Warrior to aim at the Cox Plate?
Hong Kong-based trainer Danny Shum is planning to tackle the Melbourne spring with the ultimate aim of the G1 WS Cox Plate at Moonee Valley for his star galloper Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}).
“That’s the plan. Definitely the Cox Plate, but before the Cox Plate, we plan to run a lead-up race in Melbourne,” Shum told Sydney Morning Herald.
“I have been conversing with James McDonald, and I will let James work out a suitable race for him. We haven’t made the plan for the lead-up race yet. It was the owner’s idea. We’ll try to make it happen.”
McDonald is unbeaten on the reigning G1 Hong Kong Cup Champion.
Charm Stone eyes Coolmore
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Charm Stone (I Am Invincible) will have a four-start race campaign culminating in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. in the spring, revealed Sheamus Mills of Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA), who is the managing owner.
“The aim would be to have Charm Stone first-up in the Quezette on August 19, and then the idea would be to keep her runs spaced,” Mills said.
“She went to Sandown and pulled up with chondritis which had caused her to displace her soft palate, so she went to the paddock for treatment. They tell me it’s an immaturity or immune system issue, so therefore not genetic.
“Given the timing, other than the Queensland carnival, there wasn’t much for her, so we have two blocks of dressage and a little spell in between.”
Charm Stone will return to the Cranbourne stables of Price and Kent Jnr in the next week.
Mascot to fly in the Monash
Warrnambool-based trainer Tom Daberning has signalled his star mare Flying Mascot (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) will resume in next Saturday’s G3 Sir John Monash S. over 1100 metres at Caulfield.
“Flying Mascot is likely to find them too sharp over 1100 metres,” Daberning said.
“The Sir John Monash is more of a starting point to have her a little bit ahead fitness-wise going into the spring.”
Daberning confirmed that if Flying Mascot does not find her best form, she will be retired to stud.
Pride to unleash Parade in Missile
Big Parade (Deep Field) has had a minor setback that delayed his preparation and saw him scratched from the G3 WJ Healy S.
Now under the care of Joe Pride, since Mark Newhman’s departure to Hong Kong, Pride has shared he will now put the talented sprinter on ice until the G2 Missile S. on August 5.
“Big Parade, he had a mild lameness in his hindquarter, that’s why he didn’t run in the Healy in Brisbane as planned,” said Pride.
“There wasn’t a lot in it, and I couldn’t put him on the float to send him up north, but he did well this week. I toyed with the idea of the Ramornie, but I decided I’m better off waiting for the Missile.”
Waller to announce Macedon Lodge satellite stable
Punters have reported that the Champion trainer Chris Waller has acquired boxes for a satellite stable at the famous Macedon Lodge.
Once finalised, Waller would become the third trainer to have horses out of the private training complex alongside Liam Howley and Andrew Forsman, the latter based in New Zealand and recently acquired stables at Macedon Lodge.
“We are likely to take a few stables at Macedon,” Waller told Punters.
“It won’t be a lot, 20 maximum. We are still working through a few things before it’s set in stone. It’s a great set-up and will greatly help our stayers.”
Begg’s progressive sprinter to tackle Group 3
Grahame Begg’s progressive 3-year-old gelding Katsu (Mikki Isle {Jpn}) will tackle the G3 Sir John Monash S. on Saturday at Caulfield.
But Begg admits the condition of the race won’t suit Katsu but brings recent fitness.
“The horse is up and running,” Begg said.
“Katsu is not well-suited, as it’s a weight-for-age race, and even though he’s a 3-year-old, he’s got to carry 58kg.”
He said Katsu needed to go to the races, and the Sir Monash S. was the most-suitable race for him.
“There’s not much around for him after that, so he’ll have a break and bring him back for the late spring and summer.”
Mileva to debut for new ownership
On Saturday, the Phillip Stokes-trained Mileva (Headwater) will search for back-to-back victories in the G3 Sir John Monash S. at Caulfield.
The 5-year-old mare was offered at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale in May, where Kia Ora Stud purchased her for $700,000. Mileva is on the verge of retirement, and her new connections will be hoping she goes out on top.
“I would say that she will go to stud this year, and this might even be her final race unless I can twist their arm and find something else,” Stokes said.
“The new owners are Kia Ora Stud, and it was good of them to send her back to us.
“There is the Bletchingly S. two weeks later, but she needs everything right to get the 1200 metres.
“She just gets it on a good day, so that's why the 1100 metres is perfect, but, unfortunately, there's not many of them around.”
Singapore winner for Sioux Nation
Singapore-based trainer Michael Clements debuted a son of Sioux Nation (USA), Bakeel, at Kranji in Singapore on Sunday.
The 2-year-old gelding ridden by Manoel Nunes bettered his stablemate Pacific Commander (Written By) and Lim’s Jinba (Jukebox) in a 1200-metre mark.
Bakeel is from the Artie Schiller (USA) mare Top Peak. She was a winner and has produced the three-time winner Toropeak (Toronado {Ire}).
The gelding was a $95,000 yearling purchase by Bevan Smith Bloodstock from the draft of Collingrove Stud at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Kermadec juvenile impresses on debut
The Scott Henly-trained Volcanic Love (Kermadec {NZ}) saluted on debut at Grafton over 1015 metres on Sunday.
The 2-year-old gelding was ridden by Anthony Allen and won by 2.45l from Enterprise Private (The Mission) and Dusan (Exosphere) further away in third. Volcanic Love is from the Street Cry (Ire) mare Looking For Love, who hails from the family of the Group 1 winner Vanbrugh.
The gelding was a bargain $2250 purchase by Scott Henley from the 2022 Magic Millions February Online Sale.
