Les Ross to quit training as he undergoes cancer surgery
Trainer Les Ross will hand in his training license at the end of the season as he undergoes surgery for prostate cancer. He is best known for his racing partnership with larrikin owner Mike Crooks who races horses under the Mishani name. “The day that my license runs out and I finish training, July 31, that's the day I am having my prostate out,” Ross told Racenet.
Les Ross
“It hit me like a tonne of bricks when I found out I had cancer. Recently, I've been waking up at night and thinking about how the surgery is going to go. It worries me a bit what is going to happen. I have told Crooksy and my other owners, and they have been very good about it. I have been saying I have been going to retire for many years, but this time I'm serious.”
Stanbridge to take over Mishani team
Foreman to trainer Les Ross, Donna Stanbridge, will take over training the Mishani horses in the next season. “The thing about it is that people won't believe it, because Les has threatened to retire so many times,” Crooks told Racenet.com.au.
“He has taught me a heap. He's a mate of mine, I think he thought I wouldn't want to be his mate if he pulled the pin on training. We have had some good times, a couple of ordinary times, but if we have had a rare disagreement we quickly say that's over and done with and let's move on.
“We aren't going to change too much and we are going to keep the system that Les has taught me and we have learned together. We are going to give my foreman a go, I don't want to rush in at the moment and take a new trainer on.”
Magic Time on song for third Group 1
Magic Time (Hellbent) could not be in better shape to grab a third Group 1 victory when she runs in Saturday’s G1 Kingsford-Smith S. according to Grahame Begg's assistant trainer Rohan Hughes. “She's been here for a while, very, very happy with the way she's settled in here, she's very adaptive,” Hughes told Racing.com.
“She's a very bombproof, complete racehorse, outstanding mind, outstanding engine. She's not big or imposing or anything like that but she has an incredibly good mind.” Magic Time won the G1 All-Aged S. last start and the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. in the spring.
Stakes runners on both sides of the ditch for Forsman
This Saturday trainer Andrew Forsman will have stakes contenders on either side of the Tasman. “It’s very exciting to have two runners in the Derby this weekend, I am very much looking forward to it,” Forsman told Loveracing.nz about G1 Queensland Derby contenders First Innings (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) and Moonlight Magic (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}).
Andrew Forsman | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Back in New Zealand, promising juvenile Belardi (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}), a half-brother to Moonlight Magic, will be out to continue his winning ways in the Listed Castletown S. while Turn The Ace (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) runs in the Listed AGC Training S.
Can’t Recall One has wow factor heading into the Sires
Trainer Stuart Kendrick believes unbeaten 2-year-old gelding Can't Recall One (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) can win the G2 Sires’ Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday. “We had some early offers from Hong Kong to buy him but I’ve left all that up to the owners and so far they’re decided to keep racing him,” Kendrick told Racingqueensland.com.au.
Unbeaten in two starts, Can’t Recall One will be set at the G1 JJ Atkins Plate next. “I’ve gone close a few times in big races but just haven’t managed to win one. Charnley River ran second to Sacred Elixir in the J.J. Atkins (2016), Eric The Eel finished third in an ATC Derby and Fullazaboot ran into Sunlight when he finished second in the Magic Millions Classic (2018).”
Fairytale rags to riches story for Sires?
Toowoomba trainer Kevin Kemp thinks he can land a knockout blow in the G2 BRC Sires' Produce S. on Saturday with 2-year-old filly Jemoma Alpilage (Lean Mean Machine). “Last start, this filly might have finished closer if she wasn't trapped over on the inside and at the finish she was less than a couple of lengths off the winner,” Kemp told Racenet.com.au.
“(Jockey) Vlad Duric really likes her and I hope she is right. I have never won a $1m race so this could be new ground for me. I do know all of the southern horses will be hard to beat.”
Purchased by Kemp for $30,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from Hopetoun Farm, Jemoma Alpilage has won one from her five starts.
