Morton’s strong hand
Western Australian-based trainer Daniel Morton has a strong hand on Saturday at Moonee Valley.
Morton has brought Alaskan God (Playing God), She’s Fit (Pride Of Dubai) and Stafford’s Lad (Demerit) for three separate races.
Alaskan God will tackle the G2 Feehan S. and She’s Fit the BM90 over 1600 metres, while Stafford’s Lad is engaged in the BM100 over 2040 metres. Morton has Group 1 targets in mind for his trio.
Daniel Morton | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“It’s pie-in-the-sky stuff but you’ve got to be in the nominations to give yourself a chance of getting in,” Morton told Racing.com.
“They all arrived in Melbourne safe and sound. They are all well. I’m not under illusions. The Valley is a unique course and they are all stayers.
“The Melbourne Cup is the rainbow at the end of the campaign if we can get that far.”
Acromantula ready for Giga clash
The Daniel and Ben Pearce-trained Acromantula (Written Tycoon) will take on Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) in the highly anticipated G2 McEwen S. on Saturday at The Valley.
“Saturday is the day, if we ever are going to beat Giga Kick at the 1000 metres at The Valley,” Daniel Pearce told Racing.com.
“But obviously, a huge amount of respect for him. Ben (Pearce) galloped him on Saturday at Pakenham and thought his work on Saturday was better than the work before he won Carlyon. He certainly needs to continue to improve if he’s going to be able to beat a couple of these ones on Saturday.”
Cranbourne slot race to honour Lester
The Cranbourne Turf Club have proposed a new $500,000 winner-takes-all slot race that will be restricted to Cranbourne trainers and horses trained at the venue.
As reported by News Corp the race would be named ‘The Lester’ in honour of the late Dean Lester and would have 12 slots available at a price of $25,000 and an additional slot which would go to a wildcard.
The race would be run on Cranbourne Cup Day on November 25, would be a BM100 contest over 2000 metres.
Masked Crusader retired
On Friday racing fans learnt that another grand sprinter would head into retirement. The Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes-trained Masked Crusader (Toronado {Ire}) will retire to Gilgai Farm, his place of birth.
Masked Crusader | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The 7-year-old was a $340,000 purchase by Hawkes Racing and Cameron Cooke Bloodstock from the draft of Gilagi Farm at the 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. Masked Crusader won seven races including the G1 William Reid S. and placed in the G1 TJ Smith S. and The Everest winning over $4 million in prizemoney.
Sirileo Miss among horses banned
On Friday afternoon Punters reported that Racing Victoria confirmed that five thoroughbreds from five different stables have returned a positive swab to prohibited substances. Reportedly the Racing Analytical Services Limited tested the urine samples taken from the five thoroughbreds that returned a positive to Formenstane, a steroidal aromatase inhibitor and 4-Hydroxytestostreone - an anabolic androgenic steroid, both of which are prohibited substances under the Australian Rules of Racing.
Among the trainers and horses who tested positive were Symon Wilde with Sirileo Miss (Pride Of Dubai), Smiley Chan with Lake Tai (NZ) (Makfi {GB}), Mark and Levi Kavangh with Circle Of Magic (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), Julius Sandhu with Alphaville (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and Amy and Ash Yargi with Yulara (All Too Hard). The Racing Victoria stewards confirmed that the investigation was ongoing and under Australian Racing Rule 248 (4) once an anabolic androgenic steroid is detected a horse is not permitted to start in a race, official trial or jump-out for 12 months from the date the sample is collected. Stewards will give the managing owners and trainers of the five horses an opportunity to make submissions in relation to the application of AR 248 (4).
Shinn not backing down from Giga
Blake Shinn will partner Rothfire (Rothesay) in the G2 McEwen S. against the reigning The Everest winner Giga Kick (Scissor Kick).
Blake Shinn | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“Obviously we’re up against Giga Kick and the like, but we won’t go down without a fight, I guarantee you,” Shinn told Punters.
“This horse, I tell you, will be there right to the end.”
