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Aquis colts out to make mark in Rosebud
Written by
Richard Edmunds
4 min read
Bright futures are being plotted for two highly regarded and talented Aquis colts who step out in Saturday's early season 3-year-old feature, the Listed Schweppes Rosebud at Rosehill.
The blue racing colours of Aquis are set to play a prominent role in the Schweppes Rosebud at Rosehill on Saturday.
High-priced and talented colts Kumasi (Snitzel) and Anders (Not A Single Doubt) feature among a quality line-up for the $140,000 Listed early season 3-year-old feature.
“They’re nice colts and it’s hard to split them,” said Brian McGuire, Aquis Bloodstock’s Racing and Bloodstock Manager.
“When they’re going from 2-year-olds to 3-year-olds, you just have to wait and see how they make that step. But I think they’re two highly talented colts with very bright futures ahead of them.”
The Gerald Ryan-trained Kumasi was a $500,000 purchase from Baramul Stud’s draft at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He is out of a half-sister to the multiple Group winner Light Up The World (Rory’s Jester), and closely related to Group 1 winners Bentley Biscuit (Peintre Celebre {USA}) and Thorn Park.
Watch: Kumasi win at Gosford
Kumasi began his career with a victory at Gosford in late February, then ran second to subsequent Group 1 placegetter Prague (Redoute’s Choice) in the G3 Pago Pago S. at Rosehill in his only other appearance.
Kumasi finished third in a trial at Rosehill on Tuesday. He will be ridden by Brenton Avdulla on Saturday and is rated a $4 chance.
“He was very good on debut at Gosford, and then he came on from that and produced a really strong performance for a stakes placing in his only other start,” McGuire said. “The form out of that race has been good.
“He’s a lovely colt, and Gerald Ryan has had plenty of success with the Snitzels over the years.
“He’s a lovely colt, and Gerald Ryan has had plenty of success with the Snitzels over the years." - Brian McGuire
“He’s got a lot of ability and has made an encouraging start to his career. Gerald has been very happy with him heading into this weekend, and a wet track isn’t going to trouble him at all.”
High regard
Anders has always been held in high regard by the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable, and he won a trial by 8l last October before a fourth placing on debut at Rosehill.
He took five starts to win his first race, but scored impressive back-to-back victories at Wyong and Rosehill in May in his two most recent appearances.
The colt was a $670,000 purchase from Arrowfield Stud’s draft at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is a half-brother to the stakes performer Battleground (Snitzel), from the family of Grade 1 winner Exciting Story (USA) (Diablo {USA}) and Kentucky Oaks placegetter Sweeping Story (USA) (End Sweep {USA}).
Anders as a yearling
A trial winner at Randwick on July 28, Anders will be ridden by Jason Collett on Saturday and just edges Kumasi for favouritism at $3.50.
“He’s really come of age in his last couple of starts,” McGuire said. “We’ve always had a very high opinion of him, and so have Ciaron Maher and his Sydney assistant trainer Annabel Neasham.
“Early in his career, he just always seemed to bump into very good ones – horses like Dame Giselle and See You Soon.
“In his two most recent starts, he’s really put everything together and has been very impressive.
“I went to see him the other day, and he’s just a gorgeous colt. He’s big and strong. He’s one of the best-looking horses you’re likely to see.
“He seems to have really filled into himself, which is a great sign for a horse going from two to 3-years-old. He doesn’t seem to have lost much residual fitness from his previous preparation, and Ciaron and the team have been very pleased with his work.”
Cummings happy with Missile trio
Written by
Richard Edmunds
3 min read
Godolphin trainer James Cummings heads to Rosehill on Saturday with a three-pronged attack on the G2 Iron Jack Missile S., with Flit (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}) representing the stable.
Cummings won the $200,000 sprint last year with Alizee (Sepoy), and his hopes of a repeat victory rest with star-studden trio Flit, Cascadian (GB) and Savatiano.
Flit was a brilliant winner of the G1 Thousand Guineas last October. From four autumn starts, she added a victory in the G2 Light Fingers S. and a second placing in the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint.
James McDonald has been booked to ride Flit, who has drawn the inside gate and is rated a $6 chance.
