Another for Astern
Darley freshman sire Astern notched up his ninth individual winner at stud when debutant Sealion saluted in style at Wyong on Tuesday.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained gelding was ridden by Jean Van Overmeire in the 1000 metre maiden dash.
Bred by Evergreen Stud Farm, Sealion is out of a full sister to five-time Group 1 winner Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom {USA}).
Astern will stand the upcoming breeding season at Darley for a service fee of $16,500 (inc GST).
Festivus flies
Promising colt Festivus (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}) broke his maiden status with success at Ballarat on Tuesday.
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained juvenile was ridden by leading hoop John Allen and prevailed by 0.1l.
A NZ$250,000 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale purchase by Belmont Bloodstock and McEvoy Mitchell Racing, Festivus is out of Lets Have Some Fun (Encosta De Lago), thus making him a half-brother to the New Zealand Listed-placed galloper Crowning Star (NZ) (Hallowed Crown).
Invitation on the agenda
Racing New South Wales’ recently announced $2 million The Invitation has lured another big name, with connections of the G1 Coolmore Classic-winning mare Krone (Eurozone) confirming they will bypass Flemington’s G1 Empire Rose S. in preference for the 1400 metre fillies and mares’ feature.
"Originally it was all about the Empire Rose and a swansong at the Magic Millions but after the announcement of The Invitation, Tony Gollan rang straight away and said this is absolutely the race for her,” Roll The Dice Racing's, Steve Travaglia, told Racing.com.
"Fillies and mares, weight-for-age and over a preferred 1400 metres with more of a chance of a wet track in Sydney than Melbourne, it's right up her alley."
Krone | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Lafferty locked in
Talented apprentice Laura Lafferty has been cleared to return to race riding from July 31.
The 22-year-old horsewoman has spent the best part of a month recovering from a shoulder injury and concussion symptoms sustained at Swan Hill on June 11.
"Every concussion is different and mine was on the severe end, so it definitely knocked me around quite a lot with a lot of headaches. I was forgetting to put milk in with my cereal, it really knocked me around,” Lafferty told Racing.com.
"I wasn't seeing much improvement for the first two weeks but from that first fortnight onwards I felt progress being made.”
Races called off
Racing South Australia has confirmed that Wednesday’s Gawler meeting will be transferred to next Thursday, July 28, in light of the state government announcing a seven-day lockdown on Tuesday.
“Despite lobbying the Government today and pressing our case to allow racing to continue behind closed doors, as has been the case in all mainland jurisdictions right throughout this pandemic, at this point in time we have not yet been able to reach a position where we can conduct race meetings for the next seven days,” Racing SA said in a statement.
“However, normal training, exercising, grooming and movement necessary to care for horses is permitted in a COVID-safe environment.”
Murray Morphettville-bound
Star South African hoop Callan Murray will set up shop in Adelaide for the entirety of the upcoming 2021/22 racing season after securing a working visa.
The 24-year-old Group 1 winner rode in Australia as an apprentice during the 2016/17 season before going on to enjoy a successful stint overseas in Hong Kong and Singapore.
“I have been wanting to come over to Australia for a long time, about two years now, but it has been difficult to get a visa to ride over there,” Murray told Racenet.
“Racing SA has helped so I've been very fortunate for that, and Lachlan Weekley has been a great help as well. I am really looking forward to it.”
Beers on tap
Albury-based trainer Mitch Beer is confident his talented filly Sunrise Ruby (Casino Prince) can measure up to city class when she steps out over 1200 metres at Caulfield on Saturday.
The 3-year-old has won three of her four career starts to date and has always shown immense ability, according to Beer.
"She's a horse that from very early on, I've always wanted to get to town," Beer told Racing.com.
"I said to Johnny Kissick after he galloped her for me, 'I think she might be as good as I've ever had', and that was before she raced.”
Keene joins Scone
The Scone Race Club have announced the appointment of Steven Keene as its new Chief Executive Officer.
“Steven comes to the SRC with a wealth of experience, having performed the same role at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club, and prior to that he was the Sales & Events Manager at the Wodonga & District Turf Club. We look forward to welcoming Steven and his family to Scone,” the Scone Race Club tweeted.
Keene was formerly the chief executive at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club at Wagga.
Double digits for duo
Ben and JD Hayes notched up their 10th winner in partnership when Testa Rock (Fastnet Rock) scored empathetically at Ballarat on Tuesday.
The pair saddled up their first runner together at Wangaratta on June 21 following the departure of Tom Dabernig.
“We're grateful for the opportunity from our wonderful owners and thankful for our hard-working, loyal staff,” Lindsay Park Racing tweeted.
Spring plans outlined
Trainer Steve Tregea has confirmed that boom gelding Incentivise (Shamus Award) is likely to kick off his spring campaign in the G1 Makybe Diva S. at Flemington on September 11.
Tregea, who sold a majority interest in the 4-year-old to prominent owners Brae Sokolski and Ozzie Kheir earlier this year, told RSN927 on Tuesday that the current G1 Melbourne and G1 Caulfield Cup contender will be targeted towards the latter feature event.
Incentivise | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
BHA supports investigation
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced its support to investigate the images of horses being euthanised in an inhume manner following the Monday night broadcast of BBC program Panorama: The Dark Side of Horse Racing.
In addition, several leaders from the British racing industry including the BHA, as well as the Horse Welfare Board will meet on Tuesday to discuss further issues raised by the Panorama program.
“No one in racing, and no one who loves horses, wants to see them caused distress or suffering at the end of their lives. If there has been a departure from approved abattoir practices and welfare of the horses involved has been compromised, it is important this is address as a matter of urgency,” the BHA said in a statement.
