Daily News Wrap

Dazzling debut for Dundeel colt

The debut victory of Epimeles (Dundeel {NZ}) at Sandown on Wednesday was effortless, marking his sire's 36th 2-year-old winner and his first for the current season. Trained by the team of Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, this imposing colt enjoyed a favourable position under John Allen, settling just off the pace.

When asked to accelerate, Epimeles showcased an impressive burst of speed, winning by almost 2l over Signor Bill (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) and Invincible Beau (Brazen Beau). Notably, the colt clocked a time of 1:18.39, setting a class record for the 1300-metre event.

Presented by Evergreen Stud at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Epimeles was a $130,000 purchase by Ohukia Lodge and Mark Pilkington Management. Initially earmarked for the Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YOs In Training sale later in the year, the colt was subsequently withdrawn from the sale and retained for racing by his connections.

The victory marked a stellar start to the stud career of his dam Apicius (Redoute’s Choice), being her first foal. Bred by Evergreen Stud, Epimeles hails from a black-type family being closely-related to Argentia (Frankel {GB}) and Thewizardofoz (Redoute’s Choice). The well-related colt shares the same breeding cross as Dundeel’s Group 1-winning son and now Waikato Stud based sire, Super Seth.

In a post-race interview with Racing.com, jockey John Allen lauded the colt's performance, indicating his considerable talent. "Gee, he accelerated quickly when he got the opportunity to go. He's still so raw; he hit the front and looked around, so he's definitely a very exciting horse."

Autumn Angel ready to spoil the party in Vinery

The G1 Vinery Stud S. is shaping up to be a match-race between kiwi 3-year-old filly Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) and Godolphin’s Zardozi (Kingman {GB}), but the Moody/Coleman training duo believe their 3-year-old filly Autumn Angel (The Autumn Sun) can spoil the punter’s party. “It’s a classy field but we couldn’t be happier with how she is heading into it,” co-trainer Katherine Coleman told Racingnsw.com.au.

“She’s a lovely progressive filly, she’s come back really nice this preparation. She had an unlucky first-up run then we saw how good she was last start, and she seems to have come on from that so we’re very excited.

“We’ve got to get through Saturday and see where we end up but she looks a likely Oaks candidate in what we’ve done so far.”

Winner of the G2 AV Kewney S. at her last start, Autumn Angel has won three of her seven starts with earnings over $380,000. She was purchased for $230,000 by Moody Racing and Dalziel Bloodstock at the 2022 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from Arrowfield Stud.

Haggas team tempted by Tancred

After winning last weekend’s G3 NE Manion Cup, Post Impressionist (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) has done so well that his trainer William Haggas is tempted to back him up into Saturday’s G1 Tancred S. “He’s obviously run a very good race and come out of it well,” Haggas stable representative Isabella Paul told Racingnsw.com.au.

“It wouldn’t necessarily have been the original plan but it’s kind of tempting given how he won last week. It was a beautiful ride from Tom (Marquand) but he had to do everything the hard way. This is not something we usually do, we only arrived a bit over three weeks ago. I think (the Tancred) was vaguely on the radar but until he won the way he did I don’t think I was a serious possibility.”

Post Impressionist’s main aim is the G1 Sydney Cup. He has won three of his 13 starts back in England, with one win from one start in Australia.

Coco Sun has Oaks aim after Sandown win

Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained 3-year-old filly Coco Sun (The Autumn Sun) will go to the G1 SAJC Australasian Oaks on April 27 after she won first-up this campaign at Sandown on Wednesday. “We might find another race here in Victoria for her and only have one trip to Adelaide,” McEvoy told racingandsports.com.au.

“She'll get to the Australasian Oaks third-up and we'll give her the chance to win a nice race.” Coco Sun has won three of her eight starts, including the Listed Oaklands Plate at her second start. She was a $250,000 purchase from Tyreel Stud at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale by McEvoy/Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA).

Jack Pilkington seeks first winner at home

New trainer Jack Pilkington decided against running his 2-year-old colt Alabama State (Alabama Express) on Wednesday, opting instead for Thursday’s meeting at his home track of Hawkesbury. “I thought he would have been hard to beat on the Kensington Track today, but he drew the outside in a field of nine (with the rail out 3m), so we’ll wait for Thursday,” Pilkington told Racingnsw.com.au on Wednesday.

