First Southern Hemisphere winner for U S Navy Flag
Kiwi shuttler U S Navy Flag (USA), who these days calls The Oaks Stud in New Zealand home each spring after shuttling formerly to Valachi Downs, landed his first Southern Hemisphere winner on Thursday when 2-year-old Chantilly Lace (NZ) ran out an impressive 1200-metre sprint at Wanganui. Trained by Chrissy Bambry, the filly won by over 2l and provided her jockey, Kelsey Hannan, with a 50th season win.
U S Navy Flag is also the sire of the Group-placed To Catch A Thief (NZ), who will contest this Saturday’s G3 Matamata Slipper. Bambry told NZ Racing Desk she has a lot of time for the sire son of U S Navy Flag, a son of War Front (USA).
Chantilly Lace (NZ) winning at Wanganui on Thursday | Image courtesy of Race Images Palmerston North
“We have bred to him every year and I think he is probably a bit underrated,” Bambry said. “They are not big horses but they are very athletic. She (Chantilly Lace) has a brilliant temperament, so if they’re like her I think the stallion is one to watch for the future.”
Nature Strip to crack on
Nature Strip (Nicconi) has been confirmed for the G1 TJ Smith S. after a week of speculation regarding his future. The star sprinter managed only sixth behind Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) in last weekend’s G1 Lightning S., but managing part-owner Rod Lyons told Racing.com on Thursday that all looks physically well with the gelding.
“He’s back in Sydney, he’s pulled up fine after Saturday, he scoped clean, no blood, no mucus and he wasn’t lame,” Lyons said. “Chris’ own vet went right over him and found nothing wrong with him, so it’s onwards and upwards towards the TJ.”
Nature Strip will be vying for a fourth-straight TJ Smith S. during The Championships, with Lyons confirming that the Royal Ascot star isn’t likely to have another run before it, opting instead for one or two barrier trials.
Zaaki out of Canterbury S.
Annabel Neasham advised on Thursday that her star 8-year-old Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) has been scratched from next weekend’s G1 Canterbury S. The gelding was in-line to face a hot field that will include the likes of Artorius (Flying Artie).
The statement also confirmed that Zaaki had been a loyal star for over two racing seasons and his wellbeing was the highest of priorities. The gelding has been ruled out of the The All-Star Mile but retains nominations for the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. and G1 Doncaster Mile.
‘Whilst physically he is very sound and healthy, we feel his recent trial and gallops at home have not been satisfactory,’ read a stable statement. ‘He will head to the paddock for a short freshen-up before we decide what his next options are.’
Gollan keeping a lid on Skirt The Law
Tony Gollan’s boom filly Skirt The Law, a daughter of Better Than Ready and last month’s winner of the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, will line up on Saturday in the G2 Sweet Embrace S., her first appearance away from Queensland. Gollan told Ray Hickson this week that he’s trying to keep a lid on the hype surrounding his filly, but he's hoping Saturday’s race will emerge Skirt The Law as a serious Golden Slipper contender.
Skirt The Law | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“We’ve been able to keep a lid on her all the way through and let her do the talking,” the trainer said. “Let’s just see what Saturday brings. She’s certainly the best juvenile I’ve brought to Sydney and she’s the best juvenile I’ve trained.”
Skirt The Law has drawn barrier nine with jockey Ryan Maloney in Saturday’s 12-horse field. She will face the likes of Blanc De Blanc (I Am Invincible) and the R. Listed Inglis Nursery winner Saltaire (Star Turn).
McDonald chases a ‘threepeat’ with Anamoe
Jockey James McDonald will be chasing a trifecta of wins in the G1 Chipping Norton S. this Saturday when he rides the star 4-year-old Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) from barrier three. McDonald won the 2022 and 2021 editions of the Chipping Norton aboard Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) but, despite Anamoe being an outstanding favourite, he said there was still a race to be won.
“It’s going to be a strong race and he’s going to have to be on his game again,” the jockey said. “He’s going to have to get a little bit of luck somewhere in the run and I’m sure he’ll be hard to beat.”
