Thirteenth 3-year-old for Zoustar
It has been a brilliant start to the season for Widden Stud’s Zoustar and on Friday he continued his rich vein of form when Artic Fairy shed her maiden status at Ballarat Synthetic.
Trained by Mathew Ellerton, the filly defeated McTaggart (NZ) (Brazen Beau) by 1.3l, while Crystalaa (Shalaa {Ire}) finished another 2.3l away in third.
Zoustar is sitting behind Written Tycoon in the Leading Sires’ table by earnings, with his daughter Zougotcha his highest earner so far this term and she will look to add to her prizemoney when she tackles the G1 Flight S. at Randwick on Saturday.
Across the Tasman double for Savabeel
Waikato’s multiple Champion Sire Savabeel enjoyed a lucrative afternoon at the races as he was represented by a double, siring one winner apiece in New Zealand and Australia.
The 4-year-old gelding Footlights (NZ) added a third win to his record when he took out a race at Ballarat Synthetic, while Mazzolino (NZ) got off the mark at the fourth attempt at Te Rapa.
Mazzolino is a sister to this season’s G3 Bill Ritchie H. winner Atisu.
Impressive winner for American Pharoah
American Pharoah (USA) chalked up an impressive winner at Moonee Valley on Friday as his daughter Foxy Cleopatra broke her maiden in eye-catching fashion.
Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, the 3-year-old filly scooted clear in the final stages to beat Federation Rocks (Pierro) by 3.3l.
Legarto runs into New Zealand 1000 Guineas picture
Promising filly Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) has put herself firmly into G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas calculations with her first-up victory at Te Rapa on Friday.
She is now an NZ$8 chance with TAB bookmakers for the 1000 Guineas, with her trainers set to make a decision on that trip after her next assignment, the G3 Soliloquy S. at Te Rapa on October 22.
“I thought it was a very good effort. She was very fresh and was on the toe in the parade ring,” winning co-trainer Ken Kelso said.
“She is going to take huge improvement from that run. I thought it was a great effort the way she has picked up the leader late, especially with the rail out 10 metres.
“The idea was to give her a run here at Te Rapa and then come back for the Soliloquy in three weeks’ time, and that will tell us whether to go to Riccarton or not.”
Golden Eagle plan for Imperatriz
Group 1 winner Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) pleased in her exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Friday prior to her impending trip across the Tasman.
The Mark Walker-trained I Am Invincible mare had won five races in succession before finishing fourth in the G1 Tarzino Trophy (1400 metres) at Hastings earlier this month on a Heavy track and because of the torrid conditions this weekend connections decided to bypass the G1 Arrowfield Plate.
The mare will now be aimed at the $1 million Silver Eagle on October 8, which will be used as a stepping stone towards the Golden Eagle.
Imperatriz | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“She’s actually come on in the coat this week, which is a sign of further improvement and Opie (Bosson, jockey) reported that she felt great,” Walker said.
“We’ve made the right decision not going to Hastings, given the weather forecast and Heavy track, and hopefully the weather plays its part in Australia.”
New Zealand bloodstock breeze-up dates revised
New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) has made the decision to postpone its breeze-ups for the 2022 Ready to Run Sale, with the revised contingency dates being held on Monday 17 and Tuesday, October 18 at Te Rapa Racecourse.
The auction house believes that postponing the breeze-ups to 17 and 18 October is conducive to the consignors, preparers, buyers, as well as the horses.
NZB Director of Operations James Jennings commented on the revised breeze-up dates.
“With the weekend weather forecast starting to materialise and a prediction of 80mm of rain through to next Monday, it became evident that the conditions were not ideal to hold the breeze-ups on the proposed dates of Monday 3 and Tuesday, October 4,” he said.
“NZB believes the new contingency dates offer a fair opportunity for all consignors and preparers, being held over two consecutive days on the same turf surface.
“This time period has also been seen as beneficial for track recovery in the lead up to the breeze-ups.”
All Too Hard and Showtime colts shine at Seymour breeze-up session
A pair of colts by All Too Hard and Arrowfield Stud’s first-season sire Showtime clocked the fastest time at the Seymour breeze-ups ahead of the Magic Millions 2YOs In Training Sale.
Both consigned by Nolen Racing, the colts stopped the clock at 10.36s, which was .02s quicker than their nearest competitor, which was a colt by Hellbent.
All Too Hard | Standing at Vinery Stud
The Showtime colt is out of winning Bernardini (USA) mare Hediard, who is a half-sister to stakes-winning pair Exocet (Smart Missile) and Ready For Victory. Meanwhile, the son of All Too Hard is out of the dual-winning Big Brown (USA) mare Divergence.
Pacifiers on Mazu
The Everest contender Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}) will have the pacifiers reapplied in Saturday’s G2 Premiere S. at Randwick.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained son of Maurice (Jpn) has worn the head gear for all but one of his career victories.
Dynastic ready for Hawke’s Bay Guineas
Dynastic (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) will attempt to strengthen his grip on the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas when he tackles the G2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas at Hastings on Saturday.
Dynastic will be heavily favoured to win Saturday’s Group 2 following his resuming victory in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy on the opening day of the carnival.
Dynastic (NZ) | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“He looked down and out at the 200 metres and I thought he was going to get beaten and then he drew away the last 100 metres and ended up winning quite convincingly,” trainer Mark Walker said.
“He’s a Karaka Million winner so we know he is a class horse and there was just a question mark on the ground.
“He came through the race really well, but he is going to get another wet track to deal with this weekend.”
Ascot in the pipeline for Verry Elleegant
Verry Elleegant’s (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) dramatic G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe narrative came to an end on Thursday when connections decided not to supplement her for the race after her revised rating saw her sit 22 in the order of entry for the Group 1.
However, she will still get a run this weekend, with the mare set to line up in the G1 Prix de Royallieu and she could race on with connections now eyeing a tilt at the G1 British Champions Fillies and Mares at Ascot on October 15.
"First and foremost, we were hoping we could win a Group 1 race in Europe and we are presented with a prime opportunity on Saturday, so don't get me wrong, I am not marginalising that," Part-owner Brae Sokolski told Racing.com.
"It would be a huge achievement, but it is not the dream. The dream was to run in an Arc, so we are just going to have to swallow our pride and hope Verry Elleegant can prove them wrong. The Ascot race is another real chance for her and historically, she gets better and better into her preparation, so I would strongly suggest she might be even better at Ascot.
"This run and then two weeks into the race should have her absolutely primed."
Ten Sovereigns filly fetches record €300,000 at Sportsman's Sale
More records were broken at the Goffs Sportsman's Sale on Thursday as David Ryan went to €300,000 (AU$452,300), the highest price ever paid for a yearling at this sale, to secure a Ten Sovereigns (Ire) filly (Lot 713) on behalf of Rabbah Bloodstock from Abbeville Stud.
Trade sky-rocketed at the Orby Sale on Tuesday and Wednesday and the opening session of the two-day Sportsman's Sale at Goffs was much the same.
Of the 245 yearlings offered, 217 found new homes, representing a clearance rate of 89 per cent. However, what was most impressive was the amount traded, with the €6,094,500 (AU$9,189,300) that exchanged hands through the ring representing a 54 per cent increase on last year's turnover.
The average and the median were also up. The average was €28,085 (AU$42,300), a 32 per cent increase on last year, while the median was up 50 per cent to €24,000 (AU$36,200).
