aboard Maystar (Ire) (Mayson {GB}) at her first ride in Qatar.

Two weeks ago, Doyle set a British record for a female jockey in a calendar year with her 107th success of 2019 at Southwell.

With her domestic tally now up to 111, Doyle showed her talents when she broke new ground at Doha. The 23-year-old made the most of the opportunity, taking the honours on the Archie Watson-trained 2-year-old in the Al Rayyan S.

Comeback delayed again

Top Brisbane jockey Michael Cahill is hoping to be back riding by late January after having another setback in his recovery from a broken foot.

Cahill struck his foot in a barrier mishap at Murwillumbah on October 15 and rode for another 10 days before realising the extent of the injury.

He had a further setback when he tripped while wearing a moon boot and struck his head, which required several stitches.

"I went to the specialist this week and unfortunately the injury hasn't totally healed," Cahill said. "She wants me to go back for a CTI in early January, and if it hasn't healed by then, to do surgery.”

Trainers upset by ruling

As many as a dozen late additions are expected for the next Eagle Farm meeting after a controversial decision to reopen nominations.

Christmas and Boxing Day public holidays fall in the middle of the week, which means nominations for Saturday's meeting closed on Friday. Several interstate trainers missed the deadline, believing nominations would close on Monday as usual.

After complaints from interstate trainers, Racing Queensland extended nominations until Monday. The decision has angered some local trainers, who say it was most unusual to reopen nominations for all races. They say it is pandering to interstate trainers and there were already plenty of nominations.

Tamarack set for Summer Cup

Trainer Joe Pride has given Tamarack (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) an extra few days after a trip to Brisbane to prepare for the Summer Cup.

Tamarack ran third over 1800 metres at Eagle Farm on December 14 and had been entered at Randwick on a seven-day back-up. He was scratched on Saturday and will instead take his place in the Listed Summer Cup on Thursday.

Tamarack has had a mixed preparation, following a nose second to Cellarman in the Ladies Day Cup at Hawkesbury with an inglorious last in the $1 million The Gong on November 23. He has since run third in the ATC Cup and third in Brisbane.

"His recent runs have been good except for The Gong," Pride said. "His Gong run was a shocker when we went back on him."