Elkington Road breaks maiden
The Mike Moroney stable has unearthed another smart 3-year-old in the shape of Elkington Road (All Too Hard), who broke his maiden at Sandown-Lakeside on Wednesday.
The son of All Too Hard scooted clear to beat Ferrari Man (Menari) by 2.3l, while Nicodemus (Impending) was another 0.8l further back in third.
"But obviously on a Heavy (10) you don't really know what you are going to get until you see them produce it," assistant trainer Glen Thompson said. "But it was good to see him get the result.
"All you can do is win, so he's got a lot of upside and it's a good time of year to have a 3-year-old coming to the races and doing that. There's a lot of options and Michael will sit down and work out a plan."
Thousand Guineas nominees salute in town
Two G1 Thousand Guineas aspirants produced nice wins on Wednesday.
At Sandown-Lakeside, the Jason Warren-trained Born Hustler (Tarzino {NZ}) took out Race 2 - a 1400-metre contest for 3-year-old fillies. Born Hustler is a half-sister to Warren’s multiple stakes winner Brooklyn Hustle (Starspangledbanner).
Warren hopes the Rosemont Stud homebred will make it to the Group 1 feature.
“It's been our plan all this prep to prepare her for the Thousand Guineas, whether or not she's at that level remains to be seen, but she'll get her chance to get there and she's going the right way at this early stage," Warren told Racing.com after the 0.5l win under Jamie Kah.
"She's still only new to racing having just her third start, but it was a pretty game effort."
Meanwhile, at Warwick Farm, Cinderella Days (Astern) made it two from two, after taking out Race 5 - a 1200-metre H. for 3-year-olds, by 0.93l with Brenton Avdulla in the saddle. The Joseph Pride-trained filly is from the Group 1-winning mare Ofcourseican (Mossman) and is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Persan (Pierro).
Zaaki kicks off spring campaign
The Annabel Neasham-trained Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) will attempt to defend his crown in Saturday’s G2 Tramway S. at Randwick.
Zaaki will be chasing back-to-back wins in the Group 2, which he took out comfortably first-up last year, and Neasham is confident she has him spot-on after two barrier trials and a conditioning gallop between races at Gosford last Friday.
"We have always taken him away somewhere (for an exhibition gallop)," Neasham said.
"He was pretty exuberant and fresh, but he doesn't have to do much now and he will line up on Saturday.
"He's terrific. He's ready to rock and roll and I can't wait."
Snowdens well-represented in Furious Stakes
Team Snowden will launch a three-pronged attack on Saturday’s G2 Furious S. at Randwick, with Group 1 winner Sheeza Belter (Gold Standard), Group 2 winner Paris Dior (Pierro) and Magic Millions 2YO Classic runner-up Russian Conquest (Russian Revolution) all to resume in the $250,000 contest.
Paul Snowden believes some of the good fillies in the race may be too sharp for Sheeza Belter over 1200 metres.
"Last prep wrapped her up being a seven furlong to mile filly," he said.
Paul and Peter Snowden
"Just the way she trialled the other day, she was good through the line. They broke her up a bit in the mid-stages so they might be too nippy for her, but she will come into her own when she gets to seven (furlongs, 1400 metres).
"It's a shame we had to run them together."
The Snowdens won the race in 2018 with Pure Elation (I Am Invincible) and in 2020 with Dame Giselle (I Am Invincible).
Startantes to resume in Sheraco Stakes
Group 1 winner Startantes (Star Turn) will begin her spring campaign over 1200 metres in Saturday week’s G2 Sheraco S. at Rosehill.
The Robert Heathcote-trained mare broke through in top grade at her most recent outing, the G1 Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm in June.
She was given an easy trial at Doomben on Wednesday.
"It was always going to be a soft trial as I didn't want her to do too much before she runs on Saturday week in the Sheraco S.," Heathcote said.
"She's come back well after the winter carnival and still has good residual fitness."
Meanwhile, Heathcote is hopeful stablemate Sir Rocket (Smart Missile) can notch his first stakes win in Saturday’s Listed Tattersall’s Members Cup at Doomben.
"It's a big test for him in a Listed race but I'm expecting a nice run and he'll be very competitive,” he said.
Inspirational Girl kicks off Cup campaign
Group 1-winning mare Inspirational Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) will kick-off her tilt at this year’s G1 Caulfield Cup when she contests Saturday’s G2 Feehan S. at The Valley.
The 7-year-old will face just five rivals, including Group 1 winner Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and dual Group 2 winner Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel), who is unbeaten at the track.
Inspiration Girl was last seen at the races in the G1 Doncaster Mile at Randwick in April, where she appeared to fail to handle the Heavy 9 track.
