New rider for Nature Strip

With regular rider James McDonald failing in his bid to appeal a careless riding suspension, Nature Strip (Nicconi) will have a new rider on his back.

Hugh Bowman has been selected as the man for the job after McDonald’s appeal was dismissed on Wednesday.

McDonald has piloted the talented sprinter in all bar one start since he took out the G1 The Galaxy in 2019.

Surgery for Gytrash

Star South Australian sprinter Gytrash (Lope De Vega {Ire}) has been seen for the last time in 2020, with The Everest placegetter undergoing small bone chip surgery.

The Gordon Richards-trained gelding has had quite the campaign in NSW, and was last sighted winning the Yes Yes Yes S. at Rosehill last weekend, banking a $750,000 bonus in the process.

It wasn't the first time the 5-year-old has been hampered with this injury.

"The nearside front knee seemed to be of some concern so we organised an x-ray and sure enough he has a chip there,” Richards said.

"Two years ago we had a small issue with that same knee and obviously he recovered 100 per cent.”

Payne struggling with absence

David Payne admits not being able to be with Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) in Melbourne ahead of her run in the G1 VRC Oaks on Thursday has been tough.

"I'm not nervous. But it's (hard) that you can't be there, because it's your best horse and you'd like to be there with her and to see everything is fine," Payne told Racing.com.

"I know she is in good hands, but it's not the same.

"I'll just have to sit on the couch and watch it. It's just one of those things, what can you do?"

Home ground advantage

Tom Dabernig, who trains in partnership with Ben Hayes, acknowledges boom Sydney filly Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) is the horse to beat in the VRC Oaks at Flemington but he thinks Personal (Fastnet Rock) has some advantages over her.

Those advantages are geographical and historical, according to the co-trainer.

"We're on our home turf and have been able to stick with our routine," Dabernig said. "The important thing is that she has pulled up well. We can't fault her."

Dabernig said at the top of the straight in the G2 Wakeful S. last Saturday he thought Personal was going to win before Victoria Quay (Dundeel {NZ}), who is not contesting the Oaks, overpowered her.

His filly finished second and traditionally the Wakeful has been a key guide for the VRC Oaks five days later.

"The Wakeful has been a good guide to the Oaks so hopefully it is again," Dabernig said.

"I reckon there is some improvement to come also, she blew up a bit over the back."

Newnham confident in his girls

Mark Newnham has the chance to win feature races in two states tomorrow just 20 minutes apart, but he will be a part-time "couch potato", cheering on both Quintessa (Pierro) in the Listed Lander Toyota Ladies Cup at Hawkesbury and Miravalle (Redoute’s Choice) in the G1 VRC Oaks at Flemington.

Newnham won't be at Flemington because of the restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, and has decided to watch both his "girls" in the comfort of home.

"I've got plenty to do tomorrow, and both races being late in the afternoon and only a short time apart, home will suit fine," he said.

"I'm looking forward to both the Ladies Day Cup and the Oaks, and I'm confident both Quintessa and Miravalle will run well."

RV opens Cup death investigation

Racing Victoria officials will launch a thorough investigation into the death of G1 Melbourne Cup runner Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) once post mortem results on the horse are complete.

The 2019 G1 English Derby winner suffered a catastrophic leg injury during the final stages of Tuesday's race and despite attempts by veterinarians to save him, he was euthanised.

Jamie Stier, RV's executive general manager of integrity services, told Melbourne's RSN radio the horse's death had cast a pall over Cup day.

"Everyone at Racing Victoria, and I know the VRC (Victoria Racing Club) as well from speaking with them yesterday, are deeply moved by the loss of yet another horse in the Melbourne Cup," Stier told RSN.

Preusker pleased with Baby

Despite finishing 13th, Horsham trainer Paul Preusker is still pleased with the run of Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) in the G1 Melbourne Cup.

"It is really hard to go through it, digest it. They ran a hell of a lot quicker race than last year," Preusker told Racing.com.

"It's a tricky one. Every horse had to improve and if you go on the times, our horse improved too.

"At the end of the day he's gone up 1kg and still ran a better time than last year. So I don't think I can knock myself there.

"It was just the way it was ran, where we were and what's achievable.

"The reality of the race that's set upon me now is, 'Jeez you need a lot of luck'. You need it and it's brutal. That's the thing that's sat in my head."

One More Time impresses

The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained One More Time (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) couldn’t have been more impressive on debut when scoring by 6l in a 1200 metre maiden at Avondale on Wednesday.

