NSW hoops get green light
Sydney-based jockeys James McDonald, Hugh Bowman, Glen Boss, Kerrin McEvoy and Rachel King have been given the green light by the Victorian State Government to ride at key Spring Carnival meetings.
Racing.com has reported that McDonald, Bowman and Boss will travel to Victoria on Sunday and will be allowed to commence riding at next Saturday’s Cox Plate meeting.
The trio will partner Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}), Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) respectively in the 2040 metre Moonee Valley feature.
McEvoy and King were approved to ride during the Melbourne Cup Carnival commencing at Flemington on Saturday October 30.
Wet a worry
James Cummings holds some reservations about Trekking’s (Street Cry {Ire}) credentials on a likely wet track in Saturday’s running of The Everest at Randwick.
“He is the type of horse who is better on firm ground and that would be desirable, but that's not going to happen,” Cummings said.
“I think he's going well enough third-up with the (G1) Moir (S.) placing next to his name, it's good enough form for him to be a competitive chance.”
Moody unfazed by wide gate
Peter Moody isn’t concerned about Incentivise’s (Shamus Award) sticky gate, barrier 20, in Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Cup.
Moody won’t change G1 Makybe Diva S. and G1 Turnbull S. winner’s tactics, saying that Brett Prebble will be instructed to push forward and settle among the first four or five runners.
"With the horse's natural pattern that he's developed here in Melbourne by leading up at a mile and sharing the lead at a mile-and-a-quarter, he's going to race in the first four or five one would feel," Moody said on his podcast, Moody On The Mic.
"You would think it would take three or four significant riding changes out of the opposition runner to change that, so he goes forward, he makes his own luck in the run."
Armory en route
Last year’s G1 Cox Plate runner up Armory (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) will continue his racing career in Australia with the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable after a deal was struck with Coolmore by Michael Sharkie’s Aspen Thoroughbreds and John Egan’s Alliance Bloodstock on behalf of client Tim Porter.
The 5-year-old entire by Southern Hemisphere time is due to arrive in Australia later this month and will exit quarantine in early November.
Geelong Cup on the cards
Promising stayer Tralee Rose (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is likely to contest next Wednesday’s G3 Geelong Cup in hope of securing a prized spot the G1 Melbourne Cup field.
The Symon Wilde-trained mare is currently 27th in order of entry for the 3200 metre Flemington feature.
Tralee Rose winning at Flemington | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“We’re going to keep the Geelong Cup option open, definitely nominate and probably accept, either way the Geelong Cup is probably a nice way to be ready,” Wilde told Racing.com.
“She’s only had the three runs so it might not be such a bad thing. If she wins well, she’s in (the Melbourne Cup), if she runs top three, I don’t think there is much harm done. So, I’d say it’s the Geelong Cup or nothing.
Aegon on song
Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) will return to Australia to contest the $7.5 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill on October 30 after winning a 1225-metre Taupo trial by 3.2l on Thursday
The G2 Hobartville S. winner will be partnered by Jason Collett in his first start since finishing 11th in the G1 Makybe Diva S. at Flemington.
Breeze-up clips available online
New Zealand Bloodstock’s extended breeze-up videos are now available to view online after 255 2-year-olds galloped down the Te Rapa home straight ahead of the company’s annual Ready to Run Sale on November 18 and 19.
All Breeze Ups and parade videos can be viewed alongside the full catalogue.
Ransom The Moon colt leads OBS
A colt by Ransom The Moon (USA) (Hip 442) topped Wednesday’s trade at the OBS October Open Yearling Sale when knocked down to the Ciaran Dunne and Paul Reddam led pinhooking group, Redwings for US$170,000 (AU$232,000).
Bred by Calumet Farm, which stands Ransom The Moon, Hip 442 was offered by Lisa McGreevy’s Abbie Road Farm, which also consigned Tuesday’s Selected Yearling portion topper, a colt by Midnight Storm (USA).
A total of 273 yearlings changed hands for US$5,135,500 (AU$7,000,000) with an average of US$18,811 (AU$25,500) and medium of US$15,000 (AU$20,300).
