Roy rockets home
Having run a career-best when fourth in last year’s G1 Toorak H., Gentleman Roy (So You Think {NZ}) may now be aimed back at the elite level after capturing Thursday’s Listed John Dillon S. at Sandown-Hillside.
Trained by Ben and JD Hayes, the 6-year-old gelding was a winner of last September’s G3 Sandown S., and was returning to action on Thursday having last been seen running sixth in the G2 Crystal Mile on October 22.
Gentleman Roy winning the G3 John Dillon S. at Sandown-Hillside | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Making all the running to claim his latest success, he briefly looked vulnerable in the home straight but kicked again with 100 metres to run to fend off Dawn Passage (Dawn Approach {Ire}) by 0.75l, with Crosshaven (Smart Missile) a further 1.25l back in third.
Winning co-trained JD Hayes said: “He took a lot of time to mature… we’ve got a pretty good program ahead for him and if he keeps ticking the boxes I think we’re going to have a couple of happy owners.
“We have mapped out a rough plan similar to Mr Brightside into the (G1) Doncaster (H.), we think he’s a similar quality horse, and he’s definitely got an engine under there. But, that’s very much pie in the sky… I’ll have to consult with the team back home.”
Australia Day honour for Elliott
The first female chair of the Victoria Racing Club, Amanda Elliott, has received the Order of Australia Medal in the Australia Day Awards. A long-serving administrator within the sport, Elliott is also a dedicated owner-breeder and led the way when she was first elected to the committee in 2002. She counts the new Flemington stand, developed during her tenure, as a highlight of her time in the role.
“I feel so honoured and so humbled, and completely thrilled by being honoured this way,” Elliott told Racing.com. “Being judged by others that you’ve actually made a significant contribution is so rewarding, I'm absolutely thrilled.
“The new stand at Flemington took six years. I oversaw that project from start to finish and indeed cut the ribbon on it. We should be so proud of that facility. The VRC over 160-odd years has done the most wonderful job.”
Melody Belle for Hall of Fame
It was announced on Thursday that Melody Belle (NZ), the 14-time Group 1-winning racemare, will be inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. The 2023 ceremony will occur on Sunday, May 7 at Hamilton.
Melody Belle’s career saw her a major winner from two to six years of age. She was New Zealand Champion 2-Year-Old in 2016/17, Champion Sprinter/Miler in 2018/19 and 2019/20 and Champion Middle Distance Horse in 2019/20 and 2020/21. The daughter of Commands was also New Zealand Horse of the Year in 2018/19 and 2019/20.
Melody Belle (NZ) | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Melody Belle raced for David Ellis’ Te Akau Racing operation, winning 19 total races from 41 starts. She collected NZ$4,265,000 in prizemoney, a healthy return on her yearling price of NZ$57,500 when purchased by Ellis at Karaka 2016.
“She generated so many wonderful little stories up and down the country, from Whangarei in the north to Cromwell in the south,” said John Galvin, who raced Melody Belle as part of the Fortuna Melody Belle Syndicate. “The great thing about this great mare is that she raced in the very best races from two to six years, yet through that whole time she never had any soundness issues, and when it came time for her retirement, she did so on her terms.”
Barber all the rage for Cummings
Trainer James Cummings has told Racing.com that his undefeated 2-year-old colt Barber, a son of Exceed And Excel, is a particularly exciting stable addition this autumn. The Kirkham S. and Golden Gift winner won a smart barrier trial at Hawkesbury on Tuesday with James McDonald.
“He’s comfortably going to be high up in the order of any race that he contests, and he’s a bit of a gun, that young 2-year-old colt,” Cummings said. “He’ll most likely run in the Blue Diamond Prelude on February 11 at Sandown, and he’d be our leading Blue Diamond hopeful.”
Karrakatta Plate winner retired
The 6-year-old Western Australian sprinter Dig Deep (Deep Field), a winner of the G2 Karrakatta Plate as a 2-year-old, has been retired. He ran his final race for co-trainers Dan and Ben Pearce last Sunday when unplaced in the Mt Barker Sprint.
Dig Deep was a $100,000 graduate of the 2016 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale when sold by Gold Front Thoroughbreds to his trainers, an he won five races in 40 starts and over $625,000 in prizemoney. His only other stakes win was the Listed Grandstand Cup, albeit he was stakes-placed on four occasions and fourth in the G3 Belmont Sprint two years ago.
