Ayrton remains undefeated
Co-trainer Mick Price has described Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) as a potential standout of his Caulfield stable after the 3-year-old extended his unbeaten record to three-from-three with victory in Saturday’s Darren Gauci H.
The winner of his first two starts at Bendigo and Caulfield back in December, Ayrton made a pleasing return on Saturday to set up a potential raid on the G1 Stradbroke H. at Eagle Farm on June 12.
“I’m not a big spruiker, I hope I’m not anyway,” Price said. “I remember when we first had the horse on his first start, a couple of Hong Kong people rang and I usually say ‘give me a figure’ but this was a plain ‘no, not happening’.
“I think he’s one of the better horses I’ve had.”
Ayrton, who was passed in at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale with a reserve of NZ$40,000, will have his next start in the G3 Fred Best Classic in Brisbane on May 29.
Five for Kah
Runaway Melbourne premiership leader Jamie Kah lifted her season total from 81 to 86 with five winners at Caulfield on Saturday.
Kah won aboard Generation (Snitzel) in the first race, Excelman (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) in race two, Pintoff (Toorak Toff) in the fourth race, Streetcar Stranger (Stratum) in race six and the exciting Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) in the final event.
Saturday was Kah’s second five-win day, having previously achieved the feat at Port Lincoln in South Australia in 2017.
It capped a special week for Kah and her partner Clayton Douglas, who won Thursday’s Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool on Gold Medals (NZ) (Elvstroem).
"It's exciting," Kah said. "Awesome day and awesome week for the family, with Clayton having a great day on Thursday. We'll have some celebrations tonight.
"Ayrton was the main reason I'm here. I was looking forward to him all day, and I love the way he's come back. He's matured and he is an exciting horse.
"I've pretty much confirmed to ride him in Brisbane, but we'll have to see what weight he gets because I might need to start dieting now if he goes to the Stradbroke."
Top Brass impresses
New Zealand’s premiership-leading trainer Jamie Richards joined forces with stable apprentice Joe Kamaruddin to score an impressive win at Te Rapa on Saturday with up-and-comer Top Brass (NZ) (Epaulette).
Top Brass (NZ)
Bred and part-owned by Marcelle Douglas and Terry Archer, the 5-year-old gelding stepped up into open company in the Dunstan Feeds H. and scored an emphatic victory by a 1.25l. Top Brass has now had 10 starts for five wins and two placings.
“It was a very nice effort by Joe,” Richards told NZ Racing Desk. “He used his claim and the good draw to his advantage. It has taken a while for things to fall into place for Joe, but now he has some confidence, he is really coming on.
“Top Brass was a bit of a handful earlier on, with shin soreness and the like, so it has taken a while for things to fall into place for him,
“He still has quite a few quirks, but when he is on top of his game there is plenty of ability there, and I think he can go on next season to bigger and better things.
Cherry Tortoni dominant
Quality 3-year-old Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) added a third stakes win to his record with a power-packed performance in Saturday’s Listed Adelaide Galvanising Adelaide Guineas at Morphettville.
Ridden by Todd Pannell for trainer Patrick Payne, the gelding came from the back half of the field and raced away with the $107,250 feature, scoring a dominant victory by 3l.
Patrick Payne
Cherry Tortoni has now won five of his 13 starts, headed by the G2 Moonee Valley Vase, the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final and Saturday’s Guineas. He has also finished second in the G1 Australian Guineas and fourth in the Victorian Derby, and Payne now has his sights set on another Flemington feature.
"I think we'll give him a rest now as he's had a busy time as a 2 and 3-year-old," he said. "He did a good job today and we don't need to go again with him.
“I think the mile is his best distance. The Cantala S. is the cream (main spring target), but in this game, we’ll have Plan B and C.”
Holbien breaks drought
After seven placings this season including his last four in a row, Holbien (Pierro) broke through for his first win since last June in Saturday’s JRA H. at Caulfield.
The 6-year-old scored by 4l in the hands of apprentice jockey Laura Lafferty, capping a consistent form line that features placings in the G3 Shaftesbury Avenue H. and Listed March S.
Trained by Steve Richards, Holbien has now had 44 starts for six wins, 17 placings and almost $580,000 in stakes.
"He's been eight times a bridesmaid and we've been a bit frustrated, but today we're over the moon," Richards said.
"He's a pretty horse to ride and Laura rode him absolutely lovely. She's a good little rider and hopefully, this gives her a kick-along. She's got a couple of winners in town now. It's good for these apprentices to come along and get some winners and hopefully, the phone starts ringing for her."
First crop winner for Xtravagant
Dual Group 1 winner Xtravagant (NZ) notched up his second first-crop winner on Saturday, with Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou trained Sinba saluting on debut at Newcastle.
The $90,000 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale Highway Session purchase prevailed ahead of the Chris Waller-trained Kanmoreu (Street Boss {USA}).
Turn Me Loose strikes first blow
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Turn Me Ace (NZ) gifted his three-time Group 1-winning first season sire Turn Me Loose (NZ) his first Listed winner and second win in total at stud on Saturday.
The $30,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka purchase showed an immense will to win, finishing over the top of a brave Rangi Toa (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) right on the line.
Rawiller cops ban
Leading hoop Nash Rawiller is set to miss the G1 Doomben Cup meeting on May 22 after being found guilty of over whipping Listed Ken Russell Memorial Classic winner Subterranean (Rebel Dane).
Nash Rawiller
Rawiller’s suspension is due to commence following next Saturday’s Doomben 10,000 meeting and will run for eight days.
Armory wins on return
Ballydoyle’s G1 Cox Plate runner-up Armory (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) took out the G2 Melodi Media Huxley S. in fines fashion on return.
The 4-year-old entire saluted by 3l under leading hoop Ryan Moore.
“He is a very good colt with a lethal turn of foot,” Moore told TDN Europe.
“It was a steady pace and a messy race, but he has such a big change of gear he could overcome that.”
Goldistyle the third for Goldikova
Homebred filly Goldistyle (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) the sixth of seven survived foals out of 10-time Group 1 winner Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa {Ire}) became the Champion mares, third individual, winning progeny at Chantilly on Friday.
