Daily News Wrap

Sharp ‘N’ Smart on-song for NZ Derby

The 3-year-old gelding Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ), a son of Redwood (GB) for co-trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson, will line up in this Saturday’s G1 New Zealand Derby after a last-start victory in the G1 Herbie Dyke S. on February 11. The horse has drawn barrier four and, all being well, will return to Australia for a two-race autumn campaign.

“Hopefully, once we get the Derby out of the way we can head back to Australia and have a go at their big Derby in Sydney,” Graeme Rogerson told NZ Racing Desk. “At this stage, he will have two runs over there, but we play each race as we get to it.”

The G1 Australian Derby during The Championships is the obvious target for Sharp ‘N’ Smart, along with the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. The 3-year-old is already well-acquainted with Randwick after his victory in the G1 Spring Champion S. in October.

Todman key to Red Resistance’s Slipper chances

The field for the G2 Todman S. this Saturday is a small one, but among the five chances is the Waterhouse-Bott colt Red Resistance (Russian Revolution), who will be pinning his Golden Slipper chances on this race, according to Adrian Bott. Red Resistance is unbeaten in two starts, including the G3 Canonbury S. at his last appearance.

“It’s a really important race for him on Saturday,” Bott told Racing NSW journalist Ray Hickson. “It’s a great indicator of your chances in the Slipper and a race with a bit of depth. He’s there to run a big race and we want to see him win again and put himself right in contention.”

Red Resistance will line up against the Godolphin Silver Slipper winner Cylinder (Exceed And Excel) and the Snowdens’ G3 Breeders’ Plate-winning colt Empire Of Japan (Snitzel).

Imperatriz chasing Australian Group 1

Te Akau Racing’s star 4-year-old Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) will make her Australian debut this weekend in the G1 Canterbury S. at Randwick. The mare has won 12 races in her 17-start career, including the G1 Railway S., G2 Westbury Classic and G1 BCD Group Sprint at her last three appearances.

Imperatriz was initially planned for a spring debut in Australia, at one point considered for both the Golden Eagle and G1 Empire Rose S. in Melbourne. Her form didn’t warrant that campaign at the time, but she has since been outstanding.

“She’s got a great record at home, but we’re under no illusions it’s a step-up for sure,” Walker said. “We wouldn’t have sent her over if we didn’t think she could measure up. We’d like to win a Group 1 in Australia for her CV later on as a broodmare prospect.”

Tommy Berry loses appeal

Multiple Group 1-winning jockey Tommy Berry lost his bid to have his disqualification overturned on appeal after a stewards’ decision was upheld by the Racing NSW Appeal Panel on Wednesday.

Berry was disqualified for a period of 11 months and two weeks for ‘accepting or agreeing to accept considerations’ from Zaid Miller, and an additional four-week suspension for having a mobile phone in the jockeys’ room.

However, the star jockey could still get a reduction from his lengthy suspension.

Berry’s lawyer, Wayne Pasterfield, said the jockey had not received money directly from Miller. However, he admitted nearly $15,000 was made into the bank account of Berry’s mother, Julie.

He maintained the money given to Berry's mother, which was used to repair gutters at the house she lives in but is owned by the hoop, was provided by Miller as a good deed to help out a battling parent.

But principal member of the Racing NSW Appeal Panel Richard Beasley agreed with the stewards' assessment that the consideration given to his mother had benefited Berry.

After panel principal Richard Beasley dismissed the appeal, Pasterfield was adamant the nine-month ban, handed down for accepting two considerations, was too heavy.

He believes the length of disqualification shouldn't be measured against other more serious betting bans including where jockeys have placed bets in races.

Beasley declined to rule on a charge under AR228 relating to 'conduct detrimental to the interests of racing' until he received written submissions from both parties. Both parties have two weeks to make their submissions to the Appeal Panel before they will deliberate on the matter.

Coventina Bay retired?

