Four-timer for Star Turn
Vinery Stud resident Star Turn had four winners on Monday, with two at Sportsbet-Pakenham Synthetic (Kapanku and Startide) and two at Aquis Beaudesert (Athena Nyx and Green Legend).
Star Turn | Standing at Vinery Stud
Star Turn, who gained his first Group 1 winner courtesy of Startantes in the Tattersall’s Tiara last season, stands at Vinery Stud for $27,500 (inc GST) this year.
Snapdancer out of The Everest
Having been secured by Inglis to contest this year’s The Everest, it has now been announced that the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Snapdancer (Choisir) will not compete in the race due to a setback from an injury.
The 6-year-old mare gained her first top-flight win in the G1 Robert Sangster S. in May, and came back this season with another Group 1 victory in the Memsie S. in late August.
Inglis indicated that they will announce a new representative for their slot in the race over the coming days.
Lindsay Park to keep Cox Plate ‘dream alive’
Despite having his colours lowered in the G1 Underwood S., Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) will remain on a path towards the G1 Cox Plate.
Following three consecutive wins, Mr Brightside was handed a “reality check”, finishing fifth in the field of six in the Underwood S.
That hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm of co-trainers Ben and JD Hayes, however.
“I think, reflecting on it, Craig (Williams) rode him to win, which is absolutely fine – he went early and made a big run on him – but he didn't peak on his run,” Ben Hayes said.
Mr Brightside (NZ) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“A couple of others were just a bit more hardened and fit and have run at weight-for-age for a long time.
“That was his first time against the best and he had a bit of a reality check, but he’s come through it well.”
The 5-year-old faces his litmus test in Saturday’s G1 Might And Power S. at Caulfield.
“I still think he ran out the race perfectly fine and we've got to have a go at 2000 (metres) and keep the dream alive,” Hayes added.
O’Shea mulls options for Benaud
Saturday’s G1 Might And Power S. at Caulfield will help trainer John O’Shea decide his next move with promising stayer Benaud (Reliable Man {GB}), who has settled in well in Melbourne.
“Both the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate are on my radar,” O’Shea told Racing.com.
“His capacity to get around Caulfield first would determine what his path is, plus how competitive he is against the opposition. We'll wait and see what he produces.”
Benaud was scratched from Saturday’s G1 The Metropolitan due to his receiving a race-prohibited medication in error.
Gai lauds Alligator Blood
Last start G1 Underwood S. winner, Alligator Blood (All Too Hard), is as tough as nails, according to the gelding’s co-trainer, Hall of Famer Gai Waterhouse.
“He reminds me so much of horses like Grand Armee and Juggler… you serve it up to him, he cops it, he grabs it and says give it to me again,” Waterhouse told News Corp.
“He licks the (feed) bin clean and he’s up again the next day ready to rock ‘n' roll.
“You dream about horses like that.”
Alligator Blood | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Alligator Blood faces another stern on Saturday when he faces arguably Australia’s best racehorse, Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}), in the G1 Might And Power S. at Caulfield.
“You must respect Anamoe, he’s a very good horse,” Waterhouse told News Corp.
“There's no reason why he (Alligator Blood) shouldn't (be competitive on Saturday).
“The field he beat the other day is exactly a Cox Plate field, just add a few of your 3-year-olds and that’s your Cox Plate.”
Price Eyes The Everest with Gilgai winner
Warwick Farm trainer Joseph Pride is hoping Private Eye’s (Al Maher) devastating win in Saturday’s G2 Gilgai S. at Flemington will convince James Harron to nominate the 5-year-old to run for him in this year’s $15 million The Everest.
Harron is one of three owners with a slot still to fill, with the others being Inglis (now Snapdancer has been ruled out) and Godolphin. The latter will almost certainly fill it with one of their own sprinters, possibly Kementari (Lonhro), who was an eye-catching fourth in Saturday’s G2 Premiere S. at Randwick.
“If we got a call for The Everest we would certainly give it serious consideration,” Pride said.
