I’m Thunderstruck strikes again
The Golden Eagle could be on the radar for I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) after the up-and-comer collected the fourth win of his six-start career at The Valley on Saturday.
Ridden by Jamie Kah, the 3-year-old gelding sat back before swooping into contention out wide around the home turn. He gradually got the better of Tuvalu (Kermadec {NZ}) and edged ahead to win by 0.5l.
“I had a lot of respect for Lindsey Smith’s horse (Tuvalu) and I did think it would be a long way in front of us in the race,” co-trainer Mick Price said. “We had 60kgs and were going to be back, so I thought it was a good, sustained effort.
“After today he probably goes to an 81 or an 82 (rating). I’m hoping that gets him a run in the Golden Eagle.
“He’ll definitely have a little breather now. We’ll put a circle around the Golden Eagle and work our way back.”
Sherry ends season on a high
Apprentice jockey Tom Sherry ended an up-and-down season on a high with victory aboard Sixgun (Snitzel) in the Precise Air H. at Randwick.
It was the 40th metropolitan win of the season for Sherry, who finishes the season as Sydney’s Champion apprentice. But he has had the back end of his season curtailed by injury, spending more than two months on the sidelines with a broken collarbone and then a broken wrist.
Tom Sherry | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“It has been up and down but I’m very grateful for how things have panned out,” the Irish-born jockey said.
“It is hard to be satisfied to the fullest the way the season ended with the injuries and stuff, but I’m very happy to be here and I have a lot of people to thank, especially Mark (Newnham).”
Persistence pays off with Tamerlane
Godolphin’s persistence with troublesome 3-year-old Tamerlane (Golden Horn {GB}) paid off in Saturday’s ATC Thank You Stable Staff H. at Randwick.
An impressive performance in the hands of Hugh Bowman brought up the gelding’s third win from nine starts.
“It took all of Hughie’s skill and precision to get him home,” Race Day Operations Darren Beadman said.
“He’s not the easiest horse to ride, but he’s got prior knowledge of the horse. When he won on him at Gosford first-up, he was able to settle back off a fast speed. He had similar instructions today.
“The team that work at home at Osborne Park with him do a tremendous job on the track to stabilise his energy.”
Mirra Vision in fine form
In-form mare Mirra Vision (Lonhro) recorded her third win of a five-start campaign in the Moët & Chandon H. at Randwick on Saturday.
Winless in five starts in the spring, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained 4-year-old has made an impressive return from a long break. Ridden on Saturday by Sam Clipperton, she powered away to win by 2l.
“The biggest thing for her was after last prep, we tried to give her a really long break,” Paul Snowden said. “This time in, her form is second to none and she is going great.
“Dry tracks have got a fair bit to do with it. She’s a Lonhro mare who showed good ability trudging through those winter months a couple of seasons ago, and we’ve just given her that time to fully mature and we’re starting to find the effects of that now.”
Fans forced to leave Eagle Farm
Spectators at Eagle Farm on Saturday were forced to leave the track by 3.30pm AEST after the Queensland Government announced a snap three-day lockdown earlier in the day.
The two races scheduled after 3.30pm AEST continued behind closed doors.
The lockdown will be reviewed at 4pm AEST on Tuesday.
Star Turn scores
The Kim Waugh-trained Turning gifted Vinery Stud freshman sire Star Turn his 19th and final winner at stud this season when winning over 1000 metres at Muswellbrook on Saturday.
The geldings victory saw his sire fall one victory short of equalling Newgate Farm phenom Capitalist for the most individual winners by a first-season sire this season.
Star Turn will stand at Vinery Stud for a service fee of $16,500 (inc GST) this upcoming breeding season.
Star Turn | Standing at Vinery Stud
Sooboog hits double digits
The victory of the John Zielke-trained Dynamic Jewel at Wondai on Saturday ensured that Kitchwin Hills stallion Sooboog walked away with double digit individual winners in his first season.
The well-supported filly scored by 0.5l in the 800-metre maiden dash.
Sooboog will cover his fifth book of mares at Kitchwin Hills this upcoming breeding season for a service fee of $13,200 (inc GST).
Hickmott, Pannell win Adelaide premierships
After tight battles over the final few weeks of the season, Michael Hickmott and Todd Pannell have been crowned Adelaide’s Champion Trainer and Jockey respectively.
Hickmott won his first Adelaide Trainers’ Premiership, finishing with 40 victories to edge out Tony and Calvin McEvoy (38) and Phillip Stokes (35).
Pannell and Jessica Eaton finished the season deadlocked with 63 Adelaide winners apiece, but defending Champion Pannell was awarded the title again due to riding more second placegetters.
“It's really good to get it again and back up from last year,” Pannell said. “Unfortunately it came down to the last race – I would have liked to have done it a little bit sooner, but Jess has been getting the winners too. She's done a very good job this season and credit to her as well."
Cummings edges out Baker
A winning double at Randwick on Saturday has helped Godolphin trainer James Cummings clinch second place on the Sydney Trainers’ Premiership.
Cummings won with Tamerlane and Valaquenta (Street Boss {USA}) to finish on 59 metropolitan wins – one ahead of Bjorn Baker.
Chris Waller was a clear winner with 169 metropolitan wins.
James Cummings
Six in a row for Eloquently
Three-year-old filly Eloquently (Poet’s Voice {GB}) added yet another win to her remarkable streak in Saturday’s Country Music Raceday 11 Sep QTIS H. at Eagle Farm.
Jockey Anthony Allen guided the Steve Tregea-trained runner to victory by 0.75l, bringing up her sixth consecutive win. She had previously extended that winning sequence to five when she won at Doomben just seven days earlier.
Overall, Eloquently has now had nine starts for six wins and a second placing, earning $319,100 in stakes.
Bold return by Tavi Mac
Quality performer Tavi Mac (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) warmed up for some major upcoming assignments with a stylish first-up win at Otaki on Saturday.
Making his first start since his fifth placing in the G1 Telegraph at Trentham in January, the diminutive 5-year-old carried 58kgs to a hard-fought victory over prolific wet-track performer Deerfield (NZ) (Falkirk {NZ}).
The Allan Sharrock-trained Tavi Mac has now had 17 starts for 11 wins, headed by this season’s G2 Manawatu Challenge S., Listed Levin S. and Listed Matamata Cup.
Sharrock is aiming his stable star towards the G2 Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa on August 28 and the first Group 1 race of the New Zealand season, the Tarzino Trophy at Hastings on September 11.
Redwood trifecta in Cup
Westbury stud stallion Redwood (GB) sired the first, second and third finishers in Saturday’s time-honoured Taumarunui Gold Cup at Rotorua.
The winter feature was won by Suliman (NZ), who picked up the fifth victory of his 38-start career when he surged ahead of Timberlake (NZ) to score by 2l. Border Leicester (NZ) crossed the finish line in third place, another 1.5l behind the first two.
Redwood (GB) | Standing at Westbury Stud
Redwood will stand for a 2021 service fee of NZ$8000 plus GST. He is the sire of 123 winners from 209 runners, headed by G1 Captain Cook S. winner Rock On Wood (NZ), G2 Waikato Guineas winner Tokorangi (NZ), and Group 3 winners Night’s Watch (NZ), Platinum Invador (NZ), Rising Red (NZ) and Communique (NZ). Both Romancer (NZ) and Chief Sequoyah (NZ) have won at Listed level.
The Taumarunui Gold Cup trifecta was part of a big afternoon for Westbury Stud stallions, with El Roca siring the Listed Ryder S. first and third placegetters Ima Roca Bee (NZ) and Flash Mary (NZ).
