Bartley off to HK

Stakes-performed 3-year-old Bartley (Written Tycoon) has been sold.

In a deal brokered by Magic Millions, the colt has been purchased by a client of Bridle Bloodstock for an undisclosed price and will join the stables of Hong Kong trainer Me Tsui.

Bartley was purchased by the China Horse Club and Newgate, who were in the ownership group, out of Eureka Stud’s draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $660,000. He is out of a half-sister to the three-time Group 1 winner Mentality (Flying Spur).

From a handful of starts, Bartley won twice from Peter and Paul Snowden’s stable and finished runner-up in the G3 Black Opal S. and the Listed Exford Plate.

Sky Field wins again

Talented gelding Sky Field (Deep Field) added another easy victory to his rescue when winning at Sha Tin on Thursday, marking a hat-trick of wins.

Sky Field was sold by Trelawney Stud at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Sale for NZ$175,000 after being born at Segenhoe Stud.

Lack of pace a worry

Danny O'Brien believes Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}) and King Of Leogrance (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) are in winning shape, but has one reservation about their chances in Saturday’s G1 Turnbull S. at Flemington.

The trainer is concerned about a lack of pace as both of his contenders need a genuinely run contest.

O’Brien is confident Vow And Declare is back to his best form after an opening run in the G1 Makybe Diva S. while King Of Leogrance hasn't been out since runner-up in the Listed Andrew Ramsden S. in May.

Firm deck a concern

Archie Alexander believes former English stayer Young Rascal (Fr) (Intel {Ger}) is ready to improve in the G3 Bart Cummings but says he needs a forgiving track to produce his best.

"I'm happy with him but he just needs to get his toe into the ground," Alexander said.

"The way it's shaping on Saturday he's going to have to run on a Good 3 which doesn't suit him. I feel it's going to be a bit firm for him."

Rivals out to break Epsom hoodoo

Arch rivals Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) and Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) will be looking to improve on the surprisingly poor strike rate of mares in the G1 Epsom H. at Randwick.

Only three mares have triumphed in the Group 1 Randwick mile in the past four decades and one of them was the incomparable Winx (Street Cry {Ire}).

Probabeel's trainer Jamie Richards is unperturbed by the statistics, adamant his charge has the right form lines to figure in the finish.

"The statistics are there and records are made to be broken. I wouldn't be too concerned about that," Richards said.

"Obviously we're not Winx but we're going well.

"She has got genuine Sydney autumn form which, in our opinion, is one of the most competitive jurisdictions in the world.

"If you've got a horse that can be competitive in their own age group there then step up in handicap conditions as a 4-year-old, we think we're in with a nice chance.”

Group 1 chance

Louise Day will have her first Group 1 ride on Saturday when she partners the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Azuro (Fr) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) in the G1 The Metropolitan at Randwick,

"Louise has had a phenomenal season up here and when you get down to those weights (51.5kg), there are very few riders that can ride at that weight," Maher said.

"She can and she's had a good association with the stable. She's had a great year and deserves this chance.”

Libertini puts Everest cards on the table

Libertini (I Am Invincible) will resume in the G2 Premiere S. on Saturday and trainer Anthony Cummings hopes she can stake her claims for a slot in The Everest.

"She is easily forward and well enough to go to the races and I expect her to run up to her best," Cummings said.

"She will improve off that into the run in two weeks' time on Everest day.

"It could be in The Everest, it might be the other race. I suppose that's a matter for other people."

Chasing second Plate

Matamata trainers Ken and Bev Kelso know what it takes to win the G1 Windsor Park Plate.

The duo prepared quality mare Xanadu (NZ) (Elusive City {USA}) to win the 2013 edition and their hopes are pinned on Supera (NZ) (Savabeel) on Saturday, who will again be ridden by Rosie Myers from barrier 11.

“It is a race with a lot of depth. I think it is one of the better Group 1 fields we have seen in New Zealand for a while, but you couldn’t label any one horse, they all have a chance. It is a very strong field and draws and the run in the race is going to be very important,” Ken Kelso said.

“We have drawn out a little bit worse than we did the other day and it is a tricky barrier for that mile. Starting on the corner is not easy. We will set a plan and track something into the race. I think it is important to work out who you are going to follow into the race."

Wekaforce on Telegraph path

Talented Riccarton sprinter Wekaforce (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) will begin a campaign toward the G1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph at Trentham in January when she steps out at Riccarton on Saturday.

The Terri Rae-trained 5-year-old mare resumes in the Rangiora New World Open H., her first start since a close second to two-time Telegraph winner Enzo's Lad (Testa Rossa) in the Listed Lightning H. at Trentham in March.

"Barrier one is a really good draw for Wekaforce because she jumps and runs. She likes to get the wind in her teeth. She's pretty ready to go,” Rae said.

"She's still relatively young and still lightly tried with 17 starts, but she's really strengthened up this time in and she should be in for a good season.”

Series opener

The 21st New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year Series opens at Riccarton Park on Saturday with the running of the Listed NZB Canterbury Belle S.

This year’s field features black-type performers Showemhowitsdone (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) and Amosia (Squamosa), along with eight other winners including the highly-rated Cornflower Blue (NZ) (Savabeel), who won her maiden by more than 6l in her most recent start.

Previous Southern Filly of the Year Series champions include Group 1 performers Ombre Rose (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), Final Touch (NZ) (Kashani {USA}) and Consensus (NZ) (Postponed {USA}).

Love out of the Arc

Multiple Group 1 winner Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has been from Sunday's G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe due to unsuitable ground.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained filly was the only absentee from the 16 left in at the confirmation stage on Thursday and Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) is confirmed for her fourth crack at the Arc, looking to become the first in history to win the race three times.

Serpentine supplemented to Arc

This year’s G1 Investec Derby winner Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was supplemented to Sunday’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Wednesday at a cost of €72,000 (AU$117,790). He was the lone supplementary entry to the €3 million (AU$4,907,940) race.

In his first start since running away with the blue riband at 25-1, Serpentine finished fourth in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris over the Arc course and distance at ParisLongchamp on September 13 behind stablemate and fellow Arc contender Mogul (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

With Serpentine supplemented, 16 remain engaged for the Arc. Rain has continued to fall in Paris, and as of Wednesday morning 15 millimetres has fallen this week.

Midnight Bisou retired

Midnight Bisou (USA) (Midnight Lute {USA}), the reigning Eclipse Award-winning older female and five-time Grade 1 winner, has been retired from racing, according to Jeffrey Bloom, co-owner and managing partner or Bloom Racing Stable.

“I cannot begin to tell you what this mare has meant to me, my family, and my partners,” said Bloom. “The places she has taken us and the thrills she has given us are immeasurable. And just to be in her presence is to feel what greatness is all about.

“Her calm, inquisitive demeanour, her fierce determination in a race is unlike any other horse. She is all class.

“I’m just so grateful I got to be a part of her incredible journey, and I’m extremely excited to watch the next phase of her life, watch her become a mother, and for her babies to hit the track with all of her class and elegance, and continue the Midnight Bisou legacy.”