Dig Deep | Image courtesy of Racing and Wagering Western Australia
“He’s done a great job and will have a new home now,” said Ben Pearce. “The way he was racing, we thought there was a win around the corner and we kept persisting. He seems to have lost interest in racing, but he’s healthy and retires in good order. He won the Karrakatta in our first season as a partnership, which was good for us.”
Fernie trio for Melbourne
Western Australian trainer Luke Fernie is gearing up three horses for an interstate campaign in Victoria. His smart 3-year-old Laced Up Heels, a daughter of Toronado (Ire), will be joined by stablemates Wild Belle (Pride Of Dubai) and Shaddow Fear (Sioux Nation {USA}) in Melbourne.
Laced Up Heels (red and black silks) | Image courtesy of Racing and Wagering Western Australia
Laced Up Heels is in line for the $5 million The All-Star Mile and, with a spring campaign that included a victory in the Listed Burgess Queen S. over Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}), she is in-form for a start. Fernie said Wild Belle was a worthy understudy to his top filly, while Shaddow Fear’s trip will be decided after Monday’s trials.
Derby hopes for Artzino
The 3-year-old gelding Artzino (NZ), a son of Tarzino (NZ), could be hoping to emulate his Derby-winning sire with a path to the G1 Australian Derby at Royal Randwick in the autumn. Co-trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr will first kick him off in the G2 Autumn S. next month.
Artzino is raced in the colours of Australian Bloodstock, and he’s lightly raced with three starts and a win to date. His win came over 1500 metres at Sandown in September and he was a last-start fourth to Mr Maestro (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Listed Super Impose S. at Flemington.
“I love that horse,” Kent Jnr told RSN. “He is a nice horse and has got a turn of foot for a Tarzino, not too dissimilar to Jungle Magnate. He’s got a nice way about him.”
Dionysus for Wellington Cup
Kiwi stayer Dionysus (NZ), a son of Ocean Park (NZ) and last-start winner of the G3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup on New Year’s Day, will contest this Saturday’s G3 Wellington Cup at Trentham. Trained by Roger James and Robert Wellwood, the 5-year-old gelding has won five races in 19 starts and has proved very consistent this season with a second in the G2 Waikato Cup on December 10.
Dionysus (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kristin Ledington
“The horse is in great form and great condition,” Wellwood told NZ Racing Desk. “He has bounced through his last win very well, and his work has been superb so we are going into the race very happy with him.”
Stakes trio for Kiwi trainer Lance Robinson
This Saturday’s Listed Timaru S. will be something of a first for Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson, who will saddle up three horses for the first time in a stakes event. They are Avaquinella (NZ) (Proisir), who is among the favourites, Live Drama (NZ) (Ghibellines) and Khimar War (NZ) (Sweet Orange {USA}).
Avaquinella (NZ) winning at Riccarton in November | Image courtesy of Race Images South
“This has been their target all the way through since Cup week, and the 1400 metres is perfect for them now,” Robinson told NZ Racing Desk. “I’m pretty happy with all three. I’m not saying any are over the line, but they are all really well.”
Tamworth welcomes new General Manager
Tamworth Jockey Club has announced the appointment of Jack Penfold as its new general manager, commencing February 21. Penfold is currently the CEO at Manning Valley Race Club in Taree, and he was a part-time steward under the tutelage of former chief steward in the Hunter and North-West Racing Association, Shane Cullen. Penfold also served a two-year cadetship with Racing NSW stewards. From 2018 until last year, he was the chief steward for the Mid-North Coast Racing Association.
Jack Penfold | Image courtesy of Racing NSW
“My family and I are very excited to be returning to Tamworth,” Penfold said. “It’s a great opportunity to be part of a successful team and build on the club’s recent success. I’m looking forward to the new challenge.”
Former stablehand disqualified for a decade
Racing Victoria this week disqualified for 10 years a former stablehand, Shane Gardiner, after ‘corrupt and fraudulent actions’. The charges against Gardiner, who hasn’t been contactable since July last year, related to his unauthorised selling of three shares in racehorses, on all occasions for which he had no ownership interests and no authority to sell.
Earlier last year, Gardiner admitted to the charges and a gambling addiction, and the Victorian Racing Tribunal claimed the charges “very serious” this week.
“No ownership paperwork was completed, and we might add we are far from convinced that any of the horses offered for sale actually existed,” Judge John Bowman stated. “The three victims concerned placed their trust and their money in the hands of Mr Gardiner. In particular, they so placed that trust because he was a stablehand... that is, a licensed member of the racing industry. He betrayed that trust.”
