Written by Lydia Symonds

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Lost And Running (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) began his quest for The Everest glory on Friday morning when he stepped out for the first time this preparation in a trial at Randwick.

Not seen since his 14th place finish in the G1 Newmarket H. in March, the son of Per Incanto (USA) was given an easy time by jockey Hugh Bowman in the 850-metre hitout. Settled in nicely behind the speed, the John O’Shea-trained gelding finished off nicely to finish 4.8l behind tearaway leader Malkovich (Choisir), who stopped the clock at 49.62s.

Lost And Running will now likely have one more trial and will then likely take the same path towards The Everest as he did last year, kicking off in the G2 The Shorts H., before taking in the G2 Premiere S.

The gelding - who is running in The TAB's slot again this year - will then head straight to the $15 million Randwick sprint, where he will look to improve on his fourth-place finish in last year’s edition.

O’Shea’s assistant trainer, Tom Charlton told TDN AusNZ that the 6-year-old gelding had come back from his winter break a bigger and stronger horse.

“We really think he has come back stronger this year. He had only had nine runs going into The Everest last year, so he was very lightly raced. He is still a relatively young horse and has always been a late-maturing type, but he has definitely furnished over the winter and looks a fully mature horse now,” he said.

“Grand final day is still quite far away, so today (Friday) was just what we wanted to see from him; he was relaxed, had a good blow and he seemed a happy and bright horse, which is great.

“He is going to have one more trial and then two prep runs into The Everest, kicking off The Shorts and then Premiere S., so there is still a long way to go and he has got improvement to come.”

Weighing just shy of 600kg, the gelding spends a lot of his time at the beach and Charlton said this training regime seems to suit the sprinter.

“He weighs just under 600kg and it is well-documented that he does most of his training at the beach. The reason for that is, we want him to have the best possible conditions with the least amount of work. He spent a good six weeks at the beach and has only had a couple of weeks at Randwick and he is really good shape.”

Last season, the O’Shea stable's ranks were bolstered by the edition of the beautifully bred import Maximal (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and he joined his stablemate in the same trial, finishing a little over 10l from the winner.

After being thwarted by wet tracks and some bad luck in running, Charlton said the stable are hoping Maximal's luck can change this preparation, believing he is a horse with an enormous amount of potential.

“He probably took a bit longer to acclimatise to Australia, as a lot of them do. Last preparation he was plagued by wet tracks and some unfortunate circumstances in his races,” Charlton explained.

Towards the end of last season Maximal gave the stable a glimpse of his talent, including when he finished second, 0.4l behind the winner Huetor (Fr) (Archipenko {USA}), in the G1 Doomben Cup, with multiple Group 1 winner Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) coming home in third. He then followed up that win with a fifth place finish, after hitting trouble in running, in the G2 The Q22.

“It just never stopped raining in Sydney, so we sent him to Queensland and again he didn’t have the ideal preparation. He ran well in the Doomben Cup, but he was very fresh and over-raced and still managed to run second, which I think was the first time we really saw what he can do,” said Charlton.

Bred in the purple, Maximal is out of the Listed-winning Oasis Dream (GB) mare Joyeuse (GB) and she is herself out of Kind (Ire) (Danehill {USA}), famed for being the dam of multiple unbeaten Champion Frankel (GB).

This season the stable have lofty ambitions for the 5-year-old entire, who is raced in a partnership which includes his breeders Juddmonte and also Anthony Mithen’s Rosemont Stud, and he will likely begin his campaign in the G1 George Main S. at Randwick on September 17.

“He has come back in brilliant order and we think he has stepped forward again. I think if we can have a clean run through this preparation, he has a lot to offer. At this stage he will likely kick off in the George Main and then he will likely end up in Melbourne, hopefully culminating in a race like the Cox Plate,” said Charlton.

Another eye-catching trial winner for the O’Shea stable on Friday morning was Snitzel filly Orzala. Ridden by James McDonald the 3-year-old was tucked in behind the leaders on the fence, before gliding effortlessly to the front with 100 metres left to travel and eventually hit the line strongly, 0.43l ahead of the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Tajneed (I Am Invincible).

The filly is co-owned by her co-breeders Arrowfield Stud, who retained a share in her after she was purchased by Paul Moroney Bloodstock for $700,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in 2021.

Orzala is out of dual Group 1 winner Norzita (NZ) (Thorn Park) making her a half-sister to Listed Sandown Cup winner Carif (So You Think {NZ}).

