Crocetti set for future Tokyo showdown
Danny Walker and Arron Tata's excitement machine Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) ran out a comfortable victor in the St John’s College Foundation 3YO over 1200 metres at Te Rapa on Friday with Warren Kennedy in the saddle.
Running into second was Impendabelle (Impending), while Group 1-performed To Catch A Thief (U S Navy Flag {USA}) finished third.
Friday's success has set up the unbeaten 3-year-old for a clash with the best of his generation, among those Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) who Crocetti is expected to meet in the G2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial on October 21.
Crocetti (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“His run was absolutely first class,” Walker said.
“The fact that he took a seat and relaxed, which I knew he would always do, and he quickened up when he needed to and put them to bed, was fantastic.
“I think he could have pulled him sideways and got a run if he needed to (if the inside gap didn’t open); there was no need to panic.
“You can’t always have your own way in racing, and it didn’t matter in the end.”
Veight to stay on Caulfield path
Ballarat-based trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy advised they will push on towards the G1 Caulfield Guineas with their promising colt Veight (Grunt {NZ}) after being unplaced in the G3 Caulfield Prelude (Colts and Geldings).
“He’s come through it pretty well, so we’re going to kick on towards the Guineas,” Calvin McEvoy said.
“We’re going to play around with a few bits of different gear, but he just got over racing a little bit and just had a tendency to want to do things the wrong way, hence laying out in the straight.
“When you’re going sideways, you can’t go forward. So far, everything he did wrong to be beaten only 2.6l showed that he’s up to them, but he needs to straighten himself out a little bit.”
Kheir buys Victoria Road
Prominent owner Ozzie Kheir has purchased the Aidan O’Brien-trained Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}).
The G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf victor is expected to tackle the G1 Cox Plate and the G1 QIPCO Champion S. before he is transferred to Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
Victoria Road (Ire) | Image courtesy of Horsephotos
“We are extremely excited to have secured this very talented Northern Hemisphere-bred 3-year-old with Japanese bloodlines,” Kheir told Racing.com.
“Having already won a Group 1 at the age of two and being lightly raced, it gave us confidence as a group to proceed with a deal to acquire Victoria Road from Coolmore.
“Coolmore has always been a pleasure to deal with, our last significant acquisition being Sir Dragonet in 2020.”
Sala Da Ballo strikes for Fairway Thoroughbreds
The George Boughey-trained Sala Da Ballo (GB) (Kingman {GB}) saluted at Pontefract in the United Kingdom carrying the silks of Australian-based owner and breeder John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds.
Sala Da Ballo was having his third start and is the third foal from the Encosta De Lago mare One Last Dance, a victress of the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) and a half-sister to the dam of the G2 Missile S. winner I Am Me (I Am Invincible).
Anticipation for Too Darn Hot’s Southern Hemisphere runners grows
Exciting Darley shuttler Too Darn Hot (GB) will be represented by his first Southern Hemisphere runners this season, and a slew of exciting results from his Northern Hemisphere crop has seen the anticipation around the son of Dubawi (Ire) grow.
At Newmarket in the G3 Tattersalls S., the Shadwell-bred and Owen Burrows-trained Alyanaabi (Ire) defy Boiling Point (Ire), thus giving Too Darn Hot a quinella in the feature.
Alyanaabi is the fourth stakes winner from the sire’s Northern Hemisphere crop, which is headlined by the Group 1 victress Fallen Angel (GB).
Burrows indicated the colt would likely head to the G1 Dewhurst S. in October.
Group 1 goals for Benalla Gold Cup winner?
It was a straightforward watch for supporters of Brayden Star (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}) in Friday’s Benalla Gold Cup.
The 4-year-old stallion was ridden by Daniel Moor to a comprehensive success by 1.5l from Arran Bay (All Too Hard) and Wyclif (GB) (Archipenko {USA}).
The victory could see Brayden Star head straight into Group 1 company in the Might And Power S. at Caulfield next month.
Natalie Young told Racing.com postrace, “We can target those better races now. We might look at the Might And Power, and if he wins, we would look at the Caulfield Cup.
“He’s a very nice horse, and it was great to see him regain that confidence.”
Rielly’s Mor wins the Coleraine Cup
Claidheamh Mor (Dundeel {NZ}) returned from a short break with an emphatic victory in Friday’s Coleraine Cup.
