Munce outed for raceday treatment
Former star jockey turned trainer, Chris Munce, has been suspended for three months and fined $5000, after pleading guilty to raceday treatment.
The Queensland based horseman was outed for giving 4-year-old mare Lady Brahmos (Smart Missile) an injection in contravention to the rules of racing and providing false and misleading evidence to Integrity Officers.
Chris Munce
Queensland Racing Integrity Commission stewards said Munce's ban should serve as a deterrent for other trainers.
“These breaches of the rules are disappointing and despite the warnings and ongoing pre-race testing, they are an ongoing problem for the integrity of the sport,” acting Racing Integrity Commissioner, Mark Ainsworth, said.
“Racing participants should be aware we are out there testing, and their practices are being scrutinised so if they are breaking the rules they will be caught."
Munce’s suspension will start on April 2 and end July 2, 2021.
O’President out of Slipper
Leading trainer Chris Waller announced on Wednesday morning that talented juvenile O’President (Fastnet Rock) will be withdrawn from Saturday’s G1 Golden Slipper S.
Waller confirmed the last-start G2 Skyline S. winner would not be able to recover from an elevated temperature in time to take part. However, he was unwilling to make a decision on the remainder of his galloper’s autumn preparation.
"We monitored him for two hours and there were no changes so therefore treated him with anti-inflammatories and unfortunately he will be withdrawn from the Golden Slipper," Waller said in a press statement.
"It is disappointing for my owners and my staff but fortunately we have a talented Group 2-winning colt with a bright future ahead.”
Racing Victoria to pay Avoca prizemoney
Racing Victoria has announced they will pay the prizemoney from Saturday’s ‘no race’ at Avoca, in accordance with the advertised split of the $23,000 pool and in line with the horses' finishing positions.
An RV inquiry into the incident confirmed the Starter had relied on assurance from the club that the barriers were in the correct place, after they acted on an incorrect race book listing. However, RV confirmed that disciplinary action has been taken against the Starter, Assistant Starter and Chairman of Stewards, after the trio accepted their role in the error.
“The Starter, Assistant Starter and Chairman of Stewards have all accepted their part in the error and the process for disciplinary action has been completed. All involved have also been counselled about their obligations to exercise due diligence in such situations,” an RV media release read.
Heavy remains best case Slipper scenario
The Australian Turf Club’s head of tracks, Nevesh Ramdhani has confirmed that the Rosehill track will remain in the Heavy range for Saturday’s G1 Golden Slipper S., regardless of the drying effect that three-straight days of warm weather and near-sunny skies will have.
“It was great to see the sun poke through late yesterday, but we now have a massive fog that will keep a lot of moisture about the place,” Ramdhani told RSN927.
“The rain had stopped this morning, but the ground was very wet, compounded by the fog.”
Peters confirms Queen's targets
Leviathan owner Bob Peters has confirmed superstar mare Arcadia Queen (Pierro) will bypass this Saturday’s G1 George Ryder S., in preference for Saturday week's G2 Emancipation S.
Peters declared that the potential of another Heavy Rosehill surface swayed him against following a traditional path towards the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. on April 17.
He said the 5-year-old will round out her injury interrupted autumn campaign in the G1 Coolmore Legacy S. on Day 2 of The Championships at Randwick.
Arcadia Queen
“It’s (George Ryder) tempting as it’s a lot more money on offer this week, but we have to worry about her and not the money,” Peters told RSN927.
“It’s just unfortunate the way it has gone. When we couldn’t make the 2000 metre race last week (Ranvet), we were always going to struggle to get to the Queen Elizabeth as there is no real grounding or other lead-up races to get to the Queen Elizabeth.”
Profiteer pleases Price
Co-trainer Mick Price has declared that leading G1 Golden Slipper S. contender Profiteer (Capitalist) is “blooming”, ahead of Saturday’s $3.5 million juvenile feature.
Price said the seven-day delay in running the race presented its challenges for trainers. However, he is confident the postponement of the meeting will have no impact on his star colt.
"We are all juggling with it and there is only one way we can definitely tell and that is when they race on Saturday, but I know when horses are happy and he’s a happy colt. I’ve got no dramas,’’ Price told Racing.com.
Colette ready for Ranvet
Godolphin head trainer James Cummings expects Saturday's G1 Ranvet S. to bring highly rated mare Colette (Hallowed Crown) on perfectly for next month’s G1 Sydney Cup.
He said the postponement of last week’s G1 Golden Slipper Day has created the perfect preparation for the star 4-year-old.
Colette
“The extra week and the rain have given us the opportunity to run Colette on a track that should suit her admirably,” Cummings said.
“She’s had time to recover from that run and her Heavy track form speaks for itself.”
Timings right for Tailleur
Trainer James Cummings is delighted with classy mare Tailleur (Shooting To Win), ahead of her lightweight raid on the G1 The Galaxy S.
He said the progressive 4-year-old will relish the bottomless conditions and score a lovely run from barrier six under Rachel King.
“When we get an opportunity with a horse like her and a jockey who’s ready to ride her comfortably at the weight, it appears to be a straightforward decision to run in The Galaxy,” Cummings said.
“They called the meeting off after heavy rain when she won by 6l at Moonee Valley.
“So, the wet is certainly of no concern to her.”
Pike commits to feature Gold Coast raceday
The Gold Coast Turf Club have announced that leading WA hoop William Pike will ride at Heineken Gold Coast Cup Day on Saturday, May 8.
GCTC Chief Executive Steve Lines was delighted to hear Pike had accepted the club’s invitation, stating that the in-form 35-year-old would act as a major drawcard for the meeting.
William Pike (left)
“We’re delighted to have William riding here and given his cult figure status, his presence will certainly add another dimension to the raceday alongside some of the other top jockeys from NSW and Victoria who will be in attendance,” Lines said.
“Having drawcards such as William here all aligns with our aim of growing the Gold Coast Cup Raceday and pushing for the G2 Hollindale S. to be elevated to Group 1 status.”
Payne filly out to break 32-year hoodoo
Multiple Group 1-winning 3-year-old Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) is looking to become the first filly since Riverina Charm (NZ) (Sir Tristam {Ire}) in 1989 to win the G1 Rosehill Guineas.
Trainer David Payne expects his stable star to measure up against “the boys” second-up over 2000 metres.
Montefilia
He said the daughter of Kermadec’s (NZ) work has been forward and sharp since her beaten first-up performance.
“She’s carrying more condition than she did during the spring, she was quite a scrawny filly then but now she’s filled out nicely,” Payne RSN927.
Artorius chasing coveted feat
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Artorius (Flying Artie) is out to become only the second galloper since 1990 to accomplish the coveted G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 Golden Slipper S. double, when he steps out in this Saturday's $3.5 million Rosehill feature.
The star colt will become only the sixth galloper in history and the first since the Peter Snowden-trained Sepoy in 2011 to complete the feat, if he is to prevail.
No Sydney autumn for Te Akau star
Star New Zealand colt Sword Of State (Snitzel) will not compete in next month’s G1 Sires' Produce S. at Randwick.
Te Akau Racing made public on Wednesday that the last start G1 Sistema S. winner will contest the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce on April 3 instead, citing Sydney’s wet weather as a key reason behind the call.
