Written by Keely Mckitterick

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Friday was another busy morning at Randwick, with 12 star-studded heats.

Heat 1 over 850 metres was the only trial to be conducted on the Randwick-Kensington track. It contained a small but select field of six outstanding gallopers.

The heat was taken out by the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained King Of Sparta (I Am Invincible) ridden by Tommy Berry who narrowly held off Private Eye (Al Maher) and Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}), while Lost And Running (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) once again caught the eye finishing fast.

Arguably, the disappointment of the heat was Red Resistance (Russian Revolution), who, to the eye, has put in some indifferent performances at the trials this preparation and has not been to the races in 27 weeks.

The promising colt missed the start then took-up the lead under riding before dropping out to beat Steel City (Merchant Navy) to the line, who has also not returned to the races for over 20 weeks.

Returning to the Randwick course in Heat 2, the John Sargent-trained pair of Last Straw (Brazen Beau) and So Dazzling (NZ) (So You Think {NZ}) dominated the trial.

Last Straw, ridden by Tommy Sherry, beat So Dazzling with Jason Collett aboard by 1.73l.

Gallery: Heat 1, images courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

The heat also included the multiple Group 1 winner Huetor (Fr) (Archipenko {USA}), who worked into fifth over the unsuitable 1200 metres.

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s exciting colt King Colorado (Kingman {GB}) charged home in exceptional style to take out Heat 3 over 1040 metres.

The Group 1-winning colt ridden by Collett settled towards the rear of the seven-horse field, but upon entering the straight, Collett set his mount alight to catch Rise Of The Masses (Russian Revolution) and Manwe (Kementari).

Fast forwarding to Heat 8 over 1040 metres, the Les Bridge-trained Choice Legend (Extreme Choice) was a dominant victor.

The lightly raced 4-year-old mare ridden by Kerrin McEvoy has only raced three times for one placing, but after Friday’s performance, she may not be a maiden for much longer.

The daughter of Extreme Choice was sent to the lead and travelled comfortably before coasting away in the straight by 2.28l from Head Of The Herd (Snitzel), while running into third was the John O'Shea-trained Turned Down (NZ) (Staphanos {Jpn}).

The 3-year-old gelding is unraced and was having his second trial after running second at Randwick behind Miss Bayles (Exceed And Excel) in late August.

Heat 9 over 742 metres was taken out by Godfather (I Am Invincible) from the Snowden stable.

The 3-year-old colt ridden by Brett Prebble was a narrow winner from Wondereach (Outreach).

Godfather was a $1.1 million by the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership and won the Listed Phelan Ready S. as a juvenile.

He is a full brother to the speedy I Am Immortal, whose first crop will hit the track this spring.

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott sent out Melissa (Not A Single Doubt) in Heat 11. The 4-year-old mare ridden by Rachel King was a 2.23l winner.

Mark Newham previously trained Melissa before his departure to Hong Kong, and she has raced three times and placed once.

The mare was bred and raced in the colours of Corumbene Stud, with which Waterhouse has enjoyed tremendous success.

The Michael Freedman-trained Dilution (Harry Angel {Ire}) rounded out the action on Friday morning in Heat 12.

The 3-year-old colt has yet to hit the races and won by 0.51l from the once-raced Vintonic (I Am Invincible) and the unraced Schwarz (Zoustar).

Written by Trent Masenhelder

Cover image courtesy of Tattersalls

The eighth China Horse Owners Alliance (CHOA) conference was held last week, with Yulong owner Yuesheng Zhang re-elected as Chairman.

Zhang delivered a 20-minute speech to the participants at the Yulong International Hotel on August 31. He outlined plans to introduce Graded races and increase prizemoney.

“This year’s prizemoney is 20 million RMB (Chinese Yuan) (AU$4.2 million) and next year’s is 30 million RMB (AU$6.4 million). That means we will have completed the three-year plan for the Chinese-bred Thoroughbred series regular races. However, we will strive towards a prizemoney of 40 million RMB (AU$8.6 million) next year and plan to introduce Graded races. This is also the reason why CHOA has launched the ‘Three-Year Chinese-bred Thoroughbred Series Regular Races’, step by step promoting the growth in the number of domestic horses.”

Via a pre-recorded video, Tom Reilly, CEO of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, announced TBA’s online horse course targeting Chinese horse lovers, and a certificate will be awarded to participants once the course is finished. The course is free and in Chinese.

“Mr Zhang outlined how racing in China should be developed and that is by supporting Chinese-bred thoroughbreds. There is a three-year plan to support that and this is the second year,” Wen Li - founder of chinesehorseracing.com - told The Thoroughbred Report.

“Participant numbers are increasing and there are new owners coming in every year.”

Meanwhile, the Yulong Autumn Sale, organised by Yulong and Zhongxin Auction, was held on September 1 and the sale-topper was a yearling colt by Sohool - a five-time winner by Street Cry (Ire), who raced in Australia between 2015-2018. Sohool’s dam is the Group 1 scorer Rewaaya (NZ) (Singspiel {Ire}). The colt made 450,000 RMB (AU$97,000).

This mixed sale is one of two held each year, with the other taking place in May.

On September 2, the Chinese mainland’s richest raceday was held. A host of international dignitaries were in attendance, including Eddie Fitzpatrick (Coolmore Stud Manager), Jason Singh (Marketing Manager of Tattersalls) and Charles O'Neill (CEO of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing).

“It was a very good race meeting and there was a good crowd in attendance,” Wen Li - a journalist with chinesehorseracing.com - told The Thoroughbred Report.

