Rothfire secures Everest slot
A slot in The Everest has been confirmed for Queensland speedster Rothfire (Rothesay).
Denied a run in last year’s $15 million sprint due to a serious injury in the G1 Golden Rose, Rothfire has been snapped up this time around by slotholder James Kennedy.
Trained by Robert Heathcote, Rothfire won two trials in August and is set to resume in next Saturday’s G2 The Shorts.
Whip suspension for Ryan
In-form apprentice Brock Ryan will be free to ride Jamaea (Headwater) in next week’s G1 Golden Rose despite incurring a six-day suspension at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
Jamaea
Ryan received the penalty for a whip breach during his winning ride aboard Chat (Deep Field) in the G2 Chandon Theo Marks S.
Ryan’s six-day suspension will begin at the conclusion of next Saturday’s Randwick program, and he was also fined $2500.
COVID charges for trainers
Trainers John Thompson and Craig Carmody have both been charged with breaches of COVID-19 protocols.
The pair were both charged on Friday after being found to have travelled to Randwick between August 2 and September 7 despite living in local government areas of concern.
They were also in attendance at two Randwick race meetings on August 21 and September 4, while Carmody is alleged to have attended meetings at several other tracks during July and August.
A hearing will be conducted at 5pm AEST on Tuesday.
Coolmore next for Crystal
Last year’s Listed Cap D’Antibes S. at Flemington was a springboard to G1 Coolmore Stud S. success for September Run (Exceed And Excel), and Crystal Bound (Not A Single Doubt) will try to follow in those footsteps 12 months later.
The talented filly quickened smartly out of a tricky position on Saturday and got up to score by a head. She has now had three starts for two impressive wins, along with a second behind Jamaea (Headwater) in the G2 Percy Sykes S.
“That was a real quality victory, and I think she can go to the Danehill S. here next month and then we look at the Coolmore,” co-trainer Ciaron Maher said. “She's still got to come on in the coat, and she's in for a great prep. She was still quite raw and off the bit there. Her quality kicked in late.”
Harbour Views upsets Ayrton
Even trainer Matthew Williams was surprised when Harbour Views (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) dashed home to beat Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and the highly rated Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) in a three-way photo finish to Saturday’s Listed The Sofitel at Flemington.
Harbour Views was having his first start since the Listed Cup Day Plate at Flemington last November, and he had undergone surgery on a sesamoid injury in between times.
“I thought he’d be hitting the line strong, but I didn’t see him running over the top of them late,” Williams said.
“He’s a year older, he’s had a fair time in between runs so I couldn’t say I expected him to win today, but we were confident he’d be running well and heading to a Sandown S. second-up.”
Golden Rose on the cards
A shot at the G1 Golden Rose is a possibility for Giannis (Flying Artie) after an impressive performance in Saturday’s Listed Drinkwise Dulcify S. at Kembla Grange.
The Chris Waller-trained colt edged out Tiger Of Malay (Extreme Choice) in an exciting battle, adding a deserved first win to his record after placing in last season’s G1 JJ Atkins S. at Eagle Farm.
“He’s always been a horse we’ve spoken highly of, but he’s needed a little bit of time,” Waller said.
“It’s great to see these 2-year-olds from our stable coming back at three and performing well. I think he’s got a pretty bright future.
“The Autumn Sun was the last one to drop back from 1500 metres to the Golden Rose, and we’ll have a serious look at this horse now.”
Aegon bleeds in Makybe Diva
Rider Luke Currie had a clear explanation after Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) produced a disappointing unplaced performance in Saturday’s G1 PFD Food Services Makybe Diva S.
The Group 1-winning New Zealander was among the leading contenders for the Flemington feature, having caught the eye with a flying finish for fourth in the G1 Memsie S. two weeks ago. But after appearing to be travelling well around the home turn, Aegon dropped out and beat just one runner home.
“He bled from one nostril, so he didn’t finish off,” Currie said.
