Noname Lane lands Balaklava Cup
The Will Clarken-trained Noname Lane (Shamus Award) broke through at stakes level for the first time with a victory in the Listed Balaklava Cup on Wednesday.
The 6-year-old gelding defeated his stablemate Zoulah (Zoustar) by 0.5l, while Oh Mo (Uncle Mo {USA}) was a further 0.4l away in third.
Bred by Rosemont Stud, the gelding is out of six-time-winning Show A Heart mare Sovereign Charm making him a brother to three-time Group 3 winner Sovereign Award.
Ninth Northern Hemisphere-bred winner for Zoustar
Zoustar sired his ninth Northern Hemisphere-bred winner on Tuesday when the James Ferguson-trained Zoology (GB) impressively got off the mark at the first time of asking at Yarmouth.
The 2-year-old colt surged clear to beat Ararat (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) by a decisive 4l and Proverb (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}) was a further 1.4l away in third.
Purchased by David Redvers on behalf of owners Qatar Bloodstock for 90,000gns (AU$153,700) at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale in 2020, the colt is out of the German Listed-winning Dream Ahead (USA) mare Peach Melba (GB), meaning he is bred on the same cross as last season’s G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. winner Lightsaber.
Hayes, Waterhouse to attend The Queen’s funeral
Hall Of Fame trainers David Hayes and Gai Waterhouse will travel to London for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Hayes’ association with The Queen is a long one. He trained Bold Sniper (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), who won two races in Melbourne, for her.
“It was a big surprise, but a big honour,” Hayes told Racing.com.
“She’s been to Lindsay Park, and I actually opened the door for her that day and closed the door as a young fellow,” he said.
“In recent times, I trained for The Queen with Bold Sniper, and I still think I am the only person to train a couple of winners for her in Australia.
“Through that association, I would’ve spoken to her a number of times on the phone.”
Waterhouse also trained for The Queen, sending out her horse Carlton House (USA) (Street Cry {Ire}) to finish third in the 2014 edition of the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. at Randwick.
“I knew The Queen for many years and I am deeply honoured to have received the invitation from the palace to attend the funeral,” Waterhouse told News Corp. “This was only arranged today because my phone has been playing up.
“I had a number of calls from England in the last couple of days, but I didn't want to take those calls in case they were scammers.”
‘Vinnie’ filly salutes at Sandown
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Tajneed (I Am Invincible) posted a tough win at Sandown.
The Emirates Park homebred filly won the 1300-metre contest by 0.3l under Damien Oliver.
“She’s a lovely style of filly, she’s got a bit of length and scope about her, particularly for a daughter of I Am Invincible, they usually are speed type of horses,” Oliver said on Racing.com.
Tajneed is the first foal from unraced mare Roudha (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a daughter of two-time Group 1 victress Melito (Redoute’s Choice), who went to stud in Ireland after selling to Coolmore for $1.65 million at the 2012 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Emirates Park purchased Roudha for 500,000gns (AU$900,000) at the 2016 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1.
Tajneed’s win was one of three on the day for Yarraman Park’s Champion Sire I Am Invincible. He also had Great Barrier Reef score in Race 2 at Warwick Farm and All England took out Race 6 at Sandown-Hillside.
The Deputy delivers on debut
Nicconi colt The Deputy (NZ) made the perfect start to his career when he landed the Ladbrokes Mates Mode Mdn Plate (1300 metres) at Sandown-Hillside under Ben Melham.
“He’s still very raw, but he’s got a nice future I think,” Melham told Racing.com.
The 3-year-old was purchased by Mick Price Racing for $260,000 from the Newhaven Park draft at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The Deputy is from the family of Group 3 winner Scratchy Bottom (Sebring), Listed victress Danasia (Danehill {USA}) and Group 1 winners Gypsy Goddess (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) and Zabrasive (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).
Snitzel’s three-quarter brother breaks maiden
Following an impressive debut at Warwick Farm last month, the beautifully bred Rediener (Redoute’s Choice) notched his first win in Race 1 at Warwick Farm.
Racing at the same track, the Chris Waller-trained 3-year-old colt outlasted the fast-finishing Ring Ahoy (Sebring) by 0.5l in the 1400-metre affair.
