Daily News Wrap

Racing SA to honour Holland

Fallen jockey Dean Holland will be honoured by Racing South Australia (Racing SA) at Saturday’s G1 Australasian Oaks meeting at Morphettville. Racing SA is looking at holding a minute's silence and a guard of honour for Holland before the feature race, which he won in 2010 aboard Small Minds (Canny Lad), and will then plan something more substantial down the track, potentially a raceday to raise money for his wife Lucy and their four young children.

“Everyone is devastated. It's a really sad period and we're working with the industry to get through this,” Racing SA chief executive, Vaughn Lynch, told News Corp. “The industry will get behind Dean's family, both his wife Lucy and their children, and his mum and dad, Belinda and Darren, and we'll be providing them with support. It's still to be worked out, but we'll honour Dean and his family in the appropriate manner.”

Darling View fees make it a record for Playing God

Western Australia’s Darling View Thoroughbreds, which stands the western stalwart Playing God, released its roster this week for the spring upcoming. As expected, the 15-year-old leads proceedings with a new fee of $33,000 (inc GST). It’s a moderate rise on his 2022 fee of $27,500.

The young gun Splintex, a son of Snitzel, heads into his second book at an unchanged fee of $11,000 (inc GST), while Lightsaber, by Zoustar, will be a freshman addition at $6600 (inc GST). The stallions Patronize (by Redoute’s Choice) and Lucky Street (by Oratorio) are both set to a private fee.

Playing God will equal a long-standing Western Australian record this spring, equalling the late Oratorio, who stood for the same figure in 2010. Playing God’s service fee has risen for four years on the trot, three of those increases incurred during his years at Darling View after transferring from Mungrup Stud.

Marlin ready to roll

A switch from Flemington to Pakenham will pose no problem for in-form stayer White Marlin (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), according to the gelding’s co-trainer Adrian Bott. Due to the cancellation of Tuesday’s Flemington ANZAC Day meeting, the William Newton VC H. will be the first race on the card at Pakenham on Thursday night.

Unbeaten in six starts, White Marlin will then head towards the Listed Andrew Ramsden S. at Flemington, a race that offers a ballot exemption into the G1 Melbourne Cup.

“The horse is in good shape, so things haven’t changed too much for him,” Bott told RSN. “We’re very keen to go to the Andrew Ramsden. That has been the plan all the way along and that will be the Grand Final for this preparation. This run will hopefully top him off nicely and have him ready to peak third-up when it counts.

“We’ve tried to follow a similar campaign to what he had last preparation and it worked well for him being third-up at Flemington, so we’ve stuck to a similar sort of campaign.”

Hong Kong star for The Everest?

Champion jockey Zac Purton claims a deal is on the table to bring the Hong Kong-based multiple Group 1 winner Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) to Sydney for the $15 million The Everest in October.

“There is a deal on the table and it is up to the connections here in Hong Kong if they want to accept that deal or not for the race,” Purton told News Corp.

Lucky Sweynesse, who is a dominant favourite in Sunday’s G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin, has taken all before him this season, winning his past four starts, two of them at the top level. Purton said connections were keen to also travel the gelding to Japan for the lucrative G1 Yasuda Kinen in June.

Oaks fancies draw wide

The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained As Time Goes By, a John Camilleri-bred and owned daughter of Deep Impact (Jpn) from the Group 3-winning A Time For Julia (Redoute’s Choice), has drawn awkwardly in barrier 14 for the G1 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville. The filly was a last-start winner of the Listed Clare Lindop S. at this track on April 1, and she will have jockey Jake Toeroek to help overcome her disadvantage this Saturday.

The inside draw was taken by the Philip Stokes-trained Killiako (Maurice {Jpn}), also a last-start winner, while Jennilala (Shalaa {Ire}), who last won the G3 Auraria S. and is a definite fancy this weekend, drew barrier two.

Race favourite Arts (Xtravagant {NZ}), trained by Edward Cummings at Hawkesbury for Newhaven Park, has drawn inside of As Time Goes By in barrier 13.

