Daily News Wrap

Romancing The Moon listed on Gavelhouse

Te Akau Racing is selling Group 1 winner Romancing The Moon (NZ) (El Roca) on Gavelhouse Plus. “She was an outstanding racehorse for Te Akau, particularly as a 3-year-old filly,” David Ellis told Gavelhouse.

“I knew from the moment I saw her during yearling inspections that she was going to be a terrific racing prospect – she was a lovely, correct yearling with good attitude and a quality pedigree behind her. She went on to do a fantastic job in our colours, and I think she’s going to make a lovely broodmare as well.”

Bought by Te Akau principal David Ellis for NZ$50,000 from Westbury Stud’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2021, and she turned that into more than NZ$370,000 in stakes with five wins from 19 starts including the G1 Levin Classic.

G1 Metrop favourite runs on Saturday

G1 Metropolitan favourite Eliyass (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) will run in the G3 Kingston Town S. on Saturday. “You’ve got to love and respect that sort of record,” co-trainer Adrian Bott told racingnsw.com.au about Eliyass’ eight wins from ten starts.

“When the pressure’s on he’s really responded, he’s done what’s needed on every occasion for us. He keeps progressing, I feel he keeps improving, and he’s ready to take that next step. He’s in great order, he comes off the back of a designed month between runs but he’s trialled well in between. He just keeps improving since he’s been in Australia.”

Wide draw against Pericles in Underwood

Multiple Group 1-placed Godolphin middle distance performer Pericles (Street Boss {USA}) is aiming to catch a top level win in Saturday’s G1 Underwood S. but he’s drawn the carpark. “It's not ideal but he's a go forward horse, he overcame a bit of a wide draw last time and he's got good tactical speed,” jockey Blake Shinn told racenet.com.au.

“He rode the speed (last start) which was quick, he dominated the race, it was a top win. He hasn't been to 1800m since the autumn of his three-year-old season, so I'm really looking forward to getting him up to this trip, which could see where he heads to after the Underwood.”

Pericles half-brother aimed at Derby

Pericles’s half-brother Lavalier (Microphone) will be aimed at the G1 Victoria Derby depending on how he goes on Saturday. “He ran at Moonee Valley few weeks ago and finished third,” stable foreman Nacim Dilmi told racing.com.

“He's the type of horse that's just crying out for distance, so 1800m on Sunday and hopefully he's heading in the right direction towards the Derby.” A winner at his second start, Lavalier is out of blue hen mare Accessories (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) who has produced five group winners; Helmet, Epaulette, Bullbars, Pericles, and Pearls (Exceed And Excel).

Kah gets three weeks suspension

Jockey Jamie Kah has been given a three-week suspension, including Caulfield Cup day, for her ride on Let'sfacethemusic () last month. The Victorian Racing Tribunal on Thursday found Kah guilty of failure to take all "reasonable and permissible" steps to improve the position of her mount in the race on August 31.

Kah, afforded the opportunity to clear current riding engagements and commitments, will begin the penalty from midnight September 28 to October 19.

“We are satisfied this ride did not simply involve a mere error of judgement of your part,” Judge Kathryn Kings told the Tribunal. “Your failure to take the run that presented itself, was available to be taken for approximately eight strides, represented a breach of rule 129 (2) and was a departure from the standard of racing to be expected of a rider of your standing.”

Maher has second potential Everest horse with I Am Me

Ciaron Maher has Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) guaranteed a slot in The Everest, and now is targetting the race with I Am Me (I Am Invincible) who runs in The Shorts on Saturday. “I Am Me is definitely a chance to go to The Everest,” Maher told racenet.com.au.

“She will go to The Shorts and possibly the Premiere (Stakes). She did a piece of work on Monday and seems to be in great order. I think she should run up to form and be a super chance on Saturday.”

Tom Kitten on song for Epsom

Trainer James Cummings will use Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire})’s run in Saturday’s G3 Bill Ritchie Handicap to see if he’s up to the G1 Epsom. “We mean business with Tom Kitten as a 4-year-old, there’s big races ahead for him and we’ve been super patient to wait for the Bill Ritchie second-up,” Cummings told racingnsw.com.au.

“So it’s going to be no mean feat from barrier 15 to be flooding home up the middle to get over the top of these horses. There are good and promising horses in the field, none moreso than a horse like Gringotts for example. There’s a big challenge out there for Tom Kitten but if he keeps rising to the challenge then, on the doorstep of the Epsom two weeks later, he gets the gets his opportunity to lay down the gauntlet and put himself up there as a genuine Randwick handicap big Group 1 mile contender. That’s the aim on the weekend.”

Expensive Autumn Glow favourite for Flight S.

Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) enters the Darley Princess Series as the $1.95 favourite for Saturday’s G2 Tea Rose S. and she’s $2.30 to win the G1 Flight S. in two weeks. “It’s a tough ask, having her third start, you’ve got to remember Ameena and Manaal just to name two have had tough preparations,” jockey James McDonald told racingnsw.com.au.

