Everest slot on the line for Alcohol Free
High-profile Yulong import Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) will resume this Saturday at Royal Randwick in the G2 Premiere S. alongside her stablemate, Hawaii Five Oh (I Am Invincible). Co-trainer Adrian Bott told Racing NSW news that the $10 million import is in great shape.
Alcohol Free (Ire) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“A bit of improvement to come but she’s there to get a good line on whether she’s going to be competitive in an Everest,” he said. “We want to see enough to give both of us (owners and trainers) the confidence to take that next step two weeks later and allow her to fill their slot.”
Four slots are still up for grabs in next month’s The Everest, respectively those belonging to Coolmore, Chris Waller Racing, Yulong and Aquis. Alcohol Free has had only one run in Australia since her importation, when she finished unplaced in the G1 Queen of the Turf during The Championships. She will have jockey Joao Moreira aboard this weekend.
Juveniles breeze at Seymour
Ahead of next month’s Magic Million 2YOs In Training Sale, the first of four breeze-up sessions was held at Seymour on Thursday.
Twenty-four juveniles breezed over 200 metres, with the quickest time set by Lot 116 - an American Pharoah (USA) colt from winning Casino Prince mare Speed Princess. His second dam is the Group 1 heroine Serious Speed (Royal Academy {USA}). The colt, who will be offered by Nolen Racing, clocked 10.15s.
The next breeze-up session will be at Newcastle on October 4, with the sale taking place on October 24.
Hope In Your Heart blinkered for Epsom chance
The 5-year-old mare Hope In Her Heart (Dundeel {NZ}) will wear blinkers for Saturday’s G1 Epsom H., and her Kembla Grange trainer, Kerry Parker, is hoping it proves the trick. The talented filly was second in the G1 Queen of the Turf in the autumn and third on her reappearance this month in the G2 Tramway S.
“She’s going terrific, I’m happy with where she’s at and how she looks, and she will turn and race well,” Parker said. “I’m hoping they (blinkers) will help her travel through the race a bit better. She seems to float through the first half of the race. I think if she had them on the day Atishu beat her (in the Queen of the Turf), she probably beats her.”
A victory for Hope In Your Heart in the Epsom this weekend will likely set her up for a spot in the $5 million King Charles III S. on Everest Day.
Mazu with a point to prove in Premiere
The 5-year-old Triple Crown gelding Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}) has already booked a spot in The Everest next month, securing the two-year slot of The Star and Arrowfield. However, he has a point to prove this Saturday in the G2 Premiere S., with his co-trainers Peter and Paul Snowden confirming that he will need to finish in the first three to affirm his chances in The Everest.
“He will be there to make a bit of a statement and he’s not far off the mark now, so there’s no reason why he won’t be running well,” Peter Snowden told Racing NSW news. “Top three would be great, knowing he’s going forward to his grand final in a fortnight.”
Group 1-winning Mazu was a gallant third in last year’s The Everest. He was also third in the G1 TJ Smith S. in the autumn before his spring reappearance in the G2 The Shorts a fortnight ago, in which he was unplaced behind Private Eye (Al Maher).
Dwyer buoyed by good draw for Asfoora
Ballarat-based trainer Henry Dwyer admits he was rapt to see his gun mare Asfoora (Flying Artie) allotted barrier six for Friday night’s G1 Moir S. at The Valley. Dwyer was desperate to avoid an inside gate and was delighted when the 5-year-old came up with gate six for the $750,000 scamper.
“You’ve got a couple of fast horses in Zoustyle and Acromantula so I didn’t really want to be drawing (barrier) one and having them outside us and box seating behind them,” Dwyer told Racenet. “In an ideal world, we’ll be outside the speed or in behind the speed in a position to get out when we need to.
“I’d like to think we'd have a three or four-length tactical advantage on her coming to the home corner but we're not going to have that if we've got horses coming back on top of her.”
O’Neill: Seonee can test Jewel
In-form mare Seonee (Winning Rupert) isn’t in Friday night’s G2 Stocks S. to run second, according to her managing owner, Prime Thoroughbreds’ Joe O’Neill.
The Patrick Payne-trained Seonee has won her past four starts and claimed the scalp of the odds-on favourite See You In Heaven (Divine Prophet) in the Listed Leon Macdonald S. at Morphettville last time out.
Star Perth mare Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) is certain to start at prohibitive odds, and many good judges believe she has a mortgage on the race, but O’Neill begs to differ.
“I have a lot of respect for Amelia’s Jewel and if we run second, it will be a good result, but we give her a chance of winning,” O’Neill told Racing.com. “Our mare is also a very good mare and she’s in great form, having won four in a row. She ran in this race last year and finished fifth, beaten only a length-and-a-quarter and she’s a far more accomplished mare this time around.
