Shambles at Doomben as four horses declared non-runners
Race six at Doomben caused confusion when Queensland stewards declined to declare a 'no race' following Samantha Collett being thrown out the back of the barrier stalls as rival jockeys looked on. Instead, four horses were declared non-runners and the race was won by Tony Gollan trained Liquor (Spirit Of Boom).
“Everyone drops the reins to get their horses to relax – this wasn't the case,” jockey Michael Rodd said. His horse Bold And Lucy (Bold Attraction) was one of the non-runners as were Nanagui (Sebring), Glorious Ruby (Your Song) and Amore Veloce (Love Conquers All).
Treble at Randwick for Rawiller
Jockey Nash Rawiller rode a winning treble at Randwick to give him 80 Sydney wins putting him only three behind premiership leader James McDonald with five city meetings remaining for the 2023-24 season. He won on Cranky Harry (Spill The Beans), Ha Ha Ha (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and South Of India (Churchill {Ire}), but gained a six day suspension for overuse of the whip when second on Dr Evil (Casino Prince), starting July 21 which means he misses only one Sydney meeting – Canterbury on July 24 – before he returns for Randwick on July 27.
Nash Rawiller | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Rockhampton Cup to Hype
Central Queensland warhorse Master Jamie (Poet’s Voice {GB}) has been denied a fairytale third straight Rockhampton Cup running second to Aiden Nunn trained Hype (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}). “I rode Polocrosse with Aiden in Tasmania and I got the text on Wednesday morning on the way to Mount Gambier asking if I was interested in the ride,” jockey Teagan Voorham said.
Treble for Rodd at Doomben
Jockey Michael Rodd rode a treble at Doomben on Saturday aboard Enterprise Defence (Divine Prophet), Mount Fuji (Snitzel), and Cunnamulla Fella (Better Than Ready), his first since returning after a three-year concussion rehabilitation break.
“It's the first treble in town I have had since I came back,” he said.
Treble for Shinn at Caulfield
Jockey Blake Shinn rode a treble on Caulfield on headlining with the G3 Sir John Monash S on Recommendation (Shalaa {Ire}) as well as winning on Jabbawockeez (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) and Astero (Zoustar).
Blake Shinn
Two trebles at Warracknabeal
Six of the nine races at Warracknabeal were ridden by two jockeys with Brad Rawiller winning on Hells Empire (Hellbent), Another Nephew (Sizzling) and Kamchatka (Kuroshio), while Liam Riordan won on Maximum Power (Cable Bay {Ire}), Olivia’s Scandal (Exosphere) and Rhodesian Red (Lonhro).
Bullock injured at Newcastle
Jockey Aaron Bullock fell from Bodgie (Epaulette) in race six at Newcastle on Saturday and was taken to hospital with a suspected broken shoulder or collarbone. He was to ride Clear Thinking (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.
Ocean Park juvenile wins at Warracknabeal
Trainer Tom Dabernig’s 2-year-old filly Runway Ruler (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) won a maiden race against the older horses at Warracknabeal on Saturday. It was her first win in three starts, having run second last start.
Royal Meeting filly wins at Cowra
Trainer Brett Robb’s 2-year-old filly Body Of Venus (Royal Meeting {Ire}) won at Cowra on Saturday at her sixth start. She became the fourth winner for first season sire Royal Meeting who has also produced G1 Blue Diamond winner Hayasugi.
New juvenile winner for Street Boss
Godolphin’s 2-year-old gelding Limahuli (Street Boss {USA}) won at Newcastle on Saturday at his fourth start. His three previous starts were all in the city, and he is out of winning mare Night Garden (Redoute’s Choice).
Street Boss (USA) | Standing at Darley
Mishani Invincible wins at Esk
Les Ross went to Esk with 2-year-old filly Mishani Invincible (The Mission) who won at her ninth start. She has previously raced without success in stronger company in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
She is the fourth juvenile winner for The Mission this season.
