Daily News Wrap

Corumbene Stud returns to standing stallions

Corumbene Stud will stand its own stallions for the first time in more than 20 years.

Group 2 winners Menari and Standout, who were both bred and raced by Corumbene Stud, will cover mares at the Dunedoo-based property in the Upper Hunter Valley.

Having established Corumbene Stud in 1980, George Altomonte has enjoyed a long and successful career in racing and breeding, most notably with 2013 Golden Slipper-winning filly Overreach (Exceed And Excel) and Sebring, who he bred and sold at the 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Sebring won five of his six starts, including the G1 Golden Slipper S. and G1 Sires’ Produce S., and became a champion sire before his death in 2019.

In the care of top trainer Gerald Ryan, Menari won three of his eight starts, including the G2 Run To The Rose, and was third in the G1 Golden Rose S. He is by the Listed-winning mare Isurava (General Nediym).

Gallery: Stallions standing at Corumbene Stud in 2022

Menari spent four seasons standing at Newgate Farm, but suffered from fertility issues.

He had a colt by Fadetta (USA) (Rock Hard Ten {USA}) realise $350,000 at this year's Magic Millions Sale on the Gold Coast. Offered on account of Willow Park Stud, the colt was purchased by Bahen Bloodstock.

And, at the same Sale, Corumbene Stud sold a colt from Natalia (Choisir) to the Freedman Brothers for $230,000.

Standout, meanwhile, is a brother of Overreach, by Bahia (Snippets), and his best victory was the G2 Expressway S. for Ryan and Sterling Alexiou. Standout’s grandam, Miss Prospect (Rory’s Jester) is the dam of G1 Blue Diamond hero Reward For Effort, as well as 16-time winner Consular (Royal Academy {USA}).

The most recent stallion to stand at Corumbene Stud was Natski (Ire) way back in 2001.

Menari will stand for a fee of $16,500 (inc GST), while Standout will command $8800 (inc GST).

Alegron salutes in St Leger

Godolphin gelding Alegron (Teofilo {Ire}) showcased his staying prowess when defeating older rivals in the time-honoured Listed VRC St Leger S. at Flemington on Monday.

Donning the Anzac Appeal silks the James Cummings-trained 3-year-old, who came through a third placing behind Hitotsu (Maurice {Jpn}) in the G1 Australian Derby, was given a peach of a ride by Damien Oliver after the Champion hoop settled back and on the rails.

Oliver bided his time on straightening and successfully plotted a path into clear air in the straight before levelling up alongside The Cunning Fox (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) and putting the Patrick Payne-trained galloper away comfortably over the final furlong.

Steel Prince back on the board

Steel Prince’s (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) victory at Flemington on Monday marked the 2019 Listed Andrew Ramsden S. hero’s first success since sustaining a serious tendon injury in last year’s G1 Australian Cup.

The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained gelding, who was conceding 6kgs to the field, showcased his superior stamina and staying ability in the 2600 metre William Newton VC H. to score by 2l under Jye McNeil.

“He deserved that, it’s been a big effort by the whole team and he’s taken a while to come back,” Sam Freedman said.

“Whilst they’re not celebrating as hard as they were a few seasons ago (after winning the 2019 Andrew Ramsden) but it’s still a big thrill and it’s quite emotional.”

Star Patrol sizzles

The penny has dropped for Starspangledbanner gelding Star Patrol after the Clinton McDonald-trained 3-year-old backed up his dominant last-start Pakenham maiden victory with a scintillating 7l success at Flemington on Monday.

Taken forward from a low draw by Brett Prebble, Star Patrol took control of the race at the 400-metre mark before letting down with a strong turn of foot when asked to extend by Prebble.

Savy Sovereign (Savabeel) and Cardinal Gem (Choisir) rounded out the minors in the 1200-metre straight-track dash.

Previously trained by Kacey Fogden and Mark Newnham respectively, Star Patrol was contesting his seventh career start and second since joining McDonald’s Cranbourne-based camp.

Verry Elleegant to race on

Connections of Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) have confirmed that the 11-time Group 1-winning heroine will race on into the spring.

The Chris Waller-trained mare's part-owner Brae Sokolski said Verry Elleegant’s ownership group will meet this week to determine whether the 6-year-old heads to France for the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe or remains on home soil for a G1 Melbourne Cup defence.

“At the end of the day, it’s what’s in the best interests of the horse and her legacy, that’s all that matters, not what’s in the best interests of the ownership group. It’s going to be a democratic decision, made by the entire ownership group,” Sokolski told Racing.com.

“It’s a great, vexing problem to have, we’re privileged with having to consider those options. At this stage, I’m still very much deliberating, along with the other owners.”

Bridge's Legend building towards spring

Les Bridge has his sights set on another tilt at The Everest with 2020 victor Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt).

The Hall of Fame trainer said the Bon Ho-owned gelding is progressing in the right direction after spraining a suspensory ligament when running fifth in last year’s edition of the sprint feature.

“His last scan was fairly good, so he’s going to come in and go into light work and we’ll see how we go with him to get him ready for The Everest,” Bridge told Racing.com.

“He’ll have the same preparation that he had when he won The Everest (in 2020), which is (G2) The Shorts and the (G2) Premiere (S.). He’ll have those two as lead-up races.”

