Probabeel nominated for All-Star
Jamie Richards has confirmed March’s The All-Star Mile at Flemington as New Zealand Horse of the Year Probabeel’s (NZ) (Savabeel) main autumn target.
Probabeel (NZ)
The Brendan and Jo Lindsay-owned mare finished a distant 12th in this year’s edition of the fan-voted feature after striking a rain-affected surface at Moonee Valley.
Capitalist keeps on rolling
Newgate Farm stallion Capitalist now holds a two win buffer over Vinery Stud's Star Turn on the second-season sire standings by winners after the debut victory of Oakfield Mahogany at Scone on Tuesday.
The Damien Lane-trained gelding’s 0.5l success marked Capitalist's 23rd winner from 95 runners this season.
Tivaci time
Just Maybe’s (NZ) maiden victory at Ashburton on Tuesday marked young Waikato Stud stallion Tivaci’s 10th Australasian winner.
The Kylie Williams-trained filly finished 0.8l the better of Nortibutnice (NZ) (Niagara) in the 1200 metre event with a 0.5l gap back to Bornholm (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) in third.
More scans for Yendall
Dean Yendall is patiently awaiting the results of further scans after sustaining a fracture to his C3 vertebrae in a fall at Terang on Monday.
Australian Jockeys' Association chief executive Matt Hyland confirmed the fracture was stable but said scan results would indicate whether Yendall required surgery.
Dean Yendall
"He has a stable fracture of his C3 and as I understand it, they will probably do more scans there today to confirm that it is stable and does not require surgery," Hyland told Racing.com.
"He was airlifted to the Alfred there last night and he’s conscious and moving so there are no issues on that front, but he has a neck injury. Hopefully, he won’t need surgery, but he’ll be facing a period on the sidelines."
Boomsara retired
Chris Munce’s 2019 R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas heroine Boomsara (Spirit Of Boom) has been officially retired after a career spanning 27 starts.
Amassing $1.72 million in prizemoney, Boomsara was victorious on a total of five occasions, including the G3 Magic Millions Vo Rogue Plate.
Boomsara, winner of the 2019 R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas
A $45,000 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by Munce Racing via the draft of Eureka Stud, Boomsara is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Sarisara (Red Dazzler).
Guineas fancy bang on track
John O’Shea believes a more ‘matured’ Bend The Knee (Snitzel) to be trending in the right direction ahead of next month's R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas at the Gold Coast.
The Listed Springtime S. winner will contest the Listed Gosford Guineas on December 29, while stablemate I Am Lethal (I Am Invincible) is set to race on New Year’s Day at Randwick in pursuit of a Guineas birth.
Bend The Knee
“They are both heading the right way,” O’Shea told Racenet.
“Bend The Knee has matured nicely despite even though he only had a short break after the spring.”
McDonald crowned TRC World Jockey of the Year
James McDonald has been crowned the TRC Global Rankings World Jockey of the Year for 2021.
McDonald, who was ranked ninth overall on January 1, 2021 has deposed Frankie Dettori from the top spot after a remarkable year that culminated in G1 Melbourne Cup success aboard Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}).
James McDonald aboard Verry Elleegant (NZ)
TRC Global Rankings are a principled hierarchy of the leading Horses, Sires, Jockeys, Owners and Trainers in the world using statistical learning techniques and TRC Computer Race Ratings.
Sandhu yet to find Son’s ceiling
The Autumn Sun’s three-quarter brother The Awesome Son (Not A Single Doubt) has plenty of room for improvement, according to trainer Julius Sandhu.
The lightly raced 4-year-old remains a ‘work in progress’ despite stringing together two consecutive wins, the most recent being in BM78 H. at Pakenham.
“He’s a work in progress, he’s still not there mentally, he doesn’t like racing in between horses and has to drop back but he has plenty of ability,” Sandhu told RSN.
“I have nominated for Sunday at Caulfield, but I won’t run him if the track is hard as I don’t want him to feel the track and potentially undo all the work we’ve put into him.”
Bright future awaits
Jamie Richards expects talented filly Bright Blue Sky (Fastnet Rock) to rise to the occasion in Sunday’s G3 BJ McLachlan S. at Doomben.
The runaway last start Listed Fasttrack Insurance 2YO S. winner will face off against current short-priced R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic-favourite Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) in the 1200 metre contest.
Bright Blue Sky, winner of the Listed Fasttrack Insurance 2YO S.
"She galloped at the Gold Coast this morning and Ashley Handley, who is over there, is happy with her work," Richards said.
"Everything is going according to plan with her. She is probably going to come up against Coolangatta, who is the favourite, so it will be a good test for her."
Changing of the guard at Sunline Lodge
Sophia Orting and Derek Nolan of Lilywhites Lodge have taken up occupancy of Sunline Lodge, where they will continue their breaking-in and pre-training business and expand into training.
Recently retired trainer Stephen McKee, who will retain horses he has a personal interest in will mentor Orting in the role of head trainer.
Derek Nolan | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“To have these facilities and the guidance of Stephen is an amazing chance for us to slowly start getting into the training side of things,” Orting said.
“Occupying Sunline Lodge will be a fantastic opportunity for us to do that as we grow our business, and we are more than ready for that challenge.”
West and Gordon launch Highgate Sales
Jill Gordon and Jacob West have launched Highgate Sales, a new sales company that will make its debut at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale in February.
Highgate Sales will offer consignments at breeding stock, yearling, and horses of racing age sales, as well as offering appraisals, private purchases and sales, and portfolio management services.
“I am very grateful and appreciative for my time at Claiborne Farm,” Gordon told TDN America.
“I have built some great relationships and have been surrounded by some of the best horses and families in the studbook. I look forward to partnering with Jacob and combining our skill sets to best serve our clients in this new chapter of my career under the Highgate banner.”
