Dee on Legarto in Guineas
Jockey Michael Dee has been booked to ride star New Zealand filly Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) in the G1 Australian Guineas.
Co-trainer Ken Kelso said Legarto will trial this week in New Zealand before arriving at Flemington five days before the Group 1 Classic, where she is likely to clash with Jacquinot (Rubick) and Kelso believes the recent G1 CF Orr S. winner is the horse to beat.
Legarto (NZ) | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“He is the horse to beat for sure but it's hard to measure them up,” he said. “I think she's got a lot of ability and she deserves a crack at it.
“She's won her Group 1 in New Zealand (NZ 1000 Guineas), so if she could run top three over there, it would greatly advance her value. We're pleased to book Michael (Dee) as he's riding in great form and he's ridden well for us in the past on Levante.”
Newmarket tilt for Imperatriz
Following her fourth elite-level victory in the BCD Sprint (1400 metres) at Te Rapa on Saturday, Te Akau Racing have confirmed their star mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) will cross the Tasman to tackle the G1 Newmarket H. (1200 metres) at Flemington on March 11.
“We think she is in career-best form and we had been thinking prior to Saturday of going to Brisbane, but we think she deserves a chance of going to an elite race while we have got her in such great form,” Te Akau Racing's trainer, Mark Walker, said.
“Even if she runs third, that on the page would add significant value to her.
“She has pulled up well and has gone to the water treadmill for the rest of the week and then we will get her back and concentrate on having her as well as we can for the 11th of March.”
Elliptical set for CS Hayes Stakes
Co-trainer Sam Freedman is hoping Saturday’s G3 CS Hayes S. can prove to be a stepping-stone towards a Group 1 victory for talented colt Elliptical (Dundeel {NZ}).
The son of Dundeel (NZ) has won just one of his six starts but is a two-time Group 1 runner-up, in the G1 Caulfield Guineas and G1 Spring Champion S. at consecutive starts last campaign.
Elliptical | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“He's been knocking on the door and is stiff not to be a dual Group 1 winner, so hopefully he can get his time in the sun in something," said Freedman.
“He's definitely strengthened up and he's a lot more settled, (more) relaxed and he's a lot more professional in everything he's doing.”
The G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington on March 4 is the plan, while the G1 Rosehill Guineas is also likely to be on the colt’s agenda.
Racing Victoria hits out at Racing New South Wales
Racing Victoria (RV) has labelled Racing New South Wales’ (Racing NSW) latest legal action as “a fishing expedition”.
Racing NSW commenced legal action in the New South Wales Supreme Court demanding five Principal Racing Authorities (PRAs) – RV, Thoroughbred Racing SA, Racing Queensland, Racing and Wagering WA and Tasracing – hand over documents it alleges relate to a plot to form a cartel to exclude Racing NSW, potentially breaking corporations law.
RV has rubbished the logic of Racing NSW’s legal bid.
“Racing Victoria won’t comment on matters before the court but we will vigorously contest Racing New South Wales’ claims,” Racing Victoria chief executive Andrew Jones told News Corp on Monday.
“We’re confident in the strength of our case. Racing New South Wales’ legal action is a fishing expedition in which it hopes to find grounds to sue everybody else.
“We believe they have no case but Australian racing is the loser.”
Snowdens mull Diamond options
Peter and Paul Snowden are unsure if they will have a runner in this year’s G1 Blue Diamond S. (1200 metres), with question marks over King’s Gambit (I Am Invincible) and Don Corleone (Extreme Choice).
King’s Gambit was a brilliant winner in Listed grade on debut at Caulfield, but had his colours lowered when a beaten favourite in the G3 Canonbury S. (1100 metres) at Rosehill last month.
Don Corleone was also an impressive debut winner, before failing at Randwick on Saturday.
Paul and Peter Snowden | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“They're the two, one of those maybe, but I’m not saying they are coming, it’s an option,” Peter Snowden told News Corp.
“King’s Gambit is supposed to run in the Silver Slipper and not come here (to Melbourne), but that might change too, I don’t know.
“The two boys are the two options we have.
“I wouldn’t rule it out (one running in the Blue Diamond), but I’m not going to say which one is going to come either.
“I need to talk to the ownership group and see what they want to do.”
Sidestep filly to press onto Diamond
Sunshine Coast-based trainer Damien Batters has confirmed his 2-year-old filly Party For Two (Sidestep) will contest Saturday week’s G1 Blue Diamond S. (1200 metres) at Sandown-Lakeside.
Party For Two caught the eye when running second behind Exploring (Brazen Beau) in the Fillies’ Prelude (1100 metres) on Saturday.
“She’s carted us along this journey and given us reasons to go and every time we’ve asked her to step up, she’s stepped up,” Batters told Racing.com.
“Gee, she stepped up on Saturday and I can guarantee you, now that she’s had a run at that track, she’ll find a few more lengths and step up again.”
