Chris Waller provides update on Nature Strip
A statement regarding Waller’s rising 9-year-old, the Champion Nature Strip (Nicconi) was provided on Friday morning (local). The statement read that Nature Strip has pulled up in good order after his run in the G1 TJ Smith S. and that the brilliant sprinter will be given a proper break and downtime after a taxing last 12 months that included a trip and victory in the G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot.
“Consideration towards taking him to Queensland was given, however, by spelling him now we have time to give him a 7-8-week break and this will be the first time he has had one of these breaks for a very long time. We want to see how he is when he returns and if he doesn’t come up like we think he should, then we will give consideration to retirement.”
Waikato-bred I Wish I Win rated on top
The Peter Moody-trained I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) has been rated as the world’s best sprinter. The 4-year-old gelding was propelled into the top 10 overall in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings after a memorable win in the G1 TJ Smith S. at Royal Randwick that caused his rating of 121 take him to the top of the sprinting division.
I Wish I Win’s victory surpassed the Juddmonte Farms-owned Elite Power (USA) (Curlin {USA}) who reached a rating of 120 when winning the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint over 1200 metres in Dubai recently.
Speaking to Racing.com Moody’s assistant trainer Katherine Coleman said: “It’s pretty crazy, especially for a horse who this is his (I Wish I Win) first preparation trained as a sprinter.
“It just shows how versatile he is and talented that he’s able to do that, a lot of credit has to go to the team back in New Zealand.”
Supido posts another winner
Widden Stud’s promising young second-season sire Supido posted another winner on Friday afternoon on the Sunshine Coast when the Billy Healey-trained 2-year-old gelding King Yoshi proved too quick with Angela Jones aboard in the 1000-metre maiden, winning by 1l from Red Defcon (Defcon) and Araminta (Spirit Of Boom) in third.
Supido | Standing at Widden Stud
In winning, King Yoshi became the 27th winner for Supido who stood the 2022 season at a fee of $8800 (inc GST). A 2023 fee has yet to be announced.
King Yoshi was a $75,000 yearling purchase by Billy Healey Racing, Furlong Thoroughbreds and SJC Thoroughbreds from the draft of Middlebrook Valley Lodge at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Impressive Australian winner for Justify
It has been a superb first autumn for the Coolmore shuttler Justify (USA).
The American Triple Crown winner sired his third Australian winner when the 2-year-old filly Legacies, trained by Peter Moody and carrying the colours of Rosemont Stud was a dominant winner by 1.25l partnered by Luke Nolen from stablemate Autumn Angel (The Autumn Sun) and Nodachi (No Nay Never {USA}) in third.
Legacies was a homebred for Rosemont Stud, who own her dam Abyssine (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).
Justify is the current leading Australian first-crop sire, headed by his Group-winning filly Learning To Fly.
Blue Gum welcome Sejardan
The renowned Victorian nursery, Blue Gum Farm now under the tenure ship of Jason and Mel Stenning and Sean and Cathy Dingwall of Trilogy Racing announced on Friday afternoon they have expanded their roster with the exciting Sejardan retiring to the property alongside the proven Group 1 sire Flying Artie this spring.
The son of Sebring was specifically chosen as the perfect example of Australian 2-year-old speed and his explosive mix of pedigree and physique to appeal to breeders.
Sejardan will stand for $13,750 (inc GST) in 2023 | Standing at Blue Gum Farm, image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He was the dominant pre-Christmas 2-year-old in Sydney winning both the G3 Breeders' Plate and $1 million Golden Gift before returning in the autumn to win the G2 Todman and was luckless in the Golden Slipper won by his stablemate Fireburn,” said Sean Dingwall.
“Sejardan has a pedigree packed with Australian speed influences and we see that as a proven path to sire success.”
His fee will be set at $13,750 (inc GST) and Blue Gum Farm will be syndicating Sejardan with some shares still available.
Ridgeport holdings announce acquisition of Rommel
Ridgeport Holdings were excited to share on Friday afternoon that the exciting Rommel has relocated to Ridgeport Farm in Waroona WA to stand the 2023 breeding season.
The son of Commands has had a great start to his career standing at Mogumber Park and has already sire 65 per cent winners to runners, as well as the Group and stakes performers Snowdome and Pixie Chix.
Rommel stood the 2022 season at $7700 (inc GST). A 2023 fee and further details regarding Rommel will be announced in the coming weeks.
Champers Girl follows Overpass’ footsteps
Bjorn Baker has used the venue of the Orange racetrack to launch the career of star sprinter Overpass (Vancouver) when the entire won his second start at the country track. Overpass will represent Ram Racing Syndicate in the $4 million The Quokka at Ascot on Saturday. Baker used the same venue on Friday afternoon to launch the career of Champers Girl (NZ) (American Pharoah {USA}). The daughter of the American Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah (USA) on debut won by 1.36l from Wallenda (Trapeze Artist) and the fellow son of Trapeze Artist, Flying Trapeze.
