Vilana on the hunt for redemption
Vilana (Hallowed Crown) was a dominant winner of the Silver Eagle two starts back, before not having any luck in the Golden Eagle, and jockey Nash Rawiller is hopeful he can give the Godolphin-raced entire a much sweeter steer in $1 million The Hunter at Newcastle on Saturday.
“That's a bit better. I think it was 20 and to be fair the other day we jumped and that horse that drew inside us, Mr Mozart, just kept us out on the outside fence for 100 metres and basically ended our race,” Rawiller told Sky Racing.
Vilana | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He did a great job I thought, we never got into the spot we wanted. He sort of struggled and you're always chasing your tail from that point onwards.
“But he worked to the line nicely, obviously in the Silver Eagle he showed what he was made of and he can reproduce that this week.
“The horse is in good form and he's a horse that I've got a lot of time for, as have the team, so I'm looking forward to it.”
Weather watch for Eustace
Co-trainer David Eustace will be keeping one eye on the weather map and will be hoping the rain does not arrive at Cranbourne ahead of Greece’s (I Am Invincible) intended run on Saturday.
Having broken her maiden at Geelong in September, the weather has played havoc with the filly’s preparation since and she was forced to be scratched from the G3 Blue Sapphire S. on Thousand Guineas Day at Caulfield, while she was also withdrawn from the Listed William Crockett S. on Cox Plate Day at Moonee Valley.
Greece | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“The rain forecast hasn't arrived just yet and we hope it doesn't. We've been treading water for a while wanting to run her and she's ready to go, so unless it's Heavy, we'll run,” Eustace said.
“She's a high-class filly. If the conditions are okay, we'd be disappointed if she got beaten.”
Eustace said they plan to continue her campaign and are looking at tackling the Listed Twilight Glow S. at Caulfield on November 26 and he said they ultimately have their sights set on the $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas on the Gold Coast on January 14.
Exciting fillies win for Maher and Eustace
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace look to have a pair of smart fillies on their hands in the shape of Dusse (Rubick) and Royal Merchant (Merchant Navy), who both landed their respective contests at Moonee Valley and Canterbury on Friday.
Dusse added a third win to her record when she defeated Jungle Sensation (Jungle Ruler) by 1.25l, while Royal Merchant shed her maiden status with an easy 2.16l victory over Spiritchaser (Show A Heart).
Zahra and Dee headed for Singapore
Mark Zahra and Mick Dee will ride in Singapore next Saturday.
The duo will join Jamie Kah and Craig Williams at the Gold Cup meeting after being approved for a one-day licence to ride in Singapore.
Zahra is booked to ride Hongkong Great (Lookin At Lucky {USA}) for trainer Ricardo Le Grange, while Dee will ride the Donna Logan-trained Super Impact (NZ) (Real Impact {Jpn}).
Zahra, who won the G1 Melbourne Cup on Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}), is familiar with Singapore, having ridden Golden Monkey (Star Turn) in the G1 Lion City Cup, having finished third on the gelding.
Highland Reel to keep shuttling
Seven-time Group 1 winner Highland Reel (Ire) will transfer to Takaya Shimikawa's S T Farm in Hokkaido next season. The sire of three stakes winners, led by G2 Premio Dormello heroine Atamisque (Ire) and G3 Surfer Girl S. winner Comanche Country (Ire).
The son of Galileo (Ire) currently serving the Southern Hemisphere season at Swettenham Stud in Australia for $16,500 (inc GST) and he will continue to shuttle to the Victorian Farm for the Southern Hemisphere season.
An S T Farm spokesperson told Yahoo Japan, “During his racing days, Highland Reel was a horse whose performances were outstanding, not only in Europe, but overseas. I feel that his progeny show good speed, and although they have achieved results in Europe and the United States, I feel that Japan may be a better fit.”
Zoustar Northern Hemisphere fee increased
Zoustar, the sire of the Cartier 2-Year-Old Filly and G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Lezoo (GB), will stand for £30,000 (AU$52,900) at Tweenhills in 2023, having stood the 2022 season for a fee of £25,000 (AU$44,000).
He leads a four-strong Qatar Racing roster that also includes G1 2000 Guineas hero Kameko (USA) at £15,000 (AU$26,400), down from £20,000 (AU$35,300) this year. His first foals will be yearlings in 2023.
Zoustar | Standing at Widden Stud
Havana Gold (Ire) has been trimmed to £10,000 (AU$17,600) from £12,500 (AU$22,000). Group 1 winner Lightning Spear’s (GB) fee is unchanged at £5000 (AU$8800), and five of his eight runners have won.
Tweenhills owner David Redvers said, “We are extremely excited to welcome Zoustar back to Tweenhills for his fifth Northern Hemisphere covering season.
“He has got off to a fantastic start with his first runners here and, standing at a fraction of his Australian stud fee of $198,000, he is a real coup for European breeders.”
Olympiad joins Gainesway
Olympiad (USA) (Speightstown {USA}), a five-time Graded stakes winner, led by the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup S., and most recently second in the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic, has been retired to Gainesway Farm and will stand for an introductory fee of US$35,000 (AU$52,600)
One of North America's top older males of 2022, Olympiad posted eight wins in 13 career starts for earnings of US$3,027,560 (AU$4,547,000) for trainer Bill Mott and owners Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stables and LNJ Foxwoods.
Belardo moves to Bearstone Stud
Dual Group 1 winner Belardo (Ire) will move to Bearstone Stud in Shropshire for the 2023 breeding season. A former Darley stallion, he will stand for £6500 (AU$9800) next year.
The son of Lope De Vega (Ire) already has eight stakes winners worldwide with six of them successful at Group level.
Belardo (Ire) | Standing at Haunui Farm
Isabella Giles (Ire) won the G2 Rockfel S. and G3 Prestige S., while both Bellabel (Ire) and Gold Phoenix (Ire) won Graded events at Del Mar in California. The former was also second in the G1 Del Mar Oaks and third in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup. Lullaby Moon (GB), Elysium (Ire), and Verona (NZ) are his other Group winners.
Belardo is covering his sixth book of mares at Haunui Farm in New Zealand.