Romantic Warrior is Hong Kong Horse Of The Year
Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), winner of five Group 1 races in three different jurisdictions in 2023-2024, was named Hong Kong's Horse of the Year during a black-tie ceremony held Friday evening in the Grand Ballroom of the Rosewood Hotel in Hong Kong. It was confirmed on Saturday that he would not be coming to Australia this spring to defend his G1 WS Cox Plate title.
California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) was named champion sprinter after belying odds of 10-1 to win the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee S. before giving Hong Kong another victory on foreign soil in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in March.
David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) was named champion griffin and most improved horse, with five wins and two seconds from seven starts, including a victory in the G3 Sha Tin Vase H.
G1 Falmouth S won by Porta Fortuna
As admirably straightforward as she is classy, Steven Weston, Barry Fowler, Medallion Racing and Reeves Racing's G1 Coronation Stakes and G1 Cheveley Park Stakes heroine Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio {USA}) took her latest task in her stride when dominating Friday's G1 Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket.
“She seemed very impressive and Ryan (Moore) said she has such a good temperament–she pings the gates and then she relaxes,” trainer Donnacha O'Brien said.
“Coming here today, we thought we'd probably give her a break before coming back for the Matron Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend in September. We could then look at going to the Sun Chariot before going to America.” The 3-year-old filly has now won six of her 10 starts.
Expensive filly wins G2 Duchess of Cambridge S
Shaikh Duaij Al Khalifa's 2-year-old filly Arabian Dusk (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) won Friday's G2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket with a gritty performance in the six-furlong heat. The 525,000gns (AU$1.05million) Craven Breeze-Up acquisition took her record to a win and two placings from three starts.
“She came from the breeze-up sales, we picked her out as she looked a nice filly, and has just done everything right,” revealed trainer Simon Crisford. “I'm not sure the [G1 1000] Guineas will be the right trip for her, but she certainly wasn't stopping at the end of the race today. In fact, she was looking for a bit of company and I think she would have gone again if she had been challenged in the last 50 yards. I think we'll stick to this trip for the moment and maybe look at the [G2] Lowther at York and [G1] Cheveley Park [at the Rowley Mile venue] and see what we are like over the winter.”
Death of rider in Ireland causes shock
The racing and breeze-up communities in Ireland have been rocked by the news that prominent rider Valdi de Souza has died at the age of 49 following “a freak accident” at work.
“I've been in this game for over 30 years now and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that Valdi was the most professional person that anyone could wish to work with,” Brendan Holland of Grove Stud said.
“Working with Valdi was a pleasure and a privilege. He was just an absolute gentleman–the kindest, nicest and gentlest person you would ever wish to meet. He absolutely adored horses and, when he was on a horse's back, that was his home. He thought of nothing else but horses.
“I have been very lucky to have had lots of brilliant staff who have helped me make Grove Stud a success but there's no doubt that Valdi was a massive part of our story. My whole family, Vanessa and the kids, and employees past and present, are absolutely devastated.”
Celebrity chef buys share in Zarak
A share in Group 1 winner and sire Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) brought €710,000 (AU$1.14million) from American chef and owner/breeder Bobby Flay during Arqana Online's Pop-Up Sale on Friday.
A share in first-season sire Hello Youmzain (Fr) was knocked down for €160,000 (AU$258,000) on the bid of an anonymous buyer.
Darley Sires on the move
The Darley stallions Victor Ludorum (GB) and Cloth Of Stars (Ire) will be standing at Haras d'Etreham and Haras de Montaigu respectively from 2025. Darley's French-based sires have long stood at Julian Ince's Haras du Logis in Louvieres in Auge, Normandy, but Ince has decided to concentrate his business on his own broodmare band and boarding mares for clients after more than a quarter of a century in the stallion game.
“Firstly, I would like to thank Sheikh Mohammed and the Darley team for all the help and support they have given my family and me over the years,” Ince said. “I've been in the stallion business for 26 years and I am not saying I'll never stand stallions again but, rather than spending six months of the year working with the stallions and trying to sell nominations, I can concentrate focus on the other side of the business and hopefully have more time to go racing with friends and clients.”
