Kah charges dismissed, McIntyre found guilty
The months-long investigation into star jockey Jamie Kah and stablehand Ruby McIntyre was settled on Friday, with the Victoria Racing Tribunal clearing the former of the charge of conduct prejudicial to racing and delivering a guilty verdict against the latter.
Judge John Bowman, who presided over a panel of three throughout the hearings, said that although Kah’s actions were ‘immature’, he was not of the opinion that her conduct rose to a guilty verdict on the charge.
Jamie Kah | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“It could be said that you behaved recklessly, setting up the white lines and a card with a comparative stranger on your premises. The question is whether that behaviour, that recklessness, is sufficient to comfortably satisfy us that there’s been a breach of AR228?” Judge Bowman said.
“Your behaviour may have been immature, irresponsible, and reckless, but there are two important features of it that have led us to our conclusion.
“You did not know that the relevant short video or photo had been taken. Secondly, you did not know at any relevant stage it had been sent on to another person or that it was proposed to be so sent. We are of the opinion that the charge should be dismissed, and that is the order which we make.”
Racing SA announce changes to Adelaide features
The 2024 Adelaide autumn will look different to previous iterations, with a three-week model for Group 1 racing now being adopted.
Moving forward, the G1 Australasian Oaks and the G1 Robert Sangster S., both races for female horses only, will be run on the same day to open the carnival, with the G1 SA Derby to be contested seven days later.
Lastly, the G1 Goodwood H. over 1200 metres will be run on the final day of the carnival, with prizemoney increased to $600,000.
There will also be a number of programming changes to support the feature events, the G3 DC McKay S. will now go by the John Hawkes S., while the G3 RA Lee S. will be rechristened The Cummings.
Without A Fight ruled out of autumn
Winner of the G1 Caulfield Cup and G1 Melbourne Cup, Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), will miss the autumn with a tendon injury, co-trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman announced on Friday.
Without A Fight (Ire) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
In a statement, the pair said, “The stable advise that Without A Fight has sustained a minor tendon strain which will require a period of rehabilitation and prevent him from racing in the autumn of next year.
“The development is disappointing for everyone involved in Freedman Racing and for his owner Sheikh Mohammed (Obaid) al Maktoum. We will now turn our efforts into providing the best care available to ensure he makes a full recovery and returns to racing in 2024.”
In-form import to target Bagot
Australian Bloodstock’s progressive import Glentaneous (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) has taken his time to adjust to his new environment, but now connections feel he is ready to target black-type racing.
Speaking to Racing.com, Australian Bloodstock Director Jamie Lovett revealed the Listed Bagot H. on January 1 will be his next target.
“He had a setback when he got here but Anthony and Sam (Freedman) and the boys have done a good job with him down there and I think now he’s sound and fit and getting out to a trip and putting it together,” Lovett said.
“Short-term goal will be the Bagot and then he might be an Andrew Ramsden-type. It’s a good type of year to have an up-and-coming stayer up and running for those sorts of races.
“We always thought he’d be better than a 70-rater and we expected him to get there a bit quicker but because of his setback we’ve had to reset and start again.”
Confidence in Aryton to strike gold
Once touted as the next big thing in racing, Aryton (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) gets his chance on Saturday to add another Group-level race to his trophy cabinet when he contests the G3 Damien Oliver Gold Rush on Saturday.
According to co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr, the 6-year-old, who won the G3 Gunsynd Classic as a 3-year-old and the G3 Victoria H. the next year, is in excellent order for the $1.5 million race.
Ayrton (NZ) | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“I think Saturday is going to be a perfect race for him,” he told The Races WA. “Fourteen hundred metres is his ideal trip at this stage of his life, a big track, firm ground and a good jockey (Damian Lane) on.
“This horse was going to be anything early doors, but (he) lost his way for a couple of preps after his spider bite. It nearly cost him his life, but I really feel we’re back somewhere near his best.”
Moroney pair to lock horns at Caulfield
The final race at Caulfield on Saturday will boast two talented Michael Moroney-trained horses in the field of 17, with Elkington Road (All Too Hard) and Jungle Jim (NZ) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) both engaged in the 1200-metre BM84 H.
Competitive in the G1 Australian Guineas as a 3-year-old, Elkington Road is in good order for his return, Moroney told Racing And Sports.
“He’s come back terrific. I think he’s in for a really good campaign and I think he’s an underrated horse,” Moroney said.
As for Jungle Jim, who returned with a sixth placing in November, Moroney is foreshadowing an improved showing by the 6-year-old gelding.
“He usually takes a run, and we went into the race (first-up at Cranbourne) off one jump-out.
“He’ll probably lead. He’s a very fast horse. He’s got good barrier speed and there’s not many that can head him off early.”
