Tessneem breaks maiden in style
The $1.4 million filly Tessneem (Lonhro) broke through for her first win in style with an all-the-way victory at Ballarat.
Having her second start for Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the 3-year-old filly, ridden by Damian Lane, never looked threatened, winning by 1.25l in the 1200 metre race from Kermalaw (Kermadec {NZ}) with the same margin back to Arapiles (Turffontein) in third.
She is a sister to Group 2-winning sprinter Heatherly and is the most expensive yearling by Darley Champion Lonhro ever sold after securing $1.4 million at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale to Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum.
Their dam, Dancing Heather (Danzero), is a winning half-sister to Group 1 winner Linton (Galileo {Ire}).
The victory completed a Ballarat double for the McEvoys, who also had Nabbed (Written Tycoon), the 2-year-old daughter of Group 1 winner Pasadena Girl (NZ) (Savabeel), win well on debut over 1100 metres for jockey Linda Meech.
First winner for Stratum Star
Widden Stud's Stratum Star has his first winner with the victory of Avalicious at Coonamble on Sunday.
The 2-year-old filly, trained by Clint Lundholm, led all the way and was a clear 1.5l winner of Rubick Sun (Rubick) and Almahero (Al Maher) in the 1200 metre 2-Year-Old Showcase H.
A homebred for Glen Gallic Stud, Avalicious is out of Evert (Belong To Me {USA}), who has produced three other winners.
Stratum Star, a dual Group 1-winning son of Stratum, will stand at $8800 (inc GST) in 2021.
Winner No.8 for Astern
Darley freshman Astern secured his eighth first-crop winner with the victory of the Kris Lees-trained Asherla at Kempsey on Sunday.
Having her fourth start, Asherla proved too strong in the 1000-metre maiden, beating Just Ziggy (Denman) by 1.84l, with All A Lady (Albrecht) in third to become the latest winner for her sire. What gave the win more merit is that it was against older horses.
Asherla was purchased by Adam Parker for $6000 out of the Yarraman Park draft at the 2019 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale. She becomes the first winner for the Charge Forward mare Heritage Lane.
Racing Queensland seeks Group 1 upgrades
Racing Queensland will campaign for two races to be elevated to Group 1 status.
Racenet has reported that Racing Queensland is keen that both the G2 Hollindale S. and The Q22 at Eagle Farm be elevated to Group 1 level, with support also for the G2 BRC Sires’ Produce S. to be moved back to Group 1 status.
The pattern committee at Racing Australia requires three years of outperformance before a race can be re-rated.
“We are making investments with a goal of seeking to get the Hollindale and The Q22 upgraded,” Racing Queensland Chief Executive, Brendan Parnell, said.
“Both are already Group-level races and it has been a great first running of what is a new carnival. We made the investment in these races and attracted a really strong band of middle-distance horses.”
Williams' tough Tiara choice
Champion jockey Craig Williams has described his choice to ride Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) over Brooklyn Hustle (Starspangledbanner) in Saturday's G1 Tattersall's Tiara as a very difficult one.
Williams rode Tofane to win the G1 Stradbroke H. and on the same day piloted Brooklyn Hustle to win the G2 Dane Ripper S. both mares are headed to the final Group 1 of the racing season.
Tofane (NZ)
“For me, I have four children – two boys and two girls – but it was like trying to choose between my two daughters which no parent wants to do, it was a really tough decision,” he told Racenet.
“I probably went with the facts rather than my heart in this situation, who knows if it is the right one but unfortunately we had to make a decision.
“We will know on Saturday whether it was the right decision or not but there is no doubt they are both very, very-good quality mares.
“The race isn’t just between them either, it is going to be a really good edition of the Tatts Tiara to round out what I would say has been a successful Brisbane winter carnival.”
Pannell closing in on milestones
Todd Pannell is closing in on a century of winners and the Adelaide J P after a successful Saturday where he rode three winners at Murray Bridge.
Pannell took his season tally of winners to 98 including 57 at metropolitan level and now shares the lead on the Adelaide premiership table with Jess Eaton while holding a 14-win lead over Kayla Crowther in the broader South Australian Premiership.
“It’s been a good week,” Pannell told Racenet. “In the last three weeks I think I’ve ridden 10 seconds and I was getting a little bit frustrated so it was good to get a few more wins on the board.
“I definitely feel like I’m riding as well as I ever have."
“From a couple of seasons ago, when I stopped riding the minimum (54kg) and started riding a little bit heavier, I feel like I've ridden much better."
Slow progress for Ormsby
Jockey Chad Ormsby's slower than expected recovery from a broken leg may mean he will need to have further surgery.
Ormsby underwent surgery on his leg after a bull-riding accident back in early January and has spent months trying to get himself right to make a return to the saddle.
Chad Ormsby
“I spoke with my surgeon recently and to be fair the leg just hasn’t come right as we had planned,” Ormsby said.
“I’ve been mobile for a couple of months, but when I’m trying to ride it gives me significant pain."
“It just hasn’t healed properly so I’ve been sent to see a new surgeon with a view to having another operation to try and get it right."
“It’s certainly not ideal, with my business, we are entering a really busy time, but I just want to get back to one hundred percent again and this is what I need to do.”
Ormsby also operates the Riverrock Farm business, breaking and educating young horses while also preparing consignments for the annual New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale of two-year-olds.
“I’m going to have to manage my recovery from the surgery around my commitments to the Ready to Run Sale,” he said.
“It’s not ideal as we are just getting ready to send the team we are preparing out for a short break and then bring them back in late July to get them up and going again."
Winter goals for Masetto
Allan Smith will look for more winter success with talented galloper Masetto (NZ) (Cape Blanco {Ire}) after his victory in the Bream Bay Cup at Ruakaka on Saturday.
Masetto charged clear to win easing down by 5.5l in the 2100 metre event for his first win for his new trainer, who is preparing him for owners David and Elizabeth Olsen.
“He (Masetto) had had a few small issues including a virus and was also a bit sore in his feet, so I’ve just taken him along slowly, mucked around a little with him and just brought him up to where he is feeling pretty good about life,” Smith said.
“At this time of the year, he is probably best suited at either Te Rapa or Ruakaka, so that does narrow his options down a little.
“There is another cup race at Ruakaka in a month so that would be a good target, but it will all depend on what David and Elizabeth want to do with him.
“If we can keep him ticking over and on top of his issues then I think some of those better summer Cups races are definitely within his scope.”
