Deep Field juvenile wins on debut
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Surprise Valley (Deep Field) won on debut at Muswellbrook on Monday. The 2-year-old filly was ridden by Amy McLucas and won by 0.35l from Sir Remlap (Rubick) and Zippo Idea (More Than Ready {USA}).
Surprise Valley is the fourth foal from the Lonhro mare My Goodness. She was a $150,000 yearling purchase by First Light Racing, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the draft of Ashleigh Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Duryea goes out on top
The Corowa-based trainer Geoff Duryea celebrated his last day at the races as a winner when Wild Irish Rover (No Nay Never {USA}) scored at his home track on Monday.
The 3-year-old gelding was partnered by Josh Richards and won by a fantastic 8l from Crimson Rock (Scissor Kick).
“That’s one of the better ways of going out,” Duryea told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“I gave Wild Irish Rover a good chance. I told the owners he’d be hard to beat but not by that much.”
Duryea has been involved in the racing industry for more than 50 years, initially as a jockey and then as a trainer for almost the past four decades.
Duryea’s star galloper Front Page (Magnus) has yet to be moved as connections are still deciding on what stable he will join.
City Of Lights sent for spell
City Of Lights (Deep Impact {Jpn}), the half-sister to the Champion mare Winx (Street Cry {Ire}), has been sent to the paddock in anticipation of a spring preparation.
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained rising 4-year-old was a second emergency in last Saturday’s G3 Winx Guineas and gained a start but didn’t take her place from barrier 16.
City Of Lights | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
The stable confirmed City Of Lights had been sent to spell in Queensland and will be aimed at the spring, although no specific targets have been locked in.
Nature Strip pleasing in pre-training
Champion trainer Chris Waller has been pleased with the signs his Champion Sprinter Nature Strip (Nicconi) showed in pre-training. He is due to enter Waller’s Rosehill stables this week to be prepared for his final spring carnival.
Co-owner Rod Lyons shared on Monday morning he had viewed his rising 9-year-old in the spelling paddock over the weekend.
“He looks terrific,” Lyons told Racing.com. “I was actually up in Sydney on the weekend and went out to see Nature Strip. All reports so far are good, so we’re happy with how he’s coming along.”
Lyons also revealed that Nature Strip would likely tackle the G3 Concorde S. at Randwick on September 2, first-up before running in the G2 The Shorts, a race he won last year.
“We’ll see how he performs in those two races and comes through them, and then Chris will map out a more detailed campaign.”
Golden Slipper nominations close Tuesday
The first round of nominations for the $5 million G1 Golden Slipper will close on Tuesday, July 4 at 3pm AEST. Twenty-twenty-four will mark the 68th renewal of the world’s richest race for 2-year-olds and will run on Saturday, March 24 at Rosehill.
Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering, James Ross, said the Golden Slipper was on a pedestal in Australian and world racing.
“The 2023 renewal further enhanced the worldwide appeal and standing of Sydney’s iconic race with global breeding and racing operation Coolmore winning with Shinzo for trainer Chris Waller and star international jockey Ryan Moore,” Ross said.
“The honour roll of Longines Golden Slipper winners, including Shinzo, Fireburn, Estijaab, Capitalist, She Will Reign and Sebring, continues to enhance the race’s reach for owners across racing, large and small, including syndications, all who have won the race that every owner dreams of celebrating.
“Australia’s breeders and owners all first live this dream by nominating a horse for the Longines Golden Slipper as their horse starts the journey to the ultimate prize.
“It is exciting to see that dream start for all owners and trainers on July 4 and as plans continue for this spring’s first qualifying races in the coming months.
Owners and trainers must lodge first nominations by 3pm AEST on July 4.
Ihts Closing Inn to Belmont Classic?
The Adam Durrant-trained Ihts Closing Inn (Sessions) has pulled up from her victory in last Saturday’s Listed Belmont Oaks, and connections will weigh up if the filly targets the Belmont Classic in a fortnight.
The 3-year-old filly commenced her 13-start preparation in January, but William Pike, who has been the regular in the saddle, felt it was her most dominant win so far.
Ihts Closing Inn | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“She is doing a great job this horse (Ihts Closing Inn),” Pike told Tabradio.
“I enjoy riding her and her story, going to Geraldton a few times and getting wins and getting beaten. Just the progression she has made all the way through, to capitalise so late and so deep into her preparation for a 3-year-old filly, defies all odds.”
Offers come fast for Knight’s Choice
Saturday’s impressive G3 Winx Guineas hero Knight’s Choice (Extreme Choice) has attracted huge offers from buyers keen to buy the 3-year-old gelding.
Before the victory at the Sunshine Coast, co-trainer John Symons had revealed post-race that the owners had already knocked back offers of up to $1 million for Knight’s Choice.
The son of Extreme Choice is raced by Richard and Kaye Waldron, along with Cameron Bain; the co-trainer said the new offers had given the ownership something to consider.
