Slipper berth awaits Sejardan
G3 Breeders’ Plate winner Sejardan (Sebring) is in superb order ahead of Saturday’s all-important $1 million Inglis Property Golden Gift at Rosehill, according to trainer Gary Portelli.
A top-three finish would all but cement the exciting colt's place in March’s $5 million G1 Golden Slipper S.
Sejardan | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“You want your 2-year-olds to be on the way up and peaking for the Golden Slipper but if you are trying to qualify in the autumn, you need a bit of luck and you are under pressure to get there,” Portelli told Racenet.
“I know the colts didn’t run the time the fillies ran, but his sectionals were very good and his strength through the line was the most impressive part.”
First winner for King
G1 Melbourne Cup-winning jockey turned trainer Steven King saddled up his first winner on Thursday when second starter Finanza D’Oro (Medaglia D’oro {USA}) broke his maiden status at Wangaratta.
The 3-year-old colt was partnered by King’s son Lachlan in the 1590-metre contest and beat home Here With Me (Magnus) and Beans (Spill The Beans).
Positive scan for Incentivise
Star stayer Incentivise (Shamus Award) has been given a clean bill of health after undergoing a second set of scans on Thursday afternoon.
There were fears the Peter Moody-trained gelding may have suffered a significant injury after presenting with swelling in his fetlock following a second placing in Tuesday's G1 Melbourne Cup.
Peter Moody and Incentivise | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“Still a bit jaded, the boy. He’s still a bit battle-weary but did himself extremely proud and we are extremely proud of him,” Moody told Racenet.
“We look forward to having him back in the stables some time during the autumn when he is ready to kick up again, he will let us know, there are no plans in place,” Moody said.
Tivaci juvenile impresses on debut
In-form Waikato Stud stallion Tivaci was represented by his first 2-year-old winner when his daughter Wolverine (NZ) produced a dashing display of speed to score by 1l on debut at Otaki on Thursday afternoon.
The Roydon Bergerson-trained galloper accounted for Gibraltar Rising (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) and Gunnagetyabeans (Spill The Beans) in the 1100-metre event.
Wolverine (NZ)
“I was really happy with her. She trialled up really well and did everything right today and got the job done,” Bergerson said.
“Billy Pinn, who rode Gibraltar Rising, who looks a nice horse, said she went past that fast that he nearly fell off.”
Vale Eric Buttler
Eric Buttler, the owner and founder of Rangal Park Stud, who raced and later stood G1 Lightning S. winner Keltrice as well as Palace Music among others passed away on Wednesday following a battle with cancer.
Buttler was at the helm of the historic Euroa-based stallion farm for more than three decades, which closed earlier this year due to his ill health.
Shalatin to take Pride on Slipper ride
Joseph Pride is daring to dream about the possibility of Shalatin (Shalaa {Ire}) securing a start in March’s G1 Golden Slipper S. via a top-two finish in Saturday’s $1 million Golden Gift at Rosehill.
The promising colt comes through an eye-catching debut performance when finishing a close fifth behind Ojai (Exceed And Excel) in the Kirkham Plate.
“The only Golden Slipper runner I’ve had was Anatomica who ran fourth to Sebring in 2008. I’ve never had a 2-year-old to the races so early in the season as Shalatin but I’m really pleased with the way he ran on debut,” Pride told Racenet.
“I could have found a maiden for him, but I have a very high opinion of this colt and I was really pleased when I saw the barrier (five) for the Golden Gift.”
Mike Crooks awarded The Mission breeders’ bonus
Mike Crooks of Mishani Enterprises has been awarded the first ‘The Mission Breeders’ Bonus’ after his gelding Mishani Warfare notched the Aquis Farm stallion's first winner at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Crooks received a cheque for $90,000 while $10,000 was donated to the Turning Canungra Pink charity.
The Mission is currently standing for a service fee of $8,800 (inc GST).
Shadwell yearlings remain popular at Goffs
Demand remained strong on the second day of the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale and Shadwell Estate’s Derrinstown Stud continued to sit firmly atop the leading consignor standings after a strong opening session on Tuesday.
Leading the way on the second day was Lot 534, a Shadwell Estate-bred son of Invincible Spirit (Ire), who was knocked down to BBA Ireland and Yulong Investments for €92,000 (AU$143,500).
BBA Ireland and Yulong Investments also went to €78,000 (AU$122,000) for Derrinstown’s Shadwell-bred Lope De Vega (Ire) colt while Joe Foley paid the same sum for a Derrinstown-consigned and Shadwell-bred Awtaad (Ire) filly.
Overall, all 26 yearlings offered by the stud sold for a gross of €1,491,000 (AU$2.35 million). A total of 218 yearlings sold across the two-day Sale grossing €2,928,900 (AU$4.6 million) at an average of €13,435 (AU$21,000) and a mean of €10,000 (AU$16,000). The clearance rate was 92 per cent.
Arqana releases December Sale catalogue
G1 Prix Jean Roment heroine Grand Glory (GB) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) and G1 French 1000 Guineas runner-up Speak Of The Devil (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) are two of the headline acts at the upcoming Arqana December Sale.
A total of 1012 mares, fillies and foals are set to sell at Deauville from December 4 to 7 and more than a quarter of the mares offered have won black type and/or have already produced at least one black-type performed horse.
There are also 212 siblings or half-siblings to Group winners, among them 57 are sisters or half-sisters to Group 1 winners.
Haras du Quesnay announce 2022 fees
Group 1 winner and sire Intello (Ger) headlines the four-strong 2022 roster at Haras du Quesnay in France.
Intello has sired six stakes winner in 2021 and will stand at €8000 (AU$12,500). He is joined by Motivator (GB) and Recolates (Fr) who will stand at €7000 (AU$11,000) and €4000 (AU$6300) respectively.
First-season sire Attendu (Fr) will round out the Haras du Quesnay roster at €3000 (AU$4700).
