Schiller given careless riding ban
Tyler Schiller has been handed a careless riding ban for his part in the Golden Eagle incident that saw Amelia’s Jewel’s (Siyouni {Fr}) rider Damian Lane make the comment, “Glad I came back in the jockeys’ room alive.”
Racing NSW stewards found Schiller failed to stop riding and straighten his mount Strait Acer (Headwater) in the Golden Eagle near the 300-metre mark which resulted in Age Of Kings (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) and Amelia’s Jewel being severely hampered and receiving substantial checks.
A veterinary examination found Amelia’s Jewel to have sustained a laceration to the near-fore fetlock.
Tyler Schiller | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I reacted within half a second. I don’t know how much quicker I can react,” Schiller refuted.
Stewards disagreed and gave the leading premiership rider an 11-day careless riding ban. Schiller will begin his suspension on Tuesday, November 14 and can resume on Saturday, November 25.
Tommy Berry was also found to be guilty of careless riding aboard Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), as was Koby Jennings on Communist (Russian Revolution).
Rediener heading for extended spell
Chris Waller has advised his G1 Epsom H. winner Rediener (Redoute’s Choice) will spend at least five months on the sidelines after the gelding was found to have swelling on the near hind leg during the week.
“Rediener has got to have a proper spell,” Waller told Punters.
Chris Waller | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He has given a joint a bit of a twist and will be out for a three-month spell then a gradual build so probably looking at five or six months.”
The Diva on show
The legendary Makybe Diva (GB) (Desert King {Ire}) will take centre stage on Monday. Extensive roadworks in the city of Melbourne has seen the traditional and much-loved Melbourne Cup parade cancelled from its usual spot. However, Living Legends will host a meet and greet with the triple Cup Champion. Makybe Diva, now 25, will be joined by the other Cup winners Prince Of Penzance (NZ) (Pentire {GB}), Efficient (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Almandin (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) and Twilight Payment (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}).
“This year, due to extensive roadworks in the city, the traditional Melbourne Cup-eve parade on Swanston Street has been cancelled. But fear not, we’ve brought the parade to you,” Living Legends shared.
“After the parade, the star of the show, Makybe Diva, will be waiting for you in her paddock area. You’ll have a unique opportunity to embark on self-guided tours, allowing you to get to know this racing legend better.”
Alenquer under a cloud
Damien Oliver’s farewell Melbourne Cup ride could be in doubt, with his intended mount Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) sustaining a stone bruise after trackwork on Sunday morning.
Mike Moroney has advised a hoof pad will be applied for the next 24 hours and the gelding will be examined again by veterinarians on Monday as part of mandatory pre-race inspections.
Mike Moroney | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“Alenquer seems fine. It’s minimal. I would say nine out of 10 chances are we'll be running on Tuesday,” Moroney told Racing.com.
“It just depends on how long the bruise takes to come out. We have 48 hours, so we will just see how we go. It’s only a bruise.”
Mullins hopes for ‘luck of the Irish’ in Cup quest
Willie Mullins was on track at Flemington in 1993 to see Dermot Weld’s Vintage Crop (Ire) (Rousillon {USA}) win the Melbourne Cup, and on Tuesday he will saddle up the leading fancy Vauban (Fr) (Gailway {GB}) and Absurde (Fr) (Fastnet Rock).
“I love to have favourites as usually you have the best chance if you have the favourite,” Mullins told RSN.
“At one time, I used to hate having favourites as it brings pressure, but now I would rather be favourite than an outsider.”
Mullins feels Vauban is the right horse to add his name to the honour roll of the great race.
Vauban (Fr) | Image courtesy of Naas Racecourse
“I think Vauban is as good as Max Dynamite, maybe better, but we’ll find that out on Tuesday. He’s my strongest chance ever. But I wouldn't want to forget Absurde either. He did very well with Frankie Dettori in the Ebor.
“Everything has gone right, we’ve got a nice draw, the quarantine has gone right, we just need to jump now and get into position, but I’ll leave that to the jockeys, they know the track better than I do.”
Lees represented by two in Cup
Kris Lees will be represented by the Irish-bred gallopers Cleveland (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Kalapour (Ire) (War Command {USA}) in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup and is confident there is nothing between the pair.
Zac Lloyd will partner Kalapour, who has drawn barrier 14, whilst Cleveland with Michael Dee to ride, came up with barrier 23.
“I suppose it is a nice achievement to have two runners in the Melbourne Cup, but it won’t matter much if Cleveland and Kalapour don’t run well,” Lees told RSN.