Home Affairs to trial on Friday

Royal Ascot-bound colt Home Affairs (I Am Invincible) is set to trial at Rosehill on Friday as he prepares for a first-up raid on the G1 Platinum Jubilee S.

The dual Group 1-winning, Coolmore-owned 3-year-old was withdrawn from a trial at Warwick Farm last Friday after being ‘ahead of schedule’.

"The only reason for the withdrawal on Friday was we are a little bit ahead of schedule with the colt," Waller’s assistant trainer, Charlie Duckworth, told Sky Sports Radio

“Chris always plans with that bonus week in hand so that if there is some sort of issue we don’t fall behind. We have had no issue with the colt so we are a week ahead.”

Shalaa lands a double

Shalaa (Ire) opened up a three win buffer on Star Turn after notching his 36th winner for the season via the breakthrough victories of Tidal Impact at Gosford and Irish Raider at Cunnamulla on Monday.

The Damien Lane-trained Tidal Impact, who was having her seventh career start, went home the better of Irish Kisses (Shamus Award) and Ciao Uno (Super One) in her 1100-metre Gosford contest while Irish Raider was able to score at start four for trainer Rebbeca Kerwin.

Shalaa is currently second on the second-season sires' standings by winners, which is led by Newgate Farm stallion Capitalist.

Xravagant day at the office

Young Newhaven Park stallion Xtravagant (NZ) recorded a double on Monday by the way of Xpresso and Vinyl’s maiden victories at Gosford and Kalgoorlie respectively.

The Nathan Doyle-trained Xpresso justified his short-priced quote on resumption when saluting by 3.3l under Lee Magorrian while Vinyl broke through at start number three with a 1.5l success.

Xtravagant has recorded 21 winners for the season thus far.

Dettori and Dancing Brave into HOF

Charismatic international jockey Frankie Dettori and 1980s legend Dancing Brave are the two newest members of the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame. Dettori, 51, is the third jockey to be inducted after Lester Piggott and Pat Eddery. He has ridden almost 3,300 British winners, third to Piggott and Willie Carson, as well as celebrated major victories in at least 24 countries. The Italian holds the record for scores in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, with six.

Trained by Guy Harwood for the late Prince Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte operation, Dancing Brave is the sixth horse to enter the Hall of Fame, 36 years after his G1 2000 Guineas victory. “On behalf of Prince Khalid's family, for Dancing Brave to be the second horse owned by him, after Frankel (GB), to be inducted into the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame is testament to Prince Khalid's passion and vision for the Thoroughbred,” said Douglas Erskine Crum, Chief Executive of Juddmonte.

Saskatoon turns it on

Star Turn gelding Saskatoon brought up the second victory of his career when making his debut for the Richard and Chantelle Jolly camp at Gawler on Monday.

The Seymour Bloodstock-owned 3-year-old, who was previously in the care of Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, finished the better of Hasslefree (The Factor {USA}) and John Ranger (O’Lohnro) in the 1100 metre BM68.

Star Turn, who will stand at Vinery Stud for $27,500 (inc GST) this upcoming breeding season, is currently third behind Capitalist and Shalaa (Ire) on the second-season sire standings by winners on 33.

Queensland carnival is calling

Talented mare It’s Me (Shamus Award) will step out for the first time since a fast finishing eighth placing in last March’s Listed Bob Hoysted S. at Flemington when she contests this Saturday’s G2 Victory S. at Eagle Farm.

The Grand Syndicates-owned 5-year-old, who has raced twice since sustaining a tendon injury following victory in the 2020 The Kosciuszko, was scratched from last Saturday’s Randwick meeting due to the Heavy track conditions.

“I was speaking to Peter Morey, the big boss of Grand (Syndicates) the other day and he said, ‘if it costs us a whole prep waiting for a Good track, so be it’,” Cavanough told Racenet.

“She needed her first couple of runs back as you’d expect returning off so long on the sidelines but right now, she’s going as well as she goes and it’s a case of the rain leaving us alone.”

Benner excited for spring titles

Johno Benner is excited about the future prospects for promising stayer Titled (Exceed And Excel) despite his galloper failing to win a race in his 3-year-old campaign.

The rangy gelding remains a maiden after 12 starts but has been placed on eight occasions including a third placed performance in G3 Manawatu Classic before finishing strongly to take out second in the G2 Championship S. at Pukekohe.

“He really is a big, dumb sort who is still learning the game, but the raw potential is clear to see. He has put in two huge runs lately against some good company and I have no doubt he can measure up again in his next campaign,” Benner said.

“I think once he wins a race, he will string them together, as he just needs the penny to drop in that respect.”

Rionach gets it done on debut

Rionach (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) showed she had inherited her family's ability when she produced a powerful home straight surge to claim victory on debut at Avondale on Monday.

The Daniel and Elias Nakhle-owned and bred juvenile filly is the granddaughter of the Group 2-winning Irish Colleen (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}), who has left the Group 3-winning, G1 Caulfield Guineas fourth placegetter Crosshaven (Smart Missile) and the New Zealand Group 3 winner Killarney (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).

“She has had a couple of jump-outs at home and is a very sensible filly so we thought she would be okay having a start without a trial under her belt,” Rionach’s co-trainer Dawn Williams said.

“Her brain is in the right place and we would have been happy if she had finished in the first four, so to get a win and take home the Pearl Series bonus is a wonderful result.”