Queensland options

Trainer Bjorn Baker is committed to a trip to Queensland with Irithea (Snitzel), but her main target has yet to be confirmed.

The G1 Stradbroke H. is an option for the mare or Baker could wait and target the G2 Dane Ripper S.

The Warwick Farm conditioner will see how the mare comes through her gallant win in Saturday’s G3 Emirates Dark Jewel Classic at Rosehill before he makes a final decision.

Stradbroke in balance

Peter and Paul Snowden will mull over a G1 Stradbroke H. start for Hightail (Written Tycoon) in the coming days.

The 3-year-old gave them plenty to think about following a strong effort to win the G3 Brandons Gold Coast Guineas in the hands of Ryan Maloney.

Hightail settled off the pace in a swiftly-run race and finished off generously to down The Odyssey (Better Than Ready), who was courageous after drawing a wide gate and was forced to work hard early to race in second spot.

Fituese is flying

Smart filly Fituese (Deep Field) has continued her march through the grades with a first black type victory in the Listed Coolmore Denise’s Joy S. at Rosehill.

"There was more pressure than we were expecting, but credit to Rachel (King), she didn't panic," trainer John Thompson said.

"She just let the horse travel, gave her plenty of room in the straight and she did the rest. There were some pretty good fillies in this race. I've got a healthy respect for the second horse (Aquitaine) and to win like that, she's a filly going places.

"We’ll see how she comes through this. There's a couple of races in Queensland that she could possibly head up for."

Black type contender

James McDonald has tipped a bright future for the Brad Widdup-trained Adelong (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) after riding her to victory in the Vinery Stud H. at Rosehill.

“Stakes company is definitely not beyond her. She’s very push button and she can reach much better heights,” McDonald said.

Adelong has fashioned a smart record with four wins and two runner-up finishes from her six appearances.

Working his way up

Spendthrift's Dirty Work (Written Tycoon) has shown genuine stakes class when winning the Listed Ortensia Stakes, the last of 17 races for the Scone Cup carnival, over a 1100m sprint.

Dirty Work posted a Group Three placing in Melbourne in August before dropping back in class to win two in a row, the hat trick win - and first at stakes class - eased the Hawkes stable's frustration after Masked Crusader was scratched from the Inglis 3YO Guineas.

The 3-year-old took on older horses to win the Listed event, with Berry camping Dirty Work behind the leaders, with an uninterrupted inside passage the colt scooted away for a decisive. Berry commented on the form improvement of the Written Tycoon colt.

"If you had told me he was going to do this at the end of his last prep, I wouldn't have believed you," Berry said. "Even from the horse I rode two starts ago to today, the difference is chalk and cheese."

Wheels to keep on turning

New Plymouth trainer John Wheeler, who has 19 Group 1 victories to his name in Australia, still has a zest for life and passion for racing that will keep him in the training caper for the foreseeable future.

Wheeler, 69, welcomed this week’s announcement by the Minister for Racing, Winston Peters, of a NZ$72.5 million COVID-19 emergency support package for the racing industry.

“Since 2003 when the Government basically took over the running of the TAB, we have gone slowly downhill,” Wheeler said. “Racing is a vital part of New Zealand’s tapestry and it plays a major role in terms of employment.

“I love it, I love the game. I have had a great run out of it. It has given me a fantastic lifestyle. I have met royalty, multi-millionaires, paupers and crooks. All sorts of people and I have a lot of mates in the game.

“I’ve still got quite a few horses in work, including a few jumpers and a few younger horses. A lot of them I own myself, but I don’t have a problem getting out of bed in the morning. I just enjoy my life.”

Plans changed

Ruakaka trainer Kenny Rae was meant to be lapping up the sun in Queensland right now, but instead he is back at his sunny Northland property contemplating the future of his home course.

“Eamonn Green and myself were supposed to be going to the Gold Coast with three or four horses all through May and all June,” Rae said.

“He has got an apartment there. We stayed there two years ago. It is usually the horses that don’t front up, but the people couldn’t this time.”

Rae is currently working a team of two dozen horses and is resigned to the fact that he will have to do a little more travel than what he is used to over the winter months with Ruakaka not racing this winter due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Limited participation

Horses trained outside Britain will only be allowed to run in the three Group 1 races during the opening fortnight of the delayed British Flat season.

All other races in Britain during the first weeks of the season will be closed to international runners following the planned resumption on June 1.

In an update, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced that it will allow horses from overseas to run in the Coronation Cup (June 5), 2000 Guineas (June 6) and 1000 Guineas (June 7).

Green light

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has confirmed that it has been given the green light by government for racing to resume from June 8.

HRI issued a statement, which read: “Horse Racing Ireland has welcomed the confirmation from the Government that race fixtures in Ireland can resume behind closed doors on June 8.

“Only key personnel necessary to run the fixture will be permitted to be on site where they will be subject to strict COVID-19 protocols. All those in attendance will be subject to health surveying in advance and thermal temperature screening on entry.”

Still closed

Despite a proclamation issued by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds allowing the state’s horse and dog tracks to re-open to spectator-free racing, officials at Prairie Meadows in Altoona have elected to remain closed, declaring that it is still unsafe to conduct live racing.

“At Prairie Meadows, we care deeply about the health and well-being of our family of employees, our guests, the horsemen, and our community,” said Prairie Meadows President and Chief Executive Officer Gary Palmer.

“This is a position in which we have been steadfast since deciding to close our full operation before any other casino in the state.”