The CHOA Breeders’ Cup (1200 metres), a race worth 3 million RMB (AU$645,000) and open to Chinese-bred 2-year-olds, was won by Du Ju Feng Cai (Chi). The colt is a son of the 2015 G1 Railway S. hero Good Project - a son of Not A Single Doubt.

“The winner of the big race (the CHOA Breeders’ Cup) was by the Australian sire Good Project. He is one of a few Australian stallions here, Tickets and Chivalry are others,” said Li.

Irish-bred gallopers took out two out of seven races on the card. Yin Ling Shi Shang (Ire) - a 2-year-old colt by Inns Of Court (Ire) - won the 1000-metre Coolmore Cup S., while 5-year-old Baton Rouge (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was too good in the Tattersalls Cup S. (1800 metres). Baton Rouge is a brother to the Coolmore homebred Group 1 hero Magician (Ire).

“We have some nice horses here, some of them are well-bred. There’s progeny of Galileo, Camelot, Churchill, Astronomer Royal, etc,” Li explained.

Hastings: G1 Tarzino Trophy, NZ$400,000, 1400m

G3 Gold Trail S., NZ$120,000, 1200m

Listed El Roca Trophy, NZ$90,000, 1200m

Moonee Valley: G2 Feehan S., $500,000, 1600m

G2 Ian McEwen S., $300,000, 1000m

Listed McKenzie S., $175,000, 1200m

Listed Atlantic Jewel S., $175,000, 1200m

Rosehill: G2 Run to the Rose, $300,000, 1200m

G2 Theo Marks S., $300,000, 1300m

G2 Sheraco S., $300,000, 1200m

G3 Ming Dynasty Quality, $250,000, 1400m

Belmont: Listed Farnley S., $125,000, 1400m

Worldwide Group 1s

Worldwide sales

To have your foal featured, send a landscape-oriented image to lucy@tdnausnz.com.au

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Tom Moore is impressed by St Mark’s Basilica’s first foals in Ireland

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.

“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.

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).

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.

Three exciting, well-bred 3-year-olds will debut across Australia on Saturday. Among them is a $675,000 yearling colt by Written Tycoon from the family of Captivant and Headwater.

Horsham, Race 3, 2.06pm AEST, bet365 Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1100m

Princess Pia, 3-year-old filly (Maurice {Jpn} x Defender {Redoute’s Choice})

The powerful Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable will head to Horsham on Saturday to debut Princess Pia, a daughter of Maurice (Jpn).

Princess Pia is the fifth foal from the Redoute’s Choice mare Defender. She is a daughter of Alinghi (Encosta De Lago), the Champion 3-Year-Old Filly in Australia in 2004/05. In an outstanding career, Alinghi won 11 races, including the G1 Newmarket H. and the G1 Blue Diamond S.

Princess Pia is related to the late Beneteau, a brilliant juvenile who claimed the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings) and was placed in the G1 Blue Diamond S.

Princess Pia was a $260,000 purchase by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

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Kembla Grange, Race 1, 12.45pm AEST, Carlton Draught Mdn Plate, $42,000, 1000m

Mailata, 3-year-old colt (Written Tycoon x River Pebbles {Al Maher})

Warwick Farm-based conditioner Bryce Heys will debut a son of Written Tycoon, Mailata, at Kembla Grange on Saturday.

The colt is the third foal from the Al Maher mare River Pebbles. He is closely related to Kulgrinda (Exceed And Excel), a nine-time victress winning the G3 RN Irwin S. and running fourth in the G1 Robert Sangster S.

Mailata is from the family of the G1 Oakleigh Plate heroine River Dove (Hurricane Sky) and her outstanding son Headwater, who won the G2 Silver Slipper S. and ran fourth in the G1 Moir S.

Furthermore, this is the family of the G1 Champagne S. winner, Captivant.

The colt was a $675,000 purchase by Ellerslie Lodge and Bryce Heys from the draft of Sledmere Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Kembla Grange, Race 1, 12.45pm AEST, Carlton Draught Mdn Plate, $42,000, 1000m

Miss Bayles, 3-year-old filly (Exceed And Excel x Ol’ Fashion Gal {USA} {Sky Mesa {USA}})

Randwick-based trainers Peter and Paul Snowden will head to Kembla Grange on Saturday to debut a daughter of Exceed And Excel, Miss Bayles.

The filly is the first Australian-bred foal of the Sky Mesa (USA) mare Ol’ Fashion Gal (USA). She won three races as a juvenile, including the G3 Jimmy Durante S. at Del Mar and the G3 Selene S. at Woodbine.

Miss Bayles is related to Street Sense (USA), the Champion 2-Year-Old Colt in the United States of America in 2006. He claimed the G1 Kentucky Derby and the G1 Travers S.

Furthermore, this is the family of Vekoma (USA), a winner of the G1 Metropolitan H. and the G1 Carter H.

Miss Bayles was a $340,000 purchase by Snowden Racing and William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Newgate Farm at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Looking Back

On Friday only one of our selections hit the track. At Goulburn, Casablanca (Snitzel) was unplaced, while Audrey's Lane (Pierro) was scratched from her engagement. The Mornington card was abandoned due to high winds, so we will have to wait another day to see Too Much Gold (The Autumn Sun) debut.

First-time starters lining up on Saturday, September 9

First Season Sires' Runners and Results will resume when this season's 2-year-old racing commences.

We hope you enjoyed reading today's edition of TTR AusNZ. If you have any feedback or ideas, please don't hesitate to reach out.

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Regular Columnists

John Berry | Alan Carasso | Emma Berry | Kristen Manning

Photography is largely supplied by The Image Is Everything - Bronwen Healy and Darren Tindale, and complemented by Sportpix, Trish Dunell (NZ), Racing Photos, Ashlea Brennan and Western Racepix.