Revised Sale dates for Karaka 2022
New Zealand Bloodstock has announced that its 2022 National Yearling Sale Series will commence on Monday, March 7 and run through to Saturday, March 12, rather than commencing on its original Sunday slot.
“The rationale behind moving the Sale back by one day is to allow our Australian friends who want to attend ‘Super Saturday’ at Flemington or the Randwick Guineas on Saturday, March 5, extra time to travel to Karaka for the Sale on the Monday,” New Zealand Bloodstock’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook said.
“It will also give our domestic buyers involved in Vodafone Derby Day at Ellerslie on the Saturday a chance to complete their final inspections on the Sunday of that same weekend.”
Spring Mission to continue
Spanish Mission (USA) (Noble Mission {GB}) will complete some light pace work on Tuesday at Pakenham, with a view towards the G2 Zipping Classic on November 27.
The 6-year-old entire, who was recently acquired by leading owners Ozzie Kheir and Brae Sokolski following his third placing in the G1 Melbourne Cup, has impressed new trainer Peter Moody since entering his Pakenham stables.
Spanish Mission (USA)
"He's a nice, quiet horse. He's a 6-year-old entire with a great nature and he looks happy and healthy,” Moody told Racing.com.
"It's a bit hard for me to say (as to his overall condition) because I didn't know the horse beforehand, but he certainly looks well."
Kah returns to trackwork
Star jockey Jamie Kah was back in the saddle at Moonee Valley on Monday morning, partnering three horses trained by Clayton Douglas in track gallops.
Kah is currently serving a three-month suspension for attending a Mornington Airbnb party in August and still awaits the verdict of her appeal to the Supreme Court of Victoria against a further two-month ban for providing false and/or misleading evidence to stewards about Mark Zahra’s presence at the gathering.
Ross set to retire
Queensland-based trainer Les Ross is set to retire after selling his Hendra-based training complex.
Ross, who trains prominent owner Mike Crooks’ ‘Mishani’ horses will continue to operate out of his stables for the next 12 months before signing off.
Les Ross | Image courtesy of Les Ross Racing
“I have only ever done it for one thing; money,” Ross told Racenet. “I have never had money, I came from a very poor family, there are 11 kids and I always thought if I got to a point where I had money, I would chuck it in.
“I have worked hard; we’ve never had a holiday and my missus blows up about that, but the kids had a good education and went to private schools. When it (the sale) goes through it’ll be nice to have some money in the bank and ride off into the sunset.”
The Gong awaits Cup Week winner
Last start G3 Hong Kong Jockey Club S. winner Rich Hips (Written Tycoon) is likely to line up in Saturday’s $1 million The Gong at Kembla Grange.
Trent Busuttin, who trains Rich Hips in partnership with Natalie Young, said a final decision will be made following the mare's trackwork on Tuesday.
"She's a query at the 1600 metres but it's worth $1 million so we're going to find out," Busuttin told Racing.com.
"She's still got to work up on Tuesday, but she didn't have much racing this spring so she's in the right order for this. She's well and happy so we'll go up there and give it a go."
Gangemis eye Railway riches
Chris and Michael Gangemi are hoping their rich vein of form continues into Saturday’s opening week of the Ascot Masters.
The WA-based duo have saddled up seven winners from their past 14 runners in Perth and will be represented by last start G2 Lee Steere S. winner Massimo (Sessions) and the dual stakes-placed Notorious One (Animal Kingdom {USA}) in the feature G1 Railway S.
“Massimo just got pipped in the (G3) Northerly (S.), so in his main lead ups he just got beaten in a photo and won the Lee Steere at weight for age. So, whatever he does now is a bonus, but there is no reason why he can’t win again,” Michael Gangemi said.
“He (Notorious One) can do anything that horse. He’s an absolute headache but has so much talent and raw ability. If he gets the right run and is on his best behaviour, there is no reason why he won’t be there at the finish.”
Barry to back up
Paul Jones is eying a tilt at Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup with impressive Dunkeld Cup winner Barry The Baptist (Hard Spun {USA}).
Jones said the grand campaigner is capable of measuring up in the $500,000 feature before pressing on towards the Werribee and Pakenham Cups.
“He’s still on the up and just hitting his straps this time in. He’s raced in good races against well-performed horses and gone well,” Jones told Racenet.
“He could easily go there and run a good race. He’s had a few runs at Ballarat and seems to like the track. If he happened to draw a barrier and get a nice run, I’m sure he’ll give a good sight.”
Phelans aiming high
Shaun and Craig Phelan have set the bar high for recent acquisition Dawn Patrol (NZ) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) after the G3 Sweynesse S. winner won a Taupo trial on Monday.
The 6-year-old, who has been placed in the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas and the G2 Wellington Guineas was transferred to the Cambridge-based combination on the advice of former trainer Frank Ritchie and will now be set for next month’s G1 Railway at Ellerslie.
“It is a privilege to have him; we weren’t sure what we would do with him but luckily enough we did chuck a nomination in for the Railway and we may dream of aiming for that,” Shaun Phelan said.
“We will try and find a couple of lead-up races. Looking at the book there are plenty of options with open handicap races going around.”
Durack appointed trainer of Principle Racing
Ritchie Fiddes and his fiancée Hazel have announced Seamus Durack as the employed trainer of their recently formed Principle Racing operation.
Durack will begin with around 30 horses with the long-term aim to build up to 50 head at Newlands Stables.
Seamus Durack | Image courtesy of Racingfotos
“Due to our use of data and marginal gains it was crucial for us to find either a new trainer or existing trainer who bought into or used modern methods to maximise performance and welfare,” Fiddes, who sold his share of an IT company in 2013.
“In addition to Seamus being a successful jumps jockey and achieving very good results under both codes with a relatively small string, he uses the same technology as ourselves to monitor all training and has exactly the same methods of managing diets and nutrition as we do.”
Sam Huff passes away
NFL Hall of Famer and successful owner and breeder Sam Huff passed away on Saturday, age 87 after an eight-year battle with dementia.
The New York Giants and Washington Redskins line backer was heavily invested in thoroughbred racing following his retirement in 1969, opening Sporting Life Farm in Middleburg, Virginia before co-founding the West Virginia Breeders Classics in 1987.
Huff was the owner and breeder of Bursting Forth (USA) (Alwasmi {USA}), a winner of five stakes races, including the G3 Bewitch S. and G3 Viner Matchmaker S.
