Bowman cleared over Farnan ride on appeal

Jockey Hugh Bowman has had his 20-day suspension for his ride on Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) in the G2 Run To The Rose upheld on appeal following an eight-hour hearing.

Bowman was initially suspended for failing to give Farnan every reasonable and permissible chance after the favourite set a strong tempo and then faded to finish fifth in the race.

However the Racing NSW Appeals Panel found that while Bowman made an error in not riding Farnan more conservatively from the 500 metres to the 350 metres, it was 'not a serious error'.

“Riders like all sportsmen make mistakes and errors. The error shouldn’t be punished unless it’s a bad one or too many riders would be suspended,” Richard Beasley of the Racing NSW Appeal Panel said.

Bowman, who gave evidence to the lengthy appeal along with former jockey Mark de Montfort, was also cleared of his ride through the middle stages of the race.

He argued that if he tried to ride Farnan more conservatory between the 500 and 350, the horse would have performed even worse.

The original penalty handed down by stewards would have seen Bowman sidelined from September 27 until October 17 but he is now free to ride through the Sydney Spring Carnival.

Berry to ride Tofane

Tommy Berry will ride the Mike Moroney-trained Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) in The Everest.

With COVID restrictions in place, Moroney needed to find a Sydney-based jockey for the mare, who will run in Yulong's slot in the $15 million race.

“We’ve been fortunate to lock in Tommy Berry,” Moroney said. "He’s a proven big race jockey and has won feature races in Rupert Legh’s colours before.

“The mare has come through her first-up run at Flemington in good order so with a jockey in place we can concentrate on getting her to Sydney in the best possible shape.”

Berry won three G1 TJ Smith S. over the Randwick 1200 metres on Chautauqua (Encosta De Lago) for Legh.

Moroney also announced Daniel Moor would ride Aktau (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the Caulfield Cup.

Trekking push for another Everest spot

James Cummings believes Trekking (Street Cry {Ire}) has the runs on the board to get an Everest slot.

A dual Group 1 winner who was third in The Everest last year, Trekking still has a chance to earn the nod for Godolphin to run in its slot, although Bivouac (Exceed And Excel) looms as the most likely selection.

But Cummings believes the G1 Goodwood H. winner from earlier this year would be a good fit for any of the reaming slotholders for the $15 million race.

“I imagine we’d get through this weekend first before we talk about that. But there are still spots remaining, he ran third in it last year and there aren’t many sprinters around with the record he has,” Cummings said.

Trekking would certainly put his name up in lights if he can run a big race in the G1 Moir S. on Friday night.

“I don’t think he’s finished building on his already formidable record,” Cummings said. “He’s enjoyed a light preliminary, so he’s very fresh for the 1000 metres.

“He ran well in this race last year when he was beaten 1.5l by Nature Strip, and I feel he could run even better than that.”

Tempo only query for Russian Camelot

A lack of tempo remains the biggest concern for Russian Camelot's (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) trainer Danny O'Brien in Saturday's G1 Underwood S.

The 4-year-old, who was runner-up in the G1 Makybe Diva S. at Flemington last start, is set to start close to odds-on favourite for the race and O'Brien told Racenet it is the pace which concerns him more than the opposition.

“The Makybe Diva was very slowly run,” O’Brien said. “So any increase in tempo would be useful.

“The horse is super. We thought he ran well first-up, he’s come through it nicely. He’s great. He couldn’t be better.

“He came out of the race really, really well and he had a nice piece of work at Flemington on Tuesday morning.”

Valley knowledge to Hanseatic's advantage

Co-trainer Sam Freedman feels Hanseatic (Street Boss {USA}) can utlise his previous Moonee Valley experience to contend in Friday night's G1 Moir S.

Hanseatic is one of just two 3-year-olds in the race, and the only colt, and Freedman said he is ready to take on the older horses.

“Against older, Group 1 horses over 1000 metres there’s nowhere to hide, but he has that late turn of foot that can get him over the top of them,” he said.

“It remains to be seen whether 1100 or 1200 might be better for him, but he has the ability to be competitive wherever he goes.

“He’s definitely benefitted from having a run at The Valley when was just behind the placegetters in the McEwen.

“There’s been improvement since that first-up run, I’d say he’s come on well for a race that along with the Coolmore is one of his spring targets.”

Baker seeks fifth Underwood

A fifth G1 Underwood S. is on the radar for Hall Of Fame trainer Murray Baker, who has The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) in Saturday's race at Caulfield.

Baker, who won the race with The Phantom (NZ) (Noble Bijou {NZ}) (1990), Lion Tamer (NZ) (Storming Home {GB}) (2011), Dundeel (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) (2013) and Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) (2017) before, prepares The Chosen One with Andrew Forsman and feels he is ready to improve off his very good win first-up at Flemington.

"It was a sharp run first-up, I thought, especially with that weight. He won well and he ran a fast last 600," said Baker.

"He's trained on well but we know this is a big step up. We haven't done a lot with him since the win the other day. We've kept him fresh but we're happy with him."