Kerry Parker has Hope in his Heart
Kembla Grange trainer Kerry Parker has the 4-year-old Hope In Your Heart (Dundeel {NZ}) in this Saturday’s G2 Guy Walter S. A dual Group 3 winner in the spring who was narrowly beaten in the million-dollar The Gong, the mare will next head to the G1 Coolmore Classic and, possibly, the G1 Doncaster Mile.
Hope In Your Hear (pink cap) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Hope In Your Heart has just 50.5kg in the Doncaster and it’s a race with which her trainer has a score to settle. Parker had Think It Over (NZ) (So You Think {NZ}) scratched from the 2021 Doncaster when a raceday favourite.
“She’ll go to the Coolmore Classic second-up,” the trainer told journalist Ray Hickson. “I think realistically it’s the right plan, but she holds that nomination in the Doncaster. I feel like it’s a race that haunts me a little bit after what happened with Think It Over.”
Cummings eyes Group 1 Mile with Aft Cabin
Godolphin Australia trainer James Cummings believes Aft Cabin (Astern) will be well-suited to the time-honoured G1 Doncaster Mile (1600 metres) at Randwick on April 1. The dual Group 3 winner, who missed a place when favourite in last week’s G2 Hobartville S., will be asked to carry just 49 kilos in the $4 million contest, won last year by Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars).
Aft Cabin | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He's got 49 kilos in the Doncaster, and a little win in the Randwick Guineas (on March 4) shoots him to the top of the ballot in the Doncaster, so that will look inviting,” Cummings told RSN.
Stewards inspect Diamond runners
Racing Victoria (RV) veterinarians on Thursday inspected horses accepted to run in Saturday’s $2 million G1 Blue Diamond S. (1200 metres) at Sandown-Lakeside to determine their suitability to race.
Emergency Beauty Rising (Deep Field) presented with lameness in the left hind and the Phillip Stokes stable subsequently decided to withdraw the filly.
The Chris Bieg-trained Dubenenko (Russian Revolution) will be inspected for the first time on Friday when the filly arrives in Victoria.
Chris Waller’s Cigar Flick (Churchill {Ire}) was scratched on Wednesday.
South African jockey to leave New Zealand
South African rider Craig Zackey has called time on his brief but highly successful riding stint in New Zealand, which included a memorable victory in the R. Listed Karaka Million 2YO aboard undefeated youngster Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}).
Zackey has ridden 20 winners, including five at Group or Listed level, since his arrival and will sign off after Saturday’s meeting at Matamata. He is returning home with fiancée Sasha and daughter Sierra.
“It’s just happened so quickly and there’s a lot of personal and family issues back home, and that’s played a big role in our mental states,” Zackey said. “It’s unfortunate because New Zealand is absolutely amazing and we have nothing bad to say about it, we loved everything. We had a good sit down and it’s definitely a place we would like to make home, but at the moment we have to go back.”
Adkins to cross the Tasman
Australian jockey Andrew Adkins will cross the Tasman next week to ride the 3-year-old colt Jaffira (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) in the G1 New Zealand Derby at Te Rapa. Jaffira is trained at Matamata by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, the co-trainers approaching Adkins with the ride.
“I haven’t ridden in New Zealand before so I’m excited to head over,” the jockey told NZ Racing Desk. “Andrew Scott gave me a call and I’m happy to jump at the opportunity. Kiwi trainers come here (Australia) a lot, so I’m looking forward to going over there and building a few connections that I could possibly ride for in the future.”
Andrew Adkins | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Adkins has previously ridden for the training duo. He partnered Sir Charles Road (Myboycharlie {Ire}) when that horse was third to Who Shot Thebarman (NZ) (Yamanin Vital {NZ}) in the 2018 G1 Sydney Cup, and third in the G1 Metropolitan H. and ATC St Leger.
Exhibition gallops at Randwick
Anthony and Sam Freedman’s star 4-year-old Artorius (Flying Artie) will appear in an exhibition gallop after Race 1 this coming Saturday at Royal Randwick. He will be joined by Annabel Neasham’s Swiss Exile (Pariah) and the pair will gallop on the course proper over 1000 metres. Jockeys Rory Hutchings and Sam Clipperton will ride the pair respectively.