“Patrick set her for the Adelaide win and this race, so it’s not an afterthought. It was an impressive win in Adelaide.”
Walker under no illusions with Zourion
Group 1-winning trainer Mark Walker admits claims Kiwi filly Zourion (NZ) (Zoustar) must go up a gear if she is to be winning the G3 Scarborough S. at The Valley on Friday night.
Zourion (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright
Zourion is unbeaten in two starts, both in her homeland, and chalked up a Group 2 victory in the Breeders’ S. at Matamata at her most recent outing in February.
“It’s a bit of an ask to come over, and whatever she does in the spring, she’ll improve on physically,” Walker told Racing And Sports. “We’re happy with her, but two-year-old New Zealand form, compared to Australian form… she’s probably got to find a few lengths.”
Zourion is raced by Brendan and Jo Lindsay of Cambridge Stud.
Spring Champion S. in mind for Tom Kitten
James Cummings has said his smart 3-year-old Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}) could be on a path to the G1 Spring Champion S., all being well this weekend when the colt steps out in the Listed Dulcify S. over a mile. The trainer added that the Caulfield Guineas was a viable option also.
“There’s a little bit to play out,” Cummings told SEN. “We’re prepared to keep him in Sydney if we think that’s the right way to get him ready for the Spring Champion S.”
Tom Kitten is currently the market favourite for the Group 1 feature on the back of his third to Encap (Capitalist) earlier this month in the G3 Ming Dynasty Quality. The colt has already won the Listed Fernhill H. as a juvenile and the G3 Up And Coming S. on his 3-year-old debut last month.
Big weekend for Te Akau Racing
Te Akau stars will be out in force this weekend, with the operation sending out 17 horses across four different venues. They include Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) in the G1 Moir S. at The Valley on Friday night, and Zourion (NZ) (Zoustar) in the G3 Scarborough S. At Hastings on Saturday, Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) will contest the G2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas.
“It’s going to be an exciting weekend, we’re all looking forward to it,” said trainer Mark Walker. “I’ll be staying in Melbourne, but Opie’s (jockey Opie Bosson) on a flight after the races tomorrow night (Friday) and will be back in time for the big day at Hastings.”
Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) is one of the Te Akau stars stepping out this weekend | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
Tokyo Tycoon is a short favourite for the Hawke’s Bay Guineas, which Te Akau has previously won with outstanding 3-year-olds Darci Brahma in 2005 and Tell A Tale in 2008.
Kelso keen for drying weather
Ken Kelso hopes the weather gods are on his side, ahead of Saturday’s G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate at Hastings. Stable star Legarto (NZ) (Proisir), a two-time Group 1 winner, is set to contest the race and she is best suited to dry ground.
Legarto (NZ) (brown and white sleeves) | Image Courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Much to Kelso’s dismay, more than 40mm of rain has fallen on the Hastings track this week, which was rated a Heavy 10 on Thursday morning.
“We’re all systems go for Hastings on Saturday, but obviously we’re on weather watch,” Kelso, who trains with wife Bev, told loveracing.nz.
“She can handle a little bit of give in the ground, but we probably wouldn’t want it to stay in that heavy range. Hopefully the weather will get better through the next couple of days, maybe with some wind as well, and it might come back a little bit. Apart from that, we’ve been very happy with our build-up to the race.”
Zac Lloyd retained for Tiz Invincible
Champion apprentice Zac Lloyd has retained the lucrative ride aboard the fancied filly Tiz Invincible (I Am Invincible) this Saturday in the G1 Flight S. Lloyd has ridden the smart filly in her last two outings, both winning ones, in place of the injured James McDonald. However, with McDonald back in play now, Lloyd said he was privileged to retain the ride.
Tiz Invincible | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I’m privileged for them to keep me on,” he told Racing NSW news. “That’s why I was so happy after her last win, and I rode her well, because I knew that would give me a chance at least. Hopefully I can repay them with a good ride on the big day.”
Tiz Invinicble has won three of her last three races on the trot, including the G2 Tea Rose S. and G2 Furious S., both with Lloyd aboard. Previous to that, the Ciaron Maher-David Eustace filly had McDonald aboard for the Listed The Rosebud win. She has drawn the widest alley on Saturday, however, with barrier 13, something that Lloyd said could work in their favour.
“I could keep her to the outside of horses and get her to switch off, which is the main goal over the mile. I don’t think it will be much of an issue as long as she relaxes.”
Scarborough hopes for Annie’s Rose
The 3-year-old Sepoy filly Annie’s Rose will take her place this Friday night in the G3 Scarborough S. at The Valley after her last-start shock debut win at Bendigo on September 14, when she rallied home at odds of $101.
