High Underwood hopes
Lindsay Park is expecting a strong showing from So Si Bon (So You Think {NZ}) at Caulfield in Saturday’s G1 Underwood S.
The 7-year-old was third in the G1 Makybe Diva S., last start with rising star Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) runner-up in that race.
So Si Bon
"I am hoping Russian Camelot could be a bit vulnerable second-up, but he looks a real talent," co-trainer Tom Dabernig told Racing.com.
"No doubt it's going to be a good contest, but he's a tough, old horse that hasn't missed a beat. I am sure he will run to the best of his ability."
Trainer stoked
Savannah Cloud (NZ) (Savabeel) secured his maiden victory last start and trainer Phillip Stokes is hoping he can continue that form line at Caulfield on Saturday.
The colt will jump from barrier four in the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude and Stokes is happy with his charge heading into the 3-year-old feature.
“He is a very nice colt, he couldn’t have been more impressive winning his maiden,” he said. “He relaxed beautifully and has trained on nicely. It’s a tough race, but I think he is one of the (main) chances. He is an exciting horse.”
Savannah Cloud placed in his two previous starts as a 2-year-old and Stokes said he won’t put a lot of pressure on the colt this spring.
“He is still very immature,” he said. “I don’t think we will go too deep into the spring, I think he will be a lot better in the autumn.”
Loyal servant retired
Trainer Kris Lees has announced the retirement of his three-time Group 1 winner Le Romain (Hard Spun {USA}).
The 8-year-old has been an outstanding servant of the stable with major successes in the G1 Randwick Guineas, G1 Cantala S. and G1 Canterbury S. He made his final appearance when unplaced in the G3 Bill Ritchie H. last weekend.
Le Romain won seven races during his career and amassed stake earnings of $4.3 million. He is also the only horse to compete in The Everest and the All-Star Mile, finishing fourth in both events.
Watch: Lees Racing's tribute to Le Romain
Super Shannon chance
After missing a start at Caulfield last Saturday, I Am Superman (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) has returned to Sydney for the G2 Shannon S. at Rosehill.
The 5-year-old, who failed to progress from the ballot list for a crack at the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S., and is the pre-post favourite for Saturday’s event.
After beginning his career in Ireland, I Am Superman came to Australia for last year's Golden Eagle and finished down the track.
He was transferred to Peter and Paul Snowden and kicked off his current preparation with a last-start victory. I Am Superman may return to Victoria for the G1 Toorak H. and the G1 Cantala S., if he maintains his form.
Shadai purchases top mare
Shadai Farm’s Teruya Yoshida has purchased the recent G1 Matron S. winner Champers Elysees (GB) (Elzaam) from Dublin-based syndicate Fitzwilliam Racing.
She is unbeaten in four starts this year, winning at handicap and Listed levels before taking Gowran’s G3 Fairy Bridge S. and the Matron on Irish Champions Weekend over 2020 Classic winners Peaceful (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Fancy Blue (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
Champers Elysees next intended engagement is in next month’s G1 Sun Chariot S.
Yoshida is no stranger to purchasing top-class race mares in Europe; other such buys in recent years have included the G1 Prix de Diane winners Avenir Certain (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) and La Cressonniere (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), as well as six-time Grade/Group 1 winner Stacelita (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}),who has given him a Japanese champion and Classic winner in Soul Stirring (Jpn) (Frankel {GB}).
Flush plays top hand
Royal Flush Racing was the leading buyer of Thursday’s penultimate session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale when it spent US$115,000 (AU$163,076) to acquire Hip 3839, a colt by Not This Time (USA).
Consigned by Trackside Farm, agent for Tenlane Farm, the colt is out of Race Hunter (USA) (Dixie Union {USA}), and from the family of Grade 2 winners Paid Up Subscriber (USA) (Candy Ride {Arg}) and Stanley Park (USA) (Swain {USA}).
On Thursday, during the 11th of 12 sessions of the auction, Keeneland sold 169 yearlings for US$2,086,600 (AU$2.96 million) for an average of US$12,347 (AU$17,500) and a median of US$7000 (AU$9925). The entire auction has grossed US$237,311,300 (AU$336,568,672) for 2179 yearlings, for an average of US$108,908 (AU$154,477) and a median of US$45,000 (AU$63,810).
Ryan buys top lot
The Goffs Sportsman’s Yearling Sale got underway in its temporary new guise in Doncaster on Thursday, with a colt by Footstepsinthesand (GB) (Lot 647) from Rockfield Farm topping trade with a bid of £50,000 (AU$90,388) from Kevin Ryan.
He is the second foal out of the winning Danehill Dancer (Ire) mare Harpist (Ire) and his year-older full brother Star Of Orion (Ire) won on debut at Newmarket in June for Ralph Beckett.
As was the case with the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale earlier this week and as will be the case with Goffs Orby next week, the Sportsman’s Sale, typically staged in Kildare, was moved to Britain to maximise buyer attendance.
Seventy per cent of the yearlings catalogued on Thursday (144) visited the ring, with 99 sold at the close of trade for a clearance rate of 69 per cent. The aggregate was £1,369,000 (AU$2,474,320), the average £13,828 (AU$25,000) and the median £10,000 (AU$18,081).
Last hurrah for Magnum
Consistent sprinter Magnum (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) will kick-off what will likely be his last preparation at Ellerslie on Saturday.
The Lauren Brennan-trained gelding will carry topweight of 59kg in the Otakiri Reserve 1400 with leading hoop Opie Bosson aboard.
“I am very happy with him,” Brennan said. “He may need the run. He has had the one trial leading into it, but the firmer track and heavier weight should be okay for him.”
All going to plan, Magnum will head to the final day of the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival to target the G3 Red Badge Spring Sprint.
“This will be the lead-up race to the Red Badge Sprint and then he will head on to that if he still wants to be a racehorse,” Brennan said.
Ladies First returns
After 18 months on the sidelines, 2018 G1 Auckland Cup winner Ladies First (NZ) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) will make her race day return at her home track on Saturday.
The 8-year-old will line-up in the G3 NZB Ready To Run Sale Trainers Series at New Plymouth, but trainer Allan Sharrock isn’t expecting a lot from his charge first-up after such a long break.
“She did a pastern and she spent 18 months away. The vet cleared her six months ago,” Sharrock said. “We are just using it as a trial, there was nowhere else to kick-off. She has had three jump-outs so she is forward enough to race.”
Ladies First (NZ) (red silks)
Road to The Jericho begins
The road toward The Jericho Cup at Warrnambool on November 29 will begin at New Plymouth on Saturday for the victor of the qualifying race of the same name.
The NZB Airfreight-sponsored 3210 metre race was taken out by Aigne (NZ) (Sufficient {NZ}) last year and owner Neil O’Dowd is hoping he can replicate the result in this year’s edition.
The son of Sufficient (NZ) has been in a purple patch of form of late, winning his last three races for trainer Kevin Myers, including the Parliamentary H. and Awapuni Hurdles.
His success has given O’Dowd something to look forward to as he continues to recuperate from a fall earlier this year.
“I cracked four ribs, punctured a lung, and knocked myself out. I was in hospital for three days and they put a drain in me and drained my lungs,” he said.
