Connections weighing up Profondo’s starting point
Richard Litt and owners Ottavio and Wendy Galletta are set to wait until Wednesday before making a decision of whether star colt Profondo (Deep Impact {Jpn}) will resume in the G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington or the G1 Randwick Guineas.
The G1 Spring Champion S. hero, who won an 1175-metre open trial at Warwick Farm by 0.95l on Monday had been destined to resume in the Randwick Guineas but Sydney’s wild weather has seen connections consider an alternative starting point.
“It is not a nightmare, it is what it is and we are lucky to have the Australian Guineas there as a backup plan if Sydney doesn’t work,” Litt told Racenet.
“I want to go where the best track is for Profondo. Anything worse than a Soft 6 at Randwick I would be reluctant to run him, so I’d look to make a late ‘run’ and go to Melbourne Thursday night.’’
Lofty likely to sit out the autumn
Julius Sandhu has indicated that unbeaten juvenile Lofty Strike (Snitzel) is almost certain to head for a spell before returning in the spring for a tilt at the G1 Coolmore Stud S. at Flemington.
Lofty Strike, who is out of G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Overreach (Exceed And Excel) was controversially scratched two days out from last Saturday’s G1 Blue Diamond S. at Caulfield.
Julius Sandhu and Lofty Strike
“The best option, if I’m putting the horse first instead of proving a point, is to tip him out, I’m 99.9 per cent sure I’ll do that,” Sandhu told Racenet.
“He’s done nothing wrong and I’ll put him first like I always do. He can have a holiday and we’ll live to fight another day.”
Coolangatta could contest the Slipper fresh
Current G1 Golden Slipper S. favourite Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) is unlikely to step out before the lucrative juvenile feature despite being among the nominations for Saturday’s G2 Reisling S. at Randwick.
“If it stays Heavy ground in Sydney as we all suspect it will, she’ll go straight to the Slipper,” Coolangatta’s managing owner Ozzie Kheir told Racing.com.
Coolangatta | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“We probably would have liked to have had a run prior but Heavy ground can be a query leading into such a big race and her trainers know what they are doing.
“The stable has been able to do some amazing things with the likes of Hitotsu and we’ll be banking on them getting her there in great order.”
Cummings to face presenting charge
James Cummings will face the Racing NSW stewards on Tuesday after star mare Savatiano’s (Street Cry {Ire}) post-race sample following her win in last May’s G1 Canterbury S. showed the presence of prohibited substances trendione, trenbolone and epitrenbolone.
“On 19 January 2022 Racing NSW Stewards issued a charge against Mr Cummings under AR240(2) in that as the trainer of Savatiano he presented the mare to race at Randwick on March 6, 2021 and a sample taken post-race was found to contain the prohibited substances trendione, trenbolone and epitrenbolone,” a Racing NSW stewards’ release stated.
"At the hearing, the Stewards shall also give consideration to the provisions of AR240(1) and if Savatiano should be disqualified from the Canterbury S. conducted on March 6, 2021."
Ayrton to target Queensland winter carnival
Michael Kent Jnr has confirmed that Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) is likely to kick off his 2022 campaign next month in Melbourne with an eye towards the G1 Doomben Cup and the G2 Q22.
Kent Jnr, who trains in partnership with Mick Price, sent a glowing report to the owners of Ayrton as the boom gelding eyes a comeback following a mystery infection that derailed his spring.
Ayrton (NZ) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“I think he’s come back super. I rode him twice during the week, and he just gives you goosebumps,” Kent Jnr said.
“He has the most amazing action (and) he’s matured mentally.”
Kah to partner Captivant
Peter and Paul Snowden have enlisted Jamie Kah to partner Captivant (Capitalist) for the first time in Saturday’s G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington after the trio went within a nose of winning last Saturday’s G1 Blue Diamond S. with Revolutionary Miss (Russian Revolution).
Captivant will step out to 1600 metres for the first time this preparation after finishing third behind Pinstriped (Street Boss {USA}) and Pascero (Pierro) in last fortnight’s G3 CS Hayes S.
Captivant | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
"He improved nicely into his second run and that run at Flemington has topped him off for the Guineas,” Peter Snowden told Racenet.
“We brought him down to run at Flemington to run in the CS Hayes to see if he liked running on the track and he went very well.”
Isolation to be scrapped for fully vaccinated Kiwis
Fully vaccinated Kiwis returning to New Zealand from Australia won’t need to isolate upon arrival from 11.59pm NZDT on Wednesday while returnees from the rest of the world will also be able to return without isolating from Friday evening.
The scrapping of self-isolation for New Zealander citizens is a positive announcement for those returning for the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales which commences at Karaka next Monday, March 7.
Karaka 2022 to be Broadcast Live
Book 1 of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling at Karaka will be broadcast live on Sky Racing’s Pop Up Channel 263 in New Zealand while Freeview Channel 200 will feature both Book 1 and 2.
Those who are unable to attend Karaka 2022 in person can keep up with all of the action in the sale ring and beyond with New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales Series broadcast live across the six days of selling, which commences on Monday, March 7 and runs through to Saturday, March 12.
Sale highlights will go to air on Racing.com and Sky Racing in Australia.
Rekindling joins Kenmare Castle Stud roster
Rekindling (GB) will stand at Kenmare Castle Stud in Ireland after its owner William Fox privately purchased Lloyd Williams’ 2017 G1 Melbourne Cup hero.
The son of High Chapparal’s (Ire) service fee is €2000 (AU$3110) for a colt and €1000 (AU$1500) for a filly.
"I started inquiring about Rekindling and the best way to find out is to pick up the phone, so I rang Joseph O'Brien and asked him where the horse was," Fox told Racing.com.
Rekindling (GB) | Standing at Kenmare Castle Stud, image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
"He told me that the horse was still with him and it took off from there. He spoke with Lloyd Williams and his team in Australia and they were happy for the horse to go to stud here.
"He (Rekindling) has been in limbo for the past 12 months or more so I don't expect people to be banging down the door, but I like him, and a number of people have specific mares that they want him to cover."
