Owner hints at Plate for Jewel
Peter Walsh, the owner of Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}), has given the strongest indication yet that his star mare will line up in the G1 Cox Plate at The Valley on October 28, instead of the $10 Golden Eagle at Rosehill on November 4.
“If she gets around Moonee Valley well in a fortnight's time, I think Simon (Miller) deep down and myself, I mean, there’s nothing like the Cox Plate, is there?” Walsh said on RSN927.
Amelia's Jewel | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Melbourne’s a great place, the headquarters of racing as far as I’m concerned. The Cox Plate is the race that everybody wants to win, isn’t it?”
After her comfortable first-up win in Saturday’s G2 Let’s Elope S. at Flemington, the 4-year-old will next be seen in the G2 Stocks S. at The Valley on Friday week.
Golden Rose-bound Cylinder for The Everest?
Star Godolphin colt Cylinder (Exceed And Excel) could chase a unique Golden Rose-The Everest double this spring.
Godolphin’s Managing Director Vin Cox told Racenet there has been slotholder interest in the three-time Group 2 winner, who will tackle Shinzo (Snitzel) and Co. in Saturday’s $1 million G1 Golden Rose.
“We will get through the Golden Rose and then work out what we do with Cylinder,” Cox said.
“But you never say never in this game. I will say it (a Group 1 win) would make any (The Everest) conversation a little easier.”
Freedman lauds Moravia
Michael Freedman has sung the praises of his exciting colt Moravia (Snitzel), ahead of Saturday’s G1 Golden Rose at Rosehill.
Moravia has finished second at his past two starts, both at Group level, proving he can mix it with the best of his generation.
“He’s come out of the Run to the Rose really well in what was a reasonably tough run,” Freedman told Racing And Sports.
Moravia | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“From the outside gate he had to work pretty hard to cross them, so it was a great effort at only his third start.
“He has trained on well, I’m looking forward to next Saturday.
“He's a pretty exciting young colt.”
Racing Victoria clarifies vet protocols
With the initial shipment of spring contenders from Europe soon to arrive in Australia, Racing Victoria (RV) on Monday clarified the process to be taken for horses travelling through Sydney.
It is expected that as many as a dozen horses on the September 30 flight will have Sydney as their first racing destination, before several of them venture south for races such as the G1 Cox Plate.
“Our second shipment that arrives in Melbourne on the 30th of September will also have a group of horses going to Sydney that have quarantined together at Newmarket,” RV’s General Manager of Racing Operations, Paul Bloodworth, explained.
“I am not sure of the numbers in Sydney - it’s around 10 to 12 horses going to Sydney - and there are horses like (Cox Plate fancy) Light Infantry that are on that flight.
“Light Infantry will run in the King Charles Stakes (at Randwick) on the 14th of October and then from there, he’ll make his way down to Melbourne to compete in the Cox Plate.
“Basically, what Light Infantry needs to do is maintain his pre-export isolation after coming out of quarantine in Sydney and racing in Sydney and also have a CT scan before the Cox Plate that we then have to check and review to see if he is suitable to race in the Cox Plate.
“So, not a great deal but he does have to make his way from Sydney to Melbourne and come to the Werribee International Horse Centre for the duration of his stay in Australia so we can maintain oversight on the horse while he’s here.”
Soulcombe to tackle Underwood Stakes
Champion trainer Chris Waller has confirmed highly rated import and last-start winner Soulcombe (GB) (Frankel {GB}) will contest Saturday’s G1 Underwood S. at Caulfield.
Waller also praised the facilities at Macedon, saying they have helped the 5-year-old find his best form.
Soulcombe (GB) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It was good to see him win first-up, we knew he could stay, we knew he was a touch quirky, but it was good to see the speed in his legs,” Waller told Racenet.
“He’s come through it really well, he went straight to Macedon on the Sunday and did his recovery there, he’s still there now… and actually go to the races from Macedon.
“Now we know where he’s at, it's all maintenance work.”
Cain sounds Caulfield warning
The sustainability of the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) and its execution of a new Caulfield precinct, including a new world-class grandstand is under threat, according to MRC chairman Matt Cain.
