Tokyo Tycoon positive
After winning the G1 Sistema S., Te Akau’s crack 2-year-old Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) has returned a positive non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) result. Te Akau Racing released a statement on Monday advising that they are cooperating with New Zealand’s Racing Integrity Board (RIB), and currently have no explanation as to why the substance Meloxicam, a commonly administered anti-inflammatory, was found in his system.
Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) after winning the G1 Sistema S. | Image courtesy of Kristin Ledington
“Te Akau always conducts itself with the utmost integrity and professionalism,” the statement read.
“There are, in our view, only two possibilities for this to have occurred: either a human error, or deliberate administration by an unknown party. We have CCTV throughout our stable, and this footage is currently being analysed to identify what has occurred. We have shared this data with the RIB.”
Doncaster draw kind to Brightside
The Doncaster Mile barrier draw on Tuesday morning was kind to the recent The All-Star Mile winner Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), with the 5-year-old gelding getting barrier two for the famous handicap. On his inside is the Chris Waller colt Osipenko (NZ) (Pierro), while the widest gate of the 20-horse field was given to Kirwan’s Lane (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}), who will come in from barrier 24 with emergencies.
Mr Brightside is the market leader for the Doncaster, followed by Fangirl (Sebring), who drew barrier 19 with Joao Moreira, and Zougotcha (Zoustar), who drew 13. Alligator Blood, who was fourth in The All-Star Mile, drew barrier 12 for jockey Tim Clark.
Spring in sight for Berry after appeal reduction
Tommy Berry, who was banned for close to a year for ‘accepting or agreeing to accept considerations’ from punter Zaid Miller, has had his ban reduced by four months on appeal. Including a four-week suspension in which he’ll be allowed to ride trackwork, Berry will no be free to ride on September 24, just before The Everest.
“It still feels a lifetime away right now but all I know is when I do return I'll be very hungry and working harder than ever,” Berry told Newscorp.
Tommy Berry | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I have something to work for now. Before it was up in the air when I was going to be back and I didn't know how to plan for things but now I have a goal in sight.
“At least I will be back for the big races in spring although I will miss the lead-ups.”
In Secret to stay put
Speculation that Godolphin’s crack 3-year-old filly In Secret (I Am Invincible) will join their stable star Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) on a trip to Royal Ascot this year has been put to bed by trainer James Cummings.
“Royal Ascot is interesting for us with In Secret but I don't think it will be this year,” Cummings told Newcorp. “There are targets for her later in the year that come up a little quick in spring if we send her away overseas. I wouldn't rule it out for her 12 months down the track and it would be exciting to put her on show overseas.”
Cummings indicated that victory in this Saturday’s G1 TJ Smith S. won’t change the decision, and she will likely head for a spell after that engagement before being readied for spring engagements which could include The Everest.
Derby favourite draws wide
Barriers were drawn on Tuesday morning for the G1 Australian Derby this Saturday, with the favourite Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) landing awkwardly with gate 17. The well-fancied Manzoice (Almanzor {Fr}) also took a wide berth with barrier 14, while Major Beel (NZ) (Savabeel), Full Of Sincerity (NZ) (Puccini {NZ}) and Virtuous Circle (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) all rounded out the wide gates.
It was a better result for the Godolphin-trained Pericles (Street Boss {USA}), who is currently second in the Derby betting and who drew barrier six. The inside draw was handed to the Michael Moroney runner Japanese Emperor (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}), while Mark Twain (NZ), another Kiwi representative who was fourth to Sharp ‘N’ Smart in the G1 New Zealand Derby this month, drew barrier five.
Ten of the 18-horse field in the Australian Derby this weekend are Kiwi-trained or Kiwi-bred.
Overpass for The Quokka?
Darby Racing is considering its 4-year-old gelding Overpass (Vancouver) for the $4 million The Quokka in Western Australia next month. The Bjorn Baker-trained horse, whose wins include the G2 Expressway S. and Inglis Sprint last year, will run in this Saturday’s G1 TJ Smith S., with a decision to be made thereafter.
“It’s more and more likely,” said Darby Racing’s Scott Darby, speaking to Tabradio. “We’re deep into negotiations at the moment. The money is good and the race looks right for a horse like him. It’s really just about the distance in getting over there and back continuing his campaign.”
Overpass hasn’t been seen since he was unplaced in the million-dollar The Hunter at Newcastle last November. Should he run well in the TJ Smith, he will join Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai), Shades Of Rose (Rubick), Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}), Asfoora (Flying Artie) and Red Can Man (Gingerbread Man) as confirmed runners for respective slotholders in The Quokka.
Astrologist to continue campaign with Corstens
Runner-up in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200 metres) in Dubai last weekend, the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained The Astrologist (Zoustar) will remain with his current trainers as he moves into a UK campaign, despite some media speculation otherwise.
Although the 6-year-old gelding will be housed with Newmarket trainer Marco Botti, who also trains for Bennett Racing, his training will still be directed by the Corstens team as he looks to tackle the G2 Duke of York S. (1200 metres) at the Dante Festival at York before taking on the G1 Platinum Jubilee S. (1200 metres) at Royal Ascot in June.
The Astrologist | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“The horse will definitely fly under the Australian banner and he'll be trained by Leon and Troy Corstens,” Nathan Bennett told Racing.com. “He will head to Marco and Lucy Botti's stables in Newmarket and they are going to help us out and house him there, but he'll still be trained by Leon and Troy.”
Shinn admits swab irregularity
Leading jockey Blake Shinn won't be riding until a confirmatory sample is returned following a positive sample taken after the Sandown meeting on February 25. In a statement, Shinn pointed to a sleeping tablet as the cause, and said he was cooperating fully with Racing Victoria stewards.
