Amarelinha to be offered on Gavelhouse Plus
Te Akau Racing’s New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) is the latest high-profile mare to be listed for sale on Gavelhouse Plus.
The 5-year-old daughter of Savabeel will be offered as a racing and breeding proposition, with the auction set to run through until 5pm (AEST) (7pm local) on Wednesday, September 28.
The dominant filly of her generation, Amarelinha won the 2021 G1 New Zealand Oaks, the culmination of a stunning summer campaign.
Amarelinha (NZ) | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
En route to her Oaks triumph, Amarelinha took all before her and her five career wins also include victories in the G2 Eight Carat Classic, G2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic and G3 Sunline Vase.
“Amarelinha is one of the best 3-year-old fillies we have ever had in the stable,” Ellis said. “She’s won from 1300 metres to 2400 metres and right through her Classic season, her form was outstanding. She’s one of the best types of Savabeels I’ve ever seen and is bred on that famous Savabeel – O’Reilly cross, I’m certain she will make a really good broodmare."
Trilogy buys Blue Gum
After over 40 years at the helm, Philip and Patti Campbell have sold their long-standing family business Blue Gum Farm to Trilogy, a relatively new venture which was set up by Jason and Mel Stanning alongside Victoria-based Sean and Cathy Dingwell.
The walk-in, walk-out deal will be complete on December 1 and Campbell is expected to help the hand over on a consulting basis, while he will also be called up to help with the preparation of young stock heading to the 2023 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
Blue Gum Farm has a long-standing history as a top-class producer of racehorses and standing some of the best stallions in the past, including Encosta De Lago, Statue Of Liberty (USA) and Elvstroem.
Eye-catching 2-year-old trials
There were three 2-year-old trials at Warwick Farm on Friday and a Bjorn Baker-trained filly Rockabilly Rebel (Street Boss {USA}) clocked the fastest time among the juveniles, covering the 789-metre trial in 46.41s.
The next heat of the morning was landed by Snapback, who crossed the line 0.15l ahead of Hez Golden (More Than Ready {USA}) in a time of 47.65s.
The colt was purchased by China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock and Trilogy Racing for $825,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2022 and he is out of Listed-placed More Than Ready (USA) mare Later Gator (NZ), who has already thrown Listed-placed filly Wee Nessy (Snitzel).
The final juvenile heat of the morning was landed by King’s Gambit (I Am Invincible) in a time of 46.63s. Bred and co-owned by Gooree Park Stud, the colt is out of dual Group 3 winner Sultry Feeling (Encosta De Lago).
Riversley Pair shine at Cambridge breeze
A total of 52 juveniles galloped at Cambridge ahead of the Inglis Ready2Race Sale and a pair of Riversley Park-offered youngsters led the way.
The quickest of the Riversley Park pair was a gelding by Deep Field (Lot 276), who stopped the clock at 10.13s, while the second quickest was a Per Incanto (USA) gelding (Lot 246), who covered the ground in a time of 10.17s.
“We breezed up eight on the day, we were really happy overall with how they went as a collective and how smoothly the day ran, despite it being showery and windy on the day,’’ Riversley’s Sam Beatson said.
“The Deep Field, he’s just a running machine, we knew that going into the breeze and he didn’t disappoint and the best thing is he’s got a really good brain on him, he takes everything in his stride, he didn’t even come off the bridle in the gallop so there’s plenty more to give.
“He’s a racehorse, there’s nothing surer than that. He’s a good doer, he’s fit, he’s ready to rock n roll as a pre-Christmas 2-year-old if that’s what someone wants, he’s just a professional.’’
Inglis release latest digital catalogue
A total of 201 lots have been catalogued for the Inglis Digital September (Late) Sale, with the well-related broodmare Kemeri (Denman) among the headline acts of the quality catalogue.
The daughter of Denman will be offered in foal to Coolmore Stud’s So You Think (NZ) and she is half-sister to Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed mare Affair To Remember (Toronado {Ire}) and stakes-placed Teofilo (Ire) mare Bahamas, who produced Group 3 winner Senor Toba (Toronado {Ire}) and Listed winner Berkeley Square (Territories {Ire}).
Meanwhile, Chicquita (Commands), whose Harry Angel (Ire) yearling made $460,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale earlier this year, is also confirmed for the sale.
The September (Late) Sale closes for bidding from midday Wednesday, September 28.
Tough draw for Fireburn
Trainer Gary Portelli believes barrier 15 has dealt Fireburn’s (Rebel Dane) chances of landing the G1 Golden Rose S. a crushing blow.
"The fantasy was that she gets every chance from a good gate. Now we have to hope the rain plays a part in the draw and helps us out," Portelli said.
Fireburn | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
"Even though I think she should be winning, she's going to need a lot more luck than what she would have if she'd drawn a good gate.
"It's really difficult to go to the races confident you can win (from that draw)."
Bowman picks up Mo’unga ride
Jockey Hugh Bowman will head to Sandown-Hillside on Sunday to ride the Annabel Neasham-trained Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) in the G1 Underwood S.
Earlier in the week Nash Rawiller was booked to ride Mo’unga while Bowman had been suspended for 13 days after being found guilty by Racing NSW stewards of not riding out to the line the third place getter in G2 The Shorts, Lost And Running (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}).
On Wednesday, Rawiller informed Racing NSW stewards that he couldn’t ride on the weekend as he had to have thumb surgery.
The day before Racing NSW stewards heard Bowman’s appeal against the suspension and cut it back from 13 days to seven days which meant he could resume riding on Sunday.
Underwood for Nonconformist
After dual accepting Nonconformist (Rebel Raider) for both the G3 JRA Cup and G1 Underwood S. at Sandown on Sunday, trainer Grahame Begg confirmed on Friday that the horse will head to the Group 1 and was therefore been scratched from the Moonee Valley Group 3.
"The only reason we accepted in the other race was because we got a curve ball thrown at us last start and we came away from that race none-the-wiser," Begg said.
Nonconformist
"He was ridden completely upside down in the Makybe Diva Stakes and no-one learned anything from the run, the way the horse raced or the way he went.
"It was completely out of character.
"The original plan was to go to the Underwood. We had a good think about it, and we decided to stick with the original plan. Your first thoughts are always your best."
Scott hoping to ignite spark in Irish Flame
Trainer Brett Scott is hoping the Listed Ansett Classic at Mornington on Sunday can get Irish Flame’s (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) career back on track.
"I think the big thing with him is trying to get back into race form," Scott said.
"If he can get back to the form of the prep when he won the Ballarat Cup, he'd be right up to this.
"The big thing is we just want to get his confidence up and get him back in the winning line, he's that type of horse. Once he's in good form and feeling good and running well, he'll keep running well."
Verry Elleegant in good shape
Francis-Henri Graffard is happy with Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) ahead of her G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe bid.
Graffard was happy with the 7-year-old’s run in the G2 Prix Foy at Longchamp, where the mare stuck on bravely after leading up the small field.
“Their plan (owners) from the beginning was to send the mare in Europe to run in the Arc, and I’m very happy with where she is, so I’m happy to go,” Graffard told Sky Sports Racing.
Verry Elleegant (NZ) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“I said to them she will be spot on for the big weekend, so if you’re happy to go to the Arc I won’t be in opposition to that. I left the decision to be made by the owners and they’re really happy to go to the Arc.”
A jockey is yet to be found for Verry Elleegant with a rider to be decided on as the big race draws closer.
“I don’t really know, and that we have to discuss closer to the race with the owners, it’s open,” Graffard said. “At the moment it’s up in the air, because there is a lot of horses planning to go into the race.”
