Hayes trio score dream start
The Pakenham-Synthetic meeting on Tuesday provided two newly established training partnerships with a dream start. In the opening event the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman partnership saluted with Runsir (Fighting Sun), while in the fifth race it was the dream welcome for Will Hayes into a training partnership with his brothers Ben and JD Hayes with Powerbound (Power {GB}). Billy Egan partnered the 4-year-old gelding to a narrow victory from La Spezia (Toronado {Ire}).
Hirsch appoints Malady
Prominent Victorian owner Eddie Hirsch has appointed Vincent Malady as the new head trainer at his private training facility, Hirsch Park at Tylden
Malady took over training of around 50 thoroughbreds from John Salanitri, who left Hirsch to train with his brother Frank (Salanitri) at Pakenham.
Hirsch advertised for a new trainer earlier this year and it was confirmed on Monday that Malady had been appointed.
“I am keeping the Geelong base and will be training out of the two places and dividing my time up,” Malady told Racing.com.
“It’s only early doors so we are trying to get a routine in place at Tylden. It’s such a good property, I can’t really believe how good it really is.
“Just to be able to work all day on a property like this is quite appealing and spending time with the horses.”
Kolding retired
The Chris Waller-trained Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) has been retired from racing. The 8-year-old gelding won 11 of his 48 starts, including the inaugural Golden Eagle and a trio of Group 1 victories in the G1 Epsom H., the G1 George Main S. and the G1 All Aged S.
Kolding (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
There were many memorable moments during the career of Kolding, among them a stirring battle with the late Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) in the Epsom H.
The son of Ocean Park (NZ) was bred by W Pegg and raced by Neville Morgan. He was purchased by Mulcaster Bloodstock for NZ$170,000 from the draft of Wentwood Grange at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
Vale Show A Heart
Queensland’s Glenlogan Park was sad to advise that the outstanding stallion, Show A Heart, was humanely euthanised late last week at 25.
Show A Heart won Group 1 races at ages two, three and four, among them the G1 Caulfield Guineas and the G1 Stradbroke H.
Only Anamoe, this century, has achieved Group 1 victories in his 2-, 3- and 4-year-old season.
Show A Heart proved an outstanding stallion and claimed the Champion First Season Sire title, siring over 40 stakes winners.
Show A Heart
Show A Heart has been retired from breeding duties since 2020 and has been living out his retirement in Glenlogan. However, recent times have seen him lose mobility.
“It’s a very sad time for everyone,” Steve Morley of Glenlogan said.
“Show A Heart has been a massive part of our lives for over 20 years; he has done so much for the farm and the industry and set some amazing milestones during his career. We couldn’t be prouder of Show A Heart's impact; he has left a legacy that will influence Australian racing for many years to come.”
Hunt signs off
New Zealand Central Districts caller judge Dick Hunt signed off at Otaki on Saturday. Hunt’s voice has been a signature at the Central Districts and race meetings throughout the lower North Island in a career that has spanned nearly 58 years.
“I started out as an assistant judge at a Wanganui spring meeting in 1972 for the then judge Keith Hatch. I went along to fill in, and on the second day, I became permanent,” Hunt said.
“Keith gradually retired, and I got my first job as a judge at Foxton in 1978 I subsequently became the judge at Trentham, Woodville, Otaki, Masterton and Rangitikei in 1983, Manawatu and Tauherenikau in 1989, Levin in 1990, and Hastings, Waipukurau, Gisborne and Wairoa in 1993.
“I estimate I have judged 36,000 races in the three codes over 45 years.”
Reflecting on his judging career, Hunt said he had many highlights, although one day stands out above the rest.
“When Castletown won his third Wellington Cup, the atmosphere was great. There were 20,000 people there; the place was jam-packed,” he said.
“They had Rod Stewart and Rachel Hunter there, and they sat in a seat right in front of where I was at Trentham. Jonah Lomu was another star there, and he was in his prime in those days.”
Duggan passes away
Champion former jockey John Duggan has passed away. Duggan was indentured to the late Theo Green, like many outstanding riders such as Darren Beadman and Malcolm Johnston, and rode for many champion trainers and, at one stage, was the stable jockey for Bart Cummings.
Duggan claimed the 1976 G1 Golden Slipper on Vivarchi (Wilkes {Fr}) and the 1977 G1 Melbourne Cup on Gold And Black (NZ).
Josh Duggan aboard Gold And Black (NZ) before winning the 1977 G1 Melbourne Cup | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“John Duggan was one of the great jockeys of his time and a natural horseman with immense ability,” said Racing NSW’s Chief Executive, Peter V’landys AM.
“He was an extremely talented rider winning many feature races, including the Golden Slipper and the Melbourne Cup. The industry will miss John, and we would like to pass on our sincere condolences to his family and friends.”
Elliptical arrives in Hong Kong
The former Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Elliptical (Dundeel {NZ}) has landed in Hong Kong and is set to continue his career in the jurisdiction.
The G3 CS Hayes S. victor was placed twice at the elite level in Australia and will now be prepared by four-time Champion Trainer Caspar Fownes. Elliptical arrived with the fellow high-class galloper and Fownes-trainee Awesome John (Awesome Rock) who won the G2 WATC Derby.
Elliptical | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Expat Australian David Hayes has welcomed in Conan Mac Morna (Heroic Valour), an impressive Seymour winner when trained by Richard Cully.
NZB’s Ready to Run Sale Trainers’ Series to kick of August 9
New Zealand Bloodstock announced their NZB’s Ready to Run Sale Trainers’ Series will continue in the 2023/24 season.
Trainers of the series’ winners will be awarded prize packages such as a NZ$500 travel voucher towards travel to the 2023 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka. The first race of the series is set to kick off at Canterbury on Wednesday, August 9, and will conclude on Tuesday, November 7 at Pukekohe.
Responsible for the initial development of the series, NZB’s Jim Bruford is pleased to see the uptake implemented again for the fourth consecutive year.
“Our domestic buying bench has really stepped up over the last two years at the Ready to Run Sale,” he commented.
“While we are always excited to welcome international buyers to Karaka, we would also like to continue our strong support towards Kiwi-based trainers who wish to attend the sale.
“Last season we had 10 different trainers win the prize package, many of which utilised the sponsorship and subsequently purchased from the sale.
“With the additional NZ$20.2 million funding announced recently by NZTR, there is certainly every reason for New Zealand trainers to add new stock to their racing teams,” Bruford said.
Wiseman brutally attacked
Darwin-based jockey Sonja Wiseman has been left in a brutal state after she was viciously attacked outside her home by a group of men attempting to steal her car.
Wiseman went outside to retrieve something she had left in her car when the side window was shattered by a rock.
“I looked up to my left and there was a group of 10 to 15 men. I don’t know if they initially knew I was in the car but as soon as I looked up, they all started laughing,” Wiseman recounted.
Sonja Wiseman | Image courtesy of Darwin Turf Club
“I instantly locked my door and tried to get the keys to turn the ignition. But I was too freaked out and forgot for the life of me how to use the clutch. These men were literally like a pack of coyotes going on a hunt.”
Wiseman, 31, was set to get married in three weeks and ride in the Darwin Cup next Monday on Lethal Encounter (Squamosa) but that is now in doubt.
Whip rules amended again by BHA
Following a six-month review of the whip rules, penalty structure and process, additional adjustments have been implemented by the British Horseracing Authority.
The review formed part of the ongoing dialogue and meetings between the BHA, Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and a group of senior jockeys which has been in place since prior to the introduction of the new rules and which has resulted in a number of previous alterations.
Regulations concerning whip use underwent significant changes earlier this year, with the numbers of strikes allowed in Flat and jumps races reduced to six and seven respectively, with a tougher penalty structure for those in breach, including doubled suspensions for major races and disqualification in the most serious of cases.
Among the most recent changes, a single strike over the permitted level by a Flat rider may see the minimum penalty of four days reduced to three days if they have had 100 or more British rides since a previous offence, or two days if they have had 200 or more rides.
Races which incur a double penalty have also been revised and will now apply to all class one races and any class two contest with total prizemoney of £150,000 (AU$290,700) or more, or any class two race restricted to apprentices, conditionals or amateur jockeys only.
Additionally, four offences of use above the permitted level in a six-month period will now result in a referral under the 'totting up' procedure, while the top end of the penalty range has been reduced from six months to four. It remains the case that a rider will be referred to the BHA's judicial panel if they commit five offences of any type in a six-month period.
Sam Angell, chair of the Whip Review Committee, said, “These changes reflect an ongoing process to improve the new whip rules and penalties, while retaining the original objectives, which are to ensure more judicious use of the whip for encouragement, improve the perceptions of whip use and ensure that the outcomes of races are fair.”
