Ciaron Maher Racing - Racing Manager

Ciaron Maher Racing (CMR) is looking for a strategic Racing Manager to oversee our racing team’s operations, manage our horses’ long-term preparations and assist in the communication of these plans between our operations team and our owners.

Based at Ballarat and responsible for racing administration staff, strategic management of racehorses and client communication across all sites.

Specifically:

● Lead and manage CMR racing administration staff

● Coordinate plans for all CMR racehorses across Ballarat, Caulfield and Warwick Farm Stables

● Manage and oversee the placement of horses, including management of form specialists, nominations and acceptances and movement of horses

● Manage key horse management system, PRISM and automation of key processes

● Manage and oversee communications with clients, ensuring that plans for horses are integrated into communications

● Regular attendance at track work and races with Training Team

● Harness technology to better assist performance management and decision making

● Prepare and analyze a meaningful set of performance metrics for the racing stable and advise on strategic direction

● Work with other CMR personnel to proactively develop the client base and other business development opportunities

● Liaise with Trainers, Assistant Trainers

Requirements:

● Strong knowledge of thoroughbred racing, particularly Australian racing pattern

● Ability to liaise with a diverse range of stakeholders including Trainers & Clients

● Strategic planning and attention to detail

● Aptitude and appetite for technology, systems and process

● Strong people management skills

● Ability to manage a large portfolio with competing priorities

● Significant travel between stables

Please send all applications with your CV and a cover letter to:

jobs@ciaronmaher.com.au

Written by Paul Vettise

Archie Alexander will look to the staying division of his operation to lay the foundations for a successful spring.

The Ballarat conditioner has a number of distance prospects, most notably stable newcomer and Group 3 winner Young Rascal (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) and the well-performed Gallic Chieftain (Fr) (Tamayuz {GB}).

The former will make the second appearance of his campaign in Saturday’s Very Special Kids Pin And Win Plate over the more suitable trip of 2500 metres at Flemington.

Newmarket trainer William Haggas sent Young Rascal to Australia in the autumn in the company of Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), who was a star of the Sydney carnival with Group 1 triumphs in the Ranvet S. and the Queen Elizabeth S.

He subsequently returned home and in one start since has finished runner-up in the G1 Prince Of Wales’s S. at Royal Ascot.

Cup success

Young Rascal also played a strong supporting role to his more-heralded stablemate and beat the highly-regarded Mugatoo (Ire) (Henrythenavigator {USA}) in the G3 Manion Cup before he struggled on a heavy track when the beaten favourite in the G1 Sydney Cup.

OTI subsequently purchased a controlling interest in Young Rascal and sent him to Alexander, who is expecting the 6-year-old to show improvement off the back of a first-up seventh in a 2000 metre handicap at Caulfield last month.

“He hadn’t run for a while and it was too short for him. He’s better off at the weights and I expect him to run well,” Alexander said.

“The 2500 metres on the big track will suit him and we’re hoping to get to the G1 Caulfield Cup this preparation. He does stay so the G1 Melbourne Cup is in the back of our minds, but we will take it race by race.”

Gallic Chieftain, who also sports the OTI colours, won the G2 Chairman’s H. in the autumn and in the spring finished runner-up in the G1 Metropolitan H. He recently resumed from a break with an unplaced run in the Listed Heatherlie H. over an unsuitably short 1700 metres.

“He will be heading to the Metrop again and we’ve also got a new horse called Pappalino from France. He’s only just got here so he may be more of an autumn horse,” Alexander said.

A Listed winner, Pappalino (Fr) (Makfi {GB}) was purchased by stable client Tim Porter and has been successful four times up to 3000 metres and twice Group-placed.

Alexander also further black-type hopes for the lightly-raced Gamay (Pierro), who showed her quality last season when she progressed from a Ballarat maiden success to winning the G3 Ethereal S. two runs later and was spelled after running firth in the G1 VRC Oaks.

Although Gamay was out of the money when resuming, she pleased Alexander with her effort over 1400 metres at Caulfield last month.

“She was really good and it was a bit short for her so I was happy. We’re realistic and we know she’s not going to win a G1 Cox Plate or a G1 Melbourne Cup, but hopefully she can win another Group race,” Alexander said.

“She will run at Flemington on Wednesday week in a benchmark race over a mile before she gets up to a distance and I think she will run well.”

Cover image courtesy of Zuzanna Lupa photography

Courtesy of TDN Europe

At A Glance

>> The 76 yearlings sold during the session brought €16,625,000 (AU$27 million) in turnover, at an average of €218,750 (AU$356,000) and median of €100,000 (AU$162,708).

>> For the ninth year in a row, Monceaux is at the top of the vendors’ table for Arqana’s flagship sale, with 23 yearlings sold for just shy of €10 million (AU$16.2 million).

>> A daughter of Dubawi (Ire) tops the session when knocked down for €2.5 million (AU$4 million) .

>> Dubawi (Ire) leads the stallion averages and aggregate with four lots sold at €870,000 (AU$1.4 million) and a total turnover of €3,480,000 (AU$5.66 million) .

>> Fawzi Nass and Oliver St Lawrence are the leading buyers with five purchases at just over €3.5 million (AU$5.7 million) through the first two days.

Filly tops session

Dubawi (Ire) was again the dominant force during the second session of Arqana’s Deauville Select Sale, with a filly by Darley’s leading stallion realising €2.5 million (AU$4 million) to top proceedings.

The prominent team of Anthony Stroud and Godolphin struck on the opening day of the auction when they secured a daughter of Dubawi for a session-high €620,000 (AU$1,006,133).

Fawzi Nass was the under-bidder, but on the second day he wasn’t to be denied this and with Oliver St Lawrence secured the sale-topper out of the draft of the sale’s perennial leading consignor Ecurie des Monceaux.

