Banner weekend for Justify as Ramatuelle downs Robert Papin rivals
Hot on the hooves of 'TDN Rising Star' City Of Troy (USA) notching an impressive tally in Newmarket's G2 Superlative S., Christopher Head trainee and 'TDN Rising Star' Ramatuelle (USA) embellished her sire Justify's (USA) banner weekend with a spectacular performance in Sunday's G2 Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly.
“She is so good, she behaves like an older filly and is a true professional already,” Head explained in the aftermath of collecting a first win in the contest, which stemmed the flow of nine consecutive overseas winners. “She is not the most physically impressive filly, but it is the engine that matters most. I am very lucky to train her and very grateful to the partners. I don't really know if she will stay further, but that's not the point at the moment. We shall now concentrate on the G1 Prix Morny and will do our best to get her there in great shape. It is another very exciting challenge.”
The prominent Australian identity Matthew Sandblom is involved in Ramatuelle. The filly was a €100,000 (AU$170,700) yearling purchase by Arthur Hoyeau, MyRacehorse, Monceaux and Hollymount Stud and partners.
Warrior locks in Turnbull
Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) will likely target the G1 Turnbull S. in the lead-up to his G1 WS Cox Plate assault.
“Our plan is to run Romantic Warrior in the Turnbull S. at Flemington,” trainer Danny Shum said.
“At this stage, the horse will leave Hong Kong in mid-September for Australia, and we are excited to participate in the Melbourne spring carnival.”
Windstorm on the comeback trail
The Bob Peters owned and -bred Windstorm (Redoute’s Choice) has not been seen on a racetrack for nearly three years but may return in Saturday’s G3 Bletchingly S. at Caulfield.
“Windstorm has had a few things go wrong for him, and he’s needed a long time to get over it all. You just never know how they are going to come back, but he’s jumping out on Tuesday, and if he goes well, he’ll likely run on Saturday,” Peters told Racing.com.
Windstorm | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He’s got a lot of ability at his best.”
The rising 7-year-old had won the Listed Weekend Hussler S. earlier in his career and had won seven of his 12 starts.
Exceed And Excel juvenile winner
The Mark Gee-trained Speed Of Light (Exceed And Excel) scored on debut at Goulburn over 1000 metres. The 2-year-old colt was ridden by Jean Van Overmeire and won by 1.16l from Shecanmixit (Danerich) and Norris (Nicconi) in third.
Speed Of Light is from the Strategic Maneuver mare Tempt Me Not. She was a three-time victress and won the G3 PJ Bell S.
The colt was a $700,000 yearling purchase by China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock and Trilogy Racing from the draft of Newgate Farm at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Begg’s stars have plenty of options
Cranbourne-based trainer Grahame Begg has stated there are plenty of options for his returning stable stars Magic Time (Hellbent), Lunar Flare (Fiorente {Ire}) and Nonconformist (Rebel Raider).
“There are plenty of options for Magic Time in the spring. She’s shown to be versatile and is an exciting horse; Magic Time is a few weeks off trialling,” Begg said.
“Lunar Flare arrived back in the stable last week after having a nice break up in Queensland; at this stage, she’ll run in the Feehan, Underwood and Turnbull, and then we’ll decide what her next run will be. Nonconformist needs a dry track; we’ll look to get him back to the Caulfield Cup again.”
Far Too Easy to target The Kosciuszko
The David McColm-trained Far Too Easy (All Too Hard) will set for a first-up bid in the $2 million The Kosciuszko following a recent third in the Listed Ramornie H. at Grafton.
“He’s (Far Too Easy) is a horse of a lifetime. Horses like him just don’t always come along, and he’s been absolutely super for us,” McColm told Punters.
“We’ll set him for The Kosciuszko first-up. We’ll give him at least two trials, maybe three, and hopefully, we can go one better than what we did last year.”
Mr Brightside ready to rock
The Ben and JD Hayes-trained Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) is set to get the first step of his spring preparation out of the way when he returns in a jump-out on Friday at Flemington.
The dual G1 Doncaster H. and The All-Star Mile hero left Lindsay Park’s Euroa stable for Flemington last week. Co-trainer JD Hayes explained the G2 PB Lawrence S. in August is the likely kick-off point for the son of Bullbars.
“Mr Brightside is coming to hand very well. We are looking forward to seeing how he keeps progressing throughout this preparation,” Hayes said.
“He’s going to have two jump-outs before he goes to the races. The jump out on Friday will be to blow the cobwebs out. The second jump-out will be one with more intent.”
Hayes also advised the Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel {Ire}) and the Per Incanto (USA)-sired pair of Little Brose and Marble Arch (NZ) will likely be seen in late July or early August.
Imperatriz's spring goal identified
Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis CNZM has confirmed the likely spring preparation for their star galloper Imperatriz (I Am Invincible).
Ellis flagged the G1 Champions Sprint as the mare’s primary goal in the spring, with the G1 Manikato S. and the G1 William Reid S. to be used as preparation runs.
Imperatriz | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I think Imperatriz is better left-handed, and we are pretty keen on the Champions Sprint,” Ellis told Punters.
“That’s the race I’d like to have her peaking for. Imperatriz is thriving and doing well, and we’re thrilled with her.”
Blue blood wins on debut
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Negotiations (I Am Invincible) saluted on debut at Echuca on Monday.
The 3-year-old gelding was ridden by Harry Coffey by 0.75l from Princess Halo (The Brothers War {USA}) and Stellar Eagle (Russian Revolution) in third.
Negotiations is the first foal from the star Not A Single Doubt mare Secret Agenda. She was a seven-time winner claiming the G1 Robert Sangster S. and the G2 Sapphire S.
The gelding was a $750,000 yearling purchase by Blueblood Thoroughbreds, Ciaron Maher Racing and Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Cressfield at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Racing NSW notify of distance amendments for upcoming events
Racing NSW have amended the distance of the upcoming staying program scheduled for Wagga later in July and August.
The Riverina Cup Prelude BM74 H. on Monday, July 24 has been amended to 2000 metres from 2500 metres, while the Riverina Cup on Sunday, August 13, has been changed to 2500 metres from 3800 metres.
Golden Gate to cease operations
In order to focus on its racing and training venues at Santa Anita Park and San Luis Rey Downs, The Stronach Group will close Golden Gate Fields in Northern California at the end of its 2023 racing meet, the organization said in a release late on Sunday.
With the goal of increasing field sizes and adding another day of racing to the weekly racing calendar at Santa Anita Park, come Jan. 2024, officials hope this consolidation will serve to further elevate the overall customer experience at Santa Anita Park.
“The Stronach Group remains steadfastly committed to racing in California,” said Belinda Stronach, Chairwoman, Chief Executive Officer and President, The Stronach Group. “We believe that the future success of racing depends on a business model that encourages investment in Southern California, one of North America's premier racing circuits. Focusing on Santa Anita Park and San Luis Rey Downs as state-of-the-art racing and training facilities that offer enhanced program quality, increased race days, expanded wagering opportunities, and premier hospitality and entertainment experiences is vital to ensuring that California racing can continue to compete and thrive on a national level.”
