New Cranbourne operation
The decision to close Caulfield as a training centre has resulted in leading Victorian trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace to secure 40 boxes at Cranbourne.
Maher Racing Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Wiles, told Racing.com the horses stabled at Caulfield will be shared between their new stables and the Ballarat base.
"The stables are currently under construction and we will relocate there when they are ready. We expect that will occur by September 30 at the latest," he said.
"We are taking 40 boxes and Caulfield is obviously bigger than that, so the balance of the horses will go to Ballarat. The solution is a combination of Cranbourne and Ballarat.
"The training centre at Cranbourne is purpose built. Racing Victoria has invested heavily in the facilities. We felt that the solution at Cranbourne gave Ciaron everything he needs.”
All staff currently based at Caulfield will be offered roles at the new complex.
Group 1 hope in action
A small field and the chance to land a confidence-boosting win have convinced trainers Robert and Luke Price to give G1 Spring Champion S. hopeful Verbek (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) one more run before tipping him out for a winter break.
The 2-year-old has finished runner-up at his past three starts, the latest when placed in the Listed The Phoenix in Brisbane during a hit-and-run trip that the trainers hope can prove the making of the youngster.
"A trip away is so valuable for a horse, especially at that age," Robert Price said. “The thing about the trip away is you're more one-on-one and they're getting that special attention.”
Verbek will have seven rivals in Saturday's E Group Security H. at Rosehill in what will be his final campaign run. It will give him enough time to have a few weeks in the paddock before he returns for a Spring Champion preparation.
Distance queries
The 2000 metre journey of the Listed McKell Cup will present different challenges for a pair of stablemates, but their trainer remains hopeful one of them can come away with a win.
Pre-race favourite Stockman (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) will have to handle a significant distance drop while for stablemate Brutality (Shamus Award), it is a rise in journey that presents unchartered waters as he extends beyond a mile for the first time.
Brutality (blue and orange silks) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
"Coming back from 2400 metres for him won't be easy because he is quite dour, but a wet track will offset that to some degree," Joseph Pride said.
"I've run Brutality three times with less than two weeks between runs and he's won all three of them and he's on the back-up here. I think punters will work that out and he'll start a bit shorter than what he is now.”
Major danger
Kurabui (NZ) (Proisir) is unbeaten in four appearances and co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr has identified a major threat to her keeping her perfect record when she runs in The David Bourke at Flemington on Saturday.
"I do think Rob Hickmott's horse is very interesting, Degraves," Kent Jnr told Racing.com.
"I think it's very well handicapped, probably the best-handicapped horse in Australia. Group 3 winner, beaten 1l by Armory, and it's got a rating of 78 here in Australia, unbelievable."
Degraves (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) aside, Kent Jnr is delighted with Kurabui’s condition.
"Our mare's perfect, we're happy with her. She's definitely going to be in the money, hopefully she's winning, but we'll just see what happens," he said.
Dabernig to Warrnambool
Tom Dabernig has chosen Warrnambool as the centre for the next stage of his training career.
He has been with Lindsay Park for the last 25 years and will saddle his final runners with Ben Hayes this weekend before the latter’s brother JD joins the partnership.
Tom Dabernig, David and Ben Hayes | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
"I will have nine temporary stables in the interim and I have stables being built on-course, which are expected to be completed by December or January," Dabernig told Racing.com.
"For the initial six months it will be a tiny stable, but it will keep me ticking along. We will have a few younger horses for a few loyal clients that will help set me up, but there is interest to encourage older, tried horses to the stable as well."
Te Akau stars return
The 2020/21 season will live long in the memory of Jamie Richards.
The Matamata trainer, who heads Te Akau’s racing operation, sits atop the New Zealand Trainers’ Premiership with 157 wins and nearly NZ$6 million to his credit this term.
While still reflecting on a phenomenal season, a number of the stable’s leading lights have already returned to Richards’ barn in preparation for their spring preparations and leading the charge will be nine-time Group 1 winner Avantage (Fastnet Rock) and Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel).
Avantage
“Maybe Avantage could go to the G1 Windsor Park Plate. I’m not sure whether we may then look at a race like the G1 Empire Rose S. in November at Flemington,” he said.
“Probabeel will probably trial and head back over to Australia. I’ve got no firm plans for her as yet, but Brendan and Jo (Lindsay, owners) are keen on aiming her toward the G1 Cox Plate.”
Gem set to shine
Gem Of Scotland (Rothesay) will attempt to return to the winner’s circle after serious injury halted her career when she runs in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich.
She was sidelined after last year’s QTIS Jewel when scans revealed she had broken part of her hip, which necessitated nearly a year away from the track.
Gem Of Scotland
Gem Of Scotland has had a handful of starts in her comeback and at her last start finished fifth in the Magic Millions National Classic.
“The four that beat her home last run were all from the south and she jarred up after that run at Eagle Farm,” trainer Rex Lipp told Racing Queensland.
“She’s coming back in distance but there looks to be a lot of pace in the race. I’m hoping for a bit of sting out of the ground after some of the recent rain we’ve had.”
Ready for action
The well-travelled Cheval Prometteur (GB) (Declaration Of War {USA}) will make his raceday return at Ruakaka on Saturday after an injury enforced layoff.
“We were getting him ready for the 2000 metre weight-for-age at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day, but we found he had a stress fracture in his cannon bone, which we luckily picked up before it got worse,” trainer Catherine Cameron said.
Cheval Prometteur (GB) | Image by Kenton Wright courtesy of Race Images
It’s not the first time Cheval Prometteur has undergone rehab under Cameron’s guidance, with the former European galloper coming into her care after suffering a knee issue in Hong Kong.
“He had four months out and he rehabbed at Margaret Park again, which he did when he got back from Hong Kong,” Cameron said. “He was there for about six weeks on the treadmill, and he has been with us at Cambridge since April.”
Charlie a horse to watch
A more measured campaign is poised to pay dividends for Charlie Horse (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) in the coming weeks.
That's the prediction from Masterton trainer Stacey Dougan as she goes about putting the finishing polish on the 7-year-old gelding ahead of Saturday's IPL Marketing/Nelson Pine Industries 1600 at Awapuni.
Charlie Horse (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images
"COVID stuffed me up with him last year. I rushed him into getting a few runs while the tracks were still wet and that might have flattened him," Dougan said.
"This year, we've taken our time a bit with him and it seems to be suiting him a lot better. He's pretty well. Everything seems to be right on track with him."
