Daily News Wrap

Lightning or Oakleigh Plate for star colt?

James Cummings has yet to decide whether his star colt, Cylinder (Exceed And Excel), will resume in the G1 Black Caviar Lightning S. at Flemington or the G1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.

On Friday morning, Cylinder, had an 800-metre tune-up down the Flemington straight alongside other Lightning-nominated gallopers. The colt finished next to the Group 1-placed The Astrologist (Zoustar) in the gallop.

“Cylinder is a Golden Slipper placegetter, he’s a Golden Rose placegetter, his run in The Everest was enormous against the older horses so the Lightning S. would be the type of race where he won’t be out of place,” Cummings told Punters.

“We’ve also got the option of the Oakleigh Plate at the handicaps a week later, so we’re weighing that up. I think Cylinder is in a really good frame of mind to run a good race first-up, wherever we go.

“He was beautiful in his work today (Friday). The Astrologist set a nice gallop and with Espiona in behind, there were only the three of them but they’re all classy horses, we were delighted with our colt.”

Shinn: 'High Octane is a very exciting horse'

Blake Shinn has hailed Peter and Paul Snowden’s High Octane (Deep Field) , a very exciting horse. Shinn wasn’t in the saddle when High Octane took out the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings) on Australia Day, but is set to hop in the saddle when the colt contests the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings) on Saturday at Caulfield.

“High Octane is a very exciting horse, he won well on debut at Caulfield,” Shinn told Racing.com.

“He’s got a lot of ability; he showed that in his trial leading into his debut win. High Octane is trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, one of the best stables around, they know what it takes to win a Blue Diamond and this horse might have what it takes.

“I worked High Octane on Tuesday morning, he worked terrific and is ready to go.”

Adam I Am one of two for Old in inaugural Karapiro Classic

Matamata trainer Glenn Old, will be double handed in Saturday’s inaugural NZ$350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic at Te Rapa. Old’s emerging star Adam I Am (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) and Choose ‘Em Big (NZ) (Preferment {NZ}) are set to contest the feature which is restricted to horses that were maiden on July 31.

“It’s amazing money and a great race to target with horses that are coming through the grades,” Old told loveracing.nz.

“I’m really looking forward to running Adam I Am on Saturday. He’s bouncing out of his skin and ready to go. Choose ‘Em Big is a really nice horse too. He’s had some bad luck in a couple of his runs. Unfortunately, he’s drawn poorly in barrier 13 for his style of racing. He’s not a sit-sprint horse, he's a massive horse, a bit like Adam. So we might have to roll up and hope we get a bit of luck.”

Skyman pushes on to Herbie Dyke

The former Chris Waller-trained Skyman (GB) (Mukhadram {GB}), who is now trained by Cambridge-based horseman Stephen Marsh, will look to break through for his first success in New Zealand when he tackles the G1 Herbie Dyke S. at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Skyman made his Kiwi debut when fifth in the G1 Thorndon Mile in January, carrying syndicator Go Racing’s silks, and in the process became eligible to chase the NZ$500,000 Summer Series bonus.

“I really liked his last run,” Marsh told TAB NZ. “He wasn’t at home on the wettish track, but he has come on brilliantly. I think the 2000 metres on Saturday should really suit.”

Marsh will also run the Waikato Stud-bred and raced Mazzalino (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Herbie Dyke S. The full sister to the multiple Group 1 winner Atishu (NZ) was recently confirmed in foal to Waikato Stud’s exciting first-season sire Super Seth.

Forsman looking to upstage Molly

Andrew Forsman is hopeful the step-up to 2000 metres in Saturday’s G2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic at Te Rapa will see his promising filly Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) upstage Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High).

“Molly Bloom has had the better of us to this point, so we are hoping when we get beyond a mile that will change,” Forsman told TAB.NZ.