Having trialled three times as a juvenile, Charlton said they have always earmarked her as an exciting prospect, but were weary not to rush her last season.

“We have taken our time with her. Last preparation she had shown good ability in trials, but she’s taken a bit of time to develop, so we decided not to push her to be a 2-year-old.

“She has come back in great order this time and she is just a lovely filly to have in the stable. She’s very straightforward and looks to have lots of ability. James (McDonald) thinks she’s quite promising and, although she is probably not the finished article, she could be one that could end up in some nice 3-year-old fillies' races,” he said.

“She’ll start off at 1200 metres - 1300 metres in the coming weeks and we will be dictated by her as to where we get to in the spring. If she continues to go the right way, she is in at the right time for the spring, but we will let her dictate where we go with her.”

Written by Lydia Symonds

Cover image courtesy of Great British Racing

Well-travelled mare Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) confirmed she was one of the very best mares in Europe when she chalked up her fifth consecutive Group 1 victory in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks at York on Thursday.

Prior to Thursday, the Sir Mark Prescott-trained daughter of Frankel (GB) had landed elite-level races in Germany and France, but had yet to salute at the highest level in her native England.

However, after an impressive victory first up in the G1 Prix de Saint-Cloud last month, many people earmarked York’s Group 1 as her best chance to add a British Group 1 to her record and she did not let her supporters down, digging deep to beat G1 Epsom Oaks winner Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by 1l.

The Yulong-owned Magical Lagoon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who came into the race off the back of a victory in the G1 Irish Oaks, finished fifth, 5.5l away from the winner.

Bred and raced by Kristen Rausing, Alpinista is from a family synonymous with her breeder and also her trainer, being out of Listed-winning mare Alwilda (GB) (Hernando {Fr}) and she is herself is from Group 1 winner Albanova (GB) (Alzoo {USA}).

Albanova produced a further eight winners including Group 3 scorer Algometer (GB) (Archipenko {USA}) and Listed-winning duo All At Sea (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Alignak (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}).

“These are hard to come by for a smallish stable, every five or six years we'll have a good one come along and it's tremendous when it happens,” said Prescott.

“We trained this one's dam, grandam and great-grandam so it's been a marvellous family to be a part of. Miss Rausing (owner) was very keen to come here as she hadn't won a Group 1 in England so she's done it all now.”

Prescott confirmed the filly would now be aimed at the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on October 2.

“The Arc has always been her aim. Last year we rather patted ourselves on the back winning three Group 1s in Germany but when the one behind us (Torquator Tasso) came and won the Arc, we thought we might not have been as clever as we thought!”

Haskoy big step up

Juddmonte Farms-owned Haskoy (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) took a major step up when she retained her unbeaten record in the Listed Galtres S. at York.

Last seen making a winning debut at Wolverhampton on July 29, the Ralph Beckett-trained 3-year-old stayed on strongly, under an inspired ride from Ryan Moore, eventually beating fellow Juddmonte-owned Time Lock (GB) (Frankel {GB}) by a 0.1l, while Judith (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}) was a further 2.8l away in third.

The filly is out of the Listed-winning Nathaniel (Ire) mare Natavia (GB), who Juddmonte Farms purchased for 600,000gns (AU$1,036,800) at 2015 edition of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

Natavia herself is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Spinning World (GB) - the dam of Listed Wagga Wagga Gold Cup winner Trade Commissioner (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and fellow stakes winner Gallipot (GB) (Galileo {Ire}).

Multiple Group 1 winner Golden Horn (GB) stood at Darley for seven years, but was relocated to Overbury Stud earlier this month, where he will be marketed as a dual-purpose stallion.

Swingalong shines in Lowther Stakes

In the run up to Thursday’s G2 Lowther S. it had been all about Karl Burke’s G2 Queen Mary S. winner Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}), however she was overshadowed by her less-fancied stablemate Swingalong (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}), who produced a gusty front-running display to land the Group 2 at York.

Coming into the race off the back of maiden victory on debut at Ripon, the filly stayed on strongly to repel the advances of Queen Me (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), eventually beating her by a 0.1l.

Purchased by Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock for 120,000gns (AU$207,300) at Book 2 of the 2021 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, the filly is out of dual-winning mare Pilates (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}), who was produced a further two winners.

Burke said the filly would likely head to the G1 Cheveley Park S. at Newmarket on September 24.

