Plans for Slipper runners
Co-trainer Adrian Bott has outlined the plans for two of the Waterhouse/Bott G1 Golden Slipper runners. "It's whether we need to look for anything more or not and whether Lady Of Camelot can stretch out to 1400 metres and go to a Sires' or the Percy Sykes for the fillies but she is a Group 1 winner now so we can look at a different path," Bott told Racenet.com.au about Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon).
Storm Boy will head to the Sires’ Produce, with Bott saying he will “push on to the Triple Crown.”
Adrian Bott | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Godolphin will also send Traffic Warden (Street Boss {USA}) to the Sires’. “Turning for home he was travelling up like a horse that was better than a 25-1 chance and he ran that was so the Sires' looks perfect for him stepping back up to seven furlong,” trainer James Cummings said.
Popular race caller John Russell dies aged 93
Race caller John Russell has died aged 93. The popular race caller called twenty Melbourne Cups from 1977 to 1997, taking over when Bert Bryant retired in 1977. “The racecaller is central to people's love of racing, fostering great emotions and lifelong memories. John Russell was a wonderful exponent of the craft and an integral part of the rich history of Victorian racing,” Racing Victoria CEO Andrew Jones told Racenet.com.au.
“He was renowned by racing fans for his exceptional judgement and by those who knew him personally as a loyal friend, giving mentor and personable human. JR, as he was known to many, dedicated his life to Victorian racing and our sport is greater for his exceptional contribution. His was a racing life well lived.”
John Russell was involved in racing for over 50 years as a race caller and broadcaster.
Karrakatta Plate favourite unlikely to run
Trainer Joshua Krispyn is unlikely to run 2-year-old gelding Sir Dreamalot (A Lot {USA}) in the G2 Karrakatta Plate in a month’s time. “He’s had four runs now and for a 2-year-old that’s a huge effort,” Krispyn said on Tabradio.
“We’ll take each run as it comes, but at this stage he will probably head to the Perth Stakes. As long as he does everything right in the next two weeks. There’s a good chance I won’t go to the Karrakatta, the horse comes first.”
Winner of the Listed Supremacy S. on Saturday, Sir Dreamalot will likely head to the Listed Perth S. on April 6. The son of A Lot (USA) was purchased for $30,000 in a private sale and has won over $150,000. He is the first stakes winner for his sire who is a son of Tapit (USA).
Asfoora confirmed for Royal Ascot bid
After running fourth in the G1 Galaxy Handicap on Saturday, Asfoora (Flying Artie) will head to Europe on April 17 for a campaign that will kick off at Royal Ascot. “She was great, just a bit frustrating to get beaten 0.8 lengths and run fourth but she ran as well as she could,” trainer Henry Dwyer told Racing.com.
Asfoora | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I've got a few calls to make in the next couple of days to work out what's what, (but I'm) still keen for us to head over there. At the end of the day, there are zero races for her here and there are six races for her over there, so we may as well go over. She's come through the run well, she's just travelled so well, which is great knowing what's ahead.”
Asfoora has won 8 of her 18 starts and over $1.3million. She is a homebred for Noor Elaine Farm.
Another Wil hits snag in Doncaster bid
Another Wil (Street Boss {USA}) needs to win Saturday's Doncaster Prelude at Rosehill to get into the G1 Doncaster Handicap carrying only 50kg, but trainer Ciaron Maher’s bold plan has hit a snag when nominations were released on Monday.
The Prelude has a field maximum of 16 plus six emergencies and Another Wil is the last ranked of 32 entries. Another Wil has won four of his six starts but is yet to run in stakes company.
Warrnambool meeting abandoned after track concerns
Jockeys voted to call off the remaining races at Warrnambool on Monday after concerns about the track conditions. “Following the running of the second race, we had some conversations with some riders and members of the AJA (Australian Jumps Association) - lengthy discussions,” Acting Racing Victoria chief steward James Hitchcock told Racing.com.
“They then collectively had a vote and following that decision, in consultation with (Victorian Jockeys' Association CEO) Matt Hyland, stewards believed it was appropriate to ask riders solely to have a vote to follow the correct RV procedures and protocols.
“The riders have voted and voted 10 to one in favour of abandoning the jumps races. The feeling is the track unfortunately has dried out and it is not appropriate to continue with the jumps component, but we are able to continue with the flat component.”
Much of the concern was around the lead-up area to the second-last hurdle with the horses finding it difficult to sight the jump correctly. Grand Promenade (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) fell at this hurdle in the first race sustaining fatal injuries. Grand Promenade was a Group 3 winner on the flat and had competed in two Melbourne Cups.
“It is with sadness that Racing Victoria (RV) confirms that Grand Promenade was humanely euthanised by the on-course veterinarian as a result of an injury sustained during the running of the Maiden Hurdle at Warrnambool today,” Racing Victoria stewards said in a statement.
