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Written by Jessica Owers

Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions

Warwick Farm’s Australia Day meeting on Wednesday has been gifted an additional highlight by Lindy Maurice’s Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC), with a pony race kicking off the official eight-race card at 12.35pm AEDT.

Eleven young Pony Club riders from Western Sydney will race 450 metres down the Warwick Farm chute to the winning post in a demonstration race that was initiated to bring horse racing and its careers to a wider audience.

“We (TIC) are the major sponsor of Pony Club Australia, and we’ve partnered with them to source the riders for this race on Australia Day,” Maurice said.

“The riders are all local to Warwick Farm and the industry support has been wonderful. The silks that will be represented are all sponsors of TIC, whether that’s a money sponsorship or people giving their time to help out.”

The 11 Pony Club riders will carry some of the best-known silks in Australian racing.

Gallery: Some images from the first pony race held at Doomben on January 4, images courtesy of TIC

Chris Waller is represented, as are Inglis, the Australian Turf Club, Arrowfield Stud, Godolphin, Newhaven Park, Newgate Farm and James Harron. Trainers Annabel Neasham and Gai Waterhouse are among it, as are Francis and Christine Cook of Mystery Downs.

“James Harron, for example, has been a great supporter of TIC with concepts and cadets, while Arrowfield, Godolphin and Chris Waller are all major sponsors,” Maurice said. “So having these high-profile silks carried in the race is just a thank you to those people and organisations that are giving back to TIC.”

Have concept, will travel

Wednesday’s pony race comes off the heels of a similar, inaugural event at Doomben on January 4, also organised by TIC with the support of Magic Millions’ Katie Page. Maurice is hoping to carry the concept Australia-wide.

“TIC is all about awareness of careers, and pony racing is the ultimate way to do that because it’s experiential,” Maurice said. “It’s becoming more important than ever, I think, that pony racing becomes a thing in Australia because the way the country has changed over the years, the sport of racing isn’t top of mind for most people.”

For Maurice, the pony-race concept is a unique way to expose Pony Club equestrians to horse racing and its many careers. She said that most top sports put heavy recognition on their grassroots, something that racing has largely failed to do.

“Every major sport that is watched on television and followed closely is a participation sport, and racing isn’t,” Maurice said. “I think we need to reverse that and it will secure a lot of things for us into the future if we do.”

Already, Maurice has seen the excitement generated by the young riders that have taken part in Brisbane and are taking part at Warwick Farm. She said the riders are telling their friends to watch or come along trackside, and this is bringing into the fold a new, young audience.

“We put on the events and the race clubs are hosting us, and I would hope that we will see demonstration races like this one right across Australia in the next six months,” Maurice said. “I would like to see one in Melbourne, South Australia, Tasmania, Perth and even during the Darwin Cup Carnival, if we can.

“We’re just whetting people’s appetites right now and we feel there’s a valid reason to do this, but it’s been really well-received to date."

Maurice said the Australia Day staging was ideal.

“We’ve got a really great platform for this event, being Australia Day at Warwick Farm, and ponies and horses were the backbone of this country for such a long time so it’s quite fitting that it’s the day that it is.”

Warwick Farm’s pony race will be the first time in a very long time that pony racing, albeit unofficially, will return to a Sydney racecourse. The last official pony meeting in the city occurred at Rosehill on December 16, 1944.

Listed Blue Diamond Preview (C&G), $200,000, 1000m

Philosopher (Zoustar) is the only previous winner here and an extra smart one too, the colt with the three crosses of Danehill (USA) (Danzig {USA}) so impressive leading throughout at his debut at this track earlier in the month.

The only other runner to have already raced is Rampant Lion (Frankel {GB}), a descendant of Denise’s Joy (Seventh Hussar {Fr}) who bolted in with a recent Pakenham trial having been in the thick of things at his Flemington debut last spring.