“She’s got a huge stride and has only just filled into her frame. She’s got a lot stronger over the last six weeks. I know it was a different class of race, but she had them all beat after two furlongs at Ripon and I knew then we were on the right track so I said straight away we’d come here,” he said.

“At the time I didn’t think she’d be good enough to beat Dramatised, but the difference was one stayed and one didn’t.

“The Cheveley Park looks like the obvious next step, but I’ll talk to connections. I think she will stay an extra furlong, but she’s got a lot of natural speed so I think we’ll use that and not step her up just yet. All dreams are still alive at the minute.”

In winning the Group 2, Swingalong becomes the 61st stakes winner for former Haunui Farm shuttler Showcasing (GB).

Randwick: G1 Winx S., $750,000, 1400m

G2 Silver Shadow S., $250,000, 1200m

G3 Toy Show Quality H., $200,000, 1100m

G3 Premier's Cup, $200,000, 2000m

G3 Show County Quality H., $200,000, 1200m

Moonee Valley: Listed McKenzie S., $175,000, 1200m

Listed Carlyon S., $175,000, 1000m

Ruakaka: G3 Northland Breeders' S., NZ$85,000, 1200m

Worldwide Group 1s

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Big Story opens Australian account

Having his first run for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable, New Zealand-bred Big Story (NZ) (What’s The Story {NZ}) opened his account at Ballarat-Synthetic on Friday.

Co-owned by OTI Racing, the gelding finished last on his debut in New Zealand, but put that performance behind him to defeat Warchime (Merchant Navy) by 1l.

Cummings pleased with Duais

Trainer Edward Cummings is looking forward to seeing what multiple Group 1-winning mare Duais (Shamus Award) can do when she tackles the G1 Winx S. first-up at Randwick on Saturday, but is mindful that bigger targets lie ahead for the mare.

"We're keeping in mind that her greater goals are further down the track, but I was very impressed with her work in her trial at Warwick Farm," Cummings said.

"She did have a jump-out at home on the horse proper and she has put in a couple of gallops that, to my eye, show is even a little bit sharper in her action this time around. She does have a pretty decent first-up record, even including her run in the Apollo in the autumn where she was the best-finishing horse in the race.

"The bottom line is, if we see her hitting the line strongly, we'll be pleased. Anything more than that as far as placings go will be a bonus."

In Secret in flying form

Godolphin’s talented filly In Secret (I Am Invincible) will look to make her presence felt and her unbeaten record intact when she tackles the G2 Silver Shadow S. at Randwick on Saturday.

Unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile, including in the Listed Woodlands S., In Secret will jump from barrier five with James McDonald booked to take the ride.

"She's been flying along in her gallops, so we'll find out what kind of a transition she's going to make now that she's hitting the racetrack first-up as a 3-year-old filly," Cummings said.

"We appreciate she's bred to be fast, but we've stretched out other brilliant fillies to a mile before.

"The Flight Stakes and the Thousand Guineas are going to be her races but, if we feel it's too much of a stretch, we can take stock and reevaluate that because that whole landscape could change."

Willinga Beast out to stake spring claims at Randwick

Jockey Hugh Bowman is predicting Group-placed filly Willinga Beast (Snitzel) to be a major player in the feature fillies' races this spring, starting in the G2 Silver Shadow S. at Randwick.

Having broken her maiden at Canterbury in March, the daughter of Snitzel was narrowly beaten into second in the G2 Percy Sykes S. on her next start.

"She has drawn a lovely gate, drawn one, she's got tactical speed. She will have the run of the race and she'll run very well," Bowman said.

"I'd be surprised if she's not one of the top fillies in the spring up to a mile."

Roch ‘N’ Horse ready for Valley return

Roch ‘N’ Horse (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) shocked her rivals when she landed last season’s G1 Newmarket H. at odds of $101 and trainer Michael Moroney is happy with the mare as she prepares to kick off her second Australian preparation in the Listed Carlyon S. at Moonee Valley.

"She's certainly trialled really well, she's in a more settled environment and she should run really well," Moroney told Racing.com.

"I'm giving her a look at The Valley mainly because the Manikato Stakes is in her range at this stage, but we're also eyeing off those big sprint races down the straight - she loves the straight.

"She's a pretty good mare, I think - pretty underrated.”

