RV boss backs later start times
Andrew Jones, CEO of Racing Victoria, has reiterated his support for later training times for the state’s training centres.
Not for the first time, the issue came to the fore earlier this week, when Australian Trainers’ Association (ATA) boss Andrew Nicholl said their preference was to continue to push for later starting times at training centres in 2024 as they felt racing needed to move with the times.
Andrew Jones | Image courtesy of Racing Victoria
Jones appeared on radio station RSN on Thursday, saying the experiment where Ballarat started its training times later had been a successful pilot program.
“The feedback was overwhelmingly positive and we’re hoping training centres will take their lead from that,” he said.
“When racing later in the day as well, it makes more sense to give your staff more time to sleep and be refreshed in the mornings.”
Asfoora to travel the world
The talented daughter of Flying Artie, Asfoora, will be flying across the world in 2024, if plans laid out by trainer Henry Dwyer come to fruition.
Already a winner from eight out of 15 starts, including the G2 Schillaci S. in the spring, Dwyer is intent on capturing a Group 1 with his star mare, and will travel to just about anywhere to do it.
“It wouldn’t be a one-hit mission as most Australians do for Royal Ascot,” Dwyer told Racing.com. “I’d think we’d look to campaign over there properly and make a real trip of it.
“She could even go to America for the Breeder’s Cup Turf Sprint, which is during our spring carnival here in the first week of November.”
Before any travel plans are realised, Asfoora will kick off in Australia, with Dwyer saying, “She’ll run in the (G2) Rubiton Stakes first-up and then in the (G1) Oakleigh Plate, and if she shows she’s racing well, I’d be thinking there are some suitable races over there.”
Trent Edmonds to go it alone in Victoria
The father-son training partnership of Toby and Trent Edmonds is set to dissolve early in the new year, with the latter to branch out on his own.
Edmonds’ new chapter will see him relocate to Pakenham in Victoria.
“I’m going to start training by myself in Pakenham in Victoria,” Edmonds said on RadioTAB.
Toby and Trent Edmonds | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“The plan is Magic Millions day will be our last day in partnership and then I will be a Victorian resident.
“I’m looking forward to that, it’s a new challenge and it’s not something I’ve just thought about overnight.
“I’ve been extremely impressed by Pakenham, it’s an amazing place to train a horse and it’s got everything you need.”
Thompson welcomes Sydney’s wet weather
John Thompson is one trainer that isn’t disappointed to see Sydney cop a barrage of rain this week.
The Randwick-based conditioner has a trio of runners engaged at his home track on Saturday and all three appreciate the cut out of the track.
Thompson has Auspicious Cloud (American Pharoah {USA}) and Deniliquin (Adelaide {Ire}) in the Kia Ora Prague H. (2400 metres) and With Your Blessing (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) in the Precise Air H. (1100 metres). They have combined for 13 wins, with 11 taking place on wet tracks.
John Thompson
“Hopefully, this rain stays around. I’ve got three runners on Saturday and they’re all wet trackers,” Thompson told Racing And Sports.
“They’re horses that have been running well on good tracks, but a soft track will help them.”
Blueblood juveniles to step out at Warwick Farm
Some extremely well-bred 2-year-olds are slated to trial in Sydney on Friday, including the first foal of Sunlight (Zoustar) - a three-time Group 1 winner.
Sunlight’s colt Dawn Service (Justify {USA}) steps out in Heat 8 (800 metres) for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. He was knocked down for $1.4 million to his trainers and Kestrel Thoroughbreds at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when offered by Coolmore Stud.
Dawn Service is raced by Coolmore, Go Bloodstock Australia, Westerberg, Yulong Investments and others.
Dawn Service as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
In the same heat, the Blue Point (Ire) half-brother to star mare Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) lines up for trainer Annabel Neasham. The colt, Bosustow, was a $900,000 buy for Rosemont Alliance/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA)/Annabel Neasham Racing from the Segenhoe Stud draft at the same sale.
French Empire (Justify {USA}) - a colt from the Group 2 victress Champagne Cuddles (Not A Single Doubt), Innvervisions (I Am Invincible) - a colt out of the Listed winner Modern Wonder (Snitzel) also go around in Heat 8.
