Listed Grafton Cup won by Deny Knowledge
Jockey Blake Shinn won his third Listed Grafton Cup with a peach of a ride on Deny Knowledge (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai) at Grafton on Thursday. “She's a natural leader and at 2400 metres, we may have been a little suspect,” Shinn told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“If I was going to burn the candle at both ends it was going to be hard and the pressure in the first 300 was quite quick, so there was an opportunity to drop in and rest around that first turn. When they backed off, I made a decision to roll to the top and get her into a zone where she loves to be, and once I was able to find the top, I was confident a long way out.”
Deny Knowledge was purchased by Yulong for $500,000 at the recent Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, and has eight wins including the G2 Matriarch S.
Vinery confirms Ole Kirk share sale
Vinery Stud confirmed with TTR AusNZ that a five per cent share in Ole Kirk was sold privately for $2 million this week. The share was sold by A List Stud to a Hong Kong investor.
Ole Kirk | Standing at Vinery Stud
Kia Ora purchases Lucky Girl to top Inglis USA Digital
The debut auction from the Inglis Digital USA platform was led by the US$235,000 (AU$348,000) sale of racemare Lucky Girl (Ire) (Exceed And Excel) to Australia's Kia Ora Stud, the auction house said in a release late Wednesday.
“We are stoked to have secured Lucky Girl in the inaugural Inglis Digital USA online sale,” said Shane Wright, bloodstock and breeding manager for Kia Ora Stud. “We will keep her in training in the U.S., as she has a Grade II appointment next month at Del Mar, and then make a decision on her future after that run.
“The world is becoming a much smaller place given the opportunities a platform like Inglis Digital USA allow we have had some great success with Northern Hemisphere bloodlines before. We have used Inglis Digital for both buying and selling here in Australia and the U.S. platform is just as easy and user friendly, and I'm sure we will be back again in the future.”
Lucky Girl (Ire) | Image courtesy of Inglis Digital USA
“We were excited to get underway for the first time as Inglis Digital USA,” said Liza Hendriks, CEO of Inglis Digital USA. “There was interest from all over the world and the influence of the Inglis name was apparent with our sales topper ultimately headed back to Australia. We appreciate the support from all of our buyers and sellers and look forward to our next sale in August. I encourage anyone to reach out to myself or Kyle (Wilson, senior director of sales and recruitment) if there's anything we can do.”
Rosehill Hearing begins on Monday
The inquiry into the proposal to develop Rosehill Racecourse begins on Monday July 22. The hearing will be live streamed at https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Pages/webcasts.aspx
South Australia expands Racing Rewards
From 1 August 2024, Racing SA are excited to announce increased opportunities to claim Racing Rewards bonuses. “Any horse, no matter the age, that was Racing Rewards nominated as a yearling will be eligible for the Alumni bonuses worth an additional $11,000 in prizemoney under the Racing Rewards Plus banner.
“From the start of the new season, Racing Rewards Plus will be expanded to include races over any distance to enable qualified horses to continue to claim bonus prizemoney throughout their career.
“The Alumni initiative has been implemented to continue to reward breeders and owners who support SA thoroughbreds to provide Racing Rewards nominated horses a lifetime of opportunities.”
NSW jockeys title competitive for Saturday
Saturday’s Rosehill meeting is the fourth last of the Sydney Metropolitan season as James McDonald and Nash Rawiller battle for the 2023/24 premiership title.
James McDonald | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
James McDonald, who currently leds by three, has been booked for 10 rides this Saturday while Rawiller has six mounts.
150 season wins for Lane
Jockey Damian Lane enjoyed a career-best 150 winners for the season when winning on Thursday aboard Reece Goodwin trained Super Solar (Makfi {GB}) at Pakenham.
Tamerlane ready to win again
Last start Listed winner Tamerlane (Golden Horn {GB}) can go again in Saturday’s Listed Winter Challenge according to jockey Zac Lloyd. “It looks a very similar race, a very winnable race, and he should be able to dominate from the front,” Lloyd told Racingnsw.com.au.
