Vale Perfectly Ready

Brighthill Farm is mourning the loss of stallion Perfectly Ready, who was euthanised on Monday after a short battle with inoperable colic.

“Perfectly Ready was a wonderful stallion for us here at Brighthill Farm. He was not only a Group 1 winner himself, but left Group 1 winner Signify and as a broodmare sire has left the Group 1 winner Aloisia,” studmaster Nick King said.

Trained by Mick Price, he won the G1 Goodwood H. as a 3-year-old before his retirement to Brighthill in 2007.

“Perfectly Ready was a brilliant sire for us at Brighthill Farm, not only was he leading Karaka freshman sire, but was also champion first-season sire with his maiden crop of 2-year-old’s in 2010/11,” King said.

“His loss will also be greatly felt around the farm on a day-to-day basis. Perfectly Ready had a wonderful character that was noticed and one that touched everybody who was involved with him. He will be greatly missed.”

His leading representative Signify (NZ) won the G1 Telegraph H. and he also sired Group 3 winners Perfect Start (NZ), Miss Three Stars (NZ) and Moozoon (NZ). His progeny earnings have exceeded NZ$13 million.

Tancred an option

Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) could be seen again just seven days later and may back up in Saturday’s G1 Tancred S. following her game second in the G1 Ranvet S.

"I'd love to try her over 2400 metres at weight-for-age," trainer Chris Waller said.

Verry Elleegant was second at Rosehill behind William Haggas’ Addeyyb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and paid tribute the jockey Tom Marquand for his ride on the English visitor.

"She had a very tough run in the Ranvet and I think Tommy Marquand did a fantastic job, as simple as that,” Waller said.

"He took off knowing we'd be vulnerable late and he was right. I knew if it was a sit and sprint from the turn we wouldn't be beaten, and I was almost right. They took off from the 600."

Inglis preview show

Part one of Caroline Searcy’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale Preview will air Tuesday evening on Sky Thoroughbred Central (Ch 528 Foxtel).

With limited inspections and the format of the sale under discussion, this is an opportunity to get a first look at some of the undoubted future champions of the racetrack.

Part one features yearlings from leading vendor Arrowfield Stud, home to three-time Champion Australian sire Snitzel; Newgate Farm, launching four new stallions including G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Capitalist and G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 Moir S. winner Extreme Choice. Yarraman Park continues to produce quality yearlings by its breed-shaper I Am Invincible and Bhima Thoroughbreds’ draft features a magnificent close relation to Winx (Street Cry {Ire}).

A choice lot from Widden Stud is the brother to star sprinter Sunlight (Zoustar) while Kia Ora Stud will offer a half-sister by Sebring to the multiple Group 1 winner Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible).

Part two on March 21 will feature yearlings from renowned nurseries Tyreel Stud, Milburn Creek, Edinburgh Park and Lime Country Thoroughbreds.

Australian trips off

The New Zealand Government’s recent announcements regarding further travel restrictions and New Zealand border closures due to COVID-19 has resulted in the suspension of all international equine flights effective immediately until further notice.

As a result, quality fillies Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) and Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}), and Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman's G1 Zabeel Classic winner True Enough (NZ) (Nom Du Jeu {NZ}) will now remain at home.

The restrictions are currently in place for the four-week period that mirrors New Zealand’s lockdown period.

McEvoys staying in SA

Trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy will be domiciled at their South Australian base following new border restrictions.

The South Australian government announced that interstate arrivals will be forced to self-isolate for 14 days regardless of how they enter the state.

The move could have created a logistical nightmare for the McEvoys, who spend time between their South Australian and Victorian stables.

Speaking to Racing.com, Tony McEvoy confirmed he and son Calvin will remain in South Australia for the immediate future.

McEvoy also said the stable’s top carnival contenders were all already in South Australia, including Group 1- winning mare Sunlight (Zoustar).

Slick 2YO

Spin That Wheel (Denman) posted the quickest winning time of the four 1000 metre heats for 2-year-olds at Hawkesbury on Monday.

Trained by John Sargent, the gelding sat in second spot behind a runaway leader and finished off well in the closing 100 metres under rider Rachel King to clock 59.23s.

Watch: Spin That Wheel trial

Spin That Wheel is a son of Reiby Roulette (Casino Prince) and she is out of a half-sister to the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Belle Du Jour (Dehere {USA}).

Finally Realise (All Too Hard) was the quickest of the 760 metre juvenile winners when he disputed the pace three wide and stayed on strongly under little urging from rider Cejay Graham to run 45.10s.

A $50,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale buy for trainer Peter Robl, he is a half-brother to the dual Group 3 winner Sylvia’s Mother (Snitzel).

Back-up considered

Trainer Kris Lees may back up Mugatoo (Ire) (Henrythenavigator {USA}) on Saturday in the G1 Tancred S. as the coronavirus pandemic puts the immediate future of racing in doubt.

Lees was pleased with Mugatoo’s effort for second in the G3 Manion Cup and was unsure where he would go next. It was the lightly-raced 5-year-old gelding’s first defeat in Australia in four starts.

“Mugatoo was good, he was just beaten by a better stayer on the day. It was our first go at the trip,” Lees said. “We are just a bit undecided about where we go with him yet. Everything is on the table.

“Who knows how long we will be racing for? Who knows when they might get to race again?”

Keen on Sydney

Trainer Stuart Kendrick has confirmed a Sydney campaign for Eric The Eel (Olympic Glory {Ire}) if he can travel.

Eric The Eel was a Doomben winner two starts ago and then a close-up third in an Open H. at the Gold Coast two weeks ago.

Kendrick said Eric The Eel was headed to the G2 Tulloch S. at Rosehill on Saturday as a lead-up to the G1 Australian Derby on April 4.

"It of course is all dependent on the coronavirus and that we are allowed to travel," Kendrick said.

"He pulled up well from the Gold Coast and I think the further the races the better he will be. Eric The Eel deserves his crack at Sydney. I just hope we get there."

McEvoy keeps ride

Kerrin McEvoy will continue his association with Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) in the G1 Vinery Stud S.

He will retain the ride after Opie Bosson was suspended until April 2, which will allow him to partner Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) in the G1 Doncaster Mile two days later, for causing interference in the G1 George Ryder S. aboard Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}).

McEvoy guided the Jamie Richards-trained Probabeel into second behind Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) in the G1 Surround S.

Big entries

More than 170 horses have been entered for races at Rosehill on Saturday with the meeting at this stage scheduled to go ahead under strict biosecurity protocols.

It features nine races, two at Group 1 level, the Tancred S. and Vinery Stud S., before the rich autumn carnival is scheduled to move to Randwick for The Championships.

The Golden Slipper meeting, which usually attracts a crowd of upwards of 20,000, was run on Saturday behind closed gates with just essential personnel on course because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Several horses from interstate have been entered for Saturday's Rosehill meeting, but it remains to be seen if they will be able to cross borders with ever increasing restrictions coming into play.