“The racing incident has been referred to the Jumps Review Panel to consider the circumstances and any potential safety enhancements. RV extends it condolences to the owners of Grand Promenade, his trainer Shane Jackson and his stable staff who cared for the horse and are saddened by their loss.”
Waterhouse/Bott show versatility with hurdle wins
Only a few days after winning her eighth G1 Golden Slipper, Gai Waterhouse and co-trainer Adrian Bott trained the winners of the first two hurdle races at Warrnambool showing off their versatility. Both Okataina (NZ) (Savabeel) and Elementary (NZ) (So You Think {NZ}) led the whole way in their respective races to win for jockey Ross O’Sullivan who arrived in Australia from Ireland in 2018.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
"I've been here a while and I've put a lot of work in and I'm glad to see it paying off," O’Sullivan told Racing.com.
Okataina broke the course record for the 3200 metres winning in 3:40.03 but his stable mate quickly made the record his own winning the second in 3:39.25.
Moonee Valley toast track manager’s 40 year dedication
Moonee Valley Racecourse Manager Martiny Synan has celebrated his 40th year working for the race club. “Marty is a great larrikin, he's a happy go lucky kind of person. He's just been such a great mentor and a friend,” Flemington track manager Liam O'Keeffe told Racing.com.
“To do 40 years in the job at Moonee Valley is a great credit to him and it's probably his resilience and his attitude which has got him through. In Melbourne us track managers are really close and see each other regularly … we're fortunate in our relationship that we're able to share knowledge and Marty's at the forefront of that.”
Bargain kiwi ready for seventh win at Rockhampton
Dollar Dollar (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) is a track specialist at Rockhampton with all of his six wins coming at the track and he runs again there on Tuesday. “He’s a good horse and not too many can win six races in Rockhampton,” trainer Jamie McConachy told Racingqueensland.com.au.
“He’s come back better than ever this campaign after it took him a long time to learn about racing. I’ve taken him twice to Brisbane but he missed the kick when he failed at Doomben in his first start down there last year and he only got beaten two or so lengths after he got too far back at the Sunshine Coast in January. He gets back in his races and needs luck to go his way but he loves the big Rockhampton straight.”
A bargain private purchase for NZ$35,000 back in 2022, Dollar Dollar has now earned over $93,000. “He ran third once over 2000 metres in New Zealand and he could develop into a Townsville and Mackay Cup horse later on. But, his main aim right now is the Amateur Cup and we’ll see how he’s going around that time before deciding about the winter.”
Will Christmas come early for Milligan at Taree?
Trainer Glen Milligan thinks that his maiden galloper Santatime (Showtime) can win at Taree on Tuesday. The 3-year-old gelding has two placings from three starts so far. “Santatime is my best hope for Tuesday’s meeting. He’s going well in his work at home and the mile should suit him very nicely. He’s been looking for that distance. It’ll be a wet track, but that won’t bother him,” Milligan told Racingnsw.com.au.
“He’s developing well and come next preparation I think he’ll make a very nice horse, but we’d obviously like a win or two in the meantime and he can certainly win on Tuesday.” Taree is Milligan’s home track and he will also run King Cornelius (Invader) and Highland Raider (Highland Reel {Ire}).
Capitalist service to raise money for Catwalk
The CatWalk Trust’s Luminary event will be boosted by the auction of a service to proven Group 1 sire Capitalist. The event will be held at the Newmarket Room at Ellerslie Racecourse, New Zealand, on June 22.
Capitalist | Standing at Newgate Farm
The event raises money for cutting edge research to help find a cure for spinal cord injuries, a cause close to the hearts of many racing participants.
Group target for dual country Cup winner
Owner-breeder-trainer Roger Allen will target Ruby Rocks (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) at the G3 Manawatu Breeders’ S. in a fortnight after she won the Masterton Cup on Saturday. “She got the Wairarapa and Masterton Cup double, which was great. It was very pleasing to get that win,” Allen told Loveracing.nz.
“We are looking at going to the Manawatu Breeders’ (Gr.3, 2100m) at Trentham (on Saturday week) where she will be against mares and fillies, and not big geldings.”
Ruby Rocks has won eight of her 43 starts with earnings over NZ$152,000.
Group 1 placed Lady Telena chasing riches
Lady Telena (NZ) (Vespa {NZ}) will head to next month’s Southern Alps Challenge with the $350,000 prizemoney too good to miss. “We didn’t go to the Bonecrusher because at the time I thought Legarto was unbeatable, but as it happened she was,” trainer Kenny Moore told Loveracing.nz.
