Nature Strip for the Newmarket?
Royal Ascot hero Nature Strip (Nicconi) could tackle the G1 Newmarket H. on March 11 for the first time in his career, a less traditional path for the 8-year-old gelding.
In past seasons, trainer Chris Waller has sent Nature Strip from the G1 Lightning H., which he will tackle this weekend, into the G2 Challenge S. in Sydney, but he’s been beaten in that race on the last two occasions.
“We’ve been pretty traditional,” Waller told Racing.com. “We’ve done the same most preps, so I couldn’t see too many changes but I won’t rule it (the Newmarket H.) out. The TJ (Smith) is certainly firmly on his horizon. He’s won the previous three, so obviously that race means a lot and we won’t get too far ahead of ourselves.”
Skirt The Law wins Doomben trial
The 2-year-old filly Skirt The Law (Better Than Ready), a recent R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner for Black Soil Bloodstock, was convincing in her Doomben trial on Tuesday morning, kicking clear to win with Ryan Maloney by 6l on the course proper. She clocked 58.16s untouched in the 1000-metre sprint.
Skirt The Law will trial again next week for Tony Gollan before heading to Randwick for the G2 Sweet Embrace S. on February 25. She is second-favourite currently in the G1 Golden Slipper market behind Learning To Fly (Justify {USA}).
Gollan trio on-song in Doomben trial
Trainer Tony Gollan had a one-two-three result in the opening trial at Doomben on Tuesday morning, with the 7-year-old Group-winning Baller (High Chaparral {Ire}) leading home stablemates Hilal (Fastnet Rock) and Isotope (Deep Field) over 1000 metres.
Baller holds nominations for this Saturday’s G1 Black Caviar Lightning S. at Flemington, in which he will carry 58.5kg, and the G1 TJ Smith S. during The Championships in Sydney.
Passive Aggressive poised for the autumn
Grahame Begg’s 4-year-old mare Passive Aggressive (Fastnet Rock), who races in the Pinecliff colours of Jonathan Munz, will tackle Group 1 assignments in the autumn, according to her trainer. The mare was good in a Cranbourne jump-out on Monday in a field that included fellow sprinters I Am Me (I Am Invincible) and Star Patrol (Starspanglebanner).
Passive Aggresive | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Passive Aggressive was last seen when fourth in the G3 Cockram S. last August, and her four wins from five starts includes the Listed Creswick S. She will next appear at Randwick on March 4.
“I think she’s certainly benefited from having a nice break,” Begg told Racing.com. “She’s a big, strong girl and she’s very heavy across the chest, so I wouldn’t like to run her on ground that is too firm. That is the idea of taking her up to Sydney.”
Polygon for Australia
The 3-year-old Kiwi filly Polygon (NZ), a daughter of Highly Recommended for Matamata trainer Lance Noble, will take on an Australian autumn campaign, according to NZ Racing Desk. She is booked to fly to Sydney on February 27 and will line up in the G3 Kembla Grange Classic ahead of possible starts in the G1 Vinery Stud S. and G1 Australian Oaks.
Polygon (NZ) winning the G3 Eulogy S. at Te Rapa | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“She has won a Group 2 and Group 3 in New Zealand, and the only Group 1 here is the New Zealand Oaks,” Noble said. “If we take her over there (Australia), there is the potential to enhance what she has already done.”
Return for blue-blooded Greece
Sandown’s midweek meeting on Wednesday will feature a return for Coolmore’s blue-blooded filly Greece (I Am Invincible), a 3-year-old full sister to the dual Group 1 winner Loving Gaby. Trained by Maher-Eustace team at Cranbourne, Greece won her first start at Geelong last September and was second last-time out on November 12.
“We’re relieved to get her back and on top of the ground,” co-trainer David Eustace told Racing.com. “The 1000 metres is going to be short of her absolute best but that’s not to say she won’t be sharp enough at that grade.”
Jockey door open in Hong Kong
Racing.com reported on Tuesday that the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) believes there are further openings for Australian riders to take up tenures, following the current ex-pats Hugh Bowman and Luke Currie. The pair will be joined on February 26 by Blake Shinn and Jamie Kah, who will both return for brief engagements.
“There are huge talents in Australia and I only humbly submit every jockey would be a better jockey riding for a certain period of time here,” said Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, HKJC CEO. “Now, in a way, we have shown we are back to normal and you can come to Hong Kong and not be concerned that you suddenly land in a quarantine facility. I am very optimistic we will have more Australian horses competing.”
Stallion prospect San Huberto live on gavelhouse.com
Among the recently launched 32 lot gavelhouse.com auction is stallion proposition San Huberto (Ire), a son of G1 Breeders' Cup winner Speightstown (USA), on account of global syndication giants OTI Racing.
A well-travelled individual, San Huberto raced in three continents, earning black-type in each.
A winner of the Listed Belmont JC Derby in America and the G2 Chantilly Prix Vicomtesse Vigier in France, beating subsequent Group 1 winners Call The Wind (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Holdthasigreen (Fr) (Hold That Tiger {USA}).
San Huberto (Ire) | Image courtesy of Gavelhouse.com
His relocation to Australia to join the highly competitive staying circuit resulted in three stakes-placings including rounding off his most recent campaign with a win in the Listed Bagot H. to take his career earnings to $613,494.