The remaining three runners have all jumped out or trialled well and are well related - Daumier (Epaulette) being a grandson of the dual Group winner Parables (Lonhro), Michelotti from the final crop of Sebring (More Than Ready {USA}), a grandson of the dual Group winner Gabbidon (Bel Esprit) whilst Thron Bone from the debut crop of Thronum (Snitzel) is out of the city winner Thorsborne (Hinchinbrook), full sister to the G2 Skyline S. winner Diamond Tathagata.

G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies), $200,000, 1000m

A bigger field for the female edition of this G1 Blue Diamond S. lead-up with the most favoured in the early market being Jewellery (Lonhro) who was good to the line off a slow start when only just failing to pick up Philosopher (Zoustar) at debut.

Latizia (Capitalist) looked good leading throughout at Flemington at her first start whilst also too strong showing pace at her first track appearance was Bistro (Street Boss {USA}).

Satin Love (Snitzel) is another to have run well at debut - jumping out nicely since whilst Va Via (Astern) has more experience having been game in the placings at her first two starts.

Berry Bubbly (Redoute’s Choice) creates interest as one of just 23 foals from the final crop of her superstar sire whilst other exciting first-starters include I’mlovin’ya (Capitalist) who looked good winning a Cranbourne jump-out, Queen Maeve (Fastnet Rock) from a fast local family and Miss Roseiano (Exceed And Excel) - a Pakenham trial winner from the prolific Eight Carat (GB) (Pieces Of Eight {Ire}) family.

Second to the latter at Pakenham was another well-bred filly in Waltz On By (I Am Invincible), granddaughter of the wonderful mare Miss Finland (Redoute’s Choice) out of the G1 Thousand Guineas heroine Stay With Me (Street Cry {Ire}).

Listed John Dillon S., $160,000, 1400m

What a great impression the imported Lighthouse (USA) (Mizzen Mast {USA}) has created locally and she looks a top chance to remain undefeated on Australian soil.

Age Of Chivalry (NZ) (He’s Remarkable {NZ}) and Crosshaven (Smart Missile) are looking to turn the tables on the favourite having both ran nicely behind her in the Listed Chester Manifold S.

Groundswell (Fastnet Rock) has jumped out well in preparation for his return whilst Open Minded (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) has earned a crack at this tougher company having been so dominant at Caulfield last time out.

Biometric (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) resumes with good 1400-metre form whilst Excelida (Exceed And Excel) is a three-time winner at the trip - and hard fit for recent racing.

Listed W.J. Adams S., $160,000, 1000m

Just the five runners here but it still manages to be an interesting event courtesy of the exciting Enthaar (Written Tycoon) who impressed easily winning a recent Cranbourne jump-out. She had just the two spring outings, winning the second of those in convincing style.

Streetcar Stranger (Stratum) was very good finishing second in Listed company at only his second run in and he certainly knows how to find the line, winning five of his first 17 starts. Mossman George (Mossman) can pull out a run fresh as can Esta La Roca (NZ) (El Roca) - another with an excellent overall strike rate.

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Listed Australia Day Cup, $150,000, 2400m

Attorney (Fr) (Makfi {GB}) is already a two-time winner over the 2400 metres and he has shown improvement at each of his three runs this campaign, looking nicely primed for this assignment. He was third in the Listed January Cup last time out, a race in which fellow import Mubariz (GB) (Dansili {GB}) was a game second.

Parry Sound (Pierro) finished on the heels of the placegetters in the Magic Millions Trophy and is another with solid 2400-metre form. Fun Fact (The Factor {USA}) also ran nicely in that race whose winner Navy Cross (I Am Invincible) also lines up here.

Barrelan Bandit (Declaration Of War {USA}) is up in class but has looked good winning three of her last four starts.

Launceston: Listed Launceston Guineas, $100,000, 2100m

Alpine Wolf (Alpine Eagle) impressed claiming the scalp of the then unbeaten Turk Warrior (Outreach) in the Listed Tasmanian Guineas and looks a top chance for the double.

