Justify’s Star Of Justice breaks through
The 2022/23 Australian Champion First Season Sire Justify (USA) sired his 12th winner on Saturday at Riccarton Park in New Zealand courtesy of Star Of Justice. The 3-year-old filly, trained by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, was having her second start won dominantly.
Star Of Justice caught the eye of Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM who paid NZ$190,000 for the filly at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale where she was consigned by Pencarrow Stud.
Instragrand mends Gollan’s tough day
It was a mixed day in the office for Tony Gollan. However, the Brisbane-based trainer looked to have another smart prospect on his hands with Instagrand. The daughter of the second-season sire Written By scored at Eagle Farm in a 3-year-old BM70 H. over 1000 metres.
“It’s been one of these days in Melbourne, but it’s been great watching Instragrand score,” Gollan’s assistant trainer Craig Cavanough said.
“She was good the other day and a touch unlucky.
“It was good to see her come out today and reproduce that run and put them away.
“She’s a nice filly.”
Written By stands at Widden Stud this season for $27,500 (inc GST).
Williams address Giga Kick booting
Craig Williams rode a double at Flemington on Saturday, and naturally the post-race questions included asking Williams his thoughts towards losing the ride on the Clayton Douglas-trained Giga Kick (Scissor Kick).
As usual, Williams took the diplomatic approach.
“Everyone is dealing with something, as it turned out it is a horse race,” Williams told Racing.com.
Craig Williams | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“It’s my job and I love to do it and I love the horse. Jonathan Munz, the owner of Giga Kick, has chosen to replace me and that is his prerogative.
“My team and my support around me and the stuff we do humanitarian-wise gives you a greater perspective on life.
“I can’t ride the horse and it’s disappointing, but I wish Giga Kick all the best. I think he’s a superstar, so good luck with him going forward.”
Orman explains Antino tactics to stewards
It was a horror watch for the backers of the Tony Gollan-trained Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) at Flemington on Saturday.
Orman explained the ride to Racing Victoria stewards, “I just thought I’d have to work too much to hold the lead,” he explained.
“I thought I was going to get a nice run in the box seat. In hindsight, I didn’t.”
Rob Mongomery, Racing Victoria’s chief steward, asked Orman: “Do you think there was a full run?”
In which Orman replied: “I thought it was tight, but there was room there. It was the first time my horse was running Melbourne way, it was getting a bit awkward on the corner, it made it hard for him to get the run.
“He was genuine.”
Racing Victoria stewards issued Orman with a warning to exercise more care in the future.
Costin enjoying Melbourne
Former Sydney-based jockey Winona Costin made the move to Melbourne in August and hasn’t looked back.
Costin continued her association with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable in Melbourne, and partnered The Instructor (Russian Revolution) in the Listed Poseidon S.
Winona Costin | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“Gai and Adrian are big supporters of mine; I wouldn’t have come down to Melbourne if it wasn’t for them.
“I was also coming off injury in Sydney, and during the spring it’s a hard time to pick up rides, so I’ll keep it up and hopefully something comes my way.”
Group 1 winner outclasses rivals
The Andrew Forsman-trained Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh) defeated her overmatched rivals at New Plymouth on Saturday.
The Group 1 winner contested the Seaton Park Open over 1400 metres.
“That was a super win and was designed to set her up for the next two days at Hastings, which it has done,” Forsman said.
“She is a pretty straightforward mare, who tends to tow herself into contention in her races. She did exactly what we thought and The Arrowfield will be her next run.”
The G1 Arrowfield S. will be held at Hastings on September 30.
Big Evs takes out Flying Childers
The Michael Appleby-trained and RP Racing-owned Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) finished among the tailenders in last month's G1 Nunthorpe at York and rebounded in style with a scintillating pillar-to-post triumph in Friday's G2 Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers S. at Doncaster.
“After he jumped out of the stalls there wasn't really a doubt,” said Appleby after claiming a career high of his own. “You've got to be up the front on this (soft) ground and once he got three or four lengths on them, they weren't going to catch him. It is not the ideal ground for him, but he's got the job done well and he's won a Molecomb and a Flying Childers on soft ground now. We just had to put a line through the Nunthorpe. I think he had an exceptionally hard race at Goodwood and that just took its toll.”
Trueshan prevails in Doncaster Cup
Beaten in the G2 Doncaster Cup last season, Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) showed his story is far from finished back in that Town Moor feature on Friday as he registered an unorthodox success returning from a break. Only fourth in the G3 Sagaro S. when last seen in May, the Singula Partnership's 7-year-old had undergone wind surgery in the interim and there were obvious questions as to whether he could get back to his previous pinnacle in the staying division.
“That was definitely not Plan A! It's not the first time he's given me a rodeo either, but he can still win because he's so superior,” Doyle said. “He's back to his best. To do it that way round he must be. The thing today was we were going a pedestrian pace and it was breaking his stride, so when you are on a big horse like that, I just let him bowl along and it was going to be make or break. The wind op has definitely helped. At Ascot earlier this year, we hacked around and he curled up a furlong and a half out whereas today he proved he's back to his best.”