The fillies first met in the G2 Soliloquy S. last October, where Mary Shan finished runner-up to Impendabelle (Impending), while Molly Bloom was fourth. They clashed again in the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton a few weeks later where Molly Bloom showed her class when capturing the Classic, while Mary Shan finished fifth. Molly Bloom then defeated Mary Shan by a head in the G2 Eight Carat Classic at Pukekohe on Boxing Day.

Quintessa out to extend Te Akau dominance

Te Akau Racing has landed at least one of Legends Day’s major prizes in each of the last five editions of the showpiece Te Rapa meeting, and trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson have assembled another formidable contingent for Saturday’s 2024 edition. The contingent is headed by the last-start G1 Levin Classic victress Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) in the G1 BCD Group Sprint.

“We’ve had a bit of luck in the BCD Group Sprint in the last few years, but on paper it looks like it’s going to be a pretty tough one to win this year,” Bergerson told loveracing.nz.

“We’re going to need the right run and a bit of luck. But one thing we can say about Quintessa is that she’s a winner. She doesn’t win by massive margins, but she knows how to win and does everything she can every time she races.

“Quintessa is a 3-year-old filly up against some seasoned Group 1 horses, as well as the new star in Crocetti, so it’s going to be tough. But we just hope that she runs another good race. It’s a nice stepping stone towards the G1 Australian Guineas in three weeks’ time.”

Stay Inside’s half-sister salutes at Canberra

Stormy Revolution (Russian Revolution) improved from her debut fourth at Scone, to break her maiden at Canberra on Friday for Annabel Neasham. The 3-year-old filly, ridden by Alysha Collett, defeated Flying Ned (Flying Artie) and Rabairneach (Xtravagant {NZ}).

Stormy Revolution is the third foal from the Anabaa (USA) mare Nothin Leica Storm, who is the dam of Newgate Farm’s G1 Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside.

Nothin Leica Storm has proven difficult to get in foal, having not foaled a foal since Stormy Revolution in 2020 but was served by Capitalist last season.

Stormy Revolution was a $600,000 purchase by Annabel Neasham, Brian McGuire and TFI Ladies from the draft of Kingstar Farm at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Waterhouse and Bott stable to the fore in juvenile event

Unsurprisingly, it was the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable, who trained the winner of Canberra’s juvenile event on Friday.

The stable saddled-up the debutant Enter The Dragon (Capitalist), ridden by Louis Beuzelin, the colt won from the Exceedance-sired pair Serial Offender and Spritzy Lass.

Enter The Dragon is the first foal from the Sebring mare Princess Joy Joy, who is closely related to the star galloper Criterion (NZ). Princess Joy Joy has a yearling filly by Merchant Navy, who will be offered at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale as Lot 603 by Lime Country Thoroughbreds. The daughter of Sebring foaled a filly by Trapeze Artist in September and was served by Capitalist.

Enter The Dragon was a $260,000 purchase by R Yiu from the draft of Segenhoe Stud at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Stylish win for Better Than Ready filly

The John Wigginton-trained More Stylish (Better Than Ready) scored a stylish victory on debut at Rockhampton on Friday. The 2-year-old filly, ridden by Ryan Wiggins, defeated Well Held (Kobayashi) by 1.2l, while Simply Tina (Exceedance) was a further 7.10l away in third.

More Stylish is the third foal from the Toorak Toff mare Flying Flywheel, who foaled a colt by Tassort in August and was served by Stronger.

The filly is from the family of the G1 Queensland Derby and G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup winner Eagle Way (More Than Ready {USA}).

More Stylis\h was a $70,000 purchase by John Wigginton Racing from the draft of Lyndhurst Stud Farm at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.

Murtagh to ride Hellberg

Wangaratta-based trainer Ben Brisbourne has given the English-born jockey Connor Murtagh his first Australian stakes ride when the hoop partners Brisbourne’s Hellberg (Hellbent) in Saturday’s G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings).

