Bugle back in form
Daily Bugle (Press Statement) bounced back from a last-start failure to post his second career success with a strong win at Mornington.
The Robbie Griffiths and Matthew de Kock-trained colt settled just off the pace and finished off determinedly to land the Cleanaway Sustainability Sires under Jamie Mott and atone from his previous unplaced run in the G3 VRC Sires’ Produce S.
“Unfortunately, he got way too far back in a slowly-run race, but we couldn’t fault his well-being. Robbie and I never gave up belief in the horse and Jamie rode a spectacular race,” de Kock said.
The trainers will now mull over a trip to Sydney for upcoming 2-year-old features for Daily Bugle, bought by Griffiths and Peter Ford Thoroughbreds for $230,000 out of Tarcoola Stud’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft. He is a half-brother to G3 Caulfield Classic winner Thought Of That (So You Think {NZ}).
Group 1 options
Co-trainer Jason Warren has two Group 1 options in mind for his talented mare Brooklyn Hustle (Starspangledbanner).
“There’s the Robert Sangster in Adelaide and the Tatt’s Tiara in Queensland and we’ll fill in the blanks in between. It would be nice to win some black-type getting there,” he said.
Brooklyn Hustle
The winner of two races and Group 2-placed, Brooklyn Hustle finished seventh in Friday evening’s G1 William Reid S.
“We were very proud of her run, things just didn’t work out for her,” Warren said.
Oaks target
Chica Fuerte (Hinchinbrook) has earned a crack at the G1 Australasian Oaks in Adelaide following her latest success.
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained filly led all the way to win Friday evening’s G3 Alexandra S. at Moonee Valley with a performance that mirrored her front-running victory in the G3 Ethereal S. in the spring.
"She'll probably go to Adelaide, she'll either run in the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas on April 10 or the G3 Auraria S. on the 17th, both over 1800 metres as her lead up to the Oaks," stable foreman, Steve Adams, told Racing.com.
Bay takes Cuddle
Progressive galloper Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) delighted her army of fans when taking out the G3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle S. on Saturday, but it was a close-run thing in the Trentham feature for the fillies and mares.
Just as she was expected to burst away from her rivals, she was confronted by a stern challenge on her outer from outsider Jessiegee (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}).
Rider Samantha Collett asked Coventina Bay for a serious effort in the final 150 metres and she lifted to land the thick end of the stake.
“She was a bit fresh today as she was nine kilograms heavier than when she won last time,” trainer Robert Patterson said. “Her Melbourne Cup is the G1 Breeders’ S. at Te Aroha, but I’m proud of her and she is just a little machine.”
Waisake collects another feature
Class prevailed at Trentham on Saturday when last-start G3 Wellington Cup winner Waisake (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) collected another feature race at the venue with a gritty victory in the Listed Fasttrack Insurance 5K New Zealand St. Leger.
Unsighted since taking out the Cup in late January, the Allan Sharrock-trained 6-year-old had his normal race tactics turned upside down when apprentice rider Hazel Schofer found herself trapped wide throughout the early stages of the race.
Schofer used her initiative to roll forward and sit outside leader Lincoln King as the pair set up a steady gallop out in front.
“You can’t sit three-wide for two bends, but he found his comfort zone and was clearly the best horse in the race,” Sharrock said. “It’s what you want to see from an improving apprentice when they have to make a decision in a race.”
Head Lad banned
Simon McGonagle, Head Lad to currently disqualified trainer Gordon Elliott, has been banned nine months, with the last seven months of the ban suspended, by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board for taking the photo of Elliott sitting aboard a dead horse that circulated on social media and led to Elliott's own six-month ban.
The last seven months of McGonagle's ban will be suspended for a year, after which the disqualification will lapse. His ban begins on April 16.
McGonagle, who has been employed within the racing industry for approximately 30 years and first started working for Elliott in 2007, was found by the IHRB to have acted in a manner prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of horse racing - a charge that was also brought against Elliott.
Stable pet makes amends
Less than an hour after lamenting bad luck in one Trentham feature on Saturday afternoon, Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard struck gold in the next one with stable favourite Grand Mayson (NZ) (Power {GB}).
A perennial placegetter with 13 seconds and thirds through his 26-start career, the 6-year-old produced a scintillating late burst to win the Listed Hardy Trade Supply Lightning H.
Just 40 minutes earlier, Benner and Wynyard’s last-start G1 Levin Classic winner Bonham (Per Incanto {USA}) overcame a rocky run and charged home for second in the G2 Fusion Electrical Wellington Guineas.
“Bonham got decked at the start of the Guineas, and she probably should have won the race, but she’s a very, very good filly, and she ran a massive race,” Benner said. “This is a special result with Grand Mayson, who’s become a bit of a stable pet. We’ve had him for a while, and if you look through his record, he’s been ultra-consistent all the way through."
Limited fans welcome
From April 2 and in keeping with the State of California's guidelines for large sporting event venues, Santa Anita Park will open to a limited number of fans. The opening is one day prior to the running of the GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby.
“We are extremely excited to welcome back our racing fans to Santa Anita, just in time for the Santa Anita Derby,” said Nate Newby, Santa Anita Senior Vice President and General Manager. “It hasn't been the same without the people who are so important to this sport.
“While the current restrictions are going to limit the size of the crowds, we are working hard to provide a memorable experience for our guests and to thank them."
