Remarque ready
Leading hoop Tommy Berry is full of praise for high-class, Team Hawkes-trained colt Remarque (Snitzel) ahead of his awaited return in Saturday’s Listed The Rosebud S. at Randwick.
Remarque
“I’ve always had a big, big opinion of him and he’s always done things you just shake your head at when galloping at home on the track,” Berry told Racenet.
“I’ve been lucky enough to ride some good colts during my career and on raw, natural ability, he’s right up there with the best of them.”
Remarque was bred and retained by Arrowfield Stud.
Dabernig on the board
Tom Dabernig notched up his first solo winner since leaving the Lindsay Park operation when lightly raced mare Lunatic Fringe (Fiorente {Ire}) saluted at Coleraine on Thursday.
"She's always been a late-maturing mare and Johnny Valmorbida, the main owner who bred her, he's been very patient, so their patience is starting to pay off," Dabernig told Racing.com.
"In the run she travelled nicely, relaxed and ran the trip out strongly. She's heading in the right direction. The aim has always been to try and get her to town."
Lees claims Cup
Snitzel mare Itz Lily broke a recent run of outs to claim Thursday’s 1600 metre Coffs Harbour Cup for trainer Kris Lees.
The 6-year-old mare finished 0.1l ahead of the Jason Dreamer-trained Greek Hero (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) in a thrilling finish.
Empress Lily was purchased by Bangaloe Stud for $100,000 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
She is out of the G1 VRC Oaks third placegetter and G2 Edward Manifold S. runner-up Empress Lily (Zabeel {NZ}).
Blood staying put
G1 Australian Guineas winner Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) will remain in the care of young Queensland-based trainer Billy Healy after connections opted against sending the 5-year-old to leading trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
The decision was made due to the current COVID-19 situation in the Greater Sydney region.
Alligator Blood
"I'm forever in their debt, it's hard to get a horse of this sort of quality walk into your yard and especially at a very early time in my career, it's pretty special," Healy told Racing.com.
"It's a great feeling. The horse has done exceptionally well since he has arrived, we've just got to keep on building on the back of this.”
Hard to catch
Classy Tricolours Racing-owned mare Fasika (So You Think {NZ}) will be hard to catch in Saturday’s G2 Missile S. at Randwick, according to trainer John Thompson.
Thompson told SEN Track’s ‘Bensley’ program that his Group 2-winning galloper has returned in good order ahead of her resumption in the 1200 metre feature.
Portelli holds high hopes
Group 1-winning trainer Gary Portelli has his sights set on next month’s G1 Golden Rose S. with promising filly Sky Command (Deep Field).
The unbeaten galloper of two starts will headline Portelli’s contingent of runners at Randwick on Saturday when she steps out in the Listed The Rosebud.
Gary Portelli
“This is her first race preparation so we will take it one race at a time,” Portelli told Racenet.
“But she is such a tough filly, I wouldn’t be surprised if she is still going later in the spring.”
A Sirius chance
Flemington-based horseman Saab Hasan is confident resuming sprinter Sirius Suspect (Wanted) can measure up in a competitive edition of Saturday's G3 Aurie's Star H. at Flemington.
The Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock-owned galloper has drawn barrier 13 and will be ridden by Damien Oliver in the 1200 metre feature.
"He's drawn perfect and I was excited when I saw the draw as he has a chance to get into a rhythm," Hasan told RSN927.
Sirius Suspect
Cups path outlined
Co-trainer Sam Freedman will be taking a “European style” approach towards the G1 Melbourne Cup with high-class stayer Realm Of Flowers (So You Think {NZ}).
Freedman, who trains in partnership with his father Anthony, told RSN927 on Thursday that the impressive last start Listed Andrew Ramsden S. winner performs best with her runs spaced.
He said she will contest the G2 The Bart Cummings H. on October 2 second-up before entering the time-honoured two-mile feature at her following start.
Gytrash primed
Adelaide-based co-trainer Gordon Richards told SEN Track’s ‘Bensley’ program that he is delighted by the condition of Group 1-winning sprinter Gytrash (Lope De Vega {Ire}) ahead of his resumption in next month's G2 The Shorts at Randwick.
Richards, who trains in partnership with Damien Moyle, said the 6-year-old gelding is likely to trial at Randwick on August 20.
Gytrash has been selected to represent Inglis’ slot in October’s $15 million The Everest.
Gytrash
