Grunt winner in Singapore
The Yulong-based Grunt (NZ) looked to have another smart prospect on his hands when the James Peters-trained Last Supper scored a dominant victory under Vlad Duric on debut in Singapore on Sunday.
The 3-year-old gelding was a $62,500 purchase by Hardwicke Racing and Wattle Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Sullivan Bloodstock at the 2022 Inglis Ready2Race Sale.
Grunt (NZ) | Standing at Yulong Stud
Last Supper is the third winner for Grunt who will stand the 2023 breeding season for $22,000 (inc GST).
Kah back in the winner's circle
Jamie Kah returned to race riding after what she described as the ‘hardest five months of her life’ on Saturday in Sydney reuniting with Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) to run third in the G1 Winx S. Kah didn’t have to wait long, returning to Victoria on Sunday at Cranbourne, Kah scored a last-gasp victory aboard the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained All Black (Snitzel).
“I was thinking ‘we’re going to run a nice second here,’ I didn’t think he’d be able to get there in time,” Kah said.
“The way he settled, I’d definitely step him up in trip after that. He did everything right, he was relaxed and showed he’s got a nice bit of ability.
“I’m just happy to be back.”
Hanseatic’s sister breaks maiden
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Austmarr (Exosphere) broke her maiden at start three on Sunday at Cranbourne. The Godolphin-owned 3-year-old filly was ridden by Jordan Childs and scored a dominant victory from Alsonso (Zoustar) and Raetihi (NZ) (Savabeel).
Austmarr is a half-sister to the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings) victor Hanseatic, who stands at Rosemont Stud.
Austmarr is also a half-sister to the Group 3 placegetter Frost Flowers (Frosted {USA}).
Prime Thoroughbreds celebrates 1000th win
Joe O’Neill’s Prime Thoroughbreds celebrated its 1000th win on Sunday at Devonport with Vivilici (Needs Further).
The 6-year-old mare trained by Adam Trinder was a $35,000 purchase by Prime Thoroughbreds from the draft of Armidale Stud at the 2019 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale.
Vivilici’s sixth career win provided a landmark moment as it was the 1000th win that O’Neill has syndicated.
Giga Kick to have Cranbourne hitout
The reigning The Everest hero Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) is set to reunite with Craig Williams on Monday morning in a Cranbourne jump-out.
Cranbourne racecourse will host four trials before the reminder of the heats will be held at the nearby training centre.
Among the horses joining Giga Kick in the 800 metre heat will be the smart gallopers Star Patrol (Starspangledbanner), Magic Time (Hellbent) and What You Need (Supido).
Team Snowden’s smart colts ready for kick off
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained King’s Gambit (I Am Invincible) and Don Corleone (Extreme Choice) will step out in barrier trials at Rosehill on Tuesday.
Don Corleone, who was placed in the G1 Sires’ Produce S. will be having his second trial as he readies for a likely return in the G2 Run To The Rose on September 9, while the G1 Golden Slipper placegetter King’s Gambit could resume in Melbourne.
“They look good,” Paul Snowden said.
Peter and Paul Snowden | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“Don’s (Don Corleone) trial the other day was fine, I was happy with that. He will probably go first-up into the Run To The Rose.
“We haven’t confirmed a kick-off point for King’s Gambit but Melbourne is an option first-up. We might look at the Poseidon S.”
Keys nominates Scheelite for Plate
The Ken and Kasey Keys-trained Scheelite's (Real Steel {Jpn}) main goal this preparation is the G1 Caulfield Guineas, but his co-trainer Ken Keys has also nominated the promising colt for the G1 Cox Plate.
“With the Cox Plate he’s already in but you don’t have a choice with a horse like him,” Keys said.
Scheelite (purple cap) | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“Soul Patch was the best horse I’ve trained. He was a damn good racehorse who wasn’t around long enough. Scheelite is nothing like Rich Enuff as he’s a more relaxed galloper like Soul Patch.”
Rich Enuff was trained by Keys and was beaten by Shooting To Win in the Caulfield Guineas.
Scheelite returned on Saturday in the G3 Vain S. running an eye-catching fifth behind Cylinder (Exceed And Excel).
O’Brien rates Tower Of London as Cup horse
Aidan O’Brien has voted Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) as the horse most likely to represent the Champion Trainer on the first Tuesday in November.
