Group 1 test ahead
Need I Say More (No Nay Never {USA}) will take on the older horses, including his top-class stablemate Avantage (Fastnet Rock) in next month’s G1 BCD Sprint.
The 3-year-old confirmed his path to Te Rapa when he successfully carried 60.5kg in the G3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy at Ellerslie. It was his first start since he failed to run out 1600 metres when sixth in the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas.
“He did it the hard way and it was fortunate today that one came around to give him some cover,” trainer Jamie Richards said. “It was a good effort with the weight.”
Need I Say More | Image courtesy of Race Images
Bandersnatch too good
Genuine 4-year-old Bandersnatch (Casino Prince) was given a sweet trip by Tommy Berry in the Listed Carrington S. at Randwick and he was good enough to take advantage.
He settled in the trail and was into clear air 250 metres from home to assert his superiority in the Fujitsu General-sponsored feature.
“The Hawkes team have had this race in mind for him for a while and with over the 1400 metres with the winkers on he was way too strong,” jockey Tommy Berry said.
Bandersnatch | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Black type for mare
Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) coped admirably with a stiff rise in class to land the G3 Brighthill Farm Concorde H. at her fifth appearance.
“She got the soft run from the good gate and wasted no petrol,” trainer Jamie Richards said. “This was her biggest test and she duly obliged.
“She is a very exciting mare. She’s by Tavistock but she has speed to burn. She might be bound for the top drawer.”
Entriviere was out of the trail halfway down the straight and the 4-year-old sprinted clear to beat Justacanta (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) by 1.3l.
Entriviere (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images
Explosive performance
Promising colt Rocketing By (So You Think {NZ}) lives up to his name at Randwick where he powered through a gap late in the piece to post his third victory.
The 3-year-old enjoyed a good run in the Bowermans Commercial Furniture H., but rider Hugh Bowman had to bide his time in the straight before he could make his move.
“He had to wait for the gap and when it came he was through for a good win. We’re trying to get him to the Inglis 3-year-old race so we had to get his prizemoney up,” trainer David Pfieffer said.
Kiwi strikes again
Second Slip (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) kept his unbeaten Australian record intact with further success at Sandown.
The 4-year-old has been twice successful in New Zealand from Kevin Gray’s stable before joining Will Clarken’s Morphettville yard and won at Murray Bridge prior to landing Saturday’s Ladbrokes Back Yourself H.
“Will was pretty keen on his chances. He’s very big and raw and probably better ridden further back, but there’s a lot of upside to him,” rider Jamie Kah said.
Second Slip (NZ)
Three straight beckons
Unbeaten filly Miss Charlie Brown (Myboycharlie {Ire}) has a golden opportunity to earn blacktype early in her career when she runs in the Listed Tasmanian Bloodstock Elwick S. at Hobart on Sunday.
She has won both of her starts at Launceston with ease and from an inside gate the Adam Trinder-trained 2-year-old should go close to maintaining her perfect record.
Turk Warrior (Outreach) and Gee Als Price (Wordsmith) both won their debuts well enough to warrant further support and Lacerate (Charge Forward) chased home the latter at his first start so he’ll be all the better as well for the outing.
Geegee Lucky Jess (Wordsmith) has played second fiddle to Miss Charlie Brown in her last two appearances and would need to improve significantly to be more than a place prospect.
Glenfiddich side-lined
Glenfiddich (Fastnet Rock) has been ruled out of the autumn carnival after suffering a career-threatening leg injury.
Connections of the Peter Moody-trained colt are weighing up whether to retire the 3-year-old or put a rehabilitation program in place in the hope he returns to racing.
Glenfiddich was runner-up in the G1 Champagne S. as a 2-year-old and won the G2 Stutt S. before suffering a throat issue.
Glenfiddich
Catalogue released
The catalogue for Arqana's February Mixed Sale, which comprises of 375 horses and takes place on February 15 and 16 has been released.
Among those expected to draw attention are the fillies out of training, G3 Long Island S. winner Lady Paname (Fr) (Soldier Of Fortune {Ire}) (Lot 160), G3 Prix Vanteaux third Lady Te (Ger) (Tertullian {USA}) (Lot 253), and the G3 Prix Imprudence third Jet Setteuse (Fr) (Makfi {GB}) (Lot 315).
Highlights among the broodmares includes the Listed-winning Oh Beautiful (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) (Lot 148) from the family of Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and her Group 1-winning daughters Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in foal to Shalaa (Ire).
Vale Slickly
World champion miler and leading French sire Slickly (Fr) has died aged 25 at Haras du Logis. The grey had been pensioned from stud duties in 2019, having stood at stud at Logis since he retired to stud in 2003.
“Slickly has been a wonderful horse to have at Logis, and had a very loyal following among French breeders. He was quite white in his old age, with plenty of lumps and bumps, but he was always happy to see a friendly face, and it was a sad day when we finally had to let him go,” said Julian Ince, who managed Slickly's stud career.
Slickly's multiple Group 1 winners are headed by his four-time Group 1 winner Meandre (Fr), who like his sire won the Grand Prix de Paris.
