Anamoe ready to go
James Cummings is hoping Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) can prove himself to be the best horse in the country by toppling a star-studded G1 Queen Elizabeth S. lineup at Randwick on Saturday.
Godolphin Australia's head trainer said the emphatic last start G1 Rosehill Guineas hero has developed into a more focused and professional individual this campaign.
Anamoe | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I don’t want to put pressure on the horse but I have to say that I was even more pleased than leading into the (G1) Cox Plate,” Cummings said.
“That’s why we chose the (G1) Queen Elizabeth as we want to challenge the horse and prove not only is he the best of his age but the best in the country.”
Racing NSW launch Equimillion
Racing NSW has launched an equestrian event with a minimum of $1 million in prizemoney exclusively for retired thoroughbred racehorses called Equimillion.
The event will showcase the versatility and suitability of thoroughbreds for careers outside of racing, with the inaugural event to be held on the October long weekend in 2023.
The $1 million-plus prizemoney on offer will be distributed across a range of disciplines and classes in the biggest two-day equestrian event ever to be held in NSW. It will include eventing, show jumping, dressage and showing with a particular focus on amateur competitors.
Ahead of the event, Racing NSW will host an auction for recently retired thoroughbred racehorses, with those horses being purchased at the auction being eligible to compete at Equimillion.
Duais ready for QEII dual
Edward Cummings is buying into the hype that his star mare Duais (Shamus Award) is the ‘next’ Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) ahead of Saturday’s mouth-watering G1 Queen Elizabeth S. at Randwick.
The Hawkesbury-based horseman said the last start G1 Tancred S. heroine is capable of toppling Chris Waller’s superstar mare and that Duais has earn’t the right to test herself against the very best middle-distance gallopers in the land rather than stretch out over two-miles in the G1 Sydney Cup.
Duais | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
"I've actually felt like she's the next Verry Elleegant and that she profiles like the next Verry Elleegant for the last six to nine months," Cummings told RSN.
"I'm buoyed by the fact she's done so well her last few starts and arguably should have three wins on the trot. To some extent I think the rain will actually help her chances because it will become a more testing 2000-metre race.”
Stakes success pending
First-season Darley stallion Impending could be in line for a maiden stakes success, with Sam Freedman oozing confidence ahead of Moko’s tilt at Saturday’s Listed Fernhill Mile at Randwick.
The Godolphin-owned filly was narrowly denied last start by Williamsburg (Snitzel) in the G3 Schweppervescence S., which was run on a bottomless Rosehill surface.
“She’s in good shape and we are looking forward to getting her out to the mile. The mile will suit us better, she hit a few really heavy spots last start so she should be really competitive,” Freedman, who trains Moko in partnership with his father Anthony, said.
“She’s seemingly trained on for this and she’s ready to go.”
Foujita San sizzles at Sandown
Maurice (Jpn) colt Foujita San sizzled at Sandown on Wednesday when breaking his maiden status by 5.75l under Jye McNeil.
The Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes-trained juvenile, who was narrowly beaten on debut at Moonee Valley by the promising Zamborghini (Zoustar), brought up Maurice’s 29th winner for the season.
Maurice, who stands at Arrowfield Stud is currently fourth on the second-season sire standings by winners.
Turf tune up
Jerome Hunter says Saturday's G1 Queen of the Turf S. at Randwick is the ideal progression for G1 Australasian Oaks-bound filly Barb Raider (Rebel Raider).
The Mornington-based trainer said the Australasian Oaks, which is to be run at Morphettville on April 30, will be his stable star's autumn grand final bearing she comes through the Queen of the Turf unscathed.
"The programming sort of stops in Melbourne. We had the option of running in the Moonee Valley race or the Vinery, but I didn't want to go third-up 2000 metres on a Heavy track," Hunter told Racing.com.
"It's not going to be the weakest race but with the programming it would have been a good six weeks until Adelaide."
Bowman backs in Montefilia
Hugh Bowman believes Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) is capable of replicating the run that saw her topple Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) in the G1 Ranvet S. when they renew their rivalry in Saturday’s star-studded G1 Queen Elizabeth S. at Randwick.
The Sydney-based hoop said the underrated David Payne-trained mare is at her best over 2000 metres and that the Annabel Neasham-trained Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) will prove the hardest to beat.
Montefilia | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
"Personally, I feel she is at her best at 2000 metres and that was on display in a dominant victory in the Ranvet Stakes," Bowman told Racenet.
"They are going to know she is in this race anyway but if she can bounce off that Ranvet win she is going to be right in it."
Dalasan to go on
Multiple Group 1 placegetter Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) is more than likely to continue his racing career into the upcoming spring carnival, with co-trainer Leon Macdonald citing a lack of interest by stud farms to the decision.
Macdonald, who trains the 5-year-old entire in partnership with Andrew Gluyas, said the G1 Queen Elizabeth S.-bound galloper will almost certainly back up into Saturday week’s G3 JRA Plate at Randwick before returning to their South Australian base.
Dalasan | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
"We think we'll go on because of the fact he hasn't got a home. I don't think he's personally ever going to get one,” Macdonald told Racing.com.
"He's going to get some little stud like Rebel Raider got, five grand a go, if you do pay, and get some second-rate mares and maybe throw some good winners, it's not what being a stud is about."
Moody imports sent for spells
Constant wet weather in New South Wales and Queensland has ended the autumn and potential winter campaigns of Peter Moody's talented imports Spanish Mission (GB) (Noble Mission {USA}) and Nickajack Cave (Ire) (Kendargent {Fr}).
Both horses had been touted as possible runners at Randwick for Day 2 of The Championships on Saturday, but Moody’s assistant trainer Katherine Coleman confirmed the duo are now spelling.
"They're both horses that need a firm deck and unfortunately there's just no suitable races for them at the moment that are going to come up on a nice track, so they've both gone to the paddock and then they can hopefully look towards the spring," Coleman told Racing.com.
Lockinge resumption likely
William Haggas has outlined the G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. at Newbury on May 14 as star Shadwell homebred Baaeed’s (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) likely seasonal starting point.
The undefeated colt boasts victories over Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Victor Ludorum (GB) (Shamardal {USA}), who will both shuttle to Darley Kelvinside this upcoming breeding season.
