McDonald full of confidence
James McDonald is bullish about the chances of boom filly Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) ahead of Saturday’s R. Listed Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
The star jockey has partnered the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained filly in her two Group 3 wins to date, the most recent being the G3 BJ McLachlan S. at Doomben on Boxing Day.
Coolangatta | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
"She's going really well, she looks great and she's obviously in good form, suggesting by her work anyway," McDonald told Racing.com.
"She was first-up at six furlongs, she was entitled to get a bit tired like any 2-year-old and she was on Soft ground. She reverses all of those negatives into positives this weekend, with firm ground, six furlongs, second-up, it's just perfect for her."
Snowden filly to conquer 2YO Classic
Paul Snowden has a slight leaning to Russian Conquest (Russian Revolution) over Miss Hellfire (Hellbent) in Saturday’s R. Listed Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
Paul Snowden, who trains in partnership with his father Peter, will saddle up the talented duo after they both won their last starts respectively.
Russian Conquest was last seen taking out a competitive juvenile handicap at Randwick on Boxing Day by 3.3l.
Paul and Peter Snowden | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I’m very happy with her, we haven’t really had to do a lot with her since. She’s travelled up good and settled in really well,” Snowden told RSN.
“She’s fit well and has really settled into herself since arriving and most importantly she’s eaten well. Seeing her again this morning she’s very bright and well.”
Isotope seeks redemption
Class mare Isotope (Deep Field) is seeking redemption when she steps out as a leading contender in Saturday’s $1 million Magic Millions Snippets at the Gold Coast.
The 4-year-old mare went into last year’s R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas as a red-hot favourite but shortly after straightening lost rider Ryan Maloney.
Isotope was set to resume in the Listed Nudgee S. at Doomben on New Year’s Day after colic surgery but was scratched due to a rapidly deteriorating Heavy 10 surface.
"The way she's come along, she's in really good condition. She's drawn good enough in eight, there's plenty of good horses to follow inside her, so she should get a nice enough run,” Maloney told Racing.com.
"If she can produce what she's shown in her trials, I'm sure she's going to be one of the ones to beat."
Fourth winner for The Mission
Aquis Farm stallion The Mission drew level with barnmate Invader atop the first-season sire standing by winners when securing his fourth individual success this season via the breakthrough victory of Altar Boy at Townsville on Friday.
The Sarah Acornley-trained gelding was contesting his fourth career start and held off Mr Whittington (Whittington) to score by 0.5l with a 0.4l gap back to Our Addiction (Falvelon) in third.
First winner for Time Test
Time Test (GB), the leading first-season sire for black-type winners in Europe, is off the mark with his Southern Hemisphere progeny following the emphatic victory of his son Time Ruler (NZ) in the 2-year-old event at Tauranga on Friday.
A 5.5l romp has qualified the Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained gelding for the million-dollar Karaka Million on Saturday week at Ellerslie.
Time Test (GB) | Standing at Little Avondale Stud
Timeless, a daughter of Time Test bred and raced by Judge John Clapham, ran third in the event which also looks to have qualified her for the Karaka Million.
Little Avondale Stud's Time Test has also been represented domestically by the impressive Time Flies (NZ), whose debut effort for a close second has been well and truly franked by the winner coming out at her next start and being first across the line in the G2 Eclipse S. on New Year's Day.
Seven Sisters salutes
Godolphin-homebred Seven Sisters (Street Boss {USA}) was in for the fight at Geelong on Friday when breaking her maiden status by 0.1l.
The James Cummings-trained juvenile filly, who finished 0.8l second to impressive Caulfield winner No Diggity (Sebring) on debut showed her class in the 1147 metre contest saluting under Damien Oliver.
While the winning margin over Sir Juggernaut (Flying Artie) was narrow the 3.5l gap back to third indicates that bigger things await.
Campton to kick off training tenure
Adam Campton, the son of G1 Golden Slipper-winning jockey Neil, will saddle up his first runner when former Victorian-based galloper Lord Markel (NZ) (Hallowed Crown) steps out at Warwick in Queensland on Saturday.
After previously working for Darley, Tim Martin, Unibet and the Hong Kong Jockey Club in a host of roles, Campton is now based on the Gold Coast and currently has 16 horses in work.
“I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be a bit of a restless sleep tonight as I’m excited and nervous at the same time, and just happy that we’ve got the horse to the races,” Campton told Racing.com.
Adam Campton and Tye Angland | Image courtesy of Campton racing
“He’s looking good, he’s feeling good, and we’ve done everything we can to get him kicked off tomorrow, first-up for us.”
Almond Eye foals a colt
Dual Japanese Horse of the Year Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) delivered her first foal shortly after midnight on January 13.
The bay colt is by Shadai Stallion Station sire Epiphaneia (Jpn).
Mares dominate Keeneland January on Thursday
The third session of the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale on Thursday was dominated by mares from the draft of Godolphin, with Dan Hall acting on behalf of Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs going to US$480,000 (AU$660,000) to acquire the unraced Crowning Jewel (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}).
Keeneland | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
A total of 259 head sold on Thursday for a gross of US$5,471,000 (AU$7.51 million) at an average of US$21,126 (AU$29,000) and a median of US$10,000 (AU$13,750).
Zarak share sells at Arqana
A 1/50th share in rising star sire Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) brought €350,000 (AU$551,650) from Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm to top the Arqana January Online Sale on Thursday.
Already a sire of 18 first-crop winners, the son of G1 Prix De Le Arc De Triomphe heroine Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar {Fr}) also has a pair of Group 1-placed runners, with Purpleplay (Ire) bringing €2 million (AU$3.15 million) at the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale.
New role for Lord Grimthorpe
Lord Teddy Grimthorpe has been appointed as racing manager to Imad Al Sagar, whose Blue Diamond Stud has recently undergone a major restructure.
A widely respected figure in the racing world who last November took on the role of chairman of the National Stud, Lord Grimthorpe was racing manager for more than 20 years to Prince Khalid Abdullah of Juddmonte Farms, who died a year ago this week.
Lord Grimthorpe | Image courtesy of Scoop Dyga
Lord Grimthorpe said, “I am very touched to have been asked by Imad Al Sagar to join his team. He has built up an impressive bloodstock portfolio and I will look forward to being any help I can with his operation.
“I will continue to be chairman of the National Stud and serve on the boards of both Jockey Club and York Racecourse, all of which should fit nicely into this new role.”
