Savabeel mare tops Gavelhouse.com
The Gavelhouse.com Thoroughbred 5 September 2022 auction finished on Monday with the Savabeel broodmare Bebeleche (NZ) topping the sale, with a final bid of NZ$102,500. Although she failed to place in four race starts, she is well related being out of Hopscotch (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), dam of G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel).
Bebeleche (NZ) | Image courtesy of Gavelhouse.com
Selling to Cambridge Stud for NZ$43,000 was the 7-year-old mare Pullyoursocksup (NZ) (Thewayyouare {USA}), the winner of four races and Listed placed.
The mixed sale included yearlings, 2-year-olds, racehorses, broodmares and stallion nominations to the likes of Per Incanto (USA) (selling for NZ$43,000) and Time Test (GB) (selling for NZ$7000).
Maher eyes Cox Plate with Gold Trip
Ciaron Maher is eyeing a crack at the $5 million G1 Cox Plate in October with highly rated import Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}).
The now 6-year-old was scratched by Racing Victoria stewards just a day out from last year’s Cox Plate
"We know he likes a bit of cut in the track so the Cox Plate looks a good race for him," Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, told News Corp.
"There doesn't look like there's going to be many or any internationals and you'd think Moonee Valley lends itself to having a bit of give in it.
"He was going as well as State Of Rest last year so it wouldn't have mattered whether he was coming or not."
Following an encouraging first-up run over 1500 metres in Listed grade at Rosehill on July 30, where he finished third, the entire is due to make his Victorian debut in Saturday’s G1 Makybe Diva S. at Flemington.
Away Game retired
Group 2 winner Away Game (Snitzel) has run her last race and will begin life as a broodmare.
Purchased by Kerri Radcliffe Bloodstock for $425,000 from the Mill Park Stud draft at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Away Game raced 26 times, winning five races and placing in 11, for earnings of $3,755,675.
She won the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic in 2020, before running second to Farnan in the G1 Golden Slipper S.
Away Game | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Despite not having a Group 1 to her name, Away Game sold for $4 million at this year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. She was bought by Yulong, where she joins an elite team of broodmares.
Away Game was tailed off in Saturday’s G2 McEwen S. at The Valley
“She fibrillated and she’s gone off to stud,” co-trainer Ciaron Maher told Racing.com.
“She’s just been a fantastic horse.
“She’s just a genuine, sound, honest racehorse.”
O’Brien nominates trio for G1 Makybe Diva Stakes
Barwon Heads-based trainer Danny O’Brien has nominated three of his topliners for Saturday’s G1 Makybe Diva S. at Flemington.
Group 1 winners Regal Power (Pierro) and Western Empire (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}), as well as talented gelding Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), could all contest the $1 million feature.
Chris Waller has nominated both Fangirl (Sebring) and Hinged (Worthy Cause), while G1 Memsie S. placegetters I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) and Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) are also among the 15 nominations.
Exciting filly to resume on Saturday
Unbeaten Rich Enuff filly Bubble Palace will be looking to make it three from three when she contests Saturday’s Listed Cap D'Antibes at Flemington.
Trainer Daniel Bowman is unsure if she will handle the straight and admits Saturday will be “a bit of a fact-finding mission”.
"Ideally, I would have rather kick her off around a bend but suitable races for her early in the spring aren't that easy to find,” Bowman told News Corp.
Bubble Palace
"My biggest fear is the straight, because I think her greatest asset is her high-cruising speed. She breaks up the field and kicks around the bend.
"I'm worried she might get a bit lost down the straight but you don't know until you test them out under race conditions.
"If she handles the straight, her grand final probably becomes the Coolmore. If not, we set our sights on something else for her.”
Berry in search of Caulfield Cup ride
Top sydney-based jockey Tommy Berry is willing to miss riding on The Everest Day, if he can secure a decent Caulfield Cup ride.
"I haven't got an Everest ride yet so I'm open to going to Melbourne on Caulfield Cup Day," Berry told News Corp.
"I'm not going to hang around in Sydney just because it's The Everest Day.
Tommy Berry | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
"If I can get a good Caulfield Cup ride, I'll be on the plane.
"I can assure Chris Waller and Annabel Neasham know I'll be more than happy to go to Melbourne."
