ATC defers Rosehill Forums
ATC members were informed on Friday that forums planned for Tuesday, February 27 and Wednesday, February 28 would deferred until a yet to be announced date.
The forums were to take place in regards to the future of Rosehill with the club telling members that “a number of questions were raised in the earlier forums that we wish to address.”
“(We wish) to ensure you have all the details you need and it will take some time to collate this information.
“This follows a declaration earlier in the week from New South Wales Premier Chris Minns that the development of Rosehill cannot proceed without agreement to the sale by ATC members.”
Bodyguard scratched by stewards
$1.6 million colt Bodyguard (I Am Invincible) will not take his place in tomorrow's G1 Blue Diamond S. having been withdrawn by Racing Victoria stewards on veterinary advice.
High in markets since his two length debut win in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial in October, the Peter and Paul Snowden trained bay was reported to be showing signs of lameness on Thursday and he was again checked today with stewards reporting that...
“Bodyguard was re-inspected today by a panel of three veterinarians (two from Racing Victoria and one independent) after displaying signs of lameness yesterday. The colt had not improved and again presented with lameness. Accordingly, Bodyguard will be withdrawn.”
Bodyguard | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Whilst Peter Snowden expressed disappointment with the decision, managing owner James Harron did not comment - no doubt hopeful that his other runner, the last start G3 Canonbury S. runner-up Fearless (Pierata), can step up.
Also winner of the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings) Bodyguard's removal makes room for the first emergency - the Leon and Troy Corstens trained In Her Eyes (by the 2010 Blue Diamond winner Star Witness) to gain a start.
Bodyguard is the third colt to be scratched by stewards in the Blue Diamond lead-up in recent years - Lofty Strike (Snitzel) in 2022 and Jukebox (Snitzel) in 2017.
Oxlade pair in good shape
Shane and Cassie Oxlade have every reason to be full of anticipation this evening, the Woodchester South Australia based trainers saddling up two very nice chances in tomorrow's G1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield.
Both horses - Sghirripa (Lonhro) and Queman (Mint Lane {USA}) are last-start winners - the former, a 4-year-old who has been successful at half of his 14 starts - taking out the G3 Standish H. on the back of a Listed Christmas S. victory whilst the latter - a 5-year-old winner of eight of 20 starts - took out the Listed W.J Adams S.
Despite having their trip to Melbourne lengthened by having to go a longer way in order to avoid the fires in the the Grampians - the pair arrived in good shape, settling in well at Steve Richards; Flemington stables.
Shane Oxlade spoke to us today, happy with the two who he describes as 'quite different horses'.
Shane Oxlade | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Sghirripa is a horse who I think later into a campaign could run a good 1400 metres but he is very good over sprinting trips fresh whereas Queman is more of a speed horse; the 1000 metres and 1100 metres are his pet distances.
“They both galloped very well on Saturday. We've been lucky that we've always had a nice horse in the stable, horses capable of winning a Saturday city race - but you can go years without getting a really good one so to have two in running in a big Melbourne race, it is pretty amazing!”
Oxlade found it hard to split the pair, noting that, “I have said that Sghirripa is the best horse we've had but Queman has gone to another level lately so he is probably not a long way behind.”
To be ridden from barrier 13 by Craig Newitt, Sghirripa is a $9 chance whilst Queman from barrier two for Harry Coffey is quoted at $19 in Friday night's markets.
New race for Tasbred feature meeting
Tasracing, in conjunction with Tasbreeders, has scheduled an additional race on the Tasbred race night on April 5 at Launceston.
The $50,000 4YO over 1400 metres will be for Tasbred horses only. The 4-year-old race will join the $50,000 2-year-old race over 1200 metres and the $50,000 3-year-old race also over 1200 metres for horses that have been paid up to the Tasmanian Thoroughbred Breeding Incentive Scheme.
The Tasbred scheme offers more than $1.5 million in prizemoney and bonuses annually and has paid out more than $5 million since its inception. Any Tasbred yearling purchased at the 2024 Tasmanian Magic Millions sale is also eligible for the $170,000 Tasmanian Magic Millions race series, while all yearlings can run for the $20 Million in prizemoney in the Magic Millions races nationwide.
The Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale will be held on Monday at Quercus Park, Carrick, on the outskirts of Launceston.