“There will be a fair amount of attention on her to see how she graduates from a Group 1-winning 3-year-old to an open company performer,” Cummings said.
“There will be a fair amount of attention on her to see how she graduates from a Group 1-winning 3-year-old to an open company performer." - James Cummings
“She’s always had the look of a filly who will grow into a well-furnished older mare. She’s shown more boldness in her training this time in, and she is more than capable of racing well fresh, as she showed with a fleet-footed performance to win the Light Fingers S. first-up back in February.”
Cascadian was a consistent performer last season, winning the G3 Doncaster Prelude and placing in the G1 Cantala S. and G2 Ajax S. His worst performance came in his final start of the season, the G1 Doncaster Mile, where he finished ninth but only 3.4l from the winner.
Drawn barrier 12 on Saturday, the 6-year-old will be ridden by Glyn Schofield and is a $23 chance.
Cascadian (GB) (blue silks)
“What we’ve seen of him this time in suggests he’s returned from his spell in good shape, definitely stronger,” Cummings said.
“After some luckless runs, all eyes will be on him to see if he can become the baldy-faced assassin and convert his potential into a big race win.”
Savatiano produced a string of big performances last season, including victories in the G2 Tristarc S., G2 Millie Fox S. and the inaugural $1 million The Hunter. She also ran second behind The Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) in the G1 Canterbury S. in the autumn.
Rachel King has been booked to ride Savatiano on Saturday, and she has drawn five and is a $7 chance.
“Her recent trial win on the Kensington surface shows that she has derived benefit from her spell,” Cummings said. “She can be explosive first-up and we are hoping the track conditions will allow her to put that talent on show.”
Savatiano
Melbourne runner
Meanwhile in Melbourne, Cummings will saddle Home Of The Brave (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) as one of the favourites in the G3 Aurie’s Star H.
To be ridden on Saturday by Damien Oliver, Home Of The Brave has been stakes-placed in both of his previous appearances on Flemington’s straight sprint track – the 2018 Aurie’s Star H., and the Listed Straight Six in May of this year.
“In my entire arsenal, this horse is probably my best straight-track performer,” Cummings said. “We are sending him to Melbourne to take advantage of that.
“He’s fresh and fiery after an honest winter campaign and will be sharp going into a race in which he made his Australian debut two years ago. We’re looking at this race as an opportunity to make amends for the one that got away.
“If he shows the form I expect to see here, we will try to pick the eyes out of the straight-track races at Flemington over the spring.”
Home Of The Brave (Ire)
So Si Bon back to defend Aurie’s Star crown
Written by
Richard Edmunds
3 min read
A win in last year’s G3 Aurie’s Star H. was a springboard to a career-best season for So Si Bon (So You Think {NZ}). Twelve months later, he returns to Flemington on Saturday to defend that title.
The gelding defied 20-to-one odds to win the early season sprint feature on August 10 last year, his first start since finishing at the tail of the field in the G1 Doncaster Mile in April.
By season’s end, So Si Bon had added another two wins and amassed $681,360 in stakes, lifting his career totals to five wins from 51 starts and more than $1.3 million.
He finished second in the G1 Memsie S., fifth in the G1 Rupert Clarke S., fourth in the G1 Cantala S., fourth in the G2 Blamey S., sixth in the All-Star Mile, fourth in the Listed Golden Mile and G3 Easter Cup, and first in the VOBIS Gold Mile.
“His win in this race last year was the start of a terrific season,” said Tom Dabernig, who trains So Si Bon in partnership with Ben Hayes.
“He’s one of those horses who can race over a wide range of distances, and he’s a lovely, sound old horse – as you can see by his number of starts.
“He was probably left as a colt for a little bit too long, and he just lost his way a little bit for a while. But after being gelded he really turned things around, and last season he produced some excellent performances.”
A genuine chance
So Si Bon is rated an $8.50 chance for this year’s Aurie’s Star, with $4.20 favouritism shared between Godolphin’s Home Of The Brave (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) and the Lindsey Smith-trained Great Again (Viscount).
