Liberty Island to take on Equinox?
It was reported by the Asian Racing Report that the star filly Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) will likely head toward the G1 Japan Cup on November 26, setting up a clash with the champion Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}).
In addition, it was reported that the G1 Hong Kong Cup on December 10 could also be an option for the daughter of Yankee Rose (All American).
Melham scores three at Moe
Friday started on a good note for Ben Melham riding three winners at Moe.
Starting with the Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Capitalisation (Capitalist) in Race 2, was followed by Hoops (NZ) (Tivaci) from the Danny O’Brien stable in Race 4. Melham’s final winner was the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained War Frontier (USA), the son of War Front (USA) was impressive in winning Race 5.
The 4-year-old entire is a full brother to the Listed winner Alkaraama (USA) and a half-brother to the Group 1-placed Mark Of Approval (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid {USA}).
Melham was later indisposed by Racing Victoria stewards and medical staff due to dehydration.
Suizuro salutes in the Moe Cup
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Suizuro (Real Impact {Jpn}) was given a gun ride by Craig Newitt to take out Friday’s Moe Cup from fast-finishing Convener (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}) and a game Claidheamh Mor (Dundeel {NZ}).
Busuttin speaking to Racing.com after the race said, “It’s good for Suizuro, he just turned four and it’s always hard for them to take that step from three to four,”
“So, we were sort of getting around the fringes. It’s just good for the owners and good to see him win again.”
Nonconformist scratched; Without A Fight passed fit
Grahame Begg confirmed on Friday afternoon that Nonconformist (Rebel Raider) will not take his place in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup.
On Thursday Nonconformist presented to Racing Victoria vets with a degree of lameness which led Begg to scratch the talented galloper and send him to the paddock.
“They (Racing Victoria) just stand them down, so he can’t ace over the entire carnival,” Begg told Racing.com.
“We’ll probably take him to New South Wales to race next year. Nonconformist has a shuffly action for two years. That’s him. He's an older horse. My guy who rides his work for the past few years said he feels no different.”
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Without A Fight (Ire) (Iffraaj {Ire}) also presented lame on Thursday. However, upon re-inspection on Friday the gelding was passed fit to contest the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.
Purton picks up Fangirl mount
A chance of winning the G1 Cox Plate is still alive for Zac Purton. The Champion Jockey was initially booked to partner Light Infantry Man (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}) in the famous event. However, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace galloper was ruled out on Friday morning.
Purton will now partner up with the Chris Waller-trained Fangirl (Sebring).
Securing a ride in the Cox Plate has been akin to musical chairs with The G1 King Charles III S. victress to be ridden by Nash Rawiller before that rider was ruled out through suspension.
Maher and Eustace served a blow
It was announced on Friday that the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained import Light Infantry Man (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}) has been ruled out of the Cox Plate and won’t race until next year.
The stable released a statement on social media detailing that the entire would be going for a spell after an extensive European preparation.
Light Infantry Man (Fr) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“Light Infantry Man will not be taking his place in this year’s Cox Plate. He’s had a long season in Europe, and we will give him a spell,” the statement read.
“While it’s disappointing for the stable and connections, we’re excited to get him back for the autumn.”
Begg’s classy mare ready for breakthrough
Grahame Begg is confident his promising mare C’Est Magique (Zoustar) is ready to fire in Saturday’s G3 Tristrac S.
Begg felt the mare lacked fitness when runner-up to Star Patrol (Starspangledbanner) in the G2 Gilgai S. at Flemington.
“We took C’Est Magique to Caulfield on Tuesday morning to stimulate her a little bit,” Begg told RSN.
“I’m happy with how she came through her last start, and she’s improving with every run.
“She’s such a big, strong, imposing girl, so it’s taken a bit to get her fit because she’s a great doer. It was good to take her over for a gallop. You can’t simulate what we could do working at home.”
Lane happy with Breakup
Damian Lane admits he was initially chasing the connections of the Japanese-trained Silversonic (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) to bring the galloper to Melbourne. However, he is happy to be still associated with a Japanese runner in the Tatsuya Yoshioka-trained Breakup (Jpn) (Novellist {Ire}) in Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Cup.
“Silversonic was actually the main I was advocating for. Unfortunately, he didn’t end up coming, but it was a nice result to pick up Breakup, and it’s to have him out here,” Lane told RSN.
“He’s got some really strong form lines in Japan. He mixes his runs a little bit, but his best form is certainly good enough to win.
“Breakup has better form than what Mer De Glace had, although he was untapped, whereas, with Breakup, what you see in the form is what you’re going to get.
“I think looking at his form he’s going to prefer past 2400 metres and, with the Melbourne Cup in mind, they might be using this as a bit of a step race.”
Williams feels Soulcombe fits the bill
Champion Jockey Craig Williams will partner the Chris Waller-trained Soulcombe (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in his quest to win a third Caulfield Cup on Saturday.
“The Caulfield Cup is such a unique and rare race,” Williams said to RSN.
Craig Williams aboard Soulcombe (GB) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“You sprint from the barriers to get your position out of the straight the first time, then you have to get your staying horse to relax.
“Because of the circumference and its design, Caulfield is a very tricky track for a lot of horses, there’s a lot of little straights and tight turns.
“You need the right horse that can balance and quicken around the bend at the end of 2400 metres after sprinting early, relaxing and against some of the world’s best mile-and-a-half handicappers in the world.
“I think Soulcombe is going really, really well and I love the way he felt for me in the Turnbull.”
West Wind Blows gets tick of approval
Ed Crisford saw his charge West Wind Blows (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) for the first in several weeks on Thursday at Werribee and was delighted with what he saw.
“Physically, I think he’s even better than I expected,” Crisford relayed to RSN.