“San Huberto is a most impressive physical specimen, he stands at 16.2hh and is an imposing figure who possesses an athletic stride, covering the ground with ease,” said OTI’s CEO Terry Henderson.
“Retired as a result of a tendon injury, he is correct in conformation, has an excellent temperament for stallion duties and will breed strength into mares of all types.”
The catalogue also includes youngstock, racing propositions and broodmares with bidding set to close from 7pm (NZT) on Monday, February 20.
Plans abound for My Bella Mae
The boom 3-year-old filly of Western Australia, My Bella Mae (Deep Field), who was a winner on Saturday of the Listed Cyril Flower S. at Ascot, could head to Melbourne if a berth in the $4 million The Quokka on April 15 doesn’t happen. My Bella Mae, trained by Dion Luciani, has won five of six starts in the west, including the Listed Placid Ark S. last November.
“If we don’t go The Quokka route, it will be Melbourne,” said her owner-breeder, Nino Tulfilli. “If I can get some black type in Melbourne, it will be great for her pedigree. There has been a lot of interest in The Quokka, and we have to make a decision in the next week. She may even have a week in the paddock and go to the Pinjarra Classic.”
Nino Tulfilli (right) with winning connections of My Bella Mae | Image courtesy of Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA)
As a yearling, My Bella Mae was passed in at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, $10,000 shy of her $70,000 reserve. Her dam is a half-sister to the G3 Canterbury Gold Cup winner Who Dares Wins (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}).
Spriggs back in town
Jockey Blake Spriggs will make a rare trip to Sydney on Wednesday for the Randwick-Kensington meeting when he partners the undefeated Headwall (Dream Ahead {USA}) in the fourth race. He has ridden the 3-year-old Matthew Smith-trained gelding in both of his Newcastle and Kembla Grange wins to date and, despite a pledge to focus his career on country and provincial venues, Spriggs keen to stay with the horse.
“I said about a year ago I’m done with going to town for horses because you’ve got to give up four or five ride at the provincials on a Saturday, and they’ve got to win to make the same money,” the jockey told journalist Ray Hickson. “I don’t want to do it unless I’ve got a horse I really like, and this horse is that.”
Headwall is a possibility for the G2 Arrowfield Sprint on Day 2 of The Championships, for which he holds a nomination. He has trial form at Randwick against the likes of Godolphin’s Caulfield Guineas winner Golden Mile (Astern).
Zoe’s Promise relocates
Three-year-old filly Zoe’s Promise, the first stakes winner for her sire Swear, has been relocated from Colac trainer Daryl Cannon to Ciaron Maher and David Eustace at Ballarat. A major share in the Group 2 winner was recently sold, prompting the move.
Zoe's Promise | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“Little stables like ours don’t run into those sorts of horses every day of the week like some of those big stables do,” Cannon told Racing.com this week. “But we get on with it and move on. I’ve been around too long to dwell on it, but it was a bit of a blow to the future fortunes of the stable.”
Johnson appointed Chair of QLD Off-The-Track
Experienced veterinarian Dr Christine Johnson has been appointed the new chair of Queensland Off-The-Track (QOTT), a program established in the state in 2021 to provide a transition for horses, both thoroughbred and standardbred, from racing and breeding into successful retirement.
Johnson has been a racetrack veterinarian and is a long-time member of the Equine Veterinarians of Australia (EVA). She has become a familiar face in southeast Queensland, with veterinary duties during Stradbroke season and at Magic Millions.
“Since starting my career as a barrier attendant at provincial and metropolitan race meetings in Western Australia in 1980, through to working as an equine vet across Western Australia, Victoria and Queensland, I’ve been close to see the care and support that is required for horses,” Johnson said. “I am honoured to be taking on the role as QOTT chair and am looking forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure the program continues to go from strength to strength.”
US tracks to honour Avery Whisman
American racetracks this Saturday will pay tribute to the late jockey Avery Whisman, who died suddenly on Saturday after a prolonged battle with mental health. The 1/ST-owned racecourses Laurel Park, Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita and Golden Gate will be among the tracks hosting a moment of silence for the 23-year-old, while Laurel Park will have a race in Whisman’s honour.
Avery Whisman | Image courtesy of MJC Photo
“The Jockeys’ Guild sincerely appreciates 1/ST Racing bringing attention to the important issues of mental health and other health-related challenges affecting jockeys,” said Terry Meyocks, president and CEO of America’s Jockeys’ Guild. “These are struggles that jockeys and the Guild have dealt with on a continual basis.”
Camelot covering offered for Red Cross
Coolmore has donated a cover to its Classic-winning stallion Camelot (GB) as part of its support of the humanitarian crisis in Turkey and Syria following last week’s earthquakes. The cover will be offered as a wildcard entry at Arqana’s February Mixed Sale, which kicked off on Tuesday, and all proceeds will go to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Camelot (GB) | Standing at Coolmore Ireland
“Coolmore has a close relationship with the thoroughbred industry in Turkey,” said M.V. Magnier. “Our thoughts are with our friends there, and all the Turkish and Syrian people affected by this tragedy.”