Spendthrift to donate Overshare nomination

Garry Cuddy, General Manager of Spendthrift Australia, had opted to donate a nomination to their exciting young stallion Overshare to RM Begg Kyneton Aged Care.

“COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate and has meant that the annual stallion parades have had to go online,” Cuddy said. “Traditional open days here at the farm usually attract large numbers of visitors, which translate into bookings for our stallions for breeding services.

“This season will have its challenges and we know that a lot of other people are doing it tough, especially in the aged-care sector. So, this is a way we can help make a difference in our local community.”

Overshare will stand at Spendthrift Australia this season for a fee of $11,000 (inc GST).

Bids to buy the donated stallion nomination to Overshare for this season open Thursday, October 1 and close Tuesday, October 6, and can be made via Bloodstock Auctions.

Donations can also be made directly to RM Begg via their website.

Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act passes house

By a unanimous September 29 voice vote, the United States House of Representatives passed a years-in-the-making bill that, if eventually signed into law, will develop and implement anti-doping, medication control, drug testing, and racetrack safety standard programs enforced by an independent authority whose powers would supersede the long-standing state-by-state regulation of the sport.

If the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) next passes the Senate, President Donald Trump would then have the opportunity to sign it into law.

VRC submits crowd proposal

The Victorian Racing Club has submitted a proposal to the Victorian Government to allow crowds at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week.

Racing Minister Martin Parkula said the VRC proposal is now under consideration.

"Decisions on attendance at major race days will be based on public health advice, which has been our consistent position," he said.

"We will give all proposals proper consideration and it's worth noting that interest in the carnival to date from Victorians and racing people interstate has been as strong as ever."

Melbourne for Elleegant

Chris Waller has confirmed outstanding mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) will head to Melbourne for the G1 Turnbull S. at Flemington on Saturday.

The multiple Group 1 winner was a dual acceptor in two states but will be scratched from the G2 Hill S. at Randwick for which she was a $2.90 favourite.

Stablemate Finche (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was likewise paid up for both races and will join Verry Elleegant in the Victorian feature.

Waller has also determined Flemington as the better option for stayer Shared Ambition (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}), who will be scratched from the G1 Metropolitan H. in preference for G3 The Bart Cummings.

Zoutori primed

Simon Zahra, who trains in partnership with Mathew Ellerton, believes Zoutori (Zoustar) has improved out of his win in the G2 Bobbie Lewis S. ahead of his next run in the G2 Gilgai S.

"The Gilgai is perfect for him. Second-up, 1200 metres, he could not do any more, he's really impressed us the last fortnight," Zahra told Racing.com.

"We don't overdo it with training, we let the races tighten them up and I love how much improvement we've seen with him.

"His work last Tuesday and this Tuesday has been outstanding, he's really come on since that victory."

Super Pursuit impresses at Tauranga

The Richard Collett-trained Super Pursuit (NZ) (Proisir) broke maiden ranks at Tauranga on Wednesday in the manner of a horse destined for higher grades.

Off the scene since finishing fourth at Te Rapa as a 2-year-old to last weekend’s G2 Golden Pendant winner Subpoeaned (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), the now 4-year-old came from the rear of the field under a cool Andrew Calder ride to win going away.

“I was hoping everything went right,” Collett said. “He is a horse that showed immense ability early on. We gave him a couple of 2-year-old races and he was just a bit raw.

“He would have won races as a 3-year-old but he broke his splint bone as a spring 3-year-old and was operated on and missed the spring.

“He missed the autumn as well when lockdown hit. He has had 17 months to mature but he is a pretty nice galloper.”

Callsign Mav out to prove he’s top gun

Hawke’s Bay trainer John Bary is hoping to upset the applecart once again on Saturday when Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) contests the G1 Windsor Park Plate on his home track at Hastings.

The 4-year-old was a surprise NZ$81 winner of the G1 Tarzino Trophy a fortnight ago but despite the impressive victory, punters have again neglected the galloper who is rated a NZ$31 prospect as he steps up to a mile.

“I think he is overlooked in the market,” Bary said.

“He showed last season he was up with the best of them, he raced with the best of them and beat some of the best of them. It showed two weeks ago.

