Kia Ora: Director of Sales

For more than a century, Kia Ora has been home to countless history-making stallions and racehorses, and now, a new growth era is set to pave the way for a new generation of champions.

We have an exciting opportunity for a knowledgeable and forward-thinking individual to join the team at Kia Ora as the Director of Sales.

The successful candidate will have extensive knowledge about sales and nominations and prior experience in a similar role.

The ability to bring fresh and innovative ideas to the table is considered a must and will be pivotal in the success of your application.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is forward-thinking, sales driven and looking to be a part of an exciting new chapter in Kia Ora's history.

Please send your resume to Shane Wright at shane@kiaoraestates.com.au or call +61 401 406 120 for more information.

All applications will be treated with the strictest of confidence.

Gow-Gates: Equine Insurance Assistant

We are looking for an Assistant Account Broker to join our Equine Team and be part of one of the largest privately-owned insurance groups in Australia.

This position would suit someone who has an interest in horses and the equine industry in general.

Your key responsibility will be to contribute to the business growth objectives of Gow-Gates in a busy and fast-paced role by servicing our existing business and being a trusted advisor to our clients.

Other duties:

• With the support of senior staff, assist with the management of the client relationships across the portfolio and understand your client’s specific requirements for insurance, their business objective and strategy. You will have the opportunity to assist with pursuing new business opportunities with the team and senior staff members

• Assisting senior staff and team with the design, development, implementation, management and coordination of insurance programs for clients

• Management of client information in the company broking system and responsible for overseeing client invoices and payments

To succeed in this role, you will have experience ideally working in an office-based environment or within the equine industry and have excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

Benefits:

• Gow-Gates offers fantastic opportunities for growth and development and a competitive salary

• Package is negotiable based on experience and qualifications

• Genuine career development within a growing organisation and fantastic industry

• Flexible working arrangements are available

• Access to our Australian Institute of Management program

• Technical insurance training with in-house and select market experts

• Employee Assistance Program and well-being support

If this sounds like your ideal role and you would like to discuss further please get in touch with Sandra Oakes on +61 406 535 290 or soakes@gowgates.com.au

Written by Jessica Owers

Cover image courtesy of Race Images

The 3-year-old filly Val Di Zoldo (NZ) gave her sire, the Inglewood Stud-based War Decree (USA), his first stakes winner on Wednesday with her victory in the G2 Lowland S. at Awapuni.

It proved a tight finish in the 2100-metre contest, with the Tony Pike-trained Val Di Zoldo just getting the better of the highly fancied Contagious (NZ) (Proisir), while Pennyweka (NZ), a daughter of Satono Aladdin (Jpn), was third.

It proved a day of results in the end, with Val Di Zoldo’s rider, Michael McNab, posting his 100th winner for the season aboard the filly, and Val Di Zoldo also stamped herself a serious contender for the G1 New Zealand Oaks at Trentham on March 18.

The filly came into her race on Wednesday off a last-start victory at Taupo.

Earlier in the season, she was twice fourth to Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) in Group company and, as a 2-year-old, she was second in the G3 Taranaki 2YO Classic. Her Lowland S. appearance was expected to be competitive, and that was exactly what it proved to be as she knuckled down in the straight for a tenacious win.

Val Di Zoldo brought her record up to two consecutive wins in 11 starts, with four seconds and a third for earnings of NZ$125,640. She is raced by Bruce Sherwin and Rob De Courcy, who plucked her out of the Valachi Downs Dispersal catalogue last year for NZ$285,000.

For trainer Tony Pike, it wasn’t his first drink from the Lowland S. well, having won the race in the past with good fillies. However, Val Di Zoldo was a satisfying result on Wednesday as she’d been knocking on the door for a while.

“She was heading the right way,” Pike told TDN AusNZ. “She’s been stakes-placed against some of the better fillies here in New Zealand earlier in the season, and probably the time was about right with her maturing as she gets into the autumn.

“We thought she’d run well today (Wednesday), and obviously coming off her maiden win last time out it was a step-up in class. But she’s done it well and, progressing towards the Oaks, she’ll improve again off today’s (Wednesday's) run.”

With just over a fortnight to the Oaks, Val Di Zoldo won’t run again. Pike is confident that the filly’s good trot through two unbeaten runs will stand her well as she’s been up and racing since October.

“She’s a very relaxed filly and easy to deal with around the stables, and that’s probably a big factor for her, her temperament,” he said. “She’ll have a pretty quiet week now. She’s rock-hard fit and we’ll head to the Oaks in two-and-a-half weeks’ time.”

Valachi graduate

Val Di Zolda was a homebred for Kevin Hickman’s Valachi Downs, that operation enduring a complete dispersal in the winter of 2022.

Through five individual catalogues, four of which were hosted online by Gavelhouse Plus, Valachi’s racing and breeding stock were dispersed, with Val Di Zoldo one of the better-selling fillies, going to Sherwin and De Courcy for NZ$285,000 among the tried stock.

