Twelve meeting ban for Dee
Michael Dee’s G1 Caulfield Cup victory came at hefty cost with the jockey being handed a 12 meeting suspension for his ride aboard Durston (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}).
The 26-year-old was among three jockeys suspended from the meeting, with Blake Shinn and Tommy Berry receiving bans from the Racing Victoria stewards.
They found Dee guilty of careless riding at the 300-metre mark for causing interference to the 13th-placed Tralee Rose (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
Michael Dee | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Meanwhile, Shinn was suspended for eight meetings after pleading guilty to causing interference to No Compromise (NZ) (Pins) when attempting to shift inwards aboard Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}) from his four-wide position at the 2000-metre mark.
Berry is also handed an eight meeting suspension, after pleading guilty to the charge of excessive use of the whip on board Fearless Knight (Lonhro).
So You Think chalks up five
Coolmore Stud-based sire So You Think (NZ) enjoyed a brilliant day at the races, siring five winners, spearheaded by Rocketing By’s shock win in the G2 Sydney S.
Trainer David Pfieffer was thrilled to see the horse back to his best and admitted he thought he might have been a run short.
“He's had knee surgery, he's had issues with his feet and to get the result, it's phenomenal,” Pfieffer said. “I was a bit worried we were a run short but when the track kept improving, I got a bit more confident.
“He's spent a lot of time down by the beach lately, so I daresay we'll continue down that path.”
Meanwhile, So You Think was represented by Cisco Bay winning at Randwick, while Excelladus took out his race at Newcastle. Another of the stallion’s sons, Nowyunomi, landed a race at Toowoomba and his 8-year-old daughter, Think I'm Dreaming, won at the Gold Coast.
Six-timer for Sacred Falls
The ill-fated Waikato Stud-based sire Scared Falls (NZ) was provided with a brilliant six-timer on Saturday.
The sextet of victors was headed by Aegon (NZ), who stormed back into form in the G3 Moonga S. at Caulfield.
Sacred Falls (NZ)
Meanwhile at Innisfail, Always Sacred (NZ) landed her respective contest, while 5-year-old gelding Five Crowns took out his race at Eagle Farm.
In New Zealand, the stallion was represented by three winners, Margaret Jean (NZ) who won at Hastings, while Seikrid (NZ) and Vicenza (NZ) both won at Ashburton.
Five winners for Pride Of Dubai
Pride Of Dubai, who resides at Coolmore Stud, chalked up a brilliant five winners on Saturday and they were headed by Hobsy’s win at the Gold Coast.
Meanwhile, the stallion’s 4-year-old daughters Listen Listen and Pride Of Aspen, won their contests at Innisfail and Hastings respectively. Prince Ruban took out his race at Fannie Bay and My Khalifa saluted the judge at Morphettville.
Empire Rose Stakes plan for Chain Of Lightning
Having landed the G2 Tristarc S. on Saturday, Chain Of Lightning (Fighting Sun) will now be aimed at the G1 Empire Rose S.
Chain Of Lightning | Image courtesy of Darren Tindale
“Things didn't go her way last time - she didn't get cover - but today Luke found a nice spot with cover and it allowed her to stretch out and hit the line really well,” trainer Peter Moody said.
Beluga Express off the mark
Having finished fourth on debut in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S. at Flemington on October 1, this Lindsay Park-trained Beluga Express (Russian Revolution) got off the mark at the second attempt when he landed the Silks Events & Functions 2YO Mdn Plate at Ballarat on Saturday.
Beluga Express was bought by his trainers for $180,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this year and he defeated Hell Queen (Hellbent) by 0.2l.
New Zealand 2000 Guineas for Specialty
The Bruce Tapper and Varma Ramhit-trained Specialty (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) will now head towards the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas following his shock victory in the G3 Barneswood Farm S. at Ashburton on Saturday.
“The main aim is the 2000 Guineas for both of ours and they will most likely go straight to the race without another run,” Tapper said.
“You don’t know if they will get the mile until they try it, but I’m confident they both will cope.
“It looks a pretty open race this year with a few of the big guns dropping away, so we would like to give our horses their best shot at it.”
Medag at US$100,000
Perennial top sire Medaglia d'Oro (USA) once again heads Darley USA's Jonabell Farm roster for 2023 with his fee remaining at US$100,000 ($161,000), the same amount as 2022.
Darley has also added two new stallions to the now-11 horse roster, including Mystic Guide (USA) who won the 2021 G1 Dubai World Cup, was retired earlier this year. He will stand for a fee of US$15,000 ($24,000) in his initial season at stud. Speaker's Corner (USA) will enter his first season at a fee of US$20,000 ($32,000).
Essential Quality (USA) and Maxfield (USA), who both await their first foals in the spring, will remain at US$75,000 ($120,000) and US$40,000 ($65,000), respectively. Both had full books for 2022 in their first seasons. Street Sense (USA) will also remain at his 2022 fee of US$75,000 ($120,000).
Noorilim Park hit by flooding
Noorilim Park’s cry for help on Saturday morning was answered by dozens of volunteers, who showed up to help rescue numerous broodmares, foals and racehorses from the rising flood water at the property.
“This came up in an hour at about 5.30am this morning,” owner Peter Carrick told Racing.com. “You would not believe how quickly it got here.
“We've now got a hell of a lot of people here. There is just so much help, which we are truly grateful for.
“There are a lot of boats. We've moved most of them (horses), with just the foals to move, so hopefully they'll all be safe.”