Racing Victoria's Mike Hirst retires from Board
Racing Victoria's acting Chairman Mike Hirst has announced his retirement from the board after over eight years service.
Last week announced as the new AMP Chairman, Hirst joined the board in the spring of 2015 and has served as both deputy and acting Chairman.
“As a passionate racing fan, owner and breeder, it's been an honour to serve on the Racing Victoria Board and help drive the growth of Victorian racing”, Hirst said.
Racing Victoria reported that during his time on the board, wagering had grown from $5.3 billion to $8.8 billion, prizemoney up to $115 million and club funding up by 100 per cent.
“Over the past eight years, Racing Victoria has delivered record returns, invested in growth and strengthened its balance sheet while navigating the challenges of COVID, threats to our social licence and recent economic headwinds
“Having previously been a stable hand and pre-trainer, I have developed a great love for horses, so I will remain an active member and supporter of Victorian racing beyond May - and I hope to breed and race a Group 1 winner in the not too distant future.”
Hirst's replacement will be appointed by Victoria's Minister For Racing Anthony Carbines.
Vagrant vying for four in a row
After recording BM70 wins at Caulfield and Flemington in December and January, the Mitch Freedman trained Vagrant (Pariah) was impressive rising in class three weeks ago - again proving too strong for her rivals in the G3 Geoffrey Bellmaine S.
Whilst the first two wins of her recent run were over 1400 metres, she was back to 1200 metres last start - returning to the 1400 metres as she contest's, as third favourite, tomorrow's G3 Mannerism S. at Caulfield.
The in-form Damian Lane takes the ride with the mare's recent partner Beau Mertens sidelined by injury.
Vagrant | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
With the race being the final event on the big ten race card, Freedman said that he will wait to see how the track plays before making any decisions regarding where she settles, noting that from the inside gate she could be more prominent in running than she has been.
Vagrant was taken to Ararat for a jump-out on the 12th - kept up to the mark with a soft win over 850 metres.
Bred by Olly Tait, the $130,000 Magic Millions graduate has a couple of pedigree links to this race day - her grandsire Redoute's Choice winning the 1999 G1 Blue Diamond S. whilst her grandam is a three-quarter sister to With Me (Covetous) who out-sped her rivals in the 1991 G1 Oakleigh Plate.
Schiller back on board Lady Laguna In The Millie Fox
Jockey Tyler Schiller is looking forward to being reunited with the in-form mare Lady Laguna (Overshare) who contests, as favourite, Friday's G2 Millie Fox S. at Rosehill.
Schiller was aboard the Annabel Neasham trained 4-year-old when she took out the Listed Nudgee S. at Doomben in late December, since that time winning two in a row - the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares at the Gold Coast and the G3 Southern Cross S. at Rosehill.
James McDonald - who rides Zougotcha (Zoustar) tomorrow - was aboard on both occasions and Schiller is pretty happy to be back on.
“She is in terrific form and hasn't missed a beat this prep.
“When I rode her she gave me a great feel and it was good to see her go on with it.”
To jump from barrier eight, Lady Laguna is, Schiller said “adaptable to running position and track condition which is because you can place her anywhere.”
Palmetto kicks off Doncaster Campaign
Trainer John Sargent has big plans for tomorrow's Yarraman Park H. runner Palmetto (NZ) (Ghibellines) who kicks off his campaign having been in winning form in a Randwick trial earlier in the month.
Sargent is aiming the 5-year-old - who won twice at Listed level as a 3-year-old in New Zealand - at the G1 Doncaster Mile.
Already a millionaire courtesy of his wins in The Coast and the Five Diamonds Prelude, Palmetto has - his trainer told Racing NSW.
“Come back stronger... he should be in for a nice prep.
“He has grown into himself, he has been quite weak and has taken time. If he comes up well he could get light into the big mile.”
Sargent hopes for a bold showing from the gelding tomorrow.
“It is a nice race to kick him off in and we can claim the 3kg (with Molly Bourke). From the soft draw he should put himself in the race, he likes to race on speed and hopefully he will run well.”
Antino out of the Doncaster
Queensland trainer Tony Gollan has informed Racing NSW stewards that the talented galloper Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) will not be taking his place in the G1 Doncaster Mile, the decision made for the gelding to instead head towards the Queensland winter carnival.
