Winx’s part owner passes away
Richard Treweeke, the part owner credited with naming champion mare Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) passed away on Wednesday, aged 90.
Peter Tighe, who raced Winx with Debbie Kepitis and Treweeke was delighted that his dear friend was able to witness the unveiling of a 600kg bronze statue commemorating the great mare at Rosehill Gardens on Monday.
“Every horse I owned with Richard won a race, he was my lucky charm,’’ Tighe told Racenet.
“But I remember Richard’s favourite saying was that he owned ‘chase horses, not racehorses’ and then along came Winx.
The late Richard Treweeke
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys passed on his condolences, describing Treweeke as one of racings great characters.
“I’m sure I speak on behalf of the entire racing industry by extending my deepest sympathies to Richard’s family,’’ V’landys told Racenet.
“Richard was wonderful for racing because he made himself available to the media during the Winx era and this added to the legend of Winx.’’
Probabeel no guarantee for All-Star tilt
Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards has confirmed that star New Zealand mare Probabeel’s (NZ) (Savabeel) position in Saturday’s The All-Star Mile remains weather dependent.
Richards stated that forecast rainfall of 6-15mm for Moonee Valley is concerning, despite admitting that his galloper isn’t hopeless on a deteriorating circuit.
Probabeel (NZ)
He said the stable are yet to decide on what surface they will run, stating that they will continue to walk the track and monitor information provided by the MVRC.
“She hasn’t quite had that turn of speed on wet ground,” Richards told Racing.com.
“I am praying it stays away, if that Saturday rain could come on Sunday that would be ideal.”
Arcadia Queen to claim Peters’ throne
Leviathan owner Bob Peters has declared that a win in Saturday’s The All-Star Mile will see superstar mare Arcadia Queen (Pierro) surpass four-time Group 1-winning gelding, Old Comrade (Old Spice) as his best horse ever.
The WA-based Peters isn’t concerned by the $5 million feature not carrying black-type status, stating that the race is viewed as “the equivalent of at least a good Group 1.
Arcadia Queen
"I think Old Comrade is the best horse I've had, he won four Group 1s and if she can win on Saturday, she'll go past him," Peters told Racing.com.
"Even though The All-Star Mile isn't a Group 1, there are nine Group 1 winners in it and there were 10 in it last year.”
Hyland warns of whip breaches
Victorian Jockey’s Association CEO, Matt Hyland has warned of further whip breaches, despite the implementation of restricted whip events at Moonee Valley this Saturday.
Hyland believes that the competitive nature of the jockeys' room sees riders push the boundaries when fighting out contested finishes.
“One sure thing that is confirmed is regardless what rules you have in place, there will be breaches,” Hyland told Racing.com.
“Riders are doing their utmost to get the best out of their horse and to encourage the horse to get to the line first.
“That is the mindset of the jockey and mostly that is what we are seeing. The breaches are coming from riders fighting out the finish, not the ones that are running a distant third or fourth.”
£6 Million in prizemoney confirmed for Royal Ascot
This year’s Royal Ascot carnival will carry a confirmed purse of £6 million (AU$10.83 million), a 66 per cent increase on 2020.
Ascot Racecourse Chief Executive Officer, Guy Henderson confirmed that the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. in July will receive an additional £475,000 (AU$857,200) in funding, taking the total pool for each feature to a £875,000 (AU$1.58 million).
Henderson said that the club will be forced to absorb a significant loss this year to facilitate the increased prizemoney, stating that they are willing to take a backwards step to ensure the prosperity of British racing throughout the pandemic.
“In 2020 we had hoped to offer record prizemoney of more than £8 million at the Royal Meeting. In the event the pandemic made that impossible and we have now spent nearly a year racing behind closed doors with trading income down 80 per cent. This year's prizemoney of £6 million represents 75 per cent of what we had originally planned for 2020,” Henderson told TDN Europe.
Change of tactics for front running Avalon
Trainer Shane Nichols isn’t concerned by his star gelding Streets Of Avalon (Magnus) drawing barrier 14 in this Saturday’s The All-Star Mile.
The Mornington-based trainer confirmed that the stable had been planning to take a sit on the multiple Group 1 winner for a while now.
Streets Of Avalon
He said he is confident in rider Zac Spain’s ability to execute the plan and find cover in the run.
"As he's got deeper into his prep and drawn a couple of bad gates, particularly at Caulfield, we've had to drive him to get him forward and get him rolling,” Nichols told Racing.com.
"From bad gates I think you just have to remove all pressure off the rider and just tell them to ride the horse and the race as they find it."
First Mare in Foal to Honor A. P.
Lane’s End Farm announced on Tuesday that American Group 1 winner Honor A. P. (USA) has his first mare confirmed in foal.
Standing for US$15,000 (AU$19,490) the son of Honor Code (USA) stood for stakes-placed mare, Omaticaya (Ire) (Bernstein {USA}), who herself is from the family of Group 1 winner Muhtarram (USA) (Alleged {USA}).
Honor A. P. was a US$850,000 (AU$1.1 million) Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase, he also boasts the scalp of American Horse of the Year Authentic (USA) in the G1 Santa Anita Derby.
Otaki duo Guineas bound
Otaki-based co-trainer Johno Benner has confirmed that exciting 3-year-olds Bonham (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) and Hold The Press (Press Statement) will contest the G2 Fusion Electrical Wellington Guineas on March 20.
Hollie Wynyard and Johno Benner | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery at Race Images
Benner declared that both fillies have come through their strong exhibition gallops at Otaki in good order and are trending in the right direction ahead of Saturday week's contest.
“They worked over 1000 metres on a genuine slow track and it was good, sharp work. Danielle Johnson rode Hold The Press and Lisa Allpress rode Bonham, and they were both pleased," he said.
Robinson sentenced for involvement
Drug manufacturer and distributer Scott Robinson has been sentenced to 18 months federal imprisonment and slapped with a forfeiture of US$3,832,318.90 (AU$4.98 million), after pleading guilty to one count of drug adulteration and misbranding.
The decision handed down on Tuesday, marked one year to the day that the 27 individuals allegedly involved in a scheme to use performance-enhancing drugs on racehorses were charged.
Robinson was remorseful for his involvement in the scheme, telling the court that he apologised for the damage he has caused to the industry.
“Horse racing is the only thing in my life that I have ever truly loved. From the first time I went to the racetrack, I fell in deep love with horse racing and this negative attention is not what I am about, and I sincerely apologise for that. For the last 15 years plus, I have promoted horse racing and tried to increase its popularity. I take full responsibility for the actions I have taken,” Robinson told the Lower Manhattan District court.