Don eyes Golden Rose
Peter and Paul Snowden’s high-class colt, Don Corleone (Extreme Choice), was placed at the elite level as a juvenile, and as a 3-year-old is chasing his Group 1 victory with an eye firmly on the G1 Golden Rose.
The son of Extreme Choice will resume in Saturday’s G2 Run to the Rose at Rosehill and has his trainers pleased with his progress.
“He’s had a good preparation and a good foundation,” Paul Snowden told Punters.
“I think he had five-and-a-half or six weeks in the paddock which is unheard of for a carnival horse. But it was a good opportunity to let him get over his autumn campaign because he had a long preparation during his juvenile.
“It was a combination of probably having enough, a wet track and maybe the distance but we are not sure and it’s inconclusive a bit.”
Forgotten galloper’s Cox Plate bid
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel) will put his unbeaten record at Moonee Valley on the line when he contests Saturday’s G2 Feehan S.
As a 3-year-old, the promising galloper claimed the G2 Bill Stutt S. and the G2 Moonee Valley Vase. Forgot You has spent 18 months away from the racetrack with a tendon injury last spring but resumed with an eye catching run in the G2 PB Lawerence S. at Caulfield behind Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), with Saturday’s Feehan S. giving the winner a ballot exemption into the G1 Cox Plate.
Unbeaten at Moonee Valley, Forgot You may be the forgotten horse in the Feehan S.
Forgot You (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I thought he hit the line brilliantly in the PB Lawrence,” Young told RSN.
“That was all about having that run under his belt, hitting the line strong and pulling up sound. Ability wise he’s up to it, but he may just lack that little bit of fitness having been off with an injury.
“He’s taken a long time to come back, and he is second-up. I would have liked him to be third-up into this race as this was one of the goals for the prep. I am a little worried he may have the 'second-up syndrome'.”
Cinderella to be crowned Sheraco queen
Warwick Farm-based trainer Joe Pride is hopeful his promising mare Cinderella Days (Astern) can atone for her first-up defeat in the Toy Show Quality in Saturday’s G2 Sheraco S. at Rosehill.
“Handlebars down, we’ll just go quickly,” Pride told RSN.
“There are two different Cinderella Days, the one that gets out in clear air and has her ears pricked and gallops for fun, and the one that gets caught back on the inside and is a different horse, she just doesn’t like it.
“She’s a monster of a filly and I just think she likes being cluttered up.”
Cummings pleased with Cylinder
Godolphin’s Head Trainer James Cummings is pleased with Cylinder (Exceed And Excel) as he heads into Saturday’s G2 Run to the Rose.
The colt was a narrow winner of the G3 Vain S. on resumption at Caulfield, but Cummings sees no negatives in that performance.
Cylinder | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He got away with that first-up narrow victory when the first four horses really flew over the last 400 metres,” Cummings told RSN.
“He’s improved nicely from that effort. Saturday’s race is perfect for him.”
Sun Chariot one of three new World Pool Days on 2023 schedule
A trio of new racedays have been approved for the 2023 World Pool calendar by the Hong Kong SAR government, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) announced on Thursday.
The HKJC applied for Newmarket's Sun Chariot S. Day on October 7, Turnbull S. Day at Flemington that same day, and Cox Plate Day at Moonee Valley on October 28 to be added to the schedule. A total of four races will be World Pool events at Newmarket that day, while five races at Flemington have been added to the global betting opportunities earlier in the day. Cox Plate Day features nine World Pool races. The full schedule is as follows:
September 9 – Irish Champion S. Day (full card)
October 7 – Turnbull S. Day (partial card)
October 7 – Sun Chariot S. Day (partial card)
October 8 – Gran Premio Latinoamericano (single race)
October 14 – The Everest Day (partial card)
October 21 – Caulfield Cup Day (partial card)
October 21 – British Champions Day (full card)
October 28 – Cox Plate Day (partial card)
November 4 – Victoria Derby Day (full card)
Michael Fitzsimons, executive director, wagering products, at the HKJC, said, “Having Turnbull Stakes Day and Cox Plate Day from Australia added to the World Pool calendar is a great boost. Both cards will be full of quality and of great interest to punters around the globe, particularly with the likelihood of Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior being aimed at the Cox Plate itself.