For the ninth year in a row, Monceaux is at the top of the vendors’ table for Arqana’s flagship sale, with 23 yearlings sold for just shy of €10 million (AU$16.2 million).

While the clearance rate, which dropped a little from the first day to 68.5 per cent, tells its own tale in regard to the selectivity of the market, there was no denying the more buoyant feel to proceedings on Thursday.

The 76 yearlings sold during the session brought €16,625,000 (AU$27 million) in turnover, at an average of €218,750 (AU$356,000) and median of €100,000 (AU$162,708). Last year’s record average for the three days of the August Sale was €187,671 (AU$305,470) and the cumulative average for the two days so far is now €180,790 (AU$294,135).

That is likely to drop somewhat after Friday’s final session and overall, the median is currently €105,000 (AU$170,890), while the two-day aggregate is €30,680,000 (AU$49.9 million).

Monceaux magic

It was a toss-up as to whether Monceaux’s full-brother to Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) or the half-sister to Group 1 winners Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Sistercharlie (Ire) ( Myboycharlie {Ire}) would play the leading role, but it was the latter who stole the show.

She is a chestnut daughter of Starlet’s Sister (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who is now challenging more established names in the Monceaux broodmare band for top honours.

The sales record of her offspring started in a moderate manner, just €12,000 (AU$19,500) was needed to buy her first foal at Arqana’s October Sale but, the filly subsequently named Sistercharlie has played her own important part in ensuring that the siblings who follow in her wake will never be overlooked at a yearling sale.

Add to Sistercharlie’s seven Grade I victories the French Classic win of half-brother Sottsass and the value of Starlet’s Sister’s progeny have soared.

With Stroud in his usual spot in the gangway to the right of the rostrum, the consistent bids that came from that direction led to the assumption that this was another Dubawi that would soon be heading Godolphin’s way, but Nass and St. Lawrence had other ideas.

They were late to the party, but stayed the longest and made the most noise when placing the final bid that had the gavel hit the wood in their favour. The pair had been active throughout the session, signing up new recruits for KHK Racing, the operation of Bahrain’s Sheikh Khalid Al Khalifa. The Dubawi filly will race for him in partnership with his brother Sheikh Nasser.

“She is a very beautiful filly with an exceptional pedigree,” Nass said. “She will be trained in England, we don’t know where she will go into training yet, but we’ll make up our minds soon. A filly with a profile like that arouses plenty of interest, and we are very glad to have bought her.”

Nass, who trains his own string of horses in Bahrain, also picked up the sole yearling by American Pharoah in the catalogue for €320,000 (AU$521,000).

“He’ll be trained in England. He’s an exciting horse, a nice American Pharoah out of a Distorted Humor mare so he should be quite versatile on the turf,” he said.

The colt’s dam Sea Of Snow (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}) was third in the Listed Woodcote S. and from the family of the G1 English Derby winner Lammtarra (USA) (Nijinsky {Can}).

Nass and St Lawrence’s five purchases through the first two days made them the leading buyers with just over €3.5 million (AU$5.7 million) spent.

Their list also included a colt and a filly from the first crop of Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Almanzor (Fr) at €260,000 (AU$423,000) and €250,000 (AU$407,000) respectively. The former, a colt consigned by Haras de Borgeauville, is a son of the Canadian Group 2 winner Minakshi (Fr) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), while the filly was bred by Steve Burggraf of Ecurie de Montlahuc, who raced her dam, the Listed-winning juvenile Penny Lane (Ger) (Lord Of England {Ger}).

Almanzor’s 12 yearlings sold so far in Deauville have returned a highly respectable average of €159,750 (AU$260,000).

Wootton Bassett in vogue

The recent announcement of Almanzor’s sire Wootton Bassett (GB)’s sale to Coolmore was followed by a purple patch for the 12-year-old son of Iffraaj (GB) on the racecourse, with Audarya (Fr) becoming his second Group 1 winner in the Prix Jean Romanet and Midlife Crisis (Fr) and Akmaam (Fr) his first two ‘TDN Rising Stars’.

There was as such some buzz around his yearlings on offer in Deauville this week and the dearest of those proved to be Haras de la Louviere’s second foal of the winning Nayef mare Sounaya (Ger), who was signed for by Jamie McCalmont at €300,000 (AU$488,000).

Watch: Lot 249 - Wootton Bassett (GB) x Sounaya (Ger) (colt)

Like Thursday’s €1.1 million (AU$1.8 million) Kingman colt, he is from the family of the six-time Group 1 winner Stacelita and her Classic-winning daughter Soul Stirring (Jpn) (Frankel {GB}).

Wootton Bassett’s other transactions on Thursday included colts to Yann Barberot for €240,000 (AU$390,000) and Chauvigny Global Equine for €200,000 (AU$325,500) and Wootton Bassett’s 14 sold during Part I of the sale averaged €126,929 (AU$206,600) . His current yearlings are his second crop bred on a €20,000 (AU$32,550) stud fee.

Magnier strikes

MV Magnier paid €1.4 million (AU$2.3 million) for G1 Mackinnon S. winner Magic Wand in 2016 and he secured her brother for €2 million (AU$3.25 million). Their dam Prudenzia (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) has had nine yearlings sell at Arqana for a staggering €10,195,000 (AU$16.6 million).

From a raft of Galileo (Ire) fillies at their disposal, the Coolmore team must have a soft spot for the tough-as-teak Magic Wand, who runs in Sunday’s G1 Prix Vermeille.

She went through an extraordinary 2019 campaign, when she raced in Dubai, America, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia and Hong Kong.

Magnier had a tussle with David Redvers, but it was evident that this was one colt he was determined to add to the Ballydoyle battalions for next year.

