Stable stars set for Orr Clash, no ‘Gator
Group 1 winners Jacquinot (Rubick) and I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) will square off in Saturday’s G1 CF Orr S. (1400 metres), however, Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) won’t be taking his place.
“Jacquinot and I’m Thunderstruck are going superb,” Mick Price, co-trainer, told News Corp.
“I was very happy with I’m Thunderstruck’s trial at Geelong (on Tuesday)… he doesn't have to trial like that (win by 1l) but that’s how he’s going.
“The only thing I’d say, Jacquinot is super fit and ready to go… he has the edge on hard race fitness and I’m Thunderstruck is starting off.”
Champion trainer Gai Waterhouse has decided to skip the Orr with multiple Group 1 winner and The All-Star Mile aspirant Alligator Blood.
The 7-year-old finished fifth behind I’m Thunderstruck in Tuesday’s Geelong trial in his first public appearance since winning the G1 Champions Mile (1600 metres) in November.
“We think he needs another trial. He’s a lovely big individual and we think he was a little bit soft and not as hard and fit as where we want him to be,” Waterhouse told Racing.com.
“He came through it very well. He’ll probably kick off his campaign at the end of February in the Futurity Stakes.
“We want him hard and fit and ready to rock and roll when he returns to the track.”
Gold Trip’s connections keep options open
Australian Bloodstock’s Jamie Lovett says the autumn schedule for Melbourne Cup hero Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}) remains fluid.
“The calendar is quite compressed,” Lovett said.
“We were leaning toward the Tancred being his grand final but the Tancred pops up before the Queen Elizabeth, so it’s hard getting there.
Gold Trip (Fr) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“When you're coming off a (Melbourne) Cup campaign, you would hold some residual fitness, but you’ve still got to get the miles into their legs to go to 2400 metres at weight for age.
“We might even have to miss the Tancred and go the traditional Ranvet path, (then) you’ve got to make a decision whether you go Queen Elizabeth or Sydney Cup.”
Gold Trip will trial over 1550 metres at Cranbourne on Monday.
HTBA and TBNSW seek new EO
Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders (HTBA) and Thoroughbred Breeders NSW (TBNSW) are on the hunt for a new executive officer, with incumbent Julianne Christopher, set to depart for the newly created role of Corporate Partnerships and Community Specialist at the Newcastle Jockey Club.
John Sunderland and Julianne Christopher | Image courtesy of Muswellbrook Race Club
Both the HTBA and TBNSW Boards recognise Julianne will be a loss for their organisations and have no doubt the Newcastle Jockey Club will benefit from her focus and energy.
“Julianne has worked tirelessly for the HTBA and our members for near on nine years. During this time, she has developed HTBA into a key participant in the education of people entering and working in the industry,” HTBA President, Cameron Collins, said.
“Since she commenced working for TBNSW in 2017, Julianne has driven improvements across many aspects of the industry - collaborating at a national level, increasing engagement with breeders, sales companies, racing regulators, governments and sponsors,” said TBNSW President, Hamish Esplin.
Expressions of interest are now open, with both part-time and full-time roles being considered. Interested candidates with knowledge of the thoroughbred industry, marketing, events and administrative skills are encouraged to apply.
Rich Enuff filly bolts in on debut
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Tiz Enuf justified her short quote on debut, thrashing her rivals in Race 1 at Sale on Sunday.
With Ben Melham in the saddle, Tiz Enuf found the front early and never surrendered it, coasting to a decisive 2l triumph in 1:04.99 for the 1103 metres.
Bred by Woodside Park Stud, the filly made $170,000 at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. She was offered by Morningside, with Racing Partners buying.
Tiz Enuf is from the three-time winner Metis (I Am Invincible), who is a half-sister to the stakes performer Exceed With Me (Exceed And Excel). Her third dam is the dual Group 1 winner Our Tristalight (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), who has thrown the Group 1 hero Danske (NZ).
Lucky Sweynesse lands maiden Group 1
After being luckless in his first attempt at Group 1 level, the Manfred Man-trained Lucky Sweynesse (Sweynesse) proved a class above his rivals in Sunday’s G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200 metres) at Sha Tin.
With Zac Purton in the saddle, Lucky Sweynesse staked the leader, Sight Success (Magnus), before dashing clear over the concluding stages.
Wellington (All Too Hard) ran home well to grab second, with Sight Success placing third.