“We're delighted to have Sun Chariot Stakes Day at Newmarket confirmed too. That meeting takes place on the same day as the Turnbull Stakes, marking the first time we've had a UK and Australian meeting commingled globally on the same day. We're then set for another double-header of World Pool days on 21 October with the Caulfield Cup at Moonee Valley and Champions Day at Ascot, so it's a very exciting time.”
Derby rematch set for Irish Champion
The much-anticipated third encounter between Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and King Of Steel (USA) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) will take place in Saturday's G1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown, as the Derby one-two featured among the nine heavyweights on Thursday. Ryan Moore is on Auguste Rodin in the 10-furlong feature of the Irish Champions Festival, with the Ballydoyle first string looking to bounce back from a below-par showing in Ascot's King George in which Amo Racing's King Of Steel was third. Auguste Rodin is in two, next door to last year's runner-up Onesto (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in three and trainer Fabrice Chappet is hoping the lightly-raced 4-year-old can go one better.
“He had a little issue in the spring, but the best races for him are coming up now anyway. He is a very versatile horse, he is a Group 1 winner going 2400 metres and ran a very good race in this last year going 2000 metres and also ran a good race down in trip in the Jacques le Marois,” he said of his charge, who will once again contest the Breeders' Cup qualifier. “He definitely has more speed than a mile-and-a-half horse and he can probably do anything from a mile to middle distances–he showed a good bit of speed last time.” Owen Burrows has declared Shadwell's G2 York S. winner Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) represents the Gosdens, and last year's winner Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) is part of a three-pronged challenge from Aidan O'Brien.
Wootton Bassett's Zabiari wins the Prix Des Chenes
Thursday's G3 Prix Des Chenes was robbed of TDN Rising Star Alcantor (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), leaving just a trio for Paris Longchamp's mile contest and a slowly run affair which saw the Aga Khan Stud's Zabiari (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) prevail.
Runner-up in the Listed Criterium du FEE at Deauville last month, the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained 6-5 second favourite followed the G3 Prix Francois Boutin winner Grey Man (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) around before being launched two out. In front soon after, he veered towards the rail inside the last half furlong to hamper that 7-10 favourite but the interference was judged minimal and he was allowed to keep the contest which he won by 1.25l.
Country Grammer retired to WinStar
The 2022 G1 Dubai World Cup winner Country Grammer (USA) , a son of Tonalist (USA) has been retired at the age of six. He will stand the 2024 season at WinStar Farm for an introductory fee of US$10,000 (AU$15,600) LFSN.
Campaigned by Commonwealth, WinStar Farm, and Zedan Racing, the Bob Baffert-trained colt started three times this year, finishing second for the second year in a row in the G1 Saudi Cup but failing to hit the board in both his Dubai World Cup defense and the G2 Hollywood Gold Cup S. on May 29.
Country Grammer (USA) | Standing at WinStar Farm, image courtesy of Benoit
“Being a Grade I winner on the biggest stage in Dubai, beating 24 individual Grade I winners in his career, and being the third-highest earner of all time, Country Grammer makes for a special stallion prospect,” said Elliott Walden, president, CEO, and racing manager of WinStar Farm. “He is a real throwback to the great horses of our time, and he retired sound.”
Freville swoops late for Prix d'Aumale triumph
Gerard Augustin-Normand's Freville (Fr) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and Joseph O'Brien trainee Kalispera (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) were the most battle-hardened of seven contenders lining up for Thursday's G3 Prix d'Aumale at ParisLongchamp and the one-mile contest boiled down to a head-to-head between the pair, with the former swooping late for a career best.
Juniper Berries annexes Salisbury feature on the nod
Eve Johnson Houghton trainee Juniper Berries (GB) (Expert Eye {GB}) made five unsuccessful attempts to add to a debut win over five furlongs at Bath in April and notched a stakes breakthrough in Thursday's G3 Ire-Incentive It Pays To Buy Irish Dick Poole Fillies' S. at Salisbury, doubling her win tally in her first try at the six-furlong trip.
