Another boilover brewing for Bradford
Rhys Bradford is eyeing another G1 Railway S. boilover this time with talented siblings Comfort Me (Playing God) and Son Of Bacchus (Playing God).
The WA-based trainer scaled his greatest heights winning the state's premier mile feature in 2017 when Great Shot (Magnus) rallied to beat high-class Victorian raiders Black Heart Bart (Blackfriars) and Tom Melbourne (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}).
Great Shot (red cap) | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“(Comfort Me) is a horse in form. It will be interesting to see how he goes in this grade at his first go, but I’m definitely excited to see it. With a good barrier and the right run, I can’t see any reason why he can’t be a real live chance,” Bradford told TABRadio.
“(Son Of Bacchus) gets back in his races and will need a lot of luck, but if we can get the right passage through, he can run a cheeky race too.”
Participant bubble removed
Fully vaccinated owners will be able to return to Victorian mounting yards from Saturday after the state's governing body announced the removal of its ‘participant bubble’ which has been in place for the vast majority of the last 18 months.
“In reaching this milestone, I want to again thank all within the industry for the efforts in ensuring the safe continuation of racing throughout the pandemic and also acknowledge our owners for their understanding and patience,” Racing Victoria’s Chief Executive Giles Thompson said.
“The removal of the racing bubble is another important and exciting step in returning to a more traditional raceday experience.”
Super 16 for Star Turn
Glamour And Glory notched Star Turn’s 16th winner for the season when breaking her maiden status at Wyong on Tuesday.
The Team Hawkes-trained filly finished 1.5l the better of The Leopard’s Tale (Dream Ahead {USA}) and London Ruler (Whittington) in the 1000-metre dash.
Star Turn | Standing at Vinery Stud
The Vinery Stud stallion is now tied second for total second-season winners with Arrowfield Stud’s Maurice (Jpn), one behind Newgate Farm's Capitalist.
The Baby is back
A pleasing jump-out at Caulfield on Tuesday has set the scene for Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) to make a long-awaited return to the racetrack in Saturday week's G3 Kevin Heffernan S.
The lightly campaigned 7-year-old hasn’t raced since finishing 13th in last year’s G1 Melbourne Cup when trained by Paul Preusker.
Surprise Baby (NZ) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“He (Surprise Baby) wasn't out to break any records; it was just about a day out for him and get that embargo off his name. Jordy (Childs) gave good feedback, and we were happy with what we saw," trainer Gavin Bedggood told RSN.
"We just let him come out and find his feet. He travelled midfield and he (Childs) said he did everything he asked of the horse. He just kept improving and worked through the line comfortably."
Winter awaits Incentivise
Incentivise’s (Shamus Award) part-owner and former trainer Steve Tregea has indicated that it will be touch and go as to whether the star stayer will step out in the autumn.
The G1 Caulfield Cup winner is set to return to Queensland to spell at Tregea’s Windemere Stud operation for a lengthy duration and could campaign throughout the states winter carnival.
“It is debatable whether he runs in the autumn, we will see how things go. I quite like the idea of the winter carnival for him, but we will wait and see and see how he does in his spell,” Tregea told Racenet.
“Good horses that race in the winter carnival often then go onto race well in the Melbourne (spring) carnival.”
Magorrian cleared of serious injury
New South Wales-based jockey Lee Magorrian has been cleared of serious injury after being kicked in the left ankle at Rosehill on Tuesday.
Magorrian was taken to Westmead Hospital following the incident which happened behind the barriers.
“The x-rays cleared him of any fractures so it’s a relief. There’s a bit of swelling there but he’s confident some ice and treatment will see him carry on. He’s pretty keen to keep riding as he’s a tough nut,” Magorrian’s manager Josh Barrett told Racenet.
First runner for The King
Well-bred stallion The King (NZ) will have his first runner on Wednesday when the Robert Dennis-trained The Queen (NZ) steps out at Ascot Park.
The King won one of his seven career starts and is a brother to dual Group 1-winning heroine The Jewel (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), who herself is the grandam of G2 Herbert Power S. winner and multiple Group 1-placed stayer The Chosen One (NZ).
Robert Dennis | Image courtesy NZ Racing Desk
“My cousin Chris stands him at stud and does all the work so it will be an exciting moment for him and the family on Wednesday,” Dennis said.
“She (The Queen) had three jump outs as a 3-year-old and she got better with each one but just needed a little bit of time. She has had one jump-out this prep and she was quite good in it so I would expect a reasonably bold run as long as it is not too wet.”
James seeks further stakes success
Roger James is hoping his classy mares Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) and Cheaperthandivorce (NZ) (Savabeel) can continue on their winning ways when they step out in respective feature events at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Last start G3 Spring Sprint winner Two Illicit is chasing her fifth stakes success when she takes on the G2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. while Cheaperthandivorce will contest the 2100 metre G3 Counties Cup after notching her maiden stakes victory in the G3 Thompson H. at Trentham on October 24.
“We’ve tried to keep her (Two Illicit) fresh; 1400 metres is on the short side for her but I’m pretty certain we’ve got her where we want her,” James said.
“She doesn’t take a lot of work but her work has been very good and she’s absolutely looking for more ground.”
Strong start to Goffs November Foal Sale
Proceedings got off to a very positive start at the Goffs November Foal Sale on Monday with a son of Mehmas (Ire) bringing a session topping €140,000 (AU$217,000).
Bred by Ms Vivienne Anne Bird and offered by Paul McEnery’s Vinesgrove Stud, the colt was purchased by Tally Ho Stud’s Tony O’Callaghan.
Lot 245 - Mehmas (Ire) x Dutch Monarch (GB) (colt) | Image courtesy of Goffs
All opening day metrics comfortably surpassed last year’s COVID-impacted edition, headed by a 77 per cent clearance rate which yielded an aggregate of €3,384,500 (AU$5.24 million) some 55 per cent up on last year.
The average of €19,451 (AU$30,000) was up 41 per cent on last year and the median of €16,600 (AU$26,000) was up 60 per cent.
Bernardini mare tops Keeneland Book 4 opener
Pop A Choc (USA) (Bernardini {USA}) brought top billing during Monday’s opening session of Book 4 at the Keeneland November Sale in Lexington.
The 4-year-old mare, who has won two of her 12 career starts was consigned by Meg Levy’s Bluewater Sales LLC and knocked down to Clear Ridge Sales for US$265,000 (AU$360,000).
Hip 2242 - Pop A Choc (USA) | Image courtesy of Keeneland Sales
A total of 271 horses amassed US$10,507,100 (AU$14.3 million) at an average of US$38,772 (AU$53,000) and a median of US$26,000 (AU$36,000).
Cumulatively, Keeneland reports 1391 horses sold through six sessions for a total turnover of US$176,713,000 (AU$240.33 million), at an average of US$127,040 (AU$173,000) and a median on US$75,000 (AU$102,000).
Rock Your World retired to Spendthrift
G1 Santa Anita Derby winner Rock Your World (USA) (Candy Ride {Arg}) has been retired from racing and will enter the Spendthrift Farm stallion ranks in 2022.
“Rock Your World is a fast Santa Anita Derby winner with a wonderful blend of looks, pedigree and sire power,” Spendthrift General Manager Ned Toffey said.
“He’s one imposing individual and as good-looking of a Candy Ride as you’ll find. He possesses a true classic dirt pedigree and we believe there’s a lot to like, especially through our Share The Upside program.”
