Coffey snags a double at Flemington
On Saturday, the popular Victorian-based hoop Harry Coffey enjoyed a double at headquarters. Coffey partnered with the progressive Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Rain Lord (Lord Of The Sky) to win the opening event at Flemington. Coffey then jumped into the saddle to guide the once highly touted import Port Guillaume (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) to victory in the third race for Ben and JD Hayes.
Campton’s Deepour blows away opposition
Gold Coast-based trainer Adam Campton sent out the promising 5-year-old Deepour (Exosphere) to the sixth win of his career at Ipswich on Saturday.
Partnered by James Orman in the Class 6 H. Deepour blew away his opposition with the second-placed Ralphie (Bel Esprit) 2.8l away.
The gelding was a $105,000 yearling purchase by China Horse Club Racing from the draft of Newgate Farm at the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Hefel takes the lead in the apprenticeship premiership
The Victorian-based apprentice Carleen Hefel chalked up a double at Flemington on Saturday aboard the Peter Moody-trained Sigh (No Nay Never {USA}). The mare continued her excellent form making back-to-back wins down the Flemington straight.
Hefel then guided the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Unusual Culture (NZ) (Unusual Suspect {USA}) to victory in the seventh race.
Hefel has ridden 26 winners for the 2022/23 season and is now two ahead of Celine Gaudray for the Melbourne apprentice title.
Tough as teak Zoumon in WJ Mckell Cup
On Saturday, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Zoumon (Zoustar) scored a maiden stakes victory in the Listed WJ Mckell Cup at Rosehill.
The tough-on pacer galloper was partnered by Tim Clark and scored a 0.12l victory from Bold Mac (NZ) (The Bold One {NZ}).
Zoumon puts on a brave performance to win the Listed WJ McKell Cup at Rosehill | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Zoumon becomes the 38th stakes winner for his Champion Sire Zoustar, who will stand the 2023 breeding season for $220,000 (inc GST) at Widden Stud.
Gai Waterhouse Classic wash-up
The Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic on Saturday at Ipswich was taken out in fine fashion by the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Chassis (Al Maher). However, the steward and veterinary report provided some disappointing updates.
The Grant Allard-trained Majestic Shot (Shooting To Win) who was unplaced in the event was significantly slow to begin and was found to have bled from both nostrils for the first occasion, as stated by rule AR 79 (4), Majestic Shot will serve the mandatory three-month ban. Majestic Shot would need to undergo a 1000-metre gallop to the satisfaction of stewards before resuming racing.
While the Tony Gollan-trained Tilianam (NZ) (Savabeel), who was also unplaced, was reported to be showing clinical signs of cardiac arrhythmia in her veterinary examination. Tilianam must contest an official trial and undergo an ECG before being cleared to race again.
Meech sustains concussion
Victorian-based jockey Linda Meech sustained a concussion and soreness in her right knee after being dismounted from her mount, the Peter Moody-trained Bitcoin (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) in Race 8 at Flemington on Saturday.
Bitcoin fell after being tightened for room around the 125-metre mark; he was examined by Racing Victoria vets and had no abnormalities.
Meech was conscious and talking following the fall but has been transported to the hospital for precautionary scans.
Campbell rides first winner in Melbourne
The Western Australian-based apprentice Luke Campbell rode his first winner in Melbourne on Saturday at Flemington.
Campbell partnered with the Mark and Levi Kavanagh-trained First Immortal (Churchill {Ire}) in the Sir Henry Bolte H. over 2000 metres.
The race was marred by the unfortunate fall of Linda Meech aboard Bitcoin.
Luke Campbell after winning at Flemington | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Campbell admitted his first win in Melbourne took longer than anticipated, “It’s a great thrill to have ridden a winner here (Flemington). It has taken a bit longer than I thought,” Campbell said.
“I would ride a city winner most Saturdays (in WA), but in Melbourne, I’ve had to stick and persist.”
Saturday double for Russian Revolution
The Newgate Farm-based Russian Revolution is enjoying a fine 2022/23 season and sired a double on Saturday courtesy of the Bjorn Baker-trained Line Of Law at Kembla Grange and the Kris Lees-trained Brudenell at Rosehill.
The Lees-trained Brudenell is putting together a tidy record scoring his fifth victory from eight starts. Brudenell was partnered by Dylan Gibbons and scored narrowly from Waverider Buoy (Nicconi) and Tintookie (Winning Rupert).
The 3-year-old gelding was a $80,000 yearling purchase by Lees Racing and Tasman Bloodstock from the draft of Glastonbury Farms at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Russian Revolution | Standing at Newgate Farm
While the Baker-trained Line Of Law broke through to score her maiden victory at Kembla Grange.
The 2-year-old filly was partnered by Hannah Williams and narrowly won from Energized (Brazen Beau) and Liangelo (Hellbent) finishing further away in third.
Line Of Law was a $160,000 yearling purchase by Bjorn Baker Racing and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Sledmere Stud at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Russian Revolution will stand the 2023 breeding season at a fee of $88,000 (inc GST).
Progressive winner for Impending
The Blake Ryan-trained Shadow Raiders (Impending) looks like a progressive 3-year-old galloper to follow as he gets up in distance.
The gelding was stepping out to the 1400 metres at Kembla Grange on Saturday with Danny Beasley in the saddle. Shadow Raiders scored by 0.50l from Kadall (Capitalist) and Mad Deel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}), finishing third.
Shadow Raiders was a $240,000 yearling purchase for Sweetbriar Equine and Aaron Kwok from the draft of Valiant Stud at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Share in Royal Ascot-bound Thunderbear sells for £75,000 via Thoroughbid
A 50 per cent share in Royal Ascot G3 Jersey S. probable Thunderbear (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), most recently fourth in the G3 Goffs Lacken S. at Nass on May 21, was sold for £75,000 (AU$140,700) through ThoroughBid on Thursday. City Bloodstock was the high bidder and County Meath-based trainer Jack Davison retained his 50 per cent share in the 3-year-old gelding,
“I think it's a fair price and, at that money, it makes a lot of sense for the new partner too,” Davison said. “They've now got a significant share in a good, progressive horse who's got plenty of big days ahead of him.
“He's bouncing at the moment! I think the horse will run very well at Ascot and he'll give the new owner a lot of pleasure going forward. He is in great nick, but he's only a baby and there's plenty ahead of him.”
The Jersey is set to take place on Saturday, June 24.
ThoroughBid CEO James Richardson said. “ThoroughBid has broken new ground with this sale; tailoring an online auction to fit the needs of a part-sale, and positioning on a specific date ahead of it's intended run at Royal Ascot hopefully shows how flexible we can be. It's a new and important string to our bow.”
