Oliver’s one-off Saudi tilt
After bowing out in sensational style, riding a treble at Ascot in December, Damien Oliver is set to return to the saddle briefly to ride in Saudi Arabia later this month.
“Damien is getting himself ready for the Saudi International Jockeys’ Challenge at the end of February, so he’s just fine-tuning himself before that,” Oliver’s former manager, Mark Van Triet, told Racing.com.
Damien Oliver | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He’s not doing a Frankie (Dettori). This is definitely a one-off. It won’t take Damien much work to get back to full fitness; he always keeps himself in good nick, so he’ll be fine.”
Godolphin colt strikes on debut
The James Cummings-trained Mellifluent (Exceed And Excel) was successful on debut for Godolphin on Friday night at Canterbury. The 2-year-old colt, ridden by James McDonald, defeated Excelindeed, also a son of Exceed And Excel, while Hell Of A Fox (Hellbent) finished third. Mellifluent is the second foal from the unraced Lonhro mare Smooth, who is a full sister to the Champion Pierro. The colt is a half-brother to Sandpaper (Snitzel), who won the Listed Gothic S. Furthermore, this is the family of the G1 Australian Oaks and G1 Queensland Oaks placegetter Ambience (Street Cry {Ire}). In addition to her Group 1 placings, Ambience claimed the G2 Wakeful S. and the Listed Dulcify H.
Dream horse received The All-Star Mile wildcard
The dual Group 1 winner Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) is the latest star to receive a wildcard for The All-Star Mile in March. Trained by Ciaron Maher, the mare claimed the G1 Empire Rose S. and seven days later the G1 Champions Mile with Declan Bates in the saddle.
Pride Of Jenni | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Pride Of Jenni showed in the spring that she’s a high-class miler so we’re rapt that she's secured her spot in this year’s All-Star Mile,” Maher told the media.
“We’ve only had a handful of runners in The All-Star Mile and haven’t had much luck so we’re hoping she can prove hard to catch at Caulfield.”
Cummings adamant filly has Extreme talent
Anthony Cummings has tasted success with the progeny of Newgate Farm’s Extreme Choice, when his now retired daughter She’s Extreme claimed in the G1 Champagne S. and the G1 VRC Oaks.
On Saturday, Cummings will debut another daughter of the stallion in Extreme Diva, who is set to contest the G3 Widden S. on Saturday.
Anthony Cummings | Image courtesy of Inglis
“There are no physical similarities between Extreme Diva and She’s Extreme. They are different colours, different builds,” Cummings told RSN927.
“Extreme Diva is built to be a very good 3-year-old. She’s still not fully up in the wither and there’s much improvement to come with her physically. But much like She’s Extreme, she has put her hand up as a 2-year-old and really enjoys what she is doing.”
Retort heads to Australia, as Shadwell mare tops Tattersalls February Sale
Thursday’s opening session of the 2024 Tattersalls February Sale saw the Shadwell–consigned Lot 107 Taqaareed (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) - top proceedings selling to Jill Lamb on behalf of Childwickbury Stud for 200,000gns (AU$406,700). The 11-year-old is a full sister to the Champion Filly Taghrooda, and is in foal to Darley’s exciting Pinatubo (Ire). Meanwhile, SackvilleDonald went to 125,000gns (AU$254,200) to secure the Juddmonte-consigned Lot 129, Retort (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Retort was a dual winner in France when trained by Francois Henri-Devin and will continue his career in Australia for Highclere and Annabel Neasham.
“We have had a bit of luck for Highclere, we bought the subsequent Caulfield Cup winner Durston for the team,” Alastair Donald said.
“Retort is a neat, bonny horse who goes on all ground, and he is by Frankel. He is a proper horse, rated 90 and on the up. You need a versatile for Australia and there is good money available for every distance down there. Retort will be trained by Annabel Neasham, and I think Harry Herbert will have no problem selling the shares quickly.”
Ladies Man eyes Brisbane
New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock is eyeing a return to Australia with his Group 1 winner Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) who resumes on Saturday in the McCurdy Trucks Open over 1400 metres at his home track.
“He’s obviously going to need the run first-up on Saturday, but he’s coming up absolutely enormous,” Sharrock told loveracing.nz.
