Spring protocols to stay with minor tweaks
Racing Victoria has declared that its key safety protocols for the spring carnival will remain for the 2023 event, with a number of small changes. Among the minor changes, radiographs (x-rays) will no longer be required but may be required at Racing Victoria's discretion, while pre-travel inspection and imaging windows will open earlier (on August 1 for all international horses, closing one week ahead of pre-export quarantine). All international horses, including those travelling to stay in Australia, will remain at Werribee until November 11 or until their final carnival start.
Racing Victoria will also be aiming to encourage Japanese horses back to Melbourne in the spring, and confirmed nominations for the Melbourne Cup will close in early September, while nominations for the Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup will remain in early August.
“The core veterinary protocols will remain unchanged in 2023 for international horses travelling to compete in Victoria and for all horses contesting the Melbourne Cup,” said Jamie Stier, Racing Victoria's executive general manager of integrity services.
“What will change in 2023 is our communication with connections throughout the process. This year marks the 30th anniversary of international participation in Victoria’s Spring Racing Carnival, and our racing and veterinary teams will be working closely together to welcome international competitors back to Melbourne.”
Quokka draw in disarray
The Western Australian star Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) drew barrier nine for the $4 million The Quokka on Tuesday, only to have stewards of Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) declare they were investigating the circumstances of the manual draw and that all betting was suspended on the rich feature. The draw was thrown into disarray when horse number five, Massimo (Sessions), was incorrectly identified as the Queenslander Uncommon James (Cable Bay {Ire}).
After investigating, RWWA declared on Tuesday afternoon that all positions drawn before the mix-up were not affected, and they included Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) in barrier six, Hot Zed (Red Hot Choice) in two, Shades Of Rose (Rubick) on the rails, Resortman (Helmet) in seven and Trix Of The Trade (Trade Fair {GB}) in four.
All other barriers were redrawn on Tuesday afternoon, with Amelia's Jewel then redrawn into the widest berth in barrier 14. Kementari (Lonhro) landed five while the easterners Asfoora (Flying Artie) and Overpass (Vancouver) got 12 and eight respectively.
Occupying the Tabtouch slot, the 3-year-old Amelia's Jewel is a runaway favourite for the race’s inaugural edition.
Aft Cabin for Royal Ascot?
Following his G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint win last weekend, the Astern colt Aft Cabin has set himself up for Royal Ascot contention, according to Godolphin on Tuesday. He may be considered for the G1 Platinum Jubilee S., even if Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) doesn’t head in that direction.
Godolphin stated that no more 3-year-old options were available for Aft Cabin in Australia for the rest of the season. The colt is now a winner of four of his eight starts, backing up his previous wins in the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude and G3 Eskimo Prince S.
Aussie pair to meet Ballydoyle sprinter
Australia’s Group 1-winning sprinters Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) and Artorius (Flying Artie) could potentially run into the Ballydoyle star Tenebrism (USA), a son of Caravaggio (USA) and a dual Group 1 winner of the Cheveley Park S. and Prix Jean Prat. The three could meet in any combination of the G1 King’s Stand S. and G1 Platinum Jubilee at Royal Ascot.
Tenebrism was a seasonal debut winner last weekend in the Listed Cork S., with Aidan O’Brien declaring her a possibility to run in both sprint features. The filly is herself a daughter of the dual Group 1 winner Immortal Verse (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}).
“We thought if she got to Royal Ascot that she could run two days, in the King's Stand and Diamond Jubilee,” he said. “We had been trying to stretch her out to seven (furlongs) and a mile, but obviously it is all pure, natural speed she has. She has a lovely mind, relaxes and quickens, and could be really exciting for the year.”
Dual trial winners for Ace High
The Rich Hill resident Ace High posted a pair of trial winners on Tuesday at Avondale. The first was an 800-metre juvenile winner for trainer Jenna Mahoney, the only Ace High she has in her yard and a NZ$30,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka purchase last year from the Rich Hill draft. The filly, unnamed, is from an unraced half-sister to the Group 1- winning New Zealand Horse of the Year Mufhasa (NZ) (Pentire {GB}).
The second of the pair was a filly for Matamata trainer Glenn Old, a NZ$41,000 purchase at the same sale when offered by Hallmark Stud from the family of the Group 1 winner Saint Cecile (NZ) (Pompeii Courst {USA}).
Ripcord on song for Karrakatta Plate
The 2-year-old gelding Ripcord, a son of Written By, remains a third-line fancy for this Saturday’s G2 Karrakatta Plate at Ascot, albeit trainer Luke Fernie said there isn’t much between his stable star and stablemate Dublin Red (War Chant {USA}), who will also contest the race. Ripcord was a debut winner of the Listed Perth S., while the filly Dublin Red was unplaced on debut in the G3 Gimcrack S.
