Freedmans eye world stage with Cup hero
Sam Freedman, the co-trainer of Tuesday’s G1 Melbourne Cup winner Without a Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), believes they have only just scratched the surface with their talented imported stayer.
“The world is his oyster. We’d be happy to take him anywhere, we think he’s up to a very, very good level,” Freedman, who trains in partnership with father Anthony, told RSN.
Freedman said the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan next March is a possibility.
Without A Fight (Ire) and Sam Freedman | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Without A Fight is a 7-year-old and has had just 23 starts.
“He’s a 7-year-old at the peak of his powers and he’s fairly lightly raced,” Freedman said.
Freedman said the G1 Australian Cup at Flemington in the autumn is a logical option for Without A Fight, while another tilt at the Melbourne Cup will also be considered.
Inglis Digital Sale rescheduled
Owing to a national Optus outage, the final countdown of bidding for the Inglis Digital November (Early) catalogue was postponed until Thursday (November 9).
“This is a most unfortunate situation and one that is affecting people right across Australia,” Inglis Digital Business Manager Nick Melmeth said.
“At this stage, no details have been forthcoming from Optus as to when the issue will be resolved, so the only reasonable step for us is to defer the sale for a day, noting the huge volume of our customers who are affected by the outage.”
Cummings confident with Zardozi
Godolphin Australia head trainer is bullish about the chances of Zardozi (Kingman {GB}) in Thursday’s G1 Kennedy Oaks at Flemington. The filly heads into the 2500-metre race after being touched off by Amazonian Lass (More Than Ready {USA}) in Saturday’s G2 Wakeful S.
“Every time I see that filly she looks better and better since the run on the weekend,” Cummings said on SEN.
“I think she’s had the perfect preparation for the Oaks.
“I think she’s looking very good for the VRC Oaks, but I also feel like it’s going to be a tough edition of the race this year. There’s really good opposition there.”
Oaks trip no concern for Ethel, says Carey
Pat Carey, who trains alongside Harris Walker, believes a strong female pedigree is expected to hold Ethel Maude (Smart Missile) in good stead when she contests Thursday’s G1 Kennedy Oaks at Flemington.
The filly is by Smart Missile, who is renowned for producing sprinters, but there is plenty of stoutness on the female side of her pedigree, which gives Carey confidence the extra 2500-metre journey won't be an issue.
Ethel Maude | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“If you go through the dam’s pedigree, the second dam is a full sister to Gondokoro who we won the Queensland Oaks (in 2013) with,” Carey told Racing And Sports.
“She was a Zabeel mare, and she is a sister to Zabeelionaire who won a Derby, so it’s a pretty strong family from a staying point of view.
“And those Oaks-winning fillies have a habit of repeating themselves.
“From day one we always had our eyes focussed on running in the Oaks, even if it is a pathway to the autumn next year.”
Ten rivals for Imperatriz
Saturday’s G1 Darley Champions sprint at Flemington has attracted a field of 11, with champion sprinter Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) looking to make it three elite-level triumphs on the bounce and eight overall.
The Mark Walker-trained Imperatriz will break from gate eight under Opie Bosson.
In Secret (I Am Invincible) has won two Group 1s up the Flemington straight and she will jump from barrier five with James McDonald in the saddle.
Other Group 1 winners in the field include Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) and Espiona (Extreme Choice).
Alligator Blood out defend crown
Brilliant miler Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) will look to go back-to-back in the G1 Champions Mile, with connections opting for the 1600-metre race ahead of the G1 Champions S. (2000 metres).
Alligator Blood will renew his rivalry with Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) in a small but select field of seven.
Alligator Blood | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Tim Clark will again ride the gelding for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Mr Brightside and Fangirl (Sebring) also come out of the Cox Plate.
Kah reunites with Zaaki
Top jockey Jamie Kah will be back aboard Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}), as the Annabel Neasham-trained gelding looks to win the G1 Champions S. for the third year in succession.
Kah partnered Zaaki to Champions S. glory in 2022, after James McDonald piloted the star import star 12 months earlier.
Zaaki, who finished sixth in the G1 Cox Plate last start, faces 10 rivals, including West Wind Blows (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and Prowess (NZ) (Proisir).