“It was a good performance today. He is still an inexperienced horse learning his craft. Losing momentum, coming through a narrow gap, and hitting the line gives confidence as he heads to stiffer opposition,” stable representative, Charlie Duckworth, told Sky Racing.
Rediener winning at Warwick Farm | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Rediener was bred by Neil Werrett, who remains in the ownership alongside Max Whitby.
The colt is a three-quarter brother to super sire Snitzel and a half-brother to Listed winner Rathlin (Fastnet Rock).
Rediener is one of the 23 foals from the final crop of Redoute’s Choice.
Six for Waller
Champion trainer Chris Waller enjoyed a six-timer on Wednesday.
At Warwick Farm, Rediener (Redoute’s Choice), Great Barrier Reef (I Am Invincible) and Democracy Manifest (Flying Artie) all triumphed, while at Sandown, Jupitus (Sebring) broke through for his second victory. And at Doomben, Gambu (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) and Otyrar (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) both found their way into the winner’s stall.
Twelve rivals for Nature Strip
The G2 The Shorts has attracted a quality field of sprinters, headlined by Australian Horse of the Year Nature Strip (Nicconi).
Chris Waller’s 8-year-old will jump from barrier two under James McDonald and faces stiff competition from arch-rival Eduardo (Host {Chi}) and recent Group 1 winner Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}).
Nature Strip | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“Eduardo has the run under his belt, and normally he would have us covered in this race so we might be going in as the underdog on Saturday,” Waller said.
Nature Strip has won five of his 10 first-up assignments and is a six-time winner from 14 starts at Randwick.
Zaaki and Anamoe set to square off
The G1 George Main S. shapes as somewhat of a precursor to this year's G1 Cox Plate, with superstars Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) and Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) to do battle in Saturday’s $1 million contest.
With James McDonald sticking with Anamoe, Tommy Berry takes over on Zaaki.
Eight of the 10 runners in the 1600-metre race are Group 1 winners.
Chris Waller has two runners - Fangirl (Sebring) and Hinged (Worthy Cause) - while Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) will resume from a spell.
Meanwhile, legendary jockey Malcolm Johnston, told News Corp Anamoe reminds him of the great Kingston Town (Bletchingly).
“Anamoe is so exciting to watch, he’s almost rude and arrogant the way he goes about winning his races, there’s a bit of the ‘King’ (Kingston Town) about this horse,” he said.
Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes favourite fails to make field
I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel), who is the punter’s elect for Saturday’s G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. at Caulfield, is the second emergency for the $1 million feature.
I Wish I Win (NZ) | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr have three runners engaged – Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}), stable newcomer Chaillot (Testa Rossa) and Age Of Chivalry (NZ) (He’s Remarkable {NZ}), however the latter is the third emergency.
Gold Trip ‘ready to run big race’, says Eustace
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace will decide on Thursday where imported gelding Gold Trip (Fr) (Outsrip {GB}) will run on Saturday, after accepting for both the G3 Foundation Cup at Caulfield and the G3 Kingston Town S. at Randwick.
“We haven't decided 100 per cent yet where he goes,” Eustace told News Corp.
“A bit of a line ball, we have a bit longer to work out.
“We really do feel he’s absolutely ready to run a big race and win wherever he goes.”
Moir test for Extremely Lucky
South Australian sprinter Extremely Lucky (Extreme Choice) will get the chance to become a Group 1 winner, with trainer Will Clarken confirming the 4-year-old will contest Friday week’s G1 Moir S. at The Valley.
The emerging star failed on heavy going in the Listed Carlyon S. last time out, but has since pleased his trainer in a jump-out at Morphettville.
“I’m still sitting on the fence with whether I did the right thing running him last start because the track was very Heavy, it was deteriorating and it looked like it was quicksand back and wide,” Clarken told SEN.
Extremely Lucky | Image courtesy of Clarken Racing
“I just love how it's all unfolding for him.
“I keep looking at the Moir and I just can’t see something that’s a standout - you look at the futures betting and he's on the second line with Coolangatta and you could argue both horses were below their best.”
Ben Melham will ride Extremely Lucky in the Moir.