“Her win in a pretty decent maiden,” said her Strathalbyn trainer Alexander Justice. “It’s (the Scarborough S.) a stakes race but you have to have a crack at this time of year. This will probably be it for her. She’s had a good preparation. We’ll look towards the autumn. I think she’ll appreciate avoiding the firm tracks we like like getting over the summer.”
Annie’s Rose has drawn barrier 11 for Friday night’s race and she will have Jarrod Fry aboard.
See You In Heaven to gallop between races
The smart mare See You In Heaven (Divine Prophet), trained at Morphettville by Richard and Chantelle Jolly, will gallop between races on Saturday at her home track in preparation for the G1 Toorak H. next month. The 4-year-old was a last-start fourth to Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) in the G2 Let’s Elope this month.
“It’s a month between runs going into the Toorak, so I wanted to take her to the races in between heading back to Melbourne,” said Richard Jolly. “She’ll have a decent hitout between races on Saturday.”
Zoustar colt destroys rivals on debut
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained unleashed a promising colt on Thursday, with Dark Halo (Zoustar) winning as he pleased.
With Jason Collett in the saddle, Dark Halo found the top early and showed blistering speed throughout the 1100-metre maiden, dashing away to score by close to 4l.
Bred by Yulong, the colt is from the five-time winner and Group 3 placegetter Written Era (Written Tycoon).
He was offered by Yulong at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and made $280,000, with Vinery Stud buying. Other pominent owners include Ben Kwok and Neil Werrett.
Auckland-Wellington equine flights resume
Equine domestic flights between Auckland and Christchurch are set to return next month. The service, offered by IRT and NZB Airfreight, will offer flights on a weekly and on-demand basis, giving trainers the flexibility to travel between the two islands.
“We have been working for a number of months trying to get things in line to get it (domestic flights) back up and running,” IRT’s Shannon Taylor said. “It’s a scheduled service, so it is not having to charter a plane only for horses, which makes things a lot more cost effective for everybody.
Equine flights between Auckland and Christchurch to resume on October 10
“The mass appeal is that it is a one hour and 15 minute flight versus a road trip that could take potentially 24-hours plus, depending on ferry timings.”
The first flight between Auckland and Christchurch will commence next month on 10 October.
Continuous and Fantastic Moon into the Arc
The 3-year-old colts Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), winners of the St Leger and Deutsches Derby respectively, have been supplemented for Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Sixteen horses remain engaged for the weekend showcase at ParisLongchamp. Eleven of the potential field are already Group 1 winners, including another Classic-winning colt of 2023, the unbeaten Prix du Jockey Club hero Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}), who is currently favourite.
With Emily Dickinson (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) holding multiple entries at the Arc meeting, Continuous is likely to be the sole runner for Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore team in the big race and will aim to build on his Classic success at Doncaster 15 days prior to the Arc. Fantastic Moon, who was ruled out of an Arc bid only last week through fears of soft ground, will now travel to Paris from Munich. Owned by the Liberty Racing 2021 syndicate, Fantastic Moon is set to remain in training next year.
Mage to stand at Airdrie Stud
Kentucky Derby-winning Mage (USA) (Good Magic {USA}) will stand at Airdrie Stud upon retirement, it was confirmed on Wednesday. The horse will continue to race on in the meanwhile, and will target the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic in November.
“This is a very special day for Airdrie Stud,” said the Kentucky operation’s President, Bret Jones. “It gives us tremendous pride to be able to announce the addition of Kentucky Derby winner to our stallion roster, especially one as uniquely qualified to be a leading sire as Mage.
“He is the first brilliant son of one of the most exciting young sires in recent memory, and his dam is giving every indication that she will be a truly important mare. We will forever be grateful to his incredible ownership group for this opportunity, and the syndicate we will assemble to support him will be the strongest in Airdrie’s history. He deserves it.”
Lexitonian going home to Calumet Farm
The Grade 1-winning Lexitonian (USA) (Speightstown {USA}) will transfer to Calumet Farm in 2024 for his third breeding season. The Calumet homebred joined the Lane’s End roster in 2022 and 2023, where he covered a total of 136 mares.
Lexitonian won the G1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. in 2021 and won or placed in five Graded stakes events. He will join at Calument the likes of Keen Ice (USA) and Oxbow (USA), and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint winner Hightail (USA).
Marianafoot moving to Haras des Faunes
Group 1-winning stallion Marianafoot (Fr), a son of Footstepsinthesand {GB}), will relocate from Haras de Saint-Vincent to Haras des Faunces for the 2024 European breeding season. A fee will be announced in due course.
“He’s a great recruit,” said Alan Chopard of Haras des Faunes. “He fits well with the profile I like. Marianafoot has a lot of arguments in his favour and he deserves to be given a chance.”
