Nature Strip relaxed
A more settled Nature Strip (Nicconi) is progressing well and may resume in next month’s G3 Concorde S. at Randwick.
Nature Strip
"He can take a sit. He's no tear-away leader anymore. He can run a tactical race and that is going to be a big help this spring," trainer Chris Waller told Racing.com.
"He had an in-house trial last Tuesday morning and worked as you would expect and I am really happy with him," Waller said.
"Like last year, I'd say he'd have two runs leading into The Everest and then come down for the sprint down the straight G1 VRC Sprint Classic."
Smart sprinting prospect
Trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy produced a potential Group 1 spring contender when Red Hawk (Deep Field) trounced his rivals on the synthetic surface at Ballarat on Monday.
The colt crossed the field from the outside gate to lead for Luke Currie and under hands and heels riding careered away to win by 6l.
“He’ll go to a Listed race after that win. Will he end up going to a G1 Coolmore Stud S.? I don’t know, but we will give him the opportunity,” Tony McEvoy said.
Red Hawk, who holds a nomination for the G1 Caulfield Guineas, was purchased out of Newhaven Park’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft by McEvoy Mitchell Racing and the Belmont Bloodstock Agency for $260,000.
Bred by Seymour Bloodstock who remains in the ownership, he is out of the unraced Foxwedge mare She Chose Me who is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner and four-time G2 Sandown Classic winner Zipping (Danehill {USA}).
He was one of four winners on the day for the stable, a list which also included 3-year-old Star Of Chaos (Zoustar), who won her maiden by 6l, and Toyz On Fire (Fighting Sun), who won a BM58 H. by 7l.
Kah on Behemoth
Jamie Kah will partner Behemoth (All Too Hard) in the G1 Memsie S. following Craig Williams’ decision to stick with Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).
Behemoth
Williams had first refusal to ride the David Jolly-trained Behemoth, who won Saturday’s G3 Spring S. on protest.
“Craig was deciding between Tofane and Behemoth and I think given he won the two Group 1s on her over winter he’s decided to stick with the mare, but we’ve secured Jamie instead,” Jolly told Racenet.
“It’s a reasonable back up and we are delighted to have her on board.”
Stablemates to Sydney
The Jamie Richards-trained pair of Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and Sword Of State (Snitzel) were on a flight to Sydney on Monday.
James McDonald will ride Entriviere, who hasn’t raced since she was second in the G2 Sapphire S. in the autumn, in Saturday’s G2 Toy Show Quality.
Sword Of State will trial at Randwick on Friday to further his preparation for the G3 San Domenico S. at Rosehill. He has won four of his five starts, including the G1 Sistema S.
Melbourne still in mix
James McDonald’s immediate focus is on the Sydney spring carnival but hasn’t ruled out riding at the Melbourne spring carnival, depending on COVID-19 restrictions.
McDonald, who has been vaccinated for COVID-19, also hopes that might help moving easier come later in the year.
James McDonald
“I still haven’t really closed the door on it,” McDonald told RSN. “I am looking forward to hopefully being able to scoot down for the later part of it. At the moment it doesn’t look likely, so it would be pretty frustrating to watch it from up here.
“If you’ve got both jabs there shouldn’t be a restriction on travel, but I’m looking forward to the Sydney carnival anyway.”
McDonald has been the regular Sydney rider of star gallopers Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) and Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) but has yet to make a spring commitment to either horse.
Boss’ plans delayed
Leading jockey Glen Boss plans to ride in Melbourne have been delayed and he will take mounts at Randwick this Saturday.
Boss was recently booked to ride the G1 Melbourne Cup favourite Incentivise (Shamus Award) during the spring carnival and he had planned to travel to Melbourne last week to isolate for two weeks.
Glen Boss
However, Boss stayed in Sydney due to a delay in obtaining a government exemption to fly to Melbourne, Racenet reported.
Boss also secured the ride in Melbourne on G1 Australian Guineas winner Alligator Blood (All Too Hard), who won a 1000-metre trial at the Gold Coast on Monday morning ahead of his resuming run in the Listed Goldmarket later this month.
War Decree shines
The first representatives of Inglewood Stud’s War Decree (USA) were quick to impress at Monday morning’s Te Rapa trials with his unnamed colt beating an unnamed daughter in the first 2-year-old heat over 650 metres.
“He’s showed us plenty right through. He’s strong, stocky and cocky and knows he’s good. He’s very professional and gets on with the job," said Pam Gerard, co-trainer of the winning colt raced by breeder Kevin Hickman of Valachi Downs.
A son of War Front (USA), War Decree won three of his 11 starts including the G2 Vintage S. as a 2-year-old and the G3 Diamond S. in his following season.
Harlech home again
Talented 5-year-old Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) is back in New Zealand and is preparing for a tilt at the Hawke’s Bay features this spring.
Prepared by Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard, he transferred to Moroney’s Flemington stable at the conclusion of his 3-year-old season after he had won the G2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial and placed in both the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas and the G1 Levin Classic.
The entire mixed his form across the Tasman, where victory in the Benalla Cup was the highlight of his seven starts in 18 months.
“He came back about a month ago. He had 10 days out in the paddock after his last start in Melbourne,” Gerard said. “We’re pretty excited to have him back. He has settled in really well and is starting to look a picture.”
Pletcher positive
Trainer Todd Pletcher has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be in isolation until Thursday.
Pletcher, who was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame said that he sought out the test after experiencing allergy-like symptoms and after a co-worker tested positive.
“I thought I was experiencing some allergies. Since I've been vaccinated, I wasn't concerned as I didn't have any traditional COVID symptoms. Late last Friday, a co-worker tested positive so I decided to get a PCR test and started isolation. The results returned positive. I feel fine but will follow recommendations and stay put until Thursday.”
Star mare retired
Group 1 winner Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) has been retired after an unplaced run in Sunday's G1 Prix Jacques le Marois according to the Niarchos Family's Racing Manager Alan Cooper.
The Jessica Harrington trainee and Niarchos homebred is a half-sister to four-time Group 1 winner Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).
“She retires sound and hopefully she'll be a nice broodmare for us,” said Cooper.
A winner at Galway as a 2-year-old, Alpine Star subsequently added the G2 Debutante S. and earned her Group 1 stripes with a 4.25l win in the G1 Coronation S. as a 3-year-old.
