Williams replaced on Giga Kick
As reported by Racenet, Craig Williams has been replaced by James McDonald aboard the reigning The Everest champion, Giga Kick (Scissor Kick).
McDonald, who is currently on the sidelines due to a broken foot, will return early to ride the Clayton Douglas-trained Giga Kick in the G2 Premiere S. on September 30 ahead of the $20 million feature on October 14.
The connections of Giga Kick were unhappy with the ride by Williams in the G2 McEwen S. first-up fearing that the horse's preparation could have been compromised by pilot error. Rod Douglas, racing manager for Pinecliff Racing then made several comments deemed inappropriate stating he would have liked to have ‘strangled’ Williams. Douglas has since personally apologised to Williams.
Schofield picks up Zaaki ride
Chad Schofield has been engaged to partner the Annabel Neasham-trained Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) in Saturday’s $1 million 7 S. at Royal Randwick.
“I rode Zaaki on Tuesday, and his work was good, and he is obviously a champion racehorse,” Schofield told Punters.
Chad Schofield | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“It is nice to get the ride on him. He only got beat a very small distance, but he now has that run under his belt, as do the others, but maybe just being a bit older he might appreciate the run.
“He is a champion, and he is going to let them know he is there.”
Third winner for Ace High
The second-season sire Ace High sired his third winner on Friday at Taupo in New Zealand courtesy of the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Molly Bloom (NZ).
The 3-year-old filly was a 1.8l winner from Smashing Sister (NZ) (Swiss Ace).
Molly Bloom was a NZ$150,000 purchase by Wexford Stables from the draft of Seaton Park at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Ace High is standing the 2023 breeding season at Rich Hill Stud for NZ$10,000 (plus GST).
Excitement builds for juvenile trials
On Monday at Randwick-Kensington the first official juveniles' trials will take place. There will be 12 heats conducted with the Warwick Farm stable of Annabel Neasham represented by 15 runners, while the reigning Champion Sire I Am Invincible and Newgate Farm-based Capitalist are tied on six representatives each.
| Annabel Neasham | Bosustow, Sugarfire, French Empire, Needing Attention, Inception, Trapeze Legend, Repose, Deputize, Miss Tunarama, Umabett, Stallone, Easy Girl, Livewire Lass, Innervisions, Castanya |
| Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott | Straight Charge, Lady Of Camelot, Prost, Celestial Bling, Gravitas, Lady Tassort, Espionage, Shivermepink Zoubelle, Gerringong, Fortiana, Alinea |
| Peter and Paul Snowden | Embassy, Warhol, Waterville, Customised, Fearless, Pierant, Bodyguard, Counteroffensive, Force Red, Holmes A Court, Invincible Madison |
| Benjamin Smith | Setta Icon, Gerace, Ciao Bella Mia, Back In A Tik, La Bella Bondi, Lavishness |
| John O’Shea | Roselyn’s Star, Howler, Pelosa, True Amor, More Territories |
Table: Trainers and their runners in Monday's Official 2YO Trials
| I Am Invincible | Embassy, Warhol, Bodyguard, True Amor, Innervisions, Invincible Madison |
| Capitalist | Customized, Celestial Bling, Gravitas, Marais, Capital Dancer, Holmes A Court |
| Zoustar | Shivermepink, Espionage, Runaway Vixen, Zoubelle |
| Trapeze Artist | Trapeze Legend, Easy Girl, Livewire Lass, Counterpart |
| Snitzel | Prost, Highness, Volatile |
| Russian Revolution | Revolt, Pelosa, Inception |
Table: Sires to be represented in Monday's Official 2YO Trials
Smith has no butterflies with Buenos Noches
Matthew Smith has no butterflies ahead of Buenos Noches' (Supido) tilt at the G2 The Shorts at Randwick on Saturday in hope of gaining entrance into The Everest.
“We were underbidder on Supido himself, so then we said, ‘Let’s try to find one at the sales and buy the best Supido we can find',” Smith told RSN.
Buenos Noches | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“Buenos Noches had plenty of leg under him, good rein on him. He was a really good walker and had a lovely action.
“If you tick every box in the lead-up, make sure you don’t leave any stone unturned and control, get them there ready to go, then I’m never nervous when the horse is fit and well and has had a good lead up.”