There’s also progeny from Essaouira (Exceed And Excel), Dysphonia (Lonhro), Fitou (Street Cry {Ire}), Oregon’s Day (Domesday) and Enbihaar (Magnus) entered.
Strong acceptances for Christmas Sprint
Tuesday’s Listed Christmas Sprint at Caulfield has drawn a strong set of 14 acceptances, with a number of fast competitors looking to take out the 1100-metre contest.
Globetrotting sprinter The Astrologist (Zoustar) has been allocated 60 kilograms for jockey Damian Lane, four more than his nearest rival, quick back-up specialist Najem Suhail (Starspangledbanner).
The Astrologist | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Competitive without winning in recent years, 5-year-old entire Generation (Snitzel) will look to acquaint himself with the judges’ photo, while stablemate Yonce (NZ) (Proisir) will race for the first time since April 2022.
Forsman to call Flemington home
Rising trainer Andrew Forsman continues to expand his presence in Australia, securing 13 boxes in the Flemington training complex and departing Macedon Lodge.
The New Zealand native has been actively seeking to establish himself within the Victorian trainers’ ranks over the past 18 months, with the chance to train at Flemington a big win for his ambitions.
“At our peak we had similar numbers at Macedon (Lodge, where Forsman was previously training), and we won’t be full all the time, but it’s nice to have a box or two free if we think there’s a suitable race for a horse from New Zealand,” Forsman told Racing.com.
Andrew Forsman | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Macedon is a brilliant facility, but it wasn’t like for like (to Cambridge) and a few of the younger horses struggled a little bit.
“But previously we’ve used Flemington a few times before for our hit-and-run missions, and it has worked well and more similar to Cambridge.
“We are thrilled to be able to get them. There were a few other applicants, I understand, so it’s an opportunity we have to grab with both hands and hopefully make it work.”
Pakenham Cup moves to Friday night meeting
Having lost a metropolitan Saturday meeting in December for the 2023/24 racing season, the Pakenham Racing Club (PRC) has been able to re-negotiate when their traditional Cup meeting will take place, moving from Thursday, February 29 to Friday, March 15.
The PRC, which will soon be merged with the Cranbourne Turf Club after a successful vote on Monday night, will now enjoy two significant night meetings, with the original February 29 date still to host the final of the Sportsbet Future Stars series for maiden gallopers.
Chief Executive Officer of the new ‘super club’, Neil Bainbridge, said in a statement, “The new (Listed) Sportsbet Pakenham Cup date will now form part of an exciting autumn carnival for racing in the south-east.
Neil Bainbridge | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“The carnival will see three feature meetings across five weeks, held at both Cranbourne and Pakenham, that will conclude on Good Friday night at Cranbourne.
“These changes are a great example of what benefits will flow for the betterment of racing in the south-east, as we move towards becoming one new club early in 2024.”
Berry eager to pull the covers off Tarpaulin
Jockey Tommy Berry, who has been enjoying a fruitful return to race riding in recent weeks, is excited to see what the James Cummings-trained colt Tarpaulin (Harry Angel {Ire}) has to offer at Randwick on Saturday.
Himself a half-brother to the G2 Arrowfield Sprint winner Aft Cabin (Astern) and the G3 PJ Bell S. victress Multaja (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), Tarpaulin was impressive in his most recent trial, according to Berry.
“I know they only ran slow time, it was just the way he did it,’’ Berry told Racing NSW. “To be that far off them coming to the corner and finish that well.
Tommy Berry | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“It’s easy for a 2-year-old to have speed. But for a horse to get back in a trial and hit the line the way he did, with what looked like plenty in hand, that’s something you definitely look for.
“One thing about James and his team is they don’t have a lack of information when they are giving you instructions and telling you about the horse.’’
Keane taken to hospital after Seymour fall
Apprentice Dakotah Keane has been transported to hospital following an incident at the start of the fifth race at Seymour on Thursday.
Keane fell at the commencement of the 1200-metre BM58 H. after her mount Aurolaa (Shalaa {Ire}) was hampered by Vankukla (Vancouver), causing the gelding to knuckle and dislodge the young rider.
Aurolaa completed the course riderless, and has shown no signs of injury from the incident, while Keane was tended to by on-course medical personnel and reportedly complained of pain in her lower back.
