Enzina hands Menari another winner
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Enzina handed her sire Menari a second winner in as many days when she took out Race 3 at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
The 3-year-old filly finished 1l ahead of Tiritiri (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), while Asteria (Capitalist) was a further 0.2l away in third.
Purchased by James Bester Bloodstock and Vantage Thoroughbreds for $260,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2021, Enzina is out of US Grade 3 winner Ben’s Duchess (USA) (Munnings {USA}).
Menari stands at Corumbene Stud for a fee of $16,500 (inc GST).
Kissonallforcheeks ready to fire in Stocks Stakes
Having landed the G2 Let’s Elope S. first-up on September 10, Kissonallforcheeks (Written Tycoon) will be out to continue her rich vein of form when she takes her chance in the G2 Stocks S. at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
The Nick Ryan-trained daughter of Written Tycoon will jump from barrier seven with Mark Zahra booked to take the ride.
"We're thrilled with how she came through the Let's Elope, she's really trained on and has come on in the coat," Ryan said. "She's had a couple of looks at The Valley, her second on Monday morning where she was really good."
Yet to win at 1600 metres, Ryan is confident she will handle the trip and connections have the G1 Empire Rose S. as the mare's goal this campaign.
"We've got great confidence through Mort's (Morton) as well that she'll eat up the mile, so there's no issues there at all," Ryan said. "I think she's improved with each run. She only had the one jump-out leading into her first-up run.
"She came on from that and she bounced through the Let's Elope really well and you can see that by looking at her that her coat has really let go."
Rain needed for Bound For Home
Trainer Archie Alexander is hoping the forecast rain in Melbourne arrives in time for Friday’s Moonee Valley meeting as his stable star Bound For Home (Rubick) is set to tackle the G3 Scarborough S.
Last seen winning the G3 Quezette S., the 3-year-old daughter of Rubick could head to the G1 Coolmore Stud S. provided she performs up to scratch on Friday.
"It would be good if the rain keeps coming, it might disadvantage others, but she has raced well on Heavy 8, Soft 6 and Good 4, so it doesn't matter," Alexander told Racing.com.
"Everything is well, she's in good condition. If she runs well at The Valley, it opens the possibility of going towards the Coolmore Stud Stakes, but if not, we'll reassess."
She’s Extreme ready to bloom in Golden Rose?
Having ridden In Secret (I Am Invincible) to victory in the G2 Run To The Rose, Tommy Berry will take the ride on the Anthony Cummings-trained She’s Extreme (Extreme Choice) in the G1 Golden Rose S. at Rosehill on Saturday.
Berry says She's Extreme has continued to thrive and he expects her to give Saturday's race a shake.
"After riding In Secret to win I was like, far out, she's going to be hard to beat," Berry said. "And after getting on She's Extreme on Tuesday I thought, we're back in business. You quickly forget how well they're going until you get back on them.
"She's a really good filly and the 1400 (metres) is going to suit her well, and even more so the mile a week later in the Flight Stakes."
Price team on weather watch
Dual Group winner Jamaea (Headwater) is thriving ahead of her upcoming assignment in the G2 Golden Pendant, now co-trainer Luke Price just needs the predicted rain to steer clear of Rosehill.
While the mare can handle soft conditions, she is less effective in the heavy and should the track tip into that range, Price will wait for another day.
"I'd prefer to be going around this week for sure, she has been set for it and I feel she's going well," Price said.
"The improvement I wanted her to take from the Theo Marks (Stakes), she did. We are hitting the race perfectly third-up.
"She has drawn a lovely barrier and back to mares' grade, I think she will be ultra-competitive."
Pinarello all set for Shannon Stakes
Co-trainer Roger James is confident G1 Queensland Derby winner Pinarello (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) can make his presence felt when he takes on the G2 Shannon S. at Rosehill on Saturday.
"He is only having three runs in the spring and then we will put him away again," James said. "He will probably go to the Craven (Plate) and then the Rosehill Cup.
"Maturity is the big thing. He's a big, leggy praying mantis-type horse and he's still very much getting there really. I think he has the makings of a very handy horse."
Dark Destroyer scratched from Arrowfield
Last start G1 Tarzino Trophy winner Dark Destroyer (NZ) (Proisir) will not run in next Saturday’s G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate at Hawke’s Bay with connections deciding to play it safe with the gelding and have given him a break following an elevated temperature following his last-start Group 1 victory.
“He won’t be heading to the Arrowfield,” said co-trainer Andrew Scott. “He just had a wee temperature last week. The tough conditions and the long trip there and back has taken a bit out of him so we have decided to put him in the paddock for a week.”
While the Matamata barn has put a line through the mile feature, they haven’t ruled out a return to the track to compete in the G1 Livamol Classic, however, Australian targets could also be in the offing.
“All going well, we will get him back in the stable in the new week and look to get some new plans,” Scott said.
“Diane and David (Archer, owners) will sit down next week and have a look at his condition post a week in the paddock and try and make the best decision for the horse. We have got no plan at this stage, but we will look to have one by this time next week.”
Tattersalls September Yearling Sale concludes
The Tattersalls September Yearling Sale concluded on Thursday, with Brad Spicer of Spicer Thoroughbreds and Alex Elliott taking top-lot honours when they went to €115,000 (AU$171,200) for a colt by New Bay (GB).
“He has been picked up for Brad Spicer. I met him at a sale in Germany a few years ago and, when COVID hit, he couldn't get over so he asked me if I would do some work for him. That was in 2020 and we bought him two Almanzors, a Camelot and a Sea The Moon, that type of horse,” explained Elliott.
“I sent him two horses from this sale and he really liked the look of the New Bay. There's going to be a day coming soon when I can't afford these New Bays so I'm trying to buy as many of them as I can now. They come in all shapes and sizes but they all look like they'd run through a brick wall.”
At the close of trade, Tattersalls reported that 448 yearlings were sold, representing a clearance rate of 90 per cent. While the aggregate was down two per cent on 2021 figures to €12,421,000 (AU$18,495,300) and the average also fell five per cent to €30,075 (AU$44,800), the median jumped 11 per cent to €26,000 (AU$38,700).