Berry guided the Neasham-trained Numerian (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) to second place in Saturday’s G2 Chelmsford S. at Randwick. The 7-year-old stayer is nominated for the October 15 G1 Caulfield Cup.
Probabeel does it again
Outstanding mare Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) joined an elite club after claiming her second successive New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Award.
Now retired and preparing for life as a broodmare, Probabeel gained more than half of the 57 votes cast to retain her title.
Probabeel becomes the 10th multiple winner of the award, joining the likes of champions Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}) and Rough Habit (NZ) (Roughcast {USA}) as dual winners.
Probabeel (NZ) | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
Probabeel was also named Champion Middle-Distance performer.
Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) headlined a stellar evening for the powerhouse Te Akau operation when she was acknowledged as the Champion 3-Year-Old. Maven Belle (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) was crowned Champion 2-Year-Old, while Belle En Rouge (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) and Self Obsession (NZ) (Shocking) were the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year co-winners.
Former Head Trainer Jamie Richards, now plying his trade in Hong Kong, was the Trainer of the Year having won the 2021/22 premiership, Joe Kamaruddin claimed the Apprentices’ Premiership and Nicole Shailer, now in the employ of current Te Akau trainer Mark Walker, was the Stablehand of the Year.
Welsh named new executive GM of racing
Matt Welsh will replace the outgoing Greg Carpenter as Racing Victoria’s (RV) new executive general manager of racing.
Welsh is currently general manager of WSP, form and wagering at the Victorian Racing Integrated Media Business (VTRIMB), and he also served on Racing.com’s executive. He is an experienced broadcaster, covering some of Victoria’s biggest race meetings and headline unique content offerings, such as Racing.com’s Spring Contenders and the Good 3 podcast.
Carpenter, who has been at RV for 17 years, will take on a senior role at the Hong Kong Jockey Club – he will depart from his post at Flemington on September 23.
Meanwhile, Carpenter's long-time deputy, David Hegan, will be promoted to the role of Head of Handicapping.
Star Of India in form ahead of relocation
Another European import heading to the stable of Annabel Neasham, Star Of India (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) showed he was back on track in his final start before his relocation.
A winner of the Listed Dee S. earlier this year, a typical trial race for the G1 Epsom Derby, Star Of India then ran poorly in the Classic feature. Moved to the care of Harry Eustace, he was fourth in his first run since on Sunday, in the G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange at Longchamp.
The $10 million Golden Eagle over 1500 metres is expected to be on the cards once he arrives in Australia, since it is open to Northern Hemisphere-bred 3-year-olds, though connections may also consider the 2000 metre Rosehill Cup.
Star Of India (Ire) | Image courtesy of Racingfotos.com
The OTI Racing co-owned Tigrais (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}) was also in action at Longchamp on Sunday, with the 2-year-old posting a victory in the G3 Prix la Rochette.
OTI Racing own the horse in conjunction with Gerard Augustin-Normand, who are also in the ownership of Longvillers (Fr) (Le Havre {Fr}), who will be joining Star Of India on the flight to Australia and heading to Chris Waller’s stable with the inaugural Five Diamonds as an initial target for the 4-year-old colt.
My Oberon heads to Neasham, could be Cox Plate bound
William Haggas has confirmed talented Dubawi (Ire) gelding My Oberon (Ire) will continue his career in Australia with Annabel Neasham.
The 5-year-old won five of his 16 starts for Haggas, including last year’s G3 Earl Of Sefton S.
"He's been sold," said Haggas. "He's been a terrific horse and I hope he does very well in Australia."
My Oberon holds a nomination for the $5 million G1 Cox Plate, to be held at The Valley on October 22.
Dettori to partner Haskoy in St Leger
Frankie Dettori will partner the Ralph Beckett-trained Haskoy (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) in the G1 St Leger this weekend, with the filly due to be supplemented for the final UK Classic of the season.
Haskoy was an impressive 7l winner on debut at Wolverhampton in July and then struck at Listed level in the Galtres S. at York the following month.
"She appears in good form and if everything is okay tomorrow (Monday) morning, the plan is to supplement her," said Barry Mahon, racing manager to Juddmonte.
"She's come a long way in a short space of time, it's a big ask but we felt that as we have (stablemate) Yesyes for the Park Hill, it was a good opportunity to split them up.
"We're hopeful, she's done nothing wrong on her two starts so we're very hopeful that she has more to give. She's a lovely filly to have around.”
