Enable retires

Juddmonte have confirmed the retirement of superstar mare Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) with the dual G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner to visit Kingman (GB) next year.

Douglas Erskine Crum, CEO of JuddmonteFarms, said: “Prince Khalid has decided that Enable will be retired from racing and will now join the Juddmonte broodmare band to be covered by Kingman.”

Spring over for Tagaloa

After being eased out of the G1 Caulfield Guineas on the weekend, Group 1-winning colt Tagaloa (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) will play no further part in this year’s spring carnival with his immediate future unknown.

“It’s obviously really disappointing, but we ride the highs and lows in this game constantly,” co-trainer Trent Busuttin told Racing.com.

“The scans and tests have shown he has a slight throat issue where he may have displaced his soft palate during the run and he’s also feeling his suspensory ligament a bit.

“His immediate future is out in the paddock and it will be up to the ownership group where he goes to from here.”

Three accept for Blue Sapphire

This year’s G3 Blue Sapphire S. will have only three runners, headed by the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Anders (Not A Single Doubt).

The other two runners will be Godolphin colt Hanseatic (Street Boss {USA}) and the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained Ranting (NZ) (Zoustar).

“Anders looks to have frightened a few of them off but we’re still excited that it will certainly be a different type of race,’’ MRC Chief Executive John Blanksby said. ‘’It’ll be very tactical and very interesting.

“While there will be limited turnover on a race of three runners, we’re looking at it as an engagement tool as it will be a gripping race and something away from what we’re used to.”

Tofane primed

G1 All Aged S. winner Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) is in prime condition for Saturday’s The Everest according to trainer Mike Moroney.

“She was pretty luckless last start. Ollie (Damien Oliver) was pretty confident if she had a clear run she would have won it, so we are treating it like she is going into the race in winning form,” Moroney told Racing.com.

“It’s going to be a tough race but she will acquit herself well.

“We know she travels well, we know she goes that way around. If they get a bit of rain it will help too, make it a little bit tougher for the rest of them.”

Dalasan jockey switch

Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) has had a jockey switch ahead of Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Cup.

The 4-year-old was originally meant to be partnered by Billy Egan but connections have opted to take up the services of William Pike after his original ride was ruled out of the race.

Egan and the connections of Dalasan have come to a compensation agreement for the change of jockey but the figure is undisclosed.

Cup would be a bonus

Co-trainer Trent Busuttin believes he is in bonus territory with Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

From a future stallion point of view, the 7-year-old earned an all-important Group 1 credit when he won the Metropolitan H. at Randwick last time out.

Busuttin said Mirage Dancer had progressed well since his successful Sydney raid ahead of Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Cup.

He finished third in the feature last year behind Mer De Glace (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) and Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}) and the stable is confident he is in similar fettle this time around.

Lees leaning to Cox Plate

Kris Lees will wait until Tuesday morning before deciding which race Mugatoo (Ire) (Henrythenavigator {USA}), runs in next but he said he is leaning towards the G1 Cox Plate.

“He’ll work at Caulfield in the morning and I’ll make a decision after that,” he told Racing.com.

“At the moment I am leaning towards the Cox Plate.

“I think it will work out perfect for him having three weeks between runs and dropping back in distance.”

Manikato warm-up

Bella Vella (Commands) warmed up for next Friday night’s G1 Manikato S. with a comfortable trial win at Gawler on Monday morning and trainer Will Clarken is pleased with her heading into the race.

“She actually is never one to get you terribly excited in the manner she trials,” Clarken told Racing.com.

“However I was really happy with that. She had a good blow afterwards and I will give her one more solid piece of work before the Manikato.”

Boss secures Cox Plate ride

After Hugh Bowman was ruled out of riding in next Saturday’s G1 Cox Plate through suspension, Glen Boss has picked up the ride on imported galloper Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).

Bowman elected not to appeal the 10 meeting ban which he earned in the G1 Caulfield Guineas and owner Ozzie Kheir confirmed the jockey booking on Monday.

Campaign at a crossroads

Carnival plans for classy mare Vanna Girl (Husson {Arg}) are in limbo after she jarred up in her G1 Epsom H. ”non-event".

The remainder of the 4-year-old's Sydney program won't be locked in until she is assessed in the coming days by the Toby and Trent Edmonds stable.

"She felt the track a bit and pulled up a little bit jarred up for a few days afterwards," co-trainer Trent Edmonds said.

"We've treated her with a couple of quiet days, some swimming and some anti-inflammatories as well.”

Depending on how quickly she recovers, Vanna Girl may start in Saturday's G3 Craven Plate at Randwick.

Old-timer’s still got it

Otaki trainer Howie Mathews and his wife, Lorraine, have never been more proud of their evergreen galloper Sampson (NZ) (Dubai Destination {USA}) than at Hawera at the weekend as he clawed his way to victory.

As an 11-year-old with 60.5kg on his back, he gave age and weight to all his rivals, but that didn’t stop him from showing his will to win over the final stages for rider Chad Ormsby to score by a nose.

“What can I say, he’s a great old horse. I did think I was selfish bringing him back into work this year, but then what do you do? He’s a professional racehorse and he loves it,” Howie Mathews said.

“He’s a happy horse and basically the only one I have in full work so he gets one on one. He gets the royal treatment. We’re lucky he’s been sound right through and he just loves racing. He may be 11, but he doesn’t show it and he proved that on Saturday. He just wanted to win.”

Former Aussie scores on HK debut

Former Australian galloper Leviathan (Zoustar) made his presence felt on his Hong Kong debut, helping jockey Chad Schofield to a double.

The exciting Frankie Lor-trained youngster, now named Healthy Happy, took the first section of the Class 3 Lai Kok H. on Sunday.

“That was really impressive - he trialled well leading into this without giving any indication that he could come and win at his first time out,” Schofield said.

The Zoustar gelding arrived in Hong Kong from Australia, rated 80, where he was trained by Peter and Paul Snowden and was a two-time winner.

“He really impressed me today, he gave me the feel of a good horse – it’s very tough to do what he did today, to come to Hong Kong rated 80 and win with top weight,” Schofield said.