Hunter hopes Fortune goes his way
Mornington-based horseman Jerome Hunter will head to Flemington on Wednesday with the progressive Rich Fortune (Rich Enuff), already a Group 3 winner; the mare will look to add the Listed Kensington S. to her record.
Rich Fortune | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I’ve had a bit of success on that day as Belwazi won the Kensington S. a few years ago (2018), so it might be my lucky day,” Hunter told Racing.com.
“I trialled her the other day at Sandown, and Craig Williams came down and rode her; she trialled enormously. I just wanted to get a guide on her, and he said he’ll ride her in the Kensington as he thinks she’s going good enough.”
Straight takes Charge at Millions
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Straight Charge (Written By) is likely to provide his owner, Yulong with their first runner in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast on January 13. The promising colt was placed in the G3 Breeders’ Plate on debut and is set to return to action on Saturday at Randwick.
“We all know Gai (Waterhouse), she thinks Straight Charge is a superstar and a certainty,” general manager Vin Cox told Punters.
Straight Charge | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“It looks like a tough race. My old team (Godolphin) have a few in there (Pisces, Parkour, Tarpaulin and Voile) and will be hard to beat.
“Straight Charge is leading the Magic Millions for us at the moment. He has that as his big target, and we are working out with our other ones what their paths could look like.”
Third Australian winner for Too Darn Hot
Darley’s first-season sire, Too Darn Hot (GB), sired his third Australian winner from his first Southern Hemisphere crop. The Scott Singleton-trained Too Darn Lovely, ridden by Reece Jones, successfully debuted at Scone on Tuesday. In second behind the filly was Madame Fiocca, a daughter of the fellow Darley first-season sire Microphone.
Too Darn Lovely is the third foal from the unraced Exceed And Excel mare Lovestruck (GB), who is from the family of the G1 Australasian Oaks victress Affaire A Suivre (NZ) (Astern).
The filly cost T Smith $17,000 from the draft of Cornerstone Stud at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Billy takes aim at Auckland Cup
Ocean Billy (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) was successful in the G1 Auckland Cup in 2021 before joining the stable of Chris Waller to contest the G1 Melbourne Cup and the G1 Caulfield Cup. He was ultimately unplaced in those races and later sustained a tendon injury. Returning to New Zealand Ocean Billy underwent a rehabilitation program and a year-long spell. The 8-year-old is set to return to action at Te Rapa on Saturday over 1600 metres. His breeder-owner, Bill Pomare, is confident the son of Ocean Park (NZ) can put his best foot forward.
“I am looking forward to it. It has definitely been a long wait, but everything seems to be pretty spot on at the moment,” Pomare told loveracing.nz.
“He needs this run, and the mile is probably ideal for him. I will use a 4kg claimer on him and take as much weight off his back as possible.”
Ocean Billy is chasing a spot in the now G2 Auckland Cup in March next year at Ellerslie.
“We have got to start and get him running to prepare for those staying races. The Auckland Cup is the main target.”
Snowden colt to put hand up
Co-trainer Paul Snowden, who trains with his father, Peter Snowden, hopes Customized (Capitalist) can make an impression when he debuts in Saturday’s G3 BJ McLachlan S.
“You’re waiting to see what happens on the weekend before you make any calls,” Paul Snowden told Punters.
Customized as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“But Customized has had two trials, and he’s taking on a class horse in Storm Boy, so we’ll know where we’re at with him.
“That’s how 2-year-olds go. You’ve just got to wait to see what happens on game day, really.”
Owner disqualified and fined
Racing SA stewards have found registered racehorse owner Brendan Fisher guilty of abusing jockeys in numerous emails to racing administrators. Racing SA stewards have disqualified Fisher for six months and fined him $1500. However, this is not the first time the Victorian-based owner has been found guilty of abusing jockeys. Last year, on December 10, Fisher was fined $2000 and suspended for 24 months by Racing Victoria stewards after he sent emails to trainer Grahame Begg and the Hamilton Racing Club abusing jockeys Harry Grace and Jordan Childs.
Little Brose lands in Hong Kong
The G1 Blue Diamond S. winner, Little Brose (Per Incanto {USA}), has touched down in Hong Kong to join the David Hayes barn. Formerly trained by Hayes’ sons Ben, Will, and JD, the colt succeeded in the Blue Diamond and the Listed Merson Cooper S. most recently finished eighth in the G1 Caulfield Guineas behind Griff (Trapeze Artist).
Proven Thoroughbreds star retired
Scallopini (Snitzel) has been retired from racing after a career that saw him win 13 races, including six stake races and over $1 million in prizemoney.