“We’re very happy with how So Si Bon is coming up in this preparation, and we expect him to run another good race on Saturday,” Dabernig said. “He sprints well fresh and likes the straight course at Flemington.
“If he can relax early and there's good pressure on, he'll finish strongly and should be a genuine top-three chance.
So Si Bon after winning last year's G3 Aurie's Star H.
“He'll like the conditions with a bit of rain about. There should be good pace, which he'll like, and if he's left alone early he should run a good race. The main difference between last year and this year is that he's got the topweight of 60kgs and he only carried 55.5kgs last year.”
So Si Bon is likely to follow a similar spring path to 2019, with the G1 Memsie S. on August 29 looming as the obvious next step. But Dabernig and Hayes have also nominated him for the Cox Plate on October 24.
“We’ll naturally look at 1400 metres and a mile after this, and there’s the possibility of stepping him up over 2000 metres later on as well,” Dabernig said. “We’ll see how he performs through the spring.”
Leneva Park to stand Lucas Cranach
4 min read
Written by Richard Edmunds
Fledgling Victorian operation Leneva Park will stand Melbourne Cup placegetter Lucas Cranach (Ger) in the 2020 breeding season.
Lucas Cranach won six of his 12 starts in an injury-shortened career, headed by Group 2 victories in Germany and Australia. He finished third behind Dunaden (Fr) (Nicobar {GB}) and Red Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereaux {GB}) in the 2011 Melbourne Cup.
From 2013 to 2019, Lucas Cranach stood at Bullarook Park Stud, and he is the sire of 42 winners from 105 runners to date.
This year he is moving down the road to a new name on the Victorian thoroughbred scene.
“He previously stood at Bullarook Park Stud, which is just five minutes away from us here,” said Leneva Park’s Mick Sharkie. “But now Malcolm Boyd has decided that it’s time to retire.
Lucas Cranach (Ger) | Standing at Leneva Park Stud in 2020
“I’ve been a shareholder in Lucas Cranach right back to when he first arrived in Australia during his racing career.
“Malcolm came to me and said he was a bit worried. He really wanted him to have a secure future, and he wanted to see him get another chance at stud.
“I’d only recently started working here at Leneva Park, and I went to Luke (Vandersluys) and said, ‘How about I bring in a stallion?’
“I think it’s going to work out really well. He’ll stay at his previous service fee of $5500 (inc GST), which we think is reasonable. He’s doing a good job with around half a dozen city winners, including some by big margins. Get Stuck In has scored some dominant wins up in Queensland over the last few months.
“For people who are breeding to race and could possibly send more than one mare, we’ll certainly be happy to do some deals for multiple mares.
Watch: Get Stuck In win at Doomben
“He’s proven to be a good source of winners so far. There’s been a lot of feedback that as soon as his progeny turn four, they’re just different horses. They might struggle to win as 3-year-olds, or they’re just not quite the complete article, but once they’re four, they just go bang.
“John Fiteni has had some good success with Lucas Cranach horses. He’s experimented with the breed, giving them all the time they need and not pushing them too much early on, and it’s paid off for him.
“If you just treat their 3-year-old season as if it’s a 2-year-old season, his progeny really develop into very tough and durable performers.
“He arrived here at the farm on Wednesday, and he’s just in fantastic condition. He looks great.
“He arrived here at the farm on Wednesday, and he’s just in fantastic condition. He looks great." - Mick Sharkie
“Maybe he might have a resurgence as far as his stud career goes – I’d love to see that happen. He was such a talented racehorse with so much potential that he wasn’t quite able to fulfil.”
It was only last year that Luke Vandersluys bought the existing Rockmount property and established Leneva Park, but the emerging operation has quickly made giant strides.
They have already built a strong pre-training relationship with major stables such as Mick Price, Lindsey Smith, Nigel Blackiston and Brad Spicer, while breeding relationships with Rosemont and Swettenham Stud have seen them purchase stallion shares in Strasbourg and I Am Immortal.
“It’s still a very new business, but already some very strong relationships have been formed,” Sharkie said. “The pre-training part of the business has taken off and is going really well.
“The property has a long history, but we’re only a young farm in terms of this ownership. It’s a new family entering into the Victorian thoroughbred game.
