I Am Invincible sires first UK winner
Yarraman Park’s superstar stallion I Am Invincible sired his first winner in the UK on Wednesday as the Yulong-owned Lady Hamana broke her maiden at the second time of asking at Wolverhampton.
The Karl Burke-trained filly finished third at Newmarket on debut in August and she built on that performance, beating Princeville (GB) (Exceed And Excel) by 3.8l, while Borough (GB) (New Bay {GB}) was another 0.1l away in third.
Bred by Yulong in Australia, Lady Hamana is out of the unraced Shamardal (USA) mare Lake Hamana (GB), who was purchased by Sheamus Mills and Yulong for 210,000gns (AU$365,400) at the Tattersalls July Sale in 2016. Lake Hamana’s first foal - the placed filly Lake Biwa (Frankel {GB}) - was bought by Japanese-based I Yamazumi for $500,000 at Round 2 of the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in 2020.
In 2021, Lake Hamana produced a filly by Darley shuttler Too Darn Hot (GB) and she is currently in foal to Yulong’s G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Tagaloa.
Before Wednesday, I Am Invincible had been represented by three starters in the UK; headed by stakes-placed pair Brazen Beau and Houtzen and the stallion, who claimed his first Champion Sire title last season, will stand the upcoming breeding season for a fee of $247,500 (inc GST).
Cox Plate a chance for Light Infantry
Connections of Light Infantry (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}) are contemplating a tilt at the G1 Cox Plate, following his eye-catching run in the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville on Sunday.
Light Infantry ran home strongly to run a close second to Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), beating the likes of Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) and Erevann (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}).
Currently trained by David Simcock, Light Infantry will head to Australia for the $10 million The Golden Eagle on October 29. Ciaron Maher and David Eustace will handle his Australian campaign.
“He’ll head to The Golden Eagle, but we’ve got options; whether we late nom (nominate) him for the Cox Plate or not because I think he’s got the ability to be at that level on that (French) run,” part-owner Ozzie Kheir told RSN927.
Moody hopes for dry ground for Oxley Road
Oxley Road (Exceed And Excel) is “absolutely flying”, according to his trainer, Peter Moody, but won’t contest Saturday’s Listed Carlyon S. at The Valley if the track is severely rain-affected.
“I’d be disappointed if he doesn’t go very close to winning if I take him to the races,” Moody said on Ladbrokes’ Moody on the Mic podcast.
“My biggest concern with Oxley Road is the weather and he won’t be taking his place unless we get a (Soft) 5 or better.
“I’m very mindful that he’s a colt I want to build a profile for because I don’t believe we’ve seen the best of him and I won’t be wasting runs on ground I feel is unsuitable.”
Neasham bullish ahead of Winx Stakes
Annabel Neasham believes defending Winx S. champion Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) will take a power of beating in Saturday’s first Group 1 of the Australian season.
“He’s had a faultless prep and he looks phenomenal. He goes well fresh, he goes well at 1400 metres, so we’ll try and go back-to-back, having won this race last year,” Neasham told RSN927.
Mo’unga (NZ) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“I wouldn’t be swapping my horse for anything in the race.”
Neasham confirmed Mo’unga will be kept to a “weight-for-age route”, as connections look to add as many Group 1s to his CV as possible before he heads off to Newhaven Park Stud.
Vadamos filly on hunt for hat-trick
Grace’s Secret (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) will be looking to extend the unbeaten start to her career when she contests Saturday’s G2 Silver Shadow S. (1200 metres) at Randwick. The 3-year-old filly won both of her starts in New Zealand for co-trainers Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong, before being transferred to Chris Waller.
“She has won twice in New Zealand and she is by Vadamos, and they are starting to run well,” Waller said.
Already a Listed winner, Grace’s Secret has been nominated for the G1 Thousand Guineas (1600 metres), which will be run at Caulfield on October 12.
“She is a filly we think will get over further,” Waller added.
Rowley Mile quinella for Waller
Skyman (GB) (Mukhadram {GB}) led in a one-two finish for champion trainer Chris Waller in Thursday's Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury.
Handled by James McDonald, the 7-year-old beat stablemate Oscar Zulu (Epaulette) by 0.25l, with Cross Talk (NZ) (Keano {NZ}) a further length behind in third.
