Cornwall Park closing down
Cornwall Park in Victoria sent a letter to clients on Thursday informing them that the business will close on June 7.
“With regret and sadness, we inform you that Cornwall Park Stud will be closing. With the increasing amount of non-payers and cost of expenses increasing dramatically, our accountant has advised us that it would be the best option to wind the business up.”
Lisa Gordon and Peter Boyle | Image courtesy of Cornwall Park Stud
“Lisa and I, along with all of our staff would like to thank you for all of your support over the last four years. We have put our heart and soul into this stud and words cannot express how disappointed we are,” wrote Director Peter Boyle.
The letter made no mention of the seven stallions standing at Cornwall Park Stud: Boom Time, Cliff’s Edge, Danerich, Inference, Johannes Vermeer (Ire), Soul Patch, and Wyndspelle (NZ).
VOBIS voucher redemption breaks the million
Racing Victoria (RV) announced on Thursday that redemption of VOBIS Platinum vouchers has surged past $1 million. “It’s a significant milestone to reach $1 million in VOBIS Platinum redemptions. This is money won in Victoria being pumped back into the Victorian racing and breeding industries, so everyone is a winner,” said RV’s Executive General Manager of Racing, Matt Welsh.
“Pleasingly, owners at all levels are making the most of the vouchers. From inexperienced owners in the early stages of their ownership journey through to sole owners with a significant investment in racing.
“There’s never been a better time to breed, buy, own and race in Victoria with the breadth of rewards available via the VOBIS program and it’s fantastic to see people reinvesting in the purchase or breeding of Victorian stock.”
Rain plans underway for The Championships
Officials at the Australian Turf Club believe their surface will be able to be used on Saturday despite torrid weather forecast for Friday.
“The key is when is it going to stop raining? A lot of the forecasts we have seen suggest it is mid-morning on Saturday. If it (rain) can pull up then and we can get some sunshine in the afternoon it will be okay to race,” Randwick track manager Michael Wood told Racenet.com.au.
With the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale starting on Sunday, it is unlikely the races will be shifted by one day, while a mid-week option isn’t likely either given the impact on crowds and wagering. One of the suggestions is to push day one of The Championships to April 13, then move the Queen Elizabeth S.–Sydney Cup meeting scheduled for that day back a week to April 20, and the All Aged S.-Champagne S. raceday would shift from April 20 to April 27.
Shinn keen for Sires on Lady Of Camelot
Jockey Blake Shinn won the G1 Golden Slipper on Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon) and thinks they can take out the G1 Sires’ Produce S on Saturday too. “This is another test, the 1400 (metres), but it's a test for all the contenders. She was strong at the end of the Slipper so I'm looking forward to the challenge,” Shinn told Racingandsports.com.au.
Lady Of Camelot | Image courtesy of Sportpix
And as for the wet? “It's another challenge they all face and that's another unknown that I'm not sure about.”
Four Waterhouse/Bott runners to appreciate extra distance in Sires
Co-trainer Adrian Bott thinks the extra furlong in the G1 Sires’ Produce S. will suit G1 Golden Slipper favourite Storm Boy (Justify {USA}).
“Storm Boy….lost no admirers in the Slipper itself and I'd like to think that going to the 1400 metres, he'll be better suited by those conditions,” Bott told Racingandsports.com.au.
“With Prost, I think the run was better than what it looked in the Golden Slipper. I do feel he's looking to get out in trip at this point.” Prost (Snitzel) ran 13th of 16 in the Slipper.
Adrian Bott | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
And Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon), “She has come out of the race remarkably well, which has taken us by surprise. She is an incredibly tough filly.”
The stable will also run Anode (I Am Invincible) who was second last start in the G3 Bailleau S.
Will she or won’t she? Zardozi’s Derby in question
Trainer James Cummings hasn’t made a final decision on whether Zardozi (Kingman {GB}) will run in Saturday’s G1 Australian Derby.