Murtagh has formed a solid relationship with Brisbourne, and the ride is reward for his hard work since moving to Australia. Murtagh partnered the son of Hellbent on debut at Geelong where he finished second.

“It’s massive, to be honest. That’s all a jockey really needs, someone to stand behind them and put them up mid-week and on big days,” Murtagh told Racing.com.

“I live in Footscray, but I drive to Wangaratta a lot to ride trackwork. It just shows Ben that I’m putting the hours in for him, so he’s more than willing to repay me.”

Hellberg was a $25,000 purchase by Brisbourne Racing and Affinity Racing from the draft of Longwood Thoroughbred Farm at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. The colt is from the Listed Talindert S. placegetter Annenberg (Artie Schiller {USA}).

Lane suspended

On Thursday night, at Pakenham, Racing Victoria stewards handed Victoria’s leading rider, Damian Lane, a suspension for breaking the whip rules.

Lane was aboard the Shannon Roughan-trained Yes Sir Icanboogie (NZ) (Pierro) in Race 2, who ultimately won the 2250-metre maiden. However, Lane used his whip on nine occasions prior to the 100-metre mark, which is four more than permitted.

Lane pleaded guilty and was outed for seven meetings, with his suspension starting on Sunday, February 18 and finishing on Friday, February 23.

Encap ready to roll in Eskimo Prince

Warwick Farm-based trainer Gary Portelli feels he has a great chance of winning Saturday’s G3 Eskimo Prince S. at Randwick with his promising gelding Encap (Capitalist).

Encap won the G3 Ming Dynasty H. in the spring and finished second in the G1 Golden Rose where he was narrowly overhauled by the triple Group 1 winner Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}).

“I think you’ll see a horse that has learned a lot from that preparation because he had no idea,” Portelli told RSN927.

“Encap has a big motor and if he comes back in the form he went out in, he is going to be very competitive on Saturday.”

Fat Cat to tackle Autumn S.

Cranbourne-based horseman Robbie Laing will tackle Saturday’s G2 Autumn S. at Caulfield with his promising galloper Hey Fat Cat (Rubick). Laing elected to scratch the gelding from a race on Wednesday at Sandown-Lakeside in favour of having a tilt at the Group 2 event.

“I scratched him from Sandown-Lakeside on Wednesday where he had 62kg, it was the last race on the card and we were running for midweek money,” Laing told RSN927.

“I don’t want to sound snobbish, but the Autumn S. is worth a lot more money. Hey Fat Cat, is a fit horse. There may be better horses in the field than him, but they won’t be fitter than him at this stage.”

Hey Fat Cat, was passed in for $25,000 at the 2022 Inglis Gold Yearling Sale when offered by Hollylodge Thoroughbreds. The son of Rubick has won twice from six starts.

Australian Cup goal for Cleopatra

Smart mare Foxy Cleopatra (American Pharoah {USA}) will take her steps towards the G1 Australian Cup when she returns in Saturday’s G3 TS Carlyon Cup at Caulfield for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.

The mare was last seen finishing unplaced on heavy ground in the Ballarat Cup in December.

“Foxy Cleopatra didn’t really cop that heavy track at Ballarat, and we needed to know,” co-trainer Young told RSN927.

“We were in two minds whether to scratch her. She’s had a little spell after that and has returned. Foxy Cleopatra trialled up super and she worked well on Tuesday morning.

“I think on pedigree she should get out to 2000 metres. It would be nice if she does as we’ve got Australian Cup aspirations for her. We’ll go to the Peter Young, the Australian Cup Prelude and then the Australian Cup, all going well.”

Iron horse wins again

Frankie Stockdale’s Dubai Moon (Pride Of Dubai) has hit a purple patch of form, winning four races in the space of a fortnight. The 6-year-old gelding secured his latest victory at Pakenham on Thursday night. It was the second consecutive success at his home track, after dominating at Hanging Rock and Moe.

“It’s unbelievable really, the way Dubai Moon is going,” Stockdale told Racing.com.

