Astern’s Kate take Guineas Prelude
Astern continued his excellent run of things in Australia of late on Sunday. After the victory of Golden Mile in Saturday's G2 Callander-Presnell to back up his G1 Caulfield Guineas win, a smart new contender emerged on Sunday afternoon for the Darley stallion.
Taking out the Wellington Guineas Prelude at Trentham was the Robbie Patterson-trained Coogee Kate, who scored an impressive 2.5l victory over Slipper Island (No Nay Never {USA}). The 3-year-old filly was having just her second start, having been successful on debut last last month.
She was a 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy for Warren Bolton for $45,000, and is out of the Encosta De Lago mare Dukemore, a half-sister to Superfly (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), winner of the Listed Widden Stud S.
Double for I Am Invincible
Last season’s Champion Sire I Am Invincible enjoyed a double at Sale on Sunday. In the first race, 3-year-old gelding Knightjar broke his maiden at the second time of asking for Danny O’Brien. Then, in the third race, 3-year-old filly Skidamarink followed suit for Anthony and Sam Freedman.
The Yarraman Park resident stands this season for $247,500 (inc GST).
Preferment’s Sunday pair
Brighthill Farm’s Preferment (NZ) sired two winners on Sunday afternoon. At Trentham, breaking his maiden at the first attempt was the 4-year-old gelding Peefore (NZ) for Robbie Patterson and owner/breeders Mrs H M and M J Moran, whilst at Port Macquarie the 3-year-old gelding Twigman (NZ) secured a quickfire double for trainer Paul Shailer, and was also breaking his maiden.
Preferement stands for NZ$8500 (plus GST) this season.
Media Award onto Inglis Digital
The 5-year-old mare Media Award (Shamus Award), winner of the 2021 G1 Australasian Oaks, is offered for sale on Inglis Digital October (Late) Online Sale, which ends on Wednesday.
Trained by Chris Calthorpe, she has struggled for form of late, and finished last in the G3 Geelong Cup in her latest outing.
“She owes us nothing, we bought her for $5000 and she gave me a Group 1 which I will probably never get again,” Calthorpe told Racing.com.
“There is a reserve and if the reserve is not met we will bring her back for the autumn.
“Regardless of what happens she won’t run again this spring.
“Now it’s up to see what people think she’s worth and if it meets the reserve.”
Vale Alan Simpson
Alan Simpson, the popular former jockey, has passed away at the age of 92. Simpson’s varied career included success over both codes in Australia plus riding stints abroad in Europe and Singapore, with his greatest success coming in the 1971 G1 Irish St Leger.
He is survived by his two children, Shane and Tracey, and three grandchildren.
Persan retargeted
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace announced on Sunday that following his third-place finish in Saturday’s G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup, Persan (Pierro) will not line up in the G1 Melbourne Cup.
The 6-year-old gelding, who was fifth in the 2020 version of the race, will now be given a more reasonable target according to co-trainer Eustace.
“To be honest, the aim all preparation has been to get him racing well and hopefully winning a race,’’ he told Racing.com.
“We are being realistic in that he is racing well enough to run in a Cup and probably run a top 10, but we’d rather see him win a race.
“The Queen Elizabeth would be a most likely chance for him.
“We might try some headgear on him. He’s a bit older and wiser and he’s not quickening as well as he used to and we just feel he might just ping a little better with them on.’’
Jacquinot joined by stablemates
Ahead of this weekend’s G1 Coolmore Stud S., co-trained Mick Price has confirmed that crack colt Jacquinot (Rubick) will be joined by two stablemates in the $2 million feature. The 3-year-old was last seen running fifth in The Everest and will line up alongside Bews (I Am Invincible), who won his jump-out on Friday, October 21, and Grand Impact (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) who was given an easier workout in the same heat. Grand Impact was a last-time out winner of the G3 Blue Sapphire S., in which Bews finished sixth.
Jacquinot was strong to to the line in The Everest, though Price reported that the trip to Sydney took its toll.
“He felt Sydney,’’ Price told Racing.com.
“In the early days, when he came back, he looked a little jaded but he’s picked up well.
“I didn’t gallop him this morning and he’ll gallop on Tuesday with company. But he looked good this morning. He took a few days to get over racing and coming back but that is the sort of horse he is.’’
Virtuous Circle off for a spell
The Liam Howley-trained Virtuous Circle (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) will not head to this weekend’s G1 Victoria Derby. Following his second-place finish in Saturday’s G2 Moonee Valley Vase. The trainer feels the 3-year-old colt is ready for a break after three runs this preparation, which also included a third in the G2 Stutt S. last month.
“Don’t get me wrong, the owners would love to have a Derby runner… but it was a big effort; and to ask him to back up a week later and to ask the same effort might be too far,” Howley told Racing.com.
“When he hits the line like that everyone says Derby, but he’ll get his chance in time.
“Mac’s (James McDonald) comments backed that up he said, ‘Super horse, just not yet.’”
Thornton to ride in the Cup
Damien Thornton has secured his second ride in the race ahead of this year’s G1 Melbourne Cup, in which he will partner Realm Of Flowers (So You Think {NZ}) for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman.
The 6-year-old mare has been in good form of late, and was last seen placing a narrow third in the G1 Metropolitan H. at the beginning of this month. She had been set to start in the race last year, but was ruled out in the closing weeks due to illness.
“I think she'll certainly run well in the Cup,” Thornton told Racing.com.
“She'll run the two miles, no worries, and hopefully we get this rain that they've predicted will come, so that will only enhance her chances.”
Parr to head abroad
Josh Parr will head to New Zealand next month as he strikes up a new association with Te Akau Racing. Travelling for a short stint to ride over New Zealand Cup Week, a first overseas stint for Parr, he has been handed the opportunity earlier than imagined thanks to a six-week suspension imposed on stable jockey Opie Bosson at Hastings on Saturday, October 15.
“I had a good chat with my manager Tye Angland to see if it was a good idea and we couldn't find a negative,” Parr told Racenet.
“It's such a great opportunity. It's a new relationship that I hope goes well in a few weeks and I am really excited to get over there.”
