Opal Ridge back to her brilliant best
The Luke Pepper-trained Opal Ridge (Rubick) returned to her brilliant best with Dylan Gibbons aboard to win the Listed Luskin Star S. on Saturday at Scone.
Opal Ridge winning the Listed Luskin Star S. | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
The 3-year-old filly ran out a dominant winner by 1.59l from Gravina (Sebring) and Titanium Power (So You Think {NZ}) in third.
Jason Holder rides five at Morphettville
Top South Australian-based jockey Jason Holder had a day out, winning five races at Morphettville in his best result at the track since 1997.
“It’s been a long time between drinks, but it’s great to get five winners on a Group 1 day,” Holder said.
The veteran jockey said he had been having a tough run in the weeks leading up to the Group 1 feature day, riding just one winner in the past month.
“I’ve had a frustrating run recently, and it’s nice to have a day out,” Holder said.
Holder’s winners were Santelmo Fuego (Written Tycoon) in Race 5, Manhattan Times (Manhattan Rain) in Race 4, Tapinforpar (Spieth {NZ}) in Race 3 and stakes victories aboard Air Assault (Justify {USA}) and Party Princess (So You Think {NZ}).
Three of those winners were for the Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas stable, including the two stakes winners – Air Assault in the South Australian Sires' Produce, and Party Princess, in the Adelaide Guineas.
Heman wins on debut
Peter and Paul Snowden debuted an expensive son of Yarraman Park-based Champion Sire I Am Invincible named Heman at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
Partnered by Mitchell Bell, the colt narrowly defeated Asva (Capitalist) by 0.10l with Sweysive (NZ) (Sweynesse) finishing third.
Heman is the fourth foal from the More Than Ready (USA) mare Nayeli. She won the G3 Chairman’s S., the G3 The Nivision S. and the Listed Fireball S.
The colt was an $850,000 yearling purchase by China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock and Trilogy Racing from the draft of Newgate Farm at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Belardo juvenile wins on debut
Exciting 2-year-old Carbonados (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) did exactly what his connections thought he could when he bolted in by five lengths on debut at New Plymouth on Saturday.
Trainer Allan Sharrock had been galloping the son of Belardo (Ire) with open-class performers, where he more than held his own, leading him to start a red-hot NZ$1.90 favourite.
Carbonados (NZ) winning on debut at New Plymouth | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
Carbonados strode to the lead and never looked in danger as he cleared out from Chantilly Lace (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}) who shaded another debutant in Charm Zafarm (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) for the runner-up position.
Sharrock was pleased to see his charge live up to his private reputation.
“He’s always been a little bit of quality and won a trial on good ground early on where he beat home Tulsi, who has since been Group 1 placed, so we thought he could gallop a bit,” Sharrock said.
“He has been working up with Sumi and Butler and has been right there with them, which is outstanding for a baby.”
Sharrock will now look towards a black-type target with his charge, who has had plenty of offshore interest reignited in him following the victory.
“We thought we had him sold to Hong Kong after his trial win, but it didn’t eventuate,” he said.
Allan Sharrock | Image courtesy of Sharrock Racing
“The phone has been going again after they saw what he did, so we will have to see what happens with that.
“When you know they handle this winter footing you want to get to the better races so I think we might go to the Listed Castletown S. at Wanganui in three weeks with him.”
Petula remains unbeaten
The Simon Miller-trained Petula (Nicconi) kept her unbeaten record intact winning the opening event at Belmont over 1300 metres on Saturday.
Partnered by Patrick Carbery, Petula ran out a 0.17l winner over Ancient Guidance (God Has Spoken) and Mining Legend (War Chant {USA}).
Petula is the second foal from the Ready’s Image (USA) mare Run Sally Run. Petula is a $30,000 weanling purchase by Simon Miller from the draft of Macquarie Stud at the 2021 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale.
Nicconi will stand at Widden Stud Victoria for a 2023 service fee of $22,000 (inc GST).
It’sourtime shows an affinity for Flemington straight
The Danny O’Brien-trained It’sourtime (Time For War) showed his love for the Flemington straight to win the Listed Straight Six.
Michael Dee partnered with the son of Time For War, making it a stakes double for the popular hoop when It’sourtime won by 0.50l from D’jumbuck (Starspangledbanner) and Prowling (Wolf Cry), running into third.
The late Time For War has been in good form, having Commando Hunt claim the Listed Scone Cup on Friday. It’sourtime becoming the fifth stakes winner for Time For War.
Lunar Flare claims golden Melbourne Cup ticket
Grahame Begg’s talented staying mare Lunar Flare (Fiorente {Ire}) received the prestigious golden ticket into the G1 Melbourne Cup in the spring when winning the Listed Andrew Ramsden S. with Michael Dee aboard.
The 7-year-old mare savoured the vast Flemington track for a dominant win of 5.50l from the favourite White Marlin (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), the courageous Hasta La War (Declaration Of War {USA}) ran into third.
