Daily News Wrap

No autumn campaign for Steparty

Quality colt Steparty (Artie Schiller {USA}) will miss the autumn, with connections of the Group 3 winner opting to send him to the spelling paddock, following a piece of work on Tuesday morning.

“He galloped fantastic, but he gets a pulse in his feet which means they have a bit of trauma,” managing owner and breeder Greg Baldwin told Racing.com.

“You could go ahead but we are worried about knocking him around.

“So we will give him a bit of time for it to grow out and harden up.”

First Australian winner for Zousain

Widden Stud’s freshman sire Zousain logged his first winner in Australia on Tuesday, with the Team Snowden-trained colt Drifting scoring on debut in Race 1 - a 1000-metre 2-year-old maiden - at Hawkesbury.

Drifting is the second winner for Zousain, but first in Australia. The Victress (Zousain) was the stallion’s maiden scorer - that filly saluted at Te Aroha on January 3.

Zousain - a Group 2-winning son of the brilliant Zoustar - enjoyed a strong Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, with 19 lots selling at an average of $72,500.

Drifting was bought by Snowden Racing and William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA) for $160,000 at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale when offered by Murrulla Stud.

The colt, who was bred by Baddock Bloodstock, is from the winning Big Brown (USA) mare Backpacker Express and is closely related to the Group 2 winners Downhill Racer (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and Schubert (Salieri {USA}).

Murrulla Stud will offer a sister to Drifting as Lot 223 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.

Walker to call Victoria home

Te Akau Racing’s head trainer, Mark Walker, has revealed he intends to be based in Victoria within 12 months.

Walker said that Te Akau has come to an agreement with the Cranbourne Turf Club to build 50 new boxes in 2024, taking the operation’s capacity at Victoria’s largest training centre to 70 horses.

Walker's training partner, Sam Bergerson, will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of Te Akau’s New Zealand operation, as soon as Walker crosses the Tasman.

“With the challenge involved in it all - we’re going to build another 50 boxes - we want to have a serious presence here and I want to be around for that,” Walker said on RSN.

“I was the one who initially said to David (Ellis) and Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) after we broke all the records (in New Zealand) last year that it was probably the right thing to do for our owners, for me to base myself in Melbourne.

“I discussed it with them and they said that if I wanted to have a crack, they would back me.

“Sam Bergerson came into the partnership this year and he’s going really well, so we’ll still have the partnership together and still have a big focus on New Zealand racing.

“Instead of three weeks in New Zealand and one week here, it’ll be three-and-a-half weeks here (Melbourne) and a few days in New Zealand every month.”

Right You Are retired

The talented stayer Right You Are (So You Think {NZ}) has run his last race, as announced by owner Bill Huchinson on Tuesday.

The gelding has faced a recurrence of a suspensory ligament injury that put him on the sidelines for an 18-month stretch in 2021.

Connections mull Veight options

Calvin McEvoy, co-trainer of Veight (Grunt {NZ}), admits the stable is unsure what to do with the top colt after his gallant run against older horses in Saturday’s G1 CF Orr S.

After resuming with a gutsy G2 Australia S. victory, Veight placed fourth behind Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) in the Orr.

McEvoy said three Group 1 races are being considered - the Newmarket H., Futurity S. and Australian Guineas.

“He’s come through Saturday’s run very well and we couldn’t be happier,” McEvoy told Racing.com.

“We’re not sure yet what we’re going to do with him.

“We’ve got a week to make a call, we’re talking with all the owners and running figures but to be honest, I don’t even have a leaning to one race at this stage.

“I can make cases for him to run in three races - a Newmarket, a Futurity and a Guineas - and that’s amazing to say because it’s such a broad range of races.

“I think he’d run well in any of the three.”

He retires with 10 wins from 27 career starts, and career prizemoney of over $1.1 million.

Glimmer of hope for Vorster

Top jockey Barend Vorster has had to endure an extended period of time on the shelf due to concussion related complications, but the talented hoop is remaining positive about a potential return to the saddle.

“It feels like a lifetime,” Vorster told Racing.com.

“It's getting frustrating, but I have to be realistic and look back and when I do that, there has been quite a lot of improvement. I’m doing a lot more things now than I was four or five months ago.

“I feel, head-wise, I’m in a good space, I’m coping a lot better and am able to get out and up my exercise a bit and do a bit more, which is good.”

Can Wolfgang howl at headquarters?

Trainers Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans have a big autumn in store for their promising 2-year-old Wolfgang (Exceed And Excel), targeting the G2 Sires’ Produce S. at Flemington as his grand final.

“We scratched him (on Saturday) because he drew 10 of 10,” Yeomans told Racing.com.

“We thought it might be a bit tricky for him. We’ve decided we’re going to run him on Saturday in the Talindert. We’re not sold if he handles the straight fully or if it was greenness, his first start was up the straight and he ran fifth, J-Mac (James McDonald) got off and said he thought he needed a bend.

“We thought we’d try the straight again, he’s much more furnished and established now. We thought the ideal race for him after the weekend could be the Sires’ back at Flemington, so we just wanted to see if he handled Flemington. We’ll run on Saturday and if he runs well, we’ll kick on to the Sires’.”