“We really focussed on trying to build a good relationship with Rosemont, which involved buying shares and breeding rights for Strasbourg, and it’s the same for Swettenham with I Am Immortal.
“It’s important to be fostering those relationships. We really want to get established in this business and be here for the long haul.”
Black type preview: Rosehill & Flemington
5 min read
Star Kiwi mare kicks off
Rosehill, G2 Iron Jack Missile S., $200,000, 1200m
New Zealand’s reigning Horse of the Year Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) will make a fresh start in Saturday’s sprint feature in Sydney.
A winner of nine Group 1 races in her homeland and last year’s Empire Rose S. at Flemington, Melody Belle has dwarfed her NZ$57,500 purchase price with almost $3.4 million in stakes. She was a consistent big-race performer in Australia last season, following up her Empire Rose victory with placings in the G1 Mackinnon S., G1 Futurity S. and All-Star Mile. She was a close fourth in the Doncaster and sixth in the Queen Elizabeth S.
The Jamie Richards-trained mare scored a stylish trial win on the Kensington track on July 31, and she is expected to make a bold start to her 6-year-old season on Saturday with Kerrin McEvoy aboard.
However, Melody Belle has a history of needing a run before finding her best form, and Saturday’s quality line-up could be hard to handle if she isn’t quite at fever pitch.
The field also features Group 1 winners Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), Flit (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) and Le Romain (Hard Spun {USA}), along with last season’s multiple Group 2 winner and Group 1 placegetter Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}).
Eduardo (Host {Chi}), a Group 2 winner and Group 1 placegetter earlier in his career, made a welcome return to winning form last month in his first start for new trainer Joe Pride.
As well as providing an early glimpse of some potential G1 Golden Rose contenders, this 3-year-old feature could have a bearing on the reputation and value of a number of promising colts.
Two scratchings have reduced the field to nine, of which five were bought for $500,000 or more as yearlings.
Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon) was a $675,000 purchase at the 2019 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. He has had four starts and has already proven his class, winning the Listed Talindert S. on debut and finishing close up in all of his remaining appearances. He ran third in the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S., then fourth in the G1 ATC Sires’ Produce S. and third in the G1 Champagne S.
I Am Invincible colt Rulership cost $900,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He won on debut, then placed in the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude, ran eighth in the G1 Blue Diamond and fourth in the G3 Kindergarten S.
Rulership
Kumasi (Snitzel), a $500,000 Magic Millions purchase, followed a debut victory with a second placing in the G3 Pago Pago S. in his only other start.
Anders (Not A Single Doubt) was bought for $670,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and has been an impressive winner of his last two starts in lower grades.
Return With Honour (Fastnet Rock) was a $520,000 purchase at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and is held in high regard by the Gerald Ryan stable. He placed in the G3 Canonbury S. before being tripped up by wet tracks in the G3 Black Opal and Schweppervescence.
The Rosebud also features Prime Star (Starspangledbanner), who cost only $55,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale but is out of the Group 1 winner Barinka (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}). Prime Star won the $2 million R. Listed Inglis Millennium at Warwick Farm in February.
Godolphin speedster back in town
Flemington, G3 Aurie’s Star H., $160,000, 1200m
Godolphin trainer James Cummings has labelled Home Of The Brave (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) the best straight-track performer in his stable, and on Saturday he has the chance to prove that point.
The talented sprinter has had two previous starts on Flemington’s straight sprint course, finishing second in this race two years ago and third in the Listed Straight Six in May of this year.
He is now a 9-year-old but has lost none of his spark, winning a trial on the Kensington track on July 31 in which he defeated Splintex (Snitzel), Con Te Partiro (USA) (Scat Daddy {USA}), Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock), Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), Prague (Redoute’s Choice) and Just Thinkin’ (So You Think {NZ}).
So Si Bon (So You Think {NZ}) won this race last year, and he went on to perform with distinction in Group 1 races such as the Memsie S., Sir Rupert Clarke S. and Cantala S., along with the All-Star Mile. He carries a significantly higher weight for his title defence 12 months later, but cannot be underestimated.
