Asfoora coming home
Royal Ascot-winning sprinter Asfoora (Flying Artie) has run her last race in Britain this year and will return home to Australia, her trainer Henry Dwyer confirmed on Monday. Asfoora became the latest sprinter from the Southern Hemisphere to strike at Royal Ascot when claiming the King Charles III S. and went on to finish a narrow second in a titanic battle with Big Evs at Goodwood, before bowing out in the Nunthorpe S.
“We just thought she probably raced a length or two below her best and whether that was track condition related or something else I'm not sure,” explained Dwyer.
Asfoora | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I know she had a very busy preparation and I just don't see the upside in continuing with it. I'm happy to look after her in the knowledge she is going to race on next year, so there is no point bottoming her out now. She can go home in a couple of weeks after quarantine and then we can start thinking about plans for next year.”
“We could have stirred up the hornet's nest and there might be another six Aussies coming over next year who might be too good for us.
“We thought there was a chance this year based on what was around and we are just going to have to work it out again and see if we are going to be competitive or not, because it's a long way to come and a lot of money to spend if you can't win a race. Luckily, she has this time, but there will be no guarantees next year.
“There's a few options for her in Australia and we would probably have to stretch her out to 1200 metres again, but that might have to be a necessary evil if we don't think coming back to Britain is the right move.”
Yaldi being set for Guineas
Trainer Andrew Forsman will run Yaldi (NZ) (Ardrossan) in the G3 McNeil S. on Saturday as a step into the G1 Caulfield Guineas. “Michael Dee will ride Yaldi who is forward, I just think that there might be a couple a bit slick for him,” Forsman told Loveracing.nz.
“It’s very much a run to get his campaign going and we’d like to see him hitting the line well with his main targets the Caulfield Guineas Prelude and the Caulfield Guineas.” Yaldi won on debut at two in New Zealand, then ran second in the Listed Anzac Day S. at Flemington at his other start.
Astapor heads to Caulfield over Sydney
Sydney trainer Joe Pride has called on star Melbourne jockey Blake Shinn to partner 3-year-old colt Astapor (Tassort) in the G3 McNeil S. at Caulfield on Saturday. “A month between runs was probably too much for him and he raced very fresh,” Pride told racing.com of the colt’s fourth place in the Listed Rosebud.
“He got tired late, but I thought there was a fair bit of merit in the run. He seemed to stick on OK. I threw in a nomination for the San Domenico, but I think that was more if it had come up a bit soft, which it certainly hasn’t. The McNeil in comparison, while it’s still a decent race, it looks a lot softer, so we’ll go there, and Blake Shinn is booked to ride him.”
Our Lioness provides emotional win at Tamworth
Just over a month after his return to the saddle, jockey Liam Blanch won on outsider Our Lioness (Brave Smash {Jpn}) at Tamworth on Tuesday. Blanch hadn’t ridden since 2021 for personal reasons. “It was every emotion I had, it just hit me all at once,” Blanch told racingnsw.com.au.
Liam Blanch | Image courtesy of NSW Country and Picnic Racing
“I think it surprised everyone, I think the trainer was pretty surprised himself, but it was good and a real team effort. I have to thank Colt (Prosser) for putting me on when I told him I wanted to come back, and he gave me trial rides to get fit. I didn't think I'd cry, but it's good being back doing what I love."
Microphone adds seventh winner
Trainer James Cummings combined with jockey Fred Kersley to win the first at Seymour on Tuesday with 3-year-old filly And Found (Microphone) who gave her sire his seventh winner from his first crop.
Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young trained 3-year-old gelding Cocobill (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) won on debut on the same card.
Little Pinker continues Dracarys good run
Queensland sire Dracarys is enjoying a good run with several winners in the last few weeks, and 3-year-old filly Little Pinker’s win at Home Hill on Tuesday added another to the bag. Trained by Clinton Taylor, Little Pinker had previously placed three times in her four starts prior to Tuesday’s win.
Group winner resuming on Wednesday
Group 3 winner Sudbina (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) will make her raceday return at Cambridge Synthetic on Wednesday. “I thought she had a wicked season, she’s only a wee girl and was learning her trade as she went, and we were learning about her,” co-trainer Roger James told Loveracing.nz about her 3-year-old season.
Sudbina will contest Wednesday's Majestic Horse Floats | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
“To do what she did was excellent really, she’s won a Desert Gold and fourth in a Bonecrusher, so she’s done very well. She’s got plenty of length and scope about her, she’s never going to be big but she’s got a decent stride on her and I think we will look to place her carefully later on, where she doesn’t have to carry too much weight.” She has won three of her nine starts.
Dunn’s Tribeca Star aiming for $2 million The Kosciuszko slot
Trainer Matthew Dunn’s talented sprinter Tribeca Star (Star Turn) will make a low-key return at the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday, ahead of a campaign aimed at The Kosciuszko. “He’s been coming along well and is going better than ever,” Dunn told racingqueensland.com.au.
“He had a few issues early in his career but he’s over them now. He’s fit enough for his first-up run and he gets in well at the weights.” Purchased by his trainer from Vinery Stud at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $80,000, he has earnings over $240,000 with three wins from 13 starts.
Eagle Farm problems could cause issues for Queensland trainers
A last minute review into Eagle Farm could change the programming for juvenile racing. The first 2-year-old race is currently scheduled for the first week of October at Doomben instead of late September at Eagle Farm. “It is hard for Queenslanders to get into the Magic Millions as it is. We need these races on to give us every opportunity,” trainer Chris Munce told Courier Mail.
Racing NSW submission on gaming ad changes
Racing NSW continues to lobby the Albanese Government that the banning of bonus bets would be a "disastrous outcome" for punters. “However, the inquiry had ideologically formed the view that all gambling was bad and drastic action was needed,” Racing NSW wrote in its draft Strategic Plan document released earlier this week.
“The inquiry's recommendations included a complete ban on inducements, with the definition of inducements so broad that it would have banned the offering of generosities such as bonus bets (for racing and sports). This would have been a disastrous outcome for punters and would have done nothing to reduce problem gambling.”
Zloties heads to the city
Lightly raced mare Zloties (Snitzel) will be out to back-up a satisfying comeback win when she makes her city debut at Sandown on Wednesday. “It was very satisfying in a sense because she’s always shown us nice ability, but she just had issues along the way and we couldn’t get her back to the races,” trainer Grahame Begg told racing.com.
“It was very rewarding that she got back and got the job done (at Geelong). She had had a very long, slow and steady build-up to get to the races, but it was very satisfying.”
Picturesque Kununurra hosts their Cup
Up to 2000 racegoers are expected to attend this Saturday’s family focused Kununurra Cup (1800 metres) at the stunning racecourse situated along the banks of Lake Kununurra in Western Australia. “Racing in Kununurra is always a fantastic experience for people of all ages, thanks to the KRC’s dedicated volunteers who consistently put on a great event,” Racing and Wagering Western Australia CEO Ian Edwards told racingwa.com.au.
“The Kununurra Cup draws a large crowd each year and showcases the significant social impact of racing on the town, from one of the most picturesque racecourses in Australia.”
Soldier’s Heart wins Listed 2YO Trophy
The Listed Champion 2YO Trophy at Ripon was won by 2-year-old colt Soldier’s Heart (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), and the colt took his record to three wins from five starts.
The full brother to Group 3 winner Elite Status became the 21st stakes winner for his sire.
