Zaaki hit with horror draw
Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) will be forced to overcome a horror draw, barrier 15, if he is to take out Saturday’s The All-Star Mile at Flemington.
The Annabel Neasham-trained galloper will be aided by the services of Jamie Kah, who bounced back to her brilliant best when riding five winners at Morphettville on Saturday.
Zaaki (GB) has drawn barrier 15 in The All-Star Mile
Inspirational Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), who had Zaaki’s measure in the G2 Blamey S. has drawn superbly in barrier four while the OTI Racing-owned I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) will be faced with a tricky gate for his get back, run on racing style after drawing barrier one.
Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) has drawn next to I’m Thunderstruck’s outside in barrier two while Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) has secured a lovely midfield draw, barrier seven.
Clairvoyance sustains serious injury
Classy WA-based mare Clairvoyance (Nostradamus) is currently receiving treatment at the Ascot Equine Vets after she suffered a complete fracture of her pelvis at trackwork on Tuesday morning.
She won the Listed Pinjarra Classic last month.
Melham to be sidelined
Ben Melham is set for an extended stint on the sidelines after fracturing his shoulder blade and collarbone in an after-the-line fall aboard Set The Sails (More Than Ready {USA}) at Morphettville on Monday.
Melham will be assessed by Dr Gary Zimmerman before a decision is taken on whether he requires surgery.
Chenin breaks maiden
Chenin (Pierro), a sister to G1 Randwick Guineas winner Shadow Hero, broke her maiden status when saluting at Hawkesbury on Tuesday.
The Mark Newnham-trained filly finished 1.6l the better of Mikasa (Maurice {Jpn}) with a narrow gap back to Wolfburn (Snitzel) in third.
Fifth winner for Heroic Valour
Young Raheen Stud stallion Heroic Valour notched his fifth winner for the season on Tuesday by the way of Zipping Irish’s first-up maiden victory at Mackay.
Heroic Valour | Standing at Raheen Stud
Heroic Valour, a winner of the G1 Diamond S. at Ellerslie, is currently tied with Russian Revolution for second position on the first-season sires' standings by winners.
Thompson appeals suspension
Jockey Ben Thompson has launched an internal review of the decision which saw him suspended by stewards for four weeks following a fall which caused fellow hoop Ryan Maloney to fall off the David Vandyke-trained Sacred Oath (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}).
If applicants are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, they can then exercise their right to appeal the decision to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, where they can ask for a stay of proceedings to allow them to continue to ride until the charge is heard.
Isotope primed for Galaxy
Tony Gollan believes Isotope (Deep Field) will put her best foot forward when she steps out as leading contender in Saturday’s G1 The Galaxy H. at Rosehill.
The 4-year-old mare, who was victorious in January’s Magic Millions Snippets at the Gold Coast is in the best shape of her career and ready to cement her status as a genuine Group 1 talent, according to Gollan.
Isotope | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“We have seen glimpses of it, but I don’t think we have seen her at her absolute best yet, hopefully on Saturday we can see that because she is a lovely, strong mare now,” Gollan told Racenet.
“She won at Rosehill on this day last year so hopefully she can strike again, she is a better version of what she was last year.”
Shelby not slowing down
Danny Williams says Shelby Sixtysix (Toronado {Ire}) is ‘jumping out of his skin’ ahead of his tilt at Saturday’s G1 The Galaxy H. at Rosehill.
The 5-year-old gelding, who went straight past Nature Strip (Nicconi) and nearly ran down Eduardo (Host {Chi}) in the G2 Challenge S. will have his first crack at Group 1 glory after winning the G3 Maurice McCarten S. at Rosehill last Saturday.
“He definitely knew he went around the next day (after the McCarten S.). But the last 24 hours he has been jumping out of his skin,” Williams told Racenet.
“He has a great constitution, and you have to remember that it’s not the first time we have backed him up. He has coped with it in the past and attune to it.”
Trentham mile test for Shamus
Allan Sharrock is hoping for a Group 1 victory to finish off an exciting 3-year-old season for Shamus (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) on Saturday.
The New Plymouth-based trainer turned down an opportunity to head to the G1 New Zealand Derby in favour of this Saturday’s G1 Levin Classic at Trentham after his galloper finished third in the G2 Waikato Guineas at Te Rapa last month.
Allan Sharrock | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“I think he’s on target, and it seems a nice race for him to be honest,” Sharrock said.
“He’s won at Wellington before and I think the big, roomy spaces will suit him down to the ground.”