Pilkington took out his trainer’s licence last year and is yet to win a race from four starts, all of them being Alabama State who is the only horse he has in work. Alabama State ran fourth last start to the promising 2-year-old colt Roselyn’s Star (Shalaa {Ire}) at Randwick-Kensington on March 13. Jack Pilkington and Jamie Piggott, the son of the late legendary English jockey Lester Piggott, purchased Alabama State from Yulong for $80,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Invertational brings strong course record to Wagga Wagga

Invertational (Invader) is likely to be favourite in the feature race at Wagga Wagga on Thursday given her good record at the track. “Louise (Day) has ridden her five times for three wins and her statistics at Wagga and also second-up are terrific,” trainer Matt Kelley told Racingnsw.com.au.

“She was due to start in the Goulburn Country Championships Wild Card last Sunday, but wasn’t 100 per cent and the extra few days off has her right for Wagga. Work wise, she is going better than she was last preparation. She has had a few niggling issues that are hopefully behind her. Fingers crossed, she can win because she seems to be going better than what she was before.”

Winner of four of her ten starts, 4-year-old mare Invertational has earnings over $73,000. She was purchased by B Tobler for $3,000 from Aquis Farm at the 2020 Inglis Digital October Sale.

Amelia’s Jewel; bigger, better, faster

Trainer Simon Miller sent out a warning to rival trainers after Amelia’s Jewel worked impressively on Tuesday morning. “I think she’s going better,” Miller said on Tabradio.

“When they travel they come back bigger, stronger, better. Her work has been up to the mark and she’s dialled in. I thought her trial was awesome and her fitness levels are real good. Her work yesterday (Tuesday) was crazy work and just the way she recovered. I would say she’s in a better position now than what she was 12-months ago.”

Amelia’s Jewel will kick off this campaign in the G3 Roma S before seeking redemption in The Quokka after finishing a close second to Overpass (Vancouver) last year. Amelia’s Jewel has won nine of her 13 starts, and hasn’t raced since being injured in last year’s Golden Eagle.

Alpine Edge to stand at Clear Mountain Fairview in 2024

Clear Mountain Fairview in Queensland have announced they will stand G3 BJ MacLachlan S. winner Alpine Edge (Better Than Ready) in 2024. Winner of his first two starts at two, both in stakes company, Alpine Edge ran second in the RL Magic Millions 2YO Classic behind Shaquero at his third start.

He mixed his form at three, but returned at four to win the $1million Magic Millions QTIS Open and The Archer to bring his racetrack earnings over $1.8million for his five wins.

“Alpine Edge offers a unique combination of the famous La Troienne dynasty that has produced early 2YOs that train on to be champions, for nearly a century around the world,” breeder and part-owner Richard Foster said in the Clear Mountain Fairview press release.

“His sire Better Than Ready and grandsire More Than Ready are loaded with descendants and his dam Freezethemillions, who is also loaded with descendants, was a talented 2YO herself. Alpine Edge carries this line in all four quarters of his pedigree giving him an extremely prepotent genetic makeup, free of Danehill.”

Alpine Edge will stand his first season for $7,700 and there are shares available for $16,500.

Yarra Valley excited for Good Friday meeting

Yarra Valley Racing CEO Brett Shambrook is thrilled this Good Friday’s meeting will host the $500,000 Country Discovery. “I think it's fantastic for country racing, to be honest, country racing is the workhorse for the industry, runs a lot of the race meetings, puts on a lot of the product. I think it's recognition of the role we play as country clubs,” Shambrook told Racing.com.

“It's the third year and we're hoping that we get a good crowd. It's such a great cause on the day for the Royal Children's Hospital and the Good Friday Appeal, we're really looking forward to it. If we can do our little bit to raise some funds with Racing Victoria and Country Racing Victoria on Friday, all the better.”

Guineas winner to take on older mares

3-year-old filly Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) will take on the older mares in Saturday’s G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S at weight for age conditions. Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott believe that she is ready for the challenge. “Grail Seeker put in a very strong performance last start,” Scott told Loveracing.nz.

“We are taking the opportunity with a fit and sound filly, who is in good form, to take her place in the Group 1. This is quite a step up. We think she is capable of getting to this level, it’s just whether it’s this preparation or next preparation.”