“There is always the option to run in the Australian Oaks next week,” Cummings told Racingnsw.com.au.
Zardozi | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“She might run in that race as well, or she might run in that race and miss this weekend. If she runs this weekend she will run very, very, well.”
The wet suits Bella Nipotina
With everyone worried about the rain forecast in Sydney, trainer Ciaron Maher is feeling the opposite for his G1 TJ Smith S. runner Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai). "I've been waiting to get her onto a wet track for … I can't remember how long," Maher told Racing.com.
Ciaron Maher | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Bella Nipotina has won three of her five starts on a heavy track including the 2022 G1 Manikato S. “It's a star-studded field. But when she's right she can mix it with them.”
Karavas trials against older horses
Unbeaten 2-year-old filly Karavas (Alabama Express) trialled against the older horses on Tuesday in preparation for Saturday’s Listed Dequetteville S. at Morphettville.
“We had her ready trying to get to the Blue Diamond but things went a little pear-shaped, she got a virus. She had a break and we concentrated on the Adelaide Carnival,” co-trainer Richard Jolly told Racingsa.com.au.
Karavas | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The stable is planning a three-run preparation for the filly; the Dequetteville S., the Breeder’s S. in two weeks’ time, then the G3 David Coles on Goodwood Day.
Nathan Berry medal contenders
Saturday’s Day 1 of The Star Championships at Royal Randwick marks the 11th running of the prestigious Nathan Berry Medal that was introduced by Racing NSW in 2014.
The Nathan Berry Medal, presented by his twin brother Tommy to the most successful jockey over the 12 races of The Star Championships, pays tribute to the former top jockey who passed away in early April 2014.
Latest TAB Market thanks to Racing NSW.
$1.30 James McDonald
$6 Jamie Kah
$15 Blake Shinn, Craig Williams, Jason Collett
$26 Damian Lane, Nash Rawiller
$51 Tommy Berry, Tyler Schiller
In Evidence seeking redemption on Saturday
Rockhampton trainer John Wigginton thinks punters should ignore the last start of 3-year-old gelding In Evidence (Nicconi) who seeks redemption at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
“For some reason he just wouldn’t go in the QTIS Jewel but he’s fine now,” Wiggington told Racingqueensland.com.au.
In Evidence has won five of his 14 starts with earnings over $200,000. He was purchased by his trainer at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $50,000 after he passed in in the ring. “I’m not sure if he’s up to the winter carnival in Brisbane but I’ll see how he goes on Saturday before making any decisions.”
Glory Mission the one to beat on Friday
Glory Mission (Stratosphere) is the one to beat in the $50,000 Tasbred 3YO over 1200 metres in Launceston on Friday night. He won his debut race on March 24 easily.
There are three Tasbred races on the card, all with $50,000 prizemoney on offer. The 2-year-old event has attracted a field of just six runners with Stuart Gandy-trained Gems Eagle (Alpine Eagle) favoured to take that out.
Apulia aimed at South Australian Derby
Team Hayes will skip the G1 Australian Derby with 3-year-old colt Apulia (Fiorente {Ire}) and head to the Listed Galilee Series Final at Caulfield instead.
“We think he needs one more and then we’ll probably go to the South Australian Derby with him,” Ben Hayes told Justhorseracing.com.au.
Ben Hayes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Apulia was ninth in the G2 Alister Clark S. last start, a race won by Antrim Coast (NZ) (Roc De Cambes {NZ}) who is also staying in Melbourne with the same plan. Apulia has won two of his 11 starts including the G2 Moonee Valley Vase in the spring and was second in the G1 VRC Derby.
Higher prizemoney for Goodwood lures Amelia’s Jewel
Brilliant sprinter Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) has been lured by the rise in prizemoney for the G1 Goodwood H.
“Brisbane is certainly on the cards, but the Goodwood is up to $1 million now,” trainer Simon Miller told Racing.com.