Diva relative to run at Echuca
The G1 Makybe Diva S. will be held at Flemington on Saturday, while a relative of the famous mare will go ahead at Echuca in a BM0-58 H.
The John Moloney-trained Dictionary (All Too Hard) is from the Desert King (Ire) mare Collins, a full sister to Makybe Diva.
The 4-year-old will tackle 2100 metres for the first time in his career.
“I’ve been slowly getting him to this point, I just wanted to condition him out a little bit longer, but he’s definitely looking for this type of trip,” Moloney told RSN.
“He’s good in the wind, he’s a sound horse and he always gave us an indication he would enjoy getting out over a trip.”
Ardex Technology appoint Cooper
Ardex Technology announced they have appointed Ben Cooper as the company’s new account manager and customer support manager.
Cooper has extensive experience in customer support and care and will bring over a decade of experience in the technology industry to Ardex.
In his role as account manager, Cooper will collaborate with clients of Ardex Technology to identify and tailor requirements to ensure seamless integration of Ardex Technology’s solutions into their operations. Cooper will serve as the primary point of contact for clients to optimise their technology investments to drive efficiency and growth.
Ben Cooper | Image courtesy of Ardex Technology
Ardex Technology's leader, Nick Hughes, expressed his enthusiasm about Cooper's appointment, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Ben to our team. His experience and passion for customer success and interest in the thoroughbred industry will enhance our ability to deliver top-tier technology solutions and support to our clients. As we continue to expand our product offerings, Ben's leadership in account management and customer support will be invaluable.”
Ben Cooper also shared his excitement, saying, “I am honoured to join Ardex Technology, a company known for its dedication to innovation and customer-centric approach. I look forward to working closely with our clients to help them achieve their business goals through our technology solutions and unparalleled support.”
Snowdens hold Bloom in high regard
Randwick-based trainers Peter and Paul Snowden are happy heading into Saturday’s G2 Tea Rose S. with their filly August Bloom (More Than Ready {USA}) after scratching her from the G2 Silver Shadow S. last start for a maiden at Hawkesbury over 1300 metres.
“The maiden at Hawkesbury has set her up nicely for the Tea Rose,” Peter Snowden told RSN.
August Bloom | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“She’s had a few weeks in between, a little barrier trial to keep her tickling over which was good, and I’m expecting her to run well.
“We’re trying to get her to the mile, so it has been all about preparing her and conditioning her, the trials she’d had, the run she had, it’s all been about this race and possibly the race after that.”
Curlin colts brings US$1.1 million on Day 2 of Book 2
A colt by Curlin (USA), catalogued as Hip 977, from the Graded stakes winner Miss Sunset (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}) sold for US$1.1 million (AU$1.7 million) to agent Lauren Carlisle, acting on behalf of an undisclosed buyer, while Mike Talla and West Point Thoroughbreds partnered up to acquire a colt by Not This Time (USA) catalogued as Hip 879 for US$1.05 million (AU$1.62 million) from the ST George Sales consignment. The yearling colt is out of Foreign Affair (USA) (Exchange Rate {USA}) a half-sister to the multiple Group winner So Perfect (USA) (Scat Daddy {USA}). The colt will join the barn of John Sadler.
Darnation powers to May Hill triumph
Darnation (Ire), a daughter of the first-season sire Too Darn Hot (GB), scored a clear-cut triumph in Thursday’s G2 May Hill S. over a straight mile at the Town Moor track.
“They didn't go quick and, when I asked her, she quickened up really well for a few strides and then galloped on towards the line,” said winning rider Clifford Lee. “She's very good and I'd like to see her next year when she's physically and mentally stronger.”
Burke added, “She's a classy filly and, on that ground, she's very good. We'll have to see how she is on quicker ground, but she's tough and she stays. She's not in the Fillies' Mile, but she is in the Prix Marcel Boussac. I haven't spoken to the owners, but she'd be more likely to get her ground in France.”
She became the third stakes winner for Too Darn Hot. The son of Dubawi (Ire) is currently serving in the Southern Hemisphere at Darley Australia for a fee of $44,000 (inc GST).