Grail Seeker won the G2 Wellington Guineas at her last start and has a record of two wins from five starts. The stable will also have Karman Line (NZ) (Myboycharlie {USA}) in the race.

Mustang Valley to bounce into The Championships

Dual Group 1 winning mare Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh) will use Saturday’s G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S to prepare for The Championships. “We just weighed up whether to run here or head to the Emancipation Stakes at Rosehill, but we thought we’ll keep her here for one more run, being a weight-for-age Group 1 where we feel she is a strong top-three chance,” trainer Andrew Forsman told Loveracing.nz.

“Whatever happens on Saturday, it is ideally setting her up for the last day of the Championships in the Queen Of The Turf.” Mustang Valley has six wins from 30 starts with earnings over NZ$700,000, including wins in the 2023 G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate and 2022 G1 Livamol Classic.

Cylinder to press on to TJ Smith

Despite running last in the G1 William Reid S. 3-year-old colt Cylinder (Exceed and Excel) will press on to the G1 TJ Smith S. “Very unfortunate, whether he was in the wrong part of the track or not? He was left all by himself on the fence, which probably wasn't the right part of the track,” Godolphin's Melbourne foreman Nacim Dilmi told Racing.com.

“The guys in Sydney will have a good look at him now but at this stage we're probably proceeding on to his next start, whether it's the TJ or another race, he's likely to proceed.” Cylinder won the G1 Newmarket Handicap two starts ago and has a record of five wins from 14 starts with earnings over $3.6million.

William Reid second Johnny Rocker to TJ Smith

Johnny Rocker (Jukebox) will probably head to Sydney for the G1 TJ Smith S after running second to super sprinter Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) in the G1 William Reid S. “It was mixed emotions coming so close, it wasn't such a surprise to see him run well,” trainer Nick Ryan told Racing.com.

“Decision's still pending, we've got Sydney or we could wait a little bit longer and go Adelaide (or) Sydney could be on the cards in a couple of weeks. Going into a TJ, the form you want to have is probably around Imperatriz, isn't it? It's the right form, she's favourite for the race.”

Johnny Rocker won the Listed Oxlade S at his second start, and now has a record of three wins and three placings from 10 starts with earnings over $430,000. He is the only stakes winner for his sire, who is a son of Snitzel, from only 43 runners to date.

Alaskan hunting for luck in Melvista

Second in the Listed JC Roberts S. at his last start, Alaskan (Playing God) is hunting for some luck in Saturday’s Listed Melvista S. “He got left out there in the cheap seats and that could happen on Friday, he’s drawn pretty awkward,” trainer Neville Parnham told rwwa.com.au.

“He’s up against similar horses like Lord Vampi who got a cheaper run than what he got. It didn’t flatten him at all, if anything I would have said he’s getting better. He’s just thriving the horse and has come good in the coat. He looks like he’s going better and better and I’m looking forward to the challenge. He goes to the Melvista and then the Derby and hopefully he can hold the form that he’s in at the moment.”

Alaskan has won two of his nine starts but his come-from-the-back style often means he needs luck in the running. His earnings over $149,000 already represent a good return on his $80,000 purchase price for buyer Ridgeport Holdings who bought him at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale from the draft of Willow Dale Farm.

Apprentice keen to keep up winning streak

Apprentice jockey Zac Wadick rode Ruby Flyer (Flying Artie) to win the $150,000 Provincial-Midway Championships Qualifier for his boss Brad Widdup last Saturday and he has several strong rides for Thursday’s meeting at Hawkesbury. “I'd love to stick with the horse in the Final if he (Widdup) wanted me to go, but if not, I'll cop it on the chin and it won't even really worry me to be honest,” Wadick told Racenet.com.au.

The former Taree-based jockey has four rides in the seven races at Hawkesbury and it will be an emotional win if Jump In The Line (Divine Prophet) salutes in race four, as the 3-year-old gelding will carry the same colours as Tintookie (Winning Rupert) who was euthanised after a fall last Saturday. “It put a sour end to what had been a great day we had on Saturday so hopefully I can put a bit of happiness back in the camp and get this horse the win.”