“I have today (Tuesday) been notified that I returned a swab irregularity which has arisen from a sleeping tablet following a race meeting on February 25,” the statement read.
“I am fully co-operating with Racing Victoria stewards, however as a result, I am unable to fulfil riding engagements until such time that a confirmatory sample is returned.
“I acknowledge that a medication was used to assist me in gaining appropriate rest in order to maintain my clarity to be safe when I ride.
“Under no circumstances was it taken to enhance performance or to place in jeopardy the high level of integrity which I live by.”
Kersley for Kiwi Group 1
Melbourne-based jockey Fred Kersley will fulfil a bucket-list ambition this weekend when he rides the 3-year-old filly Aprilia (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}) in the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce S. at Awapuni. The Forsman-trained filly is one of a number of mounts for Kersley, who has long-wanted to ride in New Zealand.
“I’ve been pretty keen to get over there for a while and finally everything has worked out,” Kersley told NZ Racing Desk. “When Andrew was recently in Melbourne, we sat down and had dinner, and obviously he has plans to expand over here. With a quiet week here, I thought I would come over for what is a good meeting and I haven’t ridden outside of Australia before, so it’s a first.”
Fred Kersley | Image courtesy of Ross Holburt (Racing Photos)
Kersley’s Kiwi mounts will also include the Tony Pike-trained Cheval D’Or (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}), who will take her place in the G3 Manawatu Classic.
Holland handed Waller ride
After picking up a last-minute ride on Godolphin’s In Secret (I Am Invincible) in the G1 Newmarket H. earlier this month after Jamie Kah was incapacitated by a fall, Dean Holland has been secured by Chris Waller for an enviable ride in the G1 Doncaster H. this weekend.
In his first-ever engagement by the Champion trainer, Holland will ride 3-year-old Lindermann (Lonhro), a last-start winner of the G1 Rosehill Guineas, in Saturday’s feature.
“I wouldn't have thought Chris would have known too much about me before In Secret to be honest,” Holland told Racing.com. “I often get a lightweight ride in races like the Doncaster and I was chasing the 49ers (49kg-weighted horses) because I thought Lindermann and Osipenko, who ended up the first emergency, I thought they were really good rides and I'm just fortunate that mine has got a run.”
Imperatriz lands Bosson 91 Group 1 wins
Opie Bosson told NZ Racing Desk this week that the star mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), now in the paddock after her victory in the G1 William Reid S. last week, was one of the best he’s ever ridden. The Kiwi jockey will shortly serve a suspension for interference, a penalty he picked up during the William Reid victory.
“It’s not an easy track to ride, Moonee Valley,” Bosson said. “I got into a little bit of trouble turning for home when I rolled in on one that I got suspended for, but she (Imperatriz) did the rest for me. She’s one of the best I’ve ridden and it was just good to get the Group 1 win for her in Australia.”
Opie Bosson aboard Imperatriz in the G1 William Reid S. | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The William Reid was Bosson’s 91st Group 1 win of his riding career, passing the likes of Roy Higgins and Glen Boss. He said Jim Cassidy’s all-time record of 104 was in his sights.
Possibly So out of Country Championships Final
The Star Witness gelding Possibly So, trained by Andrew Ryan at Bathurst and a February qualifier for this Saturday’s Country Championship Final at Royal Randwick, has been scratched. Racing NSW received on Tuesday a veterinary certificate confirming that the horse is lame in the near-hind leg.
Possibly So earned his spot this Saturday when running second to Amicus Curiae (Choisir) in the Mudgee qualifier on February 19. He will be replaced this weekend by De Forerunner (Dream Ahead {USA}), who was third in that race.
Hawkesbury Cup Day support blossoms
Hawkesbury Cup Day on Saturday, April 22, will offer a 10-race program and $1.6 million in prizemoney across the card in what will be the 18th year of the standalone meeting. The meeting will be highlighted by the G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup and G3 Hawkesbury Guineas.
“Hawkesbury Cup Day is always a roaring success and the sponsorship deals see thousands of visitors from across Australia visit our region,” said Geoff Luscombe, the chairman of Richmond Club which recently renewed its sponsorship of the Hawkesbury Gold Cup. “It’s an honour to support the Hawkesbury community through this event.”
Apprentices to battle at Eagle Farm
The National Apprentice Race Series (NARS) will continue at Eagle Farm this Wednesday, with local favourites Queensland currently leading the series on 47 points. Victoria is running second on 32 points, while South Australia is five points behind in third.
Queensland is yet to win the NARS but has been runner-up a number of times in recent seasons. The sunshine state is spearheaded by apprentice Angela Jones, who is in tenure with Tony Gollan, and Jones is currently third in the Brisbane jockeys’ premiership overall, with 54 wins behind James Orman (66 wins) and Ben Thompson (64 wins).
Angela Jones | Image courtesy of Racing Queensland
The NARS is Australia’s premier apprentice-only race series, first run in 2008 and a collection of races in six states and territories. South Australia won the Series for the seventh time last year.
'Auguste Rodin is the one' - Aidan O'Brien dreaming of Triple Crown
Aidan O'Brien has nominated Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), the ante-post favourite for the English 2000 Guineas and Derby, as being the horse who is most capable of emulating Nijinsky (USA) by winning the British Triple Crown this season.
If successful, Auguste Rodin would bridge a 53-year gap and complete a long-held ambition for the master of Ballydoyle, who came agonisingly close to achieving the feat with Camelot (GB) in 2013.
Auguste Rodin is understood by O'Brien to have come out of an exercise gallop at the Curragh racecourse on Saturday in good shape, the trainer also revealing that he has every faith in last year's crack juvenile Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) getting the Guineas trip.
