Carrie Hu appointed Executive Officer for TBV
Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria (TBV) have announced Carrie Hu as their new Executive Officer, effective in June. Hu, previously CEO of RIFA Mustang Pty Ltd, has extensive international experience, holds a Bachelor of Economics, a Master of Science in Finance and completed the Godolphin Flying Start program in 2017.
“The Victorian breeding industry is an exciting place, and I am very fortunate to be part of that. I hope that I will be able to lead and represent TBV’s members through the next chapter in its history,” Hu said.
“The Board are a diverse, passionate group of breeders and I am very excited to begin working with them. I believe my international experience and passion for the Victorian industry will be of great value to TBV.”
Carrie Hu | Image courtesy of Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria
TBV President James O’Brien said, “Carrie joining TBV in the position of Executive Officer is an exciting time for TBV. Carrie is well-respected by her peers and managers, and she has some great ideas and knowledge to bring to TBV.
“To have a candidate who has vast international industry experience, has managed bloodstock portfolios, is a graduate of Godolphin Flying Start and has the business acumen to approach issues strategically and in a careful, considered approach, ticks all our boxes.”
Giga may yet Kick on to Queensland
Finally gaining his Group 1 win in Saturday’s All Aged S. at Randwick, The Everest winner Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) is now likely to head to Brisbane in search of further top-level success. Giga Kick’s 1.66l romp over Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) also supplied his young trainer, Clayton Douglas, his own initial Group 1 success.
Douglas reported that the 3-year-old has recovered quicker from Saturday’s exertions than in defeat at the hands of I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) previously in the G1 TJ Smith S.
“I reckon the TJ was a more testing run than Saturday, which is good,” Douglas told NewsCorp. “He trotted up nice and sound and still looks good in himself, not tightening up too much.”
After a brief couple of days at grass in New South Wales, Victoria-based Douglas indicated that connections will weigh up the G1 Doomben 10,000, held on May 13.
“This week, he'll have a pretty cruisy week,” Douglas added. “He'll go on the water walker later in the week before I fly back up and have a look at him to decide whether we press on to the Doomben 10,000.
“I think he has another run in him.”
Marlin dodges Mornington Cup
Current favourite for the G1 Melbourne Cup, White Marlin (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) will not head to this Saturday’s Listed Mornington Cup, instead heading to the 2000-metre open handicap at Flemington on Anzac Day before hoping to qualify for the November feature back there in The Andrew Ramsden (2800 metres) on May 14.
White Marlin (Ire) | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“We just wanted to keep him at Flemington where he is trained and that race looks a good one for him on the way through,” co-trainer Adrian Bott told Racing.com of the first-up G3 Easter Cup winner.
“He's going super. He's come through that first-up run in great order.”
Moreira takes up My Oberon opportunity
Currently enjoying a fruitful stint in Sydney, highlighted only last weekend by a G1 Champagne S.-led treble aboard Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) at Randwick, João Moreira has been locked in by Annabel Neasham to partner My Oberon (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Champions Mile back in his usual stomping ground of Hong Kong on April 30.
A Brazilian native, Moreira rode in Hong Kong for nine years, winning four premierships, and was twice successful in the Champions Mile, notably aboard Maurice (Jpn) in 2016.
After finishing second to Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) in the G1 Doncaster Mile, My Oberon will take on locals Golden Sixty (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) and California Spangle (Starspangledbanner) as the only Australian-trained runner at the meeting.
Patterson eyes Brisbane raid
Kiwi trainer Robbie Patterson is eyeing up a repeat raid on the Queensland Racing Carnival, his stable being in rude health with a career-best season tally of 39 currently leaving him third on the New Zealand Trainers’ Premiership.
“You’ve got to be right on top of your game to go over there so we’ll see where they all sit in the next fortnight,” he said.
Robbie Patterson | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Two horses that could lead his charge are The Fearless One (NZ) (The Bold One {NZ}) and Nom De Plume (NZ) (El Roca), both of whom were amongst his travellers last year. Placing third on his Australian debut in the G3 Premier’s Cup (2400 metres), The Fearless One was the best-performed of that pair.
“There’s the (G3) Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800 metres) over there for him on May 27 and the (Listed) Ipswich Cup (2150 metres) three weeks later, all going well.”
Wootton Bassett's American Flag dominates the Fontainebleau
On Sunday, Wootton Bassett (GB) 3-year-old colt American Flag (Fr) won the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau at ParisLongchamp in France, a time-honoured course-and-distance trial for the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas).
Trained by Yann Barberot, he was held up at the tail of the five-runner field early by Christophe Soumillon and unleashed out wide to take command 200 metres from home. The odds-on favourite was soon clear and could again coast to the line for a comfortable 2.5l victory.
“It could be that I can finally train the top horse I have been dreaming of,” Barberot said. “This is why we wake up every morning. He has a lovely temperament and does everything easily and it all starts from there.”
Barberot indicated that from the Guineas on May 14, the colt may head to the G1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) on June 4.
Shuttling from their Irish base, Wootton Bassett stood for $71,500 (inc GST) at Coolmore Australia in both 2021 and 2022, with a 2023 fee yet to be announced.
Frankel's Flight Leader hands sire 79th stakes winner
Juddmonte's 3-year-old colt Flight Leader (GB) (Frankel {GB}) put his hat into the ring for June's G1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) back there after battling to a game victory on his seasonal return in Sunday's G3 Prix Noailles at Paris Longchamp.
“When this horse first ran, (trainer) André Fabre had mentioned him as a potentially very good one, but unfortunately he missed out on debut,” said Juddmonte's on-course representative. “He won well second time out over nine furlongs (1800 metres), proving already that he stays, and he should be better on good ground.”
Flight Leader became the 79th stakes winner for his sire, Frankel (GB), whose Australian-campaigned progeny are led by multiple Group 1 winner Hungry Heart.
