Mo’unga to miss George Ryder
A slightly abnormal blood profile has seen dual Group 1-winning, Aquis-owned entire Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) ruled out of Saturday’s G1 George Ryder S. at Rosehill.
The decision was made by the Annabel Neasham stable after Mo’unga left feed and presented with a slightly elevated temperature on Friday morning.
Fillies to the fore
Kerrin McEvoy, rider of Revolutionary Miss (Russian Revolution), still regards the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic form as the benchmark for Saturday’s G1 Golden Slipper S. at Rosehill despite its winner Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) having not raced for 63 days and runner-up Russian Conquest (Russian Revolution) putting in and unplaced effort last start in the G2 Reisling S.
While McEvoy outlined the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and Peter and Paul Snowden-trained fillies as the horses to beat he is still confident that the G1 Blue Diamond S. runner-up Revolutionary Miss can make her presence felt in the lucrative juvenile feature.
Kerrin McEvoy
“Given the unorthodox nature of Coolangatta’s preparation, and Russian Conquest being a little below her best in the wet ground last start, it gives everyone else a bit of hope,” McEvoy told Racenet.
“I still feel those two fillies, if they are at their best, are the hardest to beat but Sejardan has to be respected and there are a number of other lightly raced horses on the improve."
Bott backs in Converge
Adrian Bott believes Converge (GB) can knock over the Godolphin-owned Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) for the second consecutive time when they renew their rivalry in Saturday’s G1 Rosehill Guineas.
The son of star Juddmonte Farms stallion Frankel (GB), who was bred by Bott’s father Tony, staved off the fast-finishing James Cummings-trained Anamoe after a well-rated, on-speed ride by Tim Clark in last fortnight’s G1 Randwick Guineas.
“Whether there should be as much difference in the market I don’t know but he (Anamoe) is proven over that trip and has that (second-placed) performance in the Cox Plate,” Bott told RSN.
“So, he’s certainly going to be hard to beat.”
Zaaki the one to beat
Annabel Neasham believes The All-Star Mile favourite Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) to currently be in the frame of mind he was before taking out last year’s Group 1 Doomben Cup by 7l.
The Warwick Farm-based horsewoman said the three-time Group 1-winning import has trained on since finishing a narrow second behind fellow All-Star Mile contender Inspirational Girl in last fortnight’s G2 Blamey S. at Flemington.
“He’s just very fresh and well and I think he’s the one they have to beat tomorrow,” Neasham told RSN.
“It certainly didn’t knock him about that run, he’s bounced through it (the Blamey) and both preps we’ve had him we’ve run him a fortnight between runs second-up and it had no ill effect on him, so I expect to see an improved performance.”
Ojai to arrive
James Cummings' sole G1 Golden Slipper S. representative Ojai (Exceed And Excel) to put her best foot forward in Saturday’s lucrative juvenile feature.
The Godolphin trainer said the Listed Kirkham Plate heroine is in superb order ahead of her autumn grand final and that she has trained on since finishing third behind Seven Veils (Shalaa {Ire}) last fortnight’s G2 Reisling S.
"We are pleased with her condition and her training and in an even year, she deserves her chance to compete for the big purse,” Cummings told SENTrack.
“She's got the right formline, third in the Reisling, in a year the fillies have looked superior.”
Queen of the Turf on the cards
David Eustace has hinted at the prospect of unbeaten mare Yonce (NZ) (Proisir) pressing on towards next month’s G1 Queen of the Turf S. should she dismantle a small field in Saturday’s inaugural running of The Mystic Journey at Flemington.
Eustace, who trains the lightly raced, Ozzie Kheir-owned 4-year-old in partnership with Ciaron Maher, said they are confident their galloper will run out a strong 2000 metres and that it wouldn’t be an issue dropping back to 1600 metres for the Randwick.
Yonce (NZ) | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“She would need to be impressive on Saturday to consider a start in the Queen of the Turf. It may be an option without saying definitely she will go there,” Eustace told SENTrack.
“The 2000 metres back to the 1600 metres, if we went that way, would be fine, especially if the ground was wet as it might slow a few of the others up.”
Pierro filly to Achieve success
Talented staying filly Achieve (Pierro) will be the sole runner for Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood this weekend when she contests the G1 New Zealand Oaks at Trentham on Saturday.
“If she can get every favour and every bit of luck in the run, she’s certainly going to be there or thereabouts,” Wellwood said.
“She's very honest and I think the mile and a half is going to suit. We go in happy with her, but she is going to need everything to go her way to be winning it.”
Tyler gearing up for Queensland sojourn
Kelvin Tyler is preparing to escape the Southland cold this winter for the warmer climes of Queensland.
The Riverton-based horseman, who trains in partnership with his daughter Aimee, said a lack of racing opportunities over winter in the South Island of New Zealand has forced his hand and he will head across the Tasman for at least three months with a small team.
Kevin Tyler | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“We are going to take half a dozen over there and we are just trying to sort that out at the moment,” Tyler said.
“We will go over for three months at this stage. We will head over at the end of April or early May. We will work it as a bit of a holiday, I am looking forward to it.”
Dubai World Cup night attracts 32 Group 1 winners
The likely fields for the nine Group races (one Arabian and eight Thoroughbred) scheduled on the US$30.5 million (AU$4.1 million) Dubai World Cup night card on March 26, were revealed on Thursday, with a total of 32 Group and Grade 1 winners set to take part in the Meydan showpiece.