“He comes from an excellent family and is by Galileo, who is having another great year. Prudenzia has been an incredible mare and has produced some special horses. We thought he was a lovely horse. He’s got a good hind leg and is a very good mover,” Magnier said.

Chappet to train Treve’s Sister

Sheail bin Khalifa Al Kuwari is best known as a champion owner of Purebred Arabians in Qatar, but he has begun to make his way into thoroughbred ownership in France.

Kuwari went to €520,000 (AU$847,000) to secure the sister to six-time Group 1 winner Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) through Gerard Larrieu of Chantilly Bloodstock from Haras du Quesnay’s draft.

“She’s a lovely filly, maybe better than her sister at the same age,” Larrieu said. “We will find out if she has the same engine, but we’re very lucky and happy to get her.”

Cover image courtesy of Fasig-Tipton

Courtesy of TDN America

At A Glance

>> An American Pharoah (USA) colt topped the second day of the Sale when he changed hands for US$1.25 million (AU$1.72 million) .

>> The 348 lots sold for US$61,765,000 (AU$85 million) at an average of US$177,486 (AU$244,226) and median of US$120,000 (AU$165,000).

>> Fasig-Tipton President and Chief Executive Officer Boyd Browning Jnr paid tribute to his team and to all breeders and vendors for entrusting them with their yearlings.

Business brisk

The two-day Fasig-Tipton sale drew to a close with solid enough trade, especially on flashier offerings, given the global uncertainty leading up to the first major yearling sale in the year of COVID-19.

The auction, necessitated by the cancellation of the July, Saratoga and New York-bred sales, featured 348 transactions for gross receipts of US$61,765,000 (AU$85 million) at an average of US$177,486 (AU$244,226) and median of US$120,000 (AU$165,000). The buy-back rate was 33.7 per cent.

The sale topper came on Wednesday when Robbie Medina, bidding on behalf of Joe Allen, went to US$1.5 million (AU$2,063,000) to acquire a regally-bred Quality Road (USA) filly from the Hill ‘N’ Dale Sales Agency consignment.

“I would like to thank the 662 people who own horses and entrusted them with us in a sale that had never been done before. That is one of the greatest compliments you could ever expect, when they entrust something of value to you,” said Fasig-Tipton President and Chief Executive Officer Boyd Browning Jnr.

“We demonstrated viability in the marketplace. It is not easy. We all know nothing is easy right now. It’s selective. You’ve heard me say a thousand times over the last 30 years it is selective, but there is viability and there is hope. I have to take my hat off to my team.”

Watch: Boyd Browning Jnr speak about the Sale

Spirited bidding

A son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (USA), consigned by Denali Stud on behalf of Bayne and Christina Welker, was the first to set off fireworks on the closing day.

He ignited a spirited round of bidding between a trio of powerhouse connections in Donato Lanni, Coolmore and Marette Farrell, acting on behalf of Speedway Stables. Lanni was the first to throw in the towel, leaving Coolmore and Farrell to duke it out and it was the latter left to sign the winning ticket on behalf of Speedway Stables’ KC Weiner and Peter Fluor.

“KC Weiner and Peter Fluor are two of the best owners a person could possibly have,” said Farrell, who was shocked to find out she had outbid the Coolmore team. “They are game. They are very successful in their own business world and they apply all of those principles to our little horse world.

“They have done very well so far. They love being part of the game. They love working with Bob Baffert.”

The colt was bred by the Welkers, who purchased the dam Swingit (USA) (Victory Gallop {USA}) for US$50,000 (AU$69,000) in foal to Bodemeister (USA) at the 2016 Keeneland November Sale. Already the dam of millionaire Neolithic (USA) (Harlan’s Holiday {USA}) at that time, her second foal for the Welkers was new ‘TDN Rising Star’ Travel Column (USA) (Frosted {USA}), who was purchased by Larry Best for US$850,000 (AU$1.17 million) at last term’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale.

“We just thought he was an absolutely stunning horse,” Farrell said. “We were the underbidder on his half-sister last year, who was the ‘TDN Rising Star.’ We had seen this horse on the farm and knew how much his connections thought of him and Bob Baffert, who is going to train him, loved him.

“I was on the phone with KC Weiner, who coached me through this. We are thrilled to get him. We think he is a really special horse and it looks like the mare has already produced a couple of very good horses. He fits what Speedway wants and what Bob Baffert is looking for.”

The American Pharoah colt had originally been targeted to sell at the cancelled Saratoga sale, but the extra time may have helped the yearling.

“It was pretty stressful. He was originally going to go to Saratoga, but the extra time was actually good for him,” Christina Welker said. “He is a May foal and he was really immature for a long time. We had to let him mature himself.

“There is nothing you can do to make him look good against January foals except time. So really COVID-19 might have been a help to give him that extra month.”

Watch: Marette Farrell speaks about her purchase

More Mischief

Into Mischief (USA) has been very good to SF, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables (the original ownership group), providing them with last weekend’s GI Kentucky Derby hero Authentic (USA). The team’s bloodstock agent Donato Lanni was back in action for another son of that red hot Spendthrift stallion, going to US$800,000 (AU$1.1 million) for the colt.

“There are some new partners in this deal this year,” said Lanni. “SF, Sol Kumin and Starlight are all great guys. This year we spent a month looking at horses at the farms, myself, Tom Ryan and Caroline [Walsh].

“He was a horse we saw at Indian Creek and we quite liked him. He is a very athletic horse. He looked like Practical Joke, an early, fast horse. Those are the kinds of horses we try to buy.”

The youngster is out of Blind Copy (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}), a sister to the stakes winner Lucky Foilie (USA).

