Vinery mourns loss of Mossman
Vinery Stud has confirmed the passing of influential stallion Mossman at age 26.
Mossman, a Group 1-winning son of Success Express (USA), served 17 seasons in Australia, the first three at Noble Park Stud in Queensland before he moved to Vinery Stud in 2004.
He would produce 41 individual stakes winners in a stunningly successful career at stud, including six Group 1 winners. He was retired from stallion duties in 2018.
The late Mossman
His list of champions includes the G1 Golden Slipper S.-winning filly Mossfun and the legendary sprinter Buffering. He also sired additional Group 1 winners Plucky Belle, Miss Mossman (NZ), Ofcourseican and Hong Kong Chairman’s Sprint Prize winner Ivictory.
“Mossman has made a massive impact on the Australia industry and played an enormous role in the success of the farm. He was a horse of great character and had the most beautiful nature. He will be sadly missed by all those around him, especially our staff who cared so well for him throughout his time here at Vinery. Mossman will be laid to rest next to his own sire Success Express, overlooking the stallion area” said Vinery’s General Manager, Peter Orton.
Zaaki's spring campaign not yet confirmed
The spring campaign of Annabel Neasham's stable star Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) is yet to be finalised, with the import's trainer still to decide which pathway she will take to the G1 Cox Plate.
Neasham had pencilled in the G2 Tramway S. on September 4 as the resumption point for Zaaki, but will wait until he trials on Monday to confirm where he kicks off.
Zaaki (GB)
“He’s probably going to have four runs this prep," she told Racenet.
“I definitely want to start him in Sydney and the option is he either has three runs in Melbourne or two in Sydney and two in Victoria.
“I’ll make the call when I have to. I understand he’s a high-profile horse and everyone wants to know where he’s going but I don’t know so I don’t want to be pressurised into telling people where he’s going when it could change.
“There’s no rush, the Cox Plate is still a fair while away."
Hinged switches stables
Smart filly Hinged (Worthy Cause) could be headed to the G1 Flight S. this spring after joining the Chris Waller stable.
Hinged won five from seven starts for Toowoomba trainer Michael Nolan but has been purchased by a syndicate headed by Brae Sokolski and she has now been transferred to Waller in Sydney.
She will likely have her first start for her new stable in the G3 Ming Dynasty Quality on August 28, with races such as the Flight S. and G1 Thousand Guineas on her agenda.
Hinged was bred by Toowoomba dentist Dr Kim McCasker and has been the flagbearer from the first crop of Clear Mountain Fairview's Worthy Cause.
Artorius stronger and smarter
Co-trainer Sam Freedman is expecting G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Artorius (Flying Artie) to return a stronger and more mature horse for his 3-year-old campaign, which ramps up with a trial at Cranbourne on Monday.
Artorius is likely to resume on August 28 in the G3 McNeil S. at Caulfield and has improved mentally and physically in his break.
Artorius
“He’s a different horse to a Hanseatic or Lyre, he’s probably got a little bit more range and scope to really go on at three and improve,” Freedman told Punters.com.au.
“You watch his Blue Diamond and even the Slipper, he went around like a toddler. In the Slipper he didn’t know what he was doing and then the penny dropped late.
“We need the penny to drop a bit earlier in races and I think you‘ll see a more furnished product.”
Queensland patrons back on track
Patrons will be allowed to return to the races in South East Queensland following the lifting of a COVID-19 imposed lockdown in the region.
Racing Queensland has confirmed that the lifting of the lockdown meant patrons could return to racecourses in the region.
In line with State Government requirements, face masks are required for fans attending the track in South East Queensland.
Eduardo looking to make Everest case
Joe Pride is hopeful that stable star and dual Group 1 winner Eduardo (Host {Chi}) can make a compelling case to be selected by a slotholder for The Everest when he resumes in the G2 The Shorts next month.
Eduardo, who ran 11th in last year's edition of The Everest, but has since won both the G1 The Galaxy and G1 Doomben 10,000, is yet to be selected for the world's richest sprint, something Pride thinks will be remedied once he gets back to the racetrack.
Eduardo
“I’m not expecting it yet but we’ll be putting pressure on slotholders when we go around in The Shorts (September 18),” Pride told Racenet.
“I think he’ll look pretty good in that race if he does what I think he’s capable of doing.
“I’m pretty comfortable that he’s getting in because I’m convinced he’s in that top tier. What might stop him is a decision by a slotholder to go with breeding stock over tried and true sprinting form.”
Crowther on Behemoth
Kayla Crowther will take the ride on Behemoth (All Too Hard) in Saturday's G3 Spring S. at Morphettville.
Crowther has won the nod with the gelding's regular Adelaide rider Todd Pannell committed elsewhere.
"I'm really excited to have Kayla riding him because she's done a lot of work behind the scenes on him and she's only had the one race ride on him," trainer David Jolly said.
Behemoth
"Todd is required for a horse of Will's (Clarken) in that race so it gave Kayla an opportunity.
"She was pretty happy (after the trial) at Balaklava and she thought he moved well again today, his action was good."
After Saturday, Behemoth is expected to head to the G1 Memsie S. at Caulfield, where Craig Williams will assume the ride.
Vance cheers home stable favourite
Maija Vance cheered on track specialist Acutus (Sepoy), who won at Ruakaka on Saturday.
The 7-year-old is trained by Maija's parents Bob and Jenny Vance and the jockey was supporting her favourite horse from her home in Cambridge.
“That was really exciting and a big thrill as he seems to just love it there at Ruakaka,” Vance said. “He’s not quite up to the best spring sprinters but this type of race suits him perfectly and he is just thriving at the moment.
“I think there is a similar race back up there later in the month, so I guess it makes sense to go back for another try.”
Vance is currently undertaking a special project of her own as the three-year anniversary of her horrific race fall at Rotorua, which left her with serious spinal injuries, fast approaches.
In September 2018 she suffered rib fractures, smashed teeth, a punctured lung and broke her back in five places, leaving her with no feeling or movement from the waist down after falling during a hurdle race at Rotorua.
Told she may never walk again, the plucky 30-year-old has made a remarkable recovery to the point where she can now ride trackwork at least twice a week.