The daughter of Per Incanto (USA) had won both of her trials in readiness for her raceday debut and led throughout under Vinnie Colgan to score in the slick time of 1:09.16, cruising to the line under a hold.

“She has shown a lot the whole way through,” James said. “She has been a bit weak but she is handling everything very easily now.

“It didn’t surprise me to see what she did today, albeit I didn’t imagine she would be quite that stunningly impressive, especially given the time she has run.

“She has only gone 1200 metres to this point, so we need to learn a bit more about her before we make definitive plans but it is nice to know that we have got one with rare ability.”

Innes looking for replica Guineas win

Leith Innes can see plenty of similarities between Saturday’s G1 2000 Guineas contender Aegon (NZ) and the colt’s sire Sacred Falls (NZ).

But the one likeness Innes wants to see most is both horses’ names on the winner’s list for the Riccarton classic.

The South Auckland jockey rode Sacred Falls to win the 2000 Guineas in 2012, the pair unbeaten in six New Zealand starts before the son of O’Reilly (NZ) transferred from Cambridge trainer Tony Pike to Sydney trainer Chris Waller, who guided him to three further Group 1 wins in Australia.

Innes was aboard the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Aegon in his fast-finishing win in the G2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas at Hastings last month.

“I’d never ridden him before but he impressed me that day,” Innes said. “It wasn’t till halfway down the straight that he got balanced up and I started to think he’d go close but he was good enough to pick them up. It was a pretty good effort.

“I went and galloped him on Saturday morning and he certainly hasn’t gone backwards. He worked nicely and it was well worth the effort of going down to ride.

“If he gets a good run from the 400 (metres), he’ll definitely be a good chance.”

Treble for Dennis

While much of the Dennis family focus was on homebred The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) running a game fourth in the G1 Melbourne Cup, trainer Robert Dennis quietly went about his vocation, racking up a treble at Wingatui on Tuesday.

Dennis’ uncles Joe, Martin and Ray Dennis, along with father Tony, comprise the famed Dennis brothers, who bred The Chosen One, who stems from a family, generations in the making and includes The Phantom (NZ) (Noble Bijou {USA}) who ran in three Melbourne Cups.

The brothers remain in the ownership of the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained entire, whose connections were spread far and wide throughout New Zealand to watch the big race on Tuesday.

“A lot of my owners were at a function at Invercargill to watch The Chosen One and there were some at Tony Rider’s (part-owner of The Chosen One) function he had at his place up in Cambridge.

“I could imagine it (treble) set them off for a good day. Having my horses there and to bet on it might have filled their pockets up to have a punt and enjoy the day.”

Online bidding registrations open

After months of preparation and extensive testing, New Zealand Bloodstock announced on Wednesday that registrations for their anticipated online bidding platform are now open, with the platform due to debut at the Ready to Run Sale on November 18 and 19.

While COVID-19 may have prevented NZB’s international clientele from physically attending their sales, the decision was made early in the year to create a robust online bidding platform the future of their thoroughbred and standardbred auctions.

The upgrade to ultra-fast fibre at Karaka has enabled NZB to offer a user-friendly online bidding service for all registered buyers who are unable to travel to the Sale.

Visit bidonline.nzb.co.nz to register for online bidding 24 hours prior to the Ready to Run Sale.

Director appointments to the NZTR board

Following interviews last week, the NZTR Members’ Council confirms Darryll Park (Christchurch), Andrew Fairgray (Auckland) and Mike Clarke (Auckland) have been appointed to join the Board, commencing their tenure immediately following the NZTR AGM on 17 November.

Mike Clarke’s appointment will commence 1 January, 2021. These appointments are in response to the vacancies created by the departure of Dr Alan Jackson, Victoria Carter and Rick Williams.

Scholarship winner announced

Nathan Trumper has headed a strong group of applicants to win the 2021 Keith and Faith Taylor Trust Equine Scholarship.

Administered by the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, the scholarship will support Trumper to travel to Ireland early next year to attend the world-renowned Irish National Stud and complete the breeding diploma.

NYRA and TVG to donate to COVID-19 Relief

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and TVG have announced a series of COVID-19 relief donations for a broad spectrum of non-profit organisations working to support the Thoroughbred racing community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The US$410,000 (AU$576,847) in charitable contributions will be distributed to seven non-profit organisations including the New York Chapter of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (NYRTCA), the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T), the Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA), the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC), the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program (RTIP), the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund (PDJF) and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA).

“The racing industry has rallied in incredible ways in response to the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kip Levin, CEO of TVG. “The entire TVG team is grateful that our partnership with NYRA will benefit these great organizations who do so much every day to help those in need.”