Daily News Wrap

Air Force Blue mare tops Magic Millions Online Sale

Winless mare Blue Vapor Trail (USA) (Air Force Blue {USA}) made a sale-best $180,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Online Sale (31 July - 3 August), which concluded on Thursday.

Blue Vapor Trail, who raced three times in the US and failed to finish in the top three, was offered by Golden Gully Thoroughbreds, and is in foal to sire sensation Justify (USA).

She was bought by Yulong Investments.

The mare is from the Mr Greeley (USA) mare Groton Circle (USA) and she herself is a half-sister to the Listed winner Abraham (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}) and the stakes performer Beat The Benchmark (Speightstown {USA}).

Blue Vapor Trail is a half-sister to the Listed scorer Supreme Aura (USA) (Candy Ride {Arg}).

Meanwhile, the dual Listed victress Charmmebaby (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) was knocked down to Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) for $120,000. She was consigned by Glen Milligan.

The 7-year-old has amassed $593,015, having won nine of 40 starts.

She is from the winning Zabeel (NZ) mare Lithe, making her a half-sister to the Listed winner Vija King (NZ) (Viking Ruler).

Caulfield Cup may have two Japanese runners

At last two Japanese gallopers are set to be among next week’s final nominations for the $5 million G1 Caulfield Cup, according to Racing.com.

Connections of the Group 3 victress Win Mighty (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}) and the Group 2 winner Breakup (Jpn) (Novellist {Ire}) have paid the entry fee ahead of Tuesday's final nominations call.

The Caulfield Cup hasn’t had a Japanese runner since 2020.

Japan has had success in the race, with Admire Rakti (Jpn) - a son of Heart’s Cry (Jpn) - victorious in 2014 and Mer De Glace (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) first home in 2019.

Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) executive director of racing Jake Norton said the nominations are encouraging, but their participation is far from guaranteed.

“At this stage, the nominations of the two horses from Japan has caused a lot of excitement but there is a long way to go with the additional welfare protocols that have been in place over the past few years,” Norton told Racing.com.

“It is a huge challenge to come but certainly we’ve been encouraged by the nominations and, fingers crossed, they can both be part of the 2023 Caulfield Cup.”

Prizemoney boost for The Quokka

Western Australia’s slot race, The Quokka, will carry a prize purse of $5 million from next year after a $1 million cash injection.

The inaugural The Quokka was run earlier this year and the Bjorn Baker-trained Overpass (Vancouver) topped the local star Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}).

“Taking the Quokka up to $5 million places it right in the top echelon of thoroughbred races across the country and confirms our resolve to keep public attention on WA during the autumn racing carnival,” Racing and Wagering Western Australia chief executive Ian Edwards said.

In further changes, the Nullarbor harness race has been boosted to $1.25 million and the Sandgroper greyhound race goes up to $600,000. The three races make up The TABtouch Western Trilogy.

“The TABtouch Western Trilogy is a bold and innovative concept we successfully launched this year and we intend to build its importance into the future,” added Edwards.

“We look forward to putting Perth in the spotlight and attracting the interest of all Australian racing fans.”

Moir target for Asfoora

Star mare Asfoora (Flying Artie) will be aimed towards the G1 Moir S. at The Valley on September 29, as connections seek to make the 5-year-old a Group 1 winner before she heads to the breeding shed.

Already a Group 2 victress, Asfoora has placed in top company, finishing third in this year’s G1 Oakleigh Plate.

When asked what her spring target is, trainer Henry Dwyer told RSN Racing & Sport: “Probably the Moir second-up, that seems to be her peak run. Whatever happens after that… we’ll be dictated by what happens in the Moir.

“She needs to win a Group 1 and that’s the only 1000 or 1100-metre option in the spring.”

Dwyer said Asfoora is likely to resume in the G3 The Heath 1100 at Caulfield on September 3.

