Futurity in mix

The G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth (Dundeel {NZ}) could bypass the G3 CS Hayes S. to chase a Group 1 win in the Futurity S,

Trainer Anthony Freedman's son and assistant trainer, Sam Freedman, said Super Seth may instead run against older horses in the weight-for-age Futurity a week later.

"We're still undecided whether he goes to the C S Hayes or goes to the Futurity," Freedman said. "He'll be nominated for the CS Hayes and we'll probably work him on Tuesday morning and then make a decision.

"Alabama Express winning the CF Orr S. probably gives you more confidence if we do decide to go to the weight-for-age route.”

NZ perfect fit

Leading bloodstock agent Paul Moroney believes that impressive 3-year-old Alabama Express (Redoute’s Choice) is the perfect type of horse for the New Zealand stallion market.

However, he is also realistic that that scenario may not evolve given the potential demand from a number of Australian stud farms, including the colt’s part-owners Arrowfield Stud.

Moroney purchased the G1 CF Orr S. winner, who is trained by brother Mike, at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

“I was talking with Mike on Saturday night and we think that win probably values him in the $8-$10 million range right now,” Moroney said. “Mike had fielded interest from a number of Australasian farms before Saturday and the phone has been going again in the last 24 hours.

“With Arrowfield in his ownership they will have a large bearing on where his future lies at stud but in my heart, I think he is the type of horse that would be perfect for the New Zealand breeding scene.

“By Redoute’s Choice out of an Encosta De Lago mare, he is just the type of colt that we need in New Zealand to keep refreshing our bloodlines.”

Snowden satisfied

Co-trainer Peter Snowden is happy with the condition of Redzel (Snitzel) ahead of Saturday’s G1 Lightning S. at Flemington.

"He has had two trials which have been two typical trials for him," Snowden said. "He had a good solid trial the other day and ran very fast time and won comfortably.

"He's a 7-year-old now and I'm fully aware of that. Any sign I see that he's not quite up to where he used to be that will be the sign we start thinking what we do about the future.”

Double strike

Leading central districts jockey Lisa Allpress has forged a successful association with trainer Terri Rae and emphasised by a winning double at Riccarton at the weekend.

Allpress guided Wekaforce (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) to a runaway victory in the New Zealand Bloodstock South Island Sale 17 April Open H. and then won the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge on the smart Capodanno (Declaration Of War {USA}).

“Terri is a great trainer and always presents her horses in wonderful order,” Allpress said. “You can always have a bit of confidence that they’re going to run well.

“So when she offers me rides on her horses, I’m always really keen to take up that opportunity. We’ve had some good results together.”

Derby confidence

When the winningest jockey in G1 New Zealand Derby history says he believes he can add another victory in Ellerslie’s Classic then it pays to take note.

Colgan will be hunting Derby victory number seven at Ellerslie aboard the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained filly Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) after the pair combined for the perfect dress rehearsal at Te Rapa on Saturday, demolishing their rivals by more than 7l in the G2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas.

“She is a very talented filly who I don’t think we have even scratched the surface on yet,” Colgan said. “The feel she gives you when you ride her is very special and I can say with certainty that there have been several of my Derby winners that haven’t provided me with anywhere near the feel that this filly does.

“She has a good record and plenty of experience at Ellerslie and the three weeks between her run on Saturday and the Derby will be perfect for her. One of her best attributes is her ability to settle in a good position in her races and then switch off and relax.”

Ripping day

Windsor Park Stud’s young guns have dominated the limelight in recent times with first season sire titles for Shamexpress (NZ) and Charm Spirit (Ire), but Saturday was all about Rip Van Winkle (Ire).

The Te Rapa meeting delivered the biggest day of his career with Te Akau Shark (NZ) his first Southern Hemisphere Group 1 winner with a supreme performance in the BCD Group Sprint, while Jennifer Eccles (NZ) won the G2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic with breath-taking ease.

“It was certainly a red-letter day in his career at stud,” Windsor Park general manager Steve Till said. “To get a Group race double, and a Group 1 winner to boot, is tremendous. It just adds to a great season he’s been having.

Rip Van Winkle sits in fifth place in the New Zealand sires’ premiership this season with 23 winners and more than NZ$860,000 in total prize-money.

Welfare report

A Queensland equine welfare report could be released as early as this week.

Former District Court Judge Terry Martin chaired the inquiry, which was instigated by the state government after a story by the ABC's 7.30 Report in October.

The story highlighted the issue of managing the retirement of racehorses and pinpointed animal slaughter at the Meramist Abattoir at Caboolture in Queensland.

The inquiry was chartered to review the regulatory and oversight arrangements of abattoirs in Queensland. It further looked at the management of retired racehorses in Queensland, including horses moved from interstate.

Jamie for Jewel

Weights indicate Master Jamie (Poet’s Voice {GB}) will be hard to beat in the $300,000 The Jewel, but it will still be a long five weeks for trainer Graeme Green.

He turned in a strong performance to win the QTIS Three-Year-Old H. at Eagle Farm on Saturday with 61kg, giving most of the field 7kg.

Green has enjoyed good training success since returning to Rockhampton after stints as a race course manager at several centres.

Master Jamie will be well-suited by the conditions of The Jewel on March 14 as it is a set weights race with colts and geldings carrying 57kg and fillies 55kg.

"Master Jamie can have a good few days in the paddock and then we will get him ready for The Jewel," he said.