COVID-19 chaos at Caulfield
A dozen jockeys were stood down from Caulfield’s Boxing Day meeting due to potential exposure to COVID-19 at the funeral for jockey Chris Caserta during the week.
Since then, and after a subsequent function on Thursday, three jockeys have returned positive tests.
The jockeys stood down on Sunday include Chloe Azzopardi, Laura Lafferty, Celine Gaudray, Ethan Brown, Fred Kersley, Matthew Cartwright, Damian Lane, Jordan Childs, Zac Spain, Michael Dee and Damien Thornton.
Matt Hyland, Victorian Jockeys' Association Chief Executive
“The DHHS notified post Chris’ funeral on Monday that there had been a positive case that had been in attendance,” Victorian Jockeys' Association Chief Executive Matt Hyland told RSN. “All those that were notified had to be tested, which was done in the past 24 hours, 48 hours, it probably started on Christmas Eve. Subsequently, a lot of those riders also attended a function on Thursday night.
“What we do know is that one of the riders that has tested positive didn’t attend Chris Caserta’s funeral, so for that reason, all those riders that attended that function on Thursday night are stood down, pending another test, which will probably take place tomorrow.
“I might add, they’ve all been tested, and of the whole group that have been tested, all those riders, we do have three positives, but there’s probably 15 or 16 tests that have been done. Just with an abundance of caution and not wanting to put anyone at risk, those riders have all stood down today, pending another test.”
Parry Sound breaks through
Bjorn Baker has his sights set on the 2400-metre Magic Millions Subzero on January 15 after Parry Sound (Pierro) scored a breakthrough win in the G3 Schweppes Summer Cup at Randwick.
A five-race winner for previous trainer John O’Shea, the gelding had gone winless in his first nine starts for Baker – but had placed in six of them including the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup, Winter Cup, McKell Cup and Grafton Cup.
Parry Sound | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“This guy was a ready-made horse when I got him,” Baker said. “If you look at his last preparation, he deserves that. He ran some super races over ground last time.
“This guy (Parry Sound) was a ready-made horse when I got him, if you look at his last preparation, he deserves that. He ran some super races over ground last time.” - Bjorn Baker
“The aim was to get back up at the Magic Millions, that sets him up very nicely up to the 2400 metres. We’ll take him up with a bit of confidence, and we’ll bid with a bit more confidence and hope to get a lot more owners in. You need new investment, new owners and new faster horses.”
Seventh time lucky
After six previous placings at stakes level, Sunday was finally the day for Holbien (Pierro), who picked up his first black-type success in the Listed Neds Lord S. at Caulfield.
Bought for $130,000 from the 2016 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Holbien has now won seven of his 50 starts and earned over $700,000 in stakes.
Holbien winning the Listed Neds Lord S. at Caulfield
“Thanks to all the owners,” trainer Steve Richards said. “He’s been a bit unlucky quite a few times, but he’s been consistent and it’s just great for everybody.
“It was 1700 metres today, and we think he might get further. He’s only had one try at it before at Flemington and finished second.
“Today, this track seemed to suit him, he got rolling nicely, was in a super rhythm, and I thought on the turn they had him, but he gave a kick and he won well.
“Early on he was over-racing and wanting to overdo it, he wanted to leave the gates and that was it, but he’s more settled now.”
Blue Diamond contender
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are working backwards from the G1 Blue Diamond S. at Caulfield on February 26 after an impressive debut win by Jacquinot (Rubick) at the same venue on Boxing Day.
Jacquinot winning today at Caulfield
The colt, who was passed in when offered by Coolmore Stud at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, jumped from the outside gate and charged home to score by 2.75l.
“He’s done that on raw ability, that’s not something that you can train into them,” Price said. “You trial them and work them and then raceday tells all, but for a very green horse who looked like he was lost behind them, to get out wide and pick them up like he did and be strong through the line, I thought it was the win of a good horse.
“He’ll have a short break, the Blue Diamonds not far away, so he’ll probably be out in the paddock during the day and boxed overnight, do a bit on the water walker.”
Berry ruled out of Doomben
Sydney jockey Tommy Berry was unable to fulfil his riding engagements at Doomben after his COVID-19 test failed to return a result in time for him to make the trip to Brisbane on Boxing Day.
Tommy Berry
“Unfortunately today at Doomben I will not be able to fulfil my engagements due to my COVID test I got on Thursday morning has still not returned so I am unable to fly. #Frustratingtimes,” Berry tweeted.
Berry’s book of rides included Bright Blue Sky (Fastnet Rock) in the G3 BJ McLachlan S., who was instead ridden by Jim Byrne into a fourth placing.
Perfect engagement present
Just 48 hours after getting engaged, trainer Cody Morgan celebrated in style with a victory by Anethole (Exceed And Excel) in the TAB Highway H. at Randwick.
“Believe it or not, Cody was just engaged in Cairns on Friday night,” the trainer’s father Glenn Morgan said. “So that’s exciting, it’s great for Cody and he’ll come back as a winner.
“I said on the pre-race interview Anethole is one of our favourite horses. He’s as tough as they come. But today I think all credit, of course, goes to Cody, who has done a magnificent job.”
Quality filly back in style
Well-performed filly Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}) resumed in style with a gutsy win from a wide draw in the Skycity 1200 at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
Trained by Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall for breeder Sandy Moore, syndicators Brent and Wendy Cooper and the Social Racing Starting Gates Syndicate, Bonny Lass won two of her four starts as a 2-year-old last season including the G2 Matamata Breeders’ S. Her only two defeats were third placings in the G1 Sistema S. and Manawatu Sires’ Produce S.
Bonny Lass (NZ) winning the G2 Matamata Breeders’ S. | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Sidelined due to a setback after finishing fourth in the G3 Gold Trail S. in September, Bonny Lass was right back on top of her game in Sunday’s 0.5l victory with Opie Bosson in the saddle.
“That performance gave me chills,” Richardson said. “She’s pretty tough. She was trapped three wide – there wasn’t really much that we could do about that from the draw. But she really dug deep in the last 50 metres.”
Bonny Lass is now set to target the G3 Almanzor Trophy at Ellerslie on January 22, and she also holds a nomination for the G1 Levin Classic at Trentham in March.
Black-type breakthrough for Hasabro
Well-related gelding Hasabro (NZ) (Savabeel) claimed the third and most significant win of a career-best season when he took out the Listed Alleviate Administration Hazlett S. at Wingatui.
Racing in the colours of prominent syndicators Go Racing, the 6-year-old has now won seven of his 35 starts. Three of those wins have come from just five appearances this season, including his first victory at black-type level on Sunday.
Hasabro (NZ) | Image courtesy of Tayler Strong
Ridden by Jacob Lowry for trainer Andrew Carston, Hasabro carried 60 kilograms to a powerful come-from-behind win.
“That was a good win by a good horse,” Go Racing manager Albert Bosma said. “It was a distance short of his best, but sometimes these good horses can sprint really well fresh, and that’s exactly what he’s done today. He’s thriving down in the South Island this season with Andrew, who’s doing a fantastic job with him.”
Go Racing, who paid NZ$220,000 to buy Hasabro from the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, also raced his full-sister Hasahalo (NZ) (Savabeel), who won the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas.
