Heathcote horses scratched
Stewards sensationally scratched Robert Heathcote's runners at Doomben on Saturday after an earlier inspection of his Eagle Farm stables by integrity officials revealed he had been treating his horses with a banned product.
All four of Heathcote’s runners were scratched 15 minutes before the first race of the day, including star 2-year-olds Prince Of Boom (Spirit Of Boom) and Startantes (Star Turn).
The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) issued a statement on the matter at 2pm on Saturday.
“Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) Stewards have commenced an inquiry following a report from the QRIC Integrity Investigative Team (IIT) regarding the alleged possession and administration of Hemoplex (containing cobalt salts) after a routine Race Day inspection at trainer Robert Heathcote’s stables this morning,” the statement said.
“The use of Hemoplex (containing cobalt salts) has been banned since May 1, 2021."
Heathcote believed his runners should not have been scratched.
Robert Heathcote | Image courtesy of Dynamic Syndications
“My horses were scratched today because I’ve been using a product for 25 years called Hemoplex which is a product used for horses for stress associated with racing, heavy work, restoring blood values, appetite maintenance and general good health in horses,” Heathcote told News Corp.
“I have used it on veterinary advice from my stable veterinarian, I wasn’t aware that as of May last year it was banned for usage in racing because it’s got a minuscule amount of cobalt in it.
“I feel in this instance they should have allowed the horses to run. By all means take swab samples of the horses – because there is no advantage to it, it’s just a general health treatment.
“It’s a natural product.
“I haven’t used Hemoplex on all my horses, only those that were deemed necessary on veterinary advice.”
A stewards’ hearing will be held at a later date.
Juvenile double for Star Turn
Vinery stallion Star Turn delivered two smart juvenile victories on Saturday, with 2-year-olds by the second season sire taking out races at Gold Coast and Morphettville.
Filly Prairie Flower won the second event at South Australia for Henry Dwyer in impressive fashion. She was a $120,000 Melbourne Premier purchase for her trainer, and this was her second victory.
Huri Black won her second of two starts, with the filly taking out the first race at the Gold Coast. Trained by Wayne Stephens, she was a $32,500 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale purchase for her trainer.
Treble for McDonald
The James Cummings-trained Andermatt (Snitzel) has won his two starts this campaign by a combined margin of more than 9l, rounding out the third win of James McDonald's day in the saddle.
He had scored earlier on Quintello (Ire) (Intello {Ger}) and Sunborn (Casino Prince).
James McDonald | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
James McDonald has a clear lead in the jockey's premiership, on 91 Metropolitan wins. Second is Hugh Bowman on 56 victories.
Hat trick for Playing God
Smart Western Australian sire Playing God delivered a memorable start to Ascot racing for Darling View Thoroughbreds, after siring the first three winners in a row.
Two-year-old colt Swear To God kicked off proceedings with a strong victory, before God Has Chosen showed his class getting his nose in front for his sixth win in 10 starts.
Three-year-old gelding Mojo Rhythm then rounded out the three-peat by taking out the third event.
Winner's circle for Derby winner
2021 G1 Queensland Derby winner Kukeracha (NZ) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) found his way back into the winner's circle on Saturday for the first time since his Group 1 win. The Night Of Thunder (Ire) gelding took out the Listed BRC Tails S.
It was the second run back this preparation for the 4-year-old, after a sixth in the 1500-metre G3 Doncaster Prelude in late March. Stepping up in distance to 1640 metres for the stakes event at Doomben, the Chris Waller-trained gelding is now likely to target additional winter riches.
Kukeracha (NZ), winner of the Listed BRC Tails S. at Doomben | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“He couldn’t have asked for a better run in third on the fence and James got the best out of him,” stable representative Brett Killion said.
“He loves it up here and ran accordingly, we’ll probably look at a race like the Hollindale now."
Records set in Florida
The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds, which had already surpassed its record gross during Thursday's penultimate session, powered straight through to the finish on Friday, concluding with new highwater marks for average and median, as well as gross.
At the end of four days of selling, 707 horses had grossed $91,984,000 ($125,707,946). The previous record gross, set just last year, was $73,907,900 ($102,224,044). The average of $130,105 ($180,000) and median of $65,000 ($90,000) were well ahead of previous marks of $108,903 ($150,573) and $60,000 ($82,884), both set in 2019.
Friday's final session of the Spring sale was topped by a filly by Munnings who became the auction's fifth seven-figure juvenile when selling for $1.6 million ($2.2 million) to Larry Best's OXO Equine. A filly by Justify (lot 1139) sold for $800,000 ($1.1 million). Bloodstock agent Chad Schumer, acting on behalf of an undisclosed client, made the winning bid on the juvenile.
McCoull fined, suspended
Tasmanian jockey Brendon McCoull was fined and suspended for breaking whip rules aboard Bello Beau (Brazen Beau), who finished second in Saturday's $1 million The Showdown at Caulfield.
The 2-year-old colt raced prominently throughout, only to be caught late by Kings Consort (Ilovethiscity).
Stewards charged McCoull with breaching whip rules for use of 10 times before the 100 metre mark, five over the allowance, suspending him for eight meetings and copping a fine of $4500.
"He is still a little bit immature, he went really good obviously and will definitely be better next season," McCoull said after the race.
Queensland targets for Kiwi juvenile
Two-year-old galloper Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood {USA}) put his best foot forward at Pukekohe when he dashed home late in the piece to capture the Listed Staphanos By Deep Impact Champagne S.
The Team Rogerson-trained son of Redwood (USA) had thrown away a likely victory on debut at Ruakaka with some erratic tendencies in the final 150 metres but was on his best behaviour for rider Matt Cameron on Saturday.
Raced by a group that includes his breeder Gerry Harvey, co-trainer Graeme Rogerson holds lofty ambitions for his charge, with a trip to the Brisbane Winter Carnival now on the cards following the victory.
Sharp 'N' Smart (NZ), winner of the Listed Champagne S. at Pukekohe | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“He has a tremendous amount of raw ability and is still very green, but you saw a touch of what we think he is capable of in that performance today," said Rogerson.
“We are going to wait and see how he comes through the race, but if he pulls up well then, I think he will be on a plane to Queensland. The target will be the JJ Atkins over the mile in Brisbane as he showed today the mile is no problem for him.
“Whatever happens now, I can’t wait to see him as a 3-year-old as I think he could be a very special horse in the making.”
Currie excited by Champion's Day
Australian jockey Luke Currie has a strong book of rides on Sunday at Sha Tin, headlined by Super Wealthy (Epaulette) in the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize.
The Group 1-winning jockey tasted immediate success at his first ride in Hong Kong before subsequently being sidelined for the next 18 race meetings with injury.
"It's like starting all over again, it's disappointing to have kicked off with such a good start and as well with that support straight away, but I'll be doing my best until the end of the season and let's see how things go," said Currie, who has had 18 rides since returning this month."
Luke Currie
Super Wealthy has been a model of consistency across his career, boasting five wins from 19 starts including victory in the G3 National Day Cup H. for trainer David Hayes earlier this season.
In Sunday's Class 2 Bullish Luck Handicap, Currie will partner Beluga (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), a five-time winner in Hong Kong, including two starts ago over a mile, before two races later hopping aboard Texas Moon (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) for Benno Yung, with the February debut winner to tackle the Class 3 Fairy King Prawn H.
