Pair reunite with a slightly shorter finger
Prince Of Boom (Spirit Of Boom) bit the end of jockey Jimmy Orman’s finger off last month when he was attempting to remove a tongue tie after trackwork, and with Orman cleared by doctors on Tuesday, the 6-year-old gelding will be one of his first rides back in the saddle in the Magic Millions Snippets on Saturday. “It's pretty ironic, I will be riding Prince Of Boom in the Snippets on Saturday, it'd be a pretty funny story if he was to win,” Orman told racenet.com.au.
“I had to go and give him a pat yesterday morning to make sure we were all sweet, I said, ‘Watch my hand this time, boy'. I got the clearance from the doctor to ride, the finger feels good. I rode trackwork on Friday and Saturday, I rode nine trials the other day as well. It feels all normal again, it is a bit numb and tingly, but that could last a while, it won't affect my riding.
Prince of Boom | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“They pulled a lot of the skin on my finger up when they cut down it, so it stretched the nerves in there. They gave me a splint, but it is uncomfortable so I'm not going to wear it, the doctor said that is all good. I could have sulked and sat on the sidelines for longer, but I get more satisfaction out of riding, especially on Magic Millions Day, they are the days every jockey wants to ride on.”
Orman will ride the Stuart Kendrick-trained Luva Flutta (Spirit Of Boom) in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic and Sunlight (Zoustar)’s colt Dawn Service (Justify {USA}) in the R. Listed Magic Millions Guineas.
Gold Coast party to remain in place
The Gold Coast Turf Club track will be assessed by the jockeys and a decision on the suitability for racing will be made on Thursday, with the alternative location for the Magic Millions 10-race program at Eagle Farm racecourse. On Wednesday, Magic Millions announced that the planned parties at the Gold Coast track will remain in place regardless of where the races will run.
Magic Millions co-owners, Gerry Harvey and Katie Page said jointly, “Thank you so much. Despite the challenges, this Magic Millions week has been a spectacular success so far and it is thanks to the people of the Gold Coast, the people of Southeast Queensland and the entire horseracing community from across Australia and around the world. You have been amazing.
“We are so excited about the music acts that we will be announcing in the coming days. It will be the best musical line-up we have had in 38-year history of The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday.”
Lockwood hoping to celebrate new partnership with MM win
Trainer Barry Lockwood has applied to start a new training partnership with long time off-sider Emma-Jane Vincent and will run Give Me Space (Cosmic Force) in Saturday’s R. Listed Magic Millions Guineas. “His win in the Vo Rogue was fantastic and all his sectionals were sensational,” Lockwood told racingqueensland.com.au.
“He had to go back from a wide draw last start and he’ll have to go back again. There’s no use getting caught three or four wide so he’ll have to be ridden for luck. It is what it is and we can’t change it. I’ve never had a runner in this race but I trained Trustful who ran second in the Magic Millions Classic behind St. Jude (in 1990).”
Barry Lockwood
Luva Flutter could be tonic for Corazzol
Part-owner Sherryl Corazzol has been undergoing treatment for a serious medical issue and will get a lift if colt Luva Flutta (Spirit Of Boom) can perform in Saturday’s R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic. “I'm really hoping that Sherryl is well enough to go to the races on Saturday – she is really quite excited about it,” husband and well-known owner Ian Corazzol told racenet.com.au.
“We were at Taronga Zoo in Sydney when Luva Flutta won on the Sunshine Coast at his second race start. We were in a cafe at the zoo, and we watched the race on my phone and Sherryl was cheering and she punched the air when the horse won.”
Luva Flutta | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Trainer Stuart Kendrick said, “He just keeps improving in everything he does. He has drawn a good barrier (7) so he has enough speed to be up there, and he will give it a good shot. He is coming off a trial and I did a similar thing with a horse called Fullazaboot who ran second behind Sunlight in the 2018 Magic Millions. He did the same thing, he qualified early, and then we just ticked him over and trialled him. I think it's a wide-open Magic Millions and we are certainly in with a chance.”
Evaporate added to The Kiwi
Lindsay Park's Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) will run in the inaugural NZ Bloodstock Kiwi, taking Entain's slot in the Southern Hemisphere's richest 3-year-old race. “We've searched through the history books and to have a placegetter in the Caulfield Guineas - a race that is one of the best 3-year-old races on the Australian calendar and famous for launching stallion careers - head across the Tasman is a fantastic coup for the inaugural running of The NZB Kiwi,” Entain Managing Director - New Zealand, Cameron Rodger told racing.com
Evaporate (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Evaporate is a shining example of the New Zealand thoroughbred being bred and foaled at the famous Little Avondale Stud on the outskirts of Masterton. He's already proven himself on the Australian stage and we're thrilled to have him back for such a massive day in New Zealand racing history. With a strong following across the ditch, Evaporate's presence in The NZB Kiwi will ensure the Australasian focus on 8 March will be squarely set on Champions Day at Ellerslie.”