The 7-year-old mare Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) may have run her last race, her New Plymouth trainer Robbie Patterson telling NZ Racing Desk on Wednesday that persistent foot issues have prevented the mare from recapturing her best form. Coventina Bay won a pair of Group 1 races last season, but following her last-start sixth in the G1 Herbie Dyke S., Patterson said she might be done.

“She’s not officially retired yet, but after Te Rapa and the foot problems we’ve had with her, there’s a good chance she will be retired,” he said. “She will be sold as a broodmare and I just want to see her retire as a healthy, happy horse. We’ve been battling with her feet all her life really. Just one white foot that gets soft quite easy, and she’s seven now so it’s all catching up with her.”

See You In Heaven to miss Guineas

Group 2-winning filly See You In Heaven (Divine Prophet) won’t take her place in Saturday’s G1 Australian Guineas (1600 metres) at Flemington, after trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly failed to accept due to a “minor setback”.

“We had a minor hoof issue with her, and she won’t be running Saturday,” the stable told Racing.com.

“We have an option the following Saturday, Group 2 for fillies over 1600 metres (Kewney S.).”

Mr Maestro looking good for the Guineas

Talented New Zealand galloper Mr Maestro (NZ) will tackle this weekend’s G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington. The Savabeel 3-year-old comes into the race after a runner-up result in last Saturday’s G2 Autumn Classic at Sandown-Lakeside, and trainer Andrew Forsman is upbeat about his chances on the weekend.

“It is a very good, even bunch of 3-year-olds without there being a potential standout,” he said. “He does love Flemington, which is close to home where we are stabled. I am sure he will be spot on going into it.”

Flemington has proved a happy hunting ground for Mr Maestro, having recorded a victory in the Listed Super Impose S. at the track. Ben Melham has been booked to ride the colt in the field of 16, in which he has drawn barrier 15.

Viddora’s sister salutes

Three-year-old Jump‘N Fly (I Am Invincible) – a sister to the two-time Group 1 winner Viddora – is a maiden no longer after the filly broke through at the second time of asking.

The Tony Gollan-trained Jump‘N Fly took out Race 1 at Doomben – a 1200-metre maiden - under Angela Jones.

Jump‘N Fly made $400,000 at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Consigned by Yarraman Park Stud, she was bought by Peachester Lodge.

Yarraman Park Stud will offer her three-quarter sister, by Hellbent, as Lot 146 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Cup runner Realm Of Flowers retired

The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained 6-year-old Realm Of Flowers (So You Think {NZ}) has been retired. The 6-year-old staying daughter of So You Think (NZ) was a winner of the G3 SAJC Fillies S. and Listed Andrew Ramsden S., and ran fifth last year in the G1 Melbourne Cup, the last time she was seen.

“She just pulled up with a little issue after the Melbourne Cup,” Sam Freedman told Racing.com. “She has been a very good mare who has probably been a little unlucky not to have won a Group 1. Her owners have been very patient with her and I am sure she is going to have a great life as a broodmare. I’m sure she will throw some good horses.”

Raced by an ownership that includes the McClure family, Realm Of Flowers was a $180,000 purchase by James Bester Bloodstock when offered by Arrowfield Stud at the 2018 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Joao Moreira hopes to extend Sydney sojourn

The four-time premiership-winning rider in Hong Kong, Joao Moreira, has declared his intention to extend his Sydney autumn stint. He has been working through a visa process that will enable him to ride for six weeks in Sydney from mid-March.

While the jockey has yet to pinpoint a starting date, he hopes to begin riding in Sydney on either March 11, in the G1 Coolmore Classic meeting at Rosehill, or on Golden Slipper Day seven days later. Moreira has declared that he intends to ride at least three to five days per week while in Sydney.

A persistent hip problem saw Moreira depart Hong Kong last year and return to his homeland of Brazil. However, the leading rider reported he is feeling well and has been riding every week in Brazil.

