New stable additions
Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) has joined Mike Moroney’s Flemington stable to prepare for the spring.
The G2 Sarten Memorial winner and dual Group 1 placegetter last raced when fourth in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic behind Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel).
Harlech was accompanied to Melbourne by Snapper (NZ) (Power {GB}), a lightly-tried rising 3-year-old colt. He was placed in the G3 Waikato Stud Slipper before finishing fifth in the G1 Sistema S.
Harlech (NZ) will join the Flemington stable of Mike Moroney
On the board
Clairvoyance has provided her Rosemont Stud-based sire Nostradamus with the first win of his career.
The Darren McAuliffe-trained filly had won three trials before she made all the running to score at Belmont on Saturday.
“He’s got a bunch of talented horses and trainers keep telling me they have a nice one but it’s great to see it happen,“ Rosemont’s Anthony Mithen said.
A son of Medaglia D’Oro (USA), Nostradamus was a three-time Group 3 winner and is a half-brother to the dual Group 1 winner and sire Star Witness.
Nostradamus | Standing at Rosemont Stud
Premiership clinched
A treble at the Gold Coast on Saturday has ensured jockey Dan Griffin goes out in style.
He was successful aboard Peppino (Pierro), Delector (Pierro) and Rossmay (Real Saga) to clinch the jockeys’ premiership for the 10th time.
Griffin will be retiring following next Saturday’s meeting at Aquis Park Gold Coast.
Further examination
Knight Mariner (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) will be taken to the Gatton veterinary hospital on Monday for further examination of his injured pelvis.
He looked the winner of the G3 Winx Guineas when he hit the front, but was outdone late by Wapiti (Love Conquers All).
The Tony Golan-trained Knight Mariner was sore following the race and was taken to a nearby veterinary complex where he was treated overnight with pain killers and kept comfortable.
First city win
Leroytheconquerer (Love Conquers All) provided trainer Damien Batters with his first metropolitan winner when successful at the Sunshine Coast.
Batters trains a small team at Caloundra and has had plenty of success at midweek and provincial meetings.
He has held a trainers' licence for six years and has divided his time between Queensland and South Australia.
Shoshone shines
Talented 3-year-old Shoshone (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) was back to her best as she registered a comprehensive performance to win fresh-up over 1200 metres at Ellerslie.
The Ken and Bev Kelso-trained filly had won impressively on debut at the venue just over a year ago but a series of niggling issues had limited her to only two further starts since then, both of which saw her fail to fulfil the potential seen in her first victory.
“She has had a few minor hiccups along the way which has been a little frustrating,” Ken Kelso said. “She was ready to go again in the autumn, but we had to close down so that held her up a little.
“She has plenty of talent so we are hoping to get her through the grades and then look for some black type with her.”
Shoshone (NZ) winning at Ellerslie (red and white cap)
Pitmans dominate
The Michael and Matthew Pitman training partnership provided one of the highlights at Riccarton on Saturday when they produced the trifecta in the sixth race on the card.
Former North Island galloper Saber (NZ) (Swiss Ace) was back to his best as he led all the way in the 1000 metre dash for rider Tanya Jonker to defeat stablemates Confessional (NZ) (Swiss Ace) and Nellie Bly (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and register his eighth career victory.
“I thought Saber would be hard to beat as he went super on the first day here last month,” Michael Pitman said. “I said to Tanya to lead and stay hard up against the fence, as he loves to rail and when you get to the crossing throw the kitchen sink at him. She got a break on them and he kept going nicely for her so it was a top ride.”