Bird charged over Caulfield fire
Travis Bird, 51, fronted Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning following his arrest on Tuesday afternoon, reported racing.com. It is alleged Bird lit a number of fires on Tuesday, starting with the one that caused extensive damage in the Norman Robinson Stand at Caulfield.
The court was told Bird was not seeking bail and had a schizophrenia diagnosis. He was remanded in custody until April 1. He will face a number of arson and trespass charges when he next returns to court.
Around The Nation: Wednesday’s highlights
With the focus on the Gold Coast, racing continued around Australia with six meetings. At Warwick Farm, 3-year-old colt City Gold Banner (Starspangledbanner) won on debut. The Caulfield Heath meeting was transferred to Mornington and well-bred 3-year-old filly Mary Eliza (NZ) (Super Seth) won at her second start. She is the third foal and first winner for Group 1 winner Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) who is a sister to Group 3 winner Imposing Lass (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) and Listed winner Frontman (NZ), and a half-sister to Group winners Full Of Spirit (Flying Spur), Lady Cumquat (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}), and Lord Arthur (Camelot {GB}).
Wednesday’s Devonport Cup was won by 6-year-old gelding Ashy Boy (Star Witness) whose 0.02l victory gave jockey Craig Newitt four wins on the card. He’d earlier won on 3-year-old gelding I’m Chev (Stratosphere), 3-year-old filly Sky Land (Zululand), and Durazzo (Needs Further). Glenn Stevenson-trained Ashy Boy also won the Devonport Cup in 2024 and now has seven wins from 41 starts and earnings over $430,000. He was placed in the Listed Tasmanian Derby at three, and added a couple of Group 3 fourth placings last season. A $150,000 yearling, he was on-sold in 2021 at the Inglis Digital August Sale after running poorly in his first three starts. Patrick Kearney Racing paid $7500 for him, and has enjoyed all his wins to date.
Hong Kong offers for Speir
Trainer Jack Laing has been fielding international offers for 4-year-old gelding Speir (Lord Of The Sky) since he won on Sunday. “After winning on Sunday, there has been interest in him, absolutely. The offers are getting bigger and better but it's one of those things, he is by a country mile easily the best horse I've had, so do you go for the journey or the money? There is definitely interest and it's very enticing. It's probably like 70 per cent keep him and 30 per cent move him on,” Laing told racing.com.
“In November he won a trial over 800 metres by about four of five lengths and broke 45 seconds. I've only seen three other horses break 45 (seconds) in these 800-metre trials at Cranbourne… that being Lankan Rupee, Eduardo and Lord Of The Sky himself, so he's obviously pretty special.”
First city ride for apprentice
Apprentice Jordyn Weatherley will have her first city ride on Boonie (Brazen Beau) for her boss Tom Dabernig in the Victorian Jockeys' Association Trophy at Flemington on Saturday. “It's more rewarding when you get a winner after working so hard to get there,” Weatherley told racenet.com.au.
Jordyn Weatherley | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“I tell Tom that I ride better when I work harder so he definitely works me hard, which is good for me. Tom gives me so many opportunities so I'm happy to do as much work as he wants me to do when he puts me on so many winners.” Weatherley has 48 wins.
Stud and Stable awards open
Racing SA is thrilled to announce the 2025 nominations for the prestigious Australian Stud & Stable Staff Awards (SSSA) are now open. Nominations will close on February 17. The awards ceremony, a night of celebration and recognition, will be held on May 26, at the QT Hotel Gold Coast. With seven categories to enter, the awards offer significant prizes: $10,000 for category winners and $3000 for runners-up, while the Newcomer Award offers a $5000 winner's prize.
NZ/USA partnership announced
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) announced a partnership with 1/ST, the premier North American Thoroughbred racing, gaming and entertainment company on Wednesday. The partnership will connect three prestigious race days: Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Champions Day on March 8, with 1/ST’s Pegasus World Cup on January 25 and California Crown on September 27.
The collaboration will introduce “Golden Ticket” pathways, offering the winning horses direct entry into marquee races with NZTR and 1/ST covering travel and freight costs for Golden Ticket-winning horses travelling internationally to compete in the respective countries.
“This partnership marks an exciting milestone in showcasing New Zealand racing on the world stage,” commented Chief Operating Officer of NZTR, Darin Balcombe. “The Golden Ticket concept creates a unique pathway for international competition, enriching the experience for racing participants and fans alike.”
Savaglee resumes on Saturday
G1 NZ 2000 Guineas-winning 3-year-old colt Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) will resume at Trentham on Saturday, taking his place in the G2 Levin Classic. “We’ve just kept him ticking over nicely, building up fitness and trying to have him in the best condition that we can,” trainer Pam Gerard told Loveracing.nz.
