Daily News Wrap

Jamaea for Inglis Digital

The 4-year-old mare Jamaea (Headwater) will be among another high-profile catalogue for Inglis Digital later this month, featuring in the July (Late) Online Sale. She will join such recent graduates of the platform as Another Award (Shamus Award), who sold for $1.2 million on Wednesday, as well as More Aspen (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}) and Daisies (Sebring).

Jamaea will be offered by her connections, which includes managing owner Bruce Noble, after a lucrative career that provided wins in the Group 2 pair of the Furious S. and Percy Sykes S. She was third in the G3 Light Fingers S. last year, and second in the G3 Toy Show Quality for co-trainers Robert and Luke Price at Kembla Grange.

“We knew from day one that she was special,” Robert Price said. “She’s the fastest filly we’ve ever trained and, as she proved time and again, she was one of the fastest fillies in what was one of the strongest 2-year-old crops of recent times.”

Jamaea was a $130,000 yealing for Robert Price Racing, bought from Cressfield at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She has won over $1 million in prizemoney and is available for inspection from Tuesday, July 14, by appointment at Cannon Hayes Stud in the Hunter Valley. Contact Dave Morrissey on 0417 667 202 to arrange details.

Entries for the Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale will close at midnight on Wednesday, July 19. Bidding will close on Wednesday, July 26.

Zoumon wins the Grafton Cup for Tulloch Lodge

The 4-year-old Zoumon (Zoustar) took out the Listed Grafton Cup on Thursday in convincing, 2.2l fashion for his Randwick trainers, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. It continued a strong run of form for the gelding after two straight, last-start victories in the Listed WJ McKell Cup at Rosehill and Listed Caloundra Cup at the Sunshine Coast.

Zoumon was ridden in the Grafton Cup by Rachel King and, with a handy barrier two and a crafty, front-running ride, the gelding led home a city-based charge of John Sargent’s Outlandos (Dissident) and Annabel Neasham’s Spirit Ridge (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}). He was a $2.50 favourite.

Zoumon, in Mt Hallowell Stud colours, has now won eight of his 20 starts for Tulloch Lodge and has edged over $730,000 in prizemoney. Speaking to Sky Racing after the win, Bott said the gelding had gone from strength to strength this preparation.

“It’s just great to have a nice, consistent horse like him in good form,” he said. “He knows how to win. He’s got a great racing pattern and he’s tough. Importantly, he’s improved every time he’s stepped out. If there’s further improvement there, he might be featuring in some of those spring carnival races because he won with a fair bit of authority today.”

HKTBA inaugurated in ceremony

The Hong Kong Thoroughbred Breeders’ Alliance (HKTBA) was inaugurated on Wednesday night in a ceremony officiating the first executive committee. The HKTBA was officially established on June 5, with its main ambition to promote and strengthen the understanding and knowledge of thoroughbred breeding among Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) owners. Equally, the group is hoping to develop alliances between global, international and mainland breeders around the world.

The inaugural chairman of the HKTBA is Mr Apollo Ng, a voting member of the HKJC. He is joined as vice-chairpersons by David Boehm, Nicola Chu, Josiah Ms and Martin Siu. The honourary secretary is Ian Sham, honourary legal advisor TC Chan, and honourary auditor Jason Liu.

The ceremony on Wednesday was attended by the committee and invited guests, including Swettenham Stud’s Adam Sangster and HKJC stewards and members. Congratulatory messages were received from Yulong’s Mr Yuesheng Zhang, John Messara and Minty Farquhar, among others around the world.

‘Congratulations on the establishment of the HKTBA,’ wrote Messara. ‘The Alliance will provide a vehicle for thoroughbred breeders in Hong Kong, and others interested in breeding thoroughbreds, to join together in the quest for knowledge and friendships in the breeding capitals of the world, including Australia. My farm, Arrowfield, would welcome visits from members of the Alliance in the future.’

Victorian apprentice claim changes

Racing Victoria (RV) on Thursday announced amendments to its application of the three-tier claiming system for apprentices, following consultation with the Victorian Jockeys’ Association (VJA). The changes will take effect from the start of the new season on August 1, and are designed to better align the Victorian model with other jurisdictions.

Victorian tracks will now be either ‘metropolitan’, ‘provincial’ or ‘other’, replacing the existing ‘metropolitan’, ‘TAB’ and ‘Non-TAB’, and this change aligns itself more closely with the Australian Rules of Racing and the three-tier claiming system, according to a statement on Thursday from RV.

“This change will be introduced, in part, to resolve the competitive disadvantage that many Victorian apprentices had experienced under the previous model,” said Jamie Stier, RV’s executive general manager of integrity services.

“In addition, the new system is designed to create increased opportunities for our apprentice jockeys to progress through the ranks, gain more riding experience, ride more winners and, ultimately, help them to establish a better foothold in their early careers, which in turn will help with their transition to the senior riding ranks.”