Ripcord | Image courtesy of RWWA
“She’ll (Dublin Red) finish in the first five,” Fernie told Tabradio. “She is very, very smart and her run the other day, she was three-deep with no luck. She definitely has the ability and is just as good as Ripcord.”
The Karrakatta Plate field is headed in the betting by the Gimcrack winner Live To Tell (Territories {Ire}) for trainer Simon Miller, with Super Smink (Super One), runner-up in the Gimcrack, next along for trainer Daniel Morton.
Brown out for six months
Victorian jockey Ethan Brown will be sidelined for up to six months, he has revealed to Racing.com. The 24-year-old has had three surgeries to help stop internal bleeding since his fall in the G1 Australian Guineas last month, which resulted in a lacerated liver and severed artery, damaged right kidney and major internal bleeding, plus hairline fractures to three lower-back vertebrae.
Ethan Brown | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I am feeling quite well, actually,” Brown said. “The last couple of weeks I have really improved a lot. At this rate, I would like to think I’m back within six months. I’d rather come back later rather than sooner and make sure my body is right and healed properly.”
Debut winner for Dakotah Keane
Apprentice Dakotah Keane rode her first winner on Tuesday at Bendigo, booting home the Tony Noonan-trained Rusheen (Toronado {Ire}). The pair was well-fancied for the BM58 event, and they led home Prince Of Mercia (Magnus) and Jukebox Lucy (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}).
“He’s my little pocket rocket,” Keane told the Racing.com broadcast. “He’s been a very frustrating horse at home. He hasn’t really proven much on raceday, but he got it done again today. It’s a really good feeling to get there (first winner). It’s taken me a while as I’ve run a lot of seconds, especially on this horse. For my boss Tony, it means a lot more.”
Aquis locks in Maotai for The Archer
Aquis Farm announced on Tuesday its selection of its 4-year-old gelding Maotai (Not A Single Doubt) for the upcoming slot race The Archer at Callaghan Park, Rockhampton. Maotai, trained by Kacy Fogden, will race in the Aquis-owned slot.
This year’s The Archer will be the second instalment of the race, with four of the 12 slots already confirmed. Along with Maotai, the field will include the David Vandyke-trained Weona Smartone (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) for slotholder Max Whitby, Soxagon (Rocker) for KGB Racing, Count Da Beans (Spill The Beans) for Archer Park Racing and Emerald Kingdom (Bryannbo’s Gift {NZ}) for slotholder Bucket List Syndicate.
Zola Express needs the pace for Breeders’ S.
The 7-year-old mare Zola Express (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) will take her place this Saturday in the G3 Manawatu Breeders’ S. in effort of a third overall stakes success, but her trainer Janelle Millar is hoping for a genuine tempo over the 2000 metres. Zola Express is a six-time winner and produced on this track her best performance when winning the G2 Awapuni Gold Cup last season.
Zola Express (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images
“It’s been hard for her because there hasn’t been much pace on in her races and she needs that to get home over the top of them,” Millar said. “She feels better than she ever did last year and she looks amazing, she’s got condition on and it just comes down to her needing a good pacemaker.”
Apprentice Lily Sutherland chasing debut black type
Kiwi apprentice Lily Sutherland will partner this Saturday’s Listed Airfreight S. contender Maryweka (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) in aid of her first black-type riding victory. The jockey has notched 30 seasonal wins to date but she’s yet to land a stakes race.
“It would be great if I can get that black-type success with her, but if it’s not with her, it’s just a case of letting things happen,” Sutherland said. “It’ll come.”
Maryweka (NZ) and Lily Sutherland | Image courtesy of Race Images South
Three-year-old Maryweka is raced by the same syndicate as the dual Oaks winner Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}), who clinched the G1 Australian Oaks last weekend. Maryweka has won three of her eight starts, the last two in succession.
First winner for Blue Point
Darley shuttler Blue Point (Ire) posted his first winner on Easter Monday when Action Point (Ire), the stallion’s second runner to the track, won on debut at Kempton for trainer Archie Watson. The first-crop colt was dominant over the five furlong-trip, with plenty in hand for jockey Hollie Doyle.
Action Point is raced in the colours of Dubai trainer Salem Bin Ghadayer and he is a son of the Exceed And Excel mare Khaleesi Wind (Ire). The colt was bred by Rabbah Bloodstock and consigned by Barton Stud to Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, selling as a buy-back for 45,000gns (AU$88,000).