On Wednesday, it was Spendthrift Farm and MyRacehorse, later additions to the ownership group of Saturday’s GI Kentucky Derby winner Authentic, who took home a pricey Into Mischief colt, and on Thursday it was Authentic’s original owners’ turn to grab two sons of the Spendthrift Farm stalwart.

Acting on behalf of the powerful partnership of SF, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Lanni went to US$560,000 (AU$770,000) to secure the son of stakes winner Twice The Lady (USA) (Quiet American {USA}).

“He’s an Into Mischief, we got lucky with him last weekend,” Lanni said. “He’s got everything we’re looking for. We’re happy with the price and happy that we’re here shopping.”

When asked to describe him physically, Baffert’s go-to agent said, “This horse is going to change so much from now to next year when we go to the races with him. Hopefully, he stays the way we want him to stay. He’s just got to put the tack on now.”

WinStar General Manager David Hanley offered: “He’s a really nice horse, bred to go two turns. He’s got plenty size, and plenty of Into Mischief kind of muscle tone–strength. He’s a very nice horse. We’re happy with the price.”

WinStar paid US$350,000 (AU$481,062) for Twice The Lady at the 2013 Fasig-Tipton November sale.

While SF, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables were quiet during the first session, they sprung into action on Thursday, acquiring seven colts for a combined US$2,820,000 (AU$3.88 million).

They also purchased youngsters by Union Rags (USA), Twirling Candy (USA), Uncle Mo (USA), Maclean’s Magic (USA), More Than Ready (USA) and Empire Maker (USA).

Violence colt to Allen

Medina continued adding yearlings to Joe Allen’s racing stable when he signed the ticket at US$550,000 (AU$756,000) to acquire a colt by Violence (USA) from the Gainesway consignment. The chestnut colt is out of Antics (USA) (Unbridled {USA}) and is a half-brother to sprint champion Covfefe (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}).

“He’s a beautiful colt and half-brother to a champion,” Medina said of the yearling’s appeal. “Helen Alexander bred him and she breeds a great horse. He’s everything you would want in a new horse.”

Medina, long-time assistant to trainer Shug McGaughey and now general manager at Guinness McFadden’s Blackwood Stables, made the Showcase’s highest bid when going to US$1.5 million (AU$2,062,000) to acquire a colt by Quality Road (USA) for Allen during Wednesday’s first session of the two-day auction.

“Reeve McGaughey and I are helping look for Joe here,” Medina said. “Reeve is Shug’s daughter and I worked for Shug for 25 years, so it’s pretty easy to deal with. I love looking at horses and bidding on them. The colt will go to Blackwood until the first of December and then to Florida.”

Alexander said she was happy with Thursday’s sale, especially in light of the uncertain market conditions.

“It’s hard to have outsized expectations right now in this kind of marketplace,” Alexander said. “Without having a lot of the principals here who can sometimes egg on their agents, there is less momentum. The nice horses are selling well, though. That’s always the case.”

Gun filly secured

Trainer Jeremiah Englehart, bidding on behalf of a partnership headed by Richard Nicolai’s Fortune Farm and It’s All About the Girls Stable, went to US$500,000 (AU$687,770) to acquire a filly from the first crop of champion Gun Runner (USA).

Consigned by Gainesway, the filly is out of stakes placegetter Divine Dawn (USA) (Divine Park {USA}), a full-sister to graded winner Divine Miss Grey (USA).

“The first time that Travis [Durr] and I saw her, she just gave us the impression that she was a nice filly,” Englehart said. “She was later in the sale, so we had some other horses that we were looking at, but it worked out that we were able to buy her.

“I was a little nervous that she might go a little higher. We’re really excited to get a group of people together, Fortune Farm, It’s all About the Girls, Bob Hahn and Eric Johnson and other partners that were involved in a really special filly before and it’s kind of cool to be able to keep them together and have something to look forward to next year.

“I’ve liked what I’ve seen so far from Gun Runner. He was one of my favourite racehorses, just watching him. I liked how he developed from early on his career to later on, he ended up being much better as a 4 and 5-year-old then he was as a 3-year-old.

“I’d like to see my horses develop like that, too. They don’t have to all be first-time out winners. It’s nice to see them develop over a whole career.”

Ruis buys out partner

Mick Ruis partnered up with Christian Black on a mare named Amber Romance (Ire) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}), who Black picked out at Tattersalls March for 200,000 gns (AU$382,000) with a Kingman (GB) filly in utero.

Ruis liked the resulting filly so much, he decided he had to have her and bought out his partner for US$500,000 (AU$687,770).

“I was in partnership with Christian Black,” Ruis said. “He bought the mare when he went to Europe. I just bought out the partnership and will race her.

“She is beautiful. We have a Hard Spun weanling also. It is pretty rare that we are able to get this family in the first place.”

O’Brien’s strong hand

Flemington, G1 PFD Food Services Makybe Diva S., $750,000, 1600m

Danny O’Brien will produce two high-profile runners in Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}) and Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).

Both will be better-suited over more ground, but as fresh runners can go well and particularly Russian Camelot who may be the pick of the pair at this stage. Stablemate Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) was sound when resuming and a hope at long odds.

Fierce Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Kings Will Dream (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) both produced encouraging first-up runs and will improve, as will Master Of Wine (Ger) (Maxios {GB}) who made late ground in the G1 Winx S.

Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) has the benefit of two recent outings and performed well in both so he has a fitness edge on many and Perfect Jewel (Redoute’s Choice) won the G3 Cockram S. in fine style and promises more to offer with that outing under her belt .

Levendi (Pierro) and Princess Jenni (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) both possess an abundance of talent with the former likely to need a run and the latter should appreciate the roomy course and a hope for a price.

Stay with Savatiano

Flemington, G2 Furphy Let’s Elope S., $200,000, 1400m

Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}) opened her campaign in terrific style with victory in the G2 PB Lawerence S. and from a handy gate looks poised to go back-to-back.

