Eduardo up to the Challenge
Rejuvenated sprinter Eduardo (Host {Chi}) had to set a new 1000 metre track record at the Randwick track to lower the colours of Nature Strip (Nicconi) in the G2 Challenge S.
The Joseph Pride-trained sprinter stopped the clock at 55.2s to break the previous best time posted by the multiple The Everest winner Redzel (Snitzel).
“I could see he was in the fight and what an amazing performance, they’ve carved up the track record,” Pride said. “He deserves all the accolades this horse and the team at home, I’m absolutely pumped.”
Eduardo (yellow silks) and Nature Strip (outside)
Eduardo was making his first appearance since he ran fourth at Rosehill in the spring and prior to that had gone far too hard in front in The Everest, in which he faded to beat one runner home.
“I’m trying to forget about that and today, he’s beaten the best sprint horse in Australia. He’s 100 per cent sound and he’s going to be hard to beat in the G1 The Galaxy H.,” Pride said. “I hope the handicapper is a bit kind to him when they put the weights out for The Galaxy.”
Sydney on radar
Trainer Danny O’Brien is likely to raise the bar with Sovereign Award (Shamus Award) following her all-the-way victory in the G2 Lexus Matron S. at Flemington.
She went out to a clear lead for rider Damien Oliver and with the benefit of two lead-up runs she had the race fitness to stay on strongly for the ninth win of her career.
“She’s a really good mare who has been building to this. She handles wet tracks as well so she could go to Sydney, the G1 Coolmore might be the ideal set-up for her,” O’Brien said.
Impressive return
Wild Ruler (Snitzel) set himself up for another crack at a Group 1 sprint with a blazing return at Randwick on Saturday.
In his first start since finishing third in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. in the spring, he was untested to win the Listed Tokyo City Keiba Fireball S.
Wild Ruler
“He just needed a little bit more time and had the benefit of a couple of nice trials,” co-trainer Paul Snowden said. “He was very dominant late and was always going to go into the G1 The Galaxy second-up. He’ll drop a lot in weight and handles all conditions.”
Wild Ruler sat in second spot behind tearaway leader Mamaragan (Wandjina) and when he folded in the straight dashed away to account for On The Lead (I Am Invincible).
2YO run continues
Mornington trainer John McArdle struck another winning 2-year-old blow when La Rocque (Kuroshio) proved too slick for her rivals in the G3 TBV Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. at Flemington.
She is now unbeaten in two appearances, as is stablemate Tycoon Humma (Capitalist), who won the Listed Festival S. on the course seven days ago.
La Rocque
La Rocque was quickly into stride to lead and when asked for a serious effort by Jamie Mott asserted her superiority to beat Flying Evelyn (Not A Sigle Doubt).
“There’s plenty of improvement in her, she’s a very green horse. I think she’ll go to the paddock and like Tycoon Humma come back for the early spring races,” McArdle said.
Zahra plays his part
So Si Bon (So You Think {NZ}) was given a fine ride by Mark Zahra and the 7-year-old responded with a determined finish to claim the Listed Furphy Ale March S.
“It was great to see him win and it was a great ride by Mark, he was the key to this great result,” co-trainer Ben Hayes said.
So Si Bon was a strong fifth when resuming in the G1 Futurity S. and has now won three times when produced second-up.
Future looking good
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes is confident the import Mount Popa (Ire) (Maxios {GB}) can make his mark in stronger company in Australia.
He produced the 6-year-old to win for the second time when successful in the Listed Randwick City S. in the hands of Tommy Berry.
“Tommy had him travelling beautifully and he accelerated well. He’s a work in progress, but this bloke has got a lot more in store,” Michael Hawkes said.
Mount Popa (Ire) (yellow cap)
Top resuming run
The Emirates Park-bred and raced Marboosha (Dream Ahead {USA}) showed she was in for a lucrative campaign with a stylish first-up win in the Listed Incognitus S. at Flemington.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained filly ended her last preparation with a runner-up finish in the G3 Red Roses S. and black-type success now beckons the filly.
“Peter and Paul were very happy with her trials and she got a lovely run and when she got the gap she exploded through,” stable representative Andrew Angelone said.
“It was good for the connections to get this result and she’s got a very bright future.”
Dream Awapuni debut
I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) made a perfect start to his career with a comfortable debut victory at Awapuni this afternoon.
Unbeaten in two lead-up trials, the Waikato Stud-bred and raced 2-year-old settled outside of the leader and lengthened stride in the straight to land the HR Jones & Co Juvenile.
I Wish I Win (NZ) | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery at Race Images
“He’s a horse that has looked very good and we’ve all got a lot of time for him,” trainer Jamie Richards said. “I said to Johnathan (Parkes, jockey) that ideally, we would like to teach him a bit and get some cover, but if it was going to be cat and mouse and no tempo to be positive.”
I Wish I Win is a half-brother to G3 Premier’s Cup winner Another Dollar (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) while his brother and stablemate No Limits (NZ), who has yet to win in a brief career, was bought by Te Akau’s David Ellis for NZ$1.4 million at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka Sale in 2019.
Elliot accepts penalty
Irish National Hunt trainer Gordon Elliott said he is “paying a very heavy price” but that he has no complaints after being handed a 12-month suspension by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), with the last six months of the ban suspended.
While it has been announced that the latter second half of the ban has been suspended, it has yet to be announced for how long that suspension would apply and what level of offence would cause it to be triggered. Elliott has not been fined, but was ordered to pay €15,000 (AU$28,800) toward the IHRB's costs.
The referrals committee of the IHRB heard evidence relating to the social media release last weekend of a disturbing photograph showing Elliott sitting astride a dead horse on his gallops in Co Meath.
After being handed his penalty, Elliott released a statement on his Twitter account and said: “I accept my situation and my sanction and am satisfied with my engagement with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. It is not an easy job to sit on the panel, but I was dealt with fairly.”