Kirkham Plate winner draws wide in Inglis Golden Gift
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Shangri La Express (Alabama Express) will have to overcome an outside alley if she is to keep her unbeaten record intact. The Kirkham Plate victor will jump from barrier 12 (if the two emergencies don’t start) in the Inglis Golden Gift at Rosehill on Saturday.
Shangri La Express | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Richard and Will Freedman’s Miss Judas (Microphone), who ran second behind Shangri La Express, will also line up in the $1 million sprint. She will be looking to become her sire, Darley’s Microphone, his first maiden winner.
Dunn looks to Climatic for perfect Gift
Murwillumbah-based trainer Matthew Dunn reckons Yes Yes Yes colt Climatic will acquit himself well in Saturday’s Inglis Golden Gift at Rosehill. Dunn has thrown the colt in the deep end for his debut, but is confident he won’t be out of place.
“He’s only had the one trial, that’s my only question mark. He is pretty inexperienced and it’s whether the lights of the big city are going to be a bit much for him on race day,” Dunn told Racing And Sport.
“As far as talent goes, he has certainly got that, and he’s a professional. Even though he is inexperienced, he does lots of things right so he will go a long way.
“Brodie Loy rides him every day and he’s a very good judge and he assured me he’d stand up and be counted in a race like this.”
Sargent: Palmetto good value in Five Diamonds
Group 1-winning trainer John Sargent is confident Palmetto (NZ) (Ghibellines) can go on with the job, following his victory in the Five Diamonds Prelude at Randwick on October 21. The 5-year-old will take his place in Saturday’s $2 million Five Diamonds at Rosehill, with Kathy O’Hara to ride.
“He seems to be really well now, and his coat is really good so hopefully he’s on the way up,” the trainer told Racing And Sports.
Palmetto (NZ) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“Kathy O’Hara came and galloped him last week and she thought he was exactly as he was last start or had improved.
“A few of those form horses have come up from Melbourne but I think he’s good value.”
Roll On High off to the paddock
Tuesday’s impressive Listed Desirable S. victress Roll On High (Shamus Award) will not contest Saturday week’s G1 Thousand Guineas, with news on Thursday the filly has gone for a spell.
The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained 3-year-old has notched two wins and two seconds from four starts in her first preparation.
Siyouni, Sea The Stars on top at Aga Khan Studs
The Aga Khan Studs has announced its 2024 nomination fees for its five stallions standing in Ireland and France.
Both Siyouni (Fr) and Sea The Stars (Ire) will command a fee of €200,000 (AU$332,000).
Siyouni enjoyed another brilliant season, with highlights including Paddington (GB) and Tahiyra (Ire) winning the G1 Irish 2000 and G1 Irish 1000 Guineas respectively, while in Australia Amelia’s Jewel continued todo her sire proud. Siyouni continues to be one of the most in-demand sires in the sales ring, with yearlings in 2023 fetching up to €2.2 million (AU$3.6 million).
Sea The Stars was represented by four elite-level winners in 2023, including Hukum (Ire). He is also a notable broodmare sire, with five Group 1 winners to his name, including the recent G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Unquestionable (Fr).
Zarak (Fr), Vadeni (Fr) and Erevann (Fr) complete the five-member roster.
Wootton Bassett heads Coolmore’s Northern Hemisphere roster
Following a brilliant season, shuttle star Wootton Bassett (GB) will stand at Coolmore in Ireland at an increased fee of €200,000 (AU$332,000), up from €150,000 (AU$249,000).
Wootton Bassett (GB) | Standing at Coolmore Ireland
Meanwhile, the introductory fee for recently retired Paddington (GB) will be €55,000 (AU$91,000), while fellow newcomers Little Big Bear (Ire) and The Antarctic (Ire) will command €27,500 (AU$46,000) and €6000 (AU$10,000) respectively.
Starspangledbanner and Churchill (Ire), who both shuttle to Australia, will stand for €45,000 (AU$75,000) and €30,000 (AU$50,000) respectively.
Gunite retired to Ashford
Gun Runner’s (USA) dual Grade 1-winning son Gunite (USA) has been retired from racing and will stand at Coolmore America’s Ashford Stud for 2024.
