Racing Victoria Board call Special General Meeting
With recent pressure on the Racing Victoria Board, the governing body has called a Special General Meeting, as they attempt to thwart an agitation from Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners' Association (TROA) Chairman Jonathan Munz.
“The Metropolitan Clubs and Country Racing Victoria, as well as other key stakeholders, have advised RV that they have rejected this unwarranted action,” Racing Victoria said in a statement.
“They have also advised RV that they support the existing process in which the Minister for Racing appoints directors to fill vacancies on the RV board.
“RV is aware that the action taken by TROA is not supported by the State Government, which appointed the board, and is a needless distraction for the industry.”
Sunline on the wish list for Lass
Symon Wilde has indicated his promising mare Wishlor Lass (Mshawish {USA}) will target the G2 Sunline S. this autumn.
“Wishlor Lass had a decent-enough hitout on Tuesday at Geelong and she probably doesn’t need another jump-out. We were happy and she pulled up well,” Wilde shared with Racing.com.
Wishlor Lass | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“The G2 Sunline S. will be the aim, but if she happens to win her first two races of the preparation, we could change plans. At this stage it’s the Sunline and we’ll take it from there. If Wishlor Lass can win a Group 2 race, then we’ve upgraded her.”
Overshare juveniles scores on debut
A day after his brilliant daughter Lady Laguna won the G3 Southern Cross S., the Widden Stud-based Overshare sired another smart winner in the Peter Robl-trained Overfull. The 2-year-old filly was on debut on the Sunshine Coast, and defeated Step Along (Sidestep) by 0.40, while Pumicestone Road (Sooboog) finished third.
Overfull is the fourth foal from the Charge Forward mare Longchamp Belle, who won twice. She has a yearling filly by Rich Enuff and was not served last season.
Overfull was a $14,000 purchase by Upper Bloodstock and Robl Racing from the draft of Riverina Downs at the 2023 Inglis Gold Yearling Sale.
Group 1 goals for Charm Stone
Connections have shared the ultimate goal for the exciting filly Charm Stone (I Am Invincible) this preparation is to put a Group 1 victory next to her name. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained filly was last seen finishing fifth in the G1 Golden Rose and was ruled out of the G1 Coolmore Stud S. after Charm Stone required surgery on a knee chip.
“The Group 1 side of things feels like unfinished business,” managing owner Sheamus Mills told Racing.com.
Charm Stone | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Everyone mentions her in that breath when they talk about her. You’d hate to retire Charm Stone without the Group 1 next to her name.
“Our plan is to try and win a Group 1, and the Robert Sangster looms as an option. If she wins the Sangster, perhaps people will start talking about her as an Everest contender.”
Gallop to decide Wolfgang’s future
The immediate future of Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans’ Wolfgang (Exceed And Excel) will be decided after the promising colt gallops at Cranbourne on Monday. Currently, the camp is undecided whether Wolfgang will contest Saturday’s G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings) or the Listed Talindert S. at Flemington the following week.
“Wolfgang is great and we think he’s thriving, but we’re not sure whether we want to go to the Blue Diamond Prelude or the Talindert,” Yeomans told RSN927.
“Obviously, the Talindert will be a bit weaker, but we’re not sure how well he handles the straight, so it’s a tricky one. He’s had a big preparation and if he runs well, we can possibly go on to the Blue Diamond and if he doesn’t run well, it’s time for a spell.”
Parr to reunite with Golden Eagle winner
Sydney-based hoop Josh Parr is set to reunite with Obamburumai (Jpn) (Discreet Cat {USA}) in the G1 Doncaster H.
Parr partnered the Japanese raider to a sensational victory in the $10 million Golden Eagle in the spring for trainer Keiji Yoshimura.
“I’m pleased that he’s coming back for a start and coming back for one of our biggest races,” Parr told RSN927.
Josh Parr | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“The opportunity to ride a horse with his potential in a Doncaster is very exciting. It’s a race steeped in history, all the champions have won it, and he showed great potential winning the Golden Eagle and if he’s still on the rise then, my gosh, who knows what we can expect.
“He’ll have six months of physical development under his belt and that’s exciting. What we saw and what I felt back in November was extremely pleasing. What he showed in Australia as an inexperienced horse was just remarkable.”
All eyes on Australian Cup for Young Werther
Danny O’Brien is set to run multiple Group 1 placegetter Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) at Caulfield on Saturday in the G3 TS Carlyon Cup as the gelding works towards his main target - the G1 Australian Cup.
“Young Werther hates going for a spell,” O’Brien told RSN927.
“We put him out on the day after the Ballarat Cup, and he sulked by the gate all day, so we brought him back in.
Danny O'Brien | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“He’s happy to go out into the paddock during the day, but he doesn’t want to spend the whole night out there. So, he’s been in work since the Ballarat Cup. Young Werther had a trial at Geelong last Tuesday, and he’s in good shape. The plan is to run in Saturday’s Carlyon Cup and head towards the Australian Cup.”
Hayasugi’s best still yet to come?
After her impressive win in the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies), plenty of anticipation has been thrust upon Hayasugi (Royal Meeting {Ire}) to live up to an even higher level.
According to trainer Clinton McDonald, she is on track to be right amongst it in the G1 Blue Diamond S. on February 17, telling Racing.com, “She’s fantastic, hasn’t missed a beat. She’s doing everything you're looking for; she's eating up and looks great.
Hayasugi | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“There’s plenty of improvement to come, she’s only had the one trial,” he added. “We just let the race bring her on, and it has.
“She’ll strip fitter again on Saturday week, we can’t fault her; she’ll be a live chance I think.”
Scheelite to Sydney?
