In Secret to Royal Ascot in 2024?
The James Cummings-trained and Godolphin-owned In Secret (I Am Invincible) has proven to be an outstanding sprinter, and has big targets this spring, but the rising 4-year-old’s trainer has revealed In Secret could warrant an international sojourn to Royal Ascot in 2024.
“In Secret would be a really good candidate to tackle a six-furlong sprint race overseas, particularly at Royal Ascot where she would relish the straight course,” Cummings said.
In Secret | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“She will be four by then, so it will be important to get it right with her. In the meantime, she’s got a pretty important spring carnival ahead of her.”
The dual Group 1 victress of the Coolmore Stud S. and the Newmarket H. is set to target the Champions Sprint at Flemington this spring.
Romantic Warrior is the real deal
Champion Jockey James McDonald is adamant the Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) is the real deal. The Danny Shum-trained galloper is expected to travel to Melbourne to target the G1 WS Cox Plate and is slated to run in the G1 Turnbull S. as a lead into the weight-for-age championship at Moonee Valley.
“If Romantic Warrior comes here (Australia), he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with, that’s for sure,” McDonald said.
Romantic Warrior (Ire) | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“He’ll add another dimension to the race, especially the international flavour. I think he’s pretty damn good, I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.
“Romantic Warrior makes his own luck, he’s got a phenomenal turn-of-foot and he can sustain it for 500 metres, and he’s an absolute brute.”
Debut winner for All Too Hard
The Gary and Nichole Searle and Brianna Callanan-trained Gruelling (All Too Hard) was a winner on debut at Balaklava on Sunday.
Jason Holder rode the 2-year-old gelding to win narrowly from Derby Downs (Pariah) and Idracowra (Xtravagant {NZ}).
Gruelling failed to meet his reserve when offered by Willow Park Stud at the 2022 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
All Too Hard will stand the 2023 breeding season for $38,500 (inc GST) at Vinery Stud.
Another winner for Better Than Ready
On Sunday, the Lyndhurst Stud Farm-based Better Than Ready sired his 20th juvenile winner for the 2022/23 season when Don’t Cha Wish saluted at the Sunshine Coast.
The 2-year-old filly trained by Chris Anderson was having her fourth start, and ridden by James Orman broke through for a dominant 4.5l victory from Torque Nowor Never (Shalaa {Ire}).
Don’t Cha Wish was a $100,000 yearling purchase by Chris Anderson Racing, Steve Morley Bloodstock, Bill Davison and Geoff Maynard when offered by Telemon Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.
Better Than Ready will stand the 2023 breeding season for $27,500 (inc GST).
Smart debut winner for Invader
The Kristen Buchanan-trained Stenson Wallman (Invader) looks one to follow after blitzing his rivals at Muswellbrook on Sunday.
Koby Jennings partnered the 2-year-old colt for a 3.07l victory from Tilussion (Russian Revolution), while Hoo Haa (Denman) finished further away in third.
Stenson Wallman was a $21,000 yearling purchase by Trilogy Racing from the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.
Invader will stand the 2023 breeding season at Aquis for $11,000 (inc GST)
Bine successful on debut
On Sunday at Hobart the Adam Trinder-trained Bine (Needs Further) was successful on debut over 1100 metres. The 2-year-old filly was ridden by Erica Byrne Burke and won by 1l from La Virago (Tough Speed {USA}) and Battle Award (Shamus Award) finishing further away in third.
Bine was a $65,000 yearling purchase by A List Stud when offered by B K Baker at the 2022 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale. The filly was then reoffered at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YO In Training Sale where Prime Thoroughbreds paid $20,000 for her.
Needs Further will stand the 2023 breeding season at Armidale Stud, Tasmania for $5500 (inc GST).
Foote set to join father in new season training partnership
Ryan Foote is set to join his father, Ben Foote in training come the new season on Tuesday, August 1.
Foote, 20, shared the COVID-19 lockdown renewed his desire to train the animals he grew up around.
“I have always liked them (horses), but when I was younger I was off and on with them,” Foote said.
“When COVID hit, I came back to start working for my father (Ben) full-time and I developed a new passion for horses. I am really looking forward to going into partnership, especially with my dad because he is great at what he does.
“He is a good teacher and I still have a lot more to learn from him. I am thrilled to be in partnership with him.”
The new father-and-son training duo are looking at a potential Australian spring raid with a few of their stable runners.
“We are always open to that (travelling), but the horses have to put their best foot forward before we even look at those options.”
What You Need ready to rumble
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained What You Need (Supido) has some lofty aims this spring, with trainers indicating the unbeaten colt’s main aim is the $20 million The Everest.
There is potential the rising 4-year-old could clash with the reigning The Everest champion Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) and the G1 TJ Smith S. winner and The Everest contender I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) in the G2 McEwen S. at Moonee Valley on September 9.
“You can only program your horse where you can program your horse in the right race,” Price said.
What You Need, winner of the Listed Sunlight Classic | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“The other option is the Bobbie Lewis Quality, as we’ve seen he’s (What You Need) a super straight six horse, but Ben Melham said he would handle the Valley (Moonee Valley) without a problem.”
Price also confirmed to Racing.com that What You Need’s connections have been in discussion regarding a slot in The Everest.
Zaaki to defend Champions S. crown
Warwick Farm-based trainer Annabel Neasham revealed her star galloper Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) would likely defend his title in the G1 Champions S. at Flemington during the spring.
“I think that’s where Zaaki will head. It would probably be crazy not to, having won it the last two years,” Neasham said.