“When Valachi was wound up, she was part of the online tried-horse sale, along with the broodmares,” Pike said. “A couple of clients of mine picked her out from her 2-year-old form and they paid a bit of money for her, so it was a great result for them to get the Group 2 result.”

The Valachi Downs Dispersal was one of the headline events in New Zealand last year. It featured the likes of Baggy Green (Galileo {Ire}), the dam of Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and No Compromise (NZ) (Pins), and Val Di Zoldo was a six-figure sale off her race record.

She is the second foal from her dam, Civetta (NZ) (Thorn Park), and this is the family of the Listed New Zealand St Leger winner Iffwedance (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}).

Further along, the triple Group 1 winner Tall Poppy (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}) appears, who was subsequently the dam of the dual stakes-winner All In Vogue (NZ) (Pins).

Debut stakes-success for War Decree

For the 9-year-old War Decree at Inglewood Stud in North Canterbury, Val Di Zoldo was a debut stakes winner. The son of War Front (USA) has covered books in New Zealand since 2018, siring 190 live foals to date.

His oldest progeny to the track are 3-year-olds, and in two crops to the track he has produced 27 runners, of which 20 have been in New Zealand and seven in Australia. Of these 27, the stallion has sired 11 winners and Val Di Zoldo, alongside the 3-year-old filly Miss Take (NZ), are his sole stakes performers.

War Decree is the only stallion standing at Inglewood Stud for the Wigley family, making it a very good day for them. His three-time winning career included the G2 Vintage S. at Goodwood as a juvenile and the G3 Dundalk Diamond S. at three.

The stallion is standing at a fee of NZ$4500 (plus GST) with a live foal guarantee, and his 2022 book of mares, his fifth in total, numbered 46.

Written by Jessica Owers

Cover image courtesy of Inglis

As far back as 1996, Bob Ingham was putting his fame and glory to good use. The successful owner-breeder and, fundamentally, Australian businessman promised his hometown district of Sydney’s southwest a medical institute, and he delivered it in 2012.

The Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research was founded on the generosity and vision of both Ingham and Lady Mary Fairfax, and today it is a world-class, state-of-the-art research facility in Liverpool.

Last year, Inglis launched its support of the Ingham Institute with its inaugural Inglis Sunday Lunch.

The event occurred ahead of the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and, with a five-star lunch brought to life by celebrated chef Matt Moran, the lunch raised an unprecedented $1.2 million in vital funding, in turn enabling the purchase of ground-breaking cardiac robotic equipment.

This week, Inglis has announced its second Inglis Sunday Lunch for Sunday, April 2, a day ahead of the 2023 Australian Easter Yearling Sale. It’s a perfect occasion to host the event, with a Riverside complex packed full of yearlings and buyers from all over Australia and the world.

The lunch will take place on the complex and will be co-hosted by Arthur and Charlotte Inglis, Jamie and Sarah Inglis, John and Orieta Coates, plus John and Frances Ingham and Bill Winning. Broadcast personalities Jason Richardson and Emma Freedman will MC the afternoon.

“The inaugural event last year was such an overwhelming success,” said Arthur Inglis on Wednesday. “It was a fabulously fun afternoon at Riverside and to raise in excess of a million dollars for local health research was amazing. We had such great support from so many of Sydney’s leading personalities and businesses who so generously donated to what is a great cause, and we’re looking forward to another successful lunch in April.”

This year’s Inglis Sunday Lunch will feature good food and lively entertainment, including an auction and raffle. The menu will be designed and supervised by award-winning chef Martin Boetz, served alongside a Penfolds wine list.

Boetz is a decorated Sydney chef with 36 chefs’ hats to his name. His unique spin on Thai and southern Chinese dining has been extremely popular and he was executive chef at Sydney’s Longrain restaurant for 14 years, along with its equivalent in Melbourne.

His alliance with this year’s Inglis Sunday Lunch is a significant boon for the event, with all funds raised going directly to medical research and health technologies. The Institute recently announced a research partnership with the Victor Chang Institute, and that partnership will benefit directly from this occasion.

“I strongly urge people to get behind this event again,” Arthur Inglis said. “We would love to again raise a significant amount of money like last year, and with the support I’m expecting from our great clients, friends and corporate partners, I’m confident we can achieve that.”

Inglis added that the April weekend of the lunch, which will see Day 1 of The Championships on Saturday into the Lunch on Sunday and Day 1 of the Easter Sale on Monday, makes it a perfect opportunity for the racing audience to get involved.

Tickets for the Lunch are $1000 a head, or $10,000 for a table of 10, with $650 of the individual price being a tax-deductible donation.

Guests attending have the opportunity to request a pre-lunch inspection of the Easter yearlings on-site, accompanied by a senior bloodstock consultant at Inglis and leading bloodstock agents.

For more information or tickets, email helen.taylor@inglis.com.au or events@inghaminstitute.org.au

G2 Lowland S., NZ$120,000, 2100m

Getting the upper-hand late after engaging in an exciting two-horse battle down the straight, Val Di Zoldo (NZ) (War Decree {USA}) was tough recording the second win of her 11-start career.

