Virtual parades confirmed
Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association has confirmed that virtual parades and small group appointments will again replace large open day stallion parades for all Hunter Valley-based farms.
In light of current regulations and lockdowns in the Greater Sydney region, visits to individual farms will be conducted in strict adherence to government health and safety regulations.
Breeders are encouraged to contact the individual farms directly to make appropriate arrangements.
Virtual parades and small group appointments will again replace large open day stallion parades for all Hunter Valley-based farms | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Maximum aspirations
Trainer John O’Shea is delighted to be entrusted with the care of high-class European import Maximal (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) after Rosemont Stud and Juddmonte Farms brokered a deal to bring the promising three-quarter brother to Champion racehorse and sire Frankel (GB), Down Under.
O’Shea confirmed that the impressive last start runner-up to boom galloper Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) will arrive on Australian shores late next month before being set for either the G1 Cantala S. or the $7.5 million The Golden Eagle.
“It’s a bit of a buzz as he’s a very exciting horse who has raced against the best, he’s got great form and there’s plenty to like about everything that he has done,” O’Shea told RSN927.
“He’s a good-looking horse with an amazing pedigree. So, for a really high-profile stud like Rosemont to secure a horse like that is amazing because if we can have some nice performances the sky’s the limit."
Boss to race on
Talented mare Don’ttelltheboss (Street Boss {USA}) will race on in the care of current trainers Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock after failing to meet a reserve of $550,000 at last week’s Inglis July (Late) Online Sale.
“The owners were testing the waters because of the volume of dollars some of the broodmares had been making online,” co-trainer Robbie Griffiths told Racing.com.
“I think more so at a physical sale, where the agents can inspect her and because of the lockdown some people couldn’t inspect her last week. So, it was probably the wrong time to do it. I think she would get more like half a million at a physical sale.
“We do believe she has a lot more to give but if someone was going to give $500,000 or $600,000 why not, but we weren’t going to sell her for the fun of it.”
Another for Xtravagant
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Lavish Girl became the fourth individual first-crop winner for Newhaven Park stallion Xtravagant (NZ) when saluting by 0.3l over 1100 metres at Pakenham on Tuesday.
She was purchased by Ciaron Maher Racing for $110,000 at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and races in the colours of Seymour Bloodstock.
Xtravagant will stand the upcoming breeding season at Newhaven Park for a service fee of $11,000 (inc GST).
Memsie earmarked
Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards has confirmed that star mare Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) will resume in either the G1 Memsie S. or the G3 Cockram S. at Caulfield on August 28.
Richards said the dual Group 1 winner is in good condition ahead of her spring campaign after trialling on an unsuitable Heavy surface at Ellerslie on Tuesday.
Sprint sensation on song
Trainer Chris Waller has confirmed that sprint sensation Nature Strip (Nicconi) will make his return in next month’s G3 Concorde S. at Randwick.
Nature Strip will make his return in next month’s G3 Concorde S. at Randwick
Waller said the 7-year-old has returned from a spell in fine fettle.
“We’ve started him off later, as last spring I struggled to get it right with him and I had him a bit too ready by doing too much too soon,” Waller told Racing Pulse.
“Ideally he will line up in The Everest third-up and then head down to Melbourne for the VRC Sprint Classic on the final day of the carnival.”
Elleegant pleases Waller
Champion trainer Chris Waller is pleased by the condition of superstar mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) ahead of her return in the G1 Winx S. on August 21.
Waller said the eight-time Group 1-winning heroine is capable of defending her crown in the 1400 metre weight-for-age feature if she gets the conditions to suit.
“I’d say third-up is where she will definitely start to peak but as I’ve seen her, she’s come back well as her condition and weight are great,” Waller told RSN927.
“However, a Soft 5 or (Soft) 6 would see her very competitive first-up but on a quick track they might be a bit sharp for her.”
Australia on the cards
New Zealand-based trainer Jamie Richards isn’t ruling out sending star mares Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) and Avantage (Fastnet Rock) across the Tasman to contest Australia’s middle distance spring features.
Richards said the pair will have to prove themselves on home soil early in their campaigns to earn the right to make the journey.
“We would like to give Avantage the opportunity to get over to Australia and perform. However, we will be guided by how those first couple of runs go,” Richards told New Zealand News Desk.
“As for Amarelinha, it is a tricky time for those 4-year-old mares coming out of their own age group as 3-year-olds.
“We are not 100 per cent sure where we will go with her yet, but she is well and wherever she goes she will run well.”
