Daily News Wrap

Levendi headlines auction

The G1 Australian Derby winner and stallion prospect Levendi (Pierro) and mares in foal to the likes of Flying Artie, Toronado (Ire), Pierata, Exceedance, Headwater and Written By feature in another strong Inglis Digital catalogue.

The May (Late) catalogue features 353 entries – 139 racehorses (including 64 race fillies), 121 broodmares (66 in foal), 40 yearlings, 34 weanlings, 16 shares and three stallions.

There are also drafts entered from the likes of Annabel Neasham Racing, Aquis, Ciaron Maher Racing, Chris Waller Racing, Lindsay Park, Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Matthew Smith, Newgate Farm, Redbank North, Swettenham Stud, Supreme Thoroughbreds, Twin Hills, Vinery Stud and Yulong.

Bidding on the Inglis Digital May (Late) catalogue began from 3pm AEST on Friday with the final countdown of bidding starting at 3pm AEST on Wednesday, May 26.

Happy with Avilius

James Cummings can see no reason why Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) won’t continue his consistent run of form when he tackles Saturday’s G1 Channel 7 Doomben Cup.

“He continues to perform at the elite level. He has won almost 30 per cent of his races and more than $3.6 million in prizemoney,” Godolphin’s Head Trainer, James Cummings, said.

“This campaign has seen him place in two Group 1s and, arguably, unlucky in the three he has contested.

“Saturday’s distance will suit and his trackwork and demeanour suggest he is a happy, healthy racehorse.”

Surgery, spell for Khoekhoe

Trainer Matt Cumani has pulled the pin on a G1 Queensland Derby start for Khoekhoe (Turffontein) following his last-start effort for seventh in the G3 Rough Habit Plate.

"We are going to geld him and give him a bit of a break, four to six weeks, before bringing him back to Victoria to have a little crack at the spring,” Cumani told Racing.com.

"I’m open-minded about things with him. If we can get him back for the 1700 metre Listed race, the Heatherlie at the end of August, that might be a place to kick off but it might come around a bit quick as well.

"We are open-minded about his distance, although I thought his last run confirmed to me he wants 2400 metres."

Bosson back on Tofane

The last time Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) was ridden by top Kiwi hoop Opie Bosson they landed the G1 All Aged S. and trainer Michael Moroney is hoping the pair can replicate their winning form at Doomben on Saturday.

Bosson has flown to Queensland to partner Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) in her final raceday appearance in the G1 Doomben Cup and has picked up the ride on Tofane in the G3 BRC Sprint.

The 5-year-old mare has had just the one run this preparation, finishing seventh in the G2 Sapphire S. at Randwick last month and placed in her subsequent 1000 metre trial at Doomben last week.

“I thought her first run was a pass mark,” trainer Mike Moroney told RSN927. “Over 1200 metres was just a bit short, that is why we have decided to go a bit further before we make our minds up on her future.

“A decision will be made after she runs on Saturday. That’s why we are running her in this race, to get a bit of a line on her. If I was to take a guess now, I would say she will race on next season.”

Seeking redemption

Stockman (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) will be out for redemption when he lines up in the Listed Lord Mayors Cup at Rosehill on Saturday after disappointing last time out in the Listed Gosford Cup.

"He's a massive horse and he's got a big stride on him and I just don't know that he was happy chasing around that Gosford circuit," trainer Joe Pride said.

"It was a Listed race, he was up sharply in grade, and there's no margin for not performing at your best. To me, he was well below that. He might not be as good as I think he is, but I'll find that out at his next couple of starts.

"I want to see him run well on Saturday, but the real test for him will be a week later, he's going to back up in the 2400 metre race at Randwick and that will be more his style of race."

It’s Me doing well

The unbeaten It's Me (Shamus Award) is progressing well toward a return to racing.

She suffered a tendon injury when successful in the Kosciuszko and is nearing the end of her initial rehabilitation with specialist Lee Everson.

"She comes back in for some pre-training with Lee in Victoria in a couple of weeks and that should then see her then head up to Brett Cavanough a few weeks later," managing owner, Sam Lyons of Grand Syndicates, told Racing.com.

"The scans now on the injury, with some pre-training/rehab to come, are better than the scans that she went home with last time."

Derby start on line

A start in this year's G1 Queensland Derby goes on the line for Cambridge galloper Daqiansweet Junior (NZ) (Sweet Orange {USA}) when he steps out at Rosehill on Saturday.

The Group 3-placed Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained 3-year-old tackles the De Bortoli Wines H. as he attempts to convince his connections he's worthy of a trip to Brisbane for Classic racing at Eagle Farm seven days later.

"Really we think he has to run top two to warrant going to the Derby," Forsman said.

"We think he's good enough, but he's been up a long time so it's hard to know whether he has come to the end of the preparation. He's working well and it just might have been the wet track that tripped him up last start."

Karaka hotel in home straight

The DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka is entering its final stages of development with an official opening in October.

Construction, which began in early July 2019, has not been smooth sailing for all parties involved after being forced to shut down due to the country’s COVID-19 Level 4 lockdown.

Despite this, the hospitality industry remains optimistic and New Zealand Bloodstock is encouraged by the opening of a trans-Tasman bubble, which will enable many of their Australian patrons to return to the Karaka Sales Centre for their forthcoming sales.

The hotel will offer 122 guest rooms, including four suites, a restaurant and bar, along with conference facilities.

Bright future

Sandown's Listed Heron S. on Thursday offered some Royal Ascot clues, with Shadwell's Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) maintaining his unbeaten record on his first try on turf for the John and Thady Gosden stable.

Having scored on debut on Newcastle's Tapeta course and over this mile trip on Kempton's Polytrack, the half-brother to last year's G1 Sun Chariot S., G1 Falmouth S. and G2 Duke of Cambridge S. heroine Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) was restrained in rear early by Jim Crowley having drawn widest of all and finished resolutely.

“He has shown a lot of courage, as he has come from last and got in a battle. He will have learned a lot from that, as it is the first time he has ever raced on turf,” John Gosden said. “The St James's Palace S. is not necessarily punching too high, as he has got a lot of class.”

Herengawe back

Herengawe (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) will make his return to New Zealand racing at Awapuni on Saturday.

The Isaac Lupton-bred and owned gelding last raced in New Zealand 18 months ago when he was victorious in the G3 Metric Mile at Awapuni. He has since been racing in Sydney under the care of leading trainer Chris Waller, where his best result was a placing in the G3 Premier Cup at Rosehill last August.

He failed to flatter in his subsequent starts and has returned to Lupton’s Waverley dairy farm where he is trained by partner Joanne Moss.

“He went one good run, but overall he was a bit disappointing, particularly his second preparation where he did nothing at all,” Lupton said.

Harengawe will line up in the Listed James Bull Holdings Rangitikei Gold Cup at Awapuni on Saturday. “He hasn’t had a trial or anything, so we are hoping he still has some residual fitness from his racing the week before he left Sydney in February,” he said.