Previously in the first four in Group races on four occasions, Val Di Zoldo was a deserved winner.

Bred by Kevin Hickman, she is the first stakes winner for her well-related Inglewood Stud-based, Group 2-winning sire - a son of War Front (USA) from the family of Royal Academy (USA) and Storm Cat (USA).

He has had just 27 runners so far, 11 of whom have been winners.

Val Di Zoldo is the second foal and first winner for the winner Civetta (NZ) (Thorn Park) whose grandam French Kaper (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}) is also grandam of the stakes winners Iffwedance (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Tyne Cot (NZ) (Keeper).

Also from this family are the Group 1 winners Fun On The Run (NZ) (Racing Is Fun {USA}) and Tall Poppy (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}).

Given the year off after producing Val Di Zoldo, Civetta has a yearling filly by Turn Me Loose (NZ) and was again served by him in 2020.

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.

Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.

On Thursday we look to three 3-year-olds, at Kyneton, we have a Toronado (Ire) gelding from the family of dual Group 1 winner Miracles Of Life (Not A Single Doubt), whilst at Pakenham we have a Spirit Of Boom filly and a colt by 2013 Japanese Horse of the Year Lord Kanaloa (Jpn).

Kyneton, Race 2, 1.30pm AEDT, Toward Reward Thoroughbreds Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1200m

Tyaak, 3-year-old gelding (Toronado {Ire} x Choix Belle {Choisir})

The Jody Thompson-trained Tyaak will make his debut in this race, with Teo Nugent booked to ride. The gelding has drawn a tricky barrier in 12 for the 1200-metre event. Tyaak comes to the races after winning two Kilmore jump-outs over 1000 metres, the most recent of which was on February 8.

Tyaak’s dam, Choix Belle, is a granddaughter of the G3 Mannerism S. winner Miss Jugah (Jugah {USA}). Furthermore, this is the family of Miracles Of Life, a flashy filly who counted the G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 Robert Sangster S. among her eight wins.

The gelding was a $110,000 purchase by Jody Thompson when offered by Maluka Thoroughbreds at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Sportsbet-Pakenham, Race 1, 5.45pm AEDT, Computer Talk – Business I.T Experts Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1000m

Spirit Dancer, 3-year-old filly (Spirit Of Boom x Hold Me Closer {Danehill Dancer {Ire}})

The Nikki Burke-trained Spirit Dancer debuts in this race at Pakenham after winning a 650-metre jump-out at Cranbourne on February 27. The filly is the fourth live foal from the Danehill Dancer (Ire) mare Hold Me Closer, who was twice a winner during her racing career.

Spirit Dancer is a half-sister to the G3 Caulfield Classic S. winner Thought Of That (So You Think {NZ}) and Group 2-placed Daily Bugle (Press Statement). Furthermore, this is the family of How Funny (Rory’s Jester), a fast filly who was placed in the G1 Golden Slipper S.

Ethan Brown has been booked to ride the filly and she will jump from barrier four in the 1000-metre event. Spirit Dancer has been retained to race by her breeders, the Williams family.

Sportsbet-Pakenham, Race 3, 6.45pm AEDT, Liberty Equipment Hire Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1200m

Mishima, 3-year-old colt (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn} x Lunatique {Jpn} {Deep Impact {Jpn}})

Mishima’s debut saw him finish fourth over 1000 metres at Pakenham on the synthetic surface back in June last year. The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained colt returns to the races after a break, and he was placed in an 800-metre jump-out at Cranbourne on February 13. The colt will jump from barrier five with Daniel Moor booked to ride.

Bringing an international flavour to this race, the colt is a son of 2013 Japanese Horse of the Year Lord Kanaloa, the sire of champion Almond Eye (Jpn) and G1 Blue Diamond S. winner and now Yulong-based sire Tagaloa.

Mishima’s dam the unraced Deep Impact (Jpn) mare Lunatique (Jpn) is a full sister to Japan’s 2020 Champion Older Male Fierement (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Furthermore, this is the family of Godolphin’s durable campaigner Inns Of Court (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), a Group 2 winner and dual Group 1 placegetter in France.

The colt was a $580,000 yearling purchase for Yulong Investments when offered by Arrowfield Stud at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Looking Back

Wednesday’s selection’s provided little joy; the high-priced colt Cap Ferrat (Snitzel) was unplaced in his debut run at Warwick Farm. However, Naval Trader (Merchant Navy) posted another promising effort when he finished second at Doomben. The Leon and Troy Corstens-trained 2-year-old filly Forever More (Starspangledbanner) finished fifth in her second career start at Sandown-Lakeside.

First-time starters lining up on Thursday, March 2

First Season Sires’ Results

Results: Wednesday, March 1

No first season sires' results

First Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Thursday, March 2

We hope you enjoyed reading today's edition of TDN AusNZ. If you have any feedback or ideas, please don't hesitate to reach out.

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