The 5-year-old son of Dundeel (NZ) was a 5.75l winner at Moonee Valley before a spell but showed no lack of fitness when defeating Prince Jofra (Barbados) by 2.25l at Coleraine.
Pakenham-based trainer Gemma Rielly trains Claidheamh Mor and has eight of his 21 starts.
Lost And Running to turn back the clock?
This time last year, Lost And Running (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) was touted as a serious chance in The Everest before devastatingly being scratched on race morning. Twelve months on, the John O’Shea-trained galloper has yet to secure a slot in the feature. However, O’Shea hopes the gelding can bounce back to his best and defend his title in Saturday’s G2 Premiere S.
“We are looking for a return to better form, and I think this is an opportunity to do that from the draw,” O’Shea told Punters after Lost And Running drew barrier one.
Lost And Running (NZ) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I am probably just a little concerned about those 100-1 chances that might be on the way there, but hopefully, he can navigate a clear path.
“Lost And Running will get his chance to be competitive. We will be happy if he gets back in the game and produces a competitive run.
“Then you never know where we are going to sit.”
Gollan pleased with Antino
Tony Gollan is looking forward to Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) making amends in Sunday’s G3 Sandown S. after a horror watch at Flemington on September 16.
“He’s a lot better horse going into this second-up run than what he was in the first-up,” Gollan told RSN.
“It was his first time out of his comfort zone away from home, and it was a lot for him to take in.
“His coat has cleaned up now, and he’s looking well. He’s done some nice work at Flemington, and I’m certainly looking forward to seeing him stepping out on Sunday.”
Antino (NZ) | Image courtesy of Grant Peters
Blake Shinn replaced James Orman as the promising gallopers continued his trek towards the G1 Toorak H. on October 14.
“Something right out of left field would have to happen to change my plan,” Gollan said.
“I’m really happy with his preparation; even though he was defeated first-up, he was still very good.
“If he can improve off the outing on Sunday, then he should be in excellent shape come to the Toorak.”
Rae and Williams excited over juvenile team
Father and daughter training duo of Kenny Rae and Krystal Williams will head to Riccarton on Saturday with eight runners, seven of which are either 2 or 3-year-olds.
“We have a heap of good young stock at the moment,” Williams said.
“We're looking forward to stepping them out on Saturday.”
Rae and Williams have Bezique (NZ) (Ace High) and Illicit Dreams (NZ) (Vancouver) in the Rangiora New World Guineas Trial, though Illicit Dreams is an uncertain starter on a heavy track.
Illicit Dreams has been close-up behind Viva Vienna (NZ) (All Too Hard) in two starts as a 3-year-old, performances that have been even more meritorious considering the stable has been working to get on top of her oral issues and ready for the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas.
“She's had a few problems with her teeth and we've taken care to get on top of that. The way they are formed we've got to keep on cleaning them out otherwise food sticks in there.”
The stable will be represented by four 2-year-olds in the Nobby Bussell Memorial over 800 metres - Redemption (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}), Collective Hearts (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}), Super Rosa (NZ) (Super Seth) and Porthouse Lady (NZ) (Rageese).
“They are four really nice 2-year-olds," Williams said.
“Redemption has got some really nice trials form in the north and Super Rosa has too. Collective Hearts has trialled really well down here. They're hard to assess but I'd say Super Rosa and Collective Hearts look the best of the four. They are two really mature fillies. Redemption has a lot of speed but he's still got a lot to learn.”
Times Ticking ready for Group 1 crack
Trainer and part-owner of Times Ticking (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) - Alby MacGregor will run his pride and joy in the G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate on Saturday.
MacGregor has been pleased with his charge’s power of recovery after a setback to his foot.
“We were going to run him in the Tarzino Trophy, but he got a crook foot so we had to flag that,” MacGregor said.
Times Ticking (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images South
“We took him to the trials after that and he went well, but it is a good field as you’d expect so it is a big ask but we shall see what happens.
“He’s just starting to lose his coat a bit now and he’s looking good.
“It’s the old story, he’s very, very well at the moment and if you’re not in you’ll never know.”
NSW Country Racing Awards 2023
On Friday, Racing NSW Country hosted the annual Racing Conference and the 2023 NSW Country Racing Awards.
The recipients of the 2023 Racing Country awards were as follows: Simon Nivision, Special Achievement Award - Merv Mercer, Country TAB Race Club of the Year - Murrumbidgee Turf Club, while Tuncurry-Forster Jockey Club also received an award for the Country TAB Race Club of the Year.
