Lighthouse under injury cloud
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace will play the waiting game before deciding on whether Lighthouse (USA) (Mizzen Mast {USA}) lines-up in Saturday’s G1 Doncaster H. at Randwick.
The stable notified Racing NSW stewards on Thursday morning that the G1 Coolmore Classic heroine has ‘a pulse in the near fore foot and associated lameness in that foot’.
Lighthouse (USA) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“It’s a pulse there and something is obviously brewing so hopefully it pops out (on Thursday) and she is right tomorrow,” Maher told Racenet.
“It is not a big deal but whether she is right on the day or not remains to be seen but it’s not a big issue.”
Caboche cleared of serious injury
Dylan Caboche could return to race riding in the next fortnight, with the SA-based hoop cleared of serious injuries after falling at Oakbank on Wednesday.
The Australian Jockeys' Association OH&S manager Kevin Ring said Caboche had been discharged from hospital on Wednesday evening but had been stood down for 12 days, under the sport’s mandatory concussion rule.
Heddo joins Hawkesbury
James Heddo has been appointed as the Hawkesbury Race Club CEO.
The experienced racing administrator has worked in the racing industry for more than 30-years, which includes four years as Executive GM-Racing Services at the Australian Turf Club.
James Heddo | Image courtesy of the Australian Turf Club
“I’m delighted to be able to return to the racing industry and grateful for the opportunity to join such a strong and historic club as Hawkesbury,” Heddo said.
“I look forward to working with the great team there, and the first focus will be ensuring the forthcoming annual Saturday stand-alone Hawkesbury Cup meeting on April 30 is another fantastic success.”
Berry on the bandwagon
Tommy Berry is hoping Shelby Sixtysix’s (Toronado {Ire}) can continue his rich vein of form when he reunites with the last start G1 The Galaxy H. hero in Saturday’s star-studded edition of the G1 TJ Smith S. at Randwick.
The star hoop remains in awe of the Danny Williams-trained gelding’s remarkable rise, saying it is like nothing he has ever seen before.
Tommy Berry will be reunited with Shelby Sixtysix this Saturday in the G1 TJ Smith S. at Randwick | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He’s obviously a very fit horse and on these wet tracks he has gone to the heights he has this autumn,” Berry told Racenet.
“Honestly, I think having two weeks between runs is my biggest concern. Danny (Williams) says the horse is a very good doer and is quite gross but everything else is in our favour.”
Savonia scores
Savonia marked the 27th Australian winner this season for her young sire Shalaa (Ire) when breaking through at Kyneton on Thursday.
Trained by Leon and Troy Corstens, the Arrowfield-owned filly had finished second in her last four starts before scoring by 3.75l in the 1479-metre contest.
Shalaa (Ire) | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Shalaa now draws level with barnmate Maurice (Jpn) in fourth position on the second-season sires' standings by winners, which is led by Newgate Farm stallion Capitalist.
Julius Just delighted
Josh Julius believes he may never get a better chance at winning a Group 1 than he does on Saturday with G1 Doncaster H. hopeful Just Folk (Magnus).
The Bendigo-based trainer said the last start G3 Doncaster Prelude winner, who is unbeaten in three starts on Heavy going, gets everything in his favour, having drawn barrier 10 of 20 and being required to carry just 50kg.
Josh Julius
“The reality of the situation with the horse we’ve got, the form he’s in, the weight we carry and the conditions of the race, we might not get another shot like this to win a race like this for a very long time,” Julius told Racing.com.
“I’m tipping with a bottomless track, gate 10 will give us a chance to be in the race wherever we want to be and give us a chance up the straight to find some room and hit the line.”
Moody mulls next Mission
Peter Moody is mulling over where he heads next with Spanish Mission (GB) (Noble Mission {USA}) after the entire failed to beat a runner home in last Monday’s G1 Tancred S. at Newcastle.
The Pakenham-based trainer ruled Spanish Mission out of Saturday week’s G1 Queen Elizabeth S. and said a tilt at the G1 Sydney Cup is ‘very doubtful’.
“Do we just pull up stumps and ready him for the spring? I suppose that's the possibility there, or does he have a tick-over run in Queensland,” Moody said on his Moody On The Mic podcast.
"We will keep an open mind. He has got home in one piece and has travelled well, so onwards and upwards."
Celebrity can bounce back
Phillip Stokes is confident Instant Celebrity (Not A Single Doubt) can recapture her brilliant best this preparation after a sharp jump-out at Pakenham on Tuesday suggested she had returned from knee surgery in good order.
The Trevor Robertson-bred and owned mare is likely to resume in next month’s G3 RN Irwin S. at Morphettville before defending her crown in the G1 Sangster S. on May 7.
Instant Celebrity
"Jamie Kah came down to ride her and we were really happy with her performance. Compared to how she was going into last year's Robert Sangster, I think I've got her more forward,” Stokes told Racing.com.
"The Sangster and The Goodwood are her two aims, then we'll assess her future. She's going well and I'd love to think we can race on with her but if she tells us otherwise, she'll go to the breeding barn."
OTI buys into untapped Kiwi juvenile
OTI Racing have secured a major interest in potentially the ‘best horse’ Clinton Isdale has ever had.
The Luigi Muollo-bred juvenile Big Story (NZ) (What’s The Story {NZ}), who is unbeaten in two trial appearances at Cambridge’s synthetic track, will make his debut at Avondale on Saturday over 1300 metres.
“After the first gallop I gave Big Story, I said to Luigi that he’s probably the best horse we’ve had,” Isdale said.
“OTI has bought into him and one of the clauses is that he would have two starts here, targeting the Champagne Stakes at his second one if he was to run well on Saturday, and then he will go to Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr in Australia.”
Dunne suspension reduced
Jockey Robbie Dunne has had his 18-month suspension reduced to 10 months after an appeal hearing in London.
Dunne was suspended for conduct prejudicial to racing for his harassment and bullying of fellow rider Bryony Frost by the British Horseracing Authority Disciplinary Panel in December.
Robbie Dunne | Image courtesy of PA Images
His appeal was rejected by the independent appeal board, with the four breaches of Rule (J)19 originally found by the independent Disciplinary Panel adjusted to one overarching breach, which covers all offences
The penalty is reduced from 18 months' suspension (three of which were suspended) to 10 months' suspension (with no part suspended).
The suspension will now run from December 10, 2021 until October 9, 2022.