“For us, we are going to the Sydney S. on the same day if we don't get an Everest start.
“But there is always a chance something could happen to one of the runners and if you run in the Sydney Stakes you have to make your horse available for The Everest.”
Pike keen on Gypsy in Golden Eagle
Star jockey William Pike is bullish about Gypsy Goddess’ (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) chances in the $10 million Golden Eagle on October 29.
Pike, who won the G1 Queensland Oaks aboard the David Vandyke-trained mare, travelled to the Sunshine Coast on Sunday to partner her in a track gallop.
Gypsy Goddess will tackle the race first-up and will have just the one run this spring.
William Pike | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I can happily say she is the same horse she was when I rode her last time,” Pike told News Corp.
“To get back on her, for myself to have a feel and make sure both David and I were happy.
“I think she is sharp enough for the Golden Eagle, it is a good idea to tackle that race first-up.”
‘Ollie’ booked for import
Champion jockey Damien Oliver will ride 6-year-old Rodrigo Diaz (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) in the G3 Geelong Cup on October 19.
The David Simcock-trained gelding, who is part-owned by Australian Bloodstock, is currently 32nd in the Melbourne Cup order of entry and therefore victory in the Geelong Cup could prove essential to qualify for the first Tuesday in November.
Oliver has won the Geelong Cup twice, saluting aboard Media Puzzle (USA) (Theatrical {Ire}) in 2002 and then Bauer (Ire) (Halling {USA}) in 2008.
Options aplenty for She’s Licketysplit
Kiwi trainer Andrew Forsman has his sights firmly on the G1 Thousand Guineas with Saturday’s G2 Edward Manifold S. victress She’s Licketysplit (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}), but can’t help but let his mind wander to further spring riches.
“The target has always been the Thousand Guineas, so we will get through that first,” Forsman told RSN927.
She's Licketysplit (NZ) | Image courtesy of Darren Tindale
“She can run in the mares’ race on Derby Day and she would only carry 49 kilos in that. After winning the Edward Manifold she is eligible for the $1 million bonus should she win the Empire Rose. It is just great to have those options available.”
Meanwhile, stablemate, Mr Maestro (NZ) (Savabeel), will head to the G3 Caulfield Classic on October 15 as his final lead-up to the G1 Victoria Derby. Harry Coffey will ride the colt on Saturday week, with regular rider Damian Lane in Sydney.
Kah booked to ride
Leading rider Jamie Kah has been booked to ride Smokin’ Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) in the G1 Caulfield Cup, the current favourite for the race, by 6-year-old’s trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
Smokin’ Romans was dominant last weekend in the G1 Turnbull S. - gaining his first top-flight victory at his first attempt. Kah has partnered the horse to victory twice before in his career, including when successful in last season’s Listed Pakenham Cup.
Gallop to determine Chain Of Lightning’s short-term future
Whether Chain Of Lightning (Fighting Sun) is seen again this spring will depend on how the mare performs in a gallop on Tuesday morning.
The unbeaten start to the Peter Moody-trained Chain Of Lightning’s career came to an end at Caulfield last start when she was turned over when a short-priced favourite.
Chain Of Lightning | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“She’ll gallop tomorrow (Tuesday) and that gallop will determine whether she progresses her prep. She just needs to please me in her work,” Moody told Racing.com.
“If she does gallop well, it will be the mares’ 1400-metre race (G2 Tristarc S.) on (Caulfield) Cup Day and we’ll see where that takes her.”
Group 1 winner retired
Odeum (Written Tycoon), who was triumphant in the G1 Thousand Guineas, has run her final race, with connections confirming the 5-year-old mare didn’t come through her unplaced run in Saturday’s G2 Blazer S. as well as they had hoped.
Odeum won her Group 1 in 2020, one of three victories in a 13-start career that netted her owners $980,350 in prizemoney.
Bred by Newhaven Park Stud, she was offered as part of their draft at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) went to $420,000 to secure her.