Great Again (Viscount) is the winner of 10 of his 25 starts and has been in good form through the winter, winning the Straight Six and placing in the Listed All Victorian Sprint Series Final and G3 Bletchingly S. in his two most recent appearances.
Although he has been unplaced in his last two starts, Hightail (Written Tycoon) was a quality performer last season with victories in the G3 Gold Coast Guineas and Listed Gosford Guineas and a placing in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.
Worldwide
Group 1s
0 min read
August 9 - 5.42am
G1 Ballerina S.
USA
Saratoga
August 9 - 7.39am
G1 Longines Test
USA
Saratoga
August 9 - 8.15am
G1 Runhappy Travers
USA
Saratoga
August 9 - 11.15pm
G1 LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest
France
Deauville
August 10 - 12.10am
G1 Phoenix S.
Ireland
Curragh
Foal Showcase
1 min read
To have your foal featured, send a landscape-oriented image to olivia@tdnausnz.com.au
Press Statement x Devilish Diva (colt) born August 3 at Kitchwin Hills
Sooboog x Inis Rose (filly) born August 4 at Kitchwin Hills
Daily News Wrap
Sponsored by
8 min read
Inglis Digital August Sale opens
An Inglis Digital August (Early) Online Sale catalogue bursting with quality opened for bidding on Friday afternoon.
Not only does it include the Great Southern Sale weanlings (now officially yearlings), but there are also a number of highly prized fillies and mares, including Rosina Kojonup (Shamus Award) – a half-sister to She Will Reign (Manhattan Rain).
The catalogue begins with the Great Southern Sale weanlings in original lot order from Lot 501-795, followed by the racing stock, yearlings, shares and broodmares.
Rosina Kojonup is one the highest-quality race fillies to be offered on Inglis Digital and presents a rare opportunity for buyers to tap into one of Australasia’s most progressive female families.
The daughter of elite producer Courgette (Charge Forward) was a $425,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling and has “incredible natural speed” according to trainer Bjorn Baker, who regards her as an untapped talent having won twice from just five starts to date.
Black Caviar set for Written Tycoon
Champion mare Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) will visit Written Tycoon in the 2020 breeding season.
The legendary sprinter’s part-owner Neil Werrett told Racing.com that the success of Written Tycoon colt Ole Kirk was a contributing factor.
Written Tycoon | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
“We asked Rick Jamieson for his assistance this year in suggesting stallions for Black Caviar,” he said. “He had bred Ole Kirk, which I bought because Rick was breeding it and it was out of a full sister to Black Caviar.
“Rick is a good friend and he suggested that Written Tycoon was a great mating for Black Caviar and Black Caviar's line. And it's proven with Ole Kirk that it works. He was very adamant that she should go to Written Tycoon. So we have taken his advice.”
Black Caviar produced a filly and a colt by I Am Invincible in 2018 and 2019 respectively, and she returned to the same stallion last season. Her earlier progeny are the two-race winner Oscietra (Exceed And Excel), the winner Prince Of Caviar (Sebring) and unraced Out Of Caviar (Snitzel).
Debut win for $900,000 purchase
High-priced yearling purchase Loca (Zoustar) began his career on a winning note at Ballarat on Friday.
Ridden by Dwayne Dunn for trainers Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, the 3-year-old fought hard to score by a nose in a tight finish with Tesorina (Brazen Beau).
“I don't really think it was his forte on the artificial,” Wayne Hawkes said. “His head was up a bit, his ears were back a bit, probably resented it a bit coming around to the corner.
“He was beaten, simple as that. He dug deep, went to roll in a bit up the straight. He got the job done and Dwayne (Dunn) nursed him there. He only won by a small margin, but you only have to win.”
Loca holds nominations for the G1 Golden Rose on September 26 and Caulfield Guineas on October 10.
He is raced by Spendthrift Australia and was a $900,000 purchase from Widden Stud’s draft at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is out of Shakeira (USA) (Freud {USA}), who won seven races including the Listed Mount Vernon S. at Belmont Park in New York.
Foot injury claims first Country Championships winner
Artlee (Excellent Art {GB}), the winner of the inaugural Country Championships at Randwick in 2015, has passed away.
