Queensland borders to open
The Queensland government announced on Tuesday that the border to New South Wales would open from December 1, while the border with Victoria will open on the same date provided the state records no new cases on Wednesday.
It is a big boost for sales house Magic Millions with all parts of Australia now likely to be able to travel to Queensland for January’s Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
SA receives prizemoney boost
After a tough week in South Australia, the state’s racing industry received a major boost on Tuesday as TRSA announced a major funding injection which will see prizemoney increase from next month.
From December 1, all non-maiden races at metropolitan meetings will offer between $42,250 (up from $36,000) and $52,250 (up from $45,000) in prizemoney.
"Prizemoney is the lifeblood of our industry," leading trainer Tony McEvoy said. "It pays the wages and helps drive confidence levels across the racing community.
"To have prizemoney trending back upwards in South Australia is fantastic news and underlines the importance of the steps taken by TRSA and the relevant health authorities in keeping racing going through the pandemic.”
Vale Jim Marconi
Jim Marconi, trainer of star sprinter Rancho Ruler (Rancher), sadly died on Monday night.
"Last night our wonderful dad Jim Marconi passed away - he would have been 88 tomorrow," Marconi's daughter, Fiona, said in a tribute post on Facebook.
"Dad lived an enormous life filled with an abundance of love, laughter, dedication and passion. He could be both fiery and tenacious, and kind and loving.
"Whilst having many professional successes, his greatest achievement was his family, who truly adored him. We are so fortunate to have had so much time with him. He will be desperately missed."
Clarke in hospital
Popular Cranbourne trainer Udyta Clarke was rushed to hospital on Monday night after suffering a medical episode and being found unresponsive.
The 72-year-old was rushed to the emergency department at the Monash Hospital where doctors detected a hypertensive brain bleed and remains in a critical condition.
Jockey secured for Royal assignment
The booking of top jockey Craig Williams has given Joe Pride a confidence boost ahead of the return of Royal Witness (Star Witness) in the Listed Carlyon S. at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
The Sydney trainer pinpointed the 1000 metre sprint as an ideal campaign starting point for the speedster and was thrilled to snap up the services of Melbourne's reigning premier rider.
Craig Williams
"I chased him early. I've always had a good association with Craig and he has the faith that if I'm taking one south it's going to be a good, live chance," Pride said.
"He was more than happy to take the ride for me and that gives me confidence because no-one does more homework than Craig.”
Caserta to move north
Chris Caserta will add to the list of jockeys relocating out of Victoria as he gets set to move to Queensland next month.
"I will be based around the Gold Coast area," Caserta told Racing.com. "I've spoken to Bryan Guy up there and he's happy to give me a helping hand and get my feet off the ground, which is good to know.
"I'm approaching it as a fresh start and we'll see how things go."
Association ongoing
Racing Victoria (RV) is continuing its long-standing association with Equestrian Victoria (EV) by extending its Off The Track naming rights sponsorship in 2021.
The formal partnership provides RV an important opportunity to promote its Off The Track program to the equestrian community and drive demand for retired gallopers as suitable horses for all equestrian disciplines.
A feature of the partnership is RV’s support of dedicated Off The Track categories and prizes for riders competing at EV major championships and regional events across Victoria.
Since the commencement of the Off The Track program in 2012, there have been over 15,000 collective former racehorse appearances at Victorian equestrian events. This highlights the growing interest from equestrian riders in thoroughbreds as performance horses.
Synthetic approval
The Cambridge Jockey Club’s new synthetic track has received a tick of approval from leading jockey Samantha Collett after its first set of trials on Tuesday.
It was the second time the ace hoop has ridden on the track after previously riding on the surface at the jump-outs earlier this month.
“I think it is really fantastic,” she said. “The Club can be really proud of what they have produced. I was fortunate enough to have a few rides around at the jump-outs prior to today’s trial meeting and it really impressed me then.”
The jump-outs were conducted in inclement weather and Collett said the track handled just as well then.
“I feel like the track is really nice and forgiving. It is going to produce a really nice, even surface that we can look forward to using all year round, especially in the winter months when our turf tracks are deteriorating.”
The Cambridge Jockey Club’s new synthetic track
Sharrock bullish
Buoyed by stakes success for two of his human protégés, Allan Sharrock is hoping for big things from three of his equine stars at Otaki on Thursday.
The Taranaki trainer heads to the Levin Racing Club meeting with Tavi Mac (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Waisake (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) and Our Hail Mary (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), an exciting trio that all have black-type targets ahead of them this season.
They will line-up five days after Sharrock watched two of his former employees – trainer Brett Scott and jockey Michael Walker – combine with former Taranaki galloper Irish Flame (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) to win the Listed Ballarat Cup.
Scott was a stable foreman for Sharrock in the 1990s, while Walker’s stellar apprenticeship was under Sharrock’s tutelage.
“I was best man at Scotty’s wedding, and Michael’s like a son,” Sharrock said. “I’ve spoken with Scotty a couple of times since the weekend and he’s pretty upbeat. I was thrilled. It was a real Taranaki job.”
A winner of eight races from 13 starts, Tavi Mac heads Sharrock’s team when he runs in the Listed Courtesy Ford Levin S. off the back of his Listed Matamata Cup success.
First stakes tilt
Promising 3-year-old Basarwa (NZ) (Atlante) will have to overcome his outside barrier in the G3 Lucia Valentina Wellington S. at Otaki on Thursday to keep his undefeated record intact.
He won comfortably by 1.25l on debut at Hastings earlier this month and trainers Guy Lowry and Grant Cullen believe he is up to tackling stakes company second-up.
Basarwa (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images Palmerston North
“I thought it was a good run, which followed up his strong trial,” Lowry said. “He had the best sectionals of the day. He is a talented horse, but just does a lot wrong. He is a work in progress.”
Lowry said his ultimate goal this preparation is the G1 Levin Classic at Trentham in January and Thursday is just another step to reaching that target.
New stallion mark
With another productive weekend, which included a victory by the impressive first-time starter and “TDN Rising Star” Life Is Good (USA) at Del Mar, Into Mischief (USA) has set a new Northern Hemisphere record for most single-season earnings by a sire.
According to TDN sire stats, Into Mischief’s offspring have earned US$19,994,815 (AU$27.4 million) this year. The record had been held by Tapit (USA), whose progeny earned (AU$27.26 million) in 2016.
With earnings of US$11,465,367 (AU$15.7 million), Tapit is a distant second behind Into Mischief in 2020.
“He’s a remarkable horse,” said Spendthrift Farm General Manager Ned Toffey. “There’s not a lot left to say about him. He’s shown that he can get any level of horse and at the same time is very consistent. That’s what has allowed him to get to the level he has gotten to.”
Into Mischief’s 2020 accomplishments will almost certainly include a Horse of the Year title. With his wins in the G1 Haskell S., the GI Kentucky Derby and the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, Authentic (USA) is a clear favourite for that title. He, alone, accounts for US$6,160,000 (AU$8.4 million) of the total earned by Into Mischief’s offspring this year.