“My advice is to do what they want to do if they’re enjoying it,” Symons told RSN927 on Monday morning.
“I would leave it completely up to Cameron (Bain). He bought the horses for his dad (Rod Bain) to enjoy; he’s certainly getting some enjoyment now. I haven’t spoken to Cameron yet, but I think he will resist and keep racing here in Australia.”
Mileva chases second Monash
The Phillip Stokes-trained Mileva (Headwater) heads to Caulfield on Saturday in search of back-to-back victories in the G3 Sir John Monash S.
A fifth stakes triumph could sway Kia Ora Stud - the mare’s new owners - to keep her racing. Kia Ora Stud paid $700,000 for Mileva at this year’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale.
“They’re (Kia Ora Stud) saying one and done but I’m hoping to get one or two more out of her,” Stokes told Racenet.
Mileva | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“When they bought her I made a quick phone call to (bloodstock agent) Luke Wilkinson and said, ‘Mate, send her back to me, I’ll run her in that (Sir John Monash) race.'
“I know the 1100 metres at Caulfield is ideal, it’s the pet distance and she’s shown us all the right signs.”
New concussion protocols for Queensland
Racing Queensland will introduce a new 12-day stand-down period for jockeys that suffer head knocks.
Jockeys will be required to present to a doctor for a formal assessment, where they will be ruled out from riding for 12 days if they are diagnosed with concussion.
A medical clearance must be obtained and presented to stewards before they are passed fit to ride.
“The long-term health and wellbeing of our participants remains paramount,” said Racing Queensland chief executive Jason Scott.
“Concussion is not to be taken lightly, and we believe a mandatory 12-day stand-down period is a necessary step to ensure our participants can undertake a period of rest and recovery before being cleared to ride again.
“Importantly, this protocol will also allow for more accurate monitoring of concussions in our sport - both clinical signs and formal diagnosis - and whether any trends exist.”
Murphy with unfinished business in Melbourne
Irish-born jockey Oisin Murphy has declared he has unfinished business at the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival. The star jockey has ridden in the G1 Cox Plate in previous expeditions to Australia and shared it is a race he is keen to add to his elite-level haul.
Murphy may get his chance with the Joseph O’Brien-trained and Ozzie Kheir-co-owned Buckaroo (GB) (Fastnet Rock), who Murphy partnered into third place in the Listed Wolferton S. at Royal Ascot. Kheir has flagged Buckaroo as a potential WS Cox Plate contender in the spring.
Oisin Murphy | Image courtesy of Racingfotos.com
“I was second in a Cox Plate, and I’d love to win a race like that,” Murphy said.
“To ride in any Group 1 in Australia is a privilege. Kheir and his team have bought into Buckaroo, who ran very well in the Wolferton.”
Narredu returns to India
The three-month Australian stint for Champion Indian hoop Suraj Narredu has ended, with Narredu flying back to India on Sunday.
Narredu has won over 2000 races and has been crowned the leading rider four times in his homeland. He rode three winners during his Australian stint. Narredu rode winners at Kilmore, Donald and Cranbourne, including two winners for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
“After riding for three months in Australia, flying back to India today (Sunday) with some great memories,” Narredu enthused.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will return soon to Australia to complete some unfinished business.”
Prebble back in the saddle
Victorian-based apprentice jockey Tom Prebble has returned to riding and hopes to be back race riding next week.
The son of Champion hoop Brett Prebble fell after his saddle slipped at the Cranbourne jump-outs in the middle of May, tearing a ligament in his ankle.
“At first, I didn’t think it was as bad as it was, and I just had an ankle brace and tried to come back to work after two weeks, but it wasn’t the easiest,” Prebble explained.
Tom Prebble | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“I went back to the doctor, who suggested putting me in a moon boot for another two weeks.”
Prebble has ridden 24 winners, returned to riding track work last Thursday and hopes to get clearance on Wednesday, July 5 to return to race riding.
Promising staying duo back in work
Cranbourne-based training pair Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock have welcomed back promising young stayers Aberfeldie Boy (So You Think {NZ}) and Let’sbefrankbaby (Frankel {GB}) in preparation for spring targets.
Aberfeldie Boy has been placed in the G1 VRC Derby and the G1 South Australian Derby, while Let’sbefrankbaby claimed the G3 SA Fillies Classic.
“They’re both back in work now already. Aberfelide Boy stayed in Queensland after the Derby and had a little rest up there; he’s doing some pre-training up there now,” stable foreman Reid Balfour said.
“Let’sbefrankbaby had a couple of weeks off in the paddock back in Victoria, and she’s in training now and just started her kick-off for the spring.”
The stable has yet to cement plans for the rising 4-year-old stayers, but the G1 Melbourne Cup had previously been mentioned for Aberfelide Boy.
“Their ratings (Aberfelide Boy and Let’sbefrankbaby) aren’t overly high, so I’m not too sure where Robbie (Griffiths) and Mat (de Kock) have got mapped out for them. I guess we’ll sit down and work it out shortly.”
