Cup heroine closes in on European debut
Francis-Henri Graffard – the new trainer of Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) – is considering the G1 Prix Rothschild (1600 metres) at Deauville in the first week of August as the race where the Melbourne Cup winner has her first local start.
Francis-Henri Graffard | Image courtesy of Aga Khan Studs
“She’s going great and she seems to be ahead of her program after talking to Francis yesterday in terms of where her fitness is, which is great because that gives us flexibility to potentially resume sooner than we’d thought,” part-owner Brae Sokolski told Racing.com.
“It is now a distinct possibility she could run in the first week of August.”
Heathcote hit with hefty fine
Saturday’s Tattersall's Tiara Group 1-winning trainer Rob Heathcote has been fined $34,000 after pleading guilty to possession and administration of the banned substance Hemoplex.
Robert Heathcote | Image courtesy of Heathcote Racing
On the morning of the April 23 race meeting at Doomben, the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission’s (QRIC) investigative team scratched four Heathcote-trained horses, including now Group 1 winner Startantes (Star Turn), following a routine stable inspection.
Stewards determined that an examination of the stable’s treatment records indicated there had been multiple administrations to various horses of the substance Hemoplex between January 1, 2022 and April 23, 2022.
According to News Limited, Heathcote will appeal the decision.
Cup-winning jockey keen for more time in the saddle
Fresh from a Morphettville double for brother Patrick on Saturday, Michelle Payne hopes to spend more time race riding, as she juggles the dual roles of trainer and jockey.
“It’s a little bit hard to do both so it’s good to be back in the swing of things a bit more now and I hope to get a few more rides, and hopefully Patty will give me a few more call-ups,” Payne, who won the Melbourne Cup aboard Prince Of Penzance (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) in 2015, told Racing.com.
“It’s not through a lack of wanting to get out and ride it’s just because I’ve been focusing on getting my team set up at home and getting that going.”
Group 2 winner for Justify
Kept at home as Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) went to Royal Ascot, Statuette (USA) (Justify {USA}) was able to comfortably follow her stablemate's lead by taking Sunday's G2 Airlie Stud S. at The Curragh.
“She has a beautiful mind, great stride and an unbelievable physique,” Aidan O'Brien said after welcoming his eighth winner of this prize. “We think the Justifys are something to look forward to.”
Jacquinot building up to spring
Talented 2-year-old Jacquinot (Rubick) will be aimed at the G1 Golden Rose and G1 Caulfield Guineas in the spring.
Co-trainer Mick Kent Jnr said the colt, a Caulfield winner on debut and G1 Blue Diamond S. placegetter, has thrived during his spell.
“He’s done really well. He’s put on a lot of weight and, although he’s a Rubick, we’re looking forward to getting him out in distance too. So, his aim will be hopefully the Golden Rose (1400 metres) into the Caulfield Guineas (1600 metres),” Kent Jnr told Racing.com.
Titleholder to tackle Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Sunday’s G1 Takarazuka Kinen champion Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) will look to become Japan’s first winner of the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in Paris in October.
Titleholder (Jpn) winning the G1 Takarazuka Kinen on Sunday | Image courtesy of the Japan Racing Association
Titleholder’s stunning victory won him a spot in both the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf and G1 Cox Plate, but he will head straight to France.
Moreira to return on Tuesday night
Joao Moreira has been given the green light to return to race riding at Tuesday night’s Happy Valley meeting.
The Brazilian was stood down after one race last Wednesday after experiencing chest pains. He subsequently missed Saturday’s Sha Tin program.
Moreira trails Australian jockey Zac Purton by two wins in the race to win the Hong Kong jockeys’ title.
Both jockeys have a full book of eight rides on Tuesday night.
Classy Kiwi mare enjoying spell after Brisbane campaign
Taranaki-based trainer Robbie Patterson is hoping Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) will return to her best during the spring.
The 6-year-old failed to fire in three runs during the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival, but was unlucky in the G1 Doomben Cup at Eagle Farm on May 28.
Coventina Bay (NZ) winning the G1 Bonecrusher NZ S. | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“Coventina Bay should have probably run in the money (in the Doomben Cup) and that would have made things a lot rosier,” Patterson said.
“Coventina Bay will target the same program as she did this season – the (G2) Manawatu Challenge S. in the middle of December and onwards from there.”
Declan Bates handed ban, takes leave
Victorian-based Irish jockey Declan Bates won’t ride again until the new season, after accepting a 10-meeting suspension for careless riding from Saturday’s Caulfield meeting.
Bates, who has notched 70 wins this season, will head home to Europe for a holiday.
Compatriot John Allen is currently enjoying a break in Ireland and is due to return in August.
Options aplenty for Pretty Polly victress
Paddy Twomey, the trainer of Sunday’s G1 Pretty Polly S. heroine La Petite Coco (Ire) (Ruler Of The World {Ire}), is weighing up his next move for the 4-year-old mare.
“The (G1) Yorkshire Oaks is something we’d consider, the fillies’ and mares’ race at Ascot as well, and the Arc, Breeders’ Cup and maybe even Hong Kong. That’s the sort of line up, but we were keen to start at home. We didn’t want to travel for her first run,” Twomey told Racing Post.
Twomey is operating at an astonishing 35 per cent strike-rate this season from his Irish base.
Stakes-winning import retired
Cheval Prometteur (GB) (Declaration Of War {USA}) – the winner of last year’s G3 Balmerino S. – has run his final race.
Cheval Prometteur (GB) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright
“He has been retired, he tweaked a tendon just before the (G3) Easter Handicap and we decided he deserved a happy retirement,” trainer Catherine Cameron told NZ Racing Desk.
A winner of five races, the 7-year-old began his career in the UK with trainer Ed Walker.
Maurice on the double
Arrowfield Stud shuttler Maurice (Jpn) had a double on Monday, with his wins coming courtesy of Kayobi at Scone and Tatsuro at Sportsbet-Pakenham.
Maurice (Jpn) | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
Redente, who stands at Riverbank Farm, also had sired two Monday winners.
