Facile out of the Slipper
The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Facile (Trapeze Artist) was withdrawn by Racing NSW vets from Saturday’s G1 Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens.
Racing NSW Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Peter Curl has advised Racing NSW stewards that Facile was found to be lame in the near foreleg during a further examination this afternoon and is unsuitable to take its place in the Longines Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens.
Facile | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Accordingly, Facile has been withdrawn by Racing NSW stewards.
The emergency runner Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) trained by Chris Waller has been promoted into the field and will be ridden by Ryan Maloney. Waller will be represented by three runners in Saturday's feature, the others being Shinzo (Snitzel) and Lazzago (Capitalist).
All-Star Mile contenders pass Racing Victoria vets
The Ben and JD Hayes-trained Gentleman Roy (So You Think {NZ}) and James Cummings-trained Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) were passed suitable to race in Saturday’s $5 million The All-Star Mile by Racing Victoria veterinarians on Friday afternoon.
Both horses were deemed lame on Thursday afternoon, but the field for Saturday’s feature remains intact, with RV reporting both runners had shown improvement in the 24 hours since they were inspected.
“RV veterinarians reported that Gentleman Roy has shown significant improvement since the gelding’s inspection yesterday, with his near fore plate now on and synthetic hoof filler applied,” the report said.
“Cascadian had also improved when re-inspected this afternoon (Friday) after replacing his off-fore plate.
“As such, both Gentleman Roy and Cascadian have been passed suitable to race tomorrow (Saturday).”
Brave Smash juvenile remains unbeaten
Szabo a 2-year-old daughter of the first-season sire Brave Smash (Jpn), recorded her second career victory at Ipswich over 800 metres on Friday afternoon. The Brenton Andrew-trained filly won by 0.4l from the Headwater gelding North Of Eil.
Szabo was purchased for $10,000 by her trainer from the Eureka Stud draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.
Williamsburg looks to bounce back
On Saturday, the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Williamsburg (Snitzel) looks to return to the winner's circle in the G1 Rosehill Guineas.
In an ideal world, co-trainer Sterling Alexiou would like Saturday's contest to be a staying test to give Williamsburg his chance to shine.
The colt has been steadily building with three runs back, and while Alexiou was a shade disappointed with his last start, fifth behind Communist (Russian Revolution) in the Randwick Guineas (1600 metres) he's convinced the extra distance is what he's looking for.
Williamsburg, $10 with TAB on Friday, has raced once at 2000 metres for a fifth, as a $6.50 chance, in the G1 Spring Champion S. back in October, where he hit the front on the home turn on a Heavy track before weakening.
Williamsburg | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“His run in the Spring Champion was forgivable,” Alexiou told Racing NSW.
“He got left in front a long way out in that race and I thought he boxed on well.”
Feedback from jockey Ryan Maloney told Alexiou that the tempo of the Randwick Guineas was against Williamsburg. However, he still ran the race's third fastest last 600 metres (35.11s, Punter's Intelligence).
“He just got over racing the other day midrace when the speed came out and it left him a little flat-footed,” Alexiou said.
“Personally, I would have liked to see more from him the last 100 metres but Ryan was adamant that when the speed came out it took away from his finish.
“We've topped him up with a bit of work in between and hopefully with a truer run race, we'll see the best of him.”
Gai’s Marlin building towards Ramsden
White Marlin (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) who is the early market co-favorite for this year’s G1 Melbourne Cup, took an important step on Friday towards qualifying for the race that stops the nation when the import trialled pleasingly at Warwick Farm on Friday morning.
Stepping out in Heat 2, the unbeaten son of Mastercraftsman (Ire) took up the frontrunner’s role for most of the 1200-metre trip, with his condition giving out late to be placed third behind fellow imports, Duke De Sessa (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Cliff’s Art (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}).
Co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott intend to have White Marlin ready to run in the $500,000 Andrew Ramsden over 2800 metres at Flemington on May 13. The Andrew Ramsden assures the winner of the event a spot in the following spring’s G1 Melbourne Cup.
White Marlin has several stablemates also aimed at the 2023 Melbourne Cup, including Sir Lucan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), a brother to Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Sir Lucan will run in Saturday’s G3 Manion Cup at Rosehill, while another import Youth Spirit (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) is set to chase a ballot-free entry to the G1 Melbourne Cup in the $500,000 Roy Higgins Quality over 2600 metres at Flemington on March 25.
Huge support for Pennyweka
Few runners in Saturday’s G1 New Zealand Oaks at Trentham will have a support crew like Pennyweka’s (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}).
The Jim Wallace-trained filly goes into the Classic as a bona fide contender after recording fast-finishing placings in the G3 Desert Gold S. at Trentham and the G2 Lowland S. at Awapuni.
Pennyweka is raced by the Galloping Weka Jazweka Syndicate, which includes Wairarapa brothers Jim and Les Wallace, who bred the filly, and their wives Mary and Janine – and about 70 other smaller syndicate members.