Ghibellines heads unchanged fee roster at White Robe Lodge

Group 1-producing sire Ghibellines has made his mark on the biggest stage in Australia this season and, combined with excellent domestic results, the well-bred stallion continues to do the Mosgiel operation proud.

Ghibellines’ son Smokin’ Romans (NZ) has been his leading performer following his G1 Turnbull S. victory during the Melbourne spring carnival, while at home Live Drama (NZ) claimed the G3 South Island Breeders’ S.

Ghibellines will remain at NZ$8000 plus GST in 2023 and unchanged service fees also apply to associate stallions Raise The Flag (GB) NZ$6000 plus GST, Ancient Spirit (Ger) NZ$7000 plus GST and Gallant Guru NZ$2000 plus GST.

“He (Ghibellines) has carried on from last season and then into the spring with Smokin’ Romans winning the Group 1, Live Drama won the Group 3,” said White Robe Lodge’s Jack Stewart.

“His winners to runners (33 from 81) have been very good so he continues to do a great job for us.”

Tapildoodledo confidence grows

Sunshine Coast trainer Kerry Taplin has said her emerging stayer Tapildoodledo (NZ), a son of Proisir, took every confidence from his Group 2-winning trip to Sydney. The 3-year-old won the G2 Tulloch S. during the autumn carnival, which was a surprise even to his trainer, albeit he finished midfield in the G1 Australian Derby.

“He’s grown mentally,” Taplin said. “It’s like the trip away has matured him enormously. His Tulloch S. win was a surprise, but we were naturally very pleased as we would have been happy if he finished in the first four and maybe got a Derby start. It wasn’t the Heavy track that beat him in the Derby. It was a race that wasn’t run to suit him.”

Tapildoodledo will resume this Saturday at Eagle Farm in the G2 Queensland Guineas.

Bitcoin wins on Australian debut

The New Zealand-bred 3-year-old Bitcoin (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) won his debut appearance in Australia on Wednesday, taking out Race 3 at Ballarat for his new trainer, the Warrnambool-based Lindsey Smith. The gelding had placed twice for Andrew Forsman across the Tasman, including a third in stakes company, after which he was partially sold to Spicer Thoroughbreds.

“John Malcolm, the owner in New Zealand, approached us at the Magic Millions sale and said he’d love to bring him over to Australia and sell down half,” said Brad Spicer on Wednesday. “We bought half on the proviso that he came across to Lindsey. Today we’ve seen him stand up. That is what we needed to see today to go to South Australia with a bit of confidence.”

Bitcoin is a hopeful for the G1 South Australian Derby next month.

Duais wins Newcastle trial

Three-time Group 1 heroine Duais (Shamus Award) won a trial over 1100 metres on the polytrack at Newcastle on Wednesday.

The 5-year-old, who was last seen finishing well back in last year’s G1 Melbourne Cup, sat in the second half of the field and stood the leader 4l at the top of the straight, before working to the line nicely under Sam Clipperton. She held a 0.5l margin on the line, clocking 1:07.72.

Meanwhile, local trainer Kris Lees won three of the four 2-year-old trials, with Naahro (Lonhro) first home in Heat 7, Divine Note (Divine Prophet) successful in Heat 15 and Infancy (Wandjina) scoring in Heat 16.

The other trial for juveniles - Heat 6 - was taken out by the Larry Fairhill-trained Ensign Parker (Merchant Navy).

Bidding open on Sir Patrick’s final dispersal

Bidding opened on Gavelhouse Plus on Wednesday for the Sir Patrick Hogan Dispersal Sale, the very last consignment for the legendary late breeder. Sir Patrick died in January at the age of 83, with this final catalogue of 31 horses his final collection to go to public auction.

The catalogue is now live and available to view on Gavelhouse Plus, with final countdowns commencing on Friday, April 28, at 7pm NZT (5pm AEST). Reflecting on Sir Patrick’s 30 years of contributions to the breeding industry, Sir Peter Vela, principal of New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB), said it was the end of an important era.

