Queen Elizabeth a Verry likely farewell
The Chris Waller stable has revealed the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. at Randwick in April could be Verry Elleegant’s (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) final start in Australia.
Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said there’s ‘no point in reinventing the wheel’ and that the 6-year-old is likely to resume in the G2 Apollo S. for the third consecutive year.
Verry Elleegant (NZ) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“We expect her autumn campaign to be similar to what it’s been the past couple of years. The Queen Elizabeth will be her Aussie grand final this year, and it could well be her last start in Australia,” Duckworth told Racenet.
“The only big change to what’s ahead for her is the dream to try to get her to the Arc (G1 Prix de l‘Arc de Triomphe) in October.”
Ascot awaits Nature Strip
An assault on next year’s Royal Ascot carnival is all but locked in for Nature Strip (Nicconi), according to Chris Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth.
Duckworth said the star sprinter has achieved all he can in Australia and will be on a plane to England barring a drastic decline in form.
Nature Strip | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“All the owners are all on board so the dream for him is to get to Ascot,” Duckworth told Racenet.
“There’s a lot of water still to go under the bridge but if he’s going as well as he can, he’ll be on the plane to England.”
Ninth winner for Extreme Choice
Well-related colt Vermentino’s debut romp at Hamilton on Tuesday marked Newgate Farm stallion Extreme Choice’s ninth Australian winner this season.
The Seymour Bloodstock-owned 3-year-old, who was victorious by 2.25l in the 1100 metre dash, is a half-brother to G1 Myer Classic third placegetter Denmagic (Denman).
Mikki marches on
Second-season sire, Mikki Isle (Jpn), who has previously shuttled from Shadai Stallion Station to Arrowfield Stud, notched his 10th Australian winner for the season via the victory of Billabong Isle at Dubbo on Tuesday.
Mikki Isle (Jpn) | Standing at Arrowfeild Stud
The Allison Smith-trained 3-year-old was a dominant victor, saluting by 3l under jockey Kath Bell-Pitomac.
Gaudray set to return
Celine Gaudray is set to return to race riding for the first time since August 25 at Friday night’s Cranbourne meeting.
The 20-year-old apprentice will be the second of five jockeys to resume their raceday commitments after being suspended for attending an illegal Airbnb party in August.
Hayes believes in Naboo
David Hayes believes Naboo Attack (Warhead) has what it takes to measure up against some of Hong Kong’s finest gallopers in Sunday’s G1 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin.
Hayes, who is bidding for his second victory in the HK$24 million (AU$4.35 million) feature, is expecting a showing from the last start G2 Jockey Club Sprint runner-up, saying his recent form bodes well for a race of this calibre.
Naboo Attack | Image courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club
“Naboo Attack hasn’t really put a foot wrong apart from being unlucky a couple of times. Last run, he came from the back and beat all bar the winner (Lucky Patch) and he looks like he’s improved a bit since the race,” Hayes told the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
“He’s proved at set weights that he’s up with Hong Kong’s best sprinters but the jokers in the pack are the Japanese horses. If Pixie Knight brings his best Japanese form, he might be too good, but he’s got to produce his Japanese form here.”
Venue change adds to Ballymore’s arsenal
Ballymore Stables will add On The Rocks (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) to its G1 Captain Cook S. arsenal after the race was transferred to Te Rapa following the abandonment of last Saturday’s Trentham meeting.
Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) was originally the stable’s only entrant in the 1600 metre feature, however, the change in programming sees On The Rocks strike his favoured track.
On The Rocks (NZ) | Image courtesy of Ballymore Stables
“It’s a nice lead-up for the (G1) Zabeel (Classic). It’s on our backdoor step, so why not?” Pam Gerard, who trains in partnership with Michael Moroney, said.
“He has never been a big fan of Wellington. Te Rapa is a track that he likes. He was going to go to the trials, but with them changing the race we have decided to give him a run around Te Rapa.”
Fastnet foal heads Arqana
A colt foal by Fastnet Rock brought top billing at the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale as trade wound down a notch at Deauville on Monday.
Consigned by Haras de Castillon, Lot 675 was knocked down to Benoit Jeffroy on behalf of Manister House Stud for €60,000 (AU$95,700).
At the close of business on Monday, the daily aggregate was well up on last year with the 205 head grossing €2,119,550 (AU$3.4 million) at an average of €10,339 (AU$16,500) and a median of €7000 (AU$11,200). The clearance rate was 74.3 per cent.
Gold Cup defence earmarked for Subjectivist
Dual Group 1 winner Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), who was injured in training in July, is being prepared for a title defence in next June’s G1 Ascot Gold Cup.
The 4-year-old's trainer Mark Johnston said there are no immediate plans to retire the entire due to an absence of a ‘suitable job at stud’.
Mark Johnston | Image courtesy of TDN Europe
“It is well-publicised that an injury came to light soon after he won this year’s Ascot Gold Cup and there is no doubt that the injury is career threatening but in the absence of a suitable job at stud, we will make an attempt to bring him back for the Royal (Ascot) meeting next year,” Johnston said.
“As the clock ticks towards the 2022 covering season it looks likely that he will still be here in the New Year and returning to training.”
