Straight Charge out of Millions
The R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic field has taken a blow as the co-favourite Straight Charge (Written By) was ruled out of the $3 million feature on Sunday. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained juvenile, owned by Yulong, was an impressive maiden winner at Randwick but sustained an elevated temperature, which required treatment and will be unable to make the trip to Queensland.
Nacho to Hong Kong for Richards
Archo Nacho (Sioux Nation {USA}) has been sold to Hong Kong interests and will be trained by Jamie Richards. Former trainer Matt Laurie confirmed the sale to Racing.com on Monday. The son of Sioux Nation (USA) won three of his five starts including the Listed Poseidon S. and the G3 Red Anchor S.
“I would love to have kept Archo Nacho. He’s a bloody good horse, but it was a good number,” Laurie said.
Archo Nacho | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I’d already played with fire by knocking back the first one, and we sort of achieved what we thought he was capable of. It was time to say goodbye and wish him all the best.”
Insurrection wins Canterbury Sprint
The speedy Insurrection (Russian Revolution) was much too slick for his rivals on New Year’s Day in the Canterbury Sprint held at Canterbury. The Michael Freedman-trained 4-year-old gelding, ridden by Zac Lloyd, defeated his last-start conqueror Recommendation (Shalaa {Ire}) by 1.16l.
Insurrection wins the Listed Canterbury Sprint | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Insurrection was a $150,000 purchase by Darby Racing and William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Ascot Park at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Dee starts 2024 right
Michael Dee started 2024 riding a double at Flemington on Monday. The multiple Group 1-winning jockey took out Race 2 aboard the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Krementz (NZ) (El Roca) and later won the Listed Chester Manifold S. for Mike Moroney on Not An Option (Not A Single Doubt).
Michael Dee | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Commenting on the effort of Not An Option, Dee told Racing.com, “Lucky my horse had a real will to win because at the end of the day, because Jye McNeil (second, Who Dares) would’ve outridden me there, so I’m lucky my horse got its head in front on the line.”
Hulbert eyes The Debut
Will Hulbert is eyeing the $500,000 The Debut with The Hamo (Better Than Ready) on January 13. Hulbert trains The Hamo in partnership with his father, Peter, and will be chasing their most significant success since Criminal Defence (Nicconi) took out the G3 Rough Habit Plate in 2021.
“The Hamo was purchased at the March QTIS Sale earlier this year, and Rob Zuttion and a few others bred him. They said to go and look at him, and if I liked him, they’d come in with me,” Hulbert told Punters.
“I really liked him; he is tiny - 14 hands or so- but he has an engine, so that is all that matters.”
Horns scores at Canterbury
The Sara Ryan-trained Horns, a son of the second-season sire Justify (USA), broke through at start two on Monday at Canterbury. Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, Horns defeated Ravenclaw (Harry Angel {Ire}) and Maracaibo Sun (Mauirce {Jpn}).
Horns carries an extensive pedigree. His dam Legless Veuve (NZ) (Pins) won the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude and the G2 Manfred S.
Horns winning at Canterbury | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
The daughter of Pins is related to the outstanding mare, Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel), who, among her many accolades, was crowned the New Zealand Horse of the Year.
Domeland paid $100,000 to secure Horns from the draft of Coolmore Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Harry Angel winner at Ascot
Second-season sire Harry Angel (Ire) hit the board at Ascot on Monday, with Angel Undercover winning the second race on the program for in-form trainers Sean and Jake Casey.
Settling towards the rear of the field under Jade McNaught, the 3-year-old quickened smartly off a slow speed in the 1000-metre contest, storming down the centre of the track to go past Shell Bell (Snippetson) and hold off All Play (Playing God).
She is the 22nd winner in Australia for Harry Angel, who stood for $33,000 (inc GST) at Darley Australia in 2023.
Sir Simon wins Longford Cup
Veteran grey Sir Simon (Tickets) enjoyed the annual meeting at Longford on Monday, taking out the Longford Cup in powerful fashion.
Having start number 45, the 10-year-old gelding rolled straight to the front under claiming apprentice Chelsea Baker, Sir Simon looked in a class of his own from a long way out, holding his lead through the line from second-placed Page (Alpine Eagle).
Trained by John Keys at Seven Mile Beach, Sir Simon’s comfortable win was his 14th, with an additional 14 placings and over $300,000 in prizemoney.