My Gold Bracelet (NZ) (Pins) has a Group 2 success to her credit and can improve sharply off her resuming run while Arcadia Queen (Pierro) was fifth in the Lawrence and she owns a smart second-up record.

Shrouded In Mist (Exceed And Excel) beat a tidy field off the front in last season’s G2 Queen of the South S., and has twice been successful when returning from a break. Barnmate Pretty Brazen (Brazen Beau) wasn’t far away in the G3 Cockram S. and the extra distance should suit her.

One for longer odds might be Fidelia (Not A Single Doubt) as she likes Flemington and has won before with the benefit of a lead-up outing.

Class can tell

Flemington, G2 Bobbie Lewis Quality, $200,000, 1200m

Group 1 winner Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) is the class act of the field and under the conditions of the race is well-placed to add this to her record.

The Inevitable (Dundeel {NZ}) is a two-time winner on the track and as the reigning Silver Eagle champion as well deserves plenty of respect.

Bold Star (Needs Further) came on well for fourth in the G3 Heath and is yet another who has raced well here in the past.

Banquo (Written Tycoon) should be sharper for a recent run and he may present as the best value in the race.

Prague well-placed

Flemington, G2 Seppelt Danehill S., $200,000, 1200m

Prague (Redoute’s Choice) has won both of his lead-up trials and he promises to prove a handful on his return. As runner-up in last season’s G1 ATC Sires’ Produce S. he is well-suited to the set weights and penalties of this race.

Wisdom Of Water (Headwater) is an interesting runner in his first start for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. He is a smart colt with a Group 3 victory to his credit and not to be under-estimated.

Doubtland (Not A Single Doubt) was disappointing when losing his unbeaten record in the G3 San Domenico S., but his prior efforts were excellent and certainly worth another chance on those.

Personal (Fastnet Rock) is a quality filly as her third placing in last season’s G1 Blue Diamond S. emphasised. She adds quality to an open event and has drawn to make a major impact.

Extra Time’s (Shooting To Win) last-start fourth was sound and he rates a hope on that while Tydeus (Written Tycoon) has won both of his starts and obviously talented, but faces a big rise in class.

Cherry ripe

Flemington, Listed Antler Luggage Exford Plate, $140,000, 1400m

Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) looked a special talent last season when he went through his campaign unbeaten and a stakes winner on this course. Immortal Love (Snitzel) is another with a perfect record and the G3 McNeil S. winner so their clash will be intriguing.

Bartley (Written Tycoon) was dominant when returning at Warwick Farm and looks a threat. Khoekhoe (Turffontein) made late ground when resuming the bigger track should help him.

So You Can (So You Think {NZ}) won well last time out and drops 2kg. Johnny Get Angry (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) has been freshened and brings strong form lines from his last preparation.

Storm brewing

Flemington, Listed The Sofitel, $140,000, 1400m

Windstorm (Redoute’s Choice) is a progressive 4-year-old and he did well to run fourth at Caulfield where he had a wide gate and 60kg. He is capable of going close here from an inside barrier.

A number of stayers are resuming here and among them is Furrion (GB) (Camelot {GB}). He won the Listed Warrnambool Cup to end his last campaign and has been effective when fresh in the past.

Iconoclasm (Toorak Toff) is a four-time course and distance winner entitled to serious consideration and Bumper Blast (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) flopped last time, but he is a smart type and entitled to another chance.

Minhaaj bright prospect

Flemington, Listed GH Mumm Cap D’Antibes S., $140,000, 1100m

Minhaaj (Exceed And Excel) has a tricky barrier, but looked good last season winning two of three starts while September Run (Exceed And Excel) was a sound fifth in the G2 Silver Shadow S. and should strip sharper for the outing.

Letzbeglam (Snitzel) was also only beaten once last term and that was when sixth in the G1 Blue Diamond S. and a good form reference for this. Peggy Selene (Rubick) has won her last two and will have a major fitness edge on many of her rivals.

Mildred (Hinchinbrook) has plenty of pace to put to good use and Parlophone (I Am Invincible) is unpredictable, but very good when she gets it right.

Farnan favoured

Rosehill, G2 De Bortoli Wines Run To The Rose, $200,000, 1200m

This year’s G2 Run To The Rose shapes as a vintage edition of the race with G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) to make his spring debut off the back of two superb trial wins and goes into the race as the favourite.

G1 JJ Atkins S. winner Rothfire (Rothesay) will make his Sydney debut after also winning his public trial. The Robert Heathcote-trained gelding has only been defeated once from seven career starts, but is yet to meet any of these Sydney 3-year-olds.

After a runaway win in the G3 Up & Coming S., North Pacific (Brazen Beau) is also featuring heavily in the market. He was dominant last start, winning by 5.3l and finished third to Farnan in the G2 Silver Slipper at their only encounter.

Dual Group 1 winner King’s Legacy (Redoute’s Choice) will also kick off his spring campaign after finishing fourth to Farnan in his last trial. The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained colt is likely to want further than 1200 metres, but he is a talented horse that can’t be forgotten.

Funstar can bounce back

Rosehill, G2 Iron Jack Theo Marks S., $200,000, 1300m

After a disappointing run in the G3 Show County Quality, Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) will be looking to get back to form here. She is a talented mare and looks a class above the rest of her rivals.

Special Reward (Demerit) was narrowly beaten in the Show County and has continued to improve throughout his career. Drawn barrier six with Nash Rawiller on board, he should get a perfect run.

G1 Stradbroke H. winner Tyzone (Written Tycoon) has made the trip down from Queensland and will kick off his spring campaign. He doesn’t have the best first-up record but trialled well.