“Yes, he got a fantastic 10 out of 10 ride from Jonathan Riddell but he was fit and well and ready to rumble.

“He has improved, and I was very happy with his gallop on Saturday over 1500 metres at home.

“He has got a tricky gate (12) but that is Jonathan’s problem now. It might have to be an 11 out of 10 ride.”

Sky Field aims to keep on rising

The Caspar Fownes-trained Sky Field (Deep Field) made a big statement to end last season and picked up this term exactly where he left off, dazzling with a first-up victory in Hong Kong.

He goes again in Thursday’s Class 3 Shanghai H. but his handler is being level-headed about his chances despite his exciting young gun taking on a field of only six opponents.

“He’s a horse with a lot of upside – he’ll carry 133 pounds on the weekend and even though it’s a small field, in this game you still have to respect your opponents because someone can get a soft sectional and pinch it or you can get caught up in traffic,” Fownes said.

“He’s one of the few horses that really excites me – he’s got a big engine and he’s still learning his trade, so there’s a lot of upside with him.”

Persian King to stand at Haras d’Etreham in 2021

Multiple Group 1 winner Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) will stand at Haras d’Etreham in 2021, Etreham announced on Tuesday.

The stud and SF Bloodstock in association with Darley and Dayton Investments will be involved with the three-time Group 1 winner’s stallion career.

A fee for the September 6 G1 Prix du Moulin hero, who will join Almanzor (Fr), Hello Youmzain (Fr), City Light (Fr) and Scissor Kick, will be announced later. His final race will be the G1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on October 4.

Nicolas de Chambure of Haras d’Etreham said: “We are very pleased to have made an agreement with Dayton Investments and Godolphin to partner in the stallion career of Persian King. This is a very positive sign for France and demonstrates their confidence in our breeding industry and racing system.

“This is also wonderful for French breeders who will have access to such a high-class horse from his first covering season. He attempts an exceptional challenge in the Arc and will retire to the Haras d’Etreham following this race.”

Tattersalls Autumn HIT catalogue features The Lir Jet

G2 Norfolk S. winner and G1 Phoenix S. bridesmaid The Lir Jet (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}) anchors the 1617-lot Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale catalogue, which was released on Tuesday.

One of more than 90 Group and Listed performers to be offered from October 26 to 29, the bay is listed as Lot 1071 from the consignment of Jamie Railton.

Multiple Group-placed Devious Company (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}) (Lot 630) from Tom Dascombe’s Manor House Stables is another lot of note, as he is a half-brother to Group 3 winner Circumvent (GB) (Tobougg {Ire}). Alignak (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) (Lot 693), a Listed winner and sporting an RPR rating of 110, will be sent through the ring as one of 22 from Sir Michael Stoute’s Freemason Lodge Stables.

The largest consignment in the sale is Shadwell with 97, among them 18 horses rated over 95 by Timeform. The Castlebridge Consignment fields 81 and 69 will go through the ring from trainer Richard Hannon’s East Everleigh operation. Other large consignments belong to Mark Johnston’s Kingsley Park (64), Richard Fahey’s Musley Bank (46), Roger Varian’s Carlburg Stables (35), and Andrew Balding’s Park House Stables (34).

Enbihaar retired

Multiple Group winner and Group 1-placed mare Enbihaar (Ire) (Redoute’s Choice) has been retired due to injury, Shadwell’s Racing Manager Angus Gold announced on Tuesday. The John Gosden trainee and 2019 English Highweighted Older Mare at 14 furlongs and above was pointing for this weekend’s G1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu.

“Enbihaar will miss the Royallieu as she is currently at Shadwell Stud,” said Gold of the mare. “She had a minor injury, and as a result has been retired – very sadly. She’s been an absolute star, and I wish we had a few more like her–with her enthusiasm and ability.

“It was sad not to win a Group 1. But she did very well to win what she did, and she was a real torch-bearer for us for the last few years. She was beautifully trained – I must say that. It’s very sad, but it was fantastic to keep her in training this year to win a couple more Group races. She’s given us a lot of fun, and obviously we’ll give her a proper chance at stud.”