Dorothy Gail breaks her maiden
After finishing third on debut, the Annabel Neasham-trained Dorothy Gail (Capitalist) saluted the judge at Scone on Friday.
The daughter of Capitalist finished 1.49l ahead of Tarabeau (Brazen Beau), while Mafia (Written Tycoon) was a further 1.87l away in third.
Capitalist | Standing at Newgate Farm
Purchased by her owners Tricolours Racing and Syndications for $190,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale last year, the filly becomes the seventh juvenile winner of the season for her Newgate Farm-based sire, Capitalist.
Gypsy Goddess retired and sold to Japan
Last season’s impressive G1 Queensland Oaks winner Gypsy Goddess (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) has been retired and will continue her career as a broodmare in Japan after being sold to Northern Farm for an undisclosed amount.
Last seen finishing third behind I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Golden Eagle last October, the daughter of Tarzino (NZ) won six of her 10 career starts which saw her accrue $1,972,300 in career prizemoney.
“I'm not gutted, I am just grateful to have been part of her journey,” her trainer David Vandyke told Racenet. “Not many horses do what she did and it was an amazing time.”
Anamoe finishes second at trials
Having finished sixth of eight runners in his first trial this preparation, multiple Group 1 winner Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) was asked more questions on Friday as he finished second behind Group 2 winner North Star Lass (Zoustar) at Rosehill.
Under a very quiet James McDonald, the G1 Cox Plate winner cruised to the line and looked to come home very comfortably.
North Star Lass and Anamoe trialling at Rosehill | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
He is expected to begin his last racing campaign in the G2 Apollo S. at Randwick on February 11 before going to the G1 Chipping Norton S. at Randwick two weeks later and his campaign is likely to include a trip to Royal Ascot in June.
Baker’s juveniles shine at Rosehill
Trainer Bjorn Baker saddled a pair of juvenile winners at the Rosehill trials on Friday, headed by Helldancer (Hellbent), who clocked the fastest time of the duo, winning her 900-metre trial in a time of 53.90s.
The filly was bought from the Yarraman Park draft by Michael Costa Racing for $140,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale last year.
Meanwhile, in the next trial the filly’s stablemate Rupert’s House (Winning Rupert), finished 2.79l ahead of stakes winner Zulfiqar (Exceed And Excel).
Militarize marches on
Having finished seventh in his first career trial, Militarize (Dundeel {NZ}) produced an eye-catching trial when he smoothly landed his 900-metre jump-out at Rosehill on Friday.
The son of Arrowfield Stud-based sire Dundeel (NZ) came home 1.39l ahead of the Tawfiq Star (Tosen Stardom {Jpn}), while the James Cummings-trained Los Padres (Zoustar) finished third.
Militarize | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Militarize was purchased by China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock and Trilogy Racing for $550,000 from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds for $550,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale last year.
Coventina Bay final races mapped out
Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) will be given every chance to add a third Group 1 to her record this preparation before her retirement and being sold as a broodmare.
The daughter of Shamexpress (NZ) will line up in Saturday’s G1 Thorndon Mile at Trentham, she is then likely to head to G1 Herbie Dyke S. and then the G1 Bonecrusher S.
“Her last run has tidied her nicely and she’s looking good,” trainer Robbie Patterson said. “It was ideal really and better than running her in the Anniversary with a lot more weight.
“She had a nice hitout and it’s panned out perfectly. She’s ready and a little bit of rain won’t worry her as much as some of the others.”
Godolphin make plans
With Golden Mile (Astern) set to make his reappearance Saturday’s G2 Expressway S. at Rosehill, Godolphin’s head trainer James Cummings has revealed the likely plans for a pair of his other gun 3-year-olds.
According to Cummings, Aft Cabin (Astern) will make his comeback next week in the G3 Eskimo Prince S., while G1 Coolmore Stud S. winner In Secret (I Am Invincible) is likely to resume in the G2 Light Fingers S. before tackling the G1 Newmarket H. at Flemington.
“I think that In Secret's going to be very well placed in the Newmarket, so she's going to head down for the Newmarket either second or third-up from a spell, I don't want to run her in the Newmarket first-up," Cummings told Racing.com.
In Secret | Image courtesy of Darren Tindale
“I think Golden Mile's a very good chance to come down for the Australian Guineas, there's a chance I might bring Aft Cabin down for the Australian Guineas but they're both on the same day, that being the Australian Guineas and the Randwick Guineas, it wouldn't be impossible that I'd send one down to Melbourne and keep one here.
“It also wouldn't be impossible for one of them to end up in a CF Orr or a Futurity, depending on what I think fits their campaign.”
Snapper to dance at The Valley?
Trainer Mike Moroney is confident Snapper (NZ) (Power {GB}) possesses the talent to win Saturday’s G2 Australia S. at The Valley.
Last seen running out a ready winner of the G3 Standish H. at Flemington, the son of Power (GB) finished eighth in the G1 William Reid S., beaten 2.75l by September Run (Exceed And Excel), but Moroney believes he has improved since then.
"I can tell you he's a much better horse than he was then," said Moroney. "He's in good form, he's got good form around The Valley as well also at 1200 metres."
Australian Cup plan for Benaud
John O’Shea is eyeing a tilt at the G1 Australian Cup with Benaud (Reliable Man {GB}) this preparation, after the gelding was given a quiet time in a barrier trial at Rosehill on Friday.
Benaud, who endured a luckless run in the G1 Caulfield Cup at his latest appearance, is likely to take on Anamoe first-up in the G1 Chipping Norton S. at Randwick on February 25, with the plan to tackle the G1 Australian Cup on March 25 third-up.
“He got within a length of Anamoe at weight-for-age (Might And Power S.) last prep, so he showed he was at that level, and he strikes me as a real Flemington-type horse," O’Shea said. “He trialled nicely this morning and he’s come off a good break.
“He was going to the paddock no matter what after the Caulfield Cup, so he’ll take good benefit out of a nice long spell.”
Oaks hope for Diss Is Dramatic
Trainer Lisa Latta is hoping Diss Is Dramatic (NZ) (Dissident) can advertise her G1 New Zealand Oaks credentials when she tackles Saturday's G3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold S.
A winner of three of her 11 starts, including defeating subsequent G2 Wellington Guineas winner Cognito (So You Think {NZ}) in the G3 War Decree S. at Riccarton in the spring, the Dissident filly has drawn barrier eight with Joe Doyle booked to ride.
Diss Is Dramatic (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images South
“I'm really happy with her. It was a good run at Pukekohe and she's gone forward nicely since then too,” Latta said.
“There's a bit of rain in the forecast and that's only going to help her too. I expect her to be right in the thick of it, especially if we strike a dead track or worse. we'll be as positive as we can. We'll get forward and try and get a bit of cover.”
Flightline crowned Horse of the Year
Crowned as Longines World's Best Racehorse in London last week, Flightline (USA), to absolutely no one's surprise, added Horse of the Year and champion older dirt male honours at Thursday evening's Eclipse Awards.
The unbeaten superstar ran to his unworldly reputation and then some by concluding his six-for-six career with a spectacular 8.2l victory in the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland.
Flightline, a winner of all six of his career starts by a combined margin of 71 lengths, will now begin his career at stud at Lane's End Farm in Kentucky. He will command a stud fee of US$200,000 (AU$281,600).