Zac Lloyd | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I’m confident there horse is back to his winning ways. He hasn’t been blessed too much by the handicapper with 60.5kg compared to War Eternal carrying 53kg but he’s a class horse.”
Winx sister to debut on Sunday
Winx's three-quarter sister Wings Of Desire (Pride Of Dubai) is set to make her debut at Hawkesbury on Sunday. “She is just such a big filly, I think she just gets a bit claustrophobic in the barriers,” trainer Michael Freedman told Racing.com.
Michael Freedman | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“The last two trials she's had the barrier extension and barrier blanket and we will go with that (on) race day and hopefully get through without any incident. She's big everywhere… she is a big unit.”
Written Tycoon colt for Flemington
Co-trainer Michael Kent Junior hopes 2-year-old colt First Settler (Written Tycoon) can prove his spring credentials on Saturday when he tackles the VRC Member Russell Dawson P. “We’ve always loved this colt and it was pleasing to see him do that (first-up),” Kent Jnr told racing.com.
First Settler | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“He is a gorgeous looking colt with a wicked action. I love the way he lowers and flattens out like a good colt. Mick (Price) would like to run him at Flemington on Saturday to have a look at the straight and hopefully advance his rating some more. Because if he does come through that well, naturally with a colt like him, with his pedigree, you would be looking at the spring.” First Settler won on debut at the end of June.
Light spring for Orchestral
Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood will give dual Group 1-winning mare Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) a light spring. “She’s very well and enjoying being back in the stable, so it’s exciting heading forward,” Wellwood said.
Orchestral (NZ) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“We’ve got three different plans, one is Sydney, one is Melbourne and the other is New Zealand. Plans will be firmed up more once we have got her through to a trial and see what the weather is doing in each jurisdiction.”
Big spring for Super Seth filly
Aylesbury trainer Richard Didham has is eyes on a Group 1 prize with his promising filly Diablo Blanco (NZ) (Super Seth) this spring. “She was awesome earlier this season, she even trekked all the way to Wellington and courageously ran fourth in a Group 2 up there,” Didham told Loveracing.nz.
“She had a long campaign, so she has had a decent spell and hopefully she is in for another long campaign because there are a lot of good 3-year-old races coming up. It (target) has to be the 1000 Guineas, especially on her form so far. I would like to tick off the Canterbury Belle (Listed, 1200 metres) in September, I think it will be an ideal 3-year-old fillies race with a bit of black-type.”
First winner for Melham after injury
Ben Melham has ridden his first winner since returning from injury, steering Greg Eurell's 3-year-old gelding Ready Tiger (Casino Prince) to a strong maiden win over a mile at Pakenham on Thursday. “It's good to be back, I got a second yesterday on my first day back, so it's good to go one better today,” Melham told racing.com.
“I had plenty of time to focus on the rehab and stuff I needed to do and the body feels the best it has in a long time.”
Victorian trainers join ATA
The Australian Trainers' Association has welcomed Ciaron Maher, Sam Freedman and JD Hayes to the Victorian branch committee. “There was a little bit of talk prior to the annual election that Ciaron, Sam and JD wanted to join to have an impact,” ATA chief executive Stephen Bell told racing.com.
“They wanted to make a difference and so they put in applications, which was great. It's fantastic they are on board as they will make a significant contribution to help out all the trainers in Victoria. We've got a combination of wise heads and new heads and I think it just strengthens our position as an organisation having a stronger representation from such a line-up of trainers.
“This is a good story for racing with leading trainers putting up their hand up to help out during a tough period for racing.”
Vadamos won’t shuttle in 2024
Group 1 sire Vadamos (Fr) will not shuttle to Rich Hill Stud for the upcoming 2024 Southern Hemisphere season. “It’s purely an economic decision,” farm principal John Thompson told Loveracing.nz.
“The progeny of Vadamos have had another good year on the racetracks and they continue to sell well. He currently sits in 15th place on the New Zealand premiership, with outstanding Group 1-winning mare La Crique his flagbearer. It will be difficult to cover the costs of transport, promotion and staff at his advertised service fee of $9000.
