Partial sale of Sandown not happening in short term
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has ruled out a partial sale of Sandown, for now, Racing.com has reported.
A partial redevelopment of Sandown, which is situated in Melbourne’s south-east, was supported by some who are keen to retain racing at the site, and it could have also netted the MRC much-needed money for its master plan.
However, as reported by Racing.com late last year, an independent report found the economics did not stack up.
Matt Cain | Image courtesy of Melbourne Racing Club
MRC Chairman Matt Cain said there has been an extensive amount of work undertaken by an independent consultant since mid-2023.
“They’ve analysed the various options available to Sandown and the partial option, given that it’s 112 hectares, it’s really quite restrictive. You’ve got the racing, the big lake and the waterways through the middle. To sort of try to do a partial development, just has a huge financial impact on the overall value of the Sandown precinct. So it’s not our preferred choice at this point in time,” Cain told Racing.com.
No Lightning for In Secret
Brilliant mare In Secret (I Am Invincible) won’t be a starter in the G1 Black Caviar Lightning S. at Flemington on Saturday, according to Racing.com.
The report states the mare’s trainer James Cummings advised In Secret would not progress to the race after performing below expectations at trackwork.
James Cummings | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
In Secret has won two Group 1s, both down the straight at Flemington.
Group 1 heroine tests positive to banned substance
Star mare Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) tested positive to a banned substance during a sample taken before her sixth-placed effort in last year’s G1 Champions S. at Flemington in November.
The dual Group 1 winner was retired in December due to a degenerative hoof condition.
“Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) reported that the urine sample was shown to contain Phenylbutazone, Oxyphenbutazone and Gamma-hydroxyphenylbutazone (a non- steroidal anti-inflammatory and its metabolites) which is a prohibited substance on raceday in accordance with the Australian Rules of Racing,” Racing Victoria (RV) stewards said via a statement on Thursday.
Prowess (NZ) | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
The Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) also reported that it had detected Phenylbutazone, Oxyphenbutazone and gamma-hydroxyphenylbutazone within the reserve portion of the urine sample.
Phenylbutazone is a prohibited substance under the Australian Rules of Racing when detected in a sample taken from a horse at a race meeting or trial (including an official trial or a jump-out for the purpose of obtaining a permit to start in a race).
RV Stewards initially informed trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood of the irregularity on December 22. The co-trainers were informed on February 5 of the confirmatory findings and that stewards are continuing their investigation.
Top billing for Shamus Award mare
Another Award (Shamus Award) - a Listed winner and two-time Group 1 placegetter - has been named the South Australian Thoroughbred Breeders Horse of the year for 2022/23.
The mare was purchased from the Willow Grove Stud draft by Macdonald/Gluyas Racing for $150,000 at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale in 2019. She amassed $619,475 in prizemoney on the track and was bought by Yulong Stud for $1.2 million at last year’s Inglis July (Early) Online Sale.
Another Award | Image courtesy of Inglis Digital
Willow Grove Stud shared the leading SA Breeder Award with Toorak Park Breeding Trust.
Bahamas (Teofilo {Ire}) took out the Claude Haigh Memorial Broodmare of the Year Award, while industry icon Peter Jones received the coveted Matrice Award.
Air Assault (Justify {USA}) was named the best 2-year-old, and the two-time Group 1 winner Viddora (I Am Invincible) was recognised for her racetrack achievements with entry into the Millionaires Club.
Nolen injured in trackwork fall
A serious fall at trackwork on Thursday morning has left veteran jockey Luke Nolen with serious injuries.
Nolen was due to undergo surgery on Thursday afternoon to stem an internal bleed, while he also has fractured left ribs in the incident at Pakenham.
Victorian Jockeys’ Association chief executive Matt Hyland said Nolen would likely spend a couple of days in hospital.
“The initial report was that he had pain in his lower back, pelvis and hip area,” Hyland said.
“He’s had some lower back trouble in the past, a nagging back injury from a fair while now, I’m not sure if that’s related to what he's got now.”
Clark bullish about Trunk
Tim Clark has ridden 2-year-old Trunk (Snitzel) in a trial, and on Saturday, the Group 1-winning jockey will be aboard the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt in the R. Listed Inglis Millennium at Randwick.
Trunk finished second on debut behind the highly rated Stay Focused (Cosmic Force) in the Geelong Diamond. Since then, he has returned to Sydney and on January 22, Clark partnered him in a Rosehill trial over 850 metres. Trunk finished fourth behind his stablemate, last week’s G3 Canonbury S. winner, Prost (Snitzel).
Trunk (green cap) and Prost at the Randwick trials on January 22 | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He’s a horse that works really well and I think he ran into a pretty smart one when he went down. They’ve elected to come back here and target this race,” Clark told Racing And Sports.
Waller stumps up for Derby hero
Manzoice (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) hasn’t exactly gone on with the job after winning the 2022 G1 Victorian Derby, with the now 4-year-old failing to finish in the top five in six subsequent starts.
Trainer Chris Waller is hopeful that Manzoice, who resumes in a 1600-metre handicap at Randwick on Saturday, will bounce back to form now he has been gelded.
“We’re hoping that gelding him has done the trick,” Waller said during his weekend preview on X.
Chris Waller | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He’s a Derby winner and he looks great. He is ready to run well.
