Daily News Wrap

Cox Plate on the cards

Three-time Group 1-winning mare Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) could be destined for a tilt at this year's G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

“The Everest could be a bit short for her now so we will more than likely look at getting her over more ground based on what we have seen of her in the past couple of runs,” Moroney told Racenet.

“There is the mile race against her own sex (G1 Empire Rose S.) which would be the easiest but there are a couple of options there. The Cox Plate is also a possibility."

Inglis outlines Oaklands guidelines

Inglis have outlined COVID-19 protocols that must be followed by people planning on attending the upcoming Inglis Great Southern Sale at Oaklands Junction on July 4 and 5.

All persons attending the Oaklands complex for the duration of the inspection days and the Sale will have their temperature taken and be required to check-in using the Service Victoria App.

Other guidelines that must be followed include:

- Everybody at Oaklands must be carrying a mask at all times.

- Mask wearing will be compulsory in all indoor sections and mask wearing outdoors is only compulsory if you cannot keep a safe 1.5 metre distance from another person.

- All clients travelling from outside Victoria to attend the Sale will be required to fill out a Border Entry Permit before leaving their home state.

Queensland to race on

Racing Queensland has advised that meetings scheduled within South East Queensland and Townsville during this week’s lockdown period from June 29 to July 2 will proceed.

As of 6pm AEST Tuesday night, race meetings within the lockdown areas will be conducted as patron-free events and are restricted to essential racing personnel.

All essential racing personnel can attend race meetings for the purposes of work during this period, but must comply with all Queensland Health directions.

Sweeney on the improve

The Australian Jockeys’ Association has confirmed that injured hoop Brendan Sweeney is showing signs of improvement despite remaining in an induced coma after a three-horse fall at Darwin’s Fannie Bay racecourse on Saturday.

Sweeney’s condition is listed as stable four days after suffering brain bleeding, a punctured lung and broken ribs in the incident.

“Brendan Sweeney is still in an induced coma and I believe they are talking about gradually taking him out of the induced coma in the next few days,” Australian Jockeys’ Association Ring OHS Officer, Kevin Ring, told Racenet.

“I’ve been speaking to his brother Mark who also said it hasn’t got worse with regards to the bleed on his brain and the little bit of swelling on his brain. His condition remains stable and he is being monitored.”

Keep on rolling

Trainer Nick Ryan is confident classy import Dice Roll (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}) can extend his unbeaten streak on Australian soil to four when he steps out in Saturday’s Listed Winter Championships Series Final at Flemington over 1600 metres.

Ryan said the French Group 3 winner and Group 1 placegetter has Group 1 calibre “written all over him”.

"He worked terrific this morning, he was marching around like he owned the joint, so very happy, all going well, he ticks the rest of the boxes throughout the week and he shows up Saturday, I'm sure he'll run well again," Ryan told Racing.com.

Lancaster to step down

Richard Lancaster, who has served for over 20 years as Shadwell Estate Company Limited’s Stud Director is stepping down from his role following the death of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid al Maktoum.

“Shadwell are very grateful to Richard for his skill, hard work and helping Shadwell become one of the leading owner/breeders in the world. We wish him all the best for the future,” Shadwell Stud said in a statement.

Lancster said that he is looking forward to seeking out new challenges.

“Following the sad death of HH Sheikh Bin Rashid al Maktoum, I have decided after 35 very happy years that it is time to move on. I am extremely proud of everything we built up over my time at Shadwell,” Lancaster added.

Opperman to Melbourne

Talented Adelaide-based apprentice Jacob Opperman will ride in Melbourne for the first time on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old will partner the Luke Oliver-trained Ceejay (Reward For Effort), the Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained Little Stevie (Dream Ahead {USA}) and OTI Racing import Marchons Ensemble (GB) (Pour Moi {Ire}).

"I'm looking to come over a bit more now and use the 2kg claim I have," Opperman told Racing.com.

"We were thinking about going on loan to a stable over here, but I think it's probably just easier to come over now and then for the Wednesday and Saturday meetings, depending on my book of rides.”

True Self on track

Dual G3 Queen Elizabeth S. winner True Self (Ire) (Oscar {Ire}) remains on track to return to Australia for her third consecutive spring campaign after notching up her fourth Group placing last weekend at The Curragh.

"She is racing well enough to come out here and be very competitive, and we know she races well out here, so that's what we'd like to do. If we can make it happen, that's the aim," OTI Racing CEO, Terry Henderson, said.

Henderson said connections will press on to America in search of Group 1 success if she doesn’t pass a Scintigraphy scan that all internationals are now required to undergo before racing in Victoria.

Four for Richards

Inform apprentice Josh Richards continued on his winning ways when riding four winners at Ballarat on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old kick-started his day with a win aboard the Kelvin Bourke-trained Didier (Stryker) in Race 4 before booting home a double for new training duo Ben and JD Hayes and another for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in the final event on the program.

Richards currently claims 2kg in the country and has ridden 45 winners at a 10.5 per cent strike rate this season.

Colt ready for Guineas

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike is confident he can figure in the thick end of the prizemoney in a Queensland stakes race for the second weekend in succession.

The stable was represented by dominant Listed Tattersall’s Life Member S. winner Tutukaka (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) at Eagle Farm last Saturday and is expecting a good showing from Not An Option (Not A Single Doubt) in Saturday’s G3 Winx Guineas at the Sunshine Coast.

The colt disappointed when finishing 11th in the G3 Fred Best Classic in late May and Pike has deliberately given the Eagle Farm track a wide berth before taking aim again.

“I think he can bounce back to form. I’m just putting that last run down to the Eagle Farm track, he trialled brilliantly at the Gold Coast last Tuesday,” Pike said. “We’re expecting a much-improved performance and it wouldn’t surprise if he is winning on Saturday.”

Elephant progressing well

The talented horse with the quirky name is back in work and looking to accomplish some big things over the spring.

The David and Emma-Lee Browne-trained Elephant (NZ) (Shocking) is pleasing in the early stages of his preparation and will be out to extend his unbeaten record next season.

The rising 5-year-old gelding has won all four of his starts to date and his connections are eyeing a possible trip across the Tasman with their charge if he continues to impress.

“Elephant is back in work and is coming along really well, he looks great, and I am very happy with him,” Emma-Lee Browne said.

“I am not really sure where he will start off, it is early days yet in his preparation so we will see how he comes up.”