Inglis nabs Private Eye for Everest
The 5-year-old gelding Private Eye (Al Maher), winner of last weekend’s G2 Gilgai S. at Flemington, will take his place for Inglis in the $15 million The TAB Everest on October 15. He is the second horse entered for the slot after Inglis’ original choice, Snapdancer (Choisir), withdrew earlier this week.
Inglis’ Bloodstock CEO, Sebastian Hutch, said there was a silver lining to every situation, and he was pleased to announce the Joe Pride-trained Private Eye for the slot.
“There are so many fantastic threads to the Private Eye story,” he said. “He’s been a great racehorse for Jamie Walter’s Proven Thoroughbreds and his 20 owners, and it’s a fantastic story for Kerry Tibbie, who bought his dam for just $13,000 at the Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale. He’s also the latest pinup boy for Inglis Digital.”
Five per cent of Private Eye was sold on Inglis Digital last month for $60,000 to co-owner Nektarios Dimitrakis.
The gelding has won close to $2 million in prizemoney to date, accumulated through wins in the G1 Epsom H., G2 Queensland Guineas and G3 Show County Quality last year, along with the Gilgai last weekend.
Anamoe 'feeling well'
Godolphin’s star 4-year-old, the five-time Group 1 winner Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}), pulled up lame following his win in the G1 George Main S. on September 17. However, Racing.com has reported that trainer James Cummings finds the horse “feeling well” ahead of Saturday’s G1 Might And Power S.
“He's had a really uncomplicated three weeks since his last start and he's feeling well," Cummings said. "That run in the George Main topped him off beautifully to be stepping up to 2000 metres. All week, he's been such a happy horse and he's coming together beautifully.”
Anamoe is a hot favourite for the race and he’s joined in the field by the likes of Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) and last-start Group 1 winner Alligator Blood (All Too Hard).
Derby hopefuls bite the dust
The 3-year-old woes continued for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr yard on Thursday, with Racing.com reporting that the talented pair of Artzino (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) and Cadazio (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) are both out for the spring, as such missing their tilt at the G1 VRC Derby.
“They’ve both gone to the paddock,” Price said. “They’re spring 3-year-olds and they pulled up a bit jarry after Flemington and I wasn’t happy with them. I’m happy to pull up on those young horses. If we had gone ahead with those two we would’ve created some wear and tear which we don’t want on nice horses.”
The stable still has the OTI-owned Big Story (NZ) (What’s The Story {NZ}) in contention for the blue riband this spring, but the withdrawal of Artzino and Cadazio followed the similar withdrawal of the stable's 3-year-old What You Need (Supido) from his spring engagements last week.
Inside marble suits Thunderstruck
Co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr has revealed he’s very satisfied with I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) ahead of the gelding’s tilt this weekend at the 2000-metre G1 Might And Power S. at Caulfield. The 5-year-old gelding drew barrier one in Wednesday’s draw, which only emphasised the stable’s desire to race the horse closer to things than usual.
“We wanted to ride him a touch closer and he won the Makybe from barrier one,” Kent Jnr said. “He’s a horse that can take a tight run and get himself out of trouble. It should be fine.”
I’m Thunderstruck will be ridden on Saturday by Mark Zahra in what will be the jockey’s first meeting back in Australia since riding Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) in France last weekend.
Impossible to split Toorak chances
Warwick Farm trainer Annabel Neasham is finding it hard to split the chances of her stable pair, Laws Of Indices (Ire) (Power {GB}) and Military Expert (Redoute’s Choice), when it comes to their tilt at this Saturday’s G1 Toorak H., reports Racing.com.
"It's hard to split them, certainly on their work," Neasham said. "Whoever rides them best I suppose. I think they're both winning chances. Laws Of Indices can be a bit slow away. I think if he can jump into stride, he'll improve a lot. I thought he was good first-up in the Rupert Clarke.
"Military Expert, he's just going so well. He’s improved a lot from three to four, so I think he's a big danger with that lightweight."
Laws Of Indices will carry James McDonald in the Toorak, and he was a last-start fourth in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. Military Expert has Jamie Kah aboard, and the 4-year-old horse was last seen running second to Gentleman Roy (So You Think {NZ}) in the G3 Sandown S. on September 25.