“So they’re seasoned for this and have a bit more experience than what Autumn Glow has. And I know how good Ameena is having ridden her in her last couple of starts. It’s definitely no pushover but she’s got quality and I’ll be interested to see where she measures up.” Autumn Glow is unbeaten in her first two starts and was the sale topping yearling at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, making $1.8million purchased by Arrowfield Stud and Hermitage Thoroughbreds. She won the G3 Up & Coming S. at her last start.

Around The Nation: 3-year-old winners

Before Kembla Grange was abandoned due to high winds, John O’Shea and Tom Charlton trained 3-year-old gelding Interjection (Too Darn Hot {GB}) made it two in succession in winning the first on the card.

At Kempsey, Exceedaqa (Exceed And Excel) and Bodhi Boy (So You Think {NZ}) both won, while at Cranbourne, Terraflying (Territories {Ire}) won on debut. Lofty Arch (Snitzel), Truth Or Dare (NZ) (Vanbrugh), King West (Kingman {GB}) and Statuario (D’Argento) all won at Cranbourne.

Trainers sign up to Victoria’s Workplace scheme

More than 100 Victorian trainers have signed up for the industry's new Workcover Support Services scheme, an initiative designed to tackle recent rises in worker's compensation premiums that are crippling some stables. “We'd been hit between the eyes by the 130 per cent-plus increase in the industry rate that took the rate from 4.7 per cent to 11 per cent,” Australian Trainers Association Chair Andrew Nicholl told racing.com.

“That industry rate is applied to everyone across the board, then you plus or minus based on your individual performance and claim history. We were seeing trainers that had historically paid 4 per cent or less, all of a sudden paying 11 per cent, 15 per cent or even 18 per cent. That was the catalyst for this and we started the process with Racing Victoria last May (2023).

“The ATA put their hand up to RV and said if you can provide the funding, we can provide the tools that can help and support the industry. Racing Victoria could see where the industry was at, they were 100 per cent supportive and they confirmed that they would fund it through a 1 per cent deduction for prizemoney. Historically we had 2 per cent coming out for equine welfare, 1 per cent coming out for jockeys and, via the board, we introduced a 1 per cent deduction for trainer and stable staff support.”

Singapore trainer Fitzsimmons moves to Bendigo

Leading Singapore-based trainer Tim Fitzsimmons will return home to Victoria after 17 years and train from the Bendigo Jockey Club when racing ends in Singapore next month. “To be honest, I didn't think I'd ever be training in Australia, I've been here for 17 years now and I've just ticked over five years training,” Fitzsimmons told racing.com.

“My ultimate dream was to one day get to Hong Kong. But now I am actually really excited to get back to where I started (Victoria) and am keen to get back. I don't plan on starting to train until the middle of December. A lot of my horses I want them to have a proper spell as they've been locked in a box.”

He plans to bring Singapore Derby winner Golden Monkey (Star Turn) with him as well as a dozen others. “It's hard to tell but I'd like to think for Golden Monkey there might be a Group 2 or Group 3 win somewhere for him, it might not even be in Victoria. There will be races for all of them, but we will just have to place them right, we've handpicked the better, more-progressive horses.”

Braith Nock given 6 week suspension

Racing NSW Stewards continued an inquiry on Thursday in respect to apprentice jockey Braith Nock’s actions when riding of Royale Veloute (Spieth) at Hawkesbury meeting on September 7. Nock pleaded guilty to the charges of improper riding. Given the guilty plea, forthright evidence and remorse over his actions, the Stewards reduced the penalty to a period of 6 weeks suspension from Sunday, September 29 and to expire on November 11.

Jockey Hutchinson out for three months

Talented apprentice Tala Hutchinson is expected to be sidelined for up to three months following an incident pre-race at Mindarie Halidon on Sunday. Hutchinson, 22, fractured a bone in the bottom of the tibia and has torn ligaments on the outside of her ankle. A meeting with Racing SA doctor Steve Kennett on Wednesday determined the full extent of the injury.

Hutchison, who works for Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray is one of the rising starts of the saddle in South Australia having enjoyed a brilliant start to her riding career with 39 winners from just 227 race rides.

Aussie trainers targeting The Kiwi slot race

Ballarat trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy are hoping they are in for an exciting spring with promising three-year-old Rue De Royale (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), with the ultimate goal being to gain a slot in next year’s $3.5 million NZB Kiwi. “We are giving good consideration to running in the Caulfield Guineas and we just thought the 2000 Guineas might be a really nice option,” Calvin McEvoy said.

“He is by Per Incanto and what we would love is to get him a spot in The Kiwi. What a great initiative, they are really keeping up with the times, and these slot races are all over the world now. It is great money. We thought the money for the Guineas was fantastic at $650,000 as well. It is at the same time as The Carbine Club so it is certainly a good opportunity to give him another opportunity at Group 1 level for a colt, for more money.”