“In my lifetime, there has been no greater influence on the New Zealand breeding industry than Sir Patrick,” he said. “He made the Karaka Sales Centre his own, and we were honoured to record his legacy by naming it the Sir Patrick Hogan Auditorium at the 2023 National Yearling Sales Series. Personally, he provided me with incredible guidance and assistance and I was proud to call him a friend. A legendary studmaster, breeder, racehorse owner, mentor to many and a truly devoted family man.”

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Love For All chasing black type

Kiwi trainer Bryce Newman is chasing more chances at black type with his mare Love For All (Love Conquers All) this weekend. The 5-year-old will line up in the G2 Travis S. at Te Rapa on Saturday, albeit the weather hasn’t worked in her favour up to now.

“As long as the rain stays away for Saturday, I think she is a good chance based on her last run,” Newman told NZ Racing Desk. “She loves to race on the speed and hopefully we can do that again, but if she had to take a sit, she is versatile enough to be able to do that. As small-time breeders, we are always looking for for black type with these mares, so if we can get some more with her this weekend, then we will be over the moon.”

Love For All is Group 3-placed to date, which occurred at her last start when she was third to Aromatic (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) in the G3 Manawatu Breeders’ S. on April 14.

Scott not getting ahead of himself

Kiwi trainer Andrew Scott, who trains alongside legendary former jockey Lance O’Sullivan, is confident their Group 2-winning sprinter Dragon Leap (Pierro) is back to his best. Dragon Leap ran fourth in last year’s G1 Memsie S. before winning a 1200-metre handicap at Pukekohe. He later finished unplaced in two Group 1s at Te Rapa. The 6-year-old gelding will contest Saturday’s G2 Victory S. at Eagle Farm.

“The way he galloped in Brisbane on Tuesday morning indicates that we have got him pretty close to his best,” Scott told News Corp. “Whether that is good enough on Saturday to be competitive against some sharp sprinters, I’m not quite sure. We got him back from Australia last time and he won a (New Zealand) race, but he had two Group 1 races after that and his form wasn’t real strong.

“We are under no illusions that it will be hard on Saturday. But we are hopeful we might be able to piece together a good campaign for this horse in Queensland. It will be the case of taking one run at a time."

Damien Thornton will ride Dragon Leap in the $300,000 sprint.

Forsman milestone at Sha Tin

The 5-year-old gelding Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) will mark a milestone for his trainer Andrew Forsman this weekend when he lines up in the G1 Champions Mile at Sha Tin during the FWD Champions Day event in Hong Kong. It will be the first time Forsman will have a runner outside of New Zealand and Australia.

“It’s great to be part of it,” Forsman told the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC). “Aegon is certainly going into a different environment on a long prep and does seem at a bit of a disadvantage, but he is pretty well-travelled and laidback, and it looks like he has settled in quite well, but it’s only early days.”

Aegon was last seen in The All-Star Mile and the gelding’s last win came in the G3 Moonga S. at Caulfield last November, albeit he was second in December in the G1 Captain Cook S. at Trentham.

Sakura Girl preps for Queensland raid

The Cambridge trainer Ben Foote will line up his 3-year-old Group 3-winning filly Sakura Girl (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) in this Saturday’s G2 Travis S. at Te Rapa in preparation for her raid on the Queensland winter carnival. Sakura Girl is likely to contest the G1 Queensland Oaks on June 3, which will see her run into ‘countrymen’ Legarto (NZ) (Proisir), Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) and Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}).

Sakura Girl was sixth in the G1 New Zealand Oaks behind Pennyweka in March. Depending on her run this Saturday, she could contest the G2 Roses at Doomben on May 20, or go straight into the Queensland Oaks.

“More than likely, she would run in the Roses but there’s only one direct flight to Queensland on the 18th or 19th of May, which is obviously too late,” Foote told NZ Racing Desk. “So she would have to go to Sydney and then be floated up, possibly as early as next week. But we’re not firm on that decision as yet. If we decide to go direct into the Oaks, she’d take a direct flight to Queensland instead.”

