No Platinum Jubilee for Nature Strip
G1 King’s Stand S. hero Nature Strip (Nicconi) won’t back-up in the G1 Platinum Jubilee at Royal Ascot on Sunday morning.
“I think there was a fair bit of pressure on the boss (Chris Waller) to try to get him to run,” the gelding’s managing part-owner, Rod Lyons, told Racing.com.
“But he said, ‘look, he’s done his job, let’s get him home and get him quarantined and get him ready for The Everest in the Spring’.”
In 2003, Australian sprinter Choisir won the then G2 King’s Stand S. on the Tuesday, and backed it up with a bullish victory four days later in the G1 Golden Jubilee.
Melbourne Cup winner Americain euthanised
Americain (USA) – the winner of the 2010 Melbourne Cup – has been euthanised after breaking a leg in a paddock accident in country Victoria.
Trained by Frenchman Alain de Royer-Dupre, the son of Dynaformer (USA) became the fourth international raider to win the Melbourne Cup, following Vintage Crop (Ire) (Rousillon {USA}) in 1993, Media Puzzle (USA) (Theatrical {Ire}) in 2002 and Delta Blues (Jpn) (Dance In The Dark {Jpn}) in 2006.
Americain (USA) pictured when winning the G1 Melbourne Cup in 2010 | Image courtesy of Sportpix
He was bought by Melbourne businessmen Gerry Ryan and Kevin Bamford, in conjunction with bloodstock agent Rob Roulston.
“He stepped in the wrong spot … he was a beautiful horse,” Ryan told Newscorp.
“He brought so much joy to everyone. It’s been a pretty special journey.”
The 17-year-old, who won 11 of his 34 starts and $5.9 million in prizemoney, had been enjoying retirement after commencing stud duties in 2013.
Gypsy Goddess to make hit-and-run Golden Eagle mission
Queensland Oaks heroine Gypsy Goddess (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) will have one run in the spring, with trainer David Vandyke announcing his star filly will make a raid on the $10 million Golden Eagle.
Vandyke admitted the injection of an additional $2 million in prizemoney for the 1500-metre event for 4-year-olds was enticing.
“I think I would be following the same path whether it was worth $8 million or $10 million, but with an extra $2 million in the race now, we have got a bit more of a spring in our step,” Vandyke told Newscorp.
“I don’t think she would be as competitive if she went to that race second-up, I think I could have her better first-up.”
Frankel import wins on local debut
After two starts in Ireland during October last year, 4-year-old Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained gelding Impulsar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) won at his Australian debut at Sandown (Hillside) on Wednesday.
Bred by John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds, Impulsar is from Propel (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and hails from the family of Group 1 heroine Cerulean Sky (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) and Group 2 winner Honolulu (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}).
With Harry Coffey aboard, Impulsar won the 1800-metre BM70 event by 0.2l.
Australian jockeys granted short-term Singapore licenses
The Singapore Turf Club has granted a short-term visiting jockey’s licence to Australian jockey Vlad Duric for the period from June 22 to July 17 and a one-day visiting jockey’s licence to compatriot Daniel Moor for June 26.
Duric, a four-time Singapore champion jockey who has recently returned to Melbourne, has been booked by trainer Tim Fitzsimmons to ride Relentless (Hallowed Crown) in the G2 Stewards’ Cup on June 26 and the G1 Singapore Derby on July 17, while Moor will partner the Fitzsimmons-trained Hero (Warrior’s Reward {USA}) in the Stewards’ Cup.
Another juvenile winner for Better Than Ready
Better Than Ready notched his 18th 2-year-old winner of the season – the most of any sire - when the Toby and Trent Edmonds-trained Corfe Castle won at Doomben on Wednesday.
Bred and owned in partnership by Toby Edmonds, the colt was offered by Alexia Fraser Bloodstock at last year’s Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, where he was passed in.
Corfe Castle is out of Quick Witted (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) and hails from the family of stakes winners Anamato (Redoute’s Choice), Drum (Marauding {NZ}) and Port Watch (Star Watch).
Better Than Ready made it 18 2-year-old winners for the season courtesy of Corfe Castle | Standing at Lyndhurst Stud Farm
Meanwhile, Spirit Of Milan made it 16 2-year-old winners for Spirit Of Boom, when she took out the opening event at Doomben.
Bred by Daandine Stud, the relative of Group 1 heroine Miss Kournikova (Mr Greeley {USA}) was bought by trainer Danny Bougoure for $100,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold March Yearling Sale.
Multiple sires land midweek double
Magnus, Sebring and Smart Missile all had two winners across Australia and New Zealand on Wednesday.
Magnus’ double came via Big Brew at Sandown (Hillside) and Gusonic at Randwick-Kensington. Sebring’s two winners were Petunia at Doomben and Tashi and Randwick-Kensington, while Smart Missile’s pair of winners was Beatrix at Sandown (Hillside) and Ultimate Focus at Cambridge.
‘CJP’ closes in on Pike
Western Australian jockey Clint Johnston-Porter is within three wins of William Pike, after notching a double at Belmont on Wednesday.
‘CJP’ rode the Adam Durrant-trained 2-year-old Mia Gusto (Demerit) and Jeanella (Universal Ruler) to victory, taking his 2021/22 tally to 170 victories.
Pike, meanwhile, is on 173 wins, after he saluted aboard Brown Thomas (Lope De Vega {Ire}) at Randwick-Kensington.
Spencer a good match for Artorius, says Freedman
Sam Freedman – co-trainer of Artorius (Flying Artie) – believes local jockey Jamie Spencer is the perfect match for the Blue Diamond-winning colt, who will take his place in the Platinum Jubilee at Royal Ascot on Sunday morning (1:20am AEST).
“Jamie Spencer has had a couple of rides on him now and he really gets on with him very well,” Freedman said.
“I haven't seen the horse round up like he does for Jamie in his work. He really uses himself properly.”
Entries open for Karaka 2023
Entries are open for New Zealand Bloodstock’s (NZB) 2023 National Yearling Sales Series, with the action-packed week of selling set to take place next summer at the Karaka Sales Centre.
After a year-long hiatus from its traditional timeslot, NZB’s Karaka 2023 Sale is set to return to its usual January selling period. Book 1 is set to commence from January 29-31, while Book 2 will take place from February 1-3. The National Online Yearling Sale will take place in April.
