Daily News Wrap

Dee and Bowman confirm All-Star rides

Trainer Paul Preusker has confirmed that Michael Dee will not ride Group 1 Australian Guineas winner Lunar Fox (Foxwedge) in Saturday week's All-Star Mile.

Preusker announced that Dee will instead partner the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained mare Rich Hips (Written Tycoon) in the G1 Chandon Classic at Rosehill.

Fellow contestant Mugatoo (Ire) (Henrythenavoigator {Ire}) will be ridden by champion hoop Hugh Bowman in the $5 million feature, according to trainer Kris Lees.

"Hugh rides The Valley as good as anyone, especially in a big race, so we are happy to have him on," Lees said.

Well-bred Baker colt breaks maiden

Regally-bred colt Fields Of Honour (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) has broken his maiden at start number six, taking out Wednesday's opening race at Warwick Farm by 2.3l.

The Bjorn Baker-trained 3-year-old is out of multiple Group 1-winning mare Fashions Afield (Redoute’s Choice), who herself is from the family of G1 William Reid S. winner, Wrap Around (Bletchingly).

Fields Of Honour was a $230,000 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Bjorn Baker Racing and Clarke Bloodstock from the draft of Westbury Stud.

Impecunious Sydney-bound

Part-owner Ozzie Kheir has confirmed that lightly-raced filly Impecunious (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) will be targeted at Sydney’s 3-year-old fillies' features.

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained galloper will step out in next Saturday’s G2 Phar Lap S. at Rosehill, in preparation for the G1 Vinery Stud S. a fortnight later.

"She hurt herself last start on the line, so we gave her a few days off and I think we'll have her ready for the following week's Phar Lap S. in Sydney," Kheir told Racing.com.

Don’t doubt Dalasan

Co-trainer Andrew Gluyas is confident that stable star Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) can measure up in Saturday’s G1 Newmarket H.

Gluyas believes that the Group 2-winning entire can fly fresh, despite suggesting that he’ll be targeted towards Sydney’s upcoming mile features.

"The way we train, we have them prepared to race 1200 metres first-up. I know he does get over ground and we are searching for that mile, but we have prepared him as he is,” Gluyas told Racing.com.

"His 1200 metre form as a juvenile is outstanding really. We have brought him together as we know how to do with him and hoping that we get a bit of luck.”

New Zealand Derby dependent on government directives

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing CEO Bernard Saundry has announced that Monday’s Vodafone New Zealand Derby will be transferred to Hastings if Auckland’s current Level 3 COVID-19 restrictions extend beyond Sunday.

Saundry confirmed that no other alternatives will be considered and that an announcement will be made following Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s Friday afternoon press conference.

“Everybody is keen for the meeting to be run at Ellerslie and that would still be a possible if Auckland came out of Level 3 early on Monday morning,” Saundry said.

“But it is not practical for the meeting to be held any later than Monday and if there is a significant extension to the Level 3 status for Auckland, the meeting will be transferred to Hastings.”

Tendon injury sidelines talented stayer

The future of the Andreas Wohler-trained stayer Ashrun (Fr) (Authorized {Ire}) is in doubt, after the 5-year-old suffered tendon damage last month.

Australian Bloodstock co-director Jamie Lovett confirmed that last year's Melbourne Cup contestant succumbed to the injury in preparation for the Red Sea Turf H. in Saudi Arabia on February 20.

Lovett confirmed that the entire will now commence a lengthy rehabilitation process on Australian soil.

"We're going to bring him out over here and take our time with him, nice and slowly," Lovett told Racing.com.

"This year's Melbourne Spring Carnival is out of the question; he might never race again because with tendon injuries you just never know. But we'll give him every opportunity to race again."

Richards delighted by star filly

Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards is delighted by the condition of star filly Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) leading into this Sunday’s G3 McKee Family Sunline Vase at Ellerslie.

Richards is expecting a forward showing from the multiple Group 2 winner in her final hitout before the G1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks.

“She is in good shape, the three weeks turnaround suits her, she has done some nice work, and she looks fantastic,” he said.

“She is a filly who is putting together a very good record,” Richards said. “I am looking forward to seeing how she goes. She obviously loves Ellerslie, and we would like the racing to go ahead there for her.”

Vercingetorix colt tops the lot

A yearling colt by multiple Group 1-winning sire Vercingetorix (SAF) has topped the Bloodstock South Africa Cape Yearling Sale.

The well-bred juvenile was purchased by Hollywood Syndicate via the draft of Wilgerbosdrift Stud for R375,000 (AU$32,228), and is from the extended family of G1 Cheveley Park S. winner Dead Certain (GB) (Absalom {GB}).

Overall, the Sale grossed R11.77 (AU$10.055 million) and had a clearance rate of 81 per cent. The average purchase price was R84,071 (AU$7225) (+26%).

Nominations closing soon for Stud and Stable Staff Awards

Nominations for the Stud and Stable Staff Awards supported by Godolphin are set to close on midnight Tuesday, March 9.

There are eight cash prize categories open to any registered stud and stable staff employed in Australia and nominations are not limited to trainers, owners, breeders, stable staff, stud staff, office personnel and office administrators.

Winners will be announced at an Awards ceremony to be held at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.

Waller filly building impressive record

Blueblood filly Kiku (Zoustar) has finished in the money at her sixth consecutive start, taking out Wednesday's BM68 Territories @ Darley H. in devastating fashion.

The sister to multiple G2 winner Zoutori (Zoustar) settled back in the field under leading hoop Tommy Berry and quickly extended to a 2l margin after letting down with an electric turn of speed.

Zoutori is out of Haradasun mare Atotori and is from the extended family of G1 Phoenix Champion S. winner Park Express (GB) (Ahonoora {GB}).

Kiku was a $300,000 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Star Thoroughbreds from the draft of Amarina Farm.

Capitalist continues winning ways

Adam Trinder-trained filly Miss Tuppence has gifted star first-season sire Capitalist his sixth individual winner at stud, taking out the Southern Cross Stock Feeds maiden in commanding fashion at Launceston overnight.

The Adam Trinder-trained juvenile was considered the one to beat leading into the 1120 metre event and didn’t let her supporters down, prevailing by 2.75l under leading local hoop, Anthony Darmanin.