Veight back with the McEvoys

Two-year-old star Veight (Grunt {NZ}), a barnstorming debut winner in February and subsequently a winner of the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce S. in March, has been back with trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy for a month ahead of spring riches. It’s likely the colt will aim towards the G1 Caulfield Guineas third-up.

“He was a bit of a big kid last preparation,” Tony McEvoy told Racing.com. “I just think he is going to be so much better this time in. We are going to try to get him to the Caulfield Guineas. We feel he is good enough.”

Veight was fourth to Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) in the G1 ATC Sires’ Produce S. in the autumn. On pedigree, his trainers didn’t nominate him for any of the season’s early races, presuming he would be a stronger 3-year-old. The colt was a $220,000 purchase for the stable with Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, to which he was consigned by Sledmere Stud.

Gollan-trained stars to head to Melbourne for the spring

R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic heroine Skirt The Law (Better Than Ready) and Listed-winning stablemate Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) will be aimed towards feature races in Melbourne this spring. Trainer Tony Gollan admitted “there is huge money in Sydney, but the program looks good for my spring horses in Melbourne this year”.

"Skirt The Law will jump out at Eagle Farm next Tuesday and then she will look to resume at Caulfield next month,” Gollan told News Corp. "I want to have a look at the straight with her when in Melbourne and then that gives us options like thinking about whether she could head towards the (G1) Coolmore (Stud S.).”

Antino is likely to kick off at Flemington in mid-September in a 1400 metre Listed race, with his main goal being the G1 Toorak H.

New juvenile winner for Better Than Ready

The Brett Baker-trained Toute Sweet (Better Than Ready) became his sire’s 17th individual 2-year-old winner of 2022/23 when he dead-heated in Race 2 at Ipswich at his third start. Better Than Ready’s juveniles have tallied a combined 27 wins this season, which is second only to Russian Revolution in Australia.

Gosford juvenile winners

Gosford’s Thursday meeting posted 2-year-old winners for the sires Denman, Hellbent and Exceed And Excel. The former came in the shape of Anthony Cummings’ filly Vos Savant (Denman), who scuttled home by 0.36l with Keagan Latham. This filly was second-up after running unplaced behind Taormina (Written Tycoon) a fortnight ago, and she is a homebred for Cummings from the Smart Missile mare Smart Miss.

Hellbent’s winner came in the shape of the Nathan Doyle-trained Boston Rocks, who was first-up for his trainer after transferring from Scott Singleton. The gelding is a son of the Flying Spur mare Spurs and Sashes, herself a sibling to the Group winners Sabatini (Street Cry {Ire}) and Vivi Veloce (More Than Ready {USA}). Boston Rocks was a $100,000 yearling purchase for Scott Singleton and Kurrinda Bloodstock when sold by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds at the Inglis HTBA Sale last year.

At the same meeting, the 2-year-old Godolphin gelding Roussillon (Exceed And Excel) was a winner. It was the horse’s second win in six starts. He is a son of the stakes winner Fitou (Street Cry {Ire}).

Cox Plate horse to debut in the Territory

The former Cox Plate runner Grandslam (Myboycharlie {Ire}) will debut this weekend in the Chief Minister’s Cup in Darwin after a relocation from the stables of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace to Gary Clarke. In 2020, the gelding was the ‘lanterne rouge’ (last-place finisher) in the Cox Plate behind Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), despite being third in the G1 Caulfield Guineas behind Ole Kirk.

Grandslam arrived in the Territory with his stablemate, Thought Of That (So You Think {NZ}), with Clarke trialling the pair on the dirt for the first time recently.

“I trialled them both at Darwin a few weeks ago and they both went pretty ordinary, to be honest,” the trainer told Punters.com. “But so did Playoffs last year, so I don’t read too much into their first trials on the dirt. It’s especially common for stayers to struggle when they first get here because the trials are 900 metres and they’re running 51 or 52 seconds. They just get left behind a bit.”

Positive swab for Gerald Egan runner

Racing Victoria stewards received on Wednesday a report confirming a positive swab from the Gerald Egan-trained Overloaded (Overshare), which was detected in a pre-race urine sample at Wodonga on April 21. The prohibited substance detected was Hydrocortisone, which is not permitted on raceday under the Australian Rules of Racing.

Stewards informed Egan of the irregularity on June 9 and the trainer was later informed of the confirmatory findings. The investigation is ongoing. Overloaded, a 3-year-old gelding, was unplaced in the race in question.

Chollima could be one to watch

Two-year-old Chollima (Starspangledbanner) was an eye-catching winner on debut at Belmont on Wednesday, and her trainer, Darren McAuliffe, said she could be a filly for the future.

“I’ve had pretty big raps on her for a while,” he said. “She’s a lovely filly and is only going to get better with experience. I think the world is her oyster and her future is over a lot further. We haven’t yet revved her up and will let her work it out herself. I went all in with Starspangledbanner when he came to Australia and I think I’m going to be rewarded.”