Ken and Kasey Keys' talented 3-year-old Scheelite (Real Steel {Jpn}) could be campaigned predominantly in Sydney for the autumn. Scheelite will likely return in the G3 Zedative S. at Caulfield on February 24, followed by a trip to Sydney.
Scheelite | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“There’s not much in Melbourne unless you want to go down the Australian Guineas path,” co-trainer Ken Keys told Racing.com.
“We’re running out of options. We will keep Scheelite fresh and run him in Melbourne then head up to Sydney.”
Yulong-owned Three Witches wins Group 2
Yulong’s bottle green and white chequered silks were carried to success at Santa Anita Park in North America by Three Witches (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}), who stormed to victory in the G2 Santa Monica S.
Three Witches is from the unraced Tale Of The Cat (USA) mare Layreebelle (USA), who is the dam of the Group 2 winners Spellbound (USA) (Bernardini {USA}) and Soothsay (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}), both mares were also fourth in Group 1 contests.
Three Witches had previously claimed the G3 Princess Rooney S. at Gulfstream Park and finished third in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
Opperman outrides claim
South Australian-based apprentice Jacob Opperman was all smiles on Saturday at Morphettville Parks after outriding his metropolitan claim.
Opperman has ridden 21 metropolitan winners this season, putting his third on the South Australian Jockeys’ Premiership.
Jacob Opperman | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It’s great to outride the claim, it’s been a long time coming but I’m really glad it has happened,” Opperman told Punters.
“I can relax now, it’s over and done with.”
Riordan suspended for a month
Jockey Liam Riordan has been suspended by Racing Victoria Stewards for a month for his part in an incident at Camperdown on January 20, which caused fellow rider Madison Lloyd to fall from her mount.
Riordan plead guilty to a charge of careless riding, and will be out of action until March 7.
Hades upstages Fierceness
All eyes were on Eclipse Award and runaway G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile hero Fierceness (USA) (City Of Light {USA}) making his seasonal return in the G3 Holy Bull S. at Gulfstream Park, but the Repole homebred was out of gas when push came to shove and in a bit of an oddly run race, it was DJ Stable and Robert Cotran's Hades (USA) (Awesome Slew {USA}), who controlled a moderate tempo and slipped away from Fierceness in the final furlong and held off Domestic Product (USA) (Practical Joke {USA}) to win.
Hades is the second stakes winner for Awesome Slew (USA), a son of Awesome Again (Can) and he is the 11th stakes winner out of a daughter of Quality Road (USA).
R Harper Rose impresses in Forward Gal
R Harper Rose (USA) (Khozan {USA}) represented her fellow Florida-breds well in Saturday's G3 Forward Gal S. over the Hallandale strip as she dropped the hammer down the lane to win.
The filly is one of 16 stakes winners for Florida’s leading sire Khozan (USA). R Harper Rose is from the Yes It’s True (USA) mare True Bliss (USA), who is a half-sister to the G3 Churchill Downs Derby Trial S. victor Hierro (USA) (Hard Spun {USA}) and the Listed winner Cherokee Triangle (USA) (Cherokee Run {USA}).
Mystik Dan puts Derby claim forward
The G3 Southwest S. at Oaklawn Park was one of four G1 Kentucky Derby preparation runs held in North America over the weekend. The Oaklawn Park feature was won by a mud-splattered Mystik Dan (USA) (Goldencents {USA}), who caused a minor upset.
Mystik Dan is the 27th stakes winner for the Spendthrift Farm-based Goldencents (USA) and is from the Colonel John (USA) mare Ma’am (USA), who won four races. Ma’am is a half-sister to Renaissance Art (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}), who won in Hong Kong and was placed in the Listed Queen Mother Memorial Cup.
Nysos overcomes adversity to keep unbeaten record
The Bob Baffert-trained Nysos (USA) (Nyquist {USA}) kept his unbeaten record intact despite stepping slowly and enduring a hellish pace set by his rivals to win the G3 Robert B. Lewis S.
It was the sixth consecutive Robert B. Lewis S. and the 12th overall for Baffert. However, Nysos is ineligible for this year’s G1 Kentucky Derby, having stayed with the Baffert barn after the January 29 deadline.
War Front sires 116th stakes winner
The Brendan Walsh-trained First World War (USA) provided his Claiborne Farm-based sire War Front (USA) with his 116th stakes winner when scoring the G3 Kitten’s Joy S.
“First World War is a tremendous talent,” winning jockey Tyler Gaffalione said. “He’s still learning, but the sky’s the limit for him. If he keeps developing the way he is, I think we’ll have a pretty nice horse down the road.”
First World War is from the G3 Indiana Oaks-placed Sundaysatthebeach (USA), a daughter of Medaglia D’Oro (USA), who celebrated his 101st stakes success as a broodmare sire.
Life’s An Audible gets in G3 Sweetest Chant
Life’s An Audible (USA) narrowly took out the G3 Sweetest Chant S. at Gulfstream Park, showing her sire Audible’s (USA) fondness for the track, having claimed the G1 Florida Derby and the G2 Holy Bull S. at the venue.
Life’s An Audible’s dam Catkins (USA) (Data Link {USA}), is a half-sister to the Group 3 winners Uncontested (USA) (Tiz Wonderful {USA}) and Solitary Ranger (USA) (U S Ranger {USA}).
Barn 15 at Belmont Park placed under quarantine due to potential EHV case
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) have placed Barn 15 at Belmont Park under a precautionary quarantine until further notice due to a potential case of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) in that barn.
Cute Curls (USA) (Tapiture {USA}), an unraced 3-year-old filly trained by Danny Gargan, exhibited acute neurological symptoms on Saturday and was subsequently euthanised. As of Saturday afternoon, no additional horses in Barn 15 have presented symptoms.
Samples are in-route to Cornell University for analysis with results expected within 48 hours.