Tower Of London was placed in a Group 3 race in July which saw him pass the G1 Melbourne Cup balloting conditions.
The son of Galileo (Ire) has won three races including the Listed King George V Cup at Leopardstown.
Aidan O'Brien | Image courtesy of Emma Berry
“At the moment, he looks the pick of all ours,” O’Brien said.
“He’s well handicapped, he’s classy and he’s probably a horse that’s not exposed… he looks an exciting prospect.”
Mullins supports in the corner of vet checks
Irish horseman Willie Mullins, the trainer of the current Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), has cleared the first two rounds of the mandatory veterinary inspections.
Vauban now must pass a third and final check in pre-export quarantine in September to then travel to Australia.
The imposed veterinary checks caused some controversy. However, Mullins is not worried and feels it is a needed initiative.
Willie Mullins | Image courtesy of Sarah Farnsworth
“I don’t foresee any problems, Vaubun has never had any issues and I’m hoping everything will go well,” Mullins told Punters.
“I think it's good for racing. We have these checks, we can’t have injuries happen on day, anyhow, the more checks we have to stop them the better.
“I know it annoys a lot of trainers sometimes, but you get used to it, we go racing now (in Ireland) and our horses are checked every day, it enhances our sports, it’s needed.”
Fahy trains first winner
New Zealand-based trainer Sarah Fahy recorded her first victory as a trainer at Ruakaka on Saturday with Let Fly (NZ) (Raise The Flag {GB}).
The 5-year-old mare was ridden by Sam Spratt to record a determined victory from Rum And Rumour (NZ) (Niagara) in the Harcourts Supporting North Haven Hospice Maiden over 1600 metres.
“We’re thrilled, she was certainly ready to go today (Saturday), and we’re glad she could put it all together,” Fahy said.
Sarah Fahy | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“She has a great group of owners who we really appreciate, obviously in very well-known colours (Rod Lyon’s) so we feel lucky we get to train her for them.
“We’ll just wait for the dust to settle; she’s probably destined for Australia once she’s proven herself here.”
Fahy, formerly Sarah Worker, was quick to credit husband Conor Fahy with Let Fly’s triumph, with whom she runs Kawa Park, an agistment, breaking, pre-training and training operation based in Clevedon.
“We’ve got a few breakers and pre-trainers to prepare for Australia, it’s a bit of a mix but that early education is what we’re really good at.”
The couple worked together in Australia at Ciaron Maher’s operation where Worker was logistics and communications manager, and they maintained a connection with their former boss when representing Maher at the Karaka Yearling Sales during COVID.
Among their purchases for the Melbourne Cup-winning trainer was G1 Robert Sangster S. winner Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), a NZ$90,000 purchase out of the Curraghmore draft at the 2021 National Yearling Sales at Karaka.
Dual Grade 1-winning juvenile Cave Rock succumbs to Laminitis
Cave Rock (USA) (Arrogate {USA}), a two-time Grade 1 winner at two and runner-up to eventual champion Forte (USA) (Violence {USA}) in last year's G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, died on Friday, August 18 from complications from laminitis which developed after surgery late last month.
According to a statement from Dr Vince Baker at the SLR Equine Hospital: “On July 28, 2023, after a routine morning of exercise, Cave Rock showed signs of colic while cooling out. He was treated with a tranquiliser and an anti-inflammatory. His vital signs did not improve, so he was sent immediately to SLR Equine Hospital. Upon his arrival, with in-depth diagnostics, it was determined that he had a congenital inguinal hernia, and the small intestine was lodged into the left side of the scrotum.
“Cave Rock was taken into surgery immediately. The surgical procedure required the resection of eighteen inches of small intestine. Recovery was routine and went very well, until signs of laminitis started on day six post-op. Despite very aggressive medical treatments, severe laminitis led to the demise of Cave Rock.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden illness and irreversible medical condition which led to the death of Cave Rock,” trainer Bob Baffert tweeted. “He was a talent at the top of his class and adored by our entire team. Learning of his death (Friday afternoon) from the caring team at SLR Equine Hospital was like a gut punch to everyone who cared for this special horse. We are left with the great memories with which he graced us, but we will miss him dearly.”