Gunite won the 2021 G1 Hopeful S. by 5.75l and this year’s G1 Forego S.
His fee has been set at US$35,000 (AU$54,000).
Heathcote hopes class comes to the fore
Eagle Farm-based trainer Robert Heathcote believes Group 1-winning mare Startantes (Star Turn) will run a bold race in Saturday’s Listed Keith Noud Quality H. at Doomben. The 5-year-old hasn’t won since June last year, but she is the only Group 1 winner in the field.
Startantes | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“She’s a Group 1-winning mare and it was no fluke when she won the Tatt’s Tiara,” Heathcote told Racing Queensland.
“She should be at big odds and has to carry a bit of weight with 59.5kgs but I wouldn’t be surprised to see her be very competitive.”
No plans as yet for Boom filly
Grant and Alana Williams will let the dust settle before deciding where unbeaten filly Keshi Boom goes next. The Spirit Of Boom 3-year-old upstaged hot favourite Super Smink (Super One) when winning Tuesday’s Listed Burgess Queen S. at Ascot.
“It looks like it’s a better option for us to go to the Champion Fillies Stakes at this stage,” Grant Williams said on Tabradio.
“I think Dan (Morton) might be going to the WA Guineas with his (Super Smink).
“If it takes her (Keshi Boom) a little longer to pull up we might miss the Champion Fillies and go to the Guineas.
“But I’ve said to the owners don’t ask me anything for the next few days, just let her tell me what she can do.”
Keshi Boom boasts three wins from as many starts.
Nakhle eyes big double
Breeder-owner Daniel Nakhle has high hopes of a double celebration in the coming days.
Nakhle has unbeaten 3-year-old Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) in Saturday’s G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas, while the gelding’s dam Gracehill (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) is imminently due to foal a half-sibling.
“She is in foal to Brazen Beau and expected to foal on the eve of the 2000 Guineas so we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a nice result there as well,” Nakhle, who bred and races the Classic favourite, told loveracing.co.nz.
“We’ve got her booked into Proisir in the hope that she comes through the foaling well and that should be a pretty good cross as well.”
Daniel Nakhle | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Crocetti is trained by Danny Walker and Aaron Tata at Byerley Park, the training centre established by Nakhle and his father Elias, and didn’t take long to live up to his looks.
“He was a gorgeous weanling and put together just perfectly and had a beautiful way about him,” Nakhle said.
“He’s a professional racehorse all right, he just loves to run so there’s a fair bit of expectation but it’s a Group 1 and nothing is ever easy.
“Danny and Aaron are wonderful people and have done a great job with him. They have left no stone unturned and so far, all the plans have come off.”
Millar to chase Group 1 with Pure Incanto
Seven-year-old mare Pure Incanto (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) already boasts a black-type victory, but trainer Janelle Millar is hoping the mare will be a Group 1 winner before she retires early next year.
Pure Incanto will contest Saturday’s Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200 metres) at Te Rapa as she works her way toward a Group 1 grand final in the Sistema Railway at Pukekohe Park on New Year’s Day.
“She’s under-estimated really and hasn’t had many starts, we’re chasing more black type this year because she’s in foal to Proisir,” Millar told loveracing.co.nz.
“I think she’ll be competitive on Saturday from a good draw (three) with only 53kg on her back.
“I might be getting ahead of myself, but the plan is to aim for the Railway and that will be her finale,” Millar said.
Aussie jockeys to ride at Gold Cup meeting
The Singapore Turf Club has granted one-day visiting jockey licenses to Australian jockeys Jake Bayliss and Andrew Adkins for Saturday’s G1 Singapore Gold Cup meeting.
Bayliss has been booked by trainer David Kok to ride Pacific Emperor (Caravaggio {USA}) in the Cup, while Adkins has been engaged by trainer Donna Logan to ride Istataba (Arg) (Treasure Beach {GB}).
Star local galloper Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec {NZ}) has drawn (18), as he bids to become the third consecutive top-rated horse to win the race. The Daniel Meagher-trained gelding has 58kgs, five more than the two second highest-rated runners.