Chollima is a homebred for her owners, which includes the Impressive Racing syndicate in Western Australia. She is a daughter of the Artie Schiller (USA) mare Cuthbert.

Pike has concerns about Belmont Classic favourite

Champion jockey William Pike has the ride this Saturday aboard Ihts Closing Inn (Sessions), who is running favourite for the Listed Belmont Classic after four consecutive victories. However, Pike told The Races WA this week that he was hoping for a better barrier for the 3-year-old filly, who will jump from the widest alley of nine.

“Pre-barriers I was very happy, but nine of nine is going to be tricky,” he said. “I’m very happy with my decision to ride her, she’s a fantastic chance. But I was definitely more bullish about my chances before I’d seen the barriers. It would be nice if we could pinch one last one with her. It will definitely be the hardest one.”

Koby Jennings edging towards milestone

Jockey Koby Jennings is inching towards a milestone of 50 winners for Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle, with the pair currently sitting on 47 seasonal winners to date. Jennings is already at a personal best of 65 seasonal winners in New South Wales in total, easily his best. On Saturday, he will pilot Doyle's Overriding (Star Turn) on Randwick’s weekend card.

“Most seasons I’ve been out through injury at times, so this time I’ve actually managed to get a full season in, which is good,” the jockey told Ray Hickson. “Overriding impressed me with how versatile she is. She doesn't seem to care where she is ridden. I think I’ve ridden her in just about every style you can except leading.”

Three-year-old Overriding has won her last three races in a row, including a last-start defeat of Miss Hellfire (Hellbent) at Randwick on June 24.

Awtaad gelding tops Day 2 of Tattersalls July Sale

After a fierce battle with a number of agents, including Blandford Bloodstock’s Stuart Boman, Hurworth Bloodstock’s Sam Haggas and French based agent Alessandro Marconi, Harold Kirk came out on top, with the prominent bloodstock agent going to 320,000gns (AU$643,000) for the last-start Limerick maiden winner Ethical Diamond (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) at the second session of the Tattersalls July Sale. The 3-year-old was consigned by Baroda Stud as Lot 516.

Ethical Diamond will be trained by Willie Mullins and may be aimed towards the G1 Melbourne Cup, among other targets that could include Cheltenham.

“He was the one I came for, I can go home now! I knew we’d have big opposition from Australia and I think that is what happened. Australia can’t get them all, and Willie likes taking horses to Australia!,” Kirk said.

“He looks an athletic type, so I can’t see any reason why he won’t take to jumping, he is just a beautiful individual. We are trying to build up a string of Melbourne Cup horses as well as jumpers. Even though we had the Royal Ascot winner this year, for a couple of years in COVID we missed buying a dual-purpose type of horse and there has been a bit of a gap for that sort of horse at Willie’s.”

Blandford Bloodstock purchased four horses for the session, including the Listed winner and Group 3 placegetter Beamish (Fr) (Teofilo {Ire}). He was consigned by Jamie Railton (as agent) as Lot 525 and made 32,000gns (AU$64,000).

Juddmonte filly lands Fairyhouse Group 3

Kodiac (GB) 3-year-old Zarinsk (GB) was a dominant winner of Wednesday’s G3 Brownstown S. at Fairyhouse. The filly is a homebred for Juddmonte Farms and is from the Listed victress Pavlosk (USA) (Arch {USA}), and she herself is a sister to the Listed winner Rostova (USA) and a half-sister to the Group 3 scorer Exhibit One (USA) (Silver Hawk {USA}).

Zarinsk was piloted by Colin Keane for trainer Ger Lyons.

Saratoga Sale catalogue released

Fasig-Tipton on Wednesday released its 235-strong catalogue for the 102nd Saratoga Sale, to be held on August 7-8 at Saratoga Springs in the Humphrey S. Finney Sales Pavilion. This sale is once again ranked top of the major North American yearling sales by percentage of Grade 1 winners and Graded stakes winners to emerge from it, which have in the past included Flightline (USA) and Songbird (USA) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}).

“This year’s Saratoga catalogue is exceptional,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “Our numbers have increased by 10 per cent over last year, and the quality of sire power, pedigrees and physicals are at the top of this year’s yearling crop.”

Perennial US sire Into Mischief (USA) will be represented by 13 yearlings, while leading third-crop sire Gun Runner (USA), who will stand to Southern Hemisphere this spring, will have 14.

Santa Anita’s autumn meeting will feature Breeders’ Cup

Santa Anita will host its 19-day autumn meeting from September 29 this year, included in which will be the 40th Breeders’ Cup World Championship on November 3-4. Breeders’ Cup prep races will dominate the first two weekends of the racing as a total of 31 Graded stakes races will occur across the autumn schedule.

Santa Anita will host its 11th Breeders’ Cup event this year, a record among venues since the event kicked off in 1984.