Palentino secures first winner
Widden Stud sire and G1 Australian Guineas winner Palentino notched up his first winner at stud, when the Roy Chillemi-trained Palencia saluted on Thursday at Townsville in a 1200 maiden.
Allen suspended
Leading Victorian-based hoop John Allen has been suspended for 20-meetings after pleading guilty to careless riding aboard Listed Warranmbool Cup runner-up Heart Of Puissance (Puissance De Lune {Ire}).
Fellow rider Mark Zahra pleaded not guilty to his careless riding charge but still faces a 12-meeting suspension.
Cummings bullish about Avilius
Godolphin head trainer James Cumming is bullish about the chances of high-rating gelding Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) in Saturday’s G2 Hollindale S. at the Gold Coast.
Cummings expects the 7-year-old to improve stepping out beyond a mile for the first time this campaign.
“Over an extra 200 metres here, at weight-for-age and with a softer track he should have a lot more in his favour,” Cummings told Racenet.
Avilius (GB)
Guineas beckons for Agreeable
Co-trainer Sam Freedman has confirmed that classy 3-year-old filly Agreeable (Sebring) will line up in the Listed Adelaide Guineas at Morphettville, rather than remain in Victoria to contest a 1600 metre H. at Caulfield.
"It looks the right sort of race for her," Freedman told Racing.com.
"Her run in the G1 Thousand Guineas was good and she had some of the fastest closing sectionals there, so I think the mile really suits."
Gold Medals notches up first in four years
Rising 11-year-old jumper Gold Medals (NZ) (Elvstroem) fought off archrival Zed Em (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) to secure his first victory in three years in Thursday’s Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool.
The official margin read 1l at the conclusion of the 5500 metre 33 fence feature, with a gap of 10l back to third.
Marway rewards Sherry
Progressive sprinting prospect Marway (Hemingway {Ire}) justified rising young hoop Tommy Sherry’s decision to make a 900km round trip to Wagga Wagga for one ride on Thursday, by saluting in the $200,000 Wagga Town Plate.
Sherry went straight to the front aboard the Mark Newnham-trained galloper and broke his rival’s hearts in an impressive front-running display.
“It was very good and as I said before the race, he was very well-placed today,” Sherry told Racenet.
Waugh to fight cruelty charges
Leading NSW provincial trainer Kim Waugh has reportedly vowed to fight allegations of animal cruelty, after a stable employee raised concerns over a horse being injured by trackwork rider Serg Lisnyy’s use of spurs.
Lisnyy said he would also defend the three charges levelled against him, which include using the spurs in “an excessive and/or improper manner”.
“I don’t think the charges are right,” Lisnyy told the Sydney Morning Herald. “They were normal spurs and similar to ones used by kids at pony club. I will be protesting my innocence and these charges are not good for business.”
Kiwi raider eyes Queensland riches
Trainer Barry Lockwood has confirmed that his recent New Zealand acquisition Platinum Invader (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) will round out his campaign in either the G2 Q22 over 2200 metres or the G2 Brisbane Cup over 3200 metres.
Lockwood confirmed that the former Lisa Latta-trained galloper will contest the G3 JRA Chairman’s Trophy on May 15 after coming through his first local run last Saturday at Eagle Farm in superb order.
“He’ll have a couple of races before we get to that stage and then a decision will be made as to which race he runs in,” Lockwood told NZ News Desk.
Promising type to continue in Australia
New Zealand Group 3-winning 3-year-old Tony Be (More Than Ready {USA}) will continue his career in Australia.
Former trainer Steven Cole is sad to see the promising type depart his care but remains excited to see what he can produce on Australian soil.
“He is heading over to Australia after he has a spell and the new owners are currently discussing which trainer they want to send him to,” Cole told NZ News Desk.
Wet track a concern for Force Of Will
Co-trainer Lance O’Sullivan holds some concern over his star filly Force Of Will (NZ) (Power {GB}) handling wet conditions in Saturday’s Listed Gold Bracelet at the Gold Coast.
Force Of Will (NZ) | Image by Peter Rubery at Race Images
O’Sullivan who trains in partnership with Andrew Scott is holding out hope for improved conditions, saying that she will struggle to show her best in current Heavy 9 conditions.
“Both runs haven’t been bad, both have received a pass mark, so this weekend will tell a bit more. However, we want some pretty good ground for her, and they have had a lot of rain there,” O’Sullivan told NZ News Desk.
Addeybb to press on
Trainer William Haggas has confirmed that dual G1 Queen Elizabeth S. winner Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) will press on to the G1 Prince Of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot on June 16, after returning home from Australia in good order.
“I'm not going to turn him away and I'm going to get him ready for Royal Ascot,” Haggas told TDN Europe.
