Boss' Doncaster ride confirmed

Glen Boss is set to ride Brandenburg (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) in an attempt to win an eighth G1 Doncaster Mile next month.

Boss, who rode Brutal (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}) to victory in the famous Randwick mile race last year, has opted to ride the John Sargent-trained colt in the Doncaster after he closed well for fourth in the G1 George Ryder S. at Rosehill on Saturday.

"Bossy told me he is onboard for the Doncaster," Sargent told Racenet. "He is flying and today's run will top him off nicely."

"The big weight drop will be a bonus and three-year-olds have a good record in the race."

Brandenburg has just 49kg in the Group 1 race to be run on April 4.

Tagaloa, Farnan set for paddock

G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Tagaloa (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) will head to the paddock after finishing fourth in Saturday's G1 Golden Slipper S.

Co-trainer Trent Busuttin told Racing.com that the colt had felt the run and would be given a well-earned rest ahead of his 3-year-old campaign.

“He definitely felt the run,” the Cranbourne trainer said. “He’s pulled up with no issues, no problems but it’s noticeable that he walked out of the box a bit more jaded than usual.

“We thought we had him in peak condition for the race, he gave us no indication otherwise, and it’s easy to say that he raced like a horse who wanted further, but I think he raced like a horse that had had enough, to be honest."

Aquis Farm CEO Shane McGrath tweeted that Saturday's G1 Golden Slipper winner Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) would also be heading for a spell, following his outstanding victory.

Snitzel hits them for six

A run of six winners over the weekend, including the G1 The Galaxy victory of I Am Excited has seen defending champion Snitzel move into second place on the Australian Sires Table.

On Saturday, Snitzel had four winners, at four different venues, Avoca, Cloncurry, Kembla Grange and Rosehill, while his leading earner this year, Away Game claimed second prize in the G1 Golden Slipper.

The wins of Got Your Six at Muswellbrook and Pershing at Bairnsdale on Sunday saw the Arrowfield star move just ahead of great rival I Am Invincible on earnings so far this season, with just over $12.33 million.

Coolmore's Pierro still holds top spot, under $500,000 ahead of Snitzel.

Pike pair press on

Tony Pike is not hesitating in pressing forward with the preparation of The Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) after his second to Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) in the G1 George Ryder S. on Saturday.

Pike confirmed the G1 All Aged S. at Randwick was the next race on the agenda for the 5-year-old,

“He was very strong late and just missed so if he could have landed outside the speed, which was the plan, then he probably wins the race," Pike said.

“He’s flying though and couldn’t be going any better so now we will hunker down and head to the All Aged Stakes in three weeks.”

Pike said he was happy with Sherwood Forest's (Fastnet Rock) run in the G1 Rosehill Guineas, when seventh and he will press on to the G1 Australian Derby.

“To be fair two or three of those more brilliant 3-year-olds just sprinted and left him standing but he kept grinding away and Michael (Walker- jockey) was quite happy with him.

“He said that would just tighten him up nicely and that the mile and a half was going to suit him a lot better.

“He has taken all the travel in his stride so hopefully he improves a couple of lengths after the run and he can bring that to the Derby in a fortnight.”

Illicit destined for Sydney

The coronavirus crisis won't stop Roger James and Robert Wellwood putting star filly Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) on a plane to Sydney on Tuesday.

Two Illicit, a last start second in the G1 New Zealand Derby, will head to the G1 Vinery Stud S. this Saturday at Rosehill before taking on the G1 Australian Oaks.

“She galloped on Saturday and her work was terrific, some of her best, so she has bounced through her last run really well after a week of R&R and some work on the water walker," Wellwood said.

Fari books Randwick date

The Todd Howlett-trained Two Big Fari (Walking Or Dancing {NZ}) earned a shot at the $500,000 Newhaven Park Country Championships final at Randwick with narrow win in the wildcard qualifier at Muswellbrook.

The 4-year-old became the final horse to book his place in the field for the race over 1400 metres on April 4.

He just held off Bobbing (Beneteau) to take his record to five wins from seven starts and is now one of the leading chances in the Randwick feature.

Bobbing, trained by Bernie Kelly, also qualified for the final and is also a single figure quote for the final.