Daily News Wrap

Neasham and Jelfs join forces

Leading Sydney trainer Annabel Neasham will unite with respected judge Lizzie Jelfs at next week's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale as part of a new buying partnership.

Jelfs, who recently left her media gig at Sky Racing where she developed a strong following for her eye for a winner from the mountain yard, has started up a 'Race With Lizzie' concept for yearlings she selects from the sales.

"The concept will bring like-minded people together who share a passion for racing who want to be a part of the Neasham stable success," a statement read.

"Lizzie's aim is to build diversity in racing and this collaboration will see her at the forefront of encouraging new and existing clients into the world of racehorse ownership."

Neesham will continue to buy alongside her existing bloodstock consultant Brian McGuire, with Jelfs working as a consultant to the stable.

Royal Ascot an option for Probabeel

New Zealand Horse of the Year Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) could be set to target races overseas after her autumn Australian campaign.

The four-time Group 1 winner is set to trial at Matamata next week where she will tackle the same trio of races as she did last year, the G3 Geoffrey Bellmaine S. the G1 Futurity S. and the All-Star Mile.

Cambridge Stud Chief Executive, Henry Plumptre, told SEN Trackside that a trip to England was on the cards later in the year.

“We have been talking to Nick Smith at Ascot and we have an invitation to go and run in the Queen Anne S. on the opening day of Royal Ascot, as opposed to going up to Sydney for the Queen Of The Turf, which is what she did last year (when second),” he said.

Prebble's Magic plan

Brett Prebble is looking make an impact on Gold Coast Magic Millions Day with rides in the two feature races.

Prebble will ride Bright Blue Sky (Fastnet Rock) in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic on January 15 for trainer Jamie Richards and then ride local hope Release The Beans (Spill The Beans) for Robert Heathcote in the R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.

Gallery: Brett Prebble's rides in the two feature races on Magic Millions Race Day

“It’s tough at the moment to get rides in Victoria and there is a very rich day on the Gold Coast coming up looking me in the eye and I thought if I can get up here early I can sow some seeds for Magic Millions day," he told Racenet.

“I have probably only had a couple of rides in the Classic over the years although I have good memories of winning the 3-year-old race on Paradiddle (in 2001).

“When I was in Hong Kong I always kept a good eye on Magic Millions Day as there were always some horses that raced there which were trying to be purchased by people in Hong Kong.”

Barrier a worry for Smith

Matthew Smith is hoping import Attorney (Fr) (Makfi {GB}) can overcome a tricky barrier in Saturday’s Listed January Cup at Rosehill.

Attorney has drawn barrier 12 in the 14-horse field in the 2000-metre feature.

“The barrier can be the difference between being three closer or 3l further back,” Smith told Racenet.

“He’s knocking on the door and his runs this time in have been great and he’s in good shape. We just kept him a bit fresh for these shorter races and the barrier makes such a big difference in races like this.

“From a good gate last start he probably goes close to winning and we’ve drawn badly again so it makes it tricky.”

Purton returns to trackwork

Champion Hong Kong-based jockey Zac Purton has been cleared to return to trackwork riding after his horrific fall in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on December 12.

Purton, who sustained fractures to his wrist, ribs, nose and foot, and South African jockey Lyle Hewitson, were cleared to resume on Thursday morning and will be further assessed after completing barrier trial commitments on Friday.

The pair could resume riding as soon as the Happy Valley meeting on Wednesday, January 12.

Stakes breakthrough for Zebrowski

The Caspar Fownes-trained Zebrowski (NZ) (Savabeel) claimed a first stakes success in the G3 January Cup at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

The runner-up from the 2020 G1 Australian Derby, Zebrowski has now won two of his seven races since being sold to Hong Kong.

Fownes has now earmarked the G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup H. (2400 metres) at Sha Tin on May 1 as a long-range target.

“He's a horse that's definitely on the improve and I think his best races are going to come towards the end of the season as he gets to a real staying trip,” Fownes said.

“From day one I said to the owner that I think he's a real Queen Mother horse. We'll just see how he pulls up and try to find something around the 2000 (metres) back at Sha Tin."

Bred by Windsor Park Stud in Cambridge, Zebrowski is a sibling to Group winners Leebaz (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Polish Knight (NZ) (Encosta De Lago) and Euro Angel (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}). He is the 124th stakes winner for Waikato Stud’s Champion sire Savabeel.

Bosson on as Regazzo pushes Derby cause

Champion jockey Opie Bosson will partner Regazzo (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) for the first time at Ellerslie on Sunday in the Listed Te Akau Gingernuts Salver.

The Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-prepared Regazzo will push his credentials for the G1 New Zealand Derby.

“Obviously, he’s only had the three runs and we’re still waiting for the penny to drop a bit and we are very happy with the booking of Opie,” Ritchie said.

“I think he’s a very good horse, he’s by Tavistock out of a Zabeel mare, and is a fantastic-looking colt. Whether he is one preparation away and whether he’s up to handling a Derby prep is the type of feedback I need from Opie on Sunday.

“There is no doubt there is a big race in this horse and with a 3-year-old you’re always hoping it is a Classic race.”

Winners for Tarzino and Puccini

Second-season New Zealand sires Tarzino (NZ) and Puccini (NZ) secured winners on Thursday.

The Team Rogerson-trained Great Plains (NZ) was successful for Tarzino at Arawa Park, winning over 1560 metres and delivering his Westbury Stud-based sire his second winner of the season in New Zealand.

Later on the same meeting, Opaea Joe (NZ), who is trained by Gavin Opie, caused an upset in his second start, winning over 1400 metres. He is the third winner this season for Puccini, who stands as Mapperley Stud.

Cabaret to Siyouni

Two-time Group 1 producer Cabaret (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who is due to foal a colt by Kingman (GB) this month, will visit Siyouni (Fr) later this year, it has been confirmed to TDN.

Currently boarding at the Aga Khan Studs in France, the dam of Classic winners and young sires Magna Grecia (Ire) and St Mark's Basilica (Fr) was purchased by BBA Ireland's Adrian Nicoll for 600,000 gns (AU$1.2 million) out of the 2011 Tattersalls December Mares Sale on behalf of Bob Scarborough.

Pin Oak Stud's Abercrombie passes at 95

Lifelong horsewoman Josephine Abercrombie died peacefully at her home on Pin Oak Stud in Woodford County, Kentucky. She was 95.

Abercrombie is survived by two sons, George Anderson Robinson IV and Jamie Abercrombie Robinson, as well as grandchildren George Anderson Robinson V and Blair Abercrombie Robinson.

Pin Oak Stud, established by Abercrombie, has nearly 70 stakes winners–bred or raced-to its credit, including Classic winners in America and England and Grade 1/Group 1 stakes winners in three countries.