Hunter to find his fortune?

Jerome Hunter has certainly found one of the deepest ends in the Australian racing swimming pool to throw Rich Fortune (Rich Enuff) into, with the mare set to contest the G1 Black Caviar Lightning S. on Saturday at Flemington.

“You can’t win the raffle without a ticket,” Hunter told Racing.com.

“We are fit and I wouldn’t say a lot of those horses are 1000-metre specialists and are looking for a bit further and if there is lots of speed on, it would definitely suit my horse.

“Craig Williams said when he rode her in the Kensington S. she was very keen and he said, ‘You really need a very fast run race for her to settle and run on’. I guess you couldn't pick any faster race than the Lightning.”

Cross Counter's brother impresses

Introduced as Charlie Appleby's second-string in Monday's novice at Wolverhampton, Godolphin's 3-year-old Endless Victory (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) emerged clear best with a striking debut display. He's a full-brother to the operation's G1 Melbourne Cup hero Cross Counter (GB).

"That was a lovely performance--he was a bit green and it's probably a bit sharp for him around here, but he got away with it and hit the line well," said jockey Danny Tudhope. "He'll be better when he goes up in trip."

Champion Jockey aiming for Quokka return

Star rider William Pike is currently on the sidelines with an injury, but the ‘Wizard of the West’ is hoping to return to the saddle in time for the $5 million in prizemoney on offer for The Quokka.

“It feels ok, and the swelling has gone down heaps, but if I put any weight on it by accident it reminds you pretty quick,” Pike told The Races WA.

“I’m going to push hard to be back doing trials at around the seven weeks (from injury) and if they pass me, I can ride at the eight or nine-week mark.

“There is plenty of time for The Quokka itself and I think it's fine for the lead up races as well.

“I’m hoping to get going before the Roma Cup, or before then if my body is right.

“I don't want to be blowing out the cobwebs.”

Can Murray’s filly tango her way to riches?

Trainer Paul Murray has the riches of The Big Dance in sight for his talented 4-year-old mare, Winning Point (Bull Point)

“I wanted to give her another run or two, and this one popped up so we'll have a crack at that and then I’ll decide if she has one more after that,” Murray told RacingNSW.

“I’m leaning to three to four runs into The Big Dance. So we have a bit of leeway to get a win or so to keep the rating up.”

Apprentice jockey in critical condition

South Australian-based apprentice jockey Chelsey Reynolds is in a critical condition, following a fall at trackwork on Tuesday morning, according to News Corp.

The report states Reynolds was working on an uphill sand gallop at a private training property on the Fleurieu Peninsula, about 70km south of Adelaide, when the incident occurred.

It is understood Reynolds, who is indentured to Wayne Francis and Glen Kent, was transported to Flinders Medical Centre via helicopter with “traumatic injuries”.

SA Health has confirmed Reynolds is in a critical condition.

Racing SA said it was providing support to Reynolds’ family and will provide a further update “as soon as we are able”.

The Australian Jockeys’ Association said via social media on Tuesday afternoon: “Our thoughts and prayers are with SA apprentice Chelsey Reynolds after her accident this morning.”

Doncaster glory looks Attractable to Ryan

Trainer Sara Ryan has high hopes with her Big Dance hero Attractable (I Am Invincible) this autumn.

The 5-year-old will resume in Saturday’s G2 Apollo S. at Randwick, ahead of a tilt at one of Australia’s most prestigious mile races, the G1 Doncaster Mile.

“We are going to attempt the Doncaster, so it’ll be the Apollo, the Ajax and then the Doncaster would be my gut plan for him,” Ryan told Racing And Sports.

“As long as he’s running in the first half of the field (in the Apollo) I’d be very happy with him, you have to respect Fangirl and Militarize but he will be more forward than you would expect.”

Group 3-winning mare retired

Time has been called on the career of Savabeel’s Group 3-winning daughter Mazzolino (NZ).

The Waikato Stud-bred and owned mare was prepared by Stephen Marsh and was successful on three occasions, including the 2023 G3 Desert Gold S.

In foal to Super Seth, Mazzolino also ran fourth in this season’s G1 Zabeel Classic and signed off with a midfield finish in the G1 Herbie Dyke S. on Saturday.

The 4-year-old is a sister to the two-time Group 1 heroine Atishu (NZ).

“She has done a great job and did us proud, she’s going to be a very good addition to the Waikato Stud broodmare band,” Marsh told loveracing.nz.

Dual Group 2 winner for sale on gavelhouse.com

Talented mare Aromatic (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) is available for purchase on gavelhouse.com.

The 7-year-old, who raced in the tangerine colours of Te Akau Racing, notched three stakes triumphs, two of them at Group 2 level. She also placed in stakes company on six occasions.

“She’s been one of the most genuine mares that Te Akau has raced in the last few years,” Te Akau Principal David Ellis told loveracing.nz.

“I bought her for NZ$160,000 as a yearling at Karaka, and she provided so many thrills for her owners throughout her career.”

The latest gavelhouse.com fortnightly auction boasts 63 Lots and is now open for bidding, with the first lot closing from 7pm (NZT) on Monday.