Daily News Wrap

Savatiano stripped of Canterbury crown

Savatiano’s (Street Cry {Ire}) pedigree page will no longer read G1 Canterbury S. winner, with the retired mare stripped of her only Group 1 victory and trainer James Cummings fined $10,000 after Racing NSW stewards concluded an inquiry into her positive post-race swab on Tuesday.

Savatiano, who is owned by Godolphin and currently in foal to its resident stallion Lonhro, tested positive to prohibited steroidal substances trendione, trenbolone and epitrenbolone, each of which are linked to the fertility regulation drug Altrenogest (under various trade names as Regu-Mate).

The disqualification means the record books now show the Anthony Cummings-trained Mizzy (Zoustar) as the winner of last year’s Canterbury S. from Masked Crusader (Toronado {Ire}) and another Godolphin galloper Bivouac in third.

Mizzy, who retired a dual Group 2 and Group 3 winner and a Group 1 placegetter is currently in foal to Coolmore shuttle stallion Wootton Bassett (GB) after Tom Magnier went to $2.2 million to secure her at last year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Tregea sells out of Incentivise

Windemere Stud will no longer be listed in the ownership of Incentivise (Shamus Award) after its owner and the G1 Caulfield Cup hero’s former trainer Steve Tregea sold his 50 per cent share.

Tregea said the Peter Moody-trained gelding’s fellow part-owner Steve McEwan purchased his share and that he believes the star stayer faces an uphill battle to recapture his brilliant best when he returns from a suspensory injury sustained in last year’s G1 Melbourne Cup.

"The vets will always give you an optimistic view, so you have to factor that in. They think that his chances of racing again are fair but like with all injuries, wear and tear takes its toll over time,” Tregea told Radio TAB.

"We've only had a couple of them (with similar injuries) and they have raced again, but not successfully and they ended up going again in the same area. So, it's 50/50 (chance he returns to his best) I guess."

Change charges home

Pocket Change’s second-up success at Bendigo on Tuesday marked the 16th winner this season for young Darley stallion Astern.

The John Salanitri-trained gelding narrowly denied Foxwedge filly Whatafox by 0.1l to break his maiden status in a 1400-metre contest.

Astern is currently tied for seventh position on the second-season sires' standings by winners alongside Newgate Farm stallion Extreme Choice.

Gem delivers on debut

Extreme Choice refused to be outdone by Astern and also notched his 16th winner for the season via the debut victory of Extreme Gem at Goulburn on Tuesday.

The Dynamic Syndications-owned and Richard and Michael Freedman-trained filly was a dominant victress, saluting by 1.9l under 2kg claiming apprentice Dylan Gibbons.

Extreme Choice is tied for seventh position on the second-season sires' standings by winners alongside Astern, however has had 29 less runners.

Dice in a hurry

Let’srollthedice (Dundeel {NZ}) was an emphatic 3.5l debut winner at Bendigo on Tuesday.

The Danny O’Brien-trained colt, who is out of the unplaced More Than Ready (USA) mare Hannah In A Hurry finished the better of Shalaa (Ire) colt Shalaman and Red Rapid (Merchant Navy) in the 1100-metre contest.

Sandhu confirms spell

Julius Sandhu has officially pulled the pin on Lofty Strike’s (Snitzel) autumn campaign after the unbeaten colt was sensationally scratched by Racing Victoria’s vets on the eve of last Saturday’s G1 Blue Diamond S. at Caulfield.

The Cranbourne-based trainer said he couldn’t bear to watch the juvenile feature, saying he spent time alone with Lofty Strike in the horse’s box while the race was run and won by Godolphin colt Daumier (Epaulette).

"In the midst of a highly emotional Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as you can well imagine, my mind was trying to look at what options I have for the horse," Sandhu told Racing.com.

"That was coming from a place that I believed the horse was ready to go, so in that moment I nominated to race him in Sydney in the Todman.”

Options remain open

Sydney’s big wet could see Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young bypass Saturday’s G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington in preference for a G1 Randwick Guineas tilt with talented colt Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel).

Busuttin, who trains in partnership with Young, said they are likely to accept for both feature contests but that the Australian Guineas remains their main preference.

“We are contemplating double accepting with Forgot You up in Sydney now given he gets through a wet track. But it will be a worry whether they hold the races I would presume,” Busuttin told SENTrack.

"Talking to Ozzie Kheir (managing owner) and they are quite happy to do so (dual accept). So, we will wait until the morning and weigh things up but potentially we will accept up there."

Colgan commits to La Crique

Vinnie Colgan could add an enviable seventh G1 New Zealand Derby to his illustrious resume when he partners leading contender La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) in this year’s edition on Saturday.

Colgan, the most successful New Zealand Derby rider, said he won’t take a full book at Ellerslie to ensure he is in peak condition when he takes the mount aboard the exciting Simon and Katrina Alexander-trained filly.

“When I’m at that weight (54.5kgs) I don’t want a full book of rides, knowing that the Derby’s going to be the second-last race. You don’t want to get to that race being worn out,” Colgan said.

“So, I micro-manage what’s going to happen for me on the day. I won’t take as many rides as normal, and definitely no lighter rides than 54.5kgs.”

Mishriff to undergo full examination

Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) will undergo a thorough examination once he returns home from his failure in last Sunday’s G1 Saudi Cup.

“He was hard up on the pace early and he just stopped coming round the bend. He’s flying back to the UK today, so he’ll have a full check-up with the vet when he gets home,” Thady Gosden, who trains the dual Group 1 winner in partnership with his father John, said.