Fasika fancied

Rosehill, G2 Schweppes Sheraco S., $200,000, 1200m

Fasika (So You Think {NZ}) returns for her first run of the spring and will make her claim for a spot in The Everest. She was last seen running third in the G1 All Aged S. and beat Gytrash (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in a trial leading into the race.

Sweet Deal (Casino Prince) was an impressive winner last start, but has drawn barrier wide and Flit (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) was good when finishing second to Eduardo (Host {Chi}) two starts back, but also has a bad barrier.

G1 Vinery Stud S. winner Shout The Bar (Not A Single Doubt) will have her first start for the spring, and while the distance is well short of her best she is fresh.

Mo’unga a threat

Rosehill, Listed Drinkwise Dulcify Quality, $150,000, 1500m

Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) was an impressive last-start winner at Newcastle and looks to be a very progressive 3-year-old. Has drawn slightly wide, but has a talented rider in James McDonald on his back to negate that.

Overlord (Sebring) was good when finishing third behind talented colt Holyfield (I Am Invincible) and has drawn nicely and Global Quest (More Than Ready {USA}) has good form around Farnan last season and resumes off the back of some solid trials.

Aim (Star Witness) should be at peak fitness following a couple of outings and his last-start fourth in the G3 Ming Dynasty was a sound effort.

Toryjoy one to beat

Doomben, Listed TAB Brisbane H., $125,000, 1600m

Toryjoy (Street Cry {Ire}) is a smart mare and an inside gate will suit her free-going style while stablemate Kaonic (NZ) (Savabeel) returned in style at Eagle Farm and he should some beating again.

Skate To Paris (Bradbury’s Luck) has won two of her last three starts and will be a top chance again if she gets reasonable lucky from the outside barrier.

Supergiant (NZ) (Red Giant {USA}) wasn’t sighted when resuming, but is a second-up winner and not one to take lightly. One For Betty (All Too Hard) has been good in the lower grades and a place chance at worst while Junction (Real Saga) has a tidy record and one to consider for multiples.

Massimo top hope

Belmont, Listed Hahn Superdry Farnley S., $100,000, 1400m

Massimo (Sessions) has been in great touch with three wins from his last four appearances and looks well-placed to add another one here.

Harry Thomas (Scandal Keeper {USA}) may be better over further, but has a good fresh record Pym’s Royale (Husson {Arg}) was a strong second last time out and a serious contender on that effort.

Great Shot (Magnus) has made his mark in stronger fields than this and even with topweight of 62kg he is entitled to respect.

The first of two days of racing in Ireland for Irish Champions Weekend sees horses lining up in six stakes across an eight race card at Leopardstown, led by two Group 1 races.

Well-bred Fastnet Rock filly among Ingabelle S. entries

Fastnet Rock’s Monday (Ire) will be stepping up to stakes competition in her second start on Saturday in the Listed Ballylinch Stud EBF Ingabelle S. over 1400 metres. The first foal out of French champion Ballydoyle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Monday’s second dam Butterfly Cove (USA) (Storm Cat {USA}) is also the dam of champion Misty For Me (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Among that mare’s three Group stakes winners is European champion and Valachi Downs resident U S Navy Flag (USA), whose first foals arrive this year. Butterfly Cove is also the granddam of Australian winners Archery Peak (GB) (Arch {USA}) and Mubariz (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who was imported last November and is already a winner for trainer Chris Waller.

Coolmore Australia stallion Saxon Warrior’s (Jpn) half-sister More Beautiful (USA) (War Front {USA}) makes her fourth career start in this race. The filly out of European champion Maybe (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) also comes from the extended family of Gold Front’s Group 1 winner and young sire Awesome Rock and this year’s G1 Irish Oaks winner Even So (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).

A half-sister to champion Order Of St George (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Earth Strike (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) is also a half-sister to G3 Bart Cummings H. third Kellstorm (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) among five stakes horses. Trained by Melbourne Cup winner Joseph O’Brien, Earth Strike saw a change in ownership after her 2.75l debut victory on August 20 and will be running in Leonard Green’s silks on Saturday.

A great-granddaughter of Miesque (USA) (Nureyev {USA}), Star Image (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) hails from the same family as multiple Group stakes winner Captain Cook (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who ran third in a trial a few weeks ago while working toward a comeback for Chris Waller. The family also includes Arrowfield’s shuttle stallion Real Steel (Jpn), whose first Australian foals are due this season.

Zoustar’s little brother lines up in Petingo H.

Zoustar’s Listed-placed half-brother Emperor Of The Sun (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) looks to get back in the winner’s enclosure in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Petingo' H. Second in a Listed stakes race two weeks ago for Donnacha O’Brien, Emperor Of The Sun has made eight starts so far with five top three finishes. Emperor Of The Sun is the second stakes horse for Zouzou (Redoute’s Choice) alongside his famous brother with Zouzou also a half-sister to the dams of Group winners Testashadow (Testa Rossa) and Dusty Star (General Nediym).

OTI Racing’s Mirann (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) was given highweight honours in Saturday’s race. Third in his last start, the Johnny Murtagh-trained 4-year-old hails from the family of three-time Australian Group 1 winner Manighar (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}).

Halimi (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) has plenty of Australasian connections as a Godolphin homebred by their former shuttle stallion and out of a half-sister to former shuttle stallion Cape Cross (Ire) and the dam of Iffraaj (GB).

Dream Ahead’s (USA) Edification (GB) is one of four winners for Elegant Pride (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}), a half-sister to G2 Queen of the South S. winner Trick Of Light (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and granddaughter of the great broodmare Monroe (USA) (Sir Ivor {USA}). Trick of Light’s youngest is a yearling Lonhro filly with the mare also having a Street Boss (USA) 2-year-old colt named Rainbow Ruler in training with John Sadler.