80th Lord Mayors Cup could be history for Neasham
Trainer Annabel Neasham has won the last two Lord Mayor’s Cups at Rosehill with Hopeful (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) in 2022 and last weekend’s G1 Doomben Cup winner Bois d’Argent (GB) (Toronado {Ire}) in 2023. This Saturday, she has Sibaaq (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) running in the 80th Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup. “Sibaaq was huge in the Scone Cup,” Neasham told Racingnsw.com.au about his last start fourth placing.
Annabel Neasham | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I’ve taken the blinkers off him, going up to the 2000m I thought he probably doesn’t need those. He’s an honest horse who doesn’t know how to run a bad race.”
Lovey wins at Pakenham
Team Hayes picked up an early double at Pakenham’s Thursday night meeting led by 2-year-old filly Lovey (Spirit Of Boom) who was having her fifth start. She is the seventh juvenile winner from Spirit Of Boom’s current crop of 2-year-olds.
The training team of Ben, Will, and JD Hayes also won the next race with 3-year-old gelding Apparatus (NZ) (Trapeze Artist).
Showtime juvenile wins at Ipswich
Pope Cody (Showtime) won at Ipswich on Thursday for trainer Cameron Richardson, and the 2-year-old colt was having his second raceday start. Ridden by Boris Thornton, he won by 2.6l.
He is the first winner from Showtime’s second crop. Showtime has sired Listed winner Show Royale in his first crop.
Winner for McEvoy on first day back in the saddle
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy found his first winner since returning from injury on Thursday at Hawkesbury with Annabel Neasham-trained 3-year-old gelding Mickey’s Medal (Brave Smash {Jpn}).
McEvoy resumed riding at Canterbury on Wednesday after sustaining a C6 neck fracture on March 23.
Double for apprentice Llewellyn at Wellington
Apprentice jockey Shannen Llewellyn rode a double at Wellington on Thursday aboard Brett Robb-trained pair 3-year-old filly Our Celebrity (Epaulette) and Castlebar Road (Laguna de Bay {NZ}).
Shannen Llewellyn | Image courtesy of NSW Country and Picnic Racing
Caulfield appoint new track manager
Caulfield’s assistant racecourse manager Sam Bennetts has been appointed the new racecourse manager. “This has been a long-term ambition of mine since entering the racing industry in 2009, and I am very fortunate to follow in the footsteps of such well respected and trusted racecourse managers here at the Melbourne Racing Club,” Bennetts told Racing.com.
James McElgunn is Caulfield’s new assistant racecourse manager and Tom Brown its foreman. The Melbourne Racing Club also announced Tate Griffin as its new assistant racecourse manager at Sandown in support of racecourse manager, Greg Groves.
Smith appeals 13 month training ban
Trainer Ben Smith has lodged an appeal against the 13 month ban handed down to him by Racing NSW stewards yesterday. He was given six months, reduced to four for pleading guilty, for the charge as outlined in the Stewards report: “administered to Arale on Tuesday 30 January 2024, the prohibited substance meloxicam which was detected in a pre-race blood sample collected from the mare prior to it winning Race 6 the Earthlight First Yearlings, Fillies and Mares Benchmark 72 Handicap at Canterbury Park racecourse on Friday 2 February 2024.”
Arale (Foxwedge) has had the win removed from her record. Smith was given an additional nine months for testing positive to banned substances himself. “Licenced Trainer Mr B Smith did provide a urine sample that was found, upon analysis, to contain a number of substances banned under AR137(1).”
Racing Mates heads to Dubbo
Racing Mates is a peer support initiative established by Racing NSW, empowering mates to look out for mates. Research has found that effective support offered from peers and colleagues can aid significantly in coping with stress and difficult situations.
“On the back of a highly successful Albury Racing Mates gathering, we are pleased to be returning to the Central Western Racing Districts participants at Dubbo,” Racing Mates ambassador Pat Webster told Racingnsw.com.au about the next event on Friday June 7.
Bold move to Lindsay Park for Bain
Aaron Bain Racing’s rapid rise in South Australian thoroughbred racing is set to go to another level with the move to the former Lindsay Park property in Angaston. “Our thoroughbred operation has been growing significantly in the past 12 months, and with further growth anticipated, it is a wonderful opportunity for our business, horses and owners,” Bain, who trains in partnership with Ned Taylor, told Racingsa.com.au.