“I’m thrilled with him. Once we get this run out of the way, we’ll probably go to the G1 WFA Classic at Otaki and then on to the G1 Bonecrusher at Ellerslie. I’m not sure yet what we’ll do after that, but we could potentially have a look at Brisbane a bit later on.”
Ormsby looking towards Derby
Chad Ormsby has long held G1 New Zealand Derby aspirations for Lord Weyburn (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}), but whether he will continue down that path rests on his performance at New Plymouth on Saturday in the 1800-metre Dobson Marquee and Events.
“We are expecting a good run because we have been waiting to step him up over further ground and this is his best chance. I am expecting him to run well,” Ormsby told loveracing.nz.
Lord Weyburn (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“Things need to go right for him on Saturday and he has to look like he is taking the right steps and then we can continue down that road to maybe the Avondale Guineas and then onto the Derby.”
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace wins to count towards Premiership
After review, Racing Victoria has made a ruling towards counting wins by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace counting towards Ciaron Maher on the 2023/24 Victorian Trainers’ Premiership. The review was requested earlier this week by Ciaron Maher Racing and consultation was undertaken with the Australian Trainers’ Association and other relevant stakeholders.
Racing Victoria Chief Executive, Andrew Jones, said in a press release, “Through the review, reasonable views were expressed both in support of the original rule and a revised approach. Ultimately, Racing Victoria accepted the argument that the better decision was to add the wins given the substantial continuity of Ciaron Maher Racing stable and the fact David Eustace will be competing in his own name in Hong Kong rather than Australia. This can be distinguished from cases where former partners divided their stables and continued in competition.”
Bucanero Fuerte aims at 2000 Guineas
High-class juvenile Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is likely to begin his 3-year-old campaign with a run in the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday, May 4 according to trainer Adrian Murray.
Bucanero Fuerte won three of his five starts as a 2-year-old in the familiar colours of Amo Racing, producing his best effort when easily winning the G1 Phoenix S. at the Curragh by 4l from the subsequent G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio {USA}).
“He's great, he's been back cantering for two months now and I'm very happy with him,” said Murray. “He's got big and strong over the winter, and I couldn't be happier with him. He's turned into a fine horse. We're aiming to go to the 2000 Guineas with him. We probably won't go for a prep run and he'll be entered in both, but my preference would be the English I think.”
Pretty Mischievous back in training
Recently crowned Champion 3-Year-Old filly Pretty Mischievous (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}), off since finishing a rallying second in the G1 Cotillion S. over a sloppy, sealed track at Parx has begun to gear up for her 2024 campaign.
The Godolphin homebred is currently in training with Brendan Walsh at Palm Meadows in South Florida and could potentially return to action over Kentucky Derby weekend.
Pretty Mischievous (USA) | Image courtesy of Horsephotos
“She went back to Brendan a couple of weeks ago,” Godolphin USA Director of Bloodstock Michael Banahan said. “She had a nice break in the wintertime up here at Jonabell. She's a big, strong filly anyway, but she did very well with her break. He'll probably start doing a couple of little two-minute licks with her in the next couple of weeks and start to step it up.”
Banahan added, “Nothing in stone yet, but we'll probably look at trying to get her started at Churchill, maybe the (G1) La Troienne S. or something like that.”
Spendthrift Farm to stand National Treasure upon retirement
Spendthrift Farm has acquired the breeding rights to National Treasure (USA) (Quality Road {USA}), last year's G1 Preakness S. hero and a thrilling winner of last Saturday's G1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream.
“National Treasure is the kind of stallion prospect we all look for because he possesses every quality that excites you about his potential to become an important sire,” said Ned Toffey, Spendthrift General Manager. “He was precocious enough to place in a very good Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he's an American Classic winner at three and now a leading older horse at four. National Treasure is fast, has a tremendous heart, and he's a very good-looking colt with exceptional sire power and pedigree. We are thrilled to partner with the 'Avengers' team on his future stallion career, and we wish them the best of luck on what could be a special year ahead for National Treasure.”
Campaigned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan, National Treasure earned a 105 Beyer Speed Figure in the Pegasus.
