Barrier five for Caulfield Cup favourite
Pre-race Caulfield Cup favourite Smokin’ Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) has drawn ideally in barrier five for Saturday’s $5 million staying feature.
The 6-year-old is is aiming to become the third-consecutive Turnbull S., winner to go on and take out the Caulfield Cup a fortnight later, following the deeds of Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) and Incentivise (Shamus Award).
Stablemate and topweight Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}) will jump from barrier 10 of the two emergencies fail to start.
Gold Trip (Fr) | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Heavy rain is forecast in Melbourne on Thursday with the weather due to improve ahead of Saturday.
“It’s perfect really,” Gold Trip’s jockey, Mark Zahra, said.
“I’m not sure with this rain about what difference barriers will make, but on face value I’m pretty happy with 12.
“It's not wetter the better but I wouldn't like to be heading in on a good track, but a (Soft) 6 or 7 is perfect for him and any more would be a bonus.”
The John O’Shea-trained Benaud (Reliable Man {GB}) drew the outside stall.
McEvoy calls for Group 1 status for The Everest
Three-time The Everest-winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy wants the $15 million sprint race to be recognised with Group 1 status.
“It is amazing the stature The Everest has reached given it has only been going for a few years,” McEvoy, who rides Shades Of Rose (Rubick) in this year’s The Everest, told News Corp.
“This race should be a Group 1, I feel, as the Group 1 sprinters line up in the race.
Kerrin McEvoy | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“No doubt that is something that will take place in the coming years.”
Mick Price, trainer of Jacquinot (Rubick), echoed McEvoy’s sentiments.
“This (The Everest) should be a Group 1 race,” Price said.
“It is a Group 1 already, it just hasn’t got the status.”
O’Shea philosophical ahead of The Everest
Randwick trainer John O’Shea, who saddles up Lost And Running (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) in Saturday’s The Everest, concedes hot favourite Nature Strip (Nicconi) would either need to have an off day or bad luck if he is to be beaten.
“For him to have adversity and for us to have none,” O'Shea said when asked how his runner could knock off Nature Strip.
“To be fair, in a two-horse race Nature Strip is probably always going to beat us. But it’s the nature of racing, things may not go his way in the run and it may go our way.
“There’s plenty of other opposition in the race, obviously, but we would have to have an unimpeded run and for him not to have as good a run.
“He’s had the odd chink in his armour, he has an off day. But there's a reason why he’s the world’s best sprinter and it's a big challenge when you have to beat the world's best at anything.”
Tendon injury for Top Ranked
The extent of Top Ranked’s (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) injury has been revealed. The Annabel Neasham-trained import, who went amiss during a gallop at The Valley on Tuesday, has sustained a non-life-threatening tendon injury, Racing Victoria announced on Wednesday.
“Following examination at U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital, it has been determined Top Ranked has sustained a tendon injury to the hock,” an RV statement read. “The horse is not expected to race again this spring, but the injury is not life-threatening.”
Top Ranked (Ire) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
The Epsom winner was being aimed for a tilt at this year’s G1 Cox Plate on Saturday week.
“Our beautiful Epsom winner Top Ranked is out for the rest of the season. Whilst too early to say for certain, there is hope of him returning to the track,” Neasham tweeted.
“We’re gutted he won’t be lining up in the 2022 Cox Plate, but his welfare is paramount and he is in safe hands recovering.”
Full field for Sydney Stakes
A capacity field of 18 (plus five emergencies) has been declared for Saturday’s G3 Sydney S. at Randwick. Evergreen sprinter Kementari (Lonhro) will jump from barrier nine if the emergencies come out and he will be ridden by Nash Rawiller.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have two runners, In The Congo (Snitzel) and Riodini (NZ) (Proisir), as does Chris Waller with Tycoonist (Written Tycoon) and Blondeau (I Am Invincible).
Smokin’ Romans the one to beat, says Melham
Multiple Group 1-winning jockey Ben Melham claims that last-start G1 Turnbull S. winner Smokin’ Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) is deserving of his pre-post favouritism tag in Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Cup.
The 6-year-old has taken all before him this campaign, winning the G3 Naturalism S. before scoring at the elite level for the first time. Smokin’ Romans drops to 51.5kg, down from 55.5kg, with Jamie Kah to ride.
Smokin' Romans (NZ) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“He’s been quite unassuming this preparation, that horse, but he’s going to be the hardest to beat,” said Melham, who will partner Turnbull runner-up Maximal (GB) (Galileo {Ire}).
“Obviously, he’s going to meet those horses from the Turnbull a lot better at the weights. I just think he’s had a great preparation.”
Track no concern for Cox Plate contender
Michael Kent Jnr, the co-trainer of Saturday’s G1 Caulfield S. runner-up, I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking), holds no fears about their stable star getting around the the tight-turning Cox Plate circuit, The Valley.
“We’ve been there for one victory, beating Tuvalu, so I think he gets through The Valley fine, and it’s going to be a good race again,” Kent Jnr said.
“Over 2000 metres he can take a spot, third, fourth, fifth – no worries, as I said barriers will be most important so hopefully we draw well.
“Anamoe is the one to beat clearly, but we’re in the mix.”
Dryden awarded life membership
Trainer Keith Dryden is now a Life Member of the Canberra Racing Club (CRC). The local trainer, who first took up a licence nearly 40 years ago, has been a mainstay among the Canberra ranks for decades, and his approval for life membership was approved on Wednesday.
Dryden, who won the inaugural edition of The Kosciuszko in 2019 with Handle With Truth (Star Witness), a horse that is back in the field this Saturday for the fourth time, has prepared such good horses as Tumble On (Tumbledownwin {Ire}), a G2 Villiers S. winner, and Into The Night (Rhythm {USA}), a G2 QTC Cup winner.
The trainer has been vocal in recent years about many issues, including Canberra horses making it into Highway races and the costs of workers' compensation insurance in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
Wednesday trebles for trio of sires
No Nay Never (USA), Pride Of Dubai and Star Witness all had three Australasian winners on Wednesday.
In addition to Madame Pommery’s G1 Thousand Guineas victory at Caulfield, Coolmore’s No Nay Never had Metal Bar win at Dubbo and Texas Windstorm salute at Balaklava.
Pride Of Dubai’s treble was highlighted by Sirileo Miss’ G3 Ladies’ Day Vase triumph. The stallion also had For Mile Lane win at Ipswich, as well as Matter Of Honour at Avondale.
And, Star Witness had Bullet Rider, Night Shift and Sea Witness score at Warwick Farm, Ascot and Balaklava respectively.
Veranme chases Group 1 scalp
Stephen Marsh is excited to head to Hastings on Saturday with a three-pronged attack in the G1 Livamol Classic.
His charge will be led by Group 1 performer Vernanme (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), who will carry the gold silks of co-breeder and co-owner Kevin Hickman.
The 7-year-old gelding has been runner-up four times at elite-level and heads into the race after running fourth in the G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate at Matamata last Saturday.
Vernanme (NZ) | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“He hasn’t missed a beat, he has got a real spring in his step,” Marsh told the NZ Racing Desk.
“He has drawn (12) out a little bit but he will go forward. He is going super and the 2000 metres is really going to suit him.”
Vernanme will be joined in the race by stablemates Masetto (NZ) (Cape Blanco {Ire}) and Osaka (NZ) (Makfi {GB}).