Amelia's Jewel | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Amelia’s Jewel will resume at Ascot on Saturday in the Listed Roma Cup on her way to the $4 million The Quokka on April 20, with the Goodwood three weeks later.
Sunday’s Geraldton Cup offers great community
The 2024 edition of the $125,000 TABtouch Geraldton Cup over 2100 metres will be at the Geraldton Turf Club (GTC) on Sunday, April 7.
“While making a healthy contribution to the Mid West’s economy, racing’s social impact is also significant, especially at meetings like the Geraldton Cup,” Racing and Wagering Western Australia CEO Ian Edwards told rwwa.com.au.
“Regional race clubs, especially those across the Mid West, are important social hubs for the community.”
Voyage Bubble aimed at Champions Day
Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) is headed home to Hong Kong after sustaining minor injuries in the G1 Dubai Turf.
“The horse falling next to him affected him a little bit, he’s just got some scratches on his right hind. But he’s pulled up okay and he’s in quarantine now,” trainer Ricky Yiu told scmp.com.
Voyage Bubble | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
He will be aimed at the G1 Champions Mile on April 28. A $380,000 purchase by his trainer from Torryburn Stud at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Voyage Bubble has won six of his 17 starts invluding the G1 Stewards’ Cup three starts ago.
58 nominations for G1 Epsom Oaks
Fifty-eight entries for the G1 Oaks on May 31 have been revealed, led by last season's champion juvenile filly Opera Singer (USA) (Justify {USA}). Ballydoyle’s Aidan O’Brien has 13 entries while Ralph Beckett has nine including the maiden winner Treasure (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), owned by the King and Queen.
John and Thady Gosden, who won last year's Oaks with Lady Bamford's Soul Sister (Ire), has five entries, including Cheveley Park Stud's Regal Jubilee (GB) (Frankel {GB}).
Four Group 1 winners for Lockinge S.
Four Group 1 winners headline the 21 entries for the £400,000 G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. at Newbury on May 18. Trainer Christopher Head has entered G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. winner Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), while John and Thady Gosden have entered their stable stars Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}).
Andre Fabre’s recent Group 3 winner Tribalist (GB) (Farhh {GB}) is entered, while two other entries of note are the two placegetters from last year’s G1 2000 Guineas, Hi Royal (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Royal Scotsman (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}).
Street Boss colt tops Texas sale
A colt by Street Boss (USA) topped the Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale when bringing a final bid of US$265,000 (AU$402,000) from Tracy Williams on Wednesday at Lone Star Park. He was one of six to share the fastest time of 0:10 1/5 over 200 metres during the under-tack preview show on Monday.
Hip 28 - Street Boss (USA) x Gemmizell (USA) (colt) | Image courtesy of Olivia Friesen (Texas Thoroughbred Association)
Pinhooked for US$72,000 (AU$109,000) at last year's Fasig-Tipton July Sale, the colt was consigned by Pike Racing at Highlander. From a catalogue of 130 horses, 64 horses sold for a total of US$2,199,500 (AU$3.3 million). The average was US$34,367 (AU$52,151), up from last year’s average of US$32,435 (AU$49,219). The median was US$24,500 (AU$37,178), up from last year’s median of US$17,500 (AU$26,555).
HISA report shows welfare outcomes in USA
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA)'s 2023 annual metrics report was released on Wednesday. “Our inaugural annual report reflects our journey toward a safer, fairer and more resilient future for horse racing,” HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus told TDN.
Racetracks operating under HISA's rules reported 1.23 racing-related equine fatalities per 1000 starts in 2023. That rate is down from the rate reported by The Jockey Club in its Equine Injury Database (EID) in 2022 (1.25 per 1000 starts) and is lower than the national rate reported in The Jockey Club's 2023 EID (1.32 per 1000 starts). The Jockey Club's 2023 EID also shows that non-HISA tracks reported a rate of 1.63 racing-related equine fatalities per 1000 starts.
