California Spangle wins Hong Kong Group 1
The G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup went to California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) who was first-up since running fourth in the G1 Steward’s Cup back in January 2024. Ridden by Brenton Avdulla and trained by Tony Cruz, California Spangle’s plans post-race were simple.
“We're going to Dubai now and Brenton is going to ride him in Dubai,” Cruz said after the race.
California Spangle took his record to 12 wins and eight placings from 24 starts with earnings over HK$69 million (A$13.2million).
Thrilling Finish in VOBIS Gold Eldorado
Deekay (Hellbent) won the $125,000 VOBIS Gold Eldorado on Sunday at Echuca in a thrilling victory that the judge had trouble splitting over second placed Belle Et Riche (Rich Enuff). Trained by Anthony Chibnall and ridden by John Allan, Deekay took his record to four wins from 16 starts with earnings over $330,000.
“He’s a fantastic horse, he’s been so good for us,” Chibnall told Racing.com. “There’s a few owners here, they’ve made there way up here from everywhere, Melbourne, everywhere. It’s fantastic.”
4-year-old gelding Deekay was a $75,000 purchase by Leon McDonald from Collingrove Stud at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Imperial Lad wins Echuca Cup
Imperial Lad (All Too Hard) has broken an almost 12-month drought to win the Echuca Cup on Sunday. The winner of 10 races hadn’t won since April 2023.
“It was a great win and she rode him perfectly, how we asked,” trainer John Moloney told Racing.com. “He’s been such an honest horse, a fantastic stalwart in the stable, he’s been a pleasure to have in the joint and the owners have had a really good ride with him. This is sensational today.”
Jockey Tayla Childs said, “It’s great to take out the Echuca Cup, it’s such a thrill. So thankful for John, he gave me the call up… Imperial Lad was a horse I had a lot to do with as a four-kilo claimer.
“He was on his A-game, out the front, ears pricked, happy horse. Credit to the stable… I’m just so grateful for the ride, and for connections to stick with me. I’m so happy.”
Imperial Lad has now won 10 races with earnings over $860,000, and his trainer purchased him from Vinery Stud at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $80,000.
Tamworth qualifier crowned
The Country Championships Qualifier at Tamworth on Sunday went to Russell Crown (Shamus Award) who is now eligible for the $1 million Country Championships Final.
“It’s unreal, I can’t describe the feeling,” jockey Mitch Stapleford told Racingnsw.com.au.
“I’m just very thankful for the opportunity, it’s such a big occasion. Scott (Singleton) and the owners could have had any jockey they wanted on but they stuck with me so it’s terrific. It’s a hard game, there’s a lot of things that go wrong. To be a part of the result today, it feels bloody nice.”
5-year-old gelding Russell Crown has won five of his 14 starts with earnings over $210,000 and is a $17 chance for the final.
Excelleration sound enough for Cups campaign
Trainer and former jumps jockey Richard Cully has been frustrated by niggling injuries to Excelleration (Excelebration {Ire}) in previous campaigns, but this time in, he’s stayed sound enough to get up to his ideal distance for Monday’s 3200-metre G2 Adelaide Cup.
“We’ve never been able to get him out in trip as we’ve never been able to get enough runs into him. I’ve always thought a mile-and-a-half to two miles will suit him but he’d always find a way to end his preparation,” Cully told Racing.com.
“He’s always been sound but after the Colac Cup last year we found a little lesion in his throat. Another time we were heading to Adelaide and he banged a tendon, which didn’t cause any damage, but there’s always been a reason why we couldn’t go on with him. This time we’ve got four runs into him this preparation and that’s something we’ve tried to do for years but hadn’t been able to.”
Excelleration has won six of his eighteen starts including his last two in succession.
Yellowbrick Road could provide Kearney with first major
26-year-old trainer Patrick Kearney has only been training for two-and-a-half years and can’t believe he has a runner in the G2 Adelaide Cup on Monday with Yellowbrick Road (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}).