“Hopefully it doesn’t turn out to be a similar scenario to the Newcastle Gold Cup in mid-September when both horses drew near the outside and the shape of the race gave them no chance at all.
“There has been very little between my two horses all preparation. Cleveland is proven at the distance, and Kalapour is yet to be tested at 3200 metres, but is very confident.
“Both horses will go to the beach tomorrow (Monday), and at least we are going into the Cup with two last-start winners.”
Baker confident heading into The Big Dance
Saturday’s Coolmore Stud S. winning trainer, Bjorn Baker will be represented by four runners in Tuesday’s $3 million The Big Dance at Randwick.
The market has rated Iknowastar (Star Witness) as the best of Baker’s four. However, the stable will also saddle up Wategos (Capitalist), Highlights (Your Song) and Hollywood Hero (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}).
“We’re going into The Big Dance with a show,” Baker told RSN.
Bjorn Baker will saddle up four runners in the $3 million The Big Dance at Randwick on Tuesday | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I think you can mount a case for all of them. It will be a tough race, no doubt about it, but you’ve got to be in to win.
"We're going into The Big Dance with a show," Baker said.
"I think you can mount a case for all of them. It will be a tough race, no doubt about it, but you've got to be in to win."
Iknowastar goes into the $3 million The Big Dance on Tuesday having won his last four starts | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Iknowastar has won his last four starts, including the Dubbo Cup and back-to-back victories at Randwick-Kensington.
“He’s thriving and looks fantastic. Iknowastar needs to lead and he will lead.
“All of them will be suited for the mile and they’re all fit and healthy.”
Gold Trip, better than last year
The reigning Melbourne Cup champion Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}) will defend his title on Tuesday, and has impressed his co-trainer Ciaron Maher declaring him better placed than last year.
Gold Trip, to be ridden by James McDonald, has drawn barrier two, the next stall inside the race-favourite Vauban (Fr) (Gailway {GB}).
“Gold Trip is going better than last year. He needs to be though, I think the race is stronger,” Maher told RSN.
Gold Trip (Fr) won the G1 Turnbull S. at Flemington on October 7 | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Flemington is probably going to be a little bit firmer and he’s got a little bit more weight. So he needs to be better to win, but I think he is.
“I’m more confident, way more confident. He hadn’t been to the two-mile (3200 metres) last year and I always sort of had that question given his breeding, but now he’s done it and he’s had a very similar preparation.”
Ortiz Jnr receives Shoemaker Award
Eclipse Award winner Irad Ortiz Jnr was honoured with the 21st Bill Shoemaker Award as the outstanding jockey for the 2023 Breeders' Cup after guiding three horses to victory over the two-day event. The Shoemaker Award is given to the rider with the most wins during the World Championships and Ortiz won it for a record fifth time this year.
Ortiz guided White Abarrio (USA) (Race Day {USA}) to the win in the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic, Elite Power (USA) (Curlin {USA}) in the G1 Breeders' Cup Sprint and Goodnight Olive (USA) (Ghostzapper {USA}) in the G1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.
The Shoemaker Award is named in honor of the late Hall of Fame jockey, who won 8833 races throughout his career.
Seal Team takes G2 Twilight Derby
The lightly raced Bass family homebred Seal Team (GB) (War Front {USA}) sliced his way through traffic at the top of the stretch and made his Graded stakes debut a winning one in Saturday's G2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita.
“We have always had big hopes for this horse,” winning trainer Richard Mandella said. “We thought he would be a good one. I didn't tell Umberto (Rispoli) a thing in the paddock. I just wished him luck.”
Seal Team, a debut second sprinting on the Del Mar lawn last November, got his picture taken in two of his previous three starts this term, including an optional claimer over this same course and distance last time October.
Seal Team became the 64th Graded/Group winner (115th Stakes winner) worldwide for War Front (USA).
Orne pillar-to-post in Horris Hill
Al Shaqab Racing's Orne (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) followed up a September 22 debut success at Kempton with a fourth over one mile in last month's G3 Autumn S. and regained the winning thread with a pillar-to-post victory in Saturday's rescheduled G3 Betfred Horris Hill S. at Newmarket.
Orne, full brother to a gelded yearling and a weanling filly, is the second of four foals and lone winner produced by G3 Dick Poole Fillies' S. third Pellucid (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}). The February-foaled bay's dam is a half-sister to G2 Solonaway S. and G3 Jersey S. victor Space Traveller (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), who also hit the board in the G1 Woodbine Mile, G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational and G1 Frank E Kilroe Mile.
