Justify filly blitzes rivals
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Clavadatsch became the latest winner for the first-season sire Justify (USA) on Friday night at Cranbourne.
Clavadatsch winning on debut at Cranbourne | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Despite facing only three overmatched rivals, Clavadatsch was dominant, scoring by 6l on debut.
Clavadatsch was bred and is raced by Coolmore Stud, she is the first foal from the Fastnet Rock mare Art Collection. She was Group 3-placed and hails from the family of the Champion Sprinter Lankan Rupee (Redoute’s Choice).
Cav’s daughter searches for stakes success
Invincible Caviar (I Am Invincible), a daughter of the invincible Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) will chase stakes success on Saturday at Sandown-Hillside.
Trained by Peter Moody, like her great dam, Invincible Caviar will contest the aptly named Listed Bel Esprit S.
Although Moody said, “We haven’t aimed Invincible Caviar for this race, she was just ready to go to the races. She’s a nice filly and she’s ready for this.”
Chaillot can spring a surprise
The Steve O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted-trained Chaillot (Testa Rossa) will be looking to spring a surprise in Saturday’s G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Hoysted, buoyed by Chaillot’s formidable fresh record of five wins from seven starts and a barnstorming finish, can see the mare finish her final preparation of racing as a Group 1 winner.
“I don’t think she could be going any better, it’s just whether she is going to be good enough in this sort of field,” said co-trainer Hoysted.
“But the way Chaillot is going she certainly deserves her chance.”
Dunn’s first city runner
Young trainer Dylan Dunn, son of the champion jockey Dwayne Dunn, will saddle his first city runner at Sandown-Hillside on Saturday, while at the same time, the now-retired rider is looking for his first win.
Mr Dependable (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) will fly the flag for Dunn, having recently transferred from the stables of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Mr Dependable (NZ) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“We’re working hard to get that first winner, so it’s going to mean a lot when it finally happens.”
Rowe looking for luck
Stawell-based trainer John Rowe will saddle up the 2-year-old filly Power Of Fitzroy (Palentino) at Sandown-Hillside on Saturday, it will be just the second time Rowe has saddled a runner in the metropolitan area, his previous runner in metropolitan Melbourne, Galaxy Turf (Turffontein) also came at Sandown-Hillside on March 15.
Rowe, who ran a successful horse-educating business at Stawell for the past 20 years, has decided to focus more on training his own horses and plans on being a regular visitor to the city in the future.
Rowe said, “Power Of Fitzroy has been thriving on the work. I’m hoping she’s a chance on what she’s shown as she’s improved with each jump-out.”
Bowman sticks with Julius
Trainer Daniel Bowman is shown his faith in rider Melissa Julius with the ride on his progressive filly Bubble Palace (Rich Enuff) as the filly returns to the city on Saturday at Sandown-Hillside.
Bubble Palace showed considerable ability early days with two starts for two wins, before a spring preparation that saw her unplaced in three runs, Bowman put the below-par runs down to growth spurts.
Bubble Palace recorded a confidence-boosting win at Horsham with Julius aboard and Bowman is hopeful the pair can pull it off again on Saturday.
Bowman commented, “Saturday will tell us if Bubble Palace is back somewhere near where we hope she will be. She isn’t the easiest horse to ride and Melissa (Julius) has done a lot of the work and gets along with the filly well.”
Thunderlips looking to book spring ticket
The Bjorn-Baker-trained Thunderlips (Zoustar) will contest the G2 Sires’ Produce S. on Saturday at Eagle Farm and Baker is hoping a big performance could book the colt a trip down to Melbourne come the spring.
Thunderlips (purple cap) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Baker added, “With spring it’s one step at a time, we’ll get through Saturday but Melbourne is on the radar if he runs well and can get over a trip. If Thunderlips is more of a sprinter we can freshen him up and look at the Coolmore Stud S.”
First runner for Kementari on Sunday
The Chris Waller-trained La Seule, a daughter of the popular Godolphin galloper Kementari, is set to become the first runner for the once stallion at Ballarat in Race 1 on Sunday carrying the colours of Star Thoroughbreds and Brian Higgins in the saddle.
Kementari | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
La Seule was a $325,000 yearling purchase by Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the draft of Canning Downs at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Brunton charged by Victorian stewards
The Tasmanian-based trainer Scott Brunton has been charged with failing to follow the directions of stewards and will face the Victorian Racing Tribunal.
The charges relate to Brunton’s time in Victoria, where he had Tsunami Sam (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) engaged to race at Warrnambool’s May Racing Carnival and was ultimately withdrawn by stewards when presenting the horse barefoot, Brunton was charged for misleading stewards and then failing to attend the stewards’ room on May 4 after Race 6 at Warrnambool as had been requested by a Victorian steward.
Comeback kids, Hukum denies Desert Crown
Thursday's G3 Brigadier Gerard S. was one for the comeback kids, but not the one most expected as Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) overhauled Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) fair and square up the Sandown hill.
As last year's G1 The Derby at Epsom Downs hero loomed large on the front end under Richard Kingscote two out from home, Jim Crowley was in a pocket on the Shadwell homebred Hukum who had over a length to make up as he gave pursuit a furlong later. While the 2-5 favourite Desert Crown put a healthy margin into the remainder on the climb to the line, the 5-1 second favourite was grabbing the ground to make up the deficit and reel him in late to prevail by 0.5l.
