Great fresh effort

Great Again (Viscount) produced a gallant first-up performance for trainer Lindsey Smith to triumph in the Listed Straight Six at Flemington.

In his first appearance since November, the 7-year-old was to have resumed in the Listed Wangoom H., but Smith bypassed the race because he felt the track wasn’t wet enough.

"He's a beautiful horse. He used that big stride late and was really tough when they were coming back at him,” stable representative Shane Jackson said.

"It's a thrill to get him back to what Lindsey said about him as he's always had a huge opinion of him."

Bright future

Opacity (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) continued his smart progression through the grades with a stylish win at Randwick in the Calyx @ Coolmore Australia H.

The 3-year-old beat the older horses in just the second appearance of his campaign, having finished fifth when resuming earlier this month.

“I thought he may have been a run short in this ground, albeit the Ocean Parks tend to handle it,” trainer John O’Shea said. “He’s a talented horse and good for Champion Thoroughbreds.”

They co-signed for the gelding at Karaka where he was purchased for NZ$70,000 out of Lansdowne Park’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale. He is a son of the Listed winner and Group 1 performer Twilight Granita (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}).

Hat-trick for Alfa Oro

Alfa Oro (NZ) (Bachelor Duke {Ire}) continued his impressive run of form when winning the Almandin H. at Flemington.

It was the third win on-end for the 4-year-old, who returned from an injury-forced two-year break last month.

“To come back after a two year lay-off and win like he has is a pretty good effort on his part,” trainer Matt Laurie said. “We had a big opinion of him early and it’s good to have him back.”

Game victory

Game Keeper (Fastnet Rock) produced a strong performance at Flemington to keep his winning sequence going.

The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained gelding had won the Listed Adelaide Guineas at his previous start before lumping 62kg to victory on a sodden track in the Efficient H.

Tony McEvoy said Game Keeper had always possessed plenty of talent and gelding him had been the making of the horse. He is now likely to be put aside before building up for the spring.

Police intervention

Racing was delayed at Eagle Farm after a police operation was mounted following an alleged bomb threat.

Police were called to the course prior to race three and following an investigation the meeting was put back an hour.

Chief steward Peter Chadwick said safety had been an obvious priority for all on-course.

Track made to order

Sasko (Teofilo {Ire}) had conditions in his favour at Flemington where he revelled on a rain-affected track to win the Rogan Josh Stayers’ Trophy.

The Matt Cumani-trained gelding made all the running under apprentice Michael Poy and he kept going strongly to down Good Idea (So You Think {NZ}) by 1.75l.

Cumani said Sasko was at his best on wet ground and his front-running style was ideally-suited to the Heavy 8 going.

The favourite Shepard (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ger}) had given Peter Moody his first win since resuming training when successful at Ballarat, but he was struggling a fair way out and only beat a couple home.

Stallion off to good start

Mapperley Stud resident Contributer (Ire) sired his second Australian winner from a handful of starters when Jeronimos (NZ) finished stoutly to claim the TLE H. at Newcastle.

The colt showed sharp improvement for trainer James Cummings on his debut third on the course last month to shed his maiden tag.

Jeronimos was purchased for NZ$250,000 by Godolphin out of Mapperley’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka. He is out of the Listed Spring Classic winner Viana (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}).

Contributer was a dual Group 1 winner for Godolphin when trained by John O’Shea, who recently produced the stallion’s first winner Lion’s Roar (NZ).

Tough times

Octogenarian trainer Kevin Gray hasn’t particularly enjoyed the last couple of months.

The Palmerston North horseman’s age group have had the most stringent measures imposed on them as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and he just wants things to go back to normal, including racing.

“I have been all right, but it has been pretty hectic when you have got 50-odd horses around you and we are going nowhere,” he said.

“I had 10 staff and I had to put off five of them because I didn’t have the work for them. I have had no income for nearly two and a-half months. It has been very tough.

“I’ve only had one owner who has called me and has told me to sell his horses. I have got five going to Australia and another five of his on gavelhouse.com.”