Breeze-ups complete at Warwick Farm
The final session of breeze-up gallops occurred at Warwick Farm on Thursday morning ahead of the 2022 Inglis Ready2Race Sale, which kicks off next Tuesday. The fastest time was posted by Lot 238, a Flying Artie colt from the Foxwedge mare Lucy’s Legacy, who breezed in 10.34s for his vendor, KBL Thoroughbreds.
A total of 223 horses have now breezed ahead of Tuesday’s sale, of which 148 have run 11 seconds or better. Leandro Ribeiro, Lot 238’s rider on Thursday morning, said the colt felt effortless.
“He’s a very natural horse and has done everything right, especially given it’s his first time to the track for a gallop like this,’’ Ribeiro said. “He has a lot of ability and I have no doubt he’ll be an early horse. He has a lovely stride and is a horse who I think has a great future ahead of him.”
Lot 238 for KBL Thoroughbreds | Image courtesy of Inglis
Inspections begin on Friday for the 289-horse catalogue, with the sale commencing at 10 am on Tuesday.
The Inglis Ready2Race Sale has produced 10 individual stakes winners from its past three editions, with sale graduates including the likes of Nettoyer (Sebring), Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel) and Lightsaber (Zoustar).
Busy day awaits Bosson
Kiwi-based jockey Opie Bosson has a full book of rides this Saturday at Matamata, with 11 of his 12 mounts in the Te Akau Racing yard of trainer Mark Walker, reports NZ Racing Desk. Among the highlights for him will be the star mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), who will tackle the G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate after it was rescheduled from last weekend’s abandoned meeting at Hastings.
“I galloped her on Tuesday morning and she worked super, she was her normal self,” Bosson said. “I’m expecting a big run from her but it’s not over until the job is done, and better ground would be ideal for her.”
Imperatriz | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
Bosson, at 42 years old, currently leads the New Zealand Jockeys’ Premiership with 22 winners, and Saturday’s stacked meeting presents an opportunity for him to ease further ahead.
“I don’t think I would have had this many rides since I was a teenager in Singapore,” he said.
Wide gate no worry for Spring Tide
Hastings-based trainer John Bary is confident that Spring Tide (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) will be ultra-competitive in Saturday’s G1 Arrowfield Sprint at Matamata, despite jumping from the outside stall.
“The wide draw (12) doesn’t worry me because we were going to be riding him back anyway, trying to get the mile,” Bary said. “His work has been super, his last two gallops have been exceptional.”
The 6-year-old heads into the race off the back of a runner-up result in the G1 Tarzino Trophy.
Anamoe, Nature Strip beatable
Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman appeared on RSN’s The Verdict on Thursday morning, declaring both Anamoe and Nature Strip (Nicconi) beatable in their spring targets, respectively the G1 Cox Plate and $15 million The Everest.
“He’s (Anamoe) had a sweet preparation, he looks unreal, a picture of health and if I had the pick in the Cox Plate then I’d take him, but he’s far from unbeatable, no doubt about that,” Bowman said. “He’s not Winx, he’s not unbeatable.”
Of Nature Strip, Bowman said the 6-year-old Lost And Running (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) was a live chance to defeat the Royal Ascot hero.
“I have a healthy respect for him (Nature Strip), he is the benchmark,” the jockey said. “If he gets any sort of rhythm and peace, he’s going to be hard to beat but he’s not unbeatable. We know what Nature Strip is capable of and he can’t go any better.”
Williamsburg to relish wet, says Ryan
Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou have no concerns backing up Williamsburg (Snitzel) after his impressive win in last week’s Listed Dulcify S. Williamsburg, who has won three times on a Heavy track, will contest the G3 Gloaming S. at Randwick on Saturday.
The 3-year-old colt performed well at Goup 1 level on the quick back up last autumn when finishing third to She’s Extreme (Extreme Choice) in the Champagne S.
Williamsburg | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I’m probably more confident about Williamsburg backing up this time as he had three runs on Heavy tracks in the autumn before the Champagne,” Ryan told News Corp. “This spring he has only had one go on a Heavy track and that was last week, but he bounces out of his races really well. He is amazing.”