Antino (NZ) | Image courtesy of Grant Peters
In great form last time in, the 5-year-old had gone to the paddock last winter after winning the Listed Wayne Wilson S. He ventured to Melbourne for four spring runs - winning the G3 Sandown S. before close and somewhat unlucky seconds in the G1 Toorak H. won by Attrition (Churchill {Ire}) and the G2 Crystal Mile taken out by Prowess (NZ) (Proisir).
He then started favourite in the Five Diamonds at Rosehill but was out of the placings with post race issues (lame/coughing).
Too Darn good again!
Spelled after leading throughout at her Scone debut in mid-December, the promising Scott Singleton trained two-year-old Too Darn Lovely (Too Darn Hot {GB}) resumed with another dominant performance at Quirindi today.
A great buy for her owner T Smith who laid down just $17,000 for her at last year's Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Too Darn Lovely - who was bred by Australian Racehorse Breeding - is amongst the first four Australian winners (from eight runners) for her Darley based triple Group 1 winning sire who earned a number of titles including European Champion 2YO and 3YO Colt, French Champion 3YO Sprinter and GB Champion 3YO Miler.
One of the 85 members of her sire's first local crop, Too Darn Lovely boasts a fascinating pedigree with her fourth dam being the famed matriarch Fall Aspen (USA) (Pretense {USA}) whose multiple Group 1 winning grandson Dubai Millennium (GB) sired Too Darn Hot's high achieving sire Dubawi (Ire).
Another interesting aspect to her pedigree is the cross of Dubawi's dam sire Deploy (Ire) and Too Darn Lovely's second dam sire Rainbow Quest (USA) - stallions who share the same grandam, the terrific mare Where You Lead (USA) (Raise A Native {USA}).
Dubawi and Rainbow Quest have combined in the pedigrees of 38 stakes winners; eight of whom are Group 1 horses including the G1 Epsom Derby hero Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).
Damien Oliver's Saudi Cup meeting rides announced
Out of his much published retirement, Damien Oliver takes four rides at the Saudi Cup International Jockeys' Challenge tonight.
Alysha Collett, Ryan Moore, Saffie Osborne and Joao Moreira are amongst the other international jockeys taking part with tonight's feature being the US$1.5 million G1 Ministry of Culture Al Neefah Cup which leads into the world's richest race, the US $20million G1 Saudi Cup tomorrow.
Oliver's rides are...
Race 2: Riyadee (SDA) (Cat Dreams {USA}): seems to have been below his best form of late but the six times winner was in the placings two starts ago.
Damien Oliver | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Race 3: Aethbaaraat (SDA) (Premium Tap {USA}): a promising 3-year-old filly who has won two of her first four starts; yet to finish out of the placings.
Race 5: Aasser (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}): out of the winner's circle since April 2022 but this five-year-old's overall record is a consistent one - two wins and six placings from 16 starts.
Race 6: Trevolli (GB) (Outstrip {GB}): by the same sire as Gold Trip (Fr), he recorded his sixth win when proving too good for eight others a couple of weeks ago.
Winning Rupert to be auctioned online
Brilliant sprinter and consistent stallion Winning Rupert has been entered in the next Inglis Digital Sale.
Lot 490 being sold by Newgate as agent for his shareholders, the ten-year-old chestnut showed plenty of talent and speed in a six start career which saw him beaten only once with three of his successes coming at stakes level.
The son of Written Tycoon was seen at his best winning the G2 Champagne Classic, the G3 Vo Rogue Plate and the Listed Gold Edition Plate.
Kicking off his stud career at Newgate, he has stood in recent years at Grandview Stud which was recently sold - its new owners not intending to stand stallions.
Winning Rupert - whose daughter Semana has impressed winning her last two; the R. Listed Magic Millions Cup and the G3 Triscay S. - has proven to be a reliable stallion with a 60.6% strike rate.
Another two of his progeny are stakes winners and his 2-year-old daughter Madhi Girl caught the eye with a strong finishing second in last weekend's R. Listed WA Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
Winning Rupert is part of a 490-strong February (Late) catalogue which includes 254 racehorses (111 race fillies), 108 broodmares, 64 racehorse shares, 57 yearlings, three weanlings and three unbroken stock.