“He was getting beat at the picnics. We’ve put him over a few steeplechases and woke him up a bit and he’s trying now.”

Dubai Moon was a $35,000 purchase by Frankie Stockdale Horse Racing from the draft of Highgrove Stud at the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. The gelding is from the unraced Northern Meteor mare Queenofthegalaxy, who hails from the family of the Champion Sire and outstanding galloper Fappiano (USA).

Hades eyes Florida Derby

Last Saturday’s upset G3 Holy Bull S. winner Hades (USA) (Awesome Slew {USA}) may be pointed to either the G2 Fountain of Youth S. on March 2 or the March 30, G1 Florida Derby, according to his trainer Joe Orseno.

“We’re obviously working backwards from the first Saturday in May,” said Orseno. “We’ll do what’s best for the horses. I don’t think both races are in the plans. If I had to guess now, I’d say the Florida Derby.”

First foal for Sir Winston

The G1 Belmont S. hero Sir Winston (USA) has welcomed his first foal, a filly! The foal was bred by Tracy Farmer and born at his Shadowlawn Farm in Midway, Kentucky. She is from the Hard Spun (USA) mare Pretty Clever (USA), who is a half-sister to the stakes winner Can You Diggit (USA) (Tiznow {USA}).

Sir Winston stands at Pope McLean’s Crestwood Farm.

Oliver and Moore head Saudi International Jockeys’ Challenge

Fourteen world-class jockeys from eight jurisdictions around the world will participate in the International Jockeys' Challenge to be held on the eve of the Saudi Cup meeting at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh Friday, February 23. A team of seven male riders will compete against seven of their female counterparts in the four-race series.

Ryan Moore will feature in the Jockeys' Challenge for the first time in its brief history. The veteran reinsman, who was recognized as the Longines World's Best Jockey in Hong Kong last December, is one of five male participants based overseas, alongside the defending champion Luis Saez from the United States, Maxime Guyon from France and Japan's Ryusei Sakai.

Legendary Australian jockey Damien Oliver, the last of the overseas invitees, officially retired from the saddle December 16, taking a Group 2 race named in his honour at Ascot in his hometown of Perth in Western Australia. But similar to his compatriot Glen Boss in 2022, Oliver, a three-time winner of the G1 Melbourne Cup, will pause his retirement to take part in the event.

Eight-times Saudi champion Camilo Ospina and current titleholder Adel Alfouraidi round out the line-up for the males.

New Zealand's Lisa Allpress made history in 2020 when becoming the first female to win a race in Saudi Arabia, and the four-time leading rider returns to Riyadh for another crack. Australasia is also set to be represented by the Sydney-based Alysha Collett. America's Katie Davis makes her debut in the event and will be joined by South Africa's Rachel Venniker, Victoria Mota from Brazil, French jockey Maryline Eon and Great Britain's Saffie Osborne, the daughter of trainer Jamie Osborne, who was part of the female team that emerged victorious at last year's Shergar Cup at Ascot.

Goodnight Olive retired

The time has been called on the career of Chad Brown’s Eclipse Award-winning Champion Female Sprinter of 2022 and 2023, Goodnight Olive (USA) (Ghostzapper {USA}). Goodnight Oliver was sold for US$6 million (AU$9.2 million) at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton November Sale and was set to race on in 2024. Instead, the decision was made to retire her. According to a press release from John Stewart’s Resolute Farm, Goodnight Olive will be bred to Not This Time (USA).

Gavin O’Connor, General Manager of Resolute Farm, said, “We purchased Goodnight Olive at Fasig-Tipton as a broodmare prospect and had hoped to continue her racing career. At the end of the day, these athletes are used to performing at the highest level and unless Chad (Brown) and his team thought she could continue to compete at that level we always knew this was a likely path for her. She really doesn’t have anything else to prove. We are so thankful for the opportunity to play a part in such a wonderful horse’s career.”