Huge prizemoney boost for racing in New South Wales
Prizemoney in New South Wales will reach new heights next season, after Racing New South Wales on Monday announced a $6.5 million annual increase to minimum stake levels for metropolitan and provincial events.
The central focus of the stakes surge is on metropolitan and provincial minimum prizemoney levels, which have received the lowest proportional increases since 2004.
Metropolitan Saturday minimum prizemoney will be increased to $160,000 per race, rising from $150,000, while the minimum prizemoney for metropolitan public holiday race meetings will be increased by $5000 per race to $65,000 and will carry a feature race of $150,000 in prizemoney.
The minimum prizemoney for metropolitan midweek races will be increased by $5000 per race to $60,000 and the minimum prizemoney for provincial races will also increase to $42,000 per race from $40,000 per race, adding almost $2 million annually to provincial prizemoney.
Racing NSW Chairman Russell Balding AO said: “It’s imperative that metropolitan racing is strong and that benefits generated from these meetings flow on to all sectors of the industry. Minimum prizemoney increases underpin metropolitan racing and New South Wales’ place as a world-class racing location.”
Brightside back in work
Two-time Doncaster Mile Champion and this year’s The All-Star Mile hero, Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), has returned to work ahead of a big spring campaign.
The G1 Memsie S. is an early priority, but Mr Brightside might start off two weeks earlier on August 19 to defend his title in the G2 Lawrence S.
“He’s going to have a long campaign and if he’s in form and winning, he might go to Hong Kong at the end,” co-trainer Ben Hayes told Racing.com. “That would be the aim.
“It could be a different-looking spring with some of his main competition not there with Anamoe to stud and the sad passing of I’m Thunderstruck, so he’ll be in a good place if he keeps on getting better.
“He had a really nice break and put on some nice condition. As the weather gets colder, it’s best to have them in the yard and just keeping him happy and ticking him over.”
Dwyer maps plan for speedy Asfoora
Ballarat-based trainer Henry Dwyer will restrict smart sprinter Asfoora to 1000 metres as he bids to land an elusive Group 1 with the Flying Artie mare.
Asfoora was beaten less than a length in The Quokka (1200 metres) at Ascot in April, but Dwyer believes the Group 2 victress is most effective over 1000 and 1100 metres.
“She was good and looked a winning chance in The Quokka but the end of 1200 metres sees her out a little bit. She looked the winner but was a bit vulnerable late,” Dwyer told Racing.com.
“It was a great run and Overpass franked the form last week when he finished second to Giga Kick.
“She’ll come back to work in the next fortnight and we will poke around with her during the depths of winter. We will get her back to racing in the early spring and she will have four or five runs over it.”
Fast Track trainees begin their journey
Eighteen new Fast Track trainees began their journey into the world of thoroughbred breeding today (Monday, May 22) with the aim of building successful careers in the industry.
The 12-month program, now in its sixth year, provides a pathway for new people to enter the breeding sector and involves a mix of classroom learning and on-the-job training.
The group will spend the next four weeks taking part in an intensive learning block in Scone, where they attend TAFE each day. In addition to studying formal equine units, trainees will take part in personal development workshops, as well as field trips to a number of stud farms and a day at Royal Randwick races.
For the first time since the program’s inception, farms in Tasmania and Western Australia will host trainees, joining studs in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland.
TBA is grateful for the continued support of AgriFutures Australia who is sponsoring all interstate trainees through their capacity building fund.
Shinn booked for Rothfire
In-form jockey Blake Shinn has picked up the ride aboard Robert Heathcote’s star sprinter Rothfire (Rothesay) in the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
“The stable approached us and I thought it was a great opportunity to travel up there,” Shinn said.
“He’s a horse that I think is destined to win a Group 1 and really deserves it and the 1300 (metres) at Eagle Farm, I think he’s well-placed.
“He’s been plagued by injuries his whole career, so it would be fitting if he could do it.”
New juvenile winner for Rich Enuff
The Travis Doudle-trained Wiggum won on debut on the synthetic track at Ballarat, handing his Woodside Park-based sire Rich Enuff a new 2-year-old winner.
The gelding made easy work of the 1100 metre maiden, scoring by 2.8l.