Trained by Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted, the 9-year-old gelding claimed the G3 Shaftesbury Avenue H. in the autumn. However, he was unplaced on Saturday in the Listed Lough Neagh S.
Scallopini | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Scallopini was a $200,000 purchase by Proven Thoroughbreds and Steven O’Dea from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Drama chases northern spoils
The Lance Robinson-trained Live Drama (NZ) (Ghibellines) will travel across the Cook Strait to tackle the G2 Manawatu Challenge S. at Trenthem.
The Christchurch-based mare has been in fine form of late, finishing second in the G3 Canterbury Breeders’ S. and fifth in the Listed Stewards’ S.
“She went terrific over Cup week (New Zealand Cup) and backed up in the Stewards’ where I felt she was a bit unlucky,” Robinson told loveracing.nz.
“She got buffeted the whole race and carried a big weight (57.5kg). I thought her run had a lot of merit. Live Drama will travel across the Cook Strait on Thursday morning. She has done a bit of travelling now, so that won’t worry her.”
One-time boom galloper retired from racing
The one-time boom galloper Illation (So You Think {NZ}) has been retired from racing. The 5-year-old gelding burst onto the scene with an impressive 4.5l victory at Pakenham before heading to Adelaide, where he demolished the Listed Nitschke S. field and then took out the Listed Adelaide Guineas.
Illation | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Illation returned in the spring of 2022 to contest the G1 Memise S., where he failed to beat a runner home. He was later scoped by vets and found to have “intermittent instability” in the throat.
Illation last raced in April this year and failed to make an impression, finishing unplaced.
Kirwan’s Lane retired
John O’Shea has advised his tough and consistent performer Kirwan’s Lane (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) has been retired. The 7-year-old gelding retires a winner of 11 races and $1.9 million in prizemoney. He also scored victories in the G2 The Ingham, the G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup and the Listed Ladies’ Day Cup.
A statement from John O’Shea Racing read, “Kirwan’s Lane is retiring a sound and happy horse who has brought his owners and our stable much happiness and success.”
Kirwan’s Lane was an NZ$170,000 purchase by John O’Shea Racing from the draft of Little Avondale Stud at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Vale Gollogly
Leading Brisbane Apprentice Alan ‘Jock’ Gollogly has passed away following an extended illness aged 72.
“Jock Gollogly was a unique character who was well known and respected throughout the industry,” said Racing NSW’s Chief Executive, Peter V’landys AM.
“You would not find a more passionate racing person who possessed a fantastic sense of humour and was a master storyteller.
Alan Gollogly winning the 1972 Doomben 10,000 on Bengalla Lad
“Alan’s passing is a great loss as he touched so many with his sincerity and compassion. We send our sincere condolences to his family and many friends.”
Queensland-born Gollogly was apprenticed to his grandfather Fred Best, who won 17 Brisbane Trainers’ Premierships and was an Australian Hall of Fame inductee.
Gollogly had a successful career in the saddle in Queensland, winning the 1970-71 Brisbane Apprentices’ Premiership and riding Bengalla Lad (Bluescope {USA}) to victory in the G1 Doomben 10,000 in 1972.
Integrity and welfare funding increases in HRI’s budget for 2024
Horse Racing Ireland boss Suzanne Eade says the industry is facing uncertainty concerning gambling regulation and described integrity and equine welfare as “crucial areas” for investment in announcing the budget for 2024.
Prizemoney is an area that HRI have concentrated on and will be increased by €1.3 million (AU$2.1 million) to €69.4 million (AU$112 million) while a record 395 fixtures will be staged. However, while owners have “a record number of opportunities” to look forward to with their horses in 2024, administration fees are set to rise.
Eade said, “The value of the Irish Horse Racing and Breeding Industry was measured in 2023 and amounted to €2.5 billion, an increase of over 30per cent since 2016, despite some challenging times in the intervening period. In framing the industry budget for 2024, Horse Racing Ireland wants to create the environment for that contribution to the economy to grow again.
“This budget for 2024 sees increases in the crucial areas of integrity and equine welfare; following the launch of HRI’s Sustainability Strategy, it provides for an initial sustainability scheme for racecourses; and it ring fences support for one of the greatest challenges our industry faces: the recruitment and retention of industry staff.”
Integrity funding is set to increase to €17.3 million (AU$28 million) (7 per cent) as HRI continues to invest in all aspects of Integrity (IHRB, point-to-points, as well as racecourse operational integrity needs).