Lucky Sweynesse was offered by Woburn Farm at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale. He was bought by J & I Bloodstock for NZ$90,000.
Earlier, former Australian galloper, Caspar Fownes’ Senor Toba (Toronado {Ire}), who won the G3 Frank Packer Plate in 2021, took out the G3 The Centenary Vase (1800 metres) under Hugh Bowman.
Bowman to stay on in Hong Kong
Star Australian jockey Hugh Bowman will remain in Hong Kong until July after the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) extended his licence until the end of the current season.
Bowman has enjoyed a tremendous stint in Hong Kong, notching 19 wins (ahead of Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting).
Bowman’s licence was initially due to expire on February 12.
Freedman considers Melbourne for Group 3 winner
Talented sprinter Queen Of The Ball (I Am Invincible) may be headed to Melbourne for an autumn campaign, according to her trainer Michael Freedman.
“Unfortunately, there are no really suitable races for 3-year-old sprinting fillies here in Sydney,” Freedman said.
“Also, with the weather, it can be very suspect in the autumn, and she is hopeless on anything much worse than a soft five.
“She may run first-up at Sandown in a race like the Rubiton as a possible lead-in to a race like the Oakleigh Plate.
“We may be looking at a Melbourne autumn campaign just because there are more options for her.”
The 3-year-old has won three of her nine starts, all at Group 3 level.
Shaddow Fear on trial for Diamond
Connections of Western Australian raider Shaddow Fear (Sioux Nation {USA}) will pay up for the G1 Blue Diamond S. (1200 metres) on February 25 if the filly wins the Prelude (1100 metres) at Sandown-Hillside on Saturday.
The Luke Fernie-trained Shaddow Fear is unbeaten in two starts in WA.
“She’s quite smart. She’s shown good ability. It will be interesting to see how she measures up, but she trialled well against Brave Halo and he will be hard to beat (in the colts and geldings Preview, so we think she should acquit herself well,” Fernie told Racing.com.
Fernie said he planned to bring Shaddow Fear to Melbourne after her debut win at Ascot on New Year’s Day, but kept it to himself.
“That’s probably why she didn’t look as good winning her second start as I cuddled her to that run, not wanting to put too much pressure on her knowing that she was going to come to Melbourne,” he explained.
Miller eyes Royal Ascot with Amelia’s Jewel
Western Australian-based trainer Simon Miller has revealed a trip to England in 2024 for G1 Northerly S. heroine Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) could be on the cards after an approach was recently made to the filly’s connections.
“They said if we won a Group 1, we would get invited there (to Royal Ascot),” Miller told News Corp.
“We wouldn’t go this year because we have the Golden Eagle, but the following year we would be keen to entertain it.
“At least if we wait a year, we will have more of an idea what her strengths and weaknesses are.
“It’s funny with her, she has won a Group 1 and we still don't know what her assets are.”
Upset in Listed Gold Sovereign Stakes
The Yassy Nishitani-trained The Spirit Of Zero (Needs Further) upstaged hot favourite Needs Sugar (Needs Further) in Sunday’s Listed Gold Sovereign S. (1200 metres) in Launceston.
Needs Sugar looked set to be hailed the winner, before The Spirit Of Zero, under Ismail Toker, flashed home out wide to nab the punters’ elect in the last stride.
“I’m so happy because we bred him and have the broodmare as well,” Nishitani said.
A 2-year-old bay gelding, The Spirit Of Zero is a homebred grandson of the triple Group 1 victress Yosei (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).
The Spirit Of Zero boasts two victories from three starts, for earnings of $134,000.
Te Akau stars bound for Brisbane
Group 1 winners Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) and Maven Belle (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) are set to contest this year’s Brisbane winter carnival.
The duo are both raced by Te Akau and trained by Mark Walker.
“Imperatriz is going great, she pulled up good (following her Railway win) and it’s full steam ahead towards the BCD Sprint which is shaping up to be a pretty hot race,” Walker told News Corp.
“We could have gone to the Telegraph but with the gap between runs that Group 2 on Karaka Million day looked more suitable.
“Maven Belle is only a 3-year-old filly with a lot of ability so it will be interesting to see how she goes.
“She’s won six of her first seven, so she’s pretty good and it will be interesting to see how she goes up against those top-class sprinters.
“We’ll look at a campaign in Australia with both and target the Brisbane carnival.”