Winner Takes Itall (Fr) (Nathaniel {Ire}) is a half-brother to the stakes-winning Sindirana (Ire) (Kalanisi {Ire}), who herself has produced both stakes horses and stakes producers. Winner Takes Itall is also a half-brother to that one’s full sister Sindiyma (Ire), the dam of Australian stakes winner and Group 1-placed Sikandarabad (Ire) (Dr. Fong {Ire}).

A great-grandson of Snow Bride (USA) (Blushing Groom {Fr}), Powerful Ted’s (Ire) (Power {GB}) family has impacted Australia as well with Snow Bride daughter Concordia (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) seeing her runners Polarisation (GB) (Echo Of Light {GB}) and Clearly (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) winning stakes in Australia – Polarisation being a winner of the G1 Sydney Cup. Clearly retired to Australia and foaled a colt by Zoustar on August 28, her first foal.

Plenty to watch in Matron

One of 11 in the G1 Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron S., stakes winner Lady Wannabe (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) is out of Grade 3 winner Wannabe Better (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}), who is a half-sister to Australian import Masseera (Ire) (Alzao {USA}), the dam of multiple Australian stakes placed Aceland Street (Street Cry {Ire}). Masseera was bred in Australia from 2003 to 2008 before returning to Ireland in mid-2009.

Fancy Blue (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is searching for her third straight Group 1 in this race. The filly is a half-sister to Australian imports Casterton (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) and Fastnet Cyclone (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) with Casterton fourth in a Group 3 in Australia and Fastnet Cyclone a winner. The trio is out of a full sister to High Chaparral (Ire) with G2 Gold Cup winner Hunting Horn (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) out of another half-sister. Fancy Blue is one of two runners in this race from the family with Love Locket (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) searching for her first Group 1 here.

Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Know It All (GB) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) is a half-sister to Dubawi’s (Ire) multiple Group winner Astrophysical Jet (GB), who was imported to Australia in 2012. That mare has four Australian foals with her youngest a yearling Pariah colt born last August. Their dam is a half-sister to the dam of G1 Queen Elizabeth winner My Kingdom Of Fife (GB) (Kingmambo {USA}), who is out of stakes winner Fairy Godmother (GB) (Fairy King {USA}).

A great-granddaughter of Urban Sea (USA) (Miswaki {USA}), stakes winner and Group 1-placed So Wonderful (USA) (War Front {USA}) is out of a half-sister to the dam of Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). That colt was recently announced to be coming to Australia after being purchased by Ozzie Kheir.

One other runner of interest in the race is Champers Elysees (Ire), who is by Australian-bred Elzaam.

Designs On Rome family starts in Champions Juvenile

Moyglare Stud homebred G2 PMG Champions Juvenile S. runner Blue For You (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) is the first foal for Designs On Rome’s (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) half-sister Love In The Sun (Ire) (Kodiac {Ire}). Their dam Summer Trysting (USA) (Alleged {USA}) is a half-sister to the unraced Rekindled Affair (Ire) (Rainbow Quest {USA}), whose foals included Group 2 winner Rekindled Interest (Redoute’s Choice) and Group 2-placed Rekindled Alliance in addition to the granddam of Group 1 winner and Yulong Investments’ stallion Alabama Express.

Others of interest include More Than Ready’s (USA) Ides Of August (USA), a full brother to that stallion’s Group 3 winner Nemoralia (USA), and American Pharoah’s (USA) Van Gogh (USA).

Caulfield Cup contenders line up in Irish Champion

Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) looks to get back to his winning ways in the G1 Irish Champion S. after finishing third in his last two starts. The 4-year-old is out of the stakes placed and successful broodmare Shastye (Ire) (Danehill {USA}), who has multiple runners in Australia. Her produce record includes Listed Ipswich Cup winner Maurus (GB) (Medicean {GB}) and G3 JRA Cup third Sir Isaac Newton (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) in addition to Sir Isaac Newton’s Group 2 winning and Epsom Oaks runner-up full sister, Secret Gesture (GB) and multiple Group winner Mogul (GB).

Japan is among those nominated to the G1 Caulfield Cup alongside fellow Ballydoyle trainee Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who also runs in this race. Magical is one of three Group winners for classic winning dam Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}). Magical hails from the same family as 2018 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who is under her third dam.

Another Ballydoyle runner in the weights, who also runs in this race is Armory (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Out of multiple Group-placed mare After (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), the multiple Group winner is also Group 1 placed.

Group 2 winner Leo De Fury (Ire) (Australia {GB}) is out of a full sister to G3 Queen Elizabeth S. third Forgotten Voice (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Forgotten Voice is one of three stakes horses for Spend A Buck’s (USA) Asnieres (USA), whose family has been successful on nearly every continent.

Yulong runner looks for Boomerang Mile victory

Zhang Yuesheng’s champion Ancient Spirit (Ger) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is among 10 entries for the G2 Clipper Logistics Boomerang Mile on Saturday. The 5-year-old entire is a half-brother to Group 1 winner Alson (Ger) (Areion {Ger}) with their granddam a three-quarter sister to the dam of dual Australian Group 1 winner Almandin (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}).

Regally-bred Vatican City (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is a full brother to multiple Australian Group winner Taj Mahal (Ire) in addition to three classic winners. The colt’s granddam is Mariah’s Storm (USA) (Rahy {USA}) who provides another Australian connection as the dam of former shuttle stallion Giant’s Causeway (USA) and as the granddam of multiple Australian Group placed Storm The Stars (USA) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who was trained by Chris Waller during his year in Australia.