“It’s an amazing feeling taking a live chance into the Adelaide Cup and I’m hoping to get the job done,” Kearney told Racing.com.
“The horse is very well. He’s feeling great. He’s in the zone. He’s the best I can have him and he should lap up the 3200 metres. He's thrived since coming here. We're quiet, we're boutique, we're very hands on with him and he's enjoying the environment he's in. It's going to be a great day with the wonderful ownership group out there in force.”
Yellowbrick Road was purchased by Kearney from an Inglis Digital sale “while having a few beers” for $8500 in June 2023, and won the G3 Lord Reims S. at his most recent start.
All-Star Mile wildcard for Holymanz
Connections of 4-year-old gelding Holymanz (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}), who ran second in the G2 Blarney S. on March 2 have accepted a wildcard slot for The All-Star Mile.
Holymanz has won four of his 14 starts but none at black type level, with the Blarney-placing his best effort in that company to date.
Holymanz (NZ) | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
The All-Star Mile field will be finalised at final acceptance time on Tuesday at 10am AEDT, where it is not certain all 16 places will be filled as only horses of group race class are to be considered.
Shalaa gets 2-year-old debutant winner
Race 1 at the Sunshine Coast for 2-year-olds went to debutant Italian Rivieria (Shalaa {Ire}), trained by Stuart Kendrick and ridden by Michael Rodd. The $2.60 favourite won by a length.
A $60,000 purchase by Kendrick from Arrowfield Stud’s 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, the Shalaa filly is the fourth winner for Testico (USA) (Tiznow {USA}).
Debut winner for Puissance De Lune at Echuca
3-year-old filly Jackie’s Maid (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) won on debut over 1200 metres at Echuca on Sunday. Trained by Mitchell Freedman and ridden by J Fry, Jackie’s Maid wasn’t offered at the sales as a young horse. She is a full sister to G2 Edward Manifold S. winner Moonlight Maid who won over $500,000.
Debutant winners at Stony Creek
3-year-old filly Bonnet Rouge (Last Typhoon) won on debut at Stony Creek on Sunday becoming the fifth winner for her sire who is the only foal of Group 1 winner Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom {USA}). Trained by Emma-Lee and David Browne, Bonnet Rouge wasn’t offered at auction as a yearling.
3-year-old filly Pick The Seam (Pariah) impressed racegoers with a last to first victory on debut at Stony Creek over 1100 metres for trainer Nick Ryan. Pick The Seam was a $40,000 weanling purchase by JJ Gordon from the Shadwell Farm draft at the 2021 Inglis Great Southern Sale.
Amade Eyes Adelaide Cup Victory
The Phillip Stokes stable is confident heading into Monday's G2 Adelaide Cup, aiming to secure their third win in four years with the seasoned stayer, Amade (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}).
Despite being the oldest competitor at 10 years, Amade boasts an impressive international track record, including a third place in last year's Adelaide Cup and a victory in the G3 Geelong Cup. Facing the challenge of carrying 58kg, which is 3.5-4kg more than his rivals, the team remains optimistic about his chances.
Amade (Ire) | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Assistant trainer Tommy Stokes highlighted Amade's improved condition compared to last year and their targeted preparation for this race. Despite a less favorable barrier draw, the team is not concerned, banking on Amade's proven endurance and recent betting favor, with his odds tightening in the lead-up to the race.
Combet closes after 18 months
Combet, an innovative auction-based bookmaking service launched in the 2022 spring carnival, has announced its closure after 18 months of operation due to profitability challenges in a competitive betting market. The platform, which offered a unique blend of fixed odds and tote betting for Saturday races, struggled with liquidity and demand, leading to narrow or negative margins.
Founder Jake Howard confirmed that Combet is in the process of winding up and will return funds to account holders. Despite efforts to revitalize the business model through additional investment and a revised risk profile, Combet was unable to sustain its operations and provided its final Saturday auction markets on March 2.