The Chosen One is currently 34th in the order of entry for the G1 Caulfield Cup and can secure himself a place in that race with a win on Saturday.

"We expect him to be running on. It will be interesting to see how he measures up to that Group 1 weight-for-age class in Melbourne. He's improved from four to five but the Underwood is always a very tough race," Baker said.

"I've had a bit of luck in the race and it would be nice to win it again. He's placed in that Group 1 weight-for-age at Otaki but it's tougher over there at that level. We'll just see what he does on Saturday and make plans from there."

Puissance De Lune fills up on Breedr's help

Swettenham Stud's Puissance De Lune (Ire) is the latest stallion to have his book filled up for the spring, having used digital end-to-end booking platform Breedr to facilitate the process.

Swettenham Stud Principal Adam Sangster stated that demand had surged for the son of Shamardal (USA) off the back of several promising horses emerging.

"Given what we are seeing from the likes of undefeated, dual stakes winner Chantrea and Edward Manifold winner Moonlight Maid, we are not surprised," he said.

"To ensure we give breeders the best opportunity to fill a slot at the 11th hour, we needed to streamline the existing booking process. Breedr’s new technology will allow us to digitise and automate the whole booking process."

Tom Seymour, Founder of Breedr, said it was a great result to align with Swettenham.

"This latest initiative (with PDL), is a perfect example of the type of win-win scenarios we are striving for. By providing a waitlist of mares, Studs can now move immediately to fill slots and minimise the opportunity cost of an empty slot," hes aid.

"Studs can tap into Breedr’s eSignature contract feature, reducing the entire booking process down to just a couple of minutes. We applaud Adam for embracing the innovation and are confident this streamlined approach will appeal to more studs as the season progresses."

Bonham impresses for Benner and Wynyard

Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard have a smart filly on their hands after Bonham (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) cruised to victory on debut at Woodville on Thursday over 1100 metres.

Ridden by Rosie Myers, the Little Avondale-bred filly scored by 3l and is sure to feature in better races.

“She has always shown exceptional ability, but she just lacked a little bit of ringcraft, that was the only concern against some seasoned older horses, but she definitely overcame that,” Benner said.

“She has been very lightly tried. She has only had one jump-out and one trial, so it was a very good effort.

“She has black-type ability and she holds a nomination for the 1000 Guineas (Group 1, 1600 metres), but it is day by day at the moment. We will see how she comes through the run and we won’t get too far ahead of ourselves.”

Raced by prominent owner Gary Harding, Bonham is out of Fortune Choice (Redoute’s Choice), a daughter of Group 1 performer Banc de Fortune (Galileo {Ire}), in turn a daughter of multiple Group 1 winner Danendri (Danehill {USA}).

Cupid colt top as Book 5 closes at Keeneland

A colt from the first crop of Grade I winner Cupid (USA), topped Wednesday’s trade at the Keeneland September Sale when selling for US$200,000 (AU$284,220) to bloodstock agent Larry Zap, who was acting on behalf of Michael Mellen.

The topper and the day’s third-highest purchase, a son of fellow first-season sire American Freedom (USA) (Hip 3196), were both sold by Shawhan Place, who was the session’s leading consignor by average.

“Both of them are big, strong colts, especially the Cupid,” said Shawhan’s Matt Koch. “He is a good walking colt. We foaled and raised him at the farm. We know everything about it. That is kind of our niche, to bring up horses we are very familiar with, and the market rewarded us today.”

A total of 290 yearlings changed hands Wednesday for a gross of US$4,521,900 (AU$6.426 million), an average of US$19,920 (AU$28,308) and median of US$13,000 (AU$18,470). Overall, through 10 days of selling, 2,129 youngsters sold for US$245,278,700 (AU$348.56 million). The average was US$115,208 (AU$163,772) and the median was US$50,000 (AU$71,060).

Projected losses increased

Jockey Club Racecourses had previously projected a loss of £75 million (AU$135.43 million) in 2020, but now says it expects losses to exceed initial estimates following the government’s announcement on Tuesday that crowds will not be permitted at sporting venues for up to six months due to rising COVID-19 infection rates.

JCR Group Chief Executive Nevin Truesdale said he is seeking further clarity from the government on how long such restrictions may be in place and what support they may offer in the meantime.

“Organisations in the sport and events sector are facing significant financial challenges after six months with no spectators or visitors to their venues,” Truesdale said. “Previously we had estimated that revenues at Jockey Club Racecourses would be down this year by around £75 million out of an annual turnover that is normally circa £200 million, but that figure is being revised upwards on the basis we won’t have any level of spectators back from October 1.

"We need to discuss more details of this with government, both in terms of the potential period we are looking at and the direct support for the industry that is now needed, but also making the case that restaurants and hospitality sales for example should be treated in the same way as the high street would make a real difference.

“In the meantime we will continue to race behind closed doors, as the teams have done a great job doing safely since racing resumed on June 1.”