ATC salutes bookmakers

The Australian Turf Club will this weekend host its fifth annual Bookmakers Recognition Day at Rosehill Gardens, a raceday to honour bookmakers’ service to the industry, in partnership with the NSW Bookmakers Co-Operative. Four bookmakers with more than 150 years of experience, including the first female member of the Co-Op, will be acknowledged across the 10-race meeting.

Along with races named in their honour, special guests will include Kerrie Borger, Alan Davidson, Bill Murphy and Henry Noonan, along with Paul Ambrosoli. ATC members are encouraged to attend a pre-raceday brunch by emailing members@australianturfclub.com.au

“On-course bookmakers remain a key part of a raceday experience, and we are delighted to join with the NSW Bookmakers Co-Operative in honouring four long-serving and retiring fielders,” said James Ross, the ATC’s executive general manager of racing. “The Sydney on-course betting ring remains the strongest and most competitive in the country, bringing the best value for punters and added colour and atmosphere to our racedays.”

Arrogate colt leads the way at OBS spring opener

The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training opened on Tuesday with a session that produced figures nearly identical to the auction’s 2022 opening session.

“It was a good start to the sale,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski. “A lot of horses sold very well. And I’d like to think the strength will continue through the next three days. I feel pretty good about that. There are a lot of good horses left to sell.”

During Tuesday’s session, 161 juveniles grossed US$22,936,000 (AU$35 million). The average was US$136,665 (AU$206,000) and the median was US$75,000 (AU$113,000). During the 2022 opening session, 159 horses, including the auction’s US$2.3 million (AU$3.5 million) sale-topper, sold for US$21,849,000 (AU$33 million). The session average was US$137,415 (AU$207,000) and the median was US$70,000 (AU$105,000).

On the same day that it was announced his late sire would be inducted into the racing Hall of Fame, a colt by Arrogate (USA) out of the unraced Destine (USA) (War Front {USA}) topped Tuesday’s session when bringing a final bid of US$1.45 million (AU$2.1 million) from bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, who was acting on behalf of Amr Zedan. The juvenile was consigned by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds on behalf of his breeder, Jeff Weiss’s Rosedown Racing Stables.

With his lone purchase, Lanni was the session’s leading buyer, while de Meric Sales was the day’s leading consignor with 10 sold for US$2,770,000 (AU$4.1 million).

Arrogate, Chrome, Songbird into American Hall of Fame

The top American racehorses Arrogate, California Chrome (USA) and Songbird (USA) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) are among the eight new inductees to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame for 2023. They are joined by jockeys Corey Nakatani and Fernando Toro. These five are joined by the induction of John W. Hanes II, Leonard W. Jerome and Stella F. Thayer.

The 2023 Hall of Fame ceremony will occur on August 4 at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion at Saratoga Springs, with it being broadcast live via the National Museum of Racing website. The event is also open to the public and free to attend.

Dettori mural at Epsom

A giant mural honouring Frankie Dettori’s 40 years in the saddle was unveiled at Epsom Downs Racecourse on Tuesday. The artwork, measuring 52ft by 23ft, is located on the side of the Duchess Stand and depicts Dettori aboard his 2015 Derby winner Golden Horn (GB).

“It was a big surprise,” Dettori said. “I was quite embarrassed when I first saw it, actually. I love it. It is amazing. It’s the young me and the older me. It was my biggest thrill in my racing career, the Derby in 2015 on Golden Horn. I’m glad it is there forever now.”

The 52-year-old Dettori announced at the end of last year that 2023 would be his last season riding. He is yet to secure a ride in the upcoming G1 Epsom Derby next month, a race he has won twice.

NZTR announce Welfare and Finance leadership appointments

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has announced the appointment of two integral business unit positions, Head of Thoroughbred Welfare and Sustainability and Head of Finance.

Current New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association chief executive Justine Sclater will take up the position of Head of Thoroughbred Welfare and Sustainability, while Rowan Cramond will take on the Head of Finance role.