Verry Elleegant swerves Prix Rothschild
Multiple Group 1-winning mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) will not run in the G1 Prix Rothschild on Tuesday and instead be aimed at the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville on August 21.
The former Chris Waller-trained inmate was relocated to Francis-Henri Graffard’s stable in France in May and after her last piece of serious work on Thursday, her new trainer decided she needed a bit more time before her European debut, so pulled the pin on her resuming on Tuesday.
Better Than Ready draws clear
With two more days left of the 2021/22 season, Lyndhurst Stud-based sire Better Than Ready sired his 25 juvenile winner courtesy of Better Winsome’s victory at Ipswich.
Better Than Ready | Standing at Lyndhurst Stud Farm
This latest win now means the stallion is two clear of rival Spirit Of Boom, as the pair of stallions fight it out in the race to be crowned Australia’s Champion 2-Year-Old Sire by number of winners.
Having the third start of her career, Better Winsome defeated Kobe Lad (Kobayashi) by 0.2l, while Radiant Queen (Defcon) was a further 1l away in third.
Hilal wins trial
Group 1-placed mare Hilal (Fastnet Rock) showed he was in good condition ahead of his spring targets when posting a win in his 900-metre trial at Rosehill on Friday.
On Heavy 8 rated ground, Hilal covered the journey in a steady 56.79s, running his last 600 metres in 35.83 under Willie Pike, while Group 1 winners Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) and Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) finished behind him in third and fifth respectively.
Hilal | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
The G1 Winx S., G3 Show County Quality as well as the G2 Tramway S. on September 3 at Randwick or the G2 Theo Marks S. at Rosehill on September 10 are possible options for Hilal’s first-up run.
Carnival plans for more mature Psychiatrist
Co-trained Gerald Ryan plans to use the final juvenile race of the Sydney season as a spring preview for well-bred colt Psychiatrist (Exceed And Excel).
Psychiatrist had mixed fortunes at his initial campaign, posting an impressive debut win at Canterbury and finishing a sound fifth on a Heavy track in the G2 Todman S.
Pending his performance in Saturday's Precise Air H., the Exceed And Excel youngster will be aimed towards one of the early-season 3-year-old sprints, although Ryan is keeping an open mind on which one.
"I don't know whether we go to the Rosebud, or we might sit back and wait for the San Domenico (S.)," Ryan said.
"It depends how he goes. He needs to win another race to get his stake money up so he can get a run in some of these races."
Earlswood to test The Valley
The decision whether Earlswood (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) contests the G1 Cox Plate this spring will be made after his exhibition gallop he is set to have between races on Saturday.
“That will help steer us in a direction,” trainer Maddie Raymond told Racing.com. “Damian Lane will have a sit on him and see how he goes around The Valley.
Earlswood (GB) (white cap) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“Being a stallion ideally we target a Cox Plate, it’s just a matter of how we get there.
“You can go Memsie, Makybe, Turnbull path or via the Feehan. If he handles it well we might go to the Feehan and if he doesn’t we could still go that way so he gets experience.”
Quezette Stakes on the menu for Bistro
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Bistro (Street Boss {USA}) landed the Listed Cinderella S. at Morphettville in March and her trainers will be hoping she can snare some more in the new season.
The Freedman stable has their eyes on the G3 Quezette S. at Caulfield on August 13 and she will tune up for bigger targets in the Ladbrokes Mates Mode H. at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
"We made the conscious decision to get her back in early, give her a run and then look to run her in the Quezette," the Freedman’s Racing Manager Brad Taylor said.
Bistro
"We're happy with her. She trialled really well at Werribee last Friday, but she's got to carry the penalty and she's not overly big, so that is a little question mark.
"There is a few down on the bottom of the handicap, but being a stakes horse, a winner of a couple of races, she deserves that penalty.
"She's got a bit of residual fitness, but the aim is to have her ready for the Quezette and take on a few of the others that may be first-up."
Zahra picks up ride on Singapore star
Mark Zahra will be back in the saddle at Moonee Valley on Saturday, but he will be heading off to Singapore in the coming days with the jockey set to ride Golden Monkey (Star Turn) in the Listed Lion City Cup on August 14.
“A good friend of mine, Josh McLoughlan, he lives up there, has a few horses and does a bit of bloodstock work up there,” Zahra told Racing.com.
Golden Monkey | Image courtesy of Vinery Stud
“He’s got a horse called Golden Monkey, it’s gone up there and it’s just started flying. I know a few of the other owners who are from Perth, where I’m from. They wanted me to ride it last start, but I was in Ibiza, so they said, even if it wins, you can get on it next start.
“It won and it’s in a Group 1, so I’m really looking forward to it, in a couple of weeks, going up there on a Sunday and hopefully get the money in a Group 1.”
Warren and Krongold set to split
After two years as a training partnership Jason Warren and Dean Krongold will end the arrangement, with both set to train under their own names from the start of the new season.
Krongold confirmed he’s decided to step down from the co-senior role, and will instead look towards training a much smaller team.
“We’re still really good friends, we get on like a house on fire. I’m still going to help Jase whenever I can be available for him, I’ll still probably go to the races with his horses sometimes I’d expect,” Krongold told Racing.com.
“When we went into the partnership it was in the hope of having more work-life balance and it hasn’t really eventuated that way so I’ve decided it’s best for me to concentrate on just a couple of horses.
“I’m going to train a small team, just a handful of horses out of Denistoun Park and then just help Jason whenever he needs me.
“The scale of business ended up a bit full on when you’ve got forty horses in work for two people.”