Vadamos (Fr) | Image courtesy of Rich Hill Stud
“As any Australasian farm standing stallions will know, these fixed costs have risen substantially over the last few years, so the syndicate has decided to leave him in the Northern Hemisphere this year. The Vadamos Syndicate owns 50 per cent of the stallion, so we do have the option to bring him back to New Zealand in the future.”
Four for Pike at Northam
Thursday’s Northam meeting was a good one for jockey William Pike who rode four winners on 3-year-old gelding Just Famous (Justify {USA}), 3-year-old filly Extreme Love (Xtravagant {NZ}), Paigey’s Turn (Choisir) and Sentimental Belle (Nicconi).
Cairns trainer wins four at local meeting
Cairns trainer Stephen Massingham won four races at Thursday’s Cairns meeting with City Of Boulder (Boulder City), Lean Eagle (Lean Mean Machine), Super Twenty Three (I Am Invincible) and Stats (Cluster).
Thursday’s juvenile winners
On Thursday, several quality juveniles won races. Ferinzo (Cosmic Force) won the 2-year-old Showcase H. at Grafton, Scoundrel (Pierata) and Fortingall (I Am Invincible) won at Kembla Grange, while at Pakenham Waiting for Time (Alabama Express) won.
Belmont Oaks winner can win Classic too
Co-trainers Grant and Alana Williams believe last start Listed Belmont Oaks winner Petrouchka (More Than Ready {USA}) can win Saturday’s Listed Belmont Classic. “Her last two weeks have been a lot better than the ones leading up to the Oaks,” trainer Williams said on Tabradio.
“She pulled a shoe off and was dealing and having a bit of an issue with her foot. It came good a couple of days before her run which was good. She didn’t miss too much work, but she was a bit sore on it. Obviously it wasn’t the best case going into that but we got away with it.” A homebred for Lynward Park Stud, Petrouchka has drawn barrier seven for William Pike.
Gerard excited about juvenile
Pam Gerard will unveil 2-year-old colt Suit Yourself (NZ) (Savile Row {NZ}) at Arawa Park on Saturday. “I trained Savile Row, so I had been looking at getting hold of one and I’d missed out on a few auctions,” Gerard told Loveracing.nz.
Pam Gerard | Image courtesy of Ballymore Stables
“I happened to see this horse on the sale and knew a little bit about the family. I really liked the type and he was very clean, he just needed to grow, which he has done. The half-sister going out and performing in Group Twos was very helpful and he is an exceptionally good-looking colt.” Suit Yourself is a half-brother to Sedaka (NZ) (Savabeel)
Clash of giants in Juddmonte International
The Coolmore partners' City Of Troy (USA) (Justify {USA}) will likely face a truly international field in the £1.2 million G1 Juddmonte International S. at York on August 21. Durezza (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), a Japanese Classic winner, will travel to the Knavesmire to tangle with the Ballydoyle G1 Derby hero next month, York's CEO William Derby confirmed on Wednesday.
“We're obviously delighted to hear the news from Ballydoyle that City Of Troy is likely to run in the Juddmonte International–obviously there's a long way to go with horses, but to have Europe's highest-rated 3-year-old being aimed at our flagship race is great,” said Derby.
Eight year suspension for USA trainer
Trainer Joe Taylor, a longtime fixture at Parx and the leading trainer there in 2019, has received an eight-year suspension handed down by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), after he had two horses test positive for banned substances.
“I was going through a divorce and the divorce was going on for four years,” Taylor said. “The judge ordered the sale of the house and told my ex-wife she had to be out at a certain time. So I sold the house. That was on June 15. Then bang, June 18 and June 20, my horses come up positive for Clenbuterol and this time they put Ritalin in.”
“I know I have responsibilities as the trainer,” he said. “I have cameras in my barn, but we couldn't find anything. I deserve some kind of penalty because I did not protect my horses when I knew they were at risk. But years and $120,000 in fines? They want to end my career. Come on. You can't get any more unconstitutional than that.”