Baker celebrates anniversary in style
New Zealand Hall of Fame trainer Murray Baker marked a special milestone with a victory by Frontman (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) in the Valachi Downs H. at Te Rapa.
Baker and his wife Marianne were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, and the talented and well-bred Frontman delivered the perfect present.
“He is a very promising horse,” said Baker, who trains in partnership with Andrew Forsman. “He was good enough to finish third in the New Zealand Derby after just three races, and he also went well in Australia without winning.
“He came home and had a really good break and has been working along nicely leading up to today. It was close at the end, but he wasn’t knocked around and should take plenty of benefit from the run.”
Frontman may now target the G1 Windsor Park Plate at Hastings on October 2 and the G1 Livamol Classic two weeks later.
The 4-year-old is a full brother to Bonneval (NZ), who won seven of her 14 starts including the G1 New Zealand Oaks, G1 Australian Oaks and G1 Underwood S., and was a two-time New Zealand Horse of the Year.
Half-brother to Derby winner impresses
Trainer Tony Pike unveiled a promising 3-year-old talent at Te Rapa on Saturday when Field Of Gold (Starspangledbanner) strode to an easy victory in the NZB Ready to Run Sale 3YO.
A half-brother to Pike’s G1 New Zealand Derby winner Sherwood Forest (Fastnet Rock), Field Of Gold had won two trials and also finished a promising third on debut at Ruakaka on July 3.
The chestnut gelding was sent out as a hot favourite on Saturday and lived up to expectations, cruising to victory by 2l.
“He ran third first-up in a very hot maiden 2-year-old race at Ruakaka and had improved a lot since then, so we thought he would go close to winning,” Pike said.
“He holds a nomination for the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton later in the spring, so you want to see him putting his hand up at maiden level now if he is going to be competitive down there. He is a big, powerful horse and there is plenty of improvement in him, but I thought he was pretty professional today and got the job done in good style.”
Stradivarius breaks record
With his stayers' division dominance seemingly on the wane this term, Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) assuaged any doubts that the old lustre had been lost by outclassing a reduced field in Thursday's G2 Doncaster Cup.
Bounding forward on the bridle in the straight, the 4-11 favourite was in full control inside the final 400 metres and extended clear in the closing stages to secure a second Doncaster Cup with ease from Alerta Roja (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) and Nayef Road (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Melbourne Cup entrant Rodrigo Diaz (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) finished fourth.
With 17 Group wins to his name, Stradivarius has now set a new record for Group-race victories in Europe.
“He's a phenomenon,” co-trainer John Gosden said. “He's a wonderful horse. He's enjoyed all his training, he loves his racing and likes coming racing. I had no qualms about coming here and I couldn't have been more thrilled with him.
“His enthusiasm is there 100 per cent and I can assure everyone who loves him, the moment it's not there he will be retired. Until that day comes, which he will tell us, he will race. He lives a bit on the edge and lets us know what he wants. I've always adored stayers, and to train him is a dream come true.”
Wonderful Tonight retired
Wonderful Tonight (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), whose six victories included wins in last year's G1 Prix de Royallieu and G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares' S. and this year's G2 Hardwicke S. and G2 Lillie Langtry S., has been retired after suffering a condylar fracture of a fetlock on Friday morning.
Christopher Wright's 4-year-old filly had been an intended runner in Sunday's G2 Prix Foy at Longchamp as a stepping stone toward the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe – trainer David Menuisier's goal since her Royallieu win.
“She did her final piece of work this morning and was due to go tomorrow morning first thing to France,” said Menuisier. “She cooled down fine and it wasn't until two and a half hours later that she couldn't put her foot on the ground. The vet took an x-ray and she has a little condylar fracture in her fetlock, so it is game over.
“I'm just thankful we had her for the time we did. I'm taking her to the hospital this afternoon and I'm just relieved we can save her. She'll be a lovely broodmare and that's all we can think of really–that and the good times that she gave us. Words fail me, they really do.”
