Daily News Wrap

Olentia impresses at Doomben

The Chris Waller-trained Olentia (Zoustar) produced an impressive performance to break her maiden at Doomben on Saturday.

The daughter of Zoustar scooted clear in the final stages to defeat her stablemate Sha Of Gomer (Shalaa {Ire}) by an impressive 3.82l, while Mintaka Lad (Deep Field) was another 1l away in third.

The filly was bought her owner Star Thoroughbreds and the Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) for $310,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and she is half-sister to Group 3 winner Wandabaa (Wandjina) and Listed winner Malovich (Choisir).

Hi Dubai gets off the mark

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Hi Dubai (Highland Reel {Ire}) made a big impression on her debut at Canterbury.

Raced by Dynamic Syndications, the daughter of Swettenham Stud shuttler Highland Reel (Ire) showed a good turn of speed to defeat the John Thompson-trained Double Scoop (Press Statement) by 3.97l.

Kissonallforcheeks ready to fire

Last seen being narrowly beaten in the G1 Winterbottom S., trainer Dan Morton believes Kissonallforcheeks (Written Tycoon) can take out Saturday’s The Gold Rush at Ascot on Saturday.

“It’s no secret that I’ve got a big opinion of her, taking her east twice chasing Group 1s because I think she is that good, we haven’t managed that yet, but I don’t think she’s far from them,” Morton said.

“She’s got an outstanding record at 1400 metres, and she gets around Ascot good on a dry pad so there’s a few things in her favour I guess.”

Kettle Hill to make Australian debut

Exciting European import Kettle Hill (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}) will make his Australian debut when he steps out at Sandown on Saturday.

Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, the son of Gleneagles (Ire) was purchased by his ownership group Australian Bloodstock as well as Ronald Rauscher for 150,000gns (AU$285,400) at the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale last year.

“Really exciting, he is my highlight of the weekend, him kicking off,” assistant trainer Lucy Yeomans said.

“He has been a bit of a work in progress, he is an import and we’ve had him at Fingall and our beach property and he’s been at Cranbourne the last two weeks. He is a really nice, big, strong horse.

“Probably better suited to a mile so we will learn a lot about him on Saturday but I think he’s got above average ability.”

Inglis release bumper online catalogue

The final Inglis Digital sale of 2022 has resulted in a bumper catalogue of 460 lots that includes outstanding breeding prospects, quality racing prospects and a range of unreserved dispersals from some of Australia’s leading thoroughbred operations.

In what is the true example of a catalogue that has something for everybody, there are 290 racehorses, including 132 race fillies, 66 broodmares, 50 racehorse shares, 33 yearlings and 21 uneducated stock in the December Online Sale.

Due to the increased size of the catalogue, the final countdown of bidding has been brought forward two hours and will begin from 10am AEDT Wednesday, December 14.

Among a set of listings that is sure to attract attention from a significant global audience is broodmare Set Goals (Snitzel), who will be offered in foal to hot young stallion Maurice (Jpn).

The 7-year-old mare is out of a three-quarter sister to blue hen The Broken Shore (Hussonet {USA}), dam of three-time Group 1 winner Shoals (Fastnet Rock) and the stakes-winning and Group 1-placed Groundswell (Fastnet Rock).

RV five year welfare plan released

Racing Victoria will focus on seven key areas over the next five years after announcing its Equine Welfare Strategic Plan (EWSP).

The plan will run between 2023 and 2027 and will focus on four new priorities: physical welfare, behavioural welfare, vulnerable thoroughbreds and breeding welfare.

It will also continue the three key themes from its 2019 plan, which are life after racing, injury prevention and traceability.

The latest five-year plan builds on the one released in 2019 and includes feedback from the Equine Welfare Advisory Council, racing participants, owners, retrainers, animal welfare groups and horse sports associations.

RV says it has a number of key objectives to achieve over the next five years, including forming an industry code of practice for the care of a thoroughbred during racing.

A total of $27 million was directed to equine welfare during the accelerated and expanded 2019 EWSP. This was broken down into the following key areas:

- 30 per cent - Post-Racing Programs, Safety Net and Visibility

- 30 per cent - Veterinary and Equine Welfare Operational Delivery

- 25 per cent - Risk Reduced Racing

- 15 per cent - Industry Reputation and Education

Stallion share in Almanzor offered online

The Tattersalls Online December Sale has attracted a diverse catalogue of 74 entries for the final online auction of 2022 to be held on the platform. The sale includes a collection of Breeding Rights, broodmares, yearlings, a single foal and a stallion share in Cambridge Stud shuttler Almanzor (Fr).

A Northern Hemisphere stallion share in Champion 3-Year-Old Almanzor provides another attractive opportunity for breeders. Standing at Haras d’Etreham in France, the sire enjoyed a successful season highlighted by Manzoice winning the G1 VRC Derby and boasts thirteen Group/Listed performers to date.

Prospective buyers are required to register to log on and join the sale ahead of the commencement of bidding from 11pm (AEDT), Thursday, December 15 (12 noon, Wednesday, December 14 {local}). Bidding is scheduled to close from 11pm (AEDT), Friday, December 16 (12 noon {local} on Thursday, December 15).