Daily News Wrap

Chasing further top spoils

Champion trainer Chris Waller and experienced jockey Ronnie Stewart will team up on Saturday to chase further Group 1 success with Subpoenaed (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) in Saturday’s Stradbroke H.

Waller pulled the right rein when he called up Stewart, who guided stable runner Selino (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) to victory and is hoping for another favourable outcome in Brisbane.

“That Sydney Cup win was good enough for his confidence and the owners’ confidence to be able to say this bloke can ride Group 1 winners at light weights so let’s give him a chance,” Waller told Racenet.

“That was exactly my spiel to the owners of Subpoenaed, I said he has already ridden a Group 1 winner for us, one of the biggest stables, and he coped with the pressure of that so he can do the job.”

Renewed interest in NZ market

It’s been a few years now since Gai and Rob Waterhouse were active in the tried horse market in New Zealand, but that is all about to change.

The Waterhouse stable gained huge success through horses purchased off the track in New Zealand through the likes of G1 Caulfield Cup winner Descerado (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}), G1 Metropolitan H. winner Herculian Prince (NZ) (Yamanin Vital {NZ}) and G2 Brisbane Cup winner Tullamore (NZ) (Savabeel).

Waterhouse and training partner Adrian Bott have signaled their intention to increase the opportunities available to stable clients through tried horses, with Rob Waterhouse charged with unearthing talent from the New Zealand market.

“We have had great success before in buying horses off the track in New Zealand, although we had gone into hibernation a little in the Kiwi market,” Rob Waterhouse said.

“We have been active in Europe in recent years, but both Gai and Adrian have asked me to redouble my efforts in New Zealand and concentrate on the opportunities that are present there at the moment.”

Ayrton signing off

Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) will end his 3-year-old campaign in Saturday’s G3 Gunsynd Classic at Eagle Farm.

"He's coped well since his last run and this is all part of toughening him up to be a racehorse," Price told Racing.com.

"He's good. He'll have a course proper gallop in the morning (Tuesday) with Odeum to have him ready and then James McDonald will ride on Saturday and he's right to go."

Ayrton won his first three starts before finishing runner-up in the G3 Fred Best Classic and he will spell after Saturday before building toward the Melbourne spring carnival.

Churchill doubles tally

Coolmore stallion Churchill (Ire) sired his second Northern Hemisphere winner when The Acropolis (Ire) was an impressive winner of Sunday’s Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Listowel.

A promising fourth on debut at The Curragh, the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt was sent off favourite for the 1300 metre contest. He travelled sweetly before hitting the front coasted away in the closing 200 metres to score by 3.5l.

Racing close to the pace under Wayne Lordan, the bay was travelling well with two furlongs left to race and led approaching the final furlong. Running on well, he scored by 3.5l comfortably.

Speaking after the race, Lordan said, “He is a fine big, strong 2-year-old and is a very likeable horse, and always did well at home. The Churchills are very good movers and give you a very good feel,” rider Wayne Lordan said.

Spring focus on WA

Major Western Australian targets will take spring priority for the upset G1 Australasian Oaks winner Media Award (Shamus Award).

She is currently spelling after her tilt at the G1 Queensland Oaks was shelved due to lameness issues.

"We will bring her back for the spring, late spring or early summer," trainer Chris Calthorpe told Racing.com.

"I'd like to give her a run in Melbourne and then I'd like to target the G1 Railway S. and then the G1 Kingston Town Classic. As much as I'd love to have a runner in a G1 Caulfield Cup or G1 Cox Plate, you've also got to be realistic too.

"One run in the spring and then second-up into a Railway and third-up into a Kingston Town is the plan."

Winning trot continues

Sent to the G2 Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly having won the Listed Prix des Lilas over the same course and mile trip last month, Tahlie (Fr) (Rio De La Plata {USA}) proved up to the task to prevail in a tussle with Kennella (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}).

Settled behind the front trio early by Christophe Soumillon, the 13-10 favourite led 300 metres from home and held on to score by a head to post her fourth victory on the bounce. Three runs back she beat subsequent G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Coeursamba (Fr) (The Wow Signal {Ire}).

“She's a tough filly who is still improving,” trainer Pascal Bary said. “I know she beat the Pouliches winner before, but I have no regrets that we passed on that race as it was coming too soon for her and this was the perfect path. We will give her a short break now and aim her at the G1 Prix Rothschild.”

Filly remains unbeaten

Eulaila (Ity) (Arcano {Ire}) kept her perfect record intact with a 1l defeat of Cima Star (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G2 Premio Oaks d'Italia at San Siro.

Trying 2200 metres for the first time, the 7-1 chance broke from gate 10 and pressed the pace set by Zelandia (Fr) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) from the bell.

Eulaila was second at the top of the straight and finished determinedly to beat Cima with Anoush (Ger) (Isfahan {Ger}) third.

Looks and talent

Showy chestnut filly Flash Mary (NZ) (El Roca) showed she has plenty of substance to add to her good looks when she made a winning debut at Ellerslie on Monday.

The 2-year-old was having her first start off the back of an eye-catching win over 900 metres at the Te Rapa trials last month, with punters installing her a short-priced favourite for the 1200 metre contest.

“She is very gutsy, but I wasn’t too sure how she would cope on that track as it is pretty deep out there,” trainer Debbie Sweeney said. “Every El Roca I’ve had before has liked it much firmer than that, but I think she is just so tough that she got through on sheer determination.”

Sweeney will now take some time to assess her options with Flash Mary, which could include a tilt at the Listed Courtesy Ford Ryder S. at Otaki on July 31.

Derby takes toll

Coolmore partners' Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who sustained a cut to his hind leg in the G1 Cazoo Derby before finishing seventh, is reported to be 'very sore', but that the injury will not take significant time to heal.

“We played back the videos of the race. At the top of the hill he had it, so he obviously got it in the first 150 yards,” trainer Aidan O’Brien said.

“Usually with a horse if that happens late in a race it doesn't affect them much because their blood is up, but this happened very early so it suggests it was a good reason for a disappointing run.

“It was just off the tendon at the back. The lads thought seven to 10 days is when we should be able to do something again with him.”