Inspirational Girl (NZ) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
"Most of mine have had long layoffs and they are just not finishing off their races fresh, so that will come with a bit of racing, we hope," owner-breeder, Bob Peters, told Racing.com.
"We've always thought she could get over some ground and we'll give her a chance this spring. I haven't had the greatest of luck in the Caulfield Cup, but that's where she could end up if she looks as though she'll stay.”
Shambo auditions for spring targets
Trainer Clayton Douglas will be hoping Shambo (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) can give a good account of himself when he lines up in Saturday’s Ladbrokes H. at Moonee Valley and show the trainer he is ready for bigger targets.
"Like everyone else we've got him in the Caulfield Guineas," Douglas said.
Shambo (NZ)
"If he happened to win on Saturday, he may go to the Guineas Prelude, maybe with a pair of blinkers on, but we'll see how he goes Saturday and see how he measures up.
"There's plenty of other options for him, even the Sandown Guineas at the back end of the spring could suit him."
Straight into the deep end for Mr Mojo Risin’
Andrew Forsman believes unraced Deep Field 3-year-old Mr Mojo Risin’ (NZ) won’t be out of place in Saturday’s Listed Wanganui Guineas.
“He’s shown us enough at home and he’s a nice horse who has kept improving,” Forsman said.
Mr Mojo Risin’ was a trial winner at Ellerslie last season before being tipped out, and has returned to place this time in at Te Rapa and Avondale, ahead of Saturday’s first-up challenge.
Five in the running for Victorian award
Racing Victoria has announced the five finalists for the 2021/22 Victorian Racehorse of the Year.
The G1 Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}), G1 Caulfield Cup winner Incentivise (Shamus Award), multiple Group 1-winning colt Hitotsu (Maurice {Jpn}), champion sprinter Nature Strip (Nicconi) and All-Star Mile winner Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) are the finalists in the award which will be announced on Saturday night.
The annual awards night in Melbourne will also see the Scobie Breasley Medal for riding excellence, the Fred Hoysted Medal for training excellence and the Tommy Corrigan Medal for the best jumps jockey handed out.
Moreira to miss Hong Kong opener
A combination of injury issues and COVID restrictions mean that leading Hong Kong-based jockey Joao Moreira, will miss the opening meeting of the Hong Kong racing season on September 11.
"Due to a number of ongoing injuries which have required treatment overseas during the off season, jockey Joao Moreira's return to Hong Kong has been delayed," the release Hong Kong Jockey Club said.
Joao Moreira | Image courtesy of the HKJC
"Jockey Moreira is now scheduled for arrival in Hong Kong on 10 September 2022, and therefore will not be able to accept race riding engagements for the Sha Tin race meeting on 11 September 2022 due to the three-day compulsory inbound quarantine requirement.
"Moreira will be assessed by the Club's Chief Medical Officer and a further release will be issued when he is passed fit to resume race riding."
Jigger investigation underway
A major stewards investigation is underway in Queensland following a picture surfacing showing a jockey allegedly holding a jigger at trackwork.
The photo, which according to NewsCorp, was taken at Birdsville on Tuesday ahead of their Cup Carnival, allegedly shows jockey Ric McMahon holding what appears to be a jigger while riding what is alleged to be a horse trained by Todd Austin.
NewsCorp has reported the photo was taken by Sharon Chapman and shared on social media before being deleted.
The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission told Racing.com: "QRIC is aware of the photographs uploaded to social media last night and can confirm that an investigation is underway."
Austin, a well-known trainer, has won three Birdsville Cups, while McMahon is also a leading country jockey, having won the state’s champion country jockey title last season.
BTX goes live
With prizemoney at record levels in the horse racing industry, and crowds flocking back to the track, BTX has launched a blockchain backed marketplace for buying and selling shares in racehorses, creating an innovative and dynamic new way to ‘Be In The Race’ and a real ownership alternative to wagering.
Forming strong industry partnerships with leading trainers such as Ciaron Maher and Will Clarken, BTX is set to make premium racehorses available at an all-inclusive and affordable price.
Having officially launched on Wednesday, all available horses are carefully curated by the BTX team in conjunction with participating owners and trainers and will be available for purchase within the BTX Technology app available on both IOS and Android.
Importantly, through the application of blockchain technology, for the first time, BTX will create a truly liquid marketplace for bloodstock, with BTX owners able to independently list and sell their shares in race horses in a completely transparent marketplace for the horse racing industry. The launch of the full BTX marketplace and associated sales functionality is anticipated in late 2022.
Additionally, all prizemoney receipts, alongside proceeds from sale, and other anticipated owner benefits including ticketing and exclusive NFTs, will be dropped directly into BTX Owners digital wallets.
