Appleby hopes to uncover spring carnival horse
Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby admits the stable would love to get back to Melbourne for the 2023 spring carnival but declares it is too early to be locking in which horses are destined for Down Under.
Appleby told Racing.com: “The G1 Melbourne Cup and the G1 Cox Plate are firmly on the agenda for Godolphin this season. You might feel that we should know our Melbourne Cup horses now, but realistically not. We will have to wait for the flat season to resume in the UK to see what horses put their hands up.”
Pennyweka to Australian Oaks
The Jim Wallace-trained Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) has been confirmed to contest the G1 Australian Oaks at Randwick on April 8. The 3-year-old filly who was a last-start winner of the G1 New Zealand Oaks at Trentham has been reported to come through that run well.
Wallace said: “Her (Pennyweka) rider came back in and said she went better than she had leading into her Trentham win.
“We’re booked to fly to Australia next Sunday and we will be stabled with Michael Freedman at Hawkesbury.”
Damian Lane has been engaged to ride the filly.
McEvoy for Mark Twain
Top jockey Kerrin McEvoy has picked up the ride aboard talented Kiwi stayer Mark Twain (NZ) (Shocking) in Saturday’s G1 Australian Derby at Randwick, according to New Zealand Herald’s Michael Guerin.
Trained by Roger James and Robert Wellwood, the two-time winner ran a blinder in the G1 New Zealand Derby last time out, finishing fourth behind Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood {GB}), beaten just 2.2l.
Dee chases another Derby with Manzoice
In-form jockey Michael Dee will reunite with Victoria Derby hero Manzoice (Almanzor {Fr}) in Saturday’s G1 Australian Derby at Randwick.
“Certainly a good memory (winning the Victoria Derby). Hopefully, he can find a performance like he did that day,” Dee told News Corp.
If successful, Manzoice will become only the fourth horse to complete the Classic double (since the Australian Derby moved to the autumn in 1979), joining Hitotsu (Maurice {Jpn}), Mahogany (Last Tycoon {Ire}) and Dulcify (NZ).
Virus flattens stable stars
A virus has run through the stable of Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, impacting stakes winner Uncle Bryn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Group 3 placegetter Muramasa (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
Uncle Bryn performed below expectations in the G2 Blamey S. (1600 metres), which forced the stable to go searching for answers. He subsequently missed Saturday’s G1 Australian Cup.
“We had a bit of a bug go through the stable and it hit him (Uncle Bryn), and it hit Muramasa,” Busuttin said.
“They raced below par on Guineas Day, and they pulled up ordinary.
“They were meant to be running in the Rosehill Guineas and the Australian Cup, but we’ve had to change plans with them.”
First Hong Kong winner for Satono Aladdin
Rich Hill Stud’s rising star sire Satono Aladdin (Jpn) had his first winner in Hong Kong on Sunday, with the Benno Yung-trained Speedy Smartie (NZ) taking out Race 3 - a 1200-metre Class 4 - at Sha Tin.
Satono Aladdin has enjoyed a great recent run, with Tokyo Tycooon (NZ) and Pennyweka (NZ) both scoring in top company.
Delightful Journey wins Bairnsdale Cup
Leading from barrier to box, 5-year-old Delightful Journey (Delightful Journey) scored an upset win in Sunday’s Bairnsdale Cup.
Trained by Christine Sexton and partnered by Sally Wynne, the gelding set up an unassailable lead to win from Starspangledbaby (Starspangledbanner) and Hunboshi (NZ) (Handsome Ransom).
Capitalist filly wins Wellington Boot
The Kristen Buchanan-trained Everlong (Capitalist) got her career off to the perfect start, taking home Sunday’s $200,000 Wellington Boot.
The well-bred filly, who is out of the stakes performer Nieta (Nicconi) and was bought by Trilogy Racing/CB Bloodstock for $240,000 from the Kitchwin Hills draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, scored by 0.63l under Jeff Penza.
Richardson runner ready for Group 1 tilt
Trainer Graham Richardson believes the step-up to 1400 metres for Saturday’s G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce S. is the key to his promising 2-year-old To Catch A Thief (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}) finding his way to the top of the podium for the first time in his short career.
The son of U S Navy Flag (USA) was last seen finishing strongly when running fourth in the G1 Sistema S. over 1200 metres at Pukekohe.
Richardson said, “I am thrilled with the way he has come through that run and the way he has performed in his work since. I know they don’t give Group 1s away, but I think he is the one that is going to lap up the extra 200 metres on offer.”
Marsh eyes trans-Tasman Group 1 double
Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is looking forward to attempting a Group 1 double on both sides of the Tasman on the weekend.
Marsh is hopeful the G1 New Zealand Derby runner-up Andalus (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) can go one better in the G1 Australian Derby at Royal Randwick. While on the homefront, Marsh will saddle up the exciting juvenile Sako (NZ) (Ardrossan) in the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce S. at Awapuni.
Marsh said: “Sako I don’t think is just a 2-year-old. He’s got plenty of scope to train-on and be a better 3-year-old."
“Andalus has been progressing well. He’s had a little bit of a quiet time since the New Zealand Derby but his gallops have been pleasing.”
Andalus is due to cross the Tasman on Monday, where he will be based with Anthony Cummings at Randwick.
Titleholder imperious in return
Imperious during the early part of his 2022 season, Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) stormed home to take the G2 Nikkei Sho by 8l at Nakayama on Saturday.
The 5-year-old stallion was named the 2022 Champion Older Male in Japan.
First Force fabulous in Takamatsunomiya Kinen
First Force (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) scored his maiden Group 1 victory in Sunday’s G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo.
Trained by Masayuki Nishimura and partnered by Taisei Danno, the 7-year-old entire won from the Mikki Isle (Jpn) filly Namura Clair (Jpn), while Travesura (Jpn) (Dream Journey {Jpn}) was third.
Southlawn claims Fair Grounds Oaks
The Robert Masterson-owned 3-year-old filly Southlawn (USA) (Pioneerof The Nile {USA}) found her best form on Saturday (local) to score an upset win in the G2 Fair Grounds Oaks, handing her late sire Pioneerof The Nile (USA) his 48th stakes winner.
Southlawn was bred by WinStar Farm and was a US$290,000 (AU$400,300) Keeneland September Yearling purchase.
Kingsbarns remains perfect in Louisiana Derby
The Spendthrift Farm-owned Kingsbarns (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}) provided his Coolmore Ashford-based sire Uncle Mo (USA) with his 93rd stakes winner when winning Saturday’s (local) G2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, the 3-year-old colt is now unbeaten in three starts. He was a US$800,000 (AU$1.2 million) 2-year-old purchase by Spendthrift Farm from the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale.