Savaglee (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images South
“It’s not our final race for the season so he’s pretty well, he’s carrying a little bit of excess condition but we’re pretty happy with where he’s at. At the 1400 metres, there just wasn’t anything else available, and it was going to be this race or the Telegraph. We didn’t really want to take on the older horses at 1200 metres, then he’d carry a lot of weight in races like the Almanzor. It was pretty plain sailing really, it had to be this one.”
Pearl Of Alsace ready for Thorndon
Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) will run in Saturday’s G1 Thorndon Mile at Trentham. “She has been served by Proisir and we’re waiting to see if she is in foal,” Shaune Ritchie, who trains her with Colm Murray for breeder-owner Sir Peter Vela, told Loveracing.nz.
Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“If she is, she’ll only have a couple more runs and she is Group 1-placed and a Group winner so there’s only one mountain left to climb. If she can nail a Group 1 then that would be fantastic. We’re starting to run out of opportunities, and this is without doubt the best she’s had. She has a great record both at the mile and at Trentham and dropping down to 53kg is going to be advantageous as well. She comes into the race really nicely.”
Trainer Shum fined over information
Trainer Danny Shum has been fined HK$300,000 (AU$62,000) after pleading guilty to breaching Rule 155 (17), which states no person shall “give, disclose or otherwise make available any inside information in relation to a horse.”
Hong Kong Jockey Club chief steward Marc van Gestel confirmed in a statement reported on scmp.com that Shum made “privileged information available to persons not entitled to receive such information, in respect to three horses he was training.
“In determining penalty, the stewards took into consideration the nature of the rule breached, the degree of culpability and relevant mitigating factors. In this regard, Mr Shum’s conduct was not an intentional breach of the rule and did not include any serious misconduct where he received any benefit. The breaches were of a historical nature, occurring soon after an amendment to Rule 155 (17). Mr Shum’s guilty plea and cooperation with the investigation. His unblemished record in relation to similar offences and good standing within the thoroughbred industry and community.”
Do Deuce named Horse of the Year
Kieffers Company's Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) was named the 2024 Japanese Horse of the Year and Champion Older Male, the Japan Racing Association (JRA) announced on Tuesday. The formal 2024 JRA Awards Ceremony will be held in a hotel in Tokyo at 5 pm (local) on Monday, January 27.
The Yasuo Tomomichi trainee was poised for a big 2024 and duly delivered victories in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) and the G1 Japan Cup in October and November, respectfully. He received 236 of the 256 possible votes for Horse of the Year, and all 256 for Champion Older Male. A Group 1 winner at two, three, four and five, he was the recipient of the Japanese 2-Year-Old Male award in 2021, and also won the 2022 G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby).
In one of the most contested categories, Danox Company's Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) eked out the Champion 3-Year-Old Male title with 144 votes to 103 for globetrotter and dirt Group 1 winner Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), who while not formally recognised with a championship, has received a special award from the JRA.
Do Deuce (Jpn) | Image courtes of Japan Racing Association
Northern Racing-bred and racing in the silks of Sunday Racing Company, the undefeated Croix Du Nord (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) was crowned Champion 2-Year-Old Male. A winner at Tokyo in June, he added the G2 Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai S. in November, prior to running out a 2l winner of the G1 Hopeful S. at Nakayama.
Like many in this bunch, Cervinia (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) hails from one of the Yoshida family's breeding arms in Northern Farm, and the Champion 3-Year-Old Filly accolade went her way after a two-for-four season. Unplaced in the G1 Japanese 1000 Guineas, the Sunday Racing colourbearer bounced back with tallies in the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) and G1 Shuka Sho. She was a good fourth to Do Deuce in the Japan Cup in November.
Teruo Ono's Arma Veloce (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) was named the Champion 2-Year-Old Filly after a two-for-three campaign. A maiden winner in August for trainer Hiroyuki Uemura, the Northern Farm-bred dark bay was a nose second in the G3 Sapporo Nisai S., and waltzed home a 1.25l winner of the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies to gain year-end honours.
Gaming changes in USA state of Florida
1/ST Racing's Gulfstream Park and the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association (FHBA) have reached an agreement to support changes to Chapter 550 of the existing State Legislation–decoupling regulations–that will enable Gulfstream Park's live racing schedule to become independent of the venue's parimutuel license, it was announced by 1/ST Racing on Monday.
The basis for the agreement, “unique and designed to address the needs of Florida and consistent with similar gaming entities in the region,” said 1/ST, “allows 1/ST to pursue necessary opportunities for development at Gulfstream Park. The agreement ensures purse revenues are unaffected and provides for additional contributions by Gulfstream Park to horsemen's workers' compensation premiums and meaningful increases to Thoroughbred aftercare efforts in Florida.”