The winner of six of his 21 starts and almost $450,000 in stakes, Artlee also won the Listed Luskin Star S. and placed in the G2 Victory S., G3 BRC Sprint and Listed Lightning H.
The late Artlee
“Due to a very bad ongoing foot injury in Artlee’s rear hind, we have sadly had to put him to rest this morning,” part-owner Peter Rogers said.
“The foot injury had progressed into a very rare form of aggressive cancer and unfortunately we have lost the battle to cure this. We had contacted high ranking vets in Kentucky as well as other experts on this matter, in both America and the best we could find in Australia, and they found that this was an extremely rare case. In fact, I was told there have been only two known cases so far of this nature, so it will be documented in the next Vet Journal.
“I would like to particularly thank Hayley at Randwick Equine, who gave her whole heart into the treatment of our 17-plus hands tall gelding.
“He will be forever in our hearts and I always remember the race call in Sydney where he didn’t win, as he was blocked for a run, but ran the last 600 metres in 32 seconds and the race caller said, 'That’s as fast as any racehorse can run'.
“He truly was a champion who unfortunately didn’t get the chance to fulfil his true potential. He was a magnificent horse.”
Racing Victoria and Seven announce broadcast agreement
The Seven Network and Racing Victoria have announced a five year extension of their broadcast partnership, cementing Seven’s standing as the home of racing and ensuring sports fans continue to enjoy unprecedented access to thoroughbred racing year-round.
In continuing its long-standing partnership with Racing Victoria, Seven will broadcast 21 feature days of elite Victorian thoroughbred racing each year, while Racing.com coverage will continue to be broadcast on Channel 78 up to and including 2025.
The agreement means Seven will continue to bring fans the very best thoroughbred racing throughout Australia live and free, including Melbourne’s hallowed spring racing carnival in the months ahead.
Seven’s premium raceday coverage will resume on Saturday, August 29, on what is the official opening day of the 2020 Spring Racing Carnival with the G1 Memsie S. at Caulfield.
Racing Victoria CEO Giles Thompson commented: “We’re delighted to announce a five-year extension of our broadcast agreement with Seven, who have and will continue to be wonderful supporters of thoroughbred racing.
“This is a fantastic partnership and we’re excited to be working with the team at Seven to continue building that so that sporting and racing fans remain the winners, enjoying entertaining and informative broadcasts of Victorian racing.
“Most importantly, this agreement underpins and strengthens the future of the industry-owned Racing.com and the pivotal role it plays in showcasing Victorian racing each and every day to the nation as Australia’s only 24/7 free-to-air sporting channel. This is wonderful news for racing fans and keen punters across Australia.”
Tabcorp and Inglis extend partnership
Two of Australia’s principal racing brands, Inglis and Tabcorp, have extended their long-standing relationship by a further three years.
The new deal, confirming the continuation of Tabcorp’s wagering arm TAB and Sky Racing as Inglis’s official Wagering and Broadcast Partner, will see the formal partnership between the two parties extend to 15 consecutive years.
The partnership will continue to create exciting high value business opportunities, with heightened digital and marketing activity during Select Inglis Sales in both Sydney and Melbourne.
Tabcorp Managing Director Wagering and Media, Adam Rytenskild, said he was excited to continue the partnership with Inglis.
“Given Tabcorp’s significant connection with racing in Australia and our customers’ love for racing, I’m very happy to be extending our partnership with Inglis,” Rytenskild said.
“This partnership allows us to connect punters and partners to the world class Inglis facilities while TAB and Sky Racing will help support Inglis buyers, breeders and trainers.
“Our renewed partnership will also support the $6 million Inglis race series, including the feature 2YO Inglis Millennium worth $2 million.”
Champions Day feels COVID-19 impact
Prizemoney for QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot has been cut by almost half due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The marquee raceday on October 17 will feature total stakes of £2.5 million (AU$4,538,728), which is a drop of 40 per cent from last year’s £4.2 million (AU$7,625,064).
The G1 Champion S. will be Britain’s richest race this year at £750,000 (AU$1,361,618) – a big drop from last year’s £1.3 million (AU$2,360,138). The G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. has been cut from £1.1 million (AU$1,997,040) to £650,000 (AU$1,180,069).