Stayers chase Cup start in Roy Higgins

The Listed Roy Higgins S. on Saturday at Flemington offers stayers a ‘win and you’re in’ ballot exemption for the G1 Melbourne Cup, and trainer Patrick Payne has aimed Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) at the race for that reason. “He's got quite good stamina but he's actually a slow horse, he can't sprint,” Payne told Racingandsports.com.au.

“He will stay all day, if he can get comfortable. If he's too close to his top for too long, he can't maintain a gallop, but I think if he gets comfortable on the weekend there will be no problem.”

Dunkel has only been unplaced twice in his career, winning eight of his 12 starts and placing on two other occasions, with earnings over $880,000, making him the type of dour stayer that any owner would love! Initially sold as a yearling by Pencarrow Stud at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale for NZ$40,000 to SC Ramsay, Dunkel was pinhooked at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale via the Ohukia Lodge draft bought by KT Myers for $100,000.

Racing Victoria to dump tenth race temporarily

After trialling ten-race cards, Racing Victoria have announced that they will revert to nine-race cards for the winter months of June and July. “Winter has the shortest days and wettest months and is our lowest-turnover period. Hence we will revert to nine races in June and July. This was advocated for by our clubs and helps manage track and participant workload,” RV CEO Andrew Jones told Racing.com.

“The expectation is that ten races on a Saturday will return next season outside the middle of winter. We are working on race dates and programs for the 2024-25 season at present and will finalise them over the next two months. Our goal is to maximise fan engagement and returns to industry, being mindful of participant and staff welfare.”

Te Akau set two horses for South Australia

Te Akau’s trainer Mark Walker will send Group 1 winner Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel) and G1 New Zealand Oaks placegetter Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) to South Australia. “We put blinkers on her, and it backfired badly,” Walker told RacingSA.com.au about Skew Wiff’s failure in the G1 Newmarket H.

“She just over raced, she never looked like doing that when she had them on in track work, unfortunately things went really wrong that day. We gave her two weeks at the water walker, she’s going to go over to Adelaide and run in a lead-up two weeks before the Robert Sangster and if she ran well, she’ll run in the Robert Sangster.”

Skew Wiff has won four times and placed second on five occasions in her 18 starts including winning the G1 Tarzino Trophy in the spring of 2023. She was withdrawn as a yearling and is raced by breeder Waikato Stud.

3-year-old filly Qali Al Farrasha is raced by Te Akau Racing and the Westonlea Bloodstock Partnership. She wasn’t offered at auction and has had seven starts for a win and five placings.

Throat surgery and keen owners will stop Moby Dick going to Hong Kong

Rumours that 3-year-old gelding Moby Dick (Toronado {Ire}) will be sold to Hong Kong are unlikely according to co-trainer Mick Price. “The people that are in him like him and have plenty of money and want to race a horse. You'd probably have to get a Hong Kong owner to sign off on the fact he's had tie-forward surgery,” Price told Racing.com.

Moby Dick will head to Bendigo on April 13, before progressing to the $175,000 VOBIS Gold Dash at Caulfield a fortnight later. Moby Dick has won both his starts to date. “You are always a little bit conservative when any horse has had throat surgery. But it doesn't seem to affect him, but I'll just keep him to sprint races and if you get two more races out of him, that's four runs in his first race prep, I think he'd be going to the paddock.”

A $200,000 purchase from Sullivan Bloodstock by MG Price Racing at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Moby Dick’s sire Toronado is a huge success in Hong Kong with the likes of Victor The Winner and Senor Toba.

USA sale companies strengthen drug policies

Keeneland Association, Fasig-Tipton Company and Ocala Breeders' Sales Company jointly announced on Tuesday that enhanced medication policies will be in effect from July 1, 2024. “We continue to refine our policies with the goals of protecting the well-being of the horse and providing our customers with transparency and the best opportunity for success at the race track,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin, Fasig-Tipton President Boyd T. Browning Jr. and OBS President Tom Ventura said in a joint statement.

“Horse safety and welfare must be a collaborative effort across our sport, which includes the sales ring. We take our leadership roles toward that mission seriously and remain united in our advocacy to serve the best interest of the horse.”

Among the changes are: no non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be administered to a horse within 48 hours of an under-tack performance; no NSAID may be administered to a horse after 6 p.m. the day prior to sale; NSAIDs permitted for use on the sales grounds are Phenylbutazone (Bute), Flunixin Meglumine (Banamine) and Ketoprofen (Ketofen), at or below manufacturer's recommended dosage (MRD). Only one such NSAID can be administered at any one time (stacking is prohibited). No corticosteroid may be administered to a horse within 48 hours of an under-tack performance. No corticosteroid may be administered to a horse within 24 hours of the start of the session in which that horse is scheduled to sell.

