Firm track to help Delphi bounce back
Sam Freedman is hoping that a firmer track can help import Delphi (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) turn around his form in the G1 Melbourne Cup.
Delphi was beaten 11l in the G1 Caulfield Cup, with his co-trainer backing a rebound off that effort.
Delphi (Ire) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“He’s going to have his work cut out to beat the favourite (Incentivise) but I think he can improve if things go his way,” Freedman told Racenet.
“We thought leading might have been the way to go in the Caulfield Cup but we’ll ride him with cover and let him finish it off.”
Delphi relished the firm ground when winning the G2 Herbert Power S. a week before the Caulfield Cup.
“The soft ground and the quick back-up didn’t suit him in the Caulfield Cup,” Freedman said. “He’ll be much better on top of the ground. Last start was a little bit of a blip but I think he’ll bounce back.”
Ollie sticks with Colette
Damien Oliver and Colette (Hallowed Crown) will stick together for next Saturday's G1 Mackinnon S.
The pair combined to win the G1 Empire Rose S. on Saturday, and while Oliver had the option to ride G1 Cantala S. winner Superstorm (Sebring), he opted to stick with the Godolphin mare.
Owner Bob Peters and trainer Danny O'Brien will decide if Superstorm runs in the next few days and if he does, Luke Currie will ride.
Colette's stablemate Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), third in the Cantala S., is likely to run in the Mackinnon S. as well.
Barb to dodge Oaks
Barb Raider (Rebel Raider) will not contest Thursday's G1 VRC Oaks, with trainer Jerome Hunter opting to send her to the paddock.
The filly finished fifth in the G2 Wakeful S. and Hunter felt the performance did not warrant pressing on to the Group 1 fillies' feature.
Barb Raider | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Meanwhile, Biscayne Bay (Sebring) will be ridden by Hugh Bowman with John Allen suspended.
Jye McNeil takes the ride on Elusive Express (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}), while Daisies (Sebring) will be again be ridden by in-form jockey James McDonald.
Maximal to be spelled for autumn
After a solid sixth in the Golden Eagle, Maximal (GB) (Frankel {GB}) has been spelled by trainer John O'Shea.
O'Shea was pleased with the 4-year-old's first run in Australia and will put him away with intentions to target autumn riches.
The G1 Queen Elizabeth S. is one of O'Shea's targets.
Stablemate Minhaaj (Exceed And Excel), a winner of the G2 Furphy S. at Flemington on Saturday, is also set for a spell and will likely target the G1 Oakleigh Plate.
Unflinching impresses
Magic Millions riches loom on the horizon for impressive Mornington debut winner Unflinching (I Am Invincible).
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained 3-year-old, who was a $280,000 buy for his trainers and Blue Sky Bloodstock at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Coolmore Stud, jumped on the lead and cruised clear to win the 1000 metre maiden by 3.5l.
Stable representative Brad Taylor said the Magic Millions three and 4-year-old race at Ballarat was on the agenda, after which he could head to Queensland for the summer.
Cup of few chances, says Boss
Triple G1 Melbourne Cup winner Glen Boss believes the 2021 Melbourne Cup lacks depth and there are only a handful of genuine contenders for the $8 million race.
Boss rides the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Sir Lucan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and is not going to concern himself with too many of his 23 rivals.
“In my opinion – there’s a few that pick themselves and there’s a lot that don’t," he told Racing.com.
Glen Boss
“It’s a race that lacks a lot of depth this year and I might be proven wrong, but I just think the ones that are in the market that have picked themselves.”
Boss said Incentivise (Shamus Award), who he was initially contracted to ride this spring, was the benchmark.
“He’s clearly the benchmark horse in Australia,” Boss professed. “There’s a few things I’d say that he’s got to come up against.
“First time two miles, I don’t think it’s a problem, but he’s still got to do it. And he’s going to run into a horse called Spanish Mission at equal weights, he brings world-class form over the trip."
Another winner for Xtravagant
The winners continue to roll for Newhaven Park's Xtravagant (NZ) after a smart debut victory by Hilton at Narrogin.
The 3-year-old Darren McAuliffe-trained gelding won by 3.3l to become the ninth individual winner for his sire in Australia this season.
Eight for the season for Astern
Darley's Astern secured an eighth winner of the Australian season with a deserved maiden success for Asternishing at Mornington on Sunday.
Having his 10th start for Mick Bell, Asternishing won a 2400 metre maiden, leading all the way.
Draw key for The Chosen One
A good barrier draw has put the final piece in the puzzle for the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) ahead of Tuesday’s G1 Melbourne Cup.
The fourth-placegetter from the 2020 edition of the race passed a final vet check on Friday morning and will take his place in the field from barrier five, carrying 54kgs and with regular rider Damian Lane aboard.
The Chosen One (NZ)
“Getting that inside draw was vital to his chances as it allows Damian to get him handy in the early rush without pushing him along,” Baker said.
“He is a proven stayer who ran fourth in the race last year, while he also has a runner-up finish in the Sydney Cup so we know the trip won’t worry him.
“You always need that bit of luck on your shoulder, but he has an experienced big race jockey aboard, the weather and track look like it will be perfect, so it is up to the horse now.”
Bishara has Verry high hopes
Nick Bishara, the former trainer and current part-owner of nine-time Group 1 winner Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) is confident the champion mare can make her presence felt in Tuesday's G1 Melbourne Cup.
“I think the signs are all positive for her and she is going to go the race of her life,” Bishara said.
Nick Bishara | Image courtesy of Race Images
“She is 30-40kg heavier than last year and is a more mature product, while she gets the best in the business back on her with James McDonald now confirmed to ride.
“JMac (James McDonald) was on fire at Flemington on Saturday with four wins, three of those for Chris, so the ‘A’ team is firing on all cylinders just when you need them to be.
“James worked her on Saturday morning and was delighted with her, while all the latest reports have been positive so I’m just fizzing for the race.”
Oseleta on track for Group 1 features
Trainer Stephen Marsh is hopeful Oseleta (Deep Field) can elevate to Group 1 company off her brilliant win at Awapuni on Saturday.
The 4-year-old China Horse Club-owned mare came from last on the home bend for jockey Sam Weatherley to storm away with a rating 74, 1100-metre contest.
“I watched the race live and thought that it was a hell of a performance to get up from where she did, but once I had seen the replay a few times, it just got even better,” he said.
“We’ve always had a high opinion of her and she produced some very good performances through her 3-year-old season, but she may have gone to a higher level this time in.
“It’s a pleasure to train her for the China Horse Club as they don’t race that many fillies, so the main goal now is to get her some black type.
“I’ve got the Levin S. next month penciled in for her and if she can keep improving then races like the (G1) Railway and the (G1) Telegraph will also be on the cards.”
Auction to support Kaye Sanders
The New Zealand thoroughbred industry is rallying to support Kaye Sanders, who suffered a brain aneurysm and stroke last month.
Kaye is currently at Burwood Hospital where she will embark on her rehabilitation journey to develop enough independence to return home.
The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and the Canterbury, Marlborough, Westland and Otago branch have organised an auction to raise funds for Kaye’s road to recovery, made possible with generous donations from right around New Zealand.
The auction is now live on gavelhouse.com and runs till 7pm local time, Monday, November 1. Items on offer include a tonne of Dunstan feed, a service to Vanbrugh donated by Windsor Park Stud, a service to Coats Choice or Highly Recommended donated by Berkley Stud as well as other items.