“He looks fantastic, and he’s come on for the run in the Turnbull. West Wind Blows looks tight and fit and great in his coat.
“He’s a very happy horse down here (Australia), he’s really enjoying it and is thriving.”
Lovely Lookin’ chasing Guineas glory
The Andrew Gluyas-trained Lovely Lookin’ (American Pharoah {USA}) is on trial for the G1 Thousand Guineas on Saturday when she contests the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude.
“She’s turned up this time, she missed her 2-year-old season - she just wasn’t ready for any of that. So, Lovely Lookin’ got the time she needed,” Gluyas told Punters.
“This preparation we’ve tiptoed through, she’s been a bit of a project, but the racing is now showing that she’s got some ability so we’ll present her at 1400 metres at Caulfield on Saturday.
“We’ll see how she measures up there but she won with a little bit of authority here (Adelaide) in 3-year-old company… so she’s stepping up.”
First invitations sent out
The field for the $2 million The Invitation is starting to take shape with Racing NSW sending out six invitations that have been accepted to participate in the feature at Randwick on October 28.
Among the invited are the Group 1 winners Espiona (Extreme Choice), Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and Royal Merchant (Merchant Navy).
“Real Quality” on offer at Tattersalls December Mare Sale
A quintet of Group 1-winning race fillies anchor the 1062-strong Tattersalls December Mare Sale from Monday, December 4 to Thursday, December 7, headlined by the Sceptre Sessions on Monday, December 4 and Tuesday, December 5.
Inaugurated last year, the Sceptre Sessions feature 1000 Guineas heroine Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire})( Lot 1433); Pretty Polly S. victress Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) (Lot 1788); top-level winners Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar) (Lot 1776) and Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) (Lot 1811), both trained by Ralph Beckett; and South African Grade 1 winner Vernichey (SAf) (Vercingetorix {SAf}) (Lot 1802). Prix Vermeille winner Teona (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (Lot 1786), who is in foal to champion sire Frankel (GB), will also go through the ring.
Inspiral to avoid Ascot; Paddington to the QEII
Storm Babet has decided the final shape of the fields for Saturday's QIPCO Champions Day fixture, with the softening ground ruling Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) out of the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. and making up Aidan O'Brien's mind as to where to point Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}). That four-times Group 1 winner takes up his engagement in the QEII, leaving a total of nine to take part in the G1 QIPCO Champion S.
Cheveley Park Stud's Managing Director Chris Richardson said of Inspiral on Thursday, “We've obviously been monitoring the weather and the rain that's fallen. I know John Gosden walked the track yesterday, there's been a subsequent 12 millimetres and it looks like there's more to come.
“As we know, when she ran on soft ground in the Sussex at Goodwood in the summer, Frankie (Dettori, jockey) looked after her as it wasn't the sort of performance she was enjoying. The decision now is whether the Breeders' Cup (Filly & Mare Turf) is an option.”
QEII the Pick for Nashwa on Saturday
Multiple Group 1 winner Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) will run in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. at Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day, owner Blue Diamond Stud announced via X (Twitter) on Wednesday evening.
“Confirmed: Nashwa will run in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday,” Imad Al Sagar's operation tweeted.
Group winner anchors sextet of Tattersalls Autumn Wildcards
Group winner Jack Darcy (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) (Lot 1131A) is one of six wildcards added to the Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale on Wednesday. The sale runs from Monday, October 23 through Friday, October 27 at Park Paddocks.
The G2 Grand Prix de Deauville victor is out of a half-sister to Group 1 winners Reams Of Verse (USA) (Nureyev {USA}) and Elmaamul (USA) (Diesis {GB}) and will be offered by Barton Stud.
Joining the G2 Prix Dollar runner-up is True Testament (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) (Lot 772A). Part of the Jamie Railton draft, the 4-year-old has placed four times at Group level.
Forte retired from racing, will stand at Spendthrift
Forte (USA) (Violence {USA}), the 2022 champion 2-year-old colt and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner, has been retired from racing and will stand the 2024 season at Spendthrift Farm, according to co-owner Mike Repole.
“According to Todd Pletcher,” said Repole Thursday afternoon, “he grabbed his quarter in the Travers and that turned into a quarter crack in his left front foot. We sent him to (farrier) Ian McKinlay to patch it up and he was galloping. Today, Todd sent him out for a gallop at Keeneland. He said he would need more time to make the Breeders' Cup so we simply ran out of time.
“He had five races as a 2-year-old and broke his maiden in May. We won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in November. We had five races this year. So we got two years, 10 starts, seven wins, US$3 million in earnings and a championship. That's pretty cool.”
Toronado colt leads third session at Arqana
One last six-figure yearling was added to the list on Thursday when trainer Joel Boisnard went to €130,000 (AU$230,300) for a Toronado (Ire) colt from Haras de l'Hotellerie to top the third session of Arqana's October Yearling Sale.
A half-brother to two black-type performers, Lot 434 is a son of the Prix de Diane placegetter Diyakalanie (Fr) (Ashkalani {Ire}) and was bred by Haras de Sainte Gauburge. Boisnard already trains two of his half-siblings, including Diyashal (Fr) (Shalaa {Ire}).
Beyond that highlight, trade remained solid through the middle tier with the highest clearance rate of the week so far at 90 per cent. Though Part 2 of the October Sale has been conducted alphabetically over the last two days and is not graded, the figures across other sectors took a dip from the first of these two sessions and was the first this week to be down from the previous year as well.
Turnover dropped by 10 per cent to €4,216,500 (AU$7.05 million), and the average was down to €26,687 (-21 per cent) (AU$44,600). The consistency of the trade was evident in the median being not too far below that at €22,000 (AU$36,800).
