Rawiller to ride at Cup Carnival
Sydney-based jockey Nash Rawiller has been given the go ahead to ride at the final three days of the upcoming Melbourne Cup Carnival.
It is understood that Rawiller won't have to undergo quarantine upon arrival in Victoria, however, he will be required to isolate until he receives a negative COVID-19 test.
Nash Rawiller
"It's going to be difficult to get the first pick of the rides obviously, at least I'm a chance now for something to fall my way,” Rawiller told Racing.com.
"I've already picked up a nice ride in the Oaks, it's encouraging, so we'll see what happens.”
VRC reveals Cup week ticket plan
The Victoria Racing Club has announced that 70 per cent of the ticket allocation for the final three days of its Melbourne Cup Carnival will go to members.
Members tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, October 26 via Ticketek and despite limited allocation, the Club has made 500 general admission tickets available at $120 each.
The vast majority of the remaining tickets will go to sponsors and owners.
“With less than 10 per cent of our usual capacity Melbourne Cup Carnival crowd for three of our four Carnival days, we were committed to providing priority access to our members who have supported the Club during the hardships of the last 18 months and ensure they had the opportunity to attend Australia’s greatest racing carnival,” VRC CEO Steve Rosich said.
“The loyalty and support of our members, owners and partners has been outstanding, and we can’t wait to welcome racing fans back to Flemington and present world-class racing across the Melbourne Cup Carnival.”
Spring over for Cup contenders
Lloyd Williams-owned gallopers King Of Leogrance (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) and Dawn Patrol (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) have been ruled out for the remainder of the spring carnival.
Trainer Rob Hickmott informed stewards of the news that the duo would be sent to the paddock on Wednesday morning.
Magic breeze ups set for Newcastle
The third breeze-up session ahead of the upcoming 2021 Magic Millions 2YOs in Training Sale will be held on Thursday at Newcastle.
The second session was held at the Gold Coast fibre track on Tuesday, with a colt by American Pharoah (USA) from the draft of Glencross Racing clocking the fastest time of 10.77s.
The first session was held at Seymour last Friday and a further breeze-up session will take place at the Gold Coast on Thursday, October 21 and Friday, November 5.
The Sale will be held on Monday, November 8.
First for Star Turn
La Bella Beals gifted Vinery Stud sire Star Turn his first winner on New Zealand soil when saluting at Tauranga on Wednesday.
La Bella Beals as a yearling
The Stephen Marsh-trained filly accounted for Eyesonlyonme (Free Eagle {Ire}) and Outfit (NZ) (Tivaci) in the 1200-metre maiden.
A $70,000 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale purchase by Stephen Marsh Racing, La Bella Beals is out of Miss Beals (NZ) (Savabeel).
Keefy Bondi bound
Brad Widdup believes Keefy (All Too Hard) can measure up in his first start for the stable in Saturday’s $1 million Bondi S. at Randwick.
The promising 3-year-old has impressed in three runs this preparation for Queensland-based trainer David Vandyke, finishing second in the Toowoomba Guineas two starts back before again finding one runner better over 1800 metres at the Sunshine Coast.
“With the travel restrictions, David (Vandyke) couldn’t send anyone down, so he was more comfortable just transferring it to me. He will more than likely go back to David eventually, but hopefully we can get a win with him first,” Widdup told Racenet.
“He is a lovely horse and I certainly don’t think he is out of his depth or anything like that. He has been in good form and ran over 1800 metres last start, so he is super fit and has travelled down well.”
Aegon en route
New Zealand galloper Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) has been booked to fly to Sydney on Sunday in preparation for Saturday week's $7.5 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill.
Andrew Forsman, who trains the G2 Hobartville S. winner in partnership with Murray Baker, said Aegon has trained on since last Thursday’s trial.
Jason Collett will partner the gelding in the 1500-metre feature.
Stablemates face off
David Browne is struggling to split classy duo Elephant (NZ) (Shocking) and Rhinoceros (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) ahead of their clash in Saturday’s G2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley.
Browne, who trains in partnership with his wife Emma-Lee, will send their stable stars around with 59kgs and 51kgs respectively in the 1600-metre event.
“Rhinoceros has got the lightweight, but I couldn’t really split them. They are totally different horses in the way they act and work so I couldn’t really tell you,” Browne said.
Collett calling Queensland home
Leading New Zealand-based hoop Samantha Collett is planning on having her first day in the saddle as a fully-fledged Queensland-based rider on November 2.
A plethora of meetings will be conducted across the state on ‘Melbourne Cup Day,’ with racing to be held at Eagle Farm, Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.
“It is a new challenge, I feel like I have achieved what I set out to achieve at home,” Collett told Racenet.
“I don’t expect to just slot into the leading ranks, I am a realist. I would eventually like to be a more senior rider in town.”
Coolmore America releases 2022 fees
Coolmore has released 2022 stud fees for its stallions standing at Ashford Farm in Kentucky.
Uncle Mo (USA) remains at the top of the roster at US$160,000 (AU$215,000) down from last season’s fee of US$175,000 (AU$235,000) while Triple Crown winner Justify (USA) will command a fee of US$100,000 (AU$135,000) down from US$125,000 (AU$170,000).
American Pharoah (USA) will stand at US$80,000 (AU$110,000) down from US$100,000 (AU$135,000) while Munnings (USA) has seen a significant increase for 2022, up to US$85,000 (AU$115,000) from US$40,000 (AU$55,000).
Elusive City colt tops Arqana Day 2
A colt by the late Elusive City (USA) brought the top price of €150,000 (AU$235,000) at Tuesday’s Arqana October Sale second session when knocked down to Paul Harley.
The brother of G3 Prix Paul de Moussac winner National Service (Fr) was consigned by Coulonces, who sold three of the six highest-priced yearlings of the session.
An aggregate of €3,865,500 (AU$6,010,000) came from 105 of the 126 lots sold at an average of €36,814 (AU$57,500) and a median of €29,000 (AU$46,000).
Breeders’ Cup remains the plan for Mishriff
Three-time Group 1 winner Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) remains on track for next month’s Breeders’ Cup meeting at Del Mar.
The John and Thady Gosden-trained galloper is in line to contest either the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf or the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic.
“John (Gosden) wants everything to be right for us to go, but that Breeders’ Cup is his next target,” said Prince Faisal’s racing manager Ted Voute.
“At the moment we’ve all been told to act as if we’re going, and the horse will let us know whether he’s ready.
“It’s up to the Prince and John really and it’s down to Mishriff and his wellbeing. All the boxes have got to be ticked, and I’m sure John and the Prince will make the right decision.”
Althiqa retired
Godolphin’s dual Grade I winner Althiqa (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) has been retired for broodmare duty after a career spanning 12 starts.
A winner of six career starts, the Charlie Appleby-trained mare reigned supreme in the GI Longines Just A Game S. at Belmont Park before backing that up with victory in the GI Diana S. at Saratoga at her following start.
Her final start resulted in a fourth-place performance in the GI First Lady S. on October 9.
“There was no more options for her, she could’ve gone to Del Mar as there’s a Grade II on the card there but bless her she owes us nothing.”