Aaron Bain | Image courtesy of Racing SA
“There is the opportunity to have up to 70 horses in training and ultimately, we will have a focus on continuing to improve the quality of horses in the stable and success for our owners. On the back of a game-changing Adelaide Carnival by Racing SA, SAJC & Sportsbet, along with the much-needed government support for racing in this state which has all combined to see increased prizemoney opportunities, now is a perfect time to strengthen our brand and position in racing in this state.”
Angaston Park was originally known as Raceside when established by Hall of Fame horseman and Australian racing icon Colin Hayes as a part of Lindsay Park and was and renamed Kildalton Park under the care of Tony McEvoy after being purchased by successful businessman Wayne Mitchell.
Mile test for Magnificent Andy
Magnificent Andy (Magnus) will run over a mile for the first time in Saturday’s Group 3 Hyperion S at Belmont for trainer Stephen Miller. “Saturday will give me a good guide, because if he runs the mile out it will open more doors,” Miller told The Races WA.
“It’s in the back of my mind go over east. We could look to give him a run or two over east before our carnival here.”
Miller also has Last Of The Line (Blackfriars) in the race who is being set for next month’s G3 Strickland S, a race he won last year.
Relief for Richards after training at double in Hong Kong
Trainer Jamie Richards resolved a quiet patch with a double at Sha Tin on Wednesday night with Asian One (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and G Liner (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}). “It’s a bit of a relief, for sure. I’m just glad to train winners,” Richards told scmp.com.
“The team have been working hard. We haven’t had the results we would have liked but hopefully we can build a bit of momentum into the end of the season.” Richards now has 28 winners this season.
18 month cobalt ban for USA trainer
Trainer Monte Gelrod has been suspended for 18 months and fined $12,500 after his 4-year-old mare Ratified (USA) (Constitution {USA}), tested positive for cobalt salts after winning at Parx Racing on Feb. 19. Gelrod's suspension started Apr. 17.
Monte Gelrod
Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) classifies cobalt salts as a banned substance. Cobalt has been proven to stimulate the production of red blood cells (erythropoiesis) which explains why some have turned to it as a potential performance-enhancer in both humans and animals. Greater blood cell production can help endurance and decrease muscle fatigue.
Louisiana Racing commission to loosen drug regulations
The Louisiana Racing Commission has passed a set of emergency rules set to go into effect on June 8 that will create what are arguably the most lenient set of medication regulations in the sport. The withdrawal times for several medications have been reduced, and the list includes the controversial bronchodilator Clenbuterol. It can now be given to a horse within 72 hours of its racing.
Louisiana is a state that does not fall under control of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA).
In loosening up the rules regarding medications, the Louisiana Racing Commission went against a trend in the sport, which has largely cut back on the use of medications and in particular Clenbuterol.
Twelve fillies for G1 Epsom Oaks
Twelve fillies will line up in Friday's G1 Betfred Oaks at Epsom, with Aidan O'Brien set to be represented by a duo headed by the likely favourite Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}) drawn on the outside in 12. Ryan Moore sticks with last year's G1 Fillies' Mile winner, with Wayne Lordan on the stable's Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial runner-up Rubies Are Red (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who has drawn six.
Ralph Beckett's quartet is made up of the Listed Cheshire Oaks first and third Forest Fairy (Ire) (Waldgeist {GB}) and Seaward (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and the Lingfield Oaks Trial first and fourth You Got To Me (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and Treasure (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), with the latter representing The King and The Queen.
Late Queen’s Oaks runner adds intrigue to field
A royal runner in this fillies' Classic at a meeting which her late breeder, Queen Elizabeth II, rarely missed, is just one highlight of an intriguing Oaks field. Treasure (GB) Mastercraftsman (Ire), bred by Queen Elizabeth II and raced by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, boasts a big pedigree despite the fact that her dam, Shimmering Light (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) failed to win in eight starts. Shimmering Light is a half-sister to G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Wavering (Ire) (Refuse To Bend {Ire}) and Group 1-placed Winters Moon (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) who is the dam of multiple Group 1 winner and exciting first-season shuttle sire Earthlight (Ire).
