Golden Eagle sees prizemoney boost
Racing NSW has announced a $500,000 boost to the Golden Eagle prizemoney from 2022.
The 4-year-old feature will now carry a purse of $8 million with 10 per cent of winnings donated to each runner’s charity of choice.
“The Golden Eagle has been a stunning success both on the track and through wagering, with this increase reflecting what an instant hit the race has been,” Racing NSW Chairman Mr Russell Balding AO said.
“The race has clearly resonated with the racing public and has cemented its place in our expanded Sydney Spring Carnival.”
Surprise return awaits Baby
Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) is on track to return in the G3 Kevin Heffernan S. at Caulfield on November 27 after Racing Victoria stewards were pleased by the 7-year-old’s track gallop on Monday.
The Gavin Bedggood-trained gelding hasn’t raced since suffering a hairline fracture in his leg during last year’s G1 Melbourne Cup.
Surprise Baby (NZ)
"He had the other horse well and truly covered. It was pretty solid work and Jordy (Childs) came in and gave a glowing report,” Bedggood told Racing.com.
"He had a nice blow and that will bring him in. It's been pretty smooth sailing since we've had him."
All-Star the aim for import
Australian Bloodstock-owned import Top Ranked (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) will be unveiled in Saturday’s $1 million The Hunter at Newcastle with an eye to March’s All-Star Mile at Flemington.
Top Ranked, who is to be prepared by Annabel Neasham, has won six of his 12 races and boasts a third placing behind Palace Pier (GB) in the G1 Lockinge S. at Newbury.
“He’s not a 1300-metre horse but he’s in good order and if he can catch the eye on Saturday, it could get the ball rolling for a shot at the All-Star Mile,” Australian Bloodstock’s Jamie Lovett told Racing.com.
Currie knocked backed
Former Queensland-based trainer Ben Currie has failed in his latest attempt to return to the racing industry after being denied a stablehand’s licence by the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission.
It comes after Currie also failed in a recent bid to be relicensed as a trainer after his two-year ban ended in May.
Ben Currie
“I am disappointed, it just doesn’t seem like I have any options going forward,” Currie told Racenet.
“Applying for a stablehand licence showed my willingness to do whatever I am told to do to be able to come back, be behind the scenes and just be a part of the racing industry and make a positive contribution.”
Nothdurft steps away from the saddle
Brisbane premiership-winning jockey Baylee Nothdurft will step away from race riding for at least a month due to weight issues.
Nothdurft was sidelined for four months earlier this year after being hospitalised due to dehydration during a period when he was trying to manage his increasing weight.
“It isn’t an ideal period to take time off, coming into the carnival, but you’ve got to look at the big picture and Baylee is still a young rider in his early 20s who has got a big future ahead of him,” trainer Matt Hoysted told Racenet.
“He is taking a little bit of a break to get things right, as his weight was yo-yoing. We have had a good chat to him and from our point of view, there is no pressure on him.”
Weight a worry
Mike Moroney’s confidence about Buffalo River’s (USA) (Noble Mission {GB}) chances in Saturday’s Listed Cranbourne Cup have taken a hit after the gelding was allocated 60kg.
The recent G3 Moonga S. winner will share topweight with the Ben and JD Hayes-trained So Si Bon (So You Think {NZ}) in the 1600-metre feature.
Buffalo River (USA)
“I am a bit surprised that he's got 60 (kilograms). He's not a very big horse at all so the question mark is going to be the weight,” Moroney told Racing.com.
"With the rain that's coming, that should really suit him. He's got some pluses, but he's certainly got a big minus with the weight.”
Racing Victoria to weigh up feature sprints
Racing Victoria is set to review the placement of its feature Spring Sprints after Sydney’s $15 million The Everest saw top-tier gallopers bypass Moonee Valley’s G1 Manikato S. and Flemington’s G1 Darley Sprint Classic.
"We will certainly be looking at the impact of what NSW has been doing and see what we need to do differently," Racing Victoria’s Chairman Brian Kruger told RSN.
"We are obviously not happy with what's happened with the Manikato.
“This year's Darley, obviously Nature Strip was the standout, but previous renewals were pretty strong and this year we seemed to have more horses stay in Sydney.”
Freedman assessing options
Hong Kong stakes winner Ho Ho Khan (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) is no guarantee to make his Australian debut this weekend despite being nominated for three Victorian country cups.
The 7-year-old entire holds entries for Saturday’s Listed Cranbourne Cup and Dunkeld Cup but is a better chance of contesting Sunday’s $70,000 Donald Cup, according to trainer Mitch Freedman.
"He possibly could go to the Donald Cup, but we may hold off for the Kilmore Cup (on November 21) yet, I'm just not sure," Freedman told Racing.com.
"We're wanting to race him on a surface with sting out of the ground, that's the reason he's come to me from Hong Kong, so we don't want to go and race him on a real firm surface.”
Bergerson plotting Million path
Roydon Bergerson is plotting a Karaka Million path with last Thursday’s dominant Otaki debut winner Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci).
The Awapuni-based horseman said the exciting filly is likely to line up in the G2 Wakefield Challenge S. at Trentham on December 4 before pressing on to the lucrative $1 million DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2-Year-Old over 1200 metres.
Wolverine (NZ) | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“I was really happy with her. She’d trialled up really well, and she did everything right on Thursday and got the job done,” Bergerson said.
“Wiremu Pinn rode Gibraltar Rising, who looks a nice horse, and he said she went past that fast that he nearly fell off.”
CHRB issues Juvenile Turf clarification
Amid its ongoing investigation the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) has determined that eventual purse-money-only G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) did not rear up in the barriers, as was initially reported by veterinarians at the gates.
“The starter and assistant starter took protective steps by leading the horse out the front of the gate. The horse did not break through the gate on its own, as was originally thought,” a CHRB statement read.
Modern Games was scratched behind the barriers but then allowed to run in the race outside the betting markets.