Wellington could fly Hong Kong flag at Royal Ascot
Hong Kong-based trainer Richard Gibson shared on Friday morning (local) that his star galloper and last season’s Champion sprinter Wellington (All Too Hard) could represent Hong Kong at the Royal meeting in June in the G1 Platinum Diamond Jubilee S., pending he maintains his form through the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin at the end of April. If connections elect to travel with Wellington, it would be the first time the Hong Kong-based horse has raced at Royal Ascot in seven years. The last being Gold-Fun (Ire) (Le Vie Dei Colori {GB}) who was runner-up, beaten only a neck in the same race.
Aromatic back in the winner's circle
The Mark Walker-trained Aromatic (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) returned to the winner's circle after a run of outs since claiming the G3 Pukekohe Countries Cup in November. The 6-year-old daughter of Sacred Falls (NZ) put her best foot forward with Champion jockey Opie Bosson in the G3 New Zealand Manawatu Breeders’ S. to defeat Kelly Coe (NZ) (Proisir) and Love For All (Love Conquers All).
Progressive mare has strong case for stakes
Cambridge-based trainer Tony Pike is hoping progressive sprinter Not Guilty (NZ) can round out an already pleasing 4-year-old campaign with stakes success in the Listed Power Turf Sprint at Hastings on Saturday. The daughter of Not A Single Doubt this preparation has had five starts for three wins and two placings, last start making a good fist of her first attempt in stakes company when she finished third in the Listed Lighting H. at Trentham.
Not Guilty (NZ) | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
While Pike describes Not Guilty's campaign as a transition from novice galloper to one who can hold her own in top company, and he believes the best of her is yet to come.
“She’s a long way from this preparation. She’s gone from a one-win filly right up to stakes class. She’ll have a nice break after Saturday and come back in the spring. She should be in for a good season back next time a year older.”
Not Guilty is a half-sister to the quality Group 2-winning mare Subpoenaed (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}).
Rose in bloom ahead of Founders Cup
Co-Trainer Anna Furlong believes Elizabeth Rose (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) is ready to put her best forward in Saturday’s Founders Cup over 2000 metres at Riccarton.
The 5-year-old mare steps up to her favoured middle distance in the staying feature, having overcome hoof problems that thwarted her summer preparation.
Elizabeth Rose had been slated to contest the G3 Trentham S. in January but had to be scratched on the day and has only had one run since, finishing on well for fourth in last month’s G3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. at Riccarton.
“She’s come through it really well and we’re looking forward to stepping up to her favourite distance,” said Furlong, who trains in partnership with Shane Kennedy at Riccarton.
“She had a foot abscess but she’s good now and we seem to have her on track.”
Elizabeth Rose is unbeaten in three starts past 1600 metres, among her wins last year’s Listed Spring Classic over 2000 metres at Riccarton and when she defeated subsequent Group 1 performer Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}).
Chris Kent joins Twin Hills Stud as Manager
Twin Hills Stud announced on Friday that Chris Kent will join the team as the Manager. Kent will be responsible for the farm’s operations and the management of its staff and horses, which include the stallions Smart Missile, Peltzer, Denman, Hallowed Crown and Daumier.
Kent comes to Twin Hills with a wealth of experience in the thoroughbred industry having worked for a Bellerive Stud, Greg Bennett and Lanwades Stud in the United Kingdom. Most recently, Kent was the operations manager at Blue Gum Farm and the manager of Noorilim Park in Victoria. Under Kent’s guidance Noorilim Park consigned the top-priced yearling at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, the I Am Invincible filly out of Special Lover (NZ) who sold for $1.1 million.
Twin Hills Stud owner Olly Tait said, “We are delighted that Chris has joined us to be the stud manager of Twin Hills.
“Chris has a wonderful track record and brings both experience and enthusiasm to our business.”
Kent commented, "Twin Hills is a farm with wonderful land, facilities and history. I am looking forward to leading the team and the farm.”
Modern Games returns to Keeneland in Friday’s Maker’s Mark
Last year’s Eclipse Champion Turf Male Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) returns to the place of his Breeders’ Cup glory on Friday with an expected start in the G1 Maker’s Mark Mile S. The Charlie Appleby-trained and Godolphin-owned 4-year-old makes his seasonal debut since taking the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland last November.
Off the board in only two of his 13 prior starts, the chestnut just missed in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. at Ascot leading into the Breeders’ Cup and took the G1 Woodbine Mile and finished second only to Cartier Horse of the Year Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) four back in the G1 Sussex S. at Goodwood.
Equinox ascends to top of Longines WBRR
Japanese horses have readily left their marks at racetracks in the Middle East over the first three months of 2023, and accordingly, the nation is now home to the top-rated gallopers in the world on both turf and dirt according to the latest edition of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings (WBRR) that was made public Thursday.
On the strength of his front-running victory in the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan, Silk Racing’s Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) has been assigned a rating of 129, four points clear of the dual Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) and five better than his compatriot Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {USA}).
