Boss secures Stradbroke ride
Glen Boss has secured the ride on The Harrovian (Fastnet Rock) in the G1 Stradbroke H.
The Harrovian's owner Tom Hedley is shooting for back-to-back successes in the race having won it with Tyzone (Written Tycoon) last year and has engaged Boss to link-up with the Toby and Trent Edmonds-trained 7-year-old for the first time.
Glen Boss
“It’s a real good booking – I’m not sure if he has been on one of my horses before,” Hedley said. “The run in the (Doomben) 10,000 was good the other day, huge even," Hedley told Racenet.
“I feel like the Stradbroke is going to be a lot harder than the Doomben 10,000.”
Boss win the race aboard Private Steer (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) in 2003.
Per Incanto's book full
Little Avondale Stud have closed the 2021 book for in-demand stallion Per Incanto (USA).
Bolstered by the recent Group 1 win of Bonham and the emergence of star sprinter Lost And Running (NZ), demand for his services has soared.
“Per Incanto’s had an exceptional season, particularly in Australia and Hong Kong. He’s now getting those runners from his better-credentialled mares. (Group 1 winner) Bonham’s from a Redoute’s (Choice) mare and (NZ Oaks runner-up) Charms Star’s, the first foal of a dual stakes-winning mare. His runner to winner ratio in Australia is 70 per cent this season,” LA studmaster, Sam Williams, said.
Per Incanto leads the Hong Kong and Singapore Sires’ Premiership for winners while Charms Star (NZ) placed third in the G2 The Roses at Doomben on Saturday, just days after one of his colts sold for $500,000 at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.
Per Incanto (USA) | Standing at Little Avondale Stud
Flight impasse resolved for now
Queensland Health has given approval for a plane containing up to 20 horses to fly from Melbourne to arrive in Brisbane on Tuesday.
Flights containing horses between the two states were grounded after a request that any grooms travelling on the flight be vaccinated.
Several horses destined for the Brisbane Winter Carnival were caught in limbo, including Group 1 winner Gytrash (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who will now be on the flight, according to Racenet.
Chris Calthorpe
“In this environment, I am just happy to be traveling again. We all know how hard everything is at the moment so it is good to be flying,” Air Horse Transport’s, Chris Calthorpe, said.
“I had to find some grooms which makes it so much harder and so much more expensive.
“I have locked in someone for the next four weeks so hopefully that can give some surety for people looking to fly their horses up to Queensland.”
Jason Collett will ride Gytrash.
Splintex to miss Kingsford-Smith
Trainer Mark Newnham has opted to bypass Saturday’s G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup with Splintex (Snitzel).
The 4-year-old, who finished sixth in the G1 Doomben 10,000 last time out, will go straight to the G2 Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm on June 5.
Splintex
Brandenburg pushes on
The revamped G2 Q22 is the next destination for Brandenburg (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}).
Trainer John Sargent confirmed he would head to the 2200 metre race, where the 4-year-old is likely to again tackle dominant G1 Doomben Cup winner Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}).
Brandenburg led the field in the Doomben Cup, and while he was beaten 9.25l in the race, he still managed to finish third.
Brandenburg (NZ)
Savatoxl hits the road
Trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy have sent G1 The Goodwood winner Savatoxl (Kuroshio) to Brisbane by road ahead of the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup, with uncertainty over equine flights between Melbourne and Queensland.
Savatoxl will arrive in Queensland early this week after making the trip from Adelaide, and is set to line up in Saturday's weight-for-age sprint at Eagle Farm.
The 5-year-old is familiar with travel, having started his career out in the Northern Territory.
Francesca on the up
A dominant display by promising 3-year-old Francesca (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) has co-trainer Murray Baker thinking of better targets.
Francesca had impressed Baker in the early stages of her development but was set aside after two eye-catching runs in August last year to allow her to develop into her imposing frame.
That appears to have been an inspired decision as she has now won three of her four starts since resuming in April, including her 5l win on Saturday.
“We put her away for a decent break and let her strengthen up as she just needed that time to grow into herself," Baker, who trains with Andrew Forsman, said.
“I think she is going to be even better in the spring so she will probably have one more start and then we will put her aside again.”
Quick Thinker heads to Brisbane
Last start G2 Chairman’s Quality winner Quick Thinker (So You Think {NZ}) is set to contest the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup at Eagle Farm.
“Quick Thinker had a nice trial at Rosehill last Friday and we will be taking him up to Brisbane for the Lord Mayor’s Cup on Saturday,” co-trainer, Murray Baker, said.
“He has done well since he last raced but he needs it wet, so we are hoping they get some rain up in Brisbane during the week.”
One more for Perfection
Stephen Marsh will give Saturday's impressive Te Rapa winner Run To Perfection (Sepoy) one more run before he heads to the spelling paddock for a short winter break.
Run To Perfection cruised a 5l win over the 1400 metre event in a manner of a horse of some promise.
“He is still on the way up as he had a good blow after the race on Saturday,” Marsh said.
“While he handles wetter tracks, I’m mindful that we want him refreshed for a crack at some of the good spring and early summer races, so I think he will have one more go at Ellerslie in an open 1400 metre on June 5 before we tip him out.
“He is at a nice place in the weights and I think he will get up to a mile so races like the Red Badge Sprint during the Hastings spring carnival or maybe even the Coupland’s Mile are potential targets for him.”