Cain said the future of Caulfield’s capital works isn’t dependent on the sale of Sandown, but said without it, expensive memberships up to $1000 a year, considerable club debt, selling profitable club assets or ultimately abandoning the masterplan all together would have to be investigated.
He also warned the sustainability of the club is under threat from a block of ‘Save Sandown’ candidates willing to walk away from the track’s rezoning process regardless of the implications, as the board look at signing off on a new Caulfield grandstand in the next nine months.
Cain said members must take into account the future of Caulfield and the future of its “popular” masterplan, warning outcomes could be “influenced” by the single issue of Sandown.
The masterplan includes a new mounting yard, community facilities and a new grandstand, with new renders revealed on Monday.
The club is aiming to have the new grandstand, which is the centrepiece of the $300 million masterplan, built by October 2026.
Plans have been submitted to the State Government, with hopes of the process being fast-tracked.
“If we can’t go down a rezoning process for Sandown, that $17 million hole has to come from somewhere else,” Cain told Racing.com.
“And the options there are probably increasing member subsidies, they might need to be close to $1000 than $400.”
Uncommon James on song
Matthew Hoysted, who trains in partnership with Steve O’Dea, claims their Group 1-winning sprinter Uncommon James (Cable Bay {Ire}) is primed for a first-up tilt at the G1 Moir S. at The Valley on Friday week.
The G1 Oakleigh Plate hero hasn’t raced since finishing midfield in the inaugural edition of The Quokka in April. The 5-year-old jumped out impressively at Kilmore on Friday.
Uncommon James | Image courtesy of The image Is Everything
“Imperatriz was nice and impressive last week, but we really think he’s coming up well,” Hoysted told Racing.com.
“He’s a lot more forward for this first-up run than when we went to the Rubiton (in the autumn) as he was still quite big for that run. But I think he’s further forward, which he is going to need to be to tackle this race first-up.
“The plan was always Moir into the Manikato and then we’d look at the Champions Sprint.”
Moreira to ride in Sydney on Wednesday
Superstar jockey Joao Moreira begins his Australian spring sojourn at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. The Brazilian has three rides - all for Chris Waller - with the potential of more to come.
Moreira will partner with Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) in Saturday’s G1 Golden Rose (1400 metres) at Rosehill. The pair combined to take out this year’s G1 Sires’ Produce S. and G1 Champagne S. in the autumn.
Cups weights announced on Tuesday
For the first time since assuming the role of Racing Victoria’s (RV) Head of Handicapping, David Hegan will reveal the weights horses have been assigned for both the G1 Caulfield Cup (2400 metres) and the G1 Melbourne Cup (3200 metres) at 11am (AEST) on Tuesday.
The October 21 Caulfield Cup currently has 103 nominations, while the November 7 Melbourne has 133.
Book 3 concludes at Keeneland with US$900,000 Constitution colt on top
The Keeneland September Yearling Sale continued to produce steady, competitive bidding as the 12-day auction’s Book 3 section concluded Sunday in Lexington.
A total of 562 yearlings sold during the two Book 3 sessions for a gross of US$86,894,000 (AU$134,786,000). The Book 3 average was US$152,251 (AU$236,200), down four per cent from last year’s corresponding figure, and the median fell eight per cent to US$115,000 (AU$178,400).
Hip 1777 - Constitution (USA) x Low Pressure Zone (USA) (colt) | Image courtesy of Keeneland
During last year's Book 3 section, 573 yearlings grossed US$90,919,500 (AU$141,019,200) for an average of US$158,673 (AU$246,100) and a median of US$125,000 (AU$194,000).
A colt by Constitution (USA) (Hip 1777) brought the section’s top price when selling for US$900,000 (AU$1.39 million) to Pin Oak Stud from the Knockgriffin Farm consignment on Sunday. The yearling was one of 13 to bring US$500,000 (AU$777,200) or over during Book 3. There were 19 yearlings to reach that threshold a year ago.
Racing Victoria renews partnership with Equestrian Victoria
Racing Victoria (RV) on Monday announced the renewal of its long-standing partnership with Equestrian Victoria (EV) by extending its Off The Track (OTT) program’s sponsorship for the 2023/24 season.
The partnership will enable RV to continue its commitment to providing significant support and prizemoney for OTTs competing across all four equestrian disciplines.