Dual G1 Champions S. winner Zaaki (GB) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He seems to love the 2000 metres at Flemington. He loves Flemington, he won The All-Star Mile there as well. Hopefully, that’s where the preparation will culminate.”
Neasham revealed Zaaki is set to resume in the G2 Tramway S. at Randwick on September 9, which he’s won the past two editions off.
Zaaki's equally talented stablemate Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) will resume in the G1 Winx S.
Debut victor for the late Spieth
The Joshua King-trained Highbar (Spieth {NZ}) made his first trips to the races, a winning one at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.
The 2-year-old gelding was ridden by Mark Du Plessis and scored in impressive fashion by 4.8l from Noble Intent (Siyouni {Fr}) and Switch And Slide (Sidestep) further away in third. Highbar was bred and co-owned by Windemere Stud and is the first foal from the Zizou mare Angel Dane.
Daughter of Power breaks through
The Joe Cleary-trained Kiss The Colours (Power {GB}) broke though at start five at the Sapphire Coast on Sunday.
The 2-year-old filly with Jess Taylor in the saddle scored an upset victory by 1.38l from Shecanmixit (Danerich) and Kool Bird (Duporth) further away in third.
Kiss The Colours was a $16,000 yearling purchase by Joe Cleary from the draft of Oaklands Stud at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.
Power (GB) will stand the 2023 breeding season for $13,250 (inc GST) at Oaklands Stud, Queensland.
Laced Up Heels to tackle Golden Eagle
Cranbourne-based trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are looking to have several runners aimed at the $10 million the Golden Eagle this spring, amongst the gallopers mentioned is the recent acquisition Laced Up Heels (Toronado {Ire}).
“I’m trying to win the Golden Eagle this year with three horses: Golden Path, Laced Up Heels and maybe Amenable,” Price told Punters.
Laced Up Heels | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“You’ve got to, don’t you? Ten million (dollars in prizemoney). Laced Up Heels is a nice filly turning mare, while I wouldn’t rate her with Amelia’s Jewel, we’ll be ambitious if we can.
“She’ll race in all black-type races, apart from first-up.”
Amokura kept under wraps
Kris Lees will keep his talented G1 Queensland Oaks victress Amokura (Kermadec {NZ}) away from the G1 Caulfield Cup and G1 Melbourne Cup this season.
“She (Amokura) had six weeks off and is in pre-training at our Gold Coast stable,” Lees said.
“She’ll do a month there before coming back to the Newcastle stable.
“Amokura had six runs in her first preparation and to win a Group 1, she’s come a long way in a short time. There was nothing of Amokura, she was a big rangy thing so physically she has plenty of growing to do,” Lees explained.
“She won’t be ready for the Cups. The logical target for her is the Matriarch S. and if she were to run there possibly the Zipping Classic.”
Felix The Scat moves to Gollan
Punters have reported that Queensland’s premier trainer Tony Gollan has taken over the training of Felix The Scat (Mendelssohn {USA}) for the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival. The 2-year-old colt was formerly trained by Peter and Will Hulbert, and was unplaced in the G1 JJ Atkins S. and the G1 Champagne S.
Felix The Scat’s former trainers indicated they thought the son of Mendelssohn (USA) would have been a prime candidate for the G1 VRC Derby.
Gollan shared to Punters that Felix The Scat had just commenced pre-training and would be aimed at summer races in Queensland.
Goltz signs off
After almost four decades in the saddle, popular Toowoomba-based horseman Ron Goltz has retired.
Goltz has been battling problems with a wrist injury that saw him ride sparingly the last few years and has also kept him from enjoying his other favourite pursuit, golf. He retires with more than 1400 career winners, with his last winner coming aboard the Dale Groves-trained Elizano (Equiano {Fr}) at Toowoomba.
“He'll be sorely missed” – Derby winner Adayar retired
Derby and King George winner Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) has been retired from racing with his trainer Charlie Appleby saying the Godolphin-owned 5-year-old was “a pleasure to train”.
Adayar provided Appleby with a second G1 Derby success at Epsom in 2021 when ridden by Adam Kirby before going on to beat his elders in the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot the following month under William Buick.
He was subsequently beaten in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the G1 Champion S. and only made it to the track twice last season, albeit going close in the Champion S. when beaten just 0.5l by Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}).
Appleby told www.godolphin.com, “Adayar provided the team with two outstanding days on the racecourse at Epsom and Ascot and has been a firm favourite in the yard for the past three seasons. He has been an absolute pleasure to train.
“He will be sorely missed at Moulton Paddocks, but we look forward to watching him in his new career at stud and are quite sure he will be a huge success.”
Lean Mean Machine’s super weekend
The Aquis-based Lean Mean Machine enjoyed a super weekend. On Saturday at Moonee Valley the Clayton Douglas-trained Title Fighter provided his sire with his third individual first-crop winner, and on Sunday at Bairnsdale the Matthew Brown-trained debutant The Longest Yard became his fourth.
Brian Higgins rode the 2-year-old gelding to salute over Middle Child (Dissident) by 1l, and Flower Galley (No Nay Never {USA}) back in third.
Lean Mean Machine | Standing at Aquis Farm
The Longest Yard was passed in at the 2021 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale, and the 2022 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale when offered by his breeder Ponderosa Park.
He was then reoffered at the 2022 Inglis Gold Yearling Sale where Matthew Brown Racing purchased him for $24,000.
Lean Mean Machine will stand the 2023 breeding season for $13,200 (inc GST).