“The last couple of gallops he’s put in he’s gone really well and he’s going to turn up to the races spot on and ready to go.”
Price hoping gelding can patrol the path to the Guineas
Co-trainer Mick Price has high hopes for his 3-year-old son of Contributer (Ire), Snow Patrol (NZ), who is set to make his return to racing on Saturday.
“He’s going very well, and we’re hoping to get him into the Australian Guineas,” Price told Racing And Sports.
“He’s a nice horse that should have won his first two starts.
Mick Price | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“The second start was a hard watch, then subsequently, his last run, I was trying to get back the bad luck that he had at start number two.
“He ran the race of a horse that had probably had enough, but he didn’t have much joy in that race either.
“So, I’ll get a guide (on) what to do with him after Saturday, whether we run in the Australian Guineas.”
Resortman retired
Thursday saw the curtain come down on the career of the ever-reliable Resortman (Helmet), with trainer Michael Lane retiring his stable star.
The 7-year-old has been a consistent force in and around the 1400-metre feature scene in Western Australia, including a winning streak of four in 2022.
Resortman | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
He finishes his career with over $800,000 in accrued prizemoney.
Cooper set for debut ride
Highly touted young rider Chanel Cooper will make her competitive debut on Sunday at Pinjarra Scarpside, with leading trainers Grant and Alana Williams throwing their support behind the promising hoop.
Cooper’s first ride will be on Brazen Empress (Safeguard) for the powerful husband and wife training duo, who also provide her with the ride aboard Bergamo (Caravaggio {USA}) and Terratif (Awesome Rock).
Weatherleys eye Group success
Darryn and Briar Weatherley have been well-represented in stakes events this season and that trend will continue at Te Rapa on Saturday with a trio of feature race contenders.
The Matamata-based trainers have stable favourite Mali Ston (NZ) (El Roca) and the progressive Arby (NZ) (Prosir) in the G1 Herbie Dyke S., while consistent filly Tulsi (The Autumn Sun) will contest the G2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic.
“We’re quite proud of our little team, we’ve only had three winners but most of our runners have been in Group or Listed races,” Darryn Weatherley told loveracing.nz.
Briar and Darryn Weatherley | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
“They’ve been going good races and we haven’t had any midweekers or maidens and it’s great to have a couple in the Group 1, although it’s obviously going to be hard to beat Legarto.
“Both my boys are really well and I couldn’t separate them to be honest and both deserve their spot in the field.”
Sweden star Graberg looks to make his mark
Champion jockey Per-Anders Graberg is hoping to make an impression in New Zealand to add to the list of countries he has successfully ridden in.
The experienced Swede arrived last week on a four-month visa and has based himself in Cambridge.
“I have been riding out for Tony Pike and, of course, for any others if they need me,” Graberg told loveracing.nz.
Graberg has two rides at Te Rapa for Pike on Saturday, including Vera Rose (NZ) (Fiorente) in the NZ$350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic.
“I am very glad he has put me on and very much looking forward to it,” Graberg said.
Kheir looking to increase investment in New Zealand
Well-known Australian owner Ozzie Kheir has had plenty of success buying horses from New Zealand, and now he is looking to boost his investment.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s announcement last month on the summer racing calendar revamp, prizemoney increases and introduction of the NZ$3.5 million The NZB Kiwi slot race excited many in the industry, including Kheir.
“There is a lot of substance to a New Zealand horse. They breed milers and staying types. I love racing horses that have that scope to improve from three onwards. That is probably why I love Europe and New Zealand racing,” he told loveracing.nz.
Ozzie Kheir | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Kheir is particularly keen to get his hands on a slot in The NZB Kiwi, set to be the Southern Hemisphere’s richest 3-year-old race, with slots set to be auctioned at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka Sales Centre on February 27.
“I am looking at the options available there. I would like to be involved if we can and support it,” he said.
Havana Grey to the fore on Day 1 of Goffs February Sale
Commercial weanlings were in demand on Day 1 of the Goffs February Sale, as a Havana Grey (GB) colt (Lot 189) consigned by Kellsgrange Stud led home proceedings at €85,000 (AU$140,600) to Yeomanstown Stud as turnover dropped 30 per cent compared to last year.
Lot 189 is out of the unraced Danehill Dancer (Ire) mare How High The Sky (Ire), who has produced eight winners from 10 foals, including the highly-rated sprinter Up Above (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}).
Lot 189 - Havana Grey (GB) x How High The Sky (Ire) (colt) | Image courtesy of Goffs
David O’Callaghan of Yeomanstown Stud commented, “A great model. By a very good stallion and a good dam to back him up. He could come back here next autumn and we are delighted to get him. He could go anywhere.”
Godolphin's Mawj retired from racing
Last year's brilliant G1 1,000 Guineas winner Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel) has been retired, Godolphin announced on Wednesday. She will now join the operation's broodmare band having failed to sparkle on what proved to be her final racecourse appearance when finishing last of the nine runners in last month's G1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan.
“She proved herself against the best horses across the world, winning in Dubai, the UK and the United States as well as finishing second in a Breeders' Cup Mile. Everyone at Al Quoz and Godolphin Stables is going to miss her but we look forward to the next stage of her life as a broodmare," said Saeed bin Suroor.