Noble tips Group 2-winning mare to bounce back
Talented mare Aquacade (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) has come through a last-start hiccup and is on target for a Group 1 assignment at Pukekohe on Boxing Day.
Trainer Lance Noble will be chasing a special victory with the 5-year-old in the G1 Zabeel Classic, which is sponsored by the mare’s breeders and owners Cambridge Stud.
Noble is the private trainer for farm principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay and the weight-for-age feature has been a long-term target for the daughter of Dundeel (NZ).
Two runs back, Aquacade was a dominant winner of the G3 Balmerino S. before she was a beaten favourite when fourth in the G3 Counties Cup, after which the reason for her below-par showing became evident.
“It wasn’t a bad run with topweight (59kg), but it was just a bit flat for her so we got her vetted out the next day,” Noble told loveracing.nz.
“We scoped her and she had a bit of mucus in her lungs and a viral thing going on so we treated that and she seems back to her best.
“I hate excuses, but there was a legitimate one and she’s bounced back and her work has been great.
“Since the beginning of the season, we have aimed her at this Group 1. She’s won a Group 2 and a Group 3 and we’re a breeding farm so this is so important.”
Molly Bloom ready for Eight Carat test
G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas heroine Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) is in great order ahead of her next assignment, the G2 Eight Carat Classic at Pukekohe on Boxing, according to co-trainer Andrew Scott.
“We bought her home from Riccarton and she had a quiet week in the paddock, being able to fly home for the first time this year certainly saw her recover quicker,” Scott, who trains in tandem with Lance O’Sullivan, told loveracing.co.nz.
“We’ve been very pleased with her training leading in to the race, her body weight indicates she hasn’t got away on us.”
Molly Bloom (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images
The star filly will have the services of gun Victorian-based jockey Blake Shinn.
“We believe it’s another step-up for her in strong field, but we have the aid of Blake who is obviously a very good jockey,” Scott said.
“We’re hoping she can put in a similar performance to what she has all season, which should take her close to being very competitive.”
Mixed draw for Arima Kinen fancies
The final field and barriers for the G1 Arima Kinen have been revealed, with mixed results for a number of key hopefuls.
With the likes of Panthalassa (Jpn) and Equinox (Jpn) dropping out due to retirement, the race has changed complexion, and the revelation of the barriers has thrown another level of intrigue into one of the most revered races on the global stage.
Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who is considered one of the key chances, has drawn barrier 10, while globetrotting mare Through Seven Seas (Jpn) (Dream Journey {Jpn}) will attempt to scale the mountain from barrier 15.
Facing retirement after the running of the race on December 24, Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) will jump from barrier four, while Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) will attempt to announce himself under one of the biggest spotlights in modern racing when he jumps from barrier one.
Equinox crowned Timeform Horse of the Year
The all-conquering Equinox (Jpn) has been honoured as the inaugural winner of the Timeform Horse of the Year Award, besting the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}) and the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf winner Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
Equinox (Jpn) | Image courtesy of Japan Racing Association
The son of Kitasan Black (Jpn) was also able to take out the Leading Male 3-Year-Old and up category and the Champion of the Rest of the World, defeating Australian-bred Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’oro {USA}).
Star sprinter Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) finished joint-third in the Leading Female 3-Year-Old and Up, while shuttle stallion Too Darn Hot (GB) was adjuticated to be the best first-season sire.
Darley Japan announce fees for newcomers
Four promising new stallions will be offered at Darley Japan in 2024, with their fees revealed to breeders on Thursday.
One already has a Japanese Group 1 to his name, with Palace Malice (USA) siring the winner of the G1 Futurity S., Jantar Mantar (Jpn), who was victorious in the feature at Hanshin on Sunday. His introductory fee has been set at ¥3,500,000 (AU$36,300).
Powerful son of Sea The Stars (Ire), Hukum (Ire) is the cheapest of the quartet at ¥1,200,000 (AU$12,400), with fellow Irish-bred horse Adayar (Ire) will be offered at ¥1,800,000 (AU$18,900).
Yoshida (Jpn), a son of the brilliant Heart’s Cry (Jpn), complements the new arrivals, at a fee of ¥1,500,000 (AU$15,600).