Extremely Lucky faces biggest test

Trainer Will Clarken is hoping to see a big performance from Extremely Lucky (Extreme Choice) when he tackles the Listed Carlyon S. at Moonee Valley and give the trainer enough reason to think the gelding is good enough to tackle the bigger targets later on in the season.

The son of Extreme Choice staged a huge effort to win the Listed Lightning S. at Morphettville on July 30 at his first run back following a brief break, coming from last on the turn to win by almost a length.

"He is part-owned by Richard Pegum who is a Sydneyite, and he is keen to see him run up there," Clarken told RSN. “I would love to think we could run him in the Carlyon into the Moir and have plenty up the sleeve to chase some of Peter V'Landys' prizemoney up there.

"I've had a bit of luck with horses that get off them over the 1000 (metres) at The Valley. So long as they go a gallop they can come back to you, providing it is not one of those summer tracks.

"Most of the field go forward, most are drawn outside with the exception of Esta La Roca, so you would say they'll go a good gallop. We'll just ride the horse to find the line and hopefully he can get over the top of them."

Real World out of Cox Plate contention

The Saaed bin Suroor-trained Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) - one of the leading international hopes for the G1 Cox Plate - will not make the trip to Australia for the race.

Also out of the Cox Plate, is Charlie Appleby’s Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofio {Ire}) as well as the William Haggas-trained Grocer Jack (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}) while, G1 Melbourne Cup aspirant Mojo Star (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) will not make the trip to Australia.

Dettori relishing Elleegant ride

Frankie Dettori has expressed his excitement at the prospect of riding multiple Group 1 winner Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) on her European debut and first start for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet at Chantilly on Sunday.

"I'm looking forward to it, it will be a new experience for her, the other side of the world, she's had a bit of a break, so we expect her to come on from the race and yes, I'm very excited," Dettori told Racing.com.

"As you know, I've never won the Melbourne Cup, so to ride the winner of the Melbourne Cup is quite a good thing. We haven't got the final runners yet, but I don't think it will be a huge field, like you get in the Melbourne Cup, I would expect eight to 10, maximum.

"The most important thing, I managed to speak to Mark Zahra and I will talk to James (McDonald), just to keep her quiet in the first part of the race and make her finish.

"It is her comeback race, obviously the long target I reckon here is going to be the Arc (Prix de l'Arc Triomphe), so it's the first step forward to get to that goal."

Brown arrested in Saratoga on 'obstruction of breathing' charge

Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown was arrested Wednesday in Saratoga Springs and charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, a misdemeanour. On Thursday, Brown, who spent the night in jail, entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment and was ordered to reappear in court on September 2.

According to the website of attorney Andrew DeLuca, “New York state defines the crime of obstruction of breathing as the intent to impede the normal breathing or circulation of the blood by applying pressure to the throat or neck or blocking the nose or mouth of another person. These charges usually result from domestic incidents between couples.”

According to a handwritten statement from the alleged victim, who was not named, an encounter with Brown turned violent after she entered his house and found him in bed with another female.

The statement reads: “On August 17, 2022 at around 11pm, I went to the house of Chad Brown, my on-again, off-again significant other. I have a key to the house, so I let myself in. I went to his room and saw another female in bed with him. I confronted him on that and he got up and pushed me down some stairs. I fought him down the hallway and he pinned me to the floor and started choking me. He applied pressure to my neck while it was against the floor. I was able to push him off of me and get up. Chad then pushed me out the door and I left and came to the police station.”

Vale Alan Osburg

Leading Sydney-based owner Alan Osburg passed away on Friday.

A lawyer by trade, Osburg’s headline performer was Group 1 winner and now Darley resident Exceed And Excel, who he co-owned with Nick Moraitis.

More recently Osburg enjoyed enormous success with G1 Coolmore Classic winner Dixie Blossoms (Street Sense {USA}), who was trained throughout her career by Ron Quinton.

Godolphin Flying Start gets underway

The 2022-2024 Godolphin Flying Start trainees arrived at Kildangan Stud in Ireland on Monday to commence their two-year scholarship within the Thoroughbred industry.

The class of 2022–2024 comprises trainees from five different nationalities, including Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK and the USA and next week they will commence ICT and Communications training and their Equine Anatomy and Physiology module at University College Dublin.

“We welcomed our 20th Godolphin Flying Start class to Kildangan Stud this week with great satisfaction, having continued with the program through the challenges of COVID-19. It is a milestone year, and it is heartening to see the commitment and talent of these young adults entering the thoroughbred business.

