More milestone
Superstar stallion More Than Ready (USA) sired his 2000th individual winner at stud, when Rupp N Ready (USA) broke his maiden status at Indiana Grand on Tuesday.
From 2001, when he first entered stud in Kentucky, More Than Ready made 19 consecutive trips to Australia and covered mares at Vinery Stud up until the conclusion of the 2019 breeding season.
The 24-year-old currently stands exclusively at WinStar Farm in Kentucky for a service fee of US$65,000 (AU$88,805).
More Than Ready (USA) at Vinery Stud | Standing at WinStar Farm
SA given green light
Racing in South Australia has been given the go-ahead to resume throughout the state’s seven-day lockdown period.
Racing South Australia announced on Wednesday morning that the State Government had provided the tick of approval late on Tuesday evening.
Wednesday’s postponed Gawler meeting was not reinstated due to logistical issues and will be run next Thursday.
“We are very grateful to the State Government for the trust they have put in us and I am sure our participants will repay that trust,” Racing South Australia CEO Nick Redin told Racenet.
Oaks unlikely
Co-trainer Sam Freedman told Racenet that blueblood filly Argentia (Frankel {GB}) is unlikely to line up in November’s G1 VRC Oaks.
Freedman, who trains in partnership with his father Anthony, said the impressive Flemington debut winner will be set for the G1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield on October 9.
“She’s coming to hand well and could potentially resume in the (Listed) Atlantic Jewel S. or something like that,” Freedman said.
Argentia
Alexander unveils aim
Ballarat-based trainer Archie Alexander has confirmed via RSN927 that classy OTI Racing mare Chaillot (Testa Rossa) will be aimed towards the G1 Empire Rose S. at Flemington on Derby Day, October 30.
Richards farewells Garner
South Australian-based trainer Gordon Richards has confirmed the death of high-class gelding Garner (Barbados).
Richards said the 4-year-old had been humanely euthanised after going amiss at trackwork last Friday.
"He hadn't been back in work long and on Friday morning he went amiss, ripping tendons and ligaments on a hind leg. We were prepared to do all we could to save him,” Richards told Racing.com.
"However, the veterinary opinion was that the right thing humanely to do in the best interest of the horse was to let him go."
Avalon on song
Trainer Shane Nichols believes that dual Group 1 winner Streets Of Avalon (Magnus) can go one better than last year when he steps out in Saturday’s G3 Bletchingly S. at Caulfield.
Nichols said his stable star is in fine fettle ahead of the 1200-metre feature.
"We're pleased that he's about where we want him, he'll obviously improve off Saturday, but I have done enough with him I think to run well, pending track conditions,” Nichols told Racing.com.
Streets Of Avalon
Reward offered
A $2000 reward has been offered for anyone that can provide information into a spate of horse slashing attacks in Goondiwindi Queensland after 4-year-old gelding Fitzroy Boy (Fast ‘N’ Famous) became the latest racehorse in separate incidents to be left with unexplained gashes to his neck.
Fitzroy Boy’s trainer Barry Sheppard said another trainer in the area has had the same thing occur on multiple occasions.
“I just went out there one morning and I took Fitzroy Boy’s rug off and he had a big slash in his throat, he had to have about 10 or 12 stitches, inside and out, it just missed his windpipe,” Sheppard told Racenet.
“My horse had two neck rugs on him, and the attacker got the knife in under the rug. You could see the person’s footprints in the mud afterward.”
Anyone with information should contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Catalyst pleases Pike
Trainer Tony Pike is pleased by the condition of high-class gelding Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) ahead of his spring return.
The G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner and G3 CS Hayes S. runner-up hasn’t raced since pulling up lame in last year’s G2 The Shorts at Randwick when trained by Clayton Chipperfield.
Pike suggested that the G1 Toorak H. at Caulfield on October 9 could be on the agenda for Catalyst if he comes up well.
“He has had a little break since he had an issue at the tail end of his last preparation, but he seems to be back to his best and hopefully he holds together for us heading into the spring,” Pike told Racing HQ.
Catalyst (NZ)
Pike aiming high
Melody Belle’s (NZ) (Commands) half-brother Tutukaka (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) will be targeted towards the G1 Victoria Derby, according to trainer Tony Pike.
The Cambridge-based horseman said the last start Listed Tattersall’s Life Member S. winner is likely to resume in the Listed Exford Plate over 1400 metres on September 11.
“I am really happy with the way he has come home. A trip like that is really going to make a man of him going into the spring and I am definitely not concerned about getting him up to the Derby distances,” Pike told New Zealand Racing Desk.
Tutukaka (NZ) | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