Roy to give favourite something to catch
JD Hayes, the co-trainer of Toorak H. runner Gentleman Roy (So You Think {NZ}), concedes I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) will take a power of beating in Saturday’s $1 million Group 1 affair but hopes his charge’s racing style will give him an edge over Peter Moody’s rising star.
I Wish I Win is likely to get back in the field, whereas Gentleman Roy will be on the speed.
“He's got a couple of really good ones to beat like Peter Moody’s horse, but that horse’s pattern is to get back,” Hayes told News Corp. “He might be looking to jump a couple to catch us but he (Gentleman Roy) will be straight out in front and hopefully he can steal it.”
Workplace safety awards for Victoria
Racing Victoria has introduced two new awards in a bid to promote a widespread safety message among its industry participants.
The first is an Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Award, presented to an individual that shows exemplary safety awareness and concern for industry participants, while the second is the Safety Stable Award, one that will recognise a Victorian racing stable that makes a specific effort when it comes to safety culture.
Both award categories will present a certificate and $5000 to the winner, and Racing Victoria is calling for nominations right now, which must be received by 11.59pm AEDT on Friday, October 28. The award winners will be announced via a Racing.com broadcast in December.
Wet weather messes with meetings
Relentless wet weather across New South Wales and Victoria has led to both states reshuffling various race meetings.
Saturday’s Forbes card was postponed, while Albury's was abandoned. Friday's scheduled meeting at Canberra has also been abandoned, with the Tony Campbell Memorial Cup (1400 metres) and the Sky Racing Race Callers Cup (1000 metres) rescheduled to Friday, November 25.
Kembla Grange's meeting this Saturday has been transferred to Scone after the surface received a deluge of 37mm in 24 hours, and 111mm throughout the week with more expected.
In Victoria, Friday’s scheduled meeting at Tatura was transferred to Sportsbet-Ballarat synthetic, also owing to the effects of wet weather. The track received 25mm of rain in 24 hours, leaving it unsuitable for racing.
In Sydney, which on Thursday bypassed all previous annual rain records, Friday’s Warwick Farm trials were transferred to the Polytrack, with every likelihood that the same will happen to Randwick’s trials this coming Monday.
Trainers frustrated at lack of trials
A number of Victorian trainers have declared frustration at their state’s lack of official trials, according to Racing.com. Sam Freedman, who co-trains with his father Anthony, was one of them, as was Troy Corstens, who trains alongside his father, Leon, and is the vice-president of the Australian Trainers’ Association (ATA).
"You compare it to New South Wales and their official 2-year-old trials to what we've got in Victoria, it's no wonder that a lot of their horses are getting ahead of Victorian trained 2-year-olds," Freedman said. “For us, trying to get a 2-year-old to trial around a bend before the Debutant Stakes on Saturday has been near-on impossible after trying multiple avenues."
Corstens revealed that he’d taken horses to trial at Bendigo and Ballarat recently, which was expensive but necessary.
"I know with wet tracks it can be hard, but the amount of public trials that are out there at the moment is not enough," he said. "The punter sits back and looks at New South Wales and those are regular and on a city track, they are published and televised. It helps the punter, trainer, horse and the owner."
A spokesperson for Racing Victoria responded that the ATA was supportive of its current structure of trials and jump-outs across the state.
Applicants called for Irish National Stud scholarship
The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (NZTBA), in partnership with the Keith and Faith Taylor Equine Scholarship Trust, on Thursday put out the call for one young industry participant to apply for the Irish National Stud Scholarship, which begins in January 2023.
The successful applicant will spend six months in Kildare earning the internationally recognised National Stud Diploma, after which he or she will return to New Zealand for a six-month tenure at Trelawney. Last year’s successful applicant was Waikato Stud’s George Chittick, and NZTBA Chief Executive, Justine Sclater, said it was a powerful opportunity for one lucky person.
“This really is a life-changing opportunity for someone looking to take that next step and develop their career,” she said. “The students are required to complete academic studies, as well as develop knowledge and skills while working with some of the best horses and people in the area.”
Candidates for the scholarship must be under 30 years old and applications close at 5pm NZDT on Friday, October 14. Those wishing to apply can send their CV and covering letter to nztba@nzthoroughbred.co.nz