“We are pleased to be able to stage a card worth £2.5 million (AU$4,538,728) on QIPCO British Champions Day despite our income streams being so negatively affected and the enormous challenges facing the sport,” said Rod Street, the chief executive of the British Champions Series.
Deal done for talented filly
Talented South Island filly Matchmaker (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) has been partially sold to Australian interests, but will remain in New Zealand for the rest of this spring.
After an impressive debut victory over 1000 metres at Riccarton on July 25, owner-breeders Gus and Bianca Wigley have sold a half-share in the filly to Manoj Wanzare.
The deal allows Matchmaker to remain with current trainers Nick Wigley and Kayla Milnes up to the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 14.
Matchmaker (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images South
“We were reluctant to sell because we wanted to target the 1000 Guineas,” Gus Wigley told NZ Racing Desk.
“Andy Williams put a very good offer together on behalf of Manoj Wanzare, a client of Chris Waller. It sees Manoj purchase half of the filly from us, with her to stay in training with us here until New Zealand Cup week with the aim of getting her to the 1000 Guineas. She will then transfer to Chis Waller, where we'll race her with Manoj. It's a great deal that sees everyone win and it's pretty exciting.”
Looking Ahead - August 8
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3 min read
Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
Black-type races in Sydney and Melbourne deservedly take top billing on Saturday, but there are some other runners during the day who are well worth keeping a close eye on – including one on the supporting program at Flemington, and two at Newcastle.
A field light on numbers but with no shortage of interest, including four last-start winners along with well-bred colt Token Spirit (Wandjina).
The Robbie Griffiths-trained 3-year-old was a $300,000 purchase from the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is a son of Miss Keepsake (NZ) (Keeper), who won the G1 Queensland Oaks and placed in the G1 Queen of the Turf S. and Queensland Derby.
Already the dam of multiple winner and G3 Ethereal S. fourth placegetter Collectable (Sebring), Miss Keepsake is a half-sister to the Group 2 winner and successful producer Villifye (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Token Spirit as a yearling
Miss Keepsake’s granddam My Tripos (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) was a full-sister to four stakes-winners including Grosvenor (NZ), who won the G1 Victoria Derby, Caulfield Guineas and VRC Sires’ Produce S. and became a highly successful sire.
Token Spirit began his career with a close eighth over 1200 metres at Ballarat on July 20. He is making a significant step up in trip for this.
Peter and Paul Snowden have four entrants in this race including the well related Reignite (Sebring), who was an $800,000 purchase at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Reignite is out of the Encosta De Lago mare Risk Aversion, who won five races including the Listed Juanmo S. and placed in the G3 Millie Fox S.
Risk Aversion is also a half-sister to Shania Dane (Danehill {USA}), whose stakes successes included the G2 Phar Lap S. and Premiere S. alongside placings in the G1 George Main S., Emirates S., Myer Classic, All Aged S. and Queen of the Turf S., as well as the five-time Hong Kong stakes-winner Scintillation (Danehill {USA}).
Reignite as a yearling
Reignite is raced by Newgate Bloodstock, China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd, Horse Ventures, Newgate S F, Go Bloodstock Australia, G1G Racing & Breeding, Nick Vass Bloodstock, Glenlogan Park, Aston Bloodstock, Grant Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Carpe Diem, Stonestreet Stables LLC and Winstar Farm LLC.
The 3-year-old has shown promise, finishing fourth in both of his starts to date, and he was second and third in two trials at Randwick during July.
Chris Waller’s pair of fillies in this event include Canadian Spice (Vancouver), who was bought for $600,000 at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Woppitt Bloodstock and Hermitage Thoroughbreds.
Canadian Spice is a daughter of Paprika (General Nediym), whose six wins included the Listed CE McDougall S. and Tommy Smith Slipper. She also finished second in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, third in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic and fourth in the G2 Schillaci S.
Canadian Spice as a yearling
While still a maiden from three starts, Canadian Spice has already earned black type through her third placing in the R. Listed Inglis Nursery in December.
Canadian Spice won a 900 metre trial at Rosehill on July 17.
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