Well-supported by equestrians, the OTT Community has attracted more than 6000 users who have claimed more than 4000 thoroughbreds on the platform, many of whom the racing industry previously had no visibility of – and registering as an emergency contact for more than 1800 horses.
RV General Manager - Equine Welfare, Melissa Ware, said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Equestrian Victoria. We take such pride in the equestrian community and showcasing the versatility of OTT thoroughbreds across various disciplines.
“Equestrian Victoria has been by our side since the Off The Track program began over a decade ago and together, we make our events some of the most attractive offerings for OTT equestrian competitors in Victoria.
“This has seen demand for OTT thoroughbreds grow at all levels of the sport, whether it be those competing at smaller regional equestrian events or on the biggest stage at the Melbourne International 3 Day Event.”
Noble eyes Classic with Luberon
Stakes performer Luberon (NZ) (Embellish {NZ}) punched her ticket to Riccarton later this spring with a convincing win at Te Rapa on Sunday.
The filly’s performance has given her trainer, the Karaka-based Andrew Noble, the confidence in pursuing a shot at the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas.
Luberon (NZ) winning at Te Rapa | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images Palmerston North)
“She was a little bit vulnerable and there is improvement to come so to beat the older horses was a good effort,” Noble told loveracing.nz.
“There’s a 3-year-old race for her next on Matamata Cup Day and then the Group 3 Soliloquy Stakes (1400 metres). All going well she’ll head to Christchurch after that.”
Stakes-performing Savabeel mare makes NZ$205,000
Group 2 placegetter Sedaka (NZ) (Savabeel) fetched NZ$205,000 at the latest Gavelhouse.com auction, which closed on Monday evening.
The 4-year-old, who shed her maiden tag at Tauranga in October, was offered by Go Racing as a breeding proposition, after sustaining a tendon injury.
She was bought by Bruce Perry Bloodstock and McKeever Bloodstock.
Moreira lands Nakayama Group 2
Just hours before jetting out to Australia, Joao Moreira caused a minor upset in the G2 St. Lite Kinen at Nakayama on Monday.
Moreira piloted Lebensstil (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) to a 1.75l victory over the G1 Satsuki Sho hero Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}).
The Hiroyasu Tanaka-trained Lebensstil is raced by Carrot Farm and is from the winning Tokai Teio (Jpn) mare Tokai Life (Jpn).
Matilda Picotte blitzes in Sceptre Stakes
Sioux Nation (USA) 3-year-old Matilda Picotte (Ire) trounced her opposition when winning the G3 Sceptre Fillies’ S. at Doncaster.
Third in the 1000 Guineas in the spring, the Kieran Cotter-trained Matilda Picotte had failed to show up in three subsequent starts, but returned to form in some style in the 1400-metre contest.
Handled by Oisin Murphy, Matilda Picotte won by 3.75l.
Matilda Picotte is out of the stakes performer Hallie’s Comet (Ire) (One Cool Cat {USA}) and she herself is a half-sister to the Listed victress Along Came Casey (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}) - the dam of the Group 3 scorer Feliciana De Vega (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}).
Kingman mare lands Woodbine Grade 3
The Michael Sridham-trained Ready To Venture (GB) (Kingman {GB}) proved too good for her rivals in Sunday’s G3 Seaway S. at Woodbine.
The 5-year-old won by 1.25l in the hands of Rafael Hernandez.
Ready To Venture is from the stakes performer Wunderstruck (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and she herself is a three-quarter sister to Sun Central (Ire) and a half-sister to George Washington (Ire) and Grandera (Ire).
Canadian Hall of Fame Jockey Gary Boulanger announces retirement
Jockey Gary Boulanger, whose numerous career highlights include a Queen’s Plate victory, has called time on his career.
“It’s the right time,” Boulanger, 55, told Woodbine Communications. “I don’t feel I have anything left to prove. I am so grateful to all the trainers, owners and my fellow riders for their support. Just like anyone who rides horses, there are many ups and downs, but you always find a way to persevere.”
A 2020 Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee, the native of Alberta enjoyed great success over a career that included devastating injuries.
In 2017, Boulanger received the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award.
Boulanger, whose son Brandon also rides, retires with 3685 career victories and US$83,543,336 (AU$129,792,000) in purse earnings.
