Smart filly unearthed at Moe
Headwater filly Little Miss Kubi was an emphatic debut winner, with the Cliff Brown-trained 3-year-old cruising to a 2.75l success at Moe on Saturday.
Owned and bred by Greg Perry's Greenwich Stud, Little Miss Kubi settled in the box seat before peeling out at the top of the straight to put up a margin on her rivals when asked to extend by Michael Poy.
She was eased up over the concluding stages to win at a canter.
Treble for Written Tycoon
Yulong Stud’s Written Tycoon chalked up a treble on Saturday, headed by 5-year-old mare Veranskova’s victory in a BM70 at Flemington.
Written Tycoon | Standing at Yulong Stud
The stallion’s son Travanti added a third win to his record when he took out a BM54 at Pioneer Park, while another of his sons, Bank Bank Bank, added a fourth win to his CV when he landed the Cluden Park Plate at Townsville.
Written Tycoon is standing at the Victorian-based farm for a fee of $165,000 (inc GST).
Three for Pride Of Dubai
Coolmore Stud resident Pride Of Dubai was also responsible for three winners on Saturday.
Pride Of Dubai | Standing at Coolmore
The trio of winners was headed by Afsoon’s (NZ) win over 1350 metres at the Gold Coast, while 4-year-old gelding Martini Crusader broke his maiden at the seventh time of asking in the Terrace Trusses Jockey Day Mdn at Newcastle. The treble was completed by My Khalifa’s victory at Murray Bridge.
Pride Of Dubai is standing for a fee of $16,500 (inc GST).
Moody mare remains unbeaten
The Peter Moody-trained Chain Of Lightning (Fighting Sun), who was sensationally scratched from Caulfield last fortnight due to a pre-race barrier malfunction, remains undefeated after toppling Team Hawkes' progressive gelding Fire (Fastnet Rock) in a BM84 contest at Flemington on Saturday.
Horrifying fights out thrilling finish
Mark and Levi Kavanagh look to have a very classy stayer on their hands with Horrifying (Shocking) making it three wins from his last four when fending off Through Irish Eyes (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) at Flemington on Saturday.
The son of Mark’s 2009 G1 Melbourne Cup hero Shocking was rated superbly by Craig Williams, with the star hoops effort reaping plenty of praise from Levi in the aftermath.
Premier’s Cup aim for Lord Ardmore
Lord Ardmore (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) has continued his rise through Sydney's middle-distance ranks with a hard-fought win in the Premier's Cup Prelude at Randwick and now looks set to contest the G3 Premier's Cup at Randwick in a couple of weeks time.
"That fits into Wyong Cups and Newcastle Cups and maybe even a Metropolitan," trainer Chris Waller said.
Lord Ardmore (NZ) wins the Premier's Cup Prelude at Randwick | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
"He's a 5-year-old too so he's (eligible) for the Five Diamonds, he might get a wildcard for The Big Dance. There are lots of options, which is great.
"He seems to be going from strength to strength and coming out of winter at the right time and there are some nice races there for him. He will need to lift but his fitness will improve as well, and I think he can get better over 2000 metres."
Stakes aim for Cadre Du Noir
Sparingly raced stayer Cadre Du Noir (USA) (War Front {USA}) has set himself on a path to stakes races this spring with a gutsy performance at Randwick.
Injuries have restricted the 7-year-old to just 14 starts and while he might not reach the heights he could have if sound, co-trainer Ciaron Maher still believes he has something to offer.
"We did have quite a high opinion of Cadre Du Noir and we were hoping he could get back to his best," Maher said. "He is still a bit ring rusty, he was having a good blow after the race and James (McDonald) felt he was still on the up.
"He is a horse that I feel is up to stakes level, country Cups or a Group 2 or 3. I don't think he is much higher than that."
Nature Strip likely to remain in Sydney
Nature Strip’s (Nicconi) managing part-owner Rod Lyons says ‘there would be a fair chance’ that his star sprinter is unlikely to be seen in Melbourne during the spring carnival.
Lyons referenced Sydney’s significant prizemoney increases when asked on RSN about the reasoning behind bypassing November’s G1 Champions Sprint at Flemington.
Jockeys remain in critical condition
The New Zealand Herald’s racing editor Michael Guerin has reported Taiki Yanagida remains in Waikato Hospital’s ICU ward with brain and spinal injuries after a sickening fall at Cambridge on Wednesday.
The Victorian Jockeys’ Association CEO Matt Hyland provided an update on injured jockey Juana Andreou on RSN, saying the 28-year-old remains in an induced coma after being kicked in the head by a horse in a trackwork incident last month.
Lord Darci breaks Canterbury hoodoo in Winter Cup
A rails-hugging ride by Terry Moseley paved the way for local runner Lord Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) to break a 22-year hoodoo for local Canterbury stables when he took out the G3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup at Riccarton on Saturday.
Lord Darci (NZ) wins the G3 Winter Cup at Riccarton Park | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
Bred, raced and trained by former All Black Bevan Wilson and his wife Robyn, the 5-year-old turned the tables on his last-start conqueror Summer Festival (GB) (Poet's Voice {GB}) as he out-finished the former Italian Derby winner to win going away by 2l at the winning post.
Golden Pal bounces back
The Wesley Ward-trained Golden Pal (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}) rebounded from a disappointing effort at Royal Ascot with a gritty victory in Friday’s GIII Troy S. at Saratoga.
“I'm glad he showed a little versatility today. I'm glad Irad (Ortiz Jnr) gave him a couple of reminders on the shoulder and got him going the last little part,” Ward said.
“Right after the race he gave him a little pet and a tap and he said there was a lot more left in him.”
On a potential dirt start in the six-furlong GII Phoenix S. on October 7 at Keeneland, Ward said, ‘We'll talk it over with everyone involved in the ownership of the horse and see which direction they want to go, but it's important to them to show what the horse can do on the dirt as well.’