“I thought the step up to six would help and I thought the firm ground would help,” the winning trainer revealed. “She's been running over five in soft ground and she deserved this. We knew she had an amazing turn of foot, but it was just getting her to use it at the right time. We all made a plan, the owners and I, that we'd drop her in and if she didn't get there on time then she didn't get there on time. The last thing we wanted to do was get there too early and stop. She has a wicked turn of foot, but it's not a very long turn of foot. Look at the size of her, she does herself really well and she's on the grow again I think. She'll be a lovely filly for next year and the owners have got the stud, so it's great for them. What a star, good old Juni, we love her and I'm thrilled.”
Derby-winning rider Edward Hide dies at 86
Edward Hide, who won the Derby aboard Morston (Fr) (Ragusa {GB}) for Arthur Budgett in 1973, has passed away at the age of 86.
Trainer Mick Easterby paid tribute to the three-time champion apprentice who was a regular rider for the stable and said, “It is with great sadness today that I heard of the passing of my great buddy Eddie Hide.
“Eddie Hide was quite simply one of the best Flat jockeys I have seen. In my career I have been fortunate to put up two of the finest jockeys. Sadly, 2023 has seen the passing of both Eddie and my former stable jockey Terry Lucas.
Edward Hide | Image courtesy of Racingfotos.com
“In the 1970s I'd put Eddie up whenever I had a runner in any of the big races and he never let me down once. Eddie had it all. He was an intelligent man and he knew the formbook inside out.
“You could get rich quite quickly backing Eddie on my horses, because he only rode them when he knew they were going to win. I owe a great deal to Eddie Hide. He rode the biggest winners of my career and he helped put the stable on the map in the 1970s.”
Hide, who won the G1 1000 Guineas for Easterby on Mrs McArdy (GB) (Tribal Chief {GB}) in 1977, also was the regular rider of 1976 top sprinter Lochnager (GB) (Dumbarnie {GB}). The jockey also was awarded the 'Cock of the North' title 16 times.
HISA announces new track Surface Advisory Group
A new track Surface Advisory Group, comprised of members who will be deployed by Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) to analyse dirt, turf and synthetic surface consistency at Thoroughbred racetracks across the US., was formed Thursday.
“This Group is crucial to ensuring that HISA can support local experts working to make the surfaces on which thoroughbreds compete as safe as possible,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “HISA is committed to using all resources at its disposal to help tracks under our jurisdiction meet our Racetrack Safety standards. This group of track experts will be instrumental in our ability to protect equine athletes from potential injury caused by surface inconsistencies.”
The volunteer Advisory Group will be available to conduct on-site racetrack inspections as needs arise. They will examine conditions on the ground as well as historic and pre-meet inspection data compiled by the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory (RSTL). The Group will make recommendations as needed to improve the consistency and maintenance of racing surfaces. Members of the newly formed Track Surface Advisory Group were already deployed to Saratoga Race Course to conduct a thorough review of the dirt and turf surfaces there in late August.
Going forward, the Group will advise HISA on track surface issues year-round and provide recommendations to HISA's Board of Directors as needed.
The Advisory Group is comprised of seven seasoned track superintendents whose expertise spans dirt, turf and synthetic surfaces. The individuals include:
Jim Pendergest, Chair, Director of Racing Surfaces, Keeneland; General Manager, The Thoroughbred Center
Leif Dickinson, Turf Superintendent, 1/ST Racing / Gulfstream Park / Palm Meadows Training Center
Sean Gault, Retired Director of Thoroughbred Racing Surfaces, Woodbine Entertainment Group at Woodbine Racetrack
Glen Kozak, Vice President of Facilities and Racing Surfaces, NYRA
Jake Leitzel, Manager of Racetrack Maintenance, Penn National
Dennis Moore, Track Superintendent, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club; Racing Surface Consultant, 1/ST Racing
James “Jamie” Richardson, Track Superintendent, Churchill Downs
Mackenzie Rockefeller and Kaleb Dempsey will provide support to the Advisory Group, including via data analysis, testing equipment operations, material testing and historical data comparison. Rockefeller and Dempsey both work for the RSTL and have extensive backgrounds in track surface testing, research and diagnostics.