“It was textbook stuff. James kept it simple, sat in the perfect position, stalked, and came off heels,” stable representative Jack Pilkington told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“I’d say we will keep going through these big handicaps, gradually building him up. He is picking up great prizemoney through his last couple of wins, so it’s onwards and upwards. He could go back out to 2000 metres as well.”
Last hurrah for Rogan Josh
The 1999 Melbourne Cup winner Rogan Josh (Old Spice), who died on June 24 at Living Legends, made one last visit to Flemington on Thursday ahead of his ashes being permanently interred in the Living Legends Memorial Garden.
The visit was a formal farewell to the celebrated gelding, who died at the age of 29 from colic complications.
Rogan Josh had endeared himself to Australian racegoers through a career spanning 38 starts for 13 wins, among which was the G1 Mackinnon S. just days before his famous Melbourne Cup victory.
Rogan Josh was trained throughout the bulk of his early career by the Western Australian-based Colin Webster, after which he went to Bart Cummings in a year that finished with an appearance in the G2 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.
Pearce announced as new Canberra CEO
Just days after announcing the outgoing of two of its committee members, the Canberra Racing Club (CRC) revealed on Thursday that Darren Pearce, the former chief executive officer (CEO) of the Australian Turf Club (ATC), had been appointed its new CEO.
Pearce will assume his new role on September 5, until which time Matthew Kolek will be the club's acting CEO.
Pearce has long been associated with some of the key recent milestones in Sydney racing, most notably the merger to form the ATC in 2010 and the subsequent redevelopment of Randwick racecourse.
"This is a once in 100-year opportunity to deliver business and precinct transformation that will have a generational impact," Pearce said. "I am highly focused to create a brighter future for the thoroughbred racehorse, the people who care for them and the people of Canberra."
Hall of Fame nominations open
Racing Australia has opened nominations for the 2023 Australian Racing Hall of Fame. There will be four categories within voting, encompassing horses, jockeys, trainers and associates, with the ceremony and inductions to occur in Perth on October 5.
The Chair of the judging panel, Brendan Parnell, said the Hall of Fame was a significant monument to history, and he encouraged racegoers, industry participants and fans alike to nominate.
“The Australian Racing Hall of Fame is steeped in rich history that defines our sport, honouring the outstanding achievements of legends, both human and equine,” he said. “On behalf of the judging panel, we look forward to welcoming the latest inductees.”
Stars to trial at Hawkesbury
Annabel Neasham-trained pair Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) and Top Ranked (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) will ramp up their spring preparations with early barrier trials next week.
Zaaki and Top Ranked around in 1000-metre hitout on the course proper at Hawkesbury on Monday, though she said she has an option at Rosehill a day later for Zaaki.
Meanwhile, Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}), second favourite for the $15 million The Everest, begins his spring with a trial at Rosehill on Tuesday and co-trainer Peter Snowden said the preparation has gone smoothly to date.
"He's been in work a while, he's had a good base put into him with a lot of slow work to get him nice and settled,'' Snowden said. "He'll have this trial then another two weeks later."
McDougall joins Yulong Stud
Yulong Investments has appointed Claudia McDougall to the position of Nominations, Sales and Marketing Executive at Yulong Stud.
A UK native, Claudia spent seven years at Darley Europe in their Newmarket base, five of those as a nominations and sales executive, and brings a wealth of experience to the team. Before that Claudia gained an excellent grounding at some of the UK’s other leading stud farms, including with Luca and Sara Cumani at their Fittocks Stud.
Claudia McDougall
She has made the move to Australia with her partner, Gareth, who takes up the position of Head of Stallions. Having worked with some of Europe’s best stallions and bloodstock.
“It’s a hugely exciting time to be joining Yulong, certainly part of the attraction was the massive level of investment they’ve made in the Australian industry and their goal to become the country’s leading stallion farm,” McDougall said.
“On my first tour of Yulong, I was blown away by the scale, quality of stock and professionalism of the operation.”
Yulong Nominations and Sales Manager, Troy Stephens added: “We’re delighted to have Claudia joining our team, and I look forward to working with her as she brings a wealth of experience with her impressive international CV.”