Victorian visitors Ashy Boy (Star Witness) and Bundle Of Fun (Written Tycoon) have strong credentials, the former winning two in a row before a solid showing at Flemington whilst the latter was good leading throughout beating her older rivals at Warrnambool.

The Albury-trained Medal (NZ) (Savabeel) was just even behind Alpine Wolf last time out but is bred to appreciate this step up in distance.

A second Alpine Eagle (High Chaparral {Ire}) runner in Hellfire Eagle has been coming along well whilst the maiden Chinchero (Mswawish {USA}) has been finishing off well over shorter trips.

Head Of State’s career in limbo

G3 Gloaming S. winner Head Of State’s (American Pharoah {USA}) racing career is in limbo after the talented colt was found to have an elevated heart rate following his distant last-placing at the Randwick trials on January 13.

The finding marked the third time that the Coolmore-owned colt had pulled up with heart irregularities, with the first two occasions being cardiac arrhythmia following last year’s G3 Pago Pago S. and G1 Spring Champion S.

Racing NSW stewards said the Chris Waller stable have been asked to provide a specialist examination and clearance, including the findings of an ultrasound.

Lion’s Roar out for the autumn

G1 Randwick Guineas winner Lion’s Roar (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) won’t be seen until the spring after sustaining a joint injury.

The John O’Shea-trained gelding was nominated to trial Monday at Randwick but was scratched from his heat.

“He’s picked up a little bit of an injury and is going to need a break,” O’Shea told Racenet.

“His joints need a bit of a rest, so you won’t see him in the autumn.”

Second nominations announced for Golden Slipper

The Australian Turf Club has received 355 second nominations for March’s G1 Golden Slipper, headlined by the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic quinella pair Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) and Russian Conquest (Russian Revolution).

A total of 188 colts and geldings and 167 fillies were nominated for the race, with Godolphin, Annabel Neasham, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Peter and Paul Snowden, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Team Hawkes and Kacy Fogden accounting for 150 of the entered runners.

Sires with the highest number of second entries are I Am Invincible (35), Snitzel (30), Zoustar (22), Capitalist (19), Written Tycoon (19) and Shalaa (Ire) (15).

Enthaar ready to fly fresh

Ciaron Maher expects a more ‘mature’ version of Enthaar (Written Tycoon) to be on display in Wednesday’s Listed WJ Adams S. at Caulfield.

The lightly raced filly showed her class winning the Listed Doveton S. second-up in November but still did things wrong in Maher’s eyes.

“I couldn’t be happier with her and she looks fantastic. She’s a little more relaxed these days and has just furnished a lot in the mind,” Maher told RSN.

“She sizzled at Caulfield at her last run and she has been a little more relaxed and settled. We will then head to the (G1) Oakleigh Plate after this.”

Converge likely to resume in Eskimo Prince

Adrian Bott has outlined the G3 Eskimo S. at Randwick as the most likely kick off point for Converge (Frankel {GB}) this autumn.

The Group 1-winning gelding has pulled up a treat following his eye-catching trial victory at Randwick on Monday and will likely be kept against his own age group this preparation.

He said the G1 Rosehill Guineas and the G1 Randwick Guineas are logical feature targets.

“He will most likely resume in the Eskimo Prince then into the (G2) Hobartville (S.) and that will really dictate where we go (after the Hobartville),” Bott told RSN.

All systems go for Sinawann

Sam Freedman has confirmed that exciting import Sinawann (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) will kickstart his spring campaign in Saturday’s G2 Australia S. at The Valley before targeting next month’s G1 CF Orr S.

Freedman said the 5-year-old is a genuine Group 1 talent who has returned in superb order since taking out his second start on Australian soil in November’s G3 Kevin Heffernan S. at Caulfield.

“He has prepped up really well but the 1200 metres (on Saturday) in the Australia S. might be a bit sharp for him,” Freedman told RSN.