T O Password accepts Japan’s pathway entry to Kentucky Derby

Unbeaten 3-year-old colt T O Password (Jpn) (Copano Rickey {Jpn}) has accepted the Japanese invite to the G1 Kentucky Derby. Owned by Tomoya Ozasa and trained by Daisuke Takayanagi, T O Password earned 40 points with his victory in the Nakayama Fukuryu S on March 23. The non-black type race is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby program.

Unbeaten in two starts, T O Password is by Champion Dirt Horse in Japan Copano Rickey who won 16 races, but at stud, he is yet to leave a stakes winner from 175 runners. T O Password is out of a winning King Kamehameha (Jpn) mare, whose four foals to race are all winners.

Spirit Dancer Ready For Sheema Classic

Trainer Richard Fahey is relying on his staff in the Middle East to set Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) for Saturday’s Gr1 Dubai Sheema Classic. “Everything’s going great. Looking at the videos and speaking to the lad out there, I believe he’s come on in his coat and his demeanour, he’s in very good form,” said Fahey.

“He did have five weeks to acclimatise from his first run this season to the Neom Turf Cup and it’s nearly another five weeks again. … You’d have every confidence that he should stay. He relaxes and in all his races he’s always finished well. We are in at Group One level, so it will be a huge ask, but we’ve had a nice prep and it’s always nice coming there off the back of a win. I’m really looking forward to seeing him run.”

Bred and owned by the former Manchester United coach, Sir Alex Ferguson, Spirit Dancer has won eight of his 25 starts, with his best win coming last start when he won the G2 Al-Janadriah Neom Turf Cup.

Ballydoyle seven on song for Dubai meeting

The seven runners from Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle yard have arrived in Meyden ahead of Saturday’s Dubai World Cup meeting. “They arrived early on Sunday and they're all in great form,” Ballydoyle’s travelling head lad, Pat Keating, told TDN Europe.

“They just trotted a lap, then cantered for seven furlongs or so. They might go a little bit further as the week goes on but they're here healthy and well and that's the main thing.”

Dual Derby and G1 Breeders' Cup Turf winner Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) will run in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, as will Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}). Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road {USA}) both run in the G1 Dubai Turf. Henry Adams (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) and Navy Seal (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) will compete in the G2 UAE Derby, while G3 Red Sea Turf H. winner Tower of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) runs in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup.

From cancer to the Guineas, Fallen Angel takes trainer on a ride

Spigot Lodge’s trainer Karl Burke will aim his Group 1 winning juvenile Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) at the G1 One Thousand Guineas, and hopes she will give him his first Classic. Burke spent much of last year undergoing chemotherapy, so Fallen Angel’s win in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. was a boon. “Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with cancer just before Royal Ascot last year,” Burke told TDN Europe. “I was just getting over the operation, which was fairly severe, and then they wanted me to have a course of chemo as a belts-and-braces job. That took me up to Christmas time, so it hasn't been easy, but we've got a great team here and things ticked along nicely.”

“I was looking forward to taking on Opera Singer,” Burke said of the Guineas, referring to Aidan O’Brien’s filly who won’t be running after a small setback. “There will be plenty of horses that pop their heads up above the parapet from now until Guineas day. I'm sure there are a few horses lurking around that are going to show improved form and will be challenging us. My main aim is to get her there in one piece and, hopefully, that's what we'll do.”

Silver medal for racing movie

Racing Welfare has won a silver award at the Smiley Film Awards in England for a film about anxiety. “It was a huge honour for our film to be recognised by an expert panel comprising high-profile and influential people from the worlds of fundraising, business, entertainment and media,” Racing Welfare's head of communications and marketing, Nicki Strong, told TDN Europe.

“We are extremely proud of the film and the role it played in spearheading our mental health campaign, and that it resonated with both those within and outside of the racing community. We'd like to say a huge thank you to Equine Productions for expertly bringing our vision to life, our actor Charlie Smith for giving his time and to Warren Greatrex and his team for allowing us to film at Rhonehurst.”