Pennyweka (NZ) | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images)
“Les and Janine run the Weka syndications, and Les and I have retained a 10 per cent share each to race the filly. Apart from a couple of others, many of the 76 strong members are one or two per-centers,” Wallace said.
“Our family has a hospitality box at Trentham, and we’ll have 25 in there, and the Wekas have another box for 50, so there’ll be a pretty good support crew there at the races.”
TAB bookmakers have installed Pennyweka as a NZ$6.50 second favourite behind last-start G3 Sunline Vase winner Sakura Girl (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}).
Abel looks forward to debut Group 1 ride
North Waikato-based apprentice jockey Tegan Abel is a mixture of excited and nervous ahead of her Group 1 debut on Dusty Road (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) in Saturday’s G1 Levin Classic at Trentham.
The 27-year-old began her career with the Rogerson stable and is now indentured to Pukekohe trainer Michael Rogers.
After two wins from 14 raceday rides in the 2014/15 season, she has ridden another 13 winners, including seven from 54 rides in the current term.
Abel’s low profile is partly down to becoming a mother twice in the past four years, but her desire to prove herself on a greater scale has not lessened.
Abel said: “Having two kids (Chloe, 4, and Beau, 1) has meant taking time out from riding, but thankfully I’ve got good support, which allows me to ride when I get the chance.”
Dusty Road, the winner of two of his six starts, is trained and part-owned by Taupiri dairy farmer Graeme Cameron.
“I’ve known the Camerons since my days with Graeme Rogerson, and I caught up with them again when Dusty Road raced at Pukekohe late last year,” Abel said.
“It’s getting real now, I’m excited, a little bit nervous too, but I can’t wait.”
RV appoints new Executive General Manager
On Friday afternoon Racing Victoria announced the appointment of the highly experienced sporting and media executive Ben Amarfio to the position of Executive General Manager-Customer.
Amarfio’s appointment will enable Carly Dixon to focus on leading RV’s Stakeholder Engagement, Communications, and Government Relations portfolios.
Amarfio will coordinate, develop, and drive an aligned industry customer strategy aimed at growing the fan base of Victorian thoroughbred racing.
Ben Amarfio | Image courtesy of Racing Victoria
Amarfio joins RV, having held senior executive positions at the North Melbourne Football Club, Cricket Australia, Southern Cross Austereo, the AFL and the NBA.
RV Chief Executive, Andrew Jones, said: “We’re delighted to welcome someone of Ben’s calibre to Racing Victoria. Ben brings unique insights into fans across Australia’s most prominent sports and will work closely with our Clubs, media business, and partners on driving an industry-wide fan strategy.
“The fan is the most important person in any sport, and we want to spend more time, effort and energy on understanding and building the fan base in Victorian Racing.”
Mr Amarfio begins duties with RV on March 21, 2023.
Keeneland 2-year-olds resold
Six 2-year-olds who were purchased at last year’s Keeneland September Sale for a collective US$4.8 million (AU$7.15 million) through bloodstock agent Richard Knight have been resold, according to a report in the Blood-Horse. Keeneland did not reveal the buyers or purchase prices.
“All six 2-year-olds were sold in the reoffer,” said Tony Lacy, Keeneland’s vice president of sales. “The invitation to make an offer’ format met our goal of being a fair and transparent process for prospective buyers in this unique situation.”
Prospective buyers were to submit only one offer on each horse they were interested in with the highest acceptable offer successful in purchasing the horse. There was no public or online auction held by Keeneland. The six juveniles were all in training in Ocala with either Niall Brennan or David Scanlon.
The most expensive of the six 2-year-olds and the eighth-most expensive horse to sell at Keeneland September 2022 was Hip 192, a Constitution (USA) x Cozze Up Lady (USA) (Cozzene {USA}) colt, who was bought for US$1.3 million (AU$1.93 million) last year.
The second-most expensive September yearling of the group was a filly by Gun Runner (USA) x Just Wicked (USA) (Tapit {USA}) filly, which attracted a final bid of US$1.1 million (AU$1.63 million) at Keeneland September last year.
“The interest in the six individuals was very strong,” said Lacy. “We are appreciative of Niall Brennan and David Scanlon in facilitating prospective buyers at their training centres.”
Multiple Graded producer Devine Actress passes away
Amerman Racing’s Devine Actress (USA) (Theatrical {Ire}) haemorrhaged after foaling a filly by Not This Time (USA) on February 24 at Mill Ridge Farm and has died (reported March 16), a winner of the Listed Santa Lucia H. at Santa Anita. Devine Actress will be best remembered for being the dam of three Graded winners, including the five-time Group 1 winner Oscar Performance (USA) and multiple Group 3 winner Oscar Nominated (USA) (Kitten's Joy {USA}).
Devine Actress (USA) with Oscar Performance (USA) as a foal | Image courtesy of Mill Ridge Farm
“Devine Actress had been part of the Mill Ridge family since 2010,” said Mill Ridge’s General Manager, Price Bell. “It is hard to lose such an outstanding mare. She left a lasting legacy with her son Oscar Performance, who was born and raised and is now standing as a sire on the farm. We are thankful for her contribution to this sport we all love.”