Fresh is best for Gytrash

'Fresh is best’ is the mantra that Gordon Richards and Damien Moyle are adopting for stable star Gytrash (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in 2022, with the gun sprinter set to contest next month’s G1 Lightning S. fresh.

Richards said the 2020 G1 Lightning S. winner will be turned out after the race and then set for May’s G1 The Goodwood H. at Morphettville.

“His gallop this morning was great. He has been back in about six or seven weeks and will have a jump-out next Tuesday before trialling at Gawler on the 10th (February 10),” Richards told Racenet.

“It will be a nice trip up the highway for him so hopefully we can give him a nice trial to have him ready.”

Great Western meeting to return in 2023

The iconic Great Western meeting, which was caught up in a horror car park fire last Sunday, will not be run in 2022 with the Club confirming on Tuesday that they look forward to welcoming back participants next year.

Further New Zealand prizemoney increases announced

The Board of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has announced further prizemoney increases, with an extra NZ$2.4 million allocated for the period of April 3 until August 26, 2022.

As outlined in July when announcing the NZ$7 million injection into stakes NZTR Chairman Cameron George reemphasised that the NZTR Board has created a rolling funding policy.

“As opposed to announcing increases across a full racing season, this policy enables the Board to provide increased funding to the industry off the back of good performance. We are delivering off money earned, not anticipated earnings,” George said.

“It is important that we invest wisely, into those parts of our racing calendar which will encourage growth in both wagering and participation. This is a strategic pattern, and one that we will continue to execute and ultimately create opportunities from, particularly in our strongest performing times.”

Broodmare of the Year Leslie’s Lady dies

Clarkland Farm’s 2016 Broodmare of the Year Leslie’s Lady (USA) (Tricky Creek {USA}) passed away on Monday aged 26.

Responsible for leading sire Into Mischief (USA) and four-time Eclipse Award winner Beholder (USA) (Henny Hughes {USA}) and multiple Group 1 hero Mendelssohn (USA), Leslie’s Lady final offspring is the Brad Cox-trained 3-year-old Marr Time (USA) (Not This Time {USA}) and a 2-year-old filly named Love You Irene (USA) (Kantharos {USA}).

National Stud undergoes management change

The National Stud in Newmarket has undergone a management restructure leading into the 2022 breeding season, with Anna Kerr assuming the day-to-day running of the stud after Tim Lane departed his role as manager.

Lord ‘Teddy’ Grimthorpe, who was announced as chairman in November, will become executive chairman for the upcoming season while former manager Joe Grimwade has returned as head of stud operations.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to express our thanks and support to Anna Kerr and Joe Grimwade,” Lord Grimthorpe said.

“Anna is an instrumental member of the senior team who has helped The National Stud to navigate through the challenging pandemic period.

“Joe brings expectational skills and experience for our clients and his colleagues and we are delighted he has come on board.”

Leif Aaron named Fasig-Tipton’s Director of Digital Sales

Leif Aaron has been named Fasig-Tipton’s Director of Digital Sales ahead of the scheduled launch of its digital sales platform in the first quarter of 2022.

Aaron, who was a graduate of the Darley Flying Start Program, has worked as Juddmonte USA’s stallion nominations manager since 2018 and prior to that he served as a stakes filly recruiter and accounts manager for Taylor Made Sales Agency.

“I am very excited to be joining Fasig-Tipton and be actively engaged in the commercial market once again,” Aaron said.

“I believe there is great growth potential for digital sales in America and look forward to working with buyers and sellers as we launch and develop Fasig-Tipton’s digital marketplace.”

Rougir and Speak Of The Devil arrive in America

Owner Peter Brant is confident €3 million (AU$4.75 million) Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale purchase Rougir (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) can measure up in America after tests assured that the filly’s performances weren’t involved in former trainer Cedric Rossi’s alleged equine doping practices.

Brant, who purchased the G1 Prix de l’Opera Longines winner in partnership with Michael Tabor just three days before Rossi and family members Frederic and Charley were embroiled in a doping saga, said €1,950,000 (AU$3.1 million) purchase Speak Of The Devil (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) was also cleared.