Artorius and Swiss Exile will be closely followed by the Chris Waller 3-year-old Manzoice (Almanzor {Fr}), who will be ridden by Tim Clark and who hasn’t been seen since his victory in the G1 Victoria Derby in the spring.
Mark Zahra back aboard Gold Trip
The Melbourne Cup-winning duo of jockey Mark Zahra and Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}) will reunite in this Saturday’s G2 Peter Young S. at Sandown. Provided the track is not too firm for the 6-year-old horse, Gold Trip will reappear for the first time since his valuable Cup win in the spring.
Mark Zahra riding Gold Trip (Fr) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Let’s hope the track is not too firm,” Zahra told Racing.com this week. “I heard there could be a bit of rain around on the day, so that would suit him great.”
English Riviera out of autumn
Talented filly English Riviera (Deep Field) will be sidelined for the autumn after a setback following a jump-out on Thursday.
The Group 3 winner won her heat at Stawell, but was found to have bled from both nostrils, which immediately sees her incur a three-month ban from racing.
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained filly claimed last year’s G3 Thoroughbred Club S. at Caulfield last October.
In brighter news for the stable, unbeaten sprinter Dakota Lee (Kuroshio) will join them.
The 4-year-old, who is seven from seven, is a barrier rogue and has had three separate stewards' embargoes against her name.
“A change of scenery and a different routine could also do the trick (help her load). It‘s worth a try because she's clearly got plenty of talent,” McEvoy told News Corp.
Cranbourne meetings transferred
Racing Victoria has moved two Friday night-meetings, scheduled for Cranbourne on March 3 and March 10, to Sportsbet-Pakenham. Recent renovation works at Cranbourne were undertaken, but the club decided that a ‘more robust renovation was appropriate, due in part to the extent of Poa grass in the racing surface’.
Racing Victoria is confident that the Pakenham track will handle two double-header meetings, while the Cranbourne St Patrick’s Day meeting on Friday night, March 17, is expected to proceed as scheduled.
Haras de Fresnay-le Buffard for sale
Historic French farm located in the heart of Normandy and the former home to winners of 45 European classics, has been put on the market for an undisclosed price by the Niarchos family.
The 506-acre property has been under the family’s ownership since 1979, when it was bought by Stavros Niarcho from the well-respected French owner-breeder Marcel Boussac. Alan Cooper, racing manager to the Niarchos family, said the timing was right for the sale.
Haras de Fresnay-le Buffard in Normandy | Image courtesy of Komoot
“It is emotional for the family to say goodbye to Fresnay, but as our racing and breeding interests have evolved over the years, we now have horses in a variety of international locations, which makes this the right move for us at this time.”
Ascot Gold Cup winner appears in Saudi gallop
The 6-year-old English stayer Subjectivist (GB), a Charlie Johnston-trained son of Teofilo (Ire) who demolished his rivals to win the 2021 G1 Ascot Gold Cup, reappeared in a track gallop at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday ahead of his tilt at the G3 Longines Red Sea Turf H. on the rich Saudi Cup card.
Subjectivist, also a winner of the G2 Dubai Gold Cup, had spent 20 months away from racing due to a tendon injury.
Subjectivist (GB) at Riyadh on Wednesday | Image courtesy of Racingfotos
“It has been a long journey for the team and one where we’ve trodden on eggshells for most of it,” Johnston said. “So to see him back in this kind of environment is fantastic. Horses like him don’t come around very often.”
Blizzard warnings halt racing at Santa Anita
Blizzard warnings have been issued for the San Gabriel Mountains that backdrop California's Santa Anita Park Racecourse, causing the Saturday and Sunday meetings this weekend to be cancelled. It is the first blizzard warning ever issued in Los Angeles county, with storms expected to hit on Thursday morning local time.
The decision to cancel both days of racing was made in consultation with industry stakeholders, including Thoroughbred Owners of California, California Thoroughbred Trainers Association and the California Horse Racing Board. The course proper and training-track schedules are being monitored.
