Daily News Wrap

Everest crowds confirmed

Next month’s The Everest meeting at Randwick will welcome 5000 fully vaccinated individuals trackside.

The NSW government last week knocked back the Australian Turf Club’s push to have 15,000 on course, saying 5000 will be allowed if the state reaches its 70 per cent double vaccination target.

NSW’s Racing Minister Kevin Anderson said the decision is exciting news for racing fans who have been required to 'watch from their lounge rooms for so long'.

Stars do battle

Saturday’s G1 Turnbull S. is shaping up to be a mouth-watering contest with connections of star mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) opting to take on boom stayer Incentivise (Shamus Award) in the Flemington feature.

The Chris Waller-trained mare was nominated for the G2 Hill S. at Randwick on the same day.

She will jump from barrier five of 10 while Incentivise has drawn to her outside in barrier six.

“We have decided that Verry Elleegant will run at Flemington on Saturday in the Turnbull S. giving her the chance to settle in, and Damian Lane the chance to ride her ahead of the (G1) Cox Plate,” Chris Waller Racing tweeted.

Trip trending upwards

Ciaron Maher has confirmed prized import Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}) to be on ‘the right trajectory’ despite remaining lame in both off-side legs.

Maher was pleased by last year’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe fourth placegetter’s condition on Wednesday morning, saying he worked nicely alongside the Joseph O’Brien-trained State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner).

"He was moving stiff and I feel he was moving better yesterday. My vet came around and went right over him,” Maher told Racing.com.

"He was actually a little bit tight as well, we had our chiropractor come in, Brendan McCarthy, and he was very tight through the hamstrings, so I think a lot was coming from that."

Bath ready for battle

Well-performed mare Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) will be seeking a long-overdue feature victory when she steps out as a leading contender in Saturday’s G1 Epsom H. at Randwick.

The Brad Widdup-trained 5-year-old has claimed over $2.3 million in prizemoney for connections but remains winless beyond BM78 level despite being narrowly denied in both the Golden Eagle and G1 Doncaster H.

“Nothing is given to you in this game. I don’t know if ‘deserves’ is the word but she’s definitely up to it,” Widdup told Racenet.

“I can guarantee one thing. This has been a plan for a long time, and she’s spot on. I think she’s definitely flying under the radar. They’re (punters) finding everything else in her races bar her which I don’t mind anyway.”

Celebrity to seize the moment

Instant Celebrity (Not A Single Doubt) is ready to seize the moment when she steps out in Saturday’s G2 Rose Of Kingston S. at Flemington, according to trainer Phillip Stokes.

Stokes said the 4-year-old's sixth-placed performance in the G2 Let’s Elope S. isn’t a reflection of her true ability.

"First-up she was really good and was beaten by a very good horse, with a big weight. Second-up, she had grade three mucus. So, forget she went around," Stokes told Racing.com.

Startantes draws favourably

The decision to pay a late-entry fee for Startantes (Star Turn) to contest Saturday’s G1 Flight S. at Randwick has paid early dividends for connections with the filly drawing favourably in barrier six.

The Rob Heathcote-trained 3-year-old will present on a seven-day back-up after running on strongly into sixth in a star-studded edition of the G1 Golden Rose S.

Last start G2 Tea Rose S. winner Four Moves Ahead (Snitzel) has drawn awkwardly in barrier 13 of 15 while key rivals Mallory (Not A Single Doubt) and Swift Witness (Star Witness) have drawn in five and eight respectively.

Up in the air

G1 Australasian Oaks winner Media Award’s (Shamus Award) spring resumption remains in limbo as trainer Chris Calthorpe awaits confirmation on whether she will be selected to contest next month’s inaugural running of The Invitation at Randwick.

Calthorpe said that he intends to run the 4-year-old first-up in the $2 million fillies and mares' feature.

"I've spoken to Racing New South Wales and said, 'look what's the process, we are up and going and about to trial and it fits in good for us, how do we get an invite'?

"They said they'll get back to me, but I haven't heard from anyone, so I don't know where I sit. You would have thought the first horses invited would be Group 1-winning mares in the last 12 months, wouldn't you?"

Taylor takes over

Trevor Taylor has been appointed as the new General Manager of the Muswellbrook Race Club.

The former South African Senior Stipendiary Steward, who was responsible for controlling and charing the rules and regulations of the National Horseracing Authority, relocated to Australia in 2009.

Since his move, Taylor has added significant business qualifications to his resume, including an MBA degree in Strategic Management while holding senior marketing and management positions, including Chairman of Australia Marketing Insitute (AMI) and Marketing Manager at the Adelaide Casino.

"With his knowledge, Trevor is extremely well qualified to oversee the day-to-day management of a modern-day race club. He also brings many years of experience to continue to grow the club, meet the marketing needs of our valuable sponsors and enhance raceday experiences for our patrons," Muswellbrook Race Club Chairman John Sunderland said.

Tutukaka to turn up

Melody Belle’s (NZ) (Commands) half-brother Tutukaka (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) will continue his march towards October’s G1 Victoria Derby via this Saturday’s Listed Super Impose S. at Flemington.

Trainer Tony Pike confirmed his talented prospect to be in superb order, saying he has come through the Listed Exford Plate with flying colours.

“You would expect him to be really competitive up to the 1800 metres on Saturday,” Pike told The Form.

“If he comes safely through Saturday there are three options heading in the Derby. The (G3) Caulfield Classic over 2000 metres is probably the one we are leaning towards, but you have got the (G2) Moonee Valley Vase the week after, and also the (Listed) Geelong Classic.”

Fees finalised

Spendthrift Farm sire Into Mischief (USA) will stand the 2022 breeding season for a service fee of US$250,000 (AU$345,000).

The stallion, who is enjoying another standout season on the racetrack and in the sales ring will stand alongside four new stallions, including Basin (USA), Known Agenda (USA), and By My Standards (USA). The new additions bring the farm’s roster to 25.

G1 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic (USA) will stand for US$70,000 (AU$97,000) while shuttle stallions Omaha Beach (USA) and Vino Rosso (USA) will cover their Northern Hemisphere books at US$30,000 (AU$42,000) and US$20,000 (AU$28,000) respectively.

Fasig California strong

The Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale has produced the strongest results in its three-year history with a session of lively bidding in Pomona on Tuesday.

A total of 164 yearlings sold for a gross of US$6,672,050 (AU$9,210,000) at an average of US$40,683 (AU$56,100) and a median of US$20,000 (AU$28,000). The clearance rate was 76 per cent.

A filly by Triple Crown-winning stallion American Pharoah (USA) topped the opening day when selling for US$350,000 (AU$482,000).