Sweet success
A determined finish from the talented mare Toffee Tongue (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) saw her return to winning ways at Rosehill in the G3 Bisley Sky High S..
Last season’s G1 Schweppes Oaks winner had been out of the money in her first two appearances this campaign, but was at the top of her game on Saturday to down Spirit Ridge (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}).
Toffee Tongue (NZ) (white cap)
“Third-up last preparation she nearly beat Verry Elleegant in the G1 Turnbull S. We’ll look at the G1 BMW, whether that comes too soon I’m not sure, and consider a race like the G1 Doomben Cup,” trainer Chris Waller said.
Derby target
Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace are hoping their runaway G2 Dalton Alister Clark S. winner Grandslam (Myboycharlie {Ire}) can add a G1 Australian Derby to his family’s record.
Grandslam
“I’ve got a lot of time for this horse and his sister Jameka is still my favourite horse. I’ve always had a lot of faith in him,” Maher said.
“He is en route to the Derby, Jameka ran second in it so hopefully he can go one better.”
Grandslam was ridden by Jamie Kah and an early move saw them cruise home by 6.25l from Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and the winner’s stablemate Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}) finished third.
Job well done
Scorched Earth (Nicconi) will head for a break with two wins on the bounce to round out a lucrative campaign.
She bolted away with the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge and on Saturday landed the Listed Charter Keck Cramer Valley Pearl in the hands of Damien Oliver.
“She responded well to Damien’s riding and went to the line in good fashion. She’s made a good fist of it and will go to the paddock now,” trainer John Moloney said.
Impressive return
Persan (Pierro) made a terrific return to racing with a strong win over 2040 metres in the Xtreme Freight H.
He was making his first appearance since finishing fifth in the G1 Melbourne Cup and that will again be the focus later in the year.
“He had an unbelievable preparation last time. We’ve got a plan to run him in the Listed Andrew Ramsden S. and a ticket into the Cup again,” co-trainer Ciaron Maher said.
Godolphin pair to entry order
The Godolphin pair of Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) and Arcaded (Street Boss {USA}), plus Chris Waller’s Shaquero (Shalaa {Ire}) head the ballot exempt order for entry into next Saturday’s G1 Longines Golden Slipper S.
Waller also has Home Affairs (I Am Invincible) and O’President (Fastnet Rock), as is Richard and Michael Freedman’s Stay Inside (Extreme Choice) and John Sargent’s Four Moves Ahead (Snitzel).
The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained G3 Widden S. winner Mallory (Not A Single Doubt), who bypassed Saturday’s G3 Magic Night S. is currently 22nd in order of entry. It was incorrectly stated she was 12th in order in TDN AusNZ on Saturday, but a number currently above her will be dropping out.
McEvoy on 3-year-old
Kerrin McEvoy has been booked to ride the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) in the G1 Doncaster H.
Forsman also part-owns the 3-year-old and said he had come through his sub-par effort for sixth in the G1 Randwick Guineas in good order.
A previous winner of the G2 Hobartville S., Aegon’s late sire Sacred Falls (NZ) counted two editions of the Doncaster H. among his four Group 1 victories.
Coolmore on radar
The G1 Coolmore Legacy is a possible target for the talented mare Levante (NZ) (Proisir), who coasted to victory in the Royal Descent S. at Ellerslie.
Co-trainer Ken Kelso hasn’t locked in the mare’s immediate program yet, but the Coolmore at Randwick on March 10 and the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' S. at Te Aroha the same day are the options being considered.
Levante had blown the start when a previous fifth in the G1 BCD Sprint at Te Rapa, but jumped on terms at Ellerslie. She settled last and finished off well under hands and heels riding from Sam Collett for an effortless win.
Bidding open
Bidding is open on a huge Inglis Digital catalogue of 360 lots, with highlights including an Aquis Farm racehorse reduction of 35 lots and 13 broodmares offered by Corumbene Stud.
The 360-strong catalogue comprises of 172 racehorses, 71 race fillies/mares, 128 broodmares, 26 yearlings, five weanlings, 24 racehorse shares and two stallions.
The March (Early) Online Sale follows an extraordinary start to 2021 for Inglis Digital, including another stakes-winning graduate with Mr Marathon Man (GB) (So You Think {NZ}), a $70,000 2020 July (Early) Sale purchase, claiming the Listed Canberra Cup.
Dream dashed
Owner Bob Peters’ All-Star Mile hopes for Arcadia Queen (Pierro) were dashed on race morning when when she failed a third vet check.
The crack West Australian mare was found to be lame on Thursday after pulling a shoe and failed her second inspection on Friday.
Racing Victoria reported on Twitter on Saturday morning: “Arcadia Queen underwent her third inspection this morning with vets reporting she is still lame in the off foreleg. The mare will be withdrawn on vets’ advice.”
Criminal charges
French-based trainer Andrea Marcialis, who on Wednesday was handed three years and nine months in bans by France Galop in addition to the six months he is currently serving for running a shadow training operation, faces criminal charges after being indicted this week on counts of organised gang fraud, equine doping and forgery.
The 35-year-old Marcialis was one of 14 people arrested following a raid on March 9 in which police seized doping products, cash and removed three racehorses from the premises.
The Italian-born Marcialis was granted a French trainers' license in 2017 after working for his father Antonio Marcialis in Milan. His first group winner was the 2019 G3 Prix de Saint-Georges scorer Sestilio Jet (Fr) (French Fifteen {Fr}), and Marcialis trained a first Group 1 winner last June when Way To Paris (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) took the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