“We look forward to collaborating with industry professionals to give the trainees opportunities to learn, complete externships, and gain employment in the future so that we may achieve our vision of being the source of influential leaders of the industry,” said the Godolphin Flying Start Executive Director, Clodagh Kavanagh.

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Episode Four - ‘Sky’s The Limit’ Stallion Series

Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.

For Saturday's racing, we kick off with a 3-year-old gelding, Gamesmanship (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), who will attempt to break his maiden at Newcastle. Our second selection is Final Overture (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and he will line up at Moonee Valley and then we head back to Newcastle where Voriah (Pariah) looks to make the perfect start to her career over 900 metres.

Newcastle, Race 1, Neuro Alliance Mdn Plate, 12.25pm AEST, $40,000, 1860m

Gamesmanship (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Tavistock {NZ} x Adriatico {NZ} {Stravinsky {USA}})

Having finished seventh on debut at Canterbury on August 3, the New Zealand-bred gelding Gamesmanship will be out to shed his maiden status at Newcastle on Saturday.

Trained by Chris Waller, the 3-year-old son of Tavistock (NZ) will break from barrier four with Alysha Collett booked to take the ride.

The gelding was a NZ$250,000 purchase for Phill Cataldo at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka in 2021 and he is out of winning mare Adriatico (NZ) meaning he is a half-brother to G2 Avondale Cup winner Robusto (NZ) (Zed {NZ}).

Moonee Valley, Race 2, Hugh Wallace-Smith H., 1.30pm AEST, $150,000, 1500m

Final Overture (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Iffraaj {GB} x Hot In Pink {NZ} {Lonhro})

Three-year-old gelding Final Overture will be thrown in the deep end against some more seasoned rivals when he makes his career debut over 1500 metres at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Final Overture is out of dual-winning Lonhro mare Hot In Pink (NZ) making him a half-brother to his three-time winning stablemate Rhinoceros (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}).

Hot In Pink herself is a daughter of Listed winner Ticklish (NZ) (Maroof {USA}) and she is the dam of another of Final Overture’s stablemates in Elephant (NZ) (Shocking) and his three-quarter brother, Listed winner Melt (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}).

The son of former Haunui Farm shuttler Iffraaj (GB) is trained by Emma-Lee and David Browne and he will jump from barrier three with Michael Dee booked to take the ride.

Newcastle, Race 3, Slattery Auctions and Valuations Mdn Plate, 1.35pm AEST, $40,000, 900m

Voriah, 3-year-old filly (Pariah x Vortex {Reset})

The Richard and Will Freedman-trained Voriah will make her debut over 900 metres at Newcastle on Saturday and she will break from barrier seven with Keagan Latham booked in the plate.

By Arrowfield Stud’s second-season sire Pariah, Voriah was bought by Michael and Richard Freedman for $100,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in 2021.

The filly is from winning Reset mare Vortex and she is also the dam of three-time winner Manhattan Whirl (Manhattan Rain). Vortex herself is a half-sister to Listed scorer Raceway (More Than Ready {USA}).

Looking Back

Avoid Me (Pariah) was our first selection and she finished fourth in the opener at Sportsbet-Ballarat Synthetic, before her stablemate Caldante (So You Think {NZ}) ran third in the next race on the card. Our final pick was Bringbackthebears (Xtravagant {NZ}) and he finished sixth at Canberra.

To have your foal featured, send a landscape-oriented image to lucy@tdnausnz.com.au

Announced New South Wales Stallion Parades

Announced Victorian Stallion Parades

Announced Queensland Stallion Parades

Announced New Zealand Stallion Parades

First-time starters lining up on Saturday, August 20

First Season Sires’ Runners and Results will resume when this season’s 2-year-old racing commences.

We hope you enjoyed reading today's edition of TDN AusNZ. If you have any feedback or ideas, please don't hesitate to reach out.

TDN AusNZ 2022 Media & Advertising Guide

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Lydia Symonds | lydia@tdnausnz.com.au

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John Boyce | John Berry | Alan Carasso | Emma Berry | Melissa Bauer-Herzog | Kristen Manning

Photography is largely supplied by The Image is Everything - Bronwen Healy and Darren Tindale, and complemented by Sportpix, Trish Dunell (NZ), Racing.com Photos, Ashlea Brennan and Western Racepix.