Group 3 winner Lancaster House (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) hails from the family of former shuttle stallion New Approach (Ire), whose three-quarter sister Park Heiress (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}) was imported to Australia in 1998. Also the third dam of Lancaster House, Park Heiress’s Australian born daughter Atotori (Haradasun) produced Group 2 winner and Group 1 placed Zoutori. That 5-year-old Zoustar gelding is still active in the Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra barn, most recently racing in May. His dam’s final foal is a Divine Prophet filly born last September with the mare unfortunately dying in April.

Sinntara (Ire) (Lashkari {GB}) has two chances to get a winner on Saturday’s card with Sinawann (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) taking his spot in the barrier four races after Winner Takes Itall (Fr) (Nathaniel {Ire}). Sinntara is the granddam of both runners with Winner Takes Itall the half-brother to Sindiyma (Ire) (Kalanisi {Ire}), the dam of Australian stakes winner and Group 1-placed Sikandarabad (Ire) (Dr. Fong {Ire}).

Leading Williams hope lines up in Paddy Power 'Is It 2021 Yet?' S.

Lining up in the fittingly named G2 Paddy Power 'Is It 2021 Yet?' S. yet, Lloyd Williams’ Buckhurst (Ire) (Australia {GB}) will make what may be his final run in Ireland before heading down to Australia for runs at the Spring Carnival… if his connections feel it is safe to travel. Williams confirmed in August that the runner’s participation depends on the status of COVID-19. Trained by G1 Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Joseph O’Brien, Buckhurst is from a family that includes New Zealand stakes winner and multiple Group 1-placed Savile Row (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) and his half-sister’s Group 1-placed Arrogant (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).

Williams also partners in Mr Mooj (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who will be making his first stakes attempt here in his seventh career start. The 3-year-old gelding was a 110,000 gns (AU$219,450) purchase at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale by O’Brien and raced by Williams, Gudinski, and the Ateam Syndicate.

Sea The Stars’ (Ire) Broad Street (GB) is a grandson of multiple Group 1 winner Nebraska Tornado (USA) (Storm Cat {USA}). That mare is also the granddam of New Zealand Listed winner and Group 2-placed Sassy ‘N’ Smart (Smart Missile) with two of her siblings also winners in Australia. Her dam Panorama Ridge (USA) (Empire Maker {USA}) was purchased from the Keeneland November Sale by Freyer Bloodstock in 2010 for US$160,000 (AU$219,840) and is still an active broodmare with a yearling Pariah colt and a 2-year-old filly named Mallory (Not A Single Doubt) in training with Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou.

Stakes winning Silence Please (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) is a half-sister to multiple Australian Group-placed Gallante (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), who spent three and a half years in Australia before moving to New Zealand in 2018. The 10-year-old gelding is in training with Team Rogerson and trialled earlier this week with an entry today.

Sidestep runner stars in closing H.

In a full 18 horse handicap, Sidestep’s Real Appeal (Ger) closes out Saturday’s Irish Champion weekend card. The stakes winning 6-year-old gelding is the best under his first three dams with third dam Mistle Song (GB) (Nashwan {USA}) the closest stakes winner. That mare is also the dam of stakes winner Wassfa (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}) and Hong Kong winner Expeditous (GB) (Anabaa {USA}), a two-time winner in that country.

To have your foal featured, send a landscape-oriented image to olivia@tdnausnz.com.au

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.

Today, we like the chances at Randwick of an expensive youngster who was a last-start winner and then at Kembla Grange we fancy a pair of lightly-tried performers with winning Group form in their immediate pedigrees.

Rosehill, Race 5, 2.40pm AEST, Listed Drinkwise Dulcify Quality, $150,000, 1500m

Jet Propulsion (Rubick) was a $900,000 purchase at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and is a half-brother to the G1 All Aged S. winner and sire Pierata. Their dam November Flight (Flying Spur) has also produced the G3 Skyline S. winner Ashokan (More Than Ready {USA}) and is the mother of the G3 Vain S. winner Our Playboy (Sebring).

Prepared by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Jet Propulsion didn’t flatter on debut on a heavy surface at Canterbury Park and then on a good track at Newcastle last month the colt showed his true colours by defeating two subsequent winners in Centimental (Snitzel), a Group 3 placegetter, and Reaching (Deep Impact {Jpn}). On that effort, he looks capable of measuring up stronger company.

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Kembla Grange, Race 2, 1.09pm AEST, Brownsville H., $35,000, 1400m

Sophomore (So You Think {NZ}) is a lightly-tried mare who has a win and a placing from a handful of appearances and there was enough in her resuming effort over this course and distance last month to stay with her. She raced in second spot to the turn before peaking on her run in the straight and should be more competitive with that outing under her belt.

Trained by John O’Shea, Sophomore is a daughter of the dual Group 2 winner Shania Dane (Danehill {USA}), who was also a multiple Group 1 placegetter. She is a sister to Scintillation, who won six times at stakes level in Hong Kong, and a half-sister to the Listed winner Risk Aversion (Encosta De Lago) and the family of the G1 Diamond S. winner Summer Passage (Snitzel).

Kembla Grange, Race 3, 1.44pm AEST, Dombarton H., $35,000, 1000m

Pazienza (Written Tycoon) will make her Australian debut here after a runaway victory at Trentham in her only other appearance from Jamie Richards’ stable. She looked sharp when successful in a recent trial at Randwick and she looks primed to give a bold sight here.

A $280,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase, Pazienza is a half-sister to five winners including the Group 3-placed Folk Dress (Pierro). Their dam Gypsy Chimes (Snow Ridge {USA}) is a half-sister to the two-time Group 3 winner La Chunga (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}) with the G1 Hollywood Derby winner and sire Steve’s Friend (USA) also a member of this family.

We hope you enjoyed reading today's edition of TDN AusNZ. If you have any feedback or ideas, please don't hesitate to reach out.

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