Mark Twain set for New Zealand Derby
Roger James and Robert Wellwood have confirmed Mark Twain (NZ) (Shocking) will tackle the G1 New Zealand Derby, but the training partnership have yet to make a decision whether high-class filly Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) will run in the Group 1.
The daughter of Proisir followed up her R. Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic victory with an explosive display to claim the G2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Mark Twain (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images
“She appears to have come through her run very well, which is good, and it was a great day of racing,” James said. “I just want to get this weekend out of the way and watch what happens in the 3-year-old race.
“The Derby is a consideration, but there are a lot of options for her and I’m not going to be rushed into a decision on it.”
Godolphin to keep crack colts on separate paths
Star colts Aft Cabin and Golden Mile, who both race for Godolphin and are by Astern, won’t square off against each other, at least in the short-term.
Aft Cabin has been nominated for the G2 Hobartville S. (1400 metres) at Rosehill on Saturday en route to the G1 Randwick Guineas (1600 metres) on March 4.
Golden Mile, meanwhile, is being aimed at the G1 Canterbury S. (1300 metres), also on March 4.
“We just thought we want to keep the two of them apart,” Godolphin Australia’s Managing Director, Vin Cox, told Sky Racing.
“We haven't got him (Aft Cabin) to Group 1 level yet, but through the Hobartville, he will go to the Randwick Guineas, all being well.
“Golden Mile is already a Group 1 winner and has a very good record as it is. We are looking at potentially running him in the Canterbury Stakes.”
Marquand on the mend
Tom Marquand is recuperating at home following Saturday's heavy home-straight fall of Dorothy Gail (Capitalist) in the R. Listed Inglis Millennium at Randwick.
Marquand's Australian rider agent Shaun Flaherty told Racing.com that the 24-year-old was discharged from hospital on Sunday afternoon.
Tom Marquand | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He is still very sore in his shoulder; he understandably has some bruising but has no breaks. He is back at home and resting,” Flaherty said.
Marquand's intended trip to Qatar for the Amir Sword Festival in Doha on February 17 and 18 has been cancelled.
Australian-first World Pools for marquee Flemington meeting
Saturday’s G1 Black Caviar Lightning meeting at Flemington will feature the first World Pool on an Australian thoroughbred meeting, with SuperTAB pools combining with Hong Kong tote pools.
The super-sized pools will be available for all races on the Flemington card.
“Tabcorp is in the midst of a transformation and this is an example of how we are looking to innovate for our customers and partners,” Tabcorp CEO, Adam Rytenskild, said.
“A World Pool creates more options for punters and gives this great Group 1 meeting additional global exposure - that’s a win for the whole industry.
“We’re looking forward to expanding our commingling partnership with the Hong Kong Jockey Club in the future and I’m confident we will see more Australian feature meetings with World Pool in the years ahead.”
First foal for Fifty Stars
The G1 Australian Cup winner Fifty Stars (Ire) has welcomed his first foals as he starts his second season at Sunnyhill Stud in partnership with Jack Cantillon's Bloodstock Racing.
“I'm going to be looking everywhere I can to find more mares for Fifty Stars on the basis of his first foal out of Lady Breffni. We bought Grade 2-winning Lady Breffni to launch our Syndicates. Racing breeding syndicate and our owners have been rewarded with a tank of a filly–she looks like she could run in a point to point by Christmas,” said Cantillon.
“We've been struck this year by breeders really waking up to the opportunity to breed to Sea The Stars' only Group 1-winning son that won a Group race over less than a mile–something not even Baaeed, Crystal Ocean or Stravarius could do and they don't stand for €3000 (AU$4600)! Micheal Hickey's phone is going to be very busy if foals keep coming out like her.”
Lightning kick off for Buenos Noches
Talented colt Buenos Noches (Supido) will begin his autumn campaign in the G1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000 metres) at Flemington on Saturday.
Trainer Matthew Smith considered a first-up run in Sydney for the Group 1 placegetter, but opted for Melbourne, due to the 3-year-old’s liking for the Flemington straight.
“He loves the straight. In the finish he’s better off on the weights and we know he goes better down the straight,” Smith told Racing.com.
“The Lightning may be a bit sharp for him but it’s a great way to kick off the preparation and then it’s into the Newmarket Handicap.”
Craig Williams will ride Buenos Noches in the Black Caviar Lightning.
Hunter ponders next move with Rich Fortune
Jerome Hunter is uncertain of the path forward with his stakes-winning filly Rich Fortune (Rich Enuff), but admits the G1 Oakleigh Plate (1100 metres) is unlikely for Saturday’s G3 Kevin Hayes S. (1100 metres) victress.
Rich Fortune, winner of the G3 Kevin Hayes S. | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I don’t know where she’s going… there’s no grand final for 3-year-old fillies,” Hunter told Racing.com.
“I’ll wait and see, there’s a couple of options but I’d have to get pushed to races such as the Oakleigh Plate – there’d be a very minimal chance she could start in a race like that.”
