Barrier blanket on the cards for Jacquinot
Mick Price believes a barrier blanket could prove the solution to Jacquinot’s (Rubick) barrier woes after the colt bombed the start in last Saturday’s G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings).
Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr, said the only downfall to using a blanket in Saturday weeks' G1 Blue Diamond S. is that Jacquinot will be required to trial six days out from the Caulfield feature.
Jacquinot
“I don’t normally trial a horse on the Monday before the Saturday (race), but we can’t afford for him to miss the start so badly as what he did on Saturday so that’s all to be thought out,” Price told Racing.com.
“He’s leaning back (on the gates) which caught me by surprise a bit, he’s only had one start and he bounced in his trial, but on raceday he duffed it.”
Sir Mark Todd under fire over video
Dual Olympic gold medal-winning equestrian and licensed trainer Sir Mark Todd has become the subject of much criticism after a video showing him repeatedly striking a horse with a tree branch emerged on social media.
The video, from 2020, shows the New Zealander striking a reluctant horse some 10 times when it baulked at a water crossing.
“I wholeheartedly apologise to the horse and all involved for my actions in this video clip,” Todd said in a statement.
Sir Mark Todd | Image courtesy of Wikipedia
“One of the main things I preach is about establishing a mutual respect between horse and rider, and that patience and kindness is the best way to get results.
“I believe this is one of the main attributes, along with a great empathy with animals, that has enabled me to have a long and successful career in eventing. I am very disappointed in myself that I did not adhere to that in this case.”
The British Horseracing Authority has been made aware of the video and released a statement of its own, saying: “The footage seen this weekend of Sir Mark Todd hitting a horse with a branch has rightly caused anger and upset within the equestrian community and beyond. His behaviour, for which he has apologised, fell a long way short of the standards of care we expect of licensed individuals and that we know is provided to the overwhelming majority of horses in training in Britain every day. The BHA is looking into the incident.”
Flying Annie adds another winner to Artie’s tally
Flying Annie became the 21st winner this season for her young Newgate Farm stallion Flying Artie when saluting on resumption at Scone on Monday.
The Darby Syndications-owned and Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained filly scored by 0.35l in the 1000-metre contest from the Nikki Pollock-trained Back To Front (Smart Missile).
Flying Artie remains in fifth position on the second-season sires' standings by winners.
Another winner for Astern
Young Darley stallion Astern notched his 15th winner for the season via the success of Alenia at Scone on Monday.
The Brett Cavanough-trained filly led home a quinella for her sire, 1.7l the better of the Jeremy Gask-trained Behind The Storm (Astern) with a 1.1l gap back to Love Rules (Pierro) in third.
Pike to kickstart NSW stint
Star West Australian jockey William Pike will kick off his stint in NSW when he travels to Wyong for two mounts on Tuesday.
Pike, who has relocated to the competitve Sydney riding ranks after refusing to adhere to WA’s vaccination mandates, will partner the lightly raced Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Choix De La Mer (Extreme Choice) and the Team Hawkes-trained Heavenly Prophet (Divine Prophet) in races three and four respectively.
Scans reveal extent of Stackhouse’s injuries
Daniel Stackhouse is unlikely to be able to ride for between three and six months after further scans over the weekend revealed the full extent of his hip injury.
Stackhouse was informed he could be released from hospital soon, but that any plans for a quick return to the saddle were quickly snuffed out following scans of his hip.
Daniel Stackhouse | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“The ball of my hip has half come out and broken the back of my pelvis joint so it needs to go back in and mend,” Stackhouse told Racing.com.
“If I fall again, it could shatter and that is what they (doctors) are worried about.”
Walker back in the saddle
Michael Walker is rapt to be in the saddle after Monday marked his first day on horseback since sustaining serious leg injuries and an ACL tear in a fall at Pakenham last May.
“I feel really, really good. I did four (horses), just slow trot and canters,” Walker told Racing.com.
“You can do all the gym work to strengthen your body but until you actually get on a horse, you don’t realise how many muscles you use. I’m pretty tired, but it’s a good tired.”
Entriviere likely to target Queensland carnival
Group 1-winning mare Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is likely to have a short break before the Queensland winter carnival after finishing second to Levante (NZ) (Proisir) in last Saturday’s G1 BCD Group Sprint at Te Rapa.
Entriviere (NZ) | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“They are two quality mares. I think if you reverse the runs in the race, you reverse the result. Unfortunately, it didn’t go our way there on Saturday,” Jamie Richards told Weigh In.
“She has come through it in good shape, and we will probably give her a little break now and look to have her ready for Brisbane in the winter.”
Pike delighted ahead of final Derby tune-up
Tony Pike is delighted by the condition of Tutukaka (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and Field Of Gold (Starspangledbanner) ahead of their clash in Saturday’s G2 Avondale Guineas at Ellerslie.
The talented 3-year-olds, who are being set for the G1 New Zealand Derby, currently occupy the second and third lines of betting respectively behind top filly The Perfect Pink (NZ) (Savabeel).
Tutukaka (NZ) | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“Tutukaka’s run in the Karaka Mile was super second-up and he should be peaking third-up. He’ll enjoy the 2100 metres and it should be a nice race for him before the Derby,” Pike said.
“Field Of Gold’s definitely heading the right way. He’s eaten up since the Waikato Guineas, he’s holding his weight well, and I couldn’t fault him. He’s come back a stronger horse this preparation.”
Sacred to stay in training
G2 Hungerford S. and G3 Nell Gwyn S. heroine Sacred (GB) (Exceed And Excel) will stay in training with William Haggas as a 4-year-old in 2022.
Sacred was among the top of her generation as a juvenile when runner-up in the G2 Queen Mary S., G2 Lowther S. and G2 Flying Childers S.
“Sacred is to remain in training as she only raced on three occasions in 2021, so we would like to think she will be fresh for a full campaign this year which may start off at the Royal Ascot meeting,” Cheveley Park Stud’s Senior Manager John Marsh said.