Speak Of The Devil, a three-time Listed-winning, dual Group 1 placegetter was trained by Frederic Rossi and has also joined Rougie in the care of trainer Chad Brown.

“We were assured these horses were not involved in this thing,” Brant said. "We had all sorts of tests taken on these horses. Samples were sent to Germany and they checked out very well.

“We were led to believe that these horses were not part of the investigation.”

Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.

Wednesday at Warwick Farm, we pay attention to an Alan Bell colt from the family of Royal Discretion (Royal Academy {USA}), while at Caulfield we look at a James Harron colt on a Blue Diamond path. At Ipswich, we look at a filly boasting a strong American family.

Warwick Farm, Race 1, 1.40pm AEDT, XXXX Plate, $60,000, 1100m

Mars Mission, 3-year-old colt (Deep Field x Roulettes {Flying Spur})

This 3-year-old colt runs in the colours of prominent owner Alan Bell, who bought him as an $800,000 yearling at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. His dam Roulettes was a Listed winner at The Valley, and this colt is a half-brother to the Zoustar stakes winner Sun City, who won the G3 BJ McLachlan S. and was second in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S.

This is the immediate family of Royal Discretion (Royal Academy {USA}), with Roulettes being a half-sister to that excellent multiple stakes-winning gelding.

Mars Mission is lightly raced with only a debut outing behind last preparation. He was third at Sandown that day in late August, but he’s had a second and a first in a pair of Rosehill trials in January. He has the experience of the Hawkes training team behind him and he’ll carry Tommy Berry.

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Caulfield, Race 1, 1.20pm AEDT, Neds Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) $200,000, 1000m

Philosopher, 2-year-old colt (Zoustar x Lone {Sepoy})

Two-year-old Philosopher has the colours of James Harron to carry in this profile race, and that’s an indication that he’s a stallion in the making, all going well. Philosopher was an $800,000 purchase for Harron at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, sold by Widden Stud.

The colt is the first foal from the Sepoy mare Lone, who is a half-sister to the stakes winners Gai’s Choice (General Nediym), Atmospherical (Northern Meteor) and Peron (Husson {Arg}). Further along this page are the stakes winners Eagle Falls (Hussonet {USA}), Fabrizio (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Mahara (Hussonet {USA}).

Philosopher is trained at Mornington by Anthony and Sam Freedman, and he was a winner on debut at this course and distance on January 8. It’s a small field (five horses), and the colt will carry Damien Oliver from barrier two.

Ipswich, Race 2, 2.23pm AEDT (1.23pm local), Lean Mean Machine Fillies & Mares Mdn H., $26,000, 1200m

Eccentric, 3-year-old filly (Snitzel x Quaintly {USA} {Giant’s Causeway {USA}})

This filly is a homebred for Ron Gilbert’s Highgrove Stud and, while initially entered into the 2020 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale (Round Two), she was withdrawn and retained to race.

Eccentric is a daughter of the American mare Quaintly (USA) (Giant’s Causeway {USA}), who was a Listed winner and Group-placed at Hollywood Park. This is a stout family through the third dam Number (USA) (Nijinsky {Can}), who was a Group winner and three-quarter sister to Nureyev (USA).

Eccentric is trained by Kelly Shweida at Eagle Farm and she was second on debut at Deagon in late December. This will be the filly’s second start.

Looking Back

Our Looking Ahead selections for Tuesday fared well. At Kilmore, Kastagna (Street Boss {USA}) was unplaced in the first event while Lady Hampton (Hampton Court) won the second. At Bathurst, Son Of Sangio (Zoustar) was also a winner and, to quote the late, great Meatloaf, 'two out of three ain't bad'.

First Season Sires’ Results

Results: Tuesday, January 25

No first season sires' results

First Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Wednesday, January 26

Bathurst (Country)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000) run before 6pm AEDT

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