Kalapour wins Chairman’s Handicap
The Kris Lees-trained Kalapour (Ire) (War Command {USA}) claimed Saturday’s G3 Chairman’s H. over 2000 metres.
The 6-year-old gelding with Tim Clark aboard won by 0.56l from Dune Forty Five (Americain {USA}) and Cepheus (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), finishing back in third.
He becomes the 11th stakes winner for War Command (USA).
Athelric and Character change Godolphin’s luck
It was a frustrating day early for the Godolphin juggernaut at Scone on Saturday, with Dipsy Doodle (Lonhro) and Shipshape (Astern) denied victories narrowly in earlier events on the day.
It looked like the Listed Ortensia S. was going to be another hard-luck story when Athelric (Exceed And Excel) hit the front only for Quantico (I Am Invincible) to launch late, prompting a photo finish; however, for James Cummings and team Godolphin this photo went their way and an added bonus of the stablemate Andermatt (Snitzel) running into third.
Athelric (royal blue cap) holding on to win the Listed Ortensia S. | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Shortly after, at Doomben in Queensland, the James Cummings-trained Character (Teofilo {Ire}) showed his affinity for the ‘sunshine state’ when, with renewed confidence, he claimed the Listed Channel 7 Members’ H.
The son of Teofilo (Ire) has been an admirable performer for Godolphin Australia, having claimed the G2 Tulloch S. and the G2 Queensland Guineas earlier in his career.
Character is the first foal from the Medaglia D’Oro (USA) mare Monogram. She is a half-sister to the G2 Pago Pago S. winner Tarquin (Hard Spun {USA}).
Half-sister to Startantes wins again
The Robert Heathcote-trained Ekaterina (Russian Revolution) may never match the feats of her star half-sister Startantes (Star Turn), who won the G1 Tattersall’s Tiara. Still, Ekaterina is more than holding her own, winning her fifth race from 14 starts at Doomben on Saturday. The daughter of Russian Revolution with Tim Clark in the saddle was too good for Sandpaper (Snitzel) in the Stradbroke Calcutta 8 June 3YO Plate over 1350 metres. Ekaterina is the fourth foal from the Easy Rocking mare Funtantes. She was a tough mare claiming 10 victories, including the G2 Champagne S.
Euphoric continues to rise
The Greg Eurell-trained Euphoric (Sebring) is fast pinning himself as a horse to follow. The 3-year-old gelding has been to the races four times and walked away with three victories, the latest coming on Saturday at Flemington in the VRC Member Lisa Parnes Plate over 1400 metres for 3-year-olds. Ridden by Zac Spain, Euphoric was too strong for Private Jumbo (Reward For Effort) and Deekay (Hellbent).
Euphoric winning the VRC Member Lisa Parnes Plate | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Euphoric is the fourth from the Magnus mare Prettyhappyaboutit. She was a winner of the Listed Lighting S.
The gelding was a $120,000 yearling purchase by Greg Eurell from the draft of Amarina Farm at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Flying Wessex claims Rotorua ITM Stakes
Free-going 3-year-old filly Wessex (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) proved too swift for her older rivals in Saturday’s G3 Rotorua ITM S. 1400 metres as she secured a dominant front-running victory.
Forsman, who enjoyed a long and successful partnership with the now-retired Murray Baker celebrated his first black-type success in a solo capacity in this race last year. It was a good training feat by Forsman, who produced the filly first-up off a three-and-a-half-month break. She was put aside after finishing down the track behind Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) in the R. Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic at Pukekohe.
Wessex (NZ) winning the G3 Rotorua ITM S. | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“She is a filly who always seems to go her best races when she is fresh and she can get out in front, find a rhythm and just do her own thing,” Forsman said.
“It did look like she might have a wee wobble in the run home, but Kozzi did say she had plenty left and when he asked her, she was very strong to the line.
“I did think she would go a good race as she had been working well, so when she got an uncontested lead, I was pretty confident she would be hard to run down.”
Given her ability to handle winter tracks, Forsman will continue along a black-type path with Wessex in the short term.
“We will just keep her a little on the fresh side as we look at what is coming up,” he said.
“There is another similar race at Tauranga later in June (Listed Tauranga Classic) so that looks like an obvious target for her.”
Bred by Windsor Park Stud, Wessex was a NZ$150,000 purchase by Forsman and part-owner Ben Kwok out of the Stud’s Book 1 draft during the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale at Karaka.
De Sousa and Borges suspended by Hong Kong Jockey Club
Decorated jockey Silvestre de Sousa has been suspended for 10 months by the Hong Kong Jockey Club after pleading guilty to a betting charge.
The three-time Champion Jockey in Great Britain, who relocated to Hong Kong last year in search of better opportunities, pleaded guilty to the charge along with Vagner Borges, another Brazilian rider based in Hong Kong.
Borges was banned for 12 months by HKJC stewards. Both riders were found in breach of rule 59 (3), which says that “no jockey shall bet, or facilitate the making of a bet, or have any interest in a bet, on any race or any contingency relating to a race meeting”.
According to a media release from the HKJC, he is reported to have “facilitated” Borges's bet on his mount, Young Brilliant (GB) (Helmet), in a race at Happy Valley on April 26.
The statement added that “there was no evidence before the stewards that Borges and de Sousa had ridden their horses in the respective race with any intention other than to obtain the best possible placing for their mounts”.
However, the stewards also underlined “it is fundamental to the integrity of racing that jockeys are not permitted to bet or to have an interest in a bet”.
Later in the day on Friday, de Sousa's solicitor, Harry Steward Moore, confirmed the rider would appeal, and said, “I'm instructed that he will be appealing it.”
Cynane to represent Omaha Beach at Royal Ascot
Cynane (USA) (Omaha Beach {USA}), who became the first winner for her freshman sire with a front-running, 2.75l debut victory in a 5-furlong turf sprint at Belmont Park May 11, will likely make her next appearance in the G2 Queen Mary S. for 2-year-old fillies during the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting, trainer Tom Morley said Friday.
“That's the plan at the moment,” said Morley. “She came out of the race really well and she's got a great mind and really good appetite–she was screaming for her feed tub last night. She jogged sound this morning, so we'll start putting plans in place to go to the Queen Mary.”
The filly is named after the Macedonian princess Cynane, a half-sister to Alexander the Great who was a fierce warrior trained in martial arts.
Point Lonsdale shows class is Huxley
Coolmore and Westerberg's-owned 'TDN Rising Star' Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) made a winning seasonal return in last month's G3 Alleged S. at the Curragh, having been on the shelf for almost a year after running seventh in last term's G1 2000 Guineas, and added to his tallies in 2021's G3 Tyros S. and G2 Futurity S. with a battling effort in Friday's G2 Huxley S at Chester.
Positioned in second passing the judge first time, the well-backed favourite came under increased pressure from halfway and stayed on in resolute fashion once gaining an edge into the straight to hold the late rattle of Mujtaba (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) by a neck, providing Ryan Moore with a record eighth renewal of the extended 10-furlong contest.
“He was a good 2-year-old who won a Listed race, a Group 3 and a Group 2, but he wasn't around for most of last year,” commented Moore. “It wasn't very pretty, but he's a real galloper and he probably hasn't been round a tight track like this before. He's only really been to the Curragh, Leopardstown and Ascot and he was just a bit unsure what to do with himself. Today's race was well up to standard and the track didn't suit him, but he has a great attitude, to be fair to him, and plenty of ability. It was a very good performance.”
Desert Crown to resume
Last year's G1 Derby winner Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) will make his first start since winning the Blue Riband in Sandown's G3 Brigadier Gerard S. in late May, according to Saeed Suhail's racing manager Bruce Raymond.
Desert Crown (GB) | Image courtesy of Sandown Park
Successful in a Nottingham maiden at two, the 4-year-old won the G2 Dante S. at York in his first outing at three before rolling to a 2.5l victory at Epsom. An ankle injury derailed any more starts in 2022, and the Brigadier Gerard will be his first start back. Trainer Sir Michael Stoute has won the Brigadier Gerard 11 times, and if Desert Crown delivers, it would give him an even dozen victories.
Bruce Raymond, racing manager to the owner, said, “He runs in the Brigadier for sure. We have tried to get him on the grass, but everywhere is closed, so we might have to use something on the Racecourse Side, I don't know. I don't think it will be any issue.
“But he is in good shape, the horse looks good and all has gone to plan, from what I have been told.”
Sodashi given horror draw for title defense
Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune {USA}), the world's most recognisable not to mention most talented registered white horse, has drawn the widest barrier in a field of 18 while making her 5-year-old reappearance in defence of her title in Sunday's G1 Victoria Mile at Tokyo, a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for this year's GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita Park in California.
A 2l winner of this event last season, Sodashi was only fifth as the favourite in last August's G2 Sapporo Kinen behind Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and Win Marilyn (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}), each of whom have since recorded top-level successes. Sodashi gets a noteworthy change in the saddle Sunday.
“Jockey Damian Lane rode her two weeks ago, and he said he found her easy to ride,” said trainer Naosuke Sugai. “He has been studying all her races and I do want him to ride her as he feels is right. There are a lot of top horses in the lineup, but I want her to be able to bring out her best. Of course, I want results, but the most important thing is that she runs safely and comes out of the race well.”
First winner for Land Force
Highclere Stud's Land Force (Ire), a son of No Nay Never (USA) was the latest first-season sire to get off the mark on Friday as The King and Queen's Serried Ranks (GB) scored on debut in Nottingham's 5-furlong Watch On Racing TV Mdn S. Tracking the early pace under Rob Hornby, the Ralph Beckett-trained Serried Ranks mastered the favourite Desert Master (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) approaching the furlong pole before staying on strongly to beat that rival by 3.75l.