Baker cooks up Queensland raid with Imezaaki
Popular trainer Bjorn Baker is no stranger to travelling his horses, with the likes of Overpass (Vancouver) having competed in four different states, and he will continue that trend with Imezaaki (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), who contests the G3 Grand Prix S. at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The 3-year-old gelding, who took out a 2000-metre BM64 H. at Hawkesbury in his most recent run, has the confidence of Baker behind him to run a strong race over 2100 metres.
Bjorn Baker | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He’s a horse I’ve always thought a lot of,” Baker told Racing And Sports. “It looks like he’s going to like it over further so the 2100-metres should suit on Saturday.
“With a good gate and Ben Thompson to ride, he can put him in his comfort zone early. He’s got bigger and better and is a relaxed customer, so the last time was definitely a good effort against older horses.”
Seventh time the charm for Miss Emma
Promising 3-year-old filly Miss Emma (All Too Hard) put it all together in the opening race at Canterbury Park on Friday night, going straight to the front and giving nothing else a chance in a dominant 4.89l win.
Miss Emma winning at Canterbury Park | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Ridden by the in-form Tommy Berry, there was clear intent from the moment the barriers opened to get the $1.28 favourite in a prominent position early, and rounding the corner she appeared to be completely unbothered by the chasing pack.
Trapeze Warrior gets the job done on debut
Plenty of talk had circulated Trapeze Warrior (Trapeze Artist) prior to his Cranbourne debut, and the 3-year-old lived up to expectation, scoring a strong win by 2.25l for trainer Phillip Stokes.
Positioned amongst the speed early on, jockey Zac Spain kept a position outside Luke Nolen aboard fellow debutant Amerigo Man (American Pharoah {USA}), with the two pairing off to fight out the finish.
In the end, Trapeze Warrior was too strong, pulling away over the concluding stages in an impressive debut performance.
Ipswich abandoned due to lightning
Storm activity in the immediate vicinity forced the abandonment of the final two races at Ipswich on Friday.
After completing six races, horses were behind the barriers ahead of the seventh when lightning sliced through the sky above, forcing the runners to return to the mounting yard.
Amongst the six races that were completed, there was a massive boilover, with Back ‘Em Black (Lonhro) saluting at a tote price of $160.70.
Triple Te Akau threat for Eulogy
Co-trainers Michael Walker and Sam Bergerson will be well-represented across New Zealand on Saturday, including in the feature at Trentham, where they saddle up three runners for the G3 Eulogy S.
In what presents as an event contest on paper, the market has pointed to Vivacious (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) as the strongest chance of the three Te Akau runners, sharing favourtism at $5.
“Vivacious is one we have always liked and it was good to see her get a result last time,” Bergerson told loveracing.nz.
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson | Image courtesy of Te Akau Racing
“She is very lightly raced still and whether that counts against her I don’t know, and the barrier draw (12) is a bit niggly, so we will just have to leave it up to Parkesy (Johnathan Parkes, jockey) and seehow the pattern plays and go from there.
“We are leaning towards her being the strongest of the three. Going forward we think she is pretty exciting and is one to watch over summer.”
Te Akau are also represented by My Lips Are Sealed (NZ) (Ace High) and Mazzucato (NZ) (Tivaci) in the feature.
Peter and Dawn Williams solely focused on Isuzu Stakes
Talented mare Volare (NZ) (Proisir) will be the sole representative for co-trainers Peter and Dawn Williams this weekend, with the talented galloper considered a good chance of taking out the G2 Isuzu S. under Warren Kennedy.
Peter Williams spoke to loveracing.nz about his belief in the mare, who has recorded three career victories, the latest of which came in BM75 H. grade.
“She’s done really well in those last couple of starts and we’re very happy with her,” Williams said.
Volare (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“We’ve always liked her, and we decided to have a crack at this race because it’s a stakes race for fillies and mares and it’s not far away from us.
“We’re very happy with the mare. Everything’s fine with her and she’s been working really well.”
Volare is rated an $8.50 chance to take out the Group 2 for fillies and mares.
Palace Malice, Yoshida to stand at Darley Japan
Two more elite-level performers have joined the Darley Japan roster for 2024, with Palace Malice (USA) and Yoshida (Jpn) joining the likes of Hukum (Ire) and Adayar (Ire) as new residents.
Both displayed their racing talents in the United States, Palace Malice was a brilliant competitor, taking out the G1 Belmont S. in a dominant display, while Yoshida won the G1 Churchill Downs Turf Classic and the G1 Woodward S. at Saratoga, he also competed at the highest level in Dubai and at Royal Ascot.
Fees for the four newcomers have yet to be announced.
