Oliver sets sights on third Winterbottom
Superstar jockey Damien Oliver is confident of claiming a third Winterbottom S. success.
Oliver will partner with the Rob Heathcote-trained Rothfire (Rothesay) in the Group 1 feature at Ascot on Saturday.
“I’m really pleased to be riding him, he’s been in great form throughout the spring and it looks like a suitable race for him in Perth,” Oliver told Racing.com.
“Rob (Heathcote) tells me he’s settled in well, so (I’m) really looking forward to riding him.”
Rothfire, who contested some of the top sprint races in Melbourne during the spring, will jump from barrier three.
Oliver won the Winterbottom S. in 2006 aboard Marasco (Scenie {Ire}) and in 2018 with Voodoo Lad (I Am Invincible).
Moroney eyes another Zipping Classic with veteran stayer
Flemington-based trainer Michael Moroney believes 10-year-old Sound (Ger) (Lando {Ger}) is capable of repeating his heroics of 12 months ago in Saturday’s G3 Zipping Classic at Caulfield.
Sound heads into the race after finishing ninth in the Caulfield, before running fourth in the Queen Elizabeth S.
“I don't think he’s going any worse than last year, but he’s got to jump away, which he did last start,” Moroney said.
“In the Caulfield Cup, he missed it and put himself out of the race. He possibly should have run in the first five if he jumps well.
“We won't go back to New Zealand. He’ll go for a bit of a break after Saturday and then we’ll look at the autumn, whether that’s the Sydney Cup, or we look at something else.”
Meanwhile, the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) has been ruled out of the race after CT scans that were conducted on Monday indicated to vets that the 6-year-old is at heightened risk of injury.
Remedies ready for stakes test
Godolphin’s 2-year-old crop has been firing on all cylinders this season and they could add to their tally in both Melbourne and Sydney on Saturday.
Debut winner Remedies (Sepoy) is favourite for the Listed Merson Cooper S. at Caulfield and trainer James Cummings said the filly is in great shape to make it two from two.
“She showed great gate speed and was strong late,” Cummings said.
“She’s rock-solid, that filly. She hasn’t changed one bit since that debut.
“The (Listed) Merson Cooper provides her with a great opportunity to give herself a chance at stakes level.”
Newnham keen to see what import can do
One of the most intriguing runners around the country on Saturday is Sunshine Rising (Fr) (Myboycharlie {Ire}), who comes out of retirement to contest the Listed Festival S. at Rosehill.
The 9-year-old hasn’t been seen since finishing fifth in last year’s G1 Stewards’ Cup at Sha Tin, which was won by Hong Kong-based champion Golden Sixty (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}).
Battling tendon issues, Sunshine Rising has retired before Newnham was asked to give him a chance to finish his career in Australia.
“It’s a dive into the unknown but I wouldn’t run him unless I thought he’d run well,” Newnham said.
“He might be a little ring rusty, he has only had one start in three years and they can be unused to race-day pressure.
“But his trials indicate he is still willing.”
ATC fills vacant Board positions
Members of the Australian Turf Club (ATC) have elected two candidates to fill vacant positions on the Club’s Board of Directors.
Current ATC Director Ben Bayot and new candidate Caroline Searcy were elected and announced at Thursday’s Annual General Meeting at Rosehill Gardens.
Bayot had previously filled a casual vacancy on the board before Thursday’s member elections.
The second position became vacant following the expiration of former Vice-Chair Julia Ritchie’s maximum eight-year term.
ATC Chairman, Peter McGauran, thanked members for their votes.
“I congratulate Ben and Caroline on their election and both bring excellent skills and a deep passion for racing to our diverse board,’’ McGauran said.
“I’d also like to thank former Chairman and independent Director Matthew McGrath along with Julia Ritchie on their outstanding service.’’
Former Chairman, McGrath, was granted Life Membership of the Club.
Kobritz steps down
After five years as vice-chairman of the Moonee Valley Racing Club, David Kobritz has stepped down from his position.
Kobritz, proprietor at Musk Creek Farm, will remain a committee member to oversee the Master Plan and continue to chair the Property Sub-Committee.
QRIC names chief steward
The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) on Thursday announced Josh Adams as the state’s new chief steward.
Adams, 35, will take over from acting chief steward Dan Aurisch immediately.
“This is my dream stewarding job and I'm extremely honoured to have been given this opportunity,” Adams said.
“I’ve been around racing all my life and humbled by the opportunity and can’t wait to lead the team through this exciting period of change.”
QRIC commissioner Shane Gillard is adamant Adams is the right man for the job.
“Josh conducts himself with the utmost professionalism, calmness and composure under pressure and at all times,” Gillard said.
“Josh is the right person, with the right skills and attributes to help the commission grow into its next phase.”
Shalaa filly wins Rosehill trial
Rosehill hosted 12 trials on Thursday morning, including one for 2-year-olds.
That was Heat 7 (900 metres) and the Matt Laurie-trained Chilled (Shalaa {Ire}) was victorious.
After settling at the back of the field, Chilled powered home under Andrew Adkins to score by 0.74l in 54.90s (on a Good 4).
Chilled is the first foal of the winless Pierro mare Sauvignon, whose dam, Angel Face (Fastnet Rock), is a three-quarter sister to G1 Blue Diamond S. heroine Catchy (Fastnet Rock).
Bred and sold by Valiant Stud, Chilled made $125,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Yearling Sale, with Snippets Racing Syndications/Peter Morgan/Matt Laurie Racing buying.
Second in the trial was Sensory (I Am Invincible), while third went the way of Martindale Dancer (Pariah).
Moreira hands in licence, plans to retire
Superstar jockey Joao Moreira won’t see out the remainder of his contract in Hong Kong, with the Brazilian withdrawing his licence on Wednesday night.
Moreira, who has been recuperating in his home country since undergoing platelet-rich plasma therapy on his troublesome left hip in September, hopes to ride for another six months or so, before retiring from the saddle.
The four-time Hong Kong Premiership winner is planning a global farewell tour, beginning at the Hong Kong International meeting at Sha Tin on December 11, with stints in Australia, Japan, Europe and Brazil to follow.
“It’s a very tough call to retire right away, so I intend to ride for a very short stint – maybe a few months, maybe six months,” Moreira told the South China Morning Post.
Another milestone for Purton
Australian jockey Zac Purton created history on Wednesday night, breaking the record for winners at Happy Valley.
Purton had been tied on 572 victories with Douglas Whyte, before his win aboard Amazing Rocky (Bel Esprit) in Race 1.
“It’s very satisfying. It’s another little milestone to tick off and it’s something I’ll be proud of,” Purton said.
