End to partnership
The successful training partnership of Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra is winding to a surprise end with the pair to go their separate ways from December 1 to set up separate training ventures.
"After over 20 years together and a lot of hard work to build the EZR brand, I'd like to wish Simon all the best in his new endeavour, I couldn't have done it without him," Ellerton wrote in an email to owners and supporters of the stable.
"We've been through a lot of highs throughout the journey and long may it continue for us both. I'd also like to thank our ownership group and our loyal staff who have put in so much over so many years."
Zahra added: "It's with a heavy heart that Mat and I, after 22 years, have agreed to go our own way to further our training careers. I'm very proud of our success and the team we created together at EZR. On the back of that I am excited to what the future brings and success for owners.”
Cup hopes dashed
A tendon problem has ruled Quick Thinker (So You Think {NZ}) out of the G1 Caulfield Cup.
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained 5-year-old was scratched on Friday morning after the issue was detected during a check-up.
Quick Thinker’s withdrawal sees the Chris Waller-prepared Great House (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) come off the ballot to take his place in the lineup.
Mare out for spring
Illness has brought a premature end to the spring preparation of Realm Of Flowers (So You Think {NZ}).
She had been set for the G1 Melbourne Cup, but is now heading for a spell, trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman advised stewards.
"Unfortunately, Realm Of Flowers is out of this year’s Melbourne Cup due to illness and she requires a spell," the stable said. "She will have a break now and we look forward to having her back in the autumn."
Belriah too sharp
The Gary Portelli-trained Belriah (Pariah) produced a tidy performance on the Warwick Farm Polytrack on Friday morning to win her 740-metre heat for 2-year-old fillies.
Making her second trial appearance, she jumped well to lead for Robbie Dolan and cruised away to have nearly 2l on Doublesharkattack (Impending) at the post.
Belriah as a yearling
Portelli bought Belriah out of breeder Sledmere Stud’s draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $130,000.
She is a daughter of the seven-time winner and G2 Stocks S. runner-up Belscenica (Scenic {Ire}), a half-sister to the Listed Seymour Cup winner Bel Thor (God’s Own).
Experience wins out
Race performance was to the fore in the 740-metre heat for the colts and geldings when James Cummings’ Contemporary (Exceed And Excel) cruised home to win under rider Tommy Berry.
The colt had finished runner-up at Flemington on debut last month and sat in second spot in his trial before rolling home under his own steam.
Contemporary is out of Memorial (Street Cry {Ire}), who won twice as a 2-year-old and was second in the G2 Silver Shadow S.
She is a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner and sire Impending with their dam Mnemosyne (Encosta De Lago) also successful twice at the highest level.
Wetter the better
Connections of last season’s Derby hero Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}) are hoping the rain continues to fall in Melbourne ahead of the G1 Caulfield Cup.
“If the heavens opened up that would greatly improve his chances,” Ciaron Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, told RSN927.
Explosive Jack has had two lead-in races, finishing ninth first-up in the G1 Makybe Diva S. and fifth in the G1 Turnbull S. and Maher said he is looking for more ground.
“You would think Caulfield might be a little bit sharp for him, but his two runs this prep have been fantastic, he has really got through the line very strongly with both being far from his best distances.”
Nolen booked
Luke Nolen has been confirmed to ride triple Group 1 winner Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) in the G1 Cox Plate.
"He's very excited, he's won a Cox Plate before on El Segundo, so he's looking forward to hopefully adding another one," Nolen’s manager Adrian Coyne told Racing.com.
Luke Nolen
The John Bary-trained 5-year-old touched down in Australia in the early hours of Wednesday morning and is based at Danny O'Brien’s yard and will have multiple gallops of the Moonee Valley track before the big race.
"The Cox Plate's a really hard race to get a ride in, you've got to be riding those horses or have won on them to get a shot," Coyne said. "He'll give it a gallop at Moonee Valley on Tuesday in the lead-up to next Saturday's race.”
Strong Guineas hand
Matamata trainer Jamie Richards will produce a bevy of prospects over the next 10 days for the G1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 2000 Guineas at Riccarton and the G1 Barneswood Farm 1000 Guineas.
He still has 15 horses in contention for Guineas success, with the Group 1-placed I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) getting in a key lead-up race in Saturday's G3 Barneswood Farm S. at Ashburton.
Jamie Richards
"We're happy with him. We came up against a wet track at Matamata last week so we decided to hold off and get him down south nice and early. He seems to have settled in fairly well," Richards said.
"He's got the outside barrier draw, which could make things a little difficult, but he's a genuine horse and he should run well. There's a bit of depth in the race with some nice 3-year-olds, there always is in this race. It's a good lead-in to the Guineas so we'll see how we get on."
Choice offerings
Three Chimneys Farm and Hill 'N' Dale Sales Agency will dissolve a partnership comprised of an elite group of mares and foals selling at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale.
The offering includes three-time Grade I winner and Guarana (USA) (Ghostzapper {USA}) in foal to Into Mischief (USA), as well as her dam Magical World (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}) (Hip 203), who is also in foal to that red-hot stallion.
GI Acorn S. victoress Carina Mia (USA) (Malibu Moon {USA}) (Hip 252) is also part of the offering and is in foal to Uncle Mo (UAS). Blue-blooded champion Take Charge Brandi (USA) (Giant's Causeway {USA}) (Hip 247) also heads to Fasig in foal to Uncle Mo (USA).
“This is a unique group of mares. All are either champions, Grade I winners or Grade I producers in foal to leading sires Into Mischief and Uncle Mo,” Hill 'N' Dale's John Sikura said. “Deep foundational pedigrees, brilliance on the racetrack and siblings by sires such as Curlin, Gun Runner and Quality Road, which we retained bolster these outstanding pages.”
Arc winner up rankings
By virtue of his stunning upset in the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Paris Longchamp, Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) now shares fourth position with Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the latest Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings.
The Marcel Weiss-trained 4-year-old was given a rating of 125 for his 71-1 upset of Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) (120) in the Paris feature. Farther behind in third was Godolphin's G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 St Leger hero Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who sits on 123, while his G1 Cazoo Derby and G1 King George & Queen Elizabeth S.-winning stablemate Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was 3l adrift in fourth.
On 127, Adayar remains the joint-highest ranking horse on the WBRR alongside Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), who he is set to face in Saturday's G1 QIPCO Champion S. at Ascot, and St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}).
Knicks Go (USA) (Paynter {USA}), who will vie for favouritism in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, remains the top-rated American galloper on 124, tied for sixth with Nature Strip (Nicconi).
Ready for starring role
Talented galloper Brando (NZ) (Savabeel) could get to walk in the shoes of one of Matamata trainer Jamie Richards' best horses with a bold run in Saturday's G3 Red Badge Spring Sprint at Hastings.
A win would almost certainly seal a start in the G2 Coupland's Bakeries Mile at Riccarton for the 4-year-old, currently a joint NZ$5 favourite for that race.
"The Coupland's is an option. We won this race on the way there with Te Akau Shark. He's probably not in that horse's league, but that's something we'd seriously think about," Richards said.
"He's going really well. He won well first-up. He got a nice run from a good draw and he was well-weighted in that race. It looks kind of the same again for Saturday. He's got a nice draw, nice weight and up to 1400 metres should suit him. He should be a good chance."