“We had to get back here because we had to have two starts in the South Island to be eligible for that $350,000 race (Southern Alps Challenge), so she couldn’t have gone to the Bonecrusher and gone for that, so I chose to go for the South Island one instead. It is good to have a home too, I was getting sick of travelling and I like having my babies with me.”
Lady Telena has six wins and ten placings from 50 starts and was third in the G1 Thorndon Mile four starts ago. She was purchased by Adrian Clark for $2750 at the 2021 Valachi Downs dispersal sale.
New stakes winner for Playing God in Pinjarra Cup
Boom West Australian sire Playing God gained his 18th individual stakes winner when 6-year-old gelding Holy Enchantment won the Listed Pinjarra Cup on Sunday. Trained by Stephen Miller and ridden by Brad Parnham, Holy Enchantment has five wins and 11 placings from 29 starts with earnings over $470,000. He has been a consistent horse for his connections, placing at his second start as a 2-year-old, and racing in city company every year since.
Playing God | Standing at Darling View Thoroughbreds
A $36,000 Magic Millions Perth purchase from Mungrup Stud by Millfields Park, Holy Enchantment is the first foal of his unraced dam who is a full sister to Listed winner Global Flirt (McFlirt {NZ}).
Playing God’s 18 stakes winners includes two Group 1 winners.
Four winners at Hobart for beach trainer
Trainer Imogen Miller won four races at Hobart on Sunday night with Blonde Star (Starcraft {NZ}), Dalton Dancer (Russian Revolution), Saxon Mist (Americain {USA}), and Kaliuwaa Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}). “I’m really happy with how the team is going at the moment, and it was great for things to fall into place for a great day,” Miller told Tasracing.com.au.
“I’m really pleased to have some nice horses and the support of great staff and owners, and Lindsey’s (Smith) faith means a lot, and obviously, Brendon (McCoull) is a huge and important part of the team.”
Three of Miller’s winners were ridden by West Australian apprentice Zephen Johnston-Porter.
Romantic Warrior to benefit from Victor The Winner’s Japan trip
Trainer Danny Shum plans to raid Japan with Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {}) for the G1 Yasuda Kinen in June, and his experience in running third on Sunday with Victor The Winner (Toronado {Ire}) will be crucial.
“I haven’t been to Japan for a long time and this time I gained some good experience,” Shum told scmp.com. “For us it will be a lot easier to know how to manage a horse in Japan when we have done something like this, and when Romantic Warrior goes over there I think it will be a big help.”
Shum won the G1 WS Cox Plate with Romantic Warrior in the spring. “With Australia, the flight is very long and with Tokyo, it takes less than four hours to fly there. Unlike Australia, the horses stay in the racecourse for quarantine. There’s no reason to travel from Chukyo racecourse and the horse saves a lot of energy. As a whole, going to Chukyo was much easier than Australia and even going to the Yasuda Kinen will be easier than travelling to Chukyo because there is no long drive. I’m looking forward to it. Of course, it all depends on the QE II Cup but fingers crossed we’ll be back out there in June.”
Since Romantic Warrior won the G1 WS Cox Plate, he has won two Group 1 races in Hong Kong in two starts, to take his record to 13 wins from 18 starts.
Highfield Princess euthanised
Four-time Group 1 winner Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) has been euthanised following an injury at John and Sean Quinn's stable in Malton. She was cast in her box back on March 13 and sustained a fracture. “She suffered an inoperable fracture following an accident in her stable and, although over the past week she fought with the same extraordinary spirit she showed on the racecourse, last night lost her battle for life,” John Quinn told TDN Europe in a press release.
Highfield Princess (Fr) | Image courtesy of the Great British Racing
“We would like to thank Jonathan Anderson and the team at Rainbow Equine Hospital, who did everything possible to help the Princess and keep her comfortable. Highfield Princess took us all on the most remarkable journey. She possessed Group 1 ability but also a Group 1 attitude. Whether it was a routine canter or a big sprint race around the world she put one hundred per cent effort into what she did. I am grateful for all that she did for herself and for our team. We will miss her more than words can say.”
Winner of 14 races and prizemoney of £1,195,684, €669,122, US$50,000, and HK$520,000, Highfield Princess is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Cardsharp (Lonhro).
Million dollar Gun Runner colt wins at Tampa
Cartucho (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}) cost Three Chimneys Farm, William Lawrence and Walmac Farm US$1.2million at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, and he rewarded them with a win on debut on Sunday at Tampa. Cartucho is the second winner for his dam, GI Ruffian Invitational H. winner Malibu Prayer (USA) (Malibu Moon {USA}).
USA Horse of the Year Gun Runner stands at Three Chimney Farms for US$250,000 (AU$). His first crop was born in 2019 and he already has 28 stakes winners and seven Group 1 winners. Gun Runner has one yearling in the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, and the colt, Lot 332 is in the Newgate Farm draft.