Habana has Group 1 targets

Cambridge Stud’s private trainer Lance Noble has Group 2 winner Habana (Zoustar) resuming at Ellerslie in Saturday. “We are quite keen to see if he can stretch out to 2000m this time around and I think he will the way he races,” Noble said.

“He does relax and has always hit the line well over a mile, so the main target will be the Zabeel Classic. We are conscious that he is a gelding and quite high up in the ratings so he’s always going to be carrying a lot of weight in handicap. The weight-for-age route might be a bit easier on him.”

Listed Boulder Cup for Admiration Express

Admiration Express (My Admiration) won the Coolgardie Cup in stylish fashion two weeks ago, and now her next Goldfields mission is Sunday’s Listed Boulder Cup. “One reason was 59 ½ kg in the Tabtouch and 56 ½ in the Boulder Cup,” trainer Jason Miller said to Racing WA.

“It took a little bit to decide, but if she goes well on Sunday then we have the Kalgoorlie Cup. It’s easier to go from 2100m to a 2300m then if I went to a mile and up to the Kalgoorlie Cup. She handled the travel pretty well the other day and I thought I’d go back that way.” Admiration Express has won three of her 17 starts and over $460,000.

Copartner Prance aiming for seven in a row

Francis Lui trained Copartner Prance (Epaulette) is bidding for a seventh straight win at Sha Tin on Sunday. “He’s done OK over the summer,” Lui told scmp.com. “At this moment his rating might be potentially near the top for him, but I don’t know where his peak rating will be.”

“I think he can improve a bit more, he’s still in very good form. Let’s see how he runs this time to see if he can be [a Group horse].”

Treble for Lui at Happy Valley

Reigning champion trainer Francis Lui kick-started his 2024-25 campaign with a treble at Happy Valley on Wednesday night with Sweet Briar (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}), Forever Glorious (GB) (Archipenko {USA}) and Brave Star (Myboycharlie {Ire}). “It’s surprised me, to have a few winners,” Lui told scmp.com. “Brave Star likes to run fresh, Sweet Briar was dropping in class and Forever Glorious is an honest horse but he needs the situation to suit. Hopefully I can keep going.”

Not This Time colt leads Book 5 at Keeneland

A colt by Not This Time (USA) led the initial Book 5 session of the Keeneland September Sale in Lexington Wednesday. Consigned by his breeder Woods Edge Farm, Hip 3027 was purchased for $350,000 by bloodstock agent Justin Casse, purchasing on behalf of an undisclosed client.

“He is a lovely colt,” said Casse. “He was spotted well in the latter part of the sale by one of the best consignors out there, Peter O'Callaghan. His pedigree stood out. You weren't going to run into many pedigrees like that at this stage and the physical held its own. We were happy to give it a whirl.”

As for the price, he added, “When you talk about a stallion whose last stud fee was $150,000, I think the price makes sense.”

On Wednesday's opening Book 5 session, a total of 308 yearlings were sold through the ring for gross receipts of US$13,744,000 (AU$20million), up 2.34% from 2023. Average dipped 1% to US$44,623 (AU$65,300), while media ticked up 4.48% to US$35,000 (AU$51,000) over one year ago.

Gross through nine sessions rose 4.44% to US$396,213,500 (AU$580million) for 2048 sold, with average rising 7.24% to US$193,464 (AU$283,000). Median increased 10% to US$110,000 (AU$161,000).

Zozos retired to Equistar

In a deal that came about unexpectedly for Rodney Eckenrode's Equistar, Grade winner Zozos (USA) (Munnings {USA}) will join the farm's stallion roster for 2025 with a stud fee of $2,500 in the offing. The training and breeding operation east of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania also stands Smarty Jones (USA) and Brody's Cause (USA). The dark bay who was bred and campaigned by Minnesotans Barry and Joni Butzow recently retired from trainer Brad Cox's shedrow after a career which began at three.

Zozos's career highlights include a runner-up finish in the GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds and a 10th-place showing in the 2022 GI Kentucky Derby. The next season, the homebred won the Knicks Go Stakes and later the GIII Ack Ack Stakes–both at Churchill Downs.

“It normally can take a couple of years to find the right fit,” said Eckenrode. “This horse is really going to get people excited here in Pennsylvania and what he is going to do is really help the breed. That is always my focus regionally. The depth of the pedigree here and the Munnings connection were just a few of the reasons that we jumped at the chance.”

Believing aimed at Breeders’ Cup

Consistent filly Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), second in Sunday's G1 Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh to Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}), will be given a break, according to trainer George Boughey. The Highclere Thoroughbred Racing and Jane Addams runner will return in either or both the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye in October or the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar a month later.

“It will be interesting to see how she comes out of Sunday's race,” he said. “I was really pleased to hear from Ryan Moore on Sunday night that he felt she was better than ever. She'll have a bit of a break and we'll work out what we're going to do next. The Abbaye and the Breeders' Cup are the two entries she has. She's not going to get her ground on Champions Day at Ascot, so we didn't even enter her.”