Cooma-Monaro Race Club received the Outstanding Achievement Award and Narrandera Race Club the Special Recognition Award.
Clint Lundholm received the Country Trainer of the Year, Aaron Bullock took out the Country Jockey of the Year, and Molly Bourke was the Country Apprentice Jockey of the Year. Leandro Ribeiro, who received Country Approved Rider of the Year, rounded out the awards.
Bowditch cleared for trackwork
Joe Bowditch has been given clearance to ride fast work and trials after being on the sidelines since June due to a race fall that left him with serious concussion symptoms.
The popular hoop had been battling double vision and dizziness but has been cleared after passing a recent cognitive test, which includes memory and reflex exercises.
Joe Bowditch | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“I might even pop my leg over a horse on Saturday morning,” Bowditch told Racing.com.
“Obviously, getting my fitness back will take me a while. I am happy to get back to work and get out of the house, but I’ve been doing it for 30 years, so I have used the break to take a rest.”
Nugent locks in return date
Group 1-winning jockey Teo Nugent has not ridden in a race for six months after being involved in a horror fall at Moonee Valley in March. However, the popular hoop is pleased to reveal he has locked in a return date.
“I’m hopeful I’ll be returning to race riding around October 9, I’m very excited,” Nugent told Racing.com.
“The return to riding has been going great and I’m not into my third week back at trackwork and riding jump-outs.
“The body is holding up well. The doctors are rapt with how the injury (fracture to C1 vertebrae) has healed so that’s given me a lot of confidence that I’m good to go. There’s no apprehension to return, just excitement.”
Caulfield Charity Family Day hailed a success
More than $300,000 was raised at the 2023 Caulfield Charity Family Day last Saturday. The Melbourne Racing Club is set to distribute the raised monies among its 16 charity partners, the list includes Very Special Kids, Living Legends and Twentyman Foundation.
Very Special Kids CEO Michael Wasley told Racing.com, “Very Special Kids is already so appreciative to be included as one of the MRC Foundation’s 16 charity partners again this year, but to take home the bonus $20,000 thanks to Uncle Bryn’s win really is the cherry on top,” he said.
“These funds will help us provide free holistic palliative care to seriously ill children and young people and tailored support for their families, when they need it most.”
Into Mischief again heads Spendthrift Roster for 2024 at US$250,000
Four-time leading sire Into Mischief (USA), who has broken records with 15 seven-figure yearlings to sell this year, will head the Spendthrift Farm stallion roster once again for 2024, the Central Kentucky farm announced Thursday afternoon. Into Mischief will stand for US$250,000 (AU381,000) in 2024, identical to his advertised fee for 2023.
Into Mischief is currently leading the general sires' list for 2024 by a comfortable margin. His progeny for 2024 include 21 black-type winners, nine Graded winners, and four Grade 1 winners, led by G1 Kentucky Oaks winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Pretty Mischievous (USA).
Into Mischief (USA) | Standing at Spendthrift Farm
“Into Mischief just continues to wade further and further into uncharted waters when it comes to the long and storied history of stallions in this industry,” said Spendthrift's General Manager Ned Toffey. “Not only is he well on his way to capturing his fifth straight champion General Sire title, he is also backing up that success on the racetrack by breaking more records at the sales, and, perhaps most excitingly, as an emerging sire of sires. Into Mischief had 15 yearlings sell for a million dollars or more this year, breaking Storm Cat's record of 13 from 2005. And he has a great chance of having a champion freshman sire, as Maximus Mischief currently sits atop this year's list and Authentic looks poised to make a run next year. It truly is remarkable.”
Eimear Mulhern steps down from ITM Committee
Involved since the organisation's founding in 1991, Goffs Chairman Eimear Mulhern will step down from the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Committee, it was announced Thursday.
Eimear Mulhern joined by Suzanne Eade, John Osborne and Dermot Cantillon | Image courtesy of the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Committee
At Goffs Thursday, Mulhern was presented with a memento from HRI CEO Suzanne Eade, HRI Director of Bloodstock and Equine Welfare John Osborne, and ITM Chairman Dermot Cantillon.
A joint statement read, “All at ITM and HRI offer Eimear their sincere thanks for her many years of dedicated service to the Irish industry.”
