Barriers drawn for 2022 Karaka Million
The Jamie Richards-trained Dynastic (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) and Fellini (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) have drawn superbly in barriers five and six respectively in Saturday’s R. Listed Karaka Million 2YO at Ellerslie, while stablemate Grace ‘N’ Grey (NZ) (Spirit Of Boom) has drawn to their inside in barrier three.
Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci) will have to overcome barrier 13 to keep her unbeaten record intact. The Australian Bloodstock-part-owned filly will line up alongside the Tony Pike-trained Pacific Dragon (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}), barrier 12, and Lord Cosmos (Pierro), barrier 14.
On The Bubbles draws well
Current R. Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic favourite On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau) has only enhanced his chances after drawing barrier nine.
On The Bubbles
The Jamie Richards-trained gelding will jump alongside Drum Major (NZ) (Epaulette), barrier eight, and Pin Me Up (NZ) (Pins), barrier 10, while fellow Te Akau Racing-owned runner Sophisticardo (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) was dealt barrier 19.
Melody Belle’s (NZ) (Commands) dual stakes-winning half-brother Tutukaka (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) will jump from barrier six in the 1600 metre feature.
Williams’ Victorian expansion delayed
Leading WA-based training duo Grant and Alana Williams are staying put for now, with uncertainty around the reopening of the state’s border pushing pause on their pursuit of a Victorian satellite stable.
In November, the Williamses announced that they would no longer train exclusively for Bob Peters and be expanding east while still maintaining a strong presence in their home state.
Alana and Grant Williams
"With the COVID situation, I'd say we're still a long way away. That (visiting potential locations in Victoria) was the plan, but at the moment everything is on hold,” Grant Williams told Racing.com.
"It's really hard to make any concrete plans until we've got a clearer idea about borders."
Record turnover for Magic Millions Race Day
The Gold Coast Magic Millions raceday set a new Queensland wagering record.
The 2022 edition, highlighted by Coolangatta's (Written Tycoon) win in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic saw $77.4 million turnover up 12 per cent on last year and 33 per cent on 2020.
Coolangatta | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Warrior exerts dominance
A List Stud-owned filly Russian Warrior (Russian Revolution) exerted her dominance at Ipswich on Wednesday, winning a juvenile handicap by 8l.
Trained by Allan Chau and ridden by Ron Stewart, Russian Warrior was a winner of her second career start at the Gold Coast before finishing fifth behind Golden Artie (Artie Schiller {USA}) and Soaring Ambition (Not A Single Doubt) at Doomben on New Year’s Day.
Ellenmac gets job done for Maurice
Second-season Arrowfield Stud stallion Maurice (Jpn) brought up his 23rd Australian winner of the season via the debut victory of Ellenmac at Newcastle on Wednesday.
Maurice (Jpn) | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
The Matthew Smith-trained filly, who was purchased for $60,000 by Matthew Smith Racing and John Foote Bloodstock at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, finished strongly and ended 1.15l the better of Triple Crown Syndications-owned filly Nullify (Epaulette) with a 0.8l gap back to Jawaani (Shalaa {Ire}) in third.
Maurice remains second overall on the second-season sire standings by winners, nine behind Newgate Farm stallion Capitalist.
George Ryder the target for Mo’unga
Annabel Neasham has outlined the G1 George Ryder S. at Rosehill as Mo’unga’s (NZ) (Savabeel) major autumn target.
The Warwick Farm-based trainer said the dual Group 1-winning entire is unlikely to race beyond a mile this campaign despite proving himself over further during the spring carnival.
Mo'unga (NZ) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He has certainly proven that he is up to those weight-for-age horses. I thought his best runs were his first two over the 1400 metres and mile, he was just beaten in the (G1) Makybe Diva S. (by Incentivise),” Neasham told RacingHQ.
“At this stage I am thinking we might just keep him at those slightly shorter trips. We know he can get 2000 metres but we think he is possibly a little bit better over the shorter trips.”
Pike excited by Sydney challenge
Unvaccinated jockey William Pike is confident he can compete against Sydney’s best after making the call to depart WA due to the state's looming double vaccination deadline.
The star WA-based rider, who has ridden predominantly for leviathan owner Bob Peters and trainers Grant and Alana Williams, will relocate to Sydney once granted approval by Racing NSW stewards.
William Pike
“You look at the list and there are some big names. It's definitely not going to be easy; I'm not expecting to walk up and have a walk-up head start and anything like that, I'm well aware it'll be hard work,” Pike told RSN.
"I'm looking forward to the challenges but at the same time I know it's going to be a challenge. I've always been confident in my ability. I always thought I could do it.”
Laming to appeal cobalt disqualification
Richard Laming will appeal a 10-month disqualification after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal did not overturn an initial three-month ban.
Richard Laming
The sanction stems from a cobalt presentation in May 2018 involving Iam Ekstraordinary (Ekraar {USA}) at Ballarat.
The matter will be heard before the Victorian Court of Appeal on a date to be fixed.
Authentic sires first foal
Spendthrift stallion and reigning Horse of the Year Authentic (USA) sired his first foal this week when Streak Of Luck (USA) (Old Fashioned {USA}) produced a colt at Taylor Made Farm.
Bred by Marie Jones, the black or grey colt is the first foal out of the stakes-winning and multiple Graded-placed Streak Of Luck, who was purchased in foal for US$620,000 (AU$$862,300) at the Keeneland November Sale.
“This is a really nice foal out of a maiden mare. Correct, nice body, good angles, athletic looking and healthy. We are very happy,” Taylor Made’s Frank Taylor said.
