Racing Victoria releases ‘green paper’
Racing Victoria on Friday released its vision for the next decade, which includes a potential increase in night racing, proceeding with the potential development of a new racing centre, as well as a promise to keep every current country racetrack.
One key discussion point from the document is RV's openness to the possibility of ceasing racing at Sandown towards the back end of the 10-year period.
"However, this will only be supported by RV if a proposal to do so is in the best overall interests of the VTRI (Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Industry) at the time of its consideration," the document read.
Victorian racing participants will now be asked for their feedback, with submission to close in September
Vets to run the eye over Oaks pair
Queensland Oaks runners Glint Of Hope (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Le Villi (NZ) (Puccini {NZ}) will undergo a veterinary inspection on Saturday, ahead of the Group 1 feature.
Racing Queensland vets inspected the field on Friday.
Glint Of Hope was found to have minor heel pain, needing to be re-shod, while Le Villi was found to be short striding in front.
Nature Strip “airborne”, says J-Mac
Top jockey James McDonald claims star sprinter Nature Strip (Nicconi) is in rude health, ahead of his tilt at the Group 1 glory in the UK.
McDonald, who will partner Nature Strip in the G1 King’s Stand S. (1006 metres) on June 14, rode the gelding in a jump-out last Friday.
“Nature Strip is absolutely airborne. He couldn't be going much better. He’s just thriving at the moment,” McDonald said.
Stoute keen on Desert Crown’s Derby chances
Sir Michael Stoute is confident G1 Epsom Derby favourite Desert Crown (Nathaniel {Ire}) will take a power of beating in the English Classic, which will be run on Sunday morning at 1.30am AEST.
A last start 3l winner of the G2 Dante S. at York, a traditional Epsom Derby trial race, Desert Crown will jump from stall 12 under Richard Kingscote.
“He wouldn’t have to come on too much, it was a good performance at York that puts him in the reckoning. If you win the Dante, I don't think you have to improve too much more to win the Derby,” Stoute told Racing Post.
Yasuda Kinen to take centre stage on Sunday
Six consecutive weeks of Grade 1 events at Tokyo will wrap up on Sunday with the running of the time-honoured Yasuda Kinen.
Australian jockey Damian Lane will be aboard the Noriyuki Hori-trained Salios (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}), who is considered a $15 chance with Bet365. Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}), who will be ridden by superstar Frenchman Christophe Lemaire, is the favourite at $3.25.
“After fast work on the 26th (of May), jockey Damian Lane told us that he’s stiffer than before while trotting and the warmup, but it’s not a problem while he’s actually working. Lane also said that his responses, footwork, and breathing were good. He has definitely improved from when he first got back to the stable,” Hori said.
During the past 10 years, the race has been by won by champions, including Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) (2013), Maurice (Jpn), Satono Aladdin (Jpn) and Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
Easter H. winner off to Dubai
Last start G3 Easter H. (1600m) victress Carolina Reaper (NZ) (Vespa) will continue her career in the Middle East with Dubai-bound Australian trainer Michael Costa, who is soon to become the private trainer for Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at Jebel Ali racecourse.
Carolina Reaper (NZ) winning the G3 Easter H. | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Costa said the Vespa mare, who has won four of her 14 starts for trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, would be suited to the fillies and mares series in Dubai on turf in January and February.
“Just looking at it, I don’t believe the depth of those races is overly strong so we will try and aim her for them and then see if she can match it with the boys and be a carnival horse,” Costa said.
Freedman has high hopes for Astern juvenile
Randwick trainer Michael Freedman believes impressive debut winner Backrower (Astern) has the potential to contend for some nice races in the spring.
A $200,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale buy, the colt is a half-brother to triple Group 1 victor Le Romain (Hard Spun {USA}).
Backrower as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
After winning over 1200 metres at Newcastle on a Heavy 8 on May 14, Backrower will step out to 1300 metres in Saturday’s 2-Year-Old Handicap (race one) at Rosehill.
“He’s a horse I’ve always had a nice opinion of and hopefully he might develop into something in the spring,” Freedman told Racing NSW.
Friday treble for Written Tycoon
Group 1-winning sire Written Tycoon – a resident at Victoria’s Yulong Stud – enjoyed a winning treble on Friday.
Written Tycoon | Standing at Yulong Stud
Ferus won at Dubbo, Lady Austen scored at the Sunshine Coast, while Tywina saluted at Pakenham.
Written Tycoon stands for $165,000.
Inglis to offer dual stakes winner
Two-time stakes-winning mare All Banter (I’m All The Talk) has been added to the Inglis Digital June (Early) Online Sale, joining exciting colts Ranch Hand (Fastnet Rock) and Mars Mission (Deep Field).
Trained in Adelaide by Richard and Chantelle Jolly, All Banter won seven of her 15 starts, including the Listed Railway S. and Listed WJ Adams S., for earnings of $378,250.
The mare is being offered as a breeding proposition.