Moore lauds Paddington

Champion jockey Ryan Moore has lavished praise on gun colt Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) after the Ballydoyle-raced galloper was brilliant in winning the G1 Sussex S. at Goodwood on Wednesday.

“He’s won on fast and very bad ground here over a mile and a mile and a quarter and you can ride him however you like, it doesn't matter,” Moore said

“He’s a very unique horse - every time he comes to the races he feels like he loves it. Some people say he’s taken us by surprise, but I can assure you he hasn’t because all this year he’s shown he’s a very good horse.

“It is a hard thing to say, but he gives you the feel that he might be as good a horse as I have ridden. He is exceptional. Someone asked me yesterday if he would go on this ground and I said, ‘He would go on snow’.”

Paddington’s victory - his seventh on the bounce - earns him a spot in this year’s Cox Plate and there is no doubt the Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) will be doing everything in its power to get him to Melbourne for the October 28 showpiece.

First Group winner for Blue Point

The Michael Appleby-trained Big Evs (Ire) handed Blue Point (Ire) his maiden stakes success when taking out the Listed Windsor Castle S. at Royal Ascot in June, and on Wednesday, the colt became his sire’s first Group winner when he prevailed in the G3 Molecomb S. at Goodwood.

With Jason Hart in the saddle, Big Evs made all in the 1000-metre (five furlongs) contest and scored by a neck.

“I don't think he really liked the (Heavy) ground, but he has toughed it out and done that very well,” said Appleby.

“He is as tough as anything and very quick, but that ground just blunted his speed.

“I think the (G1) Nunthorpe is a realistic target, but a 2-year-old has not won the Nunthorpe since Kingsgate Native (in 2007).”

Blue Point will again shuttle to Darley’s Northwood Park at a fee of $44,000 (inc GST) this spring.

So Si Bon retired

After 95 starts, evergreen galloper So Si Bon (So You Think {NZ}) has run his final race, with connections confirming his retirement.

Now 10, the gelding won nine races and placed on 23 occasions, amassing earnings of $2.3 million. He won four stakes races, including two Group 3s, and contested 26 Group 1 events (he finished second in the 2019 G2 Memsie S.).

So Si Bon debuted for Robbie Laing in June 2016, before being transferred to the Lindsay Park stable in late-2017.

“He has been an incredibly special horse to us all,” said co-trainer Ben Hayes.

“Remarkably, he has been the soundest horse to ever be trained here at Lindsay Park Euroa, which is highlighted through his durability and consistency over the years.

“To have run at stakes level 61 times throughout his 95-start career is simply amazing and very rare.

“He will be missed around the stable by every single one of our staff members.

“He has been a stalwart and a pin-up of our operation, season after season, and undoubtedly one of our favourites.”

TJ hero’s hitout pleases Coleman

Reigning G1 TJ Smith S. winner I Wish I Win (NZ) continued his build-up to a return to the track with a jump-out at Pakenhaam on Wednesday, and co-trainer Katherine Coleman said the (Savabeel) gelding did everything that was asked of him.

“He was just out there for an easy time, he wasn’t asked for an effort, he was just there to stretch his legs and blow the cobwebs out,” Coleman told Racing.com.

“He pulled up very well in the wind immediately after and he seems to have come through it well.”

The Moody-Coleman stable hasn’t finalised a first-up target for I Wish I Win, who will run in this year’s The Everest in October.

Pethica joins Newgate Farm

Melbourne-born Lachie Pethica has joined Newgate Farm in a nominations and sales role.

Pethica was the top trainee on the 2021-2023 Godolphin Flying Start and his extensive education in the industry also includes the Irish National Stud Course, as well as hands-on experience with trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman, and studs such as Yarraman Park and Three Bridges.

Pethica will play a crucial role in Newgate’s stallion business, liaising with clients, and representing Newgate at major sales events.

“We are delighted to welcome Lachie Pethica to the Newgate family. As the gold medal winner from the Godolphin Flying Start, and a young man who is both knowledgeable and driven, Lachie is an important addition to our team and someone who can add a lot of value to our shareholders and customers,” said Henry Field, Newgate’s managing director.