She’s Licketysplit out

The autumn campaign of 3-year-old She’s Licketysplit (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) has been cut short, with the Andrew Forsman-trained filly having a minor bleed after running near-last in the G2 Angus Armanasco S. at Sandown last Saturday. She finished 7l in arrears of the winner, Shuffle Dancer (I Am Invincible).

“She raced well-below par, but in some ways it was nice that there was some reason as we know she is much better than that,” Forsman told NZ Racing Desk. “She will come home, have a good break and we’ll consider what we do with her in the spring.”

Penny Lion joins Racing SA

Racing SA announced on Wednesday the appointment of tourism administrator Penny Lion to its board of directors. Lion has spent more than a decade in senior roles with Tourism Australia, and beforehand was the UK general manager of Cievents, which is part of the Flight Centre Travel Group.

Lion joins Rob Rorrison and Cos Cardone as a director, the latter two both returned as directors for another three years, and all three were appointed by an independent panel and endorsed by Katrine Hildyard, South Australia’s minister for recreation, sport and racing.

“Penny brings a wealth of experience to the Racing SA board, and we are fortunate to have someone of her calibre elected as a Director,” said Rorrison. “We look forward to Penny’s input as we continue to grow the thoroughbred industry in South Australia.”

Commissioning retired

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Commissioning (GB), a 3-year-old daughter of Kingman (GB), has been retired after a career-ending setback, ending her reign as a leading light for the G1 1000 Guineas in May. The unbeaten filly has won three races at Newmarket, including the G1 Fillies’ Mile and G2 Rockfel S., and she has been retired to Highclere Stud.

“Unfortunately, Commissioning sustained an injury to her left hind-fetlock,” John Gosden said. “Despite being given time to heal, she has sadly not recovered sufficiently and the decision has been made to retire her from racing. She showed extraordinary speed and displayed a very determined and competitive mental attitude in her training and racing.”

Highclere’s Jake Warren, who represents the filly’s owners, Abdulla Al-Khalifa and Isa Salman, said she would be a very good addition to the operation.

“Commissioning’s family are all resident here at the stud and her dam (Sovereign Parade) is in foal to New Bay. Her half-sister is due to visit New Bay, which is also very exciting.”

Tattersalls Craven catalogue released

The catalogue for the 2023 Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale, which will take place at Park Paddocks on April 18 and 19, has been released. It features 202 horses and is the season-opener for juvenile sales in Europe.

Among this year’s entrants are full brothers to Group 1-winning sprinters The Tin Man (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) and Wooded (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), while just two Kingman (GB) colts are catalogued. A half-sister to the Zoustar filly Lezoo (GB) is also among them, as are 2-year-olds by last season’s leading first-season sire Havana Grey (GB).

“The Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale’s market-leading status has been reinforced by exceptional results on the racecourse,” said Edmond Mahony, chairman of Tattersalls. “This year’s catalogue has both quality and quantity in abundance and, with the unrivalled bonuses on offer, the sale looks certain to attract a broad cross-section of domestic and international buyers.”

The Craven Breeze Up Sale produced two Classic winners last year from its 2021 catalogue, including the G1 Dewhurst S. winner Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and the G1 1000 Guineas winner Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}).

First mare in foal to Flightline

Four-year-old Lady Scarlet (USA) (Union Rags {USA}) has become the first mare to be confirmed in-foal to the 2022 American Horse of the Year Flightline (USA). Lady Scarlet was a winner of last season’s G3 Miss Preakness S. for her owners, Paradise Farms Corp and David Staudacher, but she was a recent purchase for Glendalough Farm.

Flightline was retired from his glittering career in November last year and is standing his debut season at Lane’s End Farm, Kentucky, at a service fee of US$200,000 (AU$300,000). He was the world’s highest-rated racehorse in 2022 and, on a figure of 140, the highest-rated dirt horse of all time.