Passive Aggressive spelled
Passive Aggressive (Fastnet Rock) has been spelled following her third place in the G3 Cockram S. at Caulfield.
The Grahame Begg-trained, Jonathan Munz-owned filly had been expected to contest next Saturday’s G2 Bobbie Lewis H. at Flemington.
Waller sets sights high
While Political Debate (So You Think {NZ}) will make his return in Saturday's G2 Run To The Rose at Rosehill, Chris Waller has his focus on greater goals later in the spring for this colt.
Political Debate (navy blue silks) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Waller is planning on targeting at least two top-flight features with this Coolmore-owned 3-year-old with the G1 Golden Rose and the G1 Caulfield Guineas both on the cards.
“I think he has come back well and the Guineas will be his main target, but if we can keep the speed in him, I think he can be competitive in a Golden Rose,” Waller told Racenet.
Weather to dictate Zaaki decision
Sydney’s inclement weather and persistent Heavy-rated tracks will determine if Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) heads to Melbourne’s drier tracks in the coming weeks.
Annabel Neasham told RSN that her stable star was versatile enough to run on Heavy tracks, as he did winning the G2 Chelmsford S. at Randwick when resuming on Saturday, but said she is aware that continually running on Heavy tracks will take a toll.
“We have options in Melbourne and we will decide next week,” Neasham said.
“We will probably nominate for everything (George Main in Sydney and Underwood S. in Melbourne being at the top of the list) and be dictated by the weather.”
McNeil wins first Scobie Breasley
Victorian-based hoop Jye McNeil denied Damien Oliver a 12th Scobie Breasley Medal when taking out Saturday night’s award by three votes.
McNeil, who celebrated his maiden Melbourne Jockeys' Premiership title with 74 wins as well as a Group 1 glory aboard I'm Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) in the G1 Toorak H., received the medal for the first time at the 2022 Racing Awards ceremony in Melbourne.
McNeil also collected the Victorian Jockeys’ Association’s Most Valuable Jockey award, which is voted on by his peers
Incentivise claims top honours
Incentivise (Shamus Award) has been crowned the Victorian Racehorse of the Year.
The Peter Moody-trained gelding was announced on Saturday night as the best-performed horse on Victorian racecourses through the season at the 2022 Racing Awards in Melbourne.
Incentivise quickly became the star of the spring last year when taking out the G1 Makybe Diva S. and the G1 Turnbull S. before demolishing his rivals in the G1 Caulfield Cup.
He rounded out his campaign with a brave second placing behind Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) in the G1 Melbourne Cup.
On the Brightside
Ben Hayes said Mr Brightside’s (NZ) (Bullbars) next start in the G1 Underwood S. will be the biggest challenge of his career.
Hayes, who trains in partnership with his brother JD, told Racing.com that Mr Brightside’s win in the G2 Feehan S. at Moonee Valley on Saturday was the best performance of his career but added the Underwood S. was another step up in grade.
“At this stage, if he runs a strong 1800 metres we’ll probably lean to the Cox Plate. He’s got a good record at The Valley," Hayes said.
"He sprints well off the corner, and he’s shown he’s a proper weight-for-age horse, but we will make a final decision after the Underwood."
Thunder to strike
Mick Price is banking on a kind barrier draw and even luck in transit to help I'm Thunderstruck to go from "good horse" to multiple Group 1 winner, as early as Saturday’s G1 Makybe Diva S.
The Flemington mile feature looms large as Toorak H. winner I'm Thunderstruck's best chance for a second top-flight success after a fantastic return when finishing second in the G1 Memsie S. on resumption.
“We just need to draw a nice gate in the Makybe and have a nice run in the race, where we're not giving away too much ground," Price told Racenet.
“He was fit enough for 1400 metres (Memsie) and while he's second-up I think he's fit enough to run well over a mile.”