Lachie expressed his excitement at joining Newgate, stating: “I am thrilled to be joining the Newgate team. It’s an exciting time to be involved, with the farm’s growing global reputation for innovation and excellence. I have long admired the vision and growth Henry has overseen in the business and I look forward to working alongside the Newgate team and our clients”.

Patterson chases elusive stakes success

New Plymouth-based-based trainer Robbie Patterson admits Saturday’s G3 Winter Cup at Riccarton may be the final start for his five-time victress Secret Amour (NZ) (Niagara) in his care.

The 7-year-old mare has been placed in stakes company on five occasions, including twice this preparation, and Patterson is hoping for a perfect farewell, should this be her final run for him.

“This may well be her last start. She will end up in Aussie and will be bred from there,” Patterson said.

“With a bit of luck, hopefully, she can get a bit more black-type for them.”

Bosson’s feedback key to Dragon Leap’s campaign

Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott will wait for the post-race comments of star jockey Opie Bosson before finalising a spring campaign for their dual Group 2 victor Dragon Leap (Pierro).

Dragon Leap will resume under Bosson in Saturday’s 1100-metre open handicap at Ruakaka and will shoulder 62kg.

“Opie knows him so well and will get off and give us great feedback on how the horse is going and how we go forward,” Scott told loveracing.co.nz.

“The most important part will be analysing the horse’s performance and Opie will do that, he will let us know if we set our sights high or otherwise.

“We would like to go to the Foxbridge Plate (G2, 1200 metres) and down to Hastings, but his form is going to have to warrant all that and we’re just going to take it one race at a time and see what happens.”

Warren eyes Manikato for Benedetta

Mornington-based trainer Jason Warren has opted for a BM84 race, instead of the G3 Aurie’s Star, for the first-up run for his promising mare Benedetta (Hellbent).

“The Flemington 1200 metres can be pretty testing and at that level (the Aurie's Star) and with a long prep ahead of us, we’re better off taking the softer option,” Warren told Racing And Sports.

Benedetta will be aimed towards the G1 Manikato S. at The Valley on October 27.

“We’ve got an eye on the Manikato and I guess we work back from there,” Warren said.

“The Cockram Stakes is probably a nice race for her second-up, but the races will identify themselves as we move forward.”

Father-daughter duo chase milestone

The training partnership of Stewart and Taylah Mackinnon are hopeful promising filly Allow Me (Spirit Of Boom) can hand them their first city winner at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Allow Me - a winner on debut at the Sunshine Coast on July 16 - will contest Race 3 - the QTIS 3-Year-Old BM70 H. over 1200 metres.

The Mackinnons started their training partnership last October. They have 10 horses in work at Caloundra and celebrated their biggest win in June when Wine Not Roses (Mikki Isle {Jpn}) claimed the Kilcoy Cup.

“I’m really enjoying training with Dad and hopefully we’re a chance of getting our first city win together,” Taylah told Racing Queensland.

“This is a step up for her but she’s a good chance.

“She did a lot wrong at her first start when she was very green but she hasn’t gone backwards since.”

Pride hopes for promising signs from Argentia

Talented mare Argentia (Frankel {GB}) will make her debut for Joseph Pride on Saturday and the Warwick Farm-based trainer can’t wait to see how the well-bred two-time Group 3 winner performs.

Argentia, who was formerly with Anthony and Sam Freedman, will contest the G2 Missile S. at Rosehill.

“I was rapt when (owner/breeder) John (Camilleri) rang me and gave me the opportunity to train her and I wasn’t disappointed when she came off the float,” Pride told Racing NSW.

“It’s the perfect scenario for her to show us she’s still got it.

“She's mixed her form over her past couple of preps, there’s been glimpses but she’s mixed it, and this is her opportunity to go right on with it.”