Wiggum was a $30,000 yearling purchase for Doudle and Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Milburn Creek draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
He is from the stakes performer and five-time winner Erin’s Element (Shaft) and she herself is a half-sister to the dual Listed scorer Nosmo King (NZ) (Cullen).
Neasham hopeful to keep Sunshine In Paris
Annabel Neasham, trainer of the Group 1 -winning filly Sunshine In Paris (Invader), who will be on offer at the 2023 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale starting on Tuesday, is hopeful the 3-year-old will stay in training under her care.
“The Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale is not usually a sale I attend but there are plenty of fillies and mares with racing upside here,” the trainer said.
“Our star 3-year-old filly Sunshine In Paris is here, so I certainly wanted to make sure that I was here and if I can, we’ll try to secure her back into the stable.”
Dee with three on Hong Kong debut
Multiple Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee will kick off his Hong Kong stint with three rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Hall of Fame trainer David Hayes has snapped up the in-form Kiwi, booking him for three of his horses on the nine-race card.
Dee, who won the G1 Goodwood H. on Saturday aboard Royal Merchant (Merchant Navy), is licensed to ride in Hong Kong until July 9.
Azzopardi banned for six months
Young jockey Chloe Azzopardi has been banned for six months after testing positive to a banned substance.
Currently based in Victoria, Azzopardi produced a positive urine sample after riding trackwork at Flemington on April 17.
Stewards released the report of their inquiry into the positive after the races at Geelong last Friday, banning Azzopardi’s licence to ride in races for six months backdated to commence on May 2, the ban will expire on November 2.
Promising apprentice remains in hospital
Kiran Quilty remains in hospital after a race fall at Townsville on Friday.
The 22-year-old fell when her mount clipped heels strides before going over the finish line.
Quilty, the daughter of fellow jockey Cameron, suffered a small bleed on the brain as well as severe concussion, lacerations to her face, a fracture to her nose and bruising to the body.
Quilty is said to be ‘slowly improving’ and is expected to remain in hospital until later this week.
The apprentice made the trip north in April and has ridden four winners under new bosses Georgie and Aidan Holt.
Quilty’s partner and picnic jockey Henry Jaggard has been by her side in Queensland.
“It’s a shame because she’s been going well and loving the move,” he said.
“She is very thankful to the paramedics and the ambulance for the swift work they did, she’s been very well looked after by the nurses and doctors at Townsville Hospital and extremely thankful for the people that have reached out to check in on her.”
Racing industry mourns Belinda Price
The racing industry is mourning the loss of popular figure Belinda Price who tragically passed following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Price, 46, was a much-loved member of the South Australian racing fraternity and the mother of jockeys Will and Ben, as well as daughter Abby.
In a statement, the state’s governing body of racing said: “Racing SA is devastated by the passing of Belinda Price. Our hearts go out to all of Belinda’s family and friends at this time.”
While the Australian Jockeys’ Association said Belinda was, “a very special lady that will be sadly missed. An angel in heaven and at peace now.”
Price had strong ties to the Adelaide Hills, and the Oakbank Racing Club also paid tribute to the late mother.
“The executive, staff, and members of the Oakbank Racing Club are saddened to hear of the passing of Belinda Price after a very brave and courageous health battle,” a statement read.
“Belinda was a popular and much-loved identity in racing. Also, being a local Oakbank girl in her younger years meant she has many friends in our region.
“Our thoughts go out to her children, Will, Ben and Abby, and all of Belinda's extended family and friends.”
Laing avoids ban
Robbie Laing has avoided a ban from training after pleading guilty to failing to provide veterinary treatment to two registered broodmares.
Laing was handed a six-month ban, which was fully suspended for a period of 24 months, due to his good record and the mitigating circumstances surrounding the offending.
The veteran horseman was charged by stewards in September last year for failing to provide veterinary treatment to two retired racehorses who were found to be in very poor health while in his care in March 2022.
Racing Victoria Legal Counsel Marwan El-Asmar told a Victorian Racing Tribunal hearing on Monday morning that both horses were found by a member of the public in poor condition, with the broodmares unable to stand due to severe pain and having to be humanely euthanised.
Laing's lawyer Ross Inglis told the VRT there were several factors that led to the mistreatment of the broodmares between November 2021 and March 2022.
“There are significant mitigating circumstances … During the period of time in question Mr Laing was extremely unwell with COVID, in fact he was very close to being hospitalised,” Inglis said.
“During this time he was under the assumption as per an arrangement in place that a friend would be delivering feed to the mares in question, due to a misunderstanding, that did not occur.”
“In this matter there are a number of mitigating factors, including the fact you had been very ill with COVID influenza and unable to attend the paddock where the horses were kept,” Judge Bowman said.
“Your long and unblemished history as a trainer is also noted. We bear in mind the circumstances and your excellent record, we view the agreed penalty is fair and appropriate.”
Golden Horn colt lands Italian Derby
The Endo Botti-trained Goldenas (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}) secured his first stakes victory in Sunday’s G2 Derby Italiano (Italian Derby) at Capannelle.
Formerly a member of the Darley roster, Golden Horn moved to Overbury Stud last July, and the winner is the first black-type winner out of his 2020 crop.
The colt is the second stakes winner for his unraced dam Naseej (GB) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), following Prichi (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), while his extended family includes the G1 Deutsches Derby victor Sea The Moon (Ger).
Bred by Austin Curran, the €23,000 (AU$37,000) Goffs Autumn yearling was bought by Razza Latina out of the Blackberry Road Stud.
River Tiber enhances Coventry Stakes prospects
Unbeaten Wootton Bassett (GB) colt River Tiber (Ire) laid a marker for next month’s G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot with a convincing win at Naas on Sunday.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained galloper, who thrashed his rivals by 10l on debut, posted a 2.5l victory under Ryan Moore.
“It was a good strong pace on good ground and before Ascot it’s very important that they do that,” said O’Brien.
“Ryan had to catch a hold of him and make him get down and stretch, he would have learned an awful lot and he was very happy with him. We were delighted.
“We have three Wootton Bassetts, it’s the first time we’ve had them, and two of the colts are very good. It’s unusual that two colts were good out of the three.”
Meanwhile, Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio {USA}) put herself in the Royal Ascot picture after claiming the G3 Irish EBF Fillies Sprint S., and The Antarctic (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a brother to the four-time Group 1-winning sprinter Battaash (Ire), punched his ticket to the Royal meeting thanks to a brave victory in the G3 Goffs Lacken S.
Thunder laid to rest
Dual Group 1 winner I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) has been laid to rest at the property of co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr.
The popular galloper died after complications following surgery on his fetlock in late March.
“We are just in the process of building a nice garden and memorial for him,” said Kent Jnr, who trained the star in partnership with Mick Price.
“It’s a nice spot and we will plant a garden, some nice trees and a plaque.
“Once it's all done nicely, we will have the owners out in the spring and toast a glass to him.”
Cheval D’Or on track for Queensland Oaks
The Tony Pike-trained Cheval D’Or (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) was tuned up for a tilt at the G1 Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm with an exhibition gallop between races at Te Rapa on Saturday on a Heavy-rated track.
A last-start winner of the G3 Championship S. at Pukekohe last month, it will be six weeks between runs when she contests Saturday week’s Oaks.
“It was really just a day out to get away from home and give her a gallop, obviously not in ideal conditions,” Pike said.
“She did enough work on Saturday, it was just to give her a trip away as she hadn’t had a run for four weeks.”
Tributes pour in for Newham
The Queensland racing industry continues to mourn the loss of former trainer Garry Newham, who died last week on the Gold Coast following a short battle with illness.
Newham trained the five-time Group 1 winner Starcraft (NZ), as well as the G1 Queensland Oaks heroine Winning Ways (Declaration Of War {USA}).
“Garry was an integral and long-term part of the Gold Coast Turf Club,” Gold Coast Turf Club chairman Brett Cook said.
“He was a gentleman and no one had a bad word to say about him. He will be sadly missed.”
Newman’s former apprentice Justin Stanley added: “You could not have asked for a better boss as an apprentice.
“He was tough but fair. If you did the work then you got the results.”
The Gold Coast Turf Club